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You are here: Home / Archives for Featured Story

FinCom hears Town Properties’ priorities

March 11, 2022 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

The Plympton Finance Committee met virtually on Monday, March 7. Chair Nathaniel Sides said that the Fire Chief was unable to make the meeting so Chair of the Town Properties Committee Jon Wilhelmsen would be discussing proposals for both short- and long-term projects on the town campus.

Wilhelmsen said that the roof at the Dennett Elementary School should exceed the $1.1 million estimate that was received in 2018. He said they are waiting for an estimate for a refurbishment instead. “That’s not anything we are talking about this year,” he explained.

Wilhelmsen said that CARES Act funds were used to replace an HVAC unit at the Dennett. He said they are now looking at the replacement of the other units. They are hopeful that they will be replacing at least a few of the units in the next few years. “We have four classrooms where the floors are completely failing,” he said saying the cost would be around $10,000 for that work. He said the schools are also in need of a new intercom system. Wilhelmsen did note that the schools should not be putting any pressure on the town budget as there would be no net increase in the budget whereas usually there is a 2 or 3 percent increase.

Regarding the Fire Station, Wilhelmsen said they are looking at doing a feasibility study to get an actual estimate for building a new fire station. Additionally, he said the study would help define the size of a new building. Roof studies were also done at the Fire Station and the Library. The Highway Department building needs some new brackets for the building which will hopefully be funded at the Special Town Meeting. The Highway building also has damage to the siding. Wilhelmsen said they don’t yet have an estimate for that work.

The Library is in need of a new roof at a cost of approximately $324,000. Other costs for the library include $7,000 for new lighting, $2,000 for hot water issues, and $3,500 for a new children’s room carpet. The carpet is original to the building and according to Wilhelmsen “in dire need of replacement.” He said it was tested and it was verified that there was no asbestos.

Regarding the Old Townhouse, Wilhelmsen said they had a significant mold issue that had to be remediated. Wilhelmsen said they are approaching the affected room in two stages with the first addressing the exterior issues. “We did do the testing in the large reading room and there won’t be any abatement,” he said. They will need to do work on the flooring, but he said that they may be able to use town American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for that work.

Wilhelmsen said a warrant article for $41,000 was approved at Town Meeting last year for the Silver Lake tennis courts. The other towns did not approve the article. Wilhelmsen said an additional $5,000 would likely be needed this year.

Wilhelmsen said they are going out to bid to do a total replacement of sections 2 and 3 of the roof of the Townhouse. Bids will be done prior to Town Meeting so that they will have actual numbers to be able to complete the project. He did note that roof section 1 is also not in good shape. Wilhelmsen said in addition to the ramp project, they are interested in making some additional changes to the Townhouse entrance using ARPA funds. “Most of the tiles in the Townhouse are asbestos and some of them are starting to come up,” Wilhelmsen said.

“We have a number of roof projects out there and its one of those areas we really should be fixing sooner rather than later,” Wilhelmsen said. He pointed out that roof issues can cause further issues that then need to be paid for such as the mold issue at the Old Town House. “It may be advantageous to put it out as one big project, or maybe two,” he said. He explained that the bigger the project, the more competitive the bid process.

Town Administrator Liz Dennehy shared several proposed articles for Town Meeting including one for new alarm systems at several municipal buildings at a cost of roughly $9,500. She also shared an article for remaining lease payments and fiber optic for the Fire and Police Departments. A $200,000 article for road paving for the Highway Department was also included. The Highway Barn Roof project was listed for the Special Town Meeting.

The Committee and Dennehy also reviewed the overall fiscal year 2023 budget spreadsheet. One of the big increases from the previous fiscal year was animal inspection. She said, however, that when viewed alongside animal control and the joint services with Carver, it was an overall savings for the town over previous years. Regarding emergency dispatch services, Dennehy said they would be having representatives from the Regional Old Colony Communications Center (ROCC) attend a later Selectmen’s meeting. She said they may be attempting to level fund everyone which differs from what she was told previously which was that rates would be based on call volume.

Before adjourning Sides said that the Finance Committee’s next meeting would be “jam packed” noting that they would be discussing both the Fire Department and Schools’ budgets.

Filed Under: Featured Story, Sports

Lindsay Laws is 1st in State

March 4, 2022 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

Over the weekend of Feb. 26 and 27, Silver Lake Regional sophomore Lindsay Laws became the State Titleholder in the 160lb weight class for girls wrestling after besting her opponents at the MIAA Wrestling Tournament.

Laws, who also plays soccer for Silver Lake, has been wrestling since seventh grade though she didn’t wrestle in her first live match until just last year. Laws’ brother Grant is a Division I State Heavyweight Champion who started his career at Silver Lake before winning his title for Xaverian Brothers High School in 2019. Laws credits her brother with sparking her interest in the sport. “He would always wrestle me in the living room; I would pretend that I hated it, but I didn’t actually hate it,” she laughed. “I’ve always just been kind of fiery,” she added.

Laws said that her parents recognized talent within her and encouraged her to pursue wrestling. Initially Laws said she was hesitant as she was worried that she would be judged for being a girl in what has traditionally been a male dominated sport. Attending the MIAA Tournament in 2019 when her brother won his title and seeing the girls wrestling competitively, helped to assuage those fears. “I thought it was so cool; wow – look at all those girls that are wrestling,” Laws explained.

In seventh grade Laws began training at Dungeon Training Center in Lakeville. Laws, who has practice or a meet for Silver Lake five days a week, also attends Dungeon twice weekly on Sunday and Tuesday. After her school practice on Tuesday, she heads to Dungeon for an additional two hours of training. Laws wrestles 12 months a year, upping her training sessions to four times per week in the off season. Of her practices at Silver Lake, she said, “The practices were run well; the coaches did a really good job, and I learned a lot this season.” She credits much of her success to the Silver Lake coaches including head coach Wayne Reissfelder and assistant coaches Alex Rollins, Jake MacDonald, and John Frieburger. Laws said that Reissfelder was a huge part of her brother Grant’s success as well. Laws’ mother Lauren said, “I am proud of Lindsay for making the goal of winning a state championship this year and being coachable, studying wrestling through film and working hard with multiple workouts per day and achieving this goal.”

Laws, who mostly wrestled boys during the regular season, went into the MIAA Tournament as the number one seed so she didn’t have any matches on Saturday. She had to best two opponents, however, during Sunday’s meet. Laws faced Olivia Agudelo from Agawam High School first. No points were earned by either opponent during the first period of the match. “We were both working; it was just a tough mutual period… nothing really finished,” she explained. Her father Gordon noted that she had to defend a strong head-and-arm attempt during that first period. Agudelo had the choice for the start of the second period and chose to be on the bottom. Laws pinned her 30 seconds into the two-minute period and secured her spot in the finals. Her father credited her skilled top game for securing her the win.

She next faced Kennedy Kampe of Shepherd Hill Regional High School in the final round. “I got the first takedown in that match, so I was on top and about 15 seconds into me being on top, she actually caught me in a roll and I was on my back and I had to fight off my back,” Laws explained. “I reversed her and got back on top and was able to pin her from that position,” she continued. Of the short but action-packed match, Laws said her parents called it “the longest minute and 39 seconds of their lives.”

Laws’ father Gordon said of his daughter’s mistake, “rather than freak out or give up, she worked herself free, executed a reverse, and then moved for a pin. The combination of perseverance through hard times and the moves to capitalize when in a better position came from a season of tough matches against quality boy opponents.”

He continued, “Not being discouraged and making small gains with each match are the things I’m proudest of; those are the things that add up to success in all fields in life.” Laws’ mother Lauren shared a similar sentiment saying, “One of my favorite things about wrestling is anything can happen in a match, it is unpredictable like life… In order to persevere and get on the podium at a state championship requires handling all of the different scenarios any wrestler can bring.”

Laws said the magnitude of the win keeps hitting her in waves. In the moments following her victory, she hugged her coaches and then sprinted into her father’s arms.

“I wanted to stay humble because the other girl put up a good fight,” she explained. Laws said she was overcome with joy and grateful that all her hard work had paid off. Laws, who described feeling both joy and relief, said she was grateful for the outcome as the match could have easily ended differently. She emphasized how grateful she is for the love and support of her parents, siblings, and foster sister. She also expressed gratitude for all her coaches. Laws’ mother said of her daughter, “Lindsay’s determination, confidence, and strength is an inspiration to me.” Just as Laws drew inspiration from the older wrestlers all those years ago, there is no doubt that she is now serving as a role model for all the young girls who watched her take home the title.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

TRIAD will host “Mock Trial” at Halifax Town Hall March 8

February 25, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Tuesday, March 1, marks a special TRIAD meeting, this time at the Halifax Town Hall, Great Room, 499 Plymouth St., Route 106, Halifax, at 10 a.m.

The Plymouth County District Attorney’s office will put on the Mock Trial, a comprehensive curricula focusing on drug and alcohol prevention, bullying, violence prevention, and internet safety.

The essential elements of the legal, and criminal justice systems are explained to the audience.  The program culminates by bringing the courtroom into the public venue.  This involves members of the local law enforcement community in each town and encourages people to have more communication with their police department.   The staff of the District Attorney’s Office works collaboratively with other members of law enforcement as well as with professional educators.

District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz is an active participant in nearly all of the actual Mock Trials playing the role of prosecutor in a case that involves locals acting as defendants.   Other members of the District Attorney’s staff take on the roles of the defense counsel and judge.

The Mock Trial program is implemented in communities that wish to reinforce lessons also taught through Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education Programs and other anti-substance abuse courses.   The program also places a strong emphasis on the legal consequences people who make bad decisions will face.  These programs are designed to be informative, educational, and fun.

The first Tuesday of each month, the Halifax-based TRIAD presents programs chosen to inform local citizens about topics based primarily in safety and government, often as it pertains to senior citizens.  All are welcome to attend.

The April 5 meeting will feature John Nessralla who will speak about the history of Nessralla Farm in Halifax.

This meeting returns to TRIAD’s usual meeting place on the second floor of the Halifax Police Station at 10 a.m.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Plympton Library’s LPGA

February 18, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Mary Schiess
Express correspondent

The LPGA gathered at the Plympton Library last Friday. This was Plympton’s own LPGA, the Little Player Golf League. Library Director Michael Slawson creatively collected library equipment to transition the library into a mini golf course. The dictionary collection, wallowing in obsolescence, served as boundaries for some holes. A collection of artificial plants added green foliage. Plant holders and legos served as obstacles. Whatever the challenge, the young golfers conquered with abundant smiles and successes.

Children arrived at their personal tee time. With the wisdom of an experienced golfer, Mr. Mike anticipated the need to spread the arrival times of the golfers.

Throughout the morning, Mr. Mike offered advice and guided golfers from hole to hole. Regular comments like “Good Job,” or “I did it,” resonated through the library. More than one golfer suggested that their moms or dads should also participate. If frustration abounds among adult golfers, none existed here. Each shot was an occasion for a proud smile.

The library will sponsor another mini golf program during February vacation. The program will occur on Friday, Feb. 25. Tee times are currently available.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

New bridge on the horizon?

February 11, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Winnetuxet Road, Plympton, residents have been seeing activity at the site of their beloved bridge with engineers taking test borings to determine the status of the material on which the bridge is built.  Is this the first sign of things to come?

A couple of years ago surveyors and engineers worked the area, flagging trees along both sides of Winnetuxet and Elm, as the first steps toward a bridge project.  Then residents were told the project had been put on hold.  They’re back.

Highway Surveyor Rob Firlotte told The Express on Monday that this project would use grant funds in the area of $2.2 million from TIP, Transit Improvement Projects.

Firlotte said that work on the bridge is needed because vibration from vehicle traffic is shaking its foundations and even causing the bolts holding down the planking to come loose.  He said that in 2002, the bridge stringers and decking were replaced.  A concrete water control pad was poured and the decking refastened in 2017.  The superstructure (underpinning) was repaired and the current guardrails were installed in 2019.

“It’s basically in the testing phase now,” Firlotte said of the new bridge project.  It is his understanding that the proposed bridge would have two lanes with a sidewalk along one side.  He also said that this is very preliminary and that plans haven’t yet been drawn to his knowledge.  Once the work progresses, Firlotte said that residents will have an opportunity to express their views on the project’s design.

As for the Ferguson Bridge on Route 58 near the junction of Winnetuxet Road, Firlotte said that project is slated to begin this Spring.  Grant funding of $150,000 was awarded to the town for the repair some time ago and now the project will proceed.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Holdup at North Easton Savings

February 4, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

The Halifax branch of North Easton Savings Bank, located at 336 Plymouth St., was robbed Thursday night, Jan. 27, shortly before closing.

Police Chief Joao Chaves told the Express that the lone male entered the bank, approached the teller and passed her a note demanding money.  “The male was masked and his identity is currently not known,” Chaves said.

The robber left with an undetermined amount of money, heading east on Plymouth Street.

During the immediate incident assistance was supplied by officers from the Hanson PD, Plympton PD, State Police and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.  “We ask that any businesses having cameras in the area or people who might have witnessed anything please call Det. Rob McDonnell at 781-294-8713 ext. 158 or our Anonymous Tip Line at 781-293-5761 Press 6.  Our department is being assisted in this investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). No one was injured during the incident,” Chaves said.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Plympton Fire Dept. testing for COVID-19

January 28, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Since Monday, the Plympton Fire Dept. has been offering  COVID-19 testing at their 3 Palmer Road location.  The testing is free of charge to all Plympton residents Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The drive-up service is by appointment only.  Adults will be required to show proof of residency. Follow this link to schedule an appointment:

https://calendar.google.com/…/AcZssZ2ywMVjXvt2lBNCbau0O…

Any resident with limited mobility can schedule an at-home test by calling (781) 689-0131.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

School bus safety reminder from Halifax Chief of Police Chaves

January 21, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

The Halifax Police Department would like to remind drivers that it is illegal to pass a school bus while the red lights are flashing. Massachusetts law provides a fine of $250 dollars for a first offense and up to $2,000 dollars for subsequent offenses to include a license suspension.

Police Chief Joao Chaves said his department has received a number of complaints of people disregarding the red flashing lights.  This is not only against the law, it is extremely dangerous.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Sledding fun in Halifax

January 14, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

By Mary Schiess
Express correspondent

Cars filled the parking lot at the Holmes Public Library. They spilled into the schoolyard. On Saturday this was the gathering spot for kids, parents, and grandparents. Friday’s snow storm offered a perfect opportunity to dust off the saucers, tubes, plastic toboggans, gliders, and even one real wooden sled. Conditions were perfect with the first winter snow storm and a warming winter sun to glide, coast, slide, skim over a perfect base.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

We Welcome 2022!

January 7, 2022 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Halifax welcomed the New Year with an outstanding display of the ice sculpture work of Bob Botto who has created his works of art in Halifax for the past 24 years.  This past December, when Holidays in Halifax were cancelled due to storms, threatened to be the first time in decades the ice sculptures wouldn’t be created and displayed. 

See Page 7 for more photos by Linda Redding.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

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