Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

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Selectmen hear from Chief of challenges facing Fire Dept. staffing

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PLYMPTON – Fire Chief Warren Borsari appeared before the Board of Selectmen Monday night to share his vision of the Plympton Fire Department and outline some of the challenges he and his department are currently facing.

The greatest challenge, Borsari told the board, is staffing for the ambulance: Currently we have two round the clock  personnel at the station, PB service, which is a paramedic and a basic EMT for each 12-hour shift.   Since the Commonwealth’s more stringent regulations in certifying paramedics, fewer pass the test and there are fewer paramedics “in the pool,” Borsari told selectmen.  “Over 80% of what we do is ambulance runs.”

Borsari told the board that he is required to have 24-hours a day or the state will pull our license.

Selectman Christine Joy asked the chief if the ambulance service is paying for itself now.  Chief Borsari answered  “No.  We just don’t have the call volume.” Borsari said that they were attempting to bring the volume up through mutual aid calls from nearby towns.  “All towns attempt to handle their own calls, and then call mutual aid when needed,” he said.  Borsari estimated that Plympton’s call volume would crack 600 this year.

The ambulance receipts account, which was set up in the early 2000s, has grown each year, from $150,000 in 2014, to $198,000 in 2015, and is at $182,000 with two months left to go in 2016.  The chief praised the new ComStar system of billing: the medics come back from an ambulance run, complete their call sheet in the computer, and the information is sent to ComStar where a bill is generated.

EMTs, paramedics, ambulance equipment, lease payments,  medicines and ambulance supplies, can all be taken from that account, which would help the overall levy on Plympton real estate taxes.

Borsari told the board he was looking at several things in bringing a high level of ambulance services to Plympton.  Outsourcing, he said, would cost the town $400,000 to $500,000 per year and the service provider would take all the ambulance receipts as well.

Regionalization is an area to be investigated, as it would increase our asset base. “We are making contact with all four towns around us,” Borsari told selectmen.

Chief Borsari also noted that he is looking to Citizens for Citizens, a group which provides senior citizens who would like to work, the opportunity to work at the Plympton Fire Station about 20 hours a week to answer phones, and do other office work.

The Chief will return to selectmen in about a month, to report further.

In other business

• Selectmen are putting out an invitation to Plympton citizens who would like to take on the task of reviewing Plympton’s bylaws to see if any need updating.  Interested persons should contact the secretary to the selectmen, Brigitte Martins, at 781-585-2700.

• Kopelman & Paige attorneys were the only applicants to submit a bid for the job as town counsel.  The board is considering several of the pricing options that K&P has offered.

• The gravel removal permit on Ring Road has lapsed and despite several efforts to contact the applicant, there has been no response.  The board has sent a letter that the permit has expired as of Oct. 27, and to cease all gravel removal until a new permit is granted.

• Former Planning Board member Dominique Sampson has agreed to fill out the term of Planning Board chairman Irv Butler who would like to resign.  The Nov. 14 meeting of the Planning Board will see those votes taken.

• Treasurer/Collector Colleen Morin sent a letter to selectmen saying that her department is adopting the same every other week schedule as selectmen, that many Monday evenings when selectmen are not meeting, she is open but has had not one person come in.

• Plympton selectmen will next meet   Monday, Nov. 14.

New face at the window at the Plympton Post Office

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Plympton postal patrons have been greeted by a new smile at the window this week as Hanson resident Kimberly Newcomb took the reins Saturday, Oct. 29.

Kim has been with the Postal Service for 16 years, though on the “city side” of the post office.  This is her first experience on the rural side, she admits.  “It will be a learning experience.”

She was a letter carrier for eight years, and a city manager for North Weymouth for three and a half years, a supervisor in Wellesley Hills, and Arlington.  She also delivered mail out of Dorchester Center.

She has seen much of the “city side” of the post office, this is her first experience on the rural side of the post office.   City is more walking, where the mail comes in “staged,” all sorted and ready for the carrier to take it out.  “There’s very little mail that needs to be sorted, in a city post office,” she said.  “Rural is truck routes, where more of the mail is sorted by the rural carrier.

Kim grew up in Quincy, and although her work in the post office has been mainly in cities, she is really enjoying the rural setting of Plympton.

“This week a lady came in and was mailing chickens.  Live chickens!  You just don’t see that in the city.”

She’s also enjoying the 10-minute commute.  “When I worked in Arlington, it took three hours each way!”

Kim has been married 23 years and she and her husband have a 17-year old son.

“We like camping a lot with a 30’ travel trailer and go from spring through fall,” she said.  “We bounce around but Canoe River in Mansfield is one of our favorites so far.”

She also enjoys reading.  “My mother is a librarian so I read most anything, from comedy to detective stories.”  Stephanie Plumb mysteries by Janet Evanovich are favorites.

Kim looks forward to learning the rural side of things and enjoys the Plympton community. 

Stop in and say hello. 

Halifax overnight parking ban

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen has sent out the Town’s annual notice concerning the overnight parking ban in Halifax from November 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 (see attached).

In addition, the Board has reiterated that the Halifax Highway Department is not responsible for damage to property placed on Town property or within the rights-of-way for streets plowed by the Town.

This includes but is not limited to mailboxes sprinkler systems, trees, shrubs or landscaping, fences, lightpoles, etc.

In most cases, the Town owns 10 feet beyond the asphalt surface for roads accepted by the Town. Mailboxes should be installed at least four feet from the edge of the asphalt to the front of the mailbox.

Many of the plows that are used have a wing that extends two feet or more beyond the cutting edge.

This, combined with the snow coming off the plow, is what causes most of the damage. It is impossible for the driver to see the edge of the asphalt under the snow; therefore, the plow may be off the edge of the road at times.

In heavy snow conditions, the Department tries to push the snow at least a foot off the road.

There is a parking ban during the winter from November 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

Halifax finance ballot question Nov. 8

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In Halifax, included on the election ballot for the November 8 election, along with the four state-wide referenda (additional slot-machine parlor, charter schools, regulation for raising farm animals, marijuana legalization), is one specific to Halifax. It reads as follows:

Shall the Town of Halifax be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay for the repairs, renovations and expansion of the Council on Aging Center/Pope’s Tavern including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?

The Halifax Board of Selectmen placed this question on the ballot in case a future Town Meeting approves borrowing money for the renovation and addition to the Council on Aging Center/Pope’s Tavern but makes funding for the project contingent upon approval of a debt exclusion (an approved debt exclusion allows the Town to pay a particular debt with an increase in taxes above and beyond the normal levy limit).

If this question was not placed on the November 8 ballot and a future Town Meeting approved borrowing the money contingent upon the debt exclusion, another election, at additional cost, would have had to be held.

The approval or disapproval of this question is not the same as approving or disapproving this project.

That will be a decision made by a future Town Meeting.

That Town Meeting will have several options for funding including other sources of funding along with borrowing and can decide to have the borrowing contingent on a debt exclusion or to have the borrowing paid for within the levy limit.

1) If I vote “yes” on Question 5, does that mean I am approving the project?

“No”

2) If I vote “no” on Question 5, does that mean I am disapproving the project?

“No”

3) If Question 5 is approved, does that mean that the project is approved?

“No”

4) If Question 5 is disapproved, does that mean that the project is disapproved? “No”

The approval or disapproval of Question 5 simply provides or eliminates an option for funding the project.         Approval or disapproval of the project will be subject to a vote at a Special Town Meeting late this fall or early this winter.

If you have any questions about Question 5, please contact the Halifax Selectmen’s Office at 781-294-1316.

Early Voting sees success

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Town Clerks throughout the area are seeing a large turnout of early and absentee ballots for the upcoming presidential election Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Halifax Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor said has just over 5% of her town’s registered voters have come in for early voting and absentee ballot requests.  “I see that the elderly are finding it easier – they don’t have to wait in long lines.”  In the first two days, Monday and Tuesday, Halifax has had 145 people in for early voting and 140 absentee ballot requests, for a total of 285.  “The first day we saw 75 early voters in eight hours.  That’s about 10 voters per hour. “

Plympton’s Town Clerk Tara Shaw said that in the first two days 86 early voters cast their ballots, and 60 absentee ballots were mailed.  “I was hoping this would be a success because of all the hard work we have all put into it for the past couple of weeks,” she said.  With the 146 ballots between early and absentee, morer than 2% of the registered voters have already cast their ballots.

Gaynor said she is glad she is working in a smaller town, “Some larger towns have seen a huge increase in early voting.”  “We have our closed facebook page and communicate with one another,” she said.   

Whitman’s early voting total in the first two days was almost 600, more than the entire voting total for the primary election in September which was only 347, according to Whitman’s Town Clerk Dawn Varley.

Early voting will continue through Friday, Nov. 4, throughout the Commonwealth.

In Halifax, it will be available during normal business hours for the Town Clerk at the Town Clerk’s office: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.  In Plympton, it will be Monday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also, registered voters have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail.  Simply fill out an application and mail it to Town Clerk, Town of Plympton, 5 Palmer Rd., Plympton, MA 02367.  In Halifax, mail your early voting  ballot request to Town Clerk’s Office, 499 Plymouth St., Halifax, MA 02338.

You can find the application on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele or call the Town Clerk’s office – 781-293-7970 for Halifax or 781-585-3220 for Plympton.

Please note, however, once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin says,, “For the first time in Massachusetts, the first choice all voters will make is which day to vote.

“Early voting will make the most fundamental right of our citizens more convenient than ever to exercise.

“We encourage all of our citizens to exercise that right and take advantage of the opportunity to vote on their schedules.”

Plympton selectmen introduced to new Area 58 Media System

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Plympton selectmen were treated Monday night to an introduction to the workings of the new recording equipment which will be installed in both Plympton and Halifax meeting rooms for HD broadcast either through the Area 58 web site or on local channels through Comcast subscriptions.

Area 58 general manager Richard Goulart showed the board where the main “brains” of the operation would be set up, and how one person would be able to operate three robotic cameras, for wide shots and closer for head and shoulders type shots, and also man the microphones.  The installation would take place in the main assembly room.

Goulart said other meetings which need to be held in other Town House rooms would be served just as they always have.

“This is one of the things they promised to do for the towns of Halifax and Plympton and we will be able to better control the sound as well.”

“We are really excited about it. … Installation is scheduled for Monday Nov. 21st and Nov. 22nd, with a carryover day of the 23rd,” Goulart told the board.

Area58.net or area58.tv web site was displayed, and is “very user friendly,” he said.  “We got that done at about half the cost that we budgeted.”

Goulart invited all to come to the Open House at the studio which has been constructed in the plaza right next to Cornerstone’s Pizza, 96 Main St., Rte. 58, Carver.  Area 58 Community Access Media is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Silver Lake    negotiations

The Silver Lake negotiations representative was going to be the chairman of the Kingston Finance Committee.  Now it appears, according to Chairman Colleen Thompson, that the representative will be a member of the Kingston Board of Selectmen.  Selectperson Christine Joy said that she would like to propose that the negotiations person be a member of one of the smaller towns, Halifax or Plympton, and would volunteer that her name “be put into the hat” for consideration of that position.

Legislation change

Thompson also asked Town Co-ordinator Dale Pleau to draft a letter to Rep. Thomas Calter and request that the legislature consider a change to the language of the legislation to sell the land in Kingston owned by the Silver Lake Regional School District, to amend the language to include town meeting votes by the towns as necessary to the sale approval.

Selectman John Traynor told the board that he had met with Calter at his Village Coffee Shop coffee hour last Saturday at which time Calter told him that no legislation of any contentious nature is being considered until after the first of the year.  “So we have time,” Traynor said.  Thompson said that she would like to contact Charlie Seelig, Halifax Town Administrator, to discuss the letter with him and to begin the process so that the smaller towns of Halifax and Plympton will have their voices heard.

Halifax has expressed its displeasure at seemingly being left out of the process and has said it would support such a measure.

Carver Urban      Renewal

A copy of the most recent plan for the access roads and how they might mitigate heavy truck traffic will be sent to Plympton Town Counsel Ilana Quirk of Koppelman & Paige as well as to Plympton Highway Superintendent Jim Mulcahy for their input.

Aggregation Plan

Selectmen voted to go forward with the Aggregation Plan for energy cost reduction.  Pleau will get back to the selectmen with details about how to now proceed.

License renewals

Selectmen will review license renewal applications and make site visits to confirm that the businesses are within their stated parameters and will be prepared to issue their recommendations for the January 1, 2017 date.

Chairman Thompson noted that there is one gravel removal permit which needs to be renewed by the end of October and despite several emails and mailings from the Board of Selectmen, they have had no response from the permit holder.

Planning Board

member needed

Thompson also noted the immediate need for a person to fill one position on the Planning Board that would finish out a term until election in May, 2017.

It is an ideal situation for someone to serve and see how they like it for a little more than six months.  Anyone interested should contact the Board of Selectmen’s secretary, at the Town House, 781-585-2700.

Thanks, LiteControl

Selectmen read a letter  into the minutes from Fire Chief Warren Borsari thanking LiteControl on Spring Street for their generous donation of $1500 in light fixtures and equipment and that their electrician replaced all the broken fixtures in the Fire Station.

Selectmen will draft a letter of thanks to LiteControl.

South St. Halifax crash claims 25-year-old East Bridgewater man, formerly of Halifax

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Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 24, for Kevin Michael Reed, Jr., 25, of East Bridgewater formerly of Halifax, who died in a tragic automobile accident Sunday, Oct. 16, on South St., Halifax. The passenger in Reed’s vehicle, Michael Ambrose, was transported to South Shore Hospital.  The driver of the other vehicle was Daniel Norvish of Halifax.  He was transported to Brockton Hospital.

The  two-car accident remains under investigation, according to Chief Ted Broderick.

Born in Brockton in 1991, Kevin was the first son of Kevin Reed, Sr. and Karen (Reid) Reed of Halifax, and graduated from Silver Lake High School with the Class of 2009.

Kevin spent the next seven years working at the Reed HVAC business with his father and brothers.

Kevin was the fiance for eight years to Violet Vargas and the future brother-in-law of Vinny Vargas of Halifax. Kevin and Violet together lived in East Bridgewater. They enjoyed concerts and trips together, with their favorite destination being Maine with family. Kevin also enjoyed watching endless Bruins and Cowboys games with his father and brothers and had many heartfelt moments fishing with his Mom, Karen. These are just some examples of the things that made Kevin the “Giant Teddy Bear” that everyone loved.

In addition to his parents Kevin and Karen and his fiancé Violet, he is survived by his siblings Austin and Kyle Reed of Halifax and Paul Francis Hart, Jr., of Holbrook; his maternal grandparents, Janet Reid of East Bridgewater and the late Harry Reid; his paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Barbara Jones “love you squeaks” of East Bridgewater; his aunts and uncles, Harry and Sharon Reid of Palm Coast, FL, Kim Ferranti of Holbrook, Robert Reid of Randolph, Kristen Reid Pauze (KeKe) of Carver, Kerry Reid of East Bridgewater, John Pauze of Hanson, Brenda Ambrose of West Bridgewater, Kenneth and Susan Reed of East Bridgewater, Brent and Susan Bratti of East Bridgewater, Kenneth and Ann Jones of Abington, and Michael J. (Mikey) Forni, Jr of Halifax; his cousins, Daniel Ambrose, Jr., Michael Ambrose, Allyson Arseneau, Meghan Bratti, Emma Bratti, Haleigh Reed, Sherry Cotnoir, Harry Vangelist, Daniel Bushi, Cody Pauze, Kayla Ferranti, Macy Reid, McKenzie Pauze, Samantha Reid and Brent VonMagnus. He is also survived by many loving friends, including the “Four Quarters,” Vinny Vargas, Danny Ambrose, Paul Hart and Chief.

His funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St., Rte. 58 at the rotary circle, Whitman. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Whitman. Visitation will be held Sunday Oct. 23, from 2 -6 p.m.

Lawsuit filed against Halifax : ZBA cited for not properly notifying Tarawood Kennel abutters

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The Town of Halifax Zoning Board of Appeals members and Jennifer R. Harmon, also known as Jennifer R. Choate, have been named in a lawsuit brought by neighbor Scott M. Clawson citing improper notification regarding special permit changes and increases, at the dog breeding kennel operated by Harmon, Tarawood Kennels, 7 Plymouth St., Halifax.

ZBA members Robert Gaynor, Kozhaya Nessralla, Peter Parcellin, Robert Durgin, and Gerald Joy were named in the suit, not personally, but as members of the Board of Appeals. Also named is Jennifer R. Harmon, who is also known as Jennifer Choate, Tarawood Kennel owner.

According to Clawson’s suit, on the many occasions since mid-2010 up to this year, the ZBA did not notify parties in interest about hearings that were scheduled to change or substantially modify the terms of the kennel license and neighbors were denied their chance to appeal or to be heard on the permit renewal. 

The first license application approved by the ZBA on or about July 20, 2010, was for a special permit for a kennel for the breeding or boarding of dogs at 7 Plymouth St., Halifax with conditions, according to the filing.  The special permit was granted to allow “a kennel for the breeding or boarding of dogs.”  The permit cited nine conditions in addition to all the rules and regulations and codes of the Town of Halifax.  These conditions included no boarding of outside animals.  The dogs must all be licensed to Jennifer R. Harmon. No breeding of outside animals allowed on the premises.  The special permit is not transferrable.  Puppies not sold within six months must be removed from the property.  Only two (2) litters allowed per year per breed. Only 15 adult dogs on the property.  Applicant must provide and maintain soundproofing, and dogs must stay within the property line.  The applicant must license all adult dogs.

The special permit in 2010 was granted based on the presentation and plans presented at the hearing.  Any changes from what was presented and approved must be brought back before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The special permit also required that once the decision has been without appeal for 20 days, it be recorded with the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, or with the Assistant Registrar of the Land Court for Plymouth County, and a certified copy indicating such registry recording has been done be filed with the board.

Feb. 15, 2012, Harmon (Choate) met with the Zoning Board of Appeals at Harmon’s request to revisit conditions, asking that the number of dogs be increased to 23 adult dogs and the number of litters allowed be increased to three per year per breed, in addition to the original conditions set forth  in 2010.  That permit will not take effect until it is registered with the Plymouth County Registry of  Deeds and a  receipt for that filing is at the Registry is filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

In April, 2013, Harmon (Choate) was back before the ZBA requesting that her special permit be amended to allow up to a maximum of 50 dogs, and 26 litters of puppies, 20 litters for the German Shepherds and six litters for the Pomeranian breed.  This amendment was granted May 1, 2013.

In May 2014, the permit was amended to allow a maximum of 26 litters of puppies among three breeds: German shepherd, Pomeranian, and Jack Russell terrier, keeping to a maximum of 50 adult dogs on the premises.

In the 2015 permit renewal application, the total number of adult dogs was still 50, and litters of puppies still at 26, although now spread between only two breeds, German shepherd and the Pomeranian.

In short, in five years, the number of dogs allowed at Harmon’s (Choate’s) Tarawood kennel has grown from 15 adult dogs and two litters of puppies per year to 50 adult dogs and 26 litters of puppies.   In September of this year, there was before the ZBA a revision which would allow 100 adult dogs and unlimited litters of puppies.  That application has since been withdrawn, it was announced at last week’s Halifax Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Clawson alleges in his filing that concerned parties were not notified by the Zoning Board of Appeals or by Tarawood Kennels about the special permit applications or their modifications allowing as many as 50 adult dogs and 26 litters of puppies. 

Clawson contends that the ZBA granted Harmon’s special permits and revisions without notice to parties-in-interest and seeks to have the special permit annulled and if not annulled, to ask the court to order further relief deemed just and proper.

Clawson has been before selectmen and the ZBA on many occasions with concerns of dogs barking at all hours of the day and night, seeking relief from the noise.  Selectman Kim Roy has investigated the charges on behalf of the board and found noise to be substantial.

At the Sept. 27 selectmen’s hearing, Choate was ordered to reduce the number of dogs in her kennel to 25 in order to help keep the noise to a minimum.  Roy also found that soundproofing which has been one of the conditions of her permit since the first permit given in 2010 has not been done. 

Clawson, who was a member of the audience Sept. 27, appeared dissatisfied at the ruling, saying that he (and others in the area) have been waiting for something to be done for years and expected something more substantial to solve the problem.   

Getting ready for the 4th Annual Ryan Benjamin Nicotri fundraiser

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Ticket sales are brisk, but there are still some left for the Fourth Annual Ryan Benjamin Nicotri Memorial Comedy Night Fundraiser to be held at the Upland Sportsman Club, Upland Road, Plympton.

Last year’s fundraiser was a huge success and this year’s promises to be even better. Comedian Jessica Casiano will be performing to keep the night filled with laughter and good memories.

A buffet dinner is included and there will be a cash bar. The Olive Garden will provide salads and bread sticks and Grill 58/Lyonville Tavern will provide the main meal.

Tickets are by advance sales only,  as they sold out quickly last year. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting Sarah Nicotri through a Facebook private message, via email at             sarahnicotri@yahoo.com or by cell phone 339-832-0799.

Those who are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, can mail it to: Ryan Benjamin Nicotri Memorial Fund @ Santander Bank 157 Summer St., Kingston MA 02364

Donations of any kind will help us continue to move forward and grow. Businesses are encouraged to donate gift certificates for services or products.  All of the donating businesses names and logos will be displayed for attending guests to see. In addition, there will be a list of participating businesses on each guest table for all to view. We can’t do our work without your support. A follow up email or letter will be sent to all attendees and supporting businesses to give an update on the how the funds are used.

The following is a summary of last year’s event:

The 2015 Fundraiser raised approximately $9,300 after expenses, which was used as follows:

• For the Christmas holiday, we purchased 75 gift cards from Target, each worth $50.00 (total cost = $3,750). These were distributed to Plympton families in need through the Silver Lake School system, including the Elementary School, Junior High and High School. Each family receives one card for the family and one for each of their school age children. The schools work together to provide us the number of cards required as all family names are kept strictly confidential. The schools distributed the cards to these recipients so they had them before Christmas.

• In June, we presented three – $1,000 scholarships through the Silver Lake Regional High School to deserving students. The baseball scholarship is available to a varsity player from any of the three towns, and the two remaining awards are for a boy and a girl from Plympton. The baseball scholarship was awarded to Jason Johndrow from Halifax, and the other two scholarships went to Sarah Cook and Peter Lavigne from Plympton.

• The food drive allowed us to fill 8 boxes with nonperishable items that were donated to the food pantry at St Joseph’s Church in Kingston prior to Thanksgiving.

We are very happy to provide these to the local community in Ryan’s name. This fundraiser is a place to focus our positive energy. We aim to make it a success and have it grow in the coming years in an effort to help others and keep Ryan’s memory alive.

Halifax in the dog house again

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Tuesday night’s meeting of the Halifax Board of Selectmen went to the dogs once again, even though chief dog bark investigator Kim Roy was at a conflicting event.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told the board that he had received another barking dog complaint from a neighbor of Tarawood Kennel on Plymouth Street.  Selectmen chairman Troy Garron said the statute is clear and they would have to investigate and would have Kim Roy put on her investigative hat once again to check into the complaint.

Seelig also told the board that he had received notice that a lawsuit is pending: Scott Clawson v Town of Halifax and Jennifer Choate, owner of Tarawood Kennel.  Details of the filing were not available at press time, but should be innext week’s Express edition.

Continuing in the doghouse, selectmen held a hearing for a dog attack on another dog.  The attacking dog’s owners, Lisa and Chris Watson, and Halifax Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan were present.  The injured dog was being walked past the Watsons’ Summit Street home while leashed and the Watson’s dog, outside in its own yard with its owners, ran through the electric “invisible” fence because the battery had evidently failed.  The Watsons were able to get their dog back under control.  The injured dog was bleeding from a wound on its tongue; it had evidently bitten its own tongue, according to ACO Callahan.  No other injuries were evident on either dog.

This is the first incident with this dog, Chris Watson told selectmen.

ACO Callahan told the board that her concern was making sure that the 65 pound dog was kept under control at all times when outside so that a situation such as this could not happen again.  The Watsons assured the board that they would see to it.  Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told the owners that the board would send them an official letter putting them on notice that the Town of Halifax does have a leash law and enforces it.

“Another failure is a concern,” ACO Callahan said.  She also noted that she quarantined both dogs as a precaution, even though all shots were up to date.

Resignations

From COA

Seelig told the board he had received two resignations: Sharon Hartz and Joy Marble, chairman and vice-chairman of the Council on Aging.  Garron instructed the secretary to the board, Pam McSherry, to send a letter from the Board of Selectmen thanking them for their service to the town.

Seelig also noted he had received a talent bank form from Corrie Merritt which he will pass along to the appropriate parties.

Daniel Borsari came before selectmen to be sworn in as an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Borsari told the board that he now has the time to invest in the position and is looking forward to it.  Borsari said he holds a real estate license.  Garron joked that Borsari is a detail–oriented guy and has probably read the bylaws from cover to cover already.  Borsari nodded and affirmed that he had.

New Town Hall

fragrance policy

Seelig told the board that he is ready to implement the new “Fragrance Policy” for the Town Hall, asking those coming into the Town Hall to refrain from wearing strong fragrances as some people working there are sensitive to them.   

Seelig assured the board that there would be no “fragrance police;” it is a voluntary program and those working in Town Hall would like to make the public aware.

In other business, selectmen

• approved 16 additional recycling abatements, although Selectman Thomas Milias told the board that he would like a little more information about these private haulers and to be sure that they are doing what is required.  Susan Johnson, Recycling Coordinator, is looking to get stronger regulations for private haulers to be sure they are doing what they should by way of recycling.

• signed an addendum for Howland Disposal Service which would see a 1 1/2% increase.  Millias told the board he understood that there should be a net decrease in the total.  Seelig told him that while there was probably a decrease in tipping fees, there was likely an increase in other areas such as labor.

• noted that the Fire Department has opened an EZPass account which would be useful in cases where FD personnel were attending seminars outside of Boston.  Seelig told the board that there is no charge for the transponders and that the Town of Halifax should have transponders for several of the town’s vehicles that would go into one account for the Town.

• noted that the next meetings of the Board of Selectmen will be Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

• adjourned at 8:10 p.m.