HALIFAX– Despite Halifax Selectmen finishing the bulk of their seemingly brief agenda in about 10 minutes on Tuesday, July 26, the agenda actually contained many scheduled appointments which kept the board busy for hours. Among the appointments were the ninth meeting with Fieldstone Farms proprietor Scott Clawson, a hearing on no-parking signs on Brandeis Circle for the purpose of discouraging access to Silver Lake and a continuation of a dog hearing for Tarawood Kennel.

Fieldstone Farms consent agreement signed

Finally, after nine lengthy meetings with Scott Clawson, a contentious update to the legal consent agreement under which he operates horse shows was signed by Clawson and the board.

There was a sense of relief in the room as the lengthy process, which had been adversarial at times, is coming to an end. The agreement still needs legal review.

The update to the 20-year-old legal agreement came after Clawson set off red-flags among town officials by advertising more shows than were allowed in the agreement for this summer, but Clawson turned the chastising he received from the board for that transgression into a discussion about changing the contract.

Lawyers for the town and for Clawson worked out the details of the changes that Clawson wanted to see, up until past 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Clawson will see an increase in the number of shows, an increase in the number of RVs on site to house show security and other personnel as well as an increased number of horses counted by entries, not heads.

He had to compromise on several issues, including the number of RVs, whether they could have generators or not– they cannot– and concerns that various public safety officials had, especially regarding the on-site medical staff.

He will also be able to ask for an extra date if he gives the Board sufficient notice.

The agreement was renegotiated line-by-line in painstaking detail over the course of the process.

Brandeis Circle

The board rejected a proposal to put up “No Parking” signs on Brandeis Circle in order to prevent access to Silver Lake via a property that is no longer in use and has a trail to the water’s edge.

Reportedly, many recreational users of Silver Lake leave their vehicles in front of the property, and Jeffrey Bolger, a neighbor, suggested “No Parking” signs to discourage this illegal trespassing.

Yet, despite a recent drowning, neighbors expressed their disapproval for the signs, saying that they would prevent get-togethers where extra parking is required.

Police Chief Edward Broderick stated that his department stood ready to assist neighbors if they called in what they believed to be parking violations, or trespassing on the parcel or their property, at any time.

Although the board will continue to monitor the situation, they were not prepared to have signs installed.

Silver Lake is a public water supply and is not open for recreational use, although due to a lack of enforcement and unclear jurisdictions, people often use it for recreational purposes.

Tarawood Kennel

Tarawood Kennel, at 7 Plymouth Street, is owned by Jennifer Choate. The board called her back before them for the third part of a dog hearing to address on-going barking issues.

Last week the board ordered her to take remedial action immediately to reduce barking that neighbors say they can hear at all times of day and night and to hire a sound engineer to look into fixing the problem in a more permanent way.

Although the board, Choate, her attorney and some of her supporters were speaking back and forth, no one in the room from the public was recognized to speak by Chairman Troy Garron. Neighbors turned out in droves, to the point where extra chairs had to be found by Town Administrator Charlie Seelig.

Choate has spoken to a sound engineer, and began moving around some dogs within the facility in an attempt to reduce barking, she said.

They all agreed to continue the hearing until August 23rd at 8 p.m. until some more work can be done.

Further complicating matters, though, was a citizen’s petition that Selectmen are obligated to take up, giving them authority over the entire kennel operation, not just the barking issue. Since 25 residents signed, they must hold a hearing. That hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.

This may obviate the Aug. 23 hearing, but Seelig recommended that the two processes run parallel to each other.

Choate is currently seeking an increase in the number of dogs she can have on premise from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Selectmen will now have authority superseding that of the ZBA in all aspects of the kennel.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY– On Wednesday, July 13 the Central Plymouth County Water Commissioners met to edit a letter they are sending as a direct appeal to Brockton water consumers.

Only two of the four commissioners were present, although the third appeared by cellphone and the Brockton Commissioner did not attend the meeting.

The thrust of the letter is to make Brockton residents aware of the consequences their water consumption is having on neighboring communities, and their officials’ lack of a response to the issue.

Brockton, which can divert water from the Monponsett Lake into Silver Lake and pumped out as Brockton’s supply, is under the microscope as their diversions are blamed for keeping Monponsett Lake, especially West Pond, stagnant and unhealthy, encouraging cyanobacteria to reproduce.

This summer cyanobacteria numbers have soared as the temperatures have risen, causing MassDEP to recommend closure of West Pond.

This has done little to stop recreational boaters from using the pond, even fishing in it, despite posted warnings that the West Pond of the lake is closed.

A test on Monday, July 11th was even more disturbing than previous tests. According to the MassDEP and local officials, the West Monponsett Pond samples showed cyanobacteria levels of 1,174,000 cells/ml, up from 613,000 cells/ml at 4th Avenue Beach the week before. Last week, 592,000 cells/ml were found at the state boat ramp, and 632,000 cells/ml were found at Ocean Avenue Beach.

This is much higher than the cutoff rate of 70,000 cells/ml that the state considers for human safety.

The East Monponsett sample, collected at the Rt. 36 boat ramp, showed a cyanobacteria level of 14,500 cells/ml, up from 950 cells/ml the week before.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends that the current advisory remain in place, and the town is abiding by that recommendation.

MassDEP plans to collect samples again this week.

PLYMPTON– After a hearing on a gravel removal permit which, due to a clerical error, referenced an incorrect map from nearly a decade ago and will be reissued, Meaghan Randall, daughter of Jeff Randall, wished to let her neighbors know: “stop harassing my family.”

In an emotional statement, the daughter of the farmer who in the last six months has brought the town apparently full-circle in proposing a medical marijuana “grow-facility”, a Chapter 40B mixed-income housing development and finally back to the cranberry and horse-boarding business, accused her neighbors and former friends of “retribution” and “harassment”.

Randall, who lives at Hayward Farms with her parents, stated that she was afraid that the harassment would go on unabated until her father is caused financial hardship through their opposition to various activities that go on at Hayward Farms.

To bolster her claims that these regular complaints to Town House were retribution for the proposed grow facility, she read from a  May 9 e-mail from Sharon Housley of Ring Road that Housley wished to, “establish a record that Mr. Randall does not follow regulations put forth by the town.”

She called the neighbors on Ring Road, three couples which she specified by name, “not only petty but spiteful,” and stated that she worked with High School students that had better manners.

She also accused them of spreading false information, eye-rolling, laughing at her parents, and ‘snarky’ comments.

Chris Housley of Ring Road responded briefly and mentioned again the history of trucks bringing dirt onto the farm, something that had been discussed in terms of the gravel removal permit, although the dirt has nothing to do with gravel removal, says Jeff Randall.

Randall says that dirt is brought onto the farm, mixed with horse manure, and sold as compost. For that operation, Randall has agreed to limit truck traffic, although he asserts that he does not have to because it is an agricultural by-product. Neighbors are complaining of truck-traffic very early in the morning, which Mr. Randall denies.

The Selectmen are clarifying that assertion.

One neighbor said that they had been “letting this go for years.”

The Plympton Agricultural Commission invites the public to “Come on out to the Farm” on Sunday, June 26, from noon to 3 p.m.  There will be town-wide tours at no charge for the entire family.  Come to experience the agriculture that abounds in the heart of Plympton, meet the farmers, and be inspired.

There will be demonstrations at Orion Acres on Elm Street, a 25-acre sheep farm where owner/farmer Linda Shauwecker produces fine Cotswolds and Cheviot wool.   Linda will shear a lamb at noon and speak about wool fiber and will have some woolen products for sale.

Jeff LaFleure of Mayflower Cranberries, will give a “Cranberries 101” talk at 2 p.m.  You will see bogs in bloom on the oldest working cranberry bog in Plympton.

Reunion Farm is in the very heart of Historic Plympton Village.  Geraldine and Macaela Burnet are fourth and fifth generation horsewomen.  They train horse and rider, and board horses as well.  Rick Burnet will be around town on the John Deere if the sun is shining, and you are welcome to watch the operation and even help stack some hay!

Russ Keirstead on Crescent Street’s Keirstead Farm, grows raspberries, cuts hay, and works on his family’s antique farm.  Stop by to learn from Russ about growing your own raspberries. 

Sunrise Gardens has been operated by the Harlfinger family in Plympton for the past 47 years.  Come visit and let Dick and Pat give you a tour of their commercial greenhouses and their ‘mum field.

Just Right Farm is a 300-year old farm that grows produce for its farm to table restaurant.  Talk with Kimberly about starting seed, vegetable gardening, and recipe ideas for your own produce. 

Call 781-936-5330 for more information.

A recently-formed coalition of community members concerned about trends in substance abuse and the current opioid epidemic has formalized its group name and mission statement.  Now known as Tri-Town FACTS, the group serves Kingston, Halifax and Plympton with a mission to support and strengthen the regional community in a collaborative effort to promote holistic wellness through prevention, education, enforcement, and advocacy, and to empower healthy lifestyle choices.  “FACTS” stands for Families, Adolescents, and Communities Together against Substances. It is a brand established by the South Shore Hospital’s Youth Health Connection and used by several coalitions in the surrounding area.

The growing group has brought together 25 – 30 people at initial monthly meetings held in March, April and May, representing parents, teachers, school administrators, students, law enforcement, public safety, behavioral health professionals, faith leaders, grandparents, elected officials and those affected by addiction. The group is seeking new members from all three towns, including volunteers interested in leadership roles who can help advance the mission through initiatives and programs to be developed. Currently chaired by Kingston parent, Amy Belmore, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 7, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Silver Lake High School Library and is open to all.

A grant provided by the Solstice Foundation has funded the services of an experienced facilitator, Julie Nussbaum, who has assisted in the launch of similar coalitions in the region. Nussbaum, who will work with Tri-Town FACTS until March 2017, said “According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, (CADCA), communities that have anti-drug coalitions have lower youth drug and alcohol rates. Furthermore, research has shown that addressing the issue of underage drinking reduces the risk that youth will go on to use opioids and other substances (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2012).  I will be taking the coalition through a process that guides the selection, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based, culturally appropriate, sustainable interventions addressing substance misuse and abuse.”

Steering Committee member, David Kennedy, who also serves on the Kingston Board of Health, recently carried the Coalition’s suggestion to pass a regulation preventing the sale of synthetic marijuana and synthetic drugs in Kingston stores to fellow Board of Health members. Following a public hearing held on May 2 to address the health impacts of Spice, K2, bath salts, and others not meant for human consumption, the Board of Health immediately put the new regulation in place.  Said Kennedy “the Synthetic Drug Regulation was discussed back in 2014 within the Board of Health and I am grateful the board wanted to discuss and approve such regulation on May 2.  It’s important in the early stages of the Tri-Town Coalition to achieve short-term goals, and clearly this was one. Synthetic drugs are very dangerous and side effects are fatal. Even though the Regulation is important, we need to educate our youth on these drugs and help them make healthy choices.”

The Coalition is currently focused on assessment and data collection, and will be implementing surveys, focus group discussions with students and parents, and interviews with key stakeholders to help guide their next steps.  Anyone from Kingston, Halifax and Plympton who wants to learn more or get involved is encouraged to attend the next meeting, or contact tritownFACTS@gmail.com.  The group also has a Facebook page and is on Twitter @tritownFACTS.