The Plympton Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Selectmen Chair John Traynor brought up a suggestion for a name change as he has done many times over the last few years. Traynor recommended using Select Board as opposed to Board of Selectmen. Traynor said that of 292 towns, not cities, in Massachusetts over half of them have changed from Board of Selectmen to Select Board. “Everything going forward is labeled Select Board… the towns that abut us, Pembroke, Middleborough, and Carver have all moved to Select Board as a title. Only Halifax, Kingston, and ourselves do not use that name. Plymouth has moved to Select Board as has Duxbury,” Traynor said. He said he isn’t motivated by being politically correct but rather by all the women they have serving in government from the local all the way to the federal level.
Selectman Mark Russo said, “I am dead set against the change… I particularly enjoy being connected to a tradition that goes back to 1707.” Russo said that he felt that the mere fact that there are so many women in leadership positions shows that the title itself doesn’t prohibit it.
Selectman Dana Smith said he felt it should be up to the town. “We were voted in by the town, I think it should be something the town should decide… I would think that there might be some costs associated,” Smith said. Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said that the path of least resistance would be to put it at Town Meeting as a warrant article. Dennehy also said, “the only thing that I would mention in conjunction with what Mr. Smith was saying is that there are certain cost implications. All of our bylaws are codified and we have to pay… for every single bylaw change that we make. Now I don’t know exactly how much that would be, but anywhere in our bylaws that states Board of Selectmen would have to be changed.” Traynor said, “I would be very surprised if there was any cost of any consequence.” Traynor made a motion that they put an article on the annual Town Meeting to change the name. Smith seconded. The motion passed with Smith and Traynor voting in favor of it and Russo voting against it.
Town Accountant Lisa Hart provided an end of year closeout update. Hart said she was looking to have everything submitted to the State by the end of September. She also said that she was hoping they could have free cash certified by the middle of October as well as have the tax rate set before Thanksgiving.
“I’d say I’m probably a week to ten days behind where I would like to have been due to the fact that I was waiting for the schools for some information… Silver Lake… it gets a little confusing because they pay their teachers, all the money that they pay through the summer is actually from their FY24 budget so they have to approve that into FY25 in order to pay them,” Hart said. She added, “they’re working hard over there but they were left with quite a mess over there to clean up… they’re struggling over there. They’re underemployed. They don’t have enough people.”
Traynor said that they had several one-day liquor license requests for Stellwagen Beer Company at Sauchuk Farm. The dates include 9/21, 9/22, 9/28, 9/29, 10/5, 10/6, 10/12, 10/13, 10/14, 10/19, 10/20, 10/26, 10/27, 11/2, and 11/3. The Selectmen noted that there would be a police detail present for each of the dates. The Selectmen voted to approve the requests.
Dennehy said that they have applied for and been awarded a Green Communities grant for work to the heating system at the library in the amount of just over $135,000. “That brings my individual total for grants that I’ve brought in over the last few years to well over $1 million.” She noted that she wouldn’t have been able to do so without the help of Ross MacPherson and the Old Colony Planning Council.
The Selectmen ended the meeting with raves. Russo said, “my raves are for questions that are useful and constructive. Despite personal opinion, preference, philosophy, or ego, despite past grievances, questions like what’s best for the town, most importantly, how do we be fair, how do we keep things moving… again, my rave is for those kinds of questions that are able to surmount obstacles and keep things moving.”
Traynor recalled his rave at the prior meeting for the life and legacy of Plympton resident Jacqueline Freitas who recently passed. He noted that well over 100 people attended her services. He spoke about her passion for various causes and the affection that was shown by the turnout at her services.

KINGSTON – The editors and directors of Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years are inviting Kingston veterans to be part of a photo that will be taken on Veterans Day in front of the new Memorial in front of the Town Hall at noon.
The book’s directors are looking to highlight the service that veterans have provided over the years and are seeking volunteers to be photographed and be part of this celebration of Kingston’s 300th anniversary in 2026 and will be including a group photograph of the men and women who served the country in the military.
“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.
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. The publishers anticipate that the book will be approximately 250 pages in length, and approximately 9.5 by 12 inches in size.

In addition to the photograph, there are a few opportunities remaining if anyone has wants to prepare a short article pertaining to their military service, or the service of a loved one.
“Our veterans have given so much to the community and the country,” said Ken Brack, a director and the project’s Managing Editor, who added, “We believe it is fitting that in this book we honor the service and sacrifice that these individuals have made. Please get in touch with us and be part of our town’s history in this upcoming book.”
The publishers anticipate that the book will be approximately 250 pages in length, and approximately 9.5 by 12 inches in size.
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 being part of the photo, or a related story, please contact Ken Brack, managing editor, [email protected],

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met on Monday, Aug. 26.
Selectmen Chair John Traynor said they had a request for town-owned tree removal in the area of 292 Main St. The resident of the property, Willie Hannigan, spoke saying there was approximately a 15-20 ft. strip of property between his land and Young’s Convenience Store which contains a large pine which he described as roughly 110 ft. high. “It stands alone. It has no peers… it sways greatly, we did have a tree next to it come down and miss my mother’s bedroom by about 15 ft. and there are three bedrooms right in that possible path where it could come down. I believe Young has talked to the town about this before… it worries me to see this tree and what could happen,” Hannigan said.
Hannigan also said that he would be having septic work done soon and that he was told that the work could undermine the roots of the tree making it more susceptible to coming down. He noted that the town couldn’t pay for taking it down, but that he was just looking for their blessing. The Selectmen voted unanimously to allow Hannigan to remove the tree at his expense.
Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy spoke regarding the required taking of two small pieces of property for the Winnetuxet Rd. bridge project. Selectmen Chair John Traynor confirmed that the owners of the land were fine with it. “It’s a part of the Mass DOT process since we are getting State funding for this project,” Dennehy said. Selectman Mark Russo said, “My only comment is I wish they weren’t doing the whole project; many of us spoke against it but I guess it’s going ahead. In terms of this specific agenda item and motion, I’m fine with it.” Traynor read that $400 would be paid in damages to the owners.
Dennehy provided some Town Administrator updates. She said she was working to close out the grant cycle for the Community Compact Program. “I’m going to be surveying some of the Boards and Committees and Departments to figure out what a next application might look like.” She said that she believed that there may currently be some technology funding available that could be used for something like updating the town website.
She said that she met with the Fire Department to address some flooding that occurred in a back room there. She said there was some discussion about the Highway Department potentially building a ditch with some stone to try to curb the flow into the building. “We need to do something in the immediate to deal with that… even if we put in a new Fire Station, if we’re going to repurpose that building at some point; we need to protect the asset and stop the water,” she explained.
Dennehy told the Selectmen that Police Officer Caitlyn Mullaney is resigning from the Department. Traynor said, “she was well-liked by the kids for sure.” “Absolutely,” Dennehy said.
The Selectmen went into Executive Session. A lawyer present told them that they needed to read the case names that were to be discussed in that session. These included Pierre Coll v. Plympton Conservation Commission, Henry J. O’Hearn, III v. Plympton, Plympton v. Ruth Ann Hatch and Jenifer Rogers, and Kenneth Thompson et al. v. Plympton Conservation Commission.
The Selectmen ended with their usual raves. Russo said, “My rave is for the summer report that we got from Town Counsels; I thought they had all the detail in there but were coherent and logical and really laid out the cases in a way that a laymen can understand, and I appreciate that.”
Traynor said, “First I want to acknowledge the passing of Jacqueline Freitas. A really unique person – I like Jackie a lot. She had no fear of telling you exactly where she stood on an issue; she was very much for the town – did a lot of work.” He applauded her work as a driver for the Council on Aging.
Traynor also praised Recreation for getting lights on the field. Finally, he gave a rave for the Council on Aging barbeque hosted by the Upland Club.

The Kingston Board of Selectmen met on Monday, Aug. 19. Chair Eric Crone said that there was a retirement and a resignation for the two administrative assistant positions within the Veterans’ Department. As a result, the Selectmen would be appointing a Veterans’ Agent. He noted that the position was advertised and interviews held. Town Administrator Keith Hickey said that they looked at a few options including a joint position with a neighboring community. He continued saying, “We also found out… that the Veteran’s Administration had added a certification that was necessary for Veteran’s Agent to submit reimbursements to the VA. Our two former admins did not have the background to do that… you’ve got to be a Veteran’s Agent and not just an admin.”
Hickey said that they were making a recommendation to appoint Lisa Eriksson to the position as a Grade 5, Step 4 paygrade. He noted that it was $1,772.00 more than what they have in the fiscal year budget for 2025. He did say however, that due to the retirements the money was there. “I think she’s a great candidate; she worked in the Veteran’s office in the town of Carver… and she is a veteran,” Hickey told the Selectmen. The Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint her. It was said that there were no plans to replace the administrative assistant role.
Crone also said that they would be looking to appoint someone to the position of public safety dispatcher. Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes introduced Andrew Burke, who he said is an undergraduate at Curry College. Holmes said he was vetted by a Committee which included himself and dispatch. He further stated that he was chosen from a pool of 50 applicants. The Selectmen unanimously voted to appoint him.
Holmes also addressed the request to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for items for the Department that he called “needs” not “wants.” Among the items needed was a portable breath test and body worn cameras. The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the use of ARPA funds no greater than $28,756.00 to purchase the necessary equipment.
Hickey said that he watched the August 13 Water Commissioners’ meeting where they discussed the proposed funding request for a new well. The Water Commissioners plan to bring an article to the fall town meeting to fund the design portion of the new well, but not the actual building of the well. Hickey said he would like to see them reconsider the decision to hold off asking for funding for the building of the well until the spring. Hickey said, “There’s current property owners that need water that can’t get it, there are other property owners that are looking to either develop or redevelop their property but can’t. We just passed this past spring an accessory dwelling unit bylaw that if a person has an accessory dwelling unit and they want to bring it forward, if it’s a new unit they can’t connect to water. There are some real financial challenges that not being able to connect to water brings.”
The town and school department staff met to establish a school zone for the Silver Lake campus. He said that they would have a recommendation on it at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Hickey said that in conjunction with the Streets, Trees, and Parks, The Superintendent’s Office, The Planning Department, and the Police Department, they have come up with a plan that they believe will meet all State requirements. An engineering firm is going over the plans to make sure it is feasible. Hickey said in addition to signage for the schools, he included a design for a “welcome to Kingston” sign. “The Planning Board supports the designs you see in front of you this evening,” he told the Selectmen. Hickey said the project would be ongoing for a few years as funding sources, such as CPC grants, become available. He said they would be looking to get approval from the Board of Selectmen in the near future.
Hickey also provided a personnel update. A van driver for the Council on Aging has resigned. Additionally, the School Committee would be interviewing candidates for the vacancy on the Kingston School Committee.
Hickey said that the Conservation Agent and himself plan to meet with Brockton’s mayor to discuss Brockton’s withdrawal of water from Silver Lake. “Brockton is withdrawing far greater water than they are supposed to be. Silver Lake is down about 2 feet.” He continued, “The concern that some of the Conservation people have in town is that the fish won’t be able to swim to the ocean this fall because the water levels won’t be high enough so we would like to at least have a conversation to try to address at least the issue Kingston is having.”
He noted that DEP had been reached out to, but called them “hesitant” to enforce the existing agreement.

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 FUNDING
PLYMPTON – The Plympton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is currently accepting applications for fiscal year 2025 funding. The deadline for completed applications is October 15.
Projects funded in prior years include a safe in the Town Clerk’s office to archive important historical records; installation of a chairlift and new insulation for the “Old Town House” building at 189 Main St.; a comprehensive drainage system to solve a chronic wet basement in the Plympton Library; funds to acquire and improve the 11 acre parcel on Main Street now known as Churchill Park which offers access to the abutting 87 acre parcel known as Cato’s Ridge thereby forming a large natural preserve with walking trails;  improvements at Harry Jason Park to make it more accessible for family and recreational use; the installation of a chairlift in the Plympton Historical Society Building; renovation of the old Winnetuxet swimming hole into a recreational area; and facilitating the donation of O’Neil Marsh on Ring Road which offers additional access to Cato’s Ridge.
More recent projects include clapboard painting and window restoration and replacement at the “Old Town House”; repair and restoration of Town Green gazebo; creation of the 150 acre “Two Brooks Preserve” off Prospect Road; funding for improvements to the playground at the Dennett Elementary School; and the purchase and preservation of almost 300 acres known as Turkey Swamp.
The CPC takes very seriously its responsibility to administer Community Preservation Act funds and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve and improve the town through acquisition and protection of open space, historical preservation, community housing and increased recreational opportunities. New projects selected by the CPC for further consideration will be voted on at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Project guidelines and applications can be found on the Plympton town website at http://www.town.plympton.ma.us/community-preservation-committee. Click on “Documents” at the left-hand side of the web page to bring up the Plympton Community Preservation Plan which includes the application and criteria. The CPC Plan and application are also available at the Town House and at the Plympton Public Library. Questions can be addressed by contacting CPC Chair Mark Russo at [email protected].

The Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health reminds people in moderate to high risk areas, such as Whitman, Hanson, Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston, that the threat continues for both Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). To date, two males, one in Hampden County, in the 40-49 year old age group and one in Middlesex County, in the 70-79 year old age group, have contracted WNV. One animal has been found with EEE..
These mosquito-borne illnesses continue to be a threat to health and residents should take precautions when outside from dusk to dawn, prime time for mosquito bites. The threat will continue until a hard frost, usually in October..

Kristy Zamagni-Twomey
Express correspondent
The Plympton Board of Selectmen met on Monday, July 22. Rick Burnet appeared before the Board to discuss the flags on the Town Green. “The flags are in disrepair. I hear that you guys are basically in charge of the flags, so they need to be fixed… there’s five in disrepair between my house and here.” Selectman John Traynor agreed saying, “there’s one in front of the house that’s just torn to shreds… and another one is just hanging by a thread.” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said, “they’re very expensive… we spent a small fortune on them.” Traynor said that he initially advocated for the flying of the flags and that he wanted to follow the example set by Kingston. He said that they may need to rethink the size of the flags, etc.
Briggette Martins, who spearheads the Memorial Day activities in town, said, “I think it would be great to have them up for Memorial Day… and we take them down after the Fourth. I did speak to the Veteran’s Agent, and she said that as long as… for Veteran’s Day our main flags are flying, that is what she’s concerned with.” The flags were being flown longer than typical in the last year which has led to additional wear and tear.
Regarding cost, Selectman Mark Russo proposed that it be funded by a Town Meeting article. “Let the townspeople decide,” he said. Dennehy proposed having Highway Superintendent Rob Firlotte take all the flags down. “I would just take all of them down and then we can look at everything – our inventory, what it would cost to replace, what it would cost to convert to a banner system and then we’ll have something in place for Veteran’s Day,” Dennehy said. Traynor said, “I would rather see them flying.” Russo agreed with Traynor. Instead of Dennehy’s proposal, they agreed to have Firlotte take down the damaged flags only while looking into cost for replacement and alternative systems as well as funding it through an article at Town Meeting.
Before leaving the meeting Burnet said, “It’s a respect. There’s texts that need to be followed and we don’t follow them even having them all repaired; they need to be lighted at night… there’s a lot to it. I’ll put up with not having that part, but having them flying correctly.”
The Director of Elder Affairs Colleen Thompson appeared before the Board to provide a departmental update. She began by saying that they are well within their budget and noted that they have been offering luncheons every other month and other activities. The Friends of the COA also help with putting on programming. Upcoming activities include a cookout at the Upland Club on August 21. She said that attendance at yoga has grown enough that they have added a second class. A monthly newsletter is also distributed.
Regarding the food pantry, Thompson said it serves about 30 people across 18 households. Thompson said, “we don’t restrict the use of the pantry; I suspect there are some people that don’t have a financial need that use it, but if somebody tells me they want some food, it’s not that big of a deal.” Thompson said, “I do want to mention that the church is very supportive of the COA.” She said that they don’t charge for use of the building.
The nurse that has been working with the COA is leaving and a new one is in the process of being hired. “The biggest thing is getting our new driver in place… I’m really hoping we can find someone that is already certified,” Thompson said. She said that it is over 40 hours-worth of time to get trained. She said that the driver would be in addition to the Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA).
Selectman Mark Russo said, “I think you guys, along with the Historical Society, are ripe, sooner or later, for a major donation. I think dropping that hint every once and a while and planting that seed – sooner or later someone is going to recognize their frailty and their age and have some wherewithal and what better way to support the town that they’ve enjoyed their whole lives?”
Police Chief Matthew Ahl also appeared before the Board to provide some updates. He said that the elementary School successfully started a garden club. Ahl said, “My school resource officer team has executed plantings out there and got the students involved which has been great.” He told them that the same school resource officer team participated in D.A.R.E. camp at Whitman-Hanson. Ahl also told the Selectmen that they have been working on many grants and recently appropriated “a few hundred thousand dollars” toward different things as well as acquiring an ATV.
Ahl said that as part of SEMLEC, he runs a multi-agency/unit for civil disturbance. “It’s unfortunate that we’re here in this climate based on what’s going on politically and around the world, what we’ve found is that in this immediate Southeastern MA area is that there is a need to create a unit around rioting and protesting,” he explained. Ahl is running and fielding the unit. Ahl also said that on August 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. they will be holding National Night Out which will include many town departments, touch-a-truck, etc. Ahl said that Library Director Mike Slawson has been incredibly helpful bringing in fun activities like face painting, etc.
Dennehy told the Selectmen that they need to name a new nominee to the Old Colony Planning Council. “But before we do so, I was wondering if the Board would entertain authorizing Selectman Russo and myself to pursue other planning agencies?” Dennehy asked. She said that they were specifically interested in Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD). The Selectmen agreed to pursue looking into SRPEDD.
Dennehy also read a letter from Cathy Ferguson, in the capacity of a resident, regarding some of her concerns. She first said that the decision to ban alcohol on town property should not be revisited. She also expressed concern about using the Old Townhouse as a venue open to the public citing concerns about it sitting on a cesspool septic system.
Regarding the Old Townhouse, Traynor said, “it’s owned by the people and I think we need to have as much going on there as possible.” He said that they would need to do some more homework regarding the septic situation.
For raves, Traynor said that while it wasn’t directly tied to Plympton, the waterfront concerts sponsored by Plymouth are wonderful.

By Linda Ibbitson Hurd
Special to The Express
Across the street from our house on Elm street in Hanson when we were growing up was a cozy little house that my Grandfather Ibbitson had owned and lived in until he and my grandmother moved their expanding family directly across the street into a big blue shingled house. The little house had a nice living room, a kitchen, bath and two bedrooms with a small upstairs room that overlooked the big front lawn. The living room led to an enclosed porch which was across the front of the house and had many windows. Inside the porch was what looked like a long built-in bench that was actually storage for toys and an assortment of other things such as blankets, towels and clothing. The house and yard were taken care of by a man who owned it back then and my grandparents had a key as some of their things were kept in the storage bench until the owner could find a tenant.
On summer evenings my grandmother could be seen sitting in her Adirondack lawn chair in the front yard of the little house with her teenagers, my aunts, Sally and Sam and two of my uncles, Richard and George. My sister Penny and I were allowed to go over and some of the neighborhood kids would end up there as well and also friends of our aunts and uncles. The gathering usually evolved into a fun fest for the kids.
We’d lay on the ground looking up at the clouds, watching them change shape while we called out what they looked like. When we got restless or bored we’d pluck the stems off the narrow leaved plantain weeds with the little black heads on them that looked like raisins and curl the stems upwards to snap off the little black tops at each other while running around the yard. Inevitably one of the kids would end up falling or crying if they got snapped and Gramma would put a stop to it.
Richard and George would start swinging us around and we’d laugh and scream until they set us down and we’d stumble around from being so dizzy; we always went back for more. Sally and Sam would go into the porch and come out with a couple of blankets. We all took turns laying down in the blankets while our uncles, aunts and their friends, Rita and Loraine who were sisters, helped by picking up either end of the blankets that now looked like hammocks with a kid in them and they swung us back and forth into the air while we giggled and shrieked with delight. Gram approved, commenting it was safer than swinging kids around any other way.
Aunt Sally was very good at doing and teaching us hand stands. She and Sam and their friends also showed us how to do cartwheels. When we played games like Red Light or Simon Says, some of the dogs and barn cats liked to join in. When we tried LeapFrog one time, Gram put her foot down making it clear it wasn’t allowed on her watch.
To the far right of the front lawn was a lilac grove where my siblings and I played as did our aunts and uncles before us. It magically transformed into anything we wanted it to be. In the spring it was fragrant and beautifully dressed in its white blossoms. Further out in the yard beyond the lilacs was a small pond. Around its edge were pussy willows in early spring and also the home of cattails that both Gram and my mom loved putting in vases. We made a few rafts out of barrels and boards and had fun floating around on them pretending we were pirates until they sank. It wasn’t too deep of a pond; we always landed on our feet and were careful of the turtles and frogs.
We watched many a sunset from the lawn of this house and when it got dark, the lilac grove and the woods beyond became enchanted with fireflies. We knew once it got dark it wouldn’t be long before our parents would call us in. Sometimes my dad would come over and Penny and I would get to stay until the moon came out. When dad was there he and Gram would sing an old song I came to love called, “The Old Lamplighter” That would prompt more singing and we’d all join in. Two favorites were “K-k-k-Katy” and “Oh Susanna”.
The little house is still there and I’m happy to say a family member lives in it. I may not frequent it like I did growing up but the memories of those simpler times and what we did for fun stay with me. I still love watching the clouds, a sunrise, sunset, fireflies and the magic of a full moon. It brings back those simpler times and the faces and voices of my grandparents and all my aunts and uncles.