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Kirby to be inducted into Hall of Fame

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Matt Kirby, 63, an award-winning hammered-dulcimer musician originally from Whitman, will be inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held in Lawrence, Kan., on July 30.

Kirby, son of Mary Alice Kirby and the late Senator Ned Kirby, discovered hammered dulcimers in Brockton at Summerfest 1975 while a student at Sacred Heart High School in Kingston. He ordered a basic wooden instrument and spent the rest of the summer playing it.  Matt continued to design and build his own dulcimers during his studies in Art and Sculpture at the Kansas City Art Institute. After graduating he performed with other musicians in a Celtic string band, Scartaglen.

Over 40 years of festivals, appearances, concerts, and forming other bands he is primarily known as a member of the Alferd Packer Memorial String Band, named after the wry legend of the hungry mountaineer in Colorado. The Packer Band enjoys popularity throughout the Midwest.

Matt resides in Baldwin City, a small town near Lawrence, Kansas.

Golightly named Halifax Town Administrator

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday, July 6 to conduct an interview with an applicant for the open position of Town Administrator.

Marty Golightly was introduced by Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates who was hired to conduct the search and vet candidates. Lynch said, “It is intended to be an interactive dialogue as opposed to an interrogation.”

In response to the open ended, “tell us about yourself” Golightly said, “I spent 20 years in the military… mostly healthcare but when you are in healthcare in the military you also do a lot of leadership.” He continued, “Everything that the Navy can offer you, I think I got to participate in; it was awesome, I loved every minute of it, but I had two young kids and I didn’t want to miss anymore dance recitals.” He said that he moved back to the area in 2017, went back to school, and then became the health agent in Abington. Golightly called his time in Abington an “eye opening experience” and said that he gained insight into municipal government.

Golightly was very straightforward when asked why he left his last position. “I didn’t want to be the Director of Public Health in Abington anymore; Covid shined a light on a lot of weird areas of our society. It made some things uncomfortable. It made some things better in a very weird and unusual way. It just wasn’t the time to live and work in the same community,” he explained.  At the time of Golightly’s resignation from his position in Abington, abingtonnews.org reported that he was receiving “personal attacks and threats” presumably by those unhappy with the Health Department’s response to the pandemic.

Lynch asked why he wanted to be a town administrator. Golightly responded, “public servant my whole life – military, EMT, making the world a little better a little bit every day or at least that’s my goal. I’m one of those people that wants to leave something better behind for my kids and for all those that are going to come behind us.”

“Collaborator and Chief will always trump Commander and Chief, in my humble opinion,” Golightly said of his management style. He also said that mentoring is very important to him. Golightly said that you need to “make sure that you are making the best decision with the most good in mind for the most people.”

Asked about conflict resolution, Golightly said that he always likes to lead with education first though he acknowledged that there will always be those that will not be reached in that manner. He said that the dialogue that exists between those making decisions and those not in favor of those decisions is “part and parcel of being a Navy Chief.” He continued, “we are conflict resolution people – I’ve done it boots and board room.” He continued, “Sometimes you argue, but you argue behind closed doors, and you come out, hopefully, on the same side or if not with a better understanding of why that person made that decision,” Golightly said.

DiSesa asked Golightly about his ability to remain impartial when conflicts arise between town employees. He called maintaining impartiality or neutrality “probably one of the most difficult things I have had to do as a leader especially when you hear these stories of bullying.” He continued, “there is a process that we have to follow to make sure that there are no repercussions for either side; we do it by the book for a reason.” He stressed the importance of not letting emotion guide his actions in such situations.

Selectman Alex Meade said, “one of the worst things, I think, to hear is we do it this way because we have always done it this way. I would hope that you’re the type of person that coming into this position would be open minded to revamping current policies and procedures if you think there is a better way to do it.” Golightly said, “that mindset, I’ve always found, is content toward the negative.” He said that he is always striving for a better or best practice.

Lynch asked Golightly what kind of experience he has with municipal finances and budgets. Golightly, who called himself a “numbers nerd,” said he had experience with the RFP for the trash contract, the budget for Waste Management, and the budget for the Inspectional Services Department which included Health, Zoning, Building, and Nursing. Golightly is also on the Capital Planning Committee in Abington.

Golightly told the Selectmen that he has grant writing experience and attended the grant writing management institute at UMASS Boston. “The biggest one was 1.1, 1.2 million over a couple of years for the Public Health Excellence grant,” he explained of the many grants he has written.

Selectmen Chair Ashley DiSesa asked Golightly what he would do if he came up against an area in which he does not have knowledge. “Find my subject matter expert… I got a lot of friends I can ask if I don’t know the answer to a question… I have a lot of people in my phone that I can humbly ask,” he explained. Golightly said that he has worked with many local Fire and Police Chiefs including Chief Viveiros, Halifax’s former Fire Chief. “I have become friends with a lot of the Fire Departments… the people that I like to deal with the most, the coolest people, the most professional and I would say the best ones, irrespective of this position, have been from here,” Golightly said. DiSesa agreed saying that they had “phenomenal” Police and Fire in town.

He said that he would like to hold “coffee with your TA” if hired as Town Administrator in Halifax. “Being available, being a decent human being after that; the rest of it will kind of take care of itself,” Golightly said. He said that relationship building would be a huge component for his first 60 days.

Golightly said that a concern of his would be how to maintain the small town feel in Halifax in a modern world. “It is a problem for the ages,” he said. He said that bringing in businesses that have a large amount of taxable revenue but that have a small footprint would be key.

Following Golightly’s interview, the Board discussed their remaining options. Lynch told them that all three previous applicants were still in the pool. Selectman Jonathan Selig said that all the people he’s spoken to from Abington were sad to see him go. Meade said of Golightly, “it didn’t seem like he was using this as a stepping stone to something else.” DiSesa echoed Selig’s sentiment saying that she spoke to many people who know Golightly and no one had a bad thing to say about him. The Selectmen voted to name Golightly as the next Town Administrator.

Rep. LaNatra supports step therapy legislation

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BOSTON – Tuesday, June 29, State Rep. Kathy LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation limiting the use of step therapy protocols, in which insurance companies refuse to pay for the prescription drugs prescribed by a patient’s health care provider until the patient first tries cheaper, and oftentimes ineffective, alternatives. The legislation establishes exceptions a patient can use to avoid their insurer’s step therapy protocol and requires both MassHealth and commercial insurers to provide a clear and transparent process for patients and their care team to request an exception.

“Health care decisions and decisions regarding which medications to take should be made between a patient and their doctor, not insurance companies looking for a healthier bottom line,” said State Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “I was proud to support this crucial piece of legislation to ensure that people with a myriad of diseases and conditions don’t have to delay care with ineffective treatments that worsen their condition, simply to cut costs for insurance companies. That is not the way to cut health care costs in the Commonwealth. Thank you to Speaker Mariano and Chairman Lawn for their leadership on this bill.”

The legislation outlines four different circumstances that trigger the patient exception process, including:

The required treatment will harm the patient,

The required treatment is expected to be ineffective,

The patient previously tried the required treatment, or similar treatment, and it was ineffective or harmed the patient,

The patient is stable on a current treatment, and switching treatments will harm the patient.

Additional highlights of the legislation include:

• A requirement that MassHealth and commercial insurers adopt a “continuity of coverage” policy to ensure patients do not experience any delay in accessing a treatment when requesting a step therapy exemption.

• A requirement that MassHealth and commercial insurers approve or deny a step therapy exemption request within three business days, or within one business day if a delay would cause harm to the patient.

• A requirement that commercial carriers annually report data related to step therapy exemption requests and related coverage determinations to the Division of Insurance.

• The creation of a commission on step therapy protocols tasked with studying, assessing, and bi-annually reporting on the implementation of step therapy process reforms made in this legislation.

“An Act Relative to Step Therapy and Patient Safety” (H.4929)passed the House of Representatives 153-0. The legislation now heads to the Senate for their consideration.

McDonald tells TRIAD the history of his position as Sheriff of Plymouth County meet

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The Halifax TRIAD met on Tuesday, June 7, at the Halifax Police Station.  TRIAD is a partnership between local and regional groups to help inform and educate senior citizens.  The guest speaker for June was Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Jr.

Sheriff McDonald outlined the responsibilities of the sheriff’s department and reviewed the role of sheriff throughout history.  The office of sheriff in Plymouth County dates back to 1692 and it was an appointed position until 1856.  Sheriff McDonald is the thirtieth Sheriff for Plymouth County, an office he has held since 2005.

A former history teacher, McDonald also shared some interesting history stories and took questions from the audience.  Informational pamphlets and fliers were also available to participants.

Halifax TRIAD meetings take place the first Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. When meetings resume after a summer hiatus they will take place in the Great Room of the Halifax Town Hall. The next TRIAD meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2022.

Three from Halifax FD graduate

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STOW – State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier, acting director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), announced the graduation of 35 recruits from the MFA Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program. The graduates received certificates of completion at a ceremony held this evening at Bridgewater State University.

Three graduates from the Halifax Fire Department are Anjolina Cronshaw, Michael Fryer, and Alec Thompson.

The 35 graduates represent the 16 fire departments of Acushnet, Berkley, Chatham, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Fairhaven, Halifax, Lakeville, Marion, Medway, Plympton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Truro, Wareham, and West Bridgewater.

“First responders are on the front lines of any crisis and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said Deputy State Fire Marshal Fournier, who is the acting MFA director. “The rigorous training they’ve completed provides them with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to protect their communities safely and effectively.”

The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program is unique in that it delivers a standard recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedule of firefighters in suburban and rural areas. Bringing the training closer to firefighters means more can participate and allows them more time to practice training skills with instructors.

The MFA, a division of the Department of Fire Services, has offered the program since 2003. To date, nearly 3,000 call and volunteer recruits have graduated.

Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They train to respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to Fentanyl overdoses or a gas leak. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice or who has locked himself in a bathroom. They rescue people from stalled elevators and those who are trapped in vehicle crashes. They test and maintain their equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, and apparatus.

At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, they learn all these skills and more, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors.

They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive program involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.

Basic Firefighter Skills

Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple room structural fires.

Graduates have completed 240 hours of training on nights and weekends. Upon successful completion of this program, all students have met the standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001. In addition, they have the ability to become certified to the level of Firefighter I and II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

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New graduates from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy are, from left,  Anjolina Cronshaw, Michael Fryer, and Alec Thompson of the Halifax Fire Department.

Plympton honors Fireman’s Sunday June 12

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Plympton’s Fire Chaplain and two firefighters bow heads in prayer.

Photos courtesy of Plympton Fire Dept.

Plympton Fire Department held its annual Fireman’s Sunday June 12 at the Plympton Fire House, led by Department Chaplain Rev. Gary Blume, and included a few words by Fire Chief Stephen Silva, Capt. John Sjostedt, and two prayer readings.

After the remembrance, families who were present enjoyed a small cook out at the fire station.

What’s happening at Halifax Elementary?

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On Thursday, June 2, Halifax Seniors from Silver Lake High School came to Halifax Elementary School and paraded through the hallways in their caps and gowns.  Current HES students made signs and clapped and wished them well.   We wish all the Silver Lake High School seniors the best for their futures.   We know they will do great things!

TRIAD group hears Halifax history

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History buff Marc Valentine spoke at the last TRIAD meeting bringing answers to questions you might not have known to ask, such as “Did Buffalo Bill ever come to Halifax?”

He did.  The famous frontiersman and showman visited the area on several occasions and the stories were written in The Brockton Enterprise.  Buffalo Bill was interested in the Native American artifacts and vistied Sachem Rock.

What is the connection between famous Charles “Lucky” Lindberg and the Town of Halifax?

According to the front page of the Brockton Enterprise dated May 20, 1927, the “Lone Wolf” in his monoplane “The Spirit of St. Louis”was sighted in Halifax, flying a mere 100 feet of the ground, skimming treetops and coming dangerously close  to the steeple of the Congregational Church, one of the highest points in Plymouth County at the time.

Residents were looking skyward hoping to catch sight of the plane on its solo flight across the Atlantic to Paris.  They weren’t disappointed.  In fact many said they could read the tail numbers NX-211.  Their cheers and waves of encouragement were rewarded when “Lindy” sent a telegram to the town from Paris thanking them for their spirit.

Valentine, who is also known in the area as the keeper of the huge American flag, is quite a history buff and tells his stories, all documented, to willing listeners.

TRIAD meets in the meeting room of the Halifax Police Station, Route 106, on the first Tuesday of each month, offering speakers with topics of interest.   This month’s meeting, June 7, at 10 a.m. will feature the Sheriff of  Plymouth Coumty who will tell his audience about the history of the country’s oldest Sheriff’s department and share stories and anecdotes about some of the famous people who have been in custody there, as well as other historical items about the area.

New Halifax select board settles in

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met in-person on Monday, May 16 ahead of the continuation of town meeting. It was the first meeting for newly appointed Selectmen Alexander Meade who unseated Gordon Andrews for a three-year term, and Jonathan Seelig who was elected to the one-year term that was previously filled by Troy Garron. Ashley DiSesa was the only remaining Selectman from the previous iteration of the Board. The Selectmen were meeting with Town Counsel, the Town Moderator, and the interim Town Administrator to review who would be presenting the various articles left to be discussed and voted on later that evening.

Seelig said he was hoping for a change in the way in which the articles are presented. In the past, the Selectmen would typically present on a given article, but Seelig said he would like to see the appropriate department head speak to them instead. “In the past, our Selectmen would say the narrative. We were hoping maybe, if it’s okay, to do what we used to do in years past to have the actual department head speak the narrative so that way if there is any sort of issue or they want to get to any underlying details that the very knowledgeable person who put the article together will be able to answer,” Seelig explained.

Town Counsel Paul R. DeRensis, who has served as a Selectmen himself for more than three decades including a Selectmen Chair for seven, told both Meade and Seelig that he has an orientation for new Selectmen that he would like to review with each of them individually. DeRensis said he reviews things such as open meeting laws to ensure that there won’t be any violations. He said that he would also cover any disclosures that they may need to make to the Town Clerk regarding their businesses, etc. “It needs to be private because I am looking for information that you may not want anybody else to know – attorney/client privilege. So, if you are planning on suing the town, this is the time to tell me… you know, so I can do a disclosure form for you before you sue the town,” DeRensis explained. Regarding his own time as a Selectmen, he said, “It’s not just a legal presentation, it’s also a practical presentation… I’ve been sued and all this kind of stuff; I can help you learn how to do this.”

There was also a discussion regarding whether the issues brought forth should be based on the wishes of the current Select Board or the previous one. DiSesa, as the vice chair, was told by Counsel that she would be acting as the Chair in the absence of a Chair. The specific article that came into question was Article 42 that sought to make the Board of Selectmen a five-person rather than a three-person Board. Seelig said he didn’t agree with the article but noted, “I would like to give the people the chance to weigh in on it though.” Meade agreed saying he disagreed with the article but wanted to see the town vote on it. They eventually decided to pass over the article that evening and see how the new three-person Board functions before deciding whether to put the article on the warrant for the special town meeting in the fall.

Town Administrator Ed Thorne said that the solid waste contract for the town of Halifax would be expiring at the end of June. “Companies are getting out of getting their people out of the truck, picking up bags, picking up trash, and they are all going to the mechanized system,” Thorne explained. He said that the town would likely need to accept whatever increase comes with a one-year deal with Waste Management to give the town time to figure out a long-term plan. He said the long-term plan would likely be a three-to-five-year deal with a curbside, mechanized company. Thorne said that recycling brings in about $145,000 to the town each year. An additional $300,000 is generated annually by the bags that people buy. No decision was made during the meeting.

Town meeting part two was over in an hour

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Phase two of the Halifax Annual Town Meeting met Monday night, May 16, at the Halifax Elementary School, All-purpose Room.  Interim Town Moderator John Bruno, took the gavel for the evening as Town Moderator Robert Gaynor II was unwell.

Bruno called the assembly to order and in less than an hour the remaining 19 articles were read, discussed, and voted.  At the table on the stage, Selectman Ashley DeSesa was the senior member of the board, with newly elected selectmen Alexander Meade and Jonathan Selig seated beside her.

The following warrant articles were acted on:

Article 9 asked the town to fund a 1% wage increase for the Police Sergeants who are in the union.  Article passed.

Article10 asked the town for $8,242 to fund a 1% wage increase for the Police Patrolmen who are in the union. The article passed.

Article 12 asked for $150 for the Plymouth County Cooperative Extension Service and its many programs that benefit the Town including the 4-H program.  The article passed unanimously.

Article 15 asked the town to spend $110,000 to purchase and equip a new marked cruiser to be used for patrol and a new unmarked cruiser to be used by the Chief of Police.  Frank Johnston of Elm St. asked why the town should purchase two vehicles this year because last year they purchased three vehicles, one with ARPA funds.  Police Chief Joao Chaves responded that the extra vehicle last year was a pickup truck that would not be used as a patrol car, but to tow various pieces of equipment as needed.  Both vehicles that are being replaced will either be passed along to other town departments if needed or auctioned.  The motion passed.

Article 16 asked the town for $5,000 to replace six bulletproof vests at $900 each as the department requires police officers to wear them.  The manufacturer’s recommended lifespan for the vests is five years.  The article passed.

Article 18 asked the town for $66,941 for repairs and replacement parts for the Halifax Elementary School elevator.  Two years ago, when the control board was replaced, the school was told that they had the last control board for the elderly elevator.  Matt Durkee, the Silver Lake Regional School District Facilities Manager, spoke to the article saying that they need to have a replacement board on hand when the current board fails.  Without this replacement board, the school would not have a working elevator.   The article passed.

Article 19 asked the town to move $200,000 to purchase a medium duty dump truck, equipped with plow and sander, to replace a 1995 Ford L800 that will be sold at auction.  Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward told the assembly that the medium duty truck will be more versatile and very useful, especially in snow. The motion passed.

Article 23 asked the town for $3500 to support the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services.  The article passed.

Article 24 asked the town for $850 for a new time and date stamp for the Town Clerk’s office.  The Town Clerk is required by law to date and time stamp many documents that come into the office.  The article passed.

Article 25 asked the town for $1000 to purchase a new computer for the Holmes Public Library.  Library Director Jean Gallant told the assembly that this is the last computer to be purchased in the rotation program, so that all the library’s computers will be running Windows 10.   The article passed.

Article 27 asked the town to raise and appropriate $340,000 to purchase and equip a new ambulance for the Fire Department.  Fire Chief Jason Viveiros spoke to the article saying that the wait time for a new ambulance is now two years, due to the inability to get chasses.  This will replace the 2017 ambulance that will have more than 100,000 miles on it by the time the new one is delivered.  The article passed.

Article 30 asked the town for $520,000 for a Phase II project to upgrade outdated and failing components in the Town’s Richmond Park and YMCA Water Infrastructure to keep the plant in compliance with DEP regulations.  The article passed.

Article 31 asked the town to fund $36,000 for Halifax’s share of a part-time school resource officer at the Silver Lake Middle School.  The article passed.

Article 34 asked for $38,800 for a new intercom system for the Halifax Elementary School.  Silver Lake School District Facilities Manager Matt Durkee spoke to the article saying that the current system is old and failing and is a proprietary system that requires the school to use one vendor to make adjustments to the system, such as resetting the clocks for Daylight Savings Time, or after a power failure, at a significant cost to the town.   The new system is user friendly, non-proprietary, and will solve a number of problems.  The article passed.

Article 36 asked the town for $12,500 for IT as a next step toward centralizing Town-wide IT Communication services to include the Holmes Library and the Water Department.  The article passed.

Article 37 would use any remaining funds leftover to pay down the Plymouth County Pension Fund Liability Account.  The Finance Committee did not recommend it because if all articles were voted there would not be enough free cash left over to use.    The article was passed over at the Finance Committee’s recommendation.

Article 40 asked to remove the Fire Chief as a mandatory member of the Holidays in Halifax Committee.   In the past, when fireworks were being used, the Fire Chief was useful in planning the event.  Now, with no fireworks, the chief’s talents can be more useful elsewhere.   The motion passed.

Article 42 asked the town to change the Board of Selectmen from a three-member board to a five-member board.  The article was passed over to allow the new board of selectmen time to further investigate whether it is necessary.

Article 43 asked the town to limit the number of marijuana retailers to two.  The finance committee did not recommend it.  The motion failed.