Plympton Public Library Director Mike Slawson introduced the latest additions to the library –including a Flash Forge Adventurer 4 light 3-D printer, that will soon be available for public use. The purchase was made possible by a grant for more than $7,000 from the Association for Rural & Small Libraries organization, ARSL, a non-profit organization in the United States promoting libraries, especially those serving small and rural communities. The grant also funded new computers for the research area, a Cricut die-cutting machine used in crafts, and an art tablet, all for use by the public. Slawson expects the items to be up and running in a couple of weeks, after full setup and testing has been done.

STOW— Captain Jeffrey Cuozzo of the Halifax Fire Department graduated last week from the 28th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program.
The four-month program for new chief officers and chief officer candidates is delivered jointly by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and the University of Massachusetts Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management. Through classroom instruction and out-of-class assignments, the course delivers intensive training in the non-fire suppression aspects of managing a municipal fire department.
“The Chief Fire Officer program is a tremendous opportunity for new chiefs and rising officers,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, who graduated from the program in 2002. “The rigorous instruction in such a wide variety of topics will help these graduates provide the leadership that their departments and communities deserve. Completing the program is a major accomplishment and I want to congratulate them on their initiative and dedication to professional development.”
The Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program covers a spectrum of topics considered essential for effective public sector management. It includes human resource management, ethics, executive leadership, governmental and organization structures, information management, customer-focused strategic planning, legal issues, budgets and public finance, community awareness, and labor relations. The curriculum helps fire officers improve their ability to lead and manage personnel, understand employees’ needs and problems, communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, and leverage inter-agency cooperation.  The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free.
The 2022-2023 graduating class was drawn from the fire departments of Acushnet, Barnstable, Belmont, Billerica, Bridgewater, Chelsea, Easthampton, Everett, Fitchburg, Framingham, Grafton, Granby, Halifax, Hanover, Holyoke, Hyannis, Ipswich, Lakeville, Maynard, Medway, Methuen, New Bedford, Newton, North Andover, North Attleboro, Oakham, Palmer, Pelham, Russell, Seekonk, Sturbridge, Tewksbury, Three Rivers, Truro, West Brookfield, Westport, and Worcester, where its members serve as chiefs, deputy chiefs, and captains.

Alan Wheelock, chairman of the Plympton By-law Review Committee, spoke to residents about the function of his committee. The Third Saturday at the Library community meeting brought neighbors together for coffee, tea, and sweet treats, along with good conversation. Each meeting, First Saturday and Third Saturday, draws a dozen to three dozen people together to hear about what’s going on in town. Selectman John Traynor has been spearheading the effort, with the full support of library director Mike Slawson. If you have an idea that you would like to hear more about, contact the Library by email at mslawson@sailsinc.org. Photo by Sandi Neumeister

Earlier this month at the Kingsbury Club in Kingston, the combined Silver Lake and Whitman-Hanson Swim team took on Plymouth North. Led by their Senior Captains Anna Billings, Ava McTighe Tassinari, Wesley Hawley, Jake Foley, and Matt Ward and in this, the second year as a combined team with Whitman-Hanson, the Lakers are continuing to grow both renewed interest in aquatic sports as well as score consistent results in the pool. In addition to this meet against Plymouth North, the team has also faced their Patriot League rivals, Scituate and Quincy North, and are now half way through their season.

Photos and text by Steve Gilbert

Text and photos by Steve Gilbert

Over the holiday break, Silver Lake Boys Varsity Hockey participated in the annual Cashman Tournament held at the Rockland Ice Arena. After defeating Whitman-Hanson in the first round, they advanced to the championship game against the Rockland Bulldogs.During the championship, the Lakers were strong at both ends of the rink. Goalie Strummer Beals stopped everything Rockland sent his way while the offense, led by Brandon Cavicchi’s hat trick and two more from Senior Captain Ben Cronin, gave Silver Lake a 5-0 win

Photos and text by Steve Gilbert

Silver Lake’s Boys Basketball took on the Rockland Bulldogs just before the holidays. The Lakers bring five returning Seniors along with a strong Junior class to the court. This experience makes them a challenging squad defensively but a team that is still growing on offense. A 10-game schedule that takes the Lakers through the strength of the Patriot League awaits Silver Lake when they return in the new year.

Story by Steve Gilbert

This year’s edition of Silver Lake Girls Basketball is off to a great start with wins over East Bridgewater and Scituate High School last week. The Sailors from Scituate made this game close down the stretch before the Laker defense took over in the final minutes to allow Silver Lake to pull away to a 60-54 win over their Patriot League rivals.