By Tracy F. Seelye,
Express editor

In a state primary election noted mainly for low voter participation, there was little by way of surprises in the outcome Tuesday.

Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker, as expected, carried their respective nominations for governor in the Nov. 4 general election. Democrats statewide also tapped Maura Healy over Warren Tolman for attorney general.

Locally, it was not a day of heightened activity at the polls. Less than 20 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

From the start, local town clerks were not certain that percentage would make it out of the single digits.

Only a handful of residents were at the Plympton polls at 8:30 a.m., and only 37 votes had been cast at that point.

There are 5,192 registered voters in Halifax and 764 or 14.7% voted.  Out of 2,092 registered voters in Plympton, 351 cast their ballots, or 17%

Local vote totals for Halifax were, on Democratic ballots:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey (D) 297

• Governor — Donald M. Berwick (D) 82

Martha Coakley (D) 208

Steven Grossman 167

• Lt. Governor — Leland Cheung (D) 86

 Stephen J. Kerrigan (D) 224

Michael E. Lake (D) 67

• Attorney General — Maura Healy (D) 258

Warren E. Tolman (D) 180

• Secretary of State — William F. Galvin (D) 339

• Treasurer — Thomas P. Conroy (D) 114

Barry Finegold (D) 129

Deborah B. Goldberg (D) 173

• Auditor — Suzanne M. Bump (D) 310

• Representative in Congress — William R. Keating (D) 327

• Councillor [Fourth District] — Christopher Iannella (D) 300

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] —Thomas P. Kennedy (D) 327

• Representative in General Court —Thomas J. Calter, III (D) 328

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde (D) 106

Matthew J. McDonough (D) 254

• County Treasurer — Thomas J. O’Brien (D) 322

• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi (D) 293

Those choosing Republican ballots voted this way:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr (R) 214

• Governor — Charles D. Baker (R) 224

Mark R. Fisher (R) 75

• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito (R) 243

• Attorney General — John B. Miller (R) 225

• Secretary of State — David D’Arcangelo (R) 223

• Treasurer — Michael J. Heffernan (R) 217

• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin (R) 207

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Viola A. Ryerson (R) 345

• Representative in General Court  — Write-ins 75

• District Attorney — Timothy J. Cruz (R) 253

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine (R) 58

Anthony T. O’Brien Sr. (R) 130

Joseph M. Truschelli (R) 70

• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright (R) 215

Local vote totals in Plympton were for Democrat ballots:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey (D) 111

• Governor — Donald M. Berwick (D) 44

   Martha Coakley (D) 81

   Steven Grossman 60

• Lt. Governor — Leland Cheung (D) 41

   Stephen J. Kerrigan (D) 84

Michael E. Lake (D) 24

• Attorney General — Maura Healy (D) 112

Warren E. Tolman (D) 67

• Secretary of State — William F. Galvin (D) 140

• Treasurer — Thomas P. Conroy (D) 40

Barry Finegold (D) 48

Deborah B. Goldberg (D) 72

• Auditor — Suzanne M. Bump (D) 127

• Representative in Congress [9th District] — William Keating (D) 129

• Councilor — Christopher A. Ianella, Jr. (D) 121

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] Thomas P. Kennedy (D) — 118

• Representative in General Court [9th Plymouth District] — Thomas J. Calter, III (D) 136

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde (D) 127

Matthew J. McDonough (D) 110

• County Treasurer — Thomas J. O’Brien (D) 135

• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi (D) 120

Plympton’s Republican primary ballot totals:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr (R) 122

• Governor — Charles D. Baker (R) 111

Mark R. Fisher (R) 49

• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito (R) 139

• Attorney General — John B. Miller (R) 131

• Secretary of State — David D’Arcangelo (R) 130

• Treasurer — Michael J. Heffernan (R) 131

• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin (R) 124

• Representative in Congress [9th District] — Mark C. Alliegro (R) 20

John C. Chapman (R) 28

Vincent A. Cogliano Jr. (R) 37

Daniel L. Shores (R) 65

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol District] — Viola A. Ryerson (R) 126

• Representative in General Court (9th Plymouth District) — Thomas J. Calter, III (R) 16

• District Attorney — Timothy J. Cruz (R) 140

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine (R) 35

Anthony T. O’Brien Sr. (R) 68

Joseph M. Truschelli (R) 36

• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright (R) 124

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HALIFAX — Selectmen on Tuesday Sept. 9 signed off on an Eagle Scout project to renovate and fix 22 benches along Route 106, and witnessed the swearing-in of two full-time firefighters.

Kyle Keogh of Troop Pembroke 105, for an Eagle Scout project, plans to renovate and fix the benches, and make them look better.

“Some of them are broken, so we’re going to have to get new boards for them, put them in, and to match the stains for them,” Keogh said.

“There will still be ones that are still good, the benches. We just need to sand them down, power wash them, and then stain them to the correct color,” he said. “There are also some that are covered in vines, leaves, hedges and stuff like that. We’re going to have to trim off the plants so they’re not in the way of pedestrians sitting down on them.”

Selectmen voted 3-0 to support the project.

“Beautify Halifax,” said Selectman Troy Garron.

“We definitely need a little tender, loving care,” said Selectman Kim Roy.

“Some of them need a lot of loving care,” said board Chairman Michael Schleiff. “We are on board.”

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said the Highway Department, Beautification Committee and Historical Commission were all notified of the Eagle Scout project.

“They’re all very happy to hear that this project is going on,” he said.

In other action, selectmen witnessed the swearing-in of firefighters Michael Delcourt and William Palma by Assistant Town Clerk Susan Lawless.

Dozens of family members, friends, and firefighters packed the selectmen’s meeting room.

Fire Chief Jason Viveiros said both men are hard workers who bring teamwork, professionalism, respect, and a positive outlook to the department.

Delcourt started as a call firefighter in Halifax in 2011.

“He’s worked really hard. He’s currently in paramedic school and working towards achieving that goal,” Viveiros said. “When I first met him, he was with his newest baby. I know it’s difficult managing his personal and professional life, but he’s doing an excellent job of doing that.”

Palma started as a call firefighter in Halifax in 2008, and was a call lieutenant.

“He actually left the town for a short period of time, before realizing his home was here,” Viveiros said. “It made him really proud to know he came back here and embraced Halifax as the full-time department that he chose to work for.”

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON — More than 60 people attended a selectmen meeting Monday night to discuss a plan by a nonprofit organization to open a recovery house at 55 Brook St. in a residential neighborhood.
Brook Retreat is a five- to nine-month residential spiritual retreat dedicated to helping addicts and alcoholics recover through the immediate and rigorous application of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, although the retreat is not affiliated with AA.

It was founded in May by Tom Rielly, Michael Goedicke, and Joe Carroll, all recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of alcoholism and addiction.
Carroll said he has devoted the past three years of his life helping others recover from addiction.
Carroll said by age 20, he had been kicked out of college, and had to have a drink first thing in the morning.

“This thing crept up on me and kicked me down,” he said. “I take this work very seriously. It saved my life,” he said.
Rielly, who grew up in Kingston, said he was part of the heroin and opiate epidemic and got sober at a retreat house in Wakefield similar to the one proposed in Plympton.
Goedicke said his partners and he want to pass on the spiritual teachings that helped them recover to other addicts.

“We’re all nice kids, grew up in nice towns, and let the current drug epidemic overtake us,” he said.
Goedicke said the Brook Retreat house is the most efficient way to help addicts and alcoholics recover, and the last thing the proponents want to do is cause contention and fear.

He said there will be a number of protections in place to address concerns of neighbors:
• Staff will live in the house and be present at all times.
• There will be a zero-tolerance drug use policy. Those who use drugs will be expelled from the house.
• Guests must first spend 30 days in treatment before coming to Brook Retreat.
• Staff will do criminal and background checks of all guests. Those with sex, violent or arson offenses will not be allowed.
• There will be security cameras.
• Guests can not take opiate blocking medications nor mind altering medications.
• A sprinkler system will be installed.
• Guests must display spiritual qualities, such as honesty and selflessness.

Carroll said he wants Brook Retreat to be a resource to the community.
“The last thing we want to become is a nuisance to the town. We want to be an asset to the town,” he said.
Building Commissioner Thomas Millias said the ownership of 55 Brook St has changed.
Millias is acting as zoning enforcement officer in this case. Zoning Enforcement Officer Robert Karling, an abutter to the house, recused himself. Millias said single-family residences are allowed to have as many as four residents who are not related and not transients.

A transient is someone who is in town for one or two days and stays at a hotel, motel or short-term boarding house, he said.
Multi-family residents, those with more than four non-related, non-transient residents, are not allowed in residential single-family zones, under town bylaws.
However, under state law, they are allowed if non-profit corporation holds the house and has an educational plan, which does not have to be a traditional educational plan, he said.
Brook Retreat may not be occupied by more than four residents unless the house has a sprinkler system installed, which entails some expense, he said.

The town can regulate open space and parking on the property, a Planning Board function, Millias said.
“Once the requirements are met, there’s really nothing in place to say, ‘No, you cannot do this,’” he said.

Millias said the applicants asked him for a ruling on occupancy of as many as 16 people. The house would require sprinklers. The applicants would need to meet with the Board of Health for system requirements, he said.
The 14-day deadline for Millias to respond to the applicants’ request is today, Friday, Sept. 12.

Millias said he does not believe the applicants’ would meet requirements by then. They could request an extension, or Millias could deny the request. He said he believes they would eventually meet the requirements and come back.
“There is no reason not to grant it. It’s not a like or dislike situation. It’s the facts that are presented,” he said.
If Millias grants a permit, opponents could be appeal his decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals, he said.
Carroll said there are six bedrooms in the house. The three staff members will live in the house.
“We will not be squeezing 35 beds in six bedrooms,” he said. “This is our lives. It saved us. It is our career. It is what we’re passionate about.”

Jim Boucher of Mayflower Road said he believes the neighborhood is vulnerable and a recovery house would overburden police, fire and EMS, as well as affect taxes and property values.
“It’s just the way people feel in the neighborhood. You can’t blame them,” he said. “It’s nothing against you personally, but these are the impacts to the neighborhood.”

Bill Wilhelm of Duxbury, who does a sports talk show on WATD 95.9 FM in Marshfield, said the applicants are gentlemen who were on his program.
Wilhelm said he coached one of them in soccer.
Wilhelm said Brook Retreat would not add to the drug addiction problem in Plympton.
“You already have a drug addiction problem in Plympton. You have it all over the South Shore,” he said. “These guys are the cutting edge.”
Hessie Rubin of Maple Street said the applicants are gentlemen and she would like for Plympton to give them a vote of confidence.
Rubin said drug addiction and associated problems are all over the South Shore and likely on Brook Street too even without a recovery house.
“It’s a disease of secretive behavior. You don’t know who you know, who’s using or drinking too much. You must catch them in the act, and even then they will lie. That’s part of the disease,” she said.
Cathy Ferguson of Brook Street asked why the applicants should not buy a property in a commercial or business zone instead of in a residential neighborhood.
“The issue is: Is this the place for it?” she said. “It’s not the right spot.”
Larry Richmond of Plympton said residents would be disrupted by bringing in people from all over the state and beyond.
“They have access to our neighborhood and they’re not Plympton people,” he said.
Carroll said every town has a drug problem, and Brook Retreat has helped guide people into programs.
“We have already helped people from Plympton, comforted them, given them a plan of action to get their son the help they need,” he said.
Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo said the matter would be up to permitting, and that the discussion Monday was civil.
“It’s not the end of the conversation. It’s the beginning of the conversation,” he said.
In other action Monday, selectmen voted, 3-0, to adopt a residential factor of 1, which means all classes of property in Plympton — residential, commercial, industrial and personal property — will be taxed at the same rate, acting on the recommendations of the assessors.

By Stephanie Spyropoulos
Express Correspondent

A local Hanson restaurant owner is still in critical condition at Rhode Island Trauma center Thursday morning following a freak accident Tuesday night on his motorcycle on Hudson Street in Halifax near the East Bridgewater town line.

James “Jimmy” Deagle, 67, co-owner of J & R Indian Head Pub on Main Street in Hanson is a long time rider with regional accreditation. Deagle who resides in Kingston is well known in surrounding areas as a motorcycle enthusiast.

A worker at the restaurant said they were hoping for news on his recovery however asked she not be identified.  “It is a very difficult time for his wife and family,” she said.  

“Jimmy was a safe rider and always wore his helmet.”

The crash is under investigation, but according to by- standers there was a large branch that may have hit Deagle causing him to lose control.

Crews were called to the crash scene at approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday, said Fire Chief Jason Viveiros of Halifax. Officials confirmed he was wearing a helmet. East Bridgewater fire and EMS also responded along with two local fire chiefs who were in the area.  

Deagle was transported to Rhode Island Trauma center in critical condition via medical helicopter, which landed at the Industrial Park on Plymouth Street in Halifax.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HALIFAX — Four residents will get their career starts as Halifax police officers.

Selectmen on Tuesday Sept. 2 voted, 3-0, to hire Ryan Simpson, Patrick Deroo, Edward Buccieri and Richard Silenzi — all Halifax residents — as permanent intermittent police officers.

The appointments are pending the candidates passing physical exams. Two of the appointees, Buccieri and Silenzi, will also attend a permanent intermittent police officer academy.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Schleiff said Halifax has 7,403 residents, a quarter of whom are age 18 or younger. The median age is 37 years old. There are 2,841 housing units and dozens of business in town, he said.

Schleiff said Halifax police responded to 6,013 calls in the past year, and executed three search warrants, resulting in the seizure of 12 pounds of marijuana, a number of arrests, and seizures of heroin and cocaine.

Police Chief Edward Broderick said Halifax is hiring permanent intermittent officers in order to move them into full-time slots when they become available, fill shifts now, and to have reserves.

Broderick said when looking at the pool of permanent intermittent officers, that their work standards and availability for work would determine whether they get brought up to the next level.

“It’s up to them to work and show us that they want that, and they want to be the right fit,” he said.

Broderick recommended the four candidates, and Schleiff praised the chief’s recommendations.

“Thank you, chief,” Schleiff said. “It looks like you got a good group there.”

Ryan Simpson

Ryan Simpson, who served in the US Army and is still in the National Guard, based in Braintree, said his military skills would transfer over to police work.

Simpson graduated from the permanent intermittent police officer academy in July. An Army sergeant, he also just finished an infantryman school.

“I’m a very hard worker,” he said. “No if’s, and’s, or but’s.”

Simpson said he does not like when motorists roll through stop signs. Drug enforcement interests him.

Simpson has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a squad leader in the National Guard now, in charge of eight to 12 people. He went to a warrior leader course, which drew people from all disciplines, including band members. At the final training, which included battle drills, the band members were there, and Simpson said he dealt with them, motivating and pushing them.

“I would say I’m a leader,” he said. “I learn as I go along.”

Simpson said it is tough for him to see people go through stuff. He said he has gotten calls and talked to people with suicidal thoughts. He said he hopes someone would talk to him if he was going through a hard time.

“We’re brothers in arms at the end of the day,” he said.

A leader, Simpson said, has to be accountable for the actions of others, and trust them to do the right thing.

Being away from family during deployments is tough, he said, as has been losing friends.

“People need guidance. Police are there to guide people in the right direction,” he said.

Patrick Deroo

Patrick Deroo has been the loss prevention officer at Walmart in Halifax for more than two years and serves as a volunteer auxiliary police officer in Randolph.

Deroo, born and raised in East Bridgewater, has always wanted to be a law enforcement officer, and likes helping people and problem solving.

“There’s nothing else I wanted to do,” he said. “It’s just near and dear to my heart, I guess.”

The East Bridgewater police chief sent Deroo, who hoped to start as a special police officer, to the permanent intermittent academy in 2008.

Then East Bridgewater had to lay off officers, Deroo said, so, to gain experience, he became a Randolph auxiliary police officer, a volunteer position.

They have full police powers, work town details, and do normal patrols with other auxiliary officers, working 20 to 25 hours per month, he said.

Deroo said he got to know Halifax police officers and the chief working in loss prevention at Walmart, and enjoys working with them. He said purchasing his own home has been his greatest accomplishment thus far in life.

One time at Walmart, Deroo said he stopped a woman for shoplifting. As he tried to apprehend her, the woman slammed her shopping carriage into him, then stabbed him with a pen as he followed her. He said he kept his cool, detained her, and called law enforcement.

As an officer, Deroo said everyone deserves a chance to be heard.

“I like to be firm, but I like to be fair,” he said.

Edward Buccieri

Edward Buccieri, 25, said he would like to have and raise a family, and be a police officer, in Halifax.

In high school, Buccieri said he did a project on his grandfather, who was in the US Marines and law enforcement and who died two months after Buccieri was born.

Buccieri is loss prevention manager for Lowe’s in West Bridgewater, and worked in loss prevention for Target in New England and New York before that.

In the military and in law enforcement, officers deal with lots of different people. When he was working on cases for Target, he would be working with store teams of 180 to 200 people at a time, he said.

“I can relate well to others,” he said. “Relating well to others is one of my strengths.”

At Lowe’s, Buccieri said he established a safety plan to protect customers and employees, and established incentives to promote safety. The entire market is following his plan now, he said.

Buccieri said he wants to move into police work because it would let him have an impact on more people’s lives, although, like retail, the community is the customer and police serve the community.

“I guess I want to be that leader in the community,” he said. “Giving back to the community, that’s the biggest thing.”

Buccieri said it is important to follow policies, especially if policies conflict with personal beliefs.

For instance, if a shopper was shoplifting $1,500 worth of merchandise, Buccieri said he would want to apprehend the shoplifter, unless store policy prohibits that. In that case, he said he would follow the policy and call police.

Buccieri, who is single, has a black lab dog named Rambo that he rescued, and they do a lot of training.

Richard Silenzi

Richard Silenzi said he knew he wanted to become a police officer when he was 8-years-old.

Silenzi said his grandfather was a Boston police officer, and he would come home in uniform and tell him stories.

“I idolized him,” he said.

Silenzi is a US Marine Corps reservist, a crew member at the Fruit Center Marketplace and a security guard at Frito-Lay in Randolph.

“Halifax seems like it would be a really good fit for me,” he said.

Silenzi said he can break up a fight at a bar and can talk reason into the unreasonable.

“I’m really good at mediating disputes,” he said.

He said he does not like people who hate the police or who tailgate other motorists on the road.

Silenzi said police officers must have tact and courage.

“Personal integrity, that’s really important. Being honest is extremely important. You can’t have untrustworthy officers on any police force,” he said.

Silenzi is leader of a fire team as a Marines Corps reservist, and has four to five junior Marines under him.

He said it might be uncomfortable if he is in a situation as a police officer of having to pull over and write tickets to friends, but that is just part of the job.

If people are doing stuff that is against the law, they must take responsibility, he said.

“Nobody is above the law really, not even friends of police officers,” he said.

For fun, Silenzi said he enjoys fishing, plays harmonica, draws, paints and goes for hikes.

Selectman Troy Garron, who served in the military and in law enforcement, said it is important for the four hires that they get a good feeling for the people and town that they are working with.

“You work for the people,” he said. “We are servants of the people. We are there to help them.”

Garron said punishment and enforcement are also part of the job.

“Remember: Fair, firm and consistent,” he said.

Preliminary election to set the November ballot

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, the 2014 campaign season has officially kicked into high gear in advance of the Tuesday, Sept. 9 state primary election.

Television commercials that had appeared only sporadically over the summer are now broadcast in blocks, most notably during local news programs.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both Plympton and Halifax with absentee balloting already open to those who qualify.. Plympton voters cast ballots at the Town House grand meeting room and both Halifax precincts one and two vote in the Halifax Elementary School gymnasium.

Secretary of State William Galvin’s office expressed concern this week that less than 20 percent of voters will turnout Tuesday.

The contested races center on statewide offices with Democrats facing a three-way race for governor, lieutenant governor and treasurer and two-candidate contests for attorney general and Plymouth County register of probate. Republicans in both towns will choose between two candidates seeking the governor’s office and a three-way race for Plymouth County register of probate.

Republicans will also see a four-man contest for the nomination to face Democratic incumbent Rep. Bill Keating for the 9th Congressional District seat in November.

There are candidates listed for the towns’ representation on Beacon Hill, but no primary contests for the nomination in either party.

Candidates on the Democratic primary ballots are:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey

• Governor — Donald M. Berwick of Newton, current Attorney General Martha Coakley of Medford and current State Treasurer Steven Grossman of Newton.

• Lt. Governor — Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung, Stephen J. Kerrigan of Lancaster and Michael E. Lake of Boston.

• Attorney General — Former Asst. AG Maura Healy of Boston and former state Sen. Warren E. Tolman of Watertown.

• Secretary of State — Incumbent William F. Galvin of Boston.

• Treasurer — State Rep. Thomas P. Conroy of Wayland, state Sen. Barry Finegold of Andover and Deborah B. Goldberg of Brookline.

• Auditor — Incumbent Suzanne M. Bump of Great Barrington.

• Representative in Congress  — Incumbent William R. Keating of Bourne.

• Councillor [Fourth District] — Incumbent Christopher Iannella of Boston.

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Incumbent Thomas P. Kennedy of Brockton.

• Representative in General Court [12th Plymouth] — Incumbent Thomas J. Calter III of Kingston

 • Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde of Brockton and Matthew J. McDonough of Marshfield.

• County Treasurer — Incumbent Thomas J. O’Brien of Kingston.

• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi of Plymouth.

Candidates on the Republican primary ballots are:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr of Hopkinton.

• Governor — Charles D. Baker of Swampscott and Mark R. Fisher of Shrewsbury.

• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito of Shrewsbury.

• Attorney General — John B. Miller of Winchester.

• Secretary of State — Malden City Councilor David D’Arcangelo.

• Treasurer — Michael James Heffernan of Wellesley.

• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin of Norfolk.

• Representative in Congress — Mark C. Alliegro of Falmouth, John C. Chapman of Chatham, Vincent A. Cogliano Jr., of Pembroke and Daniel L. Shores of Sandwich.

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Viola A. Ryerson of Hanover.

• District Attorney — Incumbent Timothy J. Cruz of Marshfield.

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine of Abington, Anthony T. O’Brien Sr., of Pembroke and Joseph M. Truschelli of Plymouth.

• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright of Bridgewater.

 

 

Viveiros sworn in at ceremony

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@plymptonhalifaxexpress.com

HALIFAX —Fire Chief Jason Viveiros was officially welcomed  aboard in a brief, often emotional swearing-in ceremony at the fire station Monday, Aug. 18.

For Viveiros it was the second of three joyous personal milestones to celebrate this month — he and his wife Darlene were married Aug. 1 and will hold a belated wedding reception Saturday, Aug. 30. On this night, Darlene proudly pinned on her husband’s new badge after he was sworn in Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor.

The ceremony was attended by Halifax firefighters and their families. local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, selectmen Kim Roy and Troy Garron, and firefighters from departments in Abington, Middleborough, Plympton, Sandwich and Swansea.

“I would like to thank all the chiefs that have come from surrounding towns for this occasion and to the Viveiros family,” Viveiros said. “I’d like to thank the Board of Selectmen for giving me this opportunity — in particular Selectman Roy for her guidance over the last couple of weeks in orienting me to my new position.”

He thanked the Plymouth County Fire Chiefs, of which individual members have offered their assistance during his two-week transition.

Viveiros reserved particular thanks to Swansea Fire Chief  Peter Burke, “Who hired me when I  was 18 and pretty much taught me how to be a firefighter,” and retired Dennis Newman of the Sandwich Fire Department, “who was one of my greatest role models.”

During the interview process, Viveiros cited Miller as being the chief he aspired to emulate.

“Most of all, I’d like to thank the members of the Halifax Fire Department who have welcomed me with open arms from the minute I got here and I hope to serve them proudly every day,” he said.

It was very much a family affair as Viveiros nieces and nephews scampered about, exploring the station and its equipment. In three minutes, it was over and time for the cameras to come out.

“We’re really excited that he’s here with us,” Roy said. “We know he’s been through a lot to get here. … We’re so proud of him in the first two weeks that he’s been with us and we think he’s going to do great things for our community.”

Viveiros was appointed July 14 after the last round of interviews with four finalists for the post, the climactic step in a painstaking selection process.

The finalists were Viveiros, Rutland Chief Bradley Weber, Pembroke Capt. Kenneth McCormick and Randolph Lt. Thomas LaBelle. Halifax Capt. Jerry Cuozzo, who is also a paramedic, had served as interim chief of the department for six months after former Halifax Fire Chief William Carrico left to take the job of chief at the Sandwich Fire Department.

Cuozzo, who has young children he said he needs to be with, felt he was not ready to make the commitment to apply for the position on a full-time basis.

 

Local legislators  including Sen. Tom Kennedy last week announced passage of landmark legislation that takes a major step forward for substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts.

The bi-partisan bill, now on the governor’s desk, removes barriers that stand in the way of effective substance abuse treatment by allowing patients access to detox and rehab programs without requiring insurance pre-authorization. The bill also strengthens the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program and requires that prescription painkillers only be dispensed in abuse deterrent format, unless otherwise directed by a physician.

“Opiate addiction is really an unprecedented public health crisis,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In addition to all the social costs and devastating pain this can cause our friends and families, there is a monetary cost. We are seeing individuals show up in emergency rooms or even getting sectioned in the House of Correction because it’s the only way they know to get substance abuse treatment. This new law helps to change that.”

 “The rising level of opiate addiction in recent years has proven that substance abuse has affected a great number of families in our communities,” said Senator Tom Kennedy.  “This new law makes major improvements in the way we treat this disease and those who suffer from it.”

 “The impact of addiction is evident every day, whether it’s in the news, in our workplace or even in our own families and I know we all ask ourselves, ‘What can be done to solve this problem?’ The passage of this legislation means that more resources, faster treatment and long-term solutions are now in hand, as well as our ability to target and stop the spread of the dangerous drugs that devastate our communities.”

The bill also authorizes the Department of Public Health (DPH) to schedule a substance as Schedule I for up to one year if it poses an imminent hazard to public safety and is not already listed in a different schedule.

To curb the public health risk of Schedule II and III drugs, the bill requires the state’s Drug Formulary Commission to prepare a drug formulary of chemically equivalent substitutions, which must include abuse deterrent properties and must take into consideration cost and accessibility for consumers. Insurance carriers are required to cover abuse deterrent drugs listed on the formulary in the same manner that they cover non-abuse deterrent drugs and cannot impose additional cost burdens on consumers who receive abuse deterrent drugs.

The bill strengthens the Prescription Monitoring Program by requiring the Department of Public Health to report on whether physicians are consulting the state’s database of controlled-substances prescriptions, known as the Prescription Monitoring Program, to see if their patients are obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors.

The bill creates a commission to review prescription painkiller limitations by insurance carriers, including the system implemented by Blue Cross Blue Shield, and report recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature.

This bill both increases access to care and improves the standard of care by removing prior authorization for substance abuse treatment if the provider is certified or licensed by DPH. It also does the following:

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services for all MassHealth Managed Care Entities and requires coverage of up to 14 days of Clinical Stabilization Services with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services and Clinical Stabilization Services for commercial insurers and requires coverage for a total of up to 14 days with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Requires medical necessity of substance abuse treatment to be determined by the treating clinician in consultation with patient; and,

• Requires all insurance carriers to reimburse for substance abuse treatment services delivered by a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In addition, it directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis to review the accessibility of substance abuse treatment and adequacy of insurance coverage and tasks the Health Policy Commission with recommending policies to ensure access and coverage for substance abuse treatment throughout the Commonwealth, as well as review denial rates for substance abuse treatment coverage by commercial insurers.

Lisa Krance tenders resignation

Longtime Plympton Selectmen’s Assistant Lisa Krance Monday night announced that she will be leaving the position on Aubust 28, giving two week’s notice to the board.

Chairman Mark Russo read her letter of resignation, “The letter comes with great joy and sadness for me,”  Lisa wrote. Pending the closing on the sale of her home, August 28 will be her last day.  “It has been an honor and a privilege working in the Town House.”  She went on to say that many of her fondest memories are those in the job as selectmen’s assistant and she will miss Plympton dearly.  

Lisa and her husband John will be relocating to Vero Beach, Florida.

Russo said, “I’m a little weak of knee to be met with this… we are losing a really key person.”  “Until I became a selectman, he said, I didn’t realize how much Lisa does to hold this mess all together … I’m a little weak of knee at the thought that we won’t have her.  So – we adore you, and know you have an opportunity to go on to new and better things, and we wish you the very best, but boy, are we going to miss you.”

“I’ve spent most of the last year with Lisa sitting there and Joe sitting there, and not to have Joe these past few months – and now not to have Lisa – it’s almost too much.  We’ll have more time to celebrate her, but we as a board will need to get the word out to try to replace her.”

Russo said he would like to propose is a working session on Thursday morning to go over the job description, the title, the salary scale, and the application process.  In Lisa’s position it was a 25 hour position with benefits at the $18.32 per hour pay scale.   Russo asked that they get the word out so that applicants can be interviewed.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HALIFAX — Selectmen on Tuesday Aug. 12 met with new Fire Chief Jason Viveiros, who served as fire lieutenant in Sandwich, to discuss his first week on the job in Halifax.

As fire chief, Viveiros will serve on the traffic safety committee, local emergency planning committee community response coordinator, Holidays in Halifax, health insurance review committee, fire department study committee, and forest fire warden.

Selectmen Tuesday also voted to appoint Viveiros as emergency management director.

“I’m a busy man,” he said.

Viveiros said the fire department staff is exceptional and has been helpful. He said he will work to fill the ranks and on sheltering plans.

He said he planed to attend an emergency management meeting in Bridgewater Wednesday and do a school inspection next week.

“I’m doing great. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “It’s been a busy week, a great week.”

Viveiros will be formally sworn in as chief on Monday Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at the fire station, and the public is welcome to attend and meet the new chief.

He said he plans to attend the Triad health and wellness fair to be held Sept. 13.

Viveiros said his wife and he have put their house on the market and they are looking for homes in Halifax.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Schleiff said there are plenty of people in Halifax to help him and keep him busy.

“Every new job is back to school,” he said.

Selectman Kim Roy said Viveiros has a good support system in the fire department and captains.

“Everybody’s excited that you’re here,” she said.

Selectman Troy Garron said Viveiros would settle in.

“Welcome to the town of Halifax. I’m sure you’ll be a great fit.”

New COA board member

Selectmen on Tuesday voted to appoint Ellen Murphy to the Council on Aging.

Murphy has worked for a nonprofit organization, Mayflower RSVP Inc., a retired and senior volunteer program based in Plymouth, for 26 years, which has grown from a small to a statewide agency.

“I know the value of boards of directors. They can make or break an agency,” she said. “It’s rewarding to be a volunteer. It really is.”

Sunday morning alcohol sales

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that starting on Oct. 26, package stores in Massachusetts may open as early as 10 a.m. on Sunday, if allowed to do so by local liquor licensing authorities, under a new state law.

Selectmen were cool to the idea of letting package stores in Halifax open at 10 a.m. instead of noon, which is the local policy now, and declined to make a change, but welcomed comments or concerns from local businesses on the matter.

Garron said an earlier opening time is not necessary for customers.

“You have six-and-a-half days to buy your liquor in this town,” he said.

Roy said liquor stores should be closed all day on Sunday, but she also does not want to see Halifax package stores lose business if customers shop earlier in other towns.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt their business as well,” she said.

Seelig said one Halifax business person told him they do not want to open earlier on Sunday, but feel they have to or lose business.

Schleiff said a 10 a.m. Sunday start time would simply encourage people to drink earlier in the day.

“I think noon is ample, myself,” he said.

Dog hearing

Selectmen voted to send a letter to a Cranberry Drive dog owner after her dog escaped an electric fence after the batteries failed and attacked a dog being walked by a neighbor.

The board is ordering Tanya Bejarano of Cranberry Drive to keep her German Shepherd physically restrained or inside the house when no one is home, and to keep an eye on the dog when people are home and the dog is restrained by an electric fence.

On July 31, a neighbor was walking her Golden Retriever dog past Bejarano’s house when the German Shepherd went after the dog. Both dogs fought and were injured, and the woman who was walking the Golden Retriever fell, according to Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan.

Garron said people need to care for their dogs.

“We don’t have dog problems. We have people problems,” he said.