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.

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.

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.

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.