[LETTERHEAD OF VITALE, CATURANO & COMPANY, P.C.]






                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Central Bancorp, Inc.:

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report,  dated April 27, 2004, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of
Central  Bancorp,  Inc. and  subisidary  as of March 31,  2004,  and the related
consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash
flows for the year ended March 31,  2004,  included in this Form 10-K,  into the
Company's  previously filed Registration  Statements on Form S-8 (File 333-87005
and 333-49264).

/s/Vitale Caturano & Company, P.C.

VITALE, CATURANO & COMPANY, P.C.

Boston, Massachusetts
June 25, 2004