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

Representative Kathy LaNatra Joined her Colleagues in Supporting the Massachusetts  House of Representatives Re-Districting Plan in Accordance with the 2020 Census

On Thursday, Oct. 21, State Representative Kathleen LaNatra (D – Kingston) voted in favor of the legislation establishing the new Massachusetts House of Representatives districts. The new districts were drawn in accordance with population changes tabulated in the 2020 census.

 “I want to thank my colleague, Representative Mike Moran, for all of his tremendous work as Co-Chair of the Joint Special Committee on Redistricting,” said Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston). “I look forward to continuing representing the 12th Plymouth District and look forward to introducing myself to the 12th Plymouth district’s newest constituents.”

 The changes to the House districts will go into effect at the beginning of the next legislative session, beginning January 2023. The 12th Plymouth District will consist of Halifax (Precinct 1), Kingston, Middleboro (Precinct 1), Pembroke (Precinct 3), Plymouth (Precincts 1,2,3,13) and Plympton. The 12th Plymouth District will no longer include Duxbury (Precinct 1), Halifax (Precinct 2) and Plymouth (Precinct 11).

 To reach Rep. LaNatra, email Kathleen.LaNatra@mahouse.gov or her legislative aide, Chris Jean, Christopher.Jean@MAhouse.gov.

The phone number for the office is 617-722-2430. For updates and announcements, please visit Representative LaNatra’s Facebook page,

or her website, https://www.kathylanatra.com.

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The Halifax School Committee met on Tuesday, Oct. 12. A parent asked to speak during the public participation portion of the meeting. She began by saying how thankful she was to the school committee members for donating their time and said that she hoped that her comments that night did not diminish the thanks that she does have toward them.

“As a fairly new parent in the district, I was, to say the least, shocked at the Aug. 30 school committee meeting. If I were to be honest, I was a little bit embarrassed… there was little compassion, not a lot of kindness, and barely any respect between members,” she said. She explained that she was disappointed to see the school committee members not display the same qualities that she tries to instill in her children. She said that her public comments were not really regarding masks or no masks though she acknowledged that her first grade child took no exception to wearing one.

A PTO update was provided. The Boosterthon/Fun Run raised $33,905. Halifax Elementary School Principal Kayne Beaudry said it was their most successful yet. Those funds will be divided among the Nature’s Classroom and the Kindergarten Playground. For the first time in a while, there is finally a fully staffed PTO Board. The Book Fair will be October 25 – October 29. There will be information released regarding the use of something called an E-Wallet in lieu of money due to COVID.

Beaudry provided an update saying that enrollment was holding steady. He pointed out that for the first time ever the kindergarten class started a week after other students in order to leave time for screenings, open houses, etc. Beaudry said that he and Assistant Principal Brian Desantes rode the bus with students for the start of school. He said that the open house was the first time in a year and a half that parents were welcomed into the building. “There was a good vibe,” Beaudry said, despite it being hot. Beaudry recognized that October is Bullying Awareness month.

Beaudry told the board that Desantes has been dressing up as a school mascot for Halifax Hero in a superhero costume complete with a new fanny pack. He said that students are recognized each month for demonstrating the traits that are taught in the classroom such as kindness and resilience. Students are awarded hero bands from Desantes. “He does take on the role very well,” Beaudry said laughing of Desantes.

Beaudry also told the Committee that fall conferences will be held on Oct. 27. He said they will be offering both remote as well as in-person options for parents. He said the remote option was being made available due to the excellent turnout the previous year. “We’re excited to be able to offer that,” he said.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch gave an update on the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and how they have been spent thus far for Halifax. “Some of those things are just communication pieces – tools to help support teachers make interactive presentations, some professional development about teaching remotely… and some technology pieces,” Lynch said of ESSER I. For ESSER II, Lynch said that Halifax was allocated $106,000. He said that under half of that money has been allocated to date. Lynch said they were still identifying needs for this school year. A certain percentage of that money needs to be allocated for use on social and emotional learning. The ESSER III allocation for Halifax will be for $225,000.

Committee member Lauren Laws asked if there was a way to parse out how much of the budget was being spent on COVID related items. Superintendent Jill Proulx said that they have been tracking COVID related expenses noting that the primary categories were PPE, HVAC, and technology needs.

Lynch also provided an update for the Halifax MCAS results. He said compared to previous years they had a much wider timeline to administer the test, it was half as long, and students were able to take it remotely. Lynch said that statewide, 20 percent of students took it remotely. He said participation both statewide and in Halifax stood at 90 percent. Lynch said that students in Halifax performed better than the statewide comparison. He said that subject level data would be evaluated by teachers.

Superintendent Proulx began her update by thanking the Halifax Fire Department for their help with administering the test and stay program that allows close contacts to stay in school as long as they remain asymptomatic. Proulx said the intent is to prevent students from needing to quarantine. Should the need arise, Proulx said they could potentially enlist the National Guard to assist in the test and stay program. Proulx said the mask mandate has been extended until at least November 1.

Proulx said that Halifax enrollment stands at 564 students compared to last year’s enrollment of 569. She said that the Halifax assessment has increased this year from 30.7 percent to 30.8.

The Halifax Special Town Meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Halifax Elementary School. Unlike the previous attempt to hold the meeting on Sept. 8, there was a quorum. Town Moderator Robert Gaynor reminded those in attendance to remain civil with one another throughout the meeting. The articles were discussed and voted on out of order.   

Article 17 generated the most debate and discussion. A yes vote would remove the buffer restriction requiring marijuana dispensaries to be 500 ft. from establishments with an alcohol pouring license. Board of Selectmen Chair Gordon Andrews said the Selectmen recommended the article by a vote of 2-1. The Finance Committee also recommended the article as well. Chair of the Planning Board Gordon R. Andrews said the Planning Board also recommended.

A resident spoke saying, “I don’t believe this would be appropriate for our town; we took provisions years ago to put this by-law into effect to control these things and now if you got somebody from the outside that wants to come in, we have to change our by-laws to accommodate them.” He continued, “In my opinion, that’s putting the wolf in charge of the hen house.”  Another resident, who said she was a bartender in town, said she was in agreement with the previous speaker.

Another resident spoke in favor of removing the buffer restriction stressing the importance of recognizing the ways in which these establishments help the town. Resident Summer Schmaling, who is on both the Silver Lake Regional School Committee as well as the Halifax Elementary School Committee, reminded those present that the town spent thousands of dollars a few years ago for a study focusing on how the town could bring in more businesses as the tax revenue was falling predominantly on the backs of residents. She said that the town should not push these businesses away.

Phil Tringali of Walnut St. took to the microphone saying that he would be meeting with the Board of Selectmen the following Tuesday to propose a retail marijuana store in Halifax. Tringali, who noted that he has used medical marijuana for cancer, said he has worked for months to open up a store within all of the town’s regulations. “The plan for a business doesn’t take place over night; this is a two-year business plan with a lot of money involved. Every time I look at the zoning, the guidelines you’ve given me in the town to do this, you change it,” Tringali said. “How do I do business if you change it every six months?,” Tringali asked. He was met with some applause as he took his seat.

Another resident spoke saying that while she previously voted against allowing retail marijuana facilities in town, she now feels differently. She said that seeing how well-run they are and how little traffic they generate has changed her mind. Another resident spoke saying that most people who purchase from these stores are not using the product at the store. He said he didn’t believe there would be an issue with people leaving the store impaired. Yet another resident said he was not ready for a marijuana establishment in the center of town. He recommended conducting a study on the impact such an establishment would have on the town as well as holding a public forum or people to speak on the matter. He was met with significant applause.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig spoke saying, “the primary money that the town would receive would be from the sales tax; we would collect three percent on the gross revenues of any marijuana store here in Halifax but obviously that depends on their actual revenues.” He also mentioned the community impact fee saying, “it’s related to the cost the community incurs on having that store and that’s very difficult to prove in many cases.” He also said that there are currently many possible venues for these stores. The article failed to pass leaving the restriction in place.

Article 14, which was proposed by the Police Chief, would give the Board of Selectmen instruction to file proposed legislation with the Massachusetts State Legislature that would exempt all members of the Halifax Police Department from Chapter 31 of the General Laws. The Finance Committee agreed to give no recommendation on the article. Chapter 31 of the General Laws is Civil Service. Chief Joao Chaves spoke to the article explaining that it would rescind the vote from 1968 that placed the Halifax Police Department under Civil Service. He explained that the Civil Service system refers to two state agencies, the Human Resources Division (HRD) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). He said that Civil Service was developed more than a century ago to protect against political influence in the hiring process. He continued, “Civil Service has evolved into a rigid, inflexible, and highly bureaucratic system that operates slowly at best.” He explained what he sees as other failings of the system including the ways in which it negatively impacts the Halifax Police Department’s ability to hire certain officers, including Halifax residents, over others. Chaves said it also impacts the ways in which officers are promoted and disciplined. He said it would not affect the Fire Department as they are not part of the Civil Service system.

Schmaling asked if keeping Civil Service would provide protection against nepotism. Chaves said, “We would be reaching out to get the best applicants.” Of Civil Service, he said that it forces him to hire whoever does best on the exam even if that person is right out of high school rather than someone who may have the necessary life experiences to succeed on the force. Another resident asked why now. “Again, the problem that every department is finding right now is finding good candidates,” Chaves said.

Resident and Planning Board member Amy L. Troup asked why the Finance Committee did not have a recommendation. The Committee explained that at the time they did not have access to the Chief’s presentation. “The Committee members generally felt that Civil Service was not the way to go but that we didn’t have a symmetric and complete picture because we didn’t know what was coming in its place,” Chair Thomas Connolly explained. Troup also said that while right now we have a “great chief,” someday we might not. The article passed by a smaller majority than the ones before it.

Several articles were voted on and easily passed to approve the bargaining agreements between the town and various agencies for fiscal year 2022. Article 2 funds the agreement between the town and AFSCME AFL-CIO Union Council 93, Local 1700 (Mixed Unit). Article 3 funds the agreement with the firefighters. Article 5 funds the agreement with the Massachusetts C.O.P. Local 459 (Sergeants). Article 6 funds the agreement between the town and the Halifax Association of Police Patrolmen. The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended all of these articles.

Article 10 would authorize the Board of Selectmen to give the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game a parcel of town owned land located off Aldana Rd. The exchange is part of a larger, ongoing plan between the town and the Department of Fish and Game. Both the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen recommended the article and it passed with the necessary two-thirds vote.

Article 11 to raise and appropriate or transfer funds to purchase, equip, and install a public address (PA) system for the Great Hall in the Halifax Town Hall passed. Article 12 to raise and appropriate or transfer funds for the maintenance and other expenses related to the inspectional services vehicle also easily passed. Article 9 to transfer $26,608 from the Water Department Water Revenue Account to purchase and equip a new truck for the Water Superintendent was recommended by both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. It passed easily. Article 13 was recommended by both the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. The article would raise and appropriate or transfer funds distributed from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Fund to address the impact of transportation network services on municipal infrastructure such as roads and bridges. The article passed unanimously.

Article 15 to raise and appropriate or transfer funds in the amount of $130,980 to be added to the $4,725,192 appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting last May for the Silver Lake Assessment easily passed. The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee both recommended the article.

Article 16, which would raise and appropriate or transfer funds in the amount of $12,000 to be added to the $19,000 appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting last May for Water – Retirement, easily passed. Article 19 to raise and appropriate or transfer funds in the amount of $12,000 to purchase and maintain electronic/solar traffic safety and signage easily passed with the recommendation of both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.

Articles 1, 4, 8 and 18 were passed over.