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New Town Administrator for Halifax

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Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told the Selectmen that he had submitted his resignation effective November 20. “I will be working during the next few weeks cleaning out and organizing the office so that whoever is coming in has a less burdensome walk than they would after 26 years,” he said. The Board discussed a process for hiring a new town administrator. Selectman Gordon Andrews said a committee could be formed to do the interview process. He said they could reach out to a firm to find an interim town administrator. Selectman Troy Garron recommended that Selectmen Assistant Pam McSherry, Town Clerk Susan Lawless, Town Accountant Sandra Nolan, and a citizen at large be included on such a committee.

Seelig said that Green Earth Cannabis had asked that the Board suspend any action concerning the town’s Host Community Agreement (HCA) due to the outreach forum needing to occur within 6 months of their application to the state. “They would like to make sure they don’t have any legal problems with the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC),” Seelig explained. He further said that the plan moving forward would be to hold another community outreach forum at a future date.

Regarding legislative re-districting, Seelig said that Representative Kathy LaNatra responded to the town’s wish not to be split between two districts saying that she felt that the townspeople would have more support at the State House if the town were split between two representatives. “The legislature went with a plan that did split,” Seelig said.

A meeting was held under Facilities Manager Matt Durkee’s direction to review the possibility of putting in air conditioner units in all the classrooms at the Halifax Elementary School. Andrews, who also serves on the Halifax Elementary School Committee, explained that there would be a meeting to address the question of whether ARPA funds could be used for that purpose.

The Selectmen had an appointment with the Chair of the Halifax Elementary School Committee Summer Schmaling. Schmaling addressed the Committee saying, “I come to you… requesting that you consider a stipend for the employees in the school department; it has come to our understanding that there was a stipend granted to some of the town employees who worked through COVID using ARPA funds, I believe.” Andrews said that he felt differently saying, “The school basically shut down – the town didn’t. The town continued to work.” Selectman Ashley DiSesa said that she felt that using ARPA funds for the air conditioning at the school was a way of contributing funds to the school. Andrews pointed out the many ways in which the town’s CARES Act funds were used to aid the school including laptops for the teachers. “I think the town stepped up for the school system,” he explained. Schmaling said she understood the Board’s perspective and thanked them for allocating so much of the CARES Act funding toward the school.

Seelig said there was a public records request by Thomas Millias for records from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), the Planning Board, the Building Inspector, and the Board of Selectmen. Former longtime Selectmen Millias was in attendance during the meeting. There was also a public records request from Amy L. Troupe that included 800 pages of material.

Seelig told the Board that the Mass Office of Public Safety notified him that the town is required to have an Inspector of Buildings and not just a Building Inspector. “Jim Perry is currently the Building Inspector but does not have the necessary certifications to be an Inspector of Buildings,” Seelig explained. The current alternate Building Inspector does have those credentials Seelig further explained. Seelig said the Board could appoint him that night or refer the matter to town counsel for further guidance. Andrews recused himself from the matter. Regarding Perry, Millias, who was in the audience asked, “Didn’t we advertise for an Inspector of Buildings/Buildings Commissioner and aren’t we paying somebody $70,000 a year for that position and now you’re saying that that person cannot perform the duties; is that what I’m hearing; I just want to be clear? We’re paying somebody $70,000 a year that can’t do that job, correct? Am I wrong?” DiSesa said Perry only needed one more certification. Earlier this year the Board of Selectmen elected not to reinstate Robert Piccirilli as Building Inspector and opened the position to applicants. Garron was adamant about wanting to rehire Piccirilli but failed to convince DiSesa. The conversation got heated during Tuesday’s meeting and DiSesa said, “We’re going to stop the conversation, thank you.” Millias said sarcastically, “Change is good, thank you. Change is good; we just don’t listen to anybody anymore, that’s the change. Nicely done.”

A community outreach forum was held with Elevated Roots who are proposing a retail marijuana store at 319 Monponsett Street. A representative talked about being a good corporate citizen that is responsive to community feedback. “We think one of our biggest benefits to the town is our ability to open a business quickly which really just means quicker tax and revenue generation,” he explained. He also explained that one of the two owners is a Kingston resident. The representative also spoke about security plans to assuage any concerns pertaining to that. The company currently has a retail store in Kingston. There were no questions from members of the audience.

There was another community outreach forum also held for CannaBud who is proposing a marijuana retail store at Lot 10 on Monponsett St. Owner Phillip Tringali has lived in Halifax since 1984. The company said that not only are they locally owned but they would look to hire locally as well for their anticipated 25 job openings. Tringali said he has owned a multitude of businesses since 1988. “Phil has a longtime track record of owning and operating successful businesses,” his lawyer explained. His lawyer also said that in addition to being a senior citizen, Tringali is also a Vietnam veteran. She shared with the Selectmen that the largest growing demographic of cannabis usage is the over 55 population.

The proposed location is 7.5 acres within a 400-acre land lot. According to CannaBud the location is compliant with all applicable zoning bylaws in an industrial zone, however, a special permit would be required from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The location is on the outskirts of the town. CannaBud plans to build a state-of-the-art establishment specifically for this purpose as opposed to reconfiguring an existing establishment. DiSesa said that currently the lot is considered undevelopable. Tringali seemed to imply that only applied to a portion of the lot in question. Like Elevated Roots before them, they also spoke at length about a number of security measures saying that they would not only meet but exceed the CCC’s requirements.

Tringali spoke about financial projections. He said, “We’re willing to commit, which we, quite frankly don’t have to, five percent of profits of the store back to the town in a town fund; now I don’t know anyone that has done this… but I feel it’s very important as part of our contribution back to the town.” Regarding numbers he said he anticipates roughly 300 tickets a day at $120 a ticket. “In the second full year of operation of this store, we’ll be doing $22 to $26 million dollars in revenue,” he explained. Tringali said that it would translate to $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 back to the town. There were no questions for CannaBud from anyone present during Tuesday’s meeting.

Volunteers Needed for Traffic Safety Committe and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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The Town of Halifax is seeking volunteers to serve on the Traffic Safety Committee and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Committee. Residents interested in serving on these and other committees and boards can complete a “Talent Bank Form” (available in the Selectmen’s Office in Town Hall or on-line at https://www.halifax-ma.org/board-selectmen/files/talent-bank-form-0) and send to the Halifax Board of Selectmen, 499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338 or [email protected] – For more information, call 781-294-1316.

Letter: Halifax is in the ICU; medical staff is locked out!

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Letter to the Editor and the Residents of Halifax

The Halifax Town Website calls Halifax “the Heart of Plymouth County” – in part due to its geographic shape and location within the county, but also for the friendliness of the community. Yet this “heart” has had a debilitating stroke, an erosion of sorts that has been taking place caused by the substitution of rage over rationality, and self-interest over public service. The exchange of ideas has seemingly become unwelcome or non-existent. Just as a stroke often inhibits speech, attempts to discuss or compromise matters raised by those considered to be the “opposition” are silenced, often dismissed before the question is asked or the statement made, and no effort is made to reconcile differences.

The incantation leading up to the last election was one of “if in vote out” and that “change” was the answer. However, when “change” leads to chaos, and even mistrust, it is not the answer, especially when used to disguise revenge for a perceived wrong.

The Board of Selectman has three members, the Chairman is Gordon C. Andrews, the Vice Chairman is long-time public servant for the town Troy E. Garron, and the newest member is Ashley DiSesa as Clerk, and a protégé it would seem of Mr. Andrews. A review of the YouTube videos (via Area 58)  of the various meetings of the Board of Selectman that involve  the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Building Inspectors Office reveal several instances of Chairman Andrews having to recuse himself from participating in the decision or discussion of town business due to a conflict of interest, leaving the vote on many motions to the remaining two members, which may be polar opposite in their views. Often the result is no decision. On other occasions the Chairman has suppressed any discussion from the audience. A review of the Annual Town Meeting for the last couple of years exposes the reason for Mr. Andrews’ recusals – his lawsuit against the town and the necessity for monies to be allocated to the law budget for the Towns’ defense. It is untenable that those elected to fulfill the duties of their positions of public service cannot do so because of their private interests and personal agendas or allegiances.

Traditionally, Selectman are scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the evening. While COVID did alter in-person engagement, the public had some expectation to rely on somewhat “same time, same station” if their participation was desired or required. However, with the new “change”, Selectman meetings take place several times a month at varying days and times. Without some kind of discipline, it is basically impossible for the working public to keep up with and participate in so many meetings in real time.

The new “change” has created chaos as well as a tense and sometimes hostile environment in its quest to replace dedicated, knowledgeable and qualified personnel with less knowledgeable and unqualified and/or un-certified personnel.  Most recently, and of deep concern is that Charlie Seelig, Town Administrator for more than 25 years, has decided to leave Halifax and serve another town. This is a tremendous loss for the residents of Halifax, and it is questionable that an honest search based on qualifications and not on “connections” will be made for his replacement. What is evident of the “change” is the subversion of the Town’s government and smothering of any esprit de corps.

Halifax is in the Intensive Care Unit and the medical staff are locked out of the room.

Sharon Tavares,

Halifax

Mayflower Church to host 14th Annual Crafts Fair

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Mayflower Church will host its 14th Annual Crafts Fair Saturday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Briggs Building at 207 Main Street.

 The public is invited to come and join in for a fun day of shopping, treasure-hunting and dining.

 The event is being sponsored by the Mayflower Women›s Club. The Fair features a number of talented crafters, as well as several tables that are sponsored by the Mayflower Women’s Club.

 Crafters will offer a wide variety of beautiful wares. Also there will be a bake sale.

 Fairgoers will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items; and, the Club is also looking for anyone with a product or gift certificate who might wish to donate it to the cause.

 Lunch is available, including hot dogs, chili, corn chowder, chips and beverages.

 The public is invited to attend to see the work of crafters from throughout the region, and purchase any items of interest.

 There is no admission charge to attend the fair.  Proceeds from the fair benefit local, state and global charities.

 Mayflower Church is located at 207 Main Street, Kingston, MA 02364. Reverend Anton Brown serves as Pastor. For additional information, please call 781-585-3167.

Bay Players to perform “Seminar”

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Ever since its premiere on Broadway in 2011, “Seminar,” by Theresa Rebeck, has been stunning audiences with its blunt and shockingly humorous portrayal of the New York literary scene and the struggling writers trying to make a name for themselves. Now, the Bay Players of Duxbury’s production of this raucous comedy debuts Friday, November 5th.

Four aspiring novelists sign up for writing classes with Leonard, an infamous and tyrannical literary titan. Under his reckless and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon, and hearts are unmoored. Witty, acerbic, and unflinching, ‘Seminar’ serves as a study into the creative mind and just how much you need to sacrifice for success.

The cast features Eva Catanzariti of Duxbury as Kate; Guthrie Scrimgeour of Salem as Martin; Damien Smith of Hanover as Leonard; Sarah Gruber of Cohasset as Izzy; and Andrew Devine of Norwell as Douglas.

The production, directed by James Koonce, runs for six performances. There are evening and matinee shows: Friday, November 5, Saturday, November 6, Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13 at 8pm; Sunday, November 7, and Saturday, November 13 at 3pm.

Performances will take place at First Parish Church, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury. Tickets cost $20, $18 for students/seniors, and $15 for group sales. Beer and wine will be served at all performances. Tickets and more information are available at www.bayplayers.org.

TRIAD hosts John R. Buckley, Register of Deeds

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Plymouth County Register of Deeds John R. Buckley, Jr., spoke to the TRIAD group in Halifax on Tuesday, showing how the Registry works and what services it can offer.  Ken Vinton introduced Buckley saying that it has taken two years to get him to the speaker’s platform – due to the restrictions of the pandemic – and he was happy that TRIAD could finally hear his presentation.

“We at the Registry of Deeds in Plymouth have land records that go back to 1685!”  All of our deeds and mortgages and other documents are indexed, scanned as an image, and you can pull up the deed, a mortgage, the document, and a picture of the document comes up as well as the indexing information,” Buckley told the group, “making it very easy to use our site.”  During the pandemic they were able to run their offices.  “We are a customer service operation.”

Replicas of historic deeds were displayed including those of Deborah Sampson, Massachusetts’ official state heroine, James J. Kilroy, of the iconic “Kilroy was Here”, who was a resident of Halifax, and  “Mickey” Cochrane of Bridgewater who was a baseball player, the only one from Bridgewater to be inducted into the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame.  Buckley offered the services of his Information Systems Administrator Christine Richards to look up deeds for those present and make a copy for them to bring  home.

Buckley offered several tips on avoiding scams to do with your deed.   Buckley said that Plymouth County residents are being targeted by an overpriced “service” from the out-of-state company, National Record Service Incorporated of Illinois, offering consumers certified copies of deeds for a fee of  $59.50.   “This issue has also come up in the past with a Washington, D.C. based company.  This time the notice being sent to Plymouth County residents is even more troublesome in that it solicits credit card information from the consumer for the overpriced and generally unnecessary service.”  Buckley told the group he has reported the matter to the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division for review as well as placing an advisory on the Registry’s website.

Consumers can obtain a certified copy of their deed, typically one or two pages, directly from the Plymouth County Registry for a fee of $1 per page at any of its Plymouth, Rockland, or Brockton offices.  The Registry also accepts requests by mail, with a self-addressed envelope, a reference to the book and page where the deed is located and a fee of $3.  Buckley encouraged any who have questions to contact the Registry’s Customer Service Department at 508-830-9200.

Buckley also encouraged those in attendance to investigate and use the protection offered to homeowners through The Homestead Act, protecting people’s primary residences against forfeiture to outside creditors.  The limit for a single person’s ownership is $500,000.  There is an automatic protection of $125,000 for a home that does not declare a homestead exemption with the Registry of deeds.  While it may be sufficient to protect a deposit made on the estate, it is likely not sufficient to protect the full value of the home.

Another item homeowners should be aware of is the recording of the discharge of their mortgage.   Banks and finance companies are not required to record the discharge of a mortgage; while some may, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to do so.  The Registry of Deeds can help with this simple process that is often overlooked.

Patrolman Joe Cushman told the group to be sure to check on the visibility of their street numbers, as it can cost precious minutes just looking for the right address to respond to an emergency call.  He suggested residents who need street numbers to call the fire department and they can likely help.

Dot Martel told the group that Generations will be meeting Thursday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Police Station on the second floor.

The Generations Christmas party will be held Dec. 1 at the Holy Apostles Parish, catered by The Hitching Post restaurant in Hanson.

What a Mess! Cleanup continues

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As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 100% of the lights were back on in Plympton, according to Captain John M. Sjostedt, III, Emergency Management Deputy Director.   It wasn’t easy.

The storm blew from Tuesday night, Oct. 26, through Wednesday night, Oct. 27, ripping huge trees out of the ground or snapping their trunks like popsicle sticks, taking out utility lines as they fell.  Eversource, the power source for Plympton, one of the most expensive in the state, was slow to respond to the little town of Plympton.

“Our biggest problem was communication with Eversource. “ Sjostedt said.   “They weren’t listening.”  By Friday afternoon, with 97% of the town still without power, Fire Chief Stephen Silva got on the phone to all of the television news outlets to come to Plympton and see for themselves.  And they did.   With all of Plympton depending on electricity for water from wells, it became a necessity.

“This was a wake-up call,” Sjostedt said. “We’re very lucky the outside temperatures were above freezing.”   Had the storm hit in winter, things would have been very different.  “We will definitely have a detailed after action report,” he said.

Sjostedt said that even before they got power back to the homes, the department was working on ways to fine tune the things that worked and work on the things that didn’t.  “In all, Plympton Fire Department answered 70 calls over the course of the storm – quite a lot for a small town like Plympton.“

Briggette Martins, assistant to the selectmen, wanted to applaud  Fire Chief Silva and his department for the great job they did throughout, as well as Highway Superintendent Rob Firlotte and his crew.  “It took a lot of people working together to come out of this storm as well as we did,” Martins said, “and no one got hurt.”  Thanks also were sent to Shaw’s Supermarkets in Carver for donating refreshments for the workers.

Halifax Police Chief Joao Chaves asked motorists to please be patient driving during storms.  Fire Chief Jason Viveiros and a Halifax town employee from the maintenance department, were out with chain saws helping to clear trees down on Elm Street when a driver who wouldn’t wait drove over the tree being cut, causing it to snap back, knocking the maintenance employee to the ground.   The employee was then taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.  The driver causing the episode did not stop, just raced away.  The incident is being actively investigated by Halifax Police.  Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Halifax Police at 781-293-5761.  They would like to speak with him.

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros told the Express that his department answered 74 calls.  At the height of the storm 100% of the town was without power.  National Grid, that supplies electricity to Halifax, assigned a liaison early in the storm to work directly with Halifax to prioritize the areas to be restored.   

“We were fortunate that by Wednesday night, National Grid was able to get the Route 106 business corridor open… By Saturday morning, almost 100% of the town’s power was restored,” Viveiros said.  In all, 13 houses were damaged from trees falling on them.

People have had a look at what could be coming for winter storms.   The Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted a cold and snowy winter.  Stock up, be prepared, and be safe.

Second Chapters Book Club

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Librarian Lynnette Toohey and members of the Second Chapters Book Club met at the Holmes Public Library on October 21st  to discuss the suspense thriller “Missing Pieces” by Heather Gudenkau.  Secrets and lies was a theme through out  this popular choice set in a small Iowa town.

Second Chapters is cooperative book club between the Holmes Public Library and the Halifax Council on Aging.  Meetings usually take place at 2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month in the community room of the Holmes Public Library.

Due to the Thanksgiving holidaythe November meeting will be held on Nov. 18.   Participants will discuss “Paranoid ” by. Lisa Jackson.  Copies of the book in various formats  are  available through the Holmes Public Library.

In addition to Second Chapters, The Holmes Public Library hosts three other adult books clubs scheduled with meeting choices of afternoon or evening.  One of the clubs is focused on nonfiction. Call the library at 781-293-2271 for more information or visit the library website at holmespubliclibrary.org

The library is open Monday and Wednesday 12 noon – 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lakers football lose to Marshfield Rams

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The Silver Lake High football team traveled up the road to face a tough Patriot League opponent last Friday night.

The Lakers faced the Marshfield Rams, who had not lost a game in Patriot League play and their opponent kept that winning streak going. Marshfield beat them 37-8. With the loss, the Lakers fell to 2-5 on the season.

Marshfield’s offense only scored in the first half, but its defense also put up a couple of points in the second. Marshfield led 35-0 at halftime in this one.

The first touchdown for Marshfield came on a 54-yard touchdown early in the first quarter; the team also had a three-yard touchdown run later on in the quarter.

Marshfield went on to add three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Two of those touchdowns came on passes and the other was a 10-yard run. The team made all of its extra point kicks.

The final score of the bout for Marshfield came in the third quarter. Marshfield got two more points on a safety against the Lakers.

While the Lakers entered the fourth quarter down 37-0, they didn’t give up. They scored their first and only touchdown of the game in the fourth. It came on a three-yard run from Austin Smith. He was also the receiver on the successful two-point conversion attempt. Jacob Barnett threw the pass on that two-point try.

The next game for the Lakers will take place this Friday, October 29 on the road against the Hingham Harbormen (7:00 p.m. start time). It will mark the end of the regular season, although the Lakers will play a few more times in November.

Redistricting splits Halifax

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Representative Kathy LaNatra Joined her Colleagues in Supporting the Massachusetts  House of Representatives Re-Districting Plan in Accordance with the 2020 Census

On Thursday, Oct. 21, State Representative Kathleen LaNatra (D – Kingston) voted in favor of the legislation establishing the new Massachusetts House of Representatives districts. The new districts were drawn in accordance with population changes tabulated in the 2020 census.

 “I want to thank my colleague, Representative Mike Moran, for all of his tremendous work as Co-Chair of the Joint Special Committee on Redistricting,” said Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston). “I look forward to continuing representing the 12th Plymouth District and look forward to introducing myself to the 12th Plymouth district’s newest constituents.”

 The changes to the House districts will go into effect at the beginning of the next legislative session, beginning January 2023. The 12th Plymouth District will consist of Halifax (Precinct 1), Kingston, Middleboro (Precinct 1), Pembroke (Precinct 3), Plymouth (Precincts 1,2,3,13) and Plympton. The 12th Plymouth District will no longer include Duxbury (Precinct 1), Halifax (Precinct 2) and Plymouth (Precinct 11).

 To reach Rep. LaNatra, email [email protected] or her legislative aide, Chris Jean, [email protected].

The phone number for the office is 617-722-2430. For updates and announcements, please visit Representative LaNatra’s Facebook page,

or her website, https://www.kathylanatra.com.

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