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Plans for next school year

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The Halifax School Committee held their close-out meeting for the year on July 1. Principal Kayne Beaudry gave an update on some of the end of school activities. Beaudry said that the pickup of student materials was done by homeroom and social distancing was practiced. “It was super smooth…I can’t thank everyone that chipped in enough,” Beaudry said.

Halifax Elementary also held a graduation that was similar to the senior auto parade. Beaudry said that students received certificates and swag bags. The Halifax Police and Fire departments assisted and Superintendnet Jill Proulx attended. Beaudry said that despite the oppressive heat the event went well.

According to Beaudry, reopening plans have been taking up much of the administration’s time. Despite a growing Facebook page for homeschooling in Halifax, Beaudry said he would be surprised if many parents opted to go that route having previously had the experience of practicing remote learning. As of the summer, the incoming kindergarten class stands at 78 students. Beaudry noted that the exiting sixth grade class was a good size.

Beaudry also went over some of the updates to the student handbook. There was some discussion with the committee about the dress code including comments that it felt “female heavy.” It was also suggested that there be some pandemic guidance given in the dress code. Proulx pointed out that state regulations would override anything in the handbook should the guidance or directives change.

Kindergarten registration was also discussed. Beaudry said that the elementary school principals have formulated a plan anticipating that the schools will be reopening in the fall and that students will be inside the building. Since screenings for incoming kindergarteners were unable to be held in May as is typical, screenings will occur on Thursday, September 3. Placements will be finalized on September 4 and the Kindergarten Open House will be held on Tuesday, September 8. The first day of Kindergarten will be Wednesday, September 9. All dates, etc. are subject to change dependent on guidance from the state.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch shared with the committee the results from the most recent survey of parents, staff, and students on their experiences and preferences regarding remote learning. Lynch said the response rate was high for both staff and parents with a staff rate of response of 71 percent. Staff consistently responded that they were appreciative of the efforts of famillies. It was also reported that grade level time was highly effective. Lynch said there was a “mixed bag” of responses in terms of the effectiveness of whole class Google Meets though both staff and parents said that small group Google Meets were largely effective.

Both families and staff were also in agreement that they would like to see evaluation of student work go beyond a credit/no credit scenario. The Massachusetts commissioner of elementary and secondary education has already declared that if remote learning is needed again in the upcoming school year, grades will be a part of that.

Lynch also said that there were some communication challenges and that parents didn’t view the posting of assignments as being on par with teachers actively communicating assignmnts. Other concerns included excessive screen time as well as a lack of socialization. Lynch said that improvements for the upcoming year, should they need to incorporate remote learning, will include improved technology for staff as well as training and implementation of K-6 social and emotional learning. “We know that we have to take care of students not just academically, but the whole child,” Lynch explained. Lynch also pointed out that back in March there was an immediate need for high quality remote learning with a day’s notice. If remote learning is needed come the fall, the school will be better equipped to handle it.

Proulx also provided an update on preparations for the coming year. Proulx thanked the town of Halifax for promoting and supporting the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and technology through the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “We’ve been trying to purchase things to get ahead… we are doing whatever we can to keep the students as safe as possible,” Proulx said.

In addition to receiving support through the CARES Act, Proulx said they have also applied for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Proulx said the grant, which would be for $51,000, could be used towards things such as PPE and technology including remote screen casting.

The administration is currently working on three separate plans for the return to school. Those plans include one for an entirely remote scenario, another for full-time re-entry, and a third which would be a hybrid of the two. Proulx said they were told to plan for all three as even if the school year starts one way, the virus could cause a change in course at any time.

Proulx also gave an update on the FY21 budget saying that as of July 1, the one-twelfth budget had been approved. Andrews took a moment to thank Director of Business Services Christine Healy for all of her efforts during the extremely convoluted budget process.

The committee also touched upon concerns over the chemicals used in the fogging and disinfecting process. According to the fire chief, classrooms can be disinfected in thirty minutes. Schmaling expressed concern over the “nasty chemicals” and commented on the tendency of young kids to put things in their mouths and whatnot. “It just makes me very uncomfortable to think about fogging these classrooms every day,” Schmaling said. They also discussed the possibility of utilizing UV technology as a possible alternative for disinfection.

No easy answers to re-opening

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The Plympton School Committee held their close-out meeting on Monday, July 13 though they agreed that given the current climate meetings would need to be held prior to September.

They began with a reorganization which saw both Jon Wilhelmsen and Jason Fraser retain their titles of chair and vice chair respectively. Wilhelmsen will be serving as chair for the sixth year in a row. Mike Antoine was nominated to serve as secretary. Newest member Dan Cadogen was unable to attend his first meeting as part of the committee.

A report of standing committees followed the reorganization. Fraser said that heand Dennett Principal Peter Veneto now have the information necessary to put together an RFQ for installation of the playground. The Negotiations Committee signed a one-year contract with aides though the negotiations with teachers were still ongoing. Union 31 met to discuss COVID and make sure that their orders for PPE and additional chromebooks were made prior to the deadline for the first round of The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Superintendent Jill Proulx wanted to thank the town of Plympton for helping to make those purchases possible.

Fraser began his legislative update by apologizing for what would be a longer than usual report. He called the threats coming out of Washington D.C., specifically from President Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, to cut funding for schools that don’t fully open in the fall “largely rhetoric.” He mentioned that Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has taken the secretary to task over her lack of a plan to reopen schools. Pressley made news this week for tweeting at DeVos, “you have no plan. Teachers, kids and parents are fearing for their lives… I wouldn’t trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child.”

Fraser also pointed out that the mass state tax deadline was that week and said that the state is hoping to have a budget done by September 1. Fraser said there is talk, however, that there won’t be a budget until after the November elections.

The joint conference between the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) in Hyannis has been cancelled due to safety concerns. Fraser asked the committee if they would be in favor of supporting current MASC President Deborah Davis for a second term. “She has done great work there and she has my full endorsement,” Fraser said. The committee voted to lend her their support.

Veneto also provided a principal’s report to the committee saying, “It’s been an interesting couple of months.”  He continued, “We’re trying to attack this whole thing as if we’re all going to be back, but I’m realistic enough to know that that might not be the case.” Veneto said that the three communities worked on a district wide entry plan for kindergarteners. Both Kingston and Halifax are adapting to the model that Plympton has always used that includes holding screenings in the fall rather than the spring. As of right now the plan will be to hold open house for Grades 1-6 on September 1 and screenings for kindergarteners on September 2, 3, and 4. The hope would be to have kindergarten officially start on September 8. The incoming kindergarten class is currently estimated at 42 students, large by Plympton standards. Veneto also said that they are currently reviewing candidates for an open special education position. He said that due to cuts within other districts, there are a lot of great candidates available.

Director of Business Services Christine Healy shared where some of the cost savings from the past fiscal year were found. Transportation, utilities, and substitutes provided savings. Healy said that due to improvements to the building and the closure for the last few months, utilities savings totaled $27,000. After all are totaled, Healy said that $962.91 would be returned to the town from the regular day budget. $78,790 would be returned from special education and $21,199 from out of district vocational.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch shared the results from the most recent survey on remote learning which will be used to inform the reopening plan. Lynch said that participation was high amongst both staff and families and consistent from the April survey to the June one. Results indicated that staff would like to see more accountability from students, additional professional development, and sharing of best practices. Parents were grateful for the individualization of learning plans for some students as well as the willingness to loan chromebooks. Families cited a lack of socialization, excessive screen time, and regression as concerns.

Pros and cons of various online platforms were also discussed. Wilhelmsen said that he was unsurprised to learn that many people didn’t like using Google Classroom and Google Meets. He said that his preference would be Zoom. Other potential platforms mentioned as alternatives were Loom, Blackboard, and Schoology. Fraser, who worked with Schoology in his teaching position, called it a more “robust and elegant” platform. He shared that he would be in favor of any expenditure incurred from the use of a better online platform.

Proulx told the committee that Plympton qualified for $20,000 from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. She said the funds received can be used in similar ways to Title I and Title IIA funds. In addition, those funds can be used for technology, training or even PPE.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released a memo on June 25 which said that the Baker Administration would be allocating $200 million dollars toward schools for COVID related expenses. Schools would be eligible to receive up to $225 per student. Proulx said that shortly thereafter, a memo went out to business directors from the Lieutenant Governor saying that Plymouth County would not be receiving these allocations. Proulx said that she had a meeting the following day that she was hopeful would provide further clarification.

Proulx also provided an update on the plan for reopening. Building principals were asked to figure out how many students could fit in a classroom if requiring 3 feet of social distance and then again, for 6 feet of distance. Wilhelmsen inquired about the seemingly arbitrary 3 feet number. Fraser emphasized that there was no scientific basis for the number and called it “convenient.” He said that he would not support the reduced distancing for Plympton. “We need to do what’s right for our town and our kids,” he said.

The DESE Commissioner also requested that schools prepare three separate plans that account for in person learning, remote learning, and some form of a hybrid of the two. The deadline for the plans was also pushed up to July 31. Reopening committees have been formed and consist of a variety of individuals including nurses, counselors, parents, and staff. An intentions survey will also be distributed asking families questions such as if they intend to send their kids to school under the current circumstances and whether they plan to use the bus. Proulx pointed out that distancing requirements severely limit the number of students that can be put on a bus. Another potential issue will be how to handle a large increase in students being dropped off at school.

Wilhelmsen stressed the importance of thinking of the staff and their safety when developing a reopening plan. Fraser said that while he was not against reopening, he was for choice for both students and teachers. Proulx said that she and Lynch had discussed the option of giving families a choice and whether they had the means to meet the demands presented by choice.

“School will not look the same and parents need to understand that,” Fraser said. “There are lots of consequences to this crisis unfortunately,” Proulx agreed.  She continued, “Whatever our decisions are there is going to be a give and take… there are no simple answers to this unfortunately.” Proulx and Lynch both stressed that they are open to and welcome any and all suggestions and ideas regarding reopening.

Proulx thanked Megan Ahrenholz for putting together the summer lunch program. She also asked the committee to vote to accept an anonymous donation of $584.50 to pay off lunch debt,

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 Kathleen.LaNatra@mahouse.gov or her legislative aide, Chris Jean, Christopher.Jean@MAhouse.gov. 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.