The Town of Plympton is pleased to announce that we are moving forward with the search for a permanent, full-time Chief of Police.  The Town has acquired the services of Community Paradigm Associates from Plymouth, MA, to coordinate a professional search process.  The position of Chief of Police will be posted later this week and we hope to have the position filled by June 1.

This marks a significant milestone for the Plympton Police Department, as the Chief position has been filled on an interim basis since July 2019.

During the search process, daily operations of the Police Department will be managed under the capable leadership of Acting Chief of Police Daniel Hoffman.  Mr. Hoffman has been serving the Town faithfully as a Sergeant prior to receiving this temporary appointment.

We would like to thank the former Interim Chiefs who served us well during a transitional period, Matthew Clancy and more recently, Scott Benton.  Over the last two plus years, tremendous progress has been made with respect to growing the Police Department, building an amazing team of men and women who serve the Town proudly and working towards accreditation.

Alan Wheelock
Special to The Express

Plympton is unique compared to the majority of South Shore towns. It’s the smallest in population, but among the biggest in natural resources and beautiful rural landscapes. It’s certainly the only town down here that had a woman fight in the Revolutionary war – dressed as a man. It’s home to a lot of cranberry bogs and a lot of horses. It has been referred to as “the lungs of the South Shore” by soil scientists, due to its extensive cedar and red-maple swamps, which grow on peat. Peat soils are a first-class carbon sink and a key to the battle against climate change.

And in Plympton, you can actually see the stars.

Satellite images of southeastern Massachusetts at night reveal Plympton as a dark spot surrounded by a sea of twinkling suburban lights. Part of that phenomenon is explained by our relatively light population density and acres of woodlands, wetlands, fields and bogs, but part of the explanation is the fact that there is something else that makes Plympton unique – we have a Dark Sky By-law.

Many residents in town may not know it, but Plympton has long had a zoning by-law aimed at protecting those wonderful star-filled vistas that we still get to enjoy. Residents will find this by-law under Chapter 300, Zoning, Article VI, Section 6.9 – entitled “Lighting Systems and Fixtures”. (All Plympton zoning regulations are easily accessible by visiting the Town of Plympton website.)

The key features of the outdoor lighting by-law include: lights must be shielded so that the fixtures shine downward and allow no “up light”; potential light pollution should be taken into consideration by businesses and residents when designing outdoor lighting systems; and, as the by-law itself says, lighting systems designed to minimize light pollution will “decrease lighting costs and preserve the night sky as a natural and historical resource.”

The outdoor lighting regulations detailed in Section 6.9 are enforced by Plympton’s Zoning Enforcement Officer. If you own a home or business in Plympton, your questions or comments regarding outdoor lighting and the Dark Sky by-law can be referred to our Zoning Enforcement Officer. Contact information for the ZEO’s office can also be found on the town website.

Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases and staffing challenges, North Easton Savings will be providing access to all branch lobbies by appointment only, effective immediately.

Drive-up at all locations will remain open and available during regular hours.  For a full listing of branch locations and hours please go to the website, northeastonsavings.com.

NESB encourages customers to limit their in-person visits to any services or transactions that cannot be done at our drive-up windows, online/mobile channels, telephone banking, or via ATM or ITM. Please know there are Interactive Teller Machines available during regular business hours to service transactions live with a banker.  Go to the website to find the nearest ITM location.

Customers who need to visit any of the branch lobbies are asked to make an appointment using the online scheduling tool at the website.

“We are committed to keeping both our customers and our employees safe during this time. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we continue to operate within the State and Local Covid-19 Guidelines,”

As always, please contact the bank directly if there is anything we can do for customers or your family at 508-238-2007 or by email  info@northeastonsavingsbank.com.

Thank you for choosing to bank local.

On Dec. 14, 2021, at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Plympton Board of Health the following Guidance Order was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Plympton Town House COVID Guidance

14-Dec-2021

As the rate of positive Covid-19 cases has risen in Plympton to over 12%, there is concern about the health and safety of those working in and making visits to the Plympton Town House. The Plympton Board of Health provides the following guidance in regards to use of the building:

• 1. Activities in the Town House will be limited to those necessary for conducting town business. Any non-essential activities or gatherings will be suspended until further notice.

• 2. Only one visitor from the public will be able to access each individual department at a time. Signs will be provided with this guidance.

• 3. The Emergency Management Director will provide lobby personnel to reinforce this guidance and manage access in accordance with #2 above.

• 4. Town Boards and Committees will be encouraged to conduct remote meetings when possible.

Our hope is that visitors will take advantage of the procedures in place to take care of their business remotely. If in person visits are required, visitors will be encouraged to conduct their business according to this Order to protect the health and safety of visitors and town employees.

This guidance will be reevaluated after January 15, 2022 or as appropriate due to new information or changes in State or CDC requirements.

The first priority of all Boards of Health in the Commonwealth is protecting the health and safety of their citizens during this difficult time and the Board of Health will continue to recommend best practices and protocol around social distancing and gathering guidelines, and appreciates your cooperation in adhering to this guidance.

So Ordered Plympton Board of Health

The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The new interim town administrator Edwin Thorne sat with the Selectmen.

Selectmen discussed the proposed agreement with the Lakeville Animal Shelter. They had previously been looking into a possible agreement with Kingston but had not heard back. Selectman Troy Garron said of the agreement with Lakeville, “We’ve had a pretty good relationship.” The Selectmen voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Lakeville.

Inventory lists, budgets, etc. were requested of all town departments. Thorne said, “As part of looking at a budget, we’re also reviewing the current year’s budget to see what our problem area is and what are areas where we are probably going to need to transfer funds to and from… that will be an ongoing process between now and the May town meeting.”

Thorne also said he was asked to look into the solar farm on the capped landfill. Thorne said there was some email correspondence between former town administrator Charlie Seelig and Seth Pickering of MassDEP. Thorne said he knows Pickering from his days working for Green Communities for Southeastern Massachusetts. Thorne said they discussed plans to possibly own the farm as opposed to entering into a 20-year agreement with the company; he further said this is what was done during his time in Pembroke when they faced a similar predicament. He described the plan in Pembroke as, “a payment in lieu of taxes, a lease… and a net savings over 20 years.”

Thorne also told the Selectmen that he sent an email to the Center for Living and Working regarding the ADA plan. He also addressed the Complete Streets Program which he called, “a great program.” He said those were some of the things that he has been working on in his first few days in office.

Selectmen Chair Gordon Andrews said they had received an email from Joan Pierce, the Southeast Land Agent for the Department of Fish and Game regarding the parcel of land on Aldana Rd. that was part of a larger transaction between the town and the state. Andrews said the transaction was completed. Ownership of the land is necessary to pave the street.

Talent bank forms were submitted by Steve Littlefield and John Sullivan to be appointed to the Traffic Safety Committee. There was some confusion as to whether there were one or two seats available on the Committee. Selectman Ashley DiSesa said she would like to have the candidates come and speak with the Selectmen before officially appointing anyone.

The Selectmen appointed Thorne as the ADA Coordinator for non-school departments. They also voted to give Thorne authority to submit the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) application on behalf of the town.

There was a discussion regarding use of ARPA funds to upgrade the Police Department’s network and related equipment. Chief Joao Chaves joined remotely for this portion of the meeting. The current wireless equipment at the Police Department is over 10 years old and was described as awful. The firewall and network security points are also outdated. Andrews asked how much of the funding was being requested and was told that $30,000 would cover replacing and installing all related equipment.

Andrews asked the Chief to speak to the benefits of doing the upgrade now versus waiting for town meeting. Chaves said it would be more of a burden for taxpayers if funds were acquired through town meeting. DiSesa asked if the Board had access to the breakdown of what ARPA funds have been used versus what was still available. She was told they did not immediately have access to that information. Garron expressed some concern about funding the maintenance of the equipment in the future. The Selectmen voted that overall, they are in favor of using the funds for the purpose but said they first want to see the breakdown of funds used thus far from the town accountant.

There was also a discussion on the rate of pay for the Building Commissioner/Inspector of Buildings Steve Solari. The Selectmen voted to approve a rate of $50 per inspection.

An appointment was held with cannabis dispensary company Elevated Roots to discuss the proposed Host Community Agreement (HCA) with them. Elevated Roots first appeared before the Board in late September to introduce the project to the Selectmen and the community. The community forum was held in early November. “We’re ready to move forward with building and begin construction,” the representative told the Board during Tuesday’s meeting. “The residents and the town officials have the ability to go and evaluate how we are actually operating,” he said of their store in Kingston that has been operational since April. The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the HCA.

Andrews told those assembled, “We did lose a retired employee this week – Cathy Drinan – a long time Board of Health agent.” DiSesa said, “She put a lot of work into the town.” Drinan was the long-time Docent Art Program Director for the Halifax Elementary School. “She was a very nice person; she worked really hard for our community; she will definitely be missed,” Andrews said.

Amy L. Troup appeared before the Board on behalf of the Beautification Committee. She requested that a donate button be added to the Facebook page. Andrews said it would be a question for the Treasurer/Collector’s office. Troup also said that they were interested in running a vendor fair in the spring, potentially in the gym at Halifax Elementary School. Andrews recommended coordinating with Youth and Rec to find out what days they are not using the gym.

The Town of Halifax will hold an outdoor version of their annual Holidays in Halifax this year on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Town  Green, at the Hemlock St. side of the Town Hall.   Magical ice sculptors will show their artistry outside on the Town Hall lawn, always a favorite in years past.   

Live performances will take place throughout, and there will be a movie set up for outside viewing at the Holmes Public Library parking lot.

Food trucks with treats to keep you warm will be available in the library parking lot.  Live animals will be nearby and there will be a reading of The Night Before Christmas and, of course, a visit from Santa.

Everyone is invited to attend.

On Saturday Dec. 4, the Halifax Firefighters Association  and  Girl Scouts will team up
with Santa and Mrs.  Claus for its 23rd year, to
collect new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food.

Gift certificates are encouraged. All items collected are distributed through the two
local Churches and kept in town helping families in need.

The drop off center is at the Town Barn, 60 Hemlock Lane, behind the Town Hall, on the
day of the event. Please do not bring items to the Halifax
Fire Station.

We will also be parading through the neighborhoods on
this day, collecting toys/food along the way. Items may be left
curbside.

If you are unavailable on Saturday or have any questions,
please call Christine Markunas at 781-588-4886.

Please do not bring
items to the Halifax Fire Station. If your street is not listed, look for the street closest to yours for the time the truck will be in the area. Due
to some of the roads we are unable to make it down all the streets in town.

Estimated times of arrival, streets and locations:

10 a.m. – Fire station; 10:05 a.m. – Lydon Lane; 10:15 a.m. – Holmes St. to Aldana Rd.; 10:20 a.m. – Brandeis Circle; 10:25 a.m. – Colby Drive; 10:30: a.m. Harvard Street/McClelland Road;

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 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.; 11:20 a.m – Lingan St./13th ./Richview Ave./11th Ave.

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

By State Rep. Kathy LaNatra

Most people understand, at least on some level, the work that a state legislator does. However, there’s a lot to the role that people may not be fully aware of. With that said, I thought it might be helpful to dedicate this particular column to explaining what a state representative does.

First and foremost, a state representative is a lawmaker. We draft and file legislation; we may co-sponsor a bill initiated by another representative, and we vote on proposed legislation that comes before us. Constituent opinion is very valuable; as a citizen in the district, you can call or write your representative and vice your view on different bills and issues. We representatives take all of these opinions into account when voting on legislation.

From the title “State Representative,” we of course are here to represent our constituents at the state level. I see an important part of my role as being your voice, and I value the opinions of the people in my district.

In addition to the role of lawmaker, we serve on committees, which is an important part of the lawmaking process. All bills go through committees prior to being voted on by the full House of Representatives.

In my case, I sit on the Committees on Ways and Means, Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight and Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. This session, I was also honored to be chosen to serve as Vice Chair of Export Development, whose job it is to promote Massachusetts products nationally and internationally. Each committee votes on bills that deal with a certain issue pertaining to their committee; and if the bill receives a favorable vote from the committee, it then goes to the full House for a vote.

A State representative is also an advocate for her/his district. We are fully involved during the yearly budget negotiations. The negotiations are what lead to the allocation of state funds. We frequently file amendments to the overall state budget which, if successfully voted, will allocate money for our districts. These funds support schools, senior centers, infrastructure projects or anything else that the district may need.

State representatives can additionally assist our constituents with many issues they may be having. Whether this is an issue with unemployment or MassHealth or MassDOT, we can often connect constituents with the appropriate state agencies to solve issues they may be having. In this instance we can act as a liaison between the state and constituents.

Not all the activity takes place up on Beacon Hill, though. There’s a lot that takes place in the district, which could be providing a commendation from the legislature to a business on its 20th anniversary, recognizing the heroic actions of a fire department, or simply meeting with people during district office hours.