During their July 15 meeting, the Kingston Board of Selectmen unanimously approved adopting a Massachusetts Civil Service Hybrid Model that allows the police department to hire officers through lateral transfers while maintaining traditional civil service requirements.
The Local Register Hiring Program, authorized under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 31, provides an additional hiring option for the police department without abandoning the existing civil service system. Lieutenant John Bateman of the Kingston Police Department explained that the program addresses ongoing hiring challenges across the commonwealth.
“It’s a good option for the town,” Bateman said. “There’s issues with hiring all throughout the commonwealth, and to be able to retain people, sometimes it’s fiscally responsible to be able to take someone as, per se, a lateral, take them on and hire them from a non-civil service town.”
The hybrid model requires that no more than 50% of officers can be hired outside the traditional civil service process after five years. Town Administrator Keith Hickey emphasized this provides flexibility while maintaining standards.
“It allows for us to attract, potentially recruit and hire a sworn officer for a lateral transfer, where right now we may not be able to, or may not be able to as easily,” Hickey said. “So it just makes life a little bit easier for the police department to keep their sworn officer fully staffed.”
The board also authorized the Police Chief and Town Administrator to engage in impact bargaining with affected labor units regarding the new hiring program.
In other personnel matters, the board appointed Krystal Rich as Assistant Town Treasurer with an anticipated start date of July 28. The appointment followed a competitive interview process conducted by Town Treasurer Ken Moalli.
Board member Carl Pike had requested to see the candidate’s resume, stating he wanted assurance about qualifications when asked to approve hiring decisions, but questioned whether it was necessary to involve the board in all hiring.
“I believe that the Board of Selectmen should be involved when you’re hiring department managers or directors, whatever we call them, but that the human resources group, the department heads, the town administrator should have authority to hire some of these lower positions without coming before the Board of Selectmen,” Pike said.
The board approved a temporary road closure request from Christopher Kastanek for Foxworth Lane on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The closure includes conditions requiring emergency vehicle access, proper barricade placement, and neighborhood notification.
Multiple one-day liquor licenses received approval for Forty Second Brew Co. events, including a Gears and Beers event at Jones River Storage on July 26 and South Coast Cruisers events at Kingston Collection on July 19, 26, and Aug. 2.
The board also approved an amendment to a pilot agreement with Kearsarge Kingston LLC for solar panels on the town landfill. The modification clarifies language regarding land ownership, as Kingston owns the property being leased to the solar company. Hickey confirmed the amendment is revenue neutral.
Four individuals received appointments as special police officers through Dec. 31, 2025: Scott Peterson, Edward McDonald, Kaitlyn Mori, and David Hurley. These positions allow officers to work details and provide additional coverage when needed.
The board approved end-of-year line item transfers totaling approximately $250,000 after Finance Committee review. Pike noted the transfers represent less than 1% of the annual budget excluding education costs.
“Anybody that thinks they can budget within 1% on an annual basis, I’d like to hire them,” Pike said. “So I think it’s a good job.”
A special town meeting timeline received approval for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The timing aligns with Massachusetts School Building Association requirements for the school roof project.
During his administrator’s report, Hickey announced several upcoming initiatives. The Kingston School Committee plans to request creation of a school zone on Second Brook Street in front of Elementary and Intermediate Schools, with full police department support.
Street, Trees, and Parks will repave sidewalks on Main Street from Elm Street to Summer Street using Chapter 90 funds. The temporary repairs will address tree root damage and safety concerns.
“We’ve had a couple of people trip and fall, and we want to address that before it comes to liability,” Hickey said.
Hickey also reported initial discussions with Veterans Agent Sara Lansing and the Duxbury Town Manager about forming a Veterans district between the two communities. However, he expressed concerns about increased costs, as guidelines would require adding a full-time administrative position to support the Veterans Agent.
The regionalization study committee continues meeting with UMass Boston’s Collins Center to examine potential school regionalization with Plympton and Halifax, regionalizing Silver Lake through all grade levels.
“The Collins Center estimates it’ll take about 18 months, so we won’t see anything at next spring’s town meeting,” Hickey explained. He stressed that the study will stick to the facts. “It’ll be objective, giving people the information they need to make their own decisions,” Hickey said.
The study will look at population trends, financial forecasts, and get input from staff, teachers, and administrators across the school districts involved. Selectman Melissa Bateman highlighted the importance of including school employees in the study group.
The Collins Center plans to kick off the study with public meetings in each town to gather community input. They’ll likely present their final recommendations to all participating towns together.
Hickey pointed out that the study could have extra benefits beyond just looking at regionalization. “It might give us useful insights into budgeting and staffing for all three schools going forward,” he said.
Board members discussed scheduling collaborative budget meetings with finance committees and school committees from both Kingston and Silver Lake regional schools for fiscal year 2027 planning. These discussions aim to create unified budget presentations for next spring’s town meeting.
The board concluded the public session before entering executive session for non-union contract discussion.
Not your grandmother’s library…
If you still think of libraries as places of books and mandatory silence, all you need to do is stop by the Holmes Public Library in Halifax and speak with Cataloging Librarian and Assistant Director, Maria Bumpus, to learn that this idea could not be further from the truth. As you enter the Holmes Library you are greeted by a glass case exhibiting impressive Lego creations and an elegant display of folded paper cranes above the circulation desk dangling like crystals on a chandelier -evidence that a great deal more than reading and book circulation takes place here. Seated at a cozy table in a bright corner surrounded by colorful tomes and meticulously organized shelves, Bumpus speaks with tenderness and pride about the library she has been expertly and lovingly curating and maintaining for the last ten years.
The love of libraries was instilled in Bumpus from a young age. She recalls frequenting the Taunton Library in her youth that was located upstairs from an old fire station. Though finding a vast collection of books hasn’t changed from when she was visiting the library as a child, many other aspects have. “Back then, quiet was demanded. You went to the library to read and that’s it. Now, on any given day, we have children laughing with puppet shows going on and adults meeting and chatting for book club. The library is a place of community more than quiet.”
Bumpus’ fondness for libraries was enhanced as a mother of four. She found the library a vital resource for her children not only in exposing them to books but in helping them socialize. Bumpus, a geography major from Salem State University, became so enamored with the library that she sought employment there and in 1993 she began working at the Bridgewater Public Library. Twenty years later she moved to the Ames Free Library in Easton and worked as the part-time circulation assistant. Following this, Bumpus decided to try something very different from a public library and she joined the library staff of Massasoit Community College. The academic library of the college proved quite a different experience from public libraries -largely due to a quick turn around of patrons who were usually at the school for only two years. Public libraries, she points out, often have the same patrons for many years and the librarians get to know them well. Following her time at Massasoit Community College, Bumpus found a position at the Holmes Public Library working at the circulation desk. Ten years later and she now runs the cataloging department full time and is the assistant director of the library.
Bumpus explains that her role as the cataloger is essentially being the curator and collector for the library. She must also be a scrupulous perfectionist when it comes to the details of numbers, authors, book titles, and the systematic organization of materials. “I like the evolution of my career,” says Bumpus, “I started with children and patrons, now I purchase books and keep the collection organized, flowing, and relevant. Cataloging is unique in that it is just me and the books.”
Bumpus also realizes that what she collects for the library plays a crucial role in maintaining its relevance in the community. Bumpus purchases the materials for the Holmes Library from Ingram Content Group with an annual budget of $46,000. These purchases include books, eBooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and all offered forms of media. Bumpus is always on the lookout for works to acquire by studying best seller lists, receiving emails from companies like BookBub, and being made aware of books that are making a public splash through social media. She also loves to glean ideas from patron requests and book club discussions. “I want to make sure I am adding things that are relevant to the community.” Bumpus also realizes that keeping up with the latest trends is essential in encouraging the community to be engaged in the library. “Right now, for instance, graphic novels are very popular with the kids. They have rather replaced comic books so I make sure to have lots of graphic novels to offer our younger guests.”
In addition to offering materials through various medias, the Holmes Library offers free community access to computers, free internet, printers, and fax machines. “Some of the patrons do not have access to computers at home or they are not quite computer literate. We offer that access and assistance to the community.” Bumpus explains that the libraries computers are also used in job searching and collecting unemployment while seeking work. “To apply for jobs now everything has to be done online. Bumpus also points out that the public computers are used for things like genealogy which is a growing interest in the community. “We have a genealogy program that meets once a month. This digital dive into ancestry has become one of our most popular programs.”
In addition to materials and machines available at the Holmes Library, experiences and community engagement are equally important and focused on. “We offer many programs for all ages and interests. We just had a ukulele player come perform for the children and they brought in a ukulele for each child so that they could experience the instrument for themselves. Today we are having a Zentangle class which shows children that drawing can be meditative as well as entertaining.
We have story times, music, and crafts for kids and then we have things like the COA Book Club for seniors.” Bumpus says she also hosts two Historical Fiction Book Clubs at the library because when she started the club, she had four people and now she has 21, so she had to split the group. “We are welcoming to all in the community. The library is a place for books but also a place to socialize and learn. We often become emotionally invested in and connected to our patrons, knowing many on a first name basis after years of seeing them.
Bumpus is not exaggerating when she says the Holmes Library is invested in meeting the needs of the community. One of the most important and meaningful services the library provides is the Bookmobile. This is a free service for the town of Halifax where library employees drive around to visit the homes of those who are housebound and unable to attend the library. They deliver new books, collect the books from the last visit, and check in on the patrons who, oftentimes, don’t get many visitors. “Books give people something to do -to look forward to,” says Bumpus.
Keeping the elderly, adults and children in the community active in the library is not, however, the libraries greatest challenge. When asked what age group she would like to see more of at the Holmes Library she answered immediately, “Tweens. It is quite difficult to appeal to that particular age group. They are gaining their independence and their social life is increasingly important,” Bumpus is always looking for ways to make reading and the library exciting. She wishes tweens would start to view books rather like they do movies -thinking about them and talking about them amongst their peers.
The library is seeing an increase in reading enthusiasts due to the new phenomena of “BookTok” and “Bookstagram” which are beginning to make reading “cool” again in this digital age with entertaining bibliophile influencers touting the latest reads with accompanying reviews, skits, art work related to the books, and discussions (some quite heated) among followers. For Bumpus, the most enjoyable of these modern-day offerings in the book world are the author interviews. “It is wonderful to be able to learn about the thought process behind any given book -especially from the author. Many new authors are rising from obscurity through social media such as thriller author, Freida McFadden and Colleen Hoover. All were unheard of until the social media frenzy and now their books are constantly sought out by library guests.”
Whether increased admiration of books comes through social media or book club discussions the Holmes Library is always available and ready to offer in person connections as well as materials and resources to satiate everyone’s literary appetite and interests. “From ages 3 to 103, we offer something to everyone in the community,” Bumpus assures. One thing she will take away rather than leave behind when she reaches the end of her library career someday: An extensive reading list for herself that she has built up for years. “I also collect book recommendations for myself through my work and the patrons and now I have a retirement reading list that will take me the rest of my life to read.”
For now, Bumpus is busy in her constant efforts to make the Holmes Public Library a place or order, resources, learning, and community. “Libraries are one of our most important learning centers and gathering places in our communities. I am happy to share the Holmes Library with our community.” As I leave with my eye on a few new releases and as the sentimental sight of the children’s area instantly evokes memories of weekly storytime with my children when they were little. I can easily agree with Albert Einstein when he said, “The only thing that you absolutely need to know is the location of the library.” I invite anyone reading this to venture to 470 Plymouth St. in Halifax and you will undoubtedly discover what makes the library relevant to you.
NESB announces Cate Adams as Chief Commercial Banking Officer
North Easton Savings Bank welcomes Cate Adams to the Bank’s Senior Management Team. In her role as Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Adams is responsible for the overall management of the Bank’s Commercial Banking department, which includes leading a growing team of Commercial and Small Business Banking experts.
Adams is taking the helm of a growing and successful business unit, injecting her expertise to further cement NESB as the go-to bank for area and regional businesses.
Throughout her career, Adams has been passionate about working at mutually owned banks and using their community first ethos to develop long-standing partnerships with businesses of all sizes.
“We are excited to welcome Cate to lead our growing commercial line of business,” stated President and CEO, Rich Spencer. “We believe that Cate’s passion and expertise will help cement NESB as the leading community bank partner for businesses located in New England.”
“This is an exciting time to join NESB, as I truly believe we’re building something special here for area businesses and the families that power them,” stated Adams. “We have a great team here at the Bank; it’s really a standout organization that I’m proud to be a part of. I’m eager to build on its past successes as we continue to lead as the community bank of choice in the area.”
As a passionate supporter of local communities, Adams has been actively involved in several nonprofit organizations. She volunteers with the Duxbury Beach Reservation, and has previously served on the Board of Directors at South Shore Chamber of Commerce, South Shore Stars and acted as Treasurer for the Duxbury Student Union.
A graduate of Bridgewater State University, Adams continued her education at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking along with participating in the Wharton Leadership Program, Banking and Financial Support Services at the Wharton School.
Adams is a resident of Duxbury.
, Massachusetts, prior to joining North Easton Savings Bank, Adams was the Commercial Banking Team Leader at South Shore Bank, Senior Vice President Commercial Lending at Eastern Bank, and a Vice President, Middle Market and Commercial and Enterprise Banking at Citizens Bank.
About North Easton Savings Bank
An award-winning financial institution with over $1.6 billion in assets, North Easton Savings Bank has a proven track record of growing the community through fair banking practices, financial advising, and local philanthropy. Founded in 1864, NESB is well-positioned as the preferred area banking partner with a powerful combination of convenient features like mobile and online banking and the personal, hometown touch of a local bank. North Easton Savings Bank is fully insured by the FDIC and the DIF and is an Equal Housing Lender. For more information, please visit nesb.com
Kingston Library hosts Master Gardener Gretel Anspach to speak at Library
Master Gardener Gretel Anspach will present a “Lawns and Lawn Alternatives” session on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St..
Anspach will discuss different options to help tailor your needs, potentially eliminating hundreds of hours of labor and expensive treatments each year. Lawns are imported garden fixtures from places with cool, wet summers.
Our ideal of a “perfect” lawn can be a major drain on water supplies, a source of pollution, and hard work. Anspach’s talk will also include some discussion of alternatives to the traditional grass lawn.
Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and a recently-retired systems engineer for Raytheon. She won the MMGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Anspach established and presently maintains a 20,000 square foot food production garden that has provided fresh produce to the Marlboro and Maynard Food Pantries for the last 10 years. Her primary interest and focus is always the science behind horticulture.
She delivered an outstanding presentation this past spring at the Kingston Council on Aging titled, “Vegetable Gardening 101,” which was sponsored by the Kingston Agricultural Commission.
This program is part of the 2025 Adult Summer Reading Program, Level Up at Your Library. Attendees will be eligible for a raffle ticket for one of three prizes on display in the Circulation area. The Kingston Public Library has generously funded this program. To learn more about how the KPFL supports our library please visit kplf.org.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For more information, contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.
LaNatra, Police Chief sound alarm
State Representative Kathleen LaNatra and Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes are raising urgent concerns about the growing availability and use of kratom by minors in the region. Kratom, a substance derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is being sold openly in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores – with no age restrictions – and is increasingly ending up in the hands of teenagers.
“Too many parents have never even heard of kratom, and yet their kids can walk into a local store and buy it right off the shelf,” said Representative LaNatra. “We’ve seen firsthand how this substance is being marketed as a harmless herbal supplement when in reality it can lead to addiction, psychosis, and even fatal overdoses.”
Kratom is not regulated by the FDA and poses unique risks to adolescents, whose brains are still developing. It acts on the same receptors as opioids and can have sedative or stimulant effects depending on the dose. Regular use has been linked to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, liver toxicity, and seizures. In high doses or when mixed with other substances, kratom can cause respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Chief Holmes echoed the concern: “We’ve encountered young people in our community who are using kratom, unaware of how dangerous it really is. It’s flying under the radar, and that’s a serious problem. There are no safeguards in place – no age restrictions, no proper labeling, no public awareness. Regulating this substance should be a strong consideration towards community safety through legislative priority.”
Kratom is often sold in capsules, powders, or liquid shots and marketed as a “natural” solution for energy or focus, a message that resonates with vulnerable teens. Social media influencers and online content have further fueled its popularity among youth.
“This is a community health and safety issue,” said LaNatra. “We need to act before more kids get hurt.”
For more information on kratom and how to protect young people from its dangers, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guidance on the topic or contact the Kingston Police Department for local resources.
Plympton updates procurement policy, tackles Old Townhouse survey
The Plympton Board of Selectmen approved an updated procurement policy and authorized a property survey during their July 7 meeting, addressing several administrative and operational matters affecting the town.
The board unanimously adopted revisions to the town’s procurement policy, retroactive to June 30, 2025. Town Administrator Liz Dennehy explained the changes focus on clarifying requirements for written scope of work documentation.
“The updated policy that’s proposed clearly specifies that for construction type services between $5,000 and $10,000 that are for work on town grounds or in town buildings that we have that written scope of work in the file,” Dennehy said.
The policy update ensures detailed documentation of work to be performed for quoted prices, while maintaining compliance with Massachusetts General Laws governing municipal procurement.
Selectmen authorized Dennehy to proceed with surveying the Old Townhouse property, following an estimate of $1,300 from a local surveying company. The survey will establish visible stakes for property boundaries and provide the town with a plan showing exact property lines.
The survey addresses issues stemming from recent tree removal work that left stumps on the property. Tree Warden services removed 13 trees due to damage concerns affecting both town property and neighboring properties.
“If the board was inclined to consider putting a fence up at the property in the future, I would strongly recommend that we have the survey done,” Dennehy said.
Funding for the survey will come from existing articles for surveys and appraisals, with any remaining costs covered by the town buildings and grounds maintenance budget.
The board appointed Nathaniel Sides as their representative to the Old Colony Planning Council. Dennehy described the role as involving monthly or bi-monthly meetings, with participation varying based on topics relevant to Plympton.
“It’s not something that you would have to participate in every single month,” Dennehy explained. “Sometimes they’ll have meetings, and if it was something that was of particular interest to you, like, they have their board meetings, but then they also have, like, the joint transportation planning group.”
The council provides technical assistance to member communities, including help with green community grant applications and housing production plan updates. Dennehy noted the organization has helped Plympton secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in green community funding.
Selectmen reappointed Timothy Johnson as a part-time police officer from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Johnson previously declined a full-time appointment, creating complications with the school resource officer program.
The town voted to fund a full-time school resource officer position, but Johnson’s preference to remain part-time requires renegotiation of the memorandum of understanding with the police union.
“The little hiccup in everything is that the union contract, it involves like it’s supposed to be a full-time officer,” Dennehy said. “So if he’s only going to remain part-time, we need to go back to the drawing board and come up with another option.”
Police Chief Matt Ahl is working with the union to develop a hybrid approach that would involve multiple officers in school coverage while maintaining patrol responsibilities.
Dennehy provided several operational updates, including work on closing fiscal year 2025 with line-to-line transfers needed to balance accounts. The town accountant continues processing final invoices through the July 15 deadline.
The auditor has signed an engagement letter and aims to begin the audit process by early September. A finance committee meeting scheduled for the evening of July 7 will recommend a candidate to fill a vacant committee seat.
Regional Old Colony Communications Center received grant funding to update fire and police radios, addressing long-standing communication issues between departments.
“Radios are very expensive. And the ROC went out of their way to apply for some additional grant funding for us,” Dennehy said.
The highway department’s generator failed and requires replacement. Town officials solicited written quotes following proper procurement protocols, with South Shore Generator selected to install a more powerful unit.
Funding will come from a combination of ARPA funds and town building maintenance accounts, depending on invoice timing.
Website improvements are underway to address ADA compliance requirements and mobile accessibility issues. The town plans to integrate the police department website with the main municipal site for cost savings and improved functionality.
“I think the biggest issue with it, it looks fine if you access it from a desktop computer, but when you’re on your phone, which I feel is, like, a lot of people access from their phone, it brings up, an abbreviated menu,” Dennehy said.The board continues expanding video coverage of municipal meetings through Area 58. Additional boards including Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Town Properties Committee are being added to the recording schedule.
Board Chair Dana Smith emphasized the importance of accessibility to town government, noting that video recordings allow residents to view meetings at their convenience.
The board scheduled their next meeting for Aug. 18 at 1 p.m., moving the start time earlier to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
It’s a dog’s world at the Barker House
Dr. Amber Bartlett might not be able to exactly talk to the animals, but she certainly understands them. Bartlett, founder and owner of The Barker House in Plympton, grew up in the South with a zookeeper father who worked in Walt Disney World. He often cared for sick and injured animals in the home and passed on this compassion and respect for all creatures to Bartlett. The love of animals has been a constant throughout her life even if it wasn’t always her career.
With a corporate career in Boston and a layoff in 2007 Bartlett found herself enjoying walking her two dogs at the time (she now has five). People often asked who walked her dogs and were surprised when she replied that she walked them herself. This gave Bartlett an idea. With a “nothing to lose” attitude she decided to make and post flyers around the city advertising a dog walking service. Others joked that dog walking was not a lucrative business but her response? “Oh yes, it is! I had over one hundred clients in a year!” On an occasion where Bartlett needed to board her dogs she quickly realized there were no dog care businesses that offered the things she felt were important to her and her dogs’ well-being. Being a natural entrepreneur in addition to being a self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady” Bartlett saw an opportunity and the idea for The Barker House was born.
Later, Bartlett decided to sell her dog walking business and trade the cityscape for country roads. In 2019 her realtor found an antique home with an outbuilding and beautiful acreage in Plympton. “I had never even heard of Plympton but when I saw this place I could feel it. It was perfect for what I envisioned.”
Bartlett continued her corporate career and built The Barker House on the side. Shortly after purchasing the property Covid hit and she wondered if she would have to back out of her plans. She decided to persevere. “I just kept going,” she says, “And it filled a need for a one-stop-shop in dog care in the area so it worked.” The Barker House was a fast and great success and Bartlett outgrew her space after just one year and required expansion.
Bartlett’s success with The Barker House is not only attributed to smart business decisions, but because she offers a truly unique and wholesome mindset to the world of dog care. “I wanted it to be special -to be different. I wanted to offer comfort and things like suites and one on one playtime and a curated menu. These dogs are people’s children and I want them to feel good about leaving them with us.”
Bartlett certainly affords every pup that enters The Barker House an experience of love and attention to detail. Private suites for those that do best with them, farm fresh eggs, nightlights and calming music in the evenings, and snuggle sessions are just a few of the thoughtfully curated offerings available. The Barker House also accommodates dogs with special needs such as dog-aggressive guests who need safe solitude. These dogs are kept apart from the other dogs but given plenty of individual attention and outside time as well as lots of physical touch and snuggles so they never feel isolated.
The daycare program at The Barker House includes mostly outdoor, crate-free playtime as well as training to obey basic commands and interaction with other dogs. Bartlett makes sure each pup is allowed to choose their friends, toys, and activities. The Barker House also accepts dogs for their daycare program based on behavior, not breed. When it comes to the behaviors of dogs and her own experience in motherhood Bartlett has noticed similarities. “Doggy daycare is really similar to human daycare! Sometimes they arrive cranky and they don’t want to play with their friends, or they are wound up, or they have anxiety that day…their social structures are very similar to humans.” Bartlett also points out that dogs are particularly emotionally intelligent and intuitive creatures. “They know when their owner has pulled into the driveway to pick them up at the end of the day just by the sound of the car.”
The Barker House offers so much to furry friends and their humans, but most of all Bartlett offers respect and reverence for all dogs. “Dogs are full of unconditional love. They offer uninhibited comfort and companionship. They also feed off of our energy and emotions. If we are uptight and exhibiting anxiety, a dog will behave the same way.” Bartlett shares that even when she has dealt with tragically mistreated dogs who have been rescued there is an underlying theme to all dogs. “They all want the same thing. They want to love and be loved.”
Bartlett knows the importance of making sure your canine family members are properly loved and cared for -even when their humans are away. Her advice for anyone looking for dog care of any kind? “Make sure you see it. You should see the place before leaving your dog there. The dog care world is small. I have seen things and…you must see a place before leaving your dog there. Be very clear about your dog’s needs and personality. What kind of space do they need? Are they dog aggressive? What are their health needs? Also be glad when places require certain vaccinations. This means your dog will be kept healthy during their stay.”
Bartlett’s approach to dog care is a refreshing combination of physical and emotional, and logic is as important as love. When asked what she thinks dogs would tell humans if they could talk, she laughs, “Get over yourselves! Their biggest concern is being able to love you. Dogs would tell us to slow down and be grateful for the time we have.”
Affection and gratitude for every dog that stays at The Barker House is what focuses and drives Bartlett’s business and fuels her passion. “I have what I call my ‘OG’ group. They were with me in the beginning as puppies -some only 12 weeks old, and now they are five years old! They are family. I love spoiling your dogs. I love what I do.”
For more information on The Barker House visit the website:
thebarkerhousedogs@gmail.com or call: (508) 866-0605
An Eye for Life …
Stephani Teran
Express staff
If you belong to the Plympton Helping Plympton Facebook page then you have likely been treated to seeing beautiful photographs and videos of local wildlife and insects that are not only lovely to look at but fascinatingly informative. These generous offerings that seem more likely to be found in National Geographic than a local Facebook group are the work of local photographer, Donna McBrien.
McBrien, who has lived in Plympton since 2009, can often be found hauling her top of the line photography equipment while roaming and exploring local forests, rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, and “secret places” where she has found nature in its purest, undisturbed form. With a former lucrative career in finance for Fidelity, Donna has always had an underlying passion for science -labeling herself as a “science geek”. She attributes her journey into photography and life in general to an insatiable streak of curiosity that runs through her.
McBrien first dabbled in photography in high school and was gifted her first camera and lens by her sister. McBrien’s first frequent subject matter was architecture. Her career required a great deal of travel and McBrien found herself using nearly every non-working hour of her trips taking pictures of the places she was visiting -often at nights and on weekends. This later evolved into landscape photography and satisfied her urge to explore in depth and learn about wherever she happened to be.
Her quest for the perfect shot was taken her to some perilous places. She has had some very close calls from steep canyon roads where the car nearly went over the cliff edge to muddy, icy roads in the Midwest where she had to push her car up the hill by herself as no roadside assistance could reach her remote location. She recalls returning a rental car on a business trip after a photography adventure turned south. “It was entirely covered with icy mud balls and my coworkers still tease me about it.”
Landscape and architecture were McBrien’s main focus in photography until she and her sister went on a life -changing African safari in 2013 with five days in Kenya and three days in Tanzania. She describes the transcending sights of the African wildlife. “We saw things like Silverback Gorillas and I couldn’t believe how incredible it was. I wanted to photograph everything I saw.” McBrien’s enthusiasm was not yet met with full potential as she did not have the proper wildlife photography equipment at the time.
That changed when she got home. By 2014 McBrien’s main focus and passion in photography had shifted to animals, environment, and insects. This new niche was perfectly fueled by her developmental and cellular biology degree and her passion for exploring and indulging her endless curiosity. “I still turn over rocks looking for bugs and salamanders. I look at every detail in the environment around me. I notice things others don’t.” This has proven true in cases like locating an eagle via her photography that had been banded by a local wildlife agency and not seen in eight years. McBrien was subsequently invited to attend the banding of the eagles’ babies.
Labeling herself as “an explorer by nature” McBrien has a gift for wandering and wandering well. She has been able to scout out areas that have not been intruded upon by others and respectfully capture the environmental happenings of various “hidden gem” locations. In addition to being able to locate hot spots for wildlife activity, McBrien is especially keen to learn about her subject matter in great depth. “If I am going to photograph an animal I am going to learn all about that animal -what it eats, when it eats, when it sleeps, mates, moves and anything it does or doesn’t do. I don’t just take a picture of an animal, I know their habits.”
McBrien takes her research a step further by sending her images and questions about the creatures or events pictured to local wildlife and entomology experts to verify and expound upon her subject matter. She enjoys this rather academic approach to her photographs. “If I do the work, I learn. And to me the learning is as satisfying as taking the photo.”
McBrien’s approach to capturing wildlife is not just about “getting the perfect shot”, but being aware and respectful of the environment she is a guest in -something that has been highlighted as an issue with the recent surge in hobby photographers. “I don’t tell people exactly where things that I find are because if you do, before you know it, you’ll have twenty people there taking pictures and trampling plants and being disruptive.”
McBrien expresses frustration in observing frequent disregard for rules at local wildlife preserves and the exploitation of delicate sites such as nesting areas and dens. “I don’t like to be ‘that person’ but if you are say, bringing your dog to a place with signs saying dogs are not allowed, and I happen to know there is a nearby den with baby foxes wandering around, I am going to say something.” McBrien is ever aware that rules and guidelines honor how intricately everything is tied together in nature and that respect shown in your actions and how you interact with your surroundings can go a long way in preserving the inhabitants of any environment. Often finding herself braving the elements, in uncomfortable positions, or enduring long waits, McBrien says “Anything for the shot -anything but being disrespectful to the place I am.”
McBrien also prescribes to the philosophy of quality over quantity when it comes to taking photographs in the wild. “I am not there for hundreds of shots, I am there for a few really good shots.” McBrien has taken more than a few really good shots. Her work has been showcased in the community and sold at the North River Arts Festival. One glance at her website or her frequent town Facebook page posts easily prove that she has mastered the art of not just wildlife photography but all subject matter from fireworks to architecture, and lightning to air shows. McBrien has an eye for detail and placement that afford her images exquisite reality without being overly edited or made to look unrealistic. She also prefers to photograph insects and creatures in their natural state. “If I take a picture of a hummingbird, it won’t be at a feeder. It needs to be when it is perched on the branch it keeps returning to at the edge of the woods.
When asked what she would like others to know about her photography and the mission or goal behind it? “Just look around you. Notice things. Be curious. Look for evidence of life around you and you’ll see new things you didn’t see before.” Whether capturing the often unnoticed and illusive animals in her backyard with game cameras, documenting the intricate life cycle of the Monarch butterflies she raises, or taking stunning images of local fireworks over a lake with her feet submerged in mucky water to get just the right angle, McBrien certainly notices the miracles and mysteries the earth has to offer and I, for one, am all the more inspired to do the same.
Halifax appoints Fennessy interim TA
The Halifax Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Robert Fennessy as Interim Town Administrator July 1, selecting him from two candidates interviewed for the temporary position.
Fennessy, who most recently served as town administrator in Carver, brings more than 40 years of experience in municipal government, law enforcement, and legal practice to Halifax. His appointment is subject to successful contract negotiations and background checks.
“I have a ton of background in management,” Fennessy told the board during his interview. “I have kind of a collaborative management style. I make people feel respected and appreciated for what they do.”
The board conducted interviews with Fennessy and Ari Sky, a former Lakeville Town Administrator with extensive financial management experience. Both candidates emphasized their commitment to maintaining stability during the transition period while the town searches for a permanent administrator.
Fennessy’s career spans law enforcement, municipal administration, and legal practice. He began as a police officer with the MSPCA law enforcement division, working his way up to Deputy Chief before attending law school and establishing a private practice. He later became a professor at UMass Law School, teaching municipal law, animal law, and employment law.
His municipal experience includes serving as town administrator in Boylston, Kingston, and most recently Carver, where he worked as an Interim Administrator before accepting the permanent position. He also served six terms as a Selectman in Plainville.
“I look at managing, not managing people, but bringing them on board so they feel respected,” Fennessy explained. “Whether you work for a highway or, you know, being a custodian or a department head or a committee member, a board member, or even a volunteer. I mean, you’ve got to bring them to you and bring them into the fold, or else they’re going to be bucking you all the way.”
Board Chair Jonathan Selig noted that both candidates were strong choices with different strengths. Board member Thomas Pratt highlighted Fennessy’s varied background, including his police experience, legal training, and HR knowledge.
“I thought they were both strong with different strengths,” Pratt said during the board’s deliberation. “I think Bob was quite strong in his background in the police, police background, the legal background, the HR background, a lot of different hats.”
Fennessy emphasized his approach to interim positions differs from permanent roles. He focuses on supporting existing staff and maintaining operations rather than implementing major changes.
“I look at being an interim a lot differently than I look at being a permanent,” he said. “Interim, I want to make sure they know that I’m here to support the board and support the staff and make sure that they know that, that they can count on me to take care of things that come to my attention.”
The new interim administrator plans to begin by meeting with all department heads individually and conducting group meetings to understand current operations and needs. He stressed the importance of maintaining communication and ensuring no surprises for the board.
“The first thing I would do is get a lay of the land, you know, meet the staff here,” Fennessy said. “And a short time later I’d make sure we had a department head meeting to go through what is going on as a group.”
Fennessy stressed that he has experience with Massachusetts municipal law, open meeting law, and public records requirements.
“Having a legal mind that I have, I can read something and instantly meander through it and know what we have to do,” he said. “You’re not having a Town Administrator who has to call legal counsel all the time.”
The interim administrator expressed familiarity with the Halifax area, having worked with several MSPCA officers who lived in town during his law enforcement career. He and his wife recently visited Halifax to familiarize themselves with the community.
Fennessy indicated his availability extends through the duration of the search process, with one planned vacation to the Greek Islands in September. He proposed working 28 to 38 hours per week across four days, taking advantage of the town’s Friday closure.
Current Town Administrator Cody Haddad, whose last day is July 8, praised the positive changes in town culture over the past two and a half years and offered to assist with the transition.
“If you look at where the town was two and a half years ago to where it is now, it’s not close to the same period,” Haddad said. “The culture has totally changed. All positive.”
The board plans to enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations with Fennessy. Board members expressed confidence in both candidates but ultimately felt Fennessy’s well-rounded experience and familiarity with the region made him the best fit for the interim role.
Selig noted the stark improvement in candidate quality compared to the town’s previous administrator search three years ago, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and crediting Halifax’s improved reputation for attracting quality candidates.
The appointment comes as Halifax faces various municipal challenges, including potential budget pressures and ongoing development issues. Fennessy’s experience with budget processes and municipal operations positions him to help guide the town through the transition period while maintaining stability for residents and staff.
Who let the dogs out?
The Halifax Town Green was the location of Generations annual Fur Festival held on a very hot Saturday, June 21. Well behaved vaccinated dogs in all sizes competed for titles such as cutest, best dressed, smallest, and largest. This family friendly event also featured a K9 demonstration, comfort dogs from the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program, and students and their leaders in the 4-H Dog and Sheep program. Local vendors were set-up around the Town Green and hot dogs were served by Generations.
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