Mayor O'Connell highlights AA+ bond rating, infrastructure and housing investments in Taunton State of the City

Mayor Shawna O'Connell told residents at Taunton's State of the City address that the city has strengthened its finances, accelerated road and utility upgrades and is advancing housing and public‑safety projects while launching community programs and awards.

In her address, Mayor Shawna O'Connell emphasized the city's fiscal gains and major capital investments, saying the administration's work is aimed at keeping Taunton affordable and improving quality of life. "I am committed to affordability, service, and getting you positive results," O'Connell said.

O'Connell opened by pointing to the city's improved fiscal position: Taunton received an AA+ bond rating in 2022 and later earned the Government Finance Officers Association certificate of excellence in financial reporting. She said the city increased its investment earnings from $400,000 to $11,000,000 over four years and that Taunton now ranks fourth in the state for investment earnings.

The mayor outlined several revenue and cost‑saving initiatives. She said three municipal solar projects coming online will produce about $600,000 in annual revenue. The administration also purchased the former Coyle Cassidy High School to expand school capacity and, according to the mayor, to avoid an estimated $100,000,000 in future school building costs. The marketable properties program has brought in $2,100,000 in new revenue, she said.

On infrastructure, O'Connell described a five‑year capital improvement program funded with one‑time, nonrecurring funds. The mayor said the city has dedicated $7,200,000 this year to roads and sidewalks — $40,000,000 planned over five years — and that more than 20% of city roads have been repaired or resurfaced. She reported $27,500,000 invested in water and sewer pipe replacement over the past four years and an additional $7,400,000 planned for the current year. O'Connell said those upgrades will support a forthcoming Lead Free Community designation from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Public safety and facilities were another focus. O'Connell said Taunton's new Public Safety Building will be finished at the end of the year and that police and fire departments are expected to move in early 2026; she added the project is currently about $10,000,000 under budget. She also said work is underway to replace three century‑old fire stations and that the Olney senior center will soon reopen after renovations.

The mayor highlighted parks and open‑space work, including preservation of 118 acres at the Puddingstone property in partnership with the Department of Fish and Game, completion work at Walker and Duvall parks, phase 1 of Memorial Park funded in part by $500,000 secured by State Representative Carol Doherty, and a new splash pad and another planned in East Taunton.

On housing, O'Connell said 100 affordable units were completed last year, three market‑rate developments are in progress, and the administration is converting the long‑vacant Leonard School into senior apartments with 25% of units set aside as affordable. She listed ongoing projects across neighborhoods including the Whittenton Mills redevelopment and Ware Village revitalization.

The mayor said the city has increased competitive grant funding by 800% over five years and credited the city's Office of Economic and Community Development for that work. She also said opioid‑settlement funds are being used to develop an action plan; the city is in the final stages of the plan and intends to hire a coordinator to implement it.

The evening included the mayor's "Stronger Together" recognitions. The Casey Project, started by Steve and Carrie (co‑founders), received a community organization award; Steve said, "I'd like to thank the city of Taunton, thank the mayor and her office for this award." The event also honored Distinguished Details, an event‑planning business founded by Christine Perry, Camille Walker, Felicia Walker and Marsha Rafael, and gave a posthumous community champion award to veteran Dave Levesque; his wife Anne Levesque accepted the recognition.

Mayor O'Connell closed by thanking city staff, department leaders and community partners and said 2025 will be "another year of progress for our entire community."