When the clock approaches midnight at the end of the month, there are a number of moments for the town to look back on from the year 2024, whether in celebration, mourning or for hope.

This year marked the first in which the town hit over $100 million for its budget. As the last year with relief funds from the Covid pandemic, officials continue to look for ways to supplement the growing needs of its departments, including the Dartmouth Public Schools, which used school choice funds to accommodate its budget this year.

In January, Dartmouth bid goodbye to the Delano Sawmill, which closed after 100 years of service, and mourned the loss of UMass Dartmouth student and athlete, Flordan Bazile.

In February, the Dartmouth High School robotics team set out for state competition and in March, the theater company faced off in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild semi finals. But these weren’t the only teams facing heavy competition this year as each of the fall and spring sports teams made it into post-season play. 

Additionally, the school’s marching band was named national champions yet again this past November. Speaking of national champs, the Dartmouth Youth Football League’s cheer team was also named national champions for the first time in history this December.

2024 was also a year for looking ahead in Dartmouth as officials worked on completing the town’s Long-Range Capital Plan, which looks to include a new Padanaram Bridge and middle school, and the Council on Aging Masterplan.

In April, the Burgo’s Basketball Association celebrated the signing of a 30-year lease for its recreational center, which will be completed in phases, with the facility planned for initial opening in the summer of 2025.

The month also welcomed Mary Beckwith and Christopher O’Neil to the School Committee and Select Board, respectively, through town elections. 

These were not the only changes at Town Hall this year. Dartmouth also said goodbye to Shawn MacInnes, who served as town administrator until June, as well as Christine O’Grady, who served as planning director until July. 

By the end of the year, the positions were offered to candidates, but it remains unclear if either have been accepted yet. Chris Vitale and Gary Carreiro have served as co-town administrators in the interim.

This year, organizations celebrated a number of anniversaries, including 10 years of the Wellness Center at the YMCA, 50 years of the Dartmouth Community Band, 40 years of the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association and 130 years of the Grange Fair.

Looking up at the sky, residents witnessed some interesting astrological phenomena this year, including the April solar eclipse and the October northern lights. 

A number of pilot programs were launched this year. At the high school, officials introduced vape detectors to evaluate how prevalent smoking is and much to the school’s dismay, it’s a real problem.

The Tree Committee launched a tree inventory program to create a database of Dartmouth trees and the Dartmouth Natural Resource Trust started a deer management program, aimed at reducing the white-tailed deer population on its properties through bow hunting.

Additionally, the Board of Public Works has worked with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to launch a septic to sewer connection program for homes along the Apponagansett Bay watershed.

Town expenses changed up a bit this year as utilities were increased by the Board of Public Works and the Dartmouth Public Libraries did away with most overdue fines.

The end of the year brought some construction down in Padanaram, including the eastward expansion of Farm & Coast and the renovations at the Fire District 1 Station.

Over in North Dartmouth, Sheriff Paul Herroux has been overseeing some changes at the Bristol County House of Correction, including the transformation of the former ICE detainment facility into a training academy.

And the Dartmouth Partners in Housing broke ground on the town’s first affordable housing project in a decade back in November, building housing on Anderson Way for seniors through the Department of Mental Health.

There’s more to come for the town in 2025, but for now, it’s time to celebrate. Happy New Year!