Plympton voted unanimously to allow the town to undertake the $3 million construction of a new police station at the Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 17. The town voted on 32 articles as well as an additional 11 articles as part of the Special Town Meeting within the town meeting.

Article 24 asked the town to appropriate $500,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund and borrow $2.5 million in order to design, construct, and equip a new police station.

Public Safety Building Committee member John Wilhelmsen said the committee worked for two years, researching design, cost, financing options, and consideration of future expansion.  Wilhelmsen said that the town simply couldn’t afford to build a new fire station as well, but as the future of the Plympton Fire Department and its role is defined, plans for a fire station will be investigated and brought before the town. The committee chose to prioritize the police station. Wilhelmsen told the meeting, “The police station is the town’s biggest short-term liability.”

Chief Patrick Dillon provided an overview of the conditions of the current police station which, he said,  does not meet safety standards.  Dillon added the station also lacks bullet proof glass at the front desk.

Dan Palotta, the manager Plympton hired for the project said, “This is low (price) as you’re going to get for a public project. This will not increase your taxes and will be paid out of capital stabilization over a period of time.”

Chief Dillon says he was amazed by the unanimous vote. He said, “I could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication of this committee.”

Town meeting also voted to appropriate $20,000 of available funds to conduct a study of Fire and EMS services. Selectman John Traynor explained that shortages in paramedic staffing could cause the town to lose its advanced life support emergency license. Traynor said Halifax wouldn’t be willing go to a regionalized service, but is at least willing to explore some sort of shared EMS service.

Stephen J Worton of Forest Street said, “The $20,000 for a study should go to the Fire Department directly.” He would rather have Chief Borsari’s recommendation be the voice that oversees the ambulance shortage situation. He says, “He knows the department, he knows the town.”

Finance committee vice-chairman Nathaniel Sides said, “We appreciate the Chief’s dedication…The Chief will in no means be excluded from the process.”

Chief Warren Borsari told the meeting, “The third party will give an independent view.” He says he’s worked together with the Board of Selectmen and The Finance Committee and feels the independence is good for taxpayers. The article passed by  a majority.

Plympton also voted Wednesday night to eliminate the Town Coordinator position and replace it with a Town Administrator. Town Coordinator Dale Pleau is retiring. One citizen asked why the position would be paid 89% more than the Town Coordinator position.

Susan Ossoff from the Finance Committee answered that the Town Administrator Position involves much more responsibility than a Town Coordinator. Some of these responsibilities involve coordinating IT, community outreach and taking on budget responsibilities. Ossoff noted that Plympton does not have a budget director.

Other elected officials voiced support for a town administrator including Selectman John Traynor and Town Clerk Tara Shaw. Shaw said a town administrator would also provide help with grant writing. The town voted $20,000 to fund a professional search for the right candidate. 

The Dennett Elementary  School was voted $130,000 for a drinking water treatment system. The article required a two thirds vote and passed with this requirement. John Wilhelmsen, representing the Plympton School Committee spoke to this article.

Article 22 asked the town to transfer $30,000 from the Capital Stabilzation Fund to make repairs to the roof highway barn. Highway Surveyor Jim Mulcahy said he found the roof could be repaired for only $18,000 and the problem could be solved by the addition of 8” gutters instead of the current 4” gutters, and do other repairs, still staying within the original $30,000 request.

Nathaniel Sides, from the FinCom, was disturbed that the article presented to the meeting was not the same article that the FinCom had approved.  FinCom’s Susan Ossoff shared those concerns stating that her committee spends a lot of time and consideration, when these articles are presented, and they should not be changed on Town Meeting floor.   Mulcahy said, “The amount for the request is the same. I’m just approaching the repairs in a different manner.

Ossoff continued, saying that the funding source of Capital Stabilization, cannot be used for maintenance; it has strict rules as to the uses it can fund.

The Finance Committee moved to modify the article from $30,000 to $18,000 given the information shared by Mulcahy.

Board of Health Chairman Art Morin, who also works full time as a transfer station attendant, was in support of keeping the funding at $30,000. Morin said, “I think one of the problems is if we repair the roof {but not the barn’s problems], we’ll end up with the same problem three years down the road.”

Susan Ossoff responded that she isn’t sure if the change to the request is even eligible for Capital Stabilization funding. She recommended asking for the additional $12,000 at next year’s Town Meeting.

The article needed a standing vote in order to modify the appropriation to $18,000; it was narrowly approved with a vote of 36 for to 29 against. The modified Article 22 passed with a two thirds majority.

Town meeting approved the request of the Historic Commission to repair and restore the Town Green Bandstand/Gazebo for $39,500. The Community Preservation Committee will fund and oversee the project with $27,228 coming from the CPC’s Historic Resources Reserve and $12,272 from the CPC’s Budgeted Reserve.

Plympton also voted to spend $5,145 to pay for new software to manage databases. Town Clerk Tara Shaw said that these databases are needed to help manage public records and other aspects of her job such as dog licensing, business licensing, election nomination papers, etc.   New state law mandates public records requests be responded to and provided within a shorter timeframe. And these databases will assist in that area.  Voters also elected to spend $14,200 to purchase an exchange server, work stations, and other relevant software in order to stay complaint with the new Public Records Law. The software will get all board, committee, and department heads on the software which according to Selectmen Clerk John Traynor, will streamline the public records request process.

Town Clerk Tara Shaw said her goal is to get as much of the town’s records onto the web site so that people can search them and answer questions themselves.

The town also voted $5,000 to fund a Hazardous Waste Day at the Transfer Station.

Article 21 was a vote to appropriate from available funds or borrow $200,000 for reconstruction and resurfacing at the transfer station. It was passed with a two thirds vote.

Article 25 was a vote to amend municipal by laws related to animal control in the town. Tara Shaw said there are new procedures for declaring a dog a nuisance dog and doesn’t change leash laws.

The title of dog officer was also changed to Animal Control officer. Article 25 passed unanimously.

Article 26 passed unanimously. It made changes to make amendments to Article 4, Sections 1 and 2 of the Town By-laws. The change here is that the Finance Committee will also serve and vote as the Capital Planning Improvement Committee.

Susan Ossoff has said at several past Board of Selectmen Meetings that the town has trouble just finding Finance Committee members, never mind Capital Planning Improvement Committee. There are currently no members on that committee.

Article 27 transfers custody of property located at 23 Palmer Road to the Board of Selectmen for municipal purposes. The five-acre property was acquired by the town from Linda Schawecker.

Plympton voted to approve Article 29 which created a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana. Deborah Anderson, Chairman of the Planning Board reported that her board voted at a public hearing on Monday to move the article forward for town meeting vote.

Other articles passed either with a majority or unanimously

• to spend $31,500 to conduct financial audits for Fiscal Year 2016.

• appropriated $9,100 for the codification of Plympton’s town bylaws.

• appropriate $10,000 pay for the contractual obligations the town has to retiring personnel.

• transfers $10,000 to the Police Detail Account for fiscal year 2017.

• transfers $20,000 to the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) account.

• transfer $15,000 to the Building and Grounds Article.

• authorizes the Board of Selectmen to negotiate and enter into a PILOT agreement between CEC Solar #1082, LLC and the Town of Plympton.

• designated the town website as the alternative method for posting meeting notices.

• appropriated $15,000 to purchase new X26 Tasers for the police department. Chief Dillon said this money will also be spent on any related software and equipment.

• spend $30,000 to buy personal protective equipment for the fire department. This will replace aging equipment.

• spend $3,448 to purchase eight new pagers for the fire department to notify members of the fire department of incoming 911 calls.

Halifax voters showed their support for their senior residents by voting $2 million for renovations and an addition to the current Pope’s Tavern Senior Center at the annual town meeting Monday night, May 8. 

Articles 21 and 22 were talked about heavily leading up to Town Meeting. The funds to repair and add to the current Pope’s Tavern would be expended under the discretion of the Halifax Municipal and School Building Committee. Repairs, renovations, and expansion include but are not limited to architecture, engineering, and administrative work associated with this project.

A citizen speaking in favor of the article said of the present building, “There are no elevators. The stairs are very steep. I have witnessed women with canes going up and down the stairs.”

Council on Aging Director Barbara Brenton recognizes that the building is not currently up to code, but with these changes the newly refurbished building and addition will be up to code and fully handicapped accessible. Other improvements to the senior center include handicapped bathrooms on the first floor, a function room that seats more than 70 people, and additional office space.

Proponents argued that the longer the town postpones much-needed upgrades, the more expensive it will be.

The Finance Committee recommended the project and reiterated that there will not be a tax increase until 2019. The spending for the project is also within the levy, so there will not be a debt exclusion for the project.

Since the article required borrowing, it required a two-thirds vote. Article 21 passed.

Article 22 was then passed over because it was a contingency plan in case Article 21 were to fail. It would have transferred $70,000 in funds for repairs to Pope’s Tavern.

In all, voters were able to dispatch 50 warrant articles on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and another 13 articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant Monday night.

Article 18 passed, but only after a standing vote. Article 18 allows the town to appropriate $205,000 of available funds for a large dump truck needed for sand in the winter by the Highway Department.

The highway surveyor could not attend the meeting, so Selectman Kim Roy spoke to the article. She told the assembly that the truck currently used is a 1987 model in poor condition. There is rotting on the inside and is not safe to drive.

Also, any money which is not spent will be returned to the town. $205,000 is the maximum the Highway Department can spend on the truck.

Dave Ross spoke from the floor, asking that this article be tabled to give the town an opportunity to look at multiple vehicles. He said he thinks the town should be looking at other options. Ross also claimed he spoke with the Highway Surveyor and he is stuck on one option. Another gentleman voiced that he would also like to see the article passed over for now.

Steve Heyward from the Highway Department told the meeting, “The doors don’t open and it breaks down all the time.” He later added, “We shouldn’t be using it. It’s not safe.”

Jared Smaller also added, “How many people drive a car that’s 30 years old?” Smaller also said there’s a bidding process and the department can’t just buy a truck without three bids at minimum. Ultimately, Article 18 passed on a roll call vote of 133 to 44.

Article 2 was voted on in parts. The article would amend seven parts of the Wage and Personnel Bylaw. All parts of the article passed except for part 2.

Part 2 of Article 2 asked the citizens to vote to create a Human Resource Manager position at a Grade 10 pay scale. This ultimately failed after much debate.

Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias said this position would save the town money in the long run doing things the right way. He believes it could protect against potential civil liabilities.

The secretary for the Wage and Personnel Board said that as a taxpayer, she doesn’t believe creating this position is needed. She added, “The money should be spent in other ways.”

Marie Cote agreed, saying that similar sized towns like Whitman and Dighton do not have a Human Resources Manager.

Another citizen in support of adding the position claimed it will save the town in unemployment and potential lawsuits.

Millias also said, “There’s no coordinated personnel records.” He said they are scattered. Marie Cote added that the records are kept with department heads.

Millias’s concern is that if a lawsuit came about, the records should be in the Treasurer’s office; they won’t call department heads. This part of the article ultimately failed.

The other five parts of the article passed. Part one gave a 2% raise to all non-union Wage and Personnel employees across the board.

Part 3 made it so that in the event of there only being two members on the Wage and Personnel Board, a member of either the Board of Selectmen or Finance Committee wouldstep in and vote.

Parts 4 and 5 affected merit increases and put more of a focus on years of service. Part 5 in particular adds a chance for a salary increase after five years of being at a position’s highest step.

Article 48 sought to zone where recreational marijuana facilities can be built. It proposed to zone them the same way as medical marijuana with requirements for how far away a shop must be from schools or where children congregate.

Article 49 proposed a 2% sales tax on any recreational marijuana sales in Halifax. Selectman Kim Roy said that Halifax voted in favor of Proposition 4 to legalize recreational marijuana, so this was the  next step. Both of these articles passed unanimously.

Article 50 passed by a majority. Town Administrator Seelig explained the origin of the article saying he received complaints about abandoned foreclosed properties not being maintained by banks and mortgage companies.

This warrant forces banks and mortgage companies to register their foreclosed properties and maintain them. If the [properties] are not maintained, the bank or mortgage company will be fined $300 per week by the town until they are brought up to code.

The town would send inspectors from the building department. One citizen, Kevin Rodgers, asked if the banks will have to pay for the monthly inspections.  If that’s not the case, Rodgers added he’d like to see that as a warrant article at the next Town Meeting.

Seelig says there is an annual $100 fee the bank or mortgage Company must pay for the inspections. He did say Rodgers’ idea could be a good idea for the future.

One gentleman brought up that he didn’t believe the article was constitutional because there are tenants sometimes still living in a foreclosed home. Seelig says the tenants would be informed and it would be the bank that’s fined not the tenants.

Town Counsel also said if they or the bank or mortgage company refused, a warrant would be the next step. This they believe, avoids illegal search and seizure concerns.

Article 19 was a vote to appropriate and/or borrow $977,000 for a new fire suppression system for Halifax Elementary School. It was passed over at the Special Town Meeting in March on the advice of Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias because the price was much higher than expected. After looking into the matter further, Millias said this is the best price the town could get. All borrowing will be within the levy, meaning there will be no debt exclusion. According to the Finance Committee it also won’t be reflected on the tax bill until 2019. Article 19 passed unanimously.

Other Article Votes

Articles are in the order in which they were presented. With the exception in this case of Articles 1 through 4, Halifax uses a lottery system in order to decide the order in which the articles are brought before the meeting.

Article 1 is an introduction to Town Meeting, reading, “To hear and act on the reports of the Town Officers and Committees.” The article included an introduction to the importance of Town Meeting and citizen’s role in direct democracy by Selectmen Vice Chair Thomas Millias. The Finance Committee also explained that the large articles being voted on that required the town to borrow funds would not affect the 2018 tax bill, but  increases would come in 2019 and 2020.

Article 3 was a vote on the salaries of the Town Moderator, Town Clerk, the Selectmen, Treasurer, Assessors, and the Highway Surveyor. There were increases for the Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Highway Supervisor. Passed unanimously.

Article 4 put to a vote the operating budget for Halifax. It was voted on in parts such as General Government, Public Safety, Schools, etc. The total projected operating cost for the 2018 fiscal year is $22,621,613. Article 4 passed unanimously.

Article 15 asked the town to approve an appropriation of $150 to be used by the Trustees for County Cooperative Extension Service. It also authorizes the Selectmen to appoint a Town Director within 15 days. Selectmen Chair Troy Garron says that this is an annual article and is used to support 4-H programs. Article 15 passed unanimously.

Article 44 asked citizens to vote on accepting Bourne Drive and Danson Road as accepted town roads. Because the water department was not comfortable yet, the article was passed over.

Article 29 asks the town to appropriate $27,145 to replace the apparatus bay door openers at the Fire Department. Fire Chief Jason Viveiros says, “The garage doors are over 20 years old,” He added that the doors don’t all have proper safety devices installed. Passed unanimously.

Article 34 appropriated $9,500 to replace the furnace at the Town Hall. Passed unanimously.

Article 41 appropriated $3,500 to support South Coastal Legal Services, Inc. Selectmen Chair Garron says, “This allows people without funds to get legal services at a minimal cost.” Passed unanimously.

Article 30 appropriated $9,000 for the Fire Dept. to update phone systems to a fiber optic service. Passed unanimously.

Article 40 asked the town for $28,100 for new computer servers.  Town Administrator joked saying, “My daughter is a junior in college. The servers we want to replace are about as old as she is.” Passed unanimously.

Article 23 gives permission to the Water Department to use $49,435 of its retained earnings to purchase a new truck with a snow plow. Passed unanimously.

Article 24 would allow the town to spend $80,000 for two new marked police vehicles. Passed unanimously.

Article 32 allows the town to use available funds of $12,500 to repair chimneys at the Museum of Halifax, the Old School House, the Blacksmith’s Shop, and Pope’s Tavern. Passed unanimously.

Article 35 appropriates $7,200 to make significant repair to the two rear garage doors at the Recycling Center.  Passed unanimously.

Article 7 is an annual bill to add reserve funds to the Water Department. Due to the condition of the well, an additional $75,000 was appropriated from available funds to cover extraordinary costs. Passed unanimously.

Article 27 gives the Fire Department $10,000 from available funds for new turn-out gear. Passed unanimously.

Article 47 changed language in the Codes of Halifax requiring for all inclusions on a warrant, public hearing, filing of plans, notice, and damages to be given public hearing and notice no less than 30 days before the next Annual Town Meeting. It also requires two successive weeks of newspaper coverage beforehand. Passed unanimously.

Article 46 requires the tax collector to give a list periodically to the licensing authority (any department that issues licenses) of any person, corporation, or enterprise who has neglected or refused to pay taxes and other charges for over a 1 month period. Passed unanimously.

Article 38 appropriates $5,000 of available funds for improvements to the town’s boat ramps on East Monponsett Pond. Passed unanimously.

Article 16 appropriates $269,658 for the town to improve bridges, county ways, sidewalks adjacent to these ways, and bike ways. This is an annual article. Passed unanimously.

Article 17 appropriates $150,000 for the maintenance of town roads. The funds will be overseen by the new Highway Surveyor. Passed unanimously.

Article 36 appropriates $12,000 for the Assessors’ Triennial Revaluation Account. Passed unanimously.

Article 31 appropriated $10,000 for new IV pumps for the fire dept. Passed unanimously.

Article 28 raised $280,000 to purchase and equip a new ambulance. Passed unanimously.

Article 43 appropriates $70,000 for the second year principal payment of the Water Tower Painting and repair debt and another $5985 for the second year interest on the same debt. Passed unanimously.

Article 14 raises Fire Chief Viveiros salary to $103,000. Selectman Kim Roy said this brings his salary closer to the national average while balancing what Halifax can afford to pay. Passed unanimously.

Article 10 funds the collective bargaining agreements between the town and AFL-CIO Union Council 93 and Local 1700 (Highway/Cemetery). passed unanimously.

Article 6 amends the Codes of the Town of Halifax by adding a new section which authorizes revolving funds for use by certain town departments, boards, committees, and agencies. Passed unanimously.

Article 5 will  continue 16 separate revolving funds including inspector wages, CPR classes, and the bus for the Council on Aging, Passed unanimously.

Article 9 allows Halifax to appropriate funds for agreed upon collective bargaining between AFSCME AFL-CIO Union Council 93 and Local 1700. Passed unanimously.

Article 20 approved appropriation and borrowing of $50,000 for repairs and renovations to the Halifax Elementary School. Passed unanimously.

Article 37,  proposed by the Conservation Commission, asked the town to transfer $7,500 for additional hours for the Conservation Commission Secretary to protect wetlands. Pased unanimously.

Article 11 appropriated funds for agreed upon collective bargaining with Local 459. Passed Unanimously.

Article 39 appropriates $6,500 to refurbish the door and replace the locks at the Town Hall. Passed unanimously.

Article 25 transfers $16,000 of available funds to purchase and equip two ATVs for the Police Dept. Unanimous

Article 33 appropriates $7,000 of available funds to replace office lighting with LED lights in the Town Hall. Unanimous

Article 13 approves agreed upon collective bargaining between the town and Police Chief Edward Broderick. Unanimous

Article 45 was passed over because the proponent of the article, Richard Springer, did not attend Town Meeting. This article would have made Heron Road an accepted town road.

Article 12 appropriated agreed upon funds for collective bargaining between Halifax and the Halifax Association of Police Patrolmen. Passed unanimously.

Article 42 appropriated $3,500 from available funds to support the South Shore Women’s Resource Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services for its residents.Passed unanimously.

Article 8 passed unanimously and approves agreed upon collective bargaining between Halifax, IAFF, and Local 3159 (Firefighters). Passed Unanimously.

Halifax voters will have the opportunity to support their senior citizens Monday, May 8, at the Annual Town Meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Article 21 asks the town to vote to appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds the sum of $2 million to renovate, repair, and expand the current Pope’s Tavern Senior Center.

When John Campbell, Chairman of the Municipal and School Building Committee, brought the plans before selectmen several weeks ago, the reaction was unanimously positive.  Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told his board they were the best solution to the Council on Aging’s needs he had seen thus far.  Selectmen Tom Millias and Kim Roy agreed.

The new plans would make the Senior Center completely handicap accessible throughout, bring the building up to code and in compliance with the state and federal laws.  The plans would renovate the existing building, add a large function room that can hold more than 70 people, and double the size of the current kitchen.

A large room on the second floor can be used for various activities and/or functions by other town groups, while the basement may be used for additional activities or storage.

An elevator will access all floors in the building.

The visiting podiatrist currently sees patients in the bathroom on the first floor; the new plans provide for a private exam room on the second floor where patients can be seen.

Halifax Council on Aging director Barbara Brenton said they have waited 22 years for a solution to the need for space, “It’s been a long time waiting and a lot of people have lost heart.”  Brenton said that they are hoping that this time, with Selectmen’s and Finance Committee support, the plan will be approved at Town Meeting.

Halifax has a population of about 7,600 in all, and of those, 1,561 are over the age of 60.  That’s more than 20%.  As the years go by, the population is getting older and in need of the services the Halifax COA provides.  “We’re asking the town for their support,” Brenton said it’s the seniors that have been waiting, supporting the schools and other projects.  It’s time for the town to support them.”

  The Annual Town Meeting is held in the multipurpose room of the Halifax Elementary School, Plymouth St., Halifax.   

Warrant articles may not be presented in the order of the warrant; they may be chosen by lottery as to which will be voted on.

Anyone needing a ride to the Annual Town Meeting is asked to call the Council on Aging, 781-293—7313, and they will arrange for transportation.