With high school graduation ceremonies occurring all over the South Shore this past weekend, it was a welcoming time for celebration of achievement and abundant retrospect of the years spent in a single, familiar atmosphere, both cherishing friendships formed and wondering what happens next.

Silver Lake Regional High School graduated 268 seniors on Saturday, June 3, rejoicing outdoors with a well-behaved Mother Nature.  However, behind the scenes planning began in January with many hands and eyes; the day took great preparations for success. From proofreaders with numerous spell checks of each graduate’s name and awards accomplished to ordering the commencement booklets, sizing for gowns and caps, responsibilities for ordering flowers, to a complete installation of live feeds for the outdoor sound system. Many were also finishing speeches along with their daily schedules and extra-curricular activities while attending the monthly committee meetings for the big day.

Class officers who spoke during Silver Lake graduation Saturday morning reminisced of the  ‘early days’ as freshman, silly dance moves, getting lost on the third floor pool area, which didn’t exist, and taking selfies over the last four years. In a teenager’s world it was barely surviving the pre-dawn start of school when the alarm clock went off way too early so they could find a parking spot.  Nearly everyone lacked sleep.

They confessed their six years in the Silver Lake district were fun but not easy.  An enormous bonus to something they had been intimidated by at the start of seventh grade was the meshing together of the three towns into one regional school. They soon realized there were cherished, newfound friendships only streets away.

Laughter came from all in attendance, as staff guest speaker Sean Donovan reminded graduates through common relatable senior-isms of how far they had come. He reminded them of individual journeys each student took along slightly different paths but still finishing at the same spot.

Celebrating their accomplishments before the Silver Lake community he parted by reminding them to stay true and remain predictable. Be a good friend, a trait in which people can rely on knowing they have that solid someone out there.

Nathan Finney of Halifax, Salutatorian of his senior class of 2017, was introduced as a ’good friend to all’ by Isabella Levesque, class historian. He has been a member of the gay – straight alliance for the last four years and is a talented member of chorus and drama. He carried primary roles in all eight fall and spring productions.

Finney addressed his classmates and guests with a diverse look at friendships, differences, and acceptance that he feels will create a brighter future.

“Before me sits a class with many different ideas and talents and students with many different backgrounds; these differences serve to make us stronger,” said Finney.

“Every one of us is capable of pursuing something that makes us successful and happy but if we want our futures brighter we can only achieve this by listening to each other and respecting our differences,” he said.

He shared a story of his most memorable experiences at Silver Lake involving a leadership class. He also compared the dissimilarities of individuals in drama club but on a common ground by way of new friendship and a mutual goal to create something they could be proud of, he said.

Giving and getting a hug during drama production week, everyone encourages and congratulates each other on their success. Stage prep and building props, long hours and the feeling of nervous energy before the show were just some of the many things that drew them all together. “We are not the same…but we had a shared experience and a common goal”, he said.

Principal Jim Mulcahy of the Silver Lake Regional School District gave out more than 250 diplomas Saturday. He knew firsthand what the graduates were experiencing as they recalled the time at Silver Lake and friendships formed.

He too will be heading for new endeavors as he leaves the school district and familiar faces for an opportunity closer to home. Having grown up in Plympton his roots remain strong as his parents still reside there.

“The friendships that I made are my strongest, closest friends to this day.  I still see those guys. We still get together… now we are married with kids. Those were the strongest bonds, with classes and sports and growing up together,” said Mulcahy.

The forming of friendships in elementary school and knowing those around you may be slightly easier in smaller populations like Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston.

In his tenure at Silver Lake, Mulcahy said sharing a positive school experience by finding ‘your hook’ such as: sports, clubs, or drama can help students form lasting friendships as seen on the stage at graduation and the field following the services. Students embraced one another as did the undergraduates promising not to lose touch with one another.

Doing well in school, staying disciplined, getting work done – those have been strong examples, which have been helpful guiding our students to a strong education and finding their place in our school community, he added.

“If you find your passion- that will trickle down… so that students   have ownership of their education and the ownership tends to breed success,” said Mulcahy.

I had a lot of good teachers and mentors at Silver Lake as well as my parents- who are not teachers- but they valued education. They pushed me to work hard, he said.

“I have had the unique opportunity to work in the community I grew up in.  I am never going to be able to replicate that.   I will miss the people the most.  Students, parents, staff, administrators and the superintendents I have worked with. The people are always the best part.  That is what I will miss the most – the strong connections – I am really going to miss them.”

Mulcahy as accepted a position as principal of the Sandwich High School.  He makes his home with his family on Cape Cod.

The falling rain, which held off until ten minutes before the parade’s start, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for Plympton’s people lining Main Street, who took out their umbrellas and took it in stride.

Leading the parade was Sgt. Steve Teri on the Plympton Police Dept. motorcycle.

Following was the entire complement of Plympton’s fire trucks, and the 1936 Buffalo fire truck lovingly restored under the direction of longtime Plympton resident Donald Vautrinot.

Marchers were led by the Board of Selectmen: newly elected selectman Mark Russo, chairman Christine Joy, and vice-chairman John Traynor.

Mrs. Doris Silva, 99, recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen of the town, was parade marshal.

Twenty-six units made up the Plympton parade, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisy Scouts, town officials, Sauchuk Farms Cow Train, baseball, soccer, and DARE,

The parade reassembled at the Gazebo on the Green where all were welcomed by selectmen.

Selectman Mark Russo offerred a moment of silence for  the fallen.

Chloe Tougas, a Dennett Elementary School student, sang the National Anthem like a real professional, to the applause of the audience.

Selectman Joy led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Rev. Anna “Nan” Eaton Butera’s invocation.

Jill Palenstijn, representing the Plympton Garden Club, and Genevieve Walsh, a Dennett school student, presented flowers to Doris Silva, Plympton’s oldest resident, who was honored.

Patricia Sherman, a young widow from Plymouth whose husband was killed in Afghanistan, told what the loss of her husband and her daughter’s father has meant to her family.

Selectman John Traynor introduced Rosella Hoffman, a Dennett Elementary School student who recited her essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”

Jennifer Blindt then recited “In Flanders Field.”

Chloe Tougas returned to the dias to recite The Gettysburg Address.

Boy Scouts Geoffrey Cook, Daniel Lyons, and Chase Perkins placed wreaths in front of the brass plaques honoring veterans from World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict.

Selectman Christine Joy invited all back to the Fire Station where they were able to “Touch a Fire Truck.”

More photos on Page 6.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen heard a plan to address the algae and phosphorous levels at West Monponsett Pond from Craig Curtin and Russ Kleekamp, engineers at GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy, resources, and environment at their meeting on Tuesday, May 24. Addressing the problem was approved at Halifax’s Annual Town Meeting.

Halifax wants to use GHD’s plan to reduce the total phosphorous load from stormwater by 50% as required by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In order to do this, Curtin and Kleekamp started by making a map of the existing drainage system to help create the new drainage systems.

Kleekamo said there are seven steps/strategies associated with the project to be addressed. They include:

• Public education and outreach.

• Illicit discharge detection and elimination.

• Public involvement and participation in storm water municipal permitting. (SWMP).

• Construction site stormwater control.

• Stormwater management in new development and redevelopment.

• Good housekeeping and pollution prevention.

• Program evaluation, record keeping, and reporting.

Town Adminstrator Charlie Seelig noticed some sewer run off areas on the map that didn’t look like they were being addressed and asked about it. Russ Kleekamp, project manager, said, “The permit ,only addresses point sources.”

Craig Curtin emphasized the amount of work that has already been laid out for this project. Curtin took a trip with Halifax’s Highway Department to look at catch basins and drainage pipes throughout the area. In total, 232 catch basins were opened.

Curtin said that they found a lot of trash in the catch basins, exemplified by a photo of the inside of a catch basin on Heron Road.

Further field verification showed a total of 40 outfalls discharging phosphorous into West Monponsett Pond. Kleekamp said that the phosphorous levels will be reduced by updating existing drainage systems. Preliminary designs were shown.

West Monponsett Pond is considered the priority for addressing outfalls. The Halifax Beach Association outfall is next priority. Kleekamp said that Hanson is also onboard for the project and has set aside funds for engineering.

Given there is about a five year window for Halifax to bring their phosphorous to levels acceptable by the DEP, the town plans to apply for project grants.

Kleekamp told the board there are grants available and the grant size needed is determined by the size of the project. Jaclyn Tomasello, of Halifax, graduates from Assumption College

He said the Provincetown project ended up receiving a multi-million dollar grant.

Kleekamp said of his plan, “This won’t be a cure-all for the ponds.” This is a multi-year project that will allow the town to become compliant, improve the water quality, and reduce the number of beach closures.

Electricity Aggregation

Selectmen met with a representative from Colonial Power who is trying to set up an electricity aggregation for Halifax.

Residents and small businesses will be automatically opted in to this program if approved, but are allowed to opt out thirty days prior to the aggregation if they are already receiving a similar service from National Grid. Opting in and out is also allowed without penalty. Those with private electricity where no basic National Grid services are not automatically opted in, but are allowed to join.

According to the representative, other towns are signing on to the aggregation including Pembroke, Kingston, and communities as far away as Mendon. Selectmen vice-chair Kim Roy asked if there would be a green option regardless if other towns want to go green.

The representative said, “Aggregation allows you to make the decision that’s best for Halifax.” He added that if other towns don’t want to go green, Halifax can still go green. Colonial power offers a non-green base price, but allows green aggregation as a resident option.

There were some positives and negatives that Colonial Power told the Board of Selectmen. Colonial Power mentioned cost being less at the beginning, but an increase to the cost of kilowatts per hour for the next couple of years after.

The Board approved continuing to look into Colonial Power, particularly the aggregation with other towns, but is exploring other options as well.

Other News

The Halifax Board of Selectmen restructured their board post Annual Town Meeting. Thomas Millias in now the Chairman of the Board, Kim Roy is Vice Chair, and Troy Garron is Clerk.

The Margaret Fitzgerald Garden will have their official opening ceremony on Memorial Day after the parade. Although the parade is dependent on good weather, the garden dedication ceremony will go on rain or shine.

Line item transfer requests were all approved for the following:

• Police wages to station maintenance

• Water Department gas and oil to data processing

• Fire wages to Fire Station maintenance

Permit fees for the school repair project were waived by a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.

The Board briefly discussed the proposed Plymouth County Budget. Selectman Millias said his one concern was with the large increase in salaries in the Commissioners’ department.