Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

You are here: Home / Archives for Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Busy agenda for Halifax BOS

By

Halifax selectmen met Tuesday night, March 23, in the Great Hall of the Halifax Town Hall to deal with a busy agenda.

As usual, COVID-19 took up much of the evening.  Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told the board that as of March 23 the active cases in Halifax were up to 31, “so I would expect that in a matter of days we will be back into the ‘red zone’”.

Seelig told the board that the state has relaxed restrictions on indoor gatherings, saying that the allowable limits in the All Purpose Room is 10, but the state says it can go to as much as 100.  Fourteen persons are the limit in the Great Hall, with one person on the landing.   Due to the increases in Covid cases in Halifax and the increases in Massachusetts, Seelig and selectmen didn’t think that many people would be a good idea.

While the current state of emergency remains in effect, Seelig told selectmen that Halifax has a protocol in place for outdoor dining.  While the state of emergency lasts, restaurants can obtain temporary permits after working with the Board of Health and the Fire Chief, but if they want to offer outside dining on a permanent basis, they’ll have to go through the regular zoning process for outdoor businesses.   Selectman Gordon Andrews asked if Halifax allows outdoor dining within the current by-laws.   Seelig answered that restaurants with indoor dining are allowed outside dining by right.   Food vendors without indoor dining who wish to offer outdoor dining are covered under the outdoor business and sales and need a special permit.

Selectman Tom Millias said that some of this was covered under the emergency acts and Seelig agreed, “You can do it on a temporary basis.”  Andrews asked, but if they wanted to do long-term, moving forward, we’d have to change … Seelig interjected that no, they just need to go through the process.   Seelig said that he has notified Grille 58, Lakeside Villa, and Rodney’s Kitchen, the three places in town that have any sort of outdoor dining.   Seelig told the board that if the state of emergency ends tomorrow, or next week, or next month, he wanted all to have a process in place.

Resident complaints

Noting that he didn’t know if it was Spring, the warmer weather, or what, but he had a number of complaints about properties in town, only one of which came under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, including

• 0 Monponsett Street  A resident was concerned about traffic safety, the use of the property without proper zoning, earth removal, health safety issues, and conservation/wetlands/endangered species issues.

• 105 Crystal Lake Road.  An unpermitted home business is alleged.

•  70 Oak Street.   An unpermitted logging business is alleged.

• Villiard Tree Service on Carver Street is alleged to be running an unpermitted logging business.

• Cled’s Tree Service, 450 Industrial Drive – an alleged logging business.  Seelig told the board that Cled’s has been contacted and is working on this, and that the Chief had some concerns.

The only item that falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen is the earth removal item.  Seelig said that he had referred all other concerns to the appropriate boards.

Selectmen Andrews recused himself from the discussion of earth removal because his mother lodged that complaint.   Andrews left the table and sat in the audience for that part of the meeting.   Millias commented that it was difficult to unravel all of the suits and cross/suits involved in this – everybody has got a conflict of interest if you say anything.    “So I’m going to defer – perhaps it’s under investigation – maybe we can get some information.  I was going to suggest that maybe Mr. Garron could review some of that but the Board of Selectmen is being sued, too.”  Seelig responded that he had no problem, it’s fact material, simply sending a fact sheet and a copy of the bylaw to the property owner, then they would have to apply to the Board of Selectmen for a special permit.”  Off-camera, Andrews said,  “I can do that.”  Millias said that he didn’t see how the board can retroactively prove how much material has been removed from the site.  “I think going forward with what you’ve just suggested is the most obvious thing to do,” Millias continued.  Andrews re-joined the board.

Seelig said he is still gathering information on the financial end for the American Rescue Plan.  There are two checks going directly to the town, however there are some restrictions as to how the money can be spent.  Seelig said he will be getting more information from the US Treasury as it becomes available.   He also said that Plymouth County is receiving a substantial amount of money and “I hope the intention is that the money will be passed along to the 27 communities in Plymouth County.  We’ll see how that works out.”

Working from Home

Seelig told the board that at some point selectmen will have to assess the work from home situation.   With the vaccination program well underway, not next week or next month, but sometime before the end of the year between the state of emergency ending and vaccinations being available, the board will have to work out how they want to handle people working from home during the past year who want to continue.   There aren’t many, but we still have them in a couple of departments.

Memorial Day

Seelig recommended the selectmen approve the proposed Field of Flags on the Town Green similar to the display put on by the Halifax VFW Post last year.  The board unanimously approved the project.  Seelig said he had spoken with David Walsh, VFW Post Commander, about the possibility of a Memorial Day Parade.  Right now, even under the current Phase IV, Seelig said they both agreed that unfortunately “it’s just a little bit too soon to do something like that.  Balancing everybody’s desire to get back to normal and to have events like that, there are also safety precautions for everybody.”  Seelig said they had discussed a similar Memorial Day observance as the one last year with 10 to 20 attendees, with the color guard, and people can drive by and see the observance.

Complete Streets

Seelig said he had a visit from Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward with some possible projects that can be sent to Boston as part of the Complete Streets Program.  There are two projects not included in the list as all the engineering work, for the most part, has been done.  These are the sidewalks between the two lobes of Cranberry Drive along Plymouth Street and Monponsett Street from the Housing Aurhority property north up to the shopping area.   “Those appear to be the easiest to get done at this point,” Seelig said.

“The others on the list do not require engineering to be submitted and so probably in the next week or so we’ll have them sent up to Boston.“   He said he would get the projects list to the board for their comments to relay to Seelig or the Highway Surveyor including the priorities of what order the work should be done.  Andrews commented that he would like to see the sidewalk outside the Town Hall done.

Seelig said he has contacted the highway surveyor and the Buildings and Facilities Needs Committee to see if they wish to pursue bonding for any major projects.  While it appears that there is unlikely to be any request from the Buildings and Facilities Needs Committee, Hayward will be looking for a $4 million bond.  In terms of debt exclusion, Hayward said he would be meeting with the Finance Committee.  Seelig reminded the board that it needed to vote on it in order for it to get onto the ballot.    

Andrews asked if Hayward was looking to hire a crew for the large project.  Seelig said he didn’t know what the Highway Surveyor’s plans entailed but for $4 million “we won’t have the money available unless we go to debt exclusion. So this is  more of a financial issue than a fiscal one.

Andrews said that at a meeting of the Buildings an Facilities Committee the previous week they had discussed whether or not they could hire a crew to do the work on town buildings rather than hire an outside contractor to do the work.  “Somebody should be talking to Town Counsel about that because there are definitely some issues that could arise from that,” Millias said.

The board will meet Tuesday, March 30, at 6 p.m. to review Town Meeting articles.

Seelig spoke about the One Stop Grant Program.   Letters of interest have to be submitted by April 2.  They are looking for large municipal projects, Seelig said, and the redevelopment of properties including the Council on Aging, Municipal Broadband for the town.  Millias added that they had talked about some kind of filtration or pump house for the Monponsett ponds.   “My recollection was that it would be a constant pump that would aerate the water and then perhaps medicate the ponds.  Andrews suggested that they could alternate the ponds year to year.

Mosquito spraying opt out

Seelig told the Board that Halifax can elect to opt out of aerial mosquito spraying.  They would have to give the public notice.  “I wish we didn’t have to spray at all.   If you want to enjoy the outside, put on some sunscreen and go outside,” Selectman Garron said.  Andrews said he thinks the town should have a public hearing on whether the Town of Halifax should opt out of the spraying noting that people with bees and other concerns also don’t want the spraying.  The members of the board agreed.

Cannabis update

There is a host community agreement (HCA) for the 301 Holmes St. Cannabis Green Earth being ironed out with Town Counsel Mayo.  Flower and Soul, LLc, is proposing a Plymouth Street retail store and delivery service.   They will host a community outreach meeting on April 22.  Seelig clarified that the host community agreement does not need to be approved before the outreach meeting.   Flower and Soul, LLc, will contact Atty. Mayo about the HCA.

Vacation time

Selectmen two weeks ago voted to allow up to 80 hours of vacation carryover from FY21 to FY22 for nine union employees.   There is a request to expand that to all other wage earners who may not have had that available to them.   The board agreed that if you allow it for one employee it should be allowed for all.

In other business

• Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor will have mail-in voting but not early in-person voting through June 30.

•  As for the Comcast performance review hearing that was planned for the 13th, the board was notified that Michael Power of Comcast is not going to in-person meetings so the meeting will now be held on ZOOM.

•  The Aldana Road land swap  that is in progress with the Commonwealth. is on its way to completion; there is just some more paperwork and deed work that needs to be done.

• As for Halifax Solar v. Halifax, this is a property tax abatement and there are legal papers being filed.

• The board had an appointment with Alan Dias representing the Board of Health.  Selectmen had requested his presence to ask if his board had any concerns with having their meeting taped by Area 58.  Dias told selectmen that he had discussed it with his members and staff and they have no problems with their meetings being taped.

• Discussions and work continue with National Grid to site one or more charging stations at the Town Hall.   Andrews asked that the placement be discussed with the Highway Surveyor to avoid problems with snow removal.

• Two complaints have been filed against the Halifax School Committee citing them in violation of the Open Meeting Law.   The complaints are in the file and available to the public.

• Selectmen unanimously approved the request of the Council on Aging to place a tent on the Town Hall Green for activities this spring.   Millias said he would ask them to follow proper procedure and let people know when they are planning an event.

• Selectmen voted unanimously to write a letter of condolence to the family of Martha Smith who was active in town affairs, having worked for the Police department and the Council on Aging as well as being an active volunteer,

Plympton BOS reviews Area 58 service

By

Chairman Mark Russo opened the Plympton Selectmen’s meeting Monday night, March 22, with a little lesson in comity.  Comity:  courtesy, considerate behavior for others, a clear understanding of the rules, customs.  “Tonight the password is ‘comity’”.

The board welcomed Lillie Krueger, as part of a continued segment of their regular meetings where a representative of a group or board or committee is welcomed to tell about their organization.  Krueger represented PAYS, Plympton Athletic Youth Sports, of which she is treasurer.  President Amy Hempel was not able to join the meeting.

Krueger told selectmen that PAYS had just wrapped up their basketball season and were able to form four teams of combined 4th, 5th and 6th graders, giving the kids something to do in the pandemic.  Working with Dennett Principal Peter Veneto, PAYS was able to play and practice in the school’s gymnasium.  They even did a little fundraising for the school to get storage units to give the school a place to put the desks and chairs that had been  stored temporarily in part of the gym, Lillie told the board.  “Now we’re looking forward to baseball and t-ball in the spring, “ she said,  “Kids just need to exercise!”

Selectman John Traynor said that he had especially enjoyed watching the games on Face Book, something new PAYS was doing where only one family member per athlete was allowed to attend the games.  “This way,” Krueger said, “they call all watch the games – even the payers.”

Selectman Christine Joy asked if they had enough girls to form a team and Krueger said that they were able to do it.

Krueger said that they are hoping their schedules will be close to normal with the fall sports schedule.  Russo congratulated the group for their dedication.

Under appointments, the board voted unanimously to appoint Christine Kelly as Treasurer/Collector.  Kelly has been the assistant treasurer/collector for several years and is well acquainted with the details of the job.

Another appointment was David Batchelder to the Board of Assessors.   Batchelder had been an assessor years ago and is a welcome addition as an interim assessor until the election is held in May.

Russo brought up the question of making the position of Town Clerk and appointed position.  Christine Joy spoke up and said she had asked for this, that she had spoken with the current Town Clerk Patricia Detterman last week.  She said that this was another step in assuring qualified professionals in key town government positions.  Selectman John Traynor said that he would like to hear from the present town clerk on the subject.  Detterman was present at the ZOOM meeting and said that she thought making the position appointed gives too much say to the Board of Selectmen when it has always been the vote of the people of the town.  Detterman said that the position of Town Clerk is the very basis of town government and it is important for the people to have the final say (at election).

Russo moved to include the article in the town meeting warrant, saying this is only a first step in the process.  The hope is, he said, to have the present town clerk fill out her term and appointment would follow, should town meeting vote in favor of the change.

Another item for the warrant is a $5,000 to $7,000 item to hire a hydrologist to go over the records and recordings with the Dept. of Environmental Protection from Rocky Harvest water company withdrawals on Brook Street.

Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy suggested repurposing the article originally used for the Town Administrator search, to change the language so it can be used for other professional positions in the town.

Dennehy said that the Town Properties Committee submitted an article for $300,000 to replace middle and rear portion of the Town House and an article for $7,500 for an assessment of the roofs on the Fire Station and Library.

Dennehy also said there is an article asking for $5500 to refurbish two flagpoles, one at the Town Green and the other at Route 106 and Main Street intersection and $15,000 for general consultant and preliminary design services for any projects related to town-owned buildings and grounds.

The warrant closes the last Monday of the month, March 29.

Traynor said that he would vote to go forward with these articles but wanted to wait to see what the finance committee says before he will say he recommends them.   Russo made the motion to proceed with the articles discussed.  Joy was the second.  The motion passed unanimously.

A matter of concern to selectmen is the Board of Selectmen Member Protocols as well as information sharing among selectmen.  Chairman Russo presented a list of ten items outlining how selectmen should behave during a meeting.

Joy said that the ten items were right out of Roberts’ Rules of Order and the selectmen’s handbook.   “I’m glad you’ve put it in writing, “ she told Russo.   

John Traynor disagreed with several items, saying that there was really no need for such a structure and that it would likely get in the way of free and open discourse. “I believe everything should be out in the open for the public to see… I think that when you say the chair is the arbiter for when the discussion ends, that hampers discussion.”  Traynor said he would like more discussion on the subject before the board votes on it.

Russo defended his position, saying that most of these come right out of the selectmen’s handbook.  A couple of weeks ago the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association had a webinar on Civility in Town Government.  “The main theme, the almost exclusive thing that was put forth as the way to promote and foster civility was to have rules of conduct exactly like this.”

Traynor continued saying that he would like to see an item on the agenda for selectmen’s items of interest,  “trying to make it easy. …  Put a line that says Selectmen’s Updates and then underneath list all the things like I’ve done.”  They agreed to have more discussion and will take the matter up again.

The next agenda item is the proposal for a cannabis facility on Spring Street in the industrial park.  Russo asked for a vote and suggested a motion to ask the people who are putting this together to ask Town Counsel to make an agreement.  “This commits us to nothing; there are many steps along the way.   They have not purchased the property, or gone through all the permitting, and we have not seen the details,” Russo said. “This is just an opportunity for us to give them a signal that we continue to be interested … enough to explore a municipal agreement with town counsel.”

Joy said she is interested in exploring, recognizing there are still a number of unanswered questions but thinks “we should pursue this.”  Traynor agreed with Joy in that he has a lot of questions and wants to see a plot plan as to just where the property is they are considering and if it’s going to be an issue with Spring Street neighbors, he “really doesn’t want to go down that route.  But if it’s back in the industrial zone, that’s the place it should be.”   

Russo moved that we let the principals involved in this know that the town is interested in hearing more of their proposal and negotiations with Town Counsel.  Joy seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Area 58 ZOOM issues

Traynor began the discussion by saying that he has been somewhat negative on the Area 58 operation right back to when he was moderator, “when we changed over from Comcast to Area 58 and they couldn’t provide the same service.”  Traynor said, ‘I want them to be successful,” citing it as the next step in the communications process.  Traynor said he was disappointed in the operation of Area 58 and disagreed with Russo’s assessment of Area 58 as a business model to emulate.  Traynor shared with the board that he felt the operation was “mediocre at best.”   There have been operational glitches and stumbles, and although the director of Area 58 told selectmen at a recent meeting that Area 58 could deliver more meetings and better technology using ZOOM, Traynor gave as an example a Hazard Mitigation meeting that was to be set up on zoom and to tie the Zoom into TV so it could be broadcast at the same time.  “I see that as a significant advance when they can do that.“   The meeting didn’t go off.   The Zoom portion was fine but they couldn’t broadcast over the educational channel simultaneously as they indicated they could.  Area 58 representative said that Comcast was the cause.

Traynor went on to say that when Jon Wilhelmsen had a meeting on the return to school – an important meeting – it failed again.  Traynor said that he wants to see more accountability from Area 58.  “What are you measured on?  How are you measured?  I think we need to talk to Richard (Goulart) again. “ He said he doesn’t think this is an issue where Plympton or Halifax gets more or less time, it’s about how they run the overall operation.”

Russo answered that he appreciates separating the success of shared services, and some operational difficulties along the way.    “Like everyone else, Area 58 is working under COVID situations which makes it all the more challenging.  I have been in touch with Rich about the two meetings and he fully understands the problem and is working on it. “   Russo also mentioned that the Director of Area 58 reports to the Board of Directors of Area 58, not the boards of selectmen.  Russo noted that he is a member of the board of directors of Area 58 and “they are fully aware of some of the things that happen along the way that aren’t quite as good as they should be but they continue to push hard for things to improve.”

Traynor said that Area 58 has the same responsibility as other businesses.  All I’m asking is Let’s make sure that Area 58 gets the message that we want them measured and that we’d like to have them come back and provide feedback.”  Traynor furthered that residents of Plympton who have Comcast paid them $68,000 last year for the operation of this business.

Russo said we will continue to hold them to a high standard.  Joy asked if it is our intent to go live with town meeting?  Russo said he’d like to think about that; there are some pros and cons to consider.  Joy said perhaps they could do a selectmen’s meeting.  Traynor answered,  “Let’s do that.   That would be great.”

Town Administrator’s report

Had a conversation with Carver’s town administrator, looking into possibility of shared services, particularly with the Animal Control Officer.  That position is currently vacant in town and it would be great if we could work out an arrangement, perhaps with a municipal agreement.

Working on putting together an inventory of all of our town-owned vehicles, to put it into a spreadsheet so everyone knows which vehicles we are talking about, rather than looking at separate lists.

The Hazard Mitigation Planning grant is still moving forward and we expect that the project will be completed soon, looking at an August 1 deadline.  When completed it will be a stand-alone plan as well as give the things needed to provide to the Old Colony Planning Council so it can become part of the regional plan.

The Green Communities Grant is moving forward and it looks like we will be able to move forward with the weatherization project at the Dennett School.

We also have still pending replacing the thermostats at the old town house.

Everything is a go as far as the Dennett School is concerned and ready for Town Meeting on May 12.  Dennehy said that she and Town Moderator Barry DeCristofano had worked with Principal Peter Veneto to make the arrangements.

Dennehy told the board that  FEMA and the state are requiring towns to update their floodplain by-laws to incorporate some of their required changes.  Vote to forward this to the Planning Board for a public hearing and also to co-sponsor the article with the Conservation Commission.  Russo moved that the zoning by-law revisionbe forwarded to the Planning Board.  Joy seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Liz Dennehy also announced that she had completed her certification as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing person.   “ A lot of time went into that and some pretty in-depth courses as it relates to procurement.  I’m glad to have that under my belt.”  The board gave its congratulations to Dennehy on her achievement.

Ken Thompson, Plympton’s Zoning Enforcement Officer, asked to speak regarding possible warrant articles from the by-law review committee, especially regarding apartments, in-law apartments and kennels.  He said that from the night’s conversation regarding warrant articles there won’t be any such articles on the warrant for town meeting.  He expressed his disappointment, as these items are frequent, if not daily, questions he has to try to answer in his position as Zoning Enforcement Officer.  Russo said that these items need more discussion and will be heard at a future meeting.  Joy suggested an off-night work meeting.  The board concurred.

Raves:

Joy spoke of the beautiful weather – yard work, sunshine, are all good for the soul.

Traynor agreed, and encouraged people to drive by the great stone wall on  Route 106.  “it’s amazing.  There are daffodils coming up and it will be spectacular!”  Another accolade went to State Rep. Kathy LaNatra.  “She really worked well for us.” Traynor told the board that when one of the places in Kingston got some extra doses of vaccine, she wanted to see them go to the most vulnerable people in town and this past weekend five of our senior citizens were vaccinated.

In another rave, Traynor acknowledged his “Hero” David Batchelder, who at the age of 91 has returned to town government to help out the Board of Assessors with an interim appointment until town election on May 15.  “Thank you, David.”

Lastly he said it was a joy to see the kids getting off the bus.  “It was good to see a little bit of normality.”

Russo said they will be back ifor a meeting in two weeks, if not sooner.

School budget vote postponed

By

The Plympton School Committee Monday night postponed their budget vote until their next meeting Monday, April 26, giving the committee additional time to gather more information on possible budget offsets and additional funding that may become available.   The committee also wanted to research accommodating the additional position of building substitute, a full–time substitute teacher who would be available throughout the school year.  The cost for this position is about $27,000, without taking into consideration the offset in the substitute teacher’s budget line to lessen the expense.

Dennett School Principal Peter Veneto reported that the first day of full in-person learning went very well.  “Our plan became a reality today … No remote learners … everybody came back today. ”   He said that they were able to execute their five lunch period schedule, keeping students the required six feet apart at lunch.  The only additional cost was the purchase of some 50 folding tables that post-COVID can be repurposed in a number of ways.  Pick up and drop off lines were long but executed safely.   “I saw a lot of really happy kids today.   No need to change what we’re doing right now.”

Chairman Jon Wilhelmsen noted, “It’s great that we were able to put a plan together.   It’s much easier to run the school this way with all the kids under one roof. “  Wilhelmsen thanked everyone who helped get it done – in the course of nine days!  It is the goal to keep everyone safe and in school for the rest of the school year.

Christine Healy, the financial guru of Silver Lake reported that everything looks good as far as the current year’s budget goes, no accounts in danger of being overdrawn, and things are running smoothly.

Jason Fraser gave his report on education legislation, saying that the governor’s first draft of the budget was trying to use Oct. 1, 2020 pupil counts on which to base school reimbursements.  With COVID, statewide there was a 3.3% drop in student population.  Fraser said that he spoke with Rep. Kathy LaNatra about allowing schools to use the 2019 student count as the basis for budgeting this year.  LaNatra instead wanted to “fence off” funds until accurate numbers can be had in October 2021.  If there is an increase, then those fenced off funds can be accessed.

As for COVID 19 updates, Fraser said that there has been no change in guidance.  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, (DESE) has said that three to six feet of distance is acceptable.  While 192 school systems chose six feet, only 49 school systems chose three feet distancing.  The CDC is comparing the data for COVID transmission between the two protocols and has seen no significant increase in COVID transmission.  Two-ply masks are still required, but Dennett already requires them.

Rep. LaNatra signed onto House Docket #2548 to form a statewide commission to look at the sleep needs of students and getting elementary school students to school earlier, and allow secondary school students to start a little bit later so  that the time that they have in school will be that much more efficiently used.

Wilhelmsen said that the first capital plan item on the budget is a fire suppression system at a cost of $9,000 or less.   “This can’t be postponed.”  He also reached out to see if they could include an item on the warrant for the parking lot at the Dennett to be repaired.  “The driveway is at a critical point where if we don’t do some maintenance, we will have to replace it.”

The playground construction is on the horizon and with the proximity of the playground to the septic system, it makes sense to look into its health.  Fraser said he wanted to be able to make use of anticipated infrastructure grants should they become available.  Fraser asked if the septic system had been evaluated and Veneto answered, “the short answer is no.”  Wilhelmsen said that this must to go in as one of the overall school needs.  “Maintain, rather than fixing things that break.  It is more expensive to fix things that break.”  Veneto will reach out to his building superintendent to get that assessment done.

Fraser reported on the status of the playground project, telling the board that he originally approached 2019 Town Meeting for some assistance in building an ADA approved playground on the Dennett.   When Plympton started getting students through school choice, those funds were sequestered for one-time expenditures and not made part of the operating budget.   Outside of a few expenditures for the water treatment equipment and a few other items, the school choice tuitions are largely intact and can be used to fund part of the playground costs. The total price is estimated to be about $250,000, to $300,000 project and none of that money will be funded through the school’s operating budget.   The structures will include a Rocket Swing that will accommodate a mobility-challenged child in a wheelchair, and a soft  rubber footing that will also allow a child in a wheel chair to be able to navigate the playground and be with their peers.  They made adjustments to the playground to make it ADA Plus, building ramps onto the structures, and got a surface level merry go round that is wheel chair accessible, at an additional $37,000 cost.  “We talked about this in depth and the committee agreed to move forward with this idea,” Fraser said

“Right now we’re soliciting quotes,” Healy said, preparing to send it off to three or four vendors on the state’s contractor list.  The next step is going out to the traditional bid for the installation of the playground, as well as the rubberized safety surface.  It was suggested that fencing wait until the playground is installed to see how the area works.  Our hope is to be out to bid Patriots Day week.   

Wilhelmsen said that the committee would be able to see all of the details at the June meeting and vote on the project once they have all the information.

The dinosaur has been a topic of conversation, Fraser said.  there have been a couple of people who have approached them about keeping the dinosaur.  The playground vendors’ advice was to take all the equipment there and turn it into scrap metal.   Once the new equipment was beginning to be installed, any accident on the old equipment would not be covered by insurance.

Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx told the board that the preliminary regular day budget stands at a 6.2% increase, and the total school budget is 2.9% increase.  Wilhelmsen said, “Overall I think the budget is very lean and of course last year we had to keep a 1.6% overall increase.  I’m not sure even in the best year we’ve ever come down that low.“

One of the issues we run into each year when we vote our budget is that we vote before April 1 and end up with a certain number of placeholders in the warrant.  Given that we haven’t met with FinCom yet ,,, it may be worthwhile for us to consider not voting the budget tonight, to talk through any other open issues and then after we have some numbers for April 1 we can make adjustments as needed.”  

The next school committee meeting is Monday, April 26.

Why is the Flag at Half-Staff?

By

Events in Boulder, CO – Until March 27, 2021

Please be advised that as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado, and in accordance with the Presidential proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag shall be flown at half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately until sunset on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3.  All state military installations

LaNatra votes for small business aid

By

Representative Kathy LaNatra Votes in Favor of Legislation Providing Relief to Small Businesses, Workers and Job-seekers affected by COVID-19

Boston (March 15, 2021) – State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston) joined her colleagues in support of legislation that will provide much needed relief to small businesses, workers and those looking for work.

 The legislation, titled H.89 – An Act financing a program for improvements to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and providing relief to employers and workers in the Commonwealth was passed by the House on March 11 by a unanimous vote of 155-0. House Bill 89 builds upon a bill filed by Governor Baker that would protect employers from the scheduled unemployment insurance rate increase set for April.

 “Constituents asking for assistance navigating the unemployment system were the most frequent request sent into my office this past year,” said Rep. LaNatra. She added, “The legislation passed last week shores up the finances of the unemployment trust fund, protecting people who have lost their job because of this devastating pandemic. The bill also provides much-needed relief to employers and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”

 Key provisions of the bill include forgiveness of paycheck protection program (PPP) loans in line with the federal tax code. Currently, many small business owners would have to pay personal income tax on their forgiven PPP loans. The legislation freezes the unemployment insurance rate paid by employers at its 2020 level for the next two years, staving off a scheduled increase that would have gone into effect in April of this year.

 The bill also provides many protections for workers who have lost their job due to the pandemic. The bill creates a tax credit for people who received unemployment compensation and whose household income was 200% or less than the federal poverty line. The legislation also allows for borrowing to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund.

 The legislation provides many other protections for workers throughout the Commonwealth including a COVID-19 Emergency paid sick leave, which fills in gaps of the Federal COVID paid sick leave program. House Bill 89 waives the tax penalty for those who fail to remit income taxes on unemployment compensation for the 2020 tax year.

 The bill now heads to the Senate.

Protecting our valued and unique cranberry industry

By

By Kathleen LaNatra

The cranberry industry is one of the true gems of our Massachusetts economy, and has been for over 200 years. The cranberry is our state’s leading agricultural product, and Massachusetts is home to more than 30% of the total cranberry-growing acreage in the entire United States. Much of that acreage is right here in our district. In good times, the crop value of cranberries has reached $100 million annually. Without question the cranberry industry is a significant business for us all.

Yet, it’s an industry facing very serious challenges. I have had the opportunity to get to know many of the cranberry farmers and industry leaders throughout the region and have learned firsthand of the struggles they face.

Several of their biggest challenges have included a significant price drop over the last decade, coupled with fallout from trade wars.

In 2008, a barrel of cranberries was worth about $58 a barrel. Ten years later, though, the price had dropped to $25. The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association estimates the cost of producing one barrel of cranberries at approximately $35.

Industry leaders attribute the price drop to crop surpluses, along with a decline in demand for some of the industry’s most important products, including cranberry juice.

Then there are the recent trade wars. Over the last few years, for example, Chinese tariffs on dried cranberries increased from 15% to 40%.

The American cranberry industry had been working to open a Chinese market for cranberries, and had enjoyed some success. Between 2013 and 2018, American exports of cranberries had increased by 1,000%. But in the first half of 2019, after an increase in tariffs, sales were 45% lower than the previous year.

For this particular struggle, we hope to work closely with our federal legislators and the Biden Administration  to improve the export market for our cranberry growers.

Closer to home, cranberry farmers continue to seek solutions to their challenges. Some have considered leasing portions of their bogs to solar companies; others contemplate dumping a significant part of their supply and turning it into fertilizer or compost. Some hope that in so doing the decrease in supply could lead to driving up the prices.

Certainly everyone will be better off if the industry can continue to produce robust quantities of cranberries and find a receptive market.

There has been some effort to address the challenges the industry faces. A few years ago, the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force identified strategies to support the state’s cranberry industry, including funds to renovate and upgrade local grower bogs, implementing additional conservation efforts, and considering incentives to preserve retired bogs as open and protected space.

It’s unlikely that any single solution will be the remedy for all the issues that the farmers and industry leaders face. But we all need to try. As consumers, we should be proud of this unique industry and we can support it at the grassroots level by buying their products. Legislatively, in my role as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Export Development, it will be my priority to do everything I can to support our cranberry farmers and help them promote their product on a national and international stage.

The cranberry industry is an important part of our past, and present. I will do everything I can to assure that it remains that way in the future.

Regional committee ready to go back

By

The Silver Lake Regional School Committee met Thursday, March 11, and unanimously voted an operating budget of $27,246,375 as the amount deemed necessary for the operation of the Silver Lake Regional School District for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.   The debt budget covering the construction of the Silver Lake Regional High School,  $1,469,030.90 for the 2021-2022 school year, which is part of the towns’ assessments – also passed unanimously.  Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx pointed out that the budget reflects more than $160,000 in budget cuts that were requested by the committee.

Halifax’s Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig, spoke to the board at the beginning of their meeting, asking them to consider carefully.  “Things are tight, tighter than they have been in a number of years.”  Seelig said that Halifax right now does not have the revenue needed to cover the increases proposed by Halifax’s departments ….”

At this point, he said, the finance committee is putting in numbers that are level funded from last year.  From there, they will add in the contractual obligations that have to be paid like health insurance and retirement, and salaries.  If there is money available, the next thing they will put in is step increases, no matter what department they are in, per the various contracts or through the Halifax Wage and Personnel by-law.   Only after that, will the Finance Committee start considering increasing wage accounts.

Seelig brought up the article submitted by the school committee to the Town Meeting warrant to fund restoring tennis courts at the High School for $130,000.  He said this is in addition to the towns’ local assessments.   It should be considered, but taxpayers should make a decision as to what is more important, tennis courts or other parts of the budget.  “Money is money,” Seelig said, “and it’s going to be the same dollar from the same sources that are going from Halifax to Silver Lake.” In terms of the total assessment.   Seelig said that everything is in flux because there is no state budget yet so state reimbursements aren’t available yet.

Chairman Paula Hatch opened the meeting to the public and heard from Madelyn Dooner who sent the results of a petition she started asking that students not go back to school for the remainder of this school year.  She told the board that many parents and students do not feel comfortable going back for this fragment of a school year, citing scheduling conflicts and that while remote learning will still be there for those who have chosen it, it will now be done through a third party, “so it doesn’t seem like it is going to be the same experience for everybody.  It’s not going to be like a fair experience.”

Hatch responded by saying that the state has now stepped in and they are making the rules and the Silver Lake School District is mandated to follow them.  Hatch assured her that the committee is taking all of the concerns of parents and students very seriously and the remote option is not being taken away.

Michelle Taylor, a parent of a soon to graduate senior, asked the board to support letting the senior class remain as they are.   Taylor told the board that she works for the state as a school licenser, so she’s  well aware of COVID regulations and have been helping schools since last March a year ago with re-opening and health and safety plans …  “so I know the intricate details that you all have to manage … that  having been said, putting my parent hat on, I do feel  that these students that have been brave enough, and I applaud them, through petitions and speaking tonight, and in the past, I’ve heard from my own child and other students in particular the senior class, ‘Why change it in the fourth quarter?’  There are only six weeks left until the end of school, and although a hybrid schedule is certainly not ideal, by anyone’s stretch of imagination, it is consistent at least.“

Chairman Hatch thanked her and said she is sensitive to the seniors in particular  and “we do understand what’s happening, what they’ve been deprived of, and are trying to make it as easy a time for the next couple of months and to have it be enjoyable for the time they have left.”

Michaela Gill, principal of Silver Lake High School, gave the board the latest iteration of her plan to have students return to full time classes in the high school, a plan that has had to change several times based on changes in the requirements from the state.  Currently, however, there is no date from the state when high school students must return to full in-person learning.  “We are ready and eager to welcome all students back to school,” Gill told the board.

Middle School Principal Jim Dupille told the board that as of March 9, DESE has mandated that all middle school students must return by April 28.  He has constructed a plan for full in-person return to school, in fact several plans, as they have needed to be reconfigured to meet the ever-changing guidance from the State Department of Education.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jill Proulx responded to committee member Summer Schmaling’s question of asking the Department of Education for a waiver to return to full in-person schooling, pointing out that the Silver Lake High School does not meet any of the criteria listed in the guidance from the Dept. of Education.  “I want to reiterate, especially for families and students who may be listening, that the reality is that the Department of Education has mandated that we are required to return to full in-person schooling by May 4.  That’s what we’ve done.  This is remarkable work in a very short period of time on behalf of students.  There are bound to be issues, so I ask the community to be patient.  This is a very tall order to be done in a very short period of time. …   Students will experience this differently, but as a community we will be supporting our students as well as we can.”

Dupille said it is his plan to return students to full in-person schooling when they come back from April vacation, April 26.  He said that in summary, students will get new schedules, teacher schedules will change, some electives will not run in the remote learning environment, remote electives will shift to in-person, and some electives may not be able to be run.   Term III will end April 16; term IV begins April 26.

Dupille said he may need to rent three tents to take advantage of outdoor spaces for band, chorus, and wellness.   The tents can be put into use in many ways, at a cost of $2200 for each tent for six weeks.

Crone said that  separating the two schools, middle and high, seems like a much easier way to address the problem.   “It seems like the middle school is much easier to return to school.  The high school, I still don’t think it is.”   Recognizing  that we don’t have a choice.  If the commissioner comes back in April and doesn’t  have  a return date for high schools, if he comes back and puts it back to the local systems to choose, I would choose to leave it as is for the  four to six weeks that we have left.

Committeeman Gordon Andrews asked the committee to authorize Eric to write a letter of unappreciation for all of the shifts of changes.   We think we’re near the deadline and they shift again.  The number of meetings, the hours of work trying to implement their changes, “I think we need to speak up and let them know that it’s not okay.”

Leslie Ann McGee applauded everyone, staff and administrators, for the work that has been done.   “I want to make sure that the public understands that as we make these plans, not only does the Dept. of Education change the goal posts, they change what they look like.  Plans that worked no longer are acceptable and there is no guarantee that the plans in place now won’t become obsolete at the DESE’s whim.”

Mike Antoine said that he agreed with Eric Crone; if Commissioner Riley sends the high school decisions back to the local level, “Let’s stay the course… if that’s an option.”

Crone made a motion to ask the committee to authorize him to write a letter stating that SLRHS would like to make their own decisions regarding high school return to all in-person learning.  “We can write the letter, but we don’t have to do it.”   Eric Crone will draft a letter for Hatch’s approval, and the vote was unanimously in favor.

Until they hear from DESE, Principal Gill has her plan to bring students back fully May 3.

Mayflower Church selects new pastor

By

KINGSTON – Mayflower Church, located at 207 Main Street, Kingston and which has served Kingston and surrounding communities since 1828, has selected Reverend Anton Brown to serve as the church’s new Pastor.

Pastor Brown comes to Mayflower from Kentucky, where he has been studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, pursuing a PhD in Systematic Theology. He holds a Masters’ Degree from the same institution and is on track to have his doctorate completed in 2023. His area of study is theological anthropology.

The Millinocket, Maine native has served as Pastor at several churches prior to joining the Mayflower family. He was pastor of Bridgeway Community Church in Haledon, NJ, a multi-ethnic church in Metropolitan New York City.

Pastor Brown also was a “church planter,” having started Pathway Community Church in Newport, Maine, 20 miles west of Bangor. He had been attending First Baptist Church in Pittsfield, Maine, when he was recruited to start the new church. He recalls, “We reached out to neighbors and evangelized in communities around Newport to build the church.” Pastor Brown led the church for five years. During its history, the church grew to a membership of 110.

Pastor Brown recalls the conditions that existed in Maine in 2008 and 2009 when this happened. “The economy was still reeling from the financial crisis. In my last years there, we saw families move from the area. The positive, though, was that the church made a real impact on the local area. We in fact had three pastors in the congregation at one point. There were a lot of strong connections made there.”

Pastor Brown made a strong commitment to Christianity at age 18. “I was pretty much set on studying to be a doctor,” he said. But in May of his senior year, he changed direction from studying biology and enrolled at Gordon College, where he majored in Bible studies. The middle ground for him for a number of years was to continue studies at the University of Maine to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and Nursing. He worked as a nurse until he was called to serve in a full time ministry in 2006.

 He met his wife, Amy, in high school. Amy is a career teacher and teaches English to Chinese students. They are parents to five children: Micah, Ethan, Noah, Seth, and John. Amy is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Biblical counseling and plans to build a Biblical counseling ministry.

 Pastor Brown’s interests include piano and photography. As a younger man, he was trained in jazz piano and later learned classical music. Of photography he says that he loves taking pictures of street and landscape architecture, and candid/random photos of people and things happening.

 He says of Mayflower, “There is a tight and strong sense of family here at Mayflower, and I am very pleased to be here and looking to build those connections and work with the community so that we all grow in our faith.”

 About Mayflower Church

Mayflower Church is located at 207 Main Street, Kingston, MA 02364. The church has a number of community outreach programs and services. Mayflower Church serves people on Cape Cod, as well as Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, and surrounding communities. Reverend Anton Brown serves as Pastor. For additional information, please call 781-585-3167 or visit www.mayflowerkingston.org.

It’s back to school for Halifax

By

On a motion by Summer Schmaling, the Halifax School Committee voted unanimously to send elementary school students back to school five full days a week, beginning March 22, the first day of the school’s third term.

At their meeting Monday night, March 1, close to 200 parents, teachers, and more were logged in remotely to hear the plan that Principal Kayne Beaudry and his staff put together to bring students back.

Working from a survey for each student, Beaudry asked what parents wanted: full time back to school or hybrid (no change).    The response was 2 to 1 overwhelmingly in favor of bringing students back full time.  There were 88 who did not respond.

Beaudry presented the timeline for full return to school that he and his staff developed, beginning with mailing the survey to families from Feb. 19 to Feb. 26.  The week of March 15 will see teacher assignments, transportation and communication to families.  March 22 will return students to full time.

Beaudry told the board the response rate to his survey was 84%.  “Incredible!  Thank you to all who completed the survey.”  Of those who returned the survey, 69% preferred full in-person return, while 31% chose the hybrid, or no change.

Currently there are 567 students at Halifax Elementary School.  At this time, there are 290 students on the bus, and another 200 for drop-off and pickup.  There are 10 buses, and the routes will need to be revised. Beaudry said they will be working with the bus companies as quickly as possible to implement the changes.

The pickup will likely be staggered to avoid congestion.  Drop off seems to  flow a little quicker so it will remain the same.  The Holmes Library will continue to allow kindergarten students and siblings to use the library parking lot.

Schmaling, asked if Beaudry anticipated needing a police detail for the first few days.  He said a police detail, would be helpful in the beginning to get things going, “but I’m confident the staff can get it done pretty quickly.”

As for lunches, both the cafeteria and the all-purpose spaces will be used to seat students.  “We can easily accommodate 88 students at 6 feet distance in the cafeteria and the all purpose room,” he told the assembly.  Schmaling asked if he had enough seating for lunch and the answer was yes.  He said they might be looking for a number of desks to accommodate, but they have some tables that can also be used.  Dr. Proulx commented that if the remaining surveys come in, we might have to find another 45 extra desks.   There might be a minor cost to accommodate that.”

“One of the trickiest pieces we had to work with were specialists,” Beaudry continued.  He told the board that returning to a full in person schooling that music will look a little different, and the instruments will look a little different, for a safe class.

A parent asked about snacks and mask breaks.  Beaudry answered, “if the weather is nice, we will utilize that.   There are tents that can be used.  If we’re not able to go outdoors, we were talking about having mask breaks in the hallway or even larger areas in the building. “

“With 88 no responses, I have to reach out to those families to see where they stand,“ Beaudry said.

Another concern voiced by a parent is “What happens to the remote kids when the school goes back in full?”  Beaudry said that it is their hope to disrupt those students as little as possible, understanding the relationships formed between the teacher and their students.  Some disruption can’t be avoided.

Safe classroom setup will accommodate up to 24 students with desks, seat to seat, 3 feet apart.  It will look much like a traditional classroom from the 80s, desks and chairs in a row, but that will allow for a staging area for the teacher to work and the maximum number of students safely in a room.

To answer concerns that a return to full five-day school schedule will increase COVID-19 transmission, Schmalling said that the school nurse had reported  there was not one single case of the virus transmitted in the Halifax Elementary School.

Superintendent Proulx told the assembly ”It’s very important that everyone understands that he’s (Beaudry) going to do his best not to disrupt student placements for teachers but that needs to happen.   I think everyone needs to understand that classrooms will be at three feet.   I can’t control, to what extent, nor can Mr. Beaudry, what impact that will have on the consistency of our mode.   Less distancing means more potential close contacts.   I feel confident in the fact that Mr. Beaudry and Mr. DeSantis have worked very hard in two days to put together a presentation for you based upon the survey data that just closed, and the governor has encouraged the full in-person return by the first week of April.”

Superintendent Proulx noted that she expects that there has been some learning loss over the past year, but she has some funds are available to implement summer programming, with more information to follow.

Bracts & Pistils, LLc tells BOS of plan to open marijuana retail and home delivery shop

By

Halifax selectmen heard from Taunton entrepreneurs Rhonda and Roy LaFlamme at their Tuesday, Feb. 23 meeting, about their plans for a cannabis retail operation coupled with home delivery of their product.

Representing Bracts & Pistils LLc,  the pair told Halifax selectmen they are considering running the business out  of 849 Plymouth St.   Currently there are four industrial condominiums, about 900 square feet each at that location.  “We’d like to take the two middle units, and operate a retail store out of one and a delivery system out of the other condo,” Roy LaFlamme told the board.  The two currently have a marijuana courier license in Taunton.   “We’ve been in the cannabis business since 2018.”  Woman-owned, and Roy is a veteran.

Seelig told the LaFlammes, that before they go too far down the road, they should get confirmation from the building inspector that the distance between buildings and the proximity to the preschool won’t prevent a license from being issued.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig wanted to know more about the delivery.  Roy LaFlamme answered that there are several types of delivery licenses:  the courier license is where a courier picks up a package from a store and delivers it. The driver operator will be selling its own product.  Delivery courier is delivering other people’s product.   “The one we are proposing for Halifax is a driver-operator business.  It’s like a little warehouse on wheels.“

Andrews asked what fee they were proposing for the town. “That’s negotiable,” Roy LaFlamme answered.  The 3% is a negotiated sum, and at the end of the period, quarter, fiscal year, the percentage is paid to the town.  Our business model is not to accept cash.   Everything is done electronically.

Chris Winiewicz of Circuit St. wanted to point out that there is more frontage on the side street, than on Route 106.  “I think it is something to keep in consideration.   Children congregate on that road.”

Seelig reminded Winiewicz that there are several steps to opening a marijuana business in Halifax:  First is the Host Community Agreement, second is the license, and third is bringing the project through zoning.

Halifax now zoned Yellow for COVID

Seelig told the Board of Selectmen that as of Feb. 18, Halifax is now classed as Yellow designation, rather than red.  “Halifax had been red since the beginning of December.   Seelig said he was notified by the state that there was a tenth death on Feb 18, an elderly resident in their 80s who was hospitalized with other underlying medical issues in addition to COVID.

Seelig also reported that the very local vaccine clinics won’t be happening.  Fire Chief Jason Viveiros is investigating the possibility of Halifax joining with Bridgewater State University as they put together a regional effort for COVID vaccinations.  Seelig said that they still need to set up a “Last Mile” program for people of any age who can’t or won’t leave the town for their vaccine, but the information for that probably wouldn’t be available for at least a couple of weeks from the state.

Housing Authority members named

As part of the state legislation approved last month, Halifax did finally get the procedures in place for appointment of members to the Housing Authority, for the tenant seat as well as the other seats on the board.    “What we’ll have now is a five- member housing authority:  Three members are elected by the voters, one tenant member appointed by the board of selectmen, either from names from the local tenant organization or volunteers, and one member appointed by the state.

“As of right now, Seelig told selectmen, we have Richard Clark, an elected member whose term ends  in May of 2025; Beatrice McCarthy, whose term ends in 2024, Christine Tomkins,  whose term ends in 2023, and a vacant seat, that would be the tenant’s seat, whose term would end in 2022.    Martha Smith is the State appointee for an indefinite term.   Seelig suggested to leave the tenant’s seat vacant at this time and it will be filled either at the town election or afterward.

Halifax vs. Peck was a bylaw violation that came up two or three years ago regarding an earth removal complaint, Seelig told Selectmen.   There was a hearing before the clerk magistrate scheduled but COVID shutdowns prevented it from happening.  Now the courts are re-starting their hearings schedule and this is still on their docket.  Seelig said that according to his recollection, the board had written to the court saying the matter had been settled.  Seelig asked the board if they would like him to send the letter again to the District Court advising the Court that the matter has been settled.   Selectman Troy Garron agreed.

Selectmen unanimously approved the request of Thomas Schindler for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act for a period ending March 20, 2021.

Seelig told the board that two additional town meeting articles were submitted from the Silver Lake School District: one for tennis court reconstruction with a total cost of approximately $340,000. Halifax’s cost would be based on their pro-rated share.  The second warrant article would add to the stabilization fund for the District.  Seelig told the board that the town has consistently voted against this, but he suggested that both articles appear on the town meeting warrant for voters to decide.

Seelig told selectmen that recent testing showing the amount of phosphorous in Monponsett Ponds and two other Halifax ponds show elevated levels of phosphorous, a nutrient that is the primary contributor to algae growth, requiring further aluminum sulfate treatments.  Seelig said that he would look at the town’s stormwater runoff program, another contributing factor, as is the runoff from fertilizer applied to upstream cranberry bogs.    Seelig said there are grant possibilities to help pay for the pond treatments and the pumps used to dispense aluminum sulfate.

The state has grouped ten different grants under the one umbrella called Community One Stop for Growth, and asks for communities to submit an “Expression of Interest”.   Seelig said they are looking for big projects not specific to town government, but  “more community based”.  He suggested considering redevelopment of the properties at or near the intersection of Routes 58 and 106, extending the sidewalk network so it is not a “piecemeal”  effort.  Other possibilities include: Setting up a plan for replacement or reconstruction of several municipal buildings including but not limited to fire, police, water, and the water building, Council on Aging; a municipal broadband network for better internet service throughout Halifax; and also a large scale repaving of roads throughout the town.  Garron and Selectman Gordon Andrews  asked if a bridge project combining the several bridges in Halifax in need of repair could be considered.  Seelig will get back to Selectmen in a couple of weeks to see if there are other areas of interest for the town.

The Fire Dept. has been awarded two grants, a Student Awareness of Fire Education  grant for $4,692 and a Senior SAFE grant award for $2,480.

Selectmen also discussed amendments to the Wage & Personnel by-law.  Seelig said he hasn’t been able to collect much data from the 10 towns for comparisons on grades 7 and 6, they will have zoom joint committee meetings. “I did review the changes proposed by the Fire Chief and I can recommend them to the Finance Committee.“

David Walsh, Commander of Halifax VFW Post 6258, has asked selectmen to consider making August 7 Purple Heart Day in Halifax.  Walsh will attend the next meeting of selectmen March 9 to present the proposal to selectmen.

Seelig told the board that there is a proposed Nursing Service Agreement between the town and Tammy Lorizio that would replace the previous VNA agreement.  Lorizio would work as a contractor, not an employee, with pay negotiated at $2,332 for FY21 and $7,000 for FY22.  Selectmen voted to approve, contingent on Town Council’s approval.

Selectmen interviewed Joseph Vetrano and Debra Pasquale  who are interested in filling the vacant positions on the Finance Committee.   Vetrano has lived in Halifax for six years and works as a senior purchasing agent dealing with numbers and budgets all day long.

 Debra Pasquale has lived in Halifax for 12 years and now works as a photographer.  She also noted she is taking the exam to apply for a real estate license.   She has been active in the Monponsett Watershed Assn. and advocates strongly for the health of the ponds.  She said she wants to serve the town, “…because I want to live in Halifax for the rest of my life.”

 Fred McGovern of the Finance Committee said he looks forward to getting back to a full board with these two candidates, noting it will be a very busy time preparing the town budget for the Spring Town Meeting.  He said that the Finance Committee voted unanimously to accept both candidates.

Andrews said Pasquale and Vetrano would serve through June 15, 1922, both filling unexpired terms.  Garron said “it gives you an opportunity to get your feet wet.”  Garron moved to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee.  Seelig told them to contact the Town Clerk to get sworn in.

Susan Johnston, administrative assistant at the Recycling Center and Sandra Nolan came before the board to discuss recycling in Halifax.  They gave selectmen a report showing the cash breakdown of the department, pointing out a large line item for town dumpsters – $21,000.  The biggest expenses are for town dumpsters and Hazardous Waste Day open to all residents and the needle sharps return.   If those could be paid for out of the general fund, then they think the solid waste bags would be able to continue with the fee schedule as is.

Selectmen told the duo that recycling rebates are a perennial problem and they would appreciate a protocol for residents with private haulers to document their recycling for rebate applications.

Answering Andrews’ question, “Should we be continuing the abatement system,”  Johnston said, “In 2007 we signed an agreement – people have to show that they are recycling in order for us to continue getting a $3000 grant each year… As long as a recycling charge is shown on the bill from private trash haulers, and people can produce the invoice showing the charge, we know the recycling charge has been paid.  The town can then rebate Halifax’s recycling charge to those residents with private trash haulers.

 They all agreed this would take much more discussion at another time.