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Silver Lake District Bus Routes, 2015-16

August 20, 2015 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

It is that time of year again! Here is the list of bus routes for the Silver Lake School District. Please note, they are subject to change. If you have any questions, you can contact the Silver Lake Regional School District at (781) 585-4313. The Express would also like to remind all students to use safety precautions when walking to or from the bus stop. Have a happy and safe school year!

Bus-Routes

Dennett Elementary School

Bus 26 – Start Time – 7:25
Start on Elm St. – Right on West St. to Cross St. Turn Around. Return on West St. to Winnetuxet Rd. Right on Pope’s Farm. Return to Right onto Winnetuxet Rd. to Main St. Right on Main St. to Montello Rd. Right on Montello Rd. Right on Heather’s Path. Loop and return to Left on Main St. Continue pick up Main St. to Mayflower Rd. Right on Mayflower Rd. Left on Buttonwood (including Deborah Sampson).  Loop and return to Left on Mayflower Rd.  Continue on Mayflower to Brook.  Left on Brook St (express) to Upland Rd. Left on Upland Rd (including end of Dukes Brook).  Pick up Upland Rd. to the end, express to school.

Bus 46 – Start Time – 7:25
Start on Main St at traffic lights.  Left on Pleasant St. to the end. Left on Brook St. Left on Nel Bonney. Loop and return to Left on Brook St.  Left on Spring St to Brook St.  Left on Annasnappit, right on Brackett.  Loop and return to Left on Brook St. Continue on Brook St. to Samuel Fuller. Loop and return to Right on Brook St. Brook St to Right on Granville Baker. Loop and return to Right on Brook St. to Right on Trout Farm Rd. (as needed). Loop and return to Right on Brook St. Right on Cushman’s Landing. Loop and return to Right on Brook St. Continue straight, becomes Colchester Rd. Pick-up Colchester Rd to Mayflower Rd. Pick up at #79 & #73 Mayflower Rd. Express to school.

Bus 47 – Start Time – 7:25
Start on Grove St. at Lake St., left on Oak, left on Lake, right on West (Kingston) to Bagheera Way. Return to across Lake St. to Forest, left on Oak, continue onto Lake, left on County, pick up County, pick up Sheffield Park, right on Rebecca Way, left on County to Halifax line.  Return on County Rd to Right on Main St. to Right on Center St.  Pick up Center to Palmer.  Cross Palmer and continue pick ups on Center St to Halifax line.  Reverse and return to Left on Palmer Rd.  Pick up on Palmer Rd to Maple.  Right on Maple to Main St.  Express to school.

Bus 62 – Start Time – 7:25
Start on Cross St. – Right on West St. to Town Line. Express on East St. and Fuller St. (Halifax) to Cedar St. Left on Cedar St. to Soule St. (Middleboro). Right on Prospect Rd. to Brook St (Middleboro), if needed. Return on Prospect Rd and continue including – Loop of Tobey Lane – Right on Lemuel Cobb – Left on Thomas Blanchard – Left on Marie Elaine. Parsonage Rd. to traffic lights. Left on Main St. Pick up Main St. (including Puddle Jumpers) to Palmer Rd. Continue on Palmer and pick up to Center St. Right on Center St. – Express to Crescent St.  Pick up Crescent St to Right on Ring Rd.  Pick up Ring Rd to town line.  Return on Ring Rd.  Express to school.

 Return to top.

Halifax Elementary School

 

ROUTE 20:  First pick up 7:40am. Begin @ Twin Lakes Dr – Loop.  Express to Cedar Lane.  Loop through Cedar Lane, Ridge Rd, Baker St.  Express to Lydon Lane.  Loop Lydon Lane.  Express to School.

ROUTE 21:   First pick up 7:30am. Begin @ corner of Lake & Standish – return to Monponsett, corner of Trinity Rd, loop Short St to Ocean Ave, return to Monponsett, loop White Island Rd. loop Palmer Mill, reverse return to Lingan St – pick up 3rd, 6th, 7th, Richview, Cross, 10th, 13th

Aves, Pemmican Way, Indian Path.  Express to School.

ROUTE 22:   First pick up 7:45am. Begin on Oak St at Holmes St. Pick up to Pembroke Line – Reverse.  Continue on Oak St (incl Oak Place).  Loop Marilyn Way.  Right on Oak – Right on Colby Dr. – Right on Oak St. to Plympton Line – Reverse.  Return on Oak St. – Right on Brandeis Cir – Continue Left on Brandeis Cir – Right on Harvard St. – Right on McClelland Rd. – Left on Holmes St.  Pick up Holmes St. to Left on Delia Way – Loop.  Left on Holmes St to Plymouth St.  Express to School

ROUTE 23: First pick up 7:40am. Begin @ Old Plymouth – loop Christmas Tree Lane – pick up Elm St, Hudson St, Lamppost Dr, Autumn Lane, Old Farm Rd, Pasture Lane, Spencer Dr – Pond St – return to Old Plymouth.  Right on Pine St to Plymouth St.  Express to School

ROUTE 24:  First pick up 7:30am. Begin on Thompson St to Walnut, Cherry St, Kestrel Lane to Harvest Lane return to Thompson St.  Express to School

ROUTE 25:  First pick up 7:40am. Begin on South St. to Fuller St, Cedar St – Wood St – River St to Pratt St to Thompson St to Left on River St – to right on South St – left Haywood St to Franklin St – Kenzie’s  Path.  Express to School.

ROUTE 49:  First pick up 7:40am. Begin on Plymouth St – loop Bosworth Farms – loop Cranberry Farms – pick up Kids Kastle/Magical Years – Loop Circuit St, return to Plymouth St – pick up to School.

ROUTE 50:  First pick up 7:45am. Begin on Pine St @ Plymouth St.  Right on Thompson (no pick up) right on Firefly & Lily Pond – express to Highland – loop.  Express to Orchard Circle – Loop.  Express to right on Carver St to South St.  Express to Hemlock Lane.  Pick up Hemlock to Town Barn.  Express to School.

ROUTE 51:  First pick up 7:40am. Begin on Aldana Rd – express to Right on Annawon Dr. – Loop including end of Ash, Beech, Spruce, Hickory, Buttonwood, Jordan and Poplar.  Road becomes Chestnut Rd.  Continue to pick up at end of Birch, Buttonwood and Maddison.  Left on Larry Ave. – Left on Marjorie Dr. – Express to Plymouth St.  Left on Plymouth St to Plympton Line – Reverse.  Return on Plymouth St to Left on Pine Brook Dr (incl. stop at Paradise Lane).  Left on Plymouth St – Left on Country Club Dr. – Right on Fairway Dr. – Loop and return to Left on Country Club Dr. to Plymouth St.  Express to School.

 Return to top.

Silver Lake Regional Middle/High Routes, Halifax

Route 20: Leave lot @ 6:15 First Pick up @ 6:30
Begin Old Plymouth St @ Rte 106- follow to Elm, left on Pond, left on Spencer, left on Hudson, right on Elm, right on Pine, left on Rte 106, Express to school.

Route 21: Leave Lot @ 6:20 First Pick up @ 6:35
Begin on Rte 58 at Hanson town line, left on Standish, left on Rte 58, left on White Island, left on Rte 58, cross Rte 106, right on Palmer Mill, left on Rte 58, right on Lydon Lane. Express to school.

Route 22: Leave Lot @ 6:25 First Pick up @ 6:38
Begin on Rte 106 after Clyde O. Bosworth, left on Circuit St (2nd entrance), Right on Rte 106, right on Pine St, right on Thompson St., left on Orchard Circle, right on Thompson St pick up to Rte 106 – Plymouth St. Express to school.

Route 23: Leave Lot @ 6:25 First Pick up @ 6:35
Begin on Plymouth St. at Walmart.  Pick up Plymouth St to South St., including end of Hemlock Lane.  Left on South St., right on Carver, left on Rte 106 loop Bosworth Farms, right on Plymouth, right on Cranberry Dr. Left on Plymouth St., Right into Halifax Country Club, Right on Fairway Lane.  Loop, return to Plymouth St., Express to school.

Route 24: Leave Lot @ 6:05First Pick up @ 6:18
Begin @ Thompson St & Firefly, right on Walnut, left on Cherry, reverse and return to right on Walnut, left on Summit, right on Thompson, left on River, left on Pratt, right on Thompson, left on Highland, loop and return to left on Thompson, Express to school.

Route 25: Leave Lot @ 6:10 First pick up @ 6:25
Begin on South St to Fuller, right on Wood, right on River, right on South, left on Hayward, left on Franklin right on South.  Express to school.

Route 38:  Leave Lot @ 6:40 First pick up @ 6:45
Begin at Marjorie Dr to Chestnut to Rte 36 – right on Annawon – loop to Chestnut picking up all side roads, Left on Rte 36 right on Aldana Rd. Express to school.

Route 49: Leave Lot @ 6:30 First pick up @ 6:45
Begin on Lingan St @ Rt 58 right on Twelfth, stop @ Hillside, right on Eleventh, cross Lingan into Pemmican, right on Indian Path.  Express to school.

Route 50: Leave Lot @ 6:35 First pick up @ 6:45
Begin at Oak St at Pembroke/Halifax line.  Pick up Crystal Lake Rd, Oak Place, Marilyn Way, McClelland Rd, Oak St, Dartmouth St, Brandeis Circle, Colby Dr. Express to school.

Route 51: Leave lot @ 6:30 First pick up @ 6:40
Begin on Cedar Lane.  Loop Cedar Lane, including Baker St. and Ridge Rd.  Right on Rte 36 express to Plymouth St.  Right on Plymouth St to Paradise Lane.  Immediate left onto Pinebrook (group stop) loop and return to Plymouth St.  Right on Plymouth St into Plympton, becomes County Rd.  Pick up County Rd to Kingston, becomes Wapping Rd.  Pick up Wapping Rd to Hawthorne.  Right into Hawthorne.  Loop and return to right on Wapping Rd to West St.  Express to school.  This bus does all three towns.

Route 53: Leave lot @ 6:35 First Pick-up @ 6:45
Begin on Rte 36 at Oak St. – pick up along Rte 36 (Holmes St.) including side roads to Twin Lakes Drive.  Right onto Twin Lakes Dr.  Loop and return to Right on Holmes St.  Continue pick ups to Route 106 (Plymouth St).  Express to school.

 Return to top.

Silver Lake Regional Middle/High Routes, Plympton

Route 8: Leave Lot @ 6:20  First pick-up @ 6:35
Begin on Brook St. at Kingston line, Pick up Brook St. to Upland Rd., including stops at the end of Old Farm, Granville Baker, Trout Farm and Cushman’s Landing.  Right on Upland Rd. to Left on Bradford Rd., Left on Churchill to end.  Left on Brook St., Left on Upland Rd., Right on Crescent St., Right on Ring Rd.  Express to school.

Route 26: Leave Lot @ 6:00  First pick-up @ 6:20
Begin on Main St. at Winnetuxet Rd., Right on Montello Rd., Right on Heather’s Path.  Loop and return to Left on Main St.  Left on Winnetuxet Rd, Left on Prospect Rd. to town line. Reverse and pick-up Prospect Rd. to Winnetuxet Rd. including Tobey Lane, Lemuel Cobb Rd., and Marie Elaine Dr.  Right on Winnetuxet Rd., Left on Parsonage Rd. to end.  Left on Main St., Express to Palmer Rd.  Pick-up Palmer Rd. to Center St.  Express to school.

Route 46: Leave Lot @ 6:04  First pick-up @ 6:24
Begin on Main St. at Mayflower Rd.  Pick-up Main St. to Pleasant St.  Left on Pleasant St. to end.  Left on Brook St to Spring St. including Nel Bonney.  Right on Spring St.  Reverse and return on Spring St. to Right on Brook St.  Left on Mayflower Rd., Right on Colchester Rd., Right on Brook St., Right on Mayflower Rd. to Main St. including Buttonwood Dr.  Express to school.

Route 47: Leave Lot @ 6:10  First pick-up @ 6:25
Begin on Center St. at Main St.  Cross Palmer Rd onto Center St to Halifax line.  Reverse on Center St. to Right on Cross St. to West St.  Reverse on Cross St. to Right on Center St.  Left on Palmer Rd., Right on Maple St. to end.  Left on Main St. to end.  Right on County Rd. to Left on Lake St.  Left on Forest St., Left on Oak St., Left on Lake St., Left on Forest St., Right on Oak St. to end.  Right on Grove St. to Kingston line.  Express to school.

Route 62: Leave Lot @ 6:00  First pick-up @ 6:20
Begin on Elm St. at Main St.  Right on West St. to end.  Express to Cedar St.  Left on Cedar St., Left on Soule St. to end.  Express to Left on Winnetuxet Rd., Pope’s Farm, to Elm St.  Left on Main St., Pick-up Main St. to Maple St.  Express to school.

 Return to top.

Quick Links to Bus Routes

Dennett Elementary
Halifax Elementary
Silver Lake Regional Middle/High Routes, Halifax
Silver Lake Regional Middle/High Routes, Plymptom

Filed Under: News

COA building issues revisited

August 20, 2015 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

Halifax Special Town Meeting set for Sept. 8

Selectmen in Halifax Tuesday, Aug. 11, heard  advocates for a new or renovated Council on Aging Building currently the historic Pope’s Tavern, called a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to deal with its three warrant articles, and met with the Town Accountant and Recycling Coordinator to discuss recycling fees.

Senior Citizens filled the room to support another attempt at either building a new senior center or renovating Pope’s Tavern, the current building. The late State Senator Thomas P. Kennedy secured a $50,000 grant for the Town of Halifax to begin the process of exploring different options for the town.

John Campbell represented the Building Committee and Joy Marble and Sharon Hart were present to represent the Council on Aging.

This is not the first time attempts have been made to complete this project; in fact, it would be the third.

Over the last five years or so, an attempt to work with an architect failed as well as an attempt to purchase the building housing the Four Seasons restaurant.

“We have to work with what the taxpayers have an appetite for,” emphasized Selectman Chairman Kim Roy, to the clearly frustrated but motivated crowd. “We supported the Four Seasons building purchase [at a previous town meeting] but it was FinCom that couldn’t,” said Roy.

Several options exist, including purchasing the Morgan Equipment Building, which is vacant or continuing renovation plans with a different architect for the current building. All have upsides and downsides, and frustration was palpable in the room.

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig stated, “We are keeping all of our options open.”

Though this seemed to satisfy no one fully, representatives of the several boards present agreed to meet to discuss further planning at the end of September.

Roy was especially excited to speak about the recently awarded grant Fire Chief Jason Vivierios won for the town from FEMA for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck.

The town approved the financing of a new aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department at last Town Meeting, but because the truck awarded to the town is slightly different than the one Viveiros had planned to originally purchase, and only the first payment of roughly $160,000 of the financing was approved, a Special Town Meeting was called for Tuesday, September 8, at 7:30 to deal with this issue and two others.

Special Town Meeting:

Three articles will be considered, the first addressing the use of the first $100,000 of the roughly $160,000 to be used for modifications to the truck or station to fit the truck in the building, training, and matching funds the town needs to pay to the federal government for the grant.

The second relates to returning the remainder of the money back to the taxpayers.

The third article has to do with a $11,000 remainder in the Halifax Elementary School’s IT budget. They have completed all IT projects for the year and they would like to use this money to begin to lay the infrastructure for a new phone system, which would eventually cost an additional roughly $30,000.

Town Accountant Sandy Nolan and Recycling Coordinator Susan Johnston had an appointment with the Board to discuss raising recycling permit fees.

Several projects are necessary at the recycling center in the near future, including new windows and resurfacing of the driveway. As much of the money for FY’16 has already been spent on a new recycling truck, both women did not see there to be any other way to sustain their budget other than to raise the yearly fee from $38 to $50.

Although all the Selectmen expressed reticence to raise taxes or fees, especially Selectman Thomas Millias, according to him, “I don’t see any way around this.”

In Other News:

• Continuing issues with junk and junked cars on multiple properties throughout town continue to be a nuisance. Town Administrator Seelig will continue to post signage, which he reports is often torn down.

• At the suggestion of Town Administrator Seelig, the Board approved him to explore partnering with the YMCA for a wellness program for town employees.

• Several routine “road cuts” and other utility work permits were approved and routine “use of town property” permits were granted to community groups.

• A number of businesses were notified of sign violations.

• The board was informed about possible changes in legislation in both how paint is recycled and how public records requests are processed, although no new legislation has passed yet.

• The City of Brockton continues to be unresponsive and uncooperative to requests by area officials, including Plympton, for further information on that city’s use of water from Monponsett Pond.

• Bob Baker filled out a talent bank form and is interested in serving on the Planning Board.

• Christine Pruitt was appointed new Assistant Superintendent of the Silver Lake School District.

Filed Under: News

$714,210 fire truck details announced

August 20, 2015 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

This aerial ladder truck is similar to the model that the Halifax Fire Department will be purchasing. Photo courtesy of  Rosenbauer America.

This aerial ladder truck is similar to the model that the Halifax Fire Department will be purchasing.
Photo courtesy of Rosenbauer America.

The Halifax Selectmen addressed several important issues Tuesday, August 18, in a brief 45-minute meeting.

Fire Chief Jason Viveiros updated selectmen on the selection of the new aerial ladder truck that will be purchased with the $714, 210 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant program. Viveiros updated selectmen on the specific model his department had chosen after a very close analysis.  Viveiros and his team chose the low bidder, Rosenbaur America, out of Attleboro. 

The superior features of the truck described by Viveiros included:

  • Longer ladder
  • Climbable Ladder (not just a bucket ladder)
  • Gallivanted Steel Ladder (heavier, but stronger than aluminum)
  • Safer jacking system for uneven surfaces (known as an ‘H’ jack)
  • Maintenance in Attleboro (vs. East Hartford)
  • Nozzles at top of bucket/ladder can be operated remotely from ground
  • Smart operations system (truck’s computer will prevent unsafe operation of many systems and cannot be overridden by the operator)

Same tax rate for residential and commercial property

Principal Appraiser/Assessor Karen Trudeau presented recommendations from the Board of Assessors that the tax rate remains the same for both residential property (89.5% of the town’s tax base) and commercial property.  The board considered splitting the tax rate, as it does every year, splitting the tax rate to apportion a higher tax to commercial business owners. The board agreed with Assessors that the rate should remain uniform.

Letter to town’s Representatives in General Court

Selectmen proposed to write a letter to all of the town’s representatives at the state level regarding proposed changes to the public records laws in the Commonwealth. The Board has vocally opposed the changes, with Selectman Troy Garron noting that the change would increase the burden on towns and cities to comply while the judiciary and Office of the Governor would claim exemption from the law.

Water wars

The water wars continue, with Town Administrator Charlie Seelig personally delivering public records requests to the Mayor, City Councilmen, and Water Commissioner for documents regarding Brockton’s water operations, including their budget. Brockton has continuously ignored requests for this information as Halifax and other communities bordering the Monponsett Ponds seek evidence that Brockton’s historic and continual tapping of water from the ponds is causing environmental havoc that ends up costing taxpayers “upstream.”

Both Seelig and Selectmen Chairman Kim Roy expressed disappointment with the City of Brockton. “I’m sorry it has come to this,” said Roy. Seelig added that he has simply been ignored for too many weeks.

Water woes

Beginning September 1, all outdoor watering will be banned due to painting and repairs on the Halifax water tower. The tower will be emptied, and the system will not have enough pressure for outdoor watering. At night the town will need to tap into Brockton’s water system (at a cost– the same water that ironically is partially supplied by Halifax.)

“We’ll have to connect into our own water at night!” quipped Selectmen Chairman Kim Roy, who has been very vocal about the Monponsett pond water situation.

Special Town Meeting/Selectmen’s Meeting set for September 8

A special town meeting will be held Sept. 8 at the Halifax Elementary School at 7:30 p.m. Three articles will be considered. Two concern the fire truck grant: the first will allocate money originally voted at the annual town meeting to finance the first year’s lease of a new ladder truck and the second to cover expenses for the new FEMA grant truck, and return the remainder to the taxpayers. 

The third article concerns the Halifax Elementary School’s IT budget, which has a surplus. The school is asking to use the approximately $11,000 it now has left over to begin putting in place the infrastructure for a new phone system, which is estimated to cost approximately $30,000.  The phone system itself is not being voted at the special town meeting.  This article is being framed as a safety issue, as each classroom does not currently have a phone.

Selectmen remind residents that this meeting may save taxpayers money, and a 100-person quorum is required for the meeting to begin.

In other news:

• Two routine “live entertainment licenses” were granted to Dawn Corby and Salon Serenity.

Filed Under: News

Proposal heard for solar roof at Dennet School

August 13, 2015 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

Electric buzz at Plympton BOS meeting

solar

Kurt Penny (left) and Joe Fitzpatrick of IRC Solar Roof Systems present the company’s proposal for a solar array on the Dennett Elementary School’s roof. The two met with the Plympton Board of Selectmen on Monday, August 10.

On Monday, August 10 the Board of Selectmen met in Plympton. The most electric issue by far was a proposal by IRC Solar Roof Systems of Lewiston, Maine, that would like to build a solar array on top of the Dennett School roof and enter into a fixed-rate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Town.  Chairman Mark Russo made clear to everyone assembled that the Board was “just listening to a proposal,” and that nothing final has been agreed to.

Two representatives, Joe Fitzpatrick, of DG Green Power which works with IRC, and Kurt Penny of IRC Solar Operations, made a presentation to those attending. Dennett Elementary School Committee members  called a concurrent meeting within the Selectmen’s meeting, to view the company’s presentation as  a committee as well, and Maureen Springer of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee was present as well.

IRC representatives echoed much of the information that had already been presented to the public and the Board. A large portion of the Dennett School roof is need of repair whether or not solar panels are installed, and that is a known upcoming large bill, according to Town Coordinator Dale Pleau.

IRC would come and do engineering studies, replace the roof, at cost to the town, and install, maintain and guarantee both the roof and the solar array that they propose for 20 years.

The installation at maximum would produce approximately 451,000 kw/h per year and save approximately $42,000 per year, according to IRC, representing significant savings, as the Dennett School uses the most electricity of any town buildings.

At the end of the PPA, the panels would either be removed, or replaced by the company and a new PPA would be negotiated.

According to the representatives, the solar energy would be used right at the school, as well as sold to their investors, but the Dennett School will never be entirely “off the grid,” for example, when electricity is needed at night. The savings also come from the 40% lesser cost when the Dennett School is purchasing Eversource energy.

IRC emphasized that the project would require no upfront investment from the town or school, and the possible educational aspects of teaching students about solar electricity.

“This is becoming more and more common in schools in the Commonwealth,” according to Penny. One final push from the company was a reminder that tax-credits to offset the cost of solar energy end in 2016, thus the project would have to be completed by then.

In order for the town to move to the next step, IRC said that a letter of intent would need to be signed so they could hire engineers to evaluate the roof, and determine if the roof can support the solar units.  If the town backed out at any point during this stage, they would only be obligated to pay for the engineering reports which could be useful in further consideration of the roof repairs.

Russo asked as well, “What can go wrong?” to which Penny responded “Nothing!”

Selectperson Christine Joy wished to know specifically what parts of the roof were being discussed and if not all were viable for solar, would the project still be profitable, to which Penny responded that any part of the roof, or all, would be viable for the company.

Michael Antoine, of the Dennett Elementary School Committee stated, “I’m not opposed to solar, just holes in the roof.” He was reassured that IRC Solar is a roofing company, and guaranteed their work.

Further concern from the School Committee involved making sure workers on site were fingerprinted and background checked, and that work could not be done while school was in session. Questions about snow and the weight of the solar panels were discussed, as well as safety systems for disconnecting the panels in the event of an emergency.

“Code is code,” said Penny. There are very strict rules for building solar arrays, and the fire chief must sign off on safety permits.

Town Coordinator Dale Pleau at this point pushed to encourage a letter of intent be signed by the Selectmen and/or the School Committee so that an engineering study can begin, which will be needed at some point anyway, according to Pleau.

Both Jon Wilhelmsen, of the School Committee, and Russo refused to sign anything without further consideration. “I’m not signing anything tonight. I’m bringing this back to the whole School Committee,” said Wilhelmsen.

Maureen Springer, representing the Silver Lake Regional School committee, expressed displeasure at not being notified that solar presentations were being scheduled and she had to find out about it by reading the newspaper. Selectmen said they would do better at notifying all concerned through email.

Soccer field rental?

Several weeks ago, a private soccer club, CS United sought permission from the Selectmen to lease fields owned by the town. The board expressed that they did not believe there was any precedent for private lease of town owned fields, although they suggested the new Jason field might be a viable location as it is currently underused.

Kevin Kaupp, new chair of the Recreation Commission, reported that last spring, at the invitation of Carver Youth Soccer in exchange for some coach training, the Recreation Committee allowed US Soccer Elite, a private soccer club, to use playing fields at the Dennett School.  Kaupp said that US Soccer Elite has approached the Recreaction Committee and asked to rent the Dennett School soccer fields when school is not in session and when the fields are not in use by the Dennett two week nights and three hours on Sunday.  The Recreation Committee would collect the rent through its revolving fund and use the proceeds to help pay for the maintenance of  the fields and its irrigation system which the RecCom has paid for several years.

This led to several school board members questioning who has jurisdiction over the “physical plant,” the school building, and the fields, and who should collect the leasing fees.

Selectman Colleen Thompson compared it to a, “tenant/landlord relationship,” where the town is the landlord of the building known as the Dennett School,  but the tenant is the school, directed by the school committee.

All parties agreed that Town Counsel would likely need to be consulted to sort the matter out.

Filed Under: News

‘Chicken Boy’ Joe Freitas remembered

August 13, 2015 By Tracy Seelye Express Editor

Coming home to roost

NEWS-WHP-ChixBarn-36

SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT: Parent volunteers and members of the Hanson-based United Bantams 4-H Club stand behind their renovation work at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. Photo by Tracy Seelye.

MARSHFIELD — The United Bantams 4-H Club, based in Hanson, is a group of chicken enthusiasts on a mission for the 148th annual Marshfield Fair Aug. 21-30.

They’ve spent the past month working two to three times a week — almost 40 hours — renovating the old 4-H poultry barn at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. Members and parent volunteers have been updating displays and cages as well as adding new features to a wing of an L-shaped building they will share with a photography competition and model train display.

The chickens have, indeed, come home to roost — and they’ll be joined by ducks and some other feathered friends.

“We’ve been doing a ton of work,” said United Bantams leader Mary Drake, whose club includes members from Hanson, Whitman, Abington, Pembroke, Plympton and other Plymouth County communities. “The chicken barn has not been represented by 4-H for a long time — it’s not a 4-H barn.”

Neighboring dairy and sheep barns, by contrast, had retained their 4-H management all along. As she spoke parent volunteers Peter Trask and Shawn Barry were climbing up on the roof to restore the “Poultry Show” sign Trask’s wife Lisa repainted, along with a sign bearing the 4-H four-leaf clover logo.

“There was a falling out many years ago and what we’re trying to do is mend some bridges, and get this back to being a 4-H barn,” Drake said.

The late Plympton Selectman Joseph Freitas “taught us everything about raising chickens,” according to Drake. He instructed the United Bantam members how to hold, feed and care for their birds.

“Mr. Freitas loved his chickens,” she said. “He was a great guy — and he was here every year and always helping and always right there with everybody.”

Freitas, known as “chicken boy” among friends, was active in the Plymouth County 4-H program for 25 years as the leader of the Fowl Play Poultry Club of East Middleboro and served on the Board of Trustees.

His widow Jacqueline, who attended a recent “Chicken Run” obstacle course fund raiser to help pay for the barn renovation, is scheduled to be the guest of honor at a ribbon-cutting for the rehabbed poultry barn Thursday, Aug. 20 — the night before the fair opens­ — according to Drake.

After a lengthy absence in the county, the United Bantams 4-H Club was the first poultry club to return. Drake noted there are now almost a half-dozen poultry clubs in Plymouth County.

Among the nearly 20 members of United Bantams, some joined to forge friendships as well as to learn more about backyard poultry. Among those is Isabel Barry, 14, of Hanson.

“When I first moved to Hanson I didn’t have any friends,” she said, noting it takes time to get to know people in a new town. “I was basically bored all day.”

Her grandmother had also suggested she join 4-H.

“The chicken barn was always my favorite out of all the barns,” she said.  “When I found Mary’s group, I just loved the atmosphere.”

James Furness, 16, of Abington has been active in backyard chicken raising since he was in the first grade. His two brothers found it less enthralling, mom Lisa noted.

“I always loved the baby chicks and they always asked, ‘What are you going to do when they grow up and become chickens?’” James said.

By the time he began 4-H three years ago, he had begun his own project with three full-grown laying hens. He built his own coop with the help of his dad Bill, who has been a carpenter for 30 years.

James’ assorted flock of seven hens all have names, flouting rule one of farming, “Don’t make them pets,” he joked.

Khloe Drake, 9, followed her mom into raising chickens, saying she likes their soft feathers best.

“We have big chickens, small chickens, all kinds of stuff,” Mary Drake said of United Bantams. “There are more backyard chicken farms than there are for cows and horses combined.”

That growth has occurred within the past five to 10 years — and can be found in some urban settings as well.

“We’re trying to show that it is so predominant that it should have a face,” Drake said as parent volunteers and club members unloaded wood, paint and tools; took cages apart to clean and paint and sand plywood appliqué pieces for a mural backing a nesting box and brooder display where patrons can watch chickens lay eggs and watch eggs hatch.

“Kids could get nose-to-nose with a cow, nose-to-nose with a sheep, a llama or a pig, but they couldn’t get nose-to-nose with a chicken, so we’re making that possible by revamping the barn,” she said. “Every bird in the coop is tested for influenza and pullorum-typhoid. They all have leg bands and have to have a certificate.”

State health regulations also require all poultry exhibited must be free of visual evidence of infectious bronchitis, coryza, fowl-pox, external parasites and laryngotraceitis.

“Nose-to-nose,” or nose-to-beak in this case, means birds will be displayed on lower levels where children can see them, and Plexiglass will be used for safety in some areas — especially in the nesting and brooder display. Steps will be placed near the nesting boxes (which are open in the back) so children can see better. Brooders, where eggs hatch and new chicks are kept warm, will also be lower.

An indoor duckling slide will be included as well as “Mustang,” a resident duck who will be waddling about the nesting area among the chickens because he would be lonely if left home by himself, Drake said. Mustang will also have a small pool, to be placed under a tree on which chickens may perch. Outdoors, about 30 ducks will be splashing and swimming about in a fenced-in duck pond.

“Someone will be available at all times to answer questions, holding chickens so children can touch and pet them,” Drake said. Parents are very involved in the club, which Drake noted is not a “drop-off club” and all parents of club members are CORI checked.

Shawn Barry of Hanson has done much of the construction work along with Bill Furness of Abington.

“There’s no shortage of energy around here,” Barry said Sunday morning as United Bantam members rushed about to figure out which projects they wanted to work on. “We just need to harness it.”

Filed Under: News

Sizzlin’ time at South Shore DARE camp

August 6, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos

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Hanson Firefighter Tim Royer dumps nontoxic foam over campers on the field at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. during DARE Camp on Thursday, July 30. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

More than 350 burgers and hot dogs were served hot off the grill on a day campers felt equally sizzled on the field as the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) Camp was held for youths from 19 towns on the South Shore at WHRSD last week.

Host Resource Officer William Frazier, of the Hanson Police Department, was praised by District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz at the graduation services held Friday, July 31.

Cruz congratulated Frazier on his first and very successful DARE camp week. The DA had attended several events and said he was pleased at the success of the camp over the last two decades.

“We have had more participants than any other year.  The campers are learning about safety, respect, drug awareness and anti-bullying,” said Cruz.

Chief Patrick Dillon of Plympton, Deputy Chief Hanlon of Whitman, Chief Michael Miksch of Hanson and many other officers, lieutenants and volunteers were on hand for the chock-full week.

“These campers are going to sleep good tonight and so are we,” the officers agreed.

With Mother Nature on their side, sunny days allowed for lots of water play, games, cold snacks, an ice cream party and positive peer interaction.

Officer Dana Smith of Plympton has also been involved with the camp as a resource officer for four years, he said.

“It is not just the officers who interact with the kids but the peer leaders who kids are looking up to. I think DARE Camp has been a great thing for kids,” he said.

The campers were surprised by Kristen Merlin’s appearance during graduation. The hometown finalist of  NBC’s reality competition show, “The Voice,” sang the national anthem and congratulated campers on their accomplishments.

She told campers she had also attended camp, “back in the day.”

Campers played field games such as four way tug-o-war, water balloon fights, enjoyed special guest performances, and lots of food.

Olympic events, 50-yard dash races, egg toss, obstacle courses and a visit from the State Police helicopter, which landed in the upper field, also highlighted the week.

The pilots spoke with campers during a question and answer session and a visual tour inside of the aircraft was offered before the chopper left to the enthusiastic applause of campers and staff.

Amp 103 Radio station DJs  made a visit providing music for all the field events on Tuesday.

As each day wrapped up leaders and officers sent home hundreds of worn out kids — many covered in popsicle syrup and mud — hoping they learned countless lessons about positive choices to take along in their journeys of life.

See more pictures of the event at the Plympton-Halifax Express Facebook page.

Filed Under: News

Plympton selectmen ready to put committees to work

August 6, 2015 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

Plympton selectmen met Monday, July 27, and gave updates on the committees they are forming to address goals for this coming year.

Selectman Colleen Thompson’s Public Safety Building Committee with seven members including the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief who will serve in advisory roles.  The committee could use one more member, Thompson said.

Selectperson Christine Joy met with Town Moderator John Traynor, to discuss the recent report of the Department of Revenue  which outlined areas of concern in the way the town handles its finances.

Finance Committee chairman Susan Ossoff will serve in an advisory role.  The committee is still seeking members and anyone interested should contact the selectmen’s office at 781-585-2700.

Chairman Mark Russo had nothing new to report on his area of focus: internal and external communication improvements in town government.

Selectman Colleen Thompson and former Selectman John Henry have been working on the Blue Wave solar proposal which has been tied up in litigation for  months with an abutter and continues to be stalled.  The board approved contacting IRC Solar Roof Systems, a Maine company, to have them present their proposal to  install and maintain a solar array on the Dennett Elementary School roof.  They ask in return that Plympton sign a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Among the board’s correspondence was a letter from a private company, US Soccer, requesting the use of Plympton’s soccer fields by two of their teams, twice a week.  The company indicated that they would be willing to pay rent and also train the town’s soccer coaches at no charge.

Chairman Russo asked other board members if they were aware of any other situation where the town would rent the town fields to out of town agencies.  They had not. 

Town Co-ordinator Dale Pleau suggested that if the board wanted to pursue the concept, they might consider Harry Jason Field for the soccer club as it is hardly used at this time.  Selectmen tabled it to give the board more time to fully investigate the company and its proposal.

Selectperson Joy read the request of the organization AJC-Global Jewish Advocacy asking selectmen to join mayors of major cities such as Boston, New York, San Francisco, in signing a statement denouncing anti-Semitism in all forms worldwide.  According to the letter of request, the effort is an international push for community leaders to stand in solidarity against hatred.

Joy told the board she wished the wording had been more inclusive, fighting all types of discrimination.  Russo stated, “this is one small step toward that goal.”  The board unanimously signed the statement.

Linda Leddy, noted the Express newspaper accounts of grants being awarded to Halifax and asked what steps Plympton is taking to secure grant funding. She asked specifically about the Commonwealth Community Compact grant from the office of Governor Charlie Baker which asks communities to apply for monies to promote best practices in municipal government.  The program is under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. She also noted the Halifax Fire Department grant for emergency equipment for their two ambulances.  “I think we should be going for whatever money we can get,” Leddy said.  Pleau said he will look into it. 

In other business:

• Zoning Board of Appeals member Ken Thompson told selectmen that even though there is an opening on the ZBA, he wanted to let the board know that membership on his board takes a person with a number of qualifications and experience to be effective.

• Art Morin, chairman of the Board of Health, said that the town would no longer offer blood pressure clinics due to the expense.  He recommended senior citizens and others go to the pharmacy or to the doctor’s where they can check their blood pressure for free.

• Xfinity is making changes to their product bundles and tv packages.  Selectmen advised citizens to cable bills for more information.

• The inter-municipal agreement for Plympton to join Area 58 Community Access Media was received the morning of the meeting.  Russo told the board it could be signed as early as at the next meeting.

• Anyone interested in any committee openings are asked to contact Selecten’s Assistant Kristen LeVangie at 781-585-2700.

• Appointed to the Public Safety Building Committee were Colleen Thompson, Nancy Butler, Robert “Jake” Jacobsen, Henry Weikel, Arthur Morin and Robert Karling.

The board will next meet on Monday, August 10.

Filed Under: News

Halifax home burns after lightning strike

August 6, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos

By Stephanie  Spyropoulos
Express Staff

08-07-15-45-Firefly-Road-fire

A house on Firefly Lane, Halifax, caught fire Tuesday after the morning’s round of severe weather. The Town Hall also also suffered a hit, but sustained no structural damage. Photo courtesy of Halifax Fire Department.

Halifax Fire Department responded to a house fire at 45 Firefly Lane, off Thompson St., after a reported lightning strike at 7:13 a.m. Tuesday.

The owners were downstairs at home when they heard a tremendous bang. They went upstairs to find heavy smoke, according to Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.

The incident quickly went to two alarms in response for manpower due to poor visibility and heavy rain.

Evidence indicated that a tree and side of the house were struck, Viveiros said, and an electric outlet was blown out from the charge of the bolt.

Heavy fire was visible on the second floor and attic, he said.

Due to the smoke and water damage and loss of power to the house, it was deemed uninhabitable.

Early estimates put the damage to about $150,000. No injuries were reported and the residents evacuated while they called 911.

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Shown above are Halifax firefighters, PJ Hogan, Joe Solari, Jordan Hill, and Mike Delcourt. Photo courtesy of Halifax Fire Department.

The Halifax Town Hall was also struck moments before the house fire. The fire alarm system was impacted, but here was no fire or damage to the Town Hall structure.

Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Middleboro, and Pembroke all assisted.

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Halifax firefighter, Jordan Hill, was among the first responders at a house fire caused by Tuesday morning’s storm. Photo courtesy of Halifax Fire Department.

Filed Under: News

Diehl enters race, Ryerson bows out of primary

August 6, 2015 By Kathleen Peloquin, Media Editor

By Dave Palana
Express Contributor

GeoffreyDiehl

Rep. Geoffrey Diehl

When the Massachusetts legislature returns from its August recess, state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, will be adding a new goal to his agenda — a seat in a new chamber on Beacon Hill.

ViolaRyerson

Citing state Rep. Geoff Diehl’s name recognition and funding capability, fellow Republican Viola Ryerson has withdrawn from the primary for the special election to fill the late Thomas P. Kennedy’s state Senate seat.

Diehl has drawn papers to enter the race for state senate, joining state Rep. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, Republican Scott Hall and Democrat Joseph Lynch on the Oct. 6 special primary election ballot to fill the seat left open when Sen. Thomas Kennedy died in June.

Diehl was the fifth person to announce candidacy for the senate seat, but Republican Viola Ryerson announced July 23 that she is dropping out of the race and supporting Diehl.

Ryerson, a former Hanover Selectman chairman who ran for the seat against Kennedy, said on her campaign Facebook page that Diehl is the strongest Republican candidate for the seat.

“He has the necessary exposure and funding to represent the Republican Party in this effort,” Ryerson said in her message announcing her resignation.

Hall still remains on the ballot as a Republican alternative to Diehl in the Oct. 6 primary with Lynch and Brady vying to represent the Democrats.

Brady joined the house the year before Diehl, who was quick to mention that Brady did not support his bid on the house floor to introduce a ballot question to block taxpayer funding for the now-defunct Boston Olympics bid.

“I introduced a plan to provide taxpayer protection from Olympic overrun on the floor of the house and did not get any support from the other side of the aisle,” Diehl said.

A five-year veteran state representative, Diehl said trying to switch houses was a difficult decision, but said the senate will offer him a larger platform to fight for local issues.

“Before I ran for representative, I was the Whitman Finance Committee’s liaison to the School Committee and I watched the state cut local aid and education funding and I didn’t feel like the current rep was doing enough to fight it,” he said. “Since I’ve been in the house, my decisions have reflected the mentality of fighting to keep more money at the household and local level. [Running for senate] just provides me with a better opportunity to continue that type of work.”

Diehl announced his candidacy Thursday at a kickoff rally at the Shaw’s Plaza in Brockton, where fellow state representatives and 300 supporters joined him. Following his kickoff, he has spent most of his first week on the campaign trail going door to door meeting voters as he tries to mobilize supporters quickly with the primary less than two months away.

“The biggest challenge is that this is a short election, so I need to make people aware of who I am and my candidacy,” he said. “This is going to come down to how quickly we can reach as many people as possible.”

While Diehl is well known in Whitman and East Bridgewater through his work as representative, the largest population of voters in the senate district reside in Brockton, which is home to the three other candidates. However Diehl said his work for Brockton business Sign Design allowed him to make connections with Brockton’s small business owners and also said he has found that many in the city already knew him from his battle on Beacon Hill to fight the gas tax, which was repealed by a ballot question Diehl introduced in the House.

“It’s been really great,” he said. “A lot of people recognized me from [radio interviews on] WRKO and WATD. They not only knew my name but also the work I did on Question 1.”

Mark Russo, Chairman of the Plympton Board of Selectmen, said, “I have not yet explored the positions of the candidates. I do know that small towns like Plympton are  being overwhelmed by unfunded state and federal mandates and ever increasing costs and responsibilities in a totally unsustainable  way…and therefore fervently hope the candidates and eventual elected official will keep their attention riveted to the challenges faced by town government and those paying the real estate taxes which fund town government.”

Filed Under: News

Halifax joins best practices program

July 30, 2015 By Abram Neal, Express Correspondent

Connects to state intitiative; Commends fire department’s pursuit of grants

At Tuesday’s Selectmen’s meeting in Halifax, Selectmen agreed to join the “Community Compact”, a state program initiated by Gov. Charlie Baker to provide grants to cities and towns to promote “best practices.”

The “Community Compact” is  “an opportunity for cities and towns to enter into partnerships with the state to accomplish mutually agreed upon goals,” according to information from the Office of the Governor.  These “best practices” can range from Capital Planning to IT Security, to anything that a city or town might suggest.  A town can apply for up to three areas in one application.

After a brief discussion, the Board decided to apply for the grants in the areas of Information Technology Security, Capital Planning, and Financial Reporting. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, who chairs the committee disbursing the grants, stated in the same information, “by promoting best practices and incentivizing our cities and towns, I look forward to championing this effort to create better opportunities for our schools and communities.”

Also during the Tuesday meeting, Fire Chief, Jason Viveiros was commended for “aggressively pursuing grants.”  Chairman Kim Roy and the rest of the Board voted to send him a letter of commendation.

Chief Viveiros and his department secured another grant from F.E.M.A. in the amount of $714,210 towards the purchase of Halifax’s new aerial ladder fire truck. As taxpayers approved one lease payment of more than $160,000 toward the truck at the annual Town Meeting in the spring, these funds will be returned to the town.

Last Friday morning, the Lucas Automatic Compression machine, which automatically does the chest compression portion of C.P.R., was brought out again to assist with a rescue.

This is the second time in a week that one has been used, and the two the town owns were purchased through a F.E.M.A. grant, secured by Chief Viveiros.

Roy pointed out as well that she would also like to recognize the police officers who respond to emergency calls; they are often the first to arrive. “It really takes a village,” said Roy.

In other business, the board appointed Michael Zarrella to the Capital Planning Committee, discussed current and future improvements for the 5th Avenue beach on West Monponsett Pond, held a hearing on a dog bite that occurred in May, and received status updates on several ongoing matters.

The Board briefly interviewed Michael Zarrella, an 18-year Brockton firefighter and seven-year Halifax resident to the Capital Planning Committee. They unanimously appointed him to a term expiring in June 2018. “I want to give back to the town,” said Zarrella.  Selectman Thomas Millias stated that he was “thrilled to be getting so many qualified candidates to fill board openings.”

Residents on West Monponsett Pond living near 5th Avenue beach, between 4th and 5th Avenues, have recently significantly cleaned up the beach. While the selectmen were very pleased with this improvement, some residents are asking for more permanent fixtures, everything from benches to volleyball nets. Selectman Troy Garron was concerned about the ongoing maintenance costs of such items, although the Recreation Committee is looking into how to keep up the beach now that residents have put so much work into it.

The Board held a pro-forma dog-bite hearing. Although the incident happened at the end of May, and involved two dogs from the same family, according to the selectmen a hearing is held anytime there is an incident involving domestic animal bites.

On May 28, two dogs, one a 14-year-old schnauzer, got into a squabble at 11 Baker Street. The owner stepped in to break the fighting dogs up, which Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan, also present, mentioned was a mistake, and the owner received a minor bite.

Although everything turned out well, selectmen, especially Selectman Garron, were concerned that it was only a one time incident and quizzed the three family members on exactly what happened until he was satisfied that there was no danger to the family or public.

In Other News:

• There are two openings on the Planning Board. If interested, contact Selectmen Assistant Pam McSherry at 781-294-1316.

• Solar panel powered lights in order to light up flagpoles in town are being studied by the Highway Department and Town Administrator Charlie Seelig.

• The City of Brockton continues to be unresponsive according to Town Administrator Seelig to invitations to discuss water quality issues in the Monponsett Ponds, which Brockton taps for drinking water and which the selectmen believe is affecting the water quality of both ponds. This is an ongoing issue.

• The Board declared an SUV from 1986, still used by the Fire Department, as surplus at the request of the Fire Chief and the sale process of the vehicle will begin.

• Selectmen went into executive session with Police Chief Edward Broderick for the purpose of discussing the “Security of the Town,” which according to Town Administrator Charlie Seelig had to do with staffing changes.

Filed Under: News

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