Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

You are here: Home / Archives for James Bentley

Halifax BOS approve plan to help Rte. 106 school traffic

By

The Halifax Board of Selectmen have approved a plan for deal with some of the traffic on Route 106 caused by pick up and drop off at Halifax Elementary School.

According to Selectmen Chair Kim Roy, the traffic is getting pushed down Route 106 in both directions. “It is becoming a safety issue,” Roy said.

Roy said the traffic is becoming a safety issue because oftentimes, the traffic is pushing in front of the fire station.

Selectman Troy Garron said the situation makes it difficult for ambulances to get out during emergencies at those times of day.

The approved plan involves Highway Surveyor Steven Heyward removing some dead trees. Then, he’ll take some left-over asphalt from another project to create a path that will get some of the traffic off the road.

Selectman Thomas Millias said this won’t solve the problem completely, but it will at least get some of the traffic off Route 106.

Licensing News

The Board of Selectmen approved a 10-month extension for Jan and Raymond Jacobs for a temporary trailer at 23 Annawon Drive.

The Jacobs’ house burned down, so they have been living in the trailer as a temporary home. The house is in the process of being repaired, but the demolition of the old one hasn’t yet been completed.

Jan Jacobs said they will need a 10-month permit extension for the repairs to be completed. The Board of Selectmen approved this extension unanimously.

Millias said because “insurance tends to drag these things on,” come back for another extension if necessary.

Mud Fest

Mud Fest head operator Robert Bergstrom came in and told the Board of Selectmen that, as of right now, attendance is down from previous years.

Because of the lack of attendance, Bergstrom asked if it be okay to reduce the police detail at the festival from six officers down to four. The Board of Selectmen left that decision up to Police Chief Edward Broderick.

Broderick who was in attendance for the meeting, said he was not going to commit to anything tonight. However, he said he is willing to work with Bergstrom.

As Mud Fest approaches, Bergstrom and Broderick will look at expected attendance. Broderick said he’ll then make the appropriate decision based on safety.

Mud fest is scheduled for November 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other News

• Theresa Levenson has resigned from the Halifax Fireworks Committee. The Board said Levenson did most of the work on the committee for many years without a lot of volunteer support.  In Levenson’s resignation letter, she cited frustration from a lack of volunteers. The Board of Selectmen said they did’t blame her. Millias said he understands how one can get burned out when they are in a group doing the majority of the work.

Selectmen accepted Levenson’s resignation and are writing a letter to thank her for her service to the town.

• The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved appointing Judy Rakutis to the Old Colony Elder Services Board of Directors (ODEC).

Rakutis said she is excited to get involved in town. She became a Halifax resident three years ago when she moved to town the day after Thanksgiving, 2015.  Rakutis also lived in Halifax as a child. She was going to move to Florida before moving back here but chose to be closer to her daughter in East Bridgewater after her husband passed away.

“I always wanted to come back,” Rakutis said. “I am by accident.”

The next meeting of the Halifax Board of Selectmen is Tuesday, August 28 at 7 p.m.

There will be a Special Town Meeting Monday, August 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Police hold info session to help break-in victims

By

The Halifax Police Department along with representatives of the Plymouth Country District Attorney’s office held a public forum at the Halifax Town Hall on Tuesday answering questions about a series of home and car break-ins occurring in town.

On Tuesday July 31, Halifax Police arrested Jamir Johnson in connection with the break-ins. During the booking process, it was found that Johnson had murder charges filed against him for a December 2017 murder in New London, CT.

Police Chief Edward Broderick said they held the joint meeting so victims and residents could understand what’s happening with the process and to clear any confusion that could potentially occur with charges given the impending transfer of the prisoner back to Connecticut where he will answer murder charges there.

In cases like this, the murder and fugitive charges in Connecticut are addressed first. According to Assistant District Attorney Rick Linehan, the Halifax charges will be temporarily dropped. Linehan wanted to clear up any confusion over the charges being dropped because they will be refiled after the fact.

We will get warrants issued,” said Linehan. “We will get them in the WMS Warrant Management System and the NCIC a national database so if he ever got out the Connecticut case, his warrant will be right in the computer on the time of his release.”

Both Broderick and Linehan said they wanted to emphasize how this process worked in case victims and other residents read in a news outlet that the charges on Johnson were dropped.

Broderick also reiterated that a report of Johnson having a gun was false. He said Johnson was found with a knife and burglary tools.

The public forum also gave the Halifax Police Department a chance to let victims know what they know so far and what the department is still investigating.

According to Broderick, police are still looking to tie Johnson to a residence. As of right now, police do not know if Johnson was staying in the woods, an abandoned property, or at a Halifax residence.

The department are asking for community members to come forward if they’ve seen anything or haven’t reported a break in yet.

“Search your memory a little bit,” said Broderick. “You guys are the eyes and ears.”

Currently, police are aware of four homes and sheds being broken into since May. More than 54 cars were also reportedly broken into. Similar break-ins were reported in Pembroke.

One resident asked if Johnson confessed to anything. Sergeant Theodore Benner said Johnson would not even tell police his name or who he was. There was not much interrogation after police found out about Johnson’s murder charges.

Broderick said, “We don’t want to jeopardize the Connecticut issue, so we don’t go too into depth on an interrogation on our charges.” He explained that the murder charges take priority here.

Another resident asked if there will be any retribution for the theft victims. Broderick said it could be hard to prove all the cases and the more evidence that’s provided and the more people that come forward, it helps them build a stronger case.

Representatives from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office offered to take contact information from victims. There will be a letter sent out to victims when the charges are refiled. Any victim can call the District Attorney’s office at (508) 584-8120.

New 106 Used car business given OK

By

Jake Sullivan and Justin LeClair are getting a chance to realize their dream of owning a business, and they’re doing it while still in their twenties.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved their Class II license application to open a used car business, J and J Motor Sports, to be located on Plymouth Street, Route 106, next to the Salvation Army collection box.

As far as the vehicle price range, Sullivan said, “We’re looking to retail used cars for roughly $3,000 to $10,000.” The business would be by appointment only.

Selectmen Chair Kim Roy asked Sullivan and LeClair if any repairs or auto body work would be done on site because that type of work requires more licensing than what the Class II license allows. Leclair said the business is strictly sales. Any necessary work would be contracted off site.

One area of concern for the board was the donations collection box on the property that has been there for some time.  Selectman Thomas Millias said the problem with the collection box is donations often sit there for long periods of time without being collected.

Sullivan said a trial period with the collection box will take place for about a month. If the collection box service does not improve, Leclair and Sullivan will have it removed. The men are hoping to open business within a month or two.

Thompson Street Safety Improvements

The Board of Selectmen approved solid double lines for Thompson Street barring Town Administrator Charles Seelig checking legal ramifications with the state.

William Balfour asked that the lines become solid no passing sections on both sides in order to prevent future car accidents.

Seelig said, “Basically, there’s a section of Thompson Street where the yellow lines are drawn as a passing area and he’d like that eliminated; he thinks it’s a danger. There are several blind driveways in the area, some curves and such.”

Balfour’s son William Balfour Jr. attended the meeting to advocate on behalf of his father’s wishes. He told the Board of Selectmen, “I’ve been here for 50 years. I grew up in this and over the years as well as recently, there’s been a number of accidents on both ends of the stretch on either end of the corner.” He said there have been deaths on both sides of the street.

Hemp Production

At selectmen’s last meeting, the question of whether hemp production needed special permitting was brought into question after Seelig told the Board he’s received an inquiry from a party about a hemp production business in town.

Seelig investigated the subject and spoke with Town Counsel who advised hemp production is allowed as an agricultural product.

“Processing and manufacturing is allowed in the commercial district by special permitting in the industrial district by right.”

Other News

• A yard sale to benefit the fundraising of the Hops Playground will take place on the Town Hall Green on August 12. The yard sale is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Selectmen approved the Congregational Church’s use of the Town Green for its barbecue/festival on September 8.

• A road cut to open a new gas service was approved at 374 Plymouth Street.

The next Halifax selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for August 7. Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

“We have a hole outside,”: Wilhelmsen quipped to announce water treatment project has begun

By

“We have a hole outside.” This is what Dennett School Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen said to indicate that the water treatment project at Dennett Elementary School is underway.

At the last school committee meeting on June 25, Principal Peter Veneto said the company they hired was at the school on June 23.

Veneto described their progress. He said, “They basically have punched through the building so that whatever is going to be coming out, I’m essentially calling it a drain pipe…to get the material from out of the building into the drywell.”

In addition to this construction work, Wilhelmsen said the needed piping equipment has arrived. He said they just need the plumber to install it.

Playground Update

Committee Vice Chair Jason Fraser updated the committee on the new playground project. He said options are still being explored, but some of the searching for playground consulting did slow down.

Fraser said the committee is still on schedule with trying to make progress over the summer and to have project details finalized by the September/October deadline. Veneto and Fraser plan to do another site visit to get more detailed plans down.

Nancy White from Playground Inspections of New England, LLC Fraser said, continues to reach out to the committee on a regular basis.

Education Stability Update

Silver Lake Regional Assistant Superintendent Jill Proulx went over the results from the school district’s education stability review with the school committee.

The education stability review assessed the school district’s effectiveness working with students in unique situations including homelessness, students in foster care, and students with family members in the military.

Proulx identified two areas the district needs to work on regarding these specific groups: policy and staff training.

As far as new policies, Proulx said the district is waiting for recommendations from the state. With staff training, they are in the preparation process. According to Proulx, there are some uncertainties, but she believes they are ready.

Proulx said, “That’s not something we’ve done in the past. It’s something we’ve done with select staff, but not the entire staff.”

Principal’s Update

Principal Veneto said the school year finished with strong enrollment at 206 students. He also expects the kindergarten class next year to grow to 32-33 students.

Other News

• Silver Lake Regional Technology Director Steve Pellowe got the phones at Dennett Elementary back up and running. The old system was no longer working, so part of the new system was installed. Veneto said, “We basically have the skeleton of what the new system is going to look like in place right now.”

• PAC finalized paraprofessional contracts for the next three years.

The next Dennett School Committee meeting is July 16 at 5 p.m.

New Halifax officer

By

Swearing in a new police officer is a formal ceremony that requires one to pledge an oath to the United States and the Massachusetts Constitution. The ceremony is done before the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, and Police Chief. Michelle McIntyre’s family came to support her as well.

In an emotional moment filled with hugs and laughter, McIntyre chose her grandfather as the one to pin her after the swearing in.

Selectmen Chair Kim Roy congratulated McIntyre for graduating from the police academy. She said, “We’re very proud of you…we all want to congratulate you on a job well done. It’s not an easy process and we recognize that…we look forward to getting to know you.”

Fire Department considering outside billing service

Following the retirement of the Halifax Fire Department’s longtime administrative assistant, the fire department is weighing the possibility of outside billing versus in-house.

Fire Chief Jason Viveiros said he’s reached out to some of the outside groups that provide this service including Coastal Medical Billing and others.

According to early rough estimates from Chief Viveiros, there’s a $205,000 potential revenue increase if a service such as this is explored.

There’s potential for improving collections for ambulance billing here, but Viveiros said he doesn’t want this to be so much of a focus that people don’t call during emergencies. Viveiros said, “We don’t want people to refrain from calling an ambulance.”

Viveiros said most surrounding municipal fire departments already switched to outside firms for their ambulance billing.

Selectmen and Town Adminstrator Charles Seelig expressed a willingness to explore this option for the town.

Seelig said a three-year contract with the option to opt out after the first year would be ideal. He said this is to make sure any increases in revenue are hitting the levels expected by the town’s governing body.

Viveiros said he still has some more calls to make and research to complete, but he does have some drafts prepared for going over. Selectmen said funding for an outside billing firm could be voted on at a Special Town Meeting in August.

Fieldstone Farms Update

Selectmen approved a one-day liquor license for Walter Wunder for the Silver Oak Horse Jump Show at Fieldstone Farms on August 19. However, this liquor license approval led to discussion about a lack of building permits for a two-story building that was used for the horse show last year.

The two-story building NESN used to film last year’s horse show does not have a building permit.

Seelig said Fieldstone Farms will not be fined for the lack of permit, but the building cannot be used until there is a permit approved. Selectmen will send a letter to the property owner saying the structure cannot be used until there’s a permit.

Other News

• In a two-to-one vote, the Board of Selectmen approved a six-month extension of Richard Harrison’s unregistered vehicle permit. Selectmen were not happy with how long it took Harrison to put up the required fence. Roy, who voted no on the permit extension thought the fence looked awkward and wasn’t happy with the timing.  Harrison, who is trying to move and sell the property is hoping to have the vehicle off the property within six months.  Selectman Troy Garron said, “I would personally like to have something more definitive, but I can understand the circumstances. The selectmen said they wouldn’t be inclined to extend the permit again.

• A road cut was approved at 288 Oak Street for a new gas line.

The next selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for July 24. Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

Silver Lake Regional gets creative to light up the fields

By

The Silver Lake Regional School Committee voted to explore whether or no cuts from capital planning are possible in order to install new lights at the football field. The entire June 28 meeting was dedicated solely to finding out if this funding is possible.

Silver Lake Girls Basketball Coach Olly DeMacedo made a proposal to try to eliminate roughly $200,000 of the light’s cost.

DeMacedo works for Boston Sand and Gravel and runs several of its companies outside the city. One of those businesses is Plympton-based Lawrence Ready Mix. He said his company will donate all the concrete and labor to erect the lights.

DeMacedo said, “I’m here on behalf of our community to try to make it happen one more time.”

After the donated concrete and labor, DeMacedo proposed it would cost the school district about $180,000 to buy the lights. He said he’d rather see the school buy the lights instead of leasing them.

DeMacedo said, “They’re legitimate 80 foot poles, galvanized steel, they’ll be here a long time.”

Part of why he believes it’s a good idea to buy the lights now is because, DeMacedo predicts, the price of steel will go up over the next few years.

Other positive reasons DeMacedo provided include:

• All the old infrastructure from the previous lights is already installed in the ground.

• The LED lighting will save the school money compared to the previous lights the field sued to have.

• No disruptions need to be made to the playing surface during installation.

If the School Committee were to take a vote soon, DeMacedo said he can get the lights up before the high school’s first football game on September 7.

Other Funding Sources

Two other funding sources were discussed during the meeting. They include additional funding in next year’s state budget and crowdsourcing from a Go Fund Me page.

DeMacedo’s brother State Senator Vincent DeMacedo discussed a potential way to give back possibly $75,000 of the funds next year. Senator DeMacedo said he could have tried for this year if he had known about this sooner, but the earmark for this year’s budget has already closed.

He said he will try to file an amendment for it to pass next year, which he thinks it probably would, although there is no guarantee.

Silver Lake teacher Stephanie Ritchie said a Go Fund Me page is up to try to help fundraise for the lights. She said the best way to raise more money is with word of mouth awareness.

Ritchie said, “Contact the circles of people you know because we all have circles of people.”

Coach DeMacedo also plans to do fundraising with the boosters. He hopes to get at a minimum $15,000 but thinks $25,000 is a better number to aim for.

Committee Discussion

School Committee member Jason Frasier asked Coach DeMacedo what the plan would be as far as a timeline if the committee were to approve a transfer from capital planning.

Coach DeMacedo said installation would take three to four weeks, but some other logistics might take time. He said he would start drafting the RFP for going out to bid tomorrow.

Several committee members acknowledged making this transfer would be difficult because it would mean a cut from another pressing area of need.

Frasier said some of the things currently funded under capital planning include funding to make the administrative building handicapped accessible and fixing water damage at the middle school and elementary schools.

“The money is going to come from somewhere and it’s going to hurt,” Frasier said.

A transfer from the operating budget was also discussed, but Frasier said taking from the operating budget would affect teacher salaries.

Superintendent Joy Blackwood said the cleanest cut might come from not getting the Kubota for snow removal. Others mentioned this opens the potential to need outside contracting for snow removal and that would affect the operating budget.

Prior to the Silver Lake School Committee’s July 12 meeting, they will reconvene as the Safety Facilities Fee and Revenues Committee to explore items that could potentially be cut from the capital plan to raise $80,000 for the lighting. The vote was unanimous.

Silver Lake RSD chosen for stability program review

By

Silver Lake Regional Assistant Superintendent Jill Proulx at the June 4 Halifax School Committee meeting announced that the Silver Lake Regional School District was selected for a state educational stability program review.

Proulx described the state educational stability program review as an assessment that makes sure students in vulnerable or unique circumstances get the attention they need.

She said, “It is our review to the extent at which we are meeting the regulations in terms of the rights to homeless students, foster students, and military involved families.”

The required forms were submitted for review after making some assessments. Part of the pre-submission process also involved reaching out to the homeless liaison for each of the three districts within Silver Lake Regional.

Proulx said the assessment may bring about some new things at the school level in the future. One thing likely to be added is additional training for staff in relation to homeless students, foster students, and military involved families.

The school also awaits potential changes to foster care policy in the future. The district is waiting for recommendations at the state level.

Teacher Training Update

Silver Lake Regional High School is offering a course for teachers of all grade levels studying skills for teaching.

Proulx said the course is a district contractual requirement for all teachers within their first three years in the school district. “it is a research-based best practices course for teachers,” Proulx said.

Financial Update

During a school committee financial update, the utility area of the budget was reported to have a deficit of $1,275 this month. Last month, this deficit was at $9,000.

The Halifax School Committee’s financial update said the large decrease in the deficit was because of funding at the municipal level.

The Town of Halifax was able to secure some green community funding that helped bring the overall cost down.

Staffing Update

Halifax Elementary School is looking to fill in two open positions. Two special education teachers retired. The School Committee said one of those positions has been filled. The other open position is for a school behaviorist.

Other News

• The Halifax School building project is starting up. The committee announced that doors and window construction work should be started the week after students are out of school.

• The 2018-2019 school year begins August 29. The school year is scheduled to last until June 13, 2019. Superintendent Joy Blackwood joked saying she will do a better job “controlling the weather” this year.

Eagle Scout project approved

By

Frank Rabuffetti of Boy Scout Troop 39 proposed his Eagle project to the Halifax Board of Selectmen at Tuesday’s meeting.

His project involves taking out some fencing at the blacksmith shop and replacing it with a new one. Rabuffetti said he will remove the shrubs growing underneath and around the old fence before putting up the new fencing.

After removing the shrubs, Rabuffetti plans to add mulch. Selectmen Chair Kim Roy asked if any new shrubs will be added. Rabuffetti said he will only mulch as it will be lower future maintenance for the town.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen unanimously approved Rabuffetti’s Eagle project. He will start at the beginning of July and hopes to finish by the middle of July. Rabuffetti turns 18 in August, so this will allow him to get his Eagle project done beforehand.

Town Audit Team Hired

The Board of Selectmen hired Wakefield, Massachusetts based Powers and Sullivan LLC as Halifax’s financial audit firm for the next three years.

Firm partners Craig Peacock and Frank Serreti previously interviewed with a financial team appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Roy said this was the final step after the financial team picked from three finalists.

Peacock said their firm tries to do more than conduct the standard financial audits. Rather, he said, his firm tries to improve efficiency and help the town learn something. “As a firm, our goal is to add value,” Peacock said.

According to Peacock, a large part of adding value is how the business conducts itself. He said they have never missed a deadline and described Powers and Sullivan as “self-contained.” Peacock said Powers and Sullivan stays “self-contained” by bringing their own resources such as laptops and internet routers.

Selectman Troy Garron asked who in the South Shore Powers and Sullivan has worked with since Peacock said the firm is often in the area despite being a North Shore based firm. Peacock said Powers and Sullivan has worked with Lakeville, Carver, Abington, Plymouth, and Marshfield. Roy said she was pleased with this and some of Cape Cod towns the company works with because some of the communities are benchmark communities Halifax uses for comparison purposes.

As far as managerial contacts, Peacock will be the town’s onsite partner and work directly with the audit team. Peacock said he wants this process to have an open dialogue and said all comments the audit team makes will go through a draft process to make sure the team’s assessments are accurate.

Peacock said, “We will never blindside the town with comment. We’re here to work together.”

Halifax Establishes Zoning Bylaw Committee

Given the lack of a solution at Annual Town Meeting regarding the bylaw surrounding multifamily homes, the Halifax Board of Selectmen decided to establish the Zoning Bylaw Committee.

When speaking about starting the committee, Selectman Thomas Millias said, “Let’s clean up the language. Let’s present something that makes sense.”

The committee is set-up to be a nine member committee with a required five member quorum. Some of the members include Millias, Planning Board Chair Gordon Andrews, and Dan Borsari from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Andrews said he is looking for input from the general public. The committee currently has seven members, but said he is hoping two people want to step up to be a part of the process.

Halifax Elementary Siding Repair Update

The contractor working on making siding repairs at Halifax Elementary School sent a proposal request to the town citing the need to repair termite damage.  Seelig said the damage is old and the school does not have any current problems with termites.

Other News

• The fireworks committee still needs volunteers for afternoon and evening activities. The fireworks are this Saturday, so call the Board of Selectmen’s office for more information on volunteering.

• The Board of Selectmen approved a $14,000 contract for Vertex to oversee the removal of aspestos as part of the school repair project.

• Roy is meeting with Plympton Selectmen John Traynor and others from Plympton to continue discussing a potential intermunicipal agreement between Plympton and Halifax involving Fire/EMS services.

The next Halifax Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10.

Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

Halifax selectmen plan joint meeting with Plympton

By

The Halifax Board of Selectmen are planning to have another joint meeting with the Plympton Board of Selectmen about establishing a plan for joint fire and EMS services.

The Halifax Board said that recently, the Plympton Board of Selectmen was still deciding on important details crucial to the deal. Plympton talked about sharing EMS services, but having a completely separate fire department.

Roy said she doesn’t think this benefits Halifax. Chief Viveiros agreed, saying he sees the potential for mismanagement issues in this type of structural agreement. Viveiros said the cross training present in Halifax’s department makes this difficult.

The other board members agreed. Selectman Troy Garron said he wants a more concrete plan. He said, “It’s all sort of up in the air.”

Millias said he understands the challenges Plympton faces with this sort of agreement, especially being a small town, there’s pressure to have a separate and independent fire department. He said it ultimately needs to work out for Halifax, so residents know their tax dollars are benefitting them.

“You can’t give it away and still have it…And I can see the political pressure, more so for a small town,” Millias said.

The Board believes an agreement can still be made. Viveiros said he met with Plympton Selectman John Traynor on Tuesday and said they came to a basic understanding that the structure of this intermunicipal agreement is a contract for hire.

Roy said she’s optimistic an agreement will be reached. She said if this does hit a wall, though she doesn’t think it will, it might be smart to use some of the Halfiax Fire Department’s grant money for Bernard Lynch to conduct another study.

Roy said the most important thing is that residents can see a clear benefit for Halifax with this agreement. She said, “We’re not a for profit organization, but we will not subsidize another community.”

One benefit that Viveirossaid Halifax would get from this agreement is the potential for more grant opportunities. He said there would also be “operational benefits” such as more responders on the scene and the opportunity for improved response times.

He said a larger department would also mean more opportunities for advancement. Roy added so advancements would be based on assessment of performance. Halifax would also be adding five full-time positions under this agreement.

The grant for this type of agreement expires January, 2019. Viveiros said there’s already been money put aside for joint training with Plympton. That training will start in September.

National Grid grilled

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig invited Joe Cardinal from National Grid to discuss what the town and/or National Grid can do to reduce the number of future outages from winter storms.

Cardinal said there’s a limit to what can be done because of the locations of the substations. There are no substations in Halifax with the closest being at Mill and Spring streets in East Bridgewater.

As far as building a new substation, Cardinal said it’s difficult because of Halifax’s location in National Grid’s territory. Halifax is closer to the edge of their territory with bordering town Plympton using Eversource for its electricity. However, Cardinal said, National Grid is looking at another location closer to Halifax, but it wouldn’t make a positive difference for another four to five years.

Selectmen Chair Kim Roy asked what could be done, and Cardinal mentioned a few things during his presentation. One thing Cardinal mentioned was the cutting down of 40 miles worth of dead trees.

Cardinal also said it’s important National Grid make sure electrical lines are technologically up to date. He said diamond lines are stronger and although are still no match for a tree, they should do better when branches fall on them.

“Ninety-five percent of outages are caused by trees,” said Cardinal. “So, there’s only so much you can do.”

Selectman Thomas Millias and Fire Chief Jason Vivieros asked about exploring the possibility of having a plan where National Grid works with the Department of Public Works to provide a joint effort in dealing with fallen trees and outages.

Cardinal said this is something that Pembroke has tried to do in the past and is still brought up every once in a while at manager meetings. The concern is if National Grid sets this up with one town, it would have to be set up with other towns, but said he wasn’t dismissing the idea. 

It’s something that’s still actively discussed.

Cardinal suggested they bring it up at the next meeting between National Grid and municipality public safety officials.

As for what Halifax is doing now, Vivieros is working with the Board of Selectmen and Halifax Police Department to update the town’s critical facility list. Each critical facility is assigned a priority grade by National Grid for emergency responses.

Other News

Dennis Carman was named the town’s new town moderator. Carman has lived in Halifax for more than 35 years. He said he’s going to try to participate as much as possible because it’s important. Roy took this as an opportunity to highlight that the town needs volunteers. She said, “You’re right…we have smaller boards that meet monthly.”

Gordon Andrews officially resigned from the Finance Committee in order to serve on the school committees. This leaves some openings.

Diane Ruxton filled one of those openings and was appointed to serve on the Finance Committee until June 15, 2021. The committee currently has four members, which is the minimum for a quorum. Seelig said having seven members would be better. He said, “You don’t need a calculus, mathematics, or business degree.”

Dunkins Donuts donated $500 to the Council on Aging.

The Board of Selectmen approved the use of the town green for the Historical Society’s plant sale. It will take place on September 8, 2018.

The next Halifax Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for June 26. Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

ATM gives nod to SL budget

By

Halifax residents at Monday’s annual town meeting approved the Silver Lake Regional School District’s fiscal year 2019 operating budget of $4,456,412 despite the town’s Finance Committee requesting a budget $21,000 less. This particular line item was the only contested part of Article 4, Halifax’s operating budget.

Speaking on behalf of the entire Finance Committee, Chair Gordon Andrews said he doesn’t believe the current pay distribution between municipalities and the state is sustainable. However, school committee members from both Silver Lake and Halifax Elementary did not agree.

“I believe money in the levy is available to approve this budget,” said Silver Lake School Committee Chair Paula Hatch. “We cannot obviously control what the state funds.”

As of Monday night, Kingston had already approved the regional school districts operating budget. Halifax School Committee Chair Summer Schmaling said both Plympton’s Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee were recommending the budget at its town meeting on Wednesday.

She asked what would happen if the other two towns approve the budget and Halifax approves the amended budget proposed by the Finance Committee. According to the Finance Committee, if the other two towns in the school district pass the operating budget, Halifax has to pay regardless. The rest of the money would have to be allocated at a future special town meeting.

The Finance Committee asked for a hold on this line item and attempted to amend it at town meeting. The amended budget of $4,431,412 failed by majority vote. The original figure then passed unanimously.

Article 53: Marijuana Zoning Kept As Is

Under current Halifax zoning laws, recreational marijuana facilities are only allowed in districts designated for industrial zoning.

If Article 53 were to pass, it would have allowed recreational marijuana cultivation and growing facilities in business zones as well. The article failed via a majority voice vote.

Hatch wanted to make sure any new zoning would be far enough away from schools. She asked how far away they would have to be.

According to Town Administrator Charles Seelig, “It’s 500 feet from lot line to lot line.” He said this makes the zoning requirement a little farther than just a straight 500 feet.

One resident speaker said she wants to keep things the way they are and just start in the industrial zone. Others voiced agreement, including members of the Finance Committee who expressed wanting to keep facilities zoned outside of the middle of town.

Halifax did however make one change to their marijuana laws. Residents unanimously voted to raise the recreation sales tax from two percent to three percent under Article 52.

Article 57 Passes, Changes Regulations for Outdoor Events, and Settles Mud Fest Law Suit

Article 57 changes Halifax’s zoning regulations for outdoor events to allow amusements and recreational events (such as Mud Fest) in the agricultural residential district via a special permit.

The new zoning bylaw includes specific requirements for these types of events including a minimum size parcel of 5 acres, bathroom and parking requirements, and noise regulations.

According to Seelig, voting for this warrant article settles the current law suit involving Mud fest. He said both parties see this as a “reasonable compromise.” The planning board also recommended the article.

Some residents expressed concern about precedent with Article 57. Resident Dan Borsari said, “This article is going to fundamentally change the complexion and the tenor of our town.”

Borsari said he doesn’t believe settling the law suit now would provide the town any long-term protection. He said, “You’d be voting away your property protection.” The protection Borsari believes a yes vote takes away is the right to vote away large events in the residential zone. He said he sees this as voting for property rights.

Seelig said applicants would still have to go through a special zoning permit through the Zoning Board of Appeals. He said additional site review with the planning board would also be a requirement.

While Borsari was concerned about the article’s precedent, Seelig said he’s concerned about the precedent a court ruling in the law suit could set. Seelig said that if the courts rule Mud Fest an agricultural event, it would be hard to prove other events like large concerts are not.

Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias said he personally doesn’t like the change to the zoning law the article makes but supports it because of what a court ruling could do.

He said, “I have not been in favor of this particular change, but there is a huge argument to be made, that Mr. Seelig presented, that the control could be given to the courts.”

Being a zoning article, passage required a two-thirds vote. A decision wasn’t clear on voice vote but passed 102-83 on a counted vote.

Article 55 Fails: Multi-development Homes Must Remain on Single Lots

Halifax voters failed to pass Article 55, which would have removed a section of the zoning bylaw requiring any multi-family homes to be built only on a single lot.

Seelig said this bylaw was adopted after places like Twin Lakes and Halifax Meadows were built. The town wanted to prevent these types of homes from being built in the future. Seelig said this article would update the policy to not require multi-families to be built only on a single lot.

Article 55 was proposed by the Board of Selectmen, but neither the Finance Committee nor the Planning Board recommended the article. The Planning Board couldn’t come to an agreement and had a 2-2 vote.

According to a flier given out with the town meeting warrant to all resident voters, “The current interpretation of this bylaw has landed the town in land court, Gordon C. Andrews vs Town of Halifax Zoning Board of Appeals.” The flier went on to say, “A yes vote on this article will resolve this litigation in favor of the town.”

The handout also said since Andrews is suing the town, he’s expecting to get attorney fees and damages. It said, “he is the only person that will have a financial gain if this article is defeated.

Andrews, speaking not on behalf of the Finance Committee, but on his own behalf, said his concerns have to do with whether the town or subdivision has control over these types of developments.

“The major concern I have with this is removing all the requirements for the building…” He added, “They’re not here, they’re under subdivision control.”  One speaker said he disagreed with Andrews, saying he believes subdivision is the proper place for control.

Seelig said the town wouldn’t lose control because any future development would be required to go through site-plan review and would need special town permitting.

Others expressed concerns regarding the impact of removing part of the bylaw was studied beforehand. Resident Kimberly King asked how this would affect the school system and public works financially.

Seelig said, “We don’t do an individual study for each development. We don’t go through that process because it’s an allowable use.” He also said the Zoning Board of Appeals is allowed to place restrictions based on the concerns that King brought up.

Schmalling also expressed concerns over how this change would affect school populations. She said she wasn’t speaking for or against the article, but she said, “I personally like that my kid is in a classroom of 20 kids and not 40.” Schmalling was also concerned multi-developments could affect rural community grants by increasing population.

“Why would we reverse overcrowding policies now?” asked resident Amy Troup.

Article 55 failed to receive the required two-thirds vote from the residents. Members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals said this is something that they would like to look at more before just removing an entire section of the bylaw.

Fire Department and Highway Department Show Sense of Community with Three Warrant Articles

Article 27 funds purchasing and equipping a new flat-bed truck for the fire department. It will be used for forest fire fighting and will cost $150,000. Viveiros said the vehicle being replaced is 18 years old and the frame holding the pump is rotting.

The old truck will not be going to waste though; it will be donated to another department in need. The highway department will be taking the old forest fire-fighting vehicle.

Article 28 appropriates $15,000 for repairs to the donated vehicle’s hook lift system. Working together like this allowed the Highway Department to make sacrifices in other areas, since Heyward said the town is faced with a tight budget.

Article 17, which would have appropriated $48,000 for a new Kubota tractor was passed over. Heyward moved its being passed over and said the department can make do with what it has for another year for the good of the town.

Resident Brings Street Light Issue to Town Meeting

Resident Joseph Parmeggiani asked that something be done about three powerless streetlights on Kestral Lane.

He’s doing this through warrant article 41. They include the ones at the corner of Kestrel Lane and Summit Street.

Parmeggiani said he’s not asking for the lights to be reloaded, but just for their power to be restored. The residents voted unanimously to approve Article 41.

Annual Town Meeting Articles Approved by Residents

Articles 1 through 4 start off every town meeting. The order for the rest is done using a lottery system that randomizes the order. Article 1 allows the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to give their reports and start the annual town meeting.

Article 2 addressed the pay of several government positions for the town. Many of them were regraded by the town meeting vote. Other nonunion positions received two percent raises.

Some of the re-gradings, including the health inspector and building inspector brought questions from Finance Committee.

Andrews said, “We should be looking at everyone at the same time and not jumping into these individually.” He thinks all reclassifications for wages should be done at the same time.

Selectman Kim Roy said, “You can only make requests at the public hearing.” She said these individual positions were done prior to the public hearing. According to Roy, who serves on Wage and Personnel Board, “All the department head positions were not in line (with average salaries).”

When the department head raises were voted on, the health inspector voice vote failed to provide a clear result. A counted vote had this part of the article passing with a 78-34 vote. All other raises outlined in Article 2 ended up passing by at least majority with the residents.

Article 3 passed unanimously. It set the salaries for the elected officials in Halifax.

Article 5 fixed maximum spending limits for the town’s revolving funds such as Conservation Commission and CPR Classes. The article passed unanimously.

Article 6 creates the $75,000 reserve fund. The Finance Committee said this is an annual warrant that is done every year in case emergency funds are needed. It passed unanimously.

The following warrant articles fund the  raises approved in Article 2.

Article 7 appropriates $14,653 to fund provisions of the collective bargaining agreement for firefighter unions and the town. It passed unanimously.

Article 8 raises and appropriates $7,597 for collective bargaining between the town and the highway/cemetery workers union. The article was approved unanimously.

A total of $6,886 was raised and appropriated for collective bargaining between the town and police sergeant union. Article 9 passed unanimously.

Article 10 raises and appropriates $13,773 for collective bargaining between the Town of Halifax and the police patrolmen. The article passed unanimously.

Article 11 funded $2,358 for collective bargaining provisions between Halifax and Police Chief Edward Broderick. It passed unanimously.

Article 12 raises and appropriates $2,080 for the collective bargaining between the town and Fire Chief Jason Viveiros. It passed unanimously.

Public safety, whether the fire department or police department, were given funds from the following warrant articles. All of them were approved by the residents.

Article 24 raises and appropriates $80,000 for two new marked police vehicles for patrol. The funding also covers equipping the vehicles. It passed unanimously.

Article 25 passed unanimously, appropriating $150,000 to rehabilitate and equip a fire engine.

Article 26 funds a new jaws of life for the Halifax fire department. According to Viveiros, the new equipment will cost $35,000. The article was approved unanimously.

Article 32 was approved unanimously.  The article raises and appropriates $50,000 to repair and replace the HVAC units at the police station.

Article 33 appropriates $2,550 to purchase pump staging for building repair work. It passed unanimously.

Article 34 passed unanimously. It appropriates $780 for solar lights for town flag poles.

An appropriation of $8,400 was approved under Article 35 to fund the purchase and installation of a swap shed and shelving for the recycling center.

The following warrant articles fund support for outside organizations that provide a public good to Halifax. All of the articles were approved.

Article 36 appropriates $9,500 for the purchase and installation of a compacter for the recycling center. It passed unanimously.

Article 37 was approved unanimously. It appropriates $3,500 to support South Coastal Legal Services Inc. The organization provides free legal services for elders, low income families, and their children.

Article 38 appropriates $3,500 to support South Shore Women’s Resource Center. The organization does work with victims of domestic violence and also does prevention services. It passed unanimously.

Article 39 appropriates $3,500 to support the South Shore Community Action Council. It passed unanimously.

Other approved items include the following warrant articles.

Article 13 was approved unanimously. It raises and appropriates $150 for the Board of Selectmen to appoint a town director within 15 days.

Article 14 appropriated $269,439 for repairs and improvements for county ways, bridges, and sidewalks, and bikeways. It passed unanimously.

Article 15 passed unanimously. It appropriates $150,000 for town road maintenance.

A total of $186,000 was raised and appropriated for a hook lift system and truck for the highway department. Article 16 passed unanimously.

Article 18 raises and appropriates $29,000 for a truck lift and four pneumatic jack stands. Highway Surveyor Steven Heyward said the lift failed inspection for safety reasons. The article passed unanimously.

Article 19 passed unanimously. It raises and appropriates $75,000 for a cab over engine truck for the highway department. It will replace the old plow and sander used previously.

Article 20 raises and appropriates $560,000 for the principal payment of the Water Town painting and Repair Debt and $7,539 for the interest on that debt. It passed unanimously.

Article 21 passed unanimously. It raises and appropriates $14,750 for the Assessors’ recertification account.

Article 22 appropriates $7,500 for additional hours for the Conservation Commission secretary. Specifically, this is for her wetland protection work. The article passed unanimously.

Article 23 raises and appropriates $14,000 for two new copy machines for the Halifax Town Hall. It was approved unanimously.

Article 29 raises and appropriates $43,000 for a truck for the Municipal and School Building Committee. It passed unanimously.

Article 30 passed unanimously. It appropriates $21,700 to repair and replace three garage doors at the highway department barn.

Article 31 appropriated $8,200 to replace and repair windows at the highway department barn. According to the department, water is leaking into the building causing damage and a loss of heat energy. The article passed unanimously.

Article 42 passed unanimously. It funds a sum of money for studies for the Monponsett Pond and projects to improve water quality.

Article 43 raises and appropriates a sum of money to repair or replace parking lot lights at the HOPS Playground. It passed unanimously.

Article 44 passed unanimously. It authorizes the Board of Selectmen to negotiate a PILOT agreement for solar energy with Green Apple Farms, IV, LLC. The article only approves negotiations. Article 45, which approves an agreement has been passed over. Millias said the contract isn’t ready so there isn’t anything to approve at this time.

Article 46 was a vote authorizing the Board of Selectmen to negotiate a PILOT agreement for solar energy with Halifax Solar, LLC. It passed unanimously. It does not give the authority to agree on a contract. This would be done through Article 47 which is being passed over at this time because there isn’t anything to approve yet.

Article 48 seeks approval in selling a parcel of town-owned land measuring 17.65 acres to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Millias said the town would be getting $250,000 for a piece of land the town can’t use. The article passed unanimously.

Article 50 authorizes borrowing of money to pay costs of capital projects in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 20. It was approved unanimously.

Article 54 passed unanimously. It delted the following passage from the town’s zoning-estate lot bylaw. “The Planning Board is the SPGA. Each submission to the Board should and will be considered on its own merits and specific applicability. The plans generated for consideration should strictly adhere to the criteria set forth for plans not requiring approval.”

Article 56 passed unanimously. It amends alternate energy zoning to allow zoning in the second (I-2) industrial district.

Article 59 passed unanimously. It transferred the special permit for an in-law apartment from being granted to the applicant to being granted to the property.

Article 60 changes the current policy of the in-law special permits being renewed only at Zoning Board meetings. The article lets someone request a renewal within 90 days of expiration and have the zoning enforcement officer come inspect the in-law to ensure its following the bylaw rather than having to come in. Seelig said, “We’re trying to lessen the burden on the permit holder.” It passed unanimously.

Passed Over

The following articles were passed over for now. They may be brought up at a future annual town meeting.: • Article 40, 49, 51, 58, 61, and 62.

Special Town Meeting

A special town meeting also took place during the annual town meeting. A special town meeting addresses funds that must be used this fiscal year and cannot wait until fiscal year 2019.

.Article 5 funds a $39,000 repair and replacement of the data processing system. Seelig aid this includes new hardware and software. According to Seelig, other communities in Massachusetts have been victims of malware attacks. Addressing this now is for prevention.

Selectman Troy Garron said Article 4 appropriates $15,000 to pay for the expenses of hiring a new police chief.  Garron said Police Chief Edward Broderick will be retiring within the next few months, so the funding is needed now.

Other Special Town Meeting Articles

Article 1 gives $250,000 of funding to remove the underground storage tanks at the highway barn and install a new aboveground system. Passed unanimously.Article 2 was passed over. It would have appropriated $1,360 to remove and re-install wireless access point cameras at Halifax Elementary School.

Article 3 raises $18,000 to repair fiber optic cables at Halifax Elementary School. It passed unanimously.

Article 6 passed unanimously. It approves an appropriation of a sum of money to be added to last year’s town meeting’s snow and ice removal line item.

Article 7 was passed over. It would have authorized the town’s purchase of several parcels of land. Millias said the town never received proper values for the parcels.

Article 8 was for the $977,000 for the fire suppression system at Halifax Elementary School. It was passed over because the town did not receive a successful bid.

Article 9 passed unanimously to pay outstanding electrical bills from FY18.

Article 10 passed unanimously. It authorized Seelig’s reimbursement of $345.47 for expenses incurred on behalf of the town.

Article 11 authorized the town to pay a $520 bill for Terminal Exchange Systems for working on the data processing network. It passed unanimously.