Plympton selectmen interviewed two consulting firms for a study of the town’s fire department and emergency services at its meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017. The residents of Plympton voted $20,000 for this study at Annual Town Meeting back on May 18.

The first interview was with Travis Miller from the Carlson Group Inc., a national firm.  Miller said he and his partner have been working together for 18 years. Alone, Miller has 25 years of consulting experience.

Miller described the Carlson group’s approach as one that values community input. He said, “We’re looking for service level questions in the community.”

As far as service level, Miller said he was referring primarily to the length of time it takes for the department to arrive at an emergency call.

Fire Chief Warren Borsari sat in on the interviews and acknowledged that this has become a challenge with the increased call volume. In 2013, Plympton upgraded its emergency services to advanced life support and since then, the town has taken part in assisting other communities with emergency services to increase revenue.

The call volume has gone up drastically since then. Borsari said the annual call number was at 299 when he first became the fire chief. Now, the number has more than doubled; there were 646 emergency calls in 2016.

Selectmen Clerk Mark Russo wanted to make sure the Carlson group was comfortable with Plympton’s fire department structure. He said the town uses full-time, part-time, and on-call employees for their emergency services. Miller said he’s comfortable with the structure and it’s not unique as he’s worked in other communities with similar structures.

Selectmen John Traynor asked the firm for a revised proposal since there seemed to be some confusion in the interview on what the goal of the study is. Traynor said the town needs guidance on what structure is best for the town’s emergency services, whether that be staying fully in house, regionalization, or privatization.

Miller did answer some of this, saying he believes there are a lot of benefits to having emergency services based in the fire department.  “One of the biggest reasons is the revenue,”  he said.

As far as time frame, Miller said if their firm were picked to expect a final report and presentation by early December. Miller said it’s possible it could be ready sooner.

Matrix Consulting Group

Selectmen and Chief Borsari interviewed Robert Finn from Matrix Consulting Firm Inc. Finn told the Board he flew in from Dallas, TX for this meeting. Matrix Consulting is a national firm with offices all throughout the country.

Finn said the firm likes to “start up with a flexible approach.” He added, “The first thing we do is interview and figure out what is “good” (for the town).”

Objective standards were brought up as well such as call response times and looking at what areas of a community could be deemed high risk. Finn brought up an oil tank in Texas being a high risk for a fire and wanted to identify any areas like that in Plympton.

Traynor told Finn the same thing he told the Carlson Group, that the town needs guidance and is exploring several options. He said, “We’re unsure which options make sense. We would need you for guidance.”

Finn said that the firm would have no problem exploring any of the options. He said, “My study will include anything you decide is important to you.”

Russo wanted to make sure the firm was used to smaller communities as well as cities. According to Finn, most of Matrix Consulting’s studies are done on towns with populations under 50,000.

As far as timeline goes, this firm has a longer time to finish than the Carlson Group. Matrix Consulting gave a 16-week timeline.

The firm’s price is also what the board deemed on the high side. Finn said there are no costs later if something doesn’t go exactly right unlike some other firms.

Other News

Community Paradigm is starting its preliminary screening for filling the town administrator position. Russo mentioned that the Board should start thinking about putting together the town’s screening committee for interviews soon.

Selectmen are working on clarifying an approach for departments to request time with town counsel in the case of emergencies. The protocol is always to seek permission from the Board of Selectmen first. The board is working toward allowing emergency permission for department heads when the board cannot be reached and the matter of the situation is time sensitive.

The next meeting of the Plympton Board of Selectmen is Monday, September 11, 2017, because of the Labor Day holiday. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

Jeff Papows, chairman of Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, met with the Halifax Board of Selectmen to get the final approvals needed for the event taking place from August 16 through August 20.

Papows expressed excitement for the event, talking about how much different it is watching horses jump in person rather than on television. He said, “It’s not the same as being there; it literally shakes the ground.”

Papows also brought up how these horses are really athletes. He said the fences they jump over are 8 feet tall.

The Board of Selectmen also expressed excitement for the competition. Chair Thomas Millias said the event is consistently voted Halifax’s best sporting event.

The event takes place at Fieldstone Show Park at 21 Plymouth St. in Halifax. There is no fee for entry but there is a $20 parking fee.

Primarily, Papows was at the meeting to get a one-day liquor license for the horse jumping competition’s VIP section.

Papows said the VIP bar will operate exactly the same as last year. It’s only for Sunday where beer and wine will be available from 12-4 p.m. The Board of Selectmen approved the one-day liquor license.

Other News

Town Adminstrator Charles Seelig said he received a report saying many if not all the dogs at Tarawood Kennels have been removed. Jennifer Choate was given until August 11, 2017 to remove all dogs as the closing sale of the property is expected then.

COA Cookout

The Council on Aging’s annual summer cookout will take place on August 16, 2017. The Board of Selectmen said to RSVP with Council on Aging Director Barbara Brenton.

  Fall Mud Fest         approved

The Board of Selectmen approved this fall’s mud fest event. It will take place on November 12, 2017.

Robert Bergstrom who runs the event said the corn maze will come down two weeks prior.

Appointments and    Resignations

Emergency dispatcher Joy Firth gave her letter of resignation to the Board of Selectmen. Firth worked as a dispatcher for the town for 33 years.

“She’s a very special lady,” said Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy. “She dedicated a lot of her life to the community.

David Moore was appointed the town’s new sealer of weights and measures. Selectmen Clerk Troy Garron said he was very impressed with his interview.

Steven Hayward was also reappointed as Tree Warden and will serve a term lasting until May 16, 2020. The Board also reappointed Greg Cowen to the Beautification Committee for a term lasting until June 30, 2018.

The record book at Silver Lake changed this past spring — for the better.

That is because Halifax native Emily Critch finished off her fourth and final season as a Silver Lake softball player strong. Midway through the season, she broke the home run record by blasting her 18th career home run. She surpassed the team record that was previously held by Shannon Grindle, a fellow Halifax native, who is a rising sophomore on the Bridgewater State softball team. Grindle hit .364 with a pair of home runs in 35 games as a freshman this past spring.

Even after she broke the record, Critch was not done hitting. She belted three more home runs after earning the crown outright, so the catcher finished her Lakers career with 21 home runs.

This past spring, Critch had yet again another impressive year offensively. She hit .419 with a .802 slugging percentage as she knocked in 37 runs and scored 39 runs in 25 games during the Lakers 25-1 season, a season in which they made it to the Division 1 South Final.

Thanks to her strong performance, Critch was named to every major All-Scholastic team: The Patriot Ledger, Boston Herald and Boston Globe. It was not the first time she was named to All-Scholastic teams for softball either.

During her Lakers career, Critch also played basketball and field hockey.

Critch is set to continue her softball career next spring as a member of Southern New Hampshire University’s softball team. There, she will be teammates with another former Laker and fellow Halifax native, Maddy Barone, who went 9-7 with a 2.85 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 115.1 innings in 24 outings, including 17 starts.

The two comprised a formidable battery during their Lakers career. Since SNHU lost both of their catchers due to graduation after this past spring, the Critch and Barone duo should have the opportunity to do the same in college.

Noise complaints from dog barking will end, as Tarawood Kennel owner Jennifer Choate is closing down the facility on August 10, 2017 and relocating to New Hampshire. Choate confirmed the closing of the kennel at 7 Plymouth Street in Halifax at a dog hearing at the Halifax Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, July 26, 2017.

A dog hearing occurred last year for the kennel’s dogs’ barking and being outside at night and as early as 5 and 6 a.m.  Resident Shawn Clarkson expressed that he doesn’t think the problem has improved since last year.

Clarkson said, “Dogs are still barking and there’s no end to it. They’re still barking early in the morning, 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning.”

With this most recent complaint, both Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan and Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy paid separate visits to the kennel. Callahan came for an annual inspection, while Roy was assessing the noise from complaints.

Callahan said she didn’t hear any barking during this particular visit. Roy said she visited and there was barking. She didn’t think it was as bad as the year before, but there was still barking. Roy did note she’s not living there though.

Jennifer Choate disagreed that the dogs are barking excessively and disagreed with them being a nuisance. Choate said she wishes it wasn’t still coming to this a year later and confirmed that it won’t be an issue after she relocates. Choate said, “The property is sold and closing on August 10, 2017.” She said the plan is to vacate the property with the dogs.

On Thursday, July 20, ACO Callahan completed her inspection of Tarawood Kennels. She confirmed the dog numbers were correct, but not all paperwork was presented until this selectmen’s meeting. The Board believes Choate did not fully cooperate with the nature of a random inspection due to failed attempts by Callahan to inspect the property and Choate’s voice mail box being full.

Choate said she never refused Callahan entry to her property, to which Roy answered, she “respectfully disagreed”.  Selectman Clerk Troy Garron said that whether intentional or not an inspection agreement was broken here.

Choate reiterated her position saying, “She’s (ACO Callahan) welcome anytime, and the times she wasn’t able to enter I wasn’t there or was on her way out back loading multiple things.” Choate said she’s in the middle of relocating a 30 horse facility along with the kennel.

Selectmen chose to let the complaint come to a natural close since Choate is moving in a few weeks. The Board did say it’s ordering the dogs vacate the property by August 11, 2017.

Sealer of Weights and Measures interviews

The Halifax Board of Selectmen scheduled three interviews for the town’s open sealer of weights and measures position. The Board had interviews with Charles Norvish, David Moore, and Robert O’Rourke.

Charles Norvish was the first candidate interviewed by the board. When Chairman Tom Millias asked Norvish to talk about his experience, Norvish joked, “We don’t have that much time tonight.”

Norvish has been the sealer of weights and measures for Middleboro since 1986. According to Norvish, Middleboro has 17 gas pumps and more than 150 scales. Halifax has much less in comparison.

Selectman Garron asked Norvish why he’s interested in the job because he seems very busy. Norvish said, “The good thing is these jobs are part-time; the bad thing is they’re part time.” Charles also cited an “old school attitude” and that he’s done multiple jobs for a while. Norvish said, “I have no regrets.”

The next candidate, David Moore, said he’s been involved with town government for over 40 years starting in Bridgewater and Carver. He owns his own sealing equipment, which, according to Moore, can cost a town $3,000-4,000, so he said there’s a saving benefit here.

The board told Moore they liked that he says he sets his scales according to the fiscal year as well as the calendar year. Moore said this is useful for towns when planning their budget.

Moore said he’ll provide selectmen with a database of the spots (pumps, etc.) he tests. Selectmen plan to make a decision when they meet August 8.

The last candidate, Robert O’Rourke withdrew his application at the interview. He said the board is in good hands with either Norvish or Moore and is welcome to help down the line.

Other News

The Board of Selectmen reappointed the following election workers:

Democrats

• Andrea Delaney  • Paul Delaney  • Carol Keene • Cathleen Miller • Amelia Mosley • Lee Mulready • Judith Wall

Republicans

•Marion Heath • Gayle Peck • Richard Roche

Unenrolled

• Robert Doherty • Kathryn Roche • Kenneth Vinton

Courtesy of the

Halifax Fire Department

Halifax Fire Fighter Derek Coveney was one of the technicians called into action Tuesday, July 18, when the Cohasset Fire Department requested the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team for a confined space rescue.

Late Tuesday night a Cohasset man went out to look for his dog and fell 10 – 15 feet into an uncapped abandoned well on Ripley street.  When his cries for help were heard, and Cohasset emergency was alerted, the Cohasset Fire Dept. called for the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team that has specialized equipment and training for this kind of rescue.

The rescue took more than two hours.  The victim was flown to a Boston hospital for treatment of back and leg injuries.

Halifax Firefighter Derek Coveny, a member of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team, throws his arms wide in the spirit of victory when they knew the rescue would end successfully.

Halifax Firefighter Coveny was one of the technicians lowered into the hole to make the rescue.

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Vivieros said, “Nice job, Derek.  We are all proud of you!”

This type of tight space rescue, where technicians are harnessed and lowered into the space is one of the many rescue situations they have trained for.

Plympton Selectmen chose Community Paradigm Associates as the firm to help the town hire its first town administrator. After interviewing three different firms since getting the funds appropriated for the position at May’s Annual Town Meeting, the Board settled on a firm at its meeting Monday, July 10, 2017.

Community Paradigm Associates is Bernard Lynch’s private practice for hiring consulting. The Board interviewed him at their meeting Monday, June 26, 2017.

Lynch, whose practice has only existed for three years, sold himself to the Board by citing his 30 years of experience in municipal government, most notably as the city manager for Lowell, eight years as well as Chelmsford for 20 years.

Selectmen were impressed by this experience, and all three members cited this as a reason for choosing his firm. Selectmen Clerk Mark Russo checked all the references for Community Paradigm, as well as the Collins’ Center and Municipal Resources and came away impressed with all three, but the enthusiasm surrounding Community Paradigm was particularly impressive to him.

Russo said that Community Paradigm’s references referred to Bernard Lynch as “a match-maker who knows the state so well.”  Selectmen Chair Christine Joy said she gravitated towards Community Paradigm because of his experience, approach, and low cost.

Originally, Selectman John Traynor named Municipal Resources as his first choice. Traynor said, “We need to professionalize how we go forward and they can help with that.” Russo said that Municipal Resources’ references cited the organization’s professionalism as a strength.

Traynor also liked Community Paradigm and said he was convinced by the opinions of Russo and Joy to make it a unanimous vote. Former Selectman Colleen Thompson, who was still a board member for the interview with the Collin’s group and sat in on the meetings with Municipal Resources and Community Paradigm,  also preferred Community Paradigm because of how much they wanted to involve the community. Thompson said, “That’s important to us.” Selectmen unanimously voted to begin negotiations with Community Paradigm Associates.

Potholes and dust    on Montello Street

Selectmen scheduled an appointment with Highway Surveyor Jim Mulcahy to discuss the ongoing issues with potholes and dust on Montello Street. Discussions about potentially paving the road were discussed in a preliminary way.

A group of citizens who live on and around Montello Street were led by Kristin Fichtenmayer to discuss the road conditions at the open meeting. Fitchenmayer said the potholes are a major concern and that on average, there are 56 potholes at a time. She described the ones at 6 and 15 Montello Street as completely unavoidable.

Other concerns of hers was the amount of dust picking up since Montello is a dirt road. She said she had environmental concerns over the larger pickups. She also said the width of the road is problematic because cars cannot get by if a school bus is on the street.

Fitchenmayer said she’s understanding of Plympton’s being a small rural town, but wanted to know how the town will go forward. She said, “We want to know what’s the plan?” Fitchenmayer said that her husband Eric, also in attendance, is an EMS for Carver, and all of these factors make getting out on calls difficult.

Highway Surveyor Jim Mulcahy said he’s aware of Fitchenmayer’s concerns and agrees the Highway Department can spray the road more often in order to limit some of the dust pickup. Right now the department, is grading the road three times per year.

Mulcahy said they can grade the road five to seven times per year without stretching thin a small crew. He said, “We’re very aware and trying to stay on track of what’s happening in Carver. The town does want to eventually pave the road he said, but that discussion was agreed to be tabled until the Carver Urban Renewal Plan finishes its permitting process.

Selectmen Chair Christine Joy said she will try to reach out to Carver for more information for Fitchenmayer and the other residents. Joy said traffic studies are currently being done and the area of the study has been expanded. She said, “The Old Colony Planning Council has been very active.”

Potential dog      hearing soon

A recent complaint surfaced about a German Sheppard biting an individual at 73 Mayflower Road. According to Christine Joy, the bite looks serious and warrants a dog hearing.

Selectman Mark Russo said that allegedly the victim was on the dog owner’s property for real estate purposes and was taking pictures. However, the report is still inconclusive. The owner has three dogs and its unclear which dog bit the victim.

Selectmen John Traynor said the owner is claiming none of his dogs were the one who bit the victim and right now, there isn’t any evidence at this time. Findings and recommendations are needed from the Animal Control Officer before the Board of Selectmen will proceed.

Other News

An employment section has been added to the town website. The Fire Department plans to post their open clerical help position here as well as around the Town House.

The next Board of Selectmen’s meeting is Monday, July 17. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

Jared Alden, an 18-year-old from Halifax underwent medical treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a firecracker exploded in his hand Saturday night around 11:30 p.m.

Halifax Fire and EMS responded to the 911 call on Carver Street to find the young man with extensive hand injuries sustained when picking up the device, according to Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.

The firework was ignited but did not go off immediately. Alden picked it up and it exploded in his hand, the chief said.

Boston Med flight was called but they could not fly, due to the severe weather near Boston.

Halifax EMS transported the victim by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

The surrounding hospitals do not have the resources for the type of injury the young man sustained, said Viveiros.

“The Halifax Fire Department is keeping the family and victim in our thoughts and prayers. We also would like to use this as a teachable moment that fireworks should be left to the professionals,” said Viveiros.

In a recent press release through the Mass.Gov website there are numerous examples of life altering injuries caused by fireworks.

Peter J. Ostroskey of the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office reminded all of the many dangers associated with fireworks.

“Already this year people have lost fingers lighting off illegal fireworks in Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “Have a fun but safe Fourth of July and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” he added

In a recent press release through the Mass.Gov website there are numerous examples of life altering injuries caused by fireworks.

Peter J. Ostroskey of the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office reminded all of the many dangers associated with fireworks.

“Already this year people have lost fingers lighting off illegal fireworks in Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “Have a fun but safe Fourth of July and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” he added.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen interviewed Bernard Lynch from the consulting firm Community Paradigm Associates at their meeting on Monday, June 26. Lynch’s private practice services are being considered for assisting in hiring Plympton’s first town administrator.

Lynch told the Board that although he’s only been in the consulting business for three years, he’s been involved with municipal government for 30 years. Lynch served as Lowell’s city manager for eight years and was the city manager in Chelmsford for 20 years.

Where this is a new position for Plympton, selectmen have asked each of the three consulting firms they’ve considered to explain their hiring process in detail. The first firm they interviewed, the Collins Center’s approach relied heavily on input from screening committees made up of the community’s citizens.

Municipal Resources focused more on their “expertise hiring the right candidate.” Although they use town input, they do reserve a veto power to put a candidate through to the next round that the town’s board might not have otherwise done.

Community Paradigm’s approach lies in the middle of these two philosophies.  Lynch described his process as “flexible to what the town wants.” Lynch said, “I’m comfortable narrowing down (the hiring pool), not choosing.”

He also said that there have been times he’s interjected his own opinion when appropriate. Lynch added, “I’ll give you advice, but I won’t tell you what to do.”

Unlike Municipal Resources, Community Paradigm Associates believes municipal management experience is important for Plympton’s opening, since it will be their first time having a town administrator. At the Plympton Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, June 12, representatives from Municipal Resources described Plympton’s open position as “entry-level.”

Municipal representatives said that based on the town’s population, they made an inference that the town would not be paying a salary of $140,000-150,000 that Town Administrators make in some larger cities and towns.

Lynch said it does make finding an experienced administrator challenging, but not impossible. Selectman John Traynor asked Lynch about what the town should expect to pay a town administrator. Lynch said he’d have to run some estimation calculations, but his educated guess was about $90,000 annually.

Others in the audience asked questions as well. Former Selectman Colleen Thompson attended the meeting and asked Lynch about his experience, since his firm has only been around for three years. Thompson wanted to know why the town would choose Community Paradigm Associates over a larger consulting firm with more years of experience.

Lynch cited his 30 years working as a town manager as relevant experience for hiring for municipalities. He said that he hired 11 or 12 assistants over the years who went on to be municipal managers. Lynch also said he hired five police chiefs.

Selectman Mark Russo said he will call Community Paradigm’s references before a decision is made. The Board will decide which consulting firm they will use at the next selectmen’s meeting on Monday, July 10.

Pictometry Demo with Assistant Assessor Deb Stuart

Assistant Assessor Deb Stuart met with the Board to discuss a pictometry project for Plympton using aerial photography. Stuart said, “It uses oblique images which allows users to look from all compass directions.” The view gives 45 degree angles from all directions on the compass.

Stuart said the project cost $19,900, but can be paid with payments over a three year period. There’s also a $500 maintenance fee.

Originally, Stuart and the Board thought this project could be covered under the IT grant Plympton received. However, Traynor said there’s a new wrinkle and the town may not be able to use the IT grant for things outside of the exchange serve/public records software.

Money was appropriated for these things at Annual Town Meeting, so the Board needs to look into the eligibility of what the grant can be used for further before proceeding. If the grant cannot be used to cover the pictometry cost, other means may need to be explored or the project could get delayed until it can be brought to  a vote at the next Annual Town Meeting.

Fire Department Update

Selectmen approved the final draft of the job description for the open clerical position with the Fire Department. The job description was created via a collaboration with Police Chief Patrick Dillon and Selectman John Traynor.

Selectmen Mark Russo said he thinks the job description is great. He liked how the language included the importance of being able to handle the changing of tasks in times of stress/crisis. The positions is part time at 15 hours per week and pays $15 per hour.

Richard Bowen as

Co-counsel

Selectmen Chair Christine Joy gave an update on the Board’s meeting with Richard Bowen, who the Board considered for the position of Co-town Counsel at last week’s selectmen’s meeting Monday, June 19. Joy met with Bowen to go over the nature of how their contractual relationship could work.

Joy said, “The meeting with Bowen was productive.” Bowen will work alongside the town’s co-counsel, the firm Kopelman and Paige.  Selectmen will meet with Kopelman and Paige next week to discuss specifics.

Kathy Wright, of Hanson, Plympton’s Building Department administrative assistant, and her two children, Griffin and Kayleigh Webb, have adopted three mustangs as part of the Bureau of Land Management’s program to keep herds of wild horses to manageable number. Shadow, Hazel and Secret all live together on the Wright family property in Hanson, coming from Oklahoma and Oregon.

Only Shadow, at 4 1/2  is old enough to ride, and Griffin who just turned 18, said it takes a lot to train a mustang.  A lot of patience, time, strength, and faith that what you’re doing is going to get through and the animal will learn it can trust you.

Griffin first learned of the mustang adoption program at Norfolk Agricultural High School, where he graduated last month.  He has ridden horses practically since he could walk, his mom Kathy remembers.  “By 5 he was riding well, by 8 he was barrel racing! …  Horses have been his passion since I can remember.”

Why adopt a mustang?  Griffin said at first it was for the challenge.  Then it was for the bond that developed between horse and trainer, seeing for the first time that Shadow thought she just might be able to trust this young man not to hurt her.

When they went to Orange Extreme Mustang Makeover Adoption to see the horses two years ago, Kathy and Griffin chose Shadow, then a two-year-old. Getting her on and off the trailer was also an adventure.  She stood up, forelegs in the air, and wanted nothing to do with these people all around her.  “What have I done?” thought Kathy.  She was sure someone would get badly hurt.     

The Wright property had the required round ring for training, and Griffin would stand by the ring for hours, talking to Shadow, soothing her, but that little filly wanted nothing to do with him.  She wanted out.  But Griffin stayed the course; he actually spent the night beside the corral, letting Shadow know that he was there and wasn’t giving up.  When he woke it was to a curious Shadow nuzzling him.  He knew that he had won her trust.

With one hurdle conquered, the big one was yet to come – putting her under saddle!  That was another adventure, Kathy remembers.  Griffin got on, Shadow bucked him off!   “Then there was the time someone was leading her, but she broke loose and threw me into a tree,” Griffin said.  Best for mothers not to watch too closely …

The Bureau of Land Management gives its adopters 100 days to make progress with the mustangs.  In fact, they don’t turn over title to the animal for a year to be sure the horses have a good home.

Taking the mustang challenge to the extreme, Griffin entered Shadow into the Extreme Mustang Makeover Competition, where horses that have been with their adoptive homes for just 100 days, compete.  Griffin and Shadow also attended the Big E in Springfield; Shadow represented the BLM Mustang breed in the breed pavillion, where a representative of every breed of horse is shown. That was quite an honor!  Now Griffin works with Hazel, another two year old filly.

A family affair…

Everyone is involved with horses in this family. Along with the three mustangs, there are three other horses on the property. Kathy and both her children take care of them. Griffin plans to attend the University of New Hampshire in a dual pre-veterinary/pre-medical program. His sister Kayleigh seems to be following in his footsteps, and at 13 has adopted a mustang, too.  Hers is a baby, 9-month old Secret, a sweet little girl who already loves Kayleigh, though she’s only been at the Hanson home since March.  Kayleigh works with Secret, showing her how to lead, longe, and obey commands.  When Griffin goes to school in the fall, Kayleigh will take the reins and continue training Hazel and Secret.

Mustangs are wild horses that roam freely in herds in the American west, descendants of horses brought by the Spanish to the Americas.  In 1971, the United States Congress recognized that, “wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, that continue to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people.” The mustang population is managed and protected by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

How do I adopt a mustang?

There is information on the BLM website. See https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/