The Silver Lake Regional School Committee held a joint meeting with Union 31 as well as Dennett and Halifax School Committees on August 10. Vice Chair Eric Crone led the Silver Lake School Committee and chaired the meeting as Chair Paula Hatch was having technical difficulties. Sheila Vaughn called the Kingston Elementary School Committee meeting to order, Summer Schmaling the Halifax Elementary School Committee meeting, and  Jon Wilhelmsen the Plympton Elementary School meeting.

Superintendent Jill Proulx offered to begin with an explanation of the latest guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). Proulx said that both Departments “strongly recommend that all students in kindergarten through Grade 6 wear masks when indoors except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs.” She said that they noted that masks aren’t necessary outdoors and may be removed to eat indoors. Both departments also strongly recommend that masks be worn by all unvaccinated inhabitants of the school regardless of whether they are staff, student, or visitor. “Any child or family member who chooses to mask should be supported in this choice,” Proulx read from the guidance. All staff and students are mandated to wear masks on school buses and in a medical setting.

Proulx said that a new test and stay protocol will soon be released by DESE and the DPH which will allow asymptomatic close contacts to remain in school while being tested daily rather than quarantining at home. Vaccinated staff and students will be exempt from quarantine. Proulx told the school committee members that they had also been provided with a letter from the school pediatrician as well as links to the masking recommendations from the American Pediatrics Association, the CDC, and the Massachusetts’ Association of School Counselors. “All advocating, in their own language, for universal masking in schools regardless of vaccination status,” Proulx said.

An attorney was present to discuss recommended policy changes. He said that the Committees present could make a determination that night regarding masking that would fall into one of three categories. The first would be universal masking, the second would be to adopt DESE guidelines, and the third would be not to require masks except for school transportation and the public health department. He said that he has had discussions with DESE on two issues, the first being the right to adopt masking policies more stringent than that required by them (this is allowed) and the second is in regard to student discipline when a student is required to but refuses to wear a mask. “The legal department of DESE has told me that they will be issuing additional recommendations and guidelines,” he explained. He further said that special legislation mandating universal masking may be forthcoming though he noted he did not know if it would pass and if the Governor would sign it. He advocated for the Superintendent to be given the authority to make changes as necessary.

Crone then opened the discussion to questions and comments from the various committees alternating between them. Andrews began asking, “If we go with a non-mask requirement and parents do not feel like they can send their students to school without everyone being required to wear masks, what are we required to provide for them – anything at this time?” The attorney responded that the child would be truant in that case. The flipside of that would also be true where if a mask is required as a policy and a caregiver elects not to send their child due to that policy, that child would also be truant. Andrews pointed out that if enough children did not attend school, that day would not count.

Vaughn said that the Kingston Board of Health just voted to mandate masks. The attorney said that as far as he knew, the Kingston Board of Health did not have the authority to mandate masks in schools. He said he would have to confer with DESE and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to clarify. Timothy Lewis, with the Kingston School Committee, asked the attorney for his opinion on DESE’s recommendation. After clarifying that he was there more to offer legal counsel than opinion, the attorney stated, “The clearest policy and provides the greatest defense is universal masking.” Referring to no masking, he said it “does raise legal risk because even though permitted it is not recommended and it could result in greater legal liability for the school district.”

Silver Lake Regional School Committee member Gordon Laws asked the attorney to elaborate on the extent to which the District would be liable based on different scenarios. “I think that there really is no realistic threat if you either have universal masking or follow the DESE or DPH advisory because those are state sponsored and you have a right to follow the guidance of your state,” he said. He elaborated that were you to make policy less than that required by the State you could possibly be liable. Of the 17 school districts represented by the attorney he said none had thus far voted to not even recommend masks.

During Plympton’s opportunity to speak, Chair Jon Wilhelmsen said, “I’ll just make one point this time around… I think we’re all looking at the guidance right now and talking about the Superintendent having the ability to react to the different guidance; it’s not just about ratcheting up measures… but it’s also, as we hopefully get things under control, to be able to relax standards.” He said that would allow for quicker decisions instead of waiting for a School Committee meeting to be scheduled and held.

Silver Lake Regional School Committee member Emily Davis said, “I’m very uncomfortable that we’re even having this discussion.” She was referring to feeling like it was odd that they were discussing public health as members of school committees. The attorney said that he agreed and the State should really be telling schools what to do. He said if legislation goes through that is what will happen.

Halifax School Committee member Lauren Laws asked if they elect to follow DESE recommendations, how will they enforce who is and isn’t vaccinated. “As far as getting proof of vaccination, we have no legal right to do that with students or teachers or staff and that’s because of HIPPA,” the attorney explained. He said you can ask about vaccination status but you cannot require proof. “That’s one reason why some places are going to universal masking,” he added.

Timothy Lewis of the Kingston Elementary School Committee made a motion that their Committee rescind the masking policy. Committee member Jeanne Coleman seconded the motion. The motion was to rescind the current policy with the intention to vote through a different policy at a later date. Coleman said she was unsure why there was a need for any policy whatsoever beyond following the guidance of DESE. The attorney said that previously some school districts didn’t adopt a policy because there was a mandate in place. He said that the administration would have to put together a note to families letting them know that they are acting in accordance with DESE’s guidance. The Kingston Elementary School Committee voted to rescind their previous masking policy.

Plympton School Committee member Jason Fraser said that in light of DESE most likely coming out with further guidance, “I think it makes sense for us to table any ideas of making any further motions tonight for the Plympton School Committee.” The attorney forewarned that taking no position assumes that DESE will do what they said they are going to do, particularly before the start of the school year. Wilhelmsen pointed out that for Plympton, Proulx already has the ability to amend their policy based on whatever guidance comes out from DESE. Another member clarified that Plympton’s current policy mandates masks as it calls for following multiple sources including the CDC who is calling for a mandate. Fraser said, “I’m not comfortable making those medical determinations having these authorities over us including the District doctor now saying that he thinks all of our students should be masked in order to protect all of our vulnerable students and staff… this is a very confusing conversation and topic at this point and I would like to defer to those public health officials.” Fraser said that he wanted to leave what they had on the books while calling for a meeting prior to the start of school. Nicole Mahoney said that she respectfully disagreed. Mahoney said that she wished to rescind their policy in good faith that they would meet again before school reconvenes. Amy Hempel seconded Mahoney’s motion to rescind. The Committee voted unanimously to do so.

Schmaling made a motion for Halifax to rescind the policy requiring face coverings. Several members of the Halifax Elementary School Committee, including Schmaling, spoke out vehemently against requiring all students to wear face masks. Lauren Laws clarified that the vote they would be taking would only rescind the current policy as she said she would like to see them put a policy in place at a later date. “I feel like last year’s school was very successful because the kids were masked,” Laws said. With respect to another member’s claim that some of the Committee members calling for masks in school have been openly doing things on social media without masks, Laws said, “you know, everything you talked about was outside.” She added, “There are changing parameters right now that I feel like need to be watched.” Schmaling clarified that in rescinding their policy they are following DESE’s guidance. The vote to rescind the current policy was unanimous.

Silver Lake Regional School Committee then began their discussion. Committee member Christopher Eklund made a motion asking for Silver Lake to adjourn saying he no longer felt the format of the current meeting was conducive to conducting business. He recommended they reconvene before the start of school. Committee member Leslie-Ann McGee seconded that motion. Crone clarified that this would leave the current policy in place which requires masking but gives Proulx the ability to make amendments to the policy as she deemed fit provided it complies with CDC, DESE, and DPH guidance. Crone said he agreed with Fraser that they need to see what new guidance or mandates come down the pipeline prior to the start of school. The attorney clarified that if they didn’t meet to put a new policy in place, Proulx would be forced to go with the most stringent of guidance.

The Silver Lake Committee then took a vote to adjourn leaving the current policy requiring masks in place with the intention of meeting again before the start of the school year. No votes came from Paula Hatch, Lukasz Kowalski, Schmaling, and Davis. Yes votes came from Gordon Laws, Fraser, Eklund, McGee, and Crone. With votes weighted differently depending on town, the vote ended in favor of adjourning the meeting with the current policy still in place.

Vaughn asked that the Kingston School Committee stay on. Kingston Elementary School Committee member Cowett then made a motion that Kingston align its recommendation with respect to masking in schools with that of DESE. They voted unanimously in favor of Cowett’s motion. Halifax made a similar motion that was also voted through unanimously.

There was also a reorganization of Union 31. There was a motion and a second to appoint Gordon Andrews as Chair and it was voted through unanimously. Summer Schmaling was nominated for Vice Chair and like Andrews, voted through unanimously. Michael Cowett was nominated and voted in as Secretary of Union 31.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, August 9. They began with an update on the Carver Urban Renewal Project. Both Selectmen Chair Christine Joy and Selectman Mark Russo attended the most recent meeting for the project.

Joy said that her biggest takeaway from the meeting was that the project would entail a 24/7 operation. Joy also said that the Redevelopment Authority as well as the Department of Housing Authority would have control over the project. She said they are working on getting a consultant for the project and added, “At this point everything is really conceptual; they’ve got quite a bit of work to get where they want to go.”

Another noteworthy takeaway from the meeting was that if the height of the building was extended to 60 ft. there would be an additional 100 ft. setback added as well. “So that was good to hear,” Joy said. “I was very happy with the level of concern that they gave to Plympton residents,” she explained saying that she and Russo were both allowed to speak during the meeting. According to Joy, Plympton will be allowed to talk to the developer to stay abreast of the plans. Plympton will also be kept informed of future meeting dates.

Russo added, “I was very appreciative of how willing they were to listen.” He said he was particularly appreciative of their awareness of the effect the project would have on Plympton residents. Russo also said that he spoke to a Conservation Commission member who thought it might be possible to have a consultant to the developer hired for the abutting town to address issues like wastewater disposal and wetlands. He said he would look into the possibility.

Bridge projects: Ferguson and

Winnetuxet bridges

Highway Superintendent Rob Firlotte was in attendance and provided an update on state bridge projects.  Firlotte said that they were planning on doing some structural testing with the grant for the Ferguson Memorial Bridge on Route 58. He said they were thinking about a scheduled replacement in 5-7 years.

Regarding the Winnetuxet Bridge, Firlotte said that one change that they would like to make is to widen it a bit and to allow for some kind of sidewalk. All at the meeting agreed that they wouldn’t want to move away from a wooden bridge. They all agreed that they were happy that the State was open to their feedback. Selectman John Traynor said he was “afraid at some point in the process they’ll throw a switch and we’ll find ourself with a totally different bridge.” Firlotte noted that he didn’t expect to incur any costs on the project calling it “almost like a State gift.” He also said the work to the wooden bridge wouldn’t occur for several years.

Beer Garden Licenses

The Selectmen met with Mike Johnson and James Wright who own Brewery 44. They explained that they had approached Sauchuk Farm with the idea of doing a Beer Garden. Johnson and Wright explained that the concept has become quite popular recently. They described it as providing people a chance to sample a few beers while expanding upon their market base. Their intent would be to setup a pop-up tent area with two beers and a seltzer to sample during the hours of operation from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.. They were applying for 13 individual liquor licenses for every Saturday and Sunday up to but not including October 31.

Russo explained that he was concerned that a precedent not be set were the licenses to be issued. He also said that he would feel more comfortable issuing just a few licenses to ensure that no problems arose. Joy agreed with Russo. The Board voted to approve the first 4 licenses.

Covid cases increasing in town

Town Administrator Liz Dennehy was absent from Monday’s meeting so Joy provided her update. She said that Covid cases were starting to pop back up in town with three recorded since August 5. She noted that as of yet, there were no plans to change any of the protocols in place. She did, however, note that some towns are starting to issue mask mandates in public buildings. The plan will be to watch and see what develops over the next several weeks.

Town House WiFi

Joy also said that there was an inquiry out currently with Comcast to try and figure out a plan for establishing Wi-Fi at the Old Townhouse. For correspondence, the Selectmen approved the use of the town green for a wedding. “Good luck to the couple that wants to get married,” Russo said cheerily.

40 child increase at Dennett

Chair of the Plympton School Committee and Chair of the Town Properties Committee Jon Wilhelmsen gave a brief update on the schools saying that more would be known regarding safety protocols after the Silver Lake Regional School Committee meeting the following evening. He did note that there would be an extra 40 children in the Dennett this year as the outgoing class was small and the incoming class quite large. Regarding the new playground project, Wilhelmsen said the old playground had been removed and the hope was to have the new one installed in time for the start of school. Siding has been replaced on the side of the building facing the parking lot. The parking lot has also been redone.

Wilhelmsen also provided an update on the Town Properties Committee. He said they “need to take a little time and look at recreation because when we do the plan it impedes upon the existing ball fields.” He said that as part of Phase 2 the Committee plans to get an idea of what the costs are as well as how it will all fit together.

OCPC to help with truck traffic

Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) continues to pursue restrictions on heavy truck traffic on certain roads in Plympton. Dennehy is working with Kingston on how to alleviate it on Ring Rd. Russo noted that he would like to see this project moved along quickly.

North Plympton Cemetery

Traynor gave an update on a clean-up event that he had hoped to have at the North Plympton Cemetery. The plan was to have the Boy Scouts assist. He said he had a lawyer draw up a release for the 15 acres the cemetery sits on but told the Selectmen that the woman who owns the property refused to sign it. Traynor said he will be pushing the project off to the fall but noted he plans to take pictures to show how overgrown it has become.

Raves for COA

Traynor also praised the Council on Aging (COA) saying that more and more events were being held. He praised the leadership of both Director of Elder Affairs Colleen Thompson and Chair Nancy Butler and said that he believed the COA was finally becoming what the town had always hoped it would become.   

 North Easton Savings Bank was recently named as Forbes’ top ranked bank in Massachusetts for 2021.  This top ranking appeared on Forbes’ most recent listing of America’s Best Banks and Credit Unions in each state.

“We are honored to receive this award and to be ranked as the number one bank in Massachusetts.  I am so proud of our employees as this is a direct reflection of their hard work and dedication to the communities we serve,” stated Rich Spencer, President and CEO.  “This ranking reinforces that we are able to deliver premium experiences which are equal to if not better than those that are provided by national brands.  At over a billion dollars in total assets we believe our local institution is truly capable of providing top tier banking services with a locally focused service strategy.”

To determine the best Banks and Credit Unions in every state, Forbes relies on independent data provided by Statista, a German company that specializes in market and consumer research.  Of all eligible FDIC insured Banks nationally, under 3% were awarded a best in state designation.  Rounding out the top five Massachusetts institutions behind North Easton Savings Bank, beginning with second placement were Eastern Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, Rockland Trust and Cape Cod 5.

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The Plympton School Committee met on Monday, July 12. Dennett Elementary School Principal Peter Veneto gave a buildings and grounds update describing the playground project as “ongoing.” He said they had a meeting the previous week during which colors were finalized. Veneto also said that they were told that everything would be shipped out to the school in about five weeks. “So that’s very real and very happening,” Veneto said.

He also provided an update on the siding project on the western facing wall of the building (the cafeteria wall) also referring to it as “ongoing.” Veneto said that the school has also had some paving, sealing, and line-striping done. “I did drive by there and see the driveway all one color for a change,” Chair of the School Committee Jon Wilhelmsen joked. Additionally, 15 trees have been removed from the property to assist with the solar project. Wilhelmsen elaborated that taking down the trees not only helps with the solar project but also with protecting the building. “Every one that came down was within striking distance of the building,” he explained. Regarding the solar project, Wilhelmsen also said that an engineer looked at the roof and reported no issues from their perspective. He said they are hopeful that the project can be completed before the start of the school year. Some weatherization has also been done to the building to make it more efficient.

Jason Fraser provided the legislative update. “Quite typically, we didn’t end the fiscal year with a state budget but this morning Governor Baker should have arrived at his office with a budget from both sides of the legislature for $48.1 billion,” Fraser said. Fraser said extra revenue was set aside for future obligations. He told the Committee that $250,000,000 was set aside for unfunded pension liabilities. He also said that a $350,000,000 trust fund was created to support the Student Opportunity Act.

Fraser told the Committee that the Superintendent’s Association started their in-person Executive Institute and MASC (The Massachusetts Association of School Committees) will also be having a summer institute. The two topics covered at the MASC Institute include wrap around services which are those that extend beyond the typical school day and how to maximize federal funds without creating a fiscal cliff. “It’s going to help us lay the groundwork for the November joint conference that we hold down in Hyannis between the Superintendents and the School Committees,” Fraser explained. He said the event would be a hybrid one so that anyone without the ability to make it to Hyannis, or for those still uncomfortable with in-person gatherings, could still attend.

Principal Veneto also provided the school update beginning by saying he was interviewing for three positions right now including an aide, a math interventionist, and a building-based substitute. He said that there were “amazing” people who had applied for the various openings. Fraser asked Veneto if they were looking for a fully certified teacher for the building-based substitute position and Veneto confirmed that they were. “Not only have things been busy on the physical plant, but we’ve been doing a lot of virtual interviews as well,” Veneto said speaking to all of the physical projects currently underway on Dennett grounds.

Director of Business Services Christine Healy provided an end-of-year update. “We’ve had some highs and some lows and all of those have been reflected in the budget,” Healy told the Committee. She said there were savings in the substitute line since they struggled to find a building-based sub during the year. Other savings were found in tuition and workshop lines. There were also savings in the regular-day and homeless transportation lines of the budget totaling approximately $9,000. She also said that surprisingly there were $5,000 in utilities savings. Healy told the Committee that one deficit was in the maintenance of building area. “We are fortunate enough to have funds transferred from the town into that line at special town meeting. Some of the funds came from special education and some from out of district vocational,” she said. Things that were able to be done included fully funding the SPED Stabilization Fund, the balance of the work on the fire suppression system, finish the tree removal project, and make the driveway repairs. Additionally, there is a surplus of $46,693 for special education. There is another surplus in out of district vocational of $33,843; Healy said that was after a transfer of just over $41,000 at special town meeting. Healy said $113,416.13 would be returned to the town. She said that a number of fees associated with the playground would be paid for out of the surpluses including wood chips and swing mats. The Committee voted unanimously to accept the closeout as presented by Healy.

Superintendent Proulx also provided a district update. Proulx said that the Kingston Board of Health has asked the nurse leader to advertise a vaccination clinic that’s going to be held at Kingston Intermediate School for residents of Duxbury, Halifax, Kingston, and Plympton ages 12 and over. She said information regarding specific dates will be forthcoming. Regarding MCAS results, she said accountability standings would remain from the 2019 school year.

“For the fall, schools will be required to be in-person, full-time, five days a week; all DESE health and safety requirements will be lifted – this includes physical distancing. The Department of Education will collaborate with the Department of Health to issue any additional health and safety recommendations over the summer and we will provide any updates to you as soon as we receive them,” Proulx explained. Proulx also told the Committee that there were a number of summer learning activities available including an accelerated summer learning academy for students entering Grades 3-6. The Academy will include ELA, math, and social/emotional learning. There is also a Silver Lake Middle School Enhancement program for students in Grades 7 and 8. “It’s a great way to look at accelerating the learning as opposed to remediation which we know oftentimes just further exacerbates the problem or widens the gap for students who may be having difficulties,” Proulx said.

Proulx also said that the Silver Lake Regional School Committee was interested in exploring a change to school start times but wanted to know the thoughts of the elementary school committees before proceeding too far. “I think we’ve seen more communities make these changes since we last did this,” Wilhelmsen said regarding some exploration they had done into the matter in years prior. “It was about five years ago… and we had a tremendous response from the community when we surveyed them on their preferences and ironically it was about fifty-fifty about keeping the times the way they were and changing the times,” Fraser elaborated. He continued, “But all of the research out there, all of the brain-based research does show that later start times for our adolescents and high school-based population is beneficial in reducing accidents on the way to school, improving SAT and test scores, GPAs, and just also with their mental health.” He also said that the State is looking into setting up a formal commission to investigate the matter and then send dictates down to districts. “I think if we examine it for ourselves, we’ll have a little bit more control over how this ends up looking for our district,” Fraser told the Committee. Wilhelmsen said that if there were any Plympton Elementary School Committee members interested in volunteering on the regional study into the matter, they should let himself and Proulx know.

Proulx also provided an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) update as Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch was not in attendance. Proulx said that Plympton was awarded $85,841 from the ESSER II fund. Proulx said that allowable activities for the ESSER II grant include but are not limited to evidence-based approaches to address unfinished teaching and learning, high quality instructional materials using the CURATE tool on the Department of Education site, early literacy programming, K-12 math skill building, planning and implementing summer learning programming, and after school programming. She said social and emotional programming was another major area and a minimum of $10,000 must be committed to mental health services. The total ESSER II allocation for the Silver Lake District is $543,721. Fraser pointed out that that money is aside from ESSER III which he described as “substantially larger.” Fraser said he would like to see these one-time funds used to examine and implement a cohesive approach to social and emotional learning.

Wilhelmsen ended the meeting by announcing some important dates including the first day of school which is scheduled for September 1. He called it as late as it can possibly be.” Other notable dates include the next School Committee meeting which is scheduled for September 20. He did note that some interim meetings may be necessary during the summer as certain things need to be addressed in a timely manner.