Whitman-Hanson Express

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PCH site study is authorized

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HANSON — Selectmen on Tuesday night approved a request by the Final Plymouth County Hospital Reuse Committee to apply for a site visit by the nonprofit Urban Land Institute (ULI) as a way of nailing down a viable plan for the site of the crumbling ruin.

The investigation carries a $5,000 price tag, but committee member Marianne DiMascio said ULI helps applicants find grants to cover the cost and, if no grant is available, the town may withdraw its application without obligation.

The five-member committee has been meeting for five months and also includes Selectman Don Howard, Planning Board member Don Ellis, Conservation Commission member Phil Clemons and Robin Sparda-Curran.

“I think the committee is going in a great direction,” Ellis said. “I think we’ve got time to research other avenues, look at different things, we all seem to be coordinating together and going in a positive direction.”

Selectman Bill Scott cautioned that, as DiMascio said during her update on the committee’s work, nearly a half-dozen studies have already been conducted on the site over the past 16 years. The town bought the property in 1999. Demolition costs have been estimate of $1.5 million, but could go a bit higher.

“I’m just wondering if we’re not repeating ourselves,” Scott said of the ULI study. “It ends up being a history lesson every time.”

He noted the town just had the Old Colony Planning Council prove a comprehensive report on use of the site.

“The committee’s going to have to come up with some decisions and I don’t know if we need another outside source to tell us what we already know,” he said.

Clemons replied that ULI will be able to help with some of the more difficult questions remaining.

“What we would have would be a customized team more specifically put together for this project,” Clemons said. “There could be new information for zero or very close to zero dollars.

Requests for proposal may be written to find a developer interested in incorporating demolition costs into a given project, or to demolish the hospital in exchange for the eight acres of land. A combination of Community Preservation funds, grants and/or taxes is possible financing avenues, although officials are not enthusiastic about depending on taxes.

Selectmen, by consensus, endorsed the RFP avenue concurrently with the committee’s consultation with ULI.

Ellis said the committee may invite those submitting RFPs to come in and discuss their plans with the town administrator, within the zoning restrictions on the property. Scott agreed, noting it could result in plan mitigations that could benefit the town.

The focus of Tuesday’s discussion involved the parcel containing the former tuberculosis hospital. The two other parcels are a long strip of land and meadows and the land encompassing the food pantry and water tower, including a U-shaped section around the hospital site.

The meadow, according to almost every previous study, would be best used as open space for recreation and the committee has focused on the parcel containing the decaying, fire-damaged hospital building and eight acres of surrounding grounds.

“It’s just a dangerous building that needs to come down from everything we’ve read and heard about,” DiMascio said.

The committee had discussed the issue with lawyer and Hanson Housing Authority Chairman Teresa Santalucia regarding housing development possibilities on the site and with state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, on grant availability, as well as Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett on potential use of Community Preservation funds.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said there is $750,000 available and CPC funds can be bonded against future Community Preservation Act revenue.

“Obviously we don’t want to be using all the CPC money because then we wouldn’t be able to acquire any open space, restore any [properties],” she said. “But, as a committee, we’ve talked about it exhaustively and — to a person — we’re quite in favor of trying to use this money to try and do something positive up at Plymouth County Hospital.”

Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said he does not advocate using all the CPA funds either, and said the ULI study may provide the town more time to figure out how to fund the demolition.

CPA funding would also carry deed restrictions requiring it to be used for open space, historic preservation or passive recreation unless the town reimburses the CPA for use of its funds.

“I don’t want to start getting into taxes, that has to be a last resort,” McGahan said.

Funding for over-55 housing has been drying up in recent years, but is more likely for multi-generational housing or a project linked to proximity to the commuter rail, DiMascio said the committee has found. An abutter suggested looking into bringing a Recovery Centers of America treatment facility to the site, but she cautioned that — while it would have minimal traffic impact — a drug treatment facility may have more negatives for the town than benefits.

“We’re just putting up here what we’ve found, we’re not promoting anything at this moment,” she said.

In other business, Selectmen authorized Town Administrator Michael McCue to work with the town’s labor lawyer Leo Peloquin on the inquiry into Camp Kiwanee operations, and to require Recreation Commission members and camp employees to fully cooperate, including their providing all requested documents and participation in interviews with Peloquin and McCue.

Selectmen declined an amendment, suggested by Selectman Bruce Young, to the original motion to limit the inquiry to 30 days. The amendment did not receive a second, and was not accepted.

“It’s been going on for too long, I want it to get resolved,” Young said.

“My understanding in discussions with counsel is that the cooperation has been not up to par,” McGahan said in speaking against a time limit. He suggested giving McCue until the June 28 meeting to determine how the process is going. The inquiry had already been voted, Tuesday’s vote only allows McCue to help.

New Recreation Commission Chairman James Hickey said employees are feeling uneasy about the lingering inquiry and also advocated a time limit.

Selectman Don Howard recused himself, as he had in the past because of a relative who abuts Kiwanee. While that is no longer the case, McCue said Howard was permitted to recuse himself for any reason without explanation and he preferred to do so.

Finding Direction: Vo-Tech grads discover their career calling

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HANOVER — For the 139 graduates receiving diplomas from South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School on Friday, June 10, the ceremony meant much more than an end to classes and the ubiquitous post-ceremony cigars.

As Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas Hickey, noted their high school experience has meant finding a calling or at least building a foundation for discovering what that calling might be.

“We believe that discovering a career, learning a trade, can help one discover one’s calling,” he said. “We gave you choice, opportunity and time and surrounded you with great teachers and resources. And as a result you have built for yourselves a solid career foundation, and wherever life takes you, I am sure your foundation will help you discover your calling.”

While Hickey focused on allied health student Rebecca Reardon of Rockland, culinary student Connor Christie of Whitman and metal fabrication/welding student Tim Cashman of Abington as examples of his point, the school’s co-valedictorians and other student speakers also illustrate it.

Reardon will study occupational therapy in college, and Christie plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America with a goal of following his love of working as a line chef. But Hanson Valedictorian James Cosgrove, a metal fabrication/welding student plans to study nursing at UMass, Dartmouth and Abington Valedictorian Rachel Rapson, a drafting student, plans to major in pre-veterinary at Beckett College. Senior Class President Emily Flynn of Whitman, an auto student plans to major in education in college with the goal of becoming a middle school teacher.

“Your future is like another exploratory program,” Hickey said. “So take the advice we gave you as freshmen: Be flexible, try your best, be open to learning new skills.”

Flynn and Cosgrove reminded classmates of the progress they’d made since entering SSVT as nervous freshmen, and the life lesson that progress holds.

“Walking into the doors freshman year was OK for a few of us, but for the unlucky majority it was scary,” Flynn said. “Coming out of this school, we are going to be technicians, cosmetologists, graphic designers, generals in the Army and much more.”

She added that, with the educational opportunities afforded by SSVT, that even if they don’t stick with their trades, they come away with an education to last a lifetime.

“For those of us entering college or the workforce, I urge you to always remember where you started and to think about the positives of what Vo-Tech has brought us, even if it’s something as simple as an inside joke or as meaningful as lifetime friends,” he said.

He also reminded the class that they have already impressed people outside their school for what they have learned outside the classroom, relating how a waitress at their prom venue had complimented them.

“‘I can tell you guys are Tech kids,’” he recalled. “I didn’t know where she was going with it, but then she went on to say that we had a certain maturity about us. It was a nice memory on top of a fun night.”

Rapson, too, spoke of the dividends gleaned from their high school years.

“For the past four years, we have been going to school together, finding friends and creating relationships,” she said. “And the day has come where we will be leaving this community. … We are able to grow and see the world. We get the chance to live our lives, educated and inspired, a privilege other people don’t always get.”

The Class of 2016 had a sense of fun, too, which was evident by the mortar board décor alone — cosmetology students tweaked the title of last year’s biopic about rappers NWA with their “Straight Outta Cosmo” caps and Student Body President Madeline Long of Rockland referenced the catchphrase for Disney’s “Up,” “Adventure is out there.”

Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey literally gave a tip of his hat to the graduates’ humor after relating the fate of the senior prank. A group of students planned to camp out on his front lawn, he said — but were unaware he had moved.

The class also held a beach party on the school’s front lawn last week, but didn’t tell him because they were concerned he’d be angry.

“I’m just mad I wasn’t invited,” he said, pulling an over-sized white, black and green Aloha shirt out from behind the podium and putting it on over his robe, topping it off with his trademark black cowboy hat before announcing scholarship awards.

School budget finalized: State budget eyed as time limit forces local decision

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The School Committee, faced with a daunting time window, voted Wednesday, June 8 to approve the 3.5-percent assessment increases passed by Whitman and Hanson town meetings within the levy limit.

They also reluctantly voted to transfer an additional $200,000 from excess and deficiency — before the assessment vote — in order to ensure class size issues were dealt with at Conley, Indian Head and perhaps Duval schools. Both were 8-0 votes, with members Robert O’Brien Jr., and Alexandra Taylor absent.

That means Whitman’s share will be $10,956,757 and Hanson’s is $7,715,066 of a level-service budget of $46,914,344 for fiscal 2017.

No one was happy with either decision, but Business Services Director Christine Suckow cautioned there were serious deadlines to consider.

“We discussed the time frame,” School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes said. “If we don’t have a budget in place by June 30 it starts triggering other problems.”

Suckow explained that, if the district did not meet the June 30 deadline for an approved budget, school officials would have had to inform the Commissioner of Education of the situation. The district could then use 1/12 of the current budget each month until a new budget could be approved.

“Which would be fine for July and August, but come September when we have three payrolls … we won’t be able to make our payroll obligations,” she said. “If we do not have one by Dec. 30 of this year, then we’d go into receivership and the Department of  Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will take over the budget, plain and simple.”

The September payroll period is most problematic without a budget because that is when the height of costs is felt, along with the start of the new school year. A limitation of 1/12 of what the towns would assess overdraws that first payroll.

Hayes said there were several options facing the committee on June 8 — lessen the amount of the Student Success Budget, accept the level-service budget or go somewhere in between, which would trigger another override anyway as neither town has the funds to exceed the level-service budget available now. He also suggested the E&D transfer, which would reduce the account to a “dangerous” level of $415,000 could help. The decision to vote the transfer was helped by Suckow’s cautious forecast that end-of-budget-year figures could allow officials to return it to more than $1 million through savings in health insurance, utilities after a mild winter, personnel movement and a $62,000 FEMA reimbursement from costs incurred during the winter of 2014-15, among other savings.

“I want everyone to be cognizant that is one-time money we’re spending to get us over a hump,” said committee member Fred Small. “That said, I think we’re in dire straits and an emergency situation.”

The situation left a bad taste in the mouths of committee members, and residents attending the meeting, alike.

A Woodbine Avenue resident of Hanson, who moved to town only two years ago and is expecting a child, is already planning to move because of the failed override.

“We knocked down a house and built a new house that was worth two-and-a-half times more than the old one — we’re the type of people you want in your town and in your district, but given the state of the schools … we don’t plan to stay in town,” said Amy Koskowski, who is an educator, as is her husband. “We don’t see the towns value education. … I think it’s important that you know that it’s a bigger issue. Within the region, people don’t want to come here.”

Whitman resident Marshall Ottina said he is still angry about the vote outcome.

“Plain and simple, our community is not properly investing in our children,” he said. “If the towns continually to refuse to bake a bigger pie, it’s time for the schools to demand a bigger piece.”

They received no argument from School Committee members.

“We’re giving the assumption that we can fix things and we’re back to where we were,” said member Stephen Bois.

“I’m hoping that the Student Success Budget stays somewhat intact for the next fiscal year so we can move it forward,” said committee member Robert Trotta. “After the election I heard it said ‘Well, the people spoke,’ but I don’t know what they spoke about.”

He questioned whether that meant there were too many taxes, that they don’t support public education, that they don’t trust the school committee or that they had no interest in the town past their house and property.

“Everybody knows my position, that public education should be supported by the town,” Trotta said.

Small echoed those sentiments but cautioned if the committee did not certify a budget, it would place the school district in jeopardy.

“If we can’t swallow everything all at once, we’ve got to just keep taking little bites of the apple to get to where we need to be,” Small said.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner reported that, on the state budget level, including the increase in per-pupil funding to $55 per student under Chapter 70 [an additional $140,000 for W-H] as well as increases to regional transportation, Circuit Breaker and, possibly, Charter School reimbursement would be a plus for the district budget.

“There is some revenue we can’t account for, for sure,” she said.

She said discussions with the school principals showed they are unanimous in seeing a need for using any available funds within the level-service budget should go to reducing elementary school class sizes and re-opening libraries.

Ottina suggested that cuts, if necessary, should occur at the high school until class size and library problems are resolved at the elementary level.

“One of the core values of our leadership team has always been what goes on inside the classroom,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “The understanding and consensus of that team was, if any additional funding should come into the district, the first priority would be to tackle the big class size issues that we have, particularly at the Conley School right now.”

While the move would only benefit one school, the leadership team recognizes that the problem is most immediate. She is also looking into the possibility of using partial staffing, as well as some “new ways of looking at how we do library services,” to help re-open the libraries if revenue allows it.

New Hanson member Christopher Howard was concerned that the state funding would not materialize to help ease the class size and library issues.

“Everything on the Student Success budget is important,” Howard said. “The leadership team’s at a point where they need to look at trying to prioritize.”

Committee members from both towns said they have spoken to their respective finance committees about building future budgets and Hayes indicated the entire school committee should attend those sessions.

“They need to see the 10 of us,” he said. “We never want to see public education become the haves and have-nots.”

Hayes and Gilbert-Whitner also advocate multiple public hearings on the school budget before it gets to Town Meeting to answer residents’ questions and concerns.

W-H Community Evening School graduates 30

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For the 30 graduates of the W-H Community Evening School, the commencement ceremonies Thursday, June 2 were akin to a victory lap after a marathon.

A large audience of family, friends and fellow CES students filled the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center to help celebrate that victory.

Co-Director of the program William V. Glynn, in his welcoming speech, congratulated the 27 graduates who were able to attend the ceremony for the hard work they put in to succeed. He also took the opportunity to offer some final words of advice.

“And you are forced to listen to me — one last time,” he said irreverently before concluding that the graduates are assuming an important place in society.

“I need you out there,” Glynn said. “The money-lenders, the authoritarians, the know-nothings — they’re out there and they’re in it to win it. I need you out there and the community needs you out there, the nation needs you out there and, I’m not afraid to say it, this planet needs you out there. Get out there.”

Before Co-Director Dianne Nicol announced guests graduates had asked to award their diplomas, Glynn advised the Class of 2016 to not freak out as they face the future, to have faith in themselves, to listen, abide, not to “talk smack” about others on social media and give into hate, to keep reading and continue working hard to achieve their dreams.

“Believe in yourself — you can do it,” he said. “You made it here today after any number of ridiculous or dreadfully serious roadblocks, mistakes, issues, failings, but you made it.”

He said their success shows a willingness to take responsibility for themselves.

Calm, cool responses in difficult circumstances can positively infect those around you and that  “amazingly beautiful, amazingly good, amazingly true things tend to happen when people don’t give in to losing their heads,” Glynn said.

He also advised the graduates to take chances and travel to far away lands — “and I’m not talking about the Cape or Rhode Island when I say that,” he stressed  — eat freaky foods, make friends with different kinds of people and avoid being overly impressed with wealth, power or celebrity.

“Be the same you when speaking with Barack from D.C. as you would with Chip, the pizza dude, from Tri-Town,” Glynn said.

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner noted Glynn was a hard act to follow, but offered their own advice to the graduates.

“Everything [Glynn] just said to you, I know came from his heart,” Hayes said. “The path you took to get here tonight had a few bumps in the road … but you made it, that’s the whole thing.”

Hayes urged the graduates to continue the commitment to graduate as they face the future outside of school.

“That’s the key to success as long as you never, ever give up,” he said. “Keep searching for the answers to problems.”

Gilbert-Whitner spoke about decisions, noting a recent study calculated that adults make about 35,000 decisions a day — 226.7 daily decisions about food alone.

“Some decisions seem to have little impact on us, while others may change the course of our lives,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “The decision you made to enroll in W-H Community Evening School was one of those life-changing decisions.”

She said that thoughtful and deliberate choice will serve the graduates well throughout their entire lives and urged them to keep making those good decisions.

Graduates are: Madison M. Beguerie, Robert E. Cavicchi, Kimberly J. Chalmers, Dominic A. Colarusso, Nicholas L. Consalvi, James W. Cullity, Nicholas J. Dearden, Michael W. Eaves, Jaime Escalera Torres, Robert P. Fader, Brandon A. Jenness, Jacob M. Joyce, Ryan J. Kelly, Jesse S. Knight, Allison M. Leitch, Matthew C. Linn, Kyle J. Lydon, Charlie J. McAdam, Joseph M. McDonald, Jared A. Moussalli, Nicholas D. Murphy, Joshua C. O’Brien, Brandon A. Paulo, Marita J. Roblee, Nicole D. Sanchez and Stephanie A. Scammell.

Not present, but having earned diplomas were: Edward J. George, Tadg F. Jenness and Breanna V. Trabulsie.

Opioids remain a concern: Overdose numbers are down slightly officials say

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WHITMAN — There has been a slight decrease in the number of overdoses in town so far this year, but there is still work to be done, Whitman police and fire chiefs reported to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, June 7.

Police Chief Scott Benton and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno provided a statistical snapshot of their departments during their monthly reports to selectmen.

Benton said there have been 5,656 log calls between Jan. 1, and May 6, compared to 4,782 during the same period last year and noted there have been 14 overdoses, two fatal, as of May 31, compared to 19 overdoses with one fatality during the same period last year. As of May 31, the department has recorded 181 arrests, criminal complaints and protective custodies.

Grenno reported 199 emergency responses in May, with Mondays being the busiest day and 59.8 percent of the calls being for rescue or EMS services and 10 percent of transports being for behavioral emergencies. The department also dealt with three DOAs in May, two directly related to opioid overdoses. Of sick patients the department helps, 4 percent have been Priority 1 patients requiring three firefighters to help them.

“The opioid crisis continues to be at the forefront,” Benton said, crediting legislation and the efforts of schools and community groups to aid police in combating the problem. “People are working tirelessly, I know. … This is not something that we’re just going to fix overnight, unfortunately.”

He said it will take a while before effect of a new state  law limiting the length of new prescriptions for opioid pain killers is known.

Selectman Brian Bezanson asked Benton about the approach one Massachusetts police chief is taking — agreeing to help get addicts into rehab instead of charging them if they voluntarily surrender drugs and paraphernalia to police. Bezanson noted that district attorneys have problems with that approach.

“I’m for anything that is going to help people,” Benton said. “I think probably the concern is police departments can’t grant amnesty to people, that’s the district attorney.”

Benton said police are concerned with probable cause before charging people, but indicated he is willing to try to help people who ask for it.

“I think anything that works, that helps people with this epidemic … it’s a public health and a public safety issue,” Benton said. “We have to deal with it. I’m proud of the way this town is dealing with it.”

The issue of probable cause also cropped up regarding the death of a dog last week at a local grooming business, as Benton also replied to Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski’s inquiry about that case.

“A lot of negative energy has been spent on that,” Kowalski said. “I love dogs. Dogs are good. It’s a sad thing, but that explosion on social media about that event [was] way over-blown.”

Benton agreed that pets are important to people and he does not take such incidents lightly, but the department is charged with investigating criminal activity. Animal Control Officer Lisa McKay, who is an ACO in several communities and has earned a solid reputation for her work, he said.

“She wouldn’t sweep something under the rug, even if you wanted her to,” Benton said.

The chief said they reviewed the groomer’s surveillance video, which showed six other dogs on premises at the time that were not harmed. There had never been a complaint filed against the business owners and no veterinary reports indicating involvement in the dog’s demise. A necropsy was not performed because the family was advised that the dog’s fever would have negated any results, according to Benton.

“Why did the dog die? I don’t know,” Benton said. “Our sole responsibility was looking at did Canine Groomers, in any way, negligently or recklessly — through a criminal act — facilitate that dog’s injury or death? The answer is no.”

Benton said once the incident was posted on Facebook, before the investigation took place, accusations of the police covering up for a business in town began.

“Do you know how many people we lock up? We lock up Whitman residents,” Benton retorted. “We don’t care. It is what it is.”

Benton said the business owners have since received threats to kill them or burn their house down.

“There was nothing, based on the evidence, that we were able to [determine] from the information we had,” he said. “The threshold is probable cause. We don’t worry about innocence or guilt, that’s up to the jury. Probable cause is not there.”

Bezanson agreed there are no winners in a case such as this one and commended Benton for his investigation.

Grenno also reported that a 21-year-old ambulance is being replaced, but the department may be running with a single ambulance in July. A new pumping engine, approved about two years ago, will be in service in about two weeks, with all necessary equipment to respond to both fires and motor vehicle accidents.

The LUCAS devices, which supply automatic chest compressions for CPR, have helped save more lives, including one cardiac patient who was taken directly to a cardiac catheterization procedure with the LUCAS device still in place during surgery.

“The important factor is to show what we’ve spent Town Meeting funds on for equipment for the ambulances,” Grenno said. “Last year we bought two LUCAS devices … We’ve had more patients delivered to the Brockton Hospital with pulses since we put those in service than we have in the past 20 years.”

The Fire Department observed Firefighters’ Memorial Sunday on June 5, bestowing service awards to 11 department members for service milestones ranging from 20 to 30 years.

In other business, a resident, frustrated by the failure of the school budget override, asked Selectmen Tuesday night if there was an alternative to the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday polling hours for Town Elections.

“I had no idea you had a vote on Saturday, 9 to 5,” said New York native Mary Fox of Washington Street, who has grandchildren in the W-H school system. “I think that’s a little restrictive. People have 12-hour shifts, they work. I would prefer, if at all possible that another date be selected and a bigger window … such as 12 hours to vote.”

Town Administrator Frank Lynam replied that town bylaws dictate a third Saturday in May election.

“We have actually tried to reschedule both Town Meeting and election in the past and we failed miserably in each case,” he said.

Lynam added that absentee ballots are available to those who can’t vote in person due to absence from the town during poll hours or are prevented from voting in person due to physical disability or religious belief.

“Our intent is to invite, not disenfranchise voting,” he said.

Positively awesome: Class of 2016 graduates 267 to new roads

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The Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Class of 2016 has already made its mark in the community and, with the Friday, June 3 graduation ceremony behind them, they are focusing on what Valedictorian Lea Polito calls “the power to be positive ” as they approach the future.

“As humans, we tend to absorb the attitudes that surround us and reflect these attitudes in our own behavior, which is why I think that we are in the midst of a general slump in our country today,” she said. “However, I do not think the world has to be cruel. Within each of us exists a power — the power to be positive … there is power in simply doing the right thing.”

One need only take a tour of the school for evidence of that, noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner in her remarks.

“Throughout the high school, I saw information about Special Olympics, Best Buddies (it takes just you to make a difference), Relay for Life, Cancer Awareness Week, and support for Children’s Hospital,” she said.  “In the library, Portraits of Kindness, the Whitman-Hanson Art in Action memory project for children living in Ethiopian orphanages, was on display.”

Students have been active in feeding neighbors and protecting the environment, too. The latter reflected in the class gift, the addition of environmentally friendly, refillable water bottle stations.

“Every graduating class has an overarching personality,” Class Treasurer Joshua Spicer said in announcing the gift. “Our class is full of leaders and innovators who are very interested in and compassionate about the world we live in. We are a class that is well aware that many small actions can lead to something bigger than ourselves.”

The Class of 2016 hopes the water stations will encourage future students and staff to consider the effect of small actions on the greater world.

“My tour of this high school served as a testimony that you, the Class of 2016, through your involvement in an array of activities, concern for the environment, and service to others have learned the skills necessary to become responsible citizens,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “You have offered your time, energy, and commitment for meaningful participation in plays, projects, presentations, and organizations by demonstrating the skills of self-discipline, positive goal setting, and team work.”

As W-H Principal Jeffrey Szymaniak spoke of some of the graduate’s accomplishments, the numbers spoke for themselves.

There were 76 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship winners, based on MCAS scores; seven seniors received college book awards; five won prestigious science or social service prizes; four won music prizes; four art students were honored for their professional endeavors; Student Council members received the Gold Council of Excellence Award for their charitable and service projects; 34 seniors earned All-Scholastic sports team honors; and 23 won sportsmanship awards.

The show choir High Frequency, the boys’ basketball team and the cheerleading team were recognized for competition championships as were other teams participating in post-season play, as well as students participating in music, drama, art, DECA, Key Club, sports programs, CSL internships and honors societies.

Thirteen members of the Class of 2016 also plan to serve their country, with five joining the U.S. Marine Corps, another joining the Air Force and seven enlisting in the Army or another branch of the service. They received a standing ovation from classmates when they were announced.

One member of the Community Evening School Class of 2016 is also joining the Marines.

West Point-bound

During the Wednesday, June 1 Dollars for Scholars/Community and School awards ceremonies, senior Samantha Coletti was awarded her certificate of appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The West Point liaison officer for the Mass. 8th Congressional District, Lt. Col. William Ramsey presented Coletti with her appointment, representing a scholarship valued at more than $250,000.

“I would like you to meet one of your neighbors who is stepping up to the challenge of accepting a West Point appointment,” Ramsey said. “As an officer, she will be entrusted with the responsibility of leading your sons and daughters all over the world. In these trying times, it is important that we all realize the magnitude of this responsibility and Samantha has proven to-date that she has what it takes to be successful at West Point and in our Army.”

West Point’s mission is to train and educate a corps of cadets so that each graduate is a mission leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor country and prepared to serve with professionalism as an Army officer, Ramsey said.

“Tonight, we celebrate and reward hard work, dedication to school and academic achievement,” Szymaniak said before the awards were presented. The combined awards programs bestowed a total of $230,000 in scholarship awards this year.

“We would like to express thanks for the businesses and organizations, alumni and the townspeople of Whitman and Hanson whose overwhelming generosity and support for Dollars for Scholars allows us the ability to award $125,055 to the Class of 2016,” said DFS President Michael Ganshirt before he and Treasurer Jean Dean awarded the 54th annual scholarships, some of which are matched by colleges.

Recognizing the importance of student volunteers toward DFS scholarship fundraising, Ganshirt announced the $1,000 Nancy McLaughlin Volunteer Award, honoring the student who put in the most volunteer hours for DFS, was earned by Nils Wanchers, who will attend UMass, Boston in the fall.

A new author’s homecoming

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HANSON — Jennifer-Lyn Keniston has completed a 10-year labor of love in the publication of her first novel “Afta-U,” a title inspired by her grandfather’s sailboat.

She will hold a book signing, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 4 at the Café Deli, 1280 Main St., Hanson. The restaurant is a favorite of her mother, and Keniston wanted to do a signing in her hometown.

“This will be a meet-and-greet, signing books,” Keniston said. “Talking to people, talking about the book.” There will also be a raffle for Café Deli gift certificates, copies of the book [210 pages, Tate Publishing, $16.99 softcover] and more.

“I hope people enjoy reading it,” she said.

In fact, the fictional town of Graytown, Mass., in her book takes inspiration from some of the locales and people Keniston remembers from her childhood.

While the Hanson native uses the boat as a touchstone in the mystery novel, it is more of a metaphor that hope floats. In fact Hope is also the name of a main character not really there — the childhood best friend of the narrator Jean Cartwright Rhodes, who is literally haunted by Hope years after her friend’s tragic death at age 11.

A dark, complex mystery, “Afta-U” is less a whodunnit that a why they did it as Jean reflects on her faith and past to reveal long-buried truths about the tragedy she had hidden away in her psyche. Much of the incident is also unknown to her husband and teenage daughter, making for some strain in he family — all witnessed by the silent spectre of Hope.

“Afta-U” has been a labor of love and the expression of a lifelong dream,” said the Plymouth State (N.H.) and Bridgewater State graduate who now works as a project manager for a Cloud software products company.

Her master’s degree in English and minor concentration in philosophy are felt in her approach to her subject matter, as is her faith.  “Afta-U” is rich in Christian messages and each chapter ends with a poem reflective of a theme touched on in the chapter.

The Express spoke with Keniston on her book and approach to writing last week.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: “I did. Ever since I was a little girl, my dream has been to write a book.”

Q: How did you find a publisher? That can prove difficult for new writers.

A: “It was quite an ordeal, initially. But it was an exciting time.  I submitted a bunch of query letters looking to get an agent and, in the end; Tate [Publishing] works with the author. They’re more of a hybrid publisher, as I refer to it, they’re not self-publishing … they work directly with an author and not an agent.”

Q: Your book had something of a gothic feel to it, was that the genre you aimed for?

A: “It’s not a gothic book at all. It does have the apparition, ghost, about it. It’s a darker novel but it’s got a lot more Christian themes throughout it. The main character Jean grapples with a lot of those, like ‘Let go, let God.’ It’s more of a mystery/suspense novel, I call it.”

Q: Your reasons for including Christian themes?

A: “I feel it’s things I have probably grappled with, too. Even though it’s a completely fictional story, obviously some of the characteristics and traits of Jean are drawn from myself and people that I know, along with some of the other characters. Even though the town is fictitious, it’s from my hometown, which is Hanson.”

Q:  Are you worried people might recognize themselves in the book?

A: “Maybe. [laughs] Some people do recognize themselves in the book, yes. I get more people who say Jean reminds them of me or my voice coming through, which is kind of funny. People who grew up in my neighborhood, I think they find some enjoyment [with locales].”

Q: There are a lot of literary references, especially Shakespeare, in your book. Does that reflect your interests as well?

A: “Yes. ‘The Great Gatsby,’ also referred to throughout the book, is actually my favorite story. It even has the nine chapters in Roman numerals to match ‘The Great Gatsby.’ I wanted it to be a story that people could read for the story and there’s a bunch of other stuff intertwined throughout the story.”

Q: What is your writing process?

A: “This one took me about 10 years to complete. I don’t expect the next one to do that. Basically, I write everything out of order. I’ve done that throughout college and high school working on research papers, too. I do an outline last. I really kind of write all over the place and then pull it all together.

I brought up a screen one day, typed what is now a couple pages in [the book] and titled it ‘Afta-U,’ which is my grandfather’s boat. … I had no idea who the characters were, no idea what the story was, so it’s kind of exciting to write it like that because characters just kind of talk to me and come to life throughout the pages. And I put it down for months and years at a time.”

Q: Aside from Jean, who is based a bit on yourself, is there a character you would consider a favorite?

A: “I loved writing Michael, which surprised me because it was a dark novel. I had to step away from it to get into those inherently evil characters. They’re actually a lot of fun when you allow yourself to do that, but in the beginning I was kind of taken aback at trying to make them that way. He’s a mixed bag of a character. At different points some people are angry with him, or hate him, and then perhaps that all changes as the story unfolds.”

Q: This is going to be a series?

A: “It is. I see it being a trilogy. In the second book, the characters carry over but it’s really more of a mystery unfolding where everyone’s trying to solve it, including Jean. But it really stands alone.”

Whitman weighing ‘24/7’ hours rules

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WHITMAN — Officials are working to address how the town will approach businesses seeking to locate round-the-clock operations in Whitman.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam recently received a request from 7-Eleven, which has taken over the Tedeschi’s convenience store locations, to operate the stores on a “24/7” basis in Whitman.

Right now, there is no authority to say yes or no, he told selectmen on Tuesday, May 24, so the business will be told to proceed on “the basis of operating standards.”

Whitman’s store is at the corner of Park Avenue and Washington Street.

“We have not regulated the hours of business, except by license,” he said. “In the case of Tedeschi’s, or 7-Eleven, there will be no license issued by the Board of Selectmen because they are not a common victualler.”

Lynam explained that, in the past, when businesses were opening and required site approval, and the process included an assessment of impact on residential areas, the Board of Appeals would set business hours that would have the least disturbing impact on abutters.

As the location in question in this case is within a business district, Lynam said he sought advice from town counsel, which is “lacking in a firm reason to limit the hours.”

To do so would be considered restraint of trade, Lynam reported. He said he will be receiving a written opinion on the issue, at which time he plans to consult with other communities on their licensing process and come back to the board with a recommendation on whether the town needs to establish an ordinance or by-law providing oversight to hours of operation.

“Lacking any other type of authority, we really can’t regulate those hours,” he said. “By virtue of opening, they have the right to operate a convenience store 24 hours a day.”

The Board of Appeals had “exceeded its authority” in denying another business the right to operate 24/7, Lynam said the business opted to locate in another town. While he is working to identify “when, how and where” such a business may operate to avoid future conflicts.

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if, should the store sell alcohol, would they be required to cover those products during certain hours and lock it up. He also asked about the number of employees the store plans to have on duty each shift for safety concerns.

“They don’t have a license to sell alcohol and they would have to come to us for that, and that would give us the authority to regulate the business,” Lynam said. “I don’t think it’s our authority to tell them how many people to have working in the store.”

In other business, Selectman Brian Bezanson said that, while 20-percent turnout was very good for a town election, the fact that only one in five voters turned out for an important override vote was “troubling,” and asked if more could be done to increase turnout.

Chairman Carl Kowalski said Lynam had asked him if a town-wide emergency message should be sent out as an election day reminder, but he didn’t think it necessary at the time.

He did agree, however, that something needs to be done to unify the town and motivate people to vote.

Duval School honors those who serve nation, community

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WHITMAN — Students of Duval Elementary School offered thanks to those in military and public service — often at full volume — during the school’s annual We Remember ceremonies Friday, May 27.

The school hosted town officials, veterans and members of the Duval family for the program, which included recitation of student writing and quotes from historic documents as well as music.

Guests were invited to speak and retired Navy SEAL, Lt. Cmdr Anthony T. O’Brien led a group of students, clad in some of his old camouflage fatigue blouses, in saluting the five military branches as classmates yelled out, “Thank you for your service!”

“Serving is not just about those who serve in the military,” OBrien said, noting members of the police and fire departments also serve their community. “You know who else serves? Teachers. You’ve got a lot of really great talent among your teachers. They could be doing other things, but they’re here serving.”

He encouraged the children to thank teachers and public service officers, too.

After the program introduction by Duval Principal Julie McKillop, the program was turned over to students. It culminated in members of the faculty and student body honoring family members who have served with the placement of tiny American flags on a wreath, which was displayed in the school lobby for the rest of the day.

“This weekend is huge as far as remembering all of the military who have lost their lives by protecting our freedom and our rights,” said Thomas McCarthy of the Whitman Veterans’ Services office. “Please remember them. That’s why we’re still here and still free. … This weekend is not just about hot dogs and hamburgers.”

O’Brien echoed McCarthy’s message.

“Be by the pool, have a hot dog, enjoy — I’m gonna, too,” he said. “But for some of us, it’s a much more solemn time, too, because we lost some friends.”

Whitman Selectman Daniel Salvucci, whose father in-law served in WWII also spoke to the assembly about respecting those who serve their country.

“We are here today because of them,” Salvucci said. “If you know someone who served, just say ‘thank you,’ because they have done the most amazing thing — protecting us.”

The program was also a chance for the students to say goodbye to Assistant Principal Dr. Elizabeth Wilcox, who takes over as principal of Hanson’s Maquan Elementary School on July 1.

“Dr. Wilcox puts lots of time and energy into this program,” said McKillop. “[She] gets to go to a new school next year, so I think we should take a minute to thank her for all the work she does.”

The audience gave Wilcox a warm and sustained round of applause.

Water quality woes

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HANSON — Classic rock tunes aside, there’s nothing to love about dirty water when it’s coming out of your home faucets.

“It’s random,” said Assessor Lee Gamache, who lives on Main Street. “It can be clear and then one day it’s just bad. … Sometimes it’s actual sludge coming out of the pipes.”

Homeowners are frustrated with the situation.

Besides health concerns, many say it’s unfair to expect them to pay for running water for as long as five hours to flush sediment from traps while the town is under a water ban. Gamache did say she had her water independently tested and said it was deemed safe to drink, but can irritate skin when one bathes in it.

The town is on Brockton water while the High Street water tank undergoes routine maintenance.

One couple, 38-year residents Brian and Lorraine Skorohod of 791 High St., having found no recourse with the Water Department, brought their plight to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, May 24, seeking recourse for water bills and damage to their home.

Selectmen responded that, while there is really no financial action they could take, they authorized Town Administrator Michael McCue to look into the issue.

“This is not an issue the Board of Selectmen has purview over, however with the board’s acquiescence I can certainly take a look to see if there are any avenues [under which] something like that could be addressed,” McCue said.

Selectman Bruce Young suggested the situation could provide an opportunity for the Water Department to formulate emergency plans for the future.

“I don’t think this is something that’s happened before,” Young said. “It’s been the most expensive [maintenance] shut-down in the water tank’s history.”

He noted that the town couldn’t compensate residents, as the Water Department is a separate entity.

Lorraine Skorohod had brought in a sample of their water drawn this week, with black manganese and iron sediment at the bottom, and asked if selectmen would like to drink it.

“If our water is drinkable, then I certainly wouldn’t want to drink this — and that’s what we were told,” she said. “Would you want to drink that?”

“No, ma’am,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan, noting the board is equally frustrated and he appreciates the Skorohod’s efforts to speak on behalf of many residents dealing with the same problems.

Board of Health Chairman Gil Amado, who also serves on the Water Commission, said many hours have already been invested in seeking a solution.

“The water from the Pleasant Street break … was literally the color of root beer coming out of the tap,” Brian Skorohod said. “It was like that for a whole day.”

He said the water meter “is spinning the whole time” homeowners have outside spigots open to drain traps.

“I’m not the only one that has a problem on High Street,” Lorraine Skorohod said, noting that one of her neighbors has an infant that needs water.

“I can understand the dilemma that the town is in,” Brian Skorohod said. “But we shouldn’t have to continually pay somebody to come out and make repairs due to that.”

The Skorohods were upset that they have had to pay for three service calls and parts costs for work on a gas boiler that was installed in December 2014 as a result of the water main break. Their boiler had been working fine until sediment-tainted water got into the system and flooded the boiler and electrical panel — both of which had been properly installed.

“I just want to know if there’s some recourse,” Brian Skorohod said. “If we can have the town reimburse us for the money that we’re spending because of this problem.”

Selectman and former Water Commissioner Don Howard said the problems began with the Pleasant Street water main break several weeks ago. The break was observed by a resident at 3 a.m., but not reported right away.

“We’re trying to solve the problems,” Howard said.

Calls began pouring into the Police Department later on the morning of the Pleasant Street break, because of low water pressure on High Street, Route 58 and where the ground is high on Whitman Street. Police discovered the break at about 6 a.m., after patrolling the area to investigate the calls.

The main was shut off for repairs, but by that time, Howard said, it is estimated the water had been flowing since about midnight — about six hours.

“The pressure in the system dropped down to 70 pounds coming in from Brockton,” Howard said. “Having the water run like a spider web where the break is, it disturbed everything in the water mains south of West Washington Street, High Street and everything into Monponsett Street.

By the time pressure was restored all the lines were filled with manganese and iron. When the water tank is online, the water flows in the opposite direction through the mains.

Back online in June

The tank is expected to be back online by mid-June, but the water may still be affected through the end of the month. Hydrant flushing in Hanson takes place in the fall.

“Water pressure fluctuates [by 20 to 30 pounds] coming from the city of Brockton,” said Water Superintendent Richard Muncey. “That’s creating different surges throughout our system. It stems from their service flow.”

Because of that pressure fluctuation, there have been four more water main breaks in Hanson, according to Howard.

“Every week we’ve had one,” Muncey said.

“There really isn’t anything you can do with it until you’re on your own system,” Howard said.