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Halifax Energy program can save $80,000 in electricity costs

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Halifax residents and business owners will save nearly $80,000 annually thanks to the newly created Halifax Community Choice Power Supply program.

The Town of Halifax and Colonial Power Group, Inc. are pleased to announce they have entered into a three-year agreement to bring energy cost-savings to the town’s residents and small businesses through this initiative.

The Town and representatives of Colonial Power Group will hold an informational session on Monday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall on the 2nd floor of Town Hall to discuss the Halifax Community Choice Power Supply program.

The new program will help residents and business owners achieve stability and substantial savings on electricity costs. Participating residents and businesses in Halifax will see an annual savings of close to 3 percent in their monthly energy bills and the program will provide a combined savings of approximately $6,530 per month for the town’s homes and businesses.

“The Halifax Community Choice program provides price stability, local control, and competition while also lowering the burden of energy costs for Halifax’s residents and business community,” said Mark Cappadona, President of Colonial Power Group, Inc. “We commend Halifax’s Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator Seelig for their forward-thinking approach to energy purchasing. By taking this action, they are helping to save residents and business owners money on their electricity costs.”

Under the Halifax Community Choice Power Supply program, residents will not notice any change in their electricity service. The only discernable difference will be that NextEra Energy Services of Houston, Texas, the selected electricity supplier for the Community Choice program, will be printed under the “Supplier Services” of monthly bills. Residents and small business owners will continue to receive one bill from National Grid and to send payments to National Grid for processing. There will be no interruption in billing, power, or customer service.

Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation consulting firm in Massachusetts. Municipal electricity aggregation allows cities and towns to pool the electrical consumption of all ratepayers in their jurisdictions and competitively procure lower cost electricity supply on behalf of the participants. The aggregation allows the municipality to obtain better pricing than individual residents and business owners could due to economies of scale. Colonial Power works with state officials, utility executives, and energy industry leaders to facilitate the purchase of electricity at a rate lower than basic service rates. Since July 2013, Colonial Power has saved households and businesses across New England a total of nearly $11 million on their electric bills.

Colonial Power Group, which serves more than 60 municipalities in Massachusetts, was chosen to design, implement, and administer the program on behalf of Halifax. NextEra Energy Services was selected through a competitive process. The cost savings for Halifax residents and businesses will begin with the September 2017 meter reads (October 2017 billings).

No action is required by ratepayers to participate in this cost-saving program. The program will be operated on an opt-out basis, meaning that all Halifax residential and business customers currently on National Grid’s basic service will be automatically enrolled into the program unless they choose to opt out.

Soule Homestead brings in two very different song stylists

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Singers Danielle Miraglia and Caroline Cotter bring their diverse talents to Soule Homestead’s Concert Series, 46 Soule Street, Middleboro  on July 29 starting at 6 p.m.

The two women have markedly different styles. Miraglia is a hard driving, bluesy performer, Prince fused with Janis Joplin. Cotter is a mellow, sweet-voiced internationalist, comfortable singing in several languages.

Accompanying herself on an old Gibson guitar, Miraglia has a voice made for the grittier songs in the folk canon. Her own compositions earned her a nomination at the 2015 Boston Music Awards as singer-songwriter of the year. Miraglia has appeared on stage with world-class performers including Johnny Winter and Robert Cray at venues like the New York State Blues Festival.

The Revere, MA. native was weaned on her parents’ Motown collection, and found the classic rock of The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin on her own. She graduated from Emerson with a degree in creative writing and found herself adrift. Then she went to an open mic night at a local club. “I found my tribe,” says on her web page. “I dropped everything and pursued that.”

Caroline Cotter quit her day job in 2015 after achieving national recognition with her debut album Dreaming As I Do. The album reached number five on the national folk DJ charts. Her tune Bella Blue was the second most played folk song on the charts.

A passionate world traveler, Cotter performs more than 200 shows a year in the U.S. and Europe. She’s been to 28 countries in 15 years, and her repertoire includes tunes she sings in Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. She also sings in Sanskrit, not surprising because she studied yoga in India.

Cotter’s sweet soprano voice and comfortable, international folk style give her a wide range of stories to tell the listener.

Danielle Miraglia with Caroline Cotter outdoors at Soule Homestead, 46 Soule Street, Middeboro, July 29. Concert starts at 6 p.m. and is held rain or shine with indoor venue available. Admission $10 per person, under 16 free. Snacks available for purchase. No dogs or alcohol allowed. Family-friendly. Ample parking.

Halifax FD helps rescue Cohasset victim

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Courtesy of the

Halifax Fire Department

Halifax Fire Fighter Derek Coveney was one of the technicians called into action Tuesday, July 18, when the Cohasset Fire Department requested the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team for a confined space rescue.

Late Tuesday night a Cohasset man went out to look for his dog and fell 10 – 15 feet into an uncapped abandoned well on Ripley street.  When his cries for help were heard, and Cohasset emergency was alerted, the Cohasset Fire Dept. called for the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team that has specialized equipment and training for this kind of rescue.

The rescue took more than two hours.  The victim was flown to a Boston hospital for treatment of back and leg injuries.

Halifax Firefighter Derek Coveny, a member of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team, throws his arms wide in the spirit of victory when they knew the rescue would end successfully.

Halifax Firefighter Derek Coveny, a member of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team, throws his arms wide in the spirit of victory when they knew the rescue would end successfully.

Halifax Firefighter Coveny was one of the technicians lowered into the hole to make the rescue.

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Vivieros said, “Nice job, Derek.  We are all proud of you!”

This type of tight space rescue, where technicians are harnessed and lowered into the space is one of the many rescue situations they have trained for.

This type of tight space rescue, where technicians are harnessed and lowered into the space is one of the many rescue situations they have trained for.

Soule Homestead hosts Kerri Powers and Tom Smith

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By Elizabeth Moura

Special to Express

MIDDLEBORO- Safe to say acoustic guitarist and singer Kerri Powers was born to perform.

A shy, creative kid, she started composing her own songs at age nine, encouraged by her visual artist mother and an equally supportive father. The family musical legacy couldn’t have been more conducive to her dreams: her father’s family is distantly related to Bing Crosby, and her paternal grandmother played piano accompaniment to silent film screenings.

After marriage, a divorce and raising her son, she returned to performing at many venues, including the Boston Folk Festival and Philadelphia Folk Festival, and touring Europe as the opening act for Canadian Fred Eaglesmith.

Listening to her play and sing “Tallulah Send a Car for Me” shows off her rich, low voice, with a little Joplin gravel mixed in. Her folk music stories are Americana everyone will relate to, particularly women who have experienced similar life lessons.

07-21-17 Soule Homestead - Kerri Powers

Longtime folk singer and self-described “humdinger,” Tom Smith has been writing songs and performing since the 1960’s, but he’s a 21st century man. “The Kitchen Musician,” his blog, is filled with musings about his songs and recordings. They are, he writes, “intended to recreate the feeling of sharing self-made music with friends around the kitchen table.”

Smith says the songs often “change and mature even after I share them.” His blog is popular, with 140 videos viewed 145,000 times.

Smith’s performing style is as friendly as his blog, and in his 2007 video “A Prayer for Peace,” the audience joins in the refrain as he asks for a shared peace and a willingness to walk away from violence.

All these years, Smith has written and shared songs full of his experiences and many of them are our experiences. He’s a kindly, gentle sage with a gift for reaching as deep into his listeners as he reaches into himself.

Kerri Powers and Tom Smith at Soule Homestead, 46 Soule Street, Middleboro. July 22, 6 p.m. Admission $10 per person, under 16 admitted free. Ample parking. Concert performed rain or shine, moving indoors if necessary.

South Shore Equine Clinic Welcomes Dr. Owen

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South Shore Equine Clinic and Diagnostic Center of Plympton is welcoming Dr. Caitlin Owen, the newest member of the clinic’s veterinary team.

Dr. Owen is an equine veterinarian with dual certifications.

She attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she obtained a bachelors degree in animal science. 

While at UMass, she studied abroad in the west of Ireland where she rode a variety of different horse breeds and fell in love with the country.    

When it came time to choose a veterinary school, Europe was calling.  Dr. Owen completed her veterinary degree at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland.  As a veterinary student, she was able to travel and learn from equine clinicians all over the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark. 

South Shore Equine Clinic was one of the places visited as an extern and that experience clearly left a good impression!  After graduation she was again drawn across the Atlantic to Ireland, where she completed an equine hospital internship in the heart of Thoroughbred racing country.

Growing up in Groton, Dr. Owen is excited to be working back home in Massachusetts at South Shore Equine Clinic. 

Dr. Owen treats a wide scope of conditions including foals, imaging, colic, and a range of other emergency and critical care situations.

Halifax Time Capsule 1984

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Susan Basile,

Halifax Historian

On July 15, 1984 the residents of Halifax buried a time capsule. It’s been said the site would be recorded in Plymouth and mentioned in the next year’s Town Report as well as in the Town Clerk’s Records of 1984. (No one remembers where the last time capsule, buried on July 5, 1934, was buried. Everyone had learned a lesson from that.)

The big question back then, as it is today is, “What happened to the 1934 records?” Some say they were buried in the front of the Town Hall. Some say they were buried at the base of the chimney at the United Church of Christ/Congregational Church. There are those that said they were never buried. Much search with Geiger counters and divinity rods was undertaken to no avail.

The Highway Surveyor at the time was Ralph Hayward and he was to see that the capsule’s cap was cemented in place. What everyone thought would take but a few minutes took an hour. The bottom of the cement case had water in it. The Fire Department came equipped with a generator and a pump, but it was not long enough so the next step the Fire Department took was to use a mop – it worked! The water was removed and finally the patient, hot and thirsty groups were rewarded with the capsule being lowered but up it came again – a rope was needed to lower it with ease. A bag of various items was also put in on top of the capsule which had such items as: Town Report; a letter from the White House; Telegram from Halifax, Nova Scotia; a program for the week’s activities; 1984 calendar; a tax bill; letter to citizens of 2034 to name a few. The cover was sealed with cement and now we wait until July 2034 when the town will celebrate it’s 300th Anniversary.

4th of July in Halifax begins July 1

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The town of Halifax will kick off the 4th of July extended weekend with a family fun day, Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Town Hall Green, Rte. 106, at the Town Hall. 

There will be bike decorating contests, games, music, baby contests, make your own tie dye shirts, food, and much, much more. 

There are still opportunities to volunteer; email Theresa Levenson: Theresa.Levenson@HalifaxFireworks.org.

Mac & Cheese with a Twist

The Halifax Congregational Church will host a Mac & Cheese Supper from 5 to 6 p.m at the church, next to the Town Hall.  They will serve mac & cheese with a twist – a variety of add-ins so diners can customize mac & cheese to their liking, choosing from bacon, sausage, hot dogs, various vegetables, chives, olives, onion rings, and such.  Or just enjoy it as it is. 

Supper begins at 5 p.m. and will be served right up to 6 p.m. Tickets are only $5.  To reserve a ticket in advance, call Susan Mahan at 781-293-0422.  Tickets are also available at the door. 

Enjoy a fun supper out, before you watch the famous Halifax fireworks display.

Fireworks

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros reminds everyone to leave the fireworks to the professionals!

The Halifax Fireworks Committee will hold evening events including the annual fireworks display from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 at the Halifax Elementary School, across from the Halifax Town Hall.

Fireworks will light up the sky beginning at 9 p.m.

Bring your lawn chair, blanket, bug spray, sit back, and enjoy!

For all you fireworks aficionados, continue the experience on Sunday, July 2, at 10 p.m. in Middleboro at Battis Field/Pierce Playground on Jackson Street; in Freetown, Monday, July 3, at 8 p.m. in Hathaway Park, Carleys Way; or in Sandwich at 9 p.m. at the Ridge Country Club, 70 Country Club Road.

And on the day itself, Tuesday, July 4, go to Bridgewater at 9:30 p.m.  at Legion Field, 200 South St. to see their fireworks extravaganza; or of course to Plymouth, at 9:30 p.m. on the Town Wharf, Plymouth Harbor, rain date July 5.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!  Warm up the grille, toast those rolls, beef up the burgers and smile!

Halifax gathers to salute their soldiers’ honor

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Halifax gathered Memorial Day morning to assemble its parade at the Halifax Country Club.  Umbrellas came out and the marchers made their way up Route 106 to the Town Hall where their Memorial Day ceremonies began.

Opening remarks were given by State Representative Thomas Calter, followed by the invocation by Reverend Michael Hobson of Our Lady of the Lake Church.

After singing the National Anthem, Memorial Day essays were read by students at the Halifax Elementary School.

The youngest, kindergarten student James Townsend, got an assist from an old hand at public speaking, Town Moderator John Bruno.

Fourth Grade awards were given to Lyla Dooley, Mackenzie Kearney, and Joseph Lafond.

Pyper Goguen won the fifth grade award.

Sixth grade award was won by Sean Griffin.

Steve Littlefield, Honorary Assistant Veterans Agent, was the guest speaker..

Veterans’ Agent Wil Corey read the Proclamation from the Governor.

Wreaths were placed at the Halifax monuments by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Boy Scouts, Wil Corey, and Troy E. Garron.

The Halifax Police Department offered the salute.

Reverend Michael Hobsonn, Our Lady of the Lake Church, gave the benediction and John Bruno gave closing remarks.

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts lowered and raised the flag in honor of the veterans.

Refreshments following the Memorial Day ceremony, were provided by the Girl Scouts.

Plympton honors its veterans

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The falling rain, which held off until ten minutes before the parade’s start, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for Plympton’s people lining Main Street, who took out their umbrellas and took it in stride.

Leading the parade was Sgt. Steve Teri on the Plympton Police Dept. motorcycle.

Following was the entire complement of Plympton’s fire trucks, and the 1936 Buffalo fire truck lovingly restored under the direction of longtime Plympton resident Donald Vautrinot.

Marchers were led by the Board of Selectmen: newly elected selectman Mark Russo, chairman Christine Joy, and vice-chairman John Traynor.

Mrs. Doris Silva, 99, recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen of the town, was parade marshal.

Twenty-six units made up the Plympton parade, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisy Scouts, town officials, Sauchuk Farms Cow Train, baseball, soccer, and DARE,

The parade reassembled at the Gazebo on the Green where all were welcomed by selectmen.

Selectman Mark Russo offerred a moment of silence for  the fallen.

Chloe Tougas, a Dennett Elementary School student, sang the National Anthem like a real professional, to the applause of the audience.

Selectman Joy led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Rev. Anna “Nan” Eaton Butera’s invocation.

Jill Palenstijn, representing the Plympton Garden Club, and Genevieve Walsh, a Dennett school student, presented flowers to Doris Silva, Plympton’s oldest resident, who was honored.

Patricia Sherman, a young widow from Plymouth whose husband was killed in Afghanistan, told what the loss of her husband and her daughter’s father has meant to her family.

Selectman John Traynor introduced Rosella Hoffman, a Dennett Elementary School student who recited her essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”

Jennifer Blindt then recited “In Flanders Field.”

Chloe Tougas returned to the dias to recite The Gettysburg Address.

Boy Scouts Geoffrey Cook, Daniel Lyons, and Chase Perkins placed wreaths in front of the brass plaques honoring veterans from World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict.

Selectman Christine Joy invited all back to the Fire Station where they were able to “Touch a Fire Truck.”

More photos on Page 6.

15.3% voter turnout in Halifax

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Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor has published the certified results of the Halifax town election last Saturday.  Only 15.3% of Halifax’s 5,557 registered voters came out to cast their ballot with 852 total voters.

While there were few contested seats, R. Steven Hayward won election to the position of Highway Surveyor with 667 votes.  His opponent, Michael J. Schleiff got 168 votes.  There were 14 blanks and three write-ins.

Schleiff was also a candidate for Park Commissioner, but lost to incumbent John D. Campbell.  Campbell won 597 votes to Schleiff’s 182.  There were 72 blanks and one write-in.

Schleiff was also a candidate for Selectman, a position he had formerly held, this time running against incumbent Troy Garron.  Garron won the contest with 627 votes to Schleiff’s 179.  There were two write-ins and 44 blanks recorded.

The Halifax Elementary School Committee was looking for two candidates to be elected, from a field of five.  Alison Vance got the most votes with 456, and second highest vote was Robert W. Johnson with 368.  They will join the school committee at their next meeting.   Alexander J. Meade won 207, Edward J. Bryan tallied 177, and John P. Sexton won 119 votes.  There were 374 ballots that left the contest blank.

John J.R. Shiavone was unopposed in his re-election to the Board of Assessors, winning 670 votes.  Blank were 174 and there were also seven write-ins.

John Delano won re-election to the Board of Health with 645 votes cast for him.  There were 202 blanks and five write-ins.

Paul A. Delaney won election to a two-year term on the Library Board of Trustees.  There were 202 blank and three write-ins.

Ralph W. Goodwin Jr. and Meredith M. Goodwin were elected to two three-year terms on the Library Board of Trustees with 629 votes for Meredith and 587 votes for Ralph.  483 were blank and there were five write-ins.

There were no candidates seeking election to the four-year term on the Halifax Planning Board.  There were 814 left blank and 37 write-ins.  If any are interested in serving, let Town Administrator Charlie Seelig know. 

Gordon R. Andrews was unopposed in his election to the five-year term on the Planning Board, winning 640 votes.  There were 203 blanks and nine write-ins.

Edward W. Desharnais, Jr., won re-election to his seat on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee with 621 votes.  Blank were 227, and there were also four write-ins.

Richard A. Clark was elected to the Board of Water Commissioners with 651 votes.  There were 198 left blank for that contest, and three write-ins.

The town’s vote turning down a debt exclusion to purchase a fire suppression system for the Halifax Elementary School, didn’t matter. The vote at Town Meeting to allow the project to proceed within the town’s budget made the question on the ballot irrelevant.  The ballots were printed weeks in advance, so the question had to appear.  Had Town Meeting turned down the article to finance the school’s sprinkler system through the regular budget, the vote would have been necessary to finance the project.   Halifax Elementary School will have its fire suppression system financed within the town’s regular operating budget.