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USDA names Plymouth County “primary natural disaster area”

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By Colin A. Young

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 20, 2016…..Eleven of the state’s 14 counties have been deemed “primary natural disaster areas” by the United States Department of Agriculture due to substantial crop losses that began with a February deep freeze and continued though a summer marked by severe drought.

Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties were designated as primary natural disaster areas, the USDA said, “due to losses caused by frost and freeze that occurred from February 14 through May 4, 2016.”

Farmers in those counties are eligible for low interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, the USDA said. Farmers have eight months to apply for a loan to help cover part of their losses.

Farmers in Dukes, Nantucket and Suffolk counties — as well as several counties in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont — also qualify for the loan program if their farms are in counties contiguous to the primary disaster areas.

A deep freeze around Valentine’s Day wiped out almost all of the state’s peach crop, farmers previously told the News Service, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said Tuesday that other tree fruits were affected as well.

On top of the deep freeze, Massachusetts farmers have been hit this season with an ongoing and widespread drought that’s been blamed for contributing to wild fires, an outbreak of gypsy moths, higher rates of ant infestation, smaller than usual apples, loss of crops, a shortage of cattle feed, and an elevated population of mosquitoes able to carry West Nile virus.

The state earlier this month launched its own $1 million emergency loan fund to help farmers who have struggled with the impacts of the drought.

“We appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture taking steps to assist farms across the Commonwealth,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “I encourage farmers adversely impacted by this year’s extreme weather conditions to explore the USDA programs and the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund.”

More than half of the state is experiencing an “extreme” drought, the second-most intense level of dryness on the federal government’s scale, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The 52.13 percent of Massachusetts in an extreme drought stretches from the Pioneer Valley to the Cape Cod Canal, and encompasses all of Metro Boston and northeastern Massachusetts.

“This year’s weather has been a great challenge to Massachusetts farmers; first with the winter freeze and now with a severe drought,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton said in a statement. “Despite that, our farmers have done a remarkable job at getting high-quality, nutritious food to market, and I urge Massachusetts residents to buy local to support our hardworking farmers.”

As of Aug. 19, when the application for a USDA disaster declaration was submitted, Massachusetts farmers had lost just shy of $14 million worth of crops, according to the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Massachusetts office.

The same 11 Massachusetts counties are also eligible for the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which compensates some livestock ranchers who have suffered “grazing losses on pasture land” due to the drought, EEA said.

“Our livestock and dairy industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, contributing over $70 million dollars annually,” Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux said in a statement. “We appreciate USDA implementing a program to address this specific sector.”

Massachusetts farmers interested in applying for the USDA aid should contact their local USDA Service Center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures, the USDA said. More information is available at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

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09/20/2016

Two pet oxygen kits given to HFD

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Dawn Corby of Canine Etiquette in Halifax presented Halifax Fire Department with two pet oxygen kits this week.

Captain Matthew Cunningham was on hand to receive the gifts Friday from Corby and place them on their engine and ambulance.

Corby who resides In Halifax wanted to let others know there are ways to easily order the masks online and donate them to a local department.

Her heart was touched this month following the fire at the Peck home on Thompson Street, which sadly took the life of an eight week old puppy named Beauford.  Unfortunately, the puppy had most likely succumbed to smoke inhalation prior to the arrival of fire personnel and was unable to be saved, but Corby hopes in other circumstances her masks will come in handy.

If worse comes to worst and the pet does need oxygen during their rescue, Halifax now has that equipment, she said.

Cunningham thanked Corby for her kindness.  He said in previous calls firefighters used adult/ child size oxygen masks with varied levels of success. The pet masks are ideal. Her generosity and thought are appreciated by the department, he said.

Silver Lake Chapel Celebrates 125 Year Anniversary

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From bawdy beginnings to serene sylvan simplicity, Silver Lake Chapel, 33 Lake St., Plympton, has been through thick and thin, serving its congregation continually for the past 125 years.

Under the leadership of Rev. Allan Palmer for the past seven years, the congregation came together with a catered barbecue dinner in celebration last week. 

It wasn’t always this lovely little chapel in the woods; it began as a dance hall, “Lane’s Hall”, on the southern shore of Silver Lake, in the 1860s known as Jones Pond.  Lane’s Hall was part of the great Silver Lake Grove, sponsored by the Old Colony Railroad, to give the good people of Boston and beyond, a reason to ride the rails on Sundays.  It’s hard to believe these days, but thousands came to the 70-acre park to relax, enjoy, and kick up their heels. 

If you rode to Silver Lake Park by rail, you didn’t have to pay admission to the Park, according to Ms. Winifred L. Avery’s account.

The park offered, in addition to dancing, baseball and croquet fields, a pavilion seating several thousand, bowling alleys, rowboats, sailboats, and the side-wheeler steamboat, the “Lady of the Lake.”

The Lady, originally called the steamer “Glide,” was brought from Newburyport to Captain’s Hill in Duxbury in 1873, from whence it was dragged by 16 pair of oxen over land to Silver Lake.

It was a bright sunny day in June of 1877, when the good “Lady of the Lake” had an accident: the boiler, which powered her side wheel, exploded and threw hot coals down on two groups of young people from Boston.  The hot coals caused horrible burns, according to Ms. Avery’s account. 

Doctors and nurses were brought from Kingston and Plymouth on a special train that was sent for them.  They didn’t have salve to put on the burns, so they used grease from the train.  Although none drowned, two adults and three children died from blood poisoning. 

By 1878, the Grove was no longer a favorite spot for weekend excursions, due to the publicity about the Lady of the Lake disaster and a train wreck the following year that killed more than 100 passengers on their way to the recreation area.

The publicity from both incidents added to the demise of the popular Sunday excursion destination.

Recreation stopped altogether in 1903 when the City of Brockton took over Silver Lake as their water supply, Ms. Avery reports.

The infamous dance hall building, Lane’s Hall, as told by Rev. Henry Belcher in the 100th anniversary celebration booklet, became the site of occasional prayer meetings in the 1880s. 

Grocery clerk Frank Reed, aspiring to become a minister, first brought the word of God to the Grove.  In the mid-1880s, Dr. J. Francis Cooper, a pastor from Bryantville, preached in Lane’s Hall Sunday afternoons.  He later became minister of Brockton Central M.E. Church. 

In 1887, Rev. V. J. Hartshorne, after retiring from the Plympton Congregational Church, became interested in sharing the preaching duties with his Methodist counterpart from Bryantville.

Rev. Hartshorne raised money to build a church in the Silver Lake community.  The Lane’s Hall dancing pavilion was purchased and work began on what was to become the Silver Lake Chapel. 

Then pastor of the Plympton Congregational Church, Rev. Horace F. Hallett, who had shared preaching duties at the Grove, was a former carpenter, and it was under his supervision that the transformation from dance hall to church took place.

Lemuel Bryant donated the land on which the Chapel now stands, but with the provision that if it ever ceased to be used for religious purposes, it would revert to his heirs.  Bryant’s wife kept those working on the building well fed.  Although she never knew how many would respond when she rang the dinner bell, there was always plenty.  This tradition is carried over through the years with many well-laid tables and ever-popular monthly suppers.

Rev. Henry Belcher, who began as pastor in 1984, served its congregation for many years, noting in the Chapel’s booklet of the 100th Anniversary,

“The hundred years and more of serving the Lord in this little corner of a former grove near a sparkling Silver Lake have not been easy.  But in each time of crisis, pastor and parishioners have kept the flame of faith alive when so many times it nearly flickered out.”

Through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and numerous recessions, Silver Lake Chapel has continued its ministry to the gratitude of those it serves.

Last week’s celebration marked another milestone in its history – may it celebrate many more.

West Monponsett Pond, Silver Lake ‘Water in Distress’ Program, at Halifax Town Hall

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State Representative Tom Calter will host an Open Forum Discussion and Q&A session on the significant water problems currently plaguing West Monponsett Pond, Silver Lake and Jones River, as a result of water management practices from the City of Brockton,.

The event takes place Saturday, September 24th from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Halifax Town Hall, Great Hall.  This is a change from the original pondside location to provide  better parking and accessibility.

It is open to all, and community members concerned about these three bodies of water and health impacts to surrounding residents are encouraged to attend.

In addition to Rep. Calter, speakers will include Pine DuBois, Executive Director of the Jones River Watershed Association, Marianne Moore, Executive Secretary from the Monponsett Watershed Association, Cathy Drinan, Board of Health Agent for the Town of Halifax, Jack O’Leary from the Central Plymouth County Water District Commission, and State Rep. Josh Cutler, whose district includes Hanson.

Learn about the parameters of the 1964 law that allowed Brockton to draw water in the first place, and the City’s practices that have led to water quality degradation and cyanobacteria blooms far exceeding state health standards. Attendees will also hear about the work done by the Central Plymouth County Water District Commission, the Monponsett Watershed and Jones River Watershed Associations, Rep. Calter, Rep. Cutler and other activists over more than two years to push for change in Brockton’s approach; the role of the Dept. of Environmental Protection in negotiating a new Administrative Consent Order with Brockton to implement that change; next steps in the process and how residents can get involved.

The cyanobacteria levels from algae blooms have been at record high levels this summer causing significant health concerns and the summer’s marked drought has not seen relief.  To further add to the problem, Brockton turned off Aquaria, their supplemental water source in late August, taking 11 million+ gallons per day from Silver Lake.  Representative Calter says that the quantity and quality of water is in danger and immediate action is required.

Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact abbelmore@hotmail.com.

Tick-borne Diseases: Be Aware Special health program outlines prevention and treatment

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What do you know about ticks and what diseases they may carry? The health agent from Halifax Board of Health and the public health nurse from NVNA and Hospice address awareness needs and concerns of tick-borne diseases in a special health program scheduled later this month. Offered free to the general public in Halifax on September 20 and September 28, the program addresses personal protection measures to prevent tick bites as well as signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses and measures to take if you have been bitten by a tick. A question and answer period follows the presentation.

People can choose from two presentation dates: Tuesday September 20, 2016 at 1pm and Wednesday September 28, 2016 at 6:30 pm. Both are offered free at the Holmes Library in Halifax. For more information or questions, please contact the Halifax Board of Health at 781-293-6768.

Primary election results for Halifax and Plympton

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Halifax and Plympton had better turnout at the Commonwealth’s Primary Election on Thursday, Sept. 8 than other towns in the area.  Halifax had 400 ballots taken, for 7% of their total 5453 registered voters and Plympton had 12% of their 2090 registered voters come out to vote.

The state had predicted a low voter turnout, and they were right.  Secretary of State William Galvin had predicted a 10 % overall turnout.

Both Whitman and Hanson, however, posted a disappointing 3% voter turnout.

In Halifax, results posted by Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor are as follows:

Democratic Ballot

• Representative in Congress (vote for one): William R. Keating, 108; blanks, 14; write-in, 2.

• Councilor (vote for one): C.A. Ianella, Jr., 58; Stephen F. Flynn, 57, blanks, 9; write-ins, 0.

• Senator in General Court (vote for one): Michael D. Brady, 110; blanks, 12; write-ins, 2.

• Representative in General Court (vote for one): Thomas J. Calter, III, 113; blanks, 7; miscellaneous write-ins, 4.

• Sheriff (vote for one):  Scott M. Vecchi, 103; Blanks, 19; write-ins, 2.

• County Commissioner (vote for two): Greg Hanley, 98; Lincoln D. Heineman, 52; Blanks, 98; write-ins, 0.

Republican Ballot

• Representative in Congress (vote for one): Mark C. Alliegro, 90; Thomas J. O’Malley, 162; Blanks, 20; write-ins, 2.

• Councillor (vote for one): Blanks, 249; write-ins, 25.

• Senator in General Court (vote for one): Blanks, 244; write-ins, 30.

• Representative in General Court (vote for one): Peter J. Boncek, 116; Michael E. Cowett, 110; Ian F. Murphy, 46; write-ins, 0.

• County Commissioner (vote for one): Daniel A. Pallotta, 98; Anthony T. O’Brien, Sr., 209, write-ins, 0.

There were 124 Democratic ballots cast and 274 Republican ballots cast in Halifax.  Although one ballot was pulled for the Green Rainbow Party and one for the United Independent party, no vote was cast on either ballot.

In Plympton, Town Clerk Tara Shaw reports there were 89 Democratic ballots and 143 Republican ballots cast.  There were no ballots cast for the Green-Rainbow Party or the United Independent Party.

Democratic Ballot

• Representative in Congress (vote for one): William R. Keating, 85; Blank, 4.

• Councillor (vote for one): Christopher Iannella, Jr., 41; Stephen F. Flynn, 36; Blank, 12.

• Representative in General Court (vote for one): Thomas J. Calter, III, 85; Blank 4.

• Sheriff (vote for one): Scott M. Vecchi, 75; Blank, 14.

• County Commissioner (vote for two): Greg Hanley, 73; Lincoln D. Heineman, 47; Blank, 58.

Republican Ballot

• Representative in Congress (vote for one): Mark C. Alliegro, 66; Thomas Joseph O’Malley, Jr., 72; Blank, 5.

• Councillor (vote for one): Blank, 143.

• Senator in General Court(vote for one): Blank, 142.

• Representative in General Court (vote for one): Peter J. Boncek, 58; Michael E. Cowett, 70; Ian F. Murphy, 12; Blank, 3.

• Sheriff (vote for one): Joseph D. McDonald, Jr., 116; Blank, 27.

• County Commissioner (vote for two): Daniel A. Pallotta, 74; Anthony Thomas O’Brien, Sr., 105; Blank, 107.

There were no ballots cast for the Green-Rainbow Party nor for the United Independent Party.

Now Town Clerks Gaynor and Shaw will begin to get ready for the State and Federal Election to be held Nov. 8.

Questions remain about proposed Sl land sale

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PLYMPTON – Rep. Thomas J. Calter spoke to Plympton Selectmen Monday night, explaining the state’s budget process, and took that opportunity to dispel rumors that special legislation was filed to prevent the question of whether to allow the purchase of some five acres of Silver Lake Regional High School land to the Town of Kingston to come up for a town meeting vote.

The articles were on the annual town meeting warrant in both Halifax and Plympton, and voters in both towns were told at Town Meeting that these articles were to be passed over.

Silver Lake Regional High School Committee voted to create legislation so that the land could be sold.  Without that legislation, the land could not be sold, “because the school district is not a town.  Not one of the 351 cities and towns.”  In the existing statute, which was passed and enacted dozens of years ago, Calter continued, there was no vehicle included to allow the district to sell the land.

Legislation was drafted in collaboration with the Kingston town attorney and the Silver Lake District attorney, Calter told the group, and it is his job to present the legislation as requested by the District, to the House counsel to perfect it and put it into form.  The bill was then filed.

Discussion ensued as to whether or not the towns needed to vote on this and why the article was passed over at Plympton’s and Halifax’s annual town meetings.   “The town of Kingston must vote on it,” Calter said, “because they are the ones spending the funding.“  In every other case when special legislation is enacted to sell district property, there is no precedent for the member towns to vote individually.  “I have no opinion as to whether or not they should be included; that’s not my job,” Calter continued.  “That’s the Regional School district’s job.  I am only the conduit for filing the legislation,” he said.  The legislation is separate from whether or not the towns vote on the proposal.

Susan Ossoff, chairman of the Plympton Finance Committee, asked about how long it will take for the legislation to be voted upon.   “I’m not pushing the vote right now because if the Kingston town meeting says no again, there is no reason to put this through.”

In response to a question by Selectperson Christine Joy, Calter explained that if the bill passes, it is not requiring the transaction, it just permits the transaction.

Each town gets its portion of the sale, in answer to Dale Pleau’s question, based on student population, except for Kingston, who will donate its share back to the district to be put toward capital funds and spent at the discretion of the Regional Scool Committee.

A member of the audience asked if the purchase price of the land, which many thought to be too low, was still at $250,000 for the 5 acre parcel with considerable frontage on Route 27, in a commercial zone. Maureen Springer, Plympton’s member on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee, answered that an independent appraiser was employed who presented a multi-page appraisal to the committee supporting the price.  It is five acres out of a 20-acre piece, she said, with quite a bit of wetlands on it.  Springer said that Kingston was considering using that wet area for parking.  Springer furthered that the purchase and sale agreement had been drawn up and agreed to by both parties, but has not been signed.

“Personally, I think that the Town of Kingston should have come to each of the towns and presented their proposal,” Springer told the board.

Selectmen Chairman Colleen Thompson said, if the legislation passes as it stands, then the people of Halifax and Plympton would have no voice, other than the towns’ representatives on the Silver Lake School Committee.

Springer answered, “That is correct.  I was voted to represent the Town of Plympton in the Silver Lake Regional School District, and it was my judgment call to vote for the sale of this parcel of land.”  Springer went on to say that she and the school committee did their due diligence for a year and a half and that only now these questions have come up.

Christine Joy left the meeting to attend the Carver Redevelopment Committee meeting and will report back to the board.

  Where’s the water       going?

A question came from the floor – who is monitoring the water business on Brook Street?  A citizen who did not identify himself told the board that the river by Dick Reynolds’ house is dry.  He said he has never seen it dry.  His neighbor’s house water pressure is low.  Wells are going dry in town.  Tank truck after tank truck take water out of town.  “Who monitors that? … How much are they allowed to take?”

Town administrator Dale Pleau answered that they are largely self-reporting and that the town is still in litigation with the company.  “Do we know what they are agreed to take out?”

They are allowed a certain amount under the agreement that is currently in litigation.  Pleau said it would be a good idea to run it by Town Counsel.  Selectmen voted to allow Coleen Thompson to contact Town Counsel on the water matter and to ask town counsel if there is any language in the agreement that deals with extreme conditions.

Do selectmen need to meet every week?

It has been brought to the chairman’s attention that other boards of selectmen in nearby towns only meet every other week.  Traynor said “It seems like we have still a lot on our plates, ” The board will discuss it further, but will not meet Sept. 19,  at which time John Traynor will attend the Massachusetts Municipal  Association meeting which this time is in Plymouth.  He said he has never been to one of their meetings and would like to see if it is worthwhile to attend.

   Camera shy

Assistant Assessor Deb Stuart asked Selectmen Chairman Thompson if selectmen would like to meet with the Board of Assessors to discuss a split tax classification, giving a higher tax rate to business property, and a lower rate to residential tax payers.

“It is my understanding that the Assessors want to hold the meeting in their office because they do not want to appear in film,” Traynor told the board, but he wants to be sure that an important item such as classification hearing be held in an open meeting which is filmed.

Thompson said that in the past the assessors have come to the board of selectmen and the two boards have discussed the matter.

“Tax classification is a formal hearing,” Pleau said.

It is my understanding it is a two-step process, Traynor said, the first  to discuss it at their next meeting,  and then a second meeting where they would come back to the BOS with their recommendation.

The second portion, when they meet with Plympton, has been filmed. “Other towns film every meeting,” Traynor said.

Thompson said she would agree with that.

Pleau added that there was a proposal for that type of a bylaw in recent years but it was shot down before it ever made it to the warrant.

Pleau recommended that it be done in a bylaw change.  “You can tape a meeting with a laptop at the end of a table,” he said.

Thompson will attend that meeting with the Assessors.

No takers for Town           Counsel

Pleau reported to selectmen that there had been no response from the ad in the Central Register where Plympton had advertised an RFP, or Request for Proposals, seeking new options for town counsel.  Pleau was surprised by the lack of response and said he will publish it again in the Central Register.  “It could be political,” he said.    Thompson said to publish it again.

  In other business

• New push brace on Forest Street and new pole on Spring Street will deal with low-hanging utility wires at those two locations.   Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the two projects.  There was no one there to comment so that part of the public hearing was omitted.

• The town of Rockland is pulling out of the Mayflower Municipal Healthcare group to go with a new group that is forming.  Plympton currently has its health insurance through Mayflower and is concerned that the loss of Rockland will destabilize the group and thus will investigate its options.  Preliminary reports say that Mayflower is increasing its rates by 17%.

• Fire Chief Warren Borsari notified selectmen that his department has been denied two federal grants under the Assistance to Firefighters Federal Grants Program, and would need funding to replace equipment, such as air packs and other items that are at or approaching the 10 year product use expectancy.

• Plympton selectmen will set up a schedule for several  “Meet the Selectmen” sessions to give residents a chance to meet with a selectman and discuss issues of concern.  Selectmen’s Chairman Colleen Thompson said she could take an hour Thursday mornings and Selectman John Traynor said he could do about any morning.   The board will consult with Joy to see when she might be able to give some time before they make a final schedule.

• T.L. Edwards Company has given an older model street sweeper to the town, Pleau told the board.  It needs some work, but not a lot, and Highway Superintendent James Mulcahy appreciated the gift.  It will allow him to do Plympton streets by the highway department, where it had been previously hired out

• The next meeting of the Plympton Board of Selectmen will be Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.

The Halifax Board of Selectmen has tentatively approved the placement of LED Stop signs at the intersection of Pine Street and Plymouth Street in Halifax.

These new signs would replace the standard Stop signs that are located on Pine Street on each side of the intersection.

The LED Stop signs would provide motorists on Pine Street with a more visible warning of the intersection and the need to come to a full stop before proceeding.

The LED Stop signs would be lit 24 hours a day with a steady light and would not be flashing signs nor be turned “on” only when a vehicle arrived at the intersection.

The Board is accepting public comment about this proposal for the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, September 27. Interested parties can contact the Selectmen’s office by calling 781-294-1316 or by by sending an e-mail to cseelig@town.halifax.us to reach the Town Administrator.

More water woes: Brockton State Rep. accuses Halifax

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Halifax selectmen were astounded Tuesday night to hear that State Rep. Michelle DuBois of Brockton accused Rep. Thomas Calter of overstating the water problem with Monponsett ponds and Silver Lake.  “This is a simple case of the wealthy residents around Monponsett Pond wanting to sunbathe on their sandy beaches while taking clean drinking water out of the mouths of poor black children in Brockton,” she said.  This was during a recent discussion in the House chamber, Calter told The Express.

“When do we stop the madness?” asked Selectman Kim Roy.   “When are we going to hear from the DEP?”  Calter said that he has heard from the DEP and they are going to issue an Administrative Order to stop Brockton from taking water from Monponsett.

“DEP now recognizes that the system is no longer sustainable.”  Things move very slowly.   

“Just so you know, Jones River {Watershed Association} was invited to speak {to the Brockton City Council} about a month ago.”  I went with them, and sat with them from 7 p.m. until our appointment at 10:45.  At 10:45 when we went to take the microphone, City Council Attorney stood up and said, ‘we are advising the Council not to take this testimony.’”  Calter said they were told it was due to the legal action pending right now.

“What legal action?” asked Roy.  “The Council twice

asked if I was aware of any legal action, and I said no.  They then asked Paul Collis and other members of the Jones River Watershed Association, and they replied no.”  Calter told selectmen that the group was allowed only to speak to funding, and could not give any technical data.  Calter said he spoke with the Mayor of Brockton outside City Hall at 11:15 at night, and, after a few choice words, pointed out to the mayor, “as an example {of the water mismanagement} here are your lawn sprinklers on at 11:15 at night!”

Calter said that when the legislature comes back into full session January 4, he will file legislation to make Brockton tap into the MWRA through Stoughton where there is plenty of water to serve the City’s needs.  Calter furthered that it is not the amount of water Brockton is taking that make up the Monponsett problem, it is the water management, or mismanagement, which has brought the situation to its sorry state.

Rep. Calter also answered concerns stated by Selectmen Tom Millias and Kim Roy that the towns of Halifax and Plympton were denied any say or vote in the sale of 5 acres of land from the Silver Lake School district for the construction of Kingston’s new police station.

Halifax’s representatives on the Silver Lake School Committee voted against the sale, and Plympton’s two members, each having a half vote, voted for the sale.  Calter told the board that his role in the matter was strictly as a legislator who filed legislation as requested of him, which was worked out between the buyer and the seller, that is the town of Kingston and the Silver Lake School District.

Selectman Tom Milias interrupted saying there is no seller until the bill passes because there is no vehicle to sell until the law is passed.  He expressed his frustration that the land that we all bought – all three towns in the district – is being sold without the voice of the voters of Halifax being heard.  Calter told him the school committee didn’t request language in the bill to include the vote of the individual towns and in the several other instances where regional districts have sold land, there was not such language for member towns to vote, other than through their elected representatives.

Millias countered that he bet those sales weren’t to another member town that has as many votes on the board as the other towns combined.  We all own this property.  We should have a say.  Millias echoed Roy’s concerns, and concerns heard at Plympton the night before.

Calter told them that the town of Kingston will bring this project back to special town meeting to ask the voters to approve the land purchase which they had turned down at their annual town meeting.  If Kingston voters turn down the project again when they vote in October, it will no longer be an issue.  The project will be dead.

CPC 2017 Grant Applications due Oct.15

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PLYMPTON – The Plympton Community Preservation Committee (C.P.C.) is currently accepting applications for the FY2017 funding year. Deadline for completed applications is October 15.

Projects funded in prior years include

• a safe in the Town Clerk’s office to archive important historical records;

• new insulation for the Plympton Historical Society building at 189 Main St.;

• a comprehensive drainage system to solve a chronic wet basement in the Plympton Library;

• funds to acquire and improve the 11-acre parcel on Main Street now known as Churchill Park which offers access to the abutting 87 acre parcel known as Cato’s Ridge thereby forming a large natural preserve with walking trails;

• improvements at Harry Jason Park to make it more accessible for family and recreational use;

• the installation of a chairlift in the Plympton Historical Society Building;

• renovation of the old Winnetuxet swimming hole into a recreational area; and

• facilitating the donation of O’Neil Marsh on Ring Road which offers additional access to Cato’s Ridge.

Project guidelines and applications can be found on the Plympton town website at http://www.town.plympton.ma.us/community-preservation-committee.

Click on “Documents” at the left hand side of the web page to bring up the Plympton Community Preservation Plan which includes the application and criteria.

Applications are also available at the Town House and at the Plympton Public Library.

Questions can be addressed by contacting C.P.C. Chair Mark Russo at Mrusso2@msn.com.

South Shore Chamber of Commerce releases report on future of the Region’s Infrastructure

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The South Shore Chamber of Commerce, (www.southshorechamber.org) the region’s largest chamber, has published a report, “Infrastructure Priorities for a Stronger Regional Economy.” This report, which addresses concerns and provides recommendations for the South Shore and beyond, is part of the Chamber’s overall initiative, which is examining key issues relating to growth and development of the South Shore.

Copies of the Chamber’s report and findings are being sent to key business and community leaders and the report is also available for viewing on the Chamber’s website, www.southshorechamber.org.

Peter Forman, President and CEO of the South Shore Chamber, said, “Infrastructure concerns are not new to the region, but it is critical to have clearly-defined priorities when advocating for infrastructure projects; it is also essential to be able to connect those priorities to other important goals such as housing, economic development or to building stronger communities.” He added, “As a regional Chamber of Commerce we serve a valuable role in helping state and federal officials understand those connections, and perhaps accelerate funding for projects in our area.”

Because infrastructure spending and private economic development go hand in hand, Forman noted that the Chamber has identified infrastructure projects which will have the broadest impact on the region. He noted that, “Since the Chamber does not represent any single community or any single private interest, we believe we are in a strong position to show the best opportunities for the region.”

• Key Recommendations include;

• Improve the commute to Boston

• Encourage more transit-oriented developments

• Leverage the transit-oriented housing into broader commercial and economic activity

• Recognize the importance of regional suburban smart growth

• Recognize the strength of the region is driven by the strength of our communities

• Recognize that future growth can be stimulated by growth outside of our own region

Recommended priorities for the Boston commute include increased capacity, repair, and re-construction of Mass transit service parking garages. T Stations need upgrades and the Chamber believes relatively easy and inexpensive steps can be taken to improve the stations while state officials should provide reliability of service. The report also recommends an expansion of South Station to increase the number of tracks needed to increase trains to the South Shore.

There are also several possible highway projects that require further study. One involves widening Route 3; options include traditional state funding and a Public/Private Partnership, which might be a voluntarily tolling through a new lane. Another possibility is improving “The Split” at Braintree/Quincy to eliminate some local bottlenecks. The Chamber believes that the existing and potential Transit-Oriented Developments offer the best opportunity to promote new housing growth that will appeal to younger workers and provide some relief to the very expensive Boston housing market. In addition these developments are powerful drivers for growth and they continue to support the following:

• Opening the connections between Union Point (formerly SouthField)  and Union Street in Rockland

• Widening of Route 18

• Improvements to Reservoir Park Drive and Hingham Street in Rockland

• Possible short-distance parallel or access roads between Exits 13 and 16.

The report includes recommendation for the future or energy, water/wastewater, tourism and community development for the region.

“We believe our report sets some priorities for today,” Forman said, adding, “The South Shore Chamber has a long history of prioritizing and advocating for the infrastructure projects that have the greatest benefit for the region.

“The South Shore, by definition, is not part of Boston, but our economic life is heavily influenced by it,” states the report. “Our development strategies and transportation priorities are closely tied to Boston’s future growth.”

  About the South Shore        Chamber of Commerce

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has long been recognized throughout the state as one of the most active and forceful advocates for the business community and numbers among the larger Chambers of Commerce nationally. The South Shore Chamber is a not-for-profit association of businesses in the communities south of Boston. It is committed to helping its members grow their businesses and to improve the business climate in the region. Members range in size from major international corporations headquartered on the South Shore to small local firms and sole proprietorships. For additional information on the Chamber, please visit www.southshorechamber.org or call 781-421-3900.