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Busy agenda for Halifax BOS

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Halifax selectmen met Tuesday night, March 23, in the Great Hall of the Halifax Town Hall to deal with a busy agenda.

As usual, COVID-19 took up much of the evening.  Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told the board that as of March 23 the active cases in Halifax were up to 31, “so I would expect that in a matter of days we will be back into the ‘red zone’”.

Seelig told the board that the state has relaxed restrictions on indoor gatherings, saying that the allowable limits in the All Purpose Room is 10, but the state says it can go to as much as 100.  Fourteen persons are the limit in the Great Hall, with one person on the landing.   Due to the increases in Covid cases in Halifax and the increases in Massachusetts, Seelig and selectmen didn’t think that many people would be a good idea.

While the current state of emergency remains in effect, Seelig told selectmen that Halifax has a protocol in place for outdoor dining.  While the state of emergency lasts, restaurants can obtain temporary permits after working with the Board of Health and the Fire Chief, but if they want to offer outside dining on a permanent basis, they’ll have to go through the regular zoning process for outdoor businesses.   Selectman Gordon Andrews asked if Halifax allows outdoor dining within the current by-laws.   Seelig answered that restaurants with indoor dining are allowed outside dining by right.   Food vendors without indoor dining who wish to offer outdoor dining are covered under the outdoor business and sales and need a special permit.

Selectman Tom Millias said that some of this was covered under the emergency acts and Seelig agreed, “You can do it on a temporary basis.”  Andrews asked, but if they wanted to do long-term, moving forward, we’d have to change … Seelig interjected that no, they just need to go through the process.   Seelig said that he has notified Grille 58, Lakeside Villa, and Rodney’s Kitchen, the three places in town that have any sort of outdoor dining.   Seelig told the board that if the state of emergency ends tomorrow, or next week, or next month, he wanted all to have a process in place.

Resident complaints

Noting that he didn’t know if it was Spring, the warmer weather, or what, but he had a number of complaints about properties in town, only one of which came under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, including

• 0 Monponsett Street  A resident was concerned about traffic safety, the use of the property without proper zoning, earth removal, health safety issues, and conservation/wetlands/endangered species issues.

• 105 Crystal Lake Road.  An unpermitted home business is alleged.

•  70 Oak Street.   An unpermitted logging business is alleged.

• Villiard Tree Service on Carver Street is alleged to be running an unpermitted logging business.

• Cled’s Tree Service, 450 Industrial Drive – an alleged logging business.  Seelig told the board that Cled’s has been contacted and is working on this, and that the Chief had some concerns.

The only item that falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen is the earth removal item.  Seelig said that he had referred all other concerns to the appropriate boards.

Selectmen Andrews recused himself from the discussion of earth removal because his mother lodged that complaint.   Andrews left the table and sat in the audience for that part of the meeting.   Millias commented that it was difficult to unravel all of the suits and cross/suits involved in this – everybody has got a conflict of interest if you say anything.    “So I’m going to defer – perhaps it’s under investigation – maybe we can get some information.  I was going to suggest that maybe Mr. Garron could review some of that but the Board of Selectmen is being sued, too.”  Seelig responded that he had no problem, it’s fact material, simply sending a fact sheet and a copy of the bylaw to the property owner, then they would have to apply to the Board of Selectmen for a special permit.”  Off-camera, Andrews said,  “I can do that.”  Millias said that he didn’t see how the board can retroactively prove how much material has been removed from the site.  “I think going forward with what you’ve just suggested is the most obvious thing to do,” Millias continued.  Andrews re-joined the board.

Seelig said he is still gathering information on the financial end for the American Rescue Plan.  There are two checks going directly to the town, however there are some restrictions as to how the money can be spent.  Seelig said he will be getting more information from the US Treasury as it becomes available.   He also said that Plymouth County is receiving a substantial amount of money and “I hope the intention is that the money will be passed along to the 27 communities in Plymouth County.  We’ll see how that works out.”

Working from Home

Seelig told the board that at some point selectmen will have to assess the work from home situation.   With the vaccination program well underway, not next week or next month, but sometime before the end of the year between the state of emergency ending and vaccinations being available, the board will have to work out how they want to handle people working from home during the past year who want to continue.   There aren’t many, but we still have them in a couple of departments.

Memorial Day

Seelig recommended the selectmen approve the proposed Field of Flags on the Town Green similar to the display put on by the Halifax VFW Post last year.  The board unanimously approved the project.  Seelig said he had spoken with David Walsh, VFW Post Commander, about the possibility of a Memorial Day Parade.  Right now, even under the current Phase IV, Seelig said they both agreed that unfortunately “it’s just a little bit too soon to do something like that.  Balancing everybody’s desire to get back to normal and to have events like that, there are also safety precautions for everybody.”  Seelig said they had discussed a similar Memorial Day observance as the one last year with 10 to 20 attendees, with the color guard, and people can drive by and see the observance.

Complete Streets

Seelig said he had a visit from Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward with some possible projects that can be sent to Boston as part of the Complete Streets Program.  There are two projects not included in the list as all the engineering work, for the most part, has been done.  These are the sidewalks between the two lobes of Cranberry Drive along Plymouth Street and Monponsett Street from the Housing Aurhority property north up to the shopping area.   “Those appear to be the easiest to get done at this point,” Seelig said.

“The others on the list do not require engineering to be submitted and so probably in the next week or so we’ll have them sent up to Boston.“   He said he would get the projects list to the board for their comments to relay to Seelig or the Highway Surveyor including the priorities of what order the work should be done.  Andrews commented that he would like to see the sidewalk outside the Town Hall done.

Seelig said he has contacted the highway surveyor and the Buildings and Facilities Needs Committee to see if they wish to pursue bonding for any major projects.  While it appears that there is unlikely to be any request from the Buildings and Facilities Needs Committee, Hayward will be looking for a $4 million bond.  In terms of debt exclusion, Hayward said he would be meeting with the Finance Committee.  Seelig reminded the board that it needed to vote on it in order for it to get onto the ballot.    

Andrews asked if Hayward was looking to hire a crew for the large project.  Seelig said he didn’t know what the Highway Surveyor’s plans entailed but for $4 million “we won’t have the money available unless we go to debt exclusion. So this is  more of a financial issue than a fiscal one.

Andrews said that at a meeting of the Buildings an Facilities Committee the previous week they had discussed whether or not they could hire a crew to do the work on town buildings rather than hire an outside contractor to do the work.  “Somebody should be talking to Town Counsel about that because there are definitely some issues that could arise from that,” Millias said.

The board will meet Tuesday, March 30, at 6 p.m. to review Town Meeting articles.

Seelig spoke about the One Stop Grant Program.   Letters of interest have to be submitted by April 2.  They are looking for large municipal projects, Seelig said, and the redevelopment of properties including the Council on Aging, Municipal Broadband for the town.  Millias added that they had talked about some kind of filtration or pump house for the Monponsett ponds.   “My recollection was that it would be a constant pump that would aerate the water and then perhaps medicate the ponds.  Andrews suggested that they could alternate the ponds year to year.

Mosquito spraying opt out

Seelig told the Board that Halifax can elect to opt out of aerial mosquito spraying.  They would have to give the public notice.  “I wish we didn’t have to spray at all.   If you want to enjoy the outside, put on some sunscreen and go outside,” Selectman Garron said.  Andrews said he thinks the town should have a public hearing on whether the Town of Halifax should opt out of the spraying noting that people with bees and other concerns also don’t want the spraying.  The members of the board agreed.

Cannabis update

There is a host community agreement (HCA) for the 301 Holmes St. Cannabis Green Earth being ironed out with Town Counsel Mayo.  Flower and Soul, LLc, is proposing a Plymouth Street retail store and delivery service.   They will host a community outreach meeting on April 22.  Seelig clarified that the host community agreement does not need to be approved before the outreach meeting.   Flower and Soul, LLc, will contact Atty. Mayo about the HCA.

Vacation time

Selectmen two weeks ago voted to allow up to 80 hours of vacation carryover from FY21 to FY22 for nine union employees.   There is a request to expand that to all other wage earners who may not have had that available to them.   The board agreed that if you allow it for one employee it should be allowed for all.

In other business

• Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor will have mail-in voting but not early in-person voting through June 30.

•  As for the Comcast performance review hearing that was planned for the 13th, the board was notified that Michael Power of Comcast is not going to in-person meetings so the meeting will now be held on ZOOM.

•  The Aldana Road land swap  that is in progress with the Commonwealth. is on its way to completion; there is just some more paperwork and deed work that needs to be done.

• As for Halifax Solar v. Halifax, this is a property tax abatement and there are legal papers being filed.

• The board had an appointment with Alan Dias representing the Board of Health.  Selectmen had requested his presence to ask if his board had any concerns with having their meeting taped by Area 58.  Dias told selectmen that he had discussed it with his members and staff and they have no problems with their meetings being taped.

• Discussions and work continue with National Grid to site one or more charging stations at the Town Hall.   Andrews asked that the placement be discussed with the Highway Surveyor to avoid problems with snow removal.

• Two complaints have been filed against the Halifax School Committee citing them in violation of the Open Meeting Law.   The complaints are in the file and available to the public.

• Selectmen unanimously approved the request of the Council on Aging to place a tent on the Town Hall Green for activities this spring.   Millias said he would ask them to follow proper procedure and let people know when they are planning an event.

• Selectmen voted unanimously to write a letter of condolence to the family of Martha Smith who was active in town affairs, having worked for the Police department and the Council on Aging as well as being an active volunteer,

Plympton BOS reviews Area 58 service

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Chairman Mark Russo opened the Plympton Selectmen’s meeting Monday night, March 22, with a little lesson in comity.  Comity:  courtesy, considerate behavior for others, a clear understanding of the rules, customs.  “Tonight the password is ‘comity’”.

The board welcomed Lillie Krueger, as part of a continued segment of their regular meetings where a representative of a group or board or committee is welcomed to tell about their organization.  Krueger represented PAYS, Plympton Athletic Youth Sports, of which she is treasurer.  President Amy Hempel was not able to join the meeting.

Krueger told selectmen that PAYS had just wrapped up their basketball season and were able to form four teams of combined 4th, 5th and 6th graders, giving the kids something to do in the pandemic.  Working with Dennett Principal Peter Veneto, PAYS was able to play and practice in the school’s gymnasium.  They even did a little fundraising for the school to get storage units to give the school a place to put the desks and chairs that had been  stored temporarily in part of the gym, Lillie told the board.  “Now we’re looking forward to baseball and t-ball in the spring, “ she said,  “Kids just need to exercise!”

Selectman John Traynor said that he had especially enjoyed watching the games on Face Book, something new PAYS was doing where only one family member per athlete was allowed to attend the games.  “This way,” Krueger said, “they call all watch the games – even the payers.”

Selectman Christine Joy asked if they had enough girls to form a team and Krueger said that they were able to do it.

Krueger said that they are hoping their schedules will be close to normal with the fall sports schedule.  Russo congratulated the group for their dedication.

Under appointments, the board voted unanimously to appoint Christine Kelly as Treasurer/Collector.  Kelly has been the assistant treasurer/collector for several years and is well acquainted with the details of the job.

Another appointment was David Batchelder to the Board of Assessors.   Batchelder had been an assessor years ago and is a welcome addition as an interim assessor until the election is held in May.

Russo brought up the question of making the position of Town Clerk and appointed position.  Christine Joy spoke up and said she had asked for this, that she had spoken with the current Town Clerk Patricia Detterman last week.  She said that this was another step in assuring qualified professionals in key town government positions.  Selectman John Traynor said that he would like to hear from the present town clerk on the subject.  Detterman was present at the ZOOM meeting and said that she thought making the position appointed gives too much say to the Board of Selectmen when it has always been the vote of the people of the town.  Detterman said that the position of Town Clerk is the very basis of town government and it is important for the people to have the final say (at election).

Russo moved to include the article in the town meeting warrant, saying this is only a first step in the process.  The hope is, he said, to have the present town clerk fill out her term and appointment would follow, should town meeting vote in favor of the change.

Another item for the warrant is a $5,000 to $7,000 item to hire a hydrologist to go over the records and recordings with the Dept. of Environmental Protection from Rocky Harvest water company withdrawals on Brook Street.

Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy suggested repurposing the article originally used for the Town Administrator search, to change the language so it can be used for other professional positions in the town.

Dennehy said that the Town Properties Committee submitted an article for $300,000 to replace middle and rear portion of the Town House and an article for $7,500 for an assessment of the roofs on the Fire Station and Library.

Dennehy also said there is an article asking for $5500 to refurbish two flagpoles, one at the Town Green and the other at Route 106 and Main Street intersection and $15,000 for general consultant and preliminary design services for any projects related to town-owned buildings and grounds.

The warrant closes the last Monday of the month, March 29.

Traynor said that he would vote to go forward with these articles but wanted to wait to see what the finance committee says before he will say he recommends them.   Russo made the motion to proceed with the articles discussed.  Joy was the second.  The motion passed unanimously.

A matter of concern to selectmen is the Board of Selectmen Member Protocols as well as information sharing among selectmen.  Chairman Russo presented a list of ten items outlining how selectmen should behave during a meeting.

Joy said that the ten items were right out of Roberts’ Rules of Order and the selectmen’s handbook.   “I’m glad you’ve put it in writing, “ she told Russo.   

John Traynor disagreed with several items, saying that there was really no need for such a structure and that it would likely get in the way of free and open discourse. “I believe everything should be out in the open for the public to see… I think that when you say the chair is the arbiter for when the discussion ends, that hampers discussion.”  Traynor said he would like more discussion on the subject before the board votes on it.

Russo defended his position, saying that most of these come right out of the selectmen’s handbook.  A couple of weeks ago the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association had a webinar on Civility in Town Government.  “The main theme, the almost exclusive thing that was put forth as the way to promote and foster civility was to have rules of conduct exactly like this.”

Traynor continued saying that he would like to see an item on the agenda for selectmen’s items of interest,  “trying to make it easy. …  Put a line that says Selectmen’s Updates and then underneath list all the things like I’ve done.”  They agreed to have more discussion and will take the matter up again.

The next agenda item is the proposal for a cannabis facility on Spring Street in the industrial park.  Russo asked for a vote and suggested a motion to ask the people who are putting this together to ask Town Counsel to make an agreement.  “This commits us to nothing; there are many steps along the way.   They have not purchased the property, or gone through all the permitting, and we have not seen the details,” Russo said. “This is just an opportunity for us to give them a signal that we continue to be interested … enough to explore a municipal agreement with town counsel.”

Joy said she is interested in exploring, recognizing there are still a number of unanswered questions but thinks “we should pursue this.”  Traynor agreed with Joy in that he has a lot of questions and wants to see a plot plan as to just where the property is they are considering and if it’s going to be an issue with Spring Street neighbors, he “really doesn’t want to go down that route.  But if it’s back in the industrial zone, that’s the place it should be.”   

Russo moved that we let the principals involved in this know that the town is interested in hearing more of their proposal and negotiations with Town Counsel.  Joy seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Area 58 ZOOM issues

Traynor began the discussion by saying that he has been somewhat negative on the Area 58 operation right back to when he was moderator, “when we changed over from Comcast to Area 58 and they couldn’t provide the same service.”  Traynor said, ‘I want them to be successful,” citing it as the next step in the communications process.  Traynor said he was disappointed in the operation of Area 58 and disagreed with Russo’s assessment of Area 58 as a business model to emulate.  Traynor shared with the board that he felt the operation was “mediocre at best.”   There have been operational glitches and stumbles, and although the director of Area 58 told selectmen at a recent meeting that Area 58 could deliver more meetings and better technology using ZOOM, Traynor gave as an example a Hazard Mitigation meeting that was to be set up on zoom and to tie the Zoom into TV so it could be broadcast at the same time.  “I see that as a significant advance when they can do that.“   The meeting didn’t go off.   The Zoom portion was fine but they couldn’t broadcast over the educational channel simultaneously as they indicated they could.  Area 58 representative said that Comcast was the cause.

Traynor went on to say that when Jon Wilhelmsen had a meeting on the return to school – an important meeting – it failed again.  Traynor said that he wants to see more accountability from Area 58.  “What are you measured on?  How are you measured?  I think we need to talk to Richard (Goulart) again. “ He said he doesn’t think this is an issue where Plympton or Halifax gets more or less time, it’s about how they run the overall operation.”

Russo answered that he appreciates separating the success of shared services, and some operational difficulties along the way.    “Like everyone else, Area 58 is working under COVID situations which makes it all the more challenging.  I have been in touch with Rich about the two meetings and he fully understands the problem and is working on it. “   Russo also mentioned that the Director of Area 58 reports to the Board of Directors of Area 58, not the boards of selectmen.  Russo noted that he is a member of the board of directors of Area 58 and “they are fully aware of some of the things that happen along the way that aren’t quite as good as they should be but they continue to push hard for things to improve.”

Traynor said that Area 58 has the same responsibility as other businesses.  All I’m asking is Let’s make sure that Area 58 gets the message that we want them measured and that we’d like to have them come back and provide feedback.”  Traynor furthered that residents of Plympton who have Comcast paid them $68,000 last year for the operation of this business.

Russo said we will continue to hold them to a high standard.  Joy asked if it is our intent to go live with town meeting?  Russo said he’d like to think about that; there are some pros and cons to consider.  Joy said perhaps they could do a selectmen’s meeting.  Traynor answered,  “Let’s do that.   That would be great.”

Town Administrator’s report

Had a conversation with Carver’s town administrator, looking into possibility of shared services, particularly with the Animal Control Officer.  That position is currently vacant in town and it would be great if we could work out an arrangement, perhaps with a municipal agreement.

Working on putting together an inventory of all of our town-owned vehicles, to put it into a spreadsheet so everyone knows which vehicles we are talking about, rather than looking at separate lists.

The Hazard Mitigation Planning grant is still moving forward and we expect that the project will be completed soon, looking at an August 1 deadline.  When completed it will be a stand-alone plan as well as give the things needed to provide to the Old Colony Planning Council so it can become part of the regional plan.

The Green Communities Grant is moving forward and it looks like we will be able to move forward with the weatherization project at the Dennett School.

We also have still pending replacing the thermostats at the old town house.

Everything is a go as far as the Dennett School is concerned and ready for Town Meeting on May 12.  Dennehy said that she and Town Moderator Barry DeCristofano had worked with Principal Peter Veneto to make the arrangements.

Dennehy told the board that  FEMA and the state are requiring towns to update their floodplain by-laws to incorporate some of their required changes.  Vote to forward this to the Planning Board for a public hearing and also to co-sponsor the article with the Conservation Commission.  Russo moved that the zoning by-law revisionbe forwarded to the Planning Board.  Joy seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Liz Dennehy also announced that she had completed her certification as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing person.   “ A lot of time went into that and some pretty in-depth courses as it relates to procurement.  I’m glad to have that under my belt.”  The board gave its congratulations to Dennehy on her achievement.

Ken Thompson, Plympton’s Zoning Enforcement Officer, asked to speak regarding possible warrant articles from the by-law review committee, especially regarding apartments, in-law apartments and kennels.  He said that from the night’s conversation regarding warrant articles there won’t be any such articles on the warrant for town meeting.  He expressed his disappointment, as these items are frequent, if not daily, questions he has to try to answer in his position as Zoning Enforcement Officer.  Russo said that these items need more discussion and will be heard at a future meeting.  Joy suggested an off-night work meeting.  The board concurred.

Raves:

Joy spoke of the beautiful weather – yard work, sunshine, are all good for the soul.

Traynor agreed, and encouraged people to drive by the great stone wall on  Route 106.  “it’s amazing.  There are daffodils coming up and it will be spectacular!”  Another accolade went to State Rep. Kathy LaNatra.  “She really worked well for us.” Traynor told the board that when one of the places in Kingston got some extra doses of vaccine, she wanted to see them go to the most vulnerable people in town and this past weekend five of our senior citizens were vaccinated.

In another rave, Traynor acknowledged his “Hero” David Batchelder, who at the age of 91 has returned to town government to help out the Board of Assessors with an interim appointment until town election on May 15.  “Thank you, David.”

Lastly he said it was a joy to see the kids getting off the bus.  “It was good to see a little bit of normality.”

Russo said they will be back ifor a meeting in two weeks, if not sooner.

School budget vote postponed

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The Plympton School Committee Monday night postponed their budget vote until their next meeting Monday, April 26, giving the committee additional time to gather more information on possible budget offsets and additional funding that may become available.   The committee also wanted to research accommodating the additional position of building substitute, a full–time substitute teacher who would be available throughout the school year.  The cost for this position is about $27,000, without taking into consideration the offset in the substitute teacher’s budget line to lessen the expense.

Dennett School Principal Peter Veneto reported that the first day of full in-person learning went very well.  “Our plan became a reality today … No remote learners … everybody came back today. ”   He said that they were able to execute their five lunch period schedule, keeping students the required six feet apart at lunch.  The only additional cost was the purchase of some 50 folding tables that post-COVID can be repurposed in a number of ways.  Pick up and drop off lines were long but executed safely.   “I saw a lot of really happy kids today.   No need to change what we’re doing right now.”

Chairman Jon Wilhelmsen noted, “It’s great that we were able to put a plan together.   It’s much easier to run the school this way with all the kids under one roof. “  Wilhelmsen thanked everyone who helped get it done – in the course of nine days!  It is the goal to keep everyone safe and in school for the rest of the school year.

Christine Healy, the financial guru of Silver Lake reported that everything looks good as far as the current year’s budget goes, no accounts in danger of being overdrawn, and things are running smoothly.

Jason Fraser gave his report on education legislation, saying that the governor’s first draft of the budget was trying to use Oct. 1, 2020 pupil counts on which to base school reimbursements.  With COVID, statewide there was a 3.3% drop in student population.  Fraser said that he spoke with Rep. Kathy LaNatra about allowing schools to use the 2019 student count as the basis for budgeting this year.  LaNatra instead wanted to “fence off” funds until accurate numbers can be had in October 2021.  If there is an increase, then those fenced off funds can be accessed.

As for COVID 19 updates, Fraser said that there has been no change in guidance.  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, (DESE) has said that three to six feet of distance is acceptable.  While 192 school systems chose six feet, only 49 school systems chose three feet distancing.  The CDC is comparing the data for COVID transmission between the two protocols and has seen no significant increase in COVID transmission.  Two-ply masks are still required, but Dennett already requires them.

Rep. LaNatra signed onto House Docket #2548 to form a statewide commission to look at the sleep needs of students and getting elementary school students to school earlier, and allow secondary school students to start a little bit later so  that the time that they have in school will be that much more efficiently used.

Wilhelmsen said that the first capital plan item on the budget is a fire suppression system at a cost of $9,000 or less.   “This can’t be postponed.”  He also reached out to see if they could include an item on the warrant for the parking lot at the Dennett to be repaired.  “The driveway is at a critical point where if we don’t do some maintenance, we will have to replace it.”

The playground construction is on the horizon and with the proximity of the playground to the septic system, it makes sense to look into its health.  Fraser said he wanted to be able to make use of anticipated infrastructure grants should they become available.  Fraser asked if the septic system had been evaluated and Veneto answered, “the short answer is no.”  Wilhelmsen said that this must to go in as one of the overall school needs.  “Maintain, rather than fixing things that break.  It is more expensive to fix things that break.”  Veneto will reach out to his building superintendent to get that assessment done.

Fraser reported on the status of the playground project, telling the board that he originally approached 2019 Town Meeting for some assistance in building an ADA approved playground on the Dennett.   When Plympton started getting students through school choice, those funds were sequestered for one-time expenditures and not made part of the operating budget.   Outside of a few expenditures for the water treatment equipment and a few other items, the school choice tuitions are largely intact and can be used to fund part of the playground costs. The total price is estimated to be about $250,000, to $300,000 project and none of that money will be funded through the school’s operating budget.   The structures will include a Rocket Swing that will accommodate a mobility-challenged child in a wheelchair, and a soft  rubber footing that will also allow a child in a wheel chair to be able to navigate the playground and be with their peers.  They made adjustments to the playground to make it ADA Plus, building ramps onto the structures, and got a surface level merry go round that is wheel chair accessible, at an additional $37,000 cost.  “We talked about this in depth and the committee agreed to move forward with this idea,” Fraser said

“Right now we’re soliciting quotes,” Healy said, preparing to send it off to three or four vendors on the state’s contractor list.  The next step is going out to the traditional bid for the installation of the playground, as well as the rubberized safety surface.  It was suggested that fencing wait until the playground is installed to see how the area works.  Our hope is to be out to bid Patriots Day week.   

Wilhelmsen said that the committee would be able to see all of the details at the June meeting and vote on the project once they have all the information.

The dinosaur has been a topic of conversation, Fraser said.  there have been a couple of people who have approached them about keeping the dinosaur.  The playground vendors’ advice was to take all the equipment there and turn it into scrap metal.   Once the new equipment was beginning to be installed, any accident on the old equipment would not be covered by insurance.

Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx told the board that the preliminary regular day budget stands at a 6.2% increase, and the total school budget is 2.9% increase.  Wilhelmsen said, “Overall I think the budget is very lean and of course last year we had to keep a 1.6% overall increase.  I’m not sure even in the best year we’ve ever come down that low.“

One of the issues we run into each year when we vote our budget is that we vote before April 1 and end up with a certain number of placeholders in the warrant.  Given that we haven’t met with FinCom yet ,,, it may be worthwhile for us to consider not voting the budget tonight, to talk through any other open issues and then after we have some numbers for April 1 we can make adjustments as needed.”  

The next school committee meeting is Monday, April 26.

Why is the Flag at Half-Staff?

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Events in Boulder, CO – Until March 27, 2021

Please be advised that as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado, and in accordance with the Presidential proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag shall be flown at half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately until sunset on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3.  All state military installations

LaNatra votes for small business aid

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Representative Kathy LaNatra Votes in Favor of Legislation Providing Relief to Small Businesses, Workers and Job-seekers affected by COVID-19

Boston (March 15, 2021) – State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston) joined her colleagues in support of legislation that will provide much needed relief to small businesses, workers and those looking for work.

 The legislation, titled H.89 – An Act financing a program for improvements to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and providing relief to employers and workers in the Commonwealth was passed by the House on March 11 by a unanimous vote of 155-0. House Bill 89 builds upon a bill filed by Governor Baker that would protect employers from the scheduled unemployment insurance rate increase set for April.

 “Constituents asking for assistance navigating the unemployment system were the most frequent request sent into my office this past year,” said Rep. LaNatra. She added, “The legislation passed last week shores up the finances of the unemployment trust fund, protecting people who have lost their job because of this devastating pandemic. The bill also provides much-needed relief to employers and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”

 Key provisions of the bill include forgiveness of paycheck protection program (PPP) loans in line with the federal tax code. Currently, many small business owners would have to pay personal income tax on their forgiven PPP loans. The legislation freezes the unemployment insurance rate paid by employers at its 2020 level for the next two years, staving off a scheduled increase that would have gone into effect in April of this year.

 The bill also provides many protections for workers who have lost their job due to the pandemic. The bill creates a tax credit for people who received unemployment compensation and whose household income was 200% or less than the federal poverty line. The legislation also allows for borrowing to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund.

 The legislation provides many other protections for workers throughout the Commonwealth including a COVID-19 Emergency paid sick leave, which fills in gaps of the Federal COVID paid sick leave program. House Bill 89 waives the tax penalty for those who fail to remit income taxes on unemployment compensation for the 2020 tax year.

 The bill now heads to the Senate.

Silver Lake athletes earn Patriot League winter awards

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Each season, a handful of athletes across the Patriot League receive league wide recognition for their achievements. The winter 2020-2021 season was no different.

Many different Silver Lake High varsity athletes received awards from the Patriot League which were announced last week. Here is a look at the awards that Lakers athletes received, broken down by sport.

Girls Basketball

Molly Terbush was the team’s lone Patriot League All-Star while Kiley O’Brien got the team sportsmanship award and Erin deMacedo was their scholar athlete. Additionally, the girls’ basketball team received the Patriot League team sportsmanship award.

Boys Basketball

Ben Lofstrom was the team’s lone Patriot League All-Star. Meanwhile, Jack Slattery got the sportsmanship award and Matt O’Donnell was their scholar-athlete.

Girls Hockey

The co-op with Whitman-Hanson had two Patriot League All-Stars, both of which are from Silver Lake: Shea Kelleher and Ellie Grady. Emily McDonald of Whitman-Hanson won the sportsmanship award while Abby Powers of Silver Lake was their scholar athlete.

Boys Hockey

Jake Generazo earned the Patriot League All-Star honor. Additionally, Nate LaPlante-Johnson got the sportsmanship award and Cam Cavicchi was named as their scholar athlete.

Swimming

On the boys’ side, Jake Foley won the sportsmanship award and Wes Hawley was their scholar athlete. For the girls, the sportsmanship award went to Sydney Adams and the scholar athlete went to Anna Billings.

Gymnastics

Both Ava Dorsey and Mackenzie Mackinaw were Patriot League All-Stars on the co-op with Pembroke. The sportsmanship award went to Sarah d’Entremont, and Lauren Canniff of Pembroke was their Scholar Athlete.

Dennett to open fully at six feet distancing

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The Plympton School Committee held an interim meeting on Friday, March 12 for the purpose of reviewing the revised plan for more in-person learning time at the Dennett Elementary School. The revised plan was created using feedback from the meeting on February 22 as well as the parent survey which was distributed. Chair of the School Committee Jon Wilhelmsen thanked Dennett Principal Peter Veneto for his work creating the revised plan and the work still to be done to implement that plan. Veneto presented the plan prior to opening the meeting for discussion for both School Committee members as well as members of the public. Speakers were asked to hold their comments to three minutes.

“I completely understand that this is an emotional subject for all involved, for parents, teachers, administrators, and School Committee members and while I anticipate this will not be an issue, my expectation is that all comments, questions, and discussions this evening will be presented in a respectful and professional manner whether or not we agree with everything that is said by others,” Wilhelmsen told those remotely assembled.

Committee member Jason Fraser provided a brief legislative update pertinent to the night’s discussion prior to moving on to Veneto’s presentation. Fraser said he was happy to report that teachers were now eligible to receive their COVID vaccinations in Massachusetts. He said the development was in large part due to the work of Massachusetts’ Senate President Karen Spilka. President Biden also mandated that federally contracted pharmacies must open their vaccination programs to teachers as well. Fraser said they were still working on getting the Governor to allow local Boards of Health and Fire Departments to administer the vaccines directly to teachers themselves. Fraser said that they were also working with Representative Kathy LaNatra and Senator Michael Brady on suspending the MCAS for this year in order to prioritize a return to more in-person learning including social and emotional support. There is legislation in place at the State level to receive a waiver at the federal level for bypassing the MCAS.

Veneto then made his proposal for a full-time, in-person return to school with six feet of social distancing. The proposed start date is March 22. Veneto said that the most recent guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on March 9 stated that they expected a return to a full, in-person learning model by April 5 which includes 5 hours of structured learning time per day. Students can choose, however, to remain remote through the end of this school year though it is unlikely that option will be provided next year. As full-time learning is the default model mandated by the Commissioner, a School Committee vote was not necessary to change models. The School Committee did, however, take a vote to approve the plan as presented that night since the start date was earlier than the one proposed by the State. It was unanimously approved.

Veneto went over the parent survey results which indicated that 84.1 percent of respondents were requesting a full, in-person return at six feet of distance with 78 students requesting bus services. Nine students were requesting to remain in a remote model. Veneto said that the school will be following state guidance for remote students by live “streaming” into the classroom.

Veneto said that the schedule for the revised model will be nearly identical to the pre-pandemic one with school hours being from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Masks and six feet of social distancing will be maintained. Some of the changes that allowed the school to maintain six feet of distance include moving one fifth grade class to the library, another fifth grade class to the art room, and changing a reading teacher to a first grade teacher for the remainder of the school year. In order for music class to be held, it must be held at 10 feet of distance; something the administration was able to arrange. Wind instruments will not be allowed. Music teacher Carla Pecinovsky thanked parents that donated to allow the school to purchase ukuleles to be used instead.

Veneto said that one of his concerns with the changes is the number of students being dropped off and picked up and the length of the lines. Veneto said he is working with bus drivers to ensure safe protocols are followed. Regarding lunch, Veneto said, “In order to accommodate the kids in the cafeteria, we can’t do it with our current model of having three lunches, so we’re going to increase up to five lunches.” The first lunch will be served at 10:45 am and the last at 12:30 pm. Only 50 students can be accommodated in the cafeteria at once at six feet.

Veneto said that next steps will be securing a letter of commitment from families stating their preference for live or remote and whether they will need bus services for Term three. “One or two kids will make the difference if we can do this at six feet,” Veneto said. Based on survey results, he expects that it will work out. Wilhelmsen asked parents to turn that commitment around as quickly as possible.

School Committee members expressed their gratitude toward Veneto for coming up with a feasible plan that still allows students to remain six feet apart. “I don’t take sole credit for this; this was a lot of people working hard and collaborating and trying to think about what’s best for our kids,” Veneto said. Wilhelmsen said that he wanted those on the call to know that the plan that was proposed was largely the one that was pushed for by parents during the February 22 call. “I think this is right for us at this point,” he said. He also thanked the parents for participating and being part of the discussion.

A parent of a Cohort C student asked if there had been given any thought to allowing the previously fully remote students to gradually work their way into a full, in-person model beginning as hybrid. She called it “daunting” to go from full-remote to full, in-person. “I think the tricky part is that the hybrid model is basically not going to be in existence in about two and half weeks or so,” Veneto explained. He offered to have a conversation offline to see if something could be worked out. It was also confirmed that students on IEPs would still be getting all services necessary despite the model change. Several parents thanked Veneto and his staff for the new plan referring to it as “a relief.”

Protecting our valued and unique cranberry industry

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By Kathleen LaNatra

The cranberry industry is one of the true gems of our Massachusetts economy, and has been for over 200 years. The cranberry is our state’s leading agricultural product, and Massachusetts is home to more than 30% of the total cranberry-growing acreage in the entire United States. Much of that acreage is right here in our district. In good times, the crop value of cranberries has reached $100 million annually. Without question the cranberry industry is a significant business for us all.

Yet, it’s an industry facing very serious challenges. I have had the opportunity to get to know many of the cranberry farmers and industry leaders throughout the region and have learned firsthand of the struggles they face.

Several of their biggest challenges have included a significant price drop over the last decade, coupled with fallout from trade wars.

In 2008, a barrel of cranberries was worth about $58 a barrel. Ten years later, though, the price had dropped to $25. The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association estimates the cost of producing one barrel of cranberries at approximately $35.

Industry leaders attribute the price drop to crop surpluses, along with a decline in demand for some of the industry’s most important products, including cranberry juice.

Then there are the recent trade wars. Over the last few years, for example, Chinese tariffs on dried cranberries increased from 15% to 40%.

The American cranberry industry had been working to open a Chinese market for cranberries, and had enjoyed some success. Between 2013 and 2018, American exports of cranberries had increased by 1,000%. But in the first half of 2019, after an increase in tariffs, sales were 45% lower than the previous year.

For this particular struggle, we hope to work closely with our federal legislators and the Biden Administration  to improve the export market for our cranberry growers.

Closer to home, cranberry farmers continue to seek solutions to their challenges. Some have considered leasing portions of their bogs to solar companies; others contemplate dumping a significant part of their supply and turning it into fertilizer or compost. Some hope that in so doing the decrease in supply could lead to driving up the prices.

Certainly everyone will be better off if the industry can continue to produce robust quantities of cranberries and find a receptive market.

There has been some effort to address the challenges the industry faces. A few years ago, the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force identified strategies to support the state’s cranberry industry, including funds to renovate and upgrade local grower bogs, implementing additional conservation efforts, and considering incentives to preserve retired bogs as open and protected space.

It’s unlikely that any single solution will be the remedy for all the issues that the farmers and industry leaders face. But we all need to try. As consumers, we should be proud of this unique industry and we can support it at the grassroots level by buying their products. Legislatively, in my role as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Export Development, it will be my priority to do everything I can to support our cranberry farmers and help them promote their product on a national and international stage.

The cranberry industry is an important part of our past, and present. I will do everything I can to assure that it remains that way in the future.

Regional committee ready to go back

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The Silver Lake Regional School Committee met Thursday, March 11, and unanimously voted an operating budget of $27,246,375 as the amount deemed necessary for the operation of the Silver Lake Regional School District for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.   The debt budget covering the construction of the Silver Lake Regional High School,  $1,469,030.90 for the 2021-2022 school year, which is part of the towns’ assessments – also passed unanimously.  Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx pointed out that the budget reflects more than $160,000 in budget cuts that were requested by the committee.

Halifax’s Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig, spoke to the board at the beginning of their meeting, asking them to consider carefully.  “Things are tight, tighter than they have been in a number of years.”  Seelig said that Halifax right now does not have the revenue needed to cover the increases proposed by Halifax’s departments ….”

At this point, he said, the finance committee is putting in numbers that are level funded from last year.  From there, they will add in the contractual obligations that have to be paid like health insurance and retirement, and salaries.  If there is money available, the next thing they will put in is step increases, no matter what department they are in, per the various contracts or through the Halifax Wage and Personnel by-law.   Only after that, will the Finance Committee start considering increasing wage accounts.

Seelig brought up the article submitted by the school committee to the Town Meeting warrant to fund restoring tennis courts at the High School for $130,000.  He said this is in addition to the towns’ local assessments.   It should be considered, but taxpayers should make a decision as to what is more important, tennis courts or other parts of the budget.  “Money is money,” Seelig said, “and it’s going to be the same dollar from the same sources that are going from Halifax to Silver Lake.” In terms of the total assessment.   Seelig said that everything is in flux because there is no state budget yet so state reimbursements aren’t available yet.

Chairman Paula Hatch opened the meeting to the public and heard from Madelyn Dooner who sent the results of a petition she started asking that students not go back to school for the remainder of this school year.  She told the board that many parents and students do not feel comfortable going back for this fragment of a school year, citing scheduling conflicts and that while remote learning will still be there for those who have chosen it, it will now be done through a third party, “so it doesn’t seem like it is going to be the same experience for everybody.  It’s not going to be like a fair experience.”

Hatch responded by saying that the state has now stepped in and they are making the rules and the Silver Lake School District is mandated to follow them.  Hatch assured her that the committee is taking all of the concerns of parents and students very seriously and the remote option is not being taken away.

Michelle Taylor, a parent of a soon to graduate senior, asked the board to support letting the senior class remain as they are.   Taylor told the board that she works for the state as a school licenser, so she’s  well aware of COVID regulations and have been helping schools since last March a year ago with re-opening and health and safety plans …  “so I know the intricate details that you all have to manage … that  having been said, putting my parent hat on, I do feel  that these students that have been brave enough, and I applaud them, through petitions and speaking tonight, and in the past, I’ve heard from my own child and other students in particular the senior class, ‘Why change it in the fourth quarter?’  There are only six weeks left until the end of school, and although a hybrid schedule is certainly not ideal, by anyone’s stretch of imagination, it is consistent at least.“

Chairman Hatch thanked her and said she is sensitive to the seniors in particular  and “we do understand what’s happening, what they’ve been deprived of, and are trying to make it as easy a time for the next couple of months and to have it be enjoyable for the time they have left.”

Michaela Gill, principal of Silver Lake High School, gave the board the latest iteration of her plan to have students return to full time classes in the high school, a plan that has had to change several times based on changes in the requirements from the state.  Currently, however, there is no date from the state when high school students must return to full in-person learning.  “We are ready and eager to welcome all students back to school,” Gill told the board.

Middle School Principal Jim Dupille told the board that as of March 9, DESE has mandated that all middle school students must return by April 28.  He has constructed a plan for full in-person return to school, in fact several plans, as they have needed to be reconfigured to meet the ever-changing guidance from the State Department of Education.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jill Proulx responded to committee member Summer Schmaling’s question of asking the Department of Education for a waiver to return to full in-person schooling, pointing out that the Silver Lake High School does not meet any of the criteria listed in the guidance from the Dept. of Education.  “I want to reiterate, especially for families and students who may be listening, that the reality is that the Department of Education has mandated that we are required to return to full in-person schooling by May 4.  That’s what we’ve done.  This is remarkable work in a very short period of time on behalf of students.  There are bound to be issues, so I ask the community to be patient.  This is a very tall order to be done in a very short period of time. …   Students will experience this differently, but as a community we will be supporting our students as well as we can.”

Dupille said it is his plan to return students to full in-person schooling when they come back from April vacation, April 26.  He said that in summary, students will get new schedules, teacher schedules will change, some electives will not run in the remote learning environment, remote electives will shift to in-person, and some electives may not be able to be run.   Term III will end April 16; term IV begins April 26.

Dupille said he may need to rent three tents to take advantage of outdoor spaces for band, chorus, and wellness.   The tents can be put into use in many ways, at a cost of $2200 for each tent for six weeks.

Crone said that  separating the two schools, middle and high, seems like a much easier way to address the problem.   “It seems like the middle school is much easier to return to school.  The high school, I still don’t think it is.”   Recognizing  that we don’t have a choice.  If the commissioner comes back in April and doesn’t  have  a return date for high schools, if he comes back and puts it back to the local systems to choose, I would choose to leave it as is for the  four to six weeks that we have left.

Committeeman Gordon Andrews asked the committee to authorize Eric to write a letter of unappreciation for all of the shifts of changes.   We think we’re near the deadline and they shift again.  The number of meetings, the hours of work trying to implement their changes, “I think we need to speak up and let them know that it’s not okay.”

Leslie Ann McGee applauded everyone, staff and administrators, for the work that has been done.   “I want to make sure that the public understands that as we make these plans, not only does the Dept. of Education change the goal posts, they change what they look like.  Plans that worked no longer are acceptable and there is no guarantee that the plans in place now won’t become obsolete at the DESE’s whim.”

Mike Antoine said that he agreed with Eric Crone; if Commissioner Riley sends the high school decisions back to the local level, “Let’s stay the course… if that’s an option.”

Crone made a motion to ask the committee to authorize him to write a letter stating that SLRHS would like to make their own decisions regarding high school return to all in-person learning.  “We can write the letter, but we don’t have to do it.”   Eric Crone will draft a letter for Hatch’s approval, and the vote was unanimously in favor.

Until they hear from DESE, Principal Gill has her plan to bring students back fully May 3.

New act could mean loss of grant money

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The Feb. 18 Halifax Planning Board meeting began with Attorney Amy Kwesell present to discuss drafting a defendable decision with regard to site plans and special permits and answer any pertinent questions in order to better inform new Board members and refresh older ones. She also presented on the Housing Choice Act of 2020. Some of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members were also on the call. Kwesell has been practicing law for 21 years with a special interest in land use and is a teacher for the Continuing Legal Education and Zoning Conference.

Kwesell explained the Housing Choice Act of 2020 as part of the legislation that included the budget. “What this does to municipalities is they have some mandatory definitions… but one of the most important things is that they require multi-family housing in MBTA communities and Halifax is a MBTA community,” Kwesell explained. “A MBTA community has to have a district of reasonable size for multi-family housing permitted as of right; there can be no age restrictions and it has to be suitable for families with children… it has to be within a half mile of a commuter rail station,” she further explained.

If a community fails to adopt multi-family housing then they will no longer be eligible for grants through the Commonwealth including but not limited to Mass Works, Local Capital Project Fund, and Housing Choice Initiatives.” The MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program is one such grant. The program provides technical assistance and construction funding to eligible municipalities.

Later in the meeting, Chair Alan Dias said that the Complete Streets Program had been submitted by the Board to the Highway Surveyor. He said that once past that part of the process, he would expect to hear from a representative of the program regarding which projects would make the cut. Board member Amy Troup asked, “Won’t we have to enact the new bill to be eligible for it?” Dias responded saying, “If we do not have some zoning districts that we will not be eligible; we’re eligible for the Complete Streets as of now under this program. If we don’t do something whenever the legislature agrees to give us whatever time frame, then we won’t be eligible after that but right now I believe that those funds have been sort of set aside depending on what we pick.”

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and MBTA will be developing parameters for multi-family housing. Kwessell said she was advising that towns not make changes to zoning until the parameters are released. Kwessell called the Act “not well thought out.”

She said the Act also allows for certain bylaws to be enacted without the two-thirds vote at town meeting. Additionally, some special permits can be granted with a simple majority rather than the normally required four-fifths.

Kwessell began her presentation on site plans saying that when an application comes before the Board, it is important to understand which bylaw is at issue. She said that the Planning Board has special permits for which they are the Site Plan Granting Authority (SPGA) while other special permits are granted by the ZBA. An SPGA may be the Planning Board, the ZBA, or the Board of Selectmen. Regarding site plan approval, Kwessell said, “the purpose is not to regulate the use, it’s to regulate how that use is implemented… there’s been no land court decision that upholds the denial of a site plan for an as of right use… you can’t deny it, you can condition it.” She continued, “With the special permit process there is discretion so there is a difference between special permit and site plan approval.”

When a site plan review application comes in, the Board is required to circulate it to all of the various Boards that need to see it. Next steps would be conducting the public hearing where the Board has quorum, close the public hearing, deliberate, and then vote. During the public hearing, public participation is allowed though it may be limited by time constraints. “Best practices for just conducting these hearings, you want to be respectful to the applicants and the public; you want to keep an open mind, avoid conflict of interests. If there are any conflicts, any question of conflicts, you can always call the attorney of the day,” she said. She also said that an extension from the applicant must be in writing and must provide enough time for all necessary steps to be made. “You want to perfect the decision which is sending it to the Town Clerk’s office,” Kwessell explained. Kwessell said if a motion is made to approve the decision and it fails, the project is denied and it is not necessary to take a vote to deny the project. All decisions must be recorded and filed with the registry.

Once an application is filed with the Town Clerk, it is dispersed to the Planning Board, the Board of Health, the Building Inspector, the Highway Surveyor, the Water Commissioners, the Zoning Administration, the Board of Appeals, the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen. The various Boards then have 30 days to submit feedback to the Planning Board. The Planning Board must explain any divergence from the other Boards’ recommendations in their decision. “The courts have held that for a use allowed as a right, a Board may deny site plan approval only in situations where a plan is seriously deficient in important elements or is ‘so intrusive on the interests of the public in one regulated aspect or another that rejection of the Board would be tenable,’” Kwessell read to the Board.

Kwessell described a special permit as serving to “regulate that special middle tier of uses.” She continued, “There’s uses that are so offensive they’re prohibited and then those that are you know very innocuous and they’re allowed, so then you have this middle section that’s what I consider special permits.” A special permit cannot be refused for reasons that are not in the bylaw and the statute is not more detrimental. Kwessell also added that you cannot base your decision on the applicant but rather on the project. If there are already special permits issued that impact the neighborhood, the Board is not allowed to deny what Kwessell referred to as “the last guy” if the impact is of the same caliber as previous ones.

For a special permit, a public hearing is required within 65 days of filing and a decision within 90 days. For a five-member Board as in Halifax, special permits require that four out of the five vote in favor. The public hearing must be published at least fourteen days out from the hearing.

Following Kwessell’s presentation, Board member Gordon Andrews asked what the role of the Planning Board was in site plan enforcement. “Under your bylaw the enforcement is by the Building Inspector or a designee designated by the Board of Selectmen,” Kwessell said. “So the Planning Board doesn’t go out and police it?,” Andrews reiterated. “No,” Kwessell said.

Michael Joyce with Joyce Consulting Group, who was representing Brookside Construction, met with the Board regarding 300 Plymouth St. Joyce showed the proposed site plan which included the intersection of Plymouth St. and Monponsett St. He said there were six commercial units in the building including Verizon and a bike shop. He said they were proposing a solution to correct a drainage issue that would entail collecting all the stormwater the same way, put new pvc but then bring it out below grade at the curb line to two infiltration areas. Stormwater had been going into the building during some larger storm events. Board member Rick Perry said, “It makes perfect sense to me what they are trying to do there.” Dias recommended that they go before the Conservation Commission as well. Andrews disagreed as wetlands weren’t involved saying it did fall under the purview of the Planning Board to take it under advisement. Dias wished to clarify who did have purview over stormwater management.

The Board also discussed 0 Monponsett St. “If you go down 58 toward Plympton on the left-hand side there’s some concrete blocks there and it’s listed as 0 Monponsett St. and it looks like there’s a stump dump going on in the back,” Andrews explained. He further said that there was a gravel operation and a loom operation with trucks going in and out. Andrews said he had received numerous calls questioning what was going on, what the hours are, and where the site plans are. “There’s a business operation there and it doesn’t look like there’s a site plan,” he explained. Dias asked Andrews for more information and Andrews said he would get a lot number and a map. Dias seemed to think it might better fall under the purview of the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

At the end of the meeting, there was significant disagreement over the meeting minutes from October 15 and whether or not Troup had approved the version that were sent to the town clerk. Planning Board secretary Jo-Anne Snow said that she didn’t make any edits to the minutes that were approved though Troup seemed to feel that a line had been deleted about using Chapter 90 money being spent on engineering to apply for grants. Troup asked that the removal be added back in and everyone on the Board re-sign the minutes. Dias recommended tabling the conversation as all the members that had previously approved the minutes were not present. Troup said, “We do not need a re-vote, what we need is for that to be put into the minutes and that is all that needs to happen.” “We’ll just move that off to our next meeting,” Dias finally concluded after quite a bit of back and forth.