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You are here: Home / Archives for More News Right

Choate of Tarawood Kennels told to hire sound engineer

July 21, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

HALIFAX– At the continuation of a dog hearing on Tuesday, July 19, Jennifer Choate, proprietor of Tarawood Kennels, was ordered by selectmen to hire a sound engineer in order to keep her kennel license.

Neighbors, at a hearing that began last week but which Choate could not attend, complained of near constant barking that could be heard at all hours.

Choate says the dogs are indoors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in an insulated barn– although the roof is not insulated.

The public did not testify as much as public officials debated Choate.

Selectman Kim Roy, who has been doing her own research on the barking by showing up at random times throughout the day and night, along with a dozen or so neighbors, say that there is a barking problem.  Neighbors say that they have put up with it for years.

Roy and Choate disagreed on whether there actually was a problem, with Choate stating that Roy was causing the dogs to “alert” with her very presence at odd hours, such as 4:51 a.m. as in one of her recordings. In that recording, one could argue that morning birds were louder than the barking, although barking could be heard.

“I wanted to disprove the barking, I really did,” said Roy. Choate “disagreed” with a lot that the board and her neighbors had to say.

Selectman Chairman Troy Garron relied heavily on the expertise of the Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan, but Callahan stated that her concern was primarily for the animals’ safety, which was not the issue at hand.

While the other board members seemed as if they wanted to “prescribe” some solution swiftly, Selectman Tom Millias said he wanted to get away from prescribing a solution for a person’s business, because if it fails, “we will all be back in the same position again.”

The board came to a somewhat odd solution, which was to order Choate to hire a professional sound engineer to come up with  or help Choate to come up with a plan to mitigate barking noise.

She will report back to selectmen in one week on her progress.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Benefit on Sunday to help Amy Breault

July 14, 2016 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

PLYMPTON -The Amy Breault benefit event at the Upland Sportsman Club, Upland Road, Plympton, will be held Sunday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Amy, a resident of Plympton, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis, which progressed to secondary-progressive MS.  She has been invited to Russia to take part in an experimental treatment to use her own body’s stem cells to treat her MS.  Because this highly effective treatment is not available in the United States, Amy will go to Russia to receive her stem cell treatment.

Amy, with her companion Brendan Bibaud, invites the community to join them at the Upland Sportsman Club in Plympton on Sunday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be a DJ, raffles, and much more for a family afternoon for all ages.  There is no charge to come and meet Amy under the Upland Club Pavilion and lend support to her mission.

Optional tickets for the chicken bake dinner are $20 per person and can be purchased at the Upland Club or by calling Kim at (781) 585-5741.  All proceeds will go to Amy for her stem cell treatment in Russia.

For those who wish to help but cannot attend, donations may be made directly at http://www.youcaring.com/amy-breault-360701.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Plympton Girl Scout Bridging at Harry Jason Park June 17

July 7, 2016 By Larisa Hart, Media Editor

Friday night we had the Plympton Girl Scout Bridging at Harry Jason Park in Plympton. Daisies to Cadettes were there for the ceremony Scouts hold to wrap up the year of scouting and for a couple of the troops it was their turn to bridge to Brownies, to Juniors and to Cadettes.

After the ceremony we all enjoy some s’mores and for the second year in a row we’ve had a camp out for those who want to spend the night. We had about 15 families spend the night. It was a beautiful night up until the thunderstorm came through but it didn’t put a damper on the fun.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Plympton BOS 6-27-16

June 29, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON– The Plympton Board of Selectmen held a lengthy meeting on Monday, June 27 and along with continuing a gravel permit hearing– see accompanying article– they discussed matters as various as choosing a locking system for Town House, Selectman John Traynor’s “talent bank”, and overall compliance with zoning and permitting rules.

Locks for Town House

The Selectmen discussed last week how too many people had keys to Town House and some possible solutions for replacing the locks.

One idea was an electronic card reader, that either reads a magnetic stripe or uses radio-frequency chip, such as in a bank or hotel as a “key-card” system. Town Administrator Dale Pleau researched these types of systems, and noted that they would cost “thousands of dollars” for even the simplest of systems. Although they do have advantages, such as central computerized logging of all access, the Board agreed with Pleau that the expense was too great.

The Selectmen chose the option of “re-keying” the door– or simply changing the locks– and being much more careful with which Board and Committee members receive keys after the locks are changed.

Selectman Christine Joy wants the keys to be non-duplicable, even if that is an additional cost.

Talent Bank

Although he wants to get away from the wording, “talent bank”, the concept, such as the one that exists in Halifax is something that Selectman John Traynor has brought with him to the Board.

He would like townspeople who are interested in volunteering with the Town in some way, but do not have a specific idea of how they would like to volunteer to fill out a form that would be retained on file and the town could contact that individual as necessary.

He also wishes to identify those in Town with specific skills that might be needed, and target them by asking them to volunteer.

Traynor has been working diligently to see how programs work in surrounding communities, but he does want to do more thorough research and not rush things in Plympton.

He is planning on pushing back implementing the concept until the end of the summer as he continues to refine the plans.

Compliance

The Board says that it has come to their attention that many Townspeople are simply skipping dealing with Town House altogether, and striking it out on their own when starting a construction project or the like.

This is illegal, and can be dangerous.

The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Colleen Thompson warned residents that they do in fact need to pull the appropriate permits and that violators will be dealt with appropriately.

The Board is considering taking out a newspaper advertisement to drive this point home. They also wish to inform residents that once they have a permit in hand, they need to follow the rules and stipulations on that permit.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Duxbury Dispatch is coming, Fieldston Farms agreement

June 23, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

HALIFAX– On Wednesday, June 22, Halifax Selectmen met and finished the bulk of the work in finishing an update to a 23-years-old consent agreement with Scott Clawson and Fieldstone Farms to hold horse shows. The Board also signed a dispatching agreement with Duxbury and heard from Jeffrey Bolger regarding concerns with access to Silver Lake from a Brandeis Circle lot.

Duxbury dispatching

The Board signed an agreement with the Duxbury Regional Emergency Communications Center (D.R.E.C.C.) to contract-out Police and Fire dispatching services for five years.

The Board states that no changes to service will be noticed, other than the lack of a physical human dispatcher sitting in the Halifax Police Station, and that the agreement is contingent upon upgrades to the Police Station.

There are plans to build a “safe-room” at the station, where someone could lock themselves inside, communicate with a remote dispatcher, and take shelter in an emergency until an officer arrives, as no one will be physically in the station at some times during the night with this change

Grant money from the State will be used for these upgrades, as well as to fund necessary technology upgrades, for both Halifax and Duxbury.

According to Selectman Kim Roy, contracting out dispatching to Duxbury will represent significant savings, in the realm of $175,000, each year of the 5-year contract.

The D.R.E.C.C. already handles call-taking and dispatching for the Town of Plympton as well as the Town of Duxbury. Plympton had a very smooth transition to regional dispatch, according to Selectman Tom Millias, who works as the Building Inspector for Plympton.

Clawson agreement hammered out

After months of negotiating, Scott Clawson and Fieldstone Farms will receive much of what they are asking for in a consent agreement painfully hammered out over many meetings. At this meeting, Clawson and his attorney, Phil Taylor, went over a draft agreement paragraph by paragraph.

The changes began when Scott Clawson, proprietor of Fieldstone Farms was originally called before the Selectmen because he had advertised more show dates for his annual “Class A” equestrian event than original agreement allowed.

His horse shows are governed by a 23-year-old consent agreement that came about due to an action by the Building Inspector at that time which was litigated, and a settlement was reached with the town.

The original agreement was signed by Clawson, as well as the Board of Selectmen, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Building Inspector. Clawson, through his attorney, asked the board to change the agreement only after he was called before the Board to explain his excess shows.

But, the Board argued with Clawson and his attorney stating that the reason the board has summoned him in the first place was because of the fact that he had advertised too many shows in violation of the agreement. Clawson never was supposed to be there asking for more shows–or anything for that matter, he was there to explain himself for the violation.

In the end though, Clawson will receive more shows (not to exceed 30 days of shows), an increased number of horses (through changing the way that horses are counted; by “entries” not by “head” as one horse could be entered multiple times in a multi-day show), an increase in the number of RVs that could park overnight during shows for security staff, as well as other updates in the language to address today’s concerns. He will also be able, from time to time, to ask for an extra date or two if he gives the Board sufficient notice.

Clawson says he wants to leave the business to his children, and wants to work out an agreement that will cover the Board’s concerns for years to come. The Board plans to sign the agreement at their next meeting on July 12.

Brandeis Circle

Silver Lake concerns

Jeffrey Bolger, of Brandeis Circle, came before the Board to address a pressing concern of his: access to Silver Lake.

With a recent drowning on the lake, residents are concerned about people driving in and parking near the reservoir for recreational purposes.

“I don’t want to be a hypocrite…I own a kayak and I’ve been out on the lake,” said Bolger. But Bolger is concerned with the volume of people parking and using the lake, and parking and leaving litter in his neighborhood, as well as safety issues.

The issue originally arose when a parcel of land (Map 23 Lot 2) was gifted to the Town back in 2007, according to officials. The only problem is that the gifter did not have the title to the property, could not be gifted and today the Town does not own it. This is the area of Brandeis Circle that recreational lake users gather.

Bolger suggested putting up “No Parking” signs along the stretch of road, such that Halifax Police could enforce them.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig stated that he thought this was an excellent idea, especially for its simplicity because there are complex jurisdictional issues at Silver Lake– it lies in four towns but is a reservoir for the City of Brockton, who controls the water.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen next meets Tuesday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Plympton BOH “letter” holds up closing on 59 Parsonage Road

June 16, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON– According to documents obtained from the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds and Plympton officials, the sale of the vacant property at 59 Parsonage Road from the USDA to Richmond Poole is being held up due to an almost two years-old order placed  by the Board of Health on the title to the property.

In September, 2014, Health Agent Cathy Drinan ordered the USDA Farm Service Agency, a federal lending agency which through default proceedings became the owner of the property, to take certain corrective actions to improve the safety of the property following a barn fire that occurred around that time.

After that fire, the house and surrounding land, including trailers with indications of illegal septic hook-ups were so unsafe that even fire personnel were ordered not to enter, according to documents.

The letter in part stated: “The house and trailers are all uninhabitable. The house doors are open, its chimneys are crumbling, the floors are collapsing, the roof and ceiling are collapsing in the kitchen, the ceilings in other rooms are collapsing, and mold is on all the surfaces…The trailers are in the same condition, if not worse. Animals are using the trailers, evidenced by large amounts [of] animal scat. There are also narrow animal paths through the high vegetation to all the trailers and some burrows in the ground…The trailers have evidence of illegal septic systems, determined by the pipes going into the ground from under the trailers…The open unsafe house and trailers pose serious safety threats and are examples of an attractive nuisance to children. This applies to the burned barn also, that has a lower level that is now barely visible between and under the burned beans. There is a deep hole under those beams.”

Drinan laid out corrective actions that needed to be taken immediately, but were never taken, according to Art Morin, chairman of the Board of Health. The USDA, he says, does not have a good history of working with local officials.

The USDA, which successfully auctioned off the house to Plympton resident Richmond Poole, still cannot close on the property because the Board’s letter constitutes a “cloud” on the title according to a letter from Poole’s attorney to the BOH even though Morin states that the USDA incorrectly advertised the property as having a clear title.

Poole is claiming that he cannot continue work on the property, although his attorney says he has completed six of the eight corrective actions the Board ordered, without a “memorandum of understanding” among himself and the other parties, in which the USDA allows him to continue to work on the property by putting money in escrow, and when completed, the BOH will lift the letter on the title and Poole’s lender can disburse money to him to close on the property.

Notably, from the road, trailers are still visible on the property. Poole claims he has not been authorized by the USDA to remove the trailers from the property until he closes, nor does he have the funding to take the trailers off before he closes.

According to Drinan, and documents obtained from Plympton Health officials, the Board is currently working with Poole and his attorney for draft language of such a memorandum of understanding for consideration. He is also seeking a re-inspection of the property by Drinan, at his own expense, to ensure that everything that needs to be taken care of from the Board of Health’s point-of-view has in fact been taken care of.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Halifax regional dispatch proposed

June 9, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

Last week, June 1, Halifax Selectmen held an energetic hearing on remote dispatching for the Police and Fire Departments from the dispatch center in Duxbury, which handles Police and Fire emergency calls for both Duxbury and Plympton, and wishes to expand.

According to Selectman Kim Roy, contracting out dispatching to Duxbury would represent significant savings, in the realm of $175,000, if the talks proceed for the 5-year contract. She also noted that the state is encouraging towns to regionalize with grants and that the end “product” would be the same or even better.

Plympton had a very smooth transition to regional dispatch, according to Selectman Tom Millias, who works as the Building Inspector in Plympton. “It has been outstandingly run well,” he said according to the Police and Fire Chiefs in that town.

Some residents were concerned about the police station “going dark” because the dispatcher is at times the only person at the station in the evening when officers are patrolling, although there are very few walk-in emergencies a year, according to Police Chief Edward Broderick, and even then a dispatcher “following the rules” cannot let someone into the station past the lobby until an officer arrives.

There are plans to build a “safe-room” at the station, where someone could lock themselves inside, communicate with a remote dispatcher, and take shelter in an emergency until an officer arrives, said Chief Broderick, in the rare event someone needs refuge.

Broderick noted that might be safer than the current situation, where the lobby door is unlocked.

Another concern expressed is that dispatchers at a regional center might not be familiar with roads or landmarks in Halifax. Yet, already two Halifax dispatchers have been hired by Duxbury and if Halifax joins, there is a possibility that they might hire others. Roy also noted that when Halifax hires a new dispatcher, they have to learn the streets, too.

“If there’s a place for obscure streets, it’s Plympton,” said Millias to much laughter, referencing the smooth transition Plympton had to dispatching from Duxbury’s center. “I have trouble finding streets in Plympton.”

Both Roy and Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron stated that the board was obligated to look at this proposal because taxpayers are demanding efficiencies, and selectmen serve at the will of the townspeople.

The high-tech facility located on Tremont Street, in South Duxbury, is able to not only take 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate personnel and assets, but monitor their status in real-time. Video feeds from the schools and other town surveillance cameras allow them to give very specific details about an emergency to first-responders. Cameras from Plympton will be coming online shortly, and Halifax is demanding them upfront in their negotiations, according to Duxbury officials.

Selectmen have made it clear many times that they have not made up their minds yet on the issue, and that this is not a “done-deal”. They say they are working with the departments, not “looking down on them” and imposing a change.

“There is no good reason to do this if it is not something that the Police Department and the Fire Department are comfortable with,” said Roy. “There is no way we would give you a service that would harm you or your family.”

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Plympton Police, Fire Depts. call numbers for 2015

June 2, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON– The recently released annual town report from Plympton shows some interesting figures, which indicate that both Police and Fire Departments were busy in calendar year 2015.

The Plympton Police Department, led by Chief Patrick Dillon, reported an overall total of 1,145 violations, 51 motor vehicle accidents (leading to three fatalities), 172 records requests filled, and 35 firearm licenses issued.

Of the 1,145 violations, 30 people were arrested, while 107 received criminal citations ordering them to appear in court. 133 criminal cases were successfully closed and prosecuted, the document indicates.

171 citations for civil infractions were issued, as well.

The rest of the violations resulted in either verbal (370) or written (471) warnings.

Police report that they handled a wide variety of crimes, from personal to property incidents although the most serious crimes occurred in very small numbers– generally one or two for the year. But there are large numbers of motor vehicle infractions– which is consistent with Chief Dillon’s statements over time that the Plympton Police focus heavily on motor vehicle infractions.

Dillon also has a word to the wise: wear your seatbelt; it can save your life. Despite the fact that not wearing your seatbelt is not a primary violation– an officer cannot initiate a stop because you don’t have your seatbelt on, but you can be cited if you’re stopped for something else– the Plympton Police are cracking down this year on those who don’t buckle-up.

In 2015, they reported only seven citations for seatbelt violations. As of this week, they’ve already issued 22, more than tripling the total number from last year in the first five months of this year.

“It’s a point of pride for certain officers.  People will hopefully remember that ticket, and wear their seatbelt next time they get into their cars,” said Dillon.

Chief Dillon pointed out that the health or well-being of a police force or community couldn’t necessarily be measured objectively by the number of arrests, or crimes committed. Many factors are at play, he says.

Dillon also wanted the public to be aware that the department isn’t necessarily there to crack down on accidental forgetfulness. For example, at the discretion of an officer, an unregistered motor vehicle can be renewed roadside during a traffic stop if you happen to be carrying a mobile-phone and a credit card.

Because this information is updated to police databases immediately, you might drive away with a warning. Although this isn’t an invitation to stop taking care of your responsibilities as a car-owner, it is a huge break for anyone pulled over who accidently forgot to renew their registration.

The Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Warren Borsari, reports that his department responded to 496 calls in 2015, representing 371 EMS calls and 125 fire service calls.

He reports, as does the Plympton Police Department, a steady increase in call volume over the last several years.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Regional 911 dispatch is one step closer

May 26, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

HALIFAX– No, despite what may be going around on social media, the Halifax Police Station will not be moving to Duxbury. Neither will the fire station. But, just as Plympton has done, and many other communities around the state, including all of Barnstable County, Halifax officials led by Selectman Kim Roy have furthered discussions with Duxbury officials and state 911 officials to contract-out dispatching of Halifax emergency personnel to Duxbury, which was the focus of the discussion at the BOS meeting on Tuesday, May 24.

Duxbury already contracts this function for the Town of Plympton, and the addition of Halifax would officially upgrade Duxbury to a regional emergency communications center (RECC), making them eligible for further grant money, an incentive for them to assist Halifax.

The state would also assist Halifax during the transition period to Duxbury dispatching and with upgrades to technology needed for the project to work, Roy estimated the savings, with an initial 5-year contract, would be in the realm of $175,000 per year.

The decision makes sense on a variety of levels, says Roy. There are incentives from the state –  the savings are significant – but not only that, both the police and fire departments are supportive. “If you had said you’re crazy, we wouldn’t even be talking about this,” said Roy to the chiefs.

Furthermore, Halifax simply cannot afford to attract new dispatchers, and has had high turnover rates in the past. Roy says one dispatcher has already tendered his resignation and will leave for Duxbury anyway, and that Duxbury may be able to hire the remaining Halifax dispatchers, if the deal moves forward, as they will need a larger staff at their RECC.

Both chiefs stated that the “end-user” experience would not change. Police Chief Broderick furthered that most people would never know the difference. Plympton authorities have previously stated that they are pleased with their arrangement and that for the most part, the transition was smooth.

Officials were quick to point out this is not a done deal. At least one public hearing will be held, currently scheduled for June 1 at 7 p.m., Town Hall, and that further due-diligence is needed to hammer out a fair agreement for the town and work out the finer details.

In other public safety news, in what has become an almost routine announcement by the selectmen, the Halifax Fire Department led by Chief Jason Vivieros has received yet another large grant, this time to replace 27 aging portable radios with new digital-capable radios that meet current communications standards. The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is a 95%/5% split, meaning the town will have to match a small portion of the $62,100 project.

• The Halifax Board of Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, June 14 at 6 p.m.

• The Halifax Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 14 at 7:45 p.m. on an application from Morse Brothers, Inc. to remove 41,600 cubic yard of fill from their property. This material is on an elevated portion of their property and they seek to remove the material in order to increase cranberry yields on other portions of the property, according to town officials.  The 41,600 cubic yards of fill are equal to 1,665 truckloads of material. Morse Brothers, Inc. proposes transporting the material along Lingan Street to Route 58. The complete application is available for viewing in the Selectmen’s office.  Those with questions should contact Town Administrator Charlie Seelig, at 781-294-1316.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Two Vie for one Selectman seat in Plympton Town Election Saturday

May 19, 2016 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON– Plympton will hold a Town Election on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Plympton Town House, 5 Palmer Road. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are ten available elected positions up for grabs, but only one, the race for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, is contested.

The other races with more than one name listed on the ballot are for two seats– on the Finance Committee and the Library Trustees– and allow the voter to choose two candidates.

Brian Cherry, of Trout Farm Lane, a facilities director for the Town of Duxbury, and John Traynor, Jr., of Crescent Street, who has been the Town Moderator for several years and is retired, are facing off for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen for a seat which is being vacated by current Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo.

Richard Nordahl, of West Street, is seeking a three-year term as Assessor.

Chairman of the Board of Health Arthur Morin, Jr., of Granville Baker Way, is seeking another three-year term on the Board of Health.

Four candidates are seeking seats on the Finance Committee. Marilyn Browne, of Elm St, and Eric Hart, of Marie Elaine Drive are seeking three-year terms. Browne is a candidate for re-election. Nathaniel Sides, of Winnextuxet Road is seeking a two-year term on the committee. Susan Ossoff, of Upland Road is also seeking re-election, but for a one-year term.

Miranda Anne Boyles, of Spring Street, and Christine Winslow, of Brook Street, are both seeking three-year terms as Library Trustees. Both are candidates for re-election.

Brian Wick, of Winnetuxet Road, is running for a three-year term as Town Moderator.

Deborah Anderson, of Elm Street, is seeking re-election to the Planning Board for a five-year term.

Stephanie Dome, of Pope’s Farm, is seeking a three-year term on the Dennett School Committee. She also is a candidate for re-election.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

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