Town Clerk Tara Shaw met Plympton residents Saturday morning to officially retire the 100 year old “Perfection” ballot box, to be replaced by the Imagecast Precinct® beginning with the Nov. 5 presidential election.
While about 40 residents came to hear the presentation Saturday, Shaw is sure that voters will need a bit of instruction the first time voting. To help residents become accustomed to the new tabulator, a brief instructional video will be available on the Town of Plympton website and it will also be showing at the Town House during the hours voting is going on.
With the new vote tabulator, results will be available almost instantly when the polls close. The teams of ballot counters will no longer be needed; just a couple of counters to read the write-ins. The tabulator will count all votes on the ballot except the write-in votes which are put aside for a human count.
This is the end of an era for the town of Plympton and residents tipped a cup of coffee and enjoyed a slice of cake in Perfection’s honor.

State Representative Kathy LaNatra is honored to announce that Dirty Water Distillery of Plymouth is a 2024 recipient of the “Making it in Massachusetts” Manufacturing Award presented by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. This award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership skills in the manufacturing industry. The company was presented with this award at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, September 25th at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
“It is such an honor to be able to nominate one of the many impressive manufacturers that the 12th Plymouth district has to offer, and I was thrilled to be able to choose Dirty Water Distillery as this year’s Manufacturer of the Year, said State Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “Dirty Water Distillery is one of those businesses that make Plymouth and the South Shore special and unique. From pivoting to making hand sanitizer during the COVID pandemic as one of the first to do so in the Commonwealth, to hosting many great community events in their taproom, Dirty Water is truly a steward of their community, and I was thrilled to be able to present them with this honor.”
Dirty Water Distillery, a micro-distillery in Plymouth’s Cordage Park, has been crafting unique artisanal spirits since its founding in 2014. As the first distillery to open in Plymouth and only the 12th in Massachusetts at the time, it has become a local favorite. Owner Pepi Avizonis, who holds a Ph.D. in physics, leads the operation alongside a head brewer, Andrew Hill, who balances his passion for distilling with his career as a high school English teacher. Together, they bring creativity and expertise to their craft, producing a distinctive range of artisanal liquors.
“We were surprised, thrilled, and honored to be State Rep. Kathy LaNatra’s nominee,” said Pepi Avizonis, Owner of Dirty Water Distillery. “We are proud and humbled to be considered among the state’s best, and we love doing what we can to support our community.”
Each year, the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus hosts the Manufacturing Awards Ceremony to highlight many of the Commonwealth’s most noteworthy manufacturers and celebrate their successes as leading manufacturers in the industry. This recognition is reserved for Commonwealth manufacturers that exemplify what it means to “make it in Massachusetts” and propel their industry towards continued growth and innovation. This year, over 50 diverse manufacturers were selected by legislators from across the Commonwealth to be recognized at the awards ceremony.
Formed in August 2014, the Manufacturing Caucus includes more than 60 legislators from around the Commonwealth. Lawmakers focus on training for manufacturing employees, encouraging innovation by helping start-ups access resources, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in key manufacturing sectors. The Caucus is chaired by Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) and Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough).

Join us for a talk on interpreting and researching historic cemeteries and gravestones, presented by Brenda Sullivan of the Gravestone Girls at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St., Kingston, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.
“Past the Cemetery Gate” is a 90-minute presentation where attendees will learn to ‘read’ the cemetery for clues and information. Using both direct observation and deductive reasoning from objects such as the writing, art, geology and the cemetery landscape, much new insight can be revealed that can answer questions, create new inquiries and open doors for further detective work. For more information visit their website here: https://www.gravestonegirls.com/#/

BRIDGEWATER— State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine announced last Friday the graduation of 13 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, three of whom were from the Kingston Fire Dept.: Firefighters Mark Leary, Caroline Reed, and Daniel Shannon.
“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
“Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, today’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to work seamlessly with veteran firefighters in their home departments and in neighboring communities as mutual aid.”
The graduating firefighters of Class #BW31 represent the fire departments of Canton, Franklin, Hull, Kingston, Mansfield, Norton, Norwell, Seekonk, West Bridgewater, and Wrentham.
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack.