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Region remains under drought watch despite rain

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PLYMOUTH COUNTY– All of Plymouth County remains under a drought “watch” despite the recent rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine, with areas of the county under the more severe “warning” category.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, produced jointly by The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s National Drought Mitigation Center, the U.S Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, states that drought conditions are getting worse.

54.7% of the state is experiencing a “severe” drought, and 22.6% of the state is in an “extreme” drought.

“Drought conditions worsened in Massachusetts and surrounding areas,” officials stated, even despite recent rainfall.

State officials are continuing to urge the public to conserve water in light of the ongoing conditions.

The state is also planning to offer grants to struggling farms and is putting plans in place to provide enough water for firefighting and public safety.

Those plans include efforts to ensure mutual aid is in place to make sure there is enough water to go around should there be a major fire in one community that uses up a significant amount of water.

“Our Administration continues to support communities across the Commonwealth to work in unison as we prepare for the very serious ramifications that a prolonged drought can have on our economy and public safety,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in a statement.

The previous five months have been abnormally dry. While 100% of the state is under some sort of watch or warning today, about 80% of the state was not under any sort of watch or warning at the beginning of March, according to the monitor.

Labor Day Halifax house fire fueled by Hermine winds

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Labor Day was anything but a holiday for local fire departments who responded to a heavily engulfed house fire on Thompson Street. Onlookers who could see flames dialed 911.

The Halifax Fire Department responded at 1:05 p.m. Within two minutes, the fire was called to a second alarm, Halifax Chief Jason Viveiros told The Express.  Firefighters encountered heavy fire upon arriving at 415 Thompson Street and were there well into the evening as investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s office arrived to determine the cause.  The fire went to three alarms plus one additional engine and two ambulances for assistance but not a full fourth alarm, he said.

Homeowner John Peck and his adult son Joe were at the house after being alerted to the fire.  Family and friends stopped to console and offer support to the visibly upset and shaken family.  It was later confirmed that a pet did perish in the fire.

The dwelling, which is located on a retreat lot, had approximately 400 feet of driveway forcing crews to lay two four- inch hose lines over 500 feet each to reach the engines and pump water onto the flames.

The fire got a head start, said Viveiros. Flames had engulfed the entire back side of the original home. Firefighters worked tirelessly and were able to save the newer part of the second story home, which Viveiros said was inhabitable. Early estimated damages are at least $600,000.  The family is staying with local relatives.

Stored live ammunition, which was kept in the home, exploded due to the intense heat, sending shell casings toward firefighters and onlookers.  Two propane tanks self-vented because they were scorched in the flames, adding fuel to the fire, but that was early on and quickly controlled, he said.

Tropical storm Hermine’s wind gusts up to 30 mph added more than a few challenges for fire crews and bands of rain arrived later in the day.

No one was at the house when flames broke out.  There were no civilian injuries, however three firefighters were treated for heat and smoke related injuries, as well as one back injury. They were transported by EMS, treated and released at a local hospital.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Chief Viveiros acknowledged manpower and resources from the towns of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Pembroke, Hanson, Whitman, Middleboro and Plympton and the Department of Fire Services State Rehab Unit.   

Good voter turnout expected for Thursday, Sept. 8, primary

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   Town Clerks Tara Shaw and Barbara Gaynor are preparing for the Thursday, Sept. 8, State Primary Election.  They expect a good turnout.

    The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Plympton will vote at the Town House, 5 Palmer Rd, Rte. 58.  Halifax will vote at the Halifax Elementary School all purpose room, 470 Plymouth St., Rte. 106.

Four ballots will be offered, Democrat, Green-Rainbow, Republican, and United Independent Party,

The Democratic Party ballot will list for consideration:

• Representative in Congress, Ninth District: William Richard Keating. (Vote for One)

• Councillor, Fourth District: Christopher A. Iannella, Jr. and Stephen F. Flynn. (Vote for One)

• Senator in General Court, Second Plymouth and Bristol District Court: Michael D. Brady. (Vote for One)

• Representative in General Court, Twelfth Plymouth District: Thomas J. Calter, III (Vote for One)

• Sheriff, PlymouthCounty: Scott M. Vecchi. (Vote for One)

• County Commissioner, Plymouth County: Greg Hanley and Lincoln D. Heineman. (Vote for not more than Two)

The Republican Party ballot will list for consideration:

• Representative in Congress, Ninth District: Mark C. Alliegro and Thomas Joseph O’Malley, Jr.  (Vote for One)

• Councillor, Fourth District: (none listed)

• Senator in General Court, Second Plymouth and Bristol District Court: (none listed)

• Representative in General Court, Twelfth Plymouth District: Peter J. Boncek, Michael E. Cowett, and Ian F. Murphy.  (Vote for One)

• Sheriff, Plymouth County: Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. (Vote for One)

• County Commissioner, Plymouth County: Daniel A. Pllotta and Anthony Thomas O’Brien, Sr. (Vote for not more than Two)

There are no candidates listed on the Green-Rainbow Party ballots and United Independent Party ballots.

Absentee ballot applications are available from the town clerks’ offices for those not able to vote in person on election day due to  1.) absence from your town during normal polling hours; 2.) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or 3.) religious belief.

South Coast rail public hearings

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PLYMOUTH COUNTY– The South Coast rail link, a long talked about project to connect Boston to Fall River and New Bedford by Commuter Rail, is in its early stages of development, and the public is being invited to participate in hearings regarding a possible alternate route to those originally proposed that would take less time to design and construct. As of now, the route would use existing Stoughton Commuter Rail line tracks. Design for this route is currently 15% complete.

According to MassDOT, a series of meetings will be held this fall to update the public on the status of all elements of the South Coast rail project, and to discuss the next steps. MassDOT and the MBTA are inviting all members of the public with an interest in this project to participate as they are seeking public comment and to answer questions.

The South Coast Rail project is intended to restore commuter rail service between Boston and the Massachusetts South Coast. Service to the region ended in 1959, leaving Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford as the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston lacking transit access to Boston and other communities, according to MassDOT.

“South Coast Rail is intended to reconnect this region to jobs while spurring economic vitality and attracting new business and investments.”

The MBTA received second year funding in September 2015 to continue the development of environmental permitting and preliminary design, with a mission to reduce environmental impacts.

Hearings are all at 6:30, beginning in New Bedford on September 7, followed by Taunton on September 12, Fall River on September 14, Easton on September 15, Canton on September 19, and Middleborough on September 22.

Choate given a chance

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HALIFAX– Jennifer Choate, owner of Tarawood Kennels which is the subject of an excessive barking complaint, will be given a chance to implement a noise mitigation plan, selectmen say after weeks of collecting evidence.

At a meeting on Tuesday, August 30, selectmen unanimously voted to follow the board’s special investigator, Selectman Kim Roy’s ultimate finding of fact. She found that there was excessive barking at times at the kennel, corroborated by neighbor testimony and audio evidence.

The mitigation plan involves using sound proofing material both indoors and outdoors, adjusting the number of hours dogs can be outside, working with a trainer to discourage barking, and requiring a staff member to be outside with the dogs anytime they are outside, among other provisions. The plan is expected to reduce the noise by 7-12 decibels, according to a sound engineer hired by Choate.

Another provision is that no boarding or “puppy reunions” happen at the facility. Choate must follow the written permit as is, which allows her 50 adult dogs on the property and 26 litters per year. Puppies must be moved off the property within 6 months.

As the plan is being implemented, special investigator Roy stated, “I will be there from time to time to make sure it’s quiet…This is something we need to supervise pretty closely,” she said.

No mention was made of a possible error the ZBA made in 2012 in failing to notify neighbors when the number of adult dogs allowed on the property doubled from 25 to 50.

Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron stated that he wanted to focus on moving forward to, “hopefully make a decision that pleases the majority.”

“From my point of view, I don’t want to talk about what happened six years ago,” he said.

One point of contention was the number of hours the dogs could be outside, with neighbors originally pushing for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Choate campaigning for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Selectman Roy wanted further input from the public, but only the attorney for Scott Clawson spoke, saying that it didn’t really matter as long as there wasn’t barking.

Garron agreed at one point, finally turning to Roy and under his breath saying, “Kim, I don’t think it really matters.”

The hearing was continued to September 27 to give Choate time to make the necessary changes, after the board unanimously voted to accept Choate’s plan.

The board warned that everyone would be back in the same place if drastic changes weren’t seen.

“I think we have to give them [the kennel] a chance,” said Selectman Tom Millias, as the meeting ended.

“It’s never fast enough but I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

Silver Lake levels drop daily: Brockton issues water ban as area reels from drought

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The City of Brockton Water Commissioners, finally listening to Halifax and Silver Lake’s towns, have issued an outside water ban within the city and also to the towns to which Brockton sells Silver Lake water.

The town of Whitman, a Brockton water customer, received notice that beginning immediately, the town will have to implement outside watering by hand held hose only on an odd/even basis.  No sprinklers will be permitted.  The City of Brockton has initiated the same ban.

Halifax Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said this is probably the worst drought he can recall and looking at records, the levels at Monponsett ponds are as low as they have ever been in the 20 years of data he has access to.

“Levels at Silver Lake are dropping daily,” he said.

The Town of Halifax, which shares Silver Lake with three other towns: Kingston, Plympton, and Pembroke, has had a total outside watering ban since spring because of the severe drought the area is experiencing.

Last year, while Halifax had a total outside watering ban, thirsty Brockton residents had no such ban, with the sluice gate at Stump Brook closed, keeping West Pond stagnant, and draining it to augment Silver Lake’s output.

This year, however, Brockton has not diverted any water from West Monponsett Pond not only because of the severe drought but also because the high cyanobacteria levels are as much as 15 times the threshold for healthy contact.

Rep. Thomas J. Calter, D-Kingston, has brought the Brockton water situation to the attention of Governor Charlie Baker and the legislature and may seek new legislation to encourage Brockton to find appropriate sources for its ever-growing water needs.

Area is deemed “low risk” for EEE and West Nile Virus

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As of August 15, Halifax and surrounding towns are listed as a “low risk” community for EEE and WnV.

The Halifax Board of Health has been notified about a mosquito with EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) in Middleborough (July 12) and one in Kingston (August 15). It was found in a Culex mosquito, the Culex restuans. Natural and artificial containers are the preferred larval habitat of this mosquito. It feeds almost primarily on birds but has been known to bite humans on occasion. This species is typically collected from May to October but can be found year round as it readily overwinters in man-made structures.

Cx restuans has been implicated as a vector of WNV. Take this bird biter as a warning. People have control over stagnant water in containers: buckets, tarps, tires, etc. Rinse them out, turn them over.

Rinse bird baths at least twice a week.

Residents should continue to take precautions including removing all containers with standing water such as accumulating junk in the yard, not maintaining swimming pools and allowing them to sit with green stagnant water, along with toys, tarps and tires.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health wrote:

Although there has been less evidence of EEE activity this year than in some recent years, the late heat and humidity this summer are perfect conditions for mosquito activity.

The peak time for transmission of EEE will continue through at least some of September.

The types of mosquitoes most likely to carry EEE are considered to be active dusk to dawn but the timing of that activity can be impacted by temperature, humidity, cloud cover and day length. In addition, active participation in outdoor sports increases our availability to mosquitoes. Physical exertion and sweating may also change individual attractiveness to mosquitoes and may decrease the time that repellents are effective.

DPH is writing to ask you to help us get the word out to residents, schools and athletic groups, that it is important to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Know the drill – mosquito repellents, clothing and limiting outdoor activity during peak mosquito activity hours.

Also, keep in mind that our residents travel between cities and towns regularly and some of those may travel from areas not familiar with EEE.  They may not be mindful of the importance of preventing mosquito bites.  Please remind them.

To call for ground spraying of your property, call Plymouth County Mosquito Control at 781 585 5450.

Individuals can call the Project, between 8:00am and 3:00pm on Monday through Friday, to request that their property be sprayed. The Project’s phone number is (781) 585-5450, fax (781) 582-1276 or mail us at P.O. Box 72, Kingston, MA 02364. To find out where the spray routes are going to be, call (617) 582-6219 (during spray season). Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project

For more information on EEE and WNv, please see DPH’s site at: http://www.mass.gov.

Plympton permitting process to change

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PLYMPTON– During the regularly scheduled selectmen’s meeting on Monday, August 22, the majority of the meeting was taken up by a presentation to board and committee members, along with town employees regarding changes to the building permitting process.

At the behest of Selectman John Traynor, a workgroup was formed several months ago to address what was seen as a haphazard “loosey-goosey” system of moving building permits through the various departments, boards and committees. Builders have even been known to wander Town House trying to get various portions of a permit “signed-off” on.

The workgroup recommended having a single focal person in the Building Department, in this case Kathy Wright, to be the designated permitting coordinator, who will move permits through the new process.

Further security was another recommendation of the board, and each permit application will now be assigned a master control number as it moves through the system.

A further recommendation is that boards coordinate their schedules so that delays aren’t introduced due to posting requirements or conflicting schedules. A permit application will begin with the Building Department at step 1. The application will be reviewed in a timely fashion by the Permit Coordinator, who will determine what boards, offices and committees the project will need to pass through at step 2. Step 3 involves a check to make sure all taxes are paid on the property by the Tax Collector at which point a control number will be assigned to the application. Step 4 will have the Assessors assign a street number to a parcel if it doesn’t have one. At this point the Building Department will review the application with the input of the Fire Department and the Highway Department (steps 5, 6 and 7).

If the project needs to be reviewed by the Zoning Officer or the Planning Board, that will occur next (steps 8 and 9), finally moving to the Conservation Commission and the Board of Health in steps 10 and 11. If all requirements are met, a building permit is issued. At any step, an affirmative response moves the application along to the next step, but a negative response sends the application back to step 1.There are some notable exceptions. Some minor projects, according to Building Inspector Tom Millias, do not need extensive review outside the building department. Other projects may receive early Conservation Commission or Board of Health review if they involve locations near wetlands in the first case, or septic designs, repairs or wells in the latter case.

The proposal was agreed upon by those present, many of whom had participated in the workgroup and it will be implemented on a trial basis beginning September 6.

Early voting preparatons in Plympton

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The Town of Plympton Residents will be accommodated by the Town of Plympton Town Clerk, Tara J. Shaw, to “Early Vote” in the November 8th Election based on the terms provided in M.G.L. c. 50, § 1 (950 CMR 47.00: EARLY VOTING PROCEDURES).

Qualified voters may vote early in person at the Town of Plympton Town House or by mail and only in the town in which he or she is registered to vote. The deadline for the last day to register to vote for the November 8, 2016 Election is Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. The designated polling location is the same as all other Town of Plympton Elections located at the Plympton Town House, Community Meeting Room, 5 Palmer Road, Plympton, MA 02367. The mandated early voting period is Monday, October 24, 2016 and Friday, November 4, 2016. (Guideline specifics are as follows:  The voting period for early voting shall run from the eleventh business day preceding the general election until the close of business on the business day preceding the business day before the election; provided, however, that if the eleventh business day before the election falls on a legal holiday the early voting period shall begin on the first business day prior to the legal holiday.) To help clarify this law, and in the case of the Town of Plympton, Early Voting hours will be limited to the normal business hours of the Plympton Town Clerk which are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday evenings 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The specific dates are October 24-27 and October 31 – November 4.

“Generally, keeping polls open under normal circumstances is expensive, and that is true for early voting as well. This is the reason we are conducting early voting using the Town Clerk’s Office regular business hours within the time period mandated by the state. Back in January when meeting with the Finance Committee for the FY17 Budget, the specific guidelines for Early Voting had not been ironed out by the state, therefore, I did my best to predict costs for at least one additional Election Worker in addition to myself and my Assistant Town Clerk to accommodate Early Voting. In an effort to not put a strain on the already tight budget needed to perform all of the tasks in my office mandated by the state, and in a lot of cases, unfunded mandated costs, I am prepared to put in additional time if needed to help streamline the process and to keep the residents of Plympton informed. More informative material will follow by way of Town of Plympton website News and Announcements and Plympton-Halifax Express updates. Thank you for your patience as we launch ourselves into a new era that includes Early Voting!”

~ Town Clerk Tara Shaw.

Fire Dept. honors young heroes, swears in six more Swears in

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HALIFAX – Halifax selectmen met Tuesday evening in the Great Hall at the Halifax Town Hall as they welcomed  six new firefighters/paramedics to the Halifax Fire Dept.  Fire Chief Jason Vivieros was all smiles as the Great Hall filled with more than 50 friends and family to witness the event.

Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor administered the oaths to each of the half dozen, and each new badge was pinned by an important person in that firefighter’s life: father, son, daughter, friend.  Sworn in were Dillon Riley, John Eaton, Keri Kelleher, Alyssa Smith, Marc McGarry, and Bridget Ricciarelli.

Special Awards

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Vivieros had two special awards to present.  Chief told the audience of receiving the call that no emergency responder wants to hear, “unresponsive child at the bottom of a swimming pool” last month.  “These guys never moved so fast…” to get to the scene.  It was the keen observance of two children who noticed something wrong and got help.  A 911 call was placed and when Halifax ambulance and EMTs got there, the child had been pulled from the pool, CPR begun, and the little girl was responding.  Halifax took over and rushed her to South Shore Hospital where she recovered fully.

Chief Vivieros presented special commendations to the two children who averted this potential tragedy: Jonathan Greeley and Olivia Shea, and noted that it was Olivia’s little sister who was saved.

The audience applauded these two young heroes.

Selectmen heard recommendations from the Solar Field committee who encouraged the board to seek proposals from “as many as 50…” solar companies to see what is out there and make some comparisons.

Alan Winkler, with the Solar Field Committee, advised selectmen to thoroughly investigate owning their own solar array, instead of “leasing” the equipment and getting 25 cents off your electricity rate for the next 20 years.  If the town owns its own equipment, it will reap all the benefits and tax credits, in addition to the power at an inexpensive rate.  He further advised putting out an “RFP” or Request for Proposals as soon as possible to get the information in so the town can be ready to act by the first of the year.

Selectmen agreed that they did not want to rush into a solar project until they have all the facts, and asked the Solar Field Committee to assist them in understanding all the information.

Asked what background he had to make these recommendations, Winkler told the board he had worked as an accountant/auditor for many years for the firm of Arthur Anderson and then worked for an energy company with diverse energy projects.  He has recently been working as a consultant helping people get the best deal possible in the energy field.

Halifax Town Administer Charlie Seelig told the board, “We have a group of residents who want to remove the blighted properties in tax title.”  They suggest to pass some sort of by-law regarding the upkeep of properties, and also to see how owners can be helped to keep their properties up.  The group will be meeting with selectmen on Aug. 27. The Tax Collector will also be at that meeting.

The perennial dog hearing for Tarawood Kennels has been continued to Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 7:45 p.m.  Seelig agreed with selectmen that two hearings for the same Kennel have been scheduled and because the testimony and evidence is much the same for both hearings, they will run concurrently.

Seelig said that the original hearing for barking dogs will be heard as well as the 25 petitioners hearing which claims that no notification was given for any of the Appeals Board hearings which approved the special licenses for Tarawood Kennels.  Seelig cited case law of Kramer vs. Somerville which called into question the validity of a permit when proper notification was not given.  He also advised the board that legal remedy may be sought against the town because of the lack of notification to abutters by the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Seelig furthered that the abutters might take the kennel to court as the numbers of dogs allowed has increased several times without due notice.  Next Tuesday, Aug. 30, the matters will be heard in the Great Hall of the Town Hall at 7:45 p.m.

In other business selectmen

• appointed Cesar Calouro to the Halifax Fireworks Committee.

• heard from Rick Springer and Mike McGonnigle from Coneco Engineers and Scientists in Bridgewater who would like to submit a net metering proposal for a solar project on Franklin Street.

• reminded people of the upcoming State Primary Election on Thursday, Sept. 8.  Election will be held at the all-purpose room of the Halifax Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• heard from Douglas Hall, owner of a 3-year-old pointer/hound mix dog who ran into the street and bit a neighbor’s husky dog.  The animal control officer testified that she felt Hall was taking the situation seriously, and is in the process of training this dog that he has owned for only 3 months.  The owner of the husky was not in attendance.  No further action was recommended.

• re-appointed Selectman Troy Garron to the MBTA committee.

• issued a permit for live entertainment to Salon Serenity for Saturday, Sept. 17, from 1-4 p.m.

• received a request from Larry Henrich for a solar assisted flashing stop sign to call attention to the stop sign at the intersection of Pine and Plymouth streets.  Henrich would help defray the cost.

• voted to maintain the $50 fee for recycling for another year.  The thought is to build up a surplus in the account so that new trash receptacles which would work with the new trash collection truck could be purchased.

Selectmen adjourned to the downstairs selectmen’s meeting room at 9:15 p.m. to go into executive session, for a grievance hearing to appeal a 3-day suspension for Al Hingst, and to discuss a dispatcher contract.