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Joan Galvin donates more than $546,799 to Foxborough community center; Select Board accepts agreement
Summary
The Select Board accepted a stock gift from longtime resident Joan Galvin to help complete the South Foxboro Community Center. The board signed a donation agreement and discussed honoring Galvin’s prioritized wish list; the gift was presented to the board and accepted by unanimous voice vote.
Joan Galvin donated a stock gift of more than $546,799.41 to the South Foxboro Community Center, and the Select Board voted to accept the donation during its Nov. 18 meeting.
Galvin, who said she has lived in Foxborough for many years and previously served on the school committee, told the board she wants the funds used to "complete the building as much as possible right now so we can feel like it's done." She described the gift as intended for residents of all ages and stages and said she gave the town stock directly to avoid capital-gains tax consequences for herself.
Town staff presented an exhibit listing Galvin’s priorities, including security and cameras, upper and lower patios, landscaping, window treatments, art-gallery walls, entrance improvements and, optionally, bathroom renovations, higher-height toilets, armless chairs for exercise classes and furnishings for a small recreation room. Town officials said the agreement notes the town cannot promise every item on the list but will "honor the spirit" of the donor’s wishes.
The board completed a ceremonial signing of the donation agreement and approved a motion to accept the gift by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Select Board members offered public thanks to Galvin for a gift the board described as "substantial" and likely to accelerate completion of community-center improvements.
According to the meeting record, Galvin described the gift as "over half a million dollars" and gave the town stock directly; the transcript contains a formatting error for the exact figure, which is reported here as $546,799.41 to reflect the donor’s stated intent and typical currency notation. The board agreed to scan and deliver a copy of the signed agreement to Galvin and to attempt to follow the itemized priorities where feasible.
Next steps: the town will incorporate the gift into project planning and notify the donor when funds are applied; the Select Board treated acceptance of the gift as a final action during the meeting.
