Editing Taunton, Massachusetts (section)

=== Twenty-first century ===
In October 2005, the [[Whittenton Pond Dam]] north of the downtown area threatened to fail following a week that brought {{convert|9|in}} of rain to the city. Over 2,000 city residents were evacuated, all downtown businesses were ordered closed,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/town-braces-for-massive-flood/ |title=Town Braces for Massive Flood |publisher=CBS News |date=October 18, 2005 |access-date=June 9, 2007}}</ref> and Mayor Robert Nunes issued a [[state of emergency]]. It is estimated that if the dam had failed, the [[Mill River (Taunton River)|Mill River]] would have inundated the downtown area with up to {{convert|6|ft}} of water. In response, Massachusetts Governor [[Mitt Romney]] ordered an immediate inspection of high-risk dams throughout the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mass-dam-continues-to-hold/ |title=Mass. Dam Continues to Hold |publisher=CBS News |date=October 18, 2005 |access-date=June 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/18/massachusetts.dam/index.html |title=Officials still fear dam collapse |date=October 18, 2005 |publisher=CNN |access-date=June 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205015356/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/18/massachusetts.dam/index.html |archive-date=February 5, 2007}}</ref>

In 2010, the historic [[Taunton City Hall]] was severely damaged in an arson fire. City government operated out of the former Lowell M. Maxham School on Oak Street for ten years, until the building was renovated and re-opened in September 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Winokoor|first1=Charles|title=Taunton City Council votes to OK using $53,000 for new City Hall design plan|url=http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20150819/news/150816194|access-date=March 21, 2016|newspaper=Taunton Gazette|date=August 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sudborough">{{cite news |last1=Sudborough |first1=Susannah |title=Taunton's permanent City Hall to reopen in October -- 10 years after arson |url=https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/special/2020/09/25/tauntons-permanent-city-hall-to-reopen-in-october-10-years-after-arson/42887715/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |publisher=Taunton Daily Gazette |date=September 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Pitts">{{cite news |last1=Pitts |first1=Amanda |title=Newly renovated, expanded Taunton City Hall to reopen next month a decade after arson |url=https://www.abc6.com/newly-renovated-expanded-taunton-city-hall-to-reopen-next-month-a-decade-after-arson/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |agency=ABC-6 |publisher=WLNE |date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Taunton Court Complex.jpg|alt=The building to the left is now used as a performing arts center called "The District Center for the Arts"|thumb|Taunton Courthouse Complex]]

In 2012 Taunton became the target location for a [[Wampanoag people|Wampanoag]] [[Native American gaming|casino]] complex which was embroiled in conflict by competing regional bands of the Wampanoag over territory claims.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707055131/http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-16/metro/31345614_1_mashpee-wampanoag-indian-casino-tribe Casino big in Taunton spurs tribal turf fight], Boston Globe, April 16, 2012.</ref> The proposed location for the casino-resort complex is adjacent to a local elementary school and the regional technical high school, generating protests by parent and teacher groups.<ref>[http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1221868558/Gambling-with-East-Taunton-education-Parents-express-concern-over-potential-casino-near-schools Gambling with East Taunton education, parents express concerns over potential casino near schools], Taunton Gazette, April 13, 2012.</ref>

On June 10, 2012, the City of Taunton dedicated the Taunton [[Global War on Terrorism]] [[War Memorial]] on [[Church Green (Taunton, Massachusetts)|Church Green]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tauntongazette.com/topstories/x2067832935/Hundreds-attend-Tauntons-Global-War-on-Terrorism-Memorial-dedication-ceremony|title=Hundreds attend Taunton's Global War on Terrorism Memorial dedication ceremony|first=Marc|last=Larocque|website=tauntongazette.com}}</ref>

Taunton is home to a [[General Dynamics Mission Systems]] factory, which develops military communications equipment.{{refn|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contracts for April 30, 2020|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2171906/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contracts for May 29, 2020|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2202498/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contracts for August 18, 2020|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2317151/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contracts for September 25, 2020|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2362207/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contracts for September 30, 2020|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2367105/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref>}}