The Plympton Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on Jan. 12 to authorize a three-year contract with VADAR for new accounting software, responding to the impending shutdown of the town’s current financial reporting system. The transition addresses a critical operational need as the existing provider suspends operations at the end of 2026, with the new platform offering enhanced reporting capabilities and flexible payment options.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy told the board that the town accountant evaluated proposals from multiple vendors including Munis and SoftRite before determining VADAR “seems to be the best fit for municipalities of our size.” More than 100 Massachusetts communities currently use the software.
The contract offers flexible payment structures—either a larger upfront payment followed by smaller annual costs, or more even payments across three years. Dennehy noted the smaller annual payments “could just come from the accountant’s budget” if the town opts for front-loaded payments.
The urgency stems from Plympton’s current provider “suspending operations” at year’s end. Town Treasurer Christine Kelly is simultaneously replacing payroll software with a different vendor.
“The nice part about this vendor, VADAR, and for the payroll software side that Christine is working on, which is a different company, both of their systems integrate seamlessly with our current system,” Dennehy said. “A lot of the clients for our current provider have moved to these particular vendors.”
Dennehy said the new system should provide “enhanced stability as far as financial reporting goes” and urged quick action to secure current pricing. “I don’t know if they’ll lock in the special discount pricing for much longer.”
If implemented promptly, the new software could launch with the fiscal year starting July 2026, running parallel to the existing system for six months before the old provider ceases operations. Vice Chairman Nathaniel Sides confirmed the fiscal year start would allow a smooth transition.
The board also unanimously declared a snow and ice emergency after the Highway Department reported the fiscal year 2026 budget has been fully expended. The declaration authorizes continued snow removal through deficit spending.
Sides noted the town’s $60,000 snow and ice budget has remained unchanged for years and is “purposely kept low.” He suggested increasing it to $100,000, calling it “a topic for the finance committee” to make the budget “commensurate to times.”
Dennehy agreed, saying she and the town accountant had similar discussions. “It’s just so predictable at this point,” she said of annual emergency declarations.
In other business, Dennehy reported success securing a new energy contract with Sprague Energy for town buildings. The town had been part of a collective agreement until “the school department excluded us and the other communities from it,” she said.
Administrative Assistant Briggette Martins said the separation “kind of worked out great” because the town’s solar panels earned better rates. “We even got a better rate,” she said. The contract covers the highway garage, transfer station, library, and other town buildings.
Dennehy announced she completed her Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) designation renewal class. “I have a couple left before I can apply to renew the full certification,” she said. “But this was, like, the largest class for the most credits.”
The Town Properties Committee postponed its scheduled presentation until Jan. 26. Chairman Dana Smith outlined recent committee work including adoption of a maintenance request process, a mission statement, and reestablishment of priority projects focusing on public water supply and the fire station, “followed by the front door as time permits.”
An open meeting law complaint filed against the committee “has been received and addressed” but remains unresolved, Smith said. Dennehy said the committee “still has to schedule a public open meeting” to resolve the matter. A scheduled committee meeting was canceled.
Dennehy reported progress on the library patio project, a Community Preservation Committee-funded initiative. She’s working with Mike Slawson to finalize specifications for spring bidding and construction. Board members discussed potentially adding a memorial area, with Dennehy confirming it “could be added later” after initial construction.
The board approved Plympton Athletic Youth Sports’ request to use the gazebo and roadway to Holt Field for opening day baseball on April 12, subject to other department approvals. Members also approved a town clerk request for a large metal drop box for ballot collection, dog license payments, and other business. The box will be ADA compliant.
Financial reporting will continue monthly, with year-to-date budget updates from the town accountant. Dennehy said recent reviews showed most departments in good shape, with over-expenditures primarily reflecting required payment timing. Public safety departments are “trying to keep a tight lid on overtime,” she said.
The board opened warrants for annual and special town meetings, both closing the last Monday in March. Members approved Dec. 22 meeting minutes and adjourned to executive session for town accountant contract negotiations.

The Silver Lake Regional School Committee took initial steps toward a long-term facilities funding plan Jan. 8, voting to authorize discussions with member towns about establishing a stabilization fund for capital expenses while scheduling a public budget hearing for its next meeting. The committee engaged in extensive debate over how to address $73 million in building maintenance needs without resorting to costly borrowing, approved the FY2027 school calendar, and heard a presentation on the district’s expanding Project Lead the Way STEM education pathway.
The committee approved warrants totaling $3,123,584.40 during its consent agenda, reflecting ongoing operational expenses for the regional district serving Halifax, Kingston, and Plympton. Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Hickey will present preliminary FY26 budget figures at the upcoming budget hearing, with the committee voting to use a 2.5% increase to project member town assessments for planning purposes.
The evening’s most substantial discussion centered on a stabilization fund proposal presented by committee member Jason Fraser of Plympton. The proposal would address a critical facility maintenance challenge: the district’s two buildings would cost over $500 million to replace, but require approximately $73 million in repairs to maintain them for the next 20 to 40 years. An engineering assessment identified these repair needs, which district maintenance staff estimate they can handle $13 million of internally, leaving a $60 million gap.
Fraser proposed establishing a Silver Lake Stabilization Fund for capital expenses, beginning with $700,000 in the FY27 budget. The proposal leverages timing that would minimize impact on taxpayers: the district is paying off $700,000 in excluded debt this year and another $600,000 next year, which would allow the stabilization fund to grow to $1.3 million annually without increasing the overall regional assessment.
“This is about creating sustainability and predictability,” Fraser explained. “We desperately want to avoid having to take out a $400 million bond to replace these buildings. If we take care of our problems now, this report tells us we can keep these buildings functioning at a high level for many, many years to come.”
However, the proposal encountered pushback from fellow committee members who questioned the timing and the lack of advance communication with member town officials. Multiple members expressed concern that introducing such a proposal during already tight budget seasons could damage relationships with towns and undermine support for the district’s budget.
“I want to acknowledge the thought and the work and the soul that you put into the idea of a stabilization fund,” a representative of the Silver Lake Education Association said. “With that being said, you are giving me heart palpitations.”
Committee Chair Gordon Laws and others emphasized that any stabilization fund proposal would require extensive consultation with town officials, select boards, and finance committees before moving forward. Some members noted that Kingston, in particular, might need a Proposition 2½ override to accommodate the change, as the town is close to its levy limit.
Despite the concerns about process, the committee voted to authorize Fraser to engage with select boards, finance committees, and citizens of the three towns about the proposal, and to include $700,000 in the Silver Lake stabilization line of the FY27 budget. The vote allows for continued discussion and development of the concept while acknowledging that implementation would require town approval.
Fraser acknowledged the feedback and agreed that proper stakeholder engagement would be essential. “If the towns say no, which right now, because of the fiscal pressures on the towns, I understand why they might not want to say yes to this, $700,000 of our assessments will fall off this year,” he said. “We’ll deal with the building situation later.”
The discussion highlighted the delicate balance regional school committees must maintain between long-term financial planning and respecting the budget processes of their member communities.
The committee also voted to continue funding the Nutrition Services Director position from the district’s revolving lunch account rather than the general operating budget, maintaining the current funding structure that keeps those costs separate from town assessments.
Earlier in the meeting, the committee heard a presentation on the district’s Project Lead the Way capstone program, a culminating experience for students who have progressed through the school’s STEM education pathway. Instructors Scott Farrell and Craig Murray detailed how the program has evolved from disconnected engineering courses into a comprehensive K-12 pathway.
The pathway now includes three Project Lead the Way courses at the middle school level—design and modeling, automation and robotics, and computer science—providing all seventh and eighth graders exposure to STEM fields regardless of their intended career paths. At the high school, students can take introductory engineering design, principles of engineering, civil engineering and architecture, and the capstone course where they develop independent projects addressing real-world problems.
Three senior students presented their capstone projects to the committee, explaining their design processes, prototypes, and outcomes. The program allows students to earn college credit and provides access to industry showcases where they present their work to professionals.
The committee also approved the FY2027 school calendar, which aligns most dates with the current year’s schedule. The calendar places two professional development days on election dates in September and November to accommodate elementary schools that serve as polling locations. The calendar includes five potential snow days, with a final day of school scheduled accordingly.
The regionalization study committee will meet Jan. 21. The Union 31 committee will convene in late February to discuss the shared cost contract between member communities.
The stabilization fund proposal represents a potential shift in how the district funds long-term capital needs, with significant implications for member town budgets. While the proposal would not immediately increase overall assessments—leveraging debt that’s rolling off—it would change how those funds are allocated and could require Proposition 2½ overrides in some member towns. The decision allows for community discussion before any final implementation. The scheduled budget hearing at the next meeting will provide residents their first official opportunity to comment on the district’s FY26 spending plans, while the stabilization fund discussion will continue in parallel with member town officials.

After a marathon five-hour meeting that drew a crowd to Plymouth Town Hall, the Select Board unanimously voted to adopt the Plymouth Police Department’s immigration enforcement policy as official town policy, ending months of debate over how the town should respond to federal immigration enforcement activity.
The Jan. 6 meeting began at 6 p.m. and ran past 11 p.m., filling the Great Hall to overflowing and requiring simulcasting to a second room. The gathering represented the culmination of weeks of community discussion about Plymouth’s response to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Massachusetts.
At issue were two competing approaches: Selectman Kevin Canty’s proposed policy governing all town employees, and the existing Plymouth Police Department policy presented by Chief Dana Flynn. After extensive debate and public comment, the board adopted the police policy while committing to annual reviews and requiring notification of any changes.
Chief Flynn opened with a detailed presentation of the department’s immigration enforcement policy, developed and implemented in Feb. 2025. The policy establishes clear guidelines for how Plymouth police interact with federal immigration authorities while adhering to Massachusetts law.
“Enforcing federal immigration law is not the mission of the Plymouth Police Department,” Flynn stated. “Accordingly, it is not appropriate for a member of the Department to inquire about, or investigate a non-citizen’s immigration or travel status if the sole purpose is to determine an individual’s immigration status or whether the person is in the country lawfully.”
The policy prohibits officers from holding individuals solely based on ICE civil detainers—administrative requests from federal authorities to keep someone in custody beyond normal release time. This aligns with the 2017 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in Commonwealth v. Lunn, which ruled state and local law enforcement lack authority to detain individuals based solely on federal civil immigration detainers.
Under the policy, Plymouth officers may share information with ICE when individuals are arrested for violent felonies including murder, assault with intent to murder, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, armed burglary, rape, mayhem, and armed robbery. Information sharing is also permitted for terrorism-related offenses, human trafficking, fraudulent assimilation of individuals into the United States, and suspected criminal street gang activity involving violence or distribution of illegal drugs or weapons.
The policy prohibits Plymouth officers from participating in ICE raids or operations solely for civil immigration enforcement, except to provide officer safety support such as traffic control or emergency assistance.
Chief Flynn explained his department’s communication with ICE, “anytime ICE comes into Plymouth, and we’re notified of their presence, if you will, they have to notify local police departments that they’re operating in your area,” Flynn said. “If it’s related to civil immigration enforcement, we do not engage.”
The chief cited two specific incidents that raised community concerns: an Aug. 20, 2025 incident where ICE vehicles nearly caused a collision while running a red light in North Plymouth, and a Sept. 23, 2025 incident where ICE agents left a vehicle abandoned at a busy intersection after removing an individual from it. Flynn said he immediately contacted ICE’s liaison about both incidents.
Canty’s proposal would have established a town-wide policy governing all municipal employees, not just police. While similar in substance to the police policy, it used different language in key areas, including references to “subversive” activities as a category where information could be shared with ICE.
“I personally have misgivings about the broad application of subversive,” Canty said. “I understand the Chief’s intents, but I just think it is a broad term.”
Town Counsel Kate McKay raised concerns about having two separate policies on the same subject. “I think when there are two different policies, that is a legal concern,” McKay said. She also warned about potential federal funding implications, noting ongoing litigation between the federal government and cities like Boston over immigration policies.
The public comment period, which Board Chair David Golden structured to alternate between supporters and opponents, showcased deep community divisions. More than two dozen residents spoke.
Supporters emphasized the importance of making immigrants feel safe. Steve Franzino of Precinct 15 argued Canty’s proposal “provides civil oversight that is responsive to the public concern,” noting that “when part of the community fears interaction with local law enforcement or town officials for that matter, crime goes unreported, victims remain silent, and trust breaks down.”
Critics argued the police policy was sufficient and the discussion distracted from Plymouth’s budget crisis. Tim Lawler charged the meeting represented “Kevin Canty’s personal agenda” rather than taxpayer priorities. Wrestling Brewster, chair of Precinct 15, suggested the board should simply review the existing police policy annually.
Former Selectman Charlie Bletzer, who managed a Plymouth restaurant for 25 years, emphasized immigrants’ economic importance. “Our number one industry in Plymouth is tourism,” Bletzer said. “The service industry cannot survive without the immigrants.”
The turning point came when Golden ruled the board would not vote that evening, citing recently adopted procedures requiring introduction at one meeting before voting at another. Canty challenged the ruling, arguing the restriction applied only to procedural policies governing board operations, not substantive town policies. The board voted 3-2 to overrule Golden (Bill Keohan, Canty and Deborah Iaquinto yes; Golden and Richard Quintal no), allowing debate to continue as Quintal left for another engagement.
In the final hour, Canty and Flynn worked toward compromise. Canty proposed adopting the police policy in its entirety as it applies to police employees, subject to annual review and requiring notification of changes.
“Chief, we’re trying to do the same thing, but I’m doing six in one hand and you’re doing half a dozen in the other,” Canty said. “The police policy wasn’t publicly available, so we can fix that now, and we can move forward in a collaborative way.”
Flynn expressed concern about seeking board approval before updating policy but agreed to annual reviews and notification. “The intent of my suggestion to advise you is to get it out, to make sure there are no questions, and to alleviate the insinuations that we are working under the cloak of darkness and working hand-in-hand with ICE,” Flynn said. “Nothing would be further from the truth.”
Under the compromise, the police immigration enforcement policy becomes official Select Board policy for Plymouth Police Department employees. The policy will be subject to annual review, with Flynn notifying the board and potentially presenting any proposed changes, though his contract authority to set departmental policy remains intact. Canty indicated he may return with a separate policy governing other town employees.
The final vote was unanimous among members present: Keohan, Canty, Iaquinto and Golden all voting yes. Golden, who had expressed reservations about Canty’s original proposal, praised the compromise.
“My concern has been that we are not tying the hands of our law enforcement officers,” Golden said. “We need to trust the people on the ground to make the right decisions. Mr. Canty’s concession to adopt the police department’s policy is magnanimous and shows we are moving to a more collaborative place.”
Keohan called the evening “an example of how when we all start to communicate at a higher level, we actually get things done.” Iaquinto said it was “never a waste of time to take residents’ concerns seriously.”

The Plympton Board of Selectmen unanimously committed to joining Kingston and Halifax in a regional mental health clinician program, allocating $4,521 from opioid settlement funds through the end of the fiscal year. The collaborative initiative will provide a dedicated mental health professional to assist police across all three Silver Lake communities with mental health and substance use disorder calls.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy presented the regional clinician proposal, explaining the program has been developing through collaboration between the three towns and their police departments. Kingston secured grant funding from the Department of Mental Health to hire the clinician, who will be a Kingston employee serving all three communities. The arrangement builds on a similar program Plympton previously operated with Carver, which Dennehy described as “very successful.”
The clinician will respond to mental health calls alongside police officers, providing professional assessment and support during crisis situations. The position will also assist with follow-up services, connecting residents with advocacy resources and treatment programs. “A lot of it’s honestly a follow-up that ensues,” Dennehy explained, noting the clinician can help residents access services after officers respond to initial calls.
The financial structure mirrors the Silver Lake Regional School District assessment formula, with Kingston bearing the largest share as host community and grant administrator. Halifax will contribute roughly double Plympton’s amount. Plympton’s $4,521 startup cost will cover the program through June 30, 2026.
Board members raised questions about the program’s scope and long-term implications. Chair Dana Smith asked whether this duplicates the Plymouth County Outreach Program, which also provides clinician services. Dennehy clarified the regional clinician would be “exclusively for Kingston, Plympton, Halifax,” providing more dedicated local support than the county-wide program. Selectman Nathaniel Sides confirmed the professional would not replace first responders but serve as an adjunct, working alongside officers.
The draft agreement includes an interim term through June 30 and a provision for extension, though Dennehy indicated the town may revisit participation before committing long-term. Her primary concern centered on grant funding continuity. “I just want to make sure that if for some reason there’s an issue with the grant funding that it’s not like, oh well, now our portion has increased substantially,” she said, noting uncertainty about the full cost of covering a clinician’s salary if grant support disappeared.
Smith confirmed the vote simply expressed intent to participate, subject to final town counsel review. “So, basically this would be today’s just to have the intent to be involved in it with a further follow up on what the cost is going to be and projected cost and how it’s going to go for the long term?” he asked. Dennehy confirmed this understanding, explaining the other communities wanted official commitment before proceeding further with the agreement.
The board’s motion specifically made participation “subject to final review and approval by town council and subject to availability of opioid settlement funds to cover Plympton’s participation,” preserving the town’s ability to withdraw if circumstances change or funding becomes problematic.
Kingston Police Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra, who developed the initiative, told Kingston Selectmen in November that department surveys showed 92 percent of officers support having an on-staff mental health clinician. Kingston is purchasing a $66,000 modular office trailer to house the clinician and newly created Family Services sergeant, as the aging police station lacks adequate space. The trailer will include a “soft room” for interviewing juveniles and individuals in crisis.
The co-response model aims to divert individuals from jail to treatment services when mental health issues rather than criminal behavior drive incidents. “The intent really of that DMH grant is a jail diversion program,” Skowyra explained. “It’s really to take instances where individuals should not be getting locked up, and we can offer them services instead.” Halifax committed nearly $10,000 from opioid settlement funds during its Dec. 2nd meeting, with Halifax Police Chief Joao Chaves emphasizing the earlier program’s success before it ended due to staffing and grant administration issues.
The three-town partnership was necessary to meet DMH call volume requirements for grant approval. Skowyra emphasized integration with school resource officers across the communities, noting Silver Lake officials have already expressed enthusiasm about guidance counselors collaborating with the clinician on issues affecting students both at school and home.
The Department of Mental Health grant operates on a reimbursement basis, covering salary, benefits, health insurance, and equipment costs. William James College will provide Training Technical Assistance funded by DMH for implementing the program, helping with hiring, clinical supervision, and licensing issues. The inter-municipal agreement includes provisions for renegotiation if call volumes shift significantly among towns and contains a termination clause if DMH funding is eliminated.
The board also authorized police department use of opioid settlement funds for educational supplies supporting the LEAD program at Dennett Elementary School. Dennehy explained one invoice totaling $115 has already been submitted, with another similar invoice pending. The materials include books for students as part of substance abuse prevention education.
When Selectman Sides asked about annual opioid settlement receipts, Dennehy explained payments arrive on a rolling basis. The town has received multiple payouts totaling just over $13,000 to date. These funds accumulate and are restricted to specific uses related to substance abuse prevention and treatment. “We are somewhat limited in scope as well, which I should mention as far as proper uses of the opioid settlement funds,” Dennehy noted. “So when you have valid purposes that seem like they’re going to make a difference, it seems like this could be helpful in like a solid use of a portion of the funds.”
The regional mental health clinician program represents a significant opportunity in how Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston respond to residents experiencing mental health crises or struggling with substance use disorders. Rather than relying exclusively on law enforcement, officers will have access to a trained mental health professional who can provide immediate clinical assessment, de-escalation support, and connections to treatment resources. For Plympton families dealing with mental health or addiction challenges, this means more compassionate, professionally informed interventions that can lead to better long-term outcomes than traditional criminal justice approaches. The use of opioid settlement funds directly connects litigation proceeds from pharmaceutical companies to addressing the ongoing addiction and mental health crisis, ensuring these resources support their intended purpose of harm reduction and treatment access.

The Plympton School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY27 budget requesting $4.6 million—a 3% increase over current spending—that would raise the town’s assessment by $100,890, though state aid offsets will reduce the net taxpayer impact.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the preliminary FY27 budget at the Dec.15 meeting, outlining a $4,592,367 level service budget that maintains current programming while accommodating contractual obligations. The request represents a $134,490 increase over the FY26 budget of $4,457,877, with the town’s assessment rising to $2,972,933.
“We want to make sure that we’re supporting students’ needs academically and developmentally,” Proulx said. “We attempt to maintain class sizes and the structure necessary for effective instruction. We consider and respond to the fiscal conditions of the town, and we work to support the strategy for district improvement.” The committee had requested a level service budget plus information about restoring positions if funding allows, as well as alternative scenarios showing 2.5% increase and level-funded options.
Committee Chair Jason Fraser welcomed the modest increase. “I was pleasantly surprised with where we’re coming in,” he said. “It’s not a number that’s going to keep me up at night. We’ve had a few years of that.”
State aid helps offset the local cost. The district’s Chapter 70 funding has grown to over $1.1 million from under $500,000 in recent years. “We should be reminding people of that,” Fraser said, suggesting the committee emphasize these contributions when presenting to the Finance Committee. Members acknowledged uncertainty about state funding decisions expected in coming months, with projections that Chapter 70 allocations will remain relatively level with last year.
Finance Director Sarah Hickey is retiring in February after years managing the district’s finances. Five school committees—Silver Lake Regional, Union 31, Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston—met jointly December 18 via Zoom to approve hiring Hickey’s replacement. The new director would start in January to allow overlap for training on what Proulx called “this very complicated position.”
Fraser endorsed the overlap expense. “I think it’s money well spent from my personal perspective,” he said, noting information from a recent chairs meeting made the decision clear.
The committee unanimously approved posting a maintenance custodian position at Dennett Elementary to replace a traditional custodian role. The change is cost neutral this fiscal year and will be integrated into the FY27 budget.
Principal Peter Veneto reported enrollment remains stable at 255 students. Recent activities included ALICE safety training for staff Nov. 5, implementation of the new HMH math program with consultant support, and participation in the PRISM grant program for English Language Arts curriculum review. “We had a lot of new staff that this was new information for,” Veneto said of the ALICE training. “It was good conversation, challenging conversation, but obviously safety of most importance.”
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tricia Clifford reported HMH consultants conducted model lessons and will return in January for additional coaching. The district is also working with TNTP consultants through the PRISM grant on classroom observations and data analysis to inform the English Language Arts program review. The Curriculum Council is reviewing new programs for implementation next year, with recommendations expected in spring.
The committee approved its consent agenda and eight policies on second reading, including student fundraising activities (Policy JJE). Fraser noted the policy may affect rules for Community and School Association parent organization fundraisers.
Committee member Jon Wilhelmsen reported the regionalization study’s initial December meeting was postponed due to a posting error. The first kickoff meeting with consultants has been rescheduled for January. “This will be a good 18 months, so there won’t be anything coming quickly,” Wilhelmsen said, “but I think we have it set up for some good discussion and good research to provide the information that we need to actually talk with facts about it.”
Fraser announced he would work with newer member Ross MacPherson on subcommittee assignments before the next meeting. The capital improvement team will meet with Veneto to develop the FY27 capital plan. Dennett Elementary had early release Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m., with school resuming Jan. 5, 2026.
The 3% budget increase will determine educational services for Plympton’s 255 elementary students while raising the town’s assessment by $100,890. State funding—including $1.1 million in Chapter 70 aid—reduces the net burden on taxpayers. The relatively modest increase compared to some recent budgets signals some hope for budget stability after several challenging years.

The Halifax Elementary School Committee received a preliminary budget one month earlier than usual on Dec. 8 that presented a stark choice: approve a modest 1.4% increase, or face cutting two teaching positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the fiscal year 2027 budget at the committee’s meeting, accelerating the district’s typical January timeline by a month. The early delivery responds to the school committee’s request for a votable budget by December, though Proulx recommended waiting for firmer numbers before taking a formal vote.
“This is earlier than usual. As you know, we typically present the preliminary in January,” Proulx said, thanking Finance Director Sarah Hickey “for making this a priority and for all the hard work she has put into this budget and all of our school’s budgets, especially this year, getting it done so early.”
The level service budget — which administrators call “best designed to meet our strategy for district improvement and the needs for our students” — totals $8,147,229. After offsets including circuit breaker funds, IDEA grants, and estimated reef and rural aid, Halifax’s appropriation would be $7,772,613, a 1.4% increase over fiscal year 2026.
Proulx emphasized the careful scrutiny behind the numbers. “We really have tried to cut down anything not essential to make sure that this is a lean and appropriate budget,” she told the committee.
The alternative presents a dramatically different picture. A level funded budget of $7,615,813 after offsets would require cutting $106,800 — eliminating 2.0 full-time equivalent positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
“Obviously not something that we would necessarily want to do if there was any way we could possibly avoid that,” Proulx said when presenting the class size impacts.
School officials outlined two potential approaches to required reductions: increasing class sizes at two grade levels, or impacting one grade level while eliminating a specialist position. Administrators made clear these scenarios were forced considerations, not recommendations, and actual enrollment numbers could shift which positions would ultimately be affected.
Principal Brian Prehna’s capital needs assessment highlighted one non-negotiable expense: phone system replacement. “I want to draw your attention to that,” Proulx said. “It must be done, it must be paid for in this budget year. So that’s not a choice, and we have included it in the level services budget. We need our phones.”
Throughout the presentation, administrators cautioned that numbers remain estimates subject to change. Special education costs will fluctuate. Several grant amounts are projected rather than confirmed. Utilities are calculated on a four-year average. The shared-cost budget hasn’t been voted. The budget accounts for one known retirement but not potential additional departures.
Out-of-district vocational placements add another variable. Halifax currently has one 12th-grader in an out-of-district vocational program. The budget includes three placements, but actual enrollment won’t be known until April 1.
The Superintendent asked members to review capital priorities and consider which warrant articles to advance to the town. While the budget is technically votable, Proulx’s recommendation to wait for firmer numbers reflected the administration’s caution. “The numbers contained in the presentation are built upon assumptions and estimates, and the numbers are subject to change,” she said.
In administrative matters, the committee voted unanimously to waive the second reading and approve eight policies covering background checks, building access, school nutrition modifications, gifts to staff, student fundraising, parent booster organizations, parent advisory councils, and visitor procedures.
Lauren Laws reminded attendees of upcoming dates: Dec. 23 early release, winter break beginning Dec. 24, schools reopening Jan. 5, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, and the next committee meeting on Jan. 26.
The budget presentation forces Halifax to confront a fundamental question about educational priorities and fi scal constraints. A level funded budget would directly impact classroom instruction through larger class sizes and reduced staffing. The projected third-grade class of 30 students exceeds research-based recommendations for effective Elementary instruction and could affect learning outcomes. The alternative — a modest 1.4% increase — represents school officials’ attempt to balance educational needs with fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. As these preliminary numbers are refined over the coming weeks, the decisions made will shape the Halifax elementary educational experience for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Plympton Halifax Kingston Express Newspaper has been notified of complaints received by the Plympton Police Association from the Command Staff, as well as a Recall Petition to the Plympton Board of Selectmen for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Dana Smith. The recall petition was filed on the grounds of continued harassment of members of the Plympton Police Department, dereliction of duties as Board of Selectmen Chair, and being unable to maintain a fair and impartial working environment for town employees.
The Plympton Police Association drafted a letter to Chief Ahl outlining concerns and accusations dealing with Chairman Smith. The letter states, “The recent actions and rhetoric from the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen are uncalled for, everything from unsolicited phone calls, public disparagement, and the disregard for officer safety and well-being must be challenged…” “…What makes this situation especially troubling is that these attacks come from someone who publicly promotes himself as having over 30 years of law enforcement experience.”
Currently, there is a discrepancy between the Plympton Police Department and Chairman Smith about the benefits and necessity of Two-Officer Shifts as advised by the Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) directive. The Plympton Police Association assures that Two-Officer Shifts are not a luxury, but a mandatory lifeline. Two-Officer Staffing allows for increased safety, support, efficiency, and training and mentorship for new officers. They also claim Two-Officer shifts deter aggression by reducing the chances of escalation, protect the officers and civilians, and ensure officer safety during searches, warranted arrests, or vehicle contacts.
In 2024, 342 police officers were shot in the line of duty. 52 of those officers lost their lives. Nine of these officers were killed during traffic stops and responding to domestic disturbance calls -both of which represent the majority of police calls in Plympton. The letter from the Plympton Police Officers Association states, “…we must state in no uncertain terms our complete and unwavering disagreement with the Chairman of the Board and his outdated, misguided view of modern policing. His perspective reflects an antiquated and dangerously unrealistic understanding of today’s law enforcement environment, one that ignores safety standards, MPTC Training guidelines, and evolving realities our officers face every day.”
In a letter of Recognition of Complaints Received from the Command Staff to the Plympton Police Association, Smith is accused of making unwarranted, harassing personal phone calls to the Plympton Police Officers to “probe for negativity” and “discuss discontent” thereby disrupting the team of officers and creating an environment of stress and fear. An anonymous letter to the Express states, “We need your help to preserve the professionalism that this town deserves and has come to expect. The concerning turnover rate of volunteers serving on our town boards should have sounded the alarm, but now a new battle has also emerged as Dana Smith has been repeatedly targeting members of the Plympton Police Department… Town employees are fearful that they will be next if the don’t comply with Dana Smith’s personal agenda.”
The Express Newspaper reached out to Chairman Smith and Police Chief Ahl, and both are unable to comment at this time. We, at the Express, encourage civil and fair dialogue between all residents and town employees as the story develops, and we will continue to offer the documented, publicly available and circulated information we receive. We hope for a peaceful and productive outcome and an increased desire for community morale to improve in the town of Plympton.

Kingston school administrators presented the School Committee on Dec. 1 with a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget totaling approximately $16.35 million after offsets—a 4.82% increase over the current year. If the town limits funding to 2.5%, three teaching positions would be eliminated and class sizes would grow districtwide.
Superintendent Jill Proulx and Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Hickey delivered the district’s earliest-ever budget presentation, responding to pressure from town officials pushing for greater transparency and adherence to a local bylaw requiring preliminary reviews by November.
“This is the earliest we’ve ever reviewed the budget,” noted School Committee member Jeanne Coleman during the meeting. The early presentation comes as the town grapples with competing budget demands across municipal departments and seeks to avoid override scenarios.
The level services budget, which maintains current staffing and programming, would total $17,188,080 before offsets. After accounting for estimated circuit breaker reimbursements at 70%, special education transportation reimbursement at 50%, and other offsets, the net budget request comes to $16,349,160—a 4.82% increase over FY26.
Administrators also presented two alternative scenarios illustrating difficult choices ahead. A 2.5% increase—described by Hickey as “a middle of the road number as a target for something that might be votable”—would require $362,436 in cuts: two full-time teachers at Kingston Elementary School, one at Kingston Intermediate School, one paraprofessional, $83,000 in curriculum spending, and roughly $14,000 in technology supplies.
The impact on students would be immediate and measurable. Under the 2.5% scenario, class sizes at KES in grades one and two would increase, while KIS would see larger sixth-grade classes as a planned staffing shift from third grade—where enrollment is declining—would be eliminated rather than reassigned.
A level-funded budget would prove far more severe, requiring $752,356 in cuts and an additional 4.7 full-time equivalent teaching positions eliminated. Average class sizes would reach 23-24 students in kindergarten, 21-23 in elementary grades, and as high as 25-26 in sixth grade.
“I’m never a fan of level funding ever,” said committee member Sheila Vaughn. “I will never vote level funding ever in my lifetime on this committee.”
Despite having language prepared should the committee wish to take a vote, Coleman urged restraint. “I don’t recommend that we vote any budget tonight,” she said. “These are numbers that we can present to the town in good faith… I actually think we’re in a much better position than we might have felt like we would have been at a year ago. These numbers don’t scare me looking at them as first draft.”
Coleman noted that for the first time in four or five years, the schools are presenting an initial budget under 5%. “I think for a first draft this is better news than I think expected, and I think it’ll give the town something to work with,” she said. Chair Megan Cannon agreed: “This is better than we expected.”
Administrators cautioned that the budget figures remain estimates. Preliminary circuit breaker reimbursement rates, Chapter 70 aid, and kindergarten enrollment numbers will not be finalized until later in the budget cycle. Current kindergarten projections show 161 students built into the budget, though actual registrations may vary.
Cannon reported that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has warned Kingston that late submission of end-of-year financial reports could result in withholding of second-quarter circuit breaker payments and potentially Chapter 70 funds. “Sarah [Hickey] is working diligently on getting these end-of-year reports done, and we are hopeful that we can get everything in, in enough time to not have that outcome,” she said.
Both building principals outlined extensive capital needs requiring future warrant article approvals. At Kingston Elementary School, Principal Dr. Kerri Whipple identified the building’s aging chiller as a top priority, particularly since KES hosts Extended School Year programming. An elevator hydraulic upgrade estimated at $55,000 is required for inspection compliance, and larger capacity generators are needed after power outages revealed significant portions of the building lack backup power.
At Kingston Intermediate School, Principal Andrew Materna reported that previously approved capital projects are awaiting bids before new requests can proceed. Future needs include a hydrotank, HVAC repairs, air duct cleaning, and generator replacement. The KIS roof continues to require ongoing patching, with members noting that a full replacement will likely be needed within years.
Coleman thanked voters for approving a temporary override to replace 11% of the KES roof. “That’s going to pay dividends that we’re not going to be paying for patchwork for something that needed to be done,” she said.
PTO President Barbara Gildea reported that the annual “Fund the Fund” campaign raised over $21,000 for field trips and programming. The PTO also distributed $7,000 in teacher mini-grants plus approximately $70,000 in classroom supplies and reimbursements.
Cannon recognized Jeanne Coleman, who received an Outstanding Member Award at the Massachusetts Association of School Committees annual convention. Coleman is in her ninth year on the Kingston School Committee and also serves on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee.

The ecological and economic health of Duxbury Bay is being increasingly threatened by severe nitrogen pollution, primarily from septic systems and fertilizers, according to the comprehensive State of the Bay 2025 report presented to the Duxbury Selectboard Monday evening, Nov. 17.
Peter Quigley of the Duxbury Bay Management Commission delivered the sobering findings, drawn from a year-long volunteer effort analyzing over 15 years of water quality data. The report, which updates the 2009 assessment, highlights declining conditions in an estuary that supports a thriving 12 million oyster harvest annually and is the centerpiece of the town’s recreational and commercial life.
The Nitrogen Threat: A Canary in the Coal Mine
Quigley warned the board, “This is a canary in the coal mine type scenario,” explaining that nitrogen from human sources is driving excessive plant growth (eutrophication) that depletes oxygen and endangers marine life. The most critical finding is that most of Duxbury Bay north of a line from the Harbormaster’s dock to High Pines now has nitrogen levels at or above concerning ecological thresholds, indicating impaired water quality.
The data confirms that the pollution is worsening. Charts presented to the board showed nitrogen levels in the Bluefish River, below Powder Point Bridge, and at the Harbormaster’s dock are all trending upward over time. Measurements in the Bluefish River, in particular, are significantly above draft thresholds established in a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) study.
The report identifies septic systems as the primary source of nitrogen pollution, with fertilizer use as a secondary contributor. Conventional Title 5 septic systems do not remove nitrogen before wastewater enters groundwater and eventually flows into the bay. The shared septic system located at Snug Harbor, directly above the Bluefish River, was cited as a particular concern because it lacks nitrogen removal technology.
Visibly, the problem is manifesting as a green coloration on tidal flats at low tide, a symptom of excess plant growth. Quigley noted that this extensive green coverage on the flats was not present as recently as five years ago.
The Stakes: Mandatory Restrictions Loom
While the MassDEP draft thresholds are not yet officially enforced by the EPA, Quigley cautioned that enforcement is likely coming. He pointed to the regulatory fate of Cape Cod, where all 15 towns are now subject to nitrogen-sensitive area designations requiring nitrogen removal in all septic systems, with no grandfathering.
Selectboard member Mike McGee stressed the need to act proactively, emphasizing that the septic issue is tightly intertwined with the PFAS contamination issues the town has already been addressing. The cost of mandated septic system upgrades could fall heavily on individual homeowners if the town does not intervene.
Broader Ecological Threats
The crisis extends beyond nitrogen levels. The report documented several other concerning trends:
1. Eelgrass Die-off: The bay has suffered a massive eelgrass die-off of up to 75 percent over the past decade. Eelgrass provides critical habitat, stabilizes sediments, and enhances water clarity. Loss is driven by nutrient-driven turbidity, rising water temperatures, and physical disturbance.
2. Temperature Stress: Duxbury Bay is experiencing increasingly frequent episodes of extremely warm water, defined as temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25°C), which stress aquatic life and contribute to low oxygen events.
3. Invasive Species: The proliferation of invasive species poses a growing threat. These include European green crabs, tunicates (sea squirts), and bryozoans (moss animals). Cris Luttazi of the Duxbury Beach Reservation described an underwater video survey showing only green crabs, resembling “a horror movie,” which preys on juvenile shellfish and damages eelgrass.
The Bay’s Strengths and Solutions
Despite these severe stressors, the bay remains productive. Water quality for pathogens is generally very good, supporting swimming beaches and the commercial oyster industry, except following heavy rain events.
The burgeoning oyster industry provides a measurable environmental benefit: the 12 million oysters harvested in 2024 remove the equivalent of nitrogen waste from about 1,000 residents annually. Eelgrass restoration efforts are also underway through collaboration between the North and South River Watershed Association, DVMS, Mass Bays, and Island Creek Oysters.
Recommended Actions and Next Steps
Quigley recommended several immediate management actions:
1. Nitrogen Source Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the sources and estimated volumes of nitrogen contamination, focusing on the Bluefish and Back River watersheds. The Board of Health and Conservation Commission are positioned to lead this effort.
2. Fertilizer Reduction: Implement short-term solutions such as seasonal fertilizer bans and voluntary landscaper pledges that follow best practices. Selectboard member Fernando Guitart suggested surveying fertilizer usage by town entities and the Duxbury Yacht Club.
3. Habitat Restoration: Develop and execute pilot projects for eelgrass and marsh grass, and investigate creating shellfish reefs for natural nitrogen removal.
The Selectboard endorsed holding quarterly meetings with the Planning Board to support town goals, and Selectboard members agreed to share the findings of the report with the Board of Health and Conservation Commission. The Bay Management Commission will present the findings to the Conservation Commission on Dec. 2 and the Board of Health soon thereafter to develop a nitrogen source assessment plan. The window for voluntary action, the report concludes, is rapidly closing.

This is the time of year when local municipal officials, like the Select Boards in towns across the South Shore, conclude the annual process of property tax classification, making critical policy decisions that determine how the total property tax levy will be distributed among residents and businesses. This annual public hearing is mandated by Massachusetts General Law and is crucial because while it does not increase or reduce the total amount of money collected by the town, it determines how that predetermined burden is shared between property owners.
The Core Decision: Single Rate vs. Split Rate
The process begins when local Assessors classify all real property according to its use into four primary classes: Residential (Class I), Open Space (Class II), Commercial (Class III), and Industrial (Class IV). Personal property forms a fifth category.
The pivotal policy decision is determining whether to adopt a Single Tax Rate or a Split Tax Rate, formalized by the Select Board setting the Residential Factor (RF).
If the Select Board sets the RF at 1.0, a Single Tax Rate is adopted, meaning every property class pays a rate proportional to its assessed valuation share of the town’s tax levy.
If the RF is set to less than 1.0, a Split Tax Rate is implemented. This reduces the tax burden on Residential and Open Space (RO) properties, shifting the resulting cost onto Commercial, Industrial, and Personal (CIP) properties. State law restricts this shift, ensuring CIP classes typically cannot pay more than 150% of their proportional share.
Local Choices: Single Rates in Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston
The majority of municipalities use a single tax rate. For the towns featured in this paper, maintaining a single rate is the prevailing policy, driven by the size of their commercial tax base.
In Halifax, the Board of Selectmen already voted unanimously in September to adopt a single tax rate for Fiscal Year 2026, setting the Residential Factor at 1.00. This decision keeps residential and business properties taxed at the same estimated rate of 14.09 per thousand of assessed value. Principal Assessor Debbie Dean recommended the single rate, with the Selectmen noting a shift may drive away local “mom-and-pops”.
Plympton Selectmen also unanimously (2-0) approved maintaining a factor of one for Fiscal Year 2026 on November 17, taxing residential, commercial, industrial, and personal properties at the same rate. Residential property makes up 75% of the tax levy, with commercial, industrial, and personal property under 25%, a composition that led the Assessor’s Representative Holly Merry to deem a split rate “not recommended.” Plympton expects a tax rate of $14.26 for FY 26.
Kingston similarly sets a single tax rate for all classes, with the FY 2026 rate estimated at $12.83 per $1,000. Principal Assessor Maureen Clarke informed the Selectmen that residential properties made up about 88% of the tax base. Kingston held their tax classification hearing for FY26 on Tuesday.

Hanover’s Choice: Adopting a Split Rate to Share the Burden
In contrast, just north of us the Hanover Select Board voted to set a Split Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025. The board approved a split of 1.15, an increase over the previous split of 1.04, following public discussion. The Residential Factor was set to 0.9725. This resulted in a residential tax rate of $12.35 per 1,000 and a commercial tax rate of 14.60 per $1,000.
Hanover’s policy is controversial, partly because its commercial properties only make up approximately 15% of the tax base, while residential properties account for 85%. Les Molyneux, a member of their Board of Assessors, noted that some experts believe a split rate is truly effective only when the commercial base reaches around 30%.
Proponents of the shift, citing data showing that Hanover’s tax shift is significantly lower than that of other communities with similar commercial drivers, argue that large commercial entities like those along Route 53 disproportionately increase traffic and strain public safety services, requiring them to contribute a greater share to infrastructure. Opponents, including business owners, warned that the increased commercial tax rate, which they often pass on to tenants through leases, hurts small local businesses—the “mom-and-pops”—and makes Hanover less competitive than nearby single-rate towns like Norwell and Pembroke. In Plymouth County, currently only Brockton, Carver, Hanover, Middleborough, and West Bridgewater split the rates.

Rejected Exemptions Across All Three Towns
In addition to the core split/single rate decision, local officials considered three optional exemptions available only to local jurisdictions, opting to reject all of them:
1. Residential Exemption (RE): This option shifts the tax burden within the residential class from lower-valued, owner-occupied homes to higher-valued homes, rentals, and vacation properties. It is intended to help residents using the property as their principal residence. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston rejected this exemption. Halifax noted it was inappropriate given the town has only about 50 second homes.
2. Small Commercial Exemption (SCE): This grants a tax reduction (up to 10% of assessed value) for commercial properties valued under $1 million occupied by businesses with 10 or fewer employees. The resulting cost is shifted only to larger commercial/industrial properties. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston voted no on this option, partly because administering the exemption and tracking annual eligibility can be complex and burdensome for assessors.
3. Open Space Discount: This option reduces the tax levy paid by Open Space properties, shifting the cost exclusively to the residential class. Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston all voted no on adopting an Open Space Discount.

Since the tax classification decision is valid for only one year, this mandatory public hearing process will repeat annually, allowing Select Boards around the state to reevaluate their tax policies each fiscal year.