Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The Plympton Board of Selectmen began their meeting on Feb. 26 with Linda Leddy, a member of the Conservation and Open Space Committees. She and Amy Cronin of the Conservation Committee have drafted an Earth Removal Bylaw regarding the potential Atwood property sale on Prospect Road.  This bylaw will be presented to Plympton voters at the Annual Town Meeting.

This bylaw protects the residents of Plympton from destruction of their air and water quality, protects the wildlife in a potential earth removal site, and provides a checklist for approving a sand and gravel removal application presented to the town. Plympton’s earth removal bylaw is seriously outdated and the town recognized its need to update the by-law, as surrounding towns’ bylaws for sand and gravel contain more in-depth procedures.

Leddy and Cronin researched the bylaws of 20 to 30 Massachusetts towns, focusing on those that are rural with smaller populations. They centered on Hubbardston, a town located near Worcester, Sutton, and Marshfield, when drafting Plympton’s version, all of which have been approved by the attorney general and are active bylaws.

One major issue presented with drafting the bylaw was who will approve the application and permit for sand and gravel locations in Plympton. Leddy stated, “Sixty  to seventy percent of towns researched use the Board of Selectmen as the board overseeing the project,” and ultimately approvinacting ong the application.

With this information, the board agreed and voted to allow the Board of Selectmen to be the entity to oversee the the applications for the town. The board suggested that along with this decision that they bring the Conservation Commission into any decision making, as it is an agricultural topic as well.

The town’s attorney has not been consulted yet, but will evaluate the proposed bylaw once Leddy and Cronin have finalized their wording.  The  polished version will be presented to selectmen on Monday March 5, and then will be presented for approval to Town Council.

The members of the board then individually thanked and recognized Leddy and Cronin for their hard work and determination for the town of Plympton. John Traynor stated, “This town is run by our amazing volunteers”, which was then followed by Christine Joy stating how wonderful these two women are and how they have stepped up to benefit the town in a time of need.

  Rocky Harvest

  Water concerns

Following the discussion of the bylaw, the board discussed Rocky Harvest Water LLC, violating time restrictions by arriving before 6:30 a.m. to pump water. Since mid January, this has been the sixth violation of hours of operation for Rocky Harvest, which concerned board members. Joy asked, “How many times can they violate until we finally do something?” The board plans to contact Rocky Harvest to attend a meeting to discuss the issue.

The meeting ended positively by recognizing two promotions of special police officers who will provide coverage during parades and special events until June 2018.

The board also spread the news of Silver Lake’s Track and Field creating new school records at a state competition, and the success story of  Officer Douglas Mazzola helping to reconnect a missing dog and his owner this week.

The next selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5.

Not only did the Silver Lake girls’ swimming team have a state champion this season, but she was able to even outdo her performance from last year.

Last weekend, the Lakers girls competed at the Division 1 state meet at Boston University. Unsurprisingly, another year meant another excellent performance for senior Madison Milbert and the rest of the team.

Milbert’s performance was the one that stood out most, of course. This is because she won the 100 backstroke last season and was able to defend her title. Not only this, but she improved her time. After a 56.99 second win last season, she finished the same event in 56.21 seconds this time around while also improving her performance in another event. She also won the 200 individual medley (2:04.99), adding to her already impressive legacy in the Silver Lake swim program. She will be attending the US Naval Academy in the fall where she will also be swimming at the Division 1 level.

Albeit Milbert is gone after this season, there is a good chance the Lakers have another state champion in the future in Alexa Connors. The sophomore excelled in the state meet as she came up with second place finishes in both the 200 freestyle (1:51.47) and in the 500 freestyle (4:56.31). She still has two more years to grow and develop as a swimmer, so reaching that feat is a definite possibility.

Connors and Milbert were also crucial parts of the team’s 200 medley relay team (1:53.72) which earned a third place finish. Junior Katherine Morrissey and senior Sarah Brockway also provided key legs on the relay team, helping them enjoy that immense success all season long.

Overall, it was a strong outing from the Lakers; they earned a seventh place finish at the state meet, garnering 135 points in total.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen appointed three new police officers to the department including James Coughlin, Andrew Lyczynski, and Richard Crespi III.

Coughlin moved to Halifax when he was in high school and attended Silver Lake. He said, “Since I moved here, I realized it’s a great town.”

Working at Walmart for a number of years, Coughlin eventually moved into loss prevention. This allowed him to become familiar with the police officers in town. He said they’re “role models” for him.

When asked by Selectmen Clerk Troy Garron about how his experience working in loss prevention helps his decision-making, Coughlin said he tries using “positive reinforcement” to help people. One example he brought up is if he caught someone stealing food, he’d confront them, but try to help them by giving them information on the local food pantry.

Coughlin received his degree in criminal justice from Bridgewater State University and is also a Marine Reserve member. He said he sees a future being a full-time police officer. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to give him a part-time position.

Andrew Lyczynski is 22-years-old and lived in Halifax his entire life. He said a lot of his family works in law enforcement, which pushed him towards that same goal.

He received his degree in criminal justice at Bridgewater State University. Lyczynski also has a minor in Spanish. Since graduating, Lyczynski worked as a part-time officer in Hull.

He expressed a strong desire to work in Halifax. Lyczynski said, “I want to get in the town I grew up in.”

Selectmen Vice-chair Kim Roy said she was impressed with Lyczynski’s involvement in the community. Lyczynski volunteered with the HOPS race and also worked in the town’s Parks and Recreations Department when he was younger.

Lyczynski was asked by the Board of Selectmen if having grown up in town, would have any impact on how he goes about dealing with people he knows personally, who might have broken the law.

“It’s an honor to work in the town you grew up in,” said Lyczynski, “At the end of the day, it’s my job.”

The Board appointed Lyczynski unanimously.

Richard Crespi III didn’t have the typical criminal justice background the other two new officers had. He attended the University of New England and received a degree in psychology.

Crespi’s goals were realized while working on Cape Cod, often with children under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Crespi said he was inspired to become a police officer by the officers who would arrive for these kids late at night when incidents such as abuse would occur.

Currently, Crespi works at the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover, which works with people of all ages who suffer from intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Given that the position is part-time, Crespi plans to continue working at the Cushing Center. However, he said becoming a police officer is his primary goal and will be his first priority.

The Board of Selectmen appointed Crespi with a unanimous vote.

Marijuana Host Community Agreement Update

Town Administrator Charles Seelig posted a draft of the marijuana community host agreement between Halifax and 4 Daughters Compassionate Care.

Four Daughters wants to put the proposed marijuana growing facility on River Street. The proposed location is in Halifax’s industrial zone.

Leonard Ticino attended and said he did his own research on community host agreements, including calling the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. He said the town needs some clarity for how the impact fees work.

He cited impact fees for community host agreements in other industries outside of marijuana. He said the impact fees have been pulled and money deemed invalid because of specifications surrounding the laws unknown to the host municipality.

According to Seelig, the Cannabis Control Commission is working through these issues. There isn’t a clear grasp on this yet, so Seelig said the town isn’t taking action until this factor, along with others are known.

School Budget Update

Finance Committee is asking the Board of Selectmen to meet with them on Monday, February 26, 2018 to discuss the school’s budget for the coming fiscal year. The meeting comes from an initial request from Selectman Roy.

Seelig said the town is being hit by needing more funds for this year’s special education budget, especially at the elementary school level.

Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias said priorities are going to have to be made for this year’s budget. This sentiment was shared by the rest of the Board and Seelig.

When speaking about priorities for the budget, Roy said, “This is the year of the need.”

The budget will be discussed more with the Finance Committee on Monday as the two boards try to create a budget before town meeting.

Other News

• The Board of Selectmen approved a common victualler license for Nicholas Varvitisiotis to open a pizza shop providing he completes all necessary paperwork and inspections.

The restaurant will be called Famous Pizza and Seafood. It has limited seating inside, so Varvitisiotis said it will primarily be a take-out and delivery shop.

Varvitisiotis has been in the restaurant business for thirty years. He bought his first pizza shop when he was still in college at the age of 20. He lives in Abington with his 12-year-old triplets.

• The Board of Selectmen approved two appointments to the Beautification Committee. Jeanne Kling and Tom Fitzgerald were both appointed to terms lasting until June 30, 2018.

The next Halifax Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor has announced the following positions will be on the ballot at the Halifax Town Election on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Halifax Elementary School, Rte. 106, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Board of Assessors, seat currently vacant.  Term of office three years.  Holly Merry has drawn nomination papers for this position.

• Board of Health, seat currently held by Alan J. Dias.  Term of office three years.

•  Town Clerk, seat currently held by Barbara Gaynor.   Term of office: three years.  Barbara Gaynor will seek re-election.

•   Town Treasurer-Collector, seat currently held by Pamela Adduci.   Term of office: three years.  Pamela Adduci will seek re-election.

• Holmes Library Board of Trustees, seat currently held by  Ava Grimason who is not seeking re-election.   Term of office: three years.

• Holmes Library Board of Trustees, seat currently held by Maureen C. Thayer who is not seeking re-election.   Term of office: three years.

•  Housing Authority*, seat currently held by Lee Mulready.   Term of office: five years. *Contingent on State approval.

•   Town Moderator, seat currently held by John Bruno.   Term of office: three years.

•  Park Commission, seat currently held by Gerard Elliott.   Term of office: three years.

•   Planning Board, seat currently held by Mark T. Millias.   Term of office: five years.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Alexander Mead.   Term of office: one year.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Summer Schmaling .   Term of office: three years.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Linda Twiss Gioscia.   Term of office: three years.  Linda Twiss Gioscia is not seeking re-election.

•Silver Lake School Committee, seat currently held by Mark J. Aubrey.   Term of office: three years.  Mark Aubrey is not seeking re-election.

• Board of Selectmen, seat currently held by Thomas Millias.   Term of office: three years.  Thomas Millias will seek re-election

• Water Commission, seat currently held by Daniel O. Bosworth, Jr.   Term of office: three years.

Nomination papers are now available and can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office during regular office hours through Wednesday, March 28, 2018.  All completed papers must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2018.

This list may be revised due to resignations or other changes.

State police are continuing their investigation into the accident that ultimately killed Daniel A. Newcomb, a 31-year-old East Taunton man, Friday night, Jan. 12, on Route 44 in Carver.   Newcomb is the son of Michael and Melissa Newcomb of Halifax.

A 23-year-old Monponsett man was traveling westbound in a 2001 Mitsubishi Gallant on Route 44 when he struck a 1998 Saturn SL2,  that was stationary in the breakdown lane.  Newcomb was believed to have been outside of his vehicle at the time of the crash, according to preliminary reports by State Trooper Justin Greene who is investigating the crash.

Newcomb was transported to South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth where he later died.

The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

No charges had been filed as of press time Thursday.

State Police Nicole Morrell, when asked by the Express the identity of the other driver, said it is not the policy of the State Police to identify parties involved unless they face charges.

State Police were assisted on scene by the Carver Fire and EMS and MassDOT.

On the same night that Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy was appointed to Plympton’s Local Emergency Team, the Plympton selectmen’s meeting’s major focus was on addressing emergency situations caused by the Jan. 4 “bombogenesis” winter storm.

Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy spoke of the recent cold temperatures that caused a water pipe to break at the Plympton Town House. Dennehy said. “There was a fairly extensive amount of damage.”

She said most of the damage was in the lobby, Town Clerk Tara Shaw’s office, lunch room, and small area by the the vault. Much of the tiling had to be scrapped completely.

Selectmen Clerk Mark Russo praised the town custodian for his response and how fast he was able to get the Town House in clean, workable conditions. The Fire Department was also involved in the stoppage of the leak and salvaging the town hall.

Dennehy said most of the town hall was open again by Wednesday, Jan. 3. Town Clerk Tara Shaw’s office took longer to be operational again.

Issues at the School

School Committee Representative Jon Wilhelmsen attended the selectmen’s meeting to discuss the broken backup generator at Dennett Elementary School.

The school held a test for the generator prior to the blizzard. Wilhelmsen said, “The test fired and blew a part…It’s a miracle we didn’t lose power.”

He added that on Friday evening, Fire Chief Borsari came to inspect the broken generator and noticed an electrical fire smell. The well pump failed and there ended up being a small electrical fire in the fuse panel.

According to Borsari, it took Eversource 4 hours to respond, so the fire department issued a fire watch during that time.

The school is currently being powered by a portable temporary back-up generator. However, its lease is costing the town $1,500 per week. Schools cannot have an occupancy permit without a backup power source, so a permanent solution needs to come in the immediate future.

Wilhelmsen and the Board of Selectmen explored options for a permanent solution for the school. One option explored was repairing the 15-year-old generator. Wilhelmsen estimated the cost will be in the $8,000 to $12,000 range.

Given the cost and age, the Board is seriously considering a new and larger generator.

Selectman John Traynor wants to explore if a larger generator would be more efficient from a cost and performance perspective. Wilhelmsen estimated the cost to set up a new generator to be in the $25,000 to $35,000 range.

Selectmen Chair Christine Joy said the Board of Selectmen will also explore grant options.

Old Town House Update

The Board of Selectmen discussed the renewal of the lease for the Old Town House. A large aspect of the renewal was centered around who will provide maintenance for the building.

Going forward, the town is setting up a plan to be responsible financially for the maintenance of the Old Town House. The Board of Selectmen wants the town custodian to maintain the building.

In order to accomplish this, the Board discussed increasing the town custodian’s hours from 15 per week to 20. Increasing his hours to 20 per week would make the town custodian eligible for benefits.

The Board of Selectmen fully intends to do this for the next fiscal year that starts in July. Traynor said the Finance Committee would also have to be involved because of the inclusion of benefits.

In the meantime, Dennehy suggested raising the town custodian’s hours to 19 per week for the rest of this fiscal year. All three members of the Board said they liked the idea.

Other News

The draft of Municipal Resources, Inc’s consulting report is still pending. Dennehy said the draft won’t be ready until the first week of February.

The next Plympton Board of Selectmen meeting is Monday, Jan. 22. Open session begins at 6 p.m.

Plympton Library Director Debbie Batson invites townspeople to visit the library on Saturday morning, Jan. 6, from 10:30 to noon, to greet Plympton’s first Town Administrator, Elizabeth Dennehy at First Saturday Coffee Time.

Stop in, enjoy a cup of hot coffee and a goodie, meet your friends, and say hello to Ms. Dennehy who began her position in Plympton in early December.

Ms. Dennehy has more than 10 years of experience in municipal government, including serving as the Community Development Director in Walpole and as Planning Director and Environmental Affairs Officer in Fall River.

“We are excited to welcome Elizabeth Dennehy as Plympton’s first Town Administrator,” said Christine Joy, Chairman of the Plympton Board of Selectmen. “Her skills, experience, and local knowledge will prove beneficial to the Plympton municipal team and will help us to achieve continued success for the community.”

Ms. Dennehy, of Raynham, was one of two finalists for the position.

“We were highly impressed with the qualifications of both finalists,” Chairman Joy said.  “It was a difficult decision for the board.”

There were a total of 38 applicants for the position. The Board of Selectmen were supported in the search by a seven-member Town Administrator Screening Committee and by Community Paradigm Associates.

In Walpole, Ms. Dennehy was responsible for all aspects of the town’s Community and Economic Development Department, including preparation of the annual budget, attracting and negotiating with new businesses, hiring and supervising personnel, providing technical assistance to various boards and commissions, and updating zoning bylaws. Her work in Fall River involved managing all aspects of the city’s Planning Department.

Ms. Dennehy holds both a Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth/Environmental Science from Bridgewater State University. She is a Notary Public, and served on the Freetown Cultural Council from 2008 to 2014 and the Freetown Emergency Management Agency from 2005 to 2013.

Over the past two decades, a magical snowy village has grown, changed, and morphed into the beautiful community in a train layout on display in the Great Room on the second floor of the Halifax Town Hall.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig remembers when he first began his job in Halifax in 1997, he thought of a train setup as something for little kids to enjoy  – and geared the guage to be eye-level with a 3 or 4 year-old.  The train is  “G” gauge, or garden gauge, bigger than the usual livingroom sets.  “It began with a single loop of railroad track and a single building so the train would have someplace to go,” Seelig recalls.  “Every year, to a large extent, we’ve kept adding to it… To see the look on that 3 or 4 year old’s face as they see the magic of it, makes all the effort worth it.”

Over the years Seelig has had a lot of help with the project, which is set up each December as a focal point in the Halifax Holidays in Lights celebration.  “I’ve been very lucky,” he said.

John Nolan, son of the town’s accountant, with Guy Bosworth, both friends and classmates at Silver Lake, took over setting up the village, and helped out for many years, through high school, college, and beyond. 

Last year Nolan “retired” from the position, giving it over to another helpful model train enthusiast Griffin Kelly, 13, a student at Silver Lake Middle School.  Griffin, with help from his dad Bill, has set up the village and its train last year and this year, and hopefully for many years to come.