T O W N O F FOXBOROUGH 2018 ANNUAL REPORT TOWN OF FOXBOROUGH Whereas a number of inhabitants belonging to the Towns of Wrentham, Walpole, Stoughton, and Stoughtonham, have represented to this Court the inconveniences that they labour under on account of their distance from the places of Public Worship in Several Towns to which they now belong and have earnestly and repeatedly requested that they may be incorporated into a Town, namely Foxborough, Norfolk County. INCORPORATED: June 10, 1778 POPULATION: 16,924 ELEVATION AT CORNER OF SOUTH & SCHOOL STREETS: 300 feet above sea level AREA OF TOWN: Approximately 21 square miles NUMBER OF MILES OF ACCEPTED ROADS WITHIN THE TOWN: 89.9 linear miles NUMBER OF MILES OF STATE HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE TOWN: 15.29 linear miles NUMBER OF MILES OF UNACCEPTED ROADS WITHIN THE TOWN: 5.19 linear miles TOTAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS: As of December 31, 2018 GRE GREE UNIT MA INTER AMER WORK PIZZA PART WORLD PCT# DEM REP UNEN LIB CONS RAIN INDE INDEP 3rd INDEP FAMILY PARTY USA CITI TOTAL 1 544 269 1,388 8 2 3 3 2,218 1 2 547 318 1,560 6 3 1 3 1 2 1 2,442 3 598 327 1,556 4 2 8 1 2 1 1 1 2,501 4 501 358 1,611 10 1 4 10 1 5 2 1 2,504 5 503 340 1,549 12 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 2,416 TOTAL 2,693 1,612 7,664 40 7 13 28 4 8 6 2 2 1 1 12,081 SENATORS IN CONGRESS Edward J. Markey (D) 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Elizabeth A. Warren (D) 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 CONGRESSMAN, FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Joseph P. Kennedy, III (D) 306 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 COUNCILLOR, SECOND DISTRICT Robert L. Jubinville (D) 487 Adams Street, Milton, MA 02186 STATE SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT, BRISTOL & NORFOLK DISTRICT Paul R. Feeney (D) State House, 24 Beacon St., Room 507, Boston, MA 02133 STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT, FIRST BRISTOL DISTRICT Fred “Jay” Barrows (R) State House, 24 Beacon St., Room 542, Boston, MA 02133 240TH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT AND TOWN ACCOUNTANT / FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018 2018 TOWN OF FOXBOROUGH ANNUAL REPORT Historic Dedication and Photos: Town Historian, Jack Authelet, and Foxborough Historical Commission members Emelie Bonin, Mark Ferencik and Christian Arcaro collaborated to pull together news clips and photos from the Commission and Foxboro Reporter archives. Front & Back Cover Design: Amanda Smith This year marks the 240th year since the Town of Foxborough’s incorporation. With only ten years until the 250th anniversary, it seemed like the perfect time to take a look back at the history of the Town of Foxborough and pay homage to what has made it “the Gem of Norfolk County” – Community. The photos shown on the front and back cover of this report are highlights from the year 2018, collected from each department and board/committee. The Town of Foxborough would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 2018 Annual Town Report. The effort to create the Annual Report is shared by all and is further proof of the supportive and collaborative community of Foxborough. Amanda Smith, Editor The Annual Town Report is also available online at www.foxboroughma.gov. In Memoriam 2018 During the year we were saddened by the deaths of the following former town employees and volunteers. Marion Andrews Former school bus driver Richard Biggieri Former member of Foxborough Commission on Disability Joan Clifford Former School Department employee Ruth Donnelly Former Ahern Middle School nurse Former Town Official and member of Advisory Committee, Planning Board and Former Edward Fox Selectman Ralph Hunt Former member of Foxboro Historical Society and Founders Day Planning Committee Charles Kastrenos Former FISH driver for COA/HS Robert Lomus Former member of FCATV Board of Directors and Former COA/HS “Van-Go” Driver Patrick Albert Lyons Former member of Foxboro Historical Society Delora Moran Former School Department employee Ray Mosher Former COA/HS “Van-Go” driver; Former member of Friends of Foxboro Seniors Jane Myers Former teacher’s aide at Burrell Elementary School Richard “Dick” Noonan Former Reserve Police Officer Patricia Rohner Former Third Grade Teacher at Foxborough Schools John Sheean Former member of Planning Board Joyce Sonnenberg Former supervisor of Discretionary Fund Food Pantry Pat Tredo Former Town Hall secretary Marion “Betty” Truax Former school nurse Whitemore “Pete” Turner Former Building Commissioner; Former member of Board of Assessors, PMBC and IDFA Margaret “Peg” Weisker Former language teacher at Foxborough High School Dawn Whitney Former member of Foxboro Garden Club THE CENTENNIAL Foxborough’s first grand celebration In the shadow of the United States of American celebrating its Centennial in 1876, residents and town officials of Foxborough were primed and ready to celebrate the Town of Foxborough Centennial in 1878. The annual Town Meeting of 1877 voted a committee of seven to celebrate the town’s first hundred years not only as a matter of local pride and interest but appreciation for the heritage of ancestors whose self-denial, courage, fortitude and patriotism worthy of commemoration. Their record should not be lost, they reasoned, but handed by them to generations that come after, that they too might appreciate and perpetuate the blessings of a free government achieved at so great a price driven by a sense of community that gave birth to a new town. Photo 1 First thoughts were to celebrate on June 10, 100 years from the date their petition for incorporation was finally enacted. But that date fell on a Monday in 1878 which would be a bit awkward. Reason prevailed, and the celebration was shifted to Saturday, June 29, marking 100 years since officials of the new community first met and conducted the official business of the new town. Decorations At the early months of the Centennial year, town officials, local businesses and many residents started to show their support for the occasion with decorations, most in the national colors, to adorn public buildings, factories and the homes of proud citizens. The Town House was hung with banners and Photo 2 inside, where many activities would be held, flags of all nations were displayed as well as their official Coat of Arms. The Union Straw Works on Wall Street featured many banners and a large characteristic motto proclaiming “We cover millions.” A large arch over the front entrance read “Welcome.” The two boarding houses across the street were also displaying large banners. All the buildings along School Street facing the Common displayed colors and Photo 3 slogans for the occasion, many requiring extensive ladder work to secure such large banners against the elements. The celebratory spirit spread up and down streets to many homes and office buildings that would be viewed by thousands long the parade route. Decorations were also featured at American House on South Street and the Masonic Hall on Rockhill St. Preparations Governor Alexander H. Rice and many members of Congress, as well as state and local officials, had received invitations to the event. A long list of former residents who had made significant contributions to the community were also invited and a general appeal was made to various clubs and organizations as well as residents of area towns. A large crowd was anticipated. Precautions were taken in the event of bright sun or rain and arrangements were made for the opening ceremonies. The Common was reserved for the dedication of the Memorial Stone. The opening program of the Centennial would be held in two tents in a large area at the head of Main Street which is now built up with the properties at 21, 25 and 29. It was estimated that Photo 4 attendees would number 2,500 people. As responses to invitations began arriving, the number of invitees accepting was very high and, coupled with inquiries from various groups and neighboring towns, they had to face the reality of a much greater response than anticipated. Time was running out. Arrangements were quickly made for another tent. Large orders were placed for lumber from which to make tables and benches. They felt comfortable they could dismantle them after the celebration and recover much of the cost by selling the used lumber. Finally, everything was in place, and it was time to celebrate. Photo 5 Tragic beginning The first day of the second century in Foxborough was to have a grand start with a sunrise 100-gun salute and the ringing of bells in the churches and factories. But the salute was suspended when, after a few discharges, one of the canons had a premature discharge, the projectile striking one of the local veterans participating in the salute. James Anthony Davis fell to the ground and in a matter of moments, the life of a respected veteran and esteemed citizen ended, and news of the tragedy quickly spread through the community. The state had offered to provide the cannon and military personnel for the salute. When local veterans came forward and asked for opportunity to fire the salute, the town felt their military service and experience should be recognized and honored and they were given Photo 6 responsibility. Later in the program, committee members noted that if it had been known the celebration would be the death-knell of a fellow citizen, it would be “Better, far better, that the history of our town’s centennial day should never be written, but remain a blank forever, than that one life should be sacrificed in its celebration!” He left a widow and two children.