On Thursday, June 2, Halifax Seniors from Silver Lake High School came to Halifax Elementary School and paraded through the hallways in their caps and gowns. Current HES students made signs and clapped and wished them well. We wish all the Silver Lake High School seniors the best for their futures. We know they will do great things!
TRIAD group hears Halifax history
History buff Marc Valentine spoke at the last TRIAD meeting bringing answers to questions you might not have known to ask, such as “Did Buffalo Bill ever come to Halifax?”
He did. The famous frontiersman and showman visited the area on several occasions and the stories were written in The Brockton Enterprise. Buffalo Bill was interested in the Native American artifacts and vistied Sachem Rock.
What is the connection between famous Charles “Lucky” Lindberg and the Town of Halifax?
According to the front page of the Brockton Enterprise dated May 20, 1927, the “Lone Wolf” in his monoplane “The Spirit of St. Louis”was sighted in Halifax, flying a mere 100 feet of the ground, skimming treetops and coming dangerously close to the steeple of the Congregational Church, one of the highest points in Plymouth County at the time.
Residents were looking skyward hoping to catch sight of the plane on its solo flight across the Atlantic to Paris. They weren’t disappointed. In fact many said they could read the tail numbers NX-211. Their cheers and waves of encouragement were rewarded when “Lindy” sent a telegram to the town from Paris thanking them for their spirit.
Valentine, who is also known in the area as the keeper of the huge American flag, is quite a history buff and tells his stories, all documented, to willing listeners.
TRIAD meets in the meeting room of the Halifax Police Station, Route 106, on the first Tuesday of each month, offering speakers with topics of interest. This month’s meeting, June 7, at 10 a.m. will feature the Sheriff of Plymouth Coumty who will tell his audience about the history of the country’s oldest Sheriff’s department and share stories and anecdotes about some of the famous people who have been in custody there, as well as other historical items about the area.
Memorial Day post pandemic
After two years inside it was obviously time to get out and celebrate. Families lined the parade routes, veterans, kids, and adults marched, and solemn words were spoken to honor the fallen and those who served.
When the parade concluded and all the words were said, in Plympton, people went on to a cookout and a Touch A Truck display, both put on by the Plympton Fire Department.
Kingston rolled out the welcome mat and invited all to come celebrate at their post-parade cookout with some of Kingston’s best chefs preparing the food, alongside some well-known Town Hall persons..
Everyone was ready – and the weather couldn’t have been better.
Selectmen eye Carver progress
The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, May 23. They began with a reorganization of the Board. Christine Joy was once again elected as the Chair while John Traynor was voted in as Vice-Chair and Mark Russo as the Clerk.
Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy provided an update on the North Carver Redevelopment Project. She said that they had received some correspondence from residents who live in the affected area regarding heavy truck traffic around Montello St. Dennehy said that a meeting was being arranged between the highway directors of both towns.
“I think they’ve already done some things that they shouldn’t have done, and I don’t think they’ve been very neighborly,” Joy said of Carver. She said that the town needs to take advantage of whatever room is available legally to make sure affected residents are taken care of properly. Russo suggested that a committee might potentially be put together to provide regular updates on the project to both Selectmen and citizens.
Traynor said that he would like to be somewhat aggressive in the town’s approach. He said that if Carver does not respond positively to their requests, they should block the road and make it open to local traffic only and enforce it with a police detail as needed. Russo said he agreed but did not feel that Plympton should have to foot the bill for that police detail. The Selectmen voted to have Dennehy see if there is counsel that can be secured to ensure the best interest of the town.
The Selectmen also discussed the consideration of amendment to the agreement for judgment and settlement with Borrego regarding 61 Upland Rd. (Crescent Moon Cranberry. LLC). Russo said, “there are some strong reasons not to pursue – a long history for a difficult situation, but I have been thinking hard about some of the reasons to proceed and they are tending in my mind to outweigh the reasons not to… this seems like very easy money with little cost to the town.” He went on to say that if the solar project doesn’t go through, the land would be at risk for development. He said that while he does feel Plympton could use more development, he would like it to be done well and with strong input from town government. “In truth, Borrego’s been a good partner,” Russo said adding that both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board have signed off on the project unanimously.
Joy asked if it would be possible to ask Borrego to purchase the entirety of the land and donate some of it back to the town for conservation to stop development. Jonathan Eichman of KP Law was on the call and was asked to please draft language asking Borrego if they would consider amending the settlement agreement as proposed. The Selectmen agreed to discuss further and make a decision during their June 6 meeting.
Dennehy brought to the Selectmen’s attention a historic outstanding balance in the ambulance fund. She said the auditor suggested having the Selectmen acknowledge the balance and write it off. The outstanding balance from the previous provider, COMSTAR, was just over $307,000. Dennehy described the accrued amount as “years and years of uncollected remnants of charges.” “I’m totally content to clear the books and it doesn’t seem to be a problem to periodically do this,” Russo said. The Selectmen voted to close out the account with COMSTAR.
The Selectmen also voted Monday to establish a policy regarding what flags can be flown on municipally owned flag poles. Town Counsel recommended two options, one of which was to prohibit the practice entirely outside of the U.S. flag, the State flag, and perhaps Plympton’s flag. The second option allowed more discernment on the part of the town’s government. Traynor said “I don’t want to be in the role of whose flag can go on the pole and who’s can’t. we have a lot of other things to do.” Joy and Russo agreed opting for the first option.
Dennehy provided a Town Administrator’s update. She said that they were moving along with the Townhouse roof project. She also told the Selectmen that they are working with the Highway Department on another grant funding source that is becoming available. It will provide $115,000 for roadway type projects. Dennehy said they are also looking to secure pricing for several projects so that the Selectmen can look at some potential ARPA projects during their next meeting. She also said that $25,000 has been earmarked for conservation/recreation. She said the funds will help the Town Properties Committee in assessing the sports fields. She also said that it would be used for updates to boardwalks and signage at some of the town’s parks.
Dennehy told the Selectmen that she had correspondence from Finance Committee Chair Nathaniel Sides announcing his resignation from the Committee. Dennehy said she was hopeful he would reconsider. “It would be a shame to have him step down,” she said. Traynor said that he was aware that Sides was unhappy with how certain votes went at town meeting. He said that Sides felt that the town, with the Selectmen’s backing, went against the recommendation of the Finance Committee on certain articles. Russo recognized that working on the Finance Committee is often a thankless job and said that he also hopes that Sides would reconsider. “I absolutely admire Nate’s work along the way,” Russo said.
The Selectmen ended their meeting with their rants and raves. Traynor said that his rave was for town meeting. “The voters who turned out, the stellar job that our moderator does – he sets the bar very high, that’s for sure,” Traynor said. He did, however, have a rant for the small percentage of registered voters that turned out for the town election. “The town voting was 327 people… only 13.8 percent… it takes 15 minutes to go in and vote… people should at least go in and take the time to support; we basically work for nothing… I always feel validated when I see a higher percentage of the town voting than the towns around us and that wasn’t the case this time,” Traynor lamented. Russo also said that his rave was for town meeting. He also gave a rave for the Plympton Board of Selectmen and the work that is accomplished by the three of them. Joy agreed about town meeting saying, “mine would be town meeting as well – all of the work that goes into it.”
Getting ready for Memorial Day
Getting the Plympton Town Green ready for Memorial Day was a job made much easier by the volunteered hours of Plympton’s Boy Scout Troop 53 and Kingston’s Troop 4480, under the leadership of Scout Master Mike Domey.
The Scouts cleaned and raked and mulched around the Plympton Public Library as well, putting down mulch and placing flags on veterans’ graves on Friday. Vicki Alberti and Briggette Martins planted the flowers.
The Memorial Day Parade forms at the Old Town House at the intersection of Main and Center streets and steps off at 10 a.m. Monday morning, Memorial Day, The parade will march to the Town Green where the benediction will be said, and the poems recited, and “What Memorial Day means to me,” read by a Dennett Elementary School student..
Plympton election sees low turnout – only 13.8 percent voted
Only 13.8 percent of Plympton’s 2,368 registered voters made it to the Town House in Saturday’s sticky heat – over 90 degrees with 98 percent humidity – to cast their vote. A dismal showing…
There were only two contests: political newcomer Jared A. Anderson, garnered 187 votes to incumbent Art Morin’s 110 for the three-year Board of Health position. There were also 29 blanks. Paul D’Angelo, Jr. retained his position for a three-year term on the Planning Board after being challenged by newcomer Jackson Long. D’Angelo won with 198 votes to Long’s 78 votes. There were five blanks.
Question 1 on the ballot saw signs throughout town asking voters to Defend Democracy and Vote No! to making the Town Clerk’s position an appointed, rather than elected position. The majority of those voting agreed, with 219 voting NO and 101 voting YES. Seven were blank.
Here’s how the rest of the ballot was voted:
Selectman for three years – John A. Traynor, Jr., 245, Blanks, 76, and various write-ins from Donald Trump to Mickey Mouse, 6.
Assessor for three years – Dean Jafferian won the position with six write-in votes. There were also 219 blanks and two other write-ins.
The two Finance Committee five-year terms were won by Steven R. Lewis, candidate for re-election, and Michael Lemieux, who garnered nine write-in votes. Blanks were 258 and others were 11.
Two three-year terms for Library Trustee got 644 votes blank and 10 others write-ins.
The Library Trustee term for two years saw Mark Eubanks win with five write-in votes. There were 321 blanks and three other write-ins.
Barry DeCristofano will remain Town Moderator for the next three years winning re-election with 260 votes. There were 67 blanks.
John Schmidt won his bid for re-election with 244 votes. There were also 83 blanks.
Caitlin Johnson and Suzanne Jafferian are the new Dennett School Committee members with Johnson getting 27 write-in votes and Jafferian getting 16. There were also 270 blanks and 5 other write-ins.
Jason W. Fraser won 249 votes in his bid for re-election to the Silver Lake Regional School Committee. There were 74 blanks and four others.
It’s a new board for Halifax Selectmen
Halifax voters made their voices heard in Saturday’s Annual Town Election, choosing two new selectmen, one for a three-year term and another for one year to fill the unexpired term for Troy Garron who retired on his 80th birthday.
Town Clerk Susan Lawless reported that out of 6,079 registerd voters in town 1,249 cast their ballots, either in person or by absentee, making 20.55 percent of the voters who let the town’s elected officials know their wishes..
Last year Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor took the microphone at Town Meeting to say that the atmosphere at Town Hall has been so divisive that she chose not to run for re-election after serving well in that position for many years.
Over the past year, Halifax has lost several key people to retirement or to other towns, most notably Town Administrator Charlie Seelig who took his 20+ years of experience in Halifax to East Bridgewater. Town Treasurer/Collector Pam Adducci packed up and followed a couple of weeks ago forcing a special election that will be held July 30. Halifax’s Fire Chief, who has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money to his Halifax Fire Department, as of Tuesday was hoping to, finalize contract negotiations with the neighboring town of Pembroke.
Will the exodus stop?
Here’s how Halifax voted.
Selectman for 3-years:
Gordon Andrews, candidate for re-election, 384.
Alexander J. Meade, 809
There were also four write-ins and 52 blanks.
Selectman for 1 year:
Robert A. McCarthy, 231
Naja Robert Nessralla, 230
Jonathan H. Selig, 766.
There was one write-in and 21 blanks.
Planning Board for a 5-year term:
Gordon R. Andrews, candidate for re-election, 381
Robert G. Gaynor, II, 795.
There was one write-in vote and 72 left blank.
Halifax Elementary School Committee for a 3-year term:
Jessica Page, 585
Peter J. Parcellin, 504.
There were no write-in votes and 160 blanks.
Halifax Elementary School Committe for a one year term:
Jennifer Ann Carroll, 510.
Karyn Beth Townsend, 600.
There were no write-in votes and 139 blanks.
Silver Lake Regional School Committee for a 3 year term
Paula Hatch, candidate for re-election, ran unopposed and won 898 votes. There were six write-ins and 345 blanks.
Board of Assessors, 3 year term.
Holly Merry, 416.
Robert Mullen, 438
Michael J. Schleiff, 237
There was one write-in vote and 157 blanks.
Constable, for a three-year term, vote for two.
The two candidates for re-election were re-elected.
Thomas M. Hammond, 679.
Thomas F. Schindler, 612.
Michael J. Schleiff, 419.
There were six write-ins and 782 blanks.
Water Commissioner for a 3 year term.
Donald A. Bosworth, candidate for re-election, was re-elected with 572 votes.
Robert McCarthy won 520 votes.
There were three write-ins and 154 blanks.
Board of Health, 3 year term.
Candice Lee Greene, 949.
There were 10 write-ins and 290 blanks.
Board of Library Trustees for a 3 year term. Vote for two.
Susan Hill, 942.
Erin Nagle, 45.
There were 36 write-ins and 1475 blanks.
Park Commissioner for three years.
Thomas F. Schindler, 928.
There were 9 write-ins and 312 blanks.
Question regarding Senior Center
684 voting YES, 385 voting NO, and 180 blanks.
Town meeting part two was over in an hour
Phase two of the Halifax Annual Town Meeting met Monday night, May 16, at the Halifax Elementary School, All-purpose Room. Interim Town Moderator John Bruno, took the gavel for the evening as Town Moderator Robert Gaynor II was unwell.
Bruno called the assembly to order and in less than an hour the remaining 19 articles were read, discussed, and voted. At the table on the stage, Selectman Ashley DeSesa was the senior member of the board, with newly elected selectmen Alexander Meade and Jonathan Selig seated beside her.
The following warrant articles were acted on:
Article 9 asked the town to fund a 1% wage increase for the Police Sergeants who are in the union. Article passed.
Article10 asked the town for $8,242 to fund a 1% wage increase for the Police Patrolmen who are in the union. The article passed.
Article 12 asked for $150 for the Plymouth County Cooperative Extension Service and its many programs that benefit the Town including the 4-H program. The article passed unanimously.
Article 15 asked the town to spend $110,000 to purchase and equip a new marked cruiser to be used for patrol and a new unmarked cruiser to be used by the Chief of Police. Frank Johnston of Elm St. asked why the town should purchase two vehicles this year because last year they purchased three vehicles, one with ARPA funds. Police Chief Joao Chaves responded that the extra vehicle last year was a pickup truck that would not be used as a patrol car, but to tow various pieces of equipment as needed. Both vehicles that are being replaced will either be passed along to other town departments if needed or auctioned. The motion passed.
Article 16 asked the town for $5,000 to replace six bulletproof vests at $900 each as the department requires police officers to wear them. The manufacturer’s recommended lifespan for the vests is five years. The article passed.
Article 18 asked the town for $66,941 for repairs and replacement parts for the Halifax Elementary School elevator. Two years ago, when the control board was replaced, the school was told that they had the last control board for the elderly elevator. Matt Durkee, the Silver Lake Regional School District Facilities Manager, spoke to the article saying that they need to have a replacement board on hand when the current board fails. Without this replacement board, the school would not have a working elevator. The article passed.
Article 19 asked the town to move $200,000 to purchase a medium duty dump truck, equipped with plow and sander, to replace a 1995 Ford L800 that will be sold at auction. Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward told the assembly that the medium duty truck will be more versatile and very useful, especially in snow. The motion passed.
Article 23 asked the town for $3500 to support the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services. The article passed.
Article 24 asked the town for $850 for a new time and date stamp for the Town Clerk’s office. The Town Clerk is required by law to date and time stamp many documents that come into the office. The article passed.
Article 25 asked the town for $1000 to purchase a new computer for the Holmes Public Library. Library Director Jean Gallant told the assembly that this is the last computer to be purchased in the rotation program, so that all the library’s computers will be running Windows 10. The article passed.
Article 27 asked the town to raise and appropriate $340,000 to purchase and equip a new ambulance for the Fire Department. Fire Chief Jason Viveiros spoke to the article saying that the wait time for a new ambulance is now two years, due to the inability to get chasses. This will replace the 2017 ambulance that will have more than 100,000 miles on it by the time the new one is delivered. The article passed.
Article 30 asked the town for $520,000 for a Phase II project to upgrade outdated and failing components in the Town’s Richmond Park and YMCA Water Infrastructure to keep the plant in compliance with DEP regulations. The article passed.
Article 31 asked the town to fund $36,000 for Halifax’s share of a part-time school resource officer at the Silver Lake Middle School. The article passed.
Article 34 asked for $38,800 for a new intercom system for the Halifax Elementary School. Silver Lake School District Facilities Manager Matt Durkee spoke to the article saying that the current system is old and failing and is a proprietary system that requires the school to use one vendor to make adjustments to the system, such as resetting the clocks for Daylight Savings Time, or after a power failure, at a significant cost to the town. The new system is user friendly, non-proprietary, and will solve a number of problems. The article passed.
Article 36 asked the town for $12,500 for IT as a next step toward centralizing Town-wide IT Communication services to include the Holmes Library and the Water Department. The article passed.
Article 37 would use any remaining funds leftover to pay down the Plymouth County Pension Fund Liability Account. The Finance Committee did not recommend it because if all articles were voted there would not be enough free cash left over to use. The article was passed over at the Finance Committee’s recommendation.
Article 40 asked to remove the Fire Chief as a mandatory member of the Holidays in Halifax Committee. In the past, when fireworks were being used, the Fire Chief was useful in planning the event. Now, with no fireworks, the chief’s talents can be more useful elsewhere. The motion passed.
Article 42 asked the town to change the Board of Selectmen from a three-member board to a five-member board. The article was passed over to allow the new board of selectmen time to further investigate whether it is necessary.
Article 43 asked the town to limit the number of marijuana retailers to two. The finance committee did not recommend it. The motion failed.
Pat Kauffman honored by library
Mike Slawson, Plympton Library Director, wanted to celebrate Pat Kauffman’s years of service to the Library and was preparing to give a little speech, as well as present Pat with a bouquet of flowers and a blooming plant in recognition of her years of service. Mike was not able to attend the “First Saturday at the Library” gathering due to having contracted Covid. He asked that the presentation continue and the award given.
Selectman John Traynor delivered Library Director Slawson’s words as follows:
“For over 30 years Pat Kauffmann has been coordinating and setting up the art displays here at the Library. The artwork Pat has brought to the community has been in various formats and of all levels – from professional artists to the students at local schools. Not only do the art displays help to bring in new visitors and make our building more beautiful, they also help the Library fulfill its function as a place of culture and recreation. I have especially enjoyed seeing the excitement from kids when they see their creations up on display.
“After her decades of service to the Library and community, Pat has finally decided to pass the torch to someone new. I want to give a special thank you from myself, the Library staff – past and present, and the members of the community who have often expressed their gratitude for the time she has invested to make this library a more beautiful and welcoming place.
“Pat, you will be missed here at the Library, and your dedication and service to the community are a prime example of what makes the Plympton so great. We wish you the best of luck in whatever endeavor you choose next!”
Senior Center one step closer
The All-purpose Room at the Halifax Elementary School was filled to bursting with the 241 registered voters and 37 visitors who came to see or take part in old fashion New England style democracy. The Halifax Annual and Special Town Meetings were underway.
Many were older members of the population eager to help push forward the new Halifax Senior Center at the site of the current Halifax Museum. They have been disappointed before and it seemed that like Lucy with the football, they would be disappointed again.
Selectman chairman Gordon C. Andrews told the assembly that after 6:30 last Friday night, he received word from the cost estimator that with rampant inflation in the construction field, the project could not be completed for the price previously stated, indeed it would need to be increased by at least another $800,000 to finish the job. Andrews seemed very disappointed as he spoke to the assembly;.he has been working on this project for nearly two years.
A woman took the microphone and asked if Article 32 could be heard out of order as so many older persons came specifically to vote on it. After consulting with town counsel, the meeting was told it must proceed at the mercy of the lottery as to when Article 32, concerning the funding for the senior center, could be heard and voted. After 10 p.m. the article was called.
Support for Article 32 came from all sides. Summer Schmaling, who is also a member of the Halifax Elementary School Committee, asked if the $160,000 remainder from the School Roofing project could be appropriated for the Senior Center project even though the Town isn’t ready to spend it, lest it be diverted into another project. Bob Kniffen agreed that the money needs to be put aside for the specific project of the senior center. A dozen voters took to the microphone to support the project. When the vote was called, and the green cards raised for “Yes”, the vote was unanimous! The next step is to vote the project on the ballot in Saturday’s election.
Article 2 was passed to add the holiday “Juneteenth” to the list of designated holidays in the Wage and Personnel By-Law Section, as well as give a 1% increase to all Wage and Personnel employees
Article 3 was passed by town meeting to fix the salaries of the Moderator, Town Clerk, Selectmen, Treasurer-Collector, Assessors, and Highway Surveyor, giving those positions a 1% pay increase for FY23.
Article 4 passed the town’s operating budget.
Article 5 dealt with setting revolving accounts, including Fire Chief CPR classes, ZBA consulting, Library computer, printers and copier, Selectmen legal advertising, Council on Aging Elderbus, Building Inspector Wages, and several more. The article passed.
Article 6 is the same article for $125,000 that comes before the town each year to set up reserves in case of unforeseen emergencies during the year.
Article 7 funds a 1% wage increase for firefighters who are in the union.
Article 8 funds a 1% wage increase for the Highway and Cemetery workers who are in the union.
Article 13 voted $300,000 to maintain town roads.
Article 14 voted $18,600 to pay for the assessors’ recertification which is done every five years.
Article 17 asked the town for $7,379 to purchase and install cell block surveillance cameras for the Police Department. The existing cameras are beginning to fail. Passed unanimously.
Article 20 would replace a single walled tank for waste oil with a double walled 500 gallon tank to be located at the Highway Barn. The motion passed.
Article 21 asked for $75,000 to purchase a new Water Recycling Unit and Shed Roof for the Wash Bay at the Highway Barn to bring the town up to code with MS4 stormwater regulations. The motion passed.
Article 22 voted $3,500 to the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center, providing residents with services dealing with domestic violence intervention and prevention. Article 26 voted $4,000 to purchase two copy machines, one for the Highway Department, one for the Holmes Public Library.
Article 28 voted $36,800 to install exterior surveillance cameras at several locations for the safety of employees, as well as the public, especially at night.
Article 29 voted $60,000 to purchase and equip a new truck for the Water Department that will have a plow to assist the Highway Dept.
Article 33 approved $110,000 as Halifax’s share to repair and rebuild the tennis courts at Silver Lake High School.
Article 35 approved $46,380 to purchase 15 body worn cameras for the Police Dept. This is a 5-year cost, including a camera upgrade and replacement after 3 years.
Article 38 was passed over.
Article 41 voted $22,057 to reimburse the Halifax Housing Authority for payments made by the authority to the Plymouth County Retirement Fund for an employee of the Town of Hlaifax.
Article 44 asked the town to establish a Stabilization Fund for the Silver Lake Regional School District. The town said no. Ed Whitney of Stoney Weir Rd. said it was removing control from the townspeople. The article failed.
Article 45 would allow the selectmen to grant temporary liquor licenses for events held on town properties. The article passed.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday night, but then rescheduled for Monday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. when the remaining 22 articles will be acted upon.
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