The FY17 real estate tax rate will not shift between resident and business properties.   

Plympton selectmen heard the recommendation of the Board of Assessors and agreed that to split the tax, asking Plympton’s businesses – all 19 of them – to assume a greater tax burden and the residents to assume a lesser burden, might cause businesses looking to settle in Plympton to look elsewhere.  The tax rate being submitted to the Department of Revenue for certification will be $18.06 per thousand assessed valuation.  This is a 2.21% increase over the FY16 tax rate of  $17.67.

Assistant Assessor Deb Stuart told the board that several towns near Plympton do shift the tax burden to businesses: Hanover and Middleborough have a slight 1.05% business tax assessment to a .9866% residential tax assessment.  Carver has the greatest business to residential shift in the examples chosen – 1.399% business percentage to .9076 residential percentage of the tax burden.

Commonwealth law allows communities to shift up to 1.5% to businesses giving relief to residential tax rate.

The estimated tax levy for FY17 is $8,644,994 from a value of $478,704,690.  Divide the levy by the assessed value then multiply by 1000 to compute the tax rate.

Stuart told selectmen that the projected average single family home to have an assessed value for 2017 is $341,200.  This is a 2.2% increase over FY2016.

The projected average tax bill for the average single family home for FY 2017 is $6,613, an increase of 3.95% over FY2016.  This compares to the 7.25% increase in the FY2016 average tax bill over FY2015.  The CPA tax of 1.5% increases the projected total average tax bill to $64.

Carver Urban Renewal Development

Selectman Christine Joy reported to the board that she had attended the Carver Urban Renewal Development Committee meeting last week where access to the proposed project at the Carver/Plympton town line was among the topics discussed.

Alternative 5 was introduced, which would close Montello Street to through traffic by way of a gate which could be opened in case of emergency.  The plan shows a modified turn from Montello onto Park Avenue in Carver .

“What was an interesting takeaway was that they were discussing acquisition of Melville property and the Cool property is going to be the primary entrance to the park.  I thought that was interesting that they hadn’t acquired that property yet,” Joy told the board.

The developer was in discussion with the property owners and felt confident that they would be able to come to some type of agreement to acquire the properties.

They are also very cognizant of the neighbors with the orientation of the properties in the park to reduce the impact  to the neighbors, with lights and noise, and to face the loading docks toward Route 44.

They spoke about the different designs and Alternative 5 was favored.  The feeling was that there would be too tight a left-hand turn off Montello which would prohibit truck traffic.  They were going to look at an alternative to accommodate a truck which went down Montello St. in error so they could turn around.  The developer mentioned the possibility of closing Montello St. to through traffic.  The neighbors were very happy. The closure would be within Carver but would require Plympton to agree.

HALIFAX – Selectmen Tuesday night ordered Jennifer Choate, owner of Tarawood Kennels, 7 Plymouth St., Halifax, to reduce her adult dog population from the 50 she is now licensed for to 25 adult dogs on the premises.

Selectman Kim Roy, who was charged by her board to investigate the numerous complaints from neighbors about excessive barking, spoke for more than an hour about the history of complaints to the board, the first from 2010 and the remedial steps which were promised and never completed through Tuesday of this week.

Roy said that she and Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan made an official visit to Tarawood Kennel on Tuesday, the day of the hearing, to see if progress had been made on noise abatement, and to count the number of dogs present.  ACO Callahan found it difficult to get an accurate count as the dogs weren’t tagged individually.

When asked how many dogs were present, Choate replied she wasn’t sure.  When asked how many litters of puppies were on premises, she answered two.  Roy opened the door to another room and found another litter.  Choate appeared to have no idea how many dogs were in her kennel or kennel offices.

Roy read a damning letter into the minutes of the hearing from a former Tarawood kennel manager, who swore to its truthfulness and signed it.  Choate refuted its veracity.

Another ongoing concern Roy had was for the condition of the crates which housed the dogs, stating that most were chewed, with sharp edges, providing potential danger to the animals.

In some areas, dog enclosures were left open to the weather: sun, rain, or snow, and Ms. Choate was asked to provide some kind of shelter for them.  When Roy and Callahan made their visit on Tuesday, temporary tarps had been strung over the crates to provide a sort of shelter.  Soundproofing material which had been promised over the years had not yet been installed, nor had it been purchased to be installed.

Selectman Tom Millias told Ms. Choate that the problems seemed to occur after she increased the number of dogs through a special permit approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals from 15 dogs to 23, and then to 50.

The board was shocked to learn that she had yet another revision to her license before the ZBA asking to increase the number of dogs allowed to 100, and with an unlimited number of litters of puppies allowed!

Millias said he didn’t see how she could manage that number of dogs and obviously couldn’t, with the increased complaints of neighbors.

Roy played several recordings of dogs barking which she made from a neighbor’s yard at various times of the night, early morning, and during the day.  “I wouldn’t want to live next door to that,” Roy said.

Selectmen gave Choate 45 days to comply with the reduction order, to find homes or places for the additional dogs, and limited the number of litters of puppies she could raise to 12 per year.

Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron, a known animal lover on the board, told Ms. Choate that the barking problem is hers to solve; it is not up to selectmen to tell her how to solve it.

The board asked ACO Callahan to check on the progress of the reduction of dogs and report back to selectmen.

Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

State Representative Tom Calter will host an Open Forum Discussion and Q&A session on the significant water problems currently plaguing West Monponsett Pond, Silver Lake and Jones River, as a result of water management practices from the City of Brockton,.

The event takes place Saturday, September 24th from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Halifax Town Hall, Great Hall.  This is a change from the original pondside location to provide  better parking and accessibility.

It is open to all, and community members concerned about these three bodies of water and health impacts to surrounding residents are encouraged to attend.

In addition to Rep. Calter, speakers will include Pine DuBois, Executive Director of the Jones River Watershed Association, Marianne Moore, Executive Secretary from the Monponsett Watershed Association, Cathy Drinan, Board of Health Agent for the Town of Halifax, Jack O’Leary from the Central Plymouth County Water District Commission, and State Rep. Josh Cutler, whose district includes Hanson.

Learn about the parameters of the 1964 law that allowed Brockton to draw water in the first place, and the City’s practices that have led to water quality degradation and cyanobacteria blooms far exceeding state health standards. Attendees will also hear about the work done by the Central Plymouth County Water District Commission, the Monponsett Watershed and Jones River Watershed Associations, Rep. Calter, Rep. Cutler and other activists over more than two years to push for change in Brockton’s approach; the role of the Dept. of Environmental Protection in negotiating a new Administrative Consent Order with Brockton to implement that change; next steps in the process and how residents can get involved.

The cyanobacteria levels from algae blooms have been at record high levels this summer causing significant health concerns and the summer’s marked drought has not seen relief.  To further add to the problem, Brockton turned off Aquaria, their supplemental water source in late August, taking 11 million+ gallons per day from Silver Lake.  Representative Calter says that the quantity and quality of water is in danger and immediate action is required.

Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact abbelmore@hotmail.com.

Halifax selectmen were astounded Tuesday night to hear that State Rep. Michelle DuBois of Brockton accused Rep. Thomas Calter of overstating the water problem with Monponsett ponds and Silver Lake.  “This is a simple case of the wealthy residents around Monponsett Pond wanting to sunbathe on their sandy beaches while taking clean drinking water out of the mouths of poor black children in Brockton,” she said.  This was during a recent discussion in the House chamber, Calter told The Express.

“When do we stop the madness?” asked Selectman Kim Roy.   “When are we going to hear from the DEP?”  Calter said that he has heard from the DEP and they are going to issue an Administrative Order to stop Brockton from taking water from Monponsett.

“DEP now recognizes that the system is no longer sustainable.”  Things move very slowly.   

“Just so you know, Jones River {Watershed Association} was invited to speak {to the Brockton City Council} about a month ago.”  I went with them, and sat with them from 7 p.m. until our appointment at 10:45.  At 10:45 when we went to take the microphone, City Council Attorney stood up and said, ‘we are advising the Council not to take this testimony.’”  Calter said they were told it was due to the legal action pending right now.

“What legal action?” asked Roy.  “The Council twice

asked if I was aware of any legal action, and I said no.  They then asked Paul Collis and other members of the Jones River Watershed Association, and they replied no.”  Calter told selectmen that the group was allowed only to speak to funding, and could not give any technical data.  Calter said he spoke with the Mayor of Brockton outside City Hall at 11:15 at night, and, after a few choice words, pointed out to the mayor, “as an example {of the water mismanagement} here are your lawn sprinklers on at 11:15 at night!”

Calter said that when the legislature comes back into full session January 4, he will file legislation to make Brockton tap into the MWRA through Stoughton where there is plenty of water to serve the City’s needs.  Calter furthered that it is not the amount of water Brockton is taking that make up the Monponsett problem, it is the water management, or mismanagement, which has brought the situation to its sorry state.

Rep. Calter also answered concerns stated by Selectmen Tom Millias and Kim Roy that the towns of Halifax and Plympton were denied any say or vote in the sale of 5 acres of land from the Silver Lake School district for the construction of Kingston’s new police station.

Halifax’s representatives on the Silver Lake School Committee voted against the sale, and Plympton’s two members, each having a half vote, voted for the sale.  Calter told the board that his role in the matter was strictly as a legislator who filed legislation as requested of him, which was worked out between the buyer and the seller, that is the town of Kingston and the Silver Lake School District.

Selectman Tom Milias interrupted saying there is no seller until the bill passes because there is no vehicle to sell until the law is passed.  He expressed his frustration that the land that we all bought – all three towns in the district – is being sold without the voice of the voters of Halifax being heard.  Calter told him the school committee didn’t request language in the bill to include the vote of the individual towns and in the several other instances where regional districts have sold land, there was not such language for member towns to vote, other than through their elected representatives.

Millias countered that he bet those sales weren’t to another member town that has as many votes on the board as the other towns combined.  We all own this property.  We should have a say.  Millias echoed Roy’s concerns, and concerns heard at Plympton the night before.

Calter told them that the town of Kingston will bring this project back to special town meeting to ask the voters to approve the land purchase which they had turned down at their annual town meeting.  If Kingston voters turn down the project again when they vote in October, it will no longer be an issue.  The project will be dead.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY– All of Plymouth County remains under a drought “watch” despite the recent rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine, with areas of the county under the more severe “warning” category.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, produced jointly by The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s National Drought Mitigation Center, the U.S Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, states that drought conditions are getting worse.

54.7% of the state is experiencing a “severe” drought, and 22.6% of the state is in an “extreme” drought.

“Drought conditions worsened in Massachusetts and surrounding areas,” officials stated, even despite recent rainfall.

State officials are continuing to urge the public to conserve water in light of the ongoing conditions.

The state is also planning to offer grants to struggling farms and is putting plans in place to provide enough water for firefighting and public safety.

Those plans include efforts to ensure mutual aid is in place to make sure there is enough water to go around should there be a major fire in one community that uses up a significant amount of water.

“Our Administration continues to support communities across the Commonwealth to work in unison as we prepare for the very serious ramifications that a prolonged drought can have on our economy and public safety,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in a statement.

The previous five months have been abnormally dry. While 100% of the state is under some sort of watch or warning today, about 80% of the state was not under any sort of watch or warning at the beginning of March, according to the monitor.

The City of Brockton Water Commissioners, finally listening to Halifax and Silver Lake’s towns, have issued an outside water ban within the city and also to the towns to which Brockton sells Silver Lake water.

The town of Whitman, a Brockton water customer, received notice that beginning immediately, the town will have to implement outside watering by hand held hose only on an odd/even basis.  No sprinklers will be permitted.  The City of Brockton has initiated the same ban.

Halifax Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said this is probably the worst drought he can recall and looking at records, the levels at Monponsett ponds are as low as they have ever been in the 20 years of data he has access to.

“Levels at Silver Lake are dropping daily,” he said.

The Town of Halifax, which shares Silver Lake with three other towns: Kingston, Plympton, and Pembroke, has had a total outside watering ban since spring because of the severe drought the area is experiencing.

Last year, while Halifax had a total outside watering ban, thirsty Brockton residents had no such ban, with the sluice gate at Stump Brook closed, keeping West Pond stagnant, and draining it to augment Silver Lake’s output.

This year, however, Brockton has not diverted any water from West Monponsett Pond not only because of the severe drought but also because the high cyanobacteria levels are as much as 15 times the threshold for healthy contact.

Rep. Thomas J. Calter, D-Kingston, has brought the Brockton water situation to the attention of Governor Charlie Baker and the legislature and may seek new legislation to encourage Brockton to find appropriate sources for its ever-growing water needs.

HALIFAX – Halifax selectmen met Tuesday evening in the Great Hall at the Halifax Town Hall as they welcomed  six new firefighters/paramedics to the Halifax Fire Dept.  Fire Chief Jason Vivieros was all smiles as the Great Hall filled with more than 50 friends and family to witness the event.

Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor administered the oaths to each of the half dozen, and each new badge was pinned by an important person in that firefighter’s life: father, son, daughter, friend.  Sworn in were Dillon Riley, John Eaton, Keri Kelleher, Alyssa Smith, Marc McGarry, and Bridget Ricciarelli.

Special Awards

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Vivieros had two special awards to present.  Chief told the audience of receiving the call that no emergency responder wants to hear, “unresponsive child at the bottom of a swimming pool” last month.  “These guys never moved so fast…” to get to the scene.  It was the keen observance of two children who noticed something wrong and got help.  A 911 call was placed and when Halifax ambulance and EMTs got there, the child had been pulled from the pool, CPR begun, and the little girl was responding.  Halifax took over and rushed her to South Shore Hospital where she recovered fully.

Chief Vivieros presented special commendations to the two children who averted this potential tragedy: Jonathan Greeley and Olivia Shea, and noted that it was Olivia’s little sister who was saved.

The audience applauded these two young heroes.

Selectmen heard recommendations from the Solar Field committee who encouraged the board to seek proposals from “as many as 50…” solar companies to see what is out there and make some comparisons.

Alan Winkler, with the Solar Field Committee, advised selectmen to thoroughly investigate owning their own solar array, instead of “leasing” the equipment and getting 25 cents off your electricity rate for the next 20 years.  If the town owns its own equipment, it will reap all the benefits and tax credits, in addition to the power at an inexpensive rate.  He further advised putting out an “RFP” or Request for Proposals as soon as possible to get the information in so the town can be ready to act by the first of the year.

Selectmen agreed that they did not want to rush into a solar project until they have all the facts, and asked the Solar Field Committee to assist them in understanding all the information.

Asked what background he had to make these recommendations, Winkler told the board he had worked as an accountant/auditor for many years for the firm of Arthur Anderson and then worked for an energy company with diverse energy projects.  He has recently been working as a consultant helping people get the best deal possible in the energy field.

Halifax Town Administer Charlie Seelig told the board, “We have a group of residents who want to remove the blighted properties in tax title.”  They suggest to pass some sort of by-law regarding the upkeep of properties, and also to see how owners can be helped to keep their properties up.  The group will be meeting with selectmen on Aug. 27. The Tax Collector will also be at that meeting.

The perennial dog hearing for Tarawood Kennels has been continued to Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 7:45 p.m.  Seelig agreed with selectmen that two hearings for the same Kennel have been scheduled and because the testimony and evidence is much the same for both hearings, they will run concurrently.

Seelig said that the original hearing for barking dogs will be heard as well as the 25 petitioners hearing which claims that no notification was given for any of the Appeals Board hearings which approved the special licenses for Tarawood Kennels.  Seelig cited case law of Kramer vs. Somerville which called into question the validity of a permit when proper notification was not given.  He also advised the board that legal remedy may be sought against the town because of the lack of notification to abutters by the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Seelig furthered that the abutters might take the kennel to court as the numbers of dogs allowed has increased several times without due notice.  Next Tuesday, Aug. 30, the matters will be heard in the Great Hall of the Town Hall at 7:45 p.m.

In other business selectmen

• appointed Cesar Calouro to the Halifax Fireworks Committee.

• heard from Rick Springer and Mike McGonnigle from Coneco Engineers and Scientists in Bridgewater who would like to submit a net metering proposal for a solar project on Franklin Street.

• reminded people of the upcoming State Primary Election on Thursday, Sept. 8.  Election will be held at the all-purpose room of the Halifax Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• heard from Douglas Hall, owner of a 3-year-old pointer/hound mix dog who ran into the street and bit a neighbor’s husky dog.  The animal control officer testified that she felt Hall was taking the situation seriously, and is in the process of training this dog that he has owned for only 3 months.  The owner of the husky was not in attendance.  No further action was recommended.

• re-appointed Selectman Troy Garron to the MBTA committee.

• issued a permit for live entertainment to Salon Serenity for Saturday, Sept. 17, from 1-4 p.m.

• received a request from Larry Henrich for a solar assisted flashing stop sign to call attention to the stop sign at the intersection of Pine and Plymouth streets.  Henrich would help defray the cost.

• voted to maintain the $50 fee for recycling for another year.  The thought is to build up a surplus in the account so that new trash receptacles which would work with the new trash collection truck could be purchased.

Selectmen adjourned to the downstairs selectmen’s meeting room at 9:15 p.m. to go into executive session, for a grievance hearing to appeal a 3-day suspension for Al Hingst, and to discuss a dispatcher contract.

SILVER LAKE – State Representative Thomas Calter (D-Kingston) today (August 17) said that residents of Brockton face the very real prospect of running out of water within the next several weeks if the drought continues and Brockton officials do not develop a backup plan.

Calter, who recently wrote a column that appeared in the Kingston Reporter and Plympton-Halifax Express, said that the Brockton Water Department needs to come clean about the drastic situation that the city faces and develop a plan to protect the city in the event that Silver Lake is unable to meet Brockton’s water demands.

Calter noted that Silver Lake, which is the water source for the City of Brockton, is in imminent danger of falling below the level where it can provide water to Brockton.

“The water level in the lake has dropped to historic lows.”He further noted that West Monponsett Pond, which is a backup source of water to Silver Lake, cannot be used to make up the deficit because the level of cyanobacteria is 10 times the health standard.

“There is a real concern because of the drought, which has brought the water to a dangerous low. The levels today are comparable to 1986 when Brockton declared a water crisis.”

Recently, representatives of the Jones River Watershed Association were invited to discuss the crisis at a Brockton City Council meeting. However, that presentation was thwarted by the City’s Legal Counsel who demanded that the public presentation be cancelled.

“People may think that Brockton’s desalinization plant can meet their water needs. However, it can only provide 30% of Brockton’s daily needs,” Calter said. He added, “There is an option for Brockton to hook up to the MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority) in Stoughton, but that action would require several months of construction.” He said, “We don’t believe that Brockton has researched that or any other option.”

“We are concerned that the city will run out of water without warning and without a backup plan.” Calter said. He has briefed the Governor, the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and the Brockton Legislative delegation of the current water shortage and of the serious health concerns related to the poor quality of water in Monponsett Pond.

HALIFAX– 25 people signed a petition triggering a Section 137C hearing at Tuesday’s Selectmen’s meeting for Jennifer Choate, proprietor of Tarawood Kennel, yet only a half-dozen or so who signed came to the fact-finding portion of the hearing. Of those present, many who spoke were not even neighbors or abutters to the kennel, which is accused of allowing dogs to excessively bark and dogs to apparently wander.

Choate had dozens of supporters with her, a lawyer, and an MIT-trained acoustical engineer. The atmosphere was “court-like” with the hearing being held in the Great Hall of Town Hall, but the “information” gathering was incongruous. While clearly there were passionate opinions on both sides, there was little in the way of factual information collected.

One woman said that she was a dog trainer for 21 years, and that is why she signed the petition. She was opposed to the “bark-collars” used for training at Tarawood, that provide an electric jolt, similar to the ones used in “invisible fences”, to train dogs not to bark. This woman said she didn’t believe they are humane as they can cause the dogs to “yelp”. They are legal.

Ms. Choate’s lawyer objected and said that the hearing was supposed to be about barking and wandering. Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron wanted to hear from everyone, though, and others were allowed to speak, off-topic or not.

Lisa Thorpe signed the petition because she had purchased an aggressive dog from Choate in 2010 and had to return it, “fearing I had a lawsuit on my hands.”

Linda Ford knows some of the neighbors, and said she didn’t feel it right to have 100 dog kennels (although Choate’s separate request for an increase in her license from 50 to 100 dogs is not on the table at the moment). She expressed her “shock” that a kennel would be allowed “near neighbors”.

Two people who expressed vague concern for the dogs’ welfare, had signed the petition but were apparently not familiar with Tarawood Kennel.

Two neighbors, Scott Clawson and his son, both stated that they felt the conditions for the dogs were poor because they were put outside for part of the day in the winter. “Seeing dogs out in the snow makes me want to go and hug my dog,” said Sean Clawson. “All of our customers are animal lovers, and they all question what is going on [at Tarawood Kennel],” he continued, referring again to the bark collars.

Only one neighbor could recall any recent incident of dogs getting loose, which he described as a pack of dogs, not just one or two. Others recalled dogs getting through a fence several years ago.

Yet for all the concern of the dogs’ “well-being”, when actual neighbors were asked by Selectman Kim Roy, who had a lengthy questionnaire, what they wanted to see at the end of the hearing process, was an end to hearing the dogs barking.

The board also heard from the former sound abatement officer at Logan Airport and MIT-trained acoustical engineer Nancy Timmerman about solutions to reduce the barking noise.

She suggested reinforcing or building a new six-foot tall fence with sound reducing material on it for the outdoor areas where dogs are kept during the day.

“The dogs will bark,” Timmerman said. She went on to describe how she is trying to make things better for the two closest neighbors.

“Thanks for being honest about that,” said Roy.

Choate’s attorney showed a video of what he saw when on the property, which did not show excessive barking.

Both Choate and her supporters were allowed to respond to the accusations, and Roy had lengthy questions for them as well.

The hearing was continued.

In other news:

• Maureen Rogers, who served on the Wage and Personnel Board for a number of years along with being on the Town’s 250th anniversary committee and several “Halifax in Lights” committees, passed away Friday, August 5.

• Robert Baker, current Library Trustee and former School Committee and Planning Board member, passed away on Monday, August 8.

• The board will next meet on Tuesday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m.

continues

PLYMOUTH COUNTY– On Wednesday, August 3, the Central Plymouth Water Commissioners met at Plympton Town House. They were widely expected to approve a letter appealing directly to Brockton residents regarding the Brockton water supply that was to run as an advertisement in the Brockton Enterprise, but the three present commissioners who wrote and edited the letter ended up disagreeing on the language of the letter and tabled it to their next meeting. The commission also discussed how they had discovered they were not a county entity in the county’s eyes and discussed reorganizing, but in the end voted to remain in the same positions.

Letter to residents

A direct appeal to the residents of Brockton has been in the works for weeks, and although commissioner Patrick Quinn agrees that the final purpose of the letter is to educate residents on their shared water resources; he didn’t think the letter gave enough “bang for its buck.” He also expressed that it was too long and disagreed with several factual points. All present commissioners described ways that the letter could be improved, with graphics or punchier one-liners at the prompting of audience member and Jones River Watershed Association member Pine DuBois. Commissioner Paul Collis appeared disappointed, but Chairman Jack O’Leary recognized that there was a lack of unanimity in how to move forward with the letter, and the commission unanimously voted to table the matter to the next meeting.

County entity?

In an attempt to access money appropriated to the commission, the County treasurer determined that the commission was not a county entity, and furthermore could not use the county seal. The commission is now confused as to whether they are a state entity or a county entity, and want to set up their own bank account to use the money that they are appropriated, rather than submit reimbursement forms after putting up their own personal money for expenses, as they’ve been told to do.

Whether or not they use a state seal or a county seal, or their own logo, is not the main issue though; it matters only in the sense of whether their money comes directly from a state agency, or is passed through an agency on to the county, where it is then disbursed. The commission has just received another $50,000 earmark, and wants it directly under their control.

Commissioners expressed frustration at the bureaucracy and red-tape, and Collis articulated that this issue would probably have stymied efforts to move the newspaper advertisement along faster, even had the commissioners agreed on the language that night.

Reorganization

The commission receives its authority from a 1964 special act of the legislature and is required to yearly reorganize– or consider reorganizing. The commission did consider reorganizing, but all present voted to stay in their current positions for the upcoming fiscal year. Jack O’Leary will remain chair, Paul Collis, clerk, Patrick Quinn, member, and Brian Creedon, member. Creedon was not present at the meeting.

The commission did go “off agenda” and talk about the various issues in the district towns in general terms at times, but it was apparent that the commission was experiencing growing pains as it is newly revived and that the greatest hindrance to their work may be bureaucratic hurdles at this point in time.