Oldest trees in the state; Leonard School neighbors oppose condo plan: Our top stories

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·4 min read

Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers.

Top stories this past week included:

For the past four years, the residents at Oak Point Community in Middleboro have been fighting to have safety, health and structural issues fixed in their manufactured homes. Residents have described standing water flooding their yards and crawlspaces, mold, corroded gas lines, missing vapor barriers and damaged plumbing under their homes, improperly installed heating systems and missing or improperly installed parts meant to fasten the roofs to the homes, and the homes to concrete blocks and/or the foundations. Four years later, lawsuits are still pending, and issues remain.

The local real estate market continues its boom, with this past week's top-selling home going for almost $1 million. The executive-style Colonial in Raynham has a resort-style backyard with an in-ground pool and cabana. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers, in the latest Greater Taunton real estate report.

These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:

Does Taunton have the second oldest tree in Massachusetts?

In the latest Curious Taunton, we go out on a bit of a limb, and explore whether or not Taunton has the second oldest tree in the whole state.

The European beech tree at 248 Winthrop St. in Taunton (seen behind fencing in 2022), could be the second oldest tree in Massachusetts, with an estimated age of more than 350 years.
The European beech tree at 248 Winthrop St. in Taunton (seen behind fencing in 2022), could be the second oldest tree in Massachusetts, with an estimated age of more than 350 years.

The oldest tree in Massachusetts might be in Sunderland, but Taunton's got a European beech on Winthrop Street that is certainly no slouch.

Curious Taunton: Does the city have the second oldest tree in Massachusetts?

New group home slated to open soon in Taunton

A Taunton Fire Department captain is transforming a single-family house on Winthrop Street into a group home for people who are homeless — right up the street from another group home he owns.

The City Council unanimously approved a special permit on Aug. 30. for Captain Robert Bastis Jr. for a group home run by Community Counseling of Bristol County at a property he owns at 38 Winthrop St.

City Council approved a Special Permit on Aug. 30 for a group home at 38 Winthrop St. that will assist homeless people.
City Council approved a Special Permit on Aug. 30 for a group home at 38 Winthrop St. that will assist homeless people.

It will likely open sometime this fall, with the goal of helping people "have a home and enable some people to move toward their own home."

'Invested in the community': New group home slated to open soon in Taunton — Here are all the details

2022 will be a season of change for Dighton-Rehoboth football

There's been a changing of the guard on the Dighton-Rehoboth football team, with the departure of the Class of 2022.

What remains are seven seniors, of which only running back Cole Bilodeau and tackle Jadaice Barbosa have seen significant varsity time, and a core of young players eager for their first taste of varsity football.

Dighton-Rehoboth head coach Kevin Gousie (center) explains a play to his players during a practice on August 29, 2022.
Dighton-Rehoboth head coach Kevin Gousie (center) explains a play to his players during a practice on August 29, 2022.

Falcons head coach Kevin Gousie knows his team will be pretty green to start the season, but he sees an upside to that: this team has huge potential.

'A huge upside and potential': Why 2022 will be a season of change for D-R football

Restaurants in Taunton, Berkley, struggle to return to pre-COVID staffing levels

With the easing of many COVID restrictions, locals are returning more and more to in-person dining.

But while hungry patrons continue to return to their favorite restaurants, some local restaurant owners are struggling to maintain the staffing levels needed to keep up.

Dough Licious Pizza cook Jada Baptiste prepares food for customers on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022.
Dough Licious Pizza cook Jada Baptiste prepares food for customers on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022.

We dig into the issue here, and take a look at how local restaurants are faring.

'We just can't get anybody': Restaurants in Taunton, Berkley, struggle to return to pre-COVID staffing levels

Leonard School neighbors push back hard against condo plan

Jennifer Hoye said more than half the residents in her neighborhood oppose the city's proposal to allow a condominium complex on the closed Leonard School property.

"I've gone door to door, and everyone is surprised, and more than a few have shed tears," said Hoye, an Eldridge Street resident who launched a citizen's petition to oppose the Office of Economic and Community Development's proposal.

The Leonard School in Taunton which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places has been closed since 2009.
The Leonard School in Taunton which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places has been closed since 2009.

As of this writing, more than 500 people had signed the petition on change.org.

While the opposition isn't rooted in an effort to keep the most likely unsalvageable building, residents are concerned about several issues, including woodlands removal.

'There is no way': Leonard School neighbors push back hard against condo plan — hundreds sign petition

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton Gazette Top 5 stories oldest tree D-R football Leonard School