There is a tentative final version of the Host Community Agreement between Green Earth Cannabis, to be located at 657 Monponsett Street, and the Town. The HCA is available at
http://www.halifax-ma.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif4496/f/uploads/green_earth…
Interested parties can send in questions and comments concerning the HCA to the Board of Selectmen until Tuesday, May 25. The Board will also accept public comments concerning the HCA at 7 p.m. at its meeting on May 25.
LaNatra helps secure funding for new playground
Kingston -– State Representative Kathy LaNatra announced that she secured funding for the Dennett Elementary School playground project in Plympton. The funding, which comes as part of the Massachusetts House of Representatives fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget, is in the amount of $25,000.
The funding will be used to increase the rubberized surface beneath the playground to increase the playground’s accessibility for students with disabilities and to create a safer environment for students to play. Initially, the project was listed as ADA compliant. Due to this funding in the FY22 House budget, the project will now increase to ADA+ compliant.
“Ensuring equitable accessibility in schools is of the upmost importance,” said Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “This accessibility must extend to all facilities and the playground is no exception. Recess is a wonderful time for students to develop friendships and learn valuable social skills. In filing this budget amendment, I wanted to ensure that each and every student at Dennett would have the ability to do this in a safe, and accessible manner. I want to thank the Dennett School Committee and their commitment to the Dennett students. I was thrilled to have been able to assist in any way I could with this project.”
The Dennett Playground Project was published last week and the process of soliciting construction bids will begin in the coming weeks.
The project has been years in the making and has been a top priority of the current school committee. The project is funded through school choice funds, as well as the funding from the State budget.
The rest of the funding will come through Community Preservation Act funding, which was voted on at the Plympton Annual Town Meeting on May 12..
Halifax Fire Dept. hosts vaccination clinic May 20
The Halifax Fire Department will hold a vaccine clinic on Thursday, May 20 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Halifax Fire Station, 438 Plymouth Street, Halifax.
The clinic is for those over the age of 16. First doses will be scheduled through the portal – https://www.maimmunizations.org/appointment/en/reg/1902953606 with second doses scheduled for June 10 after the first dose has been given. Please contact the Fire Department at 781-293-1751 with any questions.
ATM to finish Monday, May 17
Halifax Annual Town Meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. Monday night, May 10, with less than half of the 59 articles voted on. Left for Tuesday were two of the most contentious articles – the ban for the sale of nips, sponsored by Shirley Graf and enlarging the board of selectmen from three members to five, sponsored by Selectman Gordon Andrews. However, even those articles couldn’t bring Halifax townspeople out a second night in a row and Tuesday’s assemblage was dismissed at 8:05 for lack of a quorum. It was 13 voters short of the needed 100, according to Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor. This is Gaynor’s last Town Meeting as she is retiring May 22, and then the new town clerk, elected on May 15, will take over.
The Halifax Elementary School budget was voted with little discussion, after the finance committee requested the school committee to hold to a 2% increase.
Paula Hatch, chairman of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee asked the town to put back the funds that were deleted in order to keep to the 2% increase that the elementary school had abided by. This would have put back $130,890 into the Silver Lake District budget. Regional Halifax Elementary School Committee chairman Gordon Andrews defended the Silver Lake budget and the request for the deleted funds saying that some of the issues are reduction of state reimbursement with a number of students going to Charter Schools, taking those state education dollars with them. “We need to fund the schools,” he said. The townspeople did not agree, and the amendment failed.
A young man came to the microphone to say, that if the town keeps turning down Silver Lake budget items, they won’t want Halifax to be part of the region.
Salaries were reclassified for several Halifax employees, including the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Town Administrator, so their salaries would be greater than those who work for them. This was recommended by the Finance Committee.
Item 6 in the General Government budget had $124,500 for Law. Selectman Andrews asked that it be reduced to $74,500, saying that the town spends too much money on legal fees. It was pointed out that much of the legal fees are spent defending the town against suits by Selectman Andrews and that reducing the law category would hamper the town’s defense. One resident stood to say that if the town would just do what the judge said (and not appeal the decision) the town wouldn’t incur extra costs. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig pointed out that the first suit that was successful gave Andrews only $200 in damages. It was Andrews who appealed, “seeking greater relief”, Seelig said. The amendment failed and the Law line of the warrant article was voted at $124,500.
Also questioned in the General Government budget was the total Town Clerk salary of $57,062. Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor pointed out that the total town clerk salary included the $1,000 reward for her certification. The total was reduced by that $1,000 and the General Government budget passed.
Amy L. Troup questioned the Animal Control Officer salary that increased from $18,105 budgeted for FY21 to $21,619 for FY22. She was told that it was a step increase for that contract approved by Wage & Personnel. Also questioned was the wages increase for the Building Inspector, that was also the result of a step increase. Jeff Bolger said he thought that step increases needed to be voted on in order to make that change. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that the change was voted on in the previous year.
The Public Safety budgets were approved, as well as the Public Works, and Highway budgets.
Public Works Cemetery, Walter, and Solid Waste Management budgets were all approved unanimously.
Health and Human Services budget, the Culture and Recreation budget, the Debt Service budget, and Fixed Costs all passed unanimously.
Jeff Bolger asked for an explanation as to how the Gas and Oil and the Heating Oil prices could be the same from last year to this year. “Can you share the secret?” noting the rising oil prices. The Finance Committee answered that there is a buffer amount to address fluctuations in oil prices, and if the true total, at the end of the fiscal year, is much more than the budgeted amount, that can be dealt with by a transfer from the reserve fund or free cash. The FinCom member said that last year only 80% of the budgeted amount was used.
Article 5, dealing with all of the various Revolving Funds, were consistent with what has been done in the past and passed unanimously.
Articles 11 and 12 asked the town to fund the provisions of collective bargaining agreements between the town and the Police Chief Joao Chaves and Fire Chief Jason Viveiros. They passed unanimously.
Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward asked the town to approve Article 15 for $300,000 to maintain town roads. Hayward told the group that the $150,000 that has been allocated in past years, “just doesn’t go very far anymore.” The town agreed and approved the article.
Article 16 to fund the purchase of parcels of land between Carver Street, South Street, and Plymouth Street was passed over.
Article 17 to transfer from available funds $18,500 for the Assessors’ Recertification Account passed.
Article 19 voted $5,000 for the purchase, installation,, and implementation of a new copy machine for the Police Department.
Article 23 was voted by the town to replace hallway flooring at the Halifax Elementary School as part of ongoing maintenance.
Summer Schmaling, Halifax Elementary School Committee member spoke to Article 25 which would use $18,600 to install central air conditioning in the Tech Lab and Art room to keep the school’s computer networks cool. The article passed.
Article 27 saw the town vote $5,400 for the repair, reconstruction, and replacement of the fences at the Vaughn Fields at the Police Station. Dick Steele spoke to the article.
Article 28 asked the town for $3,500 to support South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.’s continued free legal services in civil matters to elders, low-income families and their children. FinCom recommended; the article passed.
Town meeting voted to pass over Article 32 that would purchase a work order/asset management system. The finance committee did not recommend it and it was passed over.
Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward asked the town to approve $71,000 for a new F550 gasoline powered truck with a dump body, sander, and plow for the Highway Department. The guys in the room picked over the requirements, whether it should be gas or diesel, and how many plows does the department need, should we spend more to save in the long run… In all, they settled down and the town voted to pass Article 34.
Director of Building Maintenance Scott Materna answered questions about his Article 37 that asked the town for $81,000 to be combined with the $35,000 already voted for the same purpose at the Special Town Meeting of August 2018, to repair and replace the handicapped ramp and portico at the Town Hall. When asked why it costs so much, Materna answered, “We tried to fix it in house, but found it needs to be re-engineered.” He told the townspeople that the proposed ramp, for which he is still receiving bids, will be concrete, not wooden, and will be maintenance-free for a long time. Questions arose as to whether a concrete ramp can be attached to an historic building and how would it look? Materna said that the ramp needs to be ADA compliant and the proposals he has will be so. The FinCom recommended the project and the article passed.
Article 38 asked the town to transfer from undesignated fund balances the sum of $10,000 to repair the roof at the Holmes Public Library. The article passed with the Finance Committee recommendation.
Article 40 was passed over. It asked the town to fund a new Council on Aging van.
Article 41 asked the town for $10,000 to hold a series of workshops for department heads concerning personnel practices including recruitment and hiring, and proper procedures relating to discipline and termination. The article passed.
The town voted to approve spending $21,500 to purchase and install overhead doors at the Highway Barn in Article 45.
The town voted to support a part-time school resource officer for the Silver Lake Middle School at a cost of $36,000 for Halifax’s share in Article 48. Plympton’s share of $14,000 will be voted at their town meeting later this week. The position has been totally funded by Kingston for the past two years. The town voted to approve the article.
The town passed over Article 50, which would fund a new portable PA system.
Article 56 asked the town to vote to allow the Silver Lake Regional School District to establish a stabilization fund. The Finance Committee spoke against the article saying that there would be no control over how the money is spent once it is funded. Paula Hatch, chairman of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee said that the money would have already been voted by the towns to add to the stabilization fund. Some likened it to giving the schools a blank check. The article failed.
Next Monday night, May 17, the town will once again attempt to get a quorum to discuss several items that could change the face of Halifax, from how many selectmen will be on your board, how the planning board changes in flood plain maps can affect your properties, or whether or not you can buy a sleeve of nips at your local liquor store, drink them on the way home and throw the empties out the window. There is a lot to talk about and if you don’t take part in the decisions you can’t complain if they don’t go the way you wanted.
Holmes phone system upgrade nears completion
The Holmes Public Library, Route 106, Halifax, has successfully upgraded its phone system. As they fully transition to their new service provider, there are a few pieces of information they would like patrons to be aware of.
Continue to contact the Library at (781) 293-2271; however, if more than one person calls using that number, they will receive a busy-tone. This is only temporary and will not occur once the transition to the new service provider is completed.
All outbound phone calls from the Library will temporarily display (781) 590-3878 as its caller-ID. Once the transition to the new service provider is completed, the Library’s caller-ID will be (781) 293-2271.
The Holmes Public Library appreciates its patrons’ patience during this process. If patrons have any questions regarding the information above, please e-mail [email protected] or call (781) 293-1739.
State Rep. LaNatra secures funding for 12th Plymouth District
KINGSTON (April 30, 2021) – Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston) announced that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed their fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget. The budget, funded at $47.716 billion, continues the State’s strong support of cities and towns in their recoveries from the effects of COVID-19, and includes significant investments in education, supportive services for vulnerable populations, and workforce and economic development, among other priorities.
Representative LaNatra worked hard to ensure that the 12th Plymouth District and the South Shore received adequate funding to continue to support its residents through this difficult time, as well as ensure that the district and the region continues to develop its economy, improve public safety, and support children, veterans, and those struggling with homelessness and food insecurity.
The following amendments were supported by Rep. LaNatra and adopted into the House FY22 budget:
• $100,000 for the Nathan Hale Veterans Outreach Center
• $25,000 for the Kingston Business Association to provide support to their members through grants
• $25,000 to the Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless
• $50,000 to conduct a market feasibility study for economic development in Plymouth County
• $1,700,000 for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
• $40,000 for the Duxbury Fire Department for fire safety improvements
• $25,000 for the Town of Middleboro Police Department to implement measures intended to build positive relationships in the community
• $2,000,000 to be transferred to the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund established under section 13T of Chapter 23A of the General Laws
• $200,000 for the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth to provide training and workshops that address harmful behaviors for at-risk youth
• “This budget meets the needs of the 12th Plymouth District, the South Shore and the entire Commonwealth,” said Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “This pandemic has been incredibly difficult, but it has highlighted issues that have impacted families all across Massachusetts for a long time. This budget is a great step towards solving systemic problems such as food insecurity, a lack of affordable housing, and adequate childcare. I want to thank Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for their support of the 12th Plymouth District, as well as for so many crucial investments in education, food insecurity, small businesses, veterans, and health care that were made during this House budget debate.”
• The FY22 House budget reflects the local aid commitment recently made by the House and Senate. It increases Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) by $39.5 million over FY21 for a total of $1.168 billion and Chapter 70 education funding by $219.6 million over FY21 for a total of $5.503 billion, fully funding the first year of a six-year implementation plan of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA). Enacted in 2019 to support equitable funding for our most vulnerable students, the Legislature’s funding schedule ensures the SOA remains on track to be fully implemented over the course of seven years as opposed to the Governor’s budget proposal.
Additional education funding allocations include:
• $367 million for Special Education Circuit Breaker;
• $154 million for Charter School Aid;
• $82 million for Regional Transportation; and
• $14 million for Homeless Student Transportation.
Continuing the House’s commitment to high-quality early education and care (EEC), the FY22 budget includes a $20 million investment in rate increases for child care providers across Massachusetts.
Other early education and care funding initiatives include:
• $15 million for Head Start grants;
• $12 million for child care resource and referral agencies;
• $5 million for EEC higher education provider opportunities; and
• $2.5 million for early childhood mental health grants.
Building on Speaker Mariano’s priority to ensure Massachusetts residents from diverse backgrounds have access to meaningful educational opportunities, the House budget invests in higher education allocating $571 million for the University of Massachusetts system, $315 million for community colleges, and $291 million for state universities. The budget also includes a $10 million increase in scholarship funding over last fiscal year for a new total of $130 million, and funds the community colleges SUCCESS Fund at $10.5 million and the STEM Starter Academy at $4.75 million.
The budget also includes large investments in labor and economic development, such as the creation of a trust fund dedicated to job training for the offshore wind industry to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. This budget makes an initial deposit into this fund of $10 million to establish and grow technical training programs in our public higher education system and vocational-technical institutions. The fund will also prioritize grants and scholarships to adult learning providers, labor organizations, and public educational institutions to provide workers with greater access to these trainings.
Additional investments include:
• $50 million for adult education;
• $24 million for Youthworks Summer Jobs;
• $5 million for Small Business Technical Assistance;
• $5 million for Community Action Agency Operating and Outreach Support;
• $5 million investment in Local Tourism Recovery Marketing;
• $2.5 million for Urban Agenda Grants; and
• $2 million investment in Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
The Commonwealth’s commitment to MassHealth remains one of the largest drivers of the budget. In FY22 the House provides $18.969 billion to fully fund its caseload, which has increased as more residents became eligible during the pandemic.
The House’s FY22 budget accurately reflects this enrollment growth, showing the necessary increase in spending beyond what was included in the Governor’s budget proposal, while also factoring in the increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) reimbursement levels.
Many of the House FY22 budget’s most significant increases represent essential services and programs that serve Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents, including $771.1 million for the Department of Transitional Assistance to maintain support to families, at-risk parents, victims of intergenerational trauma, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Other notable health and human services investments include $30 million for Emergency Food Assistance, $13 million for Healthy Incentives Program, and $500,000 for a public awareness campaign on the contraceptive ACCESS Law.
The House’s FY22 budget also includes funding for housing and homelessness prevention, investing $22 million in direct appropriations for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program to promote housing stability and combat the threat of evictions. The budget also includes $148 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) and $84 million for public housing subsidies.
Additional investments for individuals and youth include:
$56.4 million for Homeless Individuals Shelters;
$12.5 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP);
$12 million for Rental Subsidies for eligible DMH Clients; and
$8 million for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.
The budget funds the Department of Developmental Services at $2.29 billion, aimed to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It includes $219.9 million for Day and Work programs; $84.9 million for Respite Family Supports; a $55.4 million increase for DDS’ Turning 22 class; a $7 million investment in transportation services; and $23.4 million for head injury treatment services.
Reflecting the Legislature’s strong commitment to providing access to care and treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder, the budget allocates $160 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, including support for the MA-Access to Recovery program and targeted investments in five additional recovery centers. The budget also provides funding for low-threshold housing for people experiencing homelessness, mental health disorders and at risk for HIV; outpatient and mobile services for persons with disabilities; and treatment at correctional facilities.
In an effort to ensure every resident has equal access to the criminal justice system, the House’s FY22 budget includes a $775 million investment in the Trial Court; $35 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation,; and increases for Prisoners’ Legal Services and Mental Health Legal Advisors. The budget also renews commitments made by the state’s criminal justice reform, such as $11.1 million for community-based re-entry programs, and $4 million in pre- and post-release services.
The budget also continues the House’s focus on environmental and climate protection by including $312.6 million in funding for environmental services, which includes increases for state parks, environmental protection, and the endangered species programs. Additional investments include millions for hazardous waste site cleanups, river ways protection and access, and Clean Water Trust contract assistance.
The House budget makes the MEFA college savings tax deduction permanent, creates a commission to develop recommendations and best practices for responses to mental health emergencies, and creates a new program to approve rural growth funds that would invest in small businesses in rural communities. It also eliminates the sunset on the Film Tax Credit and increases the Conservation Land Tax Credit.
The House Ways & Means Committee, which Rep. LaNatra sits on, introduced their FY22 budget on April 14, 2021, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of budget hearings.
After a three days of debate and over a thousand proposed amendments, the budget passed by the House of Representatives 160-0 and now goes to the Senate.
Kingston’s town election – how they voted
Kingston voters went to the polls on Saturday, April 24. This is how they voted:
Selectman. Three-year term. Vote for two. Kimberly Emberg, 503 votes. Shila Marie Vaughn, 417 votes.
Assessor. Three-year term. Vote for one. Scott J. DeSantis, 490 votes.
Collector of Taxes. Three-year term. Vote for one. Jessica M. Kramer, 236 votes. Kenneth G. Moali, 491.
Planning Board. Five-year term. Vote for one. Jonathan Jacob Barnett, Sr., 488 votes.
Silver Lake Regional School Committee. Three-year term. Vote for one. Emily R. Davis, 345 votes, Emma Rose Morgan, 188 votes.
Silver Lake Regional School Committee. Three-year term. Vote for one. Leslieann McGee, 475 votes.
Kingston Elementary School Committee, Three-year term. Vote for two: Katina Bedard, 168 votes. Megan B. Cannon, 426 votes.
Water Commission, Three-year term. Vote for one. Richard Wilson Loring, Jr.. 490 votes.
Board of Health. Two-year term. Vote for one. Dennis N. Randall. 385 votes.
Board of Health. Three-year term. Vote for one. Janet D. Wade, 424 votes. Norman P. Harbinson Jr., 236 votes.
Library Trustee, Three-year term. Vote for two. Emil Flight Curtin, 437 votes. Shannon J. Gauthier, 305 votes. Christine Maiorano, 225 votes.
Recreation Commission. Three-year term. Vote for two. Melissa A. Bateman, 512 votes. Daniel P. Shropshire, 440 votes.
Sewer Commission. Three-year term. Vote for one. Thomas W. Taylor, II. 504 votes.
A history of Lions Club pins on display
Nancy Emerson of Oak Point in Middleboro, wife of the late Warren R. Emerson, has put together a display of the more than 150 Lions International trading pins she and her husband collected over his lifetime.
The official group is the International Lions Pin Trading Club and about 20,000 members from all over the world attend conventions in the United States and worldwide. She shows in her display – just a fraction of the 3,000 pins the couple collected – pins from Russia and China, Denmark, and throughout the United States.
“We have not necessarily been to all the countries represented, but we have met people from all of those countries and traded pins with people from those countries.”
Nancy is especially fond of the Moscow pin. “Russia didn’t always have a Lions Club. We had been in the Lions for quite a while before Russia had any Lions Clubs.”
Each club every year designs a pin for their trading club. She pointed out a set that was Warren’s brainchild, the “Glossy Gobblers” turkey set. Each member of their group would have his own pin – they each have a different saying like “eat chicken for Thanksgiving”. People trading would have to go to each table of the members to collect a full set.
There are quite a few sets on display. Nancy is particularly fond of the Pennsylvania quilt patterns. As a quilter herself, Warren asked her if she would like for him to collect the full set and she said she would – so he traded and collected the set just for her.
Lions Club pin trading has a long history in Lions Clubs International. Founder Melvin Jones who began the Lions Clubs in the 1920s designed the first pin – a single lion – in paper, to be pinned in the lapel of Lions members. When Lions Club International came into being, a new pin was designed with two lions facing in opposite directions.
Through the years, pins have been designed and made from a variety of materials from paper to wood, to various metals and finishings. Some of the older pins are true works of art, with bright, shining cloisonné. Today’s pins use a process similar to cloisonné but using plastic instead of glass.
Warren Emerson was well known as an avid pin collector and earned several awards and recognitions.
Nancy said that through the years she and Warren would look forward to the various conventions, attending several during the year, and meet friends they have made along the way through the organization.
The pins remind her of the friends who gave them and she loves to share them.
Grove Street to close for gas line replacement
Plympton Police Chief Matthew Clancy has announced that Eversource Gas Division will be replacing a 100-year-old natural gas main along Grove Street in Plympton.
The construction will tentatively begin on Wednesday April 28, 2021 and stretches from the Halifax/Plympton town line to the Kingston/Plympton town line. The project is expected to take 4-5 weeks to complete.
Grove Street, a popular cut through road near Silver Lake Regional High School and Middle School, will be closed to through traffic during daytime hours while construction is active.
Grove Street residents will have access under the direction of police details. School bus access will also be maintained.
The road will reopen to through traffic during evenings and over the weekends.
Those who are not residents of Grove Street are encouraged to seek an alternate route while this project is ongoing.
Kingston votes tomorrow
KINGSTON – Kingston’s annual town election will be held Saturday, April 24. All precincts, 1-4, will vote at the Kingston Elementary School, 150 Main St., Kingston, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On the ballot: Select Board for three years, two candidates for re-election, Kimberly Emberg and Sheila Marie Vaughan. (Vote for two)
Assessor for three years: Scott J. DeSantis. (Vote for one)
Collector of Taxes for one year: Jessica M Kramer and Kenneth G. Moalli. (Vote for one)
Planning Board for five years: Jonathan Jacob Barnett, Sr., candidate for re-election. (Vote for one)
Silver Lake Regional School Committee for two years: Emily R. Davis and Emma Rose Morgan. (Vote for one)
Silver Lake Regional School Committee for three years: Leslieann S. Magee, candidate for re-election. (Vote for one)
Kingston Elementary School Committee for three years: Katina Bedard and Megan G. Cannon. (Vote for one)
Water Commissioner for three years: Richard Wilson Loring, Jr., candidate for re-election. (Vote for one)
Board of Health for two years: Dennis N. Randall. (Vote for one)
Board of Health for three years: Janet D. Wade, candidate for re-election and Norman P. Harbinson, Jr. (Vote for one)
Library Trustees for three years: Emily Flight Curtin, candidate for re-election, Shannon J. Gauthier, and Christine Maiorano. (Vote for not more than two)
Recreation for three years: Melissa A. Bateman and Daniel P. Shropshire, both candidates for re-election. (Vote for not more than two)
Sewer Commissioner for three years: Thomas W. Taylor II, candidate for re-election. (Vote for one)
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