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Sail into a Pilgrim mystery

July 10, 2020 By Tracy Seelye Express Editor

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.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

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

July 10, 2020 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

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.

 

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Halifax ATM may be held off until August

July 3, 2020 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

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.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Our United States Flag

July 3, 2020 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

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.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Restaurants, hair salons now open

July 3, 2020 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

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.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Final class graduates from Sacred Heart High

July 3, 2020 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

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.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

10.70 % of Halifax voters cast their ballots

June 26, 2020 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Halifax Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor has released the unofficial results from Saturday’s election, June 20, showing 628 of Halifax’s 5,874 registered voters, cast their ballot, a mere 10.70 per cent,

The ballot showed only two contests, with Highway Surveyor incumbent R. Steven Hayward getting 503 voted to Michael J. Schlieff ‘s 106.

The other contest saw Alan J Dias and Ashley DiSesa both seeking the single one-year term on the Planning Board.  Dias got 312 votes to DiSesa’s 254.

For the Board of Assessors, 3-year term, John J.R. Shiavone, candidate for re-election, got 471 votes.  There were 3 write-ins and 154 blanks.

Steven MacFaun won a three year term on the Board of Health with 460 votes.  There were also 3 write-ins and 165 blanks.

The Housing Authority, 3-year term, no candidate drew papers, but there were 46 write-ins while 582 left it blank.

Housing Authority, 4-year term, saw Patricia McCarthy, candidate for re-election, win 436 votes.  There were 4 write-ins and 188 blanks.

Richard Clark, candidate for re-election won another 5-year term on the Housing Authority with 455 votes.  There were 6 write-ins and 167 blanks.

Diane Ruxton won another 3-year term on the Board of Library Trustees with 474 votes.  There were 7 write-ins.

Park Commissioner, 1-year term, saw no candidate on the ballot but 40 write-ins.  588 voters left that position blank.

Park Commissioner, 3-year term, also had no candidate on the ballot, but got 31 write-ins and 597 blanks.

The Planning Board, 5-year term, race saw write-in candidate Rick Merry best Ashley DiSesa with 98 votes to her 50.  There were 21 other write-in votes for the position, with 459 blanks.

Two incumbents for the Halifax Elementary School Committee 3-year term, Robert Johnson and Alison J. Vance, easily won their positions again with 402 and 418 votes respectively.  There were 5 write-ins and 431 blanks for the two positions.

Edward Desharnais, Jr., a candidate for re-election, won a 3-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee, with 428 votes.  There were 6 write-ins and 194 blanks.

Troy E. Garron, a candidate for re-election, won a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen with 497 votes.  There were 37 write-ins, and 94 blanks.

Richard Clark won re-election to the 3-year position on the  Board of Water Commissioners with 460 votes.  There were 2 write-ins and 157 blanks.

The single ballot question asking “Shall the town vote to accept the provisions of section thirteen of chapter two hundred and fifty-eight of the General Laws which provides that the town shall indemnify and save harmless municipal officers, elected or appointed, from personal financial loss and expense including reasonable legal fees and costs, if any in an amount not to exceed one million dollars, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of any act or omission except an intentional violation of civil rights of any person under any law, if the official at the time of such act or omission was acting with the scope of this official’s duties and employment?”

Voting yes, 327 agreed, while 168 voted no.  Evidently not caring one way or another, 133 voters left the question blank.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Russo elected BOS chairman

June 26, 2020 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

The June 22 Plympton Board of Selectmen meeting began as a joint meeting with the Plympton School Committee. Daniel Cadogan was elected to the school committee during Saturday’s town election but was yet to be sworn in as of Monday’s meeting so was not part of the voting. Jon Wilhelmsen, who received several write-in votes during the election, had already been sworn in and accepted another term on the committee. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee took a vote to appoint Jason Fraser to replace resigning member Jill Palenstijn for the year-long remainder of her term. The school committee then adjourned.

The Board of Selectmen began their business with a reorganization. Current Chair Christine Joy made a motion to make Mark Russo the new Chair and John Traynor seconded. John Traynor was named the clerk and Christine Joy the new Vice Chair. Russo jokingly said that his ground rules as Chair included no spitting and no swearing.

Following the reorganization there was a very brief hearing to consider the application of Eversource located out of 273 Summer Street in Plymouth. There is a petition for the installation of one pole on Spring St. to raise the cable due to low hanging wires. No one attending the remote meeting wished to speak either in favor or against considering the application. Traynor made a motion to accept the application which was unanimously agreed upon and the hearing was closed.

Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy requested that the town sign a three-year continuation of their auditing contract with Lynch Marini & Associates. “They have been doing an excellent job for us for quite some time,” Dennehy explained. The Board voted in favor of the continuation.

The Board then moved toward making the necessary fy21 appointments. Russo read through the lengthy list of people whose appointments were expiring at the end of the month asking that a hold be requested for any appointments needing further discussion.

The only appointment in question was that of Animal Control Officer and Animal Inspector. Joy said that she had  believed Brian Kling would be resigning but was relieved to hear that he no longer intended to resign. Russo made a motion to appoint all those on the list to another term in their present position. It was unanimously approved.

Dennehy provided the Board with updates regarding COVID-19 saying, “Town meeting was a success. I think we can all be very pleased with the way that things went…I do believe people felt at least somewhat secure with being there.”

Dennehy said that as of the Monday meeting there were two active cases in the town and all earlier cases were considered clear.

Dennehy also said that the town is working on a plan for the fall and winter and have been taking the necessary steps to ensure that the Fire and Police Departments are adequately supplied with all necessary equipment.

Dennehy told the Board that Fire Chief Stephen Silva has taken the lead with getting reimbursement through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. She also said that they have been coordinating with Wilhelmsen and Dennett Elementary School Principal Peter Veneto to make sure that they are reimbursed for any unforeseen COVID-related expenses.

Regarding future expenses, Wilhelmsen said that they are looking at both necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as additional chromebooks as the expectation is that next year will also involve some level of remote learning. The town is also looking to be reimbursed for residual town meeting expenses that were COVID-related such as the hiring of an AV company to help facilitate a socially distant meeting.

The Board of Health also received a secondary grant. Chair of the Board of Health Art Morin has already received reimbursement for the costs to spray the town buildings the first time. Dennehy said that when dealing with separate grants, etc., careful attention must be paid to not duplicate entries for reimbursement.

Dennehy said, “Otherwise, its been pretty much business as usual at the townhouse.” She said that a memo was sent out to town employees to remind them to keep their guards up as the threat posed from COVID-19 is still present.

Traynor brought up that a number of town issues have been placed on the back burner due to the pandemic and said that he would like to see those things receive attention once again. Russo and Joy concurred. It was agreed that the Board would focus much of their July 6 meeting on discussing and prioritizing these projects.

Dennehy gave an administrative update saying that she was pulling together an RFP to get a consultant on board for the hazard mitigation plan grant.

She also said that the purchase and sales agreement for one of the three lots auctioned off on Prospect Rd had already been signed and mailed to town counsel. She said she expected the closing to take place soon. The purchase and sales for the other two lots are in the final stages.

As is customary at their meetings, the selectmen ended their night with their rants or raves for the past few weeks. Joy said her rave was for all the residents that attended town meeting. “I know it was kind of a scary experience … but they came out and they took care of business,” Joy said.

Russo had two raves, the first of which was for Joy having finished her term as chair of the Board.

“I’m very appreciative of having the opportunity to sit next to Christine and learn from her,” Russo said. Traynor agreed. Russo’s second rave was for the town employees in agreeing to forgo a merit increase this year in order to guarantee that no jobs were lost and to keep the tax rate as modest as possible.

Traynor qualified his rave by saying that it was really more of a story. He said that about fifty years ago a binder was removed from the town records by someone that wanted it for their own library. That person recently passed, and their children shared it with someone else from Plympton. “I’m happy to report that the 1899 book of Plympton town boundaries is now back in the town vault,” Traynor concluded.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Plympton’s Annual Town Meeting held with “Social Distancing”

June 26, 2020 By Kristy Zamagni-Twomey, Express Correspondent

Plympton held both its annual and special town meeting on Wednesday, June 17 inside the Dennett Elementary School. The annual addressed fiscal year 2021 while the special was to address funding changes for this current fiscal year’s spending. Town Moderator Barry DeCristofano donned a purple and gold mask as he explained the protocols that needed to be followed due to COVID-19. Residents attending the meeting were divided between both the gym and the auditorium in order to ensure proper social distancing.

Article 1 was the annual report of town officers that was moved by Board of Selectmen Chair Christine Joy. Joy also moved Article 2, authorizing the town treasurer to enter into compensating balance agreements in accordance with Massachusetts Law. There was no discussion for either article and both passed unanimously.

Article 3 was a vote to amend the wage and personnel classification plan effective July 1, 2020 and to pay in wages the sums as read by DeCristofano. The Fire Department/Paramedic, clerical and election workers, elder affairs, library, professional, town hall support, town labor, and veterans’ affair all passed without discussion. Resident Ted Taranto went to the microphone to suggest that the special police officer and matron police officer be paid the same amount. Wage and Personnel Chair Alan Wheelock said he deferred to Police Chief Matt Clancy. Clancy said that there were different rates as they were completely different jobs with separate training requirements. “There needs to be at least a modest grade separation,” Clancy explained. Following the discussion, all lines were passed.

Article 4, the town budget, did generate considerable discussion with respect to both the town clerk’s salary as well as the regional schools’ budget. Chair of the Finance Committee Nathaniel Sides requested a few changes to the funding sources for the insurance and pension line but did not request any changes to the overall amount of $1,243,613. Total general government came in at $75,768, total assessors $82,292, Total tax and treasurer, $186,249, total Selectmen $323,053, total public works $591,678, total protection of personal property $26,617, total building department $95,116, total fire and EMS Services $695,678, total Board of Health $35,393, total police $1,069,879, total veterans $59,756, total emergency dispatch $103,000, and total library $155,239. Those areas all passed without discussion.

Town Clerk Patricia Detterman asked for a hold on both lines 180 (the town clerk salary) and 197 (town clerk support staff). Detterman explained that the fy20 salary for the town clerk was decreased by 11 percent by the Finance Committee bringing the total from $47,163 to $42,000. Detterman countered each of the Finance Committee’s arguments for reducing the salary including that it was not an election year, job duties were calculated at 25 hours per week, and she was a new employee. She said that there were actually 4 elections held during that year, her predecessor reported that it took 30 hours or more to satisfy the duties of the job, and that aside from volunteering for the town in multiple capacities over the years, she also served as the assistant town clerk for 8 years. Detterman also pointed out a number of challenges faced this past year including the sudden resignation of her first assistant, COVID-19 related difficulties, and an inability to take vacation in the past 18 months. She asked for a motion to restore the clerk’s salary to a fair wage. Specifically, Detterman was looking for $47,163 with a 1.6 percent cost of living increase, bringing the total requested salary to $49,925.

Detterman also cited a survey she conducted of town clerk salaries in Plymouth County. She said that the next lowest paid clerk in the county, who happens to limit their hours to 25 per week and is in a border town, made $55,000. Sides countered this argument saying that Plympton was among the smallest towns in the South Shore and therefore, comparing salaries was not comparing apples to apples. He said that the Finance Committee had conducted their own survey using towns in Massachusetts of similar size. He went on to say that based on that survey, Detterman’s current salary would place her into the top third. Detterman said that such a comparison was unfair as the clerk must live in the town to which they are elected and the cost of living on the South Shore is vastly different than the cost of living in say, the Berkshires.

Retired town clerk Nancy Butler came to Detterman’s defense saying that there was no way the job could be done in 30 hours per week. “I wish you would all consider the recommendation by the town clerk,” Butler said.

In the end, there was a slight majority in the two rooms and Detterman’s motion passed. She also made a motion to increase the town clerk support staff line from $22,186 to $25,804 saying, “The service that the support staff does for the town is incredible. We are the front porch for the town.” Like the motion before, it passed though by a very slight majority. The new total for the town clerk’s budget is $103,829.

Chair of the Plympton School Committee Jon Wilhelmsen asked for a hold on all three lines of the Plympton school’s budget. Wilhelmsen explained that when the budget was created the school committee had not yet had a chance to look for additional savings. Wilhelmsen proposed reducing the elementary school costs from $2,494,050 to $2,441,399 and the vocational costs from $105,000 to $90,000. Wilhelmsen proposed an increase for the special education line from $1,115,495 to $1,186,396. He explained that the proposed increase was necessary to keep certain students in the building and prevent them from going out of district, which would incur significant additional costs to the town. The total amended budget amounted to $3,717,795, which Wilhelmsen said, “…is pretty close to the recommended budget.” The town voted to support this new number.

Chair of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee Jason Fraser asked for a hold on the regional school line requesting that Plympton’s assessment be raised from $2,463,609 to $2,513,608.42. Fraser said this represented a 0.4 percent increase over the previous year’s number. Fraser also explained that cuts to state aid are still unknown. He went onto explain that provided one other town in the district votes to approve the number, if Chapter 70 funding comes in below what is expected, the school committee has the ability to amend the number without requesting a special town meeting as long as the assessment remains the same or lower. Thirty percent of the Silver Lake Regional School budget comes from Chapter 70 funds.

Sides said that while the Finance Committee had originally agreed to Fraser’s amended number, they had since decided to ask for an overall decrease in the town’s assessment. He said that the estimated amount was somewhere around a $50,000 reduction. Fraser said he had no record of being reached out to by the Finance Committee to discuss amending the budget. Ann Sobolewski took to the microphone in support of Fraser saying that if the town votes the number recommended by the Finance Committee, there would no longer be an ability to amend the budget should Chapter 70 funding come in higher than anticipated. Another resident inquired as to the cost to hold a special town meeting. Selectmen Chair Joy said it would cost roughly $9,000. The town voted to approve Fraser’s requested amended number of $2,513,608.42.

Before recessing the annual town meeting to begin the special, DeCristofano lamented, “I know people can leave when they want but I really feel bad when people leave after their pet projects have been voted on. It’s not fair to the rest of us.”

The special town meeting had 7 articles. Article 1 was a vote to transfer $29,882.13 from available funds to pay for the final change order for the Plympton Police Station project. Selectman Mark Russo reduced the amount requested to transfer from available funds to pay unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year in Article 2 from $6,897 to $2,153.09. Article 3 was a vote to transfer $10,000 from the overlay surplus fund to the OPED retirement fund. Article 4 was a vote to transfer up to $50,000 from the overlay surplus fund into the town building and maintenance emergency fund. Article 5 included several line item transfers in the fy20 budget. Article 6 was a vote to transfer from the sale of town owned property $8,100 raised from the sale of the Fire Department’s modular home to cover the costs for Fire Department repairs. Article 7 was for $7,000 to replace the Fire Department ladders that were rendered out of service due to safety issues. All transfers passed.

DeCristofano then returned to the annual resuming with Article 5 to transfer $33,000 from free cash to conduct fiscal audits for fy21. Article 6 allowed the town to borrow in anticipation of reimbursement $169,092 as the state’s share of the cost of work under Chapter 90.

DeCristofano then read Articles 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, and 19 which all proposed funding various things from the capital stabilization fund. Article 7 was for $200,000 for road construction and resurfacing. Article 8 was for $17,700.30 to make the annual lease payment on the Highway Department truck. Article 9 was for $30,000 to purchase a flail mower. Article 14 was for $6,950 to make the first payment to lease/purchase 10 digital portable radios for the Police Department. Article 15 authorized the Board of Selectmen to enter into an agreement to lease/purchase fiber optic equipment and allowed for $22,000 to make the first payment. Article 17 was for $48,90.05 to pay the lease payments for the Fire Department vehicles. Article 19 was for $16,724.23 to pay the lease payment for the Fire Department command vehicle. All motions passed.

Article 10 included multiple requests from the Community Preservation Committee for fy21. Articles 11, 12, and 13 were all requests for the Assessors office. Article 16 was a request for $340,000 to purchase an ambulance. Article 18 was for $10,000 to purchase new personal protective equipment for the Fire Department, Article 20 was a request for $12,000 from free cash to provide the required 5 percent match for a FEMA grant to replace a brush truck. Article 21 was for $8,000 to purchase or repair self-contained breathing apparatus. Article 22 was for $14,000 to fund Plympton’s share of a part-time school resource officer at the middle school. Article 23 was for $100,000 for the replacement of the roof and insulation at the Highway Department building.

Article 24 authorizes the Board of Selectmen to enter into a mutually beneficial agreement with the town of Middleborough for access to the parcel of land at 0 Soule St. to provide (among other things) parking and access to 2 Brooks Preserve Conservation land. Russo described it as a “win-win-win” for those involved. Russo made a motion to refer Article 25, which would amend zoning by-laws regarding floodplains, back to the Planning Board rather than voting on it. Articles 24, 26, 27, and 28 all had to do with the recodification of bylaws. Articles 24, 26, 27, and 28 all passed as did Russo’s motion regarding Article 25.

Articles 29, 30, 31, and 32 were all in regard to payments on the following solar projects: 29 Brook St Solar, Upland Road Solar, Plympton Lake St. Solar, and Main St. solar – all passed.

Russo asked to pass over both Articles 33 and 34 and his motions were approved. Article 35 was a vote to adjourn the town meeting until the town election.

Jumps continued

here

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Only 4.5% of Plympton voters cast ballots

June 26, 2020 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Only 4.5 per cent of Plympton’s 2289 registered voters came out on the hot summer solstice; 104 ballots were cast.  Plympton voters for the most part stayed home when faced with a ballot with only two printed candidates on the form.  Selectman Mark E Russo, a candidate for re-election, turned in his nomination papers to ensure his place on the ballot.  He won with 85 votes, 16 blank, and 3 who wrote in others.

Daniel M. Cadogan was able to turn in his nomination papers to take his place on the Plympton ballot.  He won a position on the Plympton School Committee with 72 votes.  Jon Wilhelmsen won his return to the second position on the Plympton School Committee with 14 write-in votes.  There were 112 votes left blank and 10 other write-ins.

Ethan Stiles got 5 write-in votes for his place on the Board of Assssors for another three years.  There were 90 blanks.

Bradford Cronin won a 3-year term on the Board of Health with 12 write-in votes.  There were 84 blanks and 7 others.

Two positions on the Finance Committee were  won by Kathryn Shepard at 19 votes, and Marilyn Browne with 15 votes.  There were 171 blanks and 2 others.

James Lundgren and Louise Cosato won their 3 –year terms on the Board of Library Trustees with 17 and 12 votes respectively.   There were 177 votes left blank.

Jim will be a busy guy as he was also the top vote-getter in the 2-year position on the Board of Library trustees, having been written in by 5 fans.  There were 95 blanks and 4 others.

Paul D’Angelo won a 5-year term on the Plympton Planning Board.  The veteran member of the board got 8 write-ins.  94 voters left it blank and 2 votes were for others.

The one-year term on the Planning Board was won by James Cohen with 7 write-in votes cast. There were 4 others.  Blanks got 93.

For the Silver Lake Regional School Committee 3-year term Jason Fraser won the position with 10 votes written-in for him.  1 vote was for another and there were 93 blanks.

Voting took place at the Plympton Town House, 5 Palmer Rd.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

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