Dighton CPC Approves Eligibility for $58,000 Vital Records Preservation Project

DIGHTON -- March 19, 2026, Dighton Community Preservation Committee unanimously approved eligibility for a $58,000 vital records preservation project at its March 19 meeting. Town Clerk Patricia Cedroni submitted the application March 9, seeking funds to conserve, reproduce, and digitize six town vital record books spanning 1899 to 2003, the second such CPC-funded effort, following a prior project covering seven books completed under former Town Clerk Mark Bachiko. The full $58,000 scope includes conservation treatment, reproduction, protective archival boxes, and $9,750 in optional digital imaging. Chair Kevin Smith and ADA Coordinator Jonathan Gale signaled the committee may seek to reduce the CPA ask by pursuing state or county grants for the digitization portion, with Gale noting that pending state legislation could provide accessibility-driven funding for exactly this type of digital records project. The committee also rescheduled its annual public meeting from April to May 21, citing a conflict with Finance Committee and Select Board budget meetings, and agreed to review potential Annual Town Meeting warrant placement before the April 8 warrant closing deadline.