By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor

PLYMPTON – Selectman John Henry and Town Coordinator Dale Pleau said there might be a way to build a new combined police and fire station with no additional impact to taxpayers.

On Monday, Jan. 12, Henry said Plympton could cut project costs in half if the town were to order a prefabricated building to house both departments.

Henry, Pleau and Police Chief Patrick Dillon met earlier Monday to discuss the idea, and as a group plan also to meet with Fire Chief Warren Bosari.

“We owe it to the townspeople to at least bring them something,” Henry said. “Not a Cadillac, but a Chevrolet.”

Pleau said Plympton does not need to start from scratch when it comes to a new public safety building, but that there are canned products that might be options.

Henry said the town would pay half the cost by using pre-fabricated, pre-engineered buildings that would be built elsewhere and delivered. The town would not have to pay prevailing wages in that case, he said.

It would cost some $7-million to design, engineer and build a public safety building, or $549,000 in annual payments if the town finances the project over 20 years at a 2.8-percent interest rate, Pleau said.

“Cut that number in half,” he said. “It would not even hit the tax rate.”

Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo sat in the audience and spoke as a resident because he is an abutter to one of the properties being considered for a new public safety facility.

His wife, Kimberly Russo, asked about the aesthetics of a pre-fabricated public safety building and questioned whether residents would enjoy looking at it.

Henry said the buildings can be covered with clapboards, and Pleau said they can be covered with a brick facade.

“Basically, you’ll have modular buildings, so you can cut the cost in half,” Henry said. “It would be Town Meeting’s decision.”

In other action Monday, selectmen voted, 3-0, to consult with town counsel about a Town Meeting warrant article to establish an enterprise fund, drawing from Comcast and cable subscriber revenues, to join a regional community TV studio with Halifax and Carver or to start an Internet TV station for Plympton.

Russo said he wanted to check the wording of the funding article with town counsel so that she is up to speed and the other two towns should know that Plympton has the right article.

Russo said he is concerned that Plympton might not be able to join with Halifax and Carver if the towns’ share of funding is subject to annual appropriation.

“This is a good starting point, to start with (town counsel),” he said. “I just want to have this pinned down.”

Henry said he also plans to present voters at Town Meeting with an alternative to joining Halifax and Carver, although either option requires that voters approve the enterprise fund and appropriate such funds every year for cable broadcasting.

Henry said Plympton should form an Internet TV station, with no studio and coverage of selectmen and other government meetings to be broadcast online. The community of Douglas has a similar Internet TV operation, he said.

Selectman Colleen Thompson said she thinks Henry’s idea is interesting, although lots of seniors do not have the Internet.

“I think it would be good to have both options,” she said.

Henry said a lot of people do not have cable, and arrangements could be made to get DVD copies of meetings to residents who do have the Internet.

Meeting notes

* Selectmen voted, 3-0, to put a stop sign at the end of Cross Street, with a sign ahead of it warning motorists of the stop side ahead, and put two signs on West Street on either side of Cross Street that would be “advisory stop” or “curve ahead” signs. “It would improve the situation considerably,” Russo said. “Sounds good to me,” Thompson said.

By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor

KINGSTON — The Silver Lake Regional School Committee and the Silver Lake Education Association on Thursday Jan. 8 ratified a new teachers’ contract.

The three-year contract is retroactive to July and provides pay raises of 1.8-percent, 1.9-percent and 2-percent over the next three years, according to School Committee member Maureen Springer of Plympton, who praised the teachers union members.

“We thank you very much for your patience. We hope we can work together well into the future as we have in the past,” she said.

High School English teacher Kimberly Orcutt, who is president of the SLEA, thanked the community for their patience and support, and said teachers are glad to be back into their regular routines.

“I wanted to thank you all, the community, the teachers, for working with us in the negotiations,” she said. “We’re back together again. Thank you.”

Level-services budget presented

Tuffy presented a draft $23.7-million fiscal 2016 budget that would increase spending by 5.3-percent or $1.2-million over this year.

The budget is level-services because it assumes that all of this year’s programs funded this year will continue at the same level of service as next year, he said.

Tuffy said the spending plan would add a Grade 8 math teacher to address student scores and curriculum changes. It would also add funding for an assistant swim coach and freshmen volleyball coach at the high school, as both sports are popular.

The budget assumes that health insurance costs will increase by 5-percent. It also funds the new assessment the district must pay to the Plymouth County Retirement Board, and assumes an adjustment for Medicare costs. There are no adjustments for utilities and shared costs yet figured into the draft budget.

“This is the first time you are looking at it,” Tuffy told school board members. “Please take it home and look at it.”

Capital needs funding approved

The School Committee approved a $619,000 capital needs package, funding it in this year’s budget by drawing from the district’s $1.1-million in excess and deficiency or free cash funds.

“We’re using half of it. That’s conservative,” said School Committee member Mark Guidoboni of Kingston.

The plans includes funding to:

* Add indoor and outdoor cameras: $22,000.

* Set up a new campus-wide, two-way radio system: $22,000.

* Install a new middle school keyless entry system: $5,000.

* Replace the accounting system: $90,000.

* Fund the district’s OPEB liability: $100,000.

* Repair and resurface the track: $120,000.

* Repair and resurface the tennis courts: $30,000.

* Repair parking lot cracks: $11,000.

* Replace the JV baseball backstop: $19,000.

* Build one new athletic storage shed, do prep work for a second such shed: $60,000.

* Build a new middle school storage shed: $18,000.

* Buy additional high school and middle school furniture: $11,000.

* Install an additional 75 high school lockers: $17,000.

* Conduct an exterior envelope evaluation of the high school and middle school: $24,000.

* Resurface carpentry and metal fabrication floors: $40,000.

* Study the feasibility of installing solar generation facilities at the high school and middle school: $10,000.

* Make safety repairs to Sirrico field lighting poles: $20,000.

By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor

PLYMPTON — The Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday, Jan. 13, met and opened a public hearing on an appeal filed by neighbors of an occupancy permit granted to a men’s retreat for addiction recovery at 55 Brook St., the Brook Retreat.

ZBA Chairman David Alberti said the meeting lasted for two-and-one-half hours and included comments from attorneys representing neighbors, Brook Retreat and the town, from a Brook Retreat resident from Kingston under treatment for addiction, and from the public.

“It was a well attended event. I’ve been on the ZBA for a number of years and didn’t see one this well attended,” Alberti said.

Tuesday’s ZBA hearing was continued to Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Plympton Town House.

Alberti said Brook Retreat’s principals invited ZBA members to do a walk-through of 55 Brook St. on Monday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m., in order for members to view the living conditions, see the facility and ask questions.

All three selectmen attended Tuesday’s hearing, although none spoke, and a lot of abutters also attended, he said.

Neighbor Larry Richmond is appealing a building permit granted by acting Zoning Enforcement Officer Thomas Millias that allows occupancy of as many as 10 people, plus two staff members, at 55 Brook St.

Richmond said neighbors do not question the integrity or intentions of Brook Retreat’s principals, but oppose letting them rent to more than the four people allowed under town bylaw.

By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor

HALIFAX – The town has two new full-time police officers: Ryan Simpson and Patrick Deroo.

Selectmen on Tuesday Jan. 13 voted, 3-0, to appoint Simpson and Deroo as full-time officers, on the recommendation of Police Chief Edward Broderick.

They have been in training for four months and are appointed permanent intermittent officers, Broderick said.

“They’re ready to go, ready to go work for us,” he said.

Broderick said Halifax has gotten a waiver from Civil Service for Simpson and Deroo to start working full-time until the next full-time police officer academy, which starts in March and which both officers will attend.

“All that is in place and ready to go,” he said.

Broderick said Simpson and Deroo have rotated through every shift and been checked by sergeants and officers, and he is pleased with their commitment.

“No complaints. They’ve both worked out very well,” he said.

Broderick said the appointments will help Halifax avoid overtime costs and get the police department back to 11 officers on the road.

Selectman Kim Roy said she appreciates Broderick hiring full-timers from the town’s pool of permanent intermittent officers, from among known people, and she is impressed by them.

“We appreciate the way you’ve been managing your budget and keeping these things on target,” she said.

Meeting Notes

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said Gov. Charlie Baker indicated he would release $100-million in Chapter 90 highway aid that had been approved by the state Legislature but withheld by former governor Deval Patrick. As a result, Chapter 90 aid to Halifax will increase from $270,938 to $406,407, Seelig said.

Selectmen accepted a state recycling grant of $6,500 to purchase a new 40-yard roll-off container for plastics and to print and mail educational materials on recycling to residents.

Selectmen voted to sign a contract with Lakeville to use that town’s animal shelter when needed.

Selectmen scheduled a hearing on the way properties are being turned over, bought and sold at Halifax Gold & Silver Coin Shop, 272 Plymouth St., on the recommendation of Broderick, who said there is an open case regarding stolen items in connection with the pawn shop. The hearing will take place on Jan.26 at 8:45 p.m.

Selectmen voted to send a letter to the owner of USA Fitness, 430 Plymouth St., about the legality under town bylaw of the business’s advertising for and buying second-hand items, sometimes in exchange for time in the gym, that is taking place in the gym storefront.

Selectmen met in executive session for collective bargaining for the firefighters’ contract with Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.

Selectmen voted to ask the public to submit a current photo from the calendar year 2014 that has something to do with Halifax for consideration to be put on the cover of the Annual Town Report.

By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor

KINGSTON — The Silver Lake Regional School Committee and the Silver Lake Education Association on Thursday Jan. 8 ratified a new teachers’ contract.

The three-year contract is retroactive to July and provides pay raises of 1.8-percent, 1.9-percent and 2-percent over the next three years, according to School Committee member Maureen Springer of Plympton, who praised the teachers union members.

“We thank you very much for your patience. We hope we can work together well into the future as we have in the past,” she said.
High School English teacher Kimberly Orcutt, who is president of the SLEA, thanked the community for their patience and support, and said teachers are glad to be back into their regular routines.

“I wanted to thank you all, the community, the teachers, for working with us in the negotiations,” she said. “We’re back together again. Thank you.”

Level-services budget presented

Tuffy presented a draft $23.7-million fiscal 2016 budget that would increase spending by 5.3-percent or $1.2-million over this year. The budget is level-services because it assumes that all of this year’s programs funded this year will continue at the same level of service as next year, he said.
Tuffy said the spending plan would add a Grade 8 math teacher to address student scores and curriculum changes. It would also add funding for an assistant swim coach and freshmen volleyball coach at the high school, as both sports are popular.
The budget assumes that health insurance costs will increase by 5-percent. It also funds the new assessment the district must pay to the Plymouth County Retirement Board, and assumes an adjustment for Medicare costs. There are no adjustments for utilities and shared costs yet figured into the draft budget.
“This is the first time you are looking at it,” Tuffy told school board members. “Please take it home and look at it.”

Capital needs funding approved

The School Committee approved a $619,000 capital needs package, funding it in this year’s budget by drawing from the district’s $1.1-million in excess and deficiency or free cash funds.
“We’re using half of it. That’s conservative,” said School Committee member Mark Guidoboni of Kingston.
The plans includes funding to:

• Add indoor and outdoor cameras: $22,000.
• Set up a new campus-wide, two-way radio system: $22,000.
• Install a new middle school keyless entry system: $5,000.
• Replace the accounting system: $90,000.
• Fund the district’s OPEB liability: $100,000.
• Repair and resurface the track: $120,000.
• Repair and resurface the tennis courts: $30,000.
• Repair parking lot cracks: $11,000.
• Replace the JV baseball backstop: $19,000.
• Build one new athletic storage shed, do prep work for a second such shed: $60,000.
• Build a new middle school storage shed: $18,000.
• Buy additional high school and middle school furniture: $11,000.
• Install an additional 75 high school lockers: $17,000.
• Conduct an exterior envelope evaluation of the high school and middle school: $24,000.
• Resurface carpentry and metal fabrication floors: $40,000.
• Study the feasibility of installing solar generation facilities at the high school and middle school: $10,000.
• Make safety repairs to Sirrico field lighting poles: $20,000.

https://plymptonhalifaxexpress.com/230/

Dorothy Ellen (Keach) Lundsgaard, 92 of Halifax, formerly of West Roxbury, passed away on Wednesday September 17, 2014. Daughter of the late Perley A. and Mary I. (Bjork) Keach, she was born on March 23, 1922 in Boston. Dorothy enjoyed traveling, sewing, knitting, and enjoyed spending time at the Halifax Senior Center. She was a thesis typist for Boston University Medical Students, from her home, in the 1960’s-1970’s.

Dorothy was the wife of the late Niels Lundsgaard. She is survived by her daughter Donna M. (Derochers) Lovett of Halifax. Dorothy was the sister of the late John and Robert Keach and the late Arlene Pearce. She was the grandmother of Eric and Marc Derochers and the great grandmother to Ava, Samantha, and Caitlyn Derochers.

Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Homes, Corner Route 14 & 58, HANSON, on Sunday from 2-4 PM followed by a service at 4PM. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Cir, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Hearing on gravel removal is continued

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
[email protected]

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen, following a site visit by members Don Howard and Bill Scott, Conservation Agent Laurie Muncy and a member of the Conservation Commission, will reopen a hearing at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30 on the application of Great Cedar Cattle Feeders Inc. of Halifax for a soil removal permit.

Howard has professional experience with bogs and gravel management, and Scott is a bog owner.

Great Cedar Farm Manager Demetrius Haseotes explained at the hearing Sept. 16 that the work involves removal of 3,400 cubic yards of soil from cranberry bogs at Pierce Avenue and Robinson Street in Hanson for use at the company’s agricultural property in Halifax. The company has already removed 600 cubic yards of gravel from the site.

He aplogized for beginning the work without a permit because he did not know it was necessary. The company’s bog manager Jesus Rivera was unable to attend the hearing.

“We had no idea we were to come before you,” Haseotes said. “What we were doing, we thought, was a routine operation and maintenance of our cranberry bog. We meant no disrespect to the board or any of the neighbors.”

Abutters expressed concern about the effect of the soil removal on drainage in the area, dust and traffic as well as the legality of the gravel removal operation if the project fits that definition. Selectmen all shared concerns voiced by abutters, but expressed the need for more information before rendering a decision.

“This is serious amounts of gravel being moved,” Selectmen Chairman David Soper said. “I ask this board to consider what we have going on here.”

 “Obviously it is a gravel removal operation,” Scott said. “Whether it’s consistent with the farm plan … and may or may not be an exemption to the farm, that may be something to be decided outside this forum.”

Haseotes said the objective for the work is to create a “landing area” for trucks during picking season for safer and easier access to the property away from wetlands and wildlife. He noted that his father had a dangerous car accident on site last winter when his vehicle skidded on ice and ended up rolling over the vehicle in a bog pit.

“That day, when things got settled, we started to look at the bog and how to make things much safer,” Haseotes said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

He pledged to do the work during “normal business hours” and assured selectmen it was not a commercial operation.

Soper said that, from the fenceline, it appears excavation is close to the fence on the Robinson Street side and the operation should be required to truck out soil via Route 27 to control traffic and dust.

“It’s a big dust storm down there,” said Pierce Avenue resident Alan Spera, whose property abuts the bog area on two sides. “The actual excavation area is approximately 120 feet from my property line.”

He said work began in the busy area in August — there are town ballfields, an American Legion Post and Boss Academy of Performing Arts also located on Robinson Street, which forms an “L” intersection with Pierce Avenue.

“The town specifically does not allow gravel removal operations in any zone,” Spera added. “The only exception is if there is an accessory use … [or] related to that use.”

Haseotes argued his work fits that definition, but Spera — while he appreciated the apology — countered that removing the soil from the site is not an accesory or related use.

“I think we need a lot more information before we can support what you want to do — if we, in fact, are going to do that — and you are going to have to supply that information to us,” Spera said.

Robert White, a Robinson Street resident, spoke about the effect of dust and truck traffic.

“It’s lit up when trucks come out of the bogs,” he said of his house. “We have to keep our windows shut because of the dust coming off the roads. … It looks like the Big Dig.”

He said there are people going in out of the bogs at all hours of the night.

Where the dust is concerned, Haseotes said this has been one of the driest seasons he has seen in 25 years of farming.

Indian Trail resident Kim Wilson was chiefly concerned with the effect of the bog work on drainage.

“I’m looking at it not to stop someone from using the property they own but what effect that might have on myself, financially,” she said. “Gravel is drainage.”

Haseotes said he does not think work is close enough to the buffer area to affect drainage, but Conservation Commission Chairman John Kemmett said the company’s farm plan should contain answers to a lot of the questions being asked.

“I think it’s important that the board see that plan so they understand if you’re in compliance,” Kemmett said.

Selectman Bruce Young asked how the farm plan applied to the work being done. Hiseotes replied it would improve access for updating the bogs for increased production as well as improve access roads at other crop-producing properties.

Selectmen requested a copy of the farm plan as part of the continued hearing.

Scott said good relations with neighbors are important for farmers and said Route 27 as an access for trucks and watering down dust would help with that effort.

“If you kind of overdo you exemption rights, that sometimes creates a problem for neighbors,” Scott said. “Try hard not to do that.”

Howard, who also has bog experience, said the periodic sanding of bogs does not require removal of gravel to his knowledge. He also expressed concern about the dust problem.

Silver Lake among districts receiving fake invoices

Fraudulent invoices for unordered supplies are appearing in area schools as the Better Business Bureau issued a warning to schools and districts across the country after the consumer group fielded complaints from 27 states, including Massachusetts.

One such fake invoice has already been received by the Silver Lake Regional School District, where the district’s purchase order system has prevented them from being paid, according to Superintendent John Tuffy.

“We only got one so far,” Tuffy said. “It was from Scholastic School Supply for several hundred dollars.”  Invoices coming in to Silver Lake must match up with purchase orders, which the invoice in question did not.  “We also noticed that the ‘remit to’ address differed from the one we have on file.” He does not rule out the possibility that more fake invoices may still be received, but stressed the checks and balances of the accounting system protects the district.

“If it doesn’t have a P.O. number, we question it.”

In the past few weeks, there has been a rush of complaints filed with BBB against “Scholastic School Supply,” which claim either a Nevada or New Jersey address that turn out to be mail drops.

The BBB has urged that schools not to pay the invoices but to send them to the local Postal Inspector and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as their state’s attorney general or consumer protection agency.

So far, none of the complainants have sent money; however, BBB has no way of knowing if any schools have unknowingly paid the invoice, since they would not have filed a complaint.

“Many of our customers have received invoices from a company calling itself ‘Scholastic School Supply,” read a statement issued by the global children’s publishing, education and media company. “Scholastic School Supply is not affiliated with Scholastic Inc., but rather is a company that is using Scholastic’s name and trademark without authorization. Scholastic recently became aware of this company and its actions, and has demanded that they cease and desist using Scholastic’s name and trademark, which they have agreed to do, but they seemingly have not done so as of the date of this communication.”
In addition, Scholastic stated it has been investigating this company and will continue to do so.

“If we determine that this company is allegedly violating any other laws or regulations, we will take prompt, appropriate action,” a company spokesman stated. “However, in the course of our investigation and through conversations with our customers who have brought this company to our attention, it appears that numerous schools and districts have referred “Scholastic School Supply” to various state attorneys general and the U.S. Postal Inspector in Nevada and New Jersey for further investigation.”

BBB Serving Southern Nevada received its first complaint against Scholastic School Supply on Aug. 20, 2014 and since then has received nearly 70 complaints from schools across the country. The company’s online BBB Business Review has also received more than 3,000 inquiries; there is an Alert posted there so that visitors are able to confirm the suspicious nature of the invoice. The company maintains a mail drop in Sewell, New Jersey, as well as Las Vegas, and BBB New Jersey has received more than 20 complaints so far.

The bogus invoices have been for $647.50 for the bulk purchase of “English-Language Arts Practice Books” or $388.50 for math workbooks (although the amounts and products could change at any time). Complainants have said they cannot reach the company to inquire about the products or amounts allegedly owed, and all have denied ever doing business with the company previously, according to the BBB.

To date, BBB has received complaints from schools in 27 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Due to BBB’s process for handling complaints, which gives a business up to a month to respond, the complaints received to date are still considered pending.

“Contact information available on the invoices was initially just going unanswered, but now email is bouncing and the phone number has been disconnected,” the BBB stated. “BBB has been unable to locate any corporation filings, business licensing, or documentation to substantiate a physical location in Nevada.”

Earlier this week, an agent in New Jersey filed as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) under the same company name, and the BBB there is investigating the connection. The UPS Store in Las Vegas is a BBB Accredited Business and is cooperating with the Postal Inspector and other agencies investigating the scheme.

To find out more about scams or to report one, check out BBB Scam Stopper.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

PLYMPTON — Plympton as a school district has made a comeback this year.

Last year, the Plympton district fell to a Level 2 status, as defined by the state education department.

This year, the district is back to Level 1, the top rank, according to assistant school Superintendent Joy Blackwood.

The ranking is based on MCAS scores, she said.

On Monday Sept. 22, Blackwood told the Plympton School Committee that the state has released MCAS scores.

Scores were to be sent home in children’s backpacks for elementary school students and by mail for secondary students on Thursday Sept. 25.

Blackwood said Grade 3 students did really well on the exams.

“Plympton did very well,” she said.

School Superintendent John Tuffy said 19-percent of school districts in the state are ranked as Level 1 districts.

Blackwood said the status shows the hard work of teachers and students.

She said the district’s special education needs were identified as a concern, and the town budgeted more money, so that Plympton was able to hire a second special education teacher.

Blackwood said she would do an in-depth presentation on the town’s MCAS scores at the October Plympton School Committee meeting, to be held Oct. 27.

Melissa Farrell, K-6 coordinator, will also discuss the results, she said.

Agreement reached

The School Committee and selectmen Chairman Mark Russo voted, 6-0, in a joint vote to accept an agreement negotiated with the Plympton Teachers Association.

The new contract runs for three years, with raises of 2-percent for the first year, 2-percent for the second year, and 2-percent for the third year, Tuffy said.

The agreement also allows teachers to request to use sick days as bereavement leave, subject to the discretion of the superintendent, he said.

Water treatment

Tuffy said school Business Manager Christine Healy has put together a request for proposals for a recommendation on whether Plympton should use a reverse osmosis, salt or green sand design for a water treatment plant.

The project was approved by Town Meeting for the Dennett Elementary School to deal with a high level of manganese, he said.

The School Committee would choose which system to use, and the consultant would then produce a design and biddable documents for engineering and design, and then would come construction, Tuffy said.

“You will get some information and be asked to make an informed decision on how you would like to proceed,” he said.

Tuffy said the reverse osmosis system is expensive and there is a high maintenance cost.

Fingerprinting

Tuffy said the state is changing a law that requires schools to fingerprint all newly hired employees.

The school district started fingerprinting new hires last school years. The prints are run through a national criminal history database, he said.

The new state law now says that all employees must be fingerprinted, over the next two or three years, although administrators are waiting to hear about a timetable for doing so from the state, he said.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” he said.

Tuffy said the fingerprinting is done not by police but by a private vendor. The cost for the fingerprinting is $55 for licensed teachers and $35 for employees without licensure.

Parent volunteers with supervised access to schoolchildren must still be subject to criminal background checks, but for those with unsupervised access, fingerprinting will be required, he said.

Tuffy said he does not see the need to fingerprint parent chaperones on field trips to public places, but an overnight trip would require fingerprinting.

School Committee member Gail Knight said it is hard to get volunteers already without asking them to take extra steps if fingerprinting is required of them.

“It’s a shame it has to be that way,” she said.

School Committee Chairman Brian Wick said the new state law seems well intentioned but not well thought out.