Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

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Mosquito spraying begins!

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After finding positive larvae for both Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus, earlier in the season than is usual, according to Halifax Health Agent Cathleen Drinan, mosquito spraying is being conducted beginning yesterday, and continuing for several nights over Halifax and Plympton. She also notes that the mosquito population infected with both EEE and WNv are expected to grow.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will conduct and monitor aerial spraying in specific areas of Bristol and Plymouth counties which is anticipated to have begun on Thursday, August 8, and continue over several evenings, weather permitting.

So far this year, 22 communities in southeastern Massachusetts have been found by the Department of Public Health (DPH) to be at high risk for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. No human cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.

The ability to spray is weather dependent and may change. Not every community in Bristol and Plymouth County will be sprayed, please see a comprehensive list below. MDAR is encouraging residents to visit DPH’s website http://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019 for the latest updates on spraying in their specific communities.

• Communities entirely within the spray zone:

o Bristol County: Raynham, Taunton, Dighton, Berkley, Freetown, Acushnet

o Plymouth County: Halifax, Plympton, Kingston, Whitman, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Hanson, Bridgewater, Carver, Middleborough, Lakeville, Rochester

• Communities partially in the spray zone:

o Bristol County: Easton, Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea, Fall River, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven

o Plymouth County: Brockton, Rockland, Hanover, Pembroke, Duxbury, Plymouth, Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett

For the most updated information on EEE risk and aerial spraying, contact the DPH Division of Epidemiology at http://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019 for updated mosquito results, maps and incidence of positive mosquito samples and http://www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito for other information.

Please note that:

1) Spraying will occur over several evenings. That means that it is not known, as of yet, which communities will be sprayed on which days.

2) The spraying schedule is dependent on the weather and other factors.

The Town will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.

The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project continues to spray areas of Halifax. You can contact the Project at Office: (781) 585-5450 or Fax: (781) 582-1276. The office is located at 272 South Meadow Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360.

The Project is accepting requests for residential spraying. Requests are accepted via fax, phone, walk in or USPS.  It recommends to fax, mail, or come in as they are serving all of Plymouth County and doing their best to answer your requests by phone.

Service requests should include name, address, town, phone, and email. You may request spraying up to 8 times during spray season and you need to contact us ALL 8 TIMES that you are requesting spraying. The office hours are 7:30 a.m-2:30 p.m Monday – Friday.

The product used for town-wide spraying is the same as used for routine requests. From the PCMCP website http://www.plymouthmosquito.org/pesticides.html – Duet-Dual Action Adulticide is a synergized synthetic pyrethroid consisting of 1% Prallethrin (ETOC), 5% Sumethrin, 5% Piperonyl Butoxide, and 89% other ingredients such as mineral oil. Duet’s EPA Reg. No. is 1021-1795-8329. The product breaks down quickly when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, residue on plants and other treated surfaces should be short-lived.

Plymouth County Mosquito Control applies this chemical using truck mounted ULV (Ultra Low Volume) sprayers. The Project uses an application rate of 0.62 fluid ounces per acre.

All spraying is between 2 a.m and sunrise. Please close street-facing windows if possible, to allow a more thorough application.

The spray machines are electric and very quiet – you may not hear the application. Please note the product will drift up to 300 feet.

Halifax Asst. Town Clerk completes Clerks’ Institute

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Halifax Assistant Town Clerk, Susan Lawless, recently completed her third year of studies at the New England Municipal Clerks’ Institute at Plymouth (NH) State University. Year Three is the final year of the Institute program, continuing its emphasis on public relations, parliamentary procedure, decision-making, personal development, management, computers, public speaking and professionalism.

The New England Municipal Clerks Institute is a three-year program, which assists clerks in developing and maintaining the high level of administrative expertise needed for the successful operation of increasingly complex municipal governments. Completion of the three-year Institute program entitles graduates to apply for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks’ coveted Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation.

NEMCI&A is the only program of its kind in the country, run exclusively by and for city and town clerks and their office staff. The Board of Directors consists of two representatives from each of the six New England states and meets year-round with faculty and University personnel to develop the best possible week of intellectual stimulation, personal growth and challenges for attendees.

Begun under the direction of the Rhode Island Department of Community Affairs and the guidance of the New England Association of City and Town Clerks, NEMCI&A has grown from one class with 32 students to the point where it now offers three Institute classes and several advanced Academy classes. Over 500 cities and towns have sent Clerks to the New England Municipal Clerks’ Institute and Academy over its forty-five year history.

Academy is a continuing education program designed for clerks who have completed their Institute training or have already attained their CMC certification. Academy courses are more in-depth and intensive, fostering the development of high-level administrative and executive-level management skills.

EEE threat hits local towns

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has announced that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus and West Nile virus (WNv) were detected in mosquitoes collected from Halifax, Carver, and Lakeville on July 22.  Kingston mosquitoes tested positive for WNv.

In response, the Plympton Board of Health, Arthur Morin, Chairman, issued a directive cancelling all outdoor activities on town-owned property between sunset and sunrise when mosquitoes are most active, and Halifax has issued an advisory from Health Agent Cathleen Drinan, detailing what steps Halifax is taking and what steps our readers can take to avoid mosquitoes and their bites.

Drinan says, “July is early for EEE.  We expect it to spread.”  She continues that it is being found in mammal biting mosquitoes, so there is the potential for humans being infected.

While EEE is considered rare, it is still a “dire or deadly” disease, and can kill people, especially young and old.  Those who survive often end up severely impaired.

WNv, Drinan continues, is not as rare as EEE and is usually mild but can be deadly to those over the age of 50.

Halifax will request additional spraying around the school, walking track, and soccer fields.

Due to the recent four samples of mosquitoes testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and five samples testing positive for West Nile virus (WNv) in the town of Halifax, the whole town was sprayed July 29 by the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project. Halifax residents don’t need to contact the Project to request spraying at this time.

Residents may request their property be sprayed by the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project, PCMCP, up to eight times in a summer. Requests are accepted via fax, phone, walk-in or by mail.  They recommend faxing spray service requests, including resident’s name, address, town, phone, and email.  Phone requests are difficult to handle as they are serving all of Plymouth County.  The fax number is 781-582-1276.  They are located at 272 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, MA 02360, and the office hours are 7:30-2:30 Monday – Friday.

To see a list of the towns and streets to be sprayed, go to their web site, www.plymouthmosquito.org/home then click on “About Us” located at the top of the page, and scroll down and click on “Spray Routes” to see daily the towns and streets to be sprayed and the date the spraying will occur.

PCMCP collects samples of mosquitoes and tests them for viruses between July and September.  In addition to disease surveillance, PCMCP is also monitoring for the Asian Tiger Mosquito, an introduced insect capable of transmitting diseases such as Zika and Dengue.  According to the PCMCP web site, the Asian Tiger Mosquito has been identified in Mattapoisett and Wareham.

Drinan’s Halifax advisory cautions to avoid mosquito bites by considering rescheduling outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, the peak biting time for many mosquitoes.  Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing to help reduce mosquito bites.  Use insect repellent with DEET, (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

There are many things to do at home reduce the number of mosquitoes in the yard. It is possible to generate large amounts of mosquitoes with small amounts of water.

Mosquitoes can have many generations in one year and in the heat of the summer they can go from egg to adult in about a week. The best way to prevent mosquito production is to remove any objects that hold water from your yard.

Below is a list of common objects or places that produce mosquitoes.

Tires. Old tires are notorious for producing large numbers of mosquitoes. If you are storing tires, put them in a shed or garage. If you have a tire swing, put a hole in the bottom of it so it cannot hold water.

Gutters.  Rain gutters on houses tend to fill up with leaves and other things that clog the gutters. This material can cause gutters to hold water long enough to produce mosquitoes.

Swimming pools. Any unmaintained pool is large enough to produce ample mosquitoes to bother the whole neighborhood. Keep children’s pools full of clean water and make sure all swimming pools do not become full of algae or leaves.

Tires. Old tires are notorious for producing large numbers of mosquitoes. If you are storing tires, put them in a shed or garage. If you have a tire swing, put a hole in the bottom of it so it cannot hold water.

Flower pots. Old flower pots or saucers underneath the flower pot can hold enough water for mosquito larvae.

Gardening tools such as wheelbarrows or shovels.

Toys left outside can collect water.

Bird baths should be emptied and cleaned once a week to prevent mosquitoes.

Garbage cans and lids.  Make sure there are holes in the very bottom of your garbage can.

Tarps. Frequently people use tarps to cover items such as wood, boats or to make a fort.  Always keep the tarp tight and drain any water that collects in the tarp.

Boats. Any boat, or tarp covering a boat can hold water.  Make sure the plug in the bottom of the boat is open so water can drain from it.

Other. Buckets, soda cans, pet dishes, washing machines, old cars, refrigerators, watering troughs, bath tubs and basements.

For more information about EEE and WNv, see this week’s column by Health Agent Cathleen Drinan on page 8.

Police Chief Dillon feted by Plympton

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Police Chief Patrick Dillon bid farewell to Plympton Monday morning as more than 50 Town House employees and friends gathered to wish him well in his retirement.

Dillon proclaimed his department the best group ever  – on par with his Marine Corps buddies – and said he will miss them dearly.

Dillon had been Chief of the Plympton Police Department for the past nine years, becoming chief in 2010 when then Chief Matthew M. Clancy accepted the position as chief in Duxbury.  In a fortunate turn of events, Clancy, now retiring from Duxbury, will return to take the helm in Plympton as the town looks for its next police chief.

Dillon has been a popular chief in Plympton, so popular, in fact, that the town voted unanimously to build the much-needed police station that had been in consideration for a decade.  That night of Town Meeting in 2017 Dillon’s smile continued well into the next day.  The town was invited to the official Open House of the new police station May 11 as he saw his efforts, and those of the Public Safety Building Committee, come to fruition.

Under his leadership, the police force grew, meeting the needs of a growing community.

He loved his job in Plympton, Dillon told the crowd.  “My officers will tell you I come to work every morning with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.”

What’s he going to do now?  Dillon told his well-wishers, “I’m going fishing!”

Halifax Beautification Committee begins

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The Halifax Beautification Committee wants to thank all who have participated in the “Adopt A Planter” program. Twenty seven planters have been distributed and can now be seen throughout the town, at the police station, the fire station, the library, Town Hall, the Water Department, the Post Office, the Congregational Church, Pope’s Tavern, the Brockton Store, Rockland Trust, Mutual Bank, and Morgan Power Equipment.   

Special thank you to Tom Schindler, Erica Washburn, Kristen Barrows, Kathy Geisser, Stacy Varaou, Carmen LaRiviere, Laura Kinney, Friends of the Holmes Public Library, Barbara Brenton, Karen Salters, Amy Troup and Candy Kniffen for their special efforts in supporting this Halifax Beautification project.

Participants in this program provide and plant the plants, place the planters in agreed upon locations, and maintain the planters throughout the growing season.

Recent S-L grad Robbie Silenzi holds first book signing

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KINGSTON- Robert V. “Robbie” Silenzi, who graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in May, held his first book signing event at the New Again gift shop in Plymouth this past weekend.

To no -one’s surprise,Silenzi has published  three picture books and has also illustrated them himself:

Robbie, to those who know him, has autism, and credits his teachers, Alex Frazier and Melanie Orcutt for encouraging him to pursue his dream  of becoming an author and illustrator.

Linda Redding,then Silver Lake Regional High Schoool media specialist, now retired, remembers Robbie, “I had the pleasure of working with Robbie at Silver Lake on several of his video video productions.  He is very creative, talented, and hard working.  Robbie was involved with Laker TV and has great skill in editing, as well as acting as a host.

Robbie has published and illustrated three books: The Canadian Cat Girl, that he has also made into a visual-audio book, Bear’s Musical Problem, and Antoine’s Cow Mother.  These books are available for sale at the New Again, 32 South Park Ave., Plymouth and online at www.TheBookPatch.com

This summer, Robbie is spending time at Area 58 studio in Carver to further advance his production skills.

Free July 4th concert at Plymouth Waterfront

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PLYMOUTH, MA — The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off its 104th season in grand style, performing The Esther and Alcide Ruffini Fourth of July Concert, a free-to-the-public Independence Day celebration.  Steven Karidoyanes conducts.

The Phil’s July 4th performance includes musical tributes observing two significant anniversaries.  The first is the 50th anniversary of mankind’s first steps onto the lunar surface. The orchestra performs the introductory music to Richard Strauss’ Thus Spake Zarathustra, more widely known as the main theme to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and an orchestral suite from the film score to Apollo 13 by James Horner.

The other musical tribute celebrates one of the most iconic fictional comic book characters in popular culture, Batman.  The Caped Crusader’s comic book debut was 80 years ago this year. For this tribute, the Phil performs music from The Dark Night Rises by Hans Zimmer, as well as music from the Batman film series of 30 years ago composed by Danny Elfman.

Additionally, performance highlights include Tchaikovsky’s exciting 1812 Overture, excerpts from the Declaration of Independence read by Town of Plymouth Select Board chairman Kenneth Tavares accompanied by a lush symphonic score, and A Salute to the Big Bands, a collection of Swing Band standards like April in Paris, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Serenade in Blue and Sing Sing Sing.

The concert takes place in historic Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the Plymouth Waterfront near the Plymouth Rock Portico, across from the natural amphitheater of Cole’s Hill.  The music starts at 7:30 PM on Thursday, July 4th (rain date: Friday, July 5th).

The Esther and Alcide Ruffini Fourth of July Concert is made possible through the generosity of The Ruffini Charitable Trust with additional support from The James Spooner Trust and the Town of Plymouth Promotions Fund. The 104th Season of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The concert will be broadcast and streamed live on WATD, 95.9 FM and PACTV, Plymouth Area Community Access Television (Comcast channel 13 and Verizon Channel 43.)

Halifax Fireworks Saturday, June 29

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Celebrate Independence with Halifax Fireworks on Saturday night, June 29, at 9:15 p.m.  (rain date Sunday, June 30), at the Halifax Elementary School field.

Come join the party for an evening of family fun including kids’ face painting, music, food trucks and of course the annual Fireworks Display!

Bring your blanket or lawn chair-Food trucks to be announced

This event takes place thanks to the efforts of the Halifax  community.  The Fireworks Committee wants to thnk all of the local community members who have contributed their efforts to help make it happen.

The Halifax Fireworks is still in need of volunteers for the night-of the event and clean-up the following morning.

This is a perfect opportunity for students who need to fulfill their public service hours requirement for school to get those needed credits.

Please message the Halifax Fireworks Facebook Page to get involved!

Future inventors from Silver Lake win ‘Project Invention Convention’

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Special to The Express
by Julie Walker
and Erik Todd,
Silver Lake Regional Middle School

   Twenty-six Silver Lake seventh graders put on their thinking caps, joined teams led by 7th and 8th grade Technology and Engineering  teachers Julie Walker and Erik Todd, thought through problems and invented solutions, participating in Project Invention Convention at Bridgewater State University on Wednesday, June 5.

    Out of four teams competing, three of the Silver Lake Middle School teams won trophies, and their Strider Flow, a bicycle-powered USB charger, won first prize!

      Each Invention Convention team had to research, design, and build an invention of any sort to present within ten minutes to the judges and audience.

The University provided each team a budget to spend on research and building their invention.   Weekly meetings, where students planned and built their designs, were held after school at Silver Lake Regional Middle School beginning on February 4 with some extra needed meeting times as the Convention neared.

Prior to showcasing their inventions, contestants could take advantage of a continental breakfast as well as hear a guest speaker.  After their presentations a luncheon was served while the judges reviewed the results.

The event culminated with awards and certificates as well as photo opportunities and gifts!

There were 10 schools represented at the Convention with a total of 17 teams, four of which were from Silver Lake.  Three out of the four Silver Lake teams won awards and the students were complimented all day long! Their hard work and commitment was evident in their projects and in the way they presented their inventions.

    The Invention Convention is a great way to make learning fun and exciting!

     Each year the Center for Pre K–12 Education Outreach at Bridgewater State University sponsors “Project Invention Convention”, designed to give middle school students grades 5 – 8 the opportunity to explore the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and work as part of a team while enjoying the process of collaboratively creating an invention.

Team teacher leaders choose 6 – 8 students to participate; they start planning out their invention ideas that lead to building their invention prototype. Students and teachers work throughout the school year to create their invention. Each June all teams travel to Bridgewater State University and present their invention to an audience and a group of judges. This is a competition and winning teams are chosen based on several categories.

Both students and teachers benefit in many ways, including

• Team building

• Communication skills

• Writing skills

• Presentation skills

• Educational but fun

• Activities related to science, technology, engineering and math

• Stimulates interest in students

• Invention can be patented

Salute to nation’s veterans

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Plympton and Halifax joined cities and towns throughout the country showing their red, white, and blue stars and stripes with ceremonies, parades, and moments of quiet reflection.

Plympton’s parade showcased its fire trucks, including the fully restored 1938 Buffalo driven by resident Don Vautrinot.

It was Plympton’s turn to host the Silver Lake Regional High School’s Marching Band, and they played the standards well, rousing the onlookers.  Selectmen, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and horses, all took their places as they marched from the Historical Society Building.

The parade culminated at the Town Green where selectmen led the hundreds gathered there in prayer and the salute to the flag.

Dennett School students took part.  Lillian Rankin recited the Gettysburg Address from memory, Brianna Crowley narrated the poem “In Flanders Field”, and Brianna Barrow read her essay,  “What Memorial Day means to me.”

Doris Silva, the Boston Post Cane recipient as Plympton’s oldest citizen at 102 was presented flowers by Briggette Martins, secretary to the selectmen and a member of the parade committee.  Doris is also a veteran of the Coast Guard.

The Halifax parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m. from the Halifax Country Club, with Parade Marshal WWII Iwo Jima veteran Jim Gargiola being driven by Korean War veteran Edgar Bent in a fully restored Model T Ford.  Walking alongside were members of the Halifax VFW Post 6258.

Following were Boy Scouts Troop 39, Girl Scouts, a Generations Float, courtesy of  Nessralla Farms, and marchers from A Dancer’s World who danced their way down Route 106 to the Halifax Town Hall.

At the 10 a.m. ceremonies, Steve Littlefield, Asst. Veterans’ Agent, gave opening remarks.  Parade Marshal Jim Gargiola read “The Ragged Old Flag”, and Rev. Dr. William Wildman of the Halifax Congregational Church gave the invocation.

The placing of the memorial wreaths was done by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Boy Scouts, Wil Corey, Veterans’ Service Officer, Steve Littlefield, Asst. Veterans’ Agent, and the Board of Selectmen.