(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

Growth is everywhere you look: homes selling as they’re framed, storefronts filling in, and a likely Chick-fil-A set to replace the old Party City with a smaller, high-capacity design. We break down the building department’s year-end numbers and what they signal for Raynham’s future, then dig into the policy backbone behind it all—how streamlined ADU rules can add gentle density while still protecting safety and transparency for first responders.

We also shine a light on the library, where the data tells a surprising story: print books still rule. The team is delivering big programming on lean resources, from therapy-dog reading sessions and science shows to caregiver workshops and even a collectibles appraisal day. At the same time, the director lays out the quiet cost of deferred maintenance and why a dedicated facilities function could save money and stress. Volunteers, grants, and home delivery are stretching impact, but the building still needs hands.

Civic moments matter too. We honor 16-year-old Tia LaBrecque for winning gold with the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team, advance committee appointments under a new policy, and adopt a planning board associate member framework. On the fiscal front, repeated storms push snow-and-ice spending into a state-allowed deficit, and we talk candidly about the regional school budget: a $109 million plan that restores a handful of teaching positions after steep cuts, balances rising fixed costs, and sets a timeline of hearings and votes. With state aid in flux, we’re leaning into incremental rebuilding and clear communication.

Want the full picture without the jargon? Press play for a grounded look at housing, business, libraries, schools, and the everyday services that make a town work. If you find this useful, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share it with a neighbor who cares about where Raynham is heading.

Support the show

https://www.raynhaminfo.com/
Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025