Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

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Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs…

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It doesn’t take any time at all to see what your neighbors think about this election and political climate.

Signs covering every aspect of opinion are planted firmly for all to see.   Some are sweet, some strong, and some downright rude.  But there they stay, guaranteed freedom of speech, something for which this newspaper will go to the mat.  Thankfully, in a couple of weeks, they’ll be gone and we’ll be back to the beautiful country landscape we all love.

Until then, grin and bear it, and above all, VOTE!

Doris Silva, 103, oldest in Plympton

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Well, almost 103.  Doris M. (Dox) Silva, 102, Plympton’s recipient of the Boston Post Cane, passed away peacefully at home Sunday morning, Oct. 4, 2020, nine days shy of her 103rd birthday.

Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.

Born in Boston in 1917 to Mary and Joseph Dox she grew up in Dorchester and was the oldest of five.  She enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and was stationed in Brooklyn, NY.  After the war she re-enlisted in the United States Navy and served until 1957.  She married Gabriel Silva of Provincetown that same year. They were married for 52 years.

Doris worked as an administrative assistant for a New York Life Insurance agent in Brockton for many years until she retired and moved to Plympton where she lived with her loving family. She was awarded the Boston Post Cane recognizing her as the oldest resident and veteran in the town.  Her passions included her unique sense of style, knitting, quilting, summering in Provincetown, and being with friends and family.

Her secret to her long and full life was “never drink cheap Scotch”.

Her laugh and smile will be missed by her son, his wife, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She will always be an inspiration as a woman ahead of her time, never taking the conventional route, never backing down.

A visitation took place at the Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 373 Court St , North Plymouth, on Thursday, Oct. 8, followed by a service in the funeral home.  Private burial  will be at the Provincetown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365.  https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/

To sign the online guestbook please visit www.cartmelldavis.com

Silver Lake District Lunch Menus

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For all schools in Silver Lake School District for 10/5-10/9

Silver Lake In-School Lunch Menus

Monday/Thursday: Grilled  cheese sandwich, crispy crunchy chickpeas, steamed broccoli, fresh orange, low-fat milk.

Tuesday/Friday:  Cheesy Max stuffed crust pizza, fresh baby carrots and cucumber circles with light ranch dressing, strawberry cup, cookie, low-fat milk.

Grab and Go bags

Monday: Ham & cheese wedge, celery sticks & cucumber circles, raisins, low-fat milk, cereal, apple juice, assorted fresh or canned fruit.

Tuesday: Ham & cheese wedge, mango wango juice, sweet potato crinkle fries, applesauce cup, low-fat milk, cereal, apple juice, assorted fresh or canned fruit.

Wednesday: Caesar Salad with Chicken, Goldfish crackers, light mozzarella string cheese, peaches, Low-fat milk, Cereal, apple juice, assorted fresh or canned fruit.

Thursday: Chicken salad sandwich, sweet potato crinkle fries, mango wango juice, fresh apple, low-fat milk, French toast sticks, apple juice, assorted fresh or canned fruit.

Friday: Hamburger and bun, French fries, mixed veggies, fresh apple, low-fat milk, cinnamon roll, apple juice, assorted fresh or canned fruit.

Halifax Fall Clean-Up Day, a Partner in the 2020 Great Massachusetts Cleanup

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Halifax Needs You!

During a time when it’s hard to come together with family and friends, let alone as a community, Halifax Fall Clean-Up Day has had a makeover. This October 3, 2020, we’re asking you to come together as a community from home.

We’re inviting you to reach out to your neighbors and close family to mobilize small groups of litter busters across Halifax. Clean up the curbs in front of your homes. Take a stroll up the road and pick up trash along those abandoned stretches that never get enough attention. You can even volunteer to help clean up public spaces around town. We will be identifying the badly littered areas in Halifax and assigning volunteers to give those areas some special attention.

The Halifax Beautification Committee will be in the parking lot of the Town Hall between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on October 3, 2020, handing out kits that may include trash bags, safety vests, T-shirts, reusable shopping bags and gloves. Volunteers are welcome to drive up to our table and collect a kit before embarking on a day of cleaning up their community.

Don’t let the cleanup stop on the 3rd. LIKE us on Facebook at: The Halifax Beautification Committee to see our 31 days of cleanup. Every day in October, the Halifax Beautification Committee will be posting tips and tricks for recycling, reducing waste and more.

E-mail: Beautification@halifax-ma.org.

Police shooting at Kingston Collection under investigation

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Benjamin Paulin
<ben@jgpr.net>

KINGSTON — Police Chief Maurice Splaine reports that the shooting of an assault suspect by a Kingston Police officer early this morning is currently under active investigation by State Police detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, Kingston Police received a 911 call from a security guard at the Kingston Collection mall, located at 101 Kingston Collection Way. The guard reported that a man in his 20s allegedly brandished a large knife and told the guard to get out of the vehicle.

Kingston Police officers quickly arrived on scene and located the suspect near the entrance of the old Sears parking lot. The man had a large knife in a sheath on his hip. The man was given several verbal commands by the officers and the man ignored their commands.

During the incident, in response to the suspect’s aggressive and threatening actions, officers attempted to deescalate the situation and used non-lethal tactics to get him to comply. The man continued to escalate his threatening behavior and fearing for the safety of themselves and the safety of others, the officers drew their firearms. The man was shot once in the shoulder.

The man was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He was then flown by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The man was subsequently identified as Alexander Bakutis, age 25, of Plymouth. Bakutis is in police custody and has been charged with three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Bakutis is expected to be arraigned remotely by the Plymouth District Court on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The officer involved was also transported by ambulance to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. The officer was uninjured and was released from the hospital earlier today. The officer, a 15-year veteran of the department will be on administrative leave during the investigation.

Investigating officers recovered and seized the large knife and other items as evidence from Bakutis.

The incident is actively being investigated by State Police detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. The Kingston Police Department is cooperating fully with that investigation.

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Critical Incident Stress Management unit responded to the scene to assist the Kingston Police Department.

All further inquiries about this incident should be referred to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

After 22 years of service, retirement looks good

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After 22 years of service in Walmart’s Halifax store, Linda Wilson of Carver has retired.

Well known throughout the area, she worked as the Community Co-ordinator, Good Works and Safety Team Leader and also completed compliance work for Walmart.  At times you could also see Linda greeting customers as they came into the store.

Thursday, Sept. 3, Linda was honored by her friends and fellow employees at Walmart, with a cake and special invited guests from her storied career, including former Halifax store manager John Mather and assistant manager Karen Stetson, both now at the Plymouth Walmart store, and many, many associates.

Linda’s work involved many years spent dealing with the foundation securing grants for 501-C3 organizations, such as the police and fire departments, school, A.L.S, Special Olympics, and so many more.   She was always involved in securing grants for Teachers Appreciation Day and the chosen Teacher of the Year.  The Halifax Walmart under Linda’s tutelage was instrumental in starting the “Walk the Children to School” event; she was liaison for the Halifax Elementary School for two years.

Linda especially enjoyed helping the veterans of the area and worked to put up a huge wall of honor at the Halifax store to celebrate Veterans’ Day, in addition to securing grants to help area veterans as their advocate.

One of Linda’s favorite things was to volunteer helping out at the Friday night car show, The Connecting Rods, an outdoor event.  She collected money from selling hotdogs and hamburgers and all proceeds went to Children’s Hospital Boston and the Children’s Miracle Network.  Thousands upon thousands of dollars were donated to those two organizations to help children.  She also helped the Salvation Army with their annual Kettle Drives.

When she was out receiving needed medical treatments, she was glad to have Trish Powell helping with donations.

While Linda has suffered from leukemia since 2018, she remains in remission with her positive, happy outlook on life.  She can now spend more time with her family and friends.

“I’ve always loved my job and I’m grateful for all the friendships I’ve made during my work at Walmart and these friendships will remain in my heart.”

She will be missed.

Single car collision damages stone wall, hedges

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Late Sunday afternoon, Aug. 30, the sound of a crash shook up Plympton Village as a 2006 Toyota Sienna van collided with a stone wall and 4-ft rhododendron hedge before comng to a stop on Main Street in front of the house occupied by the Saarela family.

The operator of the vehicle with Maine license plates was Tracey Wightman, 38, of East Wareham.  She was taken to Beth Israel Deacones Hospital.

The only other occupant in the van was Wightman’s 8-year old daughter, who was also transported to BID Plymouth..

Neither occupant’s  injuries appeared life-threatening.

Wightman is being cited for failure to stay in marked lanes and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Triple the usual number of votes cast Sept. 1

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According to Tricia Detterman, Plympton Town Clerk,  there were nearly triple the number of votes cast in Tuesday’s primary – 779 votes in all – or 34% of voters.

Barbara Gaynor, Halifax Town Clerk, saw a similar increase in ballots cast with 32.4% of registered voters in Halifax casting 1,934 ballots, either through early voting at the Clerk’s office in the Halifax Town Hall, mail-in ballots, or voting on election day.  “We processed well over 1,000 mail-ins… it was definitely a busy day,” Gaynor said.

The most hotly contested race was that for Senator in Congress, with longtime incumbent Edward J. Markey challenged by Joseph P. Kennedy, III.

While Markey won the election statewide, both Plympton and Halifax ticked the Kennedy box for their choice, with 285 for Kennedy in Plympton and 253 for Markey.  Halifax voters chose Kennedy 724 to Markey’s 583.

Republican candidates for Senator in Congress saw Kevin O’Connor victorious over Shiva Ayyadurai, with 373 to her 223 in Halifax, and 135 votes to 95 votes in Plympton.

State senator Michael D. Brady (D-Brockton) handily won his race for re-election, beating his challenger, former Brockton Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues 323 to 181 in Plympton, and in Halifax, 783 to 436.

The Democratic race for County Commissioner saw five candidates vying for two seats.  Greg Hanley won with 651 votes, and second was John Patrick Riordan with 497 votes in Halifax.  Plympton also gave Hanly and Riordan the nod with 257 and 207 votes respectively.

Republican Jared Valanzola ran unopposed for the County Commissioner taking 501 votes in Halifax and 182 votes in Plympton.

Halifax hometown favorite Summer Schmaling ran unopposed on the Republican ticket for Representative in General Court.   She took 542 votes in Halifax and 209 in Plympton.

Democrat Kathleen LaNatra, incumbent for Representative in General Court, took 1,099 votes in Halifax and 463 in Plympton.

Democrat Bill Keating of Bourne, incumbent, took 467 votes in Plympton and 1,118 in Halifax.  On the Republican side, Helen Brady took 498 votes in Halifax and 188 votes in Plympton.

Matthew J. McDonough, Democrat for Register of Probate, took 448 votes in Plympton and 1053 in Halifax.   There was no Republican candidate on the ballot.

Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas J. O’Brien took 1083 votes in Halifax and 448 votes in Plympton running unopposed on the Democratic ballot.  Republican Carina Leeza Mompelas won 454 votes. in Halifax and 180 votes in Plympton.

The Councillor race saw 1077 votes for Democrat Christopher Ianella, Jr.  There were no Republicans on the ballot for that position.

The presidential election, a mere 60 days away, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Plympton Town Clerk Tricia Detterman has already put out the word that she will be looking to augment her crew of election workers for the Nov. 3 election, expecting a heavy turnout.

Halifax at “Critical” risk for EEE

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A Halifax resident in his 90s was the second Plymouth County resident to contract the rare and often deadly Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus last week.  His family has told  The Express that he is recovering.

Additional positive EEE mosquito samples have been identified in Middleborough..

Middleborough and Carver are already designated as critical risk for EEE.

The Massachusetts Department. of Public Health has raised the EEE risk level in Halifax to “Critical” (a map showing risk levels is available at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update). Therefore, the Halifax Board of Health advises that there be no activities from dusk (approximately 20 minutes after sunset) to dawn (approximately 20 minutes before sunrise) at the following locations:

• Vaughn Field (540 Plymouth Street) • HOPS Playground (480 Plymouth Street • Playing Fields behind the Elementary School (464 Plymouth Street) • Holmes Street Playground (129 Holmes Street) • Holmes Street Beach and Boat Ramp (40 Holmes Street) • Summit Street Soccer Fields (75 Summit Street) • Lingan Street Beach at 5th Avenue

The BOH further advises all residents and visitors to refrain from other outside activities from dusk to dawn. Every resident should continue to take precautions from being bitten and check their properties to ensure that equipment, supplies, etc. do not have stagnant water, perfect for mosquito breeding grounds.

For more information, please contact the Halifax Board of Health at 781-293-6768

Public can witness early ballot counting for Sept. 1 State primary

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NOTICE OF ADVANCED REMOVAL OF EARLY VOTED BALLOTS FROM ENVELOPES AND ADVANCED DEPOSITING OF EARLY VOTED BALLOTS

In accordance with the Secretary of State Regulations 47.12 and under the provisions of section 7(k) of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the Town of Halifax will be opening and depositing early voted ballots received up until Thursday, Aug. 27 on Friday, Aug. 28 at 8 a.m. at the Town Hall, 499 Plymouth Street and continue Monday, Aug. 31 at 8 a.m.

As the Town Clerk’s office is closed on Fridays we respectfully ask that observers register by emailing barbara.gaynor@halifax-ma.org  in advance of all processing of early voted ballots sessions.

In accordance with the Regulations 47.12 and the provisions of section 7(k) of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, no results shall be determined or announced until after the time the polls close on Sept. 1. At that time the results from the advance processed ballots will be added to the election day results and posted in a public place.

The above is based on legal information from the State.

What it means in practice is that members of the public are welcome to watch the Town Clerk and election workers open the sealed envelopes containing ballots received via two methods:

1) the early in-person voting that will have taken place from Saturday, August 22 to Thursday, August 27 and

2) and voting by mail from ballots received. The envelopes will be unsealed and the ballots removed from the envelopes. After the ballots are removed from the envelopes, they will be inserted in the voting machines

 While the voting machines will count these ballots, no results based on these ballots will be released during this process.

The votes contained in these ballots are combined with the ballots received on election day (mostly by in-person voting) and the totals will be announced on election day, Tuesday, September 1.

For more information about this process, please contact the Halifax Town Clerk’s office at 781-293-7970.