With growing numbers of residents vaccinated, life slowly returned to normalcy in 2021.

While closures dominated the headlines in 2020, this was the year when life gradually reopened. Schools returned to in-person learning, town facilities opened to the public once more and popular events such as the Padanaram holiday festival and Town Hall Christmas tree lighting were back on track.

Still, Covid-19 continued to make headlines. Numbers of cases fluctuated, with the Dec. 16 numbers — 379 cases in town over the previous two weeks — the highest since January.

As of that same date, 63 percent of Dartmouth residents had been vaccinated, which translates to 23,455 people. At the last select board meeting of the year, a call was made to address this issue at the first meeting of the year, proof that the issue isn’t immediately going away.

Toxic waste clean-up plans for Bliss Corner, the closing of the ICE facility at the Bristol County Jail, plans for a new pot shop and affordable housing plans were among the issues on the 2021 agenda.

Here is a rundown of what made news this year in Dartmouth.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urged cleanup of Dartmouth’s Bliss Corner neighborhood after identifying dangerously high levels of contaminants in soil surrounding five homes.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection found that both the town of Dartmouth and the city of New Bedford are at least partly responsible for historic dumping of toxic waste in Dartmouth’s Bliss Corner neighborhood. 

The town countered that the town should not be held responsible for the cost of cleaning up PCBs and other toxic chemicals. Dartmouth Week unearthed records that showed town officials had approved the dumping years ago.

Cleanup of the site, after several delays, is now scheduled for spring 2022.

The Bristol County House of Correction also made news this year. On May 20, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, terminated its contract with the facility. All remaining detainees were transferred. 

The decision followed an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security into a 2020 incident that left three detainees in the hospital.

Inmates at the facility continued to raise concerns about conditions at the facility, while Sheriff Thomas Hodgson defended conditions at the site. 

A major source of controversy centered around the Dartmouth High School Indian mascot, a primary topic of discussion for Dartmouth’s Equality and Diversity Subcommittee. 

Some argued that the mascot was offensive to the Native American community and called for its use to be banned. Others, including some tribe members, said the mascot reflected an important and respected element of the area’s history and should be maintained. 

Public input has been sought on the issue, but no forum was held in 2021. The issue remains under discussion. 

Two storms made news this year, one because it caused damage, the other because it didn’t, at least to the degree that was feared. While the October nor’easter caused significant power outages, Hurricane Henri, which was predicted to potentially devastate the region, instead delivered more of a glancing blow in August.

Potential new pot facilities also drew headlines. 

Plans for a retail marijuana establishment at the former Near East Asian Fusion Restaurant on Route 6 were greenlighted after the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance for the project to Apotho Therapeutics. 

The closest toward getting that first site is Solar Therapeutics.

In May, the Somerset-based retailer signed a host community agreement — a contract stipulating terms and conditions of operation — with the town to build a store near the Dunkin’ currently under construction as part of the 479-493 Faunce Corner Rd. development.

Another project on the docket would bring 288 units of affordable housing on the former Joe’s Used Cycles location at State and Reed roads. 

The renowned Dartmouth High School marching band was crowned as national champions for the fifth time since 2016, bringing pride to their school and community. 

Dartmouth police introduced a pilot program for the use of body cameras. Town Meeting voters subsequently approved funding for the cameras. 

Most of the town’s 22,710 registered voters stayed home for the April 6 election. A record low turnout of 1,617 voters cast ballots.

Voters sent Kevin Estes to the Planning Board; he received 856 votes to Jane (Kirby) Ponsire’s 512. Estes replaced Lorrie Miller, who left the board after 30 years. out of a potential 22,710 registered voters.

The town clerk remained an elected position, voters decided. They returned Sarah Arruda to the post, with 1,219 votes. Kelsi Power-Spirlet earned 311 votes. 

Select Board members Frank Gracie and David Tatelbaum ran unopposed, as did School Committee member Dr. Shannon Jenkins.  

A June fire on Reed Road displaced a family of 16, although no one was hurt. 

Two town officials bid farewell. Town Planner Christine O’Grady returned to her previous post in Newport, R.I. Her position has yet to be filled.

Fire District 2 Chief Timothy Andre resigned in November. He has been replaced at least temporarily by Capt. Greg Edgcomb. 

Some stories elicited smiles.

A trio of triplets celebrated their 80th birthdays. A wandering cow triggered an eight-month-long bovine “be on the lookout’’ advisory before being located in a town yard and coaxed onto a trailer. 

A mysterious mushroom had a resident and her neighbors puzzled. A tree made from buoys brightened the holidays in Padanaram. 

And at year’s end, an area resident popped open a jar of Alfredo sauce from the Dartmouth Target and found a Lebron James doll head.

Which goes to show you that when it comes to news — and sometimes dinner — expect the unexpected in Dartmouth.