MAYOR O’CONNELL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Proven Track Record of Putting People First
Excellence in Finance
✓ AA+ Bond Rating -- Highest Rating in City’s History
✓ Tax Rate $2,700 LOWER than average tax bill in MA
✓ Increased investment income from $400,000 to $11 million
✓ Increased Grant Funding by 800%
✓ Received Certificate of Excellence in Finance
✓ Created first Capital and Economic Improvement Program
✓ Established first Capital Project Stabilization Fund
✓ Established first Grant Matching Fund
✓ 99.96 % budget accuracy
✓ No Overrides to fund City or Schools
Innovation!
✓ Taunton’s First Solar Green Energy Projects:
• Water Plant
• Chamberlin School
• Library Roof
• Landfill
• Waste Water Treatment Facility
• Friedman School
✓ Over $1.7 million in annual savings
Improving Taunton
✓ 20% of City Roads Paved in 5 Years (59 miles)
✓ $31 Million in road and sidewalk improvements
✓ $13 Million in water main improvements
✓ Created Substance Use Prevention Coordinator position
✓ Funded Taunton Public Schools Performing Arts Program
✓ Major renovations to Animal Shelter
✓ Established study for upgrading the Golf Course
✓ Upgraded Taunton High Theater
✓ Taunton designated as a Purple Heart Community
✓ Lead Free Community designation
✓ NAPA Award for Excellence in Paving
Saving Residents Money
✓ Doubled Veterans Tax Exemption
✓ Doubled Senior Tax Exemption
✓ Created Donation Fund to help our veterans
✓ Established the FREE Senior trash bag program
✓ Monthly FREE Waste Disposal events
• Household waste, bulk items, electronics, tires, yard waste
✓ Purchased Coyle Cassidy -- Savings of $100M
✓ Created Donation Fund for Student Scholarships
✓ Created Donation Fund for Seniors
Parks & Recreation
✓ Duvol Park Renovation
✓ Memorial Park Renovation
✓ Installing Splash Pad in East Taunton
✓ Splash Pad at Weir Riverfront
✓ Renovated Weir River Park
✓ Downtown Outdoor Seating area
✓ $1.7M for Taunton High Girls Softball field
Public Safety
✓ New Public Safety Building
✓ Improving and building new fire stations
✓ Funded/Created Ladder Company for Fire Department
✓ New Ladder Truck and Fire Engines
✓ New Fire Apparatus
✓ First fully operational Drone Program
✓ Police body cameras
✓ Upgraded Police Equipment and Vehicles
✓ Established Active Shooter Training
✓ Installing cameras and safety measures in city parks
Economic & Community Development
✓ Created Marketable Properties Program
✓ Expanded Rent Rebate Program
✓ Created Business Loan Program
✓ Created Small Business Grant Program
✓ Created Facade Program
✓ Transformed Downtown Taunton
✓ Created Citywide Mural Program
✓ Established Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force
✓ Created Housing Districts to enhance development