The Plympton School Committee met on Monday, December 16 to hear presentations from two department heads in addition to the usual updates and upcoming budget discussions.

Dennett Elementary School Principal Peter Veneto gave an update on the events of the past month. Report cards went out on December 9 and the school’s holiday concert was held on December 12. “It’s been a great month,” Veneto said. “We had a ton of parents come in for the Grade 2 Heritage Fair; we’ve seen a lot of parents in the building this month – the parent involvement has been terrific and it just goes to show that they’re very supportive of what goes on here and we’re very happy about that.” Veneto also called the Girl Scouts’ Holiday Craft Fair this past weekend “a huge success.” Plympton School Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen also had praise for the Thanksgiving feast held at the school last month. The winter break will be from Monday, December 23 to Friday, December 27.

Director of Business Services Christine Healy gave an update on the financials saying, “We’re progressing very nicely through the year; there have been no unexpected events that we haven’t been able to financially take care of.”

Administrator of Special Education Marie Grable gave a presentation, just as she had done at the Silver Lake Regional School Committee meeting the previous week. Grable began by defining special education as “specially designed instruction to help students with various disabilities anywhere from age 3 through age 22. Our focus is to try and equal the playing field for all students so that they can all access curriculum similar to their non-disabled peers.” Grable stressed the importance of the team in special education saying that it takes the cooperation and efforts of many including the student, parents, the school representative, the evaluation expert, the regular education teacher, the special education teacher, the child expert, and community agencies. At 14, the student becomes a legally recognized member of the team process.

The state gives ten classifications for schools to draw upon to determine if a student is eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Grable said that there are currently 53 students from Plympton, both at Dennett and out of district in K-6, that are receiving services via an IEP. Grable said that the number of students in out of district placements is going down. In fiscal year 2017, there were six out of district placements and in the current year there are only three.

Grable also spoke about the budget for special education tuition and transportation. One of the ways in which special education is paid for is through the state Circuit-Breaker program which reimburses school districts a percentage of the costs over a certain threshold which are accrued educating severely high needs students. For Plympton, that threshold is any amount over $45,792 per student. Out of district tuition for the town of Plympton this year is $535,381 and out of district transportation is $90,000. Some of these costs are offset through Circuit-Breaker. Two entitlement grants, Grant 240 and a smaller Grant 262, also help offset special education costs. According to Grable, the district needs to be cautious of the fact that the 240 grant is diminishing each year. A good portion of the 240 grant money is used toward the paraprofessionals that are working with the students receiving special education services. Grant 262 which targets students ages 3-5, is mainly used toward contracted services at the preschool level. Grable also said that in speaking with Superintendent Joy Blackwood, Assistant Superintendent Jill Proulx, and Principal Veneto about budget preparations they have decided to include a proposal to add a special education teacher.

Grable gave an overview of the post-secondary Pathways program for students aged 18-22 which helps students transition into the community. The students in the Silver Lake Pathways program were acknowledged during a ceremony in November along with their colleagues in the neighboring communities of Carver, Pembroke, Duxbury, Hanover, Marshfield, Plymouth, and Whitman-Hanson. Grable said, “This program is doing such an outstanding job and all of the programs work so well together. Our students are over in Pembroke, and Marshfield, and Hanover, and they’re working alongside the students in some of the other communities in the communities and the workforce.” Grable continued, “I’m so proud of the fact that the school committee and the superintendent have had the vision to allow this program to move forward.”

Technology Director for Silver Lake Steve Pellowe also gave a brief presentation to the committee. Pellowe referred to the department as “small but mighty” saying that they manage over 7,000 individual devices. Pellowe said that the department’s budget is up only $270 from last year. “We try not to ask for more than we need,” Pellowe explained. Vice Chair Jason Fraser said, “It’s amazing what you’ve done with the amount of money you’ve asked us for the years you’ve been here.” “The budget number is ridiculous but in a great and welcoming way,” Fraser continued. Wilhelmsen added, “I think it also speaks to how you are doing your budget.”

Blackwood said that initial budget discussions had already been had for Plympton. The district will be going out to bid for buses. As mentioned during the special education presentation, the addition of a new special education teacher will be proposed. Of the request, Blackwood said, “I fully support and believe this is the right thing to do; I believe it will be a savings to the town once we educate the public to understand what it will mean if we aren’t able to provide those services within the brick and mortar of the Dennett Elementary School.”

Blackwood said there would be a slight increase in maintenance costs for the building. Wilhelmsen said that he thought it best that regular maintenance items be included in the budget while “one-of” maintenance items would best be paid for through special town meeting. Blackwood also announced the retirement of long-time kindergarten teacher Donna Resmini at the end of the school year. Blackwood said that her retirement would be a great loss for the school but did acknowledge that it would result in a roughly $25,000 cost savings to the school.

Blackwood likened the building of a budget to a puzzle and said that they hope to bring forth a budget that is fiscally responsible while still meeting the needs of those in the building.

The first item on the agenda at the Tuesday, Dec. 10 Halifax selectmen’s meeting was the Council on Aging (COA) Director search. One of the final two candidates is the current assistant town clerk in Halifax, Sue Lawless. Chair Troy Garron said, “I think by appointing Ms. Lawless it sends a message out to the town employees that there is an opportunity to move up within the organization.” Selectman Gordon Andrews and Selectman Tom Millias agreed with the decision to appoint Lawless as the new COA Director. Millias said, “A big thank you to the screening committee… it was a long time, there were a lot of applicants, there were two rounds, it was a lot to ask of volunteers and we want to thank you all.” The interim COA Director Brenda Fitzgerald will stay on for a few weeks to overlap with Lawless in order to provide training.

The Selectmen also discussed the public hearing held the previous week to discuss the possibility of entering into a host community agreement with Bud’s Goods and Provisions to establish an outdoor marijuana growing facility in town.

Bud’s president and CEO Alex Mazin was present at Tuesday’s meeting but didn’t speak. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said there were about forty abutters and other interested residents present at the hearing. Several residents mentioned concerns regarding odors as well as the appearance of the fence which would surround the facility. Millias said, “I heard concerns but I didn’t hear outright, vocal objections.” Seelig asked the selectmen if they were interested in gathering further public opinion before taking steps toward a community host agreement. The selectmen decided that while they didn’t need another public hearing, they wanted to give residents another week or so to submit comments regarding the proposed facility.

MacFaun appointed to Board of Health Steven MacFaun had a joint appointment with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Health to interview for an open position on the Board of Health. MacFaun, who said he has a background in septic, said he has been to several of the Board’s meetings and also attended a convention recently to learn more about issues pertaining to the Board of Health. Garron asked him if he attended town meetings and MacFaun replied that he does. Millias said, “Years ago, everybody kind of stereotyped the Board of Health with septic systems and that is just not the case anymore.” MacFaun assured Millias that he understood the complexity of the issues facing the Board of Health. Alan Dias, clerk for the Board of Health, moved to appoint MacFaun. MacFaun was unanimously appointed with the support of both boards.

Several other openings on various boards and committees were also discussed during Tuesday’s meeting. A talent bank form was submitted for the Municipal School Building Committee. An application for the Planning Board vacancy was submitted after the deadline but the Selectmen agreed to setup an appointment for her to come before them. According to Andrews, the applicant has a background in real estate.

The revised site plan for Amanda’s Estates was approved by the Planning Board by a vote of 2-1 last week. The Party Trust still must go to the ZBA for approval for new special permits based on their site plan.

The Board also voted to approve a number of license renewals for 2020 for many of the business in town.

Holidays in Halifax is this Saturday

Seelig said that Breakfast with Santa will be this Saturday, December 14 at 8:30 at the Halifax Elementary School. The event serves as the prelude to Holidays in Halifax which is currently in its 25^th year. “We’ve had one every year, rain, snow, winds, warm weather like we may have this year,” Seelig said.  A number of events are planned for this year’s festivities, all to take place on December 14. “I hope everyone will be able to make it out,” Seelig said.

With winter sports season starting up this past Monday at Silver Lake High, here is a refresher of how each of the varsity teams fared last season.

Boys Basketball

The Lakers made it to the Division 2 South sectional playoff bracket, but fell to Tech Boston on the road 80-50. The senior-heavy team finished their season at 13-9.

Girls Basketball

The Lakers underwent a rebuilding year, going 5-15 on the season.

Gymnastics

The co-op with Pembroke had yet another strong season; they earned their fourth straight Patriot League title. Ava Dorsey, a freshman last season, earned the Patriot League MVP award.

Boys Hockey

For the third straight season, the Lakers made it to the Division 3 South sectional playoffs via the Sullivan Rule. They went 8-11-4 last season and lost their top two scorers to graduation.

Girls Hockey

The co-op with Whitman-Hanson had a down year, going 4-13-2. However, the team was on the younger side and showed growth throughout the season. After starting the year at 0-7-0, they went 4-6-2 in their final 12 games.

Swimming

On the girls side, Alexa Connors earned Division 1 State titles last season. She got one in the 200 (1:50.84) another in the 500 freestyle (4:53.14). A senior this season, she has an opportunity to defend those titles once again.

Track

Both track teams enjoyed positive results last season; during the regular season, the girls went 4-1 and the boys went 3-2. Each team had their share of contenders at the state meet and Riley Paskow went to All-States for the girls; she came in 13th place in the 600 meter at the event.

Wrestling

The Lakers sent a pair of wrestlers to the Division 2 state tournament last season, including Kyle Cipullo (195), now a junior.

The Halifax Cultural Council is pleased to announce its grant awards for the 2020 grant cycle:

• Jazzin’ the Blues w/Paul Speidel $200

• A Musical Journey Through The Years w/Tommy Rull $375

• Concert: Plymouth 400-Adoration of Place  w/Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra $500

• Children’s Songs and Singing Games Family Concert w/Roger Tincknell $500

• Beethoven @ 250: 2 Area Performances of his Fifth Symphony and Mass in C Major w/Mayflower Camerata and Chamber Orchestra $457

• Guest Art Demo & Workshop at Silver Lake Regional High School $350

• High Art 2020: DREAMSCAPES at the Attleboro Arts Museum $100

• Art and Poetry: Making Creative Connections w/Bill Alberti $100

• Concert / Music Education w/David Maloof $375

• Magic for Seniors w/Ed Cope $450

• Halifax Reads at the Holmes Public Library $400

• Passes to Plimoth Plantation at the Holmes Public Library $500

• SENSEation Days at the Fuller Craft Museum $350

• Craft Inspires at the Fuller Craft Museum   $150

• Another Crossing: Artists Revisit the Mayflower Voyage at the Fuller Craft Museum $500

• Essential Portraiture Class at Silver Lake High School $150

• Soule Homestead Harvest Fair $200

• South Shore Natural Science Center’s Corn Festival $500

• Treasure Hunts at the Pilgrim Hall Museum  $100

• Senior Art Class w/Halifax Council on Aging $400

Information about the dates and locations of specific events will be posted on the Town’s web site at a later date. The Halifax Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information about the Halifax Cultural Council, please contact Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig, at 781-294-1316.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met on Monday, Nov. 18 minus Vice Chair Mark Russo. The Selectmen and Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy discussed the upcoming special town meeting to be held on December 16 at 7 p.m.

Per Dennehy’s request the selectmen passed a motion to close the warrant for special town meeting with the acknowledgement that while nothing will be added, there may be some articles removed.

Article One will call for an extensive revision to the solar by-laws. The Board agreed that it was not appropriate for them to either recommend or not recommend this particular article as it is already being handled by the Planning Board. The Planning Board previously held a public hearing on this topic.

The Selectmen did vote to recommend Article Two which pertains to the police chief.

Article 3 seeks approval to authorize the Board of Selectmen to create safety zones with reduced speed limits. Unsurprisingly, the Board voted to recommend this article.

The selectmen also recommended Article 4 to request the transfer of funds to pay for a van for the Council on Aging.

Article 5 that is being sponsored by the by-law review committee was first brought to their attention by animal control officer Brian Kling. Kling said that the state had changed a lot of their baseline regulations regarding animal control and that all of the communities were being strongly urged to adopt the same language. The requested changes increase fines for various related offenses and adds a provision for a third offense and for a fourth or subsequent offense. The Board voted to recommend this article as well.

Article 6 pertains to a vote that was being had by the Board of Assessors to release $290,000 from the overlay fund. Dennehy explained that if applied to the interim tax rate it would mean a reduction of fifty cents per thousand. Dennehy said that it would likely have to be made up next year in addition to other expenses including increased costs for regional dispatch and an update to the entire capital plan by the finance committee. Dennehy said that because valuations are likely to go up, it could be upsetting for people when they experience a large increase. “I think in light of some expenses that we may have on the horizon I’m not sure that being so quick to take that money and earmark it for something at a special town meeting that’s not occurring at a normal time of the year, I don’t really think that that’s the best course of action,” Dennehy said. Town Accountant Barbara Gomez was in agreement. The Selectmen voted not to recommend the article should it not be withdrawn before then.

Article 7 was similar to Article 6 in that the Selectmen and Dennehy were unsure if it would be withdrawn before special town meeting. Selectman John Traynor said, “I’m not opposed to what they want to do… I just don’t want to do it today.” Chair Christine Joy agreed saying, “Financial matters are always better saved for the annual.” Again, the Selectmen voted not to recommend the article for the same reasons as stated for Article 6.

Dennehy asked Joy and Traynor their opinions on whether or not a hard copy of the special town meeting warrant should be mailed to households. Dennehy said that they had not budgeted for printing and shipping costs but that the finance committee had said that they would help find a way to fund it. While town counsel said that there was no obligation to do so, the Selectmen and Dennehy were in agreement that it was best not to deviate from what was done in the past and agreed to the mailings.

Dennehy also updated the Board about regional transportation options, saying she has been working with Halifax Town Administrator Charlie Seelig. They are currently awaiting further instruction as to whether they should reach out to Brockton area transit to pursue some form of relationship.

Dennehy also provided an update on the potential regionalization of the Council on Aging with Halifax and Carver. Dennehy said that since Halifax has had to extend their search for a Council on Aging director, the regionalization has been placed on the back burner temporarily. Once that position is filled, the three towns plan to move forward with their plans for a joint calendar, etc.

Dennehy once again emphasized to the Board that Plympton’s dispatch costs are set to increase significantly next fiscal year. Dennehy said that the finance committee is on board with the idea to attend a Selectmen’s meeting in late January where the Regional Old Colony Communications Center (R.O.C.C.C.) in Duxbury could also attend and give a presentation.

The Board voted to appoint Benjamin Sarro as motor equipment repairman from November 5, 2019 until June 30, 2020.

The Board also passed a motion to set the right of first refusal for two Harju properties for Monday, January 27 at 6 p.m.

The next Board of Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 2.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen will host a community forum/public hearing for Bud’s Goods and Provisions proposal to build an outdoor cultivation facility on River Street on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall in the Halifax Town Hall.

The forum will include a presentation and an opportunity for residents and other interested parties to ask questions, make suggestions, and voice their views on the proposed facility.

In preparation for the community forum, attendees are welcome to read the proposed Host Community Agreement (http://www.halifax-ma.org/board-selectmen/files/buds-goods-proposed-host-community-agreement) and Bud’s Goods and Provisions’ presentation (http://www.halifax-ma.org/board-selectmen/files/buds-goods-original-presentation)before the Board of Selectmen.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen is seeking volunteers to serve on a number of boards and committees including the Finance Committee and the Wage and Personnel Board.

These committees and boards need volunteers in order to function and provide services to the residents of Halifax. For instance, a full seven-person Finance Committee ensures that a wider variety of residents help make recommendations to Town Meeting about the Town’s annual and operating budgets than if the Committee has a minimum quorum of four residents.

Residents interested in serving on these and other boards and committees can download a talent bank form [http://www.halifax-ma.org/board-selectmen/files/talent-bank-form-2019] and submit it to the Board of Selectmen, 499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338 or contact the Selectmen’s Office at 781-294-1316 to obtain
one.

A current list of vacancies is also available at http://www.halifax-ma.org/board-selectmen/pages/board-committee-vacancies.

Halifax Town Administrator Charlie Seelig attended Thursday’s Silver Lake Regional School Committee meeting. Seelig said he was there to address his budget concerns now rather than in February when all departments are too far along in the process. A concern of his that would later be echoed by Chair Jason Fraser was the lack of Chapter 70 funding the district is receiving under the fiscal 2020 plan. Chapter 70, which is the major form of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts, made several changes this year including a change in the student poverty measure that resulted in more aid going to urban districts such as Brockton, Everett, Lawrence, etc. while more suburban and rural districts came up short.

Seelig expressed that the lack of funding is not only a school issue but a town issue as well since the district will need to rely on town assessments to make up for what they don’t receive in Chapter 70 aid. While there is little effect to Halifax Elementary, the other schools in the Silver Lake district are suffering. Both Seelig and Fraser were careful to say that it’s not that the urban districts aren’t deserving of the help, but that other districts cannot be forgotten. Seelig said, “We need some help too, maybe not as much as some of those other communities but we’re not floating in riches either.” Fraser has reached out to local legislators including state representatives Vinny deMacedo and Kathleen LaNatra regarding a $100 per pupil minimum increment. Vice Chair of the Committee Eric Crone initiated a motion to send a letter to legislators from the entire school district.

Former Plympton School Committee member Lynn Kaupp, who has a background in special education, attended the meeting to speak on behalf of the non profit Coastal SNAP and ask permission to have the schools disseminate the word about the program. The all-volunteer program provides youths with intellectual and physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in various athletic and recreational endeavors. Kaupp, who is President of SNAP, explained that students with disabilities are matched with other students preferably from the high school (although mature middle school students may be eligible) in a one-to-one mentor relationship. Kaupp explained, “you don’t have to play a sport, that’s not really what it’s about – it’s about connection.” Students needing 40 hours of community service to graduate might consider being a part of the program. All mentors require two references. Crone made a motion for the School Committee to support the SNAP program and Superintendent Joy Blackwood as well as Silver Lake High School Principal Michaela Gill approved Kaupp’s request on behalf of the administration. The Kingston Fire and Police Departments have both donated to the organization.

Also in attendance was Kingston Police Chief Maurice Splaine and Kingston Officer Matthew Donovan. Donovan, who is a graduate of Silver Lake, was named as the new school resource officer at Silver Lake Regional Middle School. Having a school resource officer at the middle school is new this year and is limited to only eight hours per week as supported by the town of Plympton. The town of Halifax voted against contributing to the school resource officer as they were opposed to the mechanism by which it was to be funded. The School Committee is hopeful that the number of hours can be increased next year. In addition to providing security, the job of a school resource officer includes bringing a law enforcement perspective into health related discussions including vaping and alcohol. Additionally, a school resource officer can act as a liaison between the police department and the school, notifying the administration of students who may need to be handled with extra care due to circumstances at home. Donovan will be attending a school resource officer class in November. Donovan said, “I’m excited to build relationships with faculty, staff, and most importantly the students.”

New Interim Assistant Principal Dan Stewart gave the principal’s report for Silver Lake Regional Middle School as Principal James Dupille was unable to attend. Stewart previously worked for the district as a school psychologist. November 9-10 is the New York City trip with eighty students from the school attending as well as a group from the high school and drama club. Stewart also reported on the success of the Haunted Halls and dance with over 80 percent of the school attending. The guidance department will be presenting the Science of Suicide on November 7 and 8. Principal Gill reported that students at the high school participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October with events including a door decorating contest and a penny wars competition. In total, Silver Lake raised $45,000 with all donations going directly to local families being treated at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Weymouth.

Silver Lake technology director Steve Pellowe presented an overview of his department to the School Committee. There is a total of five people in the tech department and they manage over 7,000 tech devices ranging from access control panels to computers, etc. During the first month of school the technology department fielded between 60-80 help requests per day for grades K-12. Pellowe also talked about Securly which records searches done on school issued Chromebooks related to bullying or self-harm and reports them back to administrators. Pellowe said that they eventually hope to setup a student run helpdesk that could be delivered as a four-credit course. While Pellowe said that budgetary requests could be greater next year, he doesn’t anticipate any major impacts for the current year. Fraser said that Pellowe had the mindset of an educator adding, “There’s no one that knows you that doesn’t respect you.”

Superintendent Blackwood gave an update on enrollment at the various schools and the ways in which that enrollment affects the town’s assessments. Halifax Elementary School is down 22 students, bringing their assessment down from 31.4% to 30.6%. Kingston Elementary was up 25 students increasing their assessment from 56.3% to 57.1%. Dennett Elementary in Plympton was up a staggering 27 students. The middle school is down 11 students while the high school is down 10. Percentages by town for shared costs, which includes the superintendent, assistant superintendent, accountant, curriculum coordinator, etc., went down for Halifax (from 32.9% – 31.2%) and up for both Kingston and Plympton (from 56.3% – 56.7% and from 10.8% – 12.1% respectively). Budgets will hopefully be submitted by each school’s administration by Veteran’s Day. “It’s going to be a difficult year for the budget, no doubt,” Blackwood said.

Blackwood also spoke to three areas she would like to see considered during the creation of budgets. While partially funded now, Blackwood said she would like to see the school resource officer at the middle school receive more funding in order to ensure a greater presence during the school week. Blackwood also said that she would like to see a position added for a part time nurse leader who would oversee the other school nurses. The School Committee proceeded to engage in debate about whether or not it would be necessary to make such a position a full-time one. Crone pointed out that while the state audits hospitals, examining records no such oversight is provided within the schools and should be in order to ensure that laws are being followed. Blackwood said that Silver Lake is one of the only school districts without this position. The town of Marshfield, which is comparable in size to Silver Lake, has a full-time nurse leader. Blackwood also called for funding for a second teacher in the Allied Health program, which has the most students enrolled of any of the CTE programs. “This is something that we knew would be coming,” Blackwood said. Director of Career and Technical Programs Elliot Glass is currently applying for Chapter 74 status which would allow for an extra $4,000 per student. That approval would essentially fund this position. Blackwood and Fraser spoke to the success of the program as did the new student representative to the school committee Jake Twomey who is currently enrolled in the Allied Health program. Twomey who called the program phenomenal went on to say, “Honestly, it’s been almost life changing.”

Fraser gave an update on the search for the new superintendent. The hope is still to have some overlap with the new superintendent and Blackwood before Blackwood’s retirement later this school year. The search committee had narrowed it down to three finalists but one of the candidates had to remove themselves from contention for personal reasons. The next step will be conducting site visits to the candidates’ most recent place of work. Final interviews will occur on November 12 at 6 p.m. and November 13 at 6 p.m., both at Silver Lake Regional High School. The following night, November 14 there will be a deliberation and vote.

The Monponsett Watershed Association, an organization that oversees the maintenance and preservation of Monponsett Ponds, met with Halifax Selectmen during their Tuesday, Oct. 22 meeting to discuss significant delays in various treatments and other action items pertaining to the ponds. President Suzanne Lillie, Vice President Don Barrows, Treasurer Jamie Stewart, and Secretary Marianne Moore were all in attendance.

In 1964 a law was passed allowing the city of Brockton to divert water from West Monponsett Pond and East Monponsett Pond to Silver Lake, a major source of Brockton’s water supply. The water drawn from Monponsett Pond was to augment Silver Lake’s water during a severe drought.   The water draw from Silver Lake has increased substantially since 1964.

In 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Agency (DEP) published a report looking at the daily load of pollutants in the ponds. While cranberry cultivation, residential development, septic systems, and stormwater runoff all contribute to the pond’s impairment, the diversion of water from Monponsett Pond to Silver Lake is a significant contributor.

Following the publication, the DEP issued Brockton an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) in 2017 identifying violations of Chapter 371 of the Acts of 1964 regarding water quality and timeline for the completion of tasks and a call to action to develop a resource management plan (RMP). It also requested that the Comprehensive Water Management Plan be updated, something Lillie doesn’t believe has been done since 2009.

In January of 2019, an RMP with a scope of work was issued. Lillie said, “It basically takes the ACO, which was fairly bureaucratic, and it turns it into actionable statement of work items such as review of historical information, collection of data, estimating seasonal releases from the dam, and operating procedures for Silver Lake and the diversion station.”

Following the issuing of the RMP, there was a public hearing and the Monponsett Watershed Association was able to submit written comments to the DEP and receive responses in turn. The Watershed Association asked about the part of the plan that called for the placement of a temporary plug in the Route 58 culvert to separate the East and West Monponsett Ponds. The Watershed Association felt that Brockton’s motivation for the plug was to preserve East Pond regardless of the further degradation of West Pond. DEP responded saying there was no intent to further degrade West Pond adding, “In response to the public comments received in opposition to the evaluation of a temporary barrier between east and west pond, the City will not investigate the temporary barrier. MassDEP concurs with this decision.” Lillie said, “This, what we think was a fairly pivotal point, was not included in the amendment.”

The final RMP was scheduled to be completed by March 22, 2019, but the deadline came and went without an update so Lillie planned to contact the DEP. Before she could do that, former Monponsett Watershed Association president Paul Collis forwarded to Lillie an email he received as commissioner of the Central Plymouth County Water Commission. It included an amendment to the ACO that pushed forward all the dates of the major deliverables by as many as 49 months. Lillie questioned the reason for the amendment and received an email from David Johnston, the Deputy Regional Director for the Bureau of Water Resources in Mass DEP’s southeast regional office. The email read, “The amendment was distributed because there were unforeseen delays experienced by both parties and the desire to extend the deadline for the comprehensive water management plan submittal beyond the resource management plan completion date.” Johnston did not specify what those unforeseen delays were. Lillie said, “The completion date should have been in 2019; obviously that didn’t happen – it’s now January of 2023. So, I won’t tell you the words I said when I first figured it out.” Regarding the delays and the lack of communication, Selectmen Tom Millias said, “It’s all politics, every single little bit of it.”

The Monponsett Watershed Association asked the Board for assistance in improving communication with DEP as they need to be made aware of both progress and anticipated delays. Millias said that he felt the only recourse would be through legislators. Chair Troy Garron agreed saying that his first suggestion would be to reach out to Senator Michael D. Brady. Brady had previously aided in getting money into the state budget for water treatments. Millias pointed out, however, that as Brady’s district includes Second Plymouth and Bristol, a large portion of his voting base comes from Brockton. Lillie agreed but said that while the improvements would cost the city of Brockton, it would also benefit them as the Monponsett Pond is a water supply for many of their residents. Everyone was also in agreement about reaching out to State Representative Kathleen LaNatra.

The Watershed Association also requested a point person on the Board as former Halifax Selectman Kim Roy used to act as liaison between the Association and the Board. Due to time constraints and previous commitments, the selectmen said that it would be best for Selectmen assistant Pamela McSherry to fulfill that role. The Association also said that they would like to see the Monponsett Pond Working Group reinstituted.

Selectman Gordon Andrews suggested the possibility of suing the city of Brockton, but town administrator Charlie Seelig pointed out that it would be necessary to consider the cost of legal action against monetary recompense.

In addition to their meeting with the Watershed Association, the selectmen also selected their finalist for the new Council on Aging Director. It was a unanimous decision with all three selectmen citing Wendy Adams as their first choice. Her selection is contingent upon a CORI check and her acceptance of the town’s offer. The Board felt that Adams has both the experience and the educational background to succeed in the role.

Schools in the Silver Lake District experienced a “modified lockdown” Wednesday in response to the active shooter situation in Plymouth.

Plympton Chief of Police Matthew Clancy told The Express the directive came  in late Wednesday morning from Superintendent of Schools Joy Blackwood who was acting in “an abundance of caution.”

In Plympton, an officer and a cruiser were assigned to the school for the remainder of th school day.

Most students were likely not aware of the situation, Clancy said, and the only real change to their day was that there was no outside recess.  At the end of the school day, students were dismissed and sent home in the usual manner.

Blackwood communicated to the schools and the towns’ police departments that with the uncertainty of the Plymouth shooters, keeping Silver Lake District students contained in a safe place seemed to be in their best interest.