Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor, Author at Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

Winnetuxet Bridge closed for repairs

September 20, 2019 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

The Winnetuxet River Bridge is closed for repairs on Winnetuxet Road in Plympton for the next couple of weeks while the substructure posts are wrapped to give them strength.

Highway Superintendent Scott Ripley told The Express that this project was begun by now retired Highway Superintendent Jim Mulcahy and is now being completed.

The bridge is subject to annual inspection by the State and it has been known that the substructure is in need of repair. An operator in an excavator was working on Tuesday to remove the large rocks under the bridge so workers can access the pilings to wrap them with sleeves to make them stronger, avoiding replacement for the time being.

They expect this part of the project to take a couple of weeks, after which the bridge will re-open to traffic as they plan the final phase of replacing the guard rails. Then they will once again close the bridge to traffic while they work on it.

“The guard rails won’t look much different from what we have now,” Ripley said. “They’ll still be wooden.” The planking on the bridge will not be replaced.

Ripley said he expects entire project will be completed by the first of November.

Whitman man charged with motor vehicle homicide

March 30, 2018 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

PLYMOUTH – A Whitman man has been arraigned on charges that he was operating under the influence of alcohol when he caused a crash that killed a Carver man, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced Wednesday afternoon, March 28.

Alec Dowie, 51, of Whitman, was arraigned in Plymouth District Court on one count each of Motor Vehicle Homicide and Operating Under the Influence, third offense. He pleaded not guilty today in Plymouth District Court and was held on $5,000 cash bail with conditions that he does not drive, he submit to daily drug and alcohol monitoring, and that he surrender his passport.

On Febr. 6, at 6:45 p.m., Halifax Police and Fire personnel responded to the area of 38 Monponsett Str., for a report of a two-car crash. Upon arrival, police found that a 2018 Dodge Challenger operated by Dowie, had crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2005 Honda CRV operated by Richard March, 78, of Carver. Both operators were transported from the crash scene for treatment of their injuries.

March was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where he succumbed to his injuries just after 9 p.m. that same night.

Halifax Police contacted State Police Detectives with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI and State Police CARS Unit.

The investigation found that Dowie had a Blood Alcohol Content Level of 0.084 and Dowie tested positive for Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine and Opiates in his system. Dowie told investigators that he took a Percocet prior to the crash.

Dowie was arrested by Whitman Police on Monday, March 26 on an outstanding warrant. He is next scheduled to appear in court on June 6 for pretrial conference.

Assistant District Attorney Russell Eonas is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Halifax Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI and State Police CARS Unit.

Animal World Experience held at Plympton Town Hall Community Room on Feb.,24

March 8, 2018 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

Creamsicle the orange Corn Snake stuck its tongue out as it was meeting all the guests.

Left Hessie Rubin and Polly Nordahl of Plympton enjoyed the all-ages show with owner Matt Gabriel of Animal World Experience.

Twins Connor and Olivia Alcombright, 3, of Kingston had different reactions to the Hissing Cockroach.

Matt Gabriel of Animal World Experience held up Drago a Red Tagu Lizard normally found in Argentina.

Ania Player, 4, of Plympton stuck her tongue out at the Hissing Coach Roach as Matt Gabriel of Animal World Experience explained his habitat.

George Anderson held his granddaughter Madilyn, 3, as she shielded her eyes from Rudy the 15 year old Chinchilla.

Diesel the African Pigmy hedgehog slowly woke up for his person Matt Gabriel owner of Animal World Experience.

McGuiggan’s Ad Correction 01-19-18

January 18, 2018 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

Correction The Employee Xmas party is Monday, January 22nd. Sunday Hours will remain the same 11:30am-12am.

Silver Lake Fundraiser nets $9,875

November 23, 2017 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

Last week Silver Lake Regional High School wellness teacher Marlene Lopes along with Karen Triangle the principal’s secretary, dropped off a check to Dana Faber South Shore Hospital Breast Care Center for $9875. The amount is the result of two weeks of fundraising activities and events that brought awareness to Breast Cancer. Along with the check was a basket full of pink painted rocks with inspirational messages created by the soccer team for the patients of the Dana Faber South Shore Breast Care Center.

Photos by Marlene Lopes

Karen Tringale, Marlene Lopes present a check and rocks to aid patients of the Dana Faber South Shore Hospital

Pink inspirational rocks created by the Silver Lake Soccer Team

Soule Homestead Summer Concert Series ends Saturday, Aug.19

August 17, 2017 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

Soule Homestead, 46 Soule Street, at the Plympton/Middleborough line, wraps up its summer concert season on Saturday, August 19 at 6 p.m. with bluegrass quartet Riley Coyote with Molly Pinto Madigan.

Riley Coyote’s musicians, all Middleboro natives, are Kristen Riley on the fiddle, Jim Lough on mandolin, Joe Faria on bass and Joe Tummino on guitar. Their rollicking bluegrass tunes like Clementine have been performed at venues throughout New England including Atwood’s Tavern in Cambridge and the outdoor summer concert series at Mashpee Commons.

Molly Pinto Madigan’s ethereal voice and soulful compositions won her first place in WUMB’s Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest. A regular at The Club Passim and the Boston Celtic Music Festival, Madigan blends European and American traditional music. Her soulful voice is made for the ballads she writes and performs.

Riley Coyote with Molly Pinto Madigan, on Saturday, August 19, at 6 p.m., Soule Homestead, 46 Soule Street, Middleboro. Admission is $10 per person, under 16 free. No dogs or alcohol allowed, Concert held rain or shine with indoor facilities available. Snacks available for purchase. For more information info@soulehomestead.org.

‘Bee’ a Reader at Plympton Public Library

August 17, 2017 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

What’s the Buzz? Fill out your name in a cell of the Plympton Public Library’s bee hive as you become a reader. It only takes 15 minutes to stop the buzzyness and read at the library, located on Route 58, in historic Plympton Village.

Marlee and Graham Mulcahy added their names to the Plympton Public Library’s “Hive of Readers”, the library’s summer reading program. Marlee also added her name to a flower after reading a “Build a Better World” book.

Barking dogs to cease Aug 10

July 27, 2017 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

Noise complaints from dog barking will end, as Tarawood Kennel owner Jennifer Choate is closing down the facility on August 10, 2017 and relocating to New Hampshire. Choate confirmed the closing of the kennel at 7 Plymouth Street in Halifax at a dog hearing at the Halifax Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, July 26, 2017.

A dog hearing occurred last year for the kennel’s dogs’ barking and being outside at night and as early as 5 and 6 a.m. Resident Shawn Clarkson expressed that he doesn’t think the problem has improved since last year.

Clarkson said, “Dogs are still barking and there’s no end to it. They’re still barking early in the morning, 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning.”

With this most recent complaint, both Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan and Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy paid separate visits to the kennel. Callahan came for an annual inspection, while Roy was assessing the noise from complaints.

Callahan said she didn’t hear any barking during this particular visit. Roy said she visited and there was barking. She didn’t think it was as bad as the year before, but there was still barking. Roy did note she’s not living there though.

Jennifer Choate disagreed that the dogs are barking excessively and disagreed with them being a nuisance. Choate said she wishes it wasn’t still coming to this a year later and confirmed that it won’t be an issue after she relocates. Choate said, “The property is sold and closing on August 10, 2017.” She said the plan is to vacate the property with the dogs.

On Thursday, July 20, ACO Callahan completed her inspection of Tarawood Kennels. She confirmed the dog numbers were correct, but not all paperwork was presented until this selectmen’s meeting. The Board believes Choate did not fully cooperate with the nature of a random inspection due to failed attempts by Callahan to inspect the property and Choate’s voice mail box being full.

Choate said she never refused Callahan entry to her property, to which Roy answered, she “respectfully disagreed”. Selectman Clerk Troy Garron said that whether intentional or not an inspection agreement was broken here.

Choate reiterated her position saying, “She’s (ACO Callahan) welcome anytime, and the times she wasn’t able to enter I wasn’t there or was on her way out back loading multiple things.” Choate said she’s in the middle of relocating a 30 horse facility along with the kennel.

Selectmen chose to let the complaint come to a natural close since Choate is moving in a few weeks. The Board did say it’s ordering the dogs vacate the property by August 11, 2017.

Sealer of Weights and Measures interviews

The Halifax Board of Selectmen scheduled three interviews for the town’s open sealer of weights and measures position. The Board had interviews with Charles Norvish, David Moore, and Robert O’Rourke.

Charles Norvish was the first candidate interviewed by the board. When Chairman Tom Millias asked Norvish to talk about his experience, Norvish joked, “We don’t have that much time tonight.”

Norvish has been the sealer of weights and measures for Middleboro since 1986. According to Norvish, Middleboro has 17 gas pumps and more than 150 scales. Halifax has much less in comparison.

Selectman Garron asked Norvish why he’s interested in the job because he seems very busy. Norvish said, “The good thing is these jobs are part-time; the bad thing is they’re part time.” Charles also cited an “old school attitude” and that he’s done multiple jobs for a while. Norvish said, “I have no regrets.”

The next candidate, David Moore, said he’s been involved with town government for over 40 years starting in Bridgewater and Carver. He owns his own sealing equipment, which, according to Moore, can cost a town $3,000-4,000, so he said there’s a saving benefit here.

The board told Moore they liked that he says he sets his scales according to the fiscal year as well as the calendar year. Moore said this is useful for towns when planning their budget.

Moore said he’ll provide selectmen with a database of the spots (pumps, etc.) he tests. Selectmen plan to make a decision when they meet August 8.

The last candidate, Robert O’Rourke withdrew his application at the interview. He said the board is in good hands with either Norvish or Moore and is welcome to help down the line.

Other News

The Board of Selectmen reappointed the following election workers:

Democrats

• Andrea Delaney • Paul Delaney • Carol Keene • Cathleen Miller • Amelia Mosley • Lee Mulready • Judith Wall

Republicans

•Marion Heath • Gayle Peck • Richard Roche

Unenrolled

• Robert Doherty • Kathryn Roche • Kenneth Vinton