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You are here: Home / Archives for Breaking News

Halifax loses grant due to MBTA Communities Non-Compliance

August 22, 2025 By Justin Evans

Halifax has lost a $61,608 Green Communities grant due to its non-compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, marking the first confirmed financial penalty the town faced for refusing to adopt required multifamily zoning, after redirecting a prior Silver Lake Regionalization Study grant to Kingston.
The Department of Energy Resources notified Interim Town Administrator Robert Fennessy that while Halifax was selected to receive the grant for energy efficiency projects in municipal and school buildings, the funds cannot be awarded due to the town’s non-compliant status under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, Section 3A.
“Awards under this program are contingent upon a municipality being able to certify that it will comply with all applicable laws,” the department wrote in a letter to Fennessy. “To be eligible to receive awards under the Green Communities Competitive Grant Program, the town would need to remediate this noncompliance.”
The grant rejection comes as the state intensifies enforcement of the MBTA Communities Act. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities sent Halifax a formal non-compliance letter stating the town failed to submit a district compliance application by the July 14 deadline.
“Halifax remains non-compliant with Section 3A,” wrote Secretary Edward Augustus Jr. in the letter, which was copied to the town’s state legislative delegation. “As the Supreme Judicial Court held in Attorney General v. Town of Milton, compliance with the law is mandatory and enforceable by the Attorney General.”
Board of Selectmen Chair Jonathan Selig acknowledged the financial consequences were expected but said the town remains committed to its position.
“The town spoke. The Board of Selectmen is clear. We got the message loud and clear,” Selig said, referring to strong community opposition expressed at previous meetings. “We did warn the community that this is a distinct reality. It wasn’t a scare tactic. We just wanted to give those folks some foresight as to what was coming.”
Selectman Thomas Pratt called the grant loss “a formality” and said it came as “no surprise.”
“We kind of knew that’s where we were. We had some choices to make to get an interim compliance and we declined to do so,” Pratt said.
The town continues pursuing legal challenges to the MBTA Communities Act. Fennessy testified before the state legislature in July supporting three bills authored by Representative Ken Sweezey that would modify or repeal the act, though the bills have not advanced from committee.
Fennessy warned that more grant rejections may follow, noting that many applications now include compliance check boxes at the top.
“Unfortunately they know our status right now,” Selig said about the state’s awareness of Halifax’s position.
The MBTA Communities Act requires certain municipalities to create zoning districts allowing multifamily housing as-of-right. Halifax was required to zone for at least 1,750 new housing units but has refused to comply, joining a small number of communities statewide in active resistance to the law.
In other business, the board approved an Eagle Scout project by Paul Beauchesne to refurbish dugouts at the town’s minor baseball fields. The project will include cleaning, repairing, and painting the concrete dugouts, which Selig described as “lovingly referred to as the prison dugouts.”
“Those dugouts are really, really snug and really, really needing some TLC,” Selig said. The $500 project is expected to take about a week to complete.
The board also received an update on a veterans memorial honoring Josh Curtis, a Halifax resident who died in 2025. Veterans of Foreign Wars representative David Walsh said the polished granite bench is expected to arrive by late August or early September, with dedication planned for Veterans Day at 11 a.m.
“On the back it will say Joshua Aaron Curtis. Straight across. 1986 to 2025. Hero in combat. Hero in life,” Walsh said.
The board delayed action on a three-year asphalt rubber surface treatment contract with All States Construction after resident Frank Johnston questioned the lack of a not-to-exceed value in the agreement. The contract establishes unit prices for road work but does not cap total spending.
“I’ve never signed an open contract with no dollar value attached,” Johnston said. “It’s called a not-to-exceed and NTE attached to that contract.”
Board members agreed to table the matter until Highway Superintendent Steve Hayward can provide clarification at the next meeting.
The town received positive financial news with $555,544 in Chapter 90 highway funds from the state, including a supplemental allocation. Halifax also received the first payment of $93,655 from a PFAS lawsuit settlement with 3M, with additional payments expected over several years.
Fennessy said the PFAS settlement money, which could total around $400,000 for Halifax, will likely support ongoing landfill monitoring and maintenance costs.
The board approved library staffing arrangements for when Director Dylan Benoit takes paternity leave in late September. Maria Bumpus will serve as acting director at her previous interim rate, while Jean Gallant will provide substitute coverage at $18.88 per hour.
Halifax continues operating with an Interim Town Administrator while conducting a search for a permanent Town Administrator. Fennessy, who completed his first month in the role, praised the town staff and said he is “very excited to work here with these people.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Hickey resigns, new TA search begins

August 15, 2025 By Justin Evans

The Kingston Board of Selectmen is moving forward with plans to find both an interim and permanent town administrator following the resignation of Keith Hickey, who announced his departure at the Wednesday, Aug. 6 selectmen’s meeting, to take a position in Fairhaven.
Hickey’s contract includes a 90-day notice period, keeping him employed through the town until late October, though the board is considering allowing him to leave earlier if suitable replacements are found. Board members discussed the transition timeline during their Aug. 5 meeting, with several expressing preference for a two-week overlap period between Hickey and his successor.
“I would like to see us work with Keith here to see if we could get to a point where we can, in effect, release him earlier,” said Carl Pike, suggesting a target date of Oct. 1 instead of the full 90-day period. “I would think, from my point of view, that we probably absolutely going to need him for 60 days.”
The board faces the challenge of conducting two separate searches while managing the town’s tight budget situation. Members debated whether to hire a professional search firm, which typically costs $15,000 to $20,000, or conduct the search internally using a committee approach.
Chair Eric Crone expressed concerns about the financial implications given the town’s budget constraints. “We’re literally saying we’ve got $3,000 and then probably less available under the levy,” Crone said. “It’s hard to then say, oh, well, let’s spend the money when we could do it, I think.”
Pike acknowledged the financial reality while noting that finding the money should be possible within the town’s $50 million to $60 million budget. “The town should always be able to find that in a 50 million dollar budget,” Pike said. “I don’t care if you have to cut back some overtime somewhere, or you don’t buy this equipment.”
However, Pike also supported starting the search process internally, suggesting the board could reassess and hire a search firm later if needed. “I absolutely agree that any place we don’t have to spend money in the next eight or ten months, whatever’s left, I personally will be charging forward and saying, hey, do we have to spend that?”
The board plans to establish a search committee for the permanent position, likely including two selectmen and potentially department heads or other town officials. Vice Chair Kim Emberg suggested involving the Police Chief, Fire Chief, or HR Director in the process.
For the interim position, the board discussed a more streamlined approach. Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff indicated that interim appointments do not require the same formal interview process as permanent hires, allowing for more flexibility in selection and timing.
“Kate made it sound like you don’t put interims through rigorous process,” Crone said. “You’re just hiring whoever’s available, whoever’s willing to do it.”
The board expressed interest in finding an interim administrator who could potentially become a permanent candidate, though they emphasized that any interim would need to go through the full application process for the permanent positin.
Donald Alcombright raised concerns about limiting the candidate pool by focusing on interim-to-permanent transitions. “I just don’t want to be in that situation where we’re basically reaching out to three specific candidates that we’re thinking about as opposed to having 30 people apply,” he said.
Hickey offered to assist with the transition, noting his availability to help whoever takes over the position. “I’m a phone call and email or text away, so if I can help whoever’s sitting in that chair, you know, I’m always going to be willing to do that,” he said.
The outgoing Town Administrator highlighted several ongoing projects that will need attention during the transition.
“You know, I guess from my point of view, over the next few weeks, you know, we’ve got a fall town meeting in October,” Hickey said. “I’m working with Kathleen Barrette, our Finance Director. I’ve reached out to the School to try to put together a five-year financial plan.”
The board also discussed gathering input from department heads about desired qualities in the next administrator. Hickey suggested meeting with department heads as a group rather than individually to provide more constructive feedback.
“One of the things I think would be important, whether it be just two board members so there’s not a posted meeting, you know, maybe meet with the department heads as a group,” Hickey said.
Before beginning the search process, the board needs to finalize the job description used in the previous search in 2020. Pike noted that the current description needs cleanup for grammar and duplications, though the overall content remains appropriate.
The board plans to continue discussions about the search process at future meetings, with members emphasizing the need to move quickly while maintaining thoroughness in the selection process.
The Town Administrator position oversees daily municipal operations and serves as the Chief Administrative Officer under Kingston’s Open Town Meeting form of government. The role involves coordinating between various departments, managing budgets, and implementing policies set by the Board of Selectmen.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Ricketts Pond 60-unit 40B project estates heard

August 8, 2025 By Stephani Teran

The Plympton Zoning Board held a public hearing on July 29 for the proposed Ricketts Pond Estates 40B development. Suzanne Jafferian, ZBA Chairman, opened the hearing along with her zoning board members Ethan Stiles, David Alberti, and Lukasz Kowalski. The applicant, Peter Opachinski of SLT Construction, who is proposing a 60-unit housing development in the Ricketts Pond area, was represented in the hearing by Paul Cusson of Delphic Associates, LLC.
The meeting began with the zoning board recapping that they had selected their peer reviewing engineer, Gregory Driscoll, Principal Engineer at JDE Civil, Inc. and that they anticipated a presentation from the representative of McKenzie Engineering, the engineering group on the development team for the Ricketts Pond Estates, during the hearing per previous discussion at the last hearing. When the floor was given to begin the presentation, however, Cusson explained that there would not be a presentation. He said their understanding was a bit different from the zoning boards requests.
Cusson said they had submitted plans, including a storm water management plan, to be reviewed by the ZBA consulting engineer, Driscoll, and that they hoped to be able to respond to the review as that was the main purpose of the night’s hearing. Cusson also assured that the applicant had made the deposit for peer review by Driscoll, but there didn’t seem to be any point in a complex, detailed engineering presentation because Driscoll had not yet been given authorization to proceed on his peer review report. This meant that the applicant’s engineer from McKenzie had nothing to respond to and therefore the anticipated presentation for the evening would not take place.
Ethan Stiles responded in an attempt to address this discrepancy. Stiles said that he did, indeed, receive the deposit check from SLT for the peer review cost per Driscoll, and that he took it to the town treasurer to deposit into a 53G account, and that the ZBA would review the bills via Driscoll and pay out the deposit amount bit by bit as the bills came in, but he admitted that perhaps this was not how the deposit was supposed to be paid out. Stiles asked town council, Carolyn Murray, to clarify if this was how Driscoll was supposed to be paid for his services, amounting to $15,000.00, rather than paying out the entire sum at once. Murray confirmed that payments were, in fact, to be made from the 53G account for this project as bills came in rather than all at once.
Driscoll then responded saying that he had received and signed the contract from the town but was waiting for deposit money to be paid out to begin the peer review. Driscoll said that he would have his bookkeeper send an invoice to the town to get the process moving along. Murray confirmed that once the contract was signed by Driscoll a portion of the deposit should have been paid to Driscoll so the peer review could begin, but said that having an invoice from JDE Civil, Inc. would be preferable to the town accountant to provide a “paper trail” of the financial exchange. Town Council also clarified that the deposit would be paid out by the building administrator who pays bills on behalf of the ZBA by requesting checks to be cut by the town treasury via invoice.
After the confusion for the process of getting the peer review started by Driscoll was resolved, and a detailed explanation of the forthcoming peer review interactions between both parties was given to the ZBA by Cusson, a motion was made for the intended presentation by McKenzie to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Once the engineer’s peer reviews are completed, both Driscoll and the McKenzie engineer will prepare responses to one another via the peer review document to work out details and discrepancies on the Ricketts Pond project.
The second order of business for the hearing related to the traffic study. Immediate concerns were brought forth by Cusson about the cost of the traffic study review. The ZBA peer review engineer, Driscoll, did not have a traffic engineer on staff so the outside services of an engineer specializing in traffic studies would be needed for this project. Cusson said that their hired traffic engineer, Jeffrey Dirk of Vanasse & Associates, Inc., for the Ricketts Pond project was asked to provide a detailed overview of what the traffic study would entail. Cusson claims their response was submitted to Driscoll on June 10. Cusson also explained that the response as to the scope of the traffic study was lengthy and detailed beyond what it would normally would be.
Cusson then went on to explain that Dirk’s quoted fee was $12,000. Cusson remarked that this quote was a bit higher than normal but within an acceptable range. The discrepancy then came to light that when the ZBA sought a quote for a peer review of the traffic study via Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. Their quote was much higher, at $21,000. Cusson wanted to know why it would cost twice as much for the review of the report as it would to prepare the actual report. Cusson also remarked that he had provided a list of other firms to get quotes from that were likely more reasonable. Kowalski assured Cusson that he had contacted all of the resources provided and that the ZBA was not going to simply go with the cheapest option to accommodate SLT Construction and that Bowman was a very reputable and large company.
Cusson interrupted and said that they would not pay $21,000 for a review of a report that should cost a fraction of that quote and Opachinski interjected that the cost of the review should be a fraction of what he is paying Dirk to do the actual groundwork and study. Kowalski pointed out that the price SLT Construction chooses to pay their traffic engineer is irrelevant to the ZBA. Cusson heatedly responded that it is not irrelevant and that the cost incurred in hiring Bowman was unjustified and unfair. Cusson then asked that the board consider the proposal to seek quotes from other companies instead of accepting the Bowman offer.
Kowalski responded that he had already contacted all the suggested companies and some were completely irrelevant to the project and not options to consider. The only other company that had provided a quote and was a reputable company relative to the traffic study review needed was from Howard Stein Hudson in Boston. Cusson pointed out that he was familiar with this company as he and his clients had hired them before and their high standing reputation was confirmed all around by both parties. The proposal via Stein Hudson was $8,000.00 -a much lower quote than that from Bowman while providing similar services and depth of review. Stiles agreed that this proposal was likely to be more acceptable to SLT and also could move things along quicker than extending the debate on costs of services, but Kowalski interjected with a proposed motion to hire Bowman on the spot for the review of the traffic study.
Stiles asked for the proposals to be shown on screen so all in the room could see them and expressed that he was not insensitive to the concerns of the applicant in terms of the cost of the Bowman review. Kowalski expressed concern that perhaps the proposal from Stein Hudson was lower because they were familiar with SLT and giving them an undisclosed discount, but Cusson pointed out that this was untrue and that in his thirty years of experience with developments they usually only pay between $4,000 – 6,000 for a peer review of a traffic study -a far cry from $21,000.
Stiles agreed that the Stein Hudson proposal seemed adequate in detail and content in comparison to the services Bowman offered and suggested it would be the more prudent approach to go with the Stein Hudson proposal for review of SLT’s traffic study. Wanting to move on from the lengthy debate Kowalski withdrew his motion to hire Bowman and made a new motion to hire Stein Hudson for the traffic study peer review. The motion was passed unanimously.
Lastly, a moment was opened at the end of the hearing for anyone to voice additional concerns and the floor was taken by Eric Donovan of 66 Winnetuxet in Plympton. He expressed concern that the hearings were taking place in the summer when most town constituents were unavailable and on vacation. Donovan stated that his cousin lives almost directly across from the proposed Ricketts Pond development and he, along with many other local residents are very concerned about the legitimate impact this development proposes in terms of population and tax increase. Donovan pointed out that the hearings would be better attended by locals if they were held in the fall once the vacation months are over. Stiles responded that they are guided by the legal response deadline of six months from the time the applicant filed their application for development. Stiles also pointed out that the hearings are being broadcast via the town website on the Area 58 channel and available at all times to the public. Donovan then addressed Opachinski and asked, “How many units do you really want?” He then explained that he is from Boston and is familiar with developments being proposed at a certain number of units but in reality, the developer intends to build many more than is disclosed in their initial proposal. The ZBA assured Donovan that they will get to the bottom of that in time. Jafferian assured Donovan that the public would have a chance to come forward and voice concerns as the hearings progressed as well. Donovan responded that he moved to Plympton because it was a “sleepy little town” and this development would change that. Following Donovan’s remarks the hearing was adjourned until the next meeting in late August.
If you would like to become involved in the proceedings for a project that will have a significant impact on Plympton’s environment -including several wetland areas, population, and taxes, please visit the town website under Town Resources: Ricketts Pond Estate Proposed 40B for the publicly available documents and either attend the next hearing on Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town House, 5 Palmer Rd., or watch the hearing live or afterward on the Area 58 Channel -linked on the town website and found under the search: Zoning Board. As a small town, residents should be involved and voice their opinions to preserve the things they love about their little but unique town in an age where it seems every spot of empty land is developed.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

A Tale of Two Transitions

August 1, 2025 By Justin Evans

The town of Halifax is once again undergoing a significant leadership transition, with Town Administrator Cody Haddad having recently resigned at the end of July 2025 and Select Board Chair John Bruno not seeking reelection last May. This current transition, however, stands in stark contrast to the turbulent period Halifax experienced in late 2022, marking a notable shift in the town’s civic atmosphere.
In August 2022, Halifax was plunged into an unprecedented crisis when two members of its three-person Select Board, Ashley DiSesa and Alexander Meade, and the new Town Administrator, Marty Golightly, all resigned on the same day. This left Jonathan Selig as the sole remaining Selectman, holding biweekly meetings and daily operations as a “one-man band” for 76 days. Selig noted at the time, “It’s a little strange, I’m not going to lie,” but stated he was “starting to get the hang of being a one-man band here”. Procedurally that involved regularly making a motion, seconding his own motion, and voting 1-0 to approve it.
Among the tensions preceding the departures was a proposed renovation to a cranberry bog by Morse Brothers, Inc., that residents believed would overwhelm their neighborhood. Meetings from April to August 2022 grew “increasingly hostile,” with neighbors shouting over representatives fearing potential damage to roads, danger to children, water contamination, and decreased home values. Some even claimed the bog project was a “coverup for a strip mine”.
The resigning officials cited a deeply “toxic” environment. Town Administrator Marty Golightly, who had only been appointed in mid-July 2022, stated it “wasn’t the right fit” for him. He had previously faced “personal attacks and threats” in his role as Director of Public Health in Abington during the pandemic, which made working in his community uncomfortable. Select Board Chair Ashley DiSesa described enduring a “storm of misogyny, sexual harassment, and underestimation by a select group of loud-mouth residents”. Co-chair Alexander Meade reported being “threatened,” “verbally attacked,” and at one point needed to use an alternate exit to evade an “angry crowd” outside Town Hall. He noted the emergence of “misplaced negative rhetoric and a mob mentality”. The emergency meeting where these resignations occurred lasted only about four minutes.
With basic government operations undermined, Halifax relied on a “skeleton-crew government”. Town Accountant Sandra Nolan stepped in as acting top official, despite having “no interest” in the Town Administrator role, simply because she felt it was “in the best interest of the town”. Police staffing was at a “difficult level”, and though candidates were identified Selig opted not to swear them in solo. The remaining town government largely focused on “rubber-stamp items such as paying bills, filling payroll, and ‘making sure the lights stay on’”. Selig acknowledged the “tough times” but expressed pride in how town workers “leaned in” to help.
The crisis concluded with a special election on November 8, 2022, held concurrently with the state’s mid-term election, to fill the two vacant Select Board seats. John Bruno, a former selectman for 15 years and town moderator for nearly a decade, ran unopposed for one seat, and Naja Nessralla was elected to the other, bringing the Select Board back to a full three members for the first time in 76 days. The new board’s “priority #1” was to find a new town administrator. A search committee, including the Town Accountant, Town Clerk, Police and Fire Chiefs, and three citizens-at-large, was formed to screen candidates.
Fast forward to 2025, and Halifax faces a different scenario. Town Administrator Cody Haddad’s resignation is a personal decision as he returns to Dartmouth. This departure is being managed with a clear transition plan, with Haddad giving ample notice and committing to assist during the transition. Select Board members have universally praised Haddad’s two-and-a-half-year tenure, crediting him with bringing “stability” to the town and charting a new course. Selectman Jonathan Selig noted that under Haddad’s leadership, the town shifted from, “putting out fires in the now to thinking down the road”. Board member Thomas Pratt stated he “always felt prepared” and “never surprised” with Haddad at the helm, calling him a “shining star”. Haddad himself noted a positive shift in town culture, experiencing “tremendous” support from residents, contrasting with the “vocal minority”.
The transition is marked by continuity, not chaos. Robert Fennessy, a former Town Administrator in Carver and Kingston with over 40 years of municipal and law enforcement experience, has been appointed as Interim Town Administrator. Fennessy was expected to get “up to speed within a week” and has expressed his intent to support the board and staff without disrupting ongoing operations. He is interested only in the interim position, not the permanent role. The board aims for an overlap between administrators to ensure a smooth handover.
The search for Halifax’s next permanent Town Administrator has already begun, with Haddad initiating contact with search firms for proposals. A new search committee has been formed, composed of citizens, a Finance Committee member, and the Town Clerk. The goal is to have a candidate in place by mid-August.
While the immediate leadership transitions are vastly different, it’s worth noting that Halifax continues to grapple with underlying community issues. For example, the ongoing dispute with Morse Brothers, Inc. over the cranberry bog project and alleged illegal sand mining activities, which was a flashpoint in 2022, resurfaced in 2024 with the Select Board issuing a cease-and-desist order and a $30,000 fine for multiple violations of the town’s Soil Removal By-law. Residents continue to express concerns about truck traffic, road damage, and water quality issues related to the operations. Additionally, the town is still dealing with challenges related to the MBTA Communities Act and discussions about a potential override for the fiscal year 2027 budget due to rising costs. These issues highlight that while the town’s governance has achieved stability, many challenges remain.
The contrast between these two periods highlights Halifax’s journey through challenging times to a more stable and collaborative environment. As the town embarks on finding its next permanent Town Administrator, the experience of 2022 serves as a stark reminder of past difficulties, while the current orderly transition reflects a significant improvement in town governance and community relations. The Board of Selectmen even named Selig chair, succeeding Bruno. This time he chairs the meetings with other members alongside him.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Kingston BOS approves ‘hybrid hiring’

July 25, 2025 By Justin Evans

During their July 15 meeting, the Kingston Board of Selectmen unanimously approved adopting a Massachusetts Civil Service Hybrid Model that allows the police department to hire officers through lateral transfers while maintaining traditional civil service requirements.
The Local Register Hiring Program, authorized under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 31, provides an additional hiring option for the police department without abandoning the existing civil service system. Lieutenant John Bateman of the Kingston Police Department explained that the program addresses ongoing hiring challenges across the commonwealth.
“It’s a good option for the town,” Bateman said. “There’s issues with hiring all throughout the commonwealth, and to be able to retain people, sometimes it’s fiscally responsible to be able to take someone as, per se, a lateral, take them on and hire them from a non-civil service town.”
The hybrid model requires that no more than 50% of officers can be hired outside the traditional civil service process after five years. Town Administrator Keith Hickey emphasized this provides flexibility while maintaining standards.
“It allows for us to attract, potentially recruit and hire a sworn officer for a lateral transfer, where right now we may not be able to, or may not be able to as easily,” Hickey said. “So it just makes life a little bit easier for the police department to keep their sworn officer fully staffed.”
The board also authorized the Police Chief and Town Administrator to engage in impact bargaining with affected labor units regarding the new hiring program.
In other personnel matters, the board appointed Krystal Rich as Assistant Town Treasurer with an anticipated start date of July 28. The appointment followed a competitive interview process conducted by Town Treasurer Ken Moalli.
Board member Carl Pike had requested to see the candidate’s resume, stating he wanted assurance about qualifications when asked to approve hiring decisions, but questioned whether it was necessary to involve the board in all hiring.
“I believe that the Board of Selectmen should be involved when you’re hiring department managers or directors, whatever we call them, but that the human resources group, the department heads, the town administrator should have authority to hire some of these lower positions without coming before the Board of Selectmen,” Pike said.
The board approved a temporary road closure request from Christopher Kastanek for Foxworth Lane on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The closure includes conditions requiring emergency vehicle access, proper barricade placement, and neighborhood notification.
Multiple one-day liquor licenses received approval for Forty Second Brew Co. events, including a Gears and Beers event at Jones River Storage on July 26 and South Coast Cruisers events at Kingston Collection on July 19, 26, and Aug. 2.
The board also approved an amendment to a pilot agreement with Kearsarge Kingston LLC for solar panels on the town landfill. The modification clarifies language regarding land ownership, as Kingston owns the property being leased to the solar company. Hickey confirmed the amendment is revenue neutral.
Four individuals received appointments as special police officers through Dec. 31, 2025: Scott Peterson, Edward McDonald, Kaitlyn Mori, and David Hurley. These positions allow officers to work details and provide additional coverage when needed.
The board approved end-of-year line item transfers totaling approximately $250,000 after Finance Committee review. Pike noted the transfers represent less than 1% of the annual budget excluding education costs.
“Anybody that thinks they can budget within 1% on an annual basis, I’d like to hire them,” Pike said. “So I think it’s a good job.”
A special town meeting timeline received approval for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The timing aligns with Massachusetts School Building Association requirements for the school roof project.
During his administrator’s report, Hickey announced several upcoming initiatives. The Kingston School Committee plans to request creation of a school zone on Second Brook Street in front of Elementary and Intermediate Schools, with full police department support.
Street, Trees, and Parks will repave sidewalks on Main Street from Elm Street to Summer Street using Chapter 90 funds. The temporary repairs will address tree root damage and safety concerns.
“We’ve had a couple of people trip and fall, and we want to address that before it comes to liability,” Hickey said.
Hickey also reported initial discussions with Veterans Agent Sara Lansing and the Duxbury Town Manager about forming a Veterans district between the two communities. However, he expressed concerns about increased costs, as guidelines would require adding a full-time administrative position to support the Veterans Agent.
The regionalization study committee continues meeting with UMass Boston’s Collins Center to examine potential school regionalization with Plympton and Halifax, regionalizing Silver Lake through all grade levels.
“The Collins Center estimates it’ll take about 18 months, so we won’t see anything at next spring’s town meeting,” Hickey explained. He stressed that the study will stick to the facts. “It’ll be objective, giving people the information they need to make their own decisions,” Hickey said.
The study will look at population trends, financial forecasts, and get input from staff, teachers, and administrators across the school districts involved. Selectman Melissa Bateman highlighted the importance of including school employees in the study group.
The Collins Center plans to kick off the study with public meetings in each town to gather community input. They’ll likely present their final recommendations to all participating towns together.
Hickey pointed out that the study could have extra benefits beyond just looking at regionalization. “It might give us useful insights into budgeting and staffing for all three schools going forward,” he said.
Board members discussed scheduling collaborative budget meetings with finance committees and school committees from both Kingston and Silver Lake regional schools for fiscal year 2027 planning. These discussions aim to create unified budget presentations for next spring’s town meeting.
The board concluded the public session before entering executive session for non-union contract discussion.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

LaNatra, Police Chief sound alarm

July 18, 2025 By Justin Evans

State Representative Kathleen LaNatra and Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes are raising urgent concerns about the growing availability and use of kratom by minors in the region. Kratom, a substance derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is being sold openly in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores – with no age restrictions – and is increasingly ending up in the hands of teenagers.
“Too many parents have never even heard of kratom, and yet their kids can walk into a local store and buy it right off the shelf,” said Representative LaNatra. “We’ve seen firsthand how this substance is being marketed as a harmless herbal supplement when in reality it can lead to addiction, psychosis, and even fatal overdoses.”
Kratom is not regulated by the FDA and poses unique risks to adolescents, whose brains are still developing. It acts on the same receptors as opioids and can have sedative or stimulant effects depending on the dose. Regular use has been linked to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, liver toxicity, and seizures. In high doses or when mixed with other substances, kratom can cause respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Chief Holmes echoed the concern: “We’ve encountered young people in our community who are using kratom, unaware of how dangerous it really is. It’s flying under the radar, and that’s a serious problem. There are no safeguards in place – no age restrictions, no proper labeling, no public awareness. Regulating this substance should be a strong consideration towards community safety through legislative priority.”
Kratom is often sold in capsules, powders, or liquid shots and marketed as a “natural” solution for energy or focus, a message that resonates with vulnerable teens. Social media influencers and online content have further fueled its popularity among youth.
“This is a community health and safety issue,” said LaNatra. “We need to act before more kids get hurt.”
For more information on kratom and how to protect young people from its dangers, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guidance on the topic or contact the Kingston Police Department for local resources.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Halifax appoints Fennessy interim TA

July 11, 2025 By Justin Evans

The Halifax Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Robert Fennessy as Interim Town Administrator July 1, selecting him from two candidates interviewed for the temporary position.
Fennessy, who most recently served as town administrator in Carver, brings more than 40 years of experience in municipal government, law enforcement, and legal practice to Halifax. His appointment is subject to successful contract negotiations and background checks.
“I have a ton of background in management,” Fennessy told the board during his interview. “I have kind of a collaborative management style. I make people feel respected and appreciated for what they do.”
The board conducted interviews with Fennessy and Ari Sky, a former Lakeville Town Administrator with extensive financial management experience. Both candidates emphasized their commitment to maintaining stability during the transition period while the town searches for a permanent administrator.
Fennessy’s career spans law enforcement, municipal administration, and legal practice. He began as a police officer with the MSPCA law enforcement division, working his way up to Deputy Chief before attending law school and establishing a private practice. He later became a professor at UMass Law School, teaching municipal law, animal law, and employment law.
His municipal experience includes serving as town administrator in Boylston, Kingston, and most recently Carver, where he worked as an Interim Administrator before accepting the permanent position. He also served six terms as a Selectman in Plainville.
“I look at managing, not managing people, but bringing them on board so they feel respected,” Fennessy explained. “Whether you work for a highway or, you know, being a custodian or a department head or a committee member, a board member, or even a volunteer. I mean, you’ve got to bring them to you and bring them into the fold, or else they’re going to be bucking you all the way.”
Board Chair Jonathan Selig noted that both candidates were strong choices with different strengths. Board member Thomas Pratt highlighted Fennessy’s varied background, including his police experience, legal training, and HR knowledge.
“I thought they were both strong with different strengths,” Pratt said during the board’s deliberation. “I think Bob was quite strong in his background in the police, police background, the legal background, the HR background, a lot of different hats.”
Fennessy emphasized his approach to interim positions differs from permanent roles. He focuses on supporting existing staff and maintaining operations rather than implementing major changes.
“I look at being an interim a lot differently than I look at being a permanent,” he said. “Interim, I want to make sure they know that I’m here to support the board and support the staff and make sure that they know that, that they can count on me to take care of things that come to my attention.”
The new interim administrator plans to begin by meeting with all department heads individually and conducting group meetings to understand current operations and needs. He stressed the importance of maintaining communication and ensuring no surprises for the board.
“The first thing I would do is get a lay of the land, you know, meet the staff here,” Fennessy said. “And a short time later I’d make sure we had a department head meeting to go through what is going on as a group.”
Fennessy stressed that he has experience with Massachusetts municipal law, open meeting law, and public records requirements.
“Having a legal mind that I have, I can read something and instantly meander through it and know what we have to do,” he said. “You’re not having a Town Administrator who has to call legal counsel all the time.”
The interim administrator expressed familiarity with the Halifax area, having worked with several MSPCA officers who lived in town during his law enforcement career. He and his wife recently visited Halifax to familiarize themselves with the community.
Fennessy indicated his availability extends through the duration of the search process, with one planned vacation to the Greek Islands in September. He proposed working 28 to 38 hours per week across four days, taking advantage of the town’s Friday closure.
Current Town Administrator Cody Haddad, whose last day is July 8, praised the positive changes in town culture over the past two and a half years and offered to assist with the transition.
“If you look at where the town was two and a half years ago to where it is now, it’s not close to the same period,” Haddad said. “The culture has totally changed. All positive.”
The board plans to enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations with Fennessy. Board members expressed confidence in both candidates but ultimately felt Fennessy’s well-rounded experience and familiarity with the region made him the best fit for the interim role.
Selig noted the stark improvement in candidate quality compared to the town’s previous administrator search three years ago, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and crediting Halifax’s improved reputation for attracting quality candidates.
The appointment comes as Halifax faces various municipal challenges, including potential budget pressures and ongoing development issues. Fennessy’s experience with budget processes and municipal operations positions him to help guide the town through the transition period while maintaining stability for residents and staff.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Silver Lake towns weigh K-12 regionalization

July 4, 2025 By Justin Evans

The Silver Lake Regionalization Study Committee voted unanimously June 18 to request a proposal from the UMass Boston Collins Center for Public Management to conduct a comprehensive study examining the feasibility of full regionalization across three school districts.
The committee, with representatives from Halifax, Kingston and Plympton, seeks to determine whether combining their elementary schools with the existing regional middle and high school structure could generate cost savings while maintaining educational quality.
“We owe it to our residents to see if there’s some efficiencies, to see if there’s a way we can run things a little bit tighter and smoother so that we might not be in a significant crunch as we may be in,” said Jonathan Selig, committee member from Halifax.
The study comes as the three communities face mounting budget pressures and questions about educational equity across the district. Currently, each town operates its own elementary schools through sixth grade, with students then attending the regional Silver Lake Regional Middle School and High School.
Committee members emphasized that no decisions have been made about regionalization. The study represents a fact-finding mission to provide concrete data for future decision-making.
“A lot of people have certain assumptions and the assumptions may or may not be correct,” said Jon Wilhelmsen, a committee member from Plympton. “So that’s really the goal. And I think the questions I think generally are around that and there’s some things that maybe branch out. So we’ll have to kind of corral that into different buckets.”
The Collins Center team, led by Director of Municipal Services Sarah Concannon and associates Anne Wilson and Bill Lupini, outlined their approach during the meeting. Wilson, a former superintendent of Sudbury Public Schools, and Lupini, who spent 25 years as a school superintendent, bring extensive experience in school district projects.
“We really need to understand your context, understand what you would like to get from this, and to really then look and analyze each of the areas,” Wilson explained. The study would examine efficiency questions, cost savings potential and educational quality impacts.
Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx highlighted operational challenges the district currently faces with partial regionalization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to present four separate plans to the state and work with four different communities to coordinate reopening strategies.
“I couldn’t in good conscience say, these students are going to be remote, but these students, it’s okay for them to come back hybrid,” Proulx said, describing the complexity of managing multiple jurisdictions during the health crisis.
The study will include extensive community engagement, with separate public forums planned for each town to capture distinct community values and concerns. Committee members recognized the three communities have different characteristics and priorities.
“Kingston is the whale, Halifax is the bass, and Plympton is the minnow,” Selig said, acknowledging size disparities among the communities. “So those ones that are the smallest are a little concerned that they get swallowed up by the whale here.”
Focus groups will include educators, central office staff, students, union representatives, and various municipal officials including selectmen and finance committee members. The committee also plans to engage taxpayers who don’t have children in the school system.
Educational equity emerged as a key concern driving the study. Halifax School Committee member Lori Costa-Cline expressed worry about ensuring equal educational opportunities across all three districts at the elementary level.
“A concern that I have and have had for a while as a Halifax school committee member is the equity in what education we provide in each of the three different school districts,” Costa-Cline said. She wants to ensure students are “equally prepared to be at the same level when they get to seventh grade.”
The Edward J. Collins Jr. Center operates as part of UMass Boston and has completed more than 1,200 projects for over 300 organizations since 2008. The organization can contract directly with public entities without requiring a competitive bidding process, which could expedite the timeline.However, the Collins Center team acknowledged they have not conducted a regionalization study exactly like what Silver Lake is requesting, though they have worked on
related projects examining cost efficiencies and organizational structures in regional school districts.
“Nothing exactly like what you all have done, which makes it fun,” Concannon said. “We can learn together.”
The study will examine multiple factors including transportation costs, administrative efficiencies, curriculum alignment, and potential impacts on state aid. Committee members want to understand both financial implications and effects on educational programming.
Bill Lupini emphasized the importance of demographic analysis and ensuring educational equity, drawing from his experience in New Hampshire where he worked with five different school districts feeding into one high school.
“How do we make sure as kids are coming to the high school that they have opportunities to take advantage of when they get there,” Lupini said, describing a key challenge in partially regionalized systems.
The committee hopes to receive preliminary findings during the upcoming budget season to inform planning discussions. A final report would ideally be completed before the next budget cycle begins in earnest.
The Collins Center will provide a draft proposal before the committee’s next meeting scheduled for July 9. Committee members stressed the importance of having factual information to guide future decisions rather than relying on assumptions about regionalization benefits or drawbacks.
“Knowledge is power,” said Costa-Cline. “We have assumptions, but we don’t have knowledge right now. So this sets a foundation of knowledge that we can then share with the community.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Captain promoted, four EMTs sworn in firefighters

June 27, 2025 By Justin Evans

The Kingston Fire Department celebrated new leadership and fresh talent June 17 as Fire Chief Mark Douglass conducted a pinning ceremony promoting Joshua Hatch to Captain and swearing in four new Firefighter/Paramedics who completed their one-year probationary periods.
Hatch earned his promotion through a competitive assessment center process held last fall in anticipation of Captain Susan Hussey’s retirement. The examination included written components and practical assessments designed to evaluate candidates’ overall abilities.
“Joshua Hatch ranked highest in this process and became eligible for promotion to captain after completion,” the chief said during the ceremony at the Board of Selectmen meeting. Hatch was promoted May 27 and takes Captain Hussey’s place on group three.
Hatch’s wife Stephanie and children Nora and Caleb participated in the pinning ceremony, with his family presenting him with his captain’s badge.
Chief Douglass thanked Captain Hussey for her 27 years of dedicated service to Kingston, noting she was not present because “she doesn’t like public recognition and clapping.”
Four Firefighter/Paramedics also received recognition for completing their probationary periods and meeting all entry-level requirements. The new firefighters include Elizabeth Ewell, Mark Leary, Patrick O’Donovan and Caroline Reed.
Ewell was pinned by her wife Lorna and sons Carter and Preston. Leary received his badge from his father, retired Weymouth Fire Chief Robert Leary. O’Donovan was joined by his wife Lisa and children Liam and Clara, while Reed was pinned by her father, Kingston Firefighter James Reed.
The Chief explained that all new Kingston Firefighters must be certified as paramedics before being hired, an educational process taking one to two years that includes exten- sive classroom hours coupled with hospital and field internships.
“Once hired, new members are sent to the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy for 12 weeks of rigorous classroom and practical training in all aspects of firefighting,” Douglass explained. “Once that is complete, they return to Kingston and commence training in all aspects of the Kingston Fire Department and the town of Kingston.”
Assistant Town Clerk Janna Morrissey conducted the swearing-in ceremonies, administering the oath to each.
The chief noted that pinnings are conducted to recognize the extensive preparation required for firefighting and emergency medical services in the community.
In other business, the Kingston Board of Selectmen continues to explore establishing a Department of Public Works following feedback from residents at a public hearing on June 17, with the next meeting scheduled for July 29.
The proposal would consolidate the town’s Highway, Water, and Sewer Departments under a single DPW Director while maintaining the existing water and sewer commissions as elected policy-making bodies.
“We really have a structure that’s holding us back,” said Board Chair Eric Crone during the public hearing. “We have three different organizations in our town that can do road work. And there doesn’t have to be any cooperation between those departments.”
Currently, Kingston’s highway, water, and sewer departments operate independently with limited coordination requirements. The proposed structure would create a public works director overseeing daily operations while preserving the water and sewer commissioners’ roles in policy-making, rate setting, and capital planning.
“The existing teams would remain with some improved leadership, centralized leadership, and coordination,” Crone explained during his presentation.
The proposal failed at the spring town meeting by 10 votes, prompting Selectmen to schedule additional public meetings to address community concerns and gather feedback.
Town Administrator Keith Hickey explained that the DPW director would handle day-to-day operations and could assign work during emergencies, but licensed Water and Sewer employees would continue their specialized roles 99% of the time.
Water Treatment Plant Operator David Saper, who has served 25 years, praised the current management structure’s rapid response capabilities.
“One of the reasons I’ve always loved serving on the Water Department is because of the management structure that we have,” Saper said. “No matter what time of day or night, Chris always picks up the phone. Chris has a plan of action.”
Selectman Carl Pike expressed reservations about the proposal, citing concerns about budget impacts and the independence of water and wastewater departments.
“I personally like having some independence for the Water Department and the Wastewater Department,” Pike said. “I believe that somebody else out here has already hit upon it, that the town administrator and the Board of Selectmen have to take some responsibility for coordinating.”
Pike also criticized bringing the proposal back so soon after town meeting rejection, calling it “absolutely abhorrent to even think about bringing this to the fall town meeting.”
The working group identified several benefits of the DPW model, including faster project coordination, stronger accountability, cross-trained staff for emergency response, and better use of taxpayer dollars. Many similar-sized Massachusetts towns have successfully implemented DPW structures.
Crone acknowledged that the proposal needs refinement based on community feedback.
“We have some things that we are working on that we’re not done with,” he said. “We want to hear what everybody thinks, what questions people have, what things we need to figure out.”
The selectmen plan to meet with department superintendents and continue gathering community input before the next public hearing on July 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Hero’s welcome to Bronze Star recipient Simon

June 20, 2025 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Justin Evans
Express correspondent
The Plympton Board of Selectmen presented Police Sergeant John Simon during the June 9 meeting with a certificate recognizing his receipt of the Bronze Star Medal, honoring his exceptional service during a recent military deployment.
“On behalf of the citizens of the town of Plympton, we present this certificate to Sergeant John Simon of the Plympton Police Department, in recognition of his dedicated service to our country as a recipient of the United States Army Bronze Star,” said Chair Dana Smith during the presentation.
The Bronze Star was awarded for Simon’s “exceptionally meritorious service in support of combined joint task force operation inherent resolve.” The citation noted that “Captain Simon’s outstanding performance during operations in support of the coalition contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission.”
State Representative Kathy LaNatra also attended the ceremony to present Simon with a proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
“I’m honored to be here with you today. It’s my honor, my privilege to bring you a citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” LaNatra said.
Simon, who has served with the U.S. Army since 2009 and is currently a heavy weapons commander for the Massachusetts National Guard, expressed gratitude while emphasizing the importance of his team.
“This Bronze Star would be nothing without the soldiers that I run with, my leadership that came with me, and most importantly, everyone came home with us,” Simon said. “No one was injured. It was a very successful deployment.”
He also acknowledged the challenges his family faced during his absence.
“My wife was a true champion as well because she was home taking care of the household. My parents, my mother-in-law, were also taking care of the house,” Simon said. “When it comes to deployments, it’s not only tough on the soldiers, but it’s tough on the families as well.”
Simon thanked Plympton Police Chief Matthew Ahl for supporting his military service, noting the chief has been “100% supportive of everything I do when it comes to training, missions I’ve got to do, deployments.”
Following the ceremony, the Town Properties Committee presented findings from a safety inspection at the fire station, highlighting three violations that must be addressed within 30 to 90 days.
“Those three items are violations that we will be citing for,” said Ross MacPherson from the Committee. “The safety inspector noted during his inspection that they usually talk about pinch points in terms of machinery. But given that some of the bumpers of the vehicles overlap each other to try to get in, that there may be issues there.”
The violations include water leaking near an electrical panel, problems with the heating system, and floor drains in the apparatus bay that connect directly to the septic system.
“The electrical panel was put in when the water was there first. So, the electrical panel got put in and probably shouldn’t have been right in that spot,” explained John Wilhelmsen, Chair of the Town Properties Committee.
The heating system presents another challenge, with ducts located under the slab where water tends to collect.
“Water that comes off the field goes downhill. Comes to the back of the building, can come in, and of course it’s going to go to the lowest point, and that is the heating ducts,” Wilhelmsen said.
Perhaps most concerning is the floor drain issue, which Wilhelmsen described as “probably the more costly of the three items.”
“Each of the floor drains connects to the drain that’s in the bathroom that connects to the septic, which is a slight issue if we were to have a diesel spill or an oil spill in the apparatus bay because it’s draining down back behind the panel bar and into each of them,” he explained.
The timing of these violations comes just after voters rejected a $14 million proposal for a new fire station. While the measure passed at town meeting, it failed at the ballot box.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy asked whether the inspector would have given more leeway if the fire station had been approved.
“Yes. In fact, he thought the building was approved for a new station,” Wilhelmsen responded. “And we said, well, no. We did approve it at town meeting. We did not approve it at the ballot, so there isn’t a new station going in.”
The Board of Selectmen and Town Properties Committee discussed several options moving forward, including attempting another ballot measure with better public education, scaling back the project, or starting over with a completely new design.
Vice Chair Mark Russo expressed concern about spending money on temporary fixes.
“I think the big selling point is just this, that we’ve decided I have a feeling we’re looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars to put on a band-aid when we have the best option before us,” Russo said. “We’ve spent 10 years, more than 10 years, I think it’s 12 years to get to here and to go back six years is silly.”
Committee members emphasized that renovating the existing building would likely cost more than building new.
“To do a renovation over there even if we just bolt something on, we’ve got to bring the whole building up to code,” MacPherson explained. “Any contractor is going to look at that and go, ‘well the most expensive thing in construction is the unknown.’”
The discussion also touched on improving communication with residents about the fire station needs. Dana Smith suggested using more modern communication methods.
“I think if those, say, for instance, your meeting was actually, as this is being produced on YouTube, effectively, through Area 58, if your meetings were on that, somebody could, you know, see that at 3 o’clock in the morning if they wanted to,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized the importance of making information more accessible to residents.
“I feel it’s our duty to do so in the most ways possible,” he said. “Does it have to be social media? No. Does it have to be an actual physical website? No. But could the actual meetings that you guys have be on YouTube, you know, and be more accessible to people so they understand?”
The board did not make a final decision on next steps but acknowledged the need to address the violations quickly while developing a longer-term plan.
“We need to look at it, and I think more information to people will help out as far as what people have to understand,” Smith said. “This is not going away. This is something that needs to be addressed.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

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