By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent
HALIFAX — Selectmen on Tuesday Sept. 9 signed off on an Eagle Scout project to renovate and fix 22 benches along Route 106, and witnessed the swearing-in of two full-time firefighters.
Kyle Keogh of Troop Pembroke 105, for an Eagle Scout project, plans to renovate and fix the benches, and make them look better.
“Some of them are broken, so we’re going to have to get new boards for them, put them in, and to match the stains for them,” Keogh said.
“There will still be ones that are still good, the benches. We just need to sand them down, power wash them, and then stain them to the correct color,” he said. “There are also some that are covered in vines, leaves, hedges and stuff like that. We’re going to have to trim off the plants so they’re not in the way of pedestrians sitting down on them.”
Selectmen voted 3-0 to support the project.
“Beautify Halifax,” said Selectman Troy Garron.
“We definitely need a little tender, loving care,” said Selectman Kim Roy.
“Some of them need a lot of loving care,” said board Chairman Michael Schleiff. “We are on board.”
Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said the Highway Department, Beautification Committee and Historical Commission were all notified of the Eagle Scout project.
“They’re all very happy to hear that this project is going on,” he said.
In other action, selectmen witnessed the swearing-in of firefighters Michael Delcourt and William Palma by Assistant Town Clerk Susan Lawless.
Dozens of family members, friends, and firefighters packed the selectmen’s meeting room.
Fire Chief Jason Viveiros said both men are hard workers who bring teamwork, professionalism, respect, and a positive outlook to the department.
Delcourt started as a call firefighter in Halifax in 2011.
“He’s worked really hard. He’s currently in paramedic school and working towards achieving that goal,” Viveiros said. “When I first met him, he was with his newest baby. I know it’s difficult managing his personal and professional life, but he’s doing an excellent job of doing that.”
Palma started as a call firefighter in Halifax in 2008, and was a call lieutenant.
“He actually left the town for a short period of time, before realizing his home was here,” Viveiros said. “It made him really proud to know he came back here and embraced Halifax as the full-time department that he chose to work for.”