Acushnet wins $1 million for Slocum Street improvements

The Acushnet Board of Selectmen on June 24 announced that $1.0 million from a previously authorized $1.4 million transportation bond for Slocum Street has been transferred into the town’s bank account, officials said.

The chair credited sustained advocacy by town leaders, staff and state representatives for securing the money. “We got a million dollars in our bank account three weeks ago,” the chair said, praising state Representative Mark Sylvia and other partners for persistent work with MassDOT.

State Representative Mark Sylvia, who attended the meeting, said the outcome illustrated “how when we all work together, we can get great things done,” and emphasized the importance of clear local messaging to state and district staff.

Officials said engineering work and budget reconciliation remain. The chair and consultant Jamie Kelly said they are continuing to finalize numbers with the engineering firm and expect several weeks of additional work before construction contracts are advertised. The chair said previously approved town borrowing for the project may not be needed now: based on current figures, the town may avoid the planned $1.5 million borrowing and instead use previously authorized infrastructure balances and retained water earnings.

The board did not take a construction vote on June 24. Town staff will complete final cost estimates and bid specifications; selectmen discussed targeting a phased construction schedule once bids and engineering plans are complete. The board thanked former and current staff and legislative aides for coordinating grant and bond paperwork and for shepherding the project through MassDOT review.

What happens next: engineering and final cost reconciliations are expected in the coming weeks; the board will return to the agenda to approve bid specifications and any borrowing or match if required.