Local legislators  including Sen. Tom Kennedy last week announced passage of landmark legislation that takes a major step forward for substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts.

The bi-partisan bill, now on the governor’s desk, removes barriers that stand in the way of effective substance abuse treatment by allowing patients access to detox and rehab programs without requiring insurance pre-authorization. The bill also strengthens the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program and requires that prescription painkillers only be dispensed in abuse deterrent format, unless otherwise directed by a physician.

“Opiate addiction is really an unprecedented public health crisis,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In addition to all the social costs and devastating pain this can cause our friends and families, there is a monetary cost. We are seeing individuals show up in emergency rooms or even getting sectioned in the House of Correction because it’s the only way they know to get substance abuse treatment. This new law helps to change that.”

 “The rising level of opiate addiction in recent years has proven that substance abuse has affected a great number of families in our communities,” said Senator Tom Kennedy.  “This new law makes major improvements in the way we treat this disease and those who suffer from it.”

 “The impact of addiction is evident every day, whether it’s in the news, in our workplace or even in our own families and I know we all ask ourselves, ‘What can be done to solve this problem?’ The passage of this legislation means that more resources, faster treatment and long-term solutions are now in hand, as well as our ability to target and stop the spread of the dangerous drugs that devastate our communities.”

The bill also authorizes the Department of Public Health (DPH) to schedule a substance as Schedule I for up to one year if it poses an imminent hazard to public safety and is not already listed in a different schedule.

To curb the public health risk of Schedule II and III drugs, the bill requires the state’s Drug Formulary Commission to prepare a drug formulary of chemically equivalent substitutions, which must include abuse deterrent properties and must take into consideration cost and accessibility for consumers. Insurance carriers are required to cover abuse deterrent drugs listed on the formulary in the same manner that they cover non-abuse deterrent drugs and cannot impose additional cost burdens on consumers who receive abuse deterrent drugs.

The bill strengthens the Prescription Monitoring Program by requiring the Department of Public Health to report on whether physicians are consulting the state’s database of controlled-substances prescriptions, known as the Prescription Monitoring Program, to see if their patients are obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors.

The bill creates a commission to review prescription painkiller limitations by insurance carriers, including the system implemented by Blue Cross Blue Shield, and report recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature.

This bill both increases access to care and improves the standard of care by removing prior authorization for substance abuse treatment if the provider is certified or licensed by DPH. It also does the following:

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services for all MassHealth Managed Care Entities and requires coverage of up to 14 days of Clinical Stabilization Services with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services and Clinical Stabilization Services for commercial insurers and requires coverage for a total of up to 14 days with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Requires medical necessity of substance abuse treatment to be determined by the treating clinician in consultation with patient; and,

• Requires all insurance carriers to reimburse for substance abuse treatment services delivered by a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In addition, it directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis to review the accessibility of substance abuse treatment and adequacy of insurance coverage and tasks the Health Policy Commission with recommending policies to ensure access and coverage for substance abuse treatment throughout the Commonwealth, as well as review denial rates for substance abuse treatment coverage by commercial insurers.

Lisa Krance tenders resignation

Longtime Plympton Selectmen’s Assistant Lisa Krance Monday night announced that she will be leaving the position on Aubust 28, giving two week’s notice to the board.

Chairman Mark Russo read her letter of resignation, “The letter comes with great joy and sadness for me,”  Lisa wrote. Pending the closing on the sale of her home, August 28 will be her last day.  “It has been an honor and a privilege working in the Town House.”  She went on to say that many of her fondest memories are those in the job as selectmen’s assistant and she will miss Plympton dearly.  

Lisa and her husband John will be relocating to Vero Beach, Florida.

Russo said, “I’m a little weak of knee to be met with this… we are losing a really key person.”  “Until I became a selectman, he said, I didn’t realize how much Lisa does to hold this mess all together … I’m a little weak of knee at the thought that we won’t have her.  So – we adore you, and know you have an opportunity to go on to new and better things, and we wish you the very best, but boy, are we going to miss you.”

“I’ve spent most of the last year with Lisa sitting there and Joe sitting there, and not to have Joe these past few months – and now not to have Lisa – it’s almost too much.  We’ll have more time to celebrate her, but we as a board will need to get the word out to try to replace her.”

Russo said he would like to propose is a working session on Thursday morning to go over the job description, the title, the salary scale, and the application process.  In Lisa’s position it was a 25 hour position with benefits at the $18.32 per hour pay scale.   Russo asked that they get the word out so that applicants can be interviewed.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HALIFAX — Selectmen on Tuesday Aug. 12 met with new Fire Chief Jason Viveiros, who served as fire lieutenant in Sandwich, to discuss his first week on the job in Halifax.

As fire chief, Viveiros will serve on the traffic safety committee, local emergency planning committee community response coordinator, Holidays in Halifax, health insurance review committee, fire department study committee, and forest fire warden.

Selectmen Tuesday also voted to appoint Viveiros as emergency management director.

“I’m a busy man,” he said.

Viveiros said the fire department staff is exceptional and has been helpful. He said he will work to fill the ranks and on sheltering plans.

He said he planed to attend an emergency management meeting in Bridgewater Wednesday and do a school inspection next week.

“I’m doing great. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “It’s been a busy week, a great week.”

Viveiros will be formally sworn in as chief on Monday Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at the fire station, and the public is welcome to attend and meet the new chief.

He said he plans to attend the Triad health and wellness fair to be held Sept. 13.

Viveiros said his wife and he have put their house on the market and they are looking for homes in Halifax.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Schleiff said there are plenty of people in Halifax to help him and keep him busy.

“Every new job is back to school,” he said.

Selectman Kim Roy said Viveiros has a good support system in the fire department and captains.

“Everybody’s excited that you’re here,” she said.

Selectman Troy Garron said Viveiros would settle in.

“Welcome to the town of Halifax. I’m sure you’ll be a great fit.”

New COA board member

Selectmen on Tuesday voted to appoint Ellen Murphy to the Council on Aging.

Murphy has worked for a nonprofit organization, Mayflower RSVP Inc., a retired and senior volunteer program based in Plymouth, for 26 years, which has grown from a small to a statewide agency.

“I know the value of boards of directors. They can make or break an agency,” she said. “It’s rewarding to be a volunteer. It really is.”

Sunday morning alcohol sales

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that starting on Oct. 26, package stores in Massachusetts may open as early as 10 a.m. on Sunday, if allowed to do so by local liquor licensing authorities, under a new state law.

Selectmen were cool to the idea of letting package stores in Halifax open at 10 a.m. instead of noon, which is the local policy now, and declined to make a change, but welcomed comments or concerns from local businesses on the matter.

Garron said an earlier opening time is not necessary for customers.

“You have six-and-a-half days to buy your liquor in this town,” he said.

Roy said liquor stores should be closed all day on Sunday, but she also does not want to see Halifax package stores lose business if customers shop earlier in other towns.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt their business as well,” she said.

Seelig said one Halifax business person told him they do not want to open earlier on Sunday, but feel they have to or lose business.

Schleiff said a 10 a.m. Sunday start time would simply encourage people to drink earlier in the day.

“I think noon is ample, myself,” he said.

Dog hearing

Selectmen voted to send a letter to a Cranberry Drive dog owner after her dog escaped an electric fence after the batteries failed and attacked a dog being walked by a neighbor.

The board is ordering Tanya Bejarano of Cranberry Drive to keep her German Shepherd physically restrained or inside the house when no one is home, and to keep an eye on the dog when people are home and the dog is restrained by an electric fence.

On July 31, a neighbor was walking her Golden Retriever dog past Bejarano’s house when the German Shepherd went after the dog. Both dogs fought and were injured, and the woman who was walking the Golden Retriever fell, according to Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan.

Garron said people need to care for their dogs.

“We don’t have dog problems. We have people problems,” he said.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUS Routes 2014 – 2015

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 7:35am.
Begin on Holmes St @ Plymouth St.  Pick up Holmes St to right on Delia Way – loop.  Right on Holmes,  left on Oak, loop Marilyn Dr., left on Oak.  Reverse at High St. East.  Return on Oak (including Oak Place).  Cross Holmes to Oak St.  Continue Oak – loop Colby Dr.  Right on Oak to left on Brandeis Cir to Harvard St – pick up corner of McClelland,  McClelland Rd to Holmes St. Left on Holmes St.  Pick up Holmes St to Plymouth St (including Garden Rd).  Express to Country Club Dr. – Loop Fairway Dr.  Left on Plymouth St.  Pick up #385 & 395 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.  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 to School.

ROUTE 51:  First pick up 7:45am.
Begin on Aldana Rd.,  express to Marjorie Dr., Chestnut Rd. loop to Annawon Dr., picking up all side roads, express to right on Plymouth St to Paradise Lane and Pinebrook.  Reverse at Pinebrook.  Pick up Plymouth St to Plympton line.  Reverse – continue to pick up Plymouth St to Holmes St.  Express to School.

SILVER LAKE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL BUS ROUTES 2014 – 2015

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), Rte 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 Country Rd.  Pick up Country 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.

DENNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUS ROUTES 2014 – 2015

SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE NECESSARY – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

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.  Loop and return to Left on Mayflower Rd.  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 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 Bracklett.  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 group 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.  Right on Center St.  Pick up Center St to Palmer Rd.  Right on Palmer Rd to Maple.  Right on Maple to Main St.  Express to school.

Bus 62: Start Time – 7:25
Start on Center St. at Palmer Rd. Pick-up Center St. to Halifax town line. Return On Center to Right 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). 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.

SILVER LAKE BUS ROUTES 2014 – 2015

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.

 Lisa Krance tenders resignation

By Deb Anderson
Express Correspondent

Longtime Plympton Selectmen’s Assistant Lisa Krance Monday night announced that she will be leaving the position on Aubust 28, giving two week’s notice to the board.

Chairman Mark Russo read her letter of resignation, “The letter comes with great joy and sadness for me,”  Lisa wrote. Pending the closing on the sale of her home, August 28 will be her last day.  “It has been an honor and a privilege working in the Town House.”  She went on to say that many of her fondest memories are those in the job as selectmen’s assistant and she will miss Plympton dearly.  

Lisa and her husband John will be relocating to Vero Beach, Florida.

Russo said, “I’m a little weak of knee to be met with this… we are losing a really key person.”  “Until I became a selectman, he said, I didn’t realize how much Lisa does to hold this mess all together … I’m a little weak of knee at the thought that we won’t have her.  So – we adore you, and know you have an opportunity to go on to new and better things, and we wish you the very best, but boy, are we going to miss you.”

“I’ve spent most of the last year with Lisa sitting there and Joe sitting there, and not to have Joe these past few months – and now not to have Lisa – it’s almost too much.  We’ll have more time to celebrate her, but we as a board will need to get the word out to try to replace her.”

Russo said he would like to propose is a working session on Thursday morning to go over the job description, the title, the salary scale, and the application process.  In Lisa’s position it was a 25 hour position with benefits at the $18.32 per hour pay scale.   Russo asked that they get the word out so that applicants can be interviewed.

L

ocal legislators  including Sen. Tom Kennedy last week announced passage of landmark legislation that takes a major step forward for substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts.

The bi-partisan bill, now on the governor’s desk, removes barriers that stand in the way of effective substance abuse treatment by allowing patients access to detox and rehab programs without requiring insurance pre-authorization. The bill also strengthens the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program and requires that prescription painkillers only be dispensed in abuse deterrent format, unless otherwise directed by a physician.

“Opiate addiction is really an unprecedented public health crisis,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In addition to all the social costs and devastating pain this can cause our friends and families, there is a monetary cost. We are seeing individuals show up in emergency rooms or even getting sectioned in the House of Correction because it’s the only way they know to get substance abuse treatment. This new law helps to change that.”

 “The rising level of opiate addiction in recent years has proven that substance abuse has affected a great number of families in our communities,” said Senator Tom Kennedy.  “This new law makes major improvements in the way we treat this disease and those who suffer from it.”

 “The impact of addiction is evident every day, whether it’s in the news, in our workplace or even in our own families and I know we all ask ourselves, ‘What can be done to solve this problem?’ The passage of this legislation means that more resources, faster treatment and long-term solutions are now in hand, as well as our ability to target and stop the spread of the dangerous drugs that devastate our communities.”

The bill also authorizes the Department of Public Health (DPH) to schedule a substance as Schedule I for up to one year if it poses an imminent hazard to public safety and is not already listed in a different schedule.

To curb the public health risk of Schedule II and III drugs, the bill requires the state’s Drug Formulary Commission to prepare a drug formulary of chemically equivalent substitutions, which must include abuse deterrent properties and must take into consideration cost and accessibility for consumers. Insurance carriers are required to cover abuse deterrent drugs listed on the formulary in the same manner that they cover non-abuse deterrent drugs and cannot impose additional cost burdens on consumers who receive abuse deterrent drugs.

The bill strengthens the Prescription Monitoring Program by requiring the Department of Public Health to report on whether physicians are consulting the state’s database of controlled-substances prescriptions, known as the Prescription Monitoring Program, to see if their patients are obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors.

The bill creates a commission to review prescription painkiller limitations by insurance carriers, including the system implemented by Blue Cross Blue Shield, and report recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature.

This bill both increases access to care and improves the standard of care by removing prior authorization for substance abuse treatment if the provider is certified or licensed by DPH. It also does the following:

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services for all MassHealth Managed Care Entities and requires coverage of up to 14 days of Clinical Stabilization Services with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Removes prior authorization for Acute Treatment Services and Clinical Stabilization Services for commercial insurers and requires coverage for a total of up to 14 days with utilization review procedures beginning on day seven;

• Requires medical necessity of substance abuse treatment to be determined by the treating clinician in consultation with patient; and,

• Requires all insurance carriers to reimburse for substance abuse treatment services delivered by a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In addition, it directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis to review the accessibility of substance abuse treatment and adequacy of insurance coverage and tasks the Health Policy Commission with recommending policies to ensure access and coverage for substance abuse treatment throughout the Commonwealth, as well as review denial rates for substance abuse treatment coverage by commercial insurers.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HALIFAX — Selectmen on Tuesday Aug. 12 met with new Fire Chief Jason Viveiros, who served as fire lieutenant in Sandwich, to discuss his first week on the job in Halifax.

As fire chief, Viveiros will serve on the traffic safety committee, local emergency planning committee community response coordinator, Holidays in Halifax, health insurance review committee, fire department study committee, and forest fire warden.

Selectmen Tuesday also voted to appoint Viveiros as emergency management director.

“I’m a busy man,” he said.

Viveiros said the fire department staff is exceptional and has been helpful. He said he will work to fill the ranks and on sheltering plans.

He said he planed to attend an emergency management meeting in Bridgewater Wednesday and do a school inspection next week.

“I’m doing great. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “It’s been a busy week, a great week.”

Viveiros will be formally sworn in as chief on Monday Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at the fire station, and the public is welcome to attend and meet the new chief.

He said he plans to attend the Triad health and wellness fair to be held Sept. 13.

Viveiros said his wife and he have put their house on the market and they are looking for homes in Halifax.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Schleiff said there are plenty of people in Halifax to help him and keep him busy.

“Every new job is back to school,” he said.

Selectman Kim Roy said Viveiros has a good support system in the fire department and captains.

“Everybody’s excited that you’re here,” she said.

Selectman Troy Garron said Viveiros would settle in.

“Welcome to the town of Halifax. I’m sure you’ll be a great fit.”

New COA board member

Selectmen on Tuesday voted to appoint Ellen Murphy to the Council on Aging.

Murphy has worked for a nonprofit organization, Mayflower RSVP Inc., a retired and senior volunteer program based in Plymouth, for 26 years, which has grown from a small to a statewide agency.

“I know the value of boards of directors. They can make or break an agency,” she said. “It’s rewarding to be a volunteer. It really is.”

Sunday morning alcohol sales

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that starting on Oct. 26, package stores in Massachusetts may open as early as 10 a.m. on Sunday, if allowed to do so by local liquor licensing authorities, under a new state law.

Selectmen were cool to the idea of letting package stores in Halifax open at 10 a.m. instead of noon, which is the local policy now, and declined to make a change, but welcomed comments or concerns from local businesses on the matter.

Garron said an earlier opening time is not necessary for customers.

“You have six-and-a-half days to buy your liquor in this town,” he said.

Roy said liquor stores should be closed all day on Sunday, but she also does not want to see Halifax package stores lose business if customers shop earlier in other towns.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt their business as well,” she said.

Seelig said one Halifax business person told him they do not want to open earlier on Sunday, but feel they have to or lose business.

Schleiff said a 10 a.m. Sunday start time would simply encourage people to drink earlier in the day.

“I think noon is ample, myself,” he said.

Dog hearing

Selectmen voted to send a letter to a Cranberry Drive dog owner after her dog escaped an electric fence after the batteries failed and attacked a dog being walked by a neighbor.

The board is ordering Tanya Bejarano of Cranberry Drive to keep her German Shepherd physically restrained or inside the house when no one is home, and to keep an eye on the dog when people are home and the dog is restrained by an electric fence.

On July 31, a neighbor was walking her Golden Retriever dog past Bejarano’s house when the German Shepherd went after the dog. Both dogs fought and were injured, and the woman who was walking the Golden Retriever fell, according to Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan.

Garron said people need to care for their dogs.

“We don’t have dog problems. We have people problems,” he said.

On Friday, August 1, Halifax kids turned lemons into lemon “aid”!  The aid is for Halifax Open Play Space, known to all who love it as “HOPS”.  The kids set up lemonade stands throughout Halifax and turned in their proceeds to the HOPS fund to help purchase new playground equipment.  Friends of HOPS have been enthusiastically fund-raising with canisters at town meeting, Hop for HOPS road race,  lemonade stand at Halifax in Lights, and in September will host a meat raffle, “Chops for HOPS”.  Chairman of the HOPS committee Jonathan Selig says that they have raised almost $50,000 toward their $200,000 goal, and hope to have their thermometer set up soon so townspeople can watch them as they work toward it

HALIFAX — The Boston Bruins have teamed up with libraries across the state to encourage kids and teens to keep reading over the summer.

 “We were excited to have the Red Sox World Series trophy here last year,” said library director Laurie Cavanaugh. “And we’re looking forward to welcoming Bruins mascot Blades to the library next week.”

Blades will be joining young readers in story time and a special craft. Marie Coady of the Holmes Public Library was instrumental in having the library be selected for a Bruins visit, by successfully applying on behalf of the library.

To encourage children and teens to keep reading over the summer Bruins players, including Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and Dougie Hamilton, have helped libraries develop Favorite Books of the Boston Bruins, a recommended reads list that also include librarian picks for the best hockey books. Charlotte’s Web and The Giving Tree are favorites of Daniel Paille, Johnny Boychuk likes The Hobbit and Gregory Campbell recommends To Kill a Mockingbird. The booklist is available at mass.gov/libraries.

The Bruins offer prizes for children and teens selected from a pool of candidates who demonstrate outstanding reading involvement. Among the prizes is the opportunity to greet members of the Boston Bruins as they get ready to take the ice during a Bruins home game. Last summer, Abigail Ford, a teen from the Holmes Public Library, won game tickets from the B’s Tickets for Teens contest.