Justin Evans
Express correspondent
The Town of Plympton is advancing plans for a new fire station, with construction bids coming in at $11.1 million, nearly $2 million under the estimated cost. The total project, including equipment and other expenses, is expected to cost $14,285,000.
Jon Wilhelmsen, chair of the building committee, presented the project details and costs during a recent information session, emphasizing the need to replace the current 50-year-old station.
“Our current station is 50 years old. It’s done a great job, and I think it’s done another great job yet again because it’s done so much more than it was ever designed for,” Wilhelmsen says.
The existing station, originally designed for a call-fire department without EMS services, now struggles to accommodate modern equipment and safety requirements.
“The space and facilities properly cleaned and decontaminated are severely lacking in the building,” Wilhelmsen explains, noting that the current layout fails to separate contaminated gear from administrative and public areas.
The proposed 18-month construction project would begin this summer if approved at the annual town meeting on May 14 and in a subsequent debt exclusion vote on May 17.
For the average Plympton homeowner with a property valued at approximately $8,500 in annual taxes, the project would add about $468 annually, or $117 quarterly, to their tax bill. This amounts to 88 cents per $1,000 of property valuation. This assumes a 30-year bond at 4.5%, however borrowing will be at market rate sometime this summer if the project is approved.
The town plans to offset some costs by supplementing $100,000 annually from capital stabilization funds. Additionally, existing debt that will be paid off in the next two years, the Dennett and Silver Lake debt, will help mitigate the impact on taxpayers.
Dan Pallotta, the owner’s project manager from P3, emphasizes the competitive pricing secured for the project.
“If you look at the cost of fire stations and Google it, all throughout the Commonwealth, you might find a substation, which is subsidiary to a headquarters. You might find one that’s a little less than this, but you’re not going to find a headquarters less than the cost of this project,” Pallotta says.
The building committee received eight bids from pre-qualified contractors, with the lowest responsible bid coming in at $11.145 million. The selected contractor has experience building fire and police stations and has previously worked with the project’s architecture firm.
The new station will be located behind the police station on the town complex. The design includes an apparatus bay large enough for all department vehicles, dedicated decontamination areas, administrative space, living quarters, and a training room that can double as a community space.
“This allows for them to come in from a fire, be able to take their gear off, be able to utilize it with gear washers and dryers, be able to decontaminate in the showers that are in here before they ever get back into the other space,” Wilhelmsen explains about the decontamination area.
The project also includes a new septic system for the entire town complex, estimated to cost about $100,000. A separate project funded by American Rescue Plan Act money will provide a new public water supply for the complex.
Committee members stress that renovation of the existing station was considered but rejected as impractical and potentially more expensive. Renovation would require a temporary station costing $2 to $3 million and would still not address all the space limitations.
“From a cost-efficiency standpoint, renovation is not an option to continue to use this as a fire facility for the next 50 years,” Wilhelmsen says.
The committee suggests the current fire station could potentially be repurposed as a community center or senior center after the new station is completed.
During the information session, one resident, Nancy Butler, emphasized that the project is about more than just a building.
“My concern is the safety of these men back here. I have firefighters in my family, and I know what they go through. And I think we need to seriously consider their safety,”Butler sid. “These are our friends. These are our neighbors. They live on our street. They live in our town. We need to protect them as much as we need a new building.”
The proposed debt exclusion would remain on tax rolls for the 30-year bond period and then drop off, rather than permanently raising the tax levy.
Wilhelmsen urges residents to attend the next information session or reach out to committee members with questions before the May votes.
“If we don’t do it this year, next year it’s going to cost more. It’s the only thing I can promise you,” Wilhelmsen says, noting that construction costs have been increasing at 7 to 8 percent annually, well above the 2.5 percent annual tax increase limit under Proposition 2.5.

It’s 60 degrees out; the thermometer doesn’t lie.
I can feel the energy changing as the Spring weather ebbs and summer approaches. And, as if that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, the opportunity to welcome in the month of May is upon which means Cinco De Mayo.
If you are anything like me, good food and good drink go hand in hand, especially Margaritas. The multitude of different ways a Margarita can be crafted could fill a book, never mind this small paper, and that story will have to wait.
Today I want to ask a larger question: what is Cinco De Mayo? The short answer, Cinco De Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, not Mexican Independence. Though it is not a national holiday in Mexico the event is celebrated with parades, parties and traditional foods like Mole Poblano. How did it come to the United States you ask? We can give thanks to Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), who though best known for the “New Deal”, was instrumental in bringing the holiday to the United States. America was just beginning to rise back out of the ashes of the Great Depression and FDR was looking to build bridges with our neighbors to the south, Central and South America. Roosevelt wanted to emphasize cooperation and trade rather than military force to maintain stability in the hemisphere, so in his inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Roosevelt stated “In the field of world policy I would dedicate this nation to the policy of the good neighbor – the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others.” The history of this idea and the desire to continue it in our modern world makes this writer smile, because I am free to be a good neighbor and sit down and enjoy a margarita with any and all of my neighbors; that is a beautiful… and delicious thing.
For the best local margaritas and authentic traditional Mexican food please try Cancun – A Family Mexican Restaurant at 145 Main St., Kingston, or Fiesta Charra, at 66 Main St. in Carver.

With the April 30 deadline fast approaching, Massachusetts residents still have time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – a critical resource that helps eligible households pay for winter heating costs.
This free statewide program provides grants (that do not need to be repaid) directly to heating providers, helping renters and homeowners keep their homes safe and warm. Households do not need to be on public assistance or have unpaid bills to qualify.
Residents can explore eligibility and apply online at:  https://toapply.org/MassHEAP or connect with their local administering agency for support.

The Halifax Police Department is announcing its third year partnering with the Flutie Foundation, a leading non-profit in the autism community, by selling Halifax Police collectible autism awareness patches throughout the month of April. All proceeds go towards the Flutie Foundation and their efforts to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism.
Autism awareness patches will be sold for $10 and can be purchased online using the link below or in-person at the Police Station, 540 Plymouth St. during normal business hours; Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Patches ordered online will mailed to the address provided on the order form.
Over its twenty (20) year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $15 million to schools and organizations that provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports, and more for people affected by autism. The Flutie Foundation also provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support services through its partnerships and special initiatives.

Fair Share surplus funds transportation and education investments
Monday, April 14, 2025 – Representative Kathy LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing $1.3 billion supplemental budget that consists of surplus funds generated from the Fair Share surtax. This supplemental budget includes $353 million for education related investments, and $828 million for transportation related investments.
“This supplemental budget affirms the House of Representatives commitment to providing the highest quality educational system for our students and the highest quality transportation system for our residents,” said Kathleen LaNatra (D – Kingston). “Strong investments into both of these critical areas will have ripple effects throughout the Commonwealth, strengthening our economy and building a Massachusetts that works for everyone for years to come. I look forward to continuing these investments as we move into the FY26 budget later this month, and I want to thank Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership on this bill.”
The supplemental budget passed today includes revenues generated from the Fair Share ballot initiative voters approved in November 2022, which established a new surtax of four percent on annual income above $1 million and invests these new public dollars to improve the state’s education and transportation sectors.
Key investments include:
Education
$190 million for Circuit Breaker reimbursements, which provide financial assistance to public school districts to offset the cost of delivering high-cost special education services to students.
• $50 million for capital improvements at vocational schools
• $40 million for early education and care (EEC) workforce, affordability, and quality improvement supports
• $10 million for universal school meals for every public-school student in the Commonwealth
• $10 million for DHE Endowment Match
• $10 million for University of Massachusetts Endowment Match
• $10 million for Green SchoolWorks to decarbonize and increase efficiency in our schools through green energy projects
• $8.5 million for ESOL services waitlist
Transportation
•$400 million for MBTA Workforce and Safety Reserve
• $300 million for MBTA Deficiency Fund
• $60 million for MBTA physical infrastructure
• $25 million for MTTF Transfer RTA Workforce Development
• $20 million for reduced MBTA fares for riders with low incomes
• $13 million for MBTA Sumner Tunnel reimbursement
• $10 million for unpaved roads
Additional Investments
• $58 million from the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Investment Fund for payment of additional reimbursements in FY25
• $5 million for the Holocaust Museum Boston
This supplemental budget also tasks the Inspector General with publishing a report on best practices for providing transportation services, including the procurement of those services, to help contain ever-increasing costs to cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 140-14. It now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

The town of Halifax is excited to announce the launch of its new community notification system, Halifax Notify, designed to enhance the town’s communication capabilities by ensuring that important information is disseminated quickly and efficiently to all Halifax residents and its guests.

Key Features
• Real-Time Alerts: Receive instant notifications about critical updates, emergencies, and important announcements related to town government services and operations.
• Multi-Channel Communication: Notifications can be sent via e-mail, SMS (text message), phone call, and push notification (via smartphone app).
• Customizable Notifications: Tailor your notification preferences to receive updates relevant to your interests and needs, and which contact methods to use.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easily manage and view notifications through an intuitive and accessible platform.
Halifax Notify will help residents stay informed, streamline the flow of official town notifications, and create operational efficiencies in the dissemination of information.
The system will be fully operational starting on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. Additional details will be posted on the town’s website when the system is officially launched.
For questions, please contact the IT & Communications office by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (781) 293-1739.

On April 12th, 2025, Plympton families will have an opportunity to pitch in and help clean up the considerable amount of litter that has accumulated along the town’s roadsides. The Plympton Garden Club and the Historical Society are announcing that the annual Townwide Clean- up will be held on Saturday, April 12, with a rain date of Sunday, April 13. The hours of the cleanup are 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
To participate, residents are asked to stop by and speak to the volunteers at a table set up on the parking lot in front of the Town House on Palmer Road the day of the event. There they will be provided with trash bags and other tools and receive a street assignment. Other important facts for volunteers to know include:
The Plympton Highway Department will be picking up full trash bags and transporting them to the transfer station.
The orange “pay as you throw” bags will not be required for this project. Instead, residents can use the bags provided at the volunteers table.
Once trash bags are filled, they can be left by the side of the road, and the Highway Department vehicles will pick them up.
Given that it has been two years since the last cleanup, Plympton’s picturesque roads are really needing help! We hope that there will be a strong turnout for this important effort. See you on Saturday, April 12!

Alan Ingram
Express correspondent
The Kingston School Committee unanimously approved a level service budget for fiscal year 2026 without requiring a tax override, utilizing emergency shelter funds from the State to close the budget gap.
The committee voted Monday, March 3, to approve a $15,596,804 operating budget, which represents a 7.1% increase over the current fiscal year. The total expenditure for Kingston schools will be $16,991,596 after accounting for additional funding sources.
“We’re not going to need an override to settle our budget tonight,” said Committee Member Jeanne Coleman during the meeting, delivering she called “the good news” that parents and community members had been waiting to hear.
The budget approval comes after weeks of community concern about a potential override that could have reached nearly $1 million. Instead, the committee found alternative funding sources to maintain educational services without additional tax burden.
Business Administrator Sarah Hickey presented a plan to utilize emergency assistance shelter funds received from the state to help close the $1.4 million gap between the committee’s budget and the amount approved by the Kingston Select Board.
“In January of 2025, we received a payment of $338,270.25, of which we talked about allocating $180,000 of that towards salaries in the FY26 budget,” Hickey explained. “And we have been told by the state that we are going to potentially receive an additional $555,464 in those emergency shelter funds.”
The committee voted to allocate $255,110.74 from existing shelter funds already on deposit with the town, plus $341,127.26 from anticipated future payments to balance the budget.
Several parents spoke at the beginning of the meeting in support of maintaining educational services. Barbara Gildea of Crescent Street thanked the committee for “continuing to support our schools and for passing budgets that advocate for level funding.”
“The community is rallying in support of the school budget, and we will continue to do so,” Gildea added, noting that a Facebook group created to help parents advocate for the school budget has attracted more than 300 members.
Jackie Giovannangelo of Franz Lane echoed those sentiments, saying, “We’ve been hard at work over the past month plus, gathering the parents of the town to the Facebook page we created to ensure that as many parents as possible are aware of the budget concerns.”
Committee members acknowledged that while this solution addresses immediate budget needs, it creates challenges for next year since the emergency shelter funds are not a permanent revenue source.
“We’re going to have $800,000 that we need to come up with for next year’s budget,” noted Committee Member Michael Shekane. “We need to be aware that this is a huge hole for next year. We’re just kicking the can down the road.”
The committee also voted to remove a proposed additional English Language teacher position from the budget, saving approximately $65,000. Chair Megan Cannon suggested that if the position becomes necessary, there would still be shelter money available to fund it.
Superintendent Jill Proulx clarified that the budget maintains level services rather than level funding. “A level funded budget, if you were to advocate for that, would actually result in reductions in force,” she explained.
Committee members also discussed the timeline challenges of the budget process, with Coleman noting that state funding numbers often aren’t available until late January, after preliminary budgets are already being presented.
“Our budgets are incomplete if we don’t even know what the state numbers are,” Coleman said. “Last year, if everyone remembers, our budgets went into a tailspin at the end of January when the state numbers were released, like 4% lower than what we were anticipating.”
The total cost of education for Kingston, which includes both the elementary school budget and the town’s assessment for Silver Lake Regional School District, will be $32,770,590.36 for FY26, representing a 4.7% increase over the current year.
The committee’s decision means Kingston will avoid joining the approximately 80 Massachusetts communities that sought education overrides last year, of which only about 40% passed, according to information shared during a previous Silver Lake School Committee meeting.
The committee also heard from Assistant Superintendent Tricia Clifford about ongoing curriculum work, including the development of a district literacy plan and the review of math curriculum materials.
Kristen Pishkin, co-president of the Kingston Teachers Association, thanked officials for securing a level service budget.
“The KTA would like to thank administration, town leadership, School Committee, and all the families working hard to secure a level service budget that will meet the needs of our students,” Pishkin says. “We know it has taken a lot of effort on everyone’s part.”
“So we appreciate everyone’s hard work and sleepless nights. And the teachers’ sleepless nights, too, because a lot of them were very worried what their classrooms would look like and their jobs would look like next year,” Pishkin added.

Writers Emily Franklin, Dawn Tripp, and Adelle Waldman will visit the Adams Center, 33 Summer St., Kingston, on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m, for an author talk celebrating Women’s History Month.
The trio will talk about the female characters in their novels, the ways in which authors researched individuals in stories, and the subject matter. Franklin and Tripp recently authored books featuring Isabella Stewart Gardner (The Lioness of Boston) and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie) while Waldman published a fictionalized book inspired by her experience unloading boxes at a big box-store, Help Wanted.
Franklin is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels for both adults and young adults, as well as a poetry collection titled, Tell Me How You Got Here. Her award-winning work has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, The Kenyon Review, and other numerous publications. The Lioness of Boston was a Boston Globe and Indie Bookstore bestseller, as it was featured on WBUR’s “Local Authors.” She has been featured on NPR and named notable by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Franklin lives outside of Boston with her family and two large dogs. You can follow her at https://emilyfranklin.com.
Tripp is the nationally bestselling author of Jackie and Georgia (a fictional novel about Georgia O’Keefe), was a finalist for the New England Book Award and winner of the Mary Lynn Kotz Award for Art in Literature. Her three other previous novels are Game of Secrets, Moon Tide, and The Season of Open Water, which won the Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction. Her poems and essays have appeared in the Virginia Quarterly Review, Harvard Review, Conjunctions, AGNI, and NPR.
Tripp graduated from Harvard and lives in Massachusetts with her sons. For more information about Tripp, her website is https://dawntripp.com.
In addition to the novel Help Wanted released in March of 2024, Waldman has also written The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. It was named one of the year’s best books by the New Yorker, The Economist, NPR, Slate, Bookforum, and the Guardian. Her writing has appeared in the New Yorker, The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, Slate and other publications.
Waldman lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and daughter. You can read more about her by visiting https://adellewaldman.com.
Books will be on sale following the event for all three authors. This event is generously sponsored by the Kingston Public Library Foundation.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For more information, you can contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at [email protected].