The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday, April 10, 2017 and included Town moderator Brian Wick, Treasurer Colleen Morin, and the Finance Committee, to go over proposed articles for May’s annual town meeting.

Town Counsel for Plympton Ilana Quirk of Kopelman and Paige was also in attendance.

A recreational marijuana moratorium will be voted on at town meeting in order to give the town time to see how the legislature decides to regulate the new legalization of marijuana for recreational use.  Town Moderator Brian Wick noted this article is closer to the end of Town Meeting. He questioned if this article should be moved up for its potential to be controversial.

Selectmen do not believe the bill will be controversial. Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson said the town voted a moratorium for medical marijuana when that was legalized as well, and she said that didn’t create any controversy.

More than 30 proposed articles were reviewed at the meeting.  Selectmen went down the list and voted on which articles their board would recommend. The Finance Committee did the same at their meeting prior to joining selectmen and shared their recommendations with the board.

Selectmen limited discussion to the general articles and away from budget line items such as individual position hour increases and changes to positions.

Not every article was discussed in great detail, but some of the more controversial ones were. Not all articles were recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.

One article that Selectmen unanimously voted to not recommend was the article for a new vehicle for the Fire Department. The Board doesn’t believe there’s room in the budget for this right now.

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau mentioned the possibility of an extra vehicle from the Police Department being available and they may be able to just paint it red.

The Finance Committee also doesn’t think a new vehicle can be in the budget right now and does not recommend the passage of this article.

One article for the Fire Department that was recommended by both Selectmen and the Finance Committee is for new personal protective equipment for firefighters. The Fire Department requested $47,000 for this purchase, however both selectmen and FinCom members are recommending an appropriation of $30,000.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor expressed some confusion over the figure the Fire Department was asking for, but the request for $47,000 was never rewritten in a new draft of the article proposal.

Susan Ossoff from the Finance Committee said the committee didn’t receive all of the information they requested from the Fire Department when it came to a break down of the protective equipment. She and the rest of the Finance Committee feel comfortable recommending an appropriation of $30,000 though.

The article for the proposed increases for the EMT and Paramedic staff will be discussed at a later date.

Another article discussed in detail was the Finance Committee’s recommendation to combine the Finance Committee with the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.  Ossoff told the board, “We’re having difficulty finding one member, never mind five.”

In order for this board/ committee to exist, five members are required. The Finance Committee thinks it would make more sense to have them also serve as the Capital Improvement Planning Committee rather than trying to fill seats they know they will not be able to fill.

Selectmen agreed with Ossoff and  the new board structure will be voted on at Town Meeting.

Other articles discussed included dental insurance coverage for town employees. According to reports from the Board of Selectmen, this is going to cost $3,000 at most to cover anyone who wants the new dental coverage. The Board of Selectmen voted to recommend this article.

In addition to deciding on what articles to recommend, The Board also took the time to consider procedural protocol, including who explains the articles at Town Meeting and who would motion them to vote.

Not everything was completed by this point and the articles presented were still in the draft form. According to Town Coordinator, Dale Pleau, there are still two more articles that could be added before town meeting.

Susan Ossoff needs the articles ready as a final draft by Monday, April 24, 2017. She needs to reformat the articles for its final copy.

The next meeting of the board of selectmen will take place on Monday April 24, 2017 and the Finance Committee will be present once again. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday April 5, putting the final polish on the articles that will be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting May 17, including the financing of the proposed Plympton Police Station.

The Finance Committee met before joining selectmen, exploring new options for financing the new building which is being proposed next to the existing Town House.

Specifically, the FinCom looked at the term length for financing the police station using the capital stabilization fund. According to them, financing the project for a 20-year term could save $70,000 a year.

Another plan explored was a 25-year term that would have decreased the annual payment even more, however, the Finance Committee wasn’t sure if the term was too long for a building 25 years into its life cycle.  Selectman John Traynor agreed, saying he liked the idea of the 20-year loan more, to the agreement of the rest of the board.

The FinCom said this may free up capital stabilization funds for needed items at the Dennett School, such as their water situation.

Paramedics shortage

Talks about the paramedics shortage, and potentially increasing their salaries was also considered. Traynor said he has received reports from Fire Chief Warren Borsari that the number of ambulance calls has increased.

With lower wages compared to Halifax and the private sector, Traynor told the board the town has lost both full and part-time staff, particularly on night shifts.  “Part time staff is still doing their required one shift per month,” Traynor said, but they are not signing up for other shifts because they are finding better wages at private businesses like Brewster and neighboring towns like Halifax and Carver.

There was disagreement from some members of the Finance Committee, wondering if the shortages were one hundred percent wage related or if there were other factors for some employees. FinCom member Eric Hart also cited that the greatest increase in volume of emergency calls was during the day rather than the night where the shortage has had the most effect.

Selectmen want to get the Finance Committee and Fire Chief Borsari at a board meeting to discuss this issue further and formulate plans on how the town should best move forward.

Discussions about an increase in hours for the Town Clerk position and staff were also considered with the Finance Committee. Both are working together to see how the hours will be distributed in the town budget.

The new Public Records Law has added more responsibility to the Town Clerk position. Finance Committee members want to see if the increased hours need to be permanent, so hiring temporary entry-level help was considered.  Traynor said he still thinks the Town Clerk needs an increase to the hours per week.

More discussions on this and other budget items will continue to be considered at the next selectmen’s meeting Monday, April 10.  In addition to the Finance Committee, Town Council, Town Meeting Moderator, Town Clerk, Accountant, and Treasurer will all be in attendance.

Outside of FinCom

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau announced the town has been awarded a grant for $5,500 towards the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle for the Police Department. The Board asked Pleau how much electric cars generally cost. Pleau says, “Some of the less expensive ones go for around $22,000.”

None of the Board of Selectmen members expressed a desire to put town funds into this project. They were under the impression the grant was an “all or nothing” deal.

The Board of Selectmen did tell Pleau to continue work on the grant and find out more information. Pleau also saidthere are additional state grant possibilities with the charging stations needed to run an electric car.

Selectwoman Christine Joy met with a representative from the Plympton Housing Production Plan Committee. The committee is working on a plan to meet affordable housing needs for the future.

Joy says the committee is looking for new members as well as non-committee members who want to attend a few meetings. The committee plans to put out a survey for ideas for more affordable housing.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor is considering going to the transfer station on Saturdays to talk about town issues with citizens. He says that no one is booking appointments to meet with Selectmen and wants to consider giving people another option.

The next Board of Selectmen Meeting is Monday April 10, 2017. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Thursday March 16, 2017. Normally, the board meets on Tuesday nights, however the snowstorm that closed Halifax and Silver Lake schools, also closed the Halifax Town Hall.  The meeting was postponed until Thursday, March 16.

Halifax selectmen spent much of their meeting on a dog bite hearing, which saw Tarawood Kennels, 7 Plymouth St., Halifax, face the board, calling to account for a a serious dog attack took place at the Tarawood Kennels on February 19.

A 14-month old German Sheppard attacked a woman causing serious injuries including a broken arm, a deep laceration to the arm with twenty puncture holes, and a leg injury.

According to the report, Kathleen and Tarawood Kennels owner Bobbi Choate were sitting outside and socializing with the 14-month old German Shepherd. The dog sniffed Kathleen’s arm and then suddenly attacked without any provocation.

Kathleen says, “The dog jumped on me and I pushed him away.” She added that the dog jumped on her again and then viciously attacked her. Since the attack, the dog was placed on a segregated 45-day quarantine where only Choate has had contact with the dog.

Choate told selectmen, “The dog wasn’t socialized with other dogs and not much with people either.” Choate also said she witnessed him show aggressive behavior with other dogs since being at Tarawood kennels.

Kathleen has dogs of her own and says she has been bit in the past, but she’s never been “viciously attacked” like this.” Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron suggested the German Sheppard may have smelled other dogs on Kathleen’s arm which might have caused an instinctive reaction if the dog hadn’t been socialized with other dogs.

The dog first arrived at Tarawood Kennels on January 30, 2017 when Justine and Patrick McCarthy returned him. They said they brought back the German Sheppard because he was too high-strung and could not afford the medical costs to neuter him. Complications can make the normally routine procedure cost as much as $1,200.

The McCarthys did however object to the claims Choate made about the dog not being socialized with other dogs or people.

Justine McCarthy said, “He never bit anyone (before). He was very hyper, but I wouldn’t describe him as aggressive.” She also told selectmen she has two young children as well as another dog, a small Shiatzu.

Patrick McCarthy also added that his father brought his dog over on multiple occasions. They even brought the German Sheppard camping with them.

The board and Choate remained skeptical though. Choate didn’t question that they brought the dog camping, but if it was ever around any other dogs while camping. Her experiences with the dog lead her to believe that the dog was not well socialized with other dogs. At one point, Choate, whose kennel specializes in German Shepherds even admitted she’s sometimes nervous around the dog.

As of right now, all three members of the Board of Selectmen voiced that they were leaning towards euthanizing the dog considering the serious injuries he inflicted and the unknown chances for improved behavior.

Considering the neutering will cost $1,200, the board believed it would be difficult for that expense to be borne by many but a committed owner. Selectmen Vice-chairman Tom Millias mentioned that due to the complications, there may be an issue of the dog over producing testosterone, which would lead to heightened aggression.

Selectmen clerk Kim Roy said, “I’m inclined to have the dog euthanized unless a good reason by Animal Control is given otherwise.”

Justine McCarthy voiced displeasure with these opinions because she claims she was told by the animal inspector the dog could be taken on by a canine officer. There was no record of this at the meeting, however Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan was not able to attend the hearing because she had to leave due to a prior call.

The hearing with Callahan’s testimony will continue on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Though the dog hearing took up the majority of the Board of Selectmen Meeting, the Board did address some other items. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to reappoint Amy Troupe to the town’s Beautification Committee.

According to the town website, “The Beautification Committee works to improve the landscape of the Town’s properties including the areas around public buildings, along the streets and traffic islands by planting flowering plants, bushes and other vegetation and helping to keep these areas free from litter.”

Selectmen also took time to speak about the upcoming Annual Town Meeting in May. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said he thinks it may be a good idea to put volunteer boards up for vote at May’s meeting.

Seelig said, “We’d have descriptions of committees, we’d have the forms, we’d have the vacancies we have right now. Since these people are interested in coming to Town Meeting, maybe they’d be interested in joining a committee also.” Overall, the idea was well received by Selectmen.

Live Event Permit Granted at Jason Conroy’s fundraiser for Matthew James Adam Hope House for Substance Abuse

Selectmen approved a fundraiser at 21 Jordan Rd., Halifax, owned by Jason Conroy who’s trying to start the Matthew James Adam Hope House for Substance abuse, which he says pending zoning, will start up in Plympton.

Jason Conroy says, “I lost my sixth friend in six weeks to the opioid epidemic.” He wants to do something about the serious problem of addiction running rampant throughout not only the South Shore, but the whole country.

Conroy has reached out to several large automotive dealers to sponsor the fundraising event he’s holding on his property on Friday March 24, 2017 from 7-11pm.

As far as turnout, Conroy is hoping for 150 people and will have a police detail at the event to make sure everyone is having fun and staying safe.

The board wanted to make sure there won’t be a bonfire or fireworks, which Conroy assured neither will happen. The Board approved the event providing Conroy is compliant with all permits he needs. Kim Roy added she has experience working on the state’s Opioid Task Force and thinks this is a worthy cause.

Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday March 28.

PLYMPTON – Saturday, May 6, has been named “Plympton Town-wide Cleanup Day.”  Monday night Selectmen heard a presentation by Jill Palenstijn of the Plympton Garden Club seeking permission from selectmen to change the Plympton Garden Club’s Clean-up Day. “We’re hoping to have a town wide event,” said Palenstijn. As of right now, the event will take place on Saturday, May 6.

The clean-up day involves people from the community working together to pick up trash collected on many of the major streets throughout town.  There’s also discussion of the Garden Club getting the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts involved.

Palenstijn told the board they want to make a giant pile of trash that people can drive by for short period of time and see what Plympton can do when everyone works together. Afterwards, the Department of Public Works will bring the trash to the town’s transfer station.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor asked Palenstijn if Routes 106 and 58 would be a part of the clean-up. Palenstijn says, “We’re still compiling a lists of streets. We are however open for suggestions for streets to clean.”

In order to make the event safe, Palensteijn also told the Board that the Police Department is already on board. She says, “Chief Dillion has generously donated a cruiser to check in at various spots around town,” during the event.

New Council on Aging Director Joy Marble introduced herself to Board of Selectmen.

Previous Council on Aging Director Chris Maiorano accompanied the new Director as she told Selectmen she was excited to meet the seniors and hoped to fill the shoes of Maiorano as well as possible. “I’m confident we are in good hands,” Maiorano replied.

Marble was the Chair of the Council on Aging in Halifax for ten years.

She said that although she didn’t want the Board thinking this was her main priority as director, she thinks Plympton’s Council on Aging could benefit from some collaboration with Halifax.

Marble said, “I had ideas about collaborating with Plympton before when I was in Halifax.”

On Saturday March 18,  there will be a luncheon for the Council on Aging.  New Director Marble will be in attendance to meet the senior citizens.

Selectmen are considering requiring other boards and committees to broadcast their meetings on Area 58 Television.

Chairman Colleen Thompson brought up discussion about requiring other boards and committees to video tape their meetings for Area 58 Television.

The Board is considering this as a potential bylaw change.

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau believed that some aspects of implementing this bylaw shouldn’t be too difficult.

He said, “This can even be done with a laptop and then updated to the website.”

Pleau and Selectman John Traynor both acknowledged that there may be some push back from some boards and committees.

Traynor asked the rest of the Board if it would be a good idea to send out a memo next week asking the different committees and departments for feedback.

Colleen Thompson and Christine Joy both agreed.

Public Safety Building Update

Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson announced that the Public Safety Building Committee will be at next week’s selectmen’s meeting on Monday March 20.

The Public Safety Building Committee, which is also chaired by Thompson, will present their plans to fund and build a new police station for Plympton. Thompson told the board that compared to where they started a year ago, the committee is in a much better place and is excited for the board to hear the plan.

The next scheduled selectmen’s meeting is Monday, March 20, at 6 p.m.

Halifax voters approved a $7.2 million Proposition 2 ½ debt exemption to repair the roof, windows, doors, and siding to the Halifax Elementary School at a Special Town Meeting held Tuesday, March 7. This question will appear on the election ballot  Saturday, March 10 and will require a majority vote.

Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron declared it a record turnout, and the vote required a two thirds majority to approve the warrant article.

The article read, “To see if the Town will vote to appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds, $7,262,124 to be expended under the direction of the Halifax School Building Committee for repairs and renovations to the Halifax Elementary School.”

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig gave a slide presentation explaining the costs and highlighting the dire conditions at the school, showing failing siding, doors, windows and more.  “The roof and siding were put on back in 1993 and some of the doors are older.”

In order to help defray the costs, the Town has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which, if approved, will pay for $3,456,262 of the cost.

Seelig went on to discuss the MSBA’s work throughout the state, showing work done through the MSBA in 28 school districts and 49 schools in 2016.

The balance of the cost of the repairs will come from a twenty-year bond that will increase taxes by $157.36 for the median value house. However, the surtax will decrease yearly as the bond is paid.

Concerned citizens questioned the cost, and expressed concerns as to how the school has managed their maintenance budget.

Silver Lake Regional School District Superintendent Joy Blackwood told voters that the costs covered in a maintenance budget are for small things like painting, roof leaks, and such. She reiterated that these are major repairs that require capital expenditure. Blackwood further said, “The siding was put on backwards and won’t even hold the paint.” In addition, she said, the repairs needed are beyond any school’s regular maintenance budget.

Other concerns voiced were about what sort of materials would be used and if the roof and siding will hold up for the life of the 20-year bond.

Blackwood explained that although no guarantee could be made about a roof holding past twenty years, and furthered that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has rigorous specifications for materials they fund.

Seelig also emphasized his take on the cost. He says, “The longer we wait to do this, the more it will cost,” citing the expected increase in interest rates over the next few years.

While this warrant article was approved, the school Fire Suppression System was passed over for now.

Initially, this was projected to cost $687,876, but this initial estimate was not accurate. Selectman Thomas Millias told voters selectmen learned the upgrade will actually cost almost a million dollars.

The fire suppression system project budget now is estimated to cost $996,033. The town voted by majority to pass over this repair until more work and thought can be put into it.

In total, there were eight articles voted on by the special town meeting at large. In Halifax, the warrant articles are voted on in a random order, except for Articles 4 and 5.  Article 5 is dependent on passage of Article 4, both concerning the Solar array PILOT agreement between Halifax and SunConnect, at 69 Summit St.  Both articles passed unanimously.

Article 8 asked the town to vote to accept Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 110A. This law says it allows, “Town departments to remain closed on Saturdays or take any action thereon. It passed by unanimous vote.

Article 3 proposed the town amend its current bylaw Chapter 167-7 (C). This law defines what’s considered a business/place of indoor or outdoor recreation and sets guidelines on proper insulation and maintenance regarding noise abatement. Seelig asked that the article be passed over until he can make the language clearer and not impact events like Mud Fest. The town voted unanimously to pass over Article 3.

Article 6 concerns notifying the Silver Lake Regional School Committee on whether or not Halifax will approve the proposed land sale to the Town of Kingston for a police station. Both  Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended passing over this article until the next town meeting. The town voted unanimously to pass over Article 6.

Article 7 asks to the town to vote on appropriating and raising funds for a provision of a collective bargaining agreement for 2017. This potential collective bargaining agreement is between Local Union 3159 (firefighters) and the Town of Halifax.  It includes a provision that, “The town pay the difference in pay received by an employee in military service and the amount the employee would receive working for the Town or take any action thereon.” Selectmen asked this article be passed until next town meeting. The town  voted unanimously to pass over Article 7.