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Route 58 closed for fatal accident

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A news release from Plympton Police Chief Matt Ahl stated the following:
Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 2:07 p.m., Plympton Police Department and Plympton Fire Department were dispatched to a t-car motor vehicle collision involving a roll-over an entrapment on Palmer Road.
Upon arrival, officers observed a truck and a sedan involved. The truck was operated by a male Plympton resident and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The sedan was operated by a male non-resident and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The male non-resident driver of the sedan was transported to BID-Plymoouth with non-life threatening injuries. The male Plympton resident from the truck was promounced deceased on scene.
Palmer Road was closed from Center Street to Main Street, as well as Main Street from Palmer Road to Mayflower Road for multiple hours due to the collision and investigation. Halifax and Carver Police Departments assisted with road closures. The Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as the Massachusetts State Police COAC Unit and Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the resident who succumbed to their injuries. The family has been notified and we ask the public to please respect that we will not be releasing further information on the deceased at this time. This is a time where our communty must come together and our department is committed to offering support to all impacted by today’s tragedy.
Respectfully,
Chief Matthew Ahl

Happy 247th Birthday, America!

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Halifax’s traditional July 4th fireworks display lit the skies Saturday, July 1, to the delight of all. The family- friendly fun began at 11 a.m. with kids’ games, face painting, dunk tank, corn hole, cookie decorating, and the hula hoop competition.
The evening events began at 5 p.m. with food trucks helping to feed everyone, and more music kept the tempo upbeat for the party.

Balloon animals, face painting, t-shirt sales, all led up to the main event – the fireworks. The nearly full moon watched over the events which went off without a hitch.
The majority of the expense of the fireworks was borne by contributions from Flower and Soul cannabis dispensary and MacDonald Industries, both of Halifax.
Go to pages 6 and 7 for more photos of Fireworks day!

Plympton welcomes new fire chief

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The Town of Plympton is pleased to announce that Captain Cheryl Davis has been appointed as the Plympton Fire Department’s next Fire Chief pending successful contract negotiation. Ms. Davis has been serving on the Fire Department in various capacities since 2007 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in March 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bridgewater State University and is pursuing a Master’s Degree; additionally, she is a licensed EMT-Paramedic and has completed the Massachusetts Firefighter I and II Certifications through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
We had the privilege of interviewing three very capable finalist candidates and we are delighted to be able to promote from within and look forward to watching the Fire Department continue to grow and experience new accomplishments under this future capable leadership.
Plympton Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator

Halifax Beautification Essay contest winners

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The Halifax Beautification Committee sponsored an essay contest for Halifax Elementary School students on the subject of litter, pollution, and it’s negative effects on the environment.
One essay contest winner each from 4th, 5th and 6th grade was selected by the Halifax Beautification Committee.
The 4th grade winner was Madison Balboni with her Essay “The Mama Turtle That Swam with Fear”, 5th grade essay winner Joshua Grispi with his essay “What Can Litter and Trash Pollution Do to the Environment”, and 6th grade winner Peyton Scuilli with her essay “Everything Connects.”
Each winner received a $50 check, a plaque and a tree to be planted at Halifax Town Hall and Halifax Elementary School from the Halifax Beautification Committee, all three trees were planted the first weekend in June.
On page 12 find excerpts from each of the winning essays and see that we are leaving the world in capable hands.

 

Beautiful black bear in Plympton

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Calls started coming in to Plympton police about 10:50 a.m. Tuesday to report a beautiful juvenile black bear roaming the streets, Lt. Dan Hoffman of the Plympton Police Dept. told The Express.
Coming from the pond behind Competition Auto Body on Main Street, the bear stopped on the fence to look both ways and when Plympton’s finest held traffic at bay, the bear cossed the street to continue through the woods to Parsonage Road, then again to Elm Street. From Elm St., the bear didn’t bother the sheep, donkeys, and llamas, but continued behind the houses there and into the woods where he probably settled down for a much-needed nap.
What do you do if you see a bear? First of all, leave it alone! The Massachusetts Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife say that bear attacks are seldom, and much of the time you can quietly back away. Don’t run, and don’t climb a tree. Bears can run faster than you, and climb trees very well.
Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat everything, both animal and vegetable. Don’t put out the welcome mat by leaving your garbage unsecured, or putting out yummy suet cakes for the birds – bears like them, too!
For a full detail of what to do when you see a Northern Black Bear, go to: https://www.mass.gov/doc/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-black-bear/download?_
They have all the information you need for the safety of both you and the bear.ga=2.1255027.372540900.1686683450-593656785.1673282875

New Beginnings at Sirrico Field

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Silver Lake Regional High School awarded 261 diplomas at Friday evening’s ceremonies at Sirrico Athletic Field at the Silver Lake campus, the school’s 68th annual commencement.
Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance was played by the Silver Lake Band, as students filled the stadium, passing by the game shirt and photo of Aiden Ramsey, one of their classmates who lost his life to suicide last Dec. 28.
The Massachusetts Army National Guard Honor Guard placed the colors into their stanchions, as CTE Student of the Year Benjamin Harrison Carroll led the Salute to the Flag.
The National Anthem was performed by the Select Choir and Senior Band members, conducted by Theodore Madsen, followed by the Select Choir’s rendition of A New World, conducted by Ms. Kelley DePasqua.  The Modern Band and Select Choir Seniors then performed Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart.
Carson Patrick Rose, President of the Class of 2023, introduced by Lily Grace Canniff, vice-president, recounted some of the challenges during their past four years, including the loss of a loved classmate.  His message was you can learn something from everyone.  “Graduates, ask your parents about balancing a checkbook or changing a tire, and parents, ask your child about changing a password and solving algebra equations.  The truth is, you can learn something from everyone.”
Aislin Aki Dalyrmple, Class Treasurer, introduced the invited faculty speaker, Sean Donovan, AP psychology and sports psychology teacher, who told the audience, “We are in good hands. The young people you see in front of you, ‘they got this.’”
Salutatorian Ella Pamela Hughes was introduced by Adeline Grace Hamilton, Secretary, who proclaimed Hughes a “truly exceptional and extraordinary person.”  Hughes spoke about her loss of her cousin Aiden Ramsey, or “Ramsey”, as he was known, and the challenges she and her class faced through the four years at Silver Lake, and how they all came together to overcome these times.  “As we head toward the future, I will always remember my Silver Lake family.”
Class Historian Rosella Marie Hoffman introduced Valedictorian Sarah Patricia Thomas, as one of the most “remarkable, tenacious, and benevolent students to ever walk these halls.”   Thomas asked the audience to remember the loss their dear friend Aiden Ramsey, his infectious passion, his radiant personality, and his unwavering care for others.  “Our time as a class has certainly been a whirlwind of emotions, happy and sad moments, of fear and hope, of chaos and resilience.”  Thomas concluded by saying, “There is nothing weak about rest and there is no shame in caring for yourself over all else.  Our most brilliant triumphs begin in our minds and in our hearts, so take care of them.”

Halifax Memorial Day parade event

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The Town of Halifax Office of Veteran Services along with the Halifax Board of Selectmen will be hosting the Town’s Annual Memorial Day Ceremony as well as a Memorial Day Parade on Monday May 29, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Halifax Country Club and conclude at the Town Hall, 499 Plymouth Street, at around 10 a.m. to begin the ceremony. The ceremony will be outdoors in front of Town Hall. The Office of Veteran Services and Board of Selectmen welcome anyone to join us in remembering and honoring all of the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Halifax Generations, a 501(c)3 organization established solely to support the Halifax Council on Aging and community it serves, will be hosting an outdoor cookout following the ceremony which will include a hot dog, bag of chips, and bottled water for five (5) dollars. Proceeds will go towards supporting the Council on Aging’s expansion of programs and services. We invite everyone to stay and enjoy some fellowship after the ceremony.
For questions, you may contact the Office of Veteran Services by calling (781) 293-1724 or e-mailing Steve Littlefield, Director of Veteran Services at [email protected].

History of Memorial Day
Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.
During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.
This national event galvanized efforts to honor and remember fallen soldiers that began with local observances at burial grounds in several towns throughout the United States following the end of the Civil War, such as the May 1, 1865 gathering in Charleston, South Carolina organized by freed slaves to pay tribute and give proper burial to Union troops.
In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday.
After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was then more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States.

Program of Events
A program of events is being finalized and will be available online at halifax-ma.org or by using the link below. Please continue to visit halifax-ma.org for updates.
Download 2023 Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade – Program of Events (PDF)

Shea celebrates 60 years as a barber acutting

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Sunday, May 7, John Shea, John the Barber, was celebrated at the Upland Sportsman Club in Plympton for his 60 years in business.
John’s son and fellow barber Darren Shea introduced John to the crowd.
John spoke about how he started his barber career working for Louie Gallerani in 1963 at Louie’s Barber Shop, Hall;’s Corner in Duxbury. After working there five years he decided to open his own shop in Halifax.
John spent 18 years at his shop at the Halifax King’s Market on Route 106 before moving up the street to the Cumberland Farms location at the intersection of Routes 58 and 106, where he continues to practice with his three other barbers: Darren Shea, John’s son; Corey Socha, nephew of Darren Shea’s wife; and Jared Traynor, John’s nephew.
A good size crowd stopped in to congratulate John, including his very first customer, Paul Barber. The furthest attendee came from Texas.

Halifax votes on Saturday

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Saturday, Halifax voters will mark their choice for the annual town election on ballots at the Halifax Elementary School, Rte. 106, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
This year there is only one contest on the ballot. Alan J. Dias and David J. Hatch are both seeking the three-year term on Board of Health. There may be other write-in campaigns according to the abundance of political signs around town.
Asking for your vote are the following, in alphabetical order:
For the Board of Assessors, Holly J. Merry is the only candidate on the ballot seeking the three-year term.
Karyn Beth Townsend, candidate for re-election, and Kathleen L. Berry, are both seeking election to the two three-year terms on the Halifax Elementary School Committee.
Lori A Costa-Cline is seeking election to a one-hear term to fill a vacancy expiring May 18 on the Halifax Elementary School Committee.
Alan J. Dias and David J. Hatch are both seeking the single three-year term on the Board of Health.
R. Steven Hayward is seeking re-election to the three year term of Highway Surveyor.
Christine M. Thompkins is seeking re-election to the three-year term to the Halifax Housing Authority.
Kathleen Shiavone is a candidate for re-election to one of the two three-year terms to the Board of Library Trustees. The other post has no candidate.
Michael J. Schleiff is a candidate for re-election to the position of Halifax Park Commissioner for three years.
Thomas Millias is seeking election to the five-year term for the Planning Board.
Jonathan H. Selig is a candidate for re-election to the three-year term on the Board of Selectmen.
Jennifer Ann Carroll is a candidate for election to the three-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee.
Richard A. Clark will run for re-election to the three-year term on the Board of Water Commissioners.