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.
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.
Sunday, Dec. 19, Santa and Mrs. Claus were treated to a fire-truck tour of Plympton to meet good little girls and boys who were all excited about Christmas.
Beginning at the Plympton Historical Society at noon, the E2 truck went to Rebecca Way, The Woodlands, Cranberry Knoll, Popes Farm cul-de-sac, Thomas Blanchard Drive and Marie Elaine Drive, Buttonwood Drive at Deborah Sampson, then to Brackett Terrace, Granville Baker Way, then finishing up at the Dennett Elementary School at 2:30.
Thanks go to Plympton Fire Capt. Cheryl Davis and her merry band of firefighter elves and the Plympton Police Department for giving up their Sunday to turn a cold, damp December day into a cheerful Christmas memory.
Mary Schiess
Express correspondent
For Cindy Murray and her daughter Amy the holidays start in Halifax and extend far beyond. Each year Cindy and Amy identify an organization or cause to share their Christmas spirit. This year a Facebook entry, a volunteer from Marshfield, and extensive news about “Mass and Cass” inspired Christmas project 2021.
Cindy had seen a post about kindness bags collected by a local youth group. These are one gallon plastic bags for the homeless. They may include wet wipes, tooth brushes and toothpaste, small bottles of water, socks, snacks, mittens, tissues, chapsticks, and whatever sundries might be in need by people whose home is the street.
Cindy also saw a Facebook post about Bill Selvitelle of Marshfield. After retirement Bill studied and taught yoga. That lead to an initial request for gently worn winter coats from his students. These he delivered to a Plymouth home for Veterans. Bill’s career took him throughout the Boston area where he developed an acute awareness of the homeless. After spreading the word on social media, Bill began collecting and delivering multiple donations to the needy. When Cindy needed advice for this year’s project, she contacted Bill.
Bill had observed that homeless women never have ladies’ handbags, a defining item for many women. He suggested that collecting handbags might be a good idea. Cindy knew that most women have handbags stored and unused. This year’s project would consist of collecting women’s handbags and filling them with women’s necessities. Bill would deliver the collection to Rosie’s Place.
Cindy established a drop off spot on her porch with a goal of twenty bags. She used the Halifax Facebook page to spread the word. Twenty bags became forty and eventually sixty. Monetary donations paid for Dunkin’ gift cards and supplemented toiletry donations with more from the Dollar Store.
The project reinforced Cindy’s respect for her neighbors and townspeople. She said, “In an age of skepticism, no one questioned.” They simply contributed.
The road to Boston meandered through Bill’s town of Marshfield and on to Boston.
Cindy and Bill both note the importance of adding a personal message to the gifts. Cindy assured that each handbag included Christmas cards or messages. When delivering packages, Bill emphasizes the need to establish a personal connection with the homeless. He reflects on the meaningfulness of a five minute conversation.
While Cindy praised the cooperation of Halifax residents, Bill’s world is a little wider. He is similarly in awe of the generosity throughout the South Shore. Both of them experienced an emotional moment when discussing the mission.
“This is the first time in a long time I feel like I am making a small difference,” Cindy said. She is already planning a February project, perhaps backpacks for the gentlemen.
Saturday, Dec. 4, the Halifax Fire Dept., driving Ladder 1, took to the streets with Santa and his elves to collect new, unwrapped toys, and non-perishable food.
This is the 23rd year the the Fire Department and the Girl Scouts have teamed up to help others in town who might be struggling to make a holiday for their families, especially after such a trying year.
All donated items collected will be distributed through the two local churches, kept in town helping families in need.
Everyone was in a festive mood at the return of the annual Halifax Council on Aging Holiday Luncheon held on Dec. 1 at the Holy Apostles Parish Center on the campus of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Halifax.
Halifax first responders along with staff from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office helped serve turkey dinners to Halifax seniors. Dinners were prepared by The Olde Hitching Post restaurant in Hanson with owner Andrea Garnavos on hand to help.
Entertainment featured singer Tommy Rull taking diners ”On a musical journey through the years” that even included a few holiday favorites.
Funding for the performer was provided by a grant from the Halifax and Massachusetts Cultural Councils.
State Fire Marshall Peter Ostrosky provides Cayden Galambos, 5, with a Young Hero Award and a special T-shirt from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cayden heard the carbon monoxide alarms sounding in his home and woke his mother to get out of the house. Cayden had attended an assembly instructing children what to do in such an emergency only the week before. Looking on are Plympton Fire Captain John Sjostedt, State Representative Kathy La Natra, Cayden’s brother Blake, and his parents Shannon and Steve Galambos. For more photos see page 7.
Judy Shea of Halifax has found a good home for her antique sampler. In a presentation on Tuesday, Judy and her husband John, of John the Barber fame in Halifax, presented the needlework sampler done by Selah Wright, one of the many Wrights of Plympton, to the Plympton Public Library. Accepting it on the library’s behalf was librarian Mike Slawson.
When approached by Judy’s brother, Plympton Selectman John Traynor, to see if the gift would be welcome, Slawson replied, “This is really interesting and a very kind gesture from Judy. I would love to have this in the library.” The Selah Wright sampler, done by her hand at the age of 10, has come home.
Selah Wright was born May 11, 1798 in Plympton, the 2nd great-granddaughter of Adam Wright (1645-1724) who is considered by most as one of the first, if not the very first white man to permanently settle in the place now named Plympton. The Wrights have a long history in town, Traynor said. Selah died in Plympton April 9, 1827, and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in Plympton. Her gravestone inscription reads:
“In memory of
MISS SELAH WRIGHT
dau. Of Isaac Wright Esq.
& Mrs. Selah his wife;
she died April 9, 1827.
Aged 28 years, 10 mo’s
& 28 days
Traynor leads the informal genealogy group at the Plympton Public Library that meets monthly.
Judy told The Express that she had been offered $1200 for the sampler – it is in remarkably good condition – about 30 years ago, but she believes the proper home for the sampler is Selah’s home, Plympton.
In 1680 the birth of John Wright to Adam Wright and his wife Mehitible (Barrows) was recorded in the (Western Precinct) of Plymouth, now Plympton. Adam’s first Plympton house was built near his first mill. The Wrights owned a great many Plympton land grants and from these Wrights numerous descendants through the centuries have served Plympton in about every official capacity.
~ Deb Anderson and John Traynor
The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday, Nov. 10 for just over four minutes. Though it was a very brief meeting, things did turn contentious between members of the audience and some of the Selectmen as they did during a meeting the week before. The issue causing the controversy was the appointment of Steven Solari as Building Commissioner/Inspector of Buildings for occupancy permits. Solari needed to be appointed as current Building Inspector as James Perry does not have the necessary qualifications to serve as such. During their last meeting, former Selectman Tom Millias asked the Selectmen, “We’re paying somebody $70,000 a year that can’t do that job, correct?” The Selectmen refused to engage in the conversation.
Over the summer, former Building Inspector Robert Piccirilli was not reappointed to serve during what could be considered sweeping changes taking place across the town. Other changes included longtime Selectman Millias being voted out of office in favor of newest Selectman Ashley DiSesa. Selectmen Chair Gordon Andrews recused himself from the hiring process for the Building Inspector due to a conflict of interest. This led to a stalemate between long-serving Selectman Troy Garron and DiSesa. During a meeting in late July, DiSesa nominated Perry to serve as Building Inspector and Garron reluctantly agreed. Garron had made his feelings clear on the matter saying, “I still feel very strongly that Rob Piccirilli is the choice for Building Inspector but unfortunately, that’s not happening.”
During Wednesday’s meeting, before the vote on Solari took place, Millias interjected, “Mr. Chair?” Andrews, however, said, “I’m not taking public comment.” Millias then responded, “I knew it.” There was then considerable chatter amongst those gathered in the audience with someone saying, “why not?” and others asking about transparency. Former Chair of the Planning Board Alan Dias said, “It wasn’t posted on the agenda. For the record, this Steve Solari was not posted on the agenda.” Andrews repeated that he was not taking public comment before telling Dias, “You’re out of order.” Millias then said, “and you’re in violation of Chapter 143. You might want to read it.” Chapter 143 of Massachusetts General Laws is the inspection and regulation of, and licenses for, buildings, elevators and cinematographs. Getting in one last word, Millias said, “I’m good, we’ll see what the Attorney General says.”
Regarding Dias’ claim that the appointment of Solari was not noted on the agenda, it does appear from the Halifax Town Website that there was an original agenda posted that did not include the appointment and another revised one that did.
The Selectmen also discussed their plan for the recruitment of a new Town Administrator as current Town Administrator Charlie Seelig will be resigning effective November 20. The Selectmen voted to approve a contract with Community Paradigm Associates, LLC to aid in the search. Seelig said, “they are a very highly regarded firm.”
Seelig also said that after speaking with Community Paradigm founder Bernie Lynch, he was told that they have a slate of retired Town Administrators who would be able to fill in as an interim Town Administrator. It was decided that the Board would meet with the company to discuss the hiring of an interim.
The Selectmen also voted to appoint Susan Lawless as interim Public Records Access Officer until the new interim Town Administrator appointment.
Letter to the Editor and the Residents of Halifax
The Halifax Town Website calls Halifax “the Heart of Plymouth County” – in part due to its geographic shape and location within the county, but also for the friendliness of the community. Yet this “heart” has had a debilitating stroke, an erosion of sorts that has been taking place caused by the substitution of rage over rationality, and self-interest over public service. The exchange of ideas has seemingly become unwelcome or non-existent. Just as a stroke often inhibits speech, attempts to discuss or compromise matters raised by those considered to be the “opposition” are silenced, often dismissed before the question is asked or the statement made, and no effort is made to reconcile differences.
The incantation leading up to the last election was one of “if in vote out” and that “change” was the answer. However, when “change” leads to chaos, and even mistrust, it is not the answer, especially when used to disguise revenge for a perceived wrong.
The Board of Selectman has three members, the Chairman is Gordon C. Andrews, the Vice Chairman is long-time public servant for the town Troy E. Garron, and the newest member is Ashley DiSesa as Clerk, and a protégé it would seem of Mr. Andrews. A review of the YouTube videos (via Area 58) of the various meetings of the Board of Selectman that involve the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Building Inspectors Office reveal several instances of Chairman Andrews having to recuse himself from participating in the decision or discussion of town business due to a conflict of interest, leaving the vote on many motions to the remaining two members, which may be polar opposite in their views. Often the result is no decision. On other occasions the Chairman has suppressed any discussion from the audience. A review of the Annual Town Meeting for the last couple of years exposes the reason for Mr. Andrews’ recusals – his lawsuit against the town and the necessity for monies to be allocated to the law budget for the Towns’ defense. It is untenable that those elected to fulfill the duties of their positions of public service cannot do so because of their private interests and personal agendas or allegiances.
Traditionally, Selectman are scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the evening. While COVID did alter in-person engagement, the public had some expectation to rely on somewhat “same time, same station” if their participation was desired or required. However, with the new “change”, Selectman meetings take place several times a month at varying days and times. Without some kind of discipline, it is basically impossible for the working public to keep up with and participate in so many meetings in real time.
The new “change” has created chaos as well as a tense and sometimes hostile environment in its quest to replace dedicated, knowledgeable and qualified personnel with less knowledgeable and unqualified and/or un-certified personnel. Most recently, and of deep concern is that Charlie Seelig, Town Administrator for more than 25 years, has decided to leave Halifax and serve another town. This is a tremendous loss for the residents of Halifax, and it is questionable that an honest search based on qualifications and not on “connections” will be made for his replacement. What is evident of the “change” is the subversion of the Town’s government and smothering of any esprit de corps.
Halifax is in the Intensive Care Unit and the medical staff are locked out of the room.
Sharon Tavares,
Halifax