Plympton selectmen met Monday night with the Board of Health and chairman of the buildings and properties committee, Jon Wilhelmsen, trying to discern whose responsibility it is to work with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection in siting a new well or wells, making up a public water supply to serve the town buildings complex as it develops.
Board of Health administrative assistant Cathy Ferguson told selectmen that Plympton has been in non-compliance with its water supply at the Town Hall, Library, and Fire Station, and has been working with the DEP to resolve these issues.
“This has to be done in a very specific way,” Ferguson said, “to comply with their directives.” Ferguson told selectmen that she hadn’t heard from DEP in several weeks regarding information she had provided them with and later found that the DEP had mistakenly thought that the Town Properties Committee and the Board of Health were presenting the same project. The Board of Health wanted to be sure that the siting of the well for the Town buildings complex be done properly, step by step, to ensure that not only present needs, but also future needs for these buildings are accommodated.
Town Properties Chairman Jon Wilhelmsen argued that their study should come first and the siting of the well for these buildings should come under Town Properties Committee’s umbrella of responsibility, as they are working under the authority of the Board of Selectmen.
Cronin said that Town Properties Committee has had plans drawn and work done that the Board of Health has not been made aware of. He said that in order to get the project done properly, they need to know what’s been done already.
Vice-chairman of the Board of Health Harry Weikel told The Express that he had requested any plans for the complex and were told that there were none. He said it wasn’t until he got a FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) request, that the plans were given to the Board of Health – the day of the meeting with selectmen.
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Christine Joy suggested that the two boards get together and meet with representatives from the DEP to untangle the misunderstandings.
The Board of Health and the Town Properties Committee agreed that they would schedule a meeting as soon as can be arranged with DEP representatives.
Wilhelmsen responded to a request for comment from the Express that he was not aware of the Board of Health or any individual asking for any information via a FOIA request, nor any FOIA request asking for the campus survey. He did say that in early March the Town Properties Committee was asked, via Liz Dennehy, Town Administrator, for any conclusions regarding the septic and/or well by Grady Engineering. Wilhelmsen replied to the Board of Health and the Town Administrator that Grady was simply hired to do a survey of existing conditions, and no conclusions were made. He emphasized that his committee has never refused to provide public documents to another commmittee/board or told a committee/board that they need to request via FOIA.
He furthered, “TPC was unaware until late last week that BOH was planning to undertake tasks that we already had in progress.” … “My hope is that we can make some progress at that meeting and move the project forward for the benefit of the folks who work up at the town complex and the town as a whole.”
In other business, selectmen signed a contract with Sarian Company, Inc., of Sandwich, a woman-owned business with more than 20 years experience in the field, to help determine what is needed in a small public water supply, which the town buildings complex would require.
BOH Admin. Cathy Ferguson pointed out that there are a number of wells serving town buildings: the library, fire station, highway dept., that are undocumented and the Board of Health has no information regarding them. These wells, once the public water supply is online, will be repurposed for landscape watering.
Selectmen heard from Wilhelmsen in his role as a Chairman of the Plympton School Committe, that the regional agreement with Silver Lake needs some amendments. Some of the services with Silver Lake are administered at the town level, such as K-6 education. Other services, such as Pre-K, and food services, are shared services administered by the Silver Lake Regional District but are not included in the regional agreement.
Wilhelmsen said that the agreement hasn’t been adjusted in 35 years and it is time to take that under consideration.
Selectmen signed a contract with K&G Remodeling for $134,250 to replace the roof, fascia, and gutters on the Old Town House/Plympton Historical Society building. K&G was the low bidder on the project, coming in at considerably less that was requested in the warrant article. Chairman Joy said they would adjust the figure on town meeting floor.
Selectmen also affirmed their vote not to exercise their right of first refusal for Upland Road Solar, 61 Upland Rd. Pending town meeting approval of their PILOT agreement. They also voted to execute a legal fee agreement with Ring Road Solar.
Selectmen voted to appoint Timothy Ferraro to the Conservation Commission, with his term running from May 8, 2023 through June 30, 2025, and Christine Kelly as interim administrative assistant from May 9, 2023 until dissolved. Geraldine Cellini was also appointed election worker from May 8, 223 until dissolved.
Christine Joy announced that the town clerk is still looking for election workers to count ballots for the annual town election. Contact the clerk’s office to sign up. This is a paid position.
Closing the meeting, selectmen noted their “RAVES” for the week. John Traynor told the assembly, driving around town he noticed ‘The hummingbirds are back!” Selectman Mark Russo noted that it’s spring, the dogwoods are all blooming and what that means is – it’s time for Town Meeting! It’s such a pure form of democracy… the opportunity to influence the direction of the town, short-term and long-term. His rave was for the huge amount of work put into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant so things can go smoothly at Town Meeting. Christine Joy noted that town meeting is so important to the functioning of the town.
Archives for May 2023
Halifax votes on Saturday
Saturday, Halifax voters will mark their choice for the annual town election on ballots at the Halifax Elementary School, Rte. 106, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
This year there is only one contest on the ballot. Alan J. Dias and David J. Hatch are both seeking the three-year term on Board of Health. There may be other write-in campaigns according to the abundance of political signs around town.
Asking for your vote are the following, in alphabetical order:
For the Board of Assessors, Holly J. Merry is the only candidate on the ballot seeking the three-year term.
Karyn Beth Townsend, candidate for re-election, and Kathleen L. Berry, are both seeking election to the two three-year terms on the Halifax Elementary School Committee.
Lori A Costa-Cline is seeking election to a one-hear term to fill a vacancy expiring May 18 on the Halifax Elementary School Committee.
Alan J. Dias and David J. Hatch are both seeking the single three-year term on the Board of Health.
R. Steven Hayward is seeking re-election to the three year term of Highway Surveyor.
Christine M. Thompkins is seeking re-election to the three-year term to the Halifax Housing Authority.
Kathleen Shiavone is a candidate for re-election to one of the two three-year terms to the Board of Library Trustees. The other post has no candidate.
Michael J. Schleiff is a candidate for re-election to the position of Halifax Park Commissioner for three years.
Thomas Millias is seeking election to the five-year term for the Planning Board.
Jonathan H. Selig is a candidate for re-election to the three-year term on the Board of Selectmen.
Jennifer Ann Carroll is a candidate for election to the three-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee.
Richard A. Clark will run for re-election to the three-year term on the Board of Water Commissioners.
Dennett makes safety a priority
The Dennett Elementary School Committee met on Monday, April 24. Chair of the School Committee Jon Wilhelmsen provided an update on school safety. “Since last June, the event that happened in Uvalde, Texas, we’ve actually been holding with the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Town Administrator and myself representing the School Committee, and of course Mr. Veneto and others, have been meeting to talk about school safety and making sure that we are doing everything we can with respect to both the physical building and trying to make sure that we have the appropriate plans in place; those meetings happen every month, every two months,” Wilhelmsen explained. He further said that a large drill was held at Silver Lake in April and noted that both the Plympton Police and Fire Departments were present. A training was held at the Dennett over winter break as well. Wilhelmsen said that upgrades were made to the building’s security including the front entryway which now has additional security. “We are constantly looking at that,” he explained. According to Wilhelmsen the Police Department has put a request on the warrant for Town Meeting to fund a full-time school resource officer at the Dennett. A member in the audience asked, “as you can tell, we are surrounded by glass… are there additional considerations that are going into as far as swapping that kind of stuff out to bulletproof glass or putting some kind of protective film on that that is bullet resistant?” Wilhelmsen, who said that he didn’t want to go into too much detail, said that they were.
Dennett Roof
Wilhelmsen said a study was done on the Dennett roof. Of the results, he said, “it wasn’t awesome.” Wilhelmsen told the Committee that a follow-up meeting will have to be held with Facilities Director Matt Durkee. “There Dennett Roof
Wilhelmsen said a study was done on the Dennett roof. Of the results, he said, “it wasn’t awesome.” Wilhelmsen told the Committee that a follow-up meeting will have to be held with Facilities Director Matt Durkee. “There were some spots where there is significant moisture in the installation but I want to understand, can we repair that and then utilize the additional roofing treatment or is it just something we are stuck with having to do a complete redo,” Wilhelmsen explained.
Dog Droppings on Dennett Fields
Wilhelmsen noted that sports were starting back up again outdoors and said that it was his understanding that nothing was better with respect to owners not picking up after their pets on the Dennett Fields. He said that signage had been put up and trash bags provided. Committee member Jason Fraser asked what next steps would be and Wilhelmsen said that talking to the Board of Selectmen about enforcement, whether it be an animal control officer or other method. Wilhelmsen also said that an idea might potentially be to explore a dedicated dog park in Plympton. Wilhelmsen noted that it is standard practice for dogs not to be allowed on town sports fields.
Playground
Director of Business Services Christine Healy said that she has had initial conversations regarding the next steps for the removal of the mulch and the installation of the rubberized surfacing. She said they need to figure out where to put the mulch. She also said that they are working on securing updated pricing.
Solar Project
Regarding the solar project, Wilhelmsen said, “the panels are up, the electrical connection is done, the inspection is done, now they’re waiting on the connection piece of that. I have some documents that I have received that I have to sign.”
School Choice Hearing
The Committee held a school choice hearing to decide if they would allow school choice at the Dennett next year. They unanimously voted not to allow it citing concerns over already large class sizes.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Working Group
Committee member Jason Fraser complimented Coordinator of Student Support Christine Marcolini on her efforts within the group. Marcolini said that they have looked at different models and what that would potentially look like at the Dennett. “We’re kind of at that point where we have a good framework of what we think this would look like at the Dennett… our vision is that we would be able to do some work over the summer and that would involve teachers, paras, specialists, so that we can really take a whole-school look at this and get together a model that is comprehensive… I did connect with a consultant,” Marcolini explained. Fraser said that ESSER funds were held back to be used for exactly this type of purpose.
Legislative Update
Fraser began, “So the House Ways and Means budget came out – ironically, Plympton, for schools, is down about $2,500 compared to the Governor’s budget which doesn’t typically happen but it’s all around the adjustments made for reimbursements for charter schools… After a student has been out of care for three years, 100 percent of our Chapter 70 funds goes towards that student; we’ve tried to balance out making it fair to the town and also making it fair to the school… so there’s constant readjustments to how much we’re being charged and how much the State reimburses us for.” He said that Representative Kathy LaNatra and her counterparts were debating the budget in the full House, noting there were still a number of steps for it go through before moving onto the Governor.
Principal’s Update
Principal Peter Veneto said that current enrollment stands at 241 students. He also said that on Good Friday, he received a call from Technology Director Steve Pellowe saying that water was coming from the water closet. “Upon further inspection, it was a lot of water… the issue was with the pressure relief valve,” Veneto told the Committee. ServePro was called in to dry everything out and eventually the dry wall was replaced. “Electricians and plumbers confirmed that things were running smoothly,” he said. Veneto said that the water issue was the same day as the power outage; he further said that no one could definitively say if the two things were connected. Veneto said that on a positive note there would be a number of fun events and field trips to come before the end of the school year.
Wilhelmsen’s Farewell
Fraser noted that it would be the final regular meeting for Wilhelmsen. “Appreciate over the eight years of you sitting in the Chair, the leadership that you’ve shown, and your presence is going to be deeply missed,” Fraser said. Wilhelmsen joked, “I was supposed to be gone three years ago.” He continued, “It has been a pleasure to do this, it’s been a pleasure to learn as much as I have with this and even though I won’t be sitting on this side, you’ll always have a supporter in the audience… I wish the Committee and the School and teachers and everything all the best of luck as you keep moving forward.”
Three multi-unit buildings proposed
The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, April 25. A representative from Thorndike Development had an appointment with the Selectmen to provide an update on a proposed 55+ development. Founder and President Lloyd Geisinger reminded the Selectmen that approximately a month ago they came before them, “talking about an alternate plan for 255 and 266 Monponsett St. in which we were discussing the possibility of doing an over 55 community as well as working with the town to build a senior center on a portion of the property; since then we’ve put a plan together and we’ve met with Cody and Darlene [COA Director Darlene Regan].”
Geisinger turned things over to his partner David Eastridge who went over the plans with those in attendance. He said that the residential buildings would include two buildings on 265 and one building at 266. He further said that 265 Monponsett would be divided into two lots, one of which would be deeded to the town for a senior center. All the buildings would be three stories tall. One building has 30 units and the other two units will have 36 units. Eastridge explained that Town Meeting would need to vote in favor of over 55 becoming an approved use in a commercial district. The other approval needed would be for 265 to be zoned commercial.
A member of the audience asked if Thorndike Development would be paying for the senior center. Eastridge, who called the presentation that day “preliminary” said, “we are contributing toward the construction of that senior center substantially based on current discussions.”
Eastridge told those in the audience that they asked a fiscal impact expert to do an analysis of this project’s impact on Halifax. “The impacts to the town budget… are quite positive and the bottom line here, is he expects that this would have a net positive, after costs, of about $450,000 a year in real estate taxes,” Eastridge explained.
Another member asked if any of the dwellings would be deemed affordable housing and were told that they would not be. “Affordable units with senior housing is very challenging in Massachusetts… it’s very, very hard to find qualified individuals to purchase over- 55 affordable units,” Eastridge said. He further said that affordability is usually not age- restricted.
Requests for
Town Events
Isabella Rose of Generations met with the Selectmen regarding use of the Town Green for Fur Festival on June 4 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. She said that the fundraiser would be in support of the Council on Aging (COA). The charge will be $5 per dog. The Sheriff’s unit will be doing a K9 demo, there will be a costume parade, a blessing of the dogs by a pastor, and there will be dog ice cream available. The Selectmen approved the use of the Town Green.
A live entertainment permit request for Connecting Rods Cruise nights at Walmart on Friday evenings from May 5 to October 6 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. also came before the Board. Both the Police Departments and the Board of Health had previously approved it. The Selectmen voted unanimously to also approve the request. The Selectmen also voted to approve the VFW Field of Flags on the Town Green from May 13 to June 3. They also approved a live entertainment request for a Farmer’s Market for multiple dates from May to October from 10 am to 3 pm. Police and Fire had previously approved the request. “We like to see these things in town… such positive things, I wish we could just talk about those,” Chair John Bruno said of the many events throughout town seeking approval.
MBTA Action
Plan Update
Regarding the MBTA Action Plan, Bruno reminded everyone that a letter was sent several weeks earlier to Halifax’s various elected officials stating their disapproval of the need for the plan. “I do not like being told that we are somehow discriminatory because we won’t put 750 units in the Town of Halifax – that’s ridiculous,” Bruno said. Since that time, Halifax has not heard from anyone regarding the letter. The Selectmen voted to resend the letter this time as an email attachment.
Morse Brothers Complaints
“We are being inundated with emails and so on about Morse Brothers,” Bruno said. He noted that they have taken every single complaint seriously and have investigated them. “So far nothing has come of it,” he said before getting into specifics including a site inspection. “I have spoken with the Water Department, the Water Superintendent, and have asked them specifically does the thing that they’re doing there have anything to do with the wells over at Lingan St… and the answer is no,” Bruno said of a specific concern. He also said that there is no effect to the Lakes either. “It just doesn’t affect the water,” Bruno reiterated. Regarding brown water, Bruno said that they are working with DEP on a water filtration system to deal with too much magnesium in the water. “It’s got nothing to do with the Pond or anything going on with Morse Brothers,” Bruno explained.
Regarding traffic, Bruno said that Morse Brothers have been “quite cooperative” notifying the Selectmen and the Police about when truck traffic would be picking up. “The only complaint that we’ve gotten from the Police Department… the truck was going too slow,” Bruno said. He concluded saying that the public is welcome to continue to send complaints to the Board but noted that there “is just nothing there.” Selectman Jonathan Selig thanked Bruno for all his work investigating the complaints saying, “you’ve checked all the boxes.”
Town Meeting Recommendations
The Selectmen went over their recommendations for Town Meeting. There was some discussion regarding a petition article to increase the membership on the Board of Selectmen from three to five members. The resident that brought forth the article spoke saying that she was unaware of what the Selectmen believed or ran on and she felt that there was a large portion of Halifax residents who did not have their beliefs or views represented. “My own personal opinion… I think that after Town Meeting… we don’t have a charter, I know we talked about it years ago and it might be time to revisit the government structure here, whatever that might be,” Bruno said. He called Halifax’s town government “archaic.” The Selectmen agreed that they would not support the article.
Bruno also expressed concern over another article that wished to change positions like the Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor from elected to appointed. A member of the audience pointed out that despite the rigors of the job, the only requirement to be Town Clerk is that the person be a resident and at least 18 years old. Bruno pointed out that the requested changes would likely require legislation to enact. Town Accountant Sandra Nolan said, “I think that these are professional positions; they’re not positions that can easily be filled by someone that just walks off the street… I also think that we could put in a policy where you have a search committee and with the search committee, you use two or three people from the public that are not already in the town government, members at large… citizens at large.” Bruno said he agreed but added, “assuming this passed, it would be probably a year or two before it went into effect… but we would need to address our form of government.” Selig said he saw both sides of the argument and agreed with the idea of a search committee. Ultimately, the Selectmen decided to recommend the article.
Bruno revisited the Selectmen’s desire to hold meetings in various municipal buildings across the town including the Library, Council on Aging, etc. The intent was to showcase the different buildings on local access television and YouTube. Town Administrator Cody Haddad said that in his meetings with various department heads, they were excited for the opportunity. He said that a schedule would be worked out.
Bouzan is Holy Cross Valedictorian
Plympton native and biology major will deliver the valedictory address at Commencement.
WORCESTER – Emily Bouzan a member of the Holy Cross class of ’23, has been selected to deliver the Class of 2023 valedictory address at the Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26.
Bouzan, who is from Plympton, is a biology major and a member of both Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Nu Honors Society, and is a 2022-2023 Dana Scholar.
While at Holy Cross, Bouzan has served as a member of both the College Choir and Chamber Singers ensembles, as well as co-chair of the Alternate College Theatre (ACT), where she facilitated mainstage productions and recreational theatre events.
For the past two years, she has been conducting biochemistry research in the lab of Christine Hagan, assistant professor of chemistry, with the work being submitted for publication in the book series “Methods in Molecular Biology.” Additionally, as part of her self-designed college honors thesis project titled “Examining the Intersections Between Weight Stigma and Food Insecurity,” Bouzan has been volunteering at a local food pantry, as well as observing a virtual disordered eating support group.
Since joining the Worcester community, Bouzan has been volunteering at several nursing homes and hospice facilities in the city, including St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in addition to the Pernet Family Health After-School Club, all in partnership with the College’s Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), for which she serves as an intern managing the senior and healthcare sites. She also sees patients nearing the end of their lives at various nursing homes in Worcester through Trinity Hospice.
Her time spent with seniors has led to an interest in the field of medicine, and specifically in geriatric medicine, a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults.
Currently, Bouzan works as a patient care technician at a local urgent care facility. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a year-long Clinical Research Coordinator position at Mass General Hospital Cancer Center in the neurology department, as well as apply to medical school in June.
Bouzan was selected as valedictorian from a group of academically outstanding members of the senior class, each of whom submitted speeches for consideration. The Valedictorian Selection Committee — composed of students from the senior class, faculty members and administrators — reviewed the submissions, and the final selection was made by Interim Provost Ann Marie Leshkowich.
The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester is among the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Since its founding in 1843, Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.
Verizon FIOS is on its way to Plympton
Verizon trucks have been all over Plympton these past two weeks, bringing fiber optic cable to the town.
A FIOS cable installer told The Express that he expects the town will be fully wired for FIOS within the week. “Then, it’s just a matter of testing the cables to make sure it all works together before FIOS can be brought into residents’ homes.Many in Plympton have been waiting patiently for this advent, citing inconsistent cable and sattelite dish service as the main concerns, in addition to high prices.