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Halifax BOS tackles COVID and EEE

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Thursday, July 9 to discuss updates to the town’s COVID-19 response. Selectman Tom Millias began by turning things over to Fire Chief Jason Viveiros. Viveiros said that there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 reported on July 9 and that the infected person was under quarantine. There were no other active cases in Halifax at the time of the meeting. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said, “It’s the first one in about three weeks so our hope is that this isn’t a sign of things to come, it’s just an aberration.”

Viveiros also addressed some concern over a chemical component of the fog that is used to decontaminate buildings. There was apparently some hesitancy over using the chemical in the schools without further research. Director of Building Maintenance Scott Materna had reached out to the company but didn’t receive a response as they were on vacation.

Asked about personal protective equipment (PPE), Viveiros said, “For the time being, we’re still set pretty well.” He also said an order had been placed for 7,000 masks. Millias asked about the availability of N95 masks and was told that despite there still being a bit of a backlog, there had not been a problem receiving the necessary supply. “I think the panic behind it has subsided,” Millias said. He also said that while N95 masks were appropriate for first responders they wouldn’t be necessary for everyday activities.

Selectman Gordon Andrews inquired about what was done with the town’s supply of KN95 masks. KN95 masks differ from N95 masks in that they are held to foreign rather than U.S. approved standards. Viveiros said that they were instructed to dispose of the KN95 masks. “In theory they could still be used as a face covering but I don’t think they wanted them to get mixed up,” he explained.

Board of Health agent Bob Valery spoke on the threat from both ticks and mosquitos this year. There is expected to be a large increase in the prevalence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Valery said that EEE is usually seen in three-year cycles and that we are currently in year two. “Given the winter that we had and the summer that we’re having now, it is perfect conditions,” Valery explained. He said that they had been in touch with mosquito control and are monitoring the situation. Both Millias and Valery spoke of how easily commonplace items can become a breeding ground for mosquitos citing wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, and even watering cans as potential sources when allowed to contain standing water.

Valery also touched on the precautions that will be taken at an upcoming horse show in town saying that temperature checks and inspections will take place.

The final order of business was to vote on an outdoor entertainment permit requested by George Latini for July 18. Seelig said that most feedback from residents was in favor of the request, though there was one request to keep the volume down. The Board voted unanimously to approve the permit.

Pandemic challenges Soule Farm

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Michelle Smith
Special to The Express

The summer of 2020 has been challenging on many levels. During this time of pandemic uncertainty, The Soule Homestead, located at 46 Soule Street in Middleboro right on the Plympton line, is a grounding, beautiful working farm with trails, farm animals, community gardens as well as commercial farmers.

The farm is open to the public for free from sunrise to sunset. There is one public restroom which is cleaned daily.  Oftentimes,  Executive Director Megan Connolly Riley, “Miss Meg”, and Education Director Katie Roberts, “Miss Katie”,  are around to answer questions about the trails or point you in the direction of the many farm animals including two calves, two goats, a rabbit, several sheep, lambs, chickens, ducks and pigs. You can also see farmers working the fields.

Many people in the area have attended their annual Sheep Day in the spring as well as the Harvest Fair and Joe Davie’s Folk Festival every September.

According to Meg,  “the overarching goal is to keep open and keep people safe.”   Even though the Soule Homestead’s programming looks different in 2020, they continue to be a vibrant member of the community.  For example, Plato’s Harvest and Bay End Farm, a vegetable farm that leases land, sold out of CSA shares.  Due to increased demand, Plympton based Revival Farm pork farmers, was able to lease a field.  Last weekend, there was a virtual concert by Abby Vail.

In response to no summer camp, Soule Homestead is offering farm tours for families and friends. More information about the tours is available on the Soule Farm website and/or Facebook page.

The annual Farm to Table fundraiser will be a deliver and or pick up event to be decided. The Farm to Table fundraiser highlights the food grown on site prepared in exciting and unique ways by local chefs who are involved with the farm.

Two  years ago, Soule Homestead built a commercial  kitchen that is rented out to local businesses. The fate of the Harvest Fair has not been decided but will most likely be re-structured  in response to pandemic restrictions. The farm continues to host craft classes such as wool spinning and rug braiding.

Despite the many challenges, friends and members of the community have been generous to the non-profit. Sheep Day was a virtual event and for a price, Miss Meg offered to have the sheep shearer cut off all her hair. She raised over $10,000. Many families elected to donate their summer camp deposit to the farm. A volunteer organized a plant sale raising $400.

The Soule Homestead Education Center has been an essential member of the local community since 1987. The land has been in use since the 1600’s when George Soule, a pilgrim, bought the land from the Wampanoags. In 1983, the town of Middleboro purchased the farm. At the time, the homestead was in danger of being bought by developers.

The non-profit Soule Homestead Education Center was founded  four years later in order to restore the farm and, according to their website, “develop it into an agro-ecology  education center.”  The homestead is part of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program. Middleboro received money from the state to buy the development rights so it will be preserved forever.

Although summer looks different at the farm, it remains open to the public, providing a refuge from the day to day stressors and isolation during these challenging times. Check out their website http://www.soulehomestead.com/ for COVID-19 regulations as well as membership opportunities and upcoming programs.

The office hours vary; call 508-947- 6744 for details.

Halifax annual town meetings rescheduled to Aug. 1

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The Halifax Annual and Special Town Meetings scheduled to be held on
Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the Halifax Elementary School starting at 9 a.m. have been recessed until Saturday, August 1, 2020 at the Halifax
Elementary School starting at 9 a.m.

This decision was made by the Town Moderator after consulting with Board of Health Agent Robert Valery and the Board of Selectmen. The Town Moderator is allowed to make this decision under Massachusetts Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020 due to the public health emergency.  The Town needs more time to work on a plan and choose a location that will allow for safety measures such as social distancing.

In addition, as the State budget has not yet been approved, the Halifax Finance Committee cannot provide final recommendations to the townspeople. Any meeting at the Elementary School will use both the Gym and the Multi-Purpose Room so that there is sufficient room for all attendees while also following the protocols for social distancing. There is a reasonable probability that the Town Meeting will have to be
recessed again, especially if the State budget is not approved early enough in July in order for final budget recommendations to be made.

Under State law, the Town Meeting cannot be recessed for more than 30 days after each new date. The Town Moderator, Board of Health, Finance Committee, and the Board of Selectmen will continue to monitor these issues and provide more information when it is available.

Plympton selectmen set new goals

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With Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy absent, newly appointed Chair Mark Russo took the helm at the remotely held Monday, July 6 Plympton Board of Selectmen meeting. Holding up a legal pad and referring to it as the “parking lot” Russo said, “The intent of the parking lot is that issues might come up which are significant and important but aren’t on the agenda or aren’t within the timeframe of the meeting… so that those things can be held onto and certainly addressed at the next meeting or at the proper time.”

The first item on the agenda was getting the approval and appropriate signatures on the documents related to the sale of Lots 1 and 2 as well as the closing of Lot 3, all on Prospect St.  Russo referred to it as “another big step getting things done on Two Brooks.”

The Selectmen spent the remainder of the meeting focusing on the Board of Selectmen Projects and Priority list as well as the Board of Selectmen Goals for FY2021. Russo explained, “the main point of all of this is that with all the things we have going on at once, we don’t lose anything in the shuffle.” Although there was some discrepancy in how frequently, the selectmen all agreed that the documents need to be reviewed at regular intervals. “We lost a lot of time because of the virus… it feels to me that there are a couple of things on here that are now going into their second year; we need to refocus and bring some attention to it,” Selectman John Traynor explained.

The selectmen reviewed their previous goals and made amendments as needed. Vice-Chair Christine Joy asked that senior citizens’ needs become its own stand-alone goal. Shared services were removed as a goal as the pandemic makes it difficult to make progress in that area.

The selectmen also dissected what their goal of further professionalizing the town services means. Chair of the Town Properties Committee as well as the Plympton School Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen was in attendance and offered his perspective that the goal was a perpetual one. “Then you have to take from that, what one or two things are you going to do in 2021 to meet that goal. You’re not going to wave a wand, and everything is professional and perfect and then you’re done. You’ll probably never be done with that goal” he said.

Russo said he would work on a draft of their goals to again be discussed at their next meeting. They then turned their attention to the discussion of the projects and priorities. Much of the list will be handled by the somewhat newly formed Town Properties Committee, a committee that Traynor referred to as one of the two most important ones in town (the second being by-law review). Wilhelmsen said that the committee plans to do the necessary work, including hiring consultants, to figure out what needs to be brought before the selectmen. The plan is to have a master spreadsheet that can be shared with the Board.

Turning their attention to the Highway Department portion of the list, Traynor said that he sees the Paving Software Management Plan as “a critical piece of letting the townspeople know where we are devoting our energies in terms of highway and restoration.”

How best to handle the oft discussed intersection on Main St. is also included amongst the town’s priorities. Traynor said that there has been a great deal of feedback on the topic as it’s mention always seems to attract a crowd. He went on to say, “somehow we need to bring this to a finish.” Russo suggested that the selectmen use their town voted ability to enable a safety zone with a limited speed limit until a final decision can be reached.

Also, on the priorities list was the town’s technology. Traynor said that while Dennehy is doing a great job regarding this topic and is having fiber installed, it would be good to have a technical resource to help guide the town into the future. Wilhelmsen said that the town website is behind what they used to have. “If we’re going to do more stuff online now and, in the future, that is a piece that is going to need to be addressed,” Wilhelmsen explained. Joy suggested that they ask Dennehy to look into available technology grants. Given the current environment, Joy said, “we’re going to have to offer more town services online.” Traynor suggested the possibility of having the town’s IT tied into the school district. Joy, for her part, felt it might be a better idea to look into shared IT services with other surrounding towns.

The selectmen also discussed the financial plan saying that they need to establish a 5-year capital plan. Traynor said that the Town Properties Committee is a wonderful asset to help guide where the town’s money will be directed in the future.

There was a brief discussion of the emergency management of the town. The selectmen agreed that the team has done an amazing job during the pandemic. “We’ve had a really good team leading us through this; they’ve been such an asset to the town” Joy said. Traynor said that he was “very impressed with the fire chief.” “Having a real professional at the police station at this time… thank goodness,” Russo added.

Several items came up under volunteerism and general government. Traynor said that he would like to see flags put up from the town green to the old townhouse. “I think we can probably raise some money to buy the flags… I think there would probably be people who want to help us.” Joy said she would like to see them develop a flag and decoration policy to ensure consistent, appropriate decoration for events such as Memorial Day and to ensure that no one has to pay out of their own pocket. Wilhelmsen brought up the state and age of the flag and the pole on the town green saying that it will soon be inoperable. He said it was high on the priorities list for the Town Properties Committee.

Other items discussed included affordable housing, cemetery clean-up, and senior citizens’ issues. Joy said that she would like to see the town seek opportunities to work with Habitat for Humanity when town properties are turned over through tax title or other means. Traynor said that a decade or so ago, the Boy Scouts assisted in the clean-up of the town’s cemeteries and said that he would like to once again look into a similar opportunity. Traynor also expressed concern over the effects the virus has had on the senior citizen population in town who are no longer able to have meetings. Wilhelmsen suggested the possibility of having the seniors meet remotely via a platform such as Zoom.

As always, the selectmen ended their meeting with their rants and raves. Joy said that while sad, her rave was for the recent vote that recalled two Kingston selectmen, including the chair, from their positions. “People got involved,” Joy said. “They weren’t happy with what was happening in town government and they did something about it,” she continued. Traynor said that his rave was for the agreement between Plympton and Middleborough regarding Soule Homestead and parking for Two Brooks Preserve. Traynor called it a “win, win, win.” Russo at first said his rant would be for the poor horses, dogs, and humans that struggle with fireworks but quickly changed his tune saying he preferred instead to provide a rave. He applauded the town for making it through the recent elections and town meeting and for opening and operating the townhouse again.

Sail into a Pilgrim mystery

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Who is digging up the Pilgrims and why?

A new mystery novel asks that question through an historical “what-if” and a fictional grave-robbing case, as readers of author Rick Pontz’s “103 Pilgrims,” discover how decisions of our ancestors affect our lives today.

So far, real life is affecting the art.

Plymouth’s quadricentennial celebration has been pushed to 2021, but the book, published to coincide with the 400th birthday has gone forward according to plan.

He said for visitors to the area, the book [$17.95, paperback, Hugo House Publishers, Austin, Texas] takes people around the town. Characters “dine” at real local restaurants or tourist things like whale watch boats and ferries. He promises his second novel will be using same kind of interactive scene referencing as Plymouth has delayed almost all the 400th anniversary events until next year.

There is still a 400th anniversary to tie into in 2021 — that of the first Thanksgiving, as linking with the city’s history has always been Pontz’s aim.

“That was the intent,” said Pontz about his debut detective novel set — naturally — in Plymouth has been on sale in the city and the founding Pilgrim settlement in 1620 following “a rumor that there’s more than 41 signers of the Mayflower Compact — but no one knows because the original Compact doesn’t exist. Or does it.”

Enter protagonist Tony Tempesta, retired Plymouth cop and uninsured private “advisor” who looks into problems for clients seeking a “solution.”

The novel’s opening chapter set aboard the Mayflower offers the what-if scenario of a stowaway on the ship.

“I was reading about the number of people of people on the Mayflower and ‘I thought, boy, that would really throw a monkey wrench into everything,’” he said.

The plot posits the effect of a stowaway, if there was something different about the stowaway and why would someone want to hide the person’s existence.

“About a year and a half ago, I said, ‘If I’m going to do this, I’m going to have to get this thing published,’ because of the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims,” he recalled. He felt the publicity surrounding the event might help him sell the book.

What he describes as a “desperate” effort to get it published was fruitless until September 2019.

“The deal I made with them was that, if they published the book, and set it up and get everything prepared, I’m a shameless self-promoter and I would go out and promote it like you wouldn’t believe,” Pontz said. “I have been doing that.”

The Cape Cod Guide has printed an article about the book and Plymouth information centers have placed rack carts with his book on it and the See Plymouth website [seeplymouth.com] offers the links for three sources where the book can be purchased, as well an article about the novel. While it is sole nationally, Pontz has done about half his promotion in the Plymouth area.

Available on amazon.com since Feb. 11, the coronavirus interrupted plans for book signings set up in Plymouth, beginning in May, including an event that was to coincide with a wine tasting at the Plymouth Bay Winery. He is working on setting up some virtual author talk events, but has not done any yet because of the way the coronavirus caught everyone off guard.

Born in Holyoke, and a former Plymouth resident for 25 years after his family had moved to Michigan when he was about 6 years old, Pontz said many people he knew there hail from families who have lived there for five to seven generations. He attended Northeastern University before moving to Plymouth. His grown children still live in the Plymouth area.

“Therefore, I was considered a newbie,” he said in a recent YouTube interview for his publisher. “During the time I lived there, I heard all types of stories about people’s families, the history of the area, some of the nuances, some of the mysteries, some things that were said to be true but were never really written down.”

The novel, 12 years in the writing, Pontz began writing down things that reminded him of the area and stories about Plymouth that people told him over the years.

“I realized they didn’t make mush sense even after I put them together, so I tried to rewrite them,” Pontz said in the YouTube interview. He began to recognize that he “wasn’t a very good writer.”

He decided some creative writing courses were in order. Classes through Arizona State University and online programs near his Phoenix home — and reading other authors — put him on the path to finding his process.

When he is ready to write, Pontz said, he has a beginning in mind  and knows how it is going to end.

“The stuff in between is the interesting part to me,” he said. “When I read [novels], I see the beginning and I always wonder what’s going to happen next.”

Just as reading a good book can keep you awake, reading late at night, Pontz said writing one has the same effect. It often leads to rewrites.

“The book was written at least three times from beginning to end, and then I began rewriting again after I went back to school,”
he said. He is in writing classes again during the process of writing his follow-up novel.

Also set in Plymouth, it is titled “Blood on the Rock.”

“I’m actually trying to rewrite the book a little bit to include the ‘failed’ celebration, how hard that they worked to make it happen,” he said, noting that Hanson’s 200th anniversary year has also been impacted. “The whole area’s been working on it.”

Plymouth held its first planning meeting for the quadricentennial 11 years ago, and started “pumping money into it” — $40 million worth — six years ago.

Rep. LaNatra seeks $120,000 for Silver Lake District updates

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KINGSTON — State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston) filed amendments for the Silver Lake Regional School District to receive $120,000 for technology upgrades due to COVID-19, and $26,000 for PPE for nursing staff, as part of the overall supplemental budget passed by the House of Representatives to facilitate federal CARES Act funding for communities hard hit by COVID-19.

The spending measure passed by the Legislature follows the April passage in Congress of the Federal Cares Act, requiring states to expend funds on items related to COVID-19 for federal reimbursement. The supplemental budget directs funds to address vital needs including for personal protective equipment, field hospitals and contact tracing.

Representative LaNatra also co-sponsored an amendment for $200,000 for Plymouth schools for virtual technology, and $75,000 for technology in Duxbury.

The bill also establishes Juneteenth Independence Day on June 19th in Massachusetts, marking the day in 1865 when the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, learned they were free.

The spending bill includes, among other items:

• $350 Million for personal protective equipment costs across the Commonwealth;

• $139 Million for increased rate add-ons to congregate care providers;

• $94 Million for incentive pay for human service employees;

• $85 Million for field hospitals and shelters;

• $44 Million for Community Tracing Collaborative;

• $81.6 Million for child care needs during the pandemic and re-opening;;

• $500,000 to create an Early Education and Care Public-Private Trust Fund to establish an infrastructure to foster public-private and philanthropic efforts in support of childcare providers.

“This supplemental budget will distribute needed funds in the wake of COVID-19,” said Representative LaNatra. She added, “We look forward to this measure helping relieve the financial burdens that so many have experienced with this pandemic, and I’m pleased that Silver Lake, Plymouth and Duxbury’s needs are well represented in this legislation.” She continued, “And all of us in the House of Representatives are especially pleased to support having Juneteenth become a state holiday.” The bill now goes to the Senate.

Representative LaNatra’s district includes all residents of Halifax, Kingston and Plympton, as well as residents of Precincts 1, 11 and 13 in Plymouth; Precinct 1 in Middleboro; and Precinct 1 in Duxbury.  To reach her, email [email protected] or her legislative aide, Chris Jean, [email protected]. The phone number for the office is 617-722-2430. For updates and announcements, please visit Representative LaNatra’s Facebook page, https://bit.ly/2Ura8VR or her website, https://www.kathylanatra.com.

 

Halifax ATM may be held off until August

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met in-person on Tuesday, June 23. They began with a reorganization of the Board naming Tom Millias as the new chair, Gordon Andrews as the new vice chair, and Troy Garron as the new clerk.

Town Meeting Update

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that while the town meeting is currently scheduled for July 11, it will likely have to be postponed even further. According to Seelig, it is unlikely that local aid numbers will be available until the end of July. Seelig told the Board that he recommended them having a special meeting with the town moderator and town counsel to postpone town meeting to August 8 at 9 a.m.

Seelig said that possible venues for town meeting include the Halifax Elementary School gym, the fields behind the elementary school, or the Silver Lake Regional High School Auditorium. Garron said that if holding the meeting outside, it may be necessary to rent tents in the event of inclement weather. Millias said another option would be to have multiple rain dates available. Andrews said that his preference would be to hold the meeting in the elementary school gym. Since space is an issue due to social distancing precautions, Andrews also proposed having family members sit in groups within their own 6- or 8-foot bubble. Another idea that was floated was to utilize multiple rooms for town meeting as was done in Plympton. Millias said, “We’ve done that in the past and it can work but it is a lot more difficult.”

Seelig also told the Board that there was an allowance for temporary quorum changes for town meeting during the state of emergency. Seelig said if the Board wished to consider a temporary change, they would need to give advance notice. The Board said they were inclined to leave the quorum at 100.

Town Election

Regarding the recent election, Seelig said, “town clerk Barbara Gaynor thanks everyone for making the town election a success given the conditions.” Most residents that voted did so in person with fewer electing to mail-in their ballots. Seelig said that the town would face greater challenges in November as there would likely be a much larger voter turnout.

Town Reopening

Of the reopening of the town hall, Seelig said, “all signs are that everything worked.” He continued, “People who are coming in have been working with the town employees and town officials on the pandemic protocols.”

Library Director Jean Gallant is currently looking towards a July 13 opening of the Holmes Public Library though that is subject to change depending on the state’s phase 3 guidelines. Council on Aging Director Susan Lawless is looking into the possibility of renting a tent for a couple of months in order to hold outdoor gatherings.

Personnel Changes

Several changes to elected and hired positions were also discussed. The selectmen said they wanted to thank both Ashley DiSesa and Karlis Skulte for their service on the Planning Board. Millias, who encouraged them to serve in other capacities said, “We can always use informed folks that want to serve.” As of July 1, Robert Valery of Plymouth will be the new Board of Health agent. Town Accountant Sandra Nolan is also in the process of hiring a new assistant accountant. Current Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan has given her notice and will leave the position as of July 7. Seelig said he is working with Police Chief Joao Chaves on finding applicants to fill the position.

Liquor License Request

The Board had an appointment with George Latini of In Season Restaurant to hear his request for a 1-day liquor license in order to hold weddings and/or functions outside. Following a brief discussion with Latini, the Board voted to allow it.

Revised Contract for Seelig

Seelig told the Board that they would need to revise his contract to indicate that he would not be receiving a pay increase this fiscal year. “I applaud you for bringing it up because basically you’re looking to cut your own pay, which is admirable, especially knowing from the inside the type of work and the amount of time and effort you put into it. A thank you is in order,” Millias said to Seelig.

Recognition for Town Employees

The Board also took time during Tuesday’s meeting to applaud and recognize the efforts of the municipal building department including Maintenance Director Scott Materna as well as staff Tom Schindler and Andrew Elliot Smith.

“They have not missed any workdays through the whole COVID situation; they have adjusted their schedules to accommodate the cleaning,” Millias said.

“They have done a fabulous job. We can’t give them any money, but we can give them some recognition,” he continued. Garron also mentioned that Schindler recently rescued a fox.

Another town employee was also recognized during the Board’s meeting. Seelig said he received correspondence from the Wareham police chief regarding Halifax’s assistance on June 6 during a large protest at the Wareham Police Station.

The Wareham chief said, “During the event your Police Chief Joao Chaves was instrumental in securing our station, providing expert advise and counsel; our officers were very impressed with Chief Chaves and found him to be a consummate professional…Halifax is very lucky to call him Chief.”

Protocol for Requesting Documents

Andrews also requested that the Board discuss the current protocol for handing a department to department request of official documents. According to Seelig there was a recent incident where a town official made an on-the-spot demand for many documents to be immediately turned over from another town official. Seelig made a point of saying that he felt that the requestor’s approach and attitude was inappropriate.

Garron said the he believed that the policy has always been that documents be turned over in a “reasonable amount of time.”  Millias said he is concerned with the possibility of someone checking out records and potentially removing documents from folders, etc. Andrews recommended instituting an electronic filing system to avoid such problems. Garron said he would be interested in knowing the cost to the town for implementing such a system. Millias said it might be possible to use COVID funds to cover some or all of the expense. The Board decided to temporarily table the conversation in order to get feedback from other departments before making any decisions.

Other News

Seelig said that the Board had received a request from the Conservation Commission Chair Gerry Fitzgerald asking that Amy Troup be barred from any interactions with the Secretary of the Conservation Commission Terri Renaud. Town counsel advised that if the Board wanted to consider the matter they should do so with a public hearing. Millias suggested that the parties involved utilize the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a means of arbitration. “I’ve used it in the past and I’ve thought it was pretty helpful,” Millias explained.

Seelig said that the Youth and Recreation Department had preliminary plans for the summer though it would ultimately be dependent upon what the state will allow.

Seelig also said that the algae in the Monponsett Ponds are still at a low level and the ponds are therefore still usable. A treatment will hopefully be scheduled in July.

Our United States Flag

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Greg Murphy, Special to The Express

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution approving the design of a national flag. To this day, no one is exactly sure who designed the first flag. According to legend President George Washington commissioned seamstress Betsy Ross to create a flag, but the Library of Congress reports that scholars actually credit the flag’s design to Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a lawyer and member of the Continental Congress.

There have been 27 official versions of the US flag, each having a different arrangement of the stars, until 1912 when President Taft standardized the then-new flag’s forty- eight stars into six rows of eight. Stars, representing each state, are added to the US flag on July 4th. The current version of the US Flag dates back to July 4, 1960.

The country began celebrating Flag Day back in 1916 when President Wooddrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949. The legislation also requires the president to issue a Flag Day proclamation every year. Believe it or not, Pennsylvania is the only state in 2020 that recognizes Flag Day as a state holiday. Quincy, Massachusetts claims to have the longest continuous Flag Day parade in our country.

There are eight places in the United States where official proclamations and laws have stated a US flag must be flown 24 hours a day. They are: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine; Flag House Square;(Baltimore, Maryland); Unites States Marine Corps Memorial; on the Green in Lexington, Massachusetts; The White House; the Washington Monument; United States Customs Ports of Entry; and the grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Back in 1942 The Federal Flag Code, which provided uniform guidelines for the proper display and respect shown to the flag, was approved by President Franklin Roosevelt. According to the US Flag Code, “The flag represents a living country and itself considered a living thing” and therefore must be taken care of properly. The US flag should not touch the ground and must be illuminated if flown 24/7. When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag is displayed on the speaker’s far right side as he/she faces the audience. All these laws and regulations pertaining to the flag are found in the Unites States Code, a rather lengthy document, which is divided into 50 titles.

“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The US Flag Code does not actually give specifics on how to destroy the flag. Common sense should be used to make sure the procedures are in good taste and shows no disrespect for the flag.

The Whitman American Legion collects unserviceable flags and performs a flag burning ceremony every Flag Day The  public is invited to join us in this solemn ceremony at our post on Legion Parkway to honor our flag in fitting respect on Flag Day 2021.

Restaurants, hair salons now open

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Under the Massachusetts’ phased plan for reopening, hair salons were able to open their doors beginning May 26 and restaurants were able to open for indoor seating beginning June 22.

Several hair salons in Halifax have been seeing clients for the past month with certain restrictions in place. Bk & Co Hair Design opened their doors on May 26 by appointment only. Clients were asked to wait for their appointment in their cars in order to allow for thorough sanitation between guests. Salon Serenity is taking temperatures at their door and asking all clients to alert them if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, they ask that those coming in for their appointment come alone and wait in their car until called into the salon. Owner and stylist Kelly McAndrews told the Express that while they were initially not allowing blow drying, the salon has since begun offering that service again.

Teeka Lynne’s Salon & Day Spa also opened on May 26. Owner Teeka Isakson explained, “I have always run the salon based off the State Board guidelines. The State guidelines are really an enhancement to what we have already been doing.” Like the other salons in town, masks are required. Of the past month, Isakson said, “Overall things are going smoothly it just takes more time to take care of our clients due to the fact most have not had their hair done in 2-3 months.”

Restaurants have had a slower start for indoor dining as they were part of step 2 of phase 2 which began in late June. The Lyonville Tavern and Grille 58 in Halifax both plan to open the third week of July and are currently undergoing deep cleanings. The Express spoke to Lisa Davis, one of the owners of The Moon and Back Café in Plympton and was told they resumed indoor dining on June 23. “Right now, we have two booths that are separated, and I only have 2 tables that are six feet apart. I’m just waiting on my partitions to come in so that I can actually use all three of my booths,” Davis explained. She also said that just as it was in the pre-pandemic days, sanitization is of the utmost importance. “The past week has had its ups and downs; we’re just wading through the storm and hopefully everything is going to start picking back up,” Davis said.

The Blueberry Muffin in Kingston re-opened for in person dining on June 22. A staff member told The Express that tables have been set up at least six feet apart and that the restaurant is following all new sanitation guidelines from the state. Small changes such as ketchup being served in single packets only have also been implemented. Of the last week, they said, “It has been pretty steady, some days have been busier than others.”

Assistant General Manager of the West End Grill in Kingston, Weston Pearson, said the restaurant reopened for indoor seating as soon as allowed albeit with a somewhat limited menu and limited hours. All of the tables have been spaced out six feet. There is limited seating around the bar.

According to Pearson there are five additional tables available compared to the outdoor seating arrangement they had earlier in the pandemic. They are also still offering curbside pickup for those who aren’t ready to venture inside for a meal. Asked how business has been, Pearson said, “Slow, I think it’s a combination of that and also the time of year. We have another restaurant in Plymouth -Waterfront Bar and Grill, that’s been very busy. I think every day is a little bit better than the previous.”

Final class graduates from Sacred Heart High

By

KINGSTON – Sacred Heart High School in Kingston awarded diplomas Monday to its final graduating class.

An outdoor baccalaureate mass, officiated by Father John Graham of Sts. Mary & Joseph Collaborative, was celebrated on the front lawn of the high school. The event marked a new beginning for members of the Class of 2020 and the final chapter for the high school which announced in February that it would discontinue grades 9-12 at the end of this school year due to declining enrollment and budget deficits.

Following the mass, Class Valedictorian Lily Lonergan, Salutatorian Paulina Spacek, and President Michael Hurm each addressed their fellow graduates and their families.

Academic awards and scholarships were presented to individual students. Mrs. Diane Hunt presented the William Christopher Hunt ’87 Scholarships to William Mayo, Michael Hurm, Paulina Spacek, Samantha Latini, and Scott Hokanson. The William Christopher Hunt ’87 Scholarship Fund was established by the Hunt family in honor of Sacred Heart alumnus Billy Hunt, who loved his time at Sacred Heart especially his friends and baseball. He had a deep devotion to Sacred Heart and the lessons he learned during his time there. Billy was killed on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks in New York City where he worked as a bond trader.

To commemorate the final graduating class and to further honor her son’s legacy, Mrs. Hunt announced that, in addition to the five scholarships noted above, every graduating senior would receive a $1,500 scholarship from the William Christopher Hunt ‘87 Scholarship Fund.

The Class of 2020 received their diplomas from Head of School Sister Alice Marie Lyon and Principal Jean Marston. A keynote address was delivered by Marie Kenniston Bruninghaus ’83, an alumna and beloved former teacher and coach. Ms. Bruninghaus, who was awarded the Ketteler Medal Award at the ceremony, reminded the Class of 2020 that, as graduates of Sacred Heart, they are members of a small army who can call on each other any time, any decade, to join together to serve others. That, she said, is the fabric of Sacred Heart.

Attendance at the ceremony was limited due to social distancing requirements. Thirty local members of the Class of 2020 received diplomas yesterday. The graduating class included eight international students, who had returned to their hometowns in China due to the pandemic; these students will receive their diplomas by mail. The ceremony was live-streamed on social media for the international students as well as extended families and friends of all the graduating class.

Below is a list of the Sacred Heart High School Class of 2020:

Maxwell Allen of                                     Bridgewater plans to attend                Bridgewater State University

Maddison Larsen-Molina of   Bridgewater plans to attend  Boston University

Paulina Spacek of                                   Bridgewater   plans to attend                     Bentley University

Tyler Murphy of Carver plans to attend                                       University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Zhuo Sun, an international student who stayed with a family  in Duxbury  plans to attend             Bentley University

James Tierney of                                    Duxbury  plans to attend              Seton Hall University

Margaret Bulger of                                 Hanson  plans to attend     Marist College

Ryan Graham                          of Hingham    plans to attend  Johnson & Wales University

Michael McPhail of                               Hingham      plans to attend                       Lynn University

Cameron Dwyer                                 of Kingston  plans to attend     University of New Haven

Kevin Fehrm of                                       Kingston    plans to attend    University of Denver

Yu Fu , an international student who  stayed with a family in    Kingston  plans to attendUniversity of Connecticut

Scott Hokanson of                                  Kingston    plans to attend  Maine College of Art

Michael Hurm of                                    Kingston       plans to attend  Saint Anselm College

Lily Lonergan of                                     Kingston    plans to attend  Baylor University

William Mayo  of                                   Kingston    plans to attendStonehill College

Julia  Ward  of                                          Kingston   plans to attend  Fordham University

Siqia Weng, an international student who stayed with a family in                                         Kingston   plans to attend the University of Southern California

Chaofan Wu  , an international student who stayed with a family in        Kingston   plans to attend   Boston College

Zachary Crossman of                             Lakeville  has not made his plans known

Ethan Secakusuma of                             Lakeville   plans to attend    Wentworth Institute of Technology

Valerie Downey of                                  Marshfield   plans to attend  Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Samantha Latini           of Middleboro     plans to attend  Clemson University

Kayla Turner of                                      Middleboro   plans to attend  Syracuse University

Leo Darling                                          of Pembroke     has not made his plans known

Peilin Jiang, an international student who stayed with a host family in                                          Pembroke plans to attend  New York University

Yirui Zheng, an intrnational student who stayed with a host family in                                           Pembroke  plans to attend   American University

Hannah Boyd of                                      Plymouth plans to attend   University of North Carolina Wilmington

Sophia Capone of                                   Plymouth    plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University

Anabella Driscoll  of Plymouth        plans to attend Dean College

Edward Kiesewetter of                          Plymouth   plans to attend       Plymouth State University

Hanyi Li    , an international student who stayed with a host family in                                          Plymouth plans to attend                          Pratt Institute

Wenrui Li, an international student who stayed with a host family in                                         Plymouth has not made their plans known

Jonathan Menard of                              Plymouth     plans to attend   Johnson & Wales University

Ariana Murphy of                                  Plymouth       plans to attend   Baylor University

Benjamin Andrade of  Plympton  plans to attend   Bryant University

Matthew Day of                                      Plympton   plans to attend University of Rhode Island

Luke Harrenstein of                 Plympton  plans to attend  Villanova University

Name                                                  Hometown                          College Attending

Maxwell Allen                                    Bridgewater                        Bridgewater State University

Maddison Larsen-Molina                 Bridgewater                        Boston University

Paulina Spacek                                  Bridgewater                        Bentley University

Tyler Murphy                                     Carver                                  University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Zhuo Sun                                            Duxbury *             Bentley University

James Tierney                                    Duxbury                Seton Hall University

Margaret Bulger                                Hanson                                Marist College

Ryan Graham                                     Hingham                             Johnson & Wales University

Michael McPhail                               Hingham                             Lynn University

Cameron Dwyer                                Kingston                              University of New Haven

Kevin Fehrm                                      Kingston                              University of Denver

Yu Fu                                                   Kingston               *             University of Connecticut

Scott Hokanson                                 Kingston                              Maine College of Art

Michael Hurm                                   Kingston                              Saint Anselm College

Lily Lonergan                                     Kingston                              Baylor University

William Mayo                                    Kingston                              Stonehill College

Julia Ward                                          Kingston                              Fordham University

Siqia Weng                                         Kingston               *             University of Southern California

Chaofan Wu                                       Kingston               *             Boston College

Zachary Crossman                            Lakeville                              Unknown

Ethan Secakusuma                            Lakeville                              Wentworth Institute of Technology

Valerie Downey                                 Marshfield                          Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Samantha Latini                                Middleboro                         Clemson University

Kayla Turner                                      Middleboro                         Syracuse University

Leo Darling                                         Pembroke                           Unknown

Peilin Jiang                                         Pembroke*                         New York University

Yirui Zheng                                         Pembroke*                         American University

Hannah Boyd                                     Plymouth                            University of North Carolina Wilmington

Sophia Capone                                  Plymouth                            Florida Gulf Coast University

Anabella Driscoll                               Plymouth                            Dean College

Edward Kiesewetter                          Plymouth                            Plymouth State University

Hanyi Li                                              Plymouth*                          Pratt Institute

Wenrui Li                                            Plymouth*                          Unknown

Jonathan Menard                              Plymouth                            Johnson & Wales University

Ariana Murphy                                  Plymouth                            Baylor University

Benjamin Andrade                            Plympton                            Bryant University

Matthew Day                                     Plympton                            University of Rhode Island

Luke Harrenstein                Plympton                            Villanova University

(*) denotes the host family hometowns of Sacred Heart’s international students

About Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart School is a private Catholic coeducational school for children from age two through Grade 8. Welcoming students of all faiths, Sacred Heart offers a supportive learning environment where equal emphasis is given to academic and moral development. With rigorous academics, faith-based learning, and an emphasis on service to others, students feel comfortable challenging themselves in a safe and nurturing environment. For more information, visit www.sacredheartkingston.com.