Photos and text by Steve Gilbert
The 2022 Division 2 MIAA Champions for Girls Soccer are the Silver Lake Lakers. With playoff wins over West Springfield, Holliston, number 2 ranked Masconomet Regional and finally top ranked Oliver Ames, Silver Lake secured their first Girls State Soccer Championship on Saturday at Walpole High.
The Silver Lake Warriors gathered around their trophy for their victory over East Bridgewater Sunday, Nov. 13, winning the Super Bowl for their 10-0 season.
The Warriors are the 3rd and 4th grade players for the Old Colony Youth Football League, or OCYFL, all from Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston.
Coming from a poor showing last year, this team pulled it all together and showed the world and themselves what good players they could be. They are
Bechkam Rondeau, #32; Bobby Bodel, #80; Brady Cleman, #65; Brendan Barrette, #28; Bryan Ledwell, #48; Caleb Hession, #56; Camden Calter, #26; Colby Coleman, #71; Cole Ryan, #3; Declan Barry, #51; Declan Fay, #4; Deegan Rondeau, #16; Delilah Deaton, #8; DJ Barrett, #6; Drew Cyrus, #24; Faolan Mahoney, #85; Georgio Berkachi, #76; Jack Kelley, #17; Jack Calter, #12; Jacob Short, #14; Jake Tassinari, #35; Jameson Dansky, #47; Jaxton Litwinsky, #39; Joey DeWilde, #63; John Fontes, #31; John Paul Kennedy, #62; Kaden Mota, #93; Kayson Berrio, #2; Lucas Astuto, #34; Marc McGarry, Jr., #45; Mason Carbone, #5; Mason Ramsdell, #25; Nicholas Diodato, Jr., #58; Preston Berry, #11; Robert DeWilde, #74; Roland Toulopoulos,#77; and Seth Johnson, #68.
Coaching their team to victory were Erik Barrette, Chris Hession, Marc McGarry, Robby Cahill, John -Michael Fontes, Doug Carbone, Brandon Barry and Bobby Cyrus.
Just 50 feet from Winnetuxet Road, Plympton, near the bank of the Winnetuxet River, this huge foundation was excavated to reveal the size of the building project. The barn was part of a complex that included Blanchard’s Sawmill, a poultry shed, and dairy barn, built in 1897. Also unearthed was this cast iron cylinder with an opening at each end. Do you know what it is? Email deb@whphexpress.com. See page 6 for more about the old barn through the words of Eugene Wright.. Photos by Sandi Neumeister
The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday, Nov. 9 with a full board for the first time in 76 days. The abrupt resignations of Alex Meade and Ashley DiSesa in August had left just Jonathan Selig as the sole remaining selectman.
John Bruno and Naja Nessralla were elected to the Board following the special town election earlier this month. Selig began with the reorganization of the Board, nominating Bruno to serve as Chair. Bruno said that he wanted to start with his gratitude for what Selig has done the last few months. He also thanked Sandra Nolan saying that she had “provided service that is just well beyond whatever we could have expected from any town employee… she’s done a wonderful job for us.” He also thanked Selectmen Assistant Pam McSherry and Selectmen Secretary Irma Vasel. He then led the packed room in a standing ovation for Selig, Nolan, McSherry, and Vasel before nominating Selig to serve as Vice Chair.
Selig read from a prepared statement saying, “Sometimes trials and tribulations bring out the best in people and I’m happy to say that was the situation here in Halifax. While everyone leaned in to help, there were a few that went above and beyond the call of duty the past 11 weeks and I think they deserve some special recognition.” He called McSherry the “great and powerful Oz.” He also thanked Nolan saying that she took on the role of Town Administrator despite having no interest in doing so because she felt it was in the best interest of the town. He thanked Town Clerk Sue Lawless and her assistant Tara Wakefield commending them for holding both a local and State election on the same day. Selig also thanked his family saying, “I want them to know their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.” Finally, he thanked the people of Halifax for their understanding.
The Selectmen met with Sue Lawless who has been chairing the Search Committee for a new Town Administrator. Lawless said that the Committee had selected three finalists to appear before the Selectmen for interviews. The interviews are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18.
Police Chief Joao Chaves said that he was bringing forth to the Board two candidates for Patrol Officers. He asked that the Board consider offering a full-time position to William Feltrup with a probationary period of one year. Bruno asked Feltrup to tell them a little bit about himself. “I’ve been in law enforcement for over 10 years now, it’s mostly been with colleges, with five years as a part-timer in Whitman. In college there is a heavy stress on community policing creating an environment where the students, or the town in this case, come to you with their issues so they can be solved either by us or we can point you in a direction where someone else could help you. I believe that is the proper way to police; it’s worked for me for 10 years. It builds a strong community, I feel along with some transparency,” he explained.
The second candidate for a full-time patrolman position was Paul Campbell. Campbell, who is currently an officer at Massasoit Community College, said he oversees the Community Engagement Unit at the school. “I strongly believe that it’s essential to really reach out to your community and really get to know your community,” he explained. “One of the things that I try to do everyday is meet new people and start a conversation about whatever the person wants to talk about… I feel like 75 to 80 percent of policing is relationships,” he continued. The Board voted to hire both officers starting at a Step 3 pay grade.
Bruno read a letter from Dennis Carman who ran for Selectman in the special town election. It said, “To my neighbors and all of my neighbors in this beloved town of Halifax, though I am disappointed that I was not successful in my run for Selectmen in yesterday’s special election, I am heartened that 3,131 people, 57.65 percent of our registered voters, took time out to vote. I congratulate Naja Nessralla and John Bruno for their impressive wins to become Selectmen.” He thanked all the other candidates as well for running positive campaigns. He thanked Selig for his service during unprecedented times and thanked all town employees and volunteers in the town. “Make no mistake, we have significant problems in our cherished hometown; having any doubt of that means you may need to become more engaged in what is happening locally, but please do not add to these problems. Rather, get engaged and become part of the solution. We’re not always going to agree but we must always respect each other and connect with each other as caring human beings who are dedicated to compromise and progress,” Carman’s letter continued.
The Board also went through several recycling abatements as well as scheduling on-site inspections for a number of liquor licenses including Country Club of Halifax, Happy Dragon, Grille 58, Harmony Two Liquors, and others.
Before adjourning, Bruno suggested that the Board consider having regular office hours perhaps monthly. Bruno explained that he believes that residents sometimes attend Selectmen’s meetings in the hopes of discussing a particular issue, but that issue isn’t on the agenda and therefore doesn’t get discussed. He said that the office hours would be intended to allow residents a chance to talk with a Selectman about whatever they feel might be a pressing matter.
Fred Corrigan, a resident of Halifax Estates, has taken on the project of making the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Corrigan told the Halifax Traffic and Safety Committee, chaired by Police Chief Joao Chaves, about speed limits that are just too fast for the area, and blocked vision at intersections and exiting traffic.
Corrigan gave the board the example of exiting Dunkin Donuts onto Plymouth St., where shrubbery has overgrown and limits visibility for drivers trying to exit onto Route 106. Corrigan used a laser pointer to emphasize his photos demonstrating blocked vision and lack of signage to make clear just what the regulations are.
Chief Chaves brought data for several area roads including the intersection of Holmes and Plymouth streets, where Route 36 meets Route 106. Chaves told the assembly that over a period of 7-10 days, major streets in town see 32,000 vehicles using the streets, and while the average speeds are within reason, only a few mph above the posted limit, there are exceptions, up to 107 mph for one vehicle.
Corrigan asked the committee to consider the examples he has delineated and see what can be done. Chaves said that he has hired two new patrolmen this week who will help with traffic enforcement.
The Kingston Public Library will mark the beginning of the holiday season with a special Victorian Christmas celebration featuring musical guest Diane Taraz on Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St., Kingston.
Taraz brings a captivating program of Christmas music from the Victorian era, when many of today’s familiar carols were written or revived. She presents these carols, together with fascinating stories about their origins. Taraz will come dressed in an 1850s style hoop-skirted gown, accompanying herself on guitar and dulcimer. There will be many opportunities for the audience to sing along to many well-known favorites.
For years, Taraz has been writing her own songs and breathing life into traditional ones. She brings a dry wit and light touch to explain the intricacies of her music. Taraz has 19 solo CDs, 6 CDs with groups, and four singles to her credit. Taraz has performed at festivals, senior centers, museums, libraries, and other locales all over New England and the Northeast. You can learn more about Diane Taraz on her website – https://dianetaraz.com.
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.
The seat at the table now won’t be quite so lonely in Halifax as voters chose two selectmen in Tuesday’s special election to join Jonathan Selig in conducting the business of the town.
The special town election was held on the same date as the state’s mid-term election.
John Bruno, former selectman and town moderator, among others, will join Selig, as will Naja Nessralla, who will fill the unexpired term of Ashley Disesa, until May 18, 2024. Bruno, who ran unopposed, will fill the unexpired term of Alexander Meade until May 17, 2025. Nessralla won by a substantial margin, with 1035 votes. His closest opposition came from Dennis Carman who garnered 731 votes. Mary Gravinese won 579 votes, David M. Mascio got 529 votes, and William Smith 228 votes. 467 voters chose not to choose and left their ballots blank. Six voters chose someone else not on the ballot.
In all, 3,180 of Halifax’s 6,241 registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s election, just over half, or 50.95%.
Plympton selectmen voted Monday night to implement the much-debated Pay as You Throw trash bag purchase program. Residents will now – as of April 1, 2023 – be required to purchase trash bags specifically marked for Plympton, at a cost of $1.25 each for the 15-gallon size and $2.50 each for the 33-gallon size.
About a half dozen residents attended the ZOOM hearing to speak against the program, questioning how compliance could be enforced if current transfer station rules for recycling and what can be accepted at the rubbish compactors cannot. Highway superintendent Rob Firlotte said that it would be enforced the same way that stickers are enforced – people without the proper trash bags would be turned away, just as people without current stickers are turned away. Flagrant violators could have their transfer station privileges cancelled.
Colleen Morin, Administrative Assistant at the Highway Dept., said she will begin selling the new stickers on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at a cost of $65 and a discounted cost of $45 for those over age 65. Recycling only stickers will remain at $30 and additional stickers for residents with a second vehicle at the same residence will remain at $10.
Selectman Chairman Christine Joy told those in attendance that she feels it is the right move and the right time and didn’t think it necessary to rehash the situation when the end result would be the same. Mark Russo made the motion to ratify vote of the Board of Health and the wishes of the Highway superintendent to implement the Pay as You Throw program, with Joy seconding. Selectman John Traynor voted against the motion, saying that he didn’t think people have had enough time to get informed on the concept and many older residents who aren’t comfortable with computers need to be brought up to date with new information. The motion carried.
North Carver Rte 44 project terminated
In other business, Chairman Joy read correspondence from Sharon Clarke, Chairman of the Town of Carver Redevelopment Authority. “We’ve been working with them closely on the project behind the former Shaw’s building, “ Joy told the board, “She wanted to let us know that they were notified on Monday from Hillwood that they have terminated their contract with Route 44 for the North Carver project. There was an issue about extending their agreement for the Attorney General’s office appeal period for the new bylaws that Carver passed and they chose to terminate their agreement. Joy said that Clarke will keep Plympton informed if any new projects are proposed.
Hunting season is open as of the first of November and walkers and hikers in the parks and preserves throughout the area have designated hunting and no hunting areas.
Please familiarize yourselves with the areas in which hunting is allowed, and be sure to wear a blaze orange vest and/or cap to identify yourselves as you walk in the woods. Don’t forget your dog – it should also have a blaze orange vest or kerchief to avoid accidents.
Safety zones in Plympton’s parks are Churchill Prk, O’Neil Marsh, and the front area of Two Brooks Preserve.
There is no hunting anywhere on Sunday in Massachusetts so Sunday is a Safety Day.
A crisp fall night under a setting crescent moon set the stage perfectly for Silver Lake Football to celebrate their senior players and to be tested against a strong visiting Hingham squad. The Lakers recognized Seniors Ryan Green, DJ Gilmore, Captain John Dickinson, Caleb Berry, Khalid Vicks, Jake Cipullo, Eddie Scigliano, Captain Nick Peterson, Sam Berkachi, Bailey Hooper, Joseph Micklos, Phineas Ering, Captain Ben Carroll, Connor Jones, and team Manager John Venna for their contributions both on and off the field through their years at the Lake.