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.

Ross MacPherson, a 14-year Plympton resident with two children at Dennett School, was unanimously appointed to the Plympton School Committee on Nov. 5, filling a vacancy that arose when a member joined the Finance Committee. MacPherson will serve until the May 2026 town election.
The appointment followed a two-step process across two town boards. On Oct. 27, the School Committee unanimously voted to recommend MacPherson to the Board of Selectmen, which formally approved the appointment nine days later.
School Committee Chair Jason Fraser explained that the vacancy arose when a member joined the Finance Committee. According to Fraser state law prohibits anyone from serving simultaneously on the Finance Committee and another committee subject to its budgetary oversight.
“The Board of Selectmen had asked me to strongly consider appointing someone for the remainder of the term, which would end in May,” Fraser said. “If said candidate wants to continue after that point, they would have to pull papers and run as a normal election.”
After the committee advertised the opening, MacPherson was the only resident to step forward. He brings extensive community service experience, including nine and a half years on the Public Safety Building Committee and a recent stint on the Town Properties Committee. He has run Plympton’s Cub Scout program for four years and now oversees both Cub Scouts and the Boy Scout troop.
“Service is a big part of my kind of core ethos, and my wife has said I get two things, and since I left Town Properties, I have an opening for one more thing,” MacPherson told the committee. “So, I’m happy to fill this as long as needed.”
Fraser praised the family support behind MacPherson’s candidacy, noting the importance of balancing volunteer service with work and family commitments.
The appointment comes as the district faces significant budget pressures. During the same Oct. 27 meeting, Fraser delivered a stark warning about insufficient federal and state funding forcing difficult local decisions.
“There’s not a single house in Plympton that has not seen cost go up year over year at two and a half percent, and I’m sorry to say it to the voters of Plympton, two and a half percent is not going to be able to provide enough dollars for the school to maintain the level services,” he said. “So we’re going to have a very local decision to make in May.”
Fraser criticized federal officials for allowing nutritional assistance to potentially expire, calling it “absolutely unacceptable” that vulnerable residents might struggle to put food on the table. He noted uncertainty around Title funding and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, which he said remains historically underfunded at 14% despite a statutory requirement of 40%.
He expressed frustration with state-level progress on the Chapter 70 school funding formula, noting that more than 220 Massachusetts communities received only minimal aid last year—up to $150 per student—insufficient to meet inflationary pressures.
“This is going to be a locally controlled situation where we will present options to the voters of Plympton, and Plympton is going to have to decide where its values lie,” Fraser said. “Do the values lie in funding [and] providing a high quality education experience to our students, or are we going to have to face what cuts may have to be made here?”
In other business, the School Committee approved a memorandum of understanding with the Plympton Police Department for the school resource officer program and discussed a $12,000 capital request for phone system replacement needed by Jan. 2027. Superintendent Jill Proulx reported the regionalization study with Collins Center is underway, with a final report expected in 18 months.
At the Nov. 5 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator Liz Dennehy reported progress exploring Office 365 and Microsoft Copilot as a potential alternative to expensive permitting software.
The solution, suggested by a Town Properties Committee member, could eliminate the need for permitting software estimated at $60,000. Rehoboth pays $25 per user per month—$300 annually—for Office 365 with Copilot. With fewer than 200 potential users, Plympton’s annual cost would be substantially less than the permitting software option.
Dennehy is investigating whether board and committee members with town email addresses would count as users, which would affect total costs. She’s also checking for municipal discounts and exploring whether the town’s Community Compact grant could be repurposed for the solution.
Carver declined to implement the system due to cost, Dennehy said. She’s also seeking quotes from smaller-scale permitting software companies for comparison.
Dennehy also reported expanded community support for residents facing food insecurity following SNAP benefit cuts.
The Council on Aging expanded food pantry hours at the townhouse to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with evening hours planned. Library Director Mike Slawson created a miniature food pantry at the library with pantry staples and will assist with fundraising and donations.
The Congregational Church announced a free spaghetti supper for the entire community on Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m., initiated in response to SNAP benefit cuts affecting 182 Plympton residents.
“The original reason we started the whole process was because of the SNAP benefits being cut short,” Arthur Bloomquist said. “Unfortunately, there’s no way for us to find out who those recipients are… So what we did instead is to have it available to the whole town.”
The church is seeking volunteers and will evaluate whether to make the dinner recurring based on turnout.

A Silver Lake Regional High School student appealed to the Kingston Board of Selectmen on Oct. 21 for urgent safety improvements at the intersection of Pembroke Street, Lake Street, and Station Street—just four days after a serious motor vehicle crash at the same location sent seven patients to the hospital. The student detailed a troubling history of accidents, malfunctioning pedestrian crossing signals, and ongoing dangers for students walking to school and nearby businesses.
Will, a Silver Lake student, appeared before the Board of Selectmen during the public comment period to bring attention to what he called an “ongoing safety concern” at the busy intersection adjacent to the regional high school. His appeal came just four days after the Friday, Oct.17 motor vehicle accident that resulted in seven patients requiring full transport for treatment—the latest in what he described as a long series of incidents that have plagued the location.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time there have been other car accidents at this location,” Will told the board. “And a few years ago, a student was struck in the same area.” The student went on to detail recurring problems with the pedestrian crossing lights in front of Silver Lake Regional High School, explaining that the signals sometimes stay illuminated continuously throughout the school day while at other times they fail to activate at all when students press the button to cross. Will also referenced a historical incident involving an empty Silver Lake school bus that crashed in the same area, underscoring the intersection’s longstanding safety problems.
“One of the buttons is faulty now,” Will explained, noting that the crossing signals near the SlackTide and Happy Jan’s businesses don’t activate properly. The malfunctioning equipment creates dangerous conditions for students crossing to and from school, as well as for those visiting nearby businesses like the ice cream shop.
The student’s concerns resonated with board members, who acknowledged the intersection has been a known problem area. Board Chair Eric Crone outlined several safety improvements the town has already implemented at the location, though he admitted the situation remains challenging. “That intersection was also identified in our safety report for potentially even making a roundabout there at some point, but that’s a many years long process and waiting for state and federal funding,” Crone said.
Among the improvements already made, Crone listed new signage and improved lane painting on Lake Street and Station Street, warning signs approaching from both directions on Route 27/Pembroke Street, school zone signs with flashing lights on Pembroke Street, and enhanced stop signs on Lake Street and Station Street that now include flashing elements. The upgraded stop signs were specifically installed after motorists repeatedly failed to stop at the intersection, with multiple crashes resulting in vehicles striking the ice cream shop and restaurant buildings at the corner—incidents Crone said have “happened quite a bit.”
Board Vice Chair Kim Emberg emphasized that installing a full traffic light at the intersection isn’t as simple as it might seem. “We can’t just put in a light, a traffic light. That actually is much more complicated than you would think,” Emberg explained. “So the rotary is the best, safest solution. The problem is, is those things take time and money.”
Emberg described the town’s strategy as implementing “as many temporary, short-term, cost-effective solutions that we can to make that area as safe as possible” while working toward longer-term infrastructure improvements. She also pointed Will to the “report a concern” link on the town’s homepage, which allows residents to notify the highway department directly about issues like malfunctioning crossing signals.
The board conducted a comprehensive safety study of the entire town that prioritized projects across Kingston, with the Pembroke-Lake-Station intersection making the list alongside Main Street improvements. However, funding and regulatory requirements mean significant changes like a rotary could take years to materialize.
Will asked the board to consider additional measures, specifically requesting that they work with the regional school committee to station a crossing guard at the intersection. “I think that might be helpful to keep all our kids safe as well,” he said. Crone indicated such a request would need to go through the Silver Lake Regional School Committee, as the school crossing guard program falls under their jurisdiction rather than the town’s.
The student’s appeal highlighted the personal stakes involved in the safety issue. “I just wanted to make sure all our students, all the Silver Lake students, including myself, when going to get ice cream, are safe,” Will said. “And I didn’t want to take the chance of anybody else getting hurt at that street.”
In other business, the Kingston Board of Selectmen voted 3-1-1 to authorize Police Chief Brian Holmes to promote an additional full-time sergeant effective Jan.1, 2026, to supervise the development and implementation of a new Family Services Unit that will serve Kingston, Plympton, and Halifax. The initiative represents a significant expansion of mental health and social services support within the police department, with Chief Holmes describing it as something that “will have a meaningful impact on not just Kingston, but three communities, if all goes as planned.”
Chief Holmes explained that the department has been working with a group funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health that provides free facilitation services to police agencies establishing clinician programs. The facilitators, who are licensed mental health clinicians with experience at the Framingham Police Department, will help Kingston develop a job description, select the right candidate—either a licensed mental health clinician or a certified licensed social worker—and conduct integration training for patrol staff who will work alongside the new position. The Family Services Unit will be physically housed in Kingston but will provide services to residents of all three communities. Next steps include seeking approval from the Capital Planning Committee for approximately $60,000 in office space, with funding potentially coming from opiate settlement funds. Chief Holmes indicated he plans to solicit Halifax and Plympton for financial contributions through their opiate settlement funds, though he acknowledged both communities face fiscal constraints.
The sergeant position will be funded by reallocating resources from an existing open patrolman vacancy, made possible in part by a retirement notice Chief Holmes received. The funding covers the half-year period from Jan. through June 30, 2026. Board member Carl Pike voted in favor while noting that his support for foregoing the patrolman position now does not necessarily mean he will support requesting a replacement patrolman in next year’s budget. Vice Chair Kim Emberg voted against the measure, stating she could not support creating new positions given current fiscal constraints, while board member Missy Bateman abstained. Board members acknowledged that Chief Holmes, brought to Kingston as “an agent of change,” has the discretion to allocate his department’s budget as he sees fit, though any request to restore the patrolman position would be subject to future budget discussions.