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You are here: Home / Archives for News

SL Wrestling competes at state meet

February 22, 2018 By Thomas Joyce

The Silver Lake High wrestling team has some of the top wrestlers in their respective division in the state. They earned the opportunity to prove this last weekend, competing at the Division 2 State meet at Milton High School.

In all, the Lakers sent three wrestlers to the meet, an indication of the caliber of wrestlers they have within the program. Even after such a strenuous meet against stiff competition, their season is still alive.

That is because junior Dan Walsh (120) earned a sixth place finish at the meet, so he earned a ticket to the All-State tournament. In all, he went 3-3 during the two-day tournament which was held on Friday and Saturday. His final bout was for the fifth place spot so he would have made it to All-States regardless of the outcome of it.

Walsh was not the only Laker to compete over the course of the weekend either. Senior captain Gavin Hamilton (182) and sophomore Kyler Baur (106) also wrestled over the course of the weekend.

Hamilton came up with a big 9-1 major decision win over a North Andover grappler where he was clearly in control. His opponent’s only point of the match came with 34 seconds remaining on an escape. Plus, his opponent had an injury timeout about 30 seconds into the second period. Ultimately, Hamilton would fall in the consolation round of eight, so he did not advance further in the tournament; Baur dropped his two matches during the state meet.

Earning the right to wrestle at the state meet is a major accomplishment in itself. Seeing how the Lakers had three men wrestling at it–two of which are expected to return next season–they certainly have reason to be confident in the future of their program.

Walsh will compete at All-States this Friday and possibly Saturday at St. John’s Prep in Danvers.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Old Town House project will be brought to ATM for vote project

February 22, 2018 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

The Plympton Community Preservation Committee voted Tuesday, Feb. 13, to present the preservation of Plympton’s first Town House, on upper Main St., to town meeting voters for their approval at the annual Town Meeting May 16.

Plympton’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) received the application from the Plympton Board of Selectmen, in conjunction with the Plympton Historical Society for possible CPA funding consideration at the May 2018 Town Meeting.

The project under consideration is an historic preservation of the town-owned “Old Town House ” on Main Street at the junction of Center Street, also sometimes known more recently as the    “Plympton Historical Society Building”.   

The structure was built in 1850 as a Town Hall. For the last 65 years it has been used by the Plympton Historical Society for the preservation and presentation of materials and collections related to the Town’s history as well as the site of many community events.

The project under consideration requests funds for much needed rehabilitation and restoration of the historic building. Estimated project cost would be approximately $87,500 which includes $25,000 for painting and clapboard restoration, $45,000 for window restoration and replacement, and an additional $17,500 to be used in the case of unexpected contingencies.

In the committee’s efforts to diligently review and choose well-conceived projects that offer a lot of benefit for its limited funds, the CPC welcomes any and all comments and input.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Shakespeare Festival at Silver Lake

February 22, 2018 By Stephanie Spyropoulos

Silver Lake Regional High School became a wacky wild Stratford on Avon where the words of the Bard were bandied about with a new twist provided by English students, all seniors, Tess Beckwith of Plympton, Ali Farina of Halifax,  and Tom McSorley and Abby Kramer, both of Kingston.

From a love of Shakespeare, the four writers, under the direction of Silver Lake staff Shakespeare and English teachers Heather Bates and Ashley Ferrara, presented their homage to the Bard Thursday, Feb. 15, with performances throughout the day to English students and a finale public performance at 5 p.m. to the public. The play honored Shakespeare’s 454th birthday, which is thought to be April 23, 1564.

Brainstorming for the project began in the summer of 2017.  Students were chosen from project applicants by staff teachers Bates and Ferrara. After months of collaboration, writing, and re-writing, A Quinn-Kle in Time was born.

The seniors were given the opportunity to present their show with a cast -which grew to 60 in the past two years – and figuratively leave their marks – written with a magical quill pen – as their legacy in the Silver Lake Drama Department.

Their meetings were held to exchange Shakespearian tragedy in their coolest teen hangout – Panera!  As if the entire world was a stage they openly laughed, twisted, penned, edited and formed their 2018 Shakespeare Festival script with as much amusement, underlying humor, and irony as Shakespeare himself or at least in their case more like his intern Quinn.

The fictitious intern Quinn, played by Quinn Bonnyman of Halifax, literally whirls through time in the portal, which is a white sign (insert imagination).  The typical ending of a Shakespeare wedding was recognized with not one but three weddings.

With continued coaching, editing and tweaking, the script developed through the fall.

“Each year we come up with new things to do. We were doing an independent study where students were writing the spring show just to celebrate his birthday. It morphed each year into different sonnet reads, stage fighting then in 2006 a couple students wrote an independent study.  From there we decided this would be really fun… in the last couple years there has been so much interest, “ said Bates.

The student writers/directors embraced all aspects of the show casting, costuming, and set designing with only eight rehearsals.

The four plays, based on Much Ado about Nothing, The Tempest, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, added such calamity as Banquo’s ghost riding a toy horse scooter and a same sex couple ending in unity between Mercutio and Romeo. They also included in their twisted-up plots a few inside jokes that drew uproarious laughter among the auditorium of students and families.

The Shakespeare Festival has become a tradition which a group of seniors take on each year, said Ali Farina one of the writers.  Changing it up to keep it fresh is an annual challenge they meet with gusto.

All four writers have begun their countdown to graduation, with college next fall and a multitude of career aspirations. Their collective advice to incoming freshman, whether it is drama club or sport, is ‘make sure to join in something you love’.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

SL gymnastics co-op shines at Patriot League meet

February 15, 2018 By Thomas Joyce

When they needed to show up and put up the best performance of their season, the Silver Lake High girls’ gymnastics co-op with Pembroke delivered.

Last Friday night, the co-op–dubbed “Pemberlake”–impressed at the Patriot League meet once again this season. They won it for the second straight year as they posted a 136.2 final team score in the meet at Mass Gymnastics Center in Pembroke.

The meet had several standout performances from the co-op. Most notably, Morgan Hackett took home Patriot League MVP as she earned second place in the all-around. Her performance also earned her a ticket to individual states by being one of the top-15 all-around gymnasts in the south section. Patriot League All-Star Tori Newton earned a fourth-place finish in the all-around and also earned a spot in the state meet as she is one of the top vaulters in the area.

Maizie Condon and Katie Kemp were also among those to have strong performances on the day. Condon earned second place on the balance beam while Kemp, who was named a league All-Star on floor, earned second place in that event, scoring an 8.6.

Awards were handed out at the meet and Pemberlake walked away with a few of them. In addition to Hackett’s MVP Award, Tess Bonanno was named a Patriot League scholar-athlete and Hannah Alexanian earned a Patriot League sportsmanship award.

At the start of the season, the co-op was at a disadvantage because Hackett was out with a thumb injury and Kemp got off to a late start to the season, but when the team had them back and healthy, it provided a boost to an already talented squad.

The co-ops individual meets season is over, however, now it is time for their top performers to prepare for the state meet which will be held in early March at a time and location that have yet to be announced.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Silver Lake boys’ hockey gearing up for playoffs

February 15, 2018 By Thomas Joyce

To start the week, the Silver Lake boys’ hockey team sat at 6-9-3 and for most teams, that would mean they would have to win out the rest of their season to make the playoffs. However, the pressure is off this time for the Lakers as they already earned their playoff spot last week.

The Lakers clinched a playoff spot last week as they shellacked Cardinal Spellman, 13-3, on Monday, Feb. 5. The win gave them a spot in the playoffs via the Sullivan Rule. This rule states that if a team has a .500 or better record against teams in their division or lower, then they will get into the playoffs. This rule also helped the Lakers to a playoff appearance last season, despite the team not enjoying as much success as a whole back then.

Since the Lakers are in Division 3 for hockey–the lowest division–they earned the spot since they were 5-3-1 against teams in their division to start the week. The non-league games have not been an issue for the Lakers, it’s just that they were 2-7-2 against Patriot League competition, most of which features Division 2 teams. If this is any indication, then the Lakers are in a pretty good spot as they gear up for the tournament.

After all, they did dominate Spellman and got freshman Gavin Belliveau his first career varsity win in net. Ryan Sullivan had a team-high three goals while Nick Solari, Bobby Guilford and Dave Marani each chipped in two goals apiece. The other goals of the game went to Alex Heffernan, Andrew Johnson, Sean McNeilly and John Evans. Needless to say, it was the most amount of goals the Lakers have put up this season.

The Lakers next game is a good test for them because they are set to face Sacred Heart of Kingston, a fellow Division 3 team who will likely make it to the playoffs. That one is set for Saturday, Feb. 17 (5:00 p.m. start time).

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Halifax BOS Appoints Three New Police Officers

February 15, 2018 By James Bentley

The Halifax Board of Selectmen appointed three new police officers to the department including James Coughlin, Andrew Lyczynski, and Richard Crespi III.

Coughlin moved to Halifax when he was in high school and attended Silver Lake. He said, “Since I moved here, I realized it’s a great town.”

Working at Walmart for a number of years, Coughlin eventually moved into loss prevention. This allowed him to become familiar with the police officers in town. He said they’re “role models” for him.

When asked by Selectmen Clerk Troy Garron about how his experience working in loss prevention helps his decision-making, Coughlin said he tries using “positive reinforcement” to help people. One example he brought up is if he caught someone stealing food, he’d confront them, but try to help them by giving them information on the local food pantry.

Coughlin received his degree in criminal justice from Bridgewater State University and is also a Marine Reserve member. He said he sees a future being a full-time police officer. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to give him a part-time position.

Andrew Lyczynski is 22-years-old and lived in Halifax his entire life. He said a lot of his family works in law enforcement, which pushed him towards that same goal.

He received his degree in criminal justice at Bridgewater State University. Lyczynski also has a minor in Spanish. Since graduating, Lyczynski worked as a part-time officer in Hull.

He expressed a strong desire to work in Halifax. Lyczynski said, “I want to get in the town I grew up in.”

Selectmen Vice-chair Kim Roy said she was impressed with Lyczynski’s involvement in the community. Lyczynski volunteered with the HOPS race and also worked in the town’s Parks and Recreations Department when he was younger.

Lyczynski was asked by the Board of Selectmen if having grown up in town, would have any impact on how he goes about dealing with people he knows personally, who might have broken the law.

“It’s an honor to work in the town you grew up in,” said Lyczynski, “At the end of the day, it’s my job.”

The Board appointed Lyczynski unanimously.

Richard Crespi III didn’t have the typical criminal justice background the other two new officers had. He attended the University of New England and received a degree in psychology.

Crespi’s goals were realized while working on Cape Cod, often with children under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Crespi said he was inspired to become a police officer by the officers who would arrive for these kids late at night when incidents such as abuse would occur.

Currently, Crespi works at the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover, which works with people of all ages who suffer from intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Given that the position is part-time, Crespi plans to continue working at the Cushing Center. However, he said becoming a police officer is his primary goal and will be his first priority.

The Board of Selectmen appointed Crespi with a unanimous vote.

Marijuana Host Community Agreement Update

Town Administrator Charles Seelig posted a draft of the marijuana community host agreement between Halifax and 4 Daughters Compassionate Care.

Four Daughters wants to put the proposed marijuana growing facility on River Street. The proposed location is in Halifax’s industrial zone.

Leonard Ticino attended and said he did his own research on community host agreements, including calling the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. He said the town needs some clarity for how the impact fees work.

He cited impact fees for community host agreements in other industries outside of marijuana. He said the impact fees have been pulled and money deemed invalid because of specifications surrounding the laws unknown to the host municipality.

According to Seelig, the Cannabis Control Commission is working through these issues. There isn’t a clear grasp on this yet, so Seelig said the town isn’t taking action until this factor, along with others are known.

School Budget Update

Finance Committee is asking the Board of Selectmen to meet with them on Monday, February 26, 2018 to discuss the school’s budget for the coming fiscal year. The meeting comes from an initial request from Selectman Roy.

Seelig said the town is being hit by needing more funds for this year’s special education budget, especially at the elementary school level.

Selectmen Chair Thomas Millias said priorities are going to have to be made for this year’s budget. This sentiment was shared by the rest of the Board and Seelig.

When speaking about priorities for the budget, Roy said, “This is the year of the need.”

The budget will be discussed more with the Finance Committee on Monday as the two boards try to create a budget before town meeting.

Other News

• The Board of Selectmen approved a common victualler license for Nicholas Varvitisiotis to open a pizza shop providing he completes all necessary paperwork and inspections.

The restaurant will be called Famous Pizza and Seafood. It has limited seating inside, so Varvitisiotis said it will primarily be a take-out and delivery shop.

Varvitisiotis has been in the restaurant business for thirty years. He bought his first pizza shop when he was still in college at the age of 20. He lives in Abington with his 12-year-old triplets.

• The Board of Selectmen approved two appointments to the Beautification Committee. Jeanne Kling and Tom Fitzgerald were both appointed to terms lasting until June 30, 2018.

The next Halifax Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Open session begins at 7:30 p.m.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Another side of Atwood

February 15, 2018 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday, Feb. 12 to continue the discussion regarding the parcel of land off Prospect Road known as the Atwood Property.  Ryan Vlaco of BRV I, Inc. in Middleborough, has signed a purchase and sale agreement in the amount of $1 million for the 75.3 or perhaps 113-acre parcel – acreage differs from the earth removal permit application and the plan of land submitted with the application.

Selectman Russo reminded the crowd that the meeting was not an official hearing and no official proceedings were to take place. The public will be notified when, in fact, legal measures will begin to take place on the purchase of the parcel.

After hearing concerns of many Prospect Road and Soule Street residents regarding issues such as unreasonable wear and tear on roads by the estimated 100 gravel trucks per day each hauling a full load of gravel, effect on nearby wells, the tearing up of pristine woodland and damage to the ecosystems of several protected species of birds, reptiles and plants, Beverly Atwood, longtime owner of the property now protected by the Atwood Family Irrevocable Trust, stood to be heard, citing the hypocricy of the group. 

“When your children were throwing rocks into our canals, that didn’t bother you and I think the person’s here whose sons were doing that.  When somebody else’s sons burned down our bog shed, that didn’t bother you.  When some other people put up signs for their horse trails – that didn’t bother you.  That’s our property.  Nobody ever has come to me and asked permission …  And we have never been confrontational about any of it.  And now all of you are here, all of a sudden  – something’s going to happen to your property … And you people all now are nature lovers!  You didn’t give a darn about my bogs when you people trail rode through.  Geese – I give them a free ride because they belong there – but you people don’t! None of the rest of you beautiful land people who love the land but have no respect for mine until I want to sell it because my husband is sick … and I have to get this property sold …  where were you last year asking me to buy it?  Where was anybody three years ago?  Nobody! …  All of a sudden your playground’s going – the place where you go and don’t ask permission.  And now it’s a nature preserve!”

Jennifer MacDonald, 44 Prospect St., spoke to the right of way which her property abuts, saying that it is no way capable of handling 100 trucks per day, and that the deeded right of way is for timber removal, and perhaps the occasional cranberry truck, but to make any changes to the right of way would require consent from the abutters.   She also noted that the gravel trucks cannot negotiate the sharp curve onto Prospect Road in either direction and would need to go forward onto Marie Elaine Drive and Tobey Lane, through thickly settled residential areas, to make the turn.  MacDonald continued to say that if she’d known the land was for sale, “I would have bought it!”

Gail Knight of Winnetuxet Road empathized with Mrs. Atwood, saying that she would feel the same if people were abusing her property.

Russo told Mrs. Atwood that the process (of coming out of Chapter 61) would take time.  “One of the consequences of putting land into Chapter is that you save on taxes, and you complicate the sale in the end,” Russo said. 

According to state law, land that has been protected and held under any of various “Chapter” titles, such as 60, 61, 61A must be offered back to the town before it can be sold.  The town may then exercise its option of first refusal.

This 75.3 to 113-acre parcel of has raised many questions for the residents of Prospect Road and surrounding areas in last week’s meeting.  Selectman Mark Russo attempted to address citizen concerns.

A list of priorities regarding the project were announced beginning with contacting town council to address a letter to the current owner of the land to establish communication. Next, the board discussed clarifying the boundaries of the project and verifying that the land for sale is entirely owned by the seller.

Plympton assessors are working to determine the boundaries of the project  Linda Leddy and Ami Dion of the Open Space Committee will begin volunteer research on agricultural bylaws and legal measures taken in similar towns when dealing with earth  removal applications. Following this research, the town may go forth with creating procedures for handling the sale of Chapterland and future applications regarding earth removal operations in the town.

Selectmen plan to “represent all the citizens involved in the project and remain fair,” as stated by Russo, all other board members agreeing.

Rocky Mountain

water concerns

Selectmen agreed to have Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy research a surveillance system to address concerns that water trucks are going onto the Brook Street property earlier than their agreement with the town allows.  One abutter noted violations Feb. 6, 7, and 12.  Selectman John Traynor suggested a camera system be set up to document these incidents.  Russo said he would call Mr. Rose again to let him know.  Traynor said that the town should have firm legal documentation of these violations.

Old Town House

Lease signed

The lease between the town and the Plympton Historical Society has been updated and signed by both parties, according to Selectman John Traynor, who asked that copies of the lease be emailed to Society President Jessica Kinsman and the members of her board.

One of the terms of the lease is to have a sign.  The current sign was damaged by snow removal equipment.  Town maintenance superintendent Sarro has said he will repair the sign and have it re-installed in the spring, after the ground thaws.

Recreation

Commission

Selectmen are seeking volunteers to serve on the Recreation Commission.  Anyone interested should contact the selectmen’s office at 781-585-2700.

In other busines

• The board ended the meeting by approving a Best Buddies Bike-A-Thon in June, pending approval by the fire and police departments.

• Selectmen will not meet next week because of the President’s Day holiday on Monday, but will resume their meeting schedule the following week, Monday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.

• MRI Consultants, who are working on a review of the Plympton Fire Department, will have a draft of their report by the end of this week.

Deborah Anderson

contributed to this article.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Boys’ basketball shoots well for big win over Falmouth Clippers

February 8, 2018 By Thomas Joyce

It did not matter that the Silver Lake High boys’ basketball team got outrebounded by a decent margin. They shot well, so they were able to take down a tough opponent last week.

The Lakers had good touch on Thursday, Feb. 1, when they took on the Falmouth Clippers, who were already qualified for a playoff spot. Even so, this did not stop the Lakers from picking up a 66-57 win on the road.

In the contest, the Lakers got outrebounded 31-21, but they hit 51 percent of their shots including all of their free throws and 50 percent of their 3-point attempts.

This success was evident for the Lakers early in the game as a pair of 3-pointers gave them a 6-0 lead to start the contest and a few minutes into the game, Danny Duggan sank a three and a free throw to give his team a 12-4 lead. Falmouth clawed back, however, and led 18-17 after one quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Nolan Hughes drained a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 23-20. This gave the Lakers some momentum as Josh Harvey got a block on defense and shortly afterwards, the Lakers went on a 9-0 run propelled by Danny Duggan, Tyler Duggan and Josh Gilbert. At halftime, they led 35-26.

Again, Falmouth was able to close the gap. By the end of the third quarter, they cut the Lakers lead to four points, 47-43.

With the Lakers lead down to two points 51-49, Matthew Bettle up with a key steal to give the Lakers possession and help them add some insurance points. The Lakers were able to do so and a couple of minutes later, Tyler Duggan hit a 3-pointer to give the team a 60-51 lead; he also hit a pair of free throws with 21 seconds in the game to put it out of reach for Falmouth.

The Lakers next game is this Friday, Feb. 9 against Plymouth North at home (6:30 p.m. start time).

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Silver Lake boys’ wrestling has bright future in store

February 8, 2018 By Thomas Joyce

The Silver Lake wrestling team has enjoyed its share of ups and downs this season, but they have still enjoyed plenty of success this season and have a bright future ahead of them.

At the beginning of the month, the Lakers stood at 7-11 in their team meets on the season, but that does discount what they have accomplished this year. Not only do they compete in a tough division, but they have individuals on the team who have enjoyed a great deal of success in competitive tournaments thus far.

A prime example of this would be the team’s 120-pound wrestler Daniel Walsh coming in second at the Cape Cod Invitational tournament and third at the Marshfield Holiday Invitational over Christmas break in December. At the start of the month, he was 27-6 in his matches on the season.

Gavin Hamilton (182) and Kyler Baur (106 and 113), who have been starters all season, are also thriving. Hamilton was 20-11 and Baur was 20-14 this season as of February 1.

The team has also had some freshmen step into big roles such as Scott Snell (106) and Kyle Cipullo (195). Snell was 10-3 on the year and Cipullo was 11-15–showing impressive levels of varsity success for first-year high school wrestlers. Plus, a healthy Kyle Fries has been an asset at the 138-pound weight class during the second half of the season after missing the first half of the year.

The Lakers wrapped up their Patriot League Keenan Division schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 31 with a 51-27 win over Whitman-Hanson. As a result of the win where Baur, Walsh, Hamilton, Cipullo and Will Barkowsky (160) all had pins for the Lakers, the team finished second in their division standings with Duxbury at 3-2 in league matches.

Select Lakers wrestlers will compete in individual tournaments in the coming weeks.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Tensions high as gravel removal plans unveiled

February 8, 2018 By Deborah Anderson, Express Staff

Jessica Zeiol

Express correspondent

Plympton’s Prospect Road residents voiced their concerns over the proposed purchase of a parcel of land that is either 75.3 acres or 113  acres, even the proposed purchaser didn’t seem sure.   The Prospect Road parcel contains acres of cranberry bogs, a spring-fed pond that serves as reservoir for the bogs, hardwood forest, and pine forest.  The area was also pointed out as a known haven for at least two endangered species.

Rick Burnett, local farmer and member of the Agricultural Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Community Preservation Committee, and advisor to the Historical Commission, told the gathering that he was speaking only as a resident Monday night, introducing selectmen and others to the “magic” of the area known as the Atwood Land.  Burnet knows the land well as it borders Soule Farm where Burnet is active in farming activities.

Selectmen were made aware last fall that the property was coming out of Chapterland and the town was offered first refusal to purchase the land as is required by law.  Selectmen have now received a purchase and sale agreement that would sell to Ryan Vlaco, principal of BRV I, Inc., 607A Wareham St., PO Box 107, Middleboro, from Atwood Family Irrevocable Trust, represented by Sarah Atwood Preston, at a pricetag of $1 milion. 

The P&S, has several conditions to it, Selectman Mark Russo told the group, one of which is the granting of a gravel removal permit by the Town of Plympton.  Asked if it was proper to give a permit to anyone other than the actual owner of the property.  Russo answered that was a question they would put to Town Counsel.

Many residents expressed concern that removing so much gravel would affect the pond and the water table, thereby affecting nearby wells.  Emotions were high, with violence threatened and answered in one reparte.

Howard Randall, whose home is on Prospect Road, wanted to be sure that selectmen didn’t miss the deadline of 90 days to respond to the offer. 

The applicant spoke to the group, stating that he had completed perc tests on the four proposed house lots on Prospect Road, across the way from Toby Lane and Marie Elaine Drive.  The proceeds from the sale of these house lots, he said, would help finance the overall project. 

Asked whether he planned to remove the gravel from the property beyond what he would use to expand the cranberry bogs, he said he would.  His stated intent was to have a gravel removal operation in addition to the cranberry bogs.  The proposed operator estimated 100 gravel-laden trucks would pass down Prospect Road each day.  The application states that they would not operate beyond 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and would not operate on weekends and holidays. 

Chairman Christine Joy asked if he owned other cranberry bogs.  He said he did, in Middleboro on Pine Street.  She said she would like to see them, to see what kind of operation he had there.

Members of Marie Elaine Drive neighborhood expressed their worries regarding the operation of a gravel removal pit and the effects on the neighborhood’s water wells and the value of their homes. Rebecca Lipton, a resident of Prospect Road stated, “This will greatly change our water supply, which has already been affected by Middleboro’s waste management facility down the road.”   

Other Plympton citizens heavily debated the damage that would be done to the roads that are narrow with many curves and turns.  There were also expressions of concern for the children in the surrounding houses and the effect of operation on the value of neighborhood homes.

The plan is unclear as to the amount of land this parcel includes and one taxpayer said he has been paying taxes for decades on a parcel that he thinks is located within the bounds of the property under consideration, and questioning the legality of the purchase and sale agreement. Assistant Assessor Wendy Hughes said she would look up the maps in question and report back to selectmen.

The board of selectmen is planning to gather information and answer the questions presented by the public before deciding whether or not and how the town will continue with the project.

Selectman John Traynor  told the group that there would be many opportunities to be heard on this application and proposal, as many hearings would be needed before several boards before it could be done. 

Russo said that he and his board would also investigate the possibility of acquiring the property for the town, much as the town had acquired the Churchill Park property.

The next Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26.

~ Deborah Anderson contributed to this story.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

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