Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

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Who’s running for selectmen?

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Tuesday, Nov. 8, Halifax voters will have two ballots to mark, one for the state election and another for the special election of two selectmen to fill the unexpired terms of Ashley DiCesa and

John Bruno, well known to Halifax service, will run unopposed for the term ending in 2025.

There are four candidates vying for the second seat.   They are, in alphabetical order, Dennis P. Carman, Mary Gravinese, David M. Mascio, Naja Nessralla, and Wiliam J Smith.

Each candidate brings their own special talents to the position.

In an effort to bring these qualifications to the attention of the voters, Selectman Jonathan Selig has invited each to sit in the barber’s chair at John and Son’s Barber Shop – everyone knows all serious politics are discussed there – and answer a panel of questions proposed by the voters of Halifax.   These discussions were videoed by Area 58 and will be available for public view on their website: www.area58.tv.

The Express has asked each candidate to introduce themselves to the electorate in a 300 word synopsis of what they plan to bring to the position of selectman.   These synopses will be published in the Nov. 4 edition of The Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express.

Mayflower Church 15th Annual Craft Fair

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KINGSTON -…Mayflower Church in Kingston will host its 15th Annual Crafts Fair Saturday, November 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Briggs Building at 207 Main Street. Tables are still available for crafters wishing to participate.

The event is being sponsored by the Mayflower Women’s Club. The Fair features a number of talented crafters, as well as several tables sponsored by the Mayflower Women’s Club. Anyone interested in having a table to display crafts is urged to contact Sue at 781-585-6350 or Mayflower Church at 781-585-3167.

The public is invited to come and join in for a fun day of shopping, treasure-hunting and dining. Admission is free.

Proceeds benefit local, state and global charities. Mayflower Club supports some local projects including an alcohol treatment center for adults, local food banks, and local shelters. On a statewide basis, the Club supports a Christian after-school daycare program, and a two-week outdoor (overnight) summer camp that serves underprivileged children. On a global level, the Club supports an orphanage in Romania (only about ten miles from the Russian border), providing over-the-counter medications, food, and clothing.

Crafters will offer a wide variety of beautiful wares. Also there will be a bake sale. Lunch is available, including hot dogs, chili, corn chowder, chips and beverages.

Fairgoers will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items; and, the Club is also looking for anyone with a product or gift certificate who might wish to donate it to the cause.

The public is invited to attend to see the work of crafters from throughout the region, and purchase any items of interest.

Mayflower Church is located at 207 Main Street, Kingston, MA 02364. Reverend Anton Brown serves as Pastor. For additional information, please call 781-585-3167.

PayT studied for Plympton’s future

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The Plympton Highway Department will give a ZOOM presentation Monday night, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. telling just how PayT, or Pay as You Throw, trash bags might be in the town’s future.   Faced with rising disposal fees and a segment of the population that just doesn’t care about recycling, PayT might be the only solution.  Transfer station attendant Art Morin says that people throw  recyclables into the trash compacter without a second thought for the cost of their actions.

Morin said that transfer station attendants have no authority to force compliance with facility rules, they can only “politely suggest” that people use the cardboard and paper or plastic and glass recycle bins. Morin said that many times when he would politely suggest that the cardboard or beverage cans dumped in with the garbage costs the town money while if those items were put into the recycling bins it would cost the town nothing, the perpetrator would simply say they don’t care and drive away.

Neighboring Halifax and Hanson both use the PayT system and their disposal bags are available for sale at locations throughout the town, Stop and Shop, for one.  The cost?  A package of five 33-gallon trash bags costs $18 or $3.60 each for Halifax.   A package of five 15-gallon bags costs $13.75 or $2.75 each.   Prices are slightly lower for Hanson PayT bags.

A person who uses three small bags a week, at $2.75 each, would pay $429 per year.  The cost of a transfer station decal was $240 per year for 2022, with seniors over age 65 paying $120.  Most households use more than three small bags of trash per week.   

Colleen Morin, assistant to the Highway Superintendent Rob Firlotte, said that residents can expect a substantial increase in transfer stationsticker prices.  Price changes will need to be approved by the board of selectmen.

The ZOOM informational meeting Monday, Oct. 24, will answer many of the residents’ questions.

Transfer staton agent Art Morin said that Pay as You Throw will make those who use the disposal services most pay the most for the service they are using, and hopefully use recycling more. That would be more fair to everyone.

Questions such as how the system will work and what will happen to our current transfer station and its workers will be considered at Monday night’s ZOOM meeting.

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Early voting hours in Halifax

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Halifax Town Clerk Susan Lawless has announced the  schedule for the Nov. 8, 2022 State and Special Town Elections – Early Voting Schedule.

The 2022 State and Special Town Elections are scheduled to occur on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Halifax Elementary School, 464 Plymouth Street, in the Gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early Voting Sessions will be held at the Halifax Town Hall, 499 Plymouth Street, in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room on the following dates and times:

Saturday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 25,  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 26,  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27, from    10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday Oct. 29,  8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monday Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.   4 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 2,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m

Friday, Nov. 4 – Absentee Ballot Voting by appointment only. Please call the Clerk’s Office at (781) 293-7970 to make this appointment.

For any questions related to Elections, Voter Registration, and/or Early Voting, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office by calling (781) 293-7970 or e-mail ClerksOffice@halifax-ma.org.

Halifax mourns youth softball coach

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Beloved Halifax youth  softball coach Thomas R. “TJ” Bauer, Jr., was struck and killed early Saturday morning while walking on Route I-495 near Plainville.   

He is believed  to have been walking north when he was struck by a Volvo SUV, just north of Exit 36B.  The Volvo driver was not hurt.

Bauer’s vehicle was found parked in the highwa’s breakdown lane.  Police have not said if they know why Bauer got out of his car.    

Troopers responded to calls at 5:15 a.m. stating a pedestrian was down in the northbound roadway of Rote 495.   In a statement released by the Foxborough Barracks of the State Police, two left lanes of Route I-495 were closed from the time of the crash until approximately 7:30 a.m.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, being conducted by the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

Plymouth County District Attorney speaks to TRIAD

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Linda Redding
Special to the Express

The Halifax TRIAD met on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022  at the Halifax Town Hall.  TRIAD is a partnership between local and regional groups to help inform and educate seniors.  The guest speaker was Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz.

Tim Cruz has served Plymouth County as District Attorney since being elected in 2001. Cruz highlighted the role of district attorney,  discussed the outreach programs available through the DA’s office,  and answered questions from the audience.  Informational pamphlets and flyers were also available.. Information can also be found on the Plymouth County District Attorney website.

Halifax TRIAD meetings take place the first Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m.. in the Great Room of the Halifax Town Hall. Upcoming speakers will include a resident talking about his  journey walking the Appalachian Trail and a member of the fishing community  discussing challenges in the fishing industry.

Cranberry harvests throughout area

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It’s fall and as you drive along Route 106 and pass from Halifax into East Bridgewater there is a beautiful picture of cranberries going to market.

The flooded cranberry bog, the equipment needed to harvest, and the people making it all happen.

What a wonderful sight!!

Photo by

Frederick Corrigan

Halifax

The Holy Apostles Parish Picnic

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The Holy Apostles Parish held a parish picnic on Saturday, Sept. 17, at  Our Lady of the Lake Church  in Halifax. There was fun for all ages with a jumpy house and lawn games, Clowns from South Shore Joeys created balloon animals and offered face painting.  Adding a little oompah to the event was the Canton based Double Eagle Octoberfest German Band performing while parishioners dined on grilled items and the popular BBQ chicken dinner.   

Fried dough and freshly popped popcorn was a treat enjoyed by many.  The stage at the Our Lady of Lake Church Parish Hall was lined with raffle baskets.  The hall also had a selection of baked goods and a rummage sale items.

Our Lady of the Lake Church in Halifax and St. Joseph the Worker Church in Hanson officially merged in February of 2021 to create Holy Apostles Parish. Both churches have retained their individual names.

Text and Photos by Linda Redding.

Sysco trucks still parked

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“Teamsters Local 653 members employed at Sysco Boston will remain on the picket line 24-7 until the company retracts its ‘last best, and final INSULT!’  We will be at 99 Spring St., Plympton, MA until the company returns with the contract we deserve and have earned!” according to a Facebook post on the Teamsters Local 653 web page.  “It’s an all-out worker revolt as Sysco Boston walks out on strike!” the post continued.  “One day longer – One day stronger!”

Just after midnight, Oct. 1, more than 300 members of the Teamsters Local Union 653 walked off the job, after contract negotiations with Sysco of Boston’s final offer was rejected by the union, who chose not to bring it to a vote of the membership, claiming Sysco took their “abhorrent anti-worker treatment to new lows, giving a ‘take it or leave it’ final offer that strips their essential workers of high-quality union health insurance, denies members of a secure retirement with a union pension, and offers meager wage increases amid drastically rising inflation,” the comments on the web page continued.  The strike vote was taken by a vote of the negotiating committee.

Sysco has hired workers to continue operations during the work stoppage, but not all of the restaurants, schools, hospitals, care facilities, and sports venues that depend on Sysco’s services will receive the needed supplies.  The Boston Globe reported that some customers are coming in to the Spring Street, Plympton facility to pick up their own orders.

Plympton Police and Fire Departments are actively monitoring the labor dispute and say that there is no danger to the public and no threat to public safety.

In a joint statement released to the press by Police Chief Matthew Ahl and Fire Chief Stephen Silva,  “Individuals walking the picket line have been boisterous at times by respectful of boundaries.  There have been no reported injuries or acts of violence.

Multiple police, fire, and state assets are on the scene assisting with monitoring the situation,” the statement continues.  “There will be a public safety presence in the area throughout the duration of the work stoppage.”

Sysco claims their offer of a 25% increase over the course of the contract, beginning with a 7% increase the first year, puts drivers on a path to earn $110,000.  They also claim that their health insurance would save on premiums.  The teamsters counter that the increases would only cover tractor trailer truck drivers, and not include the van drivers. Teamsters say that the increased co-pay and deductibles on the Sysco-proposed health plan would offset any savings on premiums.  Teamsters also want the pension plan that was discontinued a decade ago be reinstated.

As of press time Wednesday morning, the picket lines were still in force in the pouring cold rain.

~Page one photos from Sysco website and Teamsters Local Union 653 website.

Plympton BOS votes conservation restriction

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The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually at 1:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 3. The brief meeting was to discuss and vote on a conservation restriction. “It pertains to a portion of the property that is located off of Lake St., I believe the official address is 0 Lake St.,” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said.  “The conservation restriction itself will encompass approximately 31.07 acres… it’s owned by Harju Brothers Cranberries Inc. and what’s before you today, I would suggest that you make a motion to approve said conservation restriction for that portion of the property,”  Dennehy explained to the selectmen.

A conservation restriction in the State of Massachusetts is a legal agreement that protects conservation ideals while allowing for limited land uses that align with those ideals. The Massachusetts Conservation Restriction Handbook describes them as follows, “The unique features of conservation restrictions are that they leave land on the tax rolls (though sometimes much reduced in value), preserve land without public ownership and allow, in many instances, for public access.”

Selectman John Traynor moved the motion and Selectman Christine Joy seconded. Traynor acknowledged that no one from the public attended the meeting but did open it up for discussion, nonetheless. Joy said, “It looked good to me; it looked like basically the Wildlands Trust had been involved in this and that they were happy with the conservation restriction… I wish it was a larger parcel but I’m happy with what they have come up with. It looks like it is a nice parcel of land with some potential for some passive recreation at some point.”  The Wildlands Trust describes their mission as being, “committed to protecting land and providing access to nature for the people of our region, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Selectman Mark Russo abstained from the vote saying, “As a member of the Board of Wildlands Trust, just to avoid any confusion whatsoever, I’ll abstain.” Howard Randall of Plympton is also a member of the Wildlands Trust Board. The motion passed 2-0 with both Joy and Traynor voting in favor of the conservation restriction.