The Halifax Board of Selectmen received noise complaints from neighbors about dogs barking in the early morning at the Tarawood Kennel. Town Administrator Charles Seelig informed the Board of these complaints at the selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy said there haven’t been any other complaints about noise this year. Roy did however visit the area and verified with other neighbors that they could hear dogs barking in the early hours of the morning. Those neighbors had no complaints though because they recently installed new air conditioning and no longer keep the windows open at night.

According to the Board, Tarawood Kennel is due for a random inspection with the town’s animal control officer Noreen Callahan, a requirement before recertifying a kennel’s permit.

ACO Callahan told selectmen she had attempted inspections on two separate occasions this year, but both times failed to get access to the property. Both times, the gate was closed without anyone there to let Callahan in. All members of the Board expressed concern about the gate preventing the kennel’s inspections from being random as they are required to be.

The board is taking the issue seriously and is looking at a potential hearing  to exploring all options before any licensing reissuance can be done. Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy said that there are questions that need to be answered first. She said, “What means is she (the Tarawood Kennel owner) taking to deal with noise?”

Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias said he is concerned about access keeping a random inspection from happening. He said, “We aren’t trying to do these inspections at two in the morning.” Millias said they want to do it at a reasonable work hour.

Kim Roy said that Bobbi Harmon of Tarawood Kennels claims she tried reaching out to Callahan by phone on a couple of occasions, but never heard a response. However, according to the Board, Callahan attempted to contact Harmon several times and claimed her message box was full.

The Board members all said they’d like to get this taken care of with an inspection this week and a future hearing, but are exploring other measures if necessary. Chair Millias mentioned the possibility of a search warrant, but the board does not want to take this step if they do not have to.

Senior Tax

Work off Program

The Board of Selectmen voted to increase the maximum married couple income for the Senior Tax Work off Program from $50,000-60,000. Council on Aging Director Barbara Brenton met with the Board to make this proposal.

Brenton did surveys of other towns who use the tax program including Duxbury and Bourne. The surveys showed that the maximum allowed income was up and down throughout the state.

Brenton said the town has two unused slots for this program that gives tax relief to seniors in need. She admitted that advertising the program has been a challenge and are hoping this will help some people qualify who may not have previously.

Selectmen Vice-chair Kim Roy suggested putting a slip with details about the program in seniors’ tax bill, which the rest of the Board as well as Brenton thought was a good idea. However, Selectmen Clerk Troy Garron said that they would have to check with town tax collector before doing so. The Board also suggested Area 58 Community Access as an opportunity for better promotion.

Electrical Aggregation Update

Chairman Thomas Millias said the electrical aggregation agreement with Colonial Powers goes into effect on September 1, 2017. The aggregation gives residents of Halifax an option for lower rates outside of National Grid.

The rates will be 9.3 cents per kilowatt hour until November 17, 2017. After that, rates are expected to go up to 10.87 cents per kilowatt hour for around three to four months. According to Town Administrator Charles Seelig, this increased rate will still be less than what National Grid raises their rates to during the winter months.

Citizens will be allowed to opt out of the aggregation program if they like. Information will be mailed and will include a post card that residents can check off and send if they wish to opt out of the program.

Other News

The Board of Selectmen received requests asking if the town could hire someone to weed the Margaret Fitzgerald Garden located on the Town Green this summer. These requests are being explored in a preliminary manner.

Town Administrator Charles Seelig said he plan to speak with the Finance Committee about using a contractor for this service rather than creating a new position. Seelig said that temporary hiring can be difficult because of pay grading.

Thomas Millias and Kim Roy also brought up there are complications with paying for unemployment when it comes to temporary positions.  Kim Roy also wants committee input. She said, “I would suggest that the beautification committee be involved with this.”

The HOPS Playground grant was scheduled to be completed for Wednesday July, 12, 2017. Town Administrator Charles Seelig said that things are on schedule with the grant.

On Saturday, July 1, Halifax celebrated Independence Day with a family fun day and fireworks display. The event was made possible by donations and sponsors only.

Family fun day lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with many events for all ages. Volunteers, many students, helped staff the events. Fishing for rubber ducks, a corn hole toss, sack races, egg and spoon races, crafts, hula hoops, bounce houses, face painting, tie dying t-shirts, and a petting zoo were all activities that appealed to the large crowd.

Meanwhile, several contests were underway as well, including a bicycle decorating contest, a patriotic cake contest, a pie eating contest for several age groups and a patriotic baby contest (where everyone was a winner) for ages 0-2 were all popular.

Following the family fun day, crowds started gathering on the hill behind Halifax Elementary School, with children playing on the playground and running around everywhere beginning at around 6 p.m. Long lines began to develop at the various food vendors as people waited in excited anticipation of the fireworks at 9 p.m.

Before the evening got dark, pyrotechnic technicians were checking and double checking their equipment. Police wandered the crowd and helped people cross busy streets. The Halifax Fire Department prepared for any emergency.

Shortly after nine, to the strains of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” under cloudy skies and amongst fireflies, the fireworks spectacular began. As the show wore on, the bursts of light in the sky became larger and larger, ending in a mighty finale.

The only downside? Traffic getting home. But, the night was well worth the small inconvenience.

Nate Coombe from Boy Scout Troop 39 met with the Halifax Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 27, to present his Eagle Scout Project. Coombe wants to build two benches at the veteran’s memorial across the street from the Town Hall. He also wanted to plant some sort of shrubbery around the memorial and flag pole.

All members of the Board of Selectmen support the project and thanked Coombe for his future efforts, but want a focus on simplicity when it comes to the memorial. One version of the plan had three benches instead of two. Selectmen Vice-chair Kim Roy said she thinks three is too many. Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias agreed with Roy. He said, I like the simplicity of two benches.”

Selectmen Clerk Troy Garron said he thinks it’s a great idea to put a couple of benches near the memorial, but said shrubbery/ flowers may take away from the focus of the memorial being on the memorial itself. Roy also said, “I want it to be something that can be maintained in a beautiful way.” She said other great Eagle Scout projects around town have sadly not been maintained after the fact the way they should.

Garron, who is a veteran said, “I think your ideas are good, but the main reason for the monument itself is to attract people to the memorial.” Garron had concern about people loitering and hanging out at the memorial for the wrong reasons if too much is done there.

Nate Coombe was open and understanding to the Board’s suggestions. He said that two benches is fine and said they would match the benches on the hill. Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias suggested mahogany as a possible material because it doesn’t involve much maintenance.

Troy Garron made a shrubbery suggestion in case Nate still wanted to plant something for the project. He said he couldn’t speak for the whole board, but suggested Hosta as a potential plant because it is relatively low maintenance.

The Board of Selectmen approved Nate Coombe’s project barring comments from the Veteran’s Agent and the Beautification Committee. This makes Nate the seventh current Eagle Scout candidate in Troop 39.

Fire Department Update

Town Administrator Charles Seelig informed the Board of Selectmen that the fire station garage door repairs went out to bid. However, there was only one bid and that landed above the $19,000 appropriated at this year’s Annual Town Meeting. The one bid was for $23,994.

Seelig said, “This is more than what was appropriated at town meeting, but the Fire Chief feels he has sufficient money.” This money would come from the station’s maintenance account.

Chairman Thomas Millias asked if there was a problem with this, but Seelig said he checked in with the Town Accountant and that there is no issue. The Board of Selectmen approved this request to use the fire station’s maintenance account to offset the rest of the costs of the repairs.

Wage and Personnel Update

Erika Rossini was appointed to Halifax’s Wage and Personnel Board via a joint vote between the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee Chair Gordon Andrews.

Rossini said she’s been a resident of Halifax since the early 90s and has served on the PTO with the schools for many years. She said that getting involved with her kid’s education was important to her and drove her being on the PTO for so many years.

The Board of Selectmen asked Rossini why she wanted to be on this board specifically. Rossini said she heard the plea at Annual Town Meeting since there currently isn’t a Wage and Personnel Board in town. She hopes this will inspire others to join. Rossini said, “We need to try to recruit people to this board.”

Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy asked Erika for a commitment to attending all Annual Town Meetings and that it’s something they ask all volunteers to do because it’s where decisions are made on fund allocations and tax dollars. Rossini committed without reservation.

Rossini is excited to start this role. She says she thinks she’ll enjoy it and learn a lot about the roles and responsibilities of the other boards and committees. Rossini’s term runs until June 30, 2020.

Other News

After July 10, 2017, Town Adminstrator Charles Seelig said much of Halifax Elementary School parking lot will have parking restrictions because of the school roof construction project. The ban will be within the working hours of 6AM-4PM.

This will not affect parking for the annual Halifax Fireworks scheduled for Saturday, July 1. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m

Selectman Vice chair Kim Roy commended the work done by this year’s Firework’s Committee. She said that a lot of the members of this year’s committee are new, but are certainly committed. She praised their work on events around the family fun day going on before the fireworks.

Family Fun Day starts at 11 a.m. on the Town Hall Green. The event includes fun activities such as a pie eating contest and a cake decorating contest. More details can be found on the town website.

The next selectmen’s meeting is Tuesday, July 11. Open session starts at 7:30 p.m.

Halifax– From June 6 to June 14, the contractor SOLitude Lake Management applied a phosphorus-limiting agent to West Monponsett Pond. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, feed on phosphorus. According to Dominic Meringolo, a senior environmental engineer with SOLitude,  aluminium sulfate and sodium aluminate have been applied in low doses as far back as 2012 to reduce cyanobacteria with only limited success.

This time is different, he says, because through a matching grant with the town of Halifax and the federal government’s Clean Water Act– administered by MassDEP– more money is available and the doses will be much higher, aiming to immediately block the bloom.

“No bloom is expected this summer,” said Meringolo.

To obtain the grant, the town and the contractor worked with the Natural Heritage Endangered Species program to develop a plan to not interfere with two endangered species, a type of freshwater mussel as well as a dragonfly that frequents the area. This will involve ongoing monitoring by SOLitude.

“It’s really hard to tell how long the treatment will last…we’re hoping for multiple seasons,” explained Meringolo. “But, phosphorus will leak back in through the watershed.”

Problems with the water quality in the West Monponsett pond go back decades. In 1964, during a drought, the state legislature passed special legislation allowing the city of Brockton to draw water from Monponsett Lake via Silver Lake, Brockton’s primary water source.

This effectively reversed the natural direction of the water flow, leaving West Monponsett pond stagnant and an excellent source for phosphorus to grow. Soon, cyanobacteria blooms were frequent in the summer, limiting recreational activity on the pond.

Residents and interest groups debate the sources of the phosphorous. Everything from fertilizers that cranberry bogs use to human sources such as leaking septic tanks have been blamed, yet it’s likely that a mixture of several sources have caused the problem.

Hopefully this summer will be cyanobacteria free.

At Monday night’s meeting, Plympton Selectman John Traynor said he is torn between what firm to use to help hire a town administrator. In several previous meetings, Traynor and other members of the board expressed their leanings towards the Collins’ Center. Traynor said that he likes their process in the screening stages.

Representatives from Municipal Resources, a consulting firm based out of Meredith, NH, made their case to selectmen for why Plympton should choose their hiring firm. Highlighting their familiarity with towns like Plympton, the pair told selectmen that most of their work is primarily in New England, although they have also consulted for communities as far south as North Carolina.

Unlike the Collins’ Group, whose process relies heavily on input from a citizen panel throughout the entire process, Municipal Resources puts a larger emphasis on their experience as a firm in finding the right candidates.

Municipal Resources representatives said that this doesn’t mean they don’t use input from the town. There are cases where interviewing/screening panels from town representatives are used and there is always town input. The firm’s normal process is conducting all the screening before having candidates interview with the Board of Selectmen.

This process starts with the firm narrowing down the field of applicants to 10-15 candidates. Municipal Resources will then send out 5 essay questions to each of the remaining applicants.

Selectman Mark Russo asked what types of things are asked in the essay questions. The firm’s representatives said they need to get to know the town better early in the process before knowing the exact question’s they would ask.

They did say though that a question about large budget projects will be asked. since the hired town administrator will be coming into a situation where Plympton is working toward a $3 million dollar police station. Once the essay portion of the process is complete, on-site interviews with selectmen will take place and the field will be narrowed down to three candidates.

Municipal Resources explained their emphasis on their experience in the hiring process by telling the town about the veto power that is a part of every one of their hiring processes. This means that if a town panel screens/interviews a candidate and does not like them initially, Municipal Resources reserves the right to put a candidate through to the next interview round anyway.

This raised some questions from the Board and other department and committee members in attendance. Traynor voiced some concern over the veto power process Municipal Resources uses. He asked how the community gets involved.

The firm said they want to get to know Plympton more by having a meeting with the department heads. They said they plan to interview those department heads individually for about 15-20 minutes. Input from the Council on Aging is also expected.

Former selectman Colleen Thompson questioned  a comment where the firm referred to the Plympton opening as entry-level. The firm’s representatives said that based on the town’s population, they inferred that the town would not be paying a salary of $140,000-150,000 per year that Town Administrators make in some larger cities and towns.

Municipal Resources said that it’s not likely someone would take a pay cut to come here, but did not rule out the possibility. They said the town is more likely to get candidates who would be looking to advance in the public sector or have a relevant background in the private sector.

Thompson followed up by saying that entry level can mean a stepping stone for an employee and raised some questions about the long-term commitment of this type of candidate.

Selectmen are planning to decide which of the two consulting firms they will use when they next meet on Monday, June 19.  Selectman Mark Russo will be calling references for both Municipal Resources and the Collins’ Center this week.

Public Safety Building Update

John Wilhelmson and Colleen Thompson from the Public Safety Building Committee came before the board to ask that they renew the contracts for P-3 (project management firm) and Context (engineering and design firm formerly known as Donham and Sweeney). Wilhelson said that “It was a very purposeful process to get to $3 million. (for the police station).” He acknowledged that both played a large role in getting to a figure the town can afford.

While talking about P-3 Wilhelmson mentioned that the Public Safety Building Committee plans to survey the 5-acre parcel of land abutting the town property, which the town plans to purchase. John Wilhelmson said that there’s $44,000 left from last year’s appropriated article and some of this could be used for the survey.

Dennett School Water Treatment

John Wilhelmson is also a member of the Dennett School Committee and presented an update to the board on the water treatment project approved at Annual Town Meeting. Wilhelmson said he had a follow-up meeting with the designer. The meeting included talks about preparing build contracts and selecting these contracts.

Wilhelmson said that every part of the water treatment has to be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection before they can be installed. The board signed a work order for $14,500 for these services. This is within the appropriated budget for the project according to Wilhelmson.

Other News

Planning Board Chair Deb Anderson came before the Board of Selectmen to inform them that Building Inspector Robert Karling has volunteered to join the Planning Board to help the board to a quorum.  At last month’s annual Town Election, no candidate came forward to be on the ballot and while there were several names written in, there was a failure as no candidate got more than one vote.

Karling is currently the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Selectmen will check with Town Counsel to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

This appointment was approved pending Town Counsel approval. Having Karling as a member of the Planning Board, in addition to his wealth of knowledge, either allows or gives the board the necessary numbers for a quorum.  His term, if approved, will last until election next year.

Plympton selectmen will next meet Monday, June 19. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

With high school graduation ceremonies occurring all over the South Shore this past weekend, it was a welcoming time for celebration of achievement and abundant retrospect of the years spent in a single, familiar atmosphere, both cherishing friendships formed and wondering what happens next.

Silver Lake Regional High School graduated 268 seniors on Saturday, June 3, rejoicing outdoors with a well-behaved Mother Nature.  However, behind the scenes planning began in January with many hands and eyes; the day took great preparations for success. From proofreaders with numerous spell checks of each graduate’s name and awards accomplished to ordering the commencement booklets, sizing for gowns and caps, responsibilities for ordering flowers, to a complete installation of live feeds for the outdoor sound system. Many were also finishing speeches along with their daily schedules and extra-curricular activities while attending the monthly committee meetings for the big day.

Class officers who spoke during Silver Lake graduation Saturday morning reminisced of the  ‘early days’ as freshman, silly dance moves, getting lost on the third floor pool area, which didn’t exist, and taking selfies over the last four years. In a teenager’s world it was barely surviving the pre-dawn start of school when the alarm clock went off way too early so they could find a parking spot.  Nearly everyone lacked sleep.

They confessed their six years in the Silver Lake district were fun but not easy.  An enormous bonus to something they had been intimidated by at the start of seventh grade was the meshing together of the three towns into one regional school. They soon realized there were cherished, newfound friendships only streets away.

Laughter came from all in attendance, as staff guest speaker Sean Donovan reminded graduates through common relatable senior-isms of how far they had come. He reminded them of individual journeys each student took along slightly different paths but still finishing at the same spot.

Celebrating their accomplishments before the Silver Lake community he parted by reminding them to stay true and remain predictable. Be a good friend, a trait in which people can rely on knowing they have that solid someone out there.

Nathan Finney of Halifax, Salutatorian of his senior class of 2017, was introduced as a ’good friend to all’ by Isabella Levesque, class historian. He has been a member of the gay – straight alliance for the last four years and is a talented member of chorus and drama. He carried primary roles in all eight fall and spring productions.

Finney addressed his classmates and guests with a diverse look at friendships, differences, and acceptance that he feels will create a brighter future.

“Before me sits a class with many different ideas and talents and students with many different backgrounds; these differences serve to make us stronger,” said Finney.

“Every one of us is capable of pursuing something that makes us successful and happy but if we want our futures brighter we can only achieve this by listening to each other and respecting our differences,” he said.

He shared a story of his most memorable experiences at Silver Lake involving a leadership class. He also compared the dissimilarities of individuals in drama club but on a common ground by way of new friendship and a mutual goal to create something they could be proud of, he said.

Giving and getting a hug during drama production week, everyone encourages and congratulates each other on their success. Stage prep and building props, long hours and the feeling of nervous energy before the show were just some of the many things that drew them all together. “We are not the same…but we had a shared experience and a common goal”, he said.

Principal Jim Mulcahy of the Silver Lake Regional School District gave out more than 250 diplomas Saturday. He knew firsthand what the graduates were experiencing as they recalled the time at Silver Lake and friendships formed.

He too will be heading for new endeavors as he leaves the school district and familiar faces for an opportunity closer to home. Having grown up in Plympton his roots remain strong as his parents still reside there.

“The friendships that I made are my strongest, closest friends to this day.  I still see those guys. We still get together… now we are married with kids. Those were the strongest bonds, with classes and sports and growing up together,” said Mulcahy.

The forming of friendships in elementary school and knowing those around you may be slightly easier in smaller populations like Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston.

In his tenure at Silver Lake, Mulcahy said sharing a positive school experience by finding ‘your hook’ such as: sports, clubs, or drama can help students form lasting friendships as seen on the stage at graduation and the field following the services. Students embraced one another as did the undergraduates promising not to lose touch with one another.

Doing well in school, staying disciplined, getting work done – those have been strong examples, which have been helpful guiding our students to a strong education and finding their place in our school community, he added.

“If you find your passion- that will trickle down… so that students   have ownership of their education and the ownership tends to breed success,” said Mulcahy.

I had a lot of good teachers and mentors at Silver Lake as well as my parents- who are not teachers- but they valued education. They pushed me to work hard, he said.

“I have had the unique opportunity to work in the community I grew up in.  I am never going to be able to replicate that.   I will miss the people the most.  Students, parents, staff, administrators and the superintendents I have worked with. The people are always the best part.  That is what I will miss the most – the strong connections – I am really going to miss them.”

Mulcahy as accepted a position as principal of the Sandwich High School.  He makes his home with his family on Cape Cod.

The falling rain, which held off until ten minutes before the parade’s start, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for Plympton’s people lining Main Street, who took out their umbrellas and took it in stride.

Leading the parade was Sgt. Steve Teri on the Plympton Police Dept. motorcycle.

Following was the entire complement of Plympton’s fire trucks, and the 1936 Buffalo fire truck lovingly restored under the direction of longtime Plympton resident Donald Vautrinot.

Marchers were led by the Board of Selectmen: newly elected selectman Mark Russo, chairman Christine Joy, and vice-chairman John Traynor.

Mrs. Doris Silva, 99, recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen of the town, was parade marshal.

Twenty-six units made up the Plympton parade, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisy Scouts, town officials, Sauchuk Farms Cow Train, baseball, soccer, and DARE,

The parade reassembled at the Gazebo on the Green where all were welcomed by selectmen.

Selectman Mark Russo offerred a moment of silence for  the fallen.

Chloe Tougas, a Dennett Elementary School student, sang the National Anthem like a real professional, to the applause of the audience.

Selectman Joy led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Rev. Anna “Nan” Eaton Butera’s invocation.

Jill Palenstijn, representing the Plympton Garden Club, and Genevieve Walsh, a Dennett school student, presented flowers to Doris Silva, Plympton’s oldest resident, who was honored.

Patricia Sherman, a young widow from Plymouth whose husband was killed in Afghanistan, told what the loss of her husband and her daughter’s father has meant to her family.

Selectman John Traynor introduced Rosella Hoffman, a Dennett Elementary School student who recited her essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”

Jennifer Blindt then recited “In Flanders Field.”

Chloe Tougas returned to the dias to recite The Gettysburg Address.

Boy Scouts Geoffrey Cook, Daniel Lyons, and Chase Perkins placed wreaths in front of the brass plaques honoring veterans from World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict.

Selectman Christine Joy invited all back to the Fire Station where they were able to “Touch a Fire Truck.”

More photos on Page 6.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen heard a plan to address the algae and phosphorous levels at West Monponsett Pond from Craig Curtin and Russ Kleekamp, engineers at GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy, resources, and environment at their meeting on Tuesday, May 24. Addressing the problem was approved at Halifax’s Annual Town Meeting.

Halifax wants to use GHD’s plan to reduce the total phosphorous load from stormwater by 50% as required by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In order to do this, Curtin and Kleekamp started by making a map of the existing drainage system to help create the new drainage systems.

Kleekamo said there are seven steps/strategies associated with the project to be addressed. They include:

• Public education and outreach.

• Illicit discharge detection and elimination.

• Public involvement and participation in storm water municipal permitting. (SWMP).

• Construction site stormwater control.

• Stormwater management in new development and redevelopment.

• Good housekeeping and pollution prevention.

• Program evaluation, record keeping, and reporting.

Town Adminstrator Charlie Seelig noticed some sewer run off areas on the map that didn’t look like they were being addressed and asked about it. Russ Kleekamp, project manager, said, “The permit ,only addresses point sources.”

Craig Curtin emphasized the amount of work that has already been laid out for this project. Curtin took a trip with Halifax’s Highway Department to look at catch basins and drainage pipes throughout the area. In total, 232 catch basins were opened.

Curtin said that they found a lot of trash in the catch basins, exemplified by a photo of the inside of a catch basin on Heron Road.

Further field verification showed a total of 40 outfalls discharging phosphorous into West Monponsett Pond. Kleekamp said that the phosphorous levels will be reduced by updating existing drainage systems. Preliminary designs were shown.

West Monponsett Pond is considered the priority for addressing outfalls. The Halifax Beach Association outfall is next priority. Kleekamp said that Hanson is also onboard for the project and has set aside funds for engineering.

Given there is about a five year window for Halifax to bring their phosphorous to levels acceptable by the DEP, the town plans to apply for project grants.

Kleekamp told the board there are grants available and the grant size needed is determined by the size of the project. Jaclyn Tomasello, of Halifax, graduates from Assumption College

He said the Provincetown project ended up receiving a multi-million dollar grant.

Kleekamp said of his plan, “This won’t be a cure-all for the ponds.” This is a multi-year project that will allow the town to become compliant, improve the water quality, and reduce the number of beach closures.

Electricity Aggregation

Selectmen met with a representative from Colonial Power who is trying to set up an electricity aggregation for Halifax.

Residents and small businesses will be automatically opted in to this program if approved, but are allowed to opt out thirty days prior to the aggregation if they are already receiving a similar service from National Grid. Opting in and out is also allowed without penalty. Those with private electricity where no basic National Grid services are not automatically opted in, but are allowed to join.

According to the representative, other towns are signing on to the aggregation including Pembroke, Kingston, and communities as far away as Mendon. Selectmen vice-chair Kim Roy asked if there would be a green option regardless if other towns want to go green.

The representative said, “Aggregation allows you to make the decision that’s best for Halifax.” He added that if other towns don’t want to go green, Halifax can still go green. Colonial power offers a non-green base price, but allows green aggregation as a resident option.

There were some positives and negatives that Colonial Power told the Board of Selectmen. Colonial Power mentioned cost being less at the beginning, but an increase to the cost of kilowatts per hour for the next couple of years after.

The Board approved continuing to look into Colonial Power, particularly the aggregation with other towns, but is exploring other options as well.

Other News

The Halifax Board of Selectmen restructured their board post Annual Town Meeting. Thomas Millias in now the Chairman of the Board, Kim Roy is Vice Chair, and Troy Garron is Clerk.

The Margaret Fitzgerald Garden will have their official opening ceremony on Memorial Day after the parade. Although the parade is dependent on good weather, the garden dedication ceremony will go on rain or shine.

Line item transfer requests were all approved for the following:

• Police wages to station maintenance

• Water Department gas and oil to data processing

• Fire wages to Fire Station maintenance

Permit fees for the school repair project were waived by a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.

The Board briefly discussed the proposed Plymouth County Budget. Selectman Millias said his one concern was with the large increase in salaries in the Commissioners’ department.

Plympton voted unanimously to allow the town to undertake the $3 million construction of a new police station at the Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 17. The town voted on 32 articles as well as an additional 11 articles as part of the Special Town Meeting within the town meeting.

Article 24 asked the town to appropriate $500,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund and borrow $2.5 million in order to design, construct, and equip a new police station.

Public Safety Building Committee member John Wilhelmsen said the committee worked for two years, researching design, cost, financing options, and consideration of future expansion.  Wilhelmsen said that the town simply couldn’t afford to build a new fire station as well, but as the future of the Plympton Fire Department and its role is defined, plans for a fire station will be investigated and brought before the town. The committee chose to prioritize the police station. Wilhelmsen told the meeting, “The police station is the town’s biggest short-term liability.”

Chief Patrick Dillon provided an overview of the conditions of the current police station which, he said,  does not meet safety standards.  Dillon added the station also lacks bullet proof glass at the front desk.

Dan Palotta, the manager Plympton hired for the project said, “This is low (price) as you’re going to get for a public project. This will not increase your taxes and will be paid out of capital stabilization over a period of time.”

Chief Dillon says he was amazed by the unanimous vote. He said, “I could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication of this committee.”

Town meeting also voted to appropriate $20,000 of available funds to conduct a study of Fire and EMS services. Selectman John Traynor explained that shortages in paramedic staffing could cause the town to lose its advanced life support emergency license. Traynor said Halifax wouldn’t be willing go to a regionalized service, but is at least willing to explore some sort of shared EMS service.

Stephen J Worton of Forest Street said, “The $20,000 for a study should go to the Fire Department directly.” He would rather have Chief Borsari’s recommendation be the voice that oversees the ambulance shortage situation. He says, “He knows the department, he knows the town.”

Finance committee vice-chairman Nathaniel Sides said, “We appreciate the Chief’s dedication…The Chief will in no means be excluded from the process.”

Chief Warren Borsari told the meeting, “The third party will give an independent view.” He says he’s worked together with the Board of Selectmen and The Finance Committee and feels the independence is good for taxpayers. The article passed by  a majority.

Plympton also voted Wednesday night to eliminate the Town Coordinator position and replace it with a Town Administrator. Town Coordinator Dale Pleau is retiring. One citizen asked why the position would be paid 89% more than the Town Coordinator position.

Susan Ossoff from the Finance Committee answered that the Town Administrator Position involves much more responsibility than a Town Coordinator. Some of these responsibilities involve coordinating IT, community outreach and taking on budget responsibilities. Ossoff noted that Plympton does not have a budget director.

Other elected officials voiced support for a town administrator including Selectman John Traynor and Town Clerk Tara Shaw. Shaw said a town administrator would also provide help with grant writing. The town voted $20,000 to fund a professional search for the right candidate. 

The Dennett Elementary  School was voted $130,000 for a drinking water treatment system. The article required a two thirds vote and passed with this requirement. John Wilhelmsen, representing the Plympton School Committee spoke to this article.

Article 22 asked the town to transfer $30,000 from the Capital Stabilzation Fund to make repairs to the roof highway barn. Highway Surveyor Jim Mulcahy said he found the roof could be repaired for only $18,000 and the problem could be solved by the addition of 8” gutters instead of the current 4” gutters, and do other repairs, still staying within the original $30,000 request.

Nathaniel Sides, from the FinCom, was disturbed that the article presented to the meeting was not the same article that the FinCom had approved.  FinCom’s Susan Ossoff shared those concerns stating that her committee spends a lot of time and consideration, when these articles are presented, and they should not be changed on Town Meeting floor.   Mulcahy said, “The amount for the request is the same. I’m just approaching the repairs in a different manner.

Ossoff continued, saying that the funding source of Capital Stabilization, cannot be used for maintenance; it has strict rules as to the uses it can fund.

The Finance Committee moved to modify the article from $30,000 to $18,000 given the information shared by Mulcahy.

Board of Health Chairman Art Morin, who also works full time as a transfer station attendant, was in support of keeping the funding at $30,000. Morin said, “I think one of the problems is if we repair the roof {but not the barn’s problems], we’ll end up with the same problem three years down the road.”

Susan Ossoff responded that she isn’t sure if the change to the request is even eligible for Capital Stabilization funding. She recommended asking for the additional $12,000 at next year’s Town Meeting.

The article needed a standing vote in order to modify the appropriation to $18,000; it was narrowly approved with a vote of 36 for to 29 against. The modified Article 22 passed with a two thirds majority.

Town meeting approved the request of the Historic Commission to repair and restore the Town Green Bandstand/Gazebo for $39,500. The Community Preservation Committee will fund and oversee the project with $27,228 coming from the CPC’s Historic Resources Reserve and $12,272 from the CPC’s Budgeted Reserve.

Plympton also voted to spend $5,145 to pay for new software to manage databases. Town Clerk Tara Shaw said that these databases are needed to help manage public records and other aspects of her job such as dog licensing, business licensing, election nomination papers, etc.   New state law mandates public records requests be responded to and provided within a shorter timeframe. And these databases will assist in that area.  Voters also elected to spend $14,200 to purchase an exchange server, work stations, and other relevant software in order to stay complaint with the new Public Records Law. The software will get all board, committee, and department heads on the software which according to Selectmen Clerk John Traynor, will streamline the public records request process.

Town Clerk Tara Shaw said her goal is to get as much of the town’s records onto the web site so that people can search them and answer questions themselves.

The town also voted $5,000 to fund a Hazardous Waste Day at the Transfer Station.

Article 21 was a vote to appropriate from available funds or borrow $200,000 for reconstruction and resurfacing at the transfer station. It was passed with a two thirds vote.

Article 25 was a vote to amend municipal by laws related to animal control in the town. Tara Shaw said there are new procedures for declaring a dog a nuisance dog and doesn’t change leash laws.

The title of dog officer was also changed to Animal Control officer. Article 25 passed unanimously.

Article 26 passed unanimously. It made changes to make amendments to Article 4, Sections 1 and 2 of the Town By-laws. The change here is that the Finance Committee will also serve and vote as the Capital Planning Improvement Committee.

Susan Ossoff has said at several past Board of Selectmen Meetings that the town has trouble just finding Finance Committee members, never mind Capital Planning Improvement Committee. There are currently no members on that committee.

Article 27 transfers custody of property located at 23 Palmer Road to the Board of Selectmen for municipal purposes. The five-acre property was acquired by the town from Linda Schawecker.

Plympton voted to approve Article 29 which created a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana. Deborah Anderson, Chairman of the Planning Board reported that her board voted at a public hearing on Monday to move the article forward for town meeting vote.

Other articles passed either with a majority or unanimously

• to spend $31,500 to conduct financial audits for Fiscal Year 2016.

• appropriated $9,100 for the codification of Plympton’s town bylaws.

• appropriate $10,000 pay for the contractual obligations the town has to retiring personnel.

• transfers $10,000 to the Police Detail Account for fiscal year 2017.

• transfers $20,000 to the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) account.

• transfer $15,000 to the Building and Grounds Article.

• authorizes the Board of Selectmen to negotiate and enter into a PILOT agreement between CEC Solar #1082, LLC and the Town of Plympton.

• designated the town website as the alternative method for posting meeting notices.

• appropriated $15,000 to purchase new X26 Tasers for the police department. Chief Dillon said this money will also be spent on any related software and equipment.

• spend $30,000 to buy personal protective equipment for the fire department. This will replace aging equipment.

• spend $3,448 to purchase eight new pagers for the fire department to notify members of the fire department of incoming 911 calls.

Halifax voters showed their support for their senior residents by voting $2 million for renovations and an addition to the current Pope’s Tavern Senior Center at the annual town meeting Monday night, May 8. 

Articles 21 and 22 were talked about heavily leading up to Town Meeting. The funds to repair and add to the current Pope’s Tavern would be expended under the discretion of the Halifax Municipal and School Building Committee. Repairs, renovations, and expansion include but are not limited to architecture, engineering, and administrative work associated with this project.

A citizen speaking in favor of the article said of the present building, “There are no elevators. The stairs are very steep. I have witnessed women with canes going up and down the stairs.”

Council on Aging Director Barbara Brenton recognizes that the building is not currently up to code, but with these changes the newly refurbished building and addition will be up to code and fully handicapped accessible. Other improvements to the senior center include handicapped bathrooms on the first floor, a function room that seats more than 70 people, and additional office space.

Proponents argued that the longer the town postpones much-needed upgrades, the more expensive it will be.

The Finance Committee recommended the project and reiterated that there will not be a tax increase until 2019. The spending for the project is also within the levy, so there will not be a debt exclusion for the project.

Since the article required borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote. Article 21 passed.

Article 22 was then passed over because it was a contingency plan in case Article 21 were to fail. It would have transferred $70,000 in funds for repairs to Pope’s Tavern.

In all, voters were able to dispatch 50 warrant articles on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and another 13 articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant Monday night.

Article 18 passed, but only after a standing vote. Article 18 allows the town to appropriate $205,000 of available funds for a large dump truck needed for sand in the winter by the Highway Department.

The highway surveyor could not attend the meeting, so Selectman Kim Roy spoke to the article. She told the assembly that the truck currently used is a 1987 model in poor condition. There is rotting on the inside and is not safe to drive.

Also, any money which is not spent will be returned to the town. $205,000 is the maximum the Highway Department can spend on the truck.

Dave Ross spoke from the floor, asking that this article be tabled to give the town an opportunity to look at multiple vehicles. He said he thinks the town should be looking at other options. Ross also claimed he spoke with the Highway Surveyor and he is stuck on one option. Another gentleman voiced that he would also like to see the article passed over for now.

Steve Heyward from the Highway Department told the meeting, “The doors don’t open and it breaks down all the time.” He later added, “We shouldn’t be using it. It’s not safe.”

Jared Smaller also added, “How many people drive a car that’s 30 years old?” Smaller also said there’s a bidding process and the department can’t just buy a truck without three bids at minimum. Ultimately, Article 18 passed on a roll call vote of 133 to 44.

Article 2 was voted on in parts. The article would amend seven parts of the Wage and Personnel Bylaw. All parts of the article passed except for part 2.

Part 2 of Article 2 asked the citizens to vote to create a Human Resource Manager position at a Grade 10 pay scale. This ultimately failed after much debate.

Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias said this position would save the town money in the long run doing things the right way. He believes it could protect against potential civil liabilities.

The secretary for the Wage and Personnel Board said that as a taxpayer, she doesn’t believe creating this position is needed. She added, “The money should be spent in other ways.”

Marie Cote agreed, saying that similar sized towns like Whitman and Dighton do not have a Human Resources Manager.

Another citizen in support of adding the position claimed it will save the town in unemployment and potential lawsuits.

Millias also said, “There’s no coordinated personnel records.” He said they are scattered. Marie Cote added that the records are kept with department heads.

Millias’s concern is that if a lawsuit came about, the records should be in the Treasurer’s office; they won’t call department heads. This part of the article ultimately failed.

The other five parts of the article passed. Part one gave a 2% raise to all non-union Wage and Personnel employees across the board.

Part 3 made it so that in the event of there only being two members on the Wage and Personnel Board, a member of either the Board of Selectmen or Finance Committee wouldstep in and vote.

Parts 4 and 5 affected merit increases and put more of a focus on years of service. Part 5 in particular adds a chance for a salary increase after five years of being at a position’s highest step.

Article 48 sought to zone where recreational marijuana facilities can be built. It proposed to zone them the same way as medical marijuana with requirements for how far away a shop must be from schools or where children congregate.

Article 49 proposed a 2% sales tax on any recreational marijuana sales in Halifax. Selectman Kim Roy said that Halifax voted in favor of Proposition 4 to legalize recreational marijuana, so this was the  next step. Both of these articles passed unanimously.

Article 50 passed by a majority. Town Administrator Seelig explained the origin of the article saying he received complaints about abandoned foreclosed properties not being maintained by banks and mortgage companies.

This warrant forces banks and mortgage companies to register their foreclosed properties and maintain them. If the [properties] are not maintained, the bank or mortgage company will be fined $300 per week by the town until they are brought up to code.

The town would send inspectors from the building department. One citizen, Kevin Rodgers, asked if the banks will have to pay for the monthly inspections.  If that’s not the case, Rodgers added he’d like to see that as a warrant article at the next Town Meeting.

Seelig says there is an annual $100 fee the bank or mortgage Company must pay for the inspections. He did say Rodgers’ idea could be a good idea for the future.

One gentleman brought up that he didn’t believe the article was constitutional because there are tenants sometimes still living in a foreclosed home. Seelig says the tenants would be informed and it would be the bank that’s fined not the tenants.

Town Counsel also said if they or the bank or mortgage company refused, a warrant would be the next step. This they believe, avoids illegal search and seizure concerns.

Article 19 was a vote to appropriate and/or borrow $977,000 for a new fire suppression system for Halifax Elementary School. It was passed over at the Special Town Meeting in March on the advice of Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias because the price was much higher than expected. After looking into the matter further, Millias said this is the best price the town could get. All borrowing will be within the levy, meaning there will be no debt exclusion. According to the Finance Committee it also won’t be reflected on the tax bill until 2019. Article 19 passed unanimously.

Other Article Votes

Articles are in the order in which they were presented. With the exception in this case of Articles 1 through 4, Halifax uses a lottery system in order to decide the order in which the articles are brought before the meeting.

Article 1 is an introduction to Town Meeting, reading, “To hear and act on the reports of the Town Officers and Committees.” The article included an introduction to the importance of Town Meeting and citizen’s role in direct democracy by Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias. The Finance Committee also explained that the large articles being voted on that required the town to borrow funds would not affect the 2018 tax bill, but  increases would come in 2019 and 2020.

Article 3 was a vote on the salaries of the Town Moderator, Town Clerk, the Selectmen, Treasurer, Assessors, and the Highway Surveyor. There were increases for the Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Highway Supervisor. Passed unanimously.

Article 4 put to a vote the operating budget for Halifax. It was voted on in parts such as General Government, Public Safety, Schools, etc. The total projected operating cost for the 2018 fiscal year is $22,621,613. Article 4 passed unanimously.

Article 15 asked the town to approve an appropriation of $150 to be used by the Trustees for County Cooperative Extension Service. It also authorizes the Selectmen to appoint a Town Director within 15 days. Selectmen Chair Troy Garron says that this is an annual article and is used to support 4-H programs. Article 15 passed unanimously.

Article 44 asked citizens to vote on accepting Bourne Drive and Danson Road as accepted town roads. Because the water department was not comfortable yet, the article was passed over.

Article 29 asks the town to appropriate $27,145 to replace the apparatus bay door openers at the Fire Department. Fire Chief Jason Viveiros says, “The garage doors are over 20 years old,” He added that the doors don’t all have proper safety devices installed. Passed unanimously.

Article 34 appropriated $9,500 to replace the furnace at the Town Hall. Passed unanimously.

Article 41 appropriated $3,500 to support South Coastal Legal Services, Inc. Selectmen Chair Garron says, “This allows people without funds to get legal services at a minimal cost.” Passed unanimously.

Article 30 appropriated $9,000 for the Fire Dept. to update phone systems to a fiber optic service. Passed unanimously.

Article 40 asked the town for $28,100 for new computer servers.  Town Administrator joked saying, “My daughter is a junior in college. The servers we want to replace are about as old as she is.” Passed unanimously.

Article 23 gives permission to the Water Department to use $49,435 of its retained earnings to purchase a new truck with a snow plow. Passed unanimously.

Article 24 would allow the town to spend $80,000 for two new marked police vehicles. Passed unanimously.

Article 32 allows the town to use available funds of $12,500 to repair chimneys at the Museum of Halifax, the Old School House, the Blacksmith’s Shop, and Pope’s Tavern. Passed unanimously.

Article 35 appropriates $7,200 to make significant repair to the two rear garage doors at the Recycling Center.  Passed unanimously.

Article 7 is an annual bill to add reserve funds to the Water Department. Due to the condition of the well, an additional $75,000 was appropriated from available funds to cover extraordinary costs. Passed unanimously.

Article 27 gives the Fire Department $10,000 from available funds for new turn-out gear. Passed unanimously.

Article 47 changed language in the Codes of Halifax requiring for all inclusions on a warrant, public hearing, filing of plans, notice, and damages to be given public hearing and notice no less than 30 days before the next Annual Town Meeting. It also requires two successive weeks of newspaper coverage beforehand. Passed unanimously.

Article 46 requires the tax collector to give a list periodically to the licensing authority (any department that issues licenses) of any person, corporation, or enterprise who has neglected or refused to pay taxes and other charges for over a 1 month period. Passed unanimously.

Article 38 appropriates $5,000 of available funds for improvements to the town’s boat ramps on East Monponsett Pond. Passed unanimously.

Article 16 appropriates $269,658 for the town to improve bridges, county ways, sidewalks adjacent to these ways, and bike ways. This is an annual article. Passed unanimously.

Article 17 appropriates $150,000 for the maintenance of town roads. The funds will be overseen by the new Highway Surveyor. Passed unanimously.

Article 36 appropriates $12,000 for the Assessors’ Triennial Revaluation Account. Passed unanimously.

Article 31 appropriated $10,000 for new IV pumps for the fire dept. Passed unanimously.

Article 28 raised $280,000 to purchase and equip a new ambulance. Passed unanimously.

Article 43 appropriates $70,000 for the second year principal payment of the Water Tower Painting and repair debt and another $5985 for the second year interest on the same debt. Passed unanimously.

Article 14 raises Fire Chief Viveiros salary to $103,000. Selectman Kim Roy said this brings his salary closer to the national average while balancing what Halifax can afford to pay. Passed unanimously.

Article 10 funds the collective bargaining agreements between the town and AFL-CIO Union Council 93 and Local 1700 (Highway/Cemetery). passed unanimously.

Article 6 amends the Codes of the Town of Halifax by adding a new section which authorizes revolving funds for use by certain town departments, boards, committees, and agencies. Passed unanimously.

Article 5 will  continue 16 separate revolving funds including inspector wages, CPR classes, and the bus for the Council on Aging, Passed unanimously.

Article 9 allows Halifax to appropriate funds for agreed upon collective bargaining between AFSCME AFL-CIO Union Council 93 and Local 1700. Passed unanimously.

Article 20 approved appropriation and borrowing of $50,000 for repairs and renovations to the Halifax Elementary School. Passed unanimously.

Article 37,  proposed by the Conservation Commission, asked the town to transfer $7,500 for additional hours for the Conservation Commission Secretary to protect wetlands. Pased unanimously.

Article 11 appropriated funds for agreed upon collective bargaining with Local 459. Passed Unanimously.

Article 39 appropriates $6,500 to refurbish the door and replace the locks at the Town Hall. Passed unanimously.

Article 25 transfers $16,000 of available funds to purchase and equip two ATVs for the Police Dept. Unanimous

Article 33 appropriates $7,000 of available funds to replace office lighting with LED lights in the Town Hall. Unanimous

Article 13 approves agreed upon collective bargaining between the town and Police Chief Edward Broderick. Unanimous

Article 45 was passed over because the proponent of the article, Richard Springer, did not attend Town Meeting. This article would have made Heron Road an accepted town road.

Article 12 appropriated agreed upon funds for collective bargaining between Halifax and the Halifax Association of Police Patrolmen. Passed unanimously.

Article 42 appropriated $3,500 from available funds to support the South Shore Women’s Resource Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services for its residents.Passed unanimously.

Article 8 passed unanimously and approves agreed upon collective bargaining between Halifax, IAFF, and Local 3159 (Firefighters). Passed Unanimously.