The Halifax Board of Health is partnering with Dr. Finney from the VCA Hanson Animal Hospital to offer a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Halifax Highway Barn, 60 Hemlock Lane.
One (1) and three (3) year vaccines will be available at the clinic. Proof of a valid (unexpired) rabies certificate is required for your dog or cat to be administered a three (3) year vaccination.
The fee per vaccination is $15.00 regardless of which vaccine is administered. Only cash or check payment methods will be accepted; credit or debit card payments will not be available.
For questions or additional information, please contact the Board of Health by calling (781) 293-6768 or e-mailing [email protected].
Docent Art honors founder
On May 20, at the Dennett Elementary Spring Band and Chorus Concert, Dennett Docent Art Leader Krystyna Puljanowski, grandmother of Dennett second grader James Puljanowski, presented a plaque to Dennett principal Peter Veneto, in menmory of Dennett and Halifax Elementary schools Docent Art founder Cathy Drinan.
Puljanowski’s remarks follow:
“Welcome to Dennett Elementary celebration of art and music. While admiring student’s creative work and talents, we need to remember a person who enhanced the arts for the past 30 years. Cathy Drinan’s contributions should be acknowledged and remembered.
My name is Krys Puljanowski: and I am proud to say I am an art docent at Dennett Elementary School. This would not be possible if I hadn’t met Cathy in 2018, at which time she encouraged me to join her docent art group. I was warmly welcomed, encouraged and nurtured in Cathy Drinan’s program.
Cathy initiated and cultivated the Docent Art Program at the Dennett Elementary School about thirty years ago. Her program brought art to Dennett Elementary classrooms. Cathy created a program based on a deep respect for the ability of others, in these cases children, to make observations and to learn from those observations. She often said to us, “the more you look, the more you’ll see”. Cathy looked and saw the best in all of us.
This program could not have come to pass without Cathy’s vision. She exposed students to paintings and allowed them to form their individual opinions about creativity within the world. She gave students a way to share their opinions and encouraged docents to listen to their ideas. And ultimately she encouraged all of us “to have fun.”
Dennett Elementary students, docents, parents and the Plympton community have all been enriched by her dedication to help everyone see and think about the beauty around them. Her passion for life and enthusiasm in making everything better is evident in the program she created and relationships formed.
Cathy Drinan was a truly remarkable and inspiring person. I feel privileged to have been shown how to be a docent and become a friend. It is with heartfelt gratitude and respect I say thank you for making all of us better for having known you.
Therefore, the program will now be known as the Cathy Drinan Docent Art Program and am delighted to present a plaque commemorating Cathy’s Dedication to the Dennett Elementary School. ”
Silver Lake towns’ elections results
Selectmen’s races in each of the three Silver Lake towns brought out voters, some in record numbers, for Saturday’s election, May 18.
Plympton newcomer Dana Smith defeated longtime selectman Christine Joy, with his 374 votes to her 298.
Arthur Bloomquist put on a spirited campaign as a write-in candidate for a three-year term on the Board of Health. His bid garnered 153 votes. His opponent, Bradford T. Cronin, won with 391 votes.
Plympton’s elementary school committee saw Jason W. Fraser win his three-year term with 520 votes. The second seat was a write-in contest, won by Jon Wilhelmsen with 87 write-ins.
Jocelyn Anderson won three more years with the Board of Assessors, her write-in campaign garnering 37 votes.
Nathanial B. Sides was unopposed, winning 492 votes for the three-year term.
Miranda Pink won her write-in campaign with 80 votes for the three-year term as Library Trustee.
Ann M. Sobolewski won her bid for a five-year term on the Planning Board with 506 votes.
Lucasz Kowalski won re-election to a three-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee.
Tara Shaw won her bid for Town Clerk with 551 votes. She ran unopposed.
William N. Hayes, Jr. was unopposed in his bid for Tree Warden.
Halifax gave the nod to newcomer Thomas J. Pratt, besting Naja Nessralla in the race for Selectman, 571 votes to Nessralla’s 440.
Dorothy Lamoureux was unopposed for the three-year term of Assessor, taking 783 votes.
Pamela A. Engstrom got 794 votes running unopposed for the Board of Health.
The Halifax Housing Authority 3-year term was won by Patricia Marie McCarthy who ran unopposed, taking 796 votes.
Susan E. Vogt and Brian Thomas Houlihan will serve three-year terms on the Board of Library Trustees. Diane Ruxton won 793 votes running unopposed for the two-year term on the Board of Library Trustees.
Lori A. Costa-Cline won her seat on the Halifax Elementary School Committee with 666 votes, and Lauren Michelle Laws won her seat with 722 votes.
Robert G. Gaynor, II, won re-election to the 3-year term as Moderator with 706 votes. Challengers Gordon C. Andrews and Adrienne T. McDougall got 77 votes and 12 votes respectively.
Bruce Nobles won the three year term as Park Commissioner with 754 votes.
Amy L. Troup won re-election to the Planning Board’s 5-year term with 567 votes. Challenger Robert J. Piccirilli got 436 votes.
Susan Lawless, running unopposed, won re-election to the three-year term as Town Clerk with 840 votes.
Linda Anne McCarthy ran unopposed for the three-year term as Treasurer/Collector with 834 votes.
Gordon D. Laws, Jr. ran unopposed for the three -year term on the Silver Lake School Committee, winning 766 votes.
Daniel O. Bosworth, Jr., won re-election to the three-year term as Water Commissioner.
Kingston saw Melissa A. Bateman unseat incumbent Sheila Vaughn, 590 votes to Vaughn’s 349. Kimberley A Emberg was re-elected to a three-year term with 450 votes. It was a best two out of three for the three-year terms.
There was no declared winner for the 5-year Planning Board seat, though there were 80 write-ins for various candidates. Alex Graham won 26 write-in votes for the position.
Incumbent Mark Guidoboni squeaked out a victory over Megan Garrity Cannon, with 413 votes to Cannon’s 409 for the Silver Lake Regional School Committee 3-year term.
Megan Garrity Cannon won election to the three-year term on the Kingston Elementary School Committee. Opponent Laurie A. Casna won 387 votes.
Incumbent Richard Wilson Loring, Jr., won election to his three-year term as Water Commissioner with 633 votes.
There was no candidate for the five year term on Housing Authority, but there were 37 various write-in votes.
Sheryl A. Antoine won the contest for the three-year term on the Board of Health with 422 votes. Her opponent Patricia Iafrate won 299 votes.
Emily Flight Curtin, incumbent, was unopposed for one three-year term as Library Trustee, taking 685 votes,. The second position had no candidate and remains unfilled. There were 13 write-ins.
Matthew Richard Donohue was unopposed for a two-year term on the Board of Library Trustees.
Incumbents Melissa A Bateman and Eileen Mary Moynihan were both re-elected to three-year terms on the Recreation Commission, 699 votes and 482 votes, respectively.
Brian M Donahoe was unopposed for the three-year term as Sewer Commissioner.
Plympton COA hosts forum for selectmen candidates
It was standing room only at the Plympton Town House on Saturday, May 11, as residents came to hear what the two candidates for selectmen had to say. Incumbent Christine Joy, who has held a seat on the board for 15 of the past 24 years met Dana Smith, a newcomer to politics who is retiring June 30 as a Plympton police officer, Dennett School SRO and DARE officer.
The debate was moderated by Colleen Thompson, Plympton’s Director of Elder Affairs, and host of the event.
The two answered questions posed by Thompson and then the questioning was offered to the audience who kept the candidates on their toes.
First, each was asked why they thought they were the best candidate for the position. Experience was Joy’s answer, her love for the town, and her pride in her many accomplishments. “I feel like we’re really focused on the community and we’ve come together in a very nice way,” she said. Being on the Board of Selectmen is like running a business. “My personal mantra has always been, ‘The Town comes first.’” She spoke about the professionalization of town department heads so they can be successful, establish a guideline as to what is and is not acceptable in conduct, how we treat each other. The fun part is when we fill key management positions and the hardest part is when we have to deal with people who aren’t professional and pose a risk to the town. “It’s part of the job,” she said. “The last thing is thoughtful decision-making, clear, concise, defensible, decisions that help reduce the potential for legal challenges.”
To Dana Smith, Thompson asked, “Why do you think you should replace Christine on the board?” Smith allowed that he is a newcomer to politics, but not a newcomer to Plympton. A son of a World War II veteran and POW, that’s where his call to civic service comes from. Smith has been in Plympton since 1988 and has been a member of the Plympton Police Dept. since 2004, and will be retiring next month. He has been the DARE officer and SRO (School Resource Officer) at the Dennett Elementary School for 13 years, working to make it a safe environment for Plympton’s children. He was instrumental in bringing the A.L.I.C.E. active shooter program to the Dennett to give a response to a possible active shooter situation. Smith said he knows about running a business and has owned and run a successful small business, a karate studio in Middleboro, for 20 years. “It’s a little different working for somebody, than working for yourself.” Smith said he owns the property in Middleboro where his business is located so he needs to worry about maintenance, property taxes, and planning for the future. “What I would bring is a fresh face, building relationships within the community,” Smith concluded.
Joy said in response that she has demonstrated that she is a proven leader, and won’t run away from a fight. “The town comes first, always… Having that mantra has given me the strength to do what I need to do.” Joy continued, “I think Dana is a really great guy and he has done a great job with DARE. I think that I’m a better choice because I have a wide variety of experience. . . and I think at this time it’s better to have seasoned leadership, people who know the ropes, and are able to knock some heads together to get things done.”
Colleen Morin asked Joy to explain the vetting process for new employees in key positions. She told the group that a consultant is hired who puts the word out through their networks and compiles resumes from the applicants. These are gone through and reduced to 10 to 12, and the committee of townspeople whittle those down to the best two or three. Public interviews are held, and the selectmen vote on their choice, making the final appointment.
Kim Russo asked Smith to confirm that his experience as a policeman is very different from the people who follow the law and the people who make them (the laws). She asked if he was familiar with the current Plympton bylaws and if he would state specifically which of the decisions the Board of Selectmen has made that he would do differently.
Smith answered that as a rookie coming into the situation, “You have to start somewhere.” As far as bylaws are concerned, Smith expressed concern over a bylaw that defines the number of parking spaces needed to accommodate businesses in town. Smith was concerned that this bylaw would hurt the Mom and Pop businesses in town. If the businesses are successful, the town will be successful. “Many of the roads are outdated,” Smith continued, specifically citing the narrow corner on Ring Road that poses a danger. He also mentioned Sauchuk’s Farm and the parking issue there. It was dealt with within the town. The parking bylaw is very wide-reaching, he said. “It’s a little hard to take.”
Joy said the town created the Bylaw Review Committee so that the bylaws were always relevant to what’s happening. Years ago that wasn’t always the case. “We were always trying to put our finger in the dam trying to stop things rather than being proactive, being prepared for things that are happening now,.” We are business friendly, she continued, but it has to be the right business in the right place.”
Plympton Fire Lieutenant Andrew Norton asked Joy to explain the disparity in the wage between fire and police personnel, pointing out that police payroll was $400,000 more than fire. Joy answered that they are two different jobs; it’s like comparing apples and oranges.
Steve Silva, former Plympton Fire Chief, took issue with her answer saying he was “a little bit insulted by your answer to Capt. Norton… your argument of apples and oranges couldn’t be more incorrect. I’m also your former fire chief and I know how things work in this town… Your chief has a Master’s Degree. Lt. Norton has a Juris Doctorate. We are educated, well-trained … I thought it was a rather simple question … I just want to know the difference of a $400,000 difference between two payrolls with very similar if not identical staffing patterns… So I reject your answer on that!”
Joy responded that she respects what he was saying.
Kim Russo asked Dana Smith about the police budget compared to the fire budget. “You go to the Finance Committee and ask for what you want. Smith responded that he doesn’t deal with those budgets. They’re above his pay level at this stage of the game. But the discrepancy has to be addressed.
“We’ve heard concerns on the red side of the table here, pretty legit concerns, and as far as working with those professionals, personally I have the utmost respect for the jobs they do… we’re both public servants… It’s a partnership.
Joy responded that the budget shown on the warrant was submitted by your fire chief, what she needed to manage her department. The larger number was provided by the police chief… I’m not saying anybody’s job is worth more than another.” Joy assured Norton that she would look into the numbers.
David Smith introduced himself as Dana Smith’s brother, asked Joy why the police budget was so high, up from $1.1 million two years ago to $1.6 million. “That’s almost a 50% increase!” He asked if violent crime was up 50%. “It doesn’t make any sense to me. What is $500,000 more police work getting us?”
Joy answered that the budget increase reflects having two officers on duty at all times for safety’s sake. Smith countered that the increased personnel means more than just the number on the paycheck; it means medical, pension, and these numbers go on year after year. “How much more can we sustain? How can we handle this?”
Joy responded that it goes to town meeting.
Silva asked Smith what staffing was in the police department on a typical weekday. Smith responded that there would be the chief, a lieutenant, a sergeant, two officers, and the SRO. So six.
Wrapping up, Joy asked Candidate Smith to elaborate on his statement in last week’s Express regarding infrastructure. “We definitely have some serious road issues…” citing narrow roads and the narrow corner on Ring Road. As part of infrastructure, we need to deal with repurposing the fire station as well. We also have that barn out on Center St. to repurpose. If they can still be used, they should be. “We’ve done pretty well repurposing things, but we have to do it fiscally responsibly and safe.”
In closing, he noted Joy’s vast experience and asked where she saw her involvement as selectman in the next three years. Joy responded that she hopes this will be her last term as selectman, that she believes in term limits.. “I’m newly retired. I’ve been working full time and doing this job I feel like I’m in a position right now to delve into things to help seniors and not just seniors – there are a lot of people struggling in this town and I’d like to find ways to help them. Mental health, food insecurities, or financial, I think that we have a responsibility as a community to be a village to help one another.” The last thing that she mentioned is to help people who want to have a safe flat surface to get outside and walk and referenced a public/private partnership she was working on.
Election day is Saturday, May 18. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PLEASE VOTE!
Who’s on the ballot May 18?
With elections only eight days away, Saturday, May 18, our three Silver Lake towns have sprouted lawn signs for their favorites. Not so many this year as in years past, with only a few contested races.
In Halifax, there are two contests on the ballot: Incumbent Amy L Troup is being challenged by Robert J Piccirilli for the five-year seat on the Planning Board. Naja R Nessralla, candidate for re-election, is challenged by newcomer Thomas J Pratt for the three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Voters will cast their ballots at the Halifax Elementary School, Plymouth St., Rte. 106, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In Plympton, the only contest on the ballot shows Selectmen Chairman Christine M. Joy being challenged by Dana M. Smith for the three-year term on the Plympton Board. Voters will go to the Plympton Town House, 5 Palmer Rd., Deborah Samson meeting room to make their choices from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In Kingston, Kimberley Emberg, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and Sheila Vaughn, incumbent, are being challenged by Melissa A. Bateman for a three-year term on the Kingston Board of Selectmen. The voting is for two out of three contestants.
Megan Garrity Cannon is challenging incumbent Mark R. Guidoboni for the Kingston seat on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee, a three-year term. Laurie A. Casna is challenging Megan Garrity Cannon for the three-year term on the Kingston Elementary School Committee. Cannon is the incumbent.
Patricia Iafrate and Sheryl A. Antoine are the choices for the one Board of Health three-year term. Neither are incumbents.
There are three positions with no candidate: Planning Board 5-year term, Housing Authority 5-year term, and Library Trustee for a 3-year term. Check for write-in candidates.
All four Kingston precincts will vote at the Kingston Elementary School cafeteria, 150 Main St. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Send your stories: “Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 years”
KINGSTON – Do you have a story about what it was like growing up in Kingston? Does the house you live in have an interesting history? Do you have an old photograph of a special event from decades ago? Maybe you know an artisan or a businessperson with a story to tell. Perhaps you would like to share your recollections of our town with a larger audience?
“Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 years” will celebrate and commemorate Kingston’s 300th anniversary and will be available for purchase in the fall of 2025, ahead of Kingston’s 300th anniversary in 2026. There has been strong support from the community in the way of articles and photographs, and the publishers are still actively seeking additional community contributions.
This new illustrated history will feature short narratives and fresh accounts which will add to established town histories, chronicling the town and its people through different eras. Contributors to the book have come from the community, and the publishers are seeking additional contributions from interested parties.
“We want to hear from anyone who may have a story to share about life in Kingston,” said Ken Brack, a director and the project’s Managing Editor, who added,
“These could be ‘then and now’ items from a neighborhood, snapshots of family histories, postcards or other historical items.” He added, “You don’t need to be a professional writer to be a part of this book. We have an editorial team that will work with contributors.”
The publishers anticipate that the book will be approximately 250 pages in length, and approximately 9.5 by 12 inches in size. Because of the length of time required to design and print a book of this size, the publishers are asking that all material for possible inclusion in the book be submitted by the end of June.
Whether it’s an article on a family business, a family history, a story about veterans and first responders, an interesting story about a house, the publishers want to hear from you.
The publishers of this book are not affiliated with the town’s 300th committee; this is a separate venture. To learn more about the book, please visit http://www.kingston300book.com).
To inquire about submitting an article or a story idea, please contact Ken Brack, managing editor, [email protected].
You could also contact directors Tom Vendetti, [email protected], Jan Guidoboni, [email protected], or project editor Jim Farrell, [email protected].
Local elections are Saturday, May 18
Saturday, May 18, Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston will all open their polling places for locals to cast their ballots.
Plympton residents will vote at The Town House, 5 Palmer Rd., Rte. 58, Plympton Center, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is only one contest on the ballot, incumbent Selectman Christine Joy is being challenged by Dana S. Smith.
Halifax residents will vote at the Halifax Elementary School, Plymouth St., Route 106, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to mark their choice. Amy L. Troup, candidate for re-election to the Planning Board 5-year term is being challenged by Robert J. Piccirilli; Selectman Naja Robert Nessralla is being challenged by Thomas Jared Pratt for the 3-year term.
Kingston residents will cast their ballots at the Kingston Elementary School cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Incumbents for the 3-year term for Selectman Kimberley A. .Emberg and Sheila Vaughn are being challenged by Melissa A. Bateman.
Incumbent Mark Guidoboni is being challenged by Megan Garrity Cannon for the 3-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee. For the Kingston School Committee, Megan Garrity Cannon, incumbent, is being challenged by Laurie A Casna.
For the Kingston Board of Health, Sheryl A. Antoine and Patricia Iafrate are candidates for the one 3-year term.
There are no candidates on the ballot for the 5-year position on the Planning Board, the 5-year position on the Housing Authority, and one 3-year term on the Board of Library Trustees.
Plympton COA Spring Luncheon
On April 3, the Plympton Council on Aging held a Spring Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church. They enjoyed chicken broccoli alfredo prepared by Joe Pontes. COA board members Nancy Butler and Cindy Bloomquist made delicious brownies, served with ice cream for dessert.
Kevin Richman ran TV-like game shows – Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, and Concentration. Everyone won prizes!
The entertainment was provided through a grant from the Plympton Cultural Council, which is supported by the Mass. Cultural Council.
Cutler talks shop at library
The Plympton Public Library hosted Josh Cutler this past Saturday as part of their weekly community coffee and conversation series. Cutler is a former State Representative from Duxbury who was recently appointed as Undersecretary in the Executive Office of Labor by Governor Maura Healey. Cutler was introduced by John Traynor and spoke about the state’s role in supporting registered apprenticeship programs to offer alternative career options.
Apprenticeships have long been a successful model in the building trades, Cutler explained, and now the state is actively working to expand and promote them in diverse fields such as health care, early education, life sciences and cybersecurity. He explained that apprenticeships can offer great earn-while-you-learn opportunities and a chance to develop new skills without racking up large amounts of student debt, which he joked he was still paying off himself. The lively audience at the library had many questions for Cutler about his new position working for the governor and the role of apprenticeships in the state workforce. Plympton’s State Rep. Kathy LaNatra was also in attendance and joined in the discussion. Cutler previously served six terms in the Legislature serving all or parts of the towns of Hanson, Halifax, Pembroke, Duxbury and Marshfield.
Cutler, is a non-fiction author, and also spoke about his two recently published books: Mobtown Massacre, and the Boston Gentlemen’s Mob. The former tells the story of how the town of Hanson came to be named after a rebellious newspaper publisher from Maryland, and the latter chronicles the early abolitionist movement in Boston. He donated signed copies of each book to the Library.
The Plympton Public Library 10-Minute Briefing series is held on the first and third Saturdays of every month.
Brian Holmes will be new Police Chief
The Kingston Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, March 26. Chair Kimberley Emberg noted the large police presence there that evening for the potential signing of the agreement between the town and the final candidate for the position of Police Chief, Brian Holmes. The official swearing in will take place on April 11 and Holmes will begin working for the town as of April 15. The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the agreement. The Police officers present that evening gave a round of applause. Holmes was previously employed by the Stoughton Police Department. Holmes spoke saying, “I’m overwhelmed at the turnout of the men and women of the Kingston Police Department. I want to thank them for being here and I’m truly looking forward to working with all of them. I have a goal and my goal comes from a guiding principle that I received from a sergeant way back in the day… leave people better than you found them.” He also thanked the Selectmen and the Search Committee.
Emberg addressed a dog that was voted a nuisance dog at a previous meeting. The owner is currently in the process of rehoming the dog and asked for an extension to come into compliance. Town Administrator Keith Hickey said, “he believes he has somebody that is familiar with the breed – he has to introduce to the dogs he has now. The owner also let me know that he has reached out to the Kingston Animal Hospital to make arrangements that, if in two weeks from today, the dog has not been rehomed, he will go in a different direction.” Given the past extensions, Hickey said that he did let the owner know that while the Board didn’t want to see a dog put down, he did believe they were at the end of their rope with granting such extensions. Selectman Eric Crone said he was in favor of the extension. The Board agreed to delay the decision until their next meeting.
The Selectmen appointed Brian Payne to the Conservation Commission effective immediately to a term ending in June of 2025. Payne is currently a member of the Open Space Committee and the Community Preservation Commission.
Hickey spoke on the need to reconsider the Town Meeting schedule. He said that given the extensive conversation around the schools’ budget and the need for them to acquire more time to present to the Finance Committee and communities, he suggested moving Town Meeting from May 4 to May 11. This would extend the closing of the warrant as well from March 26 to April 23. This will require the Selectmen to close and vote on the warrant at the same meeting. The Selectmen unanimously voted to approve the amended May 2024 Town Meeting schedule.
Hickey provided a Town Administrator’s update. He said that the boat ramp project is underway. He commended the contractor on working with the Conservation Agent to make sure that the materials were anchored during the recent rainstorms to prevent anything from spilling into the lake.
Hickey said that with the IT Manager retiring, he is looking into contracting the services out. He noted that while it was less money for the town, it also reduced the number of minutes a person is available in the building. He said that he would bring forth a proposal to the Selectmen in coming weeks. Emberg asked if the company would be able to remote into computers and provide IT tech support over the phone, etc. Hickey said that they could offer an employee in the building 8 hours per week to address things that can’t be done remotely. Crone said that in the past they had explored sharing IT staff with the schools amongst other ideas. He recommended doing a shorter contract of just one year as opposed to a longer contract in case things didn’t work out. Hickey also told the Selectmen that the Assistant Town Planner is seeking employment elsewhere.
Finally, Hickey told the Selectmen that he hoped to have the Memorial Day cookout after the parade again behind the town offices. He said that if anyone was interested in assisting or participating, they would love to have the help. He called the previous year’s event “amazing.”
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