Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express

You are here: Home / Archives for News

A Victorian Christmas musical celebration at Kingston Public Library

By

The Kingston Public Library will mark the beginning of the holiday season with a special Victorian Christmas celebration featuring musical guest Diane Taraz on Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St., Kingston.

Taraz brings a captivating program of Christmas music from the Victorian era, when many of today’s familiar carols were written or revived. She presents these carols, together with fascinating stories about their origins. Taraz will come dressed in an 1850s style hoop-skirted gown, accompanying herself on guitar and dulcimer. There will be many opportunities for the audience to sing along to many well-known favorites.

For years, Taraz has been writing her own songs and breathing life into traditional ones. She brings a dry wit and light touch to explain the intricacies of her music. Taraz has 19 solo CDs, 6 CDs with groups, and four singles to her credit. Taraz has performed at festivals, senior centers, museums, libraries, and other locales all over New England and the Northeast. You can learn more about Diane Taraz on her website – https://dianetaraz.com.

To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For more information, you can contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.

Halifax now has a full board

By

The seat at the table now won’t be quite so lonely in Halifax as voters chose two selectmen in Tuesday’s special election to join Jonathan Selig in conducting the business of the town.

The special town election was held on the same date as the state’s mid-term election.

John Bruno, former selectman and town moderator, among others, will join Selig, as will Naja Nessralla, who will fill the unexpired term of Ashley Disesa, until May 18, 2024.  Bruno, who ran unopposed, will fill the   unexpired term of Alexander Meade until May 17, 2025.    Nessralla won by a substantial margin, with 1035 votes.  His closest opposition came from Dennis Carman who garnered 731 votes.  Mary Gravinese won 579 votes, David M. Mascio got 529 votes, and William Smith 228 votes.  467 voters chose not to choose and left their ballots blank. Six voters chose someone else not on the ballot.

In all, 3,180 of Halifax’s  6,241 registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s election, just over half, or 50.95%.

‘Pay as You Throw’ is a GO!

By

Plympton selectmen voted Monday night to implement the much-debated Pay as You Throw trash bag purchase program.  Residents will now – as of April 1, 2023 – be required to purchase trash bags specifically marked for Plympton, at a cost of $1.25 each for the 15-gallon size and $2.50 each for the 33-gallon size.

About a half dozen residents attended the ZOOM hearing to speak against the program, questioning how compliance could be enforced if current transfer station rules for recycling and what can be accepted at the rubbish compactors cannot.  Highway superintendent Rob Firlotte said that it would be enforced the same way that stickers are enforced – people without the proper trash bags would be turned away, just as people without current stickers are turned away.  Flagrant violators could have their transfer station privileges cancelled.

Colleen Morin, Administrative Assistant at the Highway Dept., said she will begin selling the new stickers on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at a cost of $65 and a discounted cost of $45 for those over age 65.  Recycling only stickers will remain at $30 and additional stickers for residents with a second vehicle at the same residence will remain at $10.

Selectman Chairman Christine Joy told those in attendance that she feels it is the right move and the right time and didn’t think it necessary to rehash the situation when the end result would be the same.  Mark Russo made the motion to ratify vote of the Board of Health and the wishes of the Highway superintendent to implement the Pay as You Throw program, with Joy seconding.  Selectman John Traynor voted against the motion, saying that he didn’t think people have had enough time to get informed on the concept and many older residents who aren’t comfortable with computers need to be brought up to date with new information.  The motion carried.

North Carver Rte 44 project terminated

In other business, Chairman Joy read correspondence from Sharon Clarke, Chairman of the Town of Carver Redevelopment Authority.    “We’ve been working with them closely on the project behind the former Shaw’s building, “ Joy told the board, “She wanted to let us know that they were notified on Monday from Hillwood that they have terminated their contract with Route 44 for the North Carver project.  There was an issue about extending their agreement for the Attorney General’s office appeal period for the new bylaws that Carver passed and they chose to terminate their agreement.    Joy said that Clarke will keep Plympton informed if any new projects are proposed.

Dennett kids score above state MCAS average

By

The Plympton School Committee met in person at the Dennett Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch gave a presentation on the results of the 2022 MCAS testing. Lynch said that data was provided for Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 for both math and ELA but noted that the science data was for just Grade 5. No test was administered in 2020, a half test was given in 2021, and in 2022, all students took the full test. Lynch said that 52 percent of Dennett students are meeting or exceeding expectations in English Landuage Arts compared to 41 percent State-wide. In math, 50 percent of Dennett students are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to just 39 percent across the State. The school’s science scores were significantly higher than the State average. Lynch called science a “bright spot” for Plympton.

“The goal here at Dennett and across the District is to try and move that number back to where it was in 2019… the goal is to get to 70 percent meeting or exceeding,” Lynch explained.  He further explained that while high achievement was noted for Dennett students, slower growth was also observed. The implementation of Collaborative Literacy in Grade 5 was among the programs instituted to ensure continued growth and improvement. A math interventionist and reading tutor is also part of the Dennett team as is a student support team who identifies students who may need increased interventions and progress tracking.

Superintendent Jill Proulx also provided an update to the Committee saying that the Admin team met with building principals regarding interventions and said that it was an important reminder of the role of data in identifying students that may need additional supports including those that are not on an IEP. She also said that herself and Lynch met with building principals, assistant principals, and local Police and Fire Departments regarding emergency support plans.

The Committee voted to join litigation against Juul Vaping for marketing its products to minors. Many other school districts, municipalities, and states have also joined the large-scale settlement. Silver Lake Regional School Committee voted to join during their last meeting as did the Halifax Elementary School Committee.

Chair Jon Wilhelmsen touched on some of the unfinished business including the ongoing issue of dog waste being left on the fields at the Dennett. Wilhelmsen summed up the problem saying, “new signs, no change.” The Plympton Police Chief has been approached regarding placing a large-scale sign by the school’s driveway. If that doesn’t yield results, the issue will again have to be revisited. Regarding the additional rubberized surfacing at the new playground, Director of Business Services Christine Healy said, “we’re on pause until later this winter to see if going out to bid is the best option.” Regarding the solar project at the Dennett, Wilhelmsen said, ““it’s still going… a bunch of emails going back and forth… trying to negotiate the agreements…. there’s just general disagreement about what should be in the contract.”

Each of the standing committees also provided a report. Committee member Jason Fraser provided the status for Admin Review saying that when they last met, they went over the Superintendent’s goals for the year. He noted that they would be meeting back with her again after the new year for the formative review process. Wilhelmsen provided the update for Negotiations saying, “all contracts are done.”

For Union 31, Superintendent Jill Proulx said that it just came to their attention that the current structure of the Silver Lake special education programs at the elementary schools isn’t allowed for under the Regional Agreement. She said that there are 34 staff members who fall under the special education umbrella in Kingston and two or three each in Plympton and Halifax. Proulx said that one of the first recommendations was to bring the pre-K into the regional agreement. Of the proposed change, Wilhelmsen said, “We voted in principle to support that.” Fraser said that DESE will give the District until June 30, 2024, to implement further changes. Proulx said, “We are working with our attorney and the Department of Education on how best to proceed.”

Fraser provided the Legislative update saying, “Next Tuesday is Election Day… please take the time to go out and vote and thank you to those people who put themselves out there to be candidates.”

Principal Peter Veneto was not in attendance so Assistant Principal Christine Marcolini provided the Principal’s Report saying that student enrollment currently stands at 238. She said that CASA put on a luncheon for staff on October 5 and that parent teacher conferences were held on October 27. Marcolini said, “We had a very successful book fair last week… we are grateful for that.” She also said that the entire staff was led in ALICE training by one of the Police Department’s officers.

Marcolini said that Melissa Ritter, a parent of a Dennett kindergartener, was hired for an open Title I reading position. She also reminded the Committee of the upcoming Thanksgiving feast at the School on November 17.

Healy provided an update on Circuit Breaker, the State’s special education reimbursement program. Healy said there is a threshold of anticipated costs and that once those costs are exceeded the Circuit Breaker kicks in and the school is eligible for some form of reimbursement usually in the 75 percent range. Anticipated costs this year are around $46,000. “We’re waiting for that final release of information, so we have some idea of where we stand at the end of the year,” Healy explained. She also told the Committee that Plympton still doesn’t have any students attending out-of-district vocational so the money that was budgeted there would likely be returned to the town at the end of the year.

Proulx told the Committee that budget season was officially underway. She said that she has asked that principals and directors submit their budget proposals for review by November 15. She also asked the School Committee to begin to think about their priorities and goals for the budget so they can work on those with their building principal.  She also shared with the Committee that homeschool enrollment has remained static for Plympton at the elementary level while increasing by one for Grades 7-12. Finally, she said that while Plympton’s shared cost percentage was previously at 13 percent, it was down to 12.5 percent for FY24.

Before adjourning for the evening, Wilhelmsen shared some important dates to remember. He said that there would be no school for students on Tuesday, November 8 while it would be an in-service day for teachers. There will be early release on November 23 and the Thanksgiving break would be on November 24 and 25. The special Town Meeting will be held on November 30 in the cafeteria of the Dennett. There will be a joint school committee meeting on December 1 and a regular meeting on December 12.

Billings and McKenna recognized for excellence

By

MASC Academic Excellence Awards

The Silver Lake Regional School Committee met Thursday, Oct. 27. Superintendent Jill Proulx told the Committee, “On behalf of the Mass Association of School Superintendents I’m honored to present two certificates of academic excellence to two graduating seniors each year; this award is given to two Silver Lake seniors who have distinguished themselves in pursuit of excellence during their high school careers. Both Anna Billings and Caroline McKenna, who is here with us this evening, have distinguished themselves in terms of their three-year cumulative averages and both are in the top percent of the class of 2023.” Of McKenna, Proulx said she participates in field hockey, band, marching band, jazz band, drama, National Honor Society, and the Journalism Club. She also works at CVS and volunteers at the Kingston Public Library. McKenna’s father, who was also in attendance, thanked the school and the school system for all they have done for his children.

Reorganization

Committee Chair Paula Hatch let everyone know that Chris Eklund had rejoined the Committee. “We’re thrilled, he’s been very generous with his time,” Hatch said. He is filling the position of Leslie-Ann McGee who resigned from her seat. Hatch said that Eklund had been added to the negotiations subcommittee since he had previously served on it. Committee member Jason Fraser nominated Lukasz Kowalski for the now open position of secretary. Committee member Summer Schmaling seconded the nomination, and the Committee voted unanimously to appoint Kowalski as secretary. Fraser joined the school start time subcommittee.

Approval for Seaview Learning Academy

Hatch brought up some old business from previous meetings regarding the District’s approval of a school at Camp Norse in Kingston. Hatch said that they were now in possession of all the items required on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) checklist. Schmaling made a motion to approve Seaview Learning Academy to operate within the District and the Committee voted to approve it.

Charles Demeulle Memorial Bench

Jeanine Nastar, an educator at Silver Lake Regional Middle School, spoke regarding the untimely passing of student Charles Demeulle in June. She called it “the saddest reason I have ever reached out to our school community in my entire life.” She continued saying, “Through the generosity of the staff and the Silver Lake Regional School District, we brought the Demeulle/Riley family food, we sent flowers to memorial services, we gave the family over $1,000 in gift cards to local establishments and stores, and still had leftover money to a more permanent celebration of his life.” A student reached out in August with a suggestion for a more permanent reminder of her schoolmate. “This was by far the most painful, beautiful, rewarding, humbling fundraiser I have ever done,” Nastar said. She said that Demeulle “presented himself in the most positive way he could every day” despite a number of physical and emotional struggles. “He was kind, he was grateful, and he was fragile,” Nastar said. “We have raised over $2,000 for a memorial bench to be installed by Quincy Memorial; our hope is to invite the entire school community for a brief dedication ceremony in November,” Nastar continued.

Principal’s Report

High School Principal Michaela Gill said that the school has secured a flight to Disney for the out of State field trip for the music program. “It’s good to have that tradition back on the calendar,” Gill said. Gill also said it was requested last month that she share with the Committee the school’s protocols and responses when incidents involving bullying or harassment are reported. “There are actually very few substantiated bullying incidents in the last six years,” Gill told the Committee. She continued, “I would say though that there are many more cases of substantiated civil rights violations, discriminatory behaviors, and harassment.” She said that per the handbook these offenses are suspendable. “It’s not just about prescribing discipline, it really is about helping the student grow and learn from that experience which is why discipline is often progressive and you may not necessarily get a suspension the first time,” Gill said. She also said that they have begun focusing on restorative justice in the last few years.

MCAS Presentation and Results

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch provided some MCAS results for Grades 7-12 as he has done at all of the recent elementary school committee meetings over the last month. He reminded the Committee that in 2020 no test was administered, in 2021, a half test was administered, and in the spring of 2022 the full test was given.  Regarding the State-wide assessment following the pandemic, Lynch said, “There’s been some progress in math, ELA scores declined, and science scores increased slightly.” Lynch said that 43 percent of Silver Lake students in 7th and 8th grade are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 41 percent State-wide. “Our goal really is to make more progress toward our students meeting or exceeding expectations… our goal is to make progress against sort of the setback we’ve seen over the last three years due to the pandemic and absenteeism,” Lynch continued. He said that the State assesses students on not only achievement but also growth. He said that Silver Lake had slightly lower growth in ELA at the Middle School compared to the State overall. Lynch said that 60 percent of Silver Lake high school students are meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA compared to 58 percent State-wide. He said that they had lower growth in ELA compared to State-wide.

For math, 43 percent of Silver Lake middle school students are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 39 percent State-wide. The Middle School has slightly higher growth and achievement in math compared to the rest of the State. Sixty-one percent of Silver Lake high school students are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 49 percent State-wide. Lynch noted that the District’s goals do not focus solely on test taking and enhancing test scores.

At Silver Lake, students in Grades 5, 8, and 9 took the Science MCAS. For Silver Lake eighth graders, 45 percent of students are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 42 percent State-wide. For Grade 9, 46 percent of students are meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 49 percent State-wide. He said that this was the first year of the Next Generation Assessment in physics for those Grade 9 students.

Committee member Gordon Laws asked what the time frame was for the goal of having 70 percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations across all content areas. He further asked how realistic it was to expect that. “It’s ambitious; the goal is for the results that we receive in the fall of 2024 to reflect movement in that 70 percent goal,” Proulx said. “Statistically how likely is it? I think more importantly is that we set the goal and keep working until we reach it,” she continued. Regarding MCAS Proulx noted that it was not the only measure of a school’s success or a child’s potential. Laws noted that across a number of different careers, test taking is mandatory and said that he doesn’t believe that the school needs to apologize for focusing on test results.

Superintendent’s Update

Proulx said that the administrative team met regarding the role of a support team to provide interventions and supports for students who may be struggling. She also said that herself, Lynch, the building principals, and the Police and Fire Departments from all three towns met to review their emergency response plans. Proulx noted that the budget timeline has been released. She said that in January, herself and Director of Business Services Christine Healy would present the preliminary FY24 budget to the School Committee. In February, the public budget hearing will be held and in March, the School Committee will be voting the FY24 budgets prior to them being voted on at the various town meetings. She also told the Committee that homeschool enrollment has decreased overall since last year. Regarding FY24 assessments, Proulx said that Halifax has remained steady, Kingston’s has declined, and Plympton’s has increased slightly. Regarding shared costs, Proulx said that Halifax’s percentage has decreased, Kingston’s has increased, and Plympton’s has decreased.

Migrant Students from Kingston

Schmaling asked Proulx if she could address the news that an estimated 20 students would be entering the school district from Kingston. Though not explicitly stated, the assumption was that these students are English Language Learners. According to The Boston Globe, a group of over 100 migrants, most from Haiti, have been housed in a hotel in Kingston. That group is thought to include 64 children with an estimated 20 of them being school-aged. Proulx said that DESE is working with her on ways that they could potentially assist the district with the large influx of students. Schmaling expressed concern that the District would not receive enough financial support to offset the burden. Others on the Committee said that they heard that the number could be nearly double the 20-student estimate. Hatch said that she assumed that by the next meeting she anticipates them having a better idea of where these students will land.

Reports of Standing Committees

Ashley Ferreira spoke on behalf of the Silver Lake Education Association (SLEA). She spoke about how data is used for intervention purposes. “Me as the junior coach, I’m looking at students who have one or more F’s… how can we help these kids because one F turns into two and there’s a snowball effect. Two or more F’s and the kids are not engaged in things because they can’t,” Ferreira said.

For CTE, Fraser said that Elliot Glass had his advisory dinner the week previous. “It was in the lobby of the high school; it was like walking into a completely different building,” Fraser said. He further said that a CTE meeting would be held in mid-November to start talking about some different possibilities for expanding CTE in the future.

For PAC, the October meeting was said to be mainly housekeeping. They discussed the audit which was described as very clean as well as the reorganization of the subcommittee.

For SAFER, Fraser said that they looked at the air handler which he said is part of the original CTE building from 1976. He said that replacing it would provide better air quality for that wing of the building. He also said that they would be holding a tri-town meeting in early December where they would be advocating for new HVAC systems in those areas of the building.

For the School Start Times subcommittee, a website is being created to educate people on school start times. There is also a survey for Grades 7-12 that may be sent out.

The update for Union 31 included the assumption that the preschool would be added to the regional agreement umbrella. “We met with DESE… they were pleased to hear it,” Hatch said. Proulx added that a waiver would allow for the District to continue to function in the same way that they have been since 2004.

Hunting season begins – park areas delineated

By

Hunting season is open  as of the first of November and walkers and hikers in the parks and preserves throughout the area have designated hunting and no hunting areas.

Please familiarize yourselves with the areas in which hunting is allowed, and be sure to wear a blaze orange vest and/or cap to identify yourselves as you walk in the woods.   Don’t forget your dog – it should also have a blaze orange vest or kerchief to avoid accidents.

Safety zones in Plympton’s parks are Churchill Prk, O’Neil Marsh, and the front area of Two Brooks Preserve.

There is no hunting anywhere on Sunday in Massachusetts so Sunday is a Safety Day.

Laker Football Senior Night vs Hingham

By

A crisp fall night under a setting crescent moon set the stage perfectly for Silver Lake Football to celebrate their senior players and to be tested against a strong visiting Hingham squad. The Lakers recognized Seniors Ryan Green, DJ Gilmore, Captain John Dickinson, Caleb Berry, Khalid Vicks, Jake Cipullo, Eddie Scigliano, Captain Nick Peterson, Sam Berkachi, Bailey Hooper, Joseph Micklos, Phineas Ering, Captain Ben Carroll, Connor Jones, and team Manager John Venna for their contributions both on and off the field through their years at the Lake.

Many take advantage of early voting

By

The early voting period for Massachusetts, Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, ends today.

Town clerks in each of the Silver Lake towns have held early voting sessions for the Tuesday, Nov. 8,mid-term elections.

All the towns in Massachusetts were mandated to offer a specific number of early voting hours, dependent on the number of registered voted in their town.

Of its 2,343 registered voters, Plympton saw 94 take advantage of the early voting convenience as of Wednesday morning.  An additional 397 voters asked that ballots be mailed to them.  Of those, about 175 have not yet been returned.

In Halifax, 156 of the 6241 registered voters cast their ballots early as of Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

Kingston Town Clerk Paul Gallagher noted that of his town’s 10,908 registered voters, 430 have cast their ballots early as of Wednesday morning.  He also said that his office has sent out 2,907 mail ballots.  “If all of the mailed ballots are returned, added to the number of people who have votd early, we will have more than 30% voting before election day,” Gallagher noted.  “If the intent of the legislature was to increase voter participation, I would say they have succeeded.

‘Trees for Troops’ event approved

By

The single-person Halifax Board of Selectmen held a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Selectman Jonathan Selig sat with acting interim Town Administrator Sandra Nolan. 

The Board had an appointment with a representative from The Farm at Raven Brook regarding some one-day liquor licenses. The Farm at Raven Brook is a Christmas tree farm in Halifax that will be holding a Trees for Troops fundraising event on Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27. The event will include some local businesses including food trucks and breweries. The breweries involved include Barrel House Z, Black Hat Brew Works, and Article Fifteen Brewing. Representatives were on hand from Black Hat Brew Works and Barrel House Z and one day liquor licenses were approved for them from 11am to 3pm on November 26 and November 27 respectively. While no representative was present for Article Fifteen Brewery, the liquor license was approved contingent upon Fire and Police approval for Friday, November 25 from 11am to 3pm. “I wish you good luck; it’s nice to see local businesses planning events like that,” Selig said.

Selig said that there was a name change to the weekday entertainment license as well as the common victualler license for Lyonville Tavern. The new name is Nonnie’s Italian Grille. He explained, “This project… has already kind of been started, so this is kind of cleaning up the name parts of these changes.” The live entertainment license is for Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Selig said that he had an update from the Veteran’s Agent Steve Littlefield regarding the Veteran’s Day ceremony. Selig said, “Just a reminder to everyone to keep their calendars open for Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the front steps of the Town Hall; that will be where our Veteran’s Day ceremony will take place.” He continued, “I’m sure, judging by our last Memorial Day Parade, Steve does a great job with these. So, again, if anyone’s in the area and would like to pay respect to our veterans on Veteran’s Day.” 

Selig also had an appointment with Jeremy Gillespie regarding a potential appointment to the Beautification Committee. “We’ve got to grill you a little bit,” Selig joked. Gillespie, who has lived in town for over three years, said he does try to make it to Town Meeting when he can. Asked what he thinks of Halifax, Gillespie was quick to respond, “I love it.” Selig also asked Gillespie what special talents or skills he felt he could bring to the Town’s Beautification Committee. Gillespie said, “knowing how to plant and maintain landscaping.” He also said that he is well versed in putting messages out on social media. Gillespie also said that he didn’t foresee the time commitment necessary to be a problem. Selig appointed him to the Beautification Committee for a term ending June 30, 2023. 

Before Gillespie left, a member of the public asked, “what does the Beautification Committee do?” Selig said, “Well Jeremy, would you like to field your first question?” Gillespie who said he had only been to three or four meetings thus far responded, “They maintain some of the public gardens out here through various donations and organize the clean-up days in the fall and spring.” He added, “That’s all I know right now. Hoping to find out more.” Selig jumped in saying, “Essentially, they are charged with making Halifax even more beautiful.” Nolan added that they have an Adopt a Planter program. 

Before adjourning, Selig said that the next regularly scheduled Selectmen’s meeting is November 8. “That, as you know, is Election Day. We’re going to wait and have our meeting November the ninth – a special meeting… we’ll have our full Board of Selectmen and will be able to start moving things along,” he explained.