Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

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Plympton kicks off new traffic safety program

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The Town of Plympton and Plympton Police Department are pleased to announce the kickoff of a new traffic safety and speeding enforcement campaign. This campaign will be run through the Police Department and is a multi-faceted approach tasked with the mission of keeping our roadways safer for our residents and slowing down traffic passing through town.
The Police Department has successfully secured grant funding to support additional hours for traffic patrols and for the installation of a new solar powered speed monitoring sign through the FFY 2024 Municipal Road Safety (MRS) Grant. These funds will be used as part of a High Visibility Enforcement program that will allow for committing a significant percentage of enforcement to several targeted areas in order to begin to mitigate aggressive, impaired, and distracted driving to prevent motor vehicle accidents.
The following action items are already in progress or will be commencing within the upcoming days:
• Each week there will be a street selected that will have officers on each shift conducting targeted Radar Patrols.

• Streets with a high incidence of reported speeding will be prioritized at key times of day.
• The Police Department will purchase 100 bicycle helmets for bike safety programming. School Resource Officers will provide these to any child needing a helmet or a new sized helmet.

• Over the next few months, we will be conducting several traffic initiatives such as click-it or ticket, school bus safety, distracted driving, hands free operation and winter impaired driving.
• Citizens can help us with this campaign by driving the speed limit as a way to model the behavior we are encouraging. Another benefit of this type of community involvement is that it will also help to slow down traffic generally, which will in turn slow down those speeding through town. Additionally, if citizens notice a particular street or a specific time of day in which they typically witness speeding issues, they are urged to reach out to the Police Department to let them know.
The main point of contact is Lieutenant Dan Hoffman. Lieutenant Hoffman can be reached via Email: dhoffman@plymptonpd.org or by phone at (781) 585-3339 Ext. 502

Rep. Dylan Fernandes seeks senate seat

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FALMOUTH – On Monday, State Representative Dylan Fernandes announced his campaign to become the next State Senator for the Plymouth and Barnstable district.  “I am running for State Senate to bring new energy to the role and legislative experience working to make Massachusetts a more affordable place to live for middle and low income people,” said Fernandes. “The Plymouth and Barnstable seat is my hometown district – I grew up here and love it here. I plan to travel the district to listen to your cares and concerns and learn about how I can help; you can reach out to me personally anytime at 508-257-1174.
First elected at age 26, Fernandes was the second-youngest legislator elected to the Massachusetts House. In his six years as State Representative, he has been a champion for working people, the environment, and making Massachusetts a more affordable place to live for middle- and low-income people. An unwavering advocate for clean air and water, Fernandes believes strongly in holding Holtec responsible for environmental and public health negligence.
A fourth generation Plymouth and Barnstable District resident and son of two local small business owners, his great grandparents immigrated to the United States from the Azores before settling in Falmouth to work as strawberry farmers. Dylan earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major in Economics and Political Science from the College of Charleston and a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University where he was a Rappaport Scholar.
Representative Fernandes has served in the legislature since 2017 where he has focused on environmental protection, advancing affordable housing, and addressing the opioid and heroin epidemic. At a time when politics is too often focused on sound bites and tweets, Fernandes focuses on results: 30 of his bills have been signed into law, he has passed dozens more amendments, and has secured tens of millions of dollars in funding for the district. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and has seats on the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy, and the Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. The Plymouth and Barnstable seat is currently held by Susan Moran who is leaving to run for Superior Court Clerk.

Holidays in Halifax Saturday for family fun fireworks

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Halifax will be all aglow, on Saturday, Dec.9, with Holiday celebrations at a number of locations.
The Christmas Tree will be lit at 4:30 on the Town Hall Green. The Silver Lake High School choir and the Halifax Elementary School choir will offer Holiday Songs. There is an amazing train display in the Great Room in the Town Hall, with food tables and music for your enjoyment.
The Congregational Church Bell Ringers will play at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and also there is a silent auction of beautiful Gingerbread Houses.
There’s hot chocolate and goodies at the Brockton Store.
Five food trucks will be in the library parking lot with a tent and tables for your dining pleasure. More surprises for the children inside the Library.
The Council On Aging and the Fire Station will be open for your enjoyment, as will the Multi- Purpose Room at the Elementary School where crafters will be there for your shopping pleasure.
The evening will conclude with FIREWORKS at 8 p.m. behind the Elementary School.
Come enjoy an evening of family fun.

CPCWDC releases new water quality report

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The Central Plymouth County Water District Commission (CPCWDC) announces the public release of the Silver Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program Technical Memorandum: Halifax, Plympton, Pembroke, and Kingston, Massachusetts (2021-2022 Monitoring Results). The report was prepared by TRC Companies (TRC), on behalf of the CPCWDC, to address concerns regarding potential aquatic life and recreational water quality impacts to Silver Lake from watershed sources and water diversions to the Brockton Public Water Supply (PWS). The primary objectives of this Technical Memorandum are to provide a baseline understanding of current water quality to support aquatic life, identify key water quality drivers in Silver Lake, as well as potential management solutions and the next steps needed to address the observed conditions.
The Silver Lake Technical Memorandum findings raise concerns for public water supply consumers and the residents who live in the vicinity of these waterbodies. Silver Lake is the primary source of water for Brockton Public Water Supply System, and the supplemental sources of Monponsett and Furnace Ponds experience similarly compromised water quality. If source waters are left unmanaged, there is potential for blooms to increase the cost of finished water treatment and the associated cost of water. “We encourage the City of Brockton to collaborate with surrounding towns and other stakeholders to address water quality in the lake and the associated waterbodies as well as immediately pursue back-up alternatives, such as a connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)” stated Jack O’Leary, Chairman of the CPCWDC. “The reduction in water withdraws from Silver Lake would also help mitigate the stress on aquatic systems identified in the report.“ The Silver Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program Technical Memorandum: Halifax, Plympton, Pembroke, and Kingston, Massachusetts (2021-2022 Monitoring Results) can be accessed at: Technical Memorandum.
The full water quality data set can be accessed here: Data Set Public flyer can be accessed here: Trifold More information on Cyanobacteria can be accessed here: EPA Fact Sheet for Public Water Supply MassDEP Cyanobacteria Resources MassDEP Guidance Cyanobacteria and Public Water Systems Questions and written comments on the report or the monitoring program should be directed to:
Francis G. Basler Jr.
Administrator, County of Plymouth
44 Obery Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360
o: 508.830.9104 m: 781.718.9967 f: 508.830.9106
fbasler@plymouthcountyma.gov

 

Warrior Mites bring home the trophy!

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Special to the Express
Marc McGarry
The Silver Lake Warrior Mites returned to the Opachinski Football Field on a humid summer night on Monday, Aug. 14. With their returning athletes and newcomers, the talented coaching staff knew they had a big title to live up to as the 2022 Super Bowl Champions. Head Coach Doug Carbone, and Assistant Coaches Seth Malmberg, Marc McGarry, John-Michael Fontes, Trever Ponte, Brian Hill, and Frank Deaton have been working assiduously to prepare for the upcoming season. To be a football player, it takes a lot of grit and determination. For the first three weeks, these athletes spent five days a week practicing in the grueling summer heat. Once school started, practice went back to three nights, and the temperature fluctuated, even dropping down to brisk temperatures some evenings. The coaches worked with the young athletes as they learned new positions.
The first game of the season kicked off at home, and it was a tight battle against the Plymouth South Jaguars. The Warriors won 14-8! The second game was the only loss of the season losing to D1 Raynham 28-0. This loss ignited a flame in EVERY Silver Lake Warrior and turned into the turning point for the season. As a result, these athletes did not let in a single touchdown for the rest of the season due to the strong defense. The Warrior’s defense is a force to be reckoned with! The Mites ended their regular D3 season 7-1, allowing them to be the first seed for the playoffs.
The Silver Lake Warriors played under the lights at Plymouth North High School against Barnstable during the playoffs. These young athletes were unstoppable, taking a commanding lead and winning 26-0!
A week later, these athletes traveled down to the Cape at Barnstable High for the 2023 Super Bowl against Plymouth North. Fans knew this was going to be a game they didn’t want to miss!
During the regular season, Silver Lake only won by six points in overtime against Plymouth North. The coaches knew that they had their work cut out for them. Coming out in a never seen formation, the Warriors scored six points in two plays at 1:30 into the game. From that point on, the offense took control of the scoring. Defense took control of the other side of the ball, only allowing one first down the whole game! With the offense dominating the scoreboard, this allowed the Warriors to play every player on the field at one point in time. By switching up the playbook, these Warrior Mites won the 2023 Super Bowl, 20-0!
These young athletes spent countless hours working together as a team for the past four months. To them, football is more than just winning and losing. Through football, these players can learn how to become a better person on and off the field. To end the season, the Warriors handed out roses to the Silver Lake Cheerleaders as a thank you for their continuous support though out the season.
The future is bright for these young, talented Silver Lake Warriors, and time will tell what lies ahead. Who knows what the future will bring for Silver Lake High School! Thank you, families and friends, for your continuous support on and off the field this season.
Go Warriors!

Matt York Adams Center Holiday Concert

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Longtime New England musician Matt York will perform “Holiday Songs and Stories” at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St., Kingston,, on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.
York’s selection of songs will run the gamut. Some songs date back hundreds of years, while others are more modern Christmas and holiday classics.
York will talk about the origins of many of these songs while performing them. Attendees are encouraged to sing along.
Matt York has been known for his classic country performances, especially showcasing the talents of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and supergroup The Highwaymen.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org.
For more information, you can contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.

Silver Lake Middle School honors veterans

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Alison Farah
SLRMS Student Council Advisor
Special to The Express
The Silver Lake Middle School Student Council and Honors Chorus recently had the honor to celebrate local veterans. Priscilla Brackett, Veteran Services Officer, and other veterans from the town of Kingston, joined the Silver Lake Middle School to share experiences in a special celebration.
Speaking with the students, telling their overseas military experiences included Jeanine Nastar, a US Army veteran who now works as a special education teacher as part of the Silver Lake Middle School staff. She spoke about the progress that the military has achieved, especially in the areas of diversity and inclusion. Joining the conversation was Darrell Agnew, a Vietnam War veteran whose retelling of his experiences brought history down to a personal level that students could readily identify with.
The Student Council served coffee and sweets and the Honors Chorus sang patriotic songs. Students and veterans beautifully interacted, asking questions and hearing the veterans share their overseas experience and journey in the military. Students left the celebration with a lot to discuss with peers and family members. This gathering made a huge difference in the lives of these young students.
The Silver Lake Middle School is grateful for this beautiful get together event. We are here freely celebrating because of the veterans’ unconditional love and service to our beloved country.

Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members

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The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Caroline Bryson and David Shoblom, both of Kingston, were inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and advance excellence in all fields of higher education and society.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Two students from Kingston inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

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BATON ROUGE, LA– The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Caroline Bryson of Kingston
David Shoblom of Kingston
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and advance excellence in all fields of higher education and society.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Plympton to send out tax bills quarterly

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Christine Kelley, Plympton Town Treasurer/Collector, wants residents to know that beginning with the February (3rd Qtr.) RE tax bill ALL RE & PP bills will now be mailed four times a year.
All residents of Plympton will receive a bill for EACH quarter a payment is due.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Treasurer-Collector’s office at 781-585-0409 Mon-Thurs 9 a.m to 2 p.m.
Our office is also pleased to announce that the Building Department & Board of Health will be accepting debit/credit card payments for permit applications effective Monday, Nov. 20.