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.

Halifax voters will have the opportunity to support their senior citizens Monday, May 8, at the Annual Town Meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Article 21 asks the town to vote to appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds the sum of $2 million to renovate, repair, and expand the current Pope’s Tavern Senior Center.

When John Campbell, Chairman of the Municipal and School Building Committee, brought the plans before selectmen several weeks ago, the reaction was unanimously positive.  Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told his board they were the best solution to the Council on Aging’s needs he had seen thus far.  Selectmen Tom Millias and Kim Roy agreed.

The new plans would make the Senior Center completely handicap accessible throughout, bring the building up to code and in compliance with the state and federal laws.  The plans would renovate the existing building, add a large function room that can hold more than 70 people, and double the size of the current kitchen.

A large room on the second floor can be used for various activities and/or functions by other town groups, while the basement may be used for additional activities or storage.

An elevator will access all floors in the building.

The visiting podiatrist currently sees patients in the bathroom on the first floor; the new plans provide for a private exam room on the second floor where patients can be seen.

Halifax Council on Aging director Barbara Brenton said they have waited 22 years for a solution to the need for space, “It’s been a long time waiting and a lot of people have lost heart.”  Brenton said that they are hoping that this time, with Selectmen’s and Finance Committee support, the plan will be approved at Town Meeting.

Halifax has a population of about 7,600 in all, and of those, 1,561 are over the age of 60.  That’s more than 20%.  As the years go by, the population is getting older and in need of the services the Halifax COA provides.  “We’re asking the town for their support,” Brenton said it’s the seniors that have been waiting, supporting the schools and other projects.  It’s time for the town to support them.”

  The Annual Town Meeting is held in the multipurpose room of the Halifax Elementary School, Plymouth St., Halifax.   

Warrant articles may not be presented in the order of the warrant; they may be chosen by lottery as to which will be voted on.

Anyone needing a ride to the Annual Town Meeting is asked to call the Council on Aging, 781-293—7313, and they will arrange for transportation.

Halifax Selectmen met Tuesday April 25 continuing with Heron Road’s public street acceptance hearing which was continued from April 11.

At the last hearing, Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told the board, “The only issue I have right now is that your neighbors or residents of the neighborhood weren’t notified because you were out of town.”

Rick Springer, from Century 21 Classic Gold in Carver sent out certified notices to the abutters, and said, “I received responses from 10 of the 19 abutters.“

A few of the abutters and residents of Heron Road were present for the hearing. One Heron Road resident said she’s new to the area and didn’t know Heron Road hasn’t been accepted as a public road yet. The Board welcomed her to Halifax and had abutters and residents explain some of their concerns.

One abutter, Joe Kennedy, voiced concern about trees that were left up near the easement that allows for proper drainage for Heron Road. Several trees were taken down along with a hill for the road’s drainage.

Joe says that trees were not removed near his property and are leaning towards his home. There is a lake nearby and wind from the lake already knocked down two trees near Kennedy’s house this past winter. Kennedy says that one of the trees came down and crushed his neighbor’s Jeep. He’s concerned the trees could fall on his home.

It turns out that the trees were not part of the easement. Rick Springer showed selectmen the trees are on the property of one of his neighbors and highlighted the area on a map he  showed the group.  With the trees being private property, selectmen were unsure if they could legally do anything about this issue. Garron suggested Kennedy try to work something out with his neighbor.

Peter Annis, who attended the April 21 hearing, addressed the issues he has with sidewalk in front of his home not being depressed to the same level as his driveway, making a bump coming out of his driveway. Selectmen vice-chairman Thomas Millias vistited Peter’s property and told his board, “It’s not impassable, but I agree it would be better if depressed.”  Annis asked selectmen to deny the approval until the sidewalk in front of his driveway is done.

Selectmen decided to hold off accepting Heron Road as a public street for the time being. They will meet with the Planning Board and make their final decision on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

Town Meeting News

Selectmen took some time to discuss planning for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 8. The discussion was mostly procedural. Rather than discussing each article individually, the Board went over who is presenting and who is moving specific articles at Town Meeting.

The only article discussed in detail was Article 48 which establishes where recreational marijuana facilities could potentially go. Town Administrator Charles Seelig reiterated that Massachusetts law requires any recreational marijuana facility must be at least 500 feet away from any education/children center. Selectmen Clerk Kim Roy will speak on this article at Town Meeting.

Other News

• Selectmen voted to allow the Softball Team to put up signs at the softball fields near Vaughn Playground to stay off the fields. Newly seeded grass has been planted and the team is having trouble keeping people off the fields.

• A 50% down payment was approved for the Beatification Committee’s Margaret Fitzgerald Community Garden project. The Beautification Committee plans to have the garden ready for Memorial Day Weekend.

• Halifax will need to fill a position on the Wage and Personnel Board. Kathie Ballernini sent her resignation to the Board of Selectmen.

• Selectmen will nominate Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor for Town Clerk of the Year. This award is given out by the Town Clerk’s Association.

• No DUIs/OUIs were reported for any of Halifax’s bars for the first three months of 2017

The next Board of Selectmen Meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:30 PM. However, the Board is considering adding a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 to have one more before Town Meeting on Monday, May 8, 2017.

Halifax voters will go to the polls on Saturday, May 13, to make their selection for elected offices and register their choice on the debt exclusion needed to make repairs and renovations to the Halifax Elementary School, replace its roof, some windows, and other items. Unlike an override, a debt exclusion does not remain a permanent part of the tax levy, it only lasts for the life of the debt.

The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The positions appearing on the ballot are:

Board of Assessors, three-year term.  Vote for one.  John J. R. Shiavone is a candidate for re-election.  He is running unopposed.

Board of Health – Three year term, vote for one.  John W. Delano is a candidate for re-election.  He is running unopposed.

Highway Surveyor – Three-year term.  Vote for one: R. Steven Hayward and Michael J. Schleiff are both seeking election to this position.

Holmes Public Library, Board of Trustees: Two-year term. Vote for one.  Paul A. Delaney is seeking a two-year term.  He is running unopposed.

Holmes Public Library, Board of Trustees: Three-year term.  Vote for TWO: Meredith M. Goodwin, Ralph W. Goodwin, Jr.

Park Commissioner, three – year term.  Vote for ONE.  John D. Campbell and Michael J. Schleiff are candidates for this position.

Planning Board, four-year term.  Vote for ONE.  There are no candidates for this position.

Planning Board, five-year term.  Vote for ONE.  Gordon R. Andrews is a candidate for re-election.  He is running unopposed.

Board of Selectmen, three-year term.  Vote for ONE.  Troy E. Garron, candidate for re-election, is being challenged by former selectman Michael J. Schleiff.

Halifax Elementary School Committee, three-year term.  Vote for TWO: Robert W. Johnson, candidate for re-election, Edward J. Bryan, Alexander J. Meade, John P. Sexton, and Alison J. Vance, give a field of five from which two will be chosen.

Silver Lake Regional School Committee, three-year term.  Vote for ONE.  Edward W. Desharnais, Jr., a candidate for re-election, is running unopposed.

Board of Water Commissioners, three-year term.  Vote for ONE: Richard A. Clark, a candidate for re-election, is running unopposed.

Question: “Shall the Town of Halifax be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued to pay for the costs of repairs and renovations to the Halifax Elementary School, including but not limited to the fire suppression system, including but not limited to any architectural, engineering, and administrative work associated with this project?”

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday, April 10, 2017 and included Town moderator Brian Wick, Treasurer Colleen Morin, and the Finance Committee, to go over proposed articles for May’s annual town meeting.

Town Counsel for Plympton Ilana Quirk of Kopelman and Paige was also in attendance.

A recreational marijuana moratorium will be voted on at town meeting in order to give the town time to see how the legislature decides to regulate the new legalization of marijuana for recreational use.  Town Moderator Brian Wick noted this article is closer to the end of Town Meeting. He questioned if this article should be moved up for its potential to be controversial.

Selectmen do not believe the bill will be controversial. Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson said the town voted a moratorium for medical marijuana when that was legalized as well, and she said that didn’t create any controversy.

More than 30 proposed articles were reviewed at the meeting.  Selectmen went down the list and voted on which articles their board would recommend. The Finance Committee did the same at their meeting prior to joining selectmen and shared their recommendations with the board.

Selectmen limited discussion to the general articles and away from budget line items such as individual position hour increases and changes to positions.

Not every article was discussed in great detail, but some of the more controversial ones were. Not all articles were recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.

One article that Selectmen unanimously voted to not recommend was the article for a new vehicle for the Fire Department. The Board doesn’t believe there’s room in the budget for this right now.

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau mentioned the possibility of an extra vehicle from the Police Department being available and they may be able to just paint it red.

The Finance Committee also doesn’t think a new vehicle can be in the budget right now and does not recommend the passage of this article.

One article for the Fire Department that was recommended by both Selectmen and the Finance Committee is for new personal protective equipment for firefighters. The Fire Department requested $47,000 for this purchase, however both selectmen and FinCom members are recommending an appropriation of $30,000.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor expressed some confusion over the figure the Fire Department was asking for, but the request for $47,000 was never rewritten in a new draft of the article proposal.

Susan Ossoff from the Finance Committee said the committee didn’t receive all of the information they requested from the Fire Department when it came to a break down of the protective equipment. She and the rest of the Finance Committee feel comfortable recommending an appropriation of $30,000 though.

The article for the proposed increases for the EMT and Paramedic staff will be discussed at a later date.

Another article discussed in detail was the Finance Committee’s recommendation to combine the Finance Committee with the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.  Ossoff told the board, “We’re having difficulty finding one member, never mind five.”

In order for this board/ committee to exist, five members are required. The Finance Committee thinks it would make more sense to have them also serve as the Capital Improvement Planning Committee rather than trying to fill seats they know they will not be able to fill.

Selectmen agreed with Ossoff and  the new board structure will be voted on at Town Meeting.

Other articles discussed included dental insurance coverage for town employees. According to reports from the Board of Selectmen, this is going to cost $3,000 at most to cover anyone who wants the new dental coverage. The Board of Selectmen voted to recommend this article.

In addition to deciding on what articles to recommend, The Board also took the time to consider procedural protocol, including who explains the articles at Town Meeting and who would motion them to vote.

Not everything was completed by this point and the articles presented were still in the draft form. According to Town Coordinator, Dale Pleau, there are still two more articles that could be added before town meeting.

Susan Ossoff needs the articles ready as a final draft by Monday, April 24, 2017. She needs to reformat the articles for its final copy.

The next meeting of the board of selectmen will take place on Monday April 24, 2017 and the Finance Committee will be present once again. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday April 5, putting the final polish on the articles that will be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting May 17, including the financing of the proposed Plympton Police Station.

The Finance Committee met before joining selectmen, exploring new options for financing the new building which is being proposed next to the existing Town House.

Specifically, the FinCom looked at the term length for financing the police station using the capital stabilization fund. According to them, financing the project for a 20-year term could save $70,000 a year.

Another plan explored was a 25-year term that would have decreased the annual payment even more, however, the Finance Committee wasn’t sure if the term was too long for a building 25 years into its life cycle.  Selectman John Traynor agreed, saying he liked the idea of the 20-year loan more, to the agreement of the rest of the board.

The FinCom said this may free up capital stabilization funds for needed items at the Dennett School, such as their water situation.

Paramedics shortage

Talks about the paramedics shortage, and potentially increasing their salaries was also considered. Traynor said he has received reports from Fire Chief Warren Borsari that the number of ambulance calls has increased.

With lower wages compared to Halifax and the private sector, Traynor told the board the town has lost both full and part-time staff, particularly on night shifts.  “Part time staff is still doing their required one shift per month,” Traynor said, but they are not signing up for other shifts because they are finding better wages at private businesses like Brewster and neighboring towns like Halifax and Carver.

There was disagreement from some members of the Finance Committee, wondering if the shortages were one hundred percent wage related or if there were other factors for some employees. FinCom member Eric Hart also cited that the greatest increase in volume of emergency calls was during the day rather than the night where the shortage has had the most effect.

Selectmen want to get the Finance Committee and Fire Chief Borsari at a board meeting to discuss this issue further and formulate plans on how the town should best move forward.

Discussions about an increase in hours for the Town Clerk position and staff were also considered with the Finance Committee. Both are working together to see how the hours will be distributed in the town budget.

The new Public Records Law has added more responsibility to the Town Clerk position. Finance Committee members want to see if the increased hours need to be permanent, so hiring temporary entry-level help was considered.  Traynor said he still thinks the Town Clerk needs an increase to the hours per week.

More discussions on this and other budget items will continue to be considered at the next selectmen’s meeting Monday, April 10.  In addition to the Finance Committee, Town Council, Town Meeting Moderator, Town Clerk, Accountant, and Treasurer will all be in attendance.

Outside of FinCom

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau announced the town has been awarded a grant for $5,500 towards the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle for the Police Department. The Board asked Pleau how much electric cars generally cost. Pleau says, “Some of the less expensive ones go for around $22,000.”

None of the Board of Selectmen members expressed a desire to put town funds into this project. They were under the impression the grant was an “all or nothing” deal.

The Board of Selectmen did tell Pleau to continue work on the grant and find out more information. Pleau also saidthere are additional state grant possibilities with the charging stations needed to run an electric car.

Selectwoman Christine Joy met with a representative from the Plympton Housing Production Plan Committee. The committee is working on a plan to meet affordable housing needs for the future.

Joy says the committee is looking for new members as well as non-committee members who want to attend a few meetings. The committee plans to put out a survey for ideas for more affordable housing.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor is considering going to the transfer station on Saturdays to talk about town issues with citizens. He says that no one is booking appointments to meet with Selectmen and wants to consider giving people another option.

The next Board of Selectmen Meeting is Monday April 10, 2017. Open session starts at 6 p.m.

HALIFAX – Tuesday night, at the continued dog bite hearing, selectmen voted to euthanize a young male German shepherd whose apparently unprovoked attack caused great harm to a young woman who was visiting at Tarawood Kennels with kennel owner Jennifer “Bobbie” Choate.

The victim was present at the hearing, with her arm in a cast and a bandaged foot, as were the dog’s former owners, testifying on behalf of the dog.

Choate told selectmen that she has a person willing to take the dog, a man who works with problem dogs.   This person is out of state, she said.

The people who raised the dog had no incidents, Choate said.  She doesn’t know what triggered the attack.

The couple who raised the dog came to the hearing with their infant son, and told the board that the dog had been raised in their family, with an infant, a toddler, and two other children, and had no problems with the dog being aggressive. 

The Halifax Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan told selectmen that she had seen the dog and would characterize him as an Alpha dog, high energy, appearing healthy.  When asked by Selectman Kim Roy if she thought the dog could be placed, Callahan answered, “I don’t see him being placed with a family.” 

Callahan furthered, “If I was at the site of the attack, I could say more,” but not seeing the attack, the reason for the attack is difficult to discern.

Roy said her biggest concern is for the liability of the town, should the dog attack again.  When Selectman Tom Millias said that any agreement to transfer ownership of the dog would need to be iron-clad in that the Town of Halifax could in no way be held liable.

Roy told her board she didn’t want to spend even a penny of the townspeople’s money to have an attorney draft such an agreement.   “This was a vicious attack.”

Millias asked if the person out of state had actually agreed to take him.  Choate said he did, but that she, too, was concerned about the liability if the dog were to bite again.

Roy asked the victim if she had ever had a dog bite her before, and she answered that she had, but that this incident was unprovoked.  The young woman suffered a broken arm and as many as 29 puncture wounds, and an injured foot.

Troy Garron, selectmen chairman, told the assembly, “You’re playing Russian Roulette … I’ve been around dogs all my life.” Even though he said he didn’t want to see the dog euthanized, he wasn’t comfortable passing the problem to someone else.

Milias said it is unfortunate to ship the dog out of state to then potentially hurt someone else.

Roy moved that the dog be euthanized, but added, “We all feel awful!” 

Town administrator Charlie Seelig noted that there is a 10-day appeal period from March 28, the date of the hearing, which would end April 7. 

Choate said she would not appeal.

The dog is still under 45-day quarantine, which is required by law.

In other business, selectmen:

• appointed Joanne Andrews as a Republican member of the Board of Registrars.

• appointed Richard Gilcoine as fence viewer, effective June 30.

• congratulated Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor for her certification as a Commonwealth Town Clerk.

• signed a one-day permit for MudFest Sunday, June 18, Father’s Day performance. 

The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Thursday March 16, 2017. Normally, the board meets on Tuesday nights, however the snowstorm that closed Halifax and Silver Lake schools, also closed the Halifax Town Hall.  The meeting was postponed until Thursday, March 16.

Halifax selectmen spent much of their meeting on a dog bite hearing, which saw Tarawood Kennels, 7 Plymouth St., Halifax, face the board, calling to account for a a serious dog attack took place at the Tarawood Kennels on February 19.

A 14-month old German Sheppard attacked a woman causing serious injuries including a broken arm, a deep laceration to the arm with twenty puncture holes, and a leg injury.

According to the report, Kathleen and Tarawood Kennels owner Bobbi Choate were sitting outside and socializing with the 14-month old German Shepherd. The dog sniffed Kathleen’s arm and then suddenly attacked without any provocation.

Kathleen says, “The dog jumped on me and I pushed him away.” She added that the dog jumped on her again and then viciously attacked her. Since the attack, the dog was placed on a segregated 45-day quarantine where only Choate has had contact with the dog.

Choate told selectmen, “The dog wasn’t socialized with other dogs and not much with people either.” Choate also said she witnessed him show aggressive behavior with other dogs since being at Tarawood kennels.

Kathleen has dogs of her own and says she has been bit in the past, but she’s never been “viciously attacked” like this.” Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron suggested the German Sheppard may have smelled other dogs on Kathleen’s arm which might have caused an instinctive reaction if the dog hadn’t been socialized with other dogs.

The dog first arrived at Tarawood Kennels on January 30, 2017 when Justine and Patrick McCarthy returned him. They said they brought back the German Sheppard because he was too high-strung and could not afford the medical costs to neuter him. Complications can make the normally routine procedure cost as much as $1,200.

The McCarthys did however object to the claims Choate made about the dog not being socialized with other dogs or people.

Justine McCarthy said, “He never bit anyone (before). He was very hyper, but I wouldn’t describe him as aggressive.” She also told selectmen she has two young children as well as another dog, a small Shiatzu.

Patrick McCarthy also added that his father brought his dog over on multiple occasions. They even brought the German Sheppard camping with them.

The board and Choate remained skeptical though. Choate didn’t question that they brought the dog camping, but if it was ever around any other dogs while camping. Her experiences with the dog lead her to believe that the dog was not well socialized with other dogs. At one point, Choate, whose kennel specializes in German Shepherds even admitted she’s sometimes nervous around the dog.

As of right now, all three members of the Board of Selectmen voiced that they were leaning towards euthanizing the dog considering the serious injuries he inflicted and the unknown chances for improved behavior.

Considering the neutering will cost $1,200, the board believed it would be difficult for that expense to be borne by many but a committed owner. Selectmen Vice-chairman Tom Millias mentioned that due to the complications, there may be an issue of the dog over producing testosterone, which would lead to heightened aggression.

Selectmen clerk Kim Roy said, “I’m inclined to have the dog euthanized unless a good reason by Animal Control is given otherwise.”

Justine McCarthy voiced displeasure with these opinions because she claims she was told by the animal inspector the dog could be taken on by a canine officer. There was no record of this at the meeting, however Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan was not able to attend the hearing because she had to leave due to a prior call.

The hearing with Callahan’s testimony will continue on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Though the dog hearing took up the majority of the Board of Selectmen Meeting, the Board did address some other items. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to reappoint Amy Troupe to the town’s Beautification Committee.

According to the town website, “The Beautification Committee works to improve the landscape of the Town’s properties including the areas around public buildings, along the streets and traffic islands by planting flowering plants, bushes and other vegetation and helping to keep these areas free from litter.”

Selectmen also took time to speak about the upcoming Annual Town Meeting in May. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said he thinks it may be a good idea to put volunteer boards up for vote at May’s meeting.

Seelig said, “We’d have descriptions of committees, we’d have the forms, we’d have the vacancies we have right now. Since these people are interested in coming to Town Meeting, maybe they’d be interested in joining a committee also.” Overall, the idea was well received by Selectmen.

Live Event Permit Granted at Jason Conroy’s fundraiser for Matthew James Adam Hope House for Substance Abuse

Selectmen approved a fundraiser at 21 Jordan Rd., Halifax, owned by Jason Conroy who’s trying to start the Matthew James Adam Hope House for Substance abuse, which he says pending zoning, will start up in Plympton.

Jason Conroy says, “I lost my sixth friend in six weeks to the opioid epidemic.” He wants to do something about the serious problem of addiction running rampant throughout not only the South Shore, but the whole country.

Conroy has reached out to several large automotive dealers to sponsor the fundraising event he’s holding on his property on Friday March 24, 2017 from 7-11pm.

As far as turnout, Conroy is hoping for 150 people and will have a police detail at the event to make sure everyone is having fun and staying safe.

The board wanted to make sure there won’t be a bonfire or fireworks, which Conroy assured neither will happen. The Board approved the event providing Conroy is compliant with all permits he needs. Kim Roy added she has experience working on the state’s Opioid Task Force and thinks this is a worthy cause.

Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday March 28.

PLYMPTON – Saturday, May 6, has been named “Plympton Town-wide Cleanup Day.”  Monday night Selectmen heard a presentation by Jill Palenstijn of the Plympton Garden Club seeking permission from selectmen to change the Plympton Garden Club’s Clean-up Day. “We’re hoping to have a town wide event,” said Palenstijn. As of right now, the event will take place on Saturday, May 6.

The clean-up day involves people from the community working together to pick up trash collected on many of the major streets throughout town.  There’s also discussion of the Garden Club getting the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts involved.

Palenstijn told the board they want to make a giant pile of trash that people can drive by for short period of time and see what Plympton can do when everyone works together. Afterwards, the Department of Public Works will bring the trash to the town’s transfer station.

Selectmen Clerk John Traynor asked Palenstijn if Routes 106 and 58 would be a part of the clean-up. Palenstijn says, “We’re still compiling a lists of streets. We are however open for suggestions for streets to clean.”

In order to make the event safe, Palensteijn also told the Board that the Police Department is already on board. She says, “Chief Dillion has generously donated a cruiser to check in at various spots around town,” during the event.

New Council on Aging Director Joy Marble introduced herself to Board of Selectmen.

Previous Council on Aging Director Chris Maiorano accompanied the new Director as she told Selectmen she was excited to meet the seniors and hoped to fill the shoes of Maiorano as well as possible. “I’m confident we are in good hands,” Maiorano replied.

Marble was the Chair of the Council on Aging in Halifax for ten years.

She said that although she didn’t want the Board thinking this was her main priority as director, she thinks Plympton’s Council on Aging could benefit from some collaboration with Halifax.

Marble said, “I had ideas about collaborating with Plympton before when I was in Halifax.”

On Saturday March 18,  there will be a luncheon for the Council on Aging.  New Director Marble will be in attendance to meet the senior citizens.

Selectmen are considering requiring other boards and committees to broadcast their meetings on Area 58 Television.

Chairman Colleen Thompson brought up discussion about requiring other boards and committees to video tape their meetings for Area 58 Television.

The Board is considering this as a potential bylaw change.

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau believed that some aspects of implementing this bylaw shouldn’t be too difficult.

He said, “This can even be done with a laptop and then updated to the website.”

Pleau and Selectman John Traynor both acknowledged that there may be some push back from some boards and committees.

Traynor asked the rest of the Board if it would be a good idea to send out a memo next week asking the different committees and departments for feedback.

Colleen Thompson and Christine Joy both agreed.

Public Safety Building Update

Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson announced that the Public Safety Building Committee will be at next week’s selectmen’s meeting on Monday March 20.

The Public Safety Building Committee, which is also chaired by Thompson, will present their plans to fund and build a new police station for Plympton. Thompson told the board that compared to where they started a year ago, the committee is in a much better place and is excited for the board to hear the plan.

The next scheduled selectmen’s meeting is Monday, March 20, at 6 p.m.