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Warrior Mites win Super Bowl!

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The Silver Lake Warriors gathered around their trophy for their victory  over East Bridgewater Sunday, Nov. 13, winning the Super Bowl for their 10-0 season.

The Warriors are the 3rd and 4th grade players for the Old Colony Youth Football League, or OCYFL,  all from Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston.

Coming from a poor showing last year, this team pulled it all together and showed the world and themselves what good players they could be.   They are

Bechkam Rondeau, #32; Bobby Bodel, #80; Brady Cleman, #65; Brendan Barrette, #28; Bryan Ledwell, #48; Caleb Hession, #56; Camden Calter, #26; Colby Coleman, #71; Cole Ryan, #3; Declan Barry, #51; Declan Fay, #4; Deegan Rondeau, #16; Delilah Deaton, #8; DJ Barrett, #6; Drew Cyrus, #24; Faolan Mahoney, #85; Georgio Berkachi, #76; Jack Kelley, #17; Jack Calter, #12; Jacob Short, #14; Jake Tassinari, #35; Jameson Dansky, #47; Jaxton Litwinsky, #39; Joey DeWilde, #63; John Fontes, #31; John Paul Kennedy, #62; Kaden Mota, #93; Kayson Berrio, #2; Lucas Astuto, #34; Marc McGarry, Jr., #45; Mason Carbone, #5; Mason Ramsdell, #25; Nicholas Diodato, Jr., #58; Preston Berry, #11; Robert DeWilde, #74; Roland Toulopoulos,#77; and Seth Johnson, #68.

Coaching their team to victory were Erik Barrette, Chris Hession, Marc McGarry, Robby Cahill, John -Michael Fontes, Doug Carbone, Brandon Barry and Bobby Cyrus.

Historic foundation unearthed

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Just 50 feet from Winnetuxet Road, Plympton, near the bank of the Winnetuxet River, this huge foundation was excavated to reveal the size of the building project.  The barn was part of a complex that included Blanchard’s Sawmill, a poultry shed, and dairy barn, built in 1897.  Also unearthed was this cast iron cylinder with an opening at each end.  Do you know what it is?  Email deb@whphexpress.com. See page 6 for more about the old barn through the words of Eugene Wright.. Photos by Sandi Neumeister

Halifax Board back to three

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday, Nov. 9 with a full board for the first time in 76 days. The abrupt resignations of Alex Meade and Ashley DiSesa in August had left just Jonathan Selig as the sole remaining selectman.

John Bruno and Naja Nessralla were elected to the Board following the special town election earlier this month. Selig began with the reorganization of the Board, nominating Bruno to serve as Chair. Bruno said that he wanted to start with his gratitude for what Selig has done the last few months. He also thanked Sandra Nolan saying that she had “provided service that is just well beyond whatever we could have expected from any town employee… she’s done a wonderful job for us.” He also thanked Selectmen Assistant Pam McSherry and Selectmen Secretary Irma Vasel. He then led the packed room in a standing ovation for Selig, Nolan, McSherry, and Vasel before nominating Selig to serve as Vice Chair.

Selig read from a prepared statement saying, “Sometimes trials and tribulations bring out the best in people and I’m happy to say that was the situation here in Halifax. While everyone leaned in to help, there were a few that went above and beyond the call of duty the past 11 weeks and I think they deserve some special recognition.” He called McSherry the “great and powerful Oz.” He also thanked Nolan saying that she took on the role of Town Administrator despite having no interest in doing so because she felt it was in the best interest of the town. He thanked Town Clerk Sue Lawless and her assistant Tara Wakefield commending them for holding both a local and State election on the same day. Selig also thanked his family saying, “I want them to know their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.” Finally, he thanked the people of Halifax for their understanding.

The Selectmen met with Sue Lawless who has been chairing the Search Committee for a new Town Administrator. Lawless said that the Committee had selected three finalists to appear before the Selectmen for interviews. The interviews are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18.

Police Chief Joao Chaves said that he was bringing forth to the Board two candidates for Patrol Officers. He asked that the Board consider offering a full-time position to William Feltrup with a probationary period of one year. Bruno asked Feltrup to tell them a little bit about himself. “I’ve been in law enforcement for over 10 years now, it’s mostly been with colleges, with five years as a part-timer in Whitman. In college there is a heavy stress on community policing creating an environment where the students, or the town in this case, come to you with their issues so they can be solved either by us or we can point you in a direction where someone else could help you. I believe that is the proper way to police; it’s worked for me for 10 years. It builds a strong community, I feel along with some transparency,” he explained.

The second candidate for a full-time patrolman position was Paul Campbell. Campbell, who is currently an officer at Massasoit Community College, said he oversees the Community Engagement Unit at the school. “I strongly believe that it’s essential to really reach out to your community and really get to know your community,” he explained. “One of the things that I try to do everyday is meet new people and start a conversation about whatever the person wants to talk about… I feel like 75 to 80 percent of policing is relationships,” he continued. The Board voted to hire both officers starting at a Step 3 pay grade.

Bruno read a letter from Dennis Carman who ran for Selectman in the special town election. It said, “To my neighbors and all of my neighbors in this beloved town of Halifax, though I am disappointed that I was not successful in my run for Selectmen in yesterday’s special election, I am heartened that 3,131 people, 57.65 percent of our registered voters, took time out to vote. I congratulate Naja Nessralla and John Bruno for their impressive wins to become Selectmen.” He thanked all the other candidates as well for running positive campaigns. He thanked Selig for his service during unprecedented times and thanked all town employees and volunteers in the town. “Make no mistake, we have significant problems in our cherished hometown; having any doubt of that means you may need to become more engaged in what is happening locally, but please do not add to these problems. Rather, get engaged and become part of the solution. We’re not always going to agree but we must always respect each other and connect with each other as caring human beings who are dedicated to compromise and progress,” Carman’s letter continued.

The Board also went through several recycling abatements as well as scheduling on-site inspections for a number of liquor licenses including Country Club of Halifax, Happy Dragon, Grille 58, Harmony Two Liquors, and others.

Before adjourning, Bruno suggested that the Board consider having regular office hours perhaps monthly. Bruno explained that he believes that residents sometimes attend Selectmen’s meetings in the hopes of discussing a particular issue, but that issue isn’t on the agenda and therefore doesn’t get discussed. He said that the office hours would be intended to allow residents a chance to talk with a Selectman about whatever they feel might be a pressing matter.

Corrigan tells Traffic and Safety Committee about local concerns

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Fred Corrigan, a resident of Halifax Estates, has taken on the project of making the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Corrigan told the Halifax Traffic and Safety Committee, chaired by Police Chief Joao Chaves, about speed limits that are just too fast for the area, and blocked vision at intersections and exiting traffic.

Corrigan gave the board the example of exiting Dunkin Donuts onto Plymouth St., where shrubbery has overgrown and limits visibility for drivers trying to exit onto Route 106.  Corrigan used a laser pointer to emphasize his photos demonstrating blocked vision and lack of signage to make clear just what the regulations are.

Chief Chaves brought data for several area roads including the intersection of Holmes  and Plymouth streets, where Route 36 meets Route 106.  Chaves told the assembly that over a period of 7-10 days, major streets in town see 32,000 vehicles using the streets, and while the average speeds are within reason, only a few mph above the posted limit, there are exceptions, up to 107 mph for one vehicle.

Corrigan asked the committee to consider the examples he has delineated and see what can be done.  Chaves said that he has hired two new patrolmen this week who will help with traffic enforcement.

A Victorian Christmas musical celebration at Kingston Public Library

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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.