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No net increases in Dennett budget

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The Plympton School Committee met virtually on Monday, Feb. 28. The committee and administration discussed next year’s budget. Committee member Jason Fraser shared good news on the Chapter 70 front. Fraser said that Governor Baker’s House 1 budget contained a “nice surprise” for Plympton. “This is from years of trying to be recognized for our small-town needs… but also due to the 20 percent enrollment increase,” he explained. He continued, “I think that the State is definitely stepping up to help us with that tremendous enrollment growth.” Fraser said that due to the increase in Chapter 70 funding, the town “wouldn’t show a net increase in funding the Dennett for next year.” Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen said they would need to have a discussion with the Finance Committee to drive this point home. Fraser also said that due to something called being held harmless, even if the town were to see an enrollment decrease down the line, the town wouldn’t be held responsible.

Superintendent Jill Proulx shared an updated version of the preliminary budget with the Committee. Director of Business Services Christine Healy said that all shared cost positions, including a Human Resources Director and a Technology Technician, were now included in the budget. Additionally, Proulx said that Circuit Breaker, the State’s special education reimbursement program, was now estimated at 70 percent to get closer to what it will likely end up being. Additionally, there was an increase for ELL (English Language Learners) as well as a .2 added to the music position.

Proulx told the Committee that she had submitted a grant for $20,000 that would be used to offset the cost of a kindergarten teaching position. Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch also provided an update on grant funding. He said that they would be receiving a mix of grants at the State and Federal level including rural aid, ESSER funding, Title II A, Title IV, and special education allocations.

Regarding the current year’s budget, Healy said, “right now the budget is still supporting all of the activities within our building and some outside the building.”
Dennett Elementary Principal Peter Veneto provided a Principal’s Report saying there were 242 students currently enrolled. Veneto said that the DARE officer had completed his curriculum with the sixth-grade class and would soon be moving to the fifth-grade class. The intention is to provide DARE education to all grades before the end of the school year. The Assistant District Attorney will be holding an assembly on cyber safety in March for the older students at Dennett. CASA will be holding Winterfest on March 18. Veneto also said that they remain hopeful that they will be able to hold a talent show this spring provided the COVID numbers continue to move in the right direction.

Additionally, the Dennett is hoping to create a mural made entirely out of painter’s tape as an art project in early April. A similar one was made at Silver Lake Regional High School which Veneto called, “absolutely amazing.”

Proulx shared with the Committee a brief update regarding masking. The CDC is no longer requiring masks to be worn on school buses. Massachusetts previously removed the mask mandate for K-12 schools effective following February break. “Individuals may continue to wear them if they so choose and will be supported in that,” Proulx said. Lynch said that they had held a professional development day earlier that day. The focus was on inclusivity and relationship building.

Five selectmen for Halifax?

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met in-person on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The Selectmen discussed an article put forth by Selectmen Chair Gordon Andrews as a private citizen to change the Board of Selectmen to a five-member board. “It seems like there is a number of occasions where two of us want to go to a meeting and we didn’t post it as a meeting and we can’t both attend; it just seems like with a larger board there would be overlap of information and knowledge as to what happens at other meetings and the ability to communicate and more than one person’s take on what happens at a meeting,” Andrews said. Selectman Ashley DiSesa pointed out the benefit of more members should someone need to recuse themselves from a discussion or event. Town Administrator Ed Thorne said he could prepare a survey of neighboring towns comparing their populations to the number of selectmen on their boards. Selectman Troy Garron simply said of the three-person board, “it has worked well the last 30 years.”

Amy L. Troup told Selectmen that the Beautification Committee was requesting to use the Great Hall for a vendor fair. Troup described the fair as “anything that’s going to promote saving the earth; making it beautiful.” She told the Selectmen that they were aiming for April 2. Andrews made a motion to accept the proposed date of April 2 pending approval from the Board of Health for the food trucks that will be present. The Selectmen voted to approve the motion.

Gerard Joy presented an article on behalf of the Solar Farm Committee. He noted that Alan Winkler was the Chair of the Committee. He said, “the biggest asset that the town has is the landfill and I think that’s where the most money that the town can get with little effort.”

Joy said there were two options. One being similar to Pembroke with at least one megawatt (MW) or more depending on what can fit on the site. The company that would do the estimate, PowerOptions, is a non-profit. He said it would be a fixed rate that would be locked in for 20 years for the power. Joy said he would recommend a lease to own option. “There’s no responsibility for the first eight years; they’ll come in, they’ll do it, they’ll own it, they’ll operate it,” Joy told the Selectmen. He said the life of a solar farm should be 30 years.

Regarding the cost of the plant, Joy said, “the U.S. average open field… the cost goes anywhere from $0.83 to $1.39.” He said he took the higher number of $1.39, which he explained was per watt, and multiplied it by two. “I’m looking at the cost of $2,780,000 to install the solar farm and that could go up or down,” Joy said. He said that the battery storage system would be another $1,000,000. Joy said the town would receive roughly $86,000 for the first eight years.

The option to buy the field exists after eight years. “Typical payback… is $470,000 per year in revenue… that’s what the town should generate if you own,” Joy explained. “So, at the end of 16 years, we now own the system; but we’re still getting roughly about $72,000 per year in revenue,” he told the Selectmen. He continued, “At the end of thirty years we’ll make $6,000,142.00” “There’s a reason why everyone is throwing these solar fields everywhere; it’s a money-making machine,” Joy said. He added that the cost of maintenance was low. Joy said there was a waiting list but noted that landfills have priority so it may be possible to bypass some people on the waiting list. The Selectmen said they would review the materials and think it over.

The Selectmen also had an appointment with the Halifax Fireworks Committee. The representative said they wanted the Selectmen’s feedback on them planning the fireworks for June 25. They said that they already had approval from the Fire Chief and the Board of Health. “You guys have done such a great job in the past; why should we doubt the future,” Garron said. Asked about Covid, Garron said, “As far as Covid is concerned, it will be up to individuals.” He noted that people could wear masks if they desired. There will, however, be no jumpy houses, etc. as there was two years ago.

Andrews said that a fundraising idea would be to raffle off an ideal parking space for the winner. “I just think it would be cool, especially to get to pick your own spot on the field and have it coned off… this is the winner of the raffle and this is what supports these fireworks and make it into a big deal,” Andrews explained of his proposal. Currently there is $8,000 in the account. She said they have enough money for a small display but noted that they would rather put on something more impressive so as to not disappoint. DiSesa said that they were happy to help with fundraising or any other needs that arise. “All your time and effort is appreciated and I’ve been to every one of the fireworks,” Garron said.

Thorne gave a brief update saying that the Ethics training they held for various boards and committees was a great success. The town is planning to hold another one regarding open meeting laws. Thorne also said that the town is moving forward with the pond treatments that are needed.

The Selectmen had an appointment with Steven MacFaun of the Board of Health to discuss the Massachusetts Health Board Trust Fund Agreement (MAHB). MacFaun said they were granted $5,000 to assist with contact tracing, etc. He said that they hired a nurse initially but needed to terminate her. As a result, the Health Agent took on those responsibilities. MacFaun explained that the Board wished to give some of those funds to the Health Agent as well as the Fire Admin. He explained that “both were doing jobs outside of their jobs that were specifically supposed to be being done by someone else.” The Selectmen were in support of the bonuses.

Building Inspector James Perry appeared before the Selectmen to go over a proposed revision to inspection fees. Perry said that no changes had been made since 2011. Perry said that Halifax was on the low side in comparison to neighboring communities. “If it puts us in competition with other towns what they’re doing then the compensation is proper,” Garron said. The Selectmen voted to approve the new fee schedule effective March 1.

Cesar Calouro met with the Selectmen to request use of ARPA funds to purchase an interactive display for meetings.  He said he would like to also get a secondary, non-interactive display to be used for overlap. The Selectmen decided to delay the vote of $6,400 for the interactive display and corresponding tTV until March 8 in order to allow Thorne to verify that the ARPA funds could be used for that purchase.

Lindsay Laws is 1st in State

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Over the weekend of Feb. 26 and 27, Silver Lake Regional sophomore Lindsay Laws became the State Titleholder in the 160lb weight class for girls wrestling after besting her opponents at the MIAA Wrestling Tournament.

Laws, who also plays soccer for Silver Lake, has been wrestling since seventh grade though she didn’t wrestle in her first live match until just last year. Laws’ brother Grant is a Division I State Heavyweight Champion who started his career at Silver Lake before winning his title for Xaverian Brothers High School in 2019. Laws credits her brother with sparking her interest in the sport. “He would always wrestle me in the living room; I would pretend that I hated it, but I didn’t actually hate it,” she laughed. “I’ve always just been kind of fiery,” she added.

Laws said that her parents recognized talent within her and encouraged her to pursue wrestling. Initially Laws said she was hesitant as she was worried that she would be judged for being a girl in what has traditionally been a male dominated sport. Attending the MIAA Tournament in 2019 when her brother won his title and seeing the girls wrestling competitively, helped to assuage those fears. “I thought it was so cool; wow – look at all those girls that are wrestling,” Laws explained.

In seventh grade Laws began training at Dungeon Training Center in Lakeville. Laws, who has practice or a meet for Silver Lake five days a week, also attends Dungeon twice weekly on Sunday and Tuesday. After her school practice on Tuesday, she heads to Dungeon for an additional two hours of training. Laws wrestles 12 months a year, upping her training sessions to four times per week in the off season. Of her practices at Silver Lake, she said, “The practices were run well; the coaches did a really good job, and I learned a lot this season.” She credits much of her success to the Silver Lake coaches including head coach Wayne Reissfelder and assistant coaches Alex Rollins, Jake MacDonald, and John Frieburger. Laws said that Reissfelder was a huge part of her brother Grant’s success as well. Laws’ mother Lauren said, “I am proud of Lindsay for making the goal of winning a state championship this year and being coachable, studying wrestling through film and working hard with multiple workouts per day and achieving this goal.”

Laws, who mostly wrestled boys during the regular season, went into the MIAA Tournament as the number one seed so she didn’t have any matches on Saturday. She had to best two opponents, however, during Sunday’s meet. Laws faced Olivia Agudelo from Agawam High School first. No points were earned by either opponent during the first period of the match. “We were both working; it was just a tough mutual period… nothing really finished,” she explained. Her father Gordon noted that she had to defend a strong head-and-arm attempt during that first period. Agudelo had the choice for the start of the second period and chose to be on the bottom. Laws pinned her 30 seconds into the two-minute period and secured her spot in the finals. Her father credited her skilled top game for securing her the win.

She next faced Kennedy Kampe of Shepherd Hill Regional High School in the final round. “I got the first takedown in that match, so I was on top and about 15 seconds into me being on top, she actually caught me in a roll and I was on my back and I had to fight off my back,” Laws explained. “I reversed her and got back on top and was able to pin her from that position,” she continued. Of the short but action-packed match, Laws said her parents called it “the longest minute and 39 seconds of their lives.”

Laws’ father Gordon said of his daughter’s mistake, “rather than freak out or give up, she worked herself free, executed a reverse, and then moved for a pin. The combination of perseverance through hard times and the moves to capitalize when in a better position came from a season of tough matches against quality boy opponents.”

He continued, “Not being discouraged and making small gains with each match are the things I’m proudest of; those are the things that add up to success in all fields in life.” Laws’ mother Lauren shared a similar sentiment saying, “One of my favorite things about wrestling is anything can happen in a match, it is unpredictable like life… In order to persevere and get on the podium at a state championship requires handling all of the different scenarios any wrestler can bring.”

Laws said the magnitude of the win keeps hitting her in waves. In the moments following her victory, she hugged her coaches and then sprinted into her father’s arms.

“I wanted to stay humble because the other girl put up a good fight,” she explained. Laws said she was overcome with joy and grateful that all her hard work had paid off. Laws, who described feeling both joy and relief, said she was grateful for the outcome as the match could have easily ended differently. She emphasized how grateful she is for the love and support of her parents, siblings, and foster sister. She also expressed gratitude for all her coaches. Laws’ mother said of her daughter, “Lindsay’s determination, confidence, and strength is an inspiration to me.” Just as Laws drew inspiration from the older wrestlers all those years ago, there is no doubt that she is now serving as a role model for all the young girls who watched her take home the title.

TRIAD will host “Mock Trial” at Halifax Town Hall March 8

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Tuesday, March 1, marks a special TRIAD meeting, this time at the Halifax Town Hall, Great Room, 499 Plymouth St., Route 106, Halifax, at 10 a.m.

The Plymouth County District Attorney’s office will put on the Mock Trial, a comprehensive curricula focusing on drug and alcohol prevention, bullying, violence prevention, and internet safety.

The essential elements of the legal, and criminal justice systems are explained to the audience.  The program culminates by bringing the courtroom into the public venue.  This involves members of the local law enforcement community in each town and encourages people to have more communication with their police department.   The staff of the District Attorney’s Office works collaboratively with other members of law enforcement as well as with professional educators.

District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz is an active participant in nearly all of the actual Mock Trials playing the role of prosecutor in a case that involves locals acting as defendants.   Other members of the District Attorney’s staff take on the roles of the defense counsel and judge.

The Mock Trial program is implemented in communities that wish to reinforce lessons also taught through Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education Programs and other anti-substance abuse courses.   The program also places a strong emphasis on the legal consequences people who make bad decisions will face.  These programs are designed to be informative, educational, and fun.

The first Tuesday of each month, the Halifax-based TRIAD presents programs chosen to inform local citizens about topics based primarily in safety and government, often as it pertains to senior citizens.  All are welcome to attend.

The April 5 meeting will feature John Nessralla who will speak about the history of Nessralla Farm in Halifax.

This meeting returns to TRIAD’s usual meeting place on the second floor of the Halifax Police Station at 10 a.m.

That Plympton cherishes its old houses is reflected in the protective by-laws

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Alan Wheelock
Special to the Express

Even by New England standards, Plympton is a very old town. Three hundred and fifteen years old, as a matter of fact. Back in the mid to late 1600’s, Plympton was a part of the Plymouth colony, and can clearly trace its beginnings to the Pilgrims. It was incorporated in 1707, and for its first 80 years or so, the families who settled here were subjects of the British king – in other words, they were not American citizens. And, of course, for thousands of years prior to the 17th century, members of the Wampanoag tribe lived on the land now described as Plympton.

A community with such a long history is bound to be blessed with a lot of old homes, and Plympton is fortunate to have many of them. Historic houses are scattered throughout the community, but significant clusters can be seen at the Town Green, Harrub’s Corner, Parsonage Road, and the neighborhood surrounding the Old Town House. These picturesque properties and their outbuildings are major contributors to the aesthetic “feel” and visual charm of the town. These aesthetics (and their preservation) are very important to Plympton residents, and thus the Demolition Delay By-law was born.

The rationale for the Demolition Delay By-law is clearly expressed in the opening paragraph of the law: “The Demolition Delay Bylaw is enacted for the purpose of preserving and protecting significant buildings within the Town of Plympton which are outside local historic districts. Such buildings reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political or social history of the Town, and their preservation promotes the public welfare by making the Town a more attractive and desirable place to live and work.”

The Demolition Delay By-law is identified as Chapter 130 of our General By-laws. Residents can access it at the Town website under the tab labelled “Codified By-laws, General and Zoning.” Key features of this by-law include:

The Plympton Historical Commission is empowered, along with the town’s Building Inspector, to administrate and enforce the law.

Historically or architecturally significant buildings in Plympton, at least 75 years old, fall under the purview of the by-law.

Buildings that meet such criteria as historic importance (site of an historic event; former home of persons who had some influence on the development of the town, the state, or the nation; etc.), and architectural importance are all protected by this by-law.

Owners of one of these historic properties who intend to demolish or substantially alter the home, its barn, or other outbuildings are required to apply for a demolition permit. Working with the Building Inspector, the Historic Commission makes a determination as to whether the building is historically and/or architecturally significant. If it is determined that it is not historically or architecturally significant, the Building Inspector may issue a demolition permit. If it is determined that it is historically or architecturally significant, the Commission holds a public hearing to determine whether the building in question should be preferably preserved. After the hearing, if the consensus is that the structure should preferably be preserved, the Building Inspector may issue a demolition delay, preventing demolition for 18 months. Despite this action, the Building Inspector can still authorize demolition after the delay period if there is no likelihood that the owner or some other person or group is willing to restore the property.

Our own local HGTV stars, Mike Lemieux and Jen MacDonald, owners of Full Circle Homes and featured in the series entitled “Houses with History” are the embodiment of the values built into the Demolition Delay By-law. Mike and Jen have restored – and saved – numerous old houses in Plympton and the surrounding communities. To date, they have refurbished eight Plympton homes, the oldest of which was built in 1707. The majority of these homes were in very poor condition, but Full Circle Homes carefully restored them all, significantly increasing their value and in the process preserving the historic integrity of each neighborhood and the visual integrity of Plympton as a whole.

Imagine the beautiful red clapboard house at 39 Ring Road having been destroyed, or the handsome hip roof house at 4 Mayflower gone from the Green, or the unique twin chimney cape at the corner of Center and Main vanished – rather than preserved, and you get a sense of how important this work is to the Town of Plympton.

The Demolition Delay By-law exists to help encourage more of this sort of historic preservation. By so doing, it is helping to ensure that, in the future, Plympton will still have the bucolic charm that it has had for hundreds of years.

Budget woes plague Halifax

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met in-person on Friday, Feb. 11. State Senator Michael D. Brady and  State Representative Kathy LaNatra joined the Selectmen, Silver Lake administrators, and members of the Halifax Elementary School Committee for a discussion of the Silver Lake budget and its effect on Halifax’s town budget. Selectmen Chair Gordon Andrews explained that for fiscal year 2022, the cost for special needs out of district transportation skyrocketed to $300,000 due to transportation companies going out of business or being bought out. As a result, the town is going to be in a deficit for this fiscal year of $300,000. Andrews said that the town does have free cash that they can use to make up some of that deficit. He said that they will have the ability to pay that amount of money for this fiscal year at Town Meeting.

“What we are asking for is if there is some extraordinary or some way of funding increased costs because of COVID to fund out of district special needs transportation and special needs tuition itself,” Andrew told the local lawmakers. He explained that they were looking at an increase of $500,000 for the next fiscal year for just special needs tuition and transportation. He asked if there was some sort of legislation possible to assist in paying those expenses. “The amount of money the town spends on education is more than what the formula equates, and I really think the formula doesn’t take any consideration into what is actually being spent for special needs,” Andrews explained.

Regarding Chapter 70 funding, Andrews said, “Another aspect of legislation that would be helpful to the town, would be that the Chapter 70 formula would break out the Chapter 70 aid per town; it used to do that… up until the 2006/2007 timeframe… and right now it’s just a lump sum that is given to Silver Lake and it comes off the top whereas the town of Halifax should be receiving 44 percent aid, Kingston should be getting around 33 percent, and Plympton is supposed to be getting 25 percent so our proportionality drops as theirs rises up.” Asked about enrollment in Silver Lake by percentage per town, Silver Lake Director of Business Services Christine Healy said that Kingston represents roughly 57 percent, Halifax 30 percent, and Plympton 12 percent.

Andrews said, “If we have to cut $300,000, we’re going to decimate the Elementary School because Police, Fire, Highway, they’re all at minimum staffing.” He pointed out that Police and Fire personnel could leave to go to a neighboring community and make significantly more. Halifax Elementary School Committee Chair Summer Schmaling explained that what typically will happen is that Kingston and Plympton will usually vote to approve the Silver Lake budget while Halifax does not. This leaves Halifax forced to support the Silver Lake budget at the expense of other town departments.

Andrews said that Halifax was projected to spend $14,900,000 on the schools. “When you look at the foundation budget combined across it’s saying that we should be at $14,195,000,” he explained. “We do have a large portion of students within the special needs category that is not being addressed by the Chapter 70 formula,” Andrews continued.

Superintendent Jill Proulx spoke up saying, “I would agree that transportation is an issue not only in special education but even just from a regional school district’s point of view, transportation in general, the lack of competition, the lack of vendors, it creates a problem, a lack of opportunities for us and it really limits other areas that we would like to be focused on.” Proulx said that a non-regional school district that finds themselves in financial trouble, can pass on the charge to students to ride the bus, but a regional school district cannot.

Administrator of Special Education for Silver Lake Marie Grable said they are currently in a situation where they spend $650 per day to transport a special needs student to a school that they need to attend. Andrews and Schmaling thanked Grable for working so diligently the last few years to keep as many students in Silver Lake’s schools as possible as it is a significant cost savings.

LaNatra said she would collaborate with her colleagues to see if they have any solutions and also to see where they stand with their transportation costs. Brady said that the County is applying for more money and pointed out that some of these expenses could be COVID related. “We will try to reach out to any resource,” Brady said. “We will bring this back and see what we can come up with for you,” LaNatra assured them. “I truly want to thank both of you and your staff for coming in and listening to us and trying to help us,” Andrews told Brady and LaNatra.

Police Chief Joao Chaves spoke on a proposed bylaw change for the animal control officer (ACO). Chaves explained that the updates were intended to bring the town up to the State fine schedule. One recommendation was to add vaccination against rabies per the State’s guidelines. “On the fee schedule, penalties for violation of this article – $50 for the first offense, second violation $100, third violation $300, fourth or subsequent $500, and any violation that results in personal injury or property damage in excess of $50 should be a fine of $100,” Chaves explained. Regarding licensing fees Chaves said, “We are recommending… that no license fees should be charged for a dog owned by a person aged 70 or older… late fees and citations may still be charged.”

A fee of $10 may be charged if your dog is not licensed after September 1 and after September 15, $20 per dog. After November 1, a citation of $50 may be issued. “That brings us in line with the State?” Selectman Troy Garron asked. Chaves confirmed that it did. The Selectmen voted to approve the requested changes.

Andrews said there was a proposal for $1,850,000 to sell property to the town for municipal buildings. Andrews said it was put out the Buildings Facilities and Needs Committee. “I think the purchase of the property could make sense long-term for the town; I am not sure of where to get the funds to purchase other than a debt exclusion,” Andrews said. “The purchase of the property would make sense to gain land for future development of municipal services for the town,” Andrews continued. “I would say we have to say no at this time because we are already in the red,” Garron said. Garron also said he didn’t believe a debt exclusion would pass at Town Meeting. Andrews also said that there was a possibility of using a previous bond for the Elementary School to fund a similar purchase or for the Council on Aging. Chaves said he was in support of the purchase of the land as it would be needed to move forward with a “municipal complex.” The Selectmen voted not to accept the offer at this time.

Andrews shared a status report from the Municipal and School Building Committee. Regarding the Elementary School, Andrews said that LED lights had been installed. He also said that the oil tank is shifting in the dirt cellar of Pope’s Tavern and as a result a concrete pad will be poured. He said that window replacement there started in January. The bottom of the middle building of the Recycling Center is rotting, and it will need to be repaired and replaced as needed.

Town Administrator Ed Thorne provided an update. He told the Selectmen that an Ethics Training and Seminar would be held over two days the following week for members of various boards and commissions.

Garron and Selectman Ashley DiSesa discussed the potential candidates for an opening for an associate member on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Andrews recused himself. Garron nominated Marline Amedee, who had previously run for multiple openings on various boards and committees. DiSesa seconded the motion.

The Selectmen ended the meeting with a discussion of a change to the start time of Town Meeting. The proposed change was from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Andrews said the earlier time could pose a problem as the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee tend to meet beforehand to discuss articles. DiSesa said she felt the earlier time might be more beneficial for certain residents, including older ones. Garron said he was fine with the earlier time.

The Selectmen voted to move the annual town meeting in May to 6:30 p.m. and the special to 7 pm. The Selectmen voted to open the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. They also voted to close it on March 22.  All the petition articles are due by March 1.

Lakers Girls Track star Bejarano wins State Title

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The Silver Lake High girls’ track team has a new state champion.

She had a standout performance at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 16 last week. In fact, it was the best performance of her high school track career to date.

The Division 3 state championship meet was Summer Bejarano’s time to shine. She won the one-mile run; she broke her own school record on the girls’ side at the meet. She ran the mile in 5:06.28. It came a week after she set the school record in the event at the Patriot League championship meet.

She wasn’t the only Laker to have a strong showing at the championship meet either. Riley Paskow shone in the long jump, earning a second place finish. That wasn’t Paskow’s only event either; she earned a sixth place finish in the 300 meter run.

Samantha Waters also made it to the podium. She had a sixth place finish in the 55 meter dash; it’s an event where she holds the school record for the best time on the girls’ side. Emily Hesketh also made it to the podium. She shined in a field event:  shotput. Hesketh earned a fifth place finish in shotput at the meet.

The Lakers didn’t have anyone make it to the podium on the boys’ side at the state meet last week.

Silver Lake/Pembroke gymnastics co-op wins Patriot League championship

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Who in the Patriot League is better at gymnastics than the Pembroke/Silver Lake High co-op?

Apparently the answer to that question is no one. The co-op faced off against all of the other teams in the Patriot League, and proved it was better than all of them. The Pembroke/Silver Lake team won the Patriot League championship meet on Saturday, Feb. 12. The team finished with a score of 138.15. The meet took place at Mass Gymnastics Center in Pembroke.

The co-op had many strong performances in the championship meet. Senior Lauren Canniff won the all-around (35.0). Other members of the team earned first place finishes in their respective events. Senior Ava Dorsey shone during the meet. She earned first place in three different events: vault (9.3), bars (8.5), and floor (9.1). Additionally, senior Sam Raleigh (8.4) and sophomore Summer Holmes (8.2) earned second and third place finishes respectively on bars. Plus, freshman Julia Hawley came in second on the beam (8.55).

The co-op went undefeated this season. It went 12-0 overall.

Sgt. Daniel Hoffman named interim Plympton police chief

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The Plympton Board of Selectmen met briefly on Jan. 25, specifically to name an interim Chief of Police. In October, former Whitman Chief of Police Scott D. Benton was named as the interim Police Chief following Matthew Clancy’s resignation. Clancy left to serve as Chief of the Bureau of Capital Police in Maine.

“We had a brief meeting last night and decided to proceed with some arrangements that we had made previously to utilize a professional search firm to fill the position of Chief of Police and as such we felt that we needed to give our sergeants an opportunity to really show their stuff… and hopefully be contenders for the position through the search,” Selectman Chair Christine Joy said.

“We do have two extremely qualified sergeants that are working for the town,” Joy said. She then named both Matthew Ahl and Daniel Hoffman. “They both have gotten glowing reviews from both Chief Clancy and Chief Benton; so we are in a position where we are able to appoint one of the sergeants as the acting Chief of Police and I would recommend that we would appoint Sergeant Hoffman, who is the senior and supervising sergeant, as our acting Chief of Police effective immediately and until the town fills the position on a permanent and full-time basis,” Joy said. Selectman John Traynor seconded Joy’s motion. Selectman Mark Russo added that he wanted to give authority to Town Administrator Liz Dennehy to negotiate the terms of the employment.

“I would only say that I think that we, the Board of Selectmen, have in general advocated for and hoped for the opportunity for people to move up, particularly in Fire and Police and I’m thrilled that there is this opportunity for Mr. Hoffman to move up and take on more responsibility and for Mr. Ahl to take on more responsibility as well,” Russo said.

The Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Daniel Hoffman as the acting Chief of Police.

Plympton Library’s LPGA

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Mary Schiess
Express correspondent

The LPGA gathered at the Plympton Library last Friday. This was Plympton’s own LPGA, the Little Player Golf League. Library Director Michael Slawson creatively collected library equipment to transition the library into a mini golf course. The dictionary collection, wallowing in obsolescence, served as boundaries for some holes. A collection of artificial plants added green foliage. Plant holders and legos served as obstacles. Whatever the challenge, the young golfers conquered with abundant smiles and successes.

Children arrived at their personal tee time. With the wisdom of an experienced golfer, Mr. Mike anticipated the need to spread the arrival times of the golfers.

Throughout the morning, Mr. Mike offered advice and guided golfers from hole to hole. Regular comments like “Good Job,” or “I did it,” resonated through the library. More than one golfer suggested that their moms or dads should also participate. If frustration abounds among adult golfers, none existed here. Each shot was an occasion for a proud smile.

The library will sponsor another mini golf program during February vacation. The program will occur on Friday, Feb. 25. Tee times are currently available.