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Voters support Senior Center

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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.

Early morning chase nabs one near Tractor Supply

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Courtesy of

Hanson Police

    It was quite a chase early Thursday morning, May 11, as police from Hanson, Pembroke, Hanover, Whitman, Carver, Halifax and Plympton, as well as the Plymouth County Sheriffs finally brought Daniel Egan, 36, of Plymouth, into custody.

    At 1 a.m. Hanson police encountered a 2010 Chevy Malibu heading north on Route 58 at a high rate of speed.  When it failed to stop at the stop sign a Indian Head and Liberty streets, Hanson officers attempted to stop the vehicle which fled north, turning off the vehicle’s lights.

    The Malibu fled to East Washington St., to an area near the Hanover/Pembroke town line.  Officers pursued the vehicle back into Hanson Center, through Winter Street, back onto Route 58, traveling south.

    The Malibu struck a cruiser and attempted to force it off the road in the area of Latham Street.  The cruiser suffered minor damage.  Officers deployed tire deflation deices in the area of Route 58 and 106 causing the vehicle to eventually stop on Route 58 in Halifax.

    Egan fled the scene into a wooded area. Officers attempted to take him into custody but he managed to escape. Eagan then got into and fled in a marked police cruiser.

    Officers from Hanson, Halifax, and Pembroke attempted to stop Eagan as he fled in the cruiser on Route 58 south. Plympton police officers deployed tire deflation devices on Route 58 and disabled the cruiser.

    At approximately 1:15 a.m. the cruiser was stopped at the Plympton/Carver line in front of Tractor Supply. Eagan refused to come out of the vehicle which led to a standoff that lasted approximately 20 minutes.

    Efforts to convince Egan to exit the vehicle were unsuccessful. Officers used bean bag rounds to shoot out the windows of the cruiser. Mr. Egan eventually exited the vehicle and again refused commands to surrender. A K9 from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was used to subdue Mr. Egan. He was transported to the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth in the custody of the Hanson Police by Plympton Fire. He suffered an injury to his hand.  He was later transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston.

    Egan is being charged with operating to endanger, failure to stop for a police officer, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, assault and battery, larceny of a motor vehicle, and numerous other motor vehicle violations. Bail has been set at $25,000.

    Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies on scene showed great restraint and patience during this entire incident, according to Hanson police.

    HPD would like to thank the Whitman, Hanover, Pembroke, Carver, and Plympton Police as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance during this incident.

Halifax’s Barone shining at SNHU

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Last year’s high school softball star is this year’s college softball star.

It did not take 2016 Silver Lake alum Maddy Barone long to make a major impact on the Southern New Hampshire University softball team.

Albeit she is only a freshman, Barone has been her team’s most-used pitcher. To start the week, she had made a team-high 23 appearances, including 17 starts, and she had pitched a team-best 109.2 innings. In that timeframe, she amassed an 9-7 record with a 2.87 ERA. She had also struck out 77 batters and hurled seven complete games. Of those six complete games, three were shutouts: February 17 against Le Moyne, March 10 against Caldwell and April 15 against Stonehill College.

At her age, however, many players struggle to find playing time on their collegiate teams. With that in mind, it is safe to say Barone will likely be enjoying even more success in years to come. After all, she enjoyed quite the career at Silver Lake.

The Halifax native, who starred in three sports (also basketball and soccer), was a vital piece of the Lakers success for the duration of her high school career. She went 83-9 and threw 45 shutouts and 10 no-hitters while posting a 0.47 ERA in her career with the team. Albeit she is at college for her pitching, Barone also had a .460 batting average in her varsity softball career. Thanks to that success, she was named the Gatorade Massachusetts Softball Player of the Year last season. She is the only softball player in Lakers history to win the award.

At the start of the week, Barone’s team was 25-19 through 44 regular season games. This week, they were set to compete in the Northeast-10 tournament bracket.

Tale of a storied cookie

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The Toll House cookie is now the subject of a children’s book currently in preorder status and due for publication in June.

“We’re getting excited because [publication] is getting close,” Whitman native and author Kathy Teahan said Monday. “It’s just such a huge part of the history of Whitman and Ruth Wakefield is such an amazing woman for fulfilling her dreams.”

Based on the true story of how Wakefield created the now-famous cookie at the Toll House Restaurant, “The Cookie Loved ’Round the World” relates “how … a cookie took hold of the people of Whitman, the state of Massachusetts, and the rest of the country,” according to the presale page of East Bridgewater based SDP Publishing Solutions (sdppublishingsolutions.com/bookstore).

A portion of the sales will be donated to groups dedicated to fighting world hunger, but Teahan has not yet decided which ones.

“We are blessed to have so much food, for the most part, in this country, but there are still a lot of people struggling both here and all over the world,” she said, adding her book touches on the issue in places. “I’m hoping to educate kids and have some of the money from the profits go toward helping that issue.”

Teahan said she wrote the book to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

“The story about Ruth Wakefield and her cookie expresses how hard work and perseverance can make good things happen,” she said.

Teahan said the way the cookie, included in packages from home to overseas troops during WW II, was inspiring in the way it became an international hit.

A retired teacher and state legislator, Teahan worked as a salad girl at the Toll House Restaurant after the Wakefields sold the restaurant — one of her summer jobs to pay for college. Two of her aunts had also worked there and Teahan uses one of them as the book’s narrator.

She has always been interested in writing, having her eighth-grade classes write picture books for third-graders during her teaching days at the Gordon Mitchell Middle School in East Bridgewater. Teahan also taught English at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

Teahan began work on the book by “jotting down things that I knew” and doing online research. John Campbell and the Whitman Historical Society and former Toll House waitresses were also key resources.

Drawing conclusions

The book is illustrated by former Express graphic designer Larisa Hart of Duxbury. It is Hart’s first outing as a book illustrator but says it won’t be her last.

Brimming with ideas for her own book eventually, Hart says she’d take on more projects like this one “in a heartbeat” and related how the opportunity came about.

“Kathy came into the office one day,” Hart recalled. “I’m not sure how she met [Express Newspapers owner-publisher] Deb [Anderson], but she knew Deb and she was saying she needed an illustrator for the book.”

The plan was that Teahan’s son, Bob, would illustrate. When his work schedule interfered, she needed a new illustrator and mentioned it to Anderson while the two were discussing plans for their 50th high school reunion. Teahan and Anderson graduated W-H together in 1965.

“I mentioned that my son wasn’t going to finish the illustrating process because he didn’t have time,” Tehan said.

Anderson knew that Hart was also an artist and suggested her to Teahan, a suggestion Hart says changed her life. After Hart sent some samples of her work to be reviewed by Teahan and the book editor, she started a new artistic adventure in which she had to translate the story to full-color drawings.

“I really loved her work,” Teahan said of sample sketches Hart provided for her to review. “She’s such a good person and her pictures are wonderful.”

Hart said the author and editors provided direction, which she let “steep” to help her  figure out how to incorporate the directives into a picture.

“Each illustration goes through almost seven phases starting from a thumbnail sketch and different sketches to line art and to colored art,” she said of the 16 illustrations she did. “It was pretty intensive.”

While illustrating the book, she was also starting a very technically exacting new job.

“It was a lot of work, but it was well worth it,” Hart said. “I got better and was more confident as I went along on each of the pictures, so it’s been amazing.”

It has also translated into a new skill for its illustrator.

The Wacom tablet on which she is working, allows Hart to paint in images with a pressure-sensitive stylus for a watercolor effect.

“I’m able to make a realistic-looking watercolor painting using layers and layers of color in the illustration,” she said. “I’ve [also] worked with editors before, but not as critiquing my art — they’re lovely to work with and Kathy has been so gracious, so supportive.”

Teahan is self-publishing through SDP Publishing Solutions because she had doubts about the potential popularity of the book, but added the initial feedback she’s been getting is encouraging.

“I feel like it was meant to be,” Teahan said. “Our history for such a long time didn’t include the women who made such a huge impact and did so many outstanding things.”

Teahan, who now lives in Harwichport, is also planning a memoir of her term as a state legislator and other children’s books as future projects.

Halifax TM is Monday 50 articles

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Townspeople in Halifax will consider 50 articles at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting, with various issues, ranging from Marijuana Establishments zoning, Marijuana tax, to adding a Foreclosed Properties by-law.

Article 48 asks if the town will amend the Code of the Town of Halifax, Chapter 167 (Zoning) to define marijuana establishments as a marijuana cultivator, marijuana testing facility, marijuana product manufacturer, marijuana retailer or any other type of licensed marijuana-related business, as is defined by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94H.

This article would allow marijuana establishments by special permit in the Industrial District and will not be allowed within 500 linear feet of any school or child care facility or where children generally congregate, or any other marijuana establishment or any business licensed to pour alcoholic beverages.  The distance will be measured by direct calculation of a straight line from the nearest property line of a facility to the nearest property line of the marijuana establishment.

The hours of operation may not include any time between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Any permit applied for and/or issued for a Marijuana Establishment must  comply with all state laws and regulations concerning Marijuana Establishments.

Article 49 asks to allow the town to tax each sale of marijuana at an amount not more than 2%.

Article 50 would amend the Code of the Town of Halifax by requiring the registration and maintenance of foreclosed properties, and the security of foreclosed properties, to help prevent blighted and unsecured properties.  The article would require that owners must register the property with the Halifax Building Commissioner and if the owner is out-of-state it must appoint an agent within Massachusetts to act in the owner’s stead.

In addition to the usual finances of the town, its employee salaries and department expenses, the town will also be asked to fund

• $205,000 for a large dump truck for the Highway Department

• $50,000 for a security system and other items for the Halifax Elementary School

• $2,000,000 for renovations and addition to Pope’s Tavern Senior Center

• $70,000 for architectural and building plans for repairs to Pope’s Tavern

• $49,000 to purchase and equip a new service truck for the Water Dept.

• $80,000 to purchase and equip two new marked police vehicles

• $16,000 to purchase and equip two new ATVs to be used for patrol

• $5,000 to purchase and maintain communications equipment for the Fire Dept.

• $10,000 for new turnout gear for Fire Dept. personnel

• $280,000 to purchase and equip an ambulance for the Fire Dept.

• $27,145 to replace apparatus bay door openers at the Fire Station

• $9,000 to update the phone system at the Halifax Fire Station

• $10,000 to purchase IV pumps for the Halifax Fire Department

• $12,500 to repair chimneys at the Museum of Halifax, Old School House, Blacksmith’s Shop, and Pope’s Tavern

• $7,000 to replace light fixtures at the Town Hall with LED fixtures and wiring over the next two years.

• $9,500 to replace two furnaces as part of completing phase 2 of the furnace replacement at the Town Hall

• $7,200 to replace the Recycling Center’s two rear garage doors with new hardware motors, one section of panel with glass windows, and the other three sections with insulated solid panels

• $12.000 for the Assessors’ Triennial Revaluation Account

• $7,500 for additional hours for the Conservation Commission Secretary for wetlands protection work

• $5,000 for improvements to the town’s boat ramp

• $6,500 to refurbish the doors and replace the lock system at the Halifax Town Hall

• $28,100 for new computer servers at the Halifax Town Hll

• $3,500 to support South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.’s free legal services to elders, low-income families and their children

• $3,500 to support South Shore Women’s Resource Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services

• $70,000 for the second year principal payment of the water tower painting and repair debt and $5,989 for the second year of interest on the same debt

Town meeting warrant will also be asked to

• vote to accept  Bourne Drive and Danson Road

• vote to accept Heron Road

• vote to revise the listing of delinquent taxpayers

• vote to amend the Streets and Sidewalks section of the Code of the Town.

Seniors seek support at TM

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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.

Spring Art Showcase at Silver Lake

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The art students of Silver Lake Regional High School invite the public to join them in celebrating the arts this weekend at the Spring Art Showcase.

The Showcase will be on display in the art wing and auditorium lobby on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, April 30, from 12:30 to 2p.m.

Artwork by Art Major and Portfolio Prep students will be featured in the display, including:

Madeline Boschen, Julia Danforth, Mason Donovan, Delvina Driscoll, Bryan Fallon, Lyndsay Kramer, Madison Laudermilk, Madison Sawler, Dorryen Sceviour, Samantha Walsh, Nina Whidden, Beatriz Whitehill, Maya Wyatt, Hannah Coveney, Mia Dondero, Margaret Dunn, Taylor Fruzzetti, Alyxandra Herbert, Jack Johnson, Julia Larson, Mal McWilliams, Mya McWilliams, Meghan Mules, Coley O’Donnell, Conor O’Leary, Cameron Robertson, Emily Russo, Rebecca Towne, Reese VanDerMolen.

Lakers baseball off to hot start

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There’s not really a much better way the Silver Lake high baseball team could have started their season, especially after graduating a talented senior class last year.

No, they are not on their way to an undefeated season anymore, but they still have one of the best records in the state.

Beginning the year with seven wins in a row, the Lakers took their first loss of the year Monday, April 24; they fell 6-3 to the Hanover Indians.

Regardless, the Lakers have plenty of reason to be confident this season. After all, their record speaks for itself.

For starters, their starting pitching core is strong. As expected, junior Dan Collins has emerged as the team’s ace.

He won each of his first three starts. Each time, he hurled a complete game and in the process, struck out a total of 33 batters.

Complementing him is a freshman southpaw, Nolan Hughes, who has picked up wins in both of his career varsity outings. He tossed complete games in both of those outings and in his most recent win he struck out eight batters. Senior Trevor Dennett gives the Lakers another particularly strong arm in their rotation; he threw a two-hitter against Duxbury on April 14.

At the plate, three-year varsity starter Josh Harvey has consistently been one of the team’s top bats, showing off extra-base power.

Speaking of which, their senior center-fielder, Aidan O’Neill, blasted a home run earlier in the season.

Junior shortstop Mike Quigley, who had an RBI in the team’s win over Bridgewater-Raynham last week, is another key piece of the team’s lineup.

The same could be said for Collins when he is in the lineup, manning third base and junior outfielder Alex Bejarano, who began the year hitting .471 (8-for-17).

The Lakers next game is this Friday, Apr. 28, at home against Scituate High School (4:00 p.m.).

Selectmen and FinCom meet with Collins Center about Town Administrator position

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Plympton Selectmen met Monday, April 24, with the Finance Committee to hear a presentation from Dick Kobayashi from the Collins Center. The Board is considering using the Collins Center’s services to assist in hiring a town administrator.

The UMASS Boston based Collin’s Center was established by the state legislature in July, 2008, to focus on improving public management, particularly at the state and local level. The Collins Center offers a variety of services, including staffing.

Kobayashi began by highlighting the experience of the staff at the Collins Center, saying that although it’s part of UMASS Boston, all of the people that work at the Center have worked in towns. Kobayashi says, “No students and no academics are used.”

Kobayashi then went through the process the Collins Center uses to assist filling public roles. He said they start by interviewing members of the Board of Selectmen in a one-on-one setting. They also will interview members of the community who are active in the town, as identified by the Board.

According to Kobayashi, the purpose of these individual interviews is to determine the values of the town and what they are looking for in a candidate.

Selectmen then set up a screening committee to work closely with the Collins Group to examine the pool of candidates. This committee will screen and narrow down the list of potential candidates to about ten to twelve members.

These final candidates will be brought before the board for interviews during open session, as required by Massachusetts General Law.  Kobayashi told the board, “It’s important the committee represents the board and town’s values.”

Members of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee had several questions for Kobayashi. Selectmen Clerk John Traynor asked how big these screening committees typical are. According to Kobayashi, they usually consist of five to seven members.

FinCom members asked where the job postings would be placed. Kobayashi answered the advertisements will be placed online with the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and International City Management. Brochures would also be posted with the ads and in print.

Finance Committee member Susan Ossoff questioned the need for the brochure if the advertisements are placed online. She described Plympton as a frugal town and the cost of putting the brochures into print, she was unsure there was value there if applicants are coming from online databases.

Kobayashi says that the brochures tell the story of the town and it may be a good idea to have some around the town hall. He did say that brochures could potentially just be put on the online profile and not printed, but they typically print them.

The cost of service is a $14,000 fee from the Collins Center. This however does not include the university’s fee, and the costs of advertising and travel. The total cost could be north of $17,000 if the town decides to pursue this option.

Review of Town

Meeting Warrant

Article 29 was removed from the Town Meeting Warrant. This article would have limited the size of temporary signs. In particular, political signs would have been affected if passed. The article was removed due to it potentially being unconstitutional by violating the First Amendment.

An article to provide dental insurance for town employees was also dropped from the warrant. Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson says the cost were higher than anticipated due to a miscommunication.

One last article was removed because of a legal technicality. What was to be Article 10 reads, “To see if the Town will vote to accept provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 258 section 13 which provides that the town shall indemnify and save harmless municipal officers, elected or appointed, from personal 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, suitor judgement 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 within the scope of his official duties or employment or take any other action relative thereto.”

The Board of Selectmen learned via legal counsel that this type of action has to go forth as a ballot question rather than an article at Town Meeting. The Board still wants to see this voted on, it just cannot legally be done at Town Meeting.

Selectmen closed the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Most of the details were hammered out previously, so Monday night’s meeting was mainly a procedural discussion, with Selectmen deciding who will speak and move each the articles at Town Meeting.

Town Meeting Notes from the Financial Committee

The Finance Committee plans to reduce the equipment request from the Fire Department by $12,000. FinCom Vice Chairman Eric Hart said there was confusion about the need for several of the equipment requests from the FD, so he discussed them with the department.

One request was for new pagers which Hart says are failing. He agreed with Chief Warren Borsari and his Fire Department that this is a safety issue and this needs to be addressed.

Some of the disconnect was on the cost of uniforms and turnout gear, which Hart said was also in their budget line and for equipment thatcould fail.

Hart said, “We don’t want to budget for anticipatory breakage.” If emergencies come up, the Fire Department can come to the FinCom to request reserve funds.

Other News

Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Thompson made a request to improve the identification of Area 58 broadcasts of meetings at the Plympton Town House. The Board is asking Area 58 to either take old meetings off the air or time stamping them to avoid confusion.

Thompson said they are broadcasting old meetings on television without time stamps, and there’s nothing to tell a town citizen that itisn’t current news. This is already being done for televised school committee meetings.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting will take place on Monday, May 1, 2017.

Open session will start at 6p.m.

Heron Road hearing continues

By

Halifax Selectmen met Tuesday April 25 continuing with Heron Road’s public street acceptance hearing which was continued from April 11.

At the last hearing, Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told the board, “The only issue I have right now is that your neighbors or residents of the neighborhood weren’t notified because you were out of town.”

Rick Springer, from Century 21 Classic Gold in Carver sent out certified notices to the abutters, and said, “I received responses from 10 of the 19 abutters.“

A few of the abutters and residents of Heron Road were present for the hearing. One Heron Road resident said she’s new to the area and didn’t know Heron Road hasn’t been accepted as a public road yet. The Board welcomed her to Halifax and had abutters and residents explain some of their concerns.

One abutter, Joe Kennedy, voiced concern about trees that were left up near the easement that allows for proper drainage for Heron Road. Several trees were taken down along with a hill for the road’s drainage.

Joe says that trees were not removed near his property and are leaning towards his home. There is a lake nearby and wind from the lake already knocked down two trees near Kennedy’s house this past winter. Kennedy says that one of the trees came down and crushed his neighbor’s Jeep. He’s concerned the trees could fall on his home.

It turns out that the trees were not part of the easement. Rick Springer showed selectmen the trees are on the property of one of his neighbors and highlighted the area on a map he  showed the group.  With the trees being private property, selectmen were unsure if they could legally do anything about this issue. Garron suggested Kennedy try to work something out with his neighbor.

Peter Annis, who attended the April 21 hearing, addressed the issues he has with sidewalk in front of his home not being depressed to the same level as his driveway, making a bump coming out of his driveway. Selectmen vice-chairman Thomas Millias vistited Peter’s property and told his board, “It’s not impassable, but I agree it would be better if depressed.”  Annis asked selectmen to deny the approval until the sidewalk in front of his driveway is done.

Selectmen decided to hold off accepting Heron Road as a public street for the time being. They will meet with the Planning Board and make their final decision on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

Town Meeting News

Selectmen took some time to discuss planning for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 8. The discussion was mostly procedural. Rather than discussing each article individually, the Board went over who is presenting and who is moving specific articles at Town Meeting.

The only article discussed in detail was Article 48 which establishes where recreational marijuana facilities could potentially go. Town Administrator Charles Seelig reiterated that Massachusetts law requires any recreational marijuana facility must be at least 500 feet away from any education/children center. Selectmen Clerk Kim Roy will speak on this article at Town Meeting.

Other News

• Selectmen voted to allow the Softball Team to put up signs at the softball fields near Vaughn Playground to stay off the fields. Newly seeded grass has been planted and the team is having trouble keeping people off the fields.

• A 50% down payment was approved for the Beatification Committee’s Margaret Fitzgerald Community Garden project. The Beautification Committee plans to have the garden ready for Memorial Day Weekend.

• Halifax will need to fill a position on the Wage and Personnel Board. Kathie Ballernini sent her resignation to the Board of Selectmen.

• Selectmen will nominate Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor for Town Clerk of the Year. This award is given out by the Town Clerk’s Association.

• No DUIs/OUIs were reported for any of Halifax’s bars for the first three months of 2017

The next Board of Selectmen Meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:30 PM. However, the Board is considering adding a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 to have one more before Town Meeting on Monday, May 8, 2017.