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. 

Trouble has followed Tarawood Kennels from Halifax to New Hampshire where three dozen dogs and puppies have died in two separate fires in the past three weeks in Bristol, NH.

The first fire at the facility on Nov. 22, property that had been owned by Bobbie Choate’s step-father, Oley Firth, killed two adult dogs and five puppies.  The fire appears to have been caused by a heat lamp that had been knocked over. Although the cause is listed as “still under investigation”.

The alarm was called in at 4:28 a.m.  Bristol FD arrived on scene eight minutes later at 4:36 a.m.    Initial observation of the 90 Chestnut St. property  showed the fire spreading outside the building to the second floor.

The homeowner was located removing a dog from the walkout basement.  She told firefighters that she was the only one at the residence and she was fine.

The last unit cleared the scene almost five hours later at 9:35 a.m.  According to the report, the fire originated in a common room or den of the 1 ½ story cottage.  The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is under investigation.  Loss due to the Nov. 22 fire is estimated to be $165,000.

The latest fire on Wednesday, Dec. 13, burned an outbuilding on the property, killing 3 adult dogs and 26 puppies.  The nine dogs housed in the burned cottage survived.

The alarm came in at 7:45 a.m. Dec. 13, with Bristol FD on the scene four minutes later at 7:49 a.m.  Firefighters had been alerted that there were dogs in the building and once the fire had been knocked down, two closed-top kennels were observed with an adult dog and puppies in each, and an open top kennel with multiple puppies but no adult.  The adult dog was later found under debris just inside the front door.

Bristol police were notified and obtained warrants.

New Hampshire’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took the surviving dogs into their care, and two SPCA workers took custody of the bodies of the deceased dogs and puppies.

The surviving dogs remain in the care of the SPCA according to communications liaison Sheila Ryan.

It remains to be seen when and whether they will be returned to Choate, who also is known by the name Bobbie Harmon.  The property ownership is listed to Bobbie Harlfinger on Bristol, NH, real estate records.

The process determining the fate of the dogs, according to Ryan, could be lengthy, with an expedited hearing expected to review the case and determine if the animals should be returned to Choate or placed for adoption.  Then Choate would have the right to appeal. “It could be months,” Ryan said.

Choate and her Tarawood Kennels on Plymouth St., Halifax, near the Plympton town line, were the subject of much concern.  As her operation grew, and the number of dogs her permit allowed was increased, Halifax neighbors complained, citing the increased noise level of dogs continually barking at all hours. Choate, also known as Jennifer Harmon, had applied to the Halifax Zoning Board of Appeals to increase the number of dogs at her kennel to 100 with unlimited litters of puppies.  That application was later withdrawn.

Halifax selectman Kim Roy made several trips to the Tarawood Kennels property to record the noise from the dogs and replayed it at one of several hearings.  That, in addition to other evidence presented, caused selectmen to vote to limit the number of dogs allowed at the property to 25, and permit only six litters of puppies per year.

Choate was not happy with the decision and expressed her displeasure at the hearing.

At a subsequent July 25 hearing to answer a dog bite incident at the kennel, Choate told selectmen that the Halifax property had been sold and the kennel operation would shut down August 10.  Choate told selectmen she was moving her kennel operations to New Hampshire after closing Halifax.  At that time she told selectmen she was also moving a 30-horse facility to New Hampshire.

New Hampshire, according to SPCA representative Ryan, doesn’t require a breeder’s license for operations that produce less than 50 puppies per year.  She also said that the SPCA is encouraging legislation that would put stronger regulations in place to protect the animals.

The dreary, misty morning on Wednesday mirrored the atmosphere of the  close-knit Lingan St., Halifax, neighborhood.  The lurking stillness was a stark reminder of the sexual assault on a young woman who was out walking her dog on Sunday, just before sunset.

Halifax Police Chief Edward “Ted” Broderick told The Express that the attack, which appears random, occurred as it was getting dark.  He asked neighbors to be aware of their surroundings and to watch out for one another.

Broderick explained that the details of the assault remain restricted, both to protect the victim, who was treated medically for the attack, and for the integrity of the investigation.

The department is investigating every lead and persons of interest, but is asking anyone who may have witnessed something at that time on Sunday or who has information which they think might be helpful, to contact the Halifax Police Department.

The area of a cranberry bog off Lingan Street and a fenced park with a beach are diagonally across from one another.  Broderick did not specify the exact location where the assault took place, but urged people to be aware of their own safety wherever they are.

“Besides taking all precautions while in this area, we also need your help.  If you were in the area Sunday night and think you saw anything that would help the investigation, please call the station and speak to Officer McDonnell or Officer Schleiff,” Broderick said. 

“It’s with regret I have to ask this, but when walking the area after dark, that you do it with a friend, or try to do your activities during the day,” Broderick said in a media post.

Without a suspect in custody, neighbors remain cautious.  A woman walking her dog while pushing a baby stroller, told The Express that she would be paying extra attention to her surroundings, but as a general safety rule, she never leaves the main walking area of her street – a safety plan she will continue.  The assault has left neighbors on edge.

The neighborhood, made up of many closely spaced former summer cottages on Monponsett Pond, polkadotted with children’s swing sets, and decorated with Christmas lights, is on alert. 

Anyone with any information should call the Halifax Police at 781-293-5761.

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

Halifax townspeople were introduced Tuesday night to the 4 Daughters Compassionate Care  marijuana grow facility proposed for Halifax.

After the Board of Selectmen met Tuesday, Nov. 28 for various housekeeping tasks, the meeting re-assembled upstairs for a presentation regarding a potential marijuana greenhouse facility to be located on the border of Halifax and Middleborough.

Brian Striar, CEO of 4 Daughters Compassionate Care, the company proposing the project, explained that the land where they wish to put the facility would be on the southern border of Halifax near River, Thompson, and Wood streets.

The greenhouses would serve completely as a place to grow the marijuana, where no selling or dispensing would take place. The facility would contain 24/7 video surveillance, along with a 10-foot fence surrounding. All entrances would require an ID to pass through as well.

The greenhouses would contain metal sheets which would cover up over 10 feet of the sides, with tinted glass at the tops, preventing anyone driving by from knowing the type of plants growing inside. There would also be brush blocking view of the greenhouses from the street.

The company has already begun a similar project in Sharon and have experimented in Colorado. 4 Daughters Compassionate Care has also conducted research among universities on the uses, and efficient growing techniques of marijuana plants. Striar is predicting 40,000 square feet of plants to start which would produce 12,000 pounds of marijuana, 3% of revenue would return to the town, estimating about $660,000 profit for the town. Striar says this amount is only for stage one of this process, and if successful, could skyrocket to a couple million of dollars for the town in later phases of the project.

Along with helping the community with tax cuts, the facility could also provide 20 to 50 job opportunities for members of the town.  4 Sisters Compassionate Care is interested in hiring as many citizens of Halifax as possible.

The project was brought up for discussion among the citizens attending the meeting. one concerned citizen asked, “Will trucks be going through the center of our town, and if so, are the vehicles neutral so no one knows they contain marijuana?”

The question was quickly answered by stating the trucks are encouraged to use route 105 to route 44 to avoid any of these concerns. Next, a question regarding the change in property value for homes near the facility came forth. It was explained that the homes are a quarter of a mile away from the facility, making it not a threat to property value.

The next item of concern – the odor – was brought forth by a member of the community. It was stated that the odor was tested by blowing fans from the greenhouses to one area. After a quarter mile, the smell was no longer apparent. The closest home is within a quarter mile of the potential facility. Also, by adding vents at the tops of the greenhouses, the smell would be released higher, making the distance for the odor to travel smaller and not noticeable. 

The opinions of the members of the board all seemed to favor of the facility, although none of the members had previously voted in favor of Question 4, which legalized marijuana in the state of Massachusetts. Board member Kim Roy stated, “The facility should be considered by the town since the income could offset tax bills.”

Troy Garron, Clerk, stated, “If it were a dispensary, forget it. But since it is not, it could professionally solve concerns of high taxes.” It was followed up by Thomas Millias, Chairman, who stated it was a great idea since one small facility could equal the profit of about six Walmarts within the town.

After the small concerns of the community were addressed by 4 Sisters Compassionate Care, it was unanimously agreed as a good potential plan for revenue for the town of Halifax.

The next Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12.

On Saturday Dec. 2, the Halifax Firefighters Association and Girl Scouts will, once again, team up with Santa and Mrs. Claus to collect new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food.

Gift certificates are a great idea for the older boys and girls. These items are donated to the local churches and food pantries and distributed to families in Halifax that are in need. Items can be left curbside or dropped at the Fire Station on the day of the event.

Please check the list below for the time Santa will be in your neighborhood. The route has changed the route from past years.

If you do not see your street listed, please use the time for the street closest to yours. The truck is unable to make it down all the streets in town.

Call Christine Markunas 781-588-4886 with any questions.

10:00a.m.-Fire station; 10:05a.m.-Lydon Lane; 10:15 a.m.-Holmes St. to Aldana Rd; 10:20a.m.-Brandeis Circle; 10:25 a.m.-Colby Drive; 10:30 a.m. – Harvard Street/McClelland Rd.; 10:35 a.m.-Oak Street/Marilyn Way; 10:40 a.m.-Lawrence Road; 10:45 a.m.-Twin Lakes Drive; 10:50 a.m.-Chestnut Road; 10:55 a.m.-Annawon Drive; 11:00 a.m.-Cedar Lane/Baker Street; 11:10 a.m.-White Island Rd./Wamsutta Ave./Standish St.; 11:15 a.m.-Ocean Ave./Upton St./Dwight St.; 11:25a.m.-  Lingan St./13th Ave./Richview Ave./10th Ave.; 11:30 a.m. –  Indian Path Road 

11:50a.m.-Hemlock Lane;  12:00p.m.-Clyde O. Bosworth Rd./Stoney Weir Rd./Pheasant Hill Rd.; 12:05 p.m.-Cranberry Drive; 12:10p.m.-Old Plymouth Street/Christmas Tree Lane/Elm Street; 12:20p.m.- Hudson Street/Old Farm Road/Lamp Post Drive; 12:25p.m.  -Spencer Drive/Pond Street/Autumn Lane; 12:35p.m.-  Furnace Street/Circuit Street; 12:45 p.m. Thompson Street/Firefly Road/Orchard Circle; 12:55p.m.-Highland Estates; 1:05 p.m.-Summit Street/Kestral Lane/Harvest Lane; 1:10 p.m.-Walnut Street/Bourne Road; 1:15p.m.-Thompson Street/River Street/Wood Street; 1:25p.m.-South St./Hayward St./Franklin St./Kenzie Path/South St.

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The board of selectmen met Tuesday, Nov. 14, beginning with the swearing in and pinning of new members of the Halifax Fire Department. Derek Coveney, Steven Enright, Richard Ferguson, Peter Hogan, and Dillon Riley were all recognized as full time members. Robert Beary, Reid Broderick, Kevin Heath, Evan McSherry, and Keith Pontes were recognized as call department members.

The meeting reassembled with members of HOPs to bring forth the idea of designated parking spots for library patrons at the public library. Currently, the lot is used for the park, library, and acts as an alternate lot for the fields behind the school. It was noted that the lot is being filled up before the opening hours of the library most Saturdays due to town sporting events on the weekends.

The board addressed issues of turf wars over the spots and that there is nothing set up to enforce those parking spaces. “Perhaps more spots within that lot could lower the issue or even a sign indicating another lot to use if full”, stated Selectman Troy Garron. The board was unable to come to a decision due to the potential plans of HOPS adding a walkway and benches in that area.

The finalization of an Eagle Scout’s project was announced, stating that two plastic benches to mimic wood are planning on being created for the Town of Halifax to enjoy.

The idea of a truck exclusion from Pine Street was considered by the board. The problem is that heavier trucks have been using Pine Street to cut off the intersection between routes 106 and 105, causing the bridge on Pine Street to begin to crumble due to the excessive weight. Residents of Thompson and Pine streets appeared before the board to explain their thoughts regarding this idea of the truck exclusion. The majority ruled it a bad idea since traffic would switch back to the intersection between route 105 and 106, creating traffic blocks and difficulty at the intersection. The board agreed to give the town surveyor their concerns and ideas of signs warning drivers of a weight limit, which will be addressed in the agenda on Dec. 12.

Members of Hudson Street also met before the board to state their concerns over the lack of speed limit signs in their area. Multiple families presented the fears and limitations they face due to speeding vehicles passing by each day. The suggestion of two “Thickly settled” or “30 mph” signs were brought forth by residents of Hudson Street which was quickly approved by the members of the board. Other notes regarding a “School bus stop” sign to be placed on the curve of Hudson Street and other concerns will be brought up to the Safety Department.

Thoughts regarding an emergency exit for the Town Hall were discussed, but no decision was made.

There will be a special town meeting on Nov. 20 regarding funding for HOPS.

The meeting ended with selectmen discussing the donation of vehicles from Davis Automotive to the Fire Department where they are used for the Jaws of Life training required for all members.

The next Selectmen’s Meeting will take place on Monday, Nov. 20.

The Silver Lake high football team was close in their last game, but they were unable to keep moving along the playoff bracket.

The No. 3 Lakers were met with a difficult challenge as they faced one of the best teams on the South Shore, the No. 2 Milton Wildcats in the Division 4 South Semifinal game on the road. Milton threw well and was able to beat Silver Lake, 20-14, in Milton last Friday night.

Milton struck first in the contest, throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead. That would not silence the Lakers, however, as they were able to strike back

Early in the second quarter, the Lakers put down a big hit on Milton’s quarterback. This caused a fumble which Lakers defensive lineman Matt Powell was able to pick up. The Lakers drove downfield for about three minutes and finally, Tanner Boyd ran in a QB sneak from a yard out with 6:23 left in the first half. He also ran in the 2-point conversion, giving his team an 8-6 lead.

In the third quarter, Milton enjoyed continued success with their no-huddle offense and had a 7-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to go up, 20-8. It was their second touchdown of the quarter. Late in the game, however, the Lakers started to rally back. They forced their opponent to turn the ball over on downs and on the seventh play of their new drive, Boyd ran in a 2-yard touchdown to put his team within six points with under a minute left to play.

This, however, would not give the Lakers a chance at a comeback. Milton was able to recover the onside kick and did a couple of quarterback kneels to run down the clock to zero.

Following the loss, the Lakers moved on to play Plymouth South on Thursday, Nov. 9 in a road consolation game. Now, their next game is at home on Thanksgiving against Pembroke (10:00 a.m.).