The Towns of Abington and Whitman have announced they will receive $780,216 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 18 housing units (nine in each town) and to support the Saint Vincent DePaul food pantry in each community.

The towns also received CDBG funding in 2012 to support these activities. Pre-grant activities still need to be completed before funding is available to the public. The towns are hopeful the new round of programs will be up and running by mid-October.  The funds will be used to correct code violations at eligible properties.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently announced the 54 cities and towns that will receive $27.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local infrastructure. The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource for neighborhood revitalization projects and helps meet the housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income communities while building and repairing infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by DHCD to cities and towns in Massachusetts with populations of less than 50,000.

Communities may apply for CDBG funding for activities including: housing rehabilitation projects, infrastructure repair or replacement, construction or rehabilitation of public facilities, neighborhood improvement projects, economic development loans and other business assistance programs, social service upgrades, downtown improvement projects and architectural barrier removal and planning.

Community Opportunities Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in community development and planning services, assisted the towns in preparing the application and held several public meetings in during the application process.

Under the previous grant award, the Abington-Whitman program completed 22 projects (11 in each town) at an average cost of $23,000.  The projects ranged from a small emergency hot water heater replacement to full handicapped accessibility retrofits.  The assistance is provided in the form of a deferred payment loan that expires after 15 years if there is no change in ownership with a per unit cap on assistance of $35,000.

For more information, please contact the Abington Office of Community Development, located at the Abington Council on Aging, at 781-982-2145 ext. 6.

SSVT salutes Aiguier for SkillsUSA gold medal

By Mike Melanson
Express correspondent

HANOVER — The Massachusetts Association of School Committees and South Shore Vocational Technical School Committee on Wednesday Sept. 17 recognized SSVT alumnus, James Aiguier, who was gold medalist in nurse assisting at the 2014 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.

Aiguier was a Whitman student who now lives in Dartmouth. He attends the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, where he is majoring in nursing.

“It’s going good. Classes are starting to get hard now, nothing too bad,” he said of his college work.

Patrick Francomano, president elect of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, said MASC has put into place an award recognizing students who have achieved a national award in subjects such as music, academics or sports.

“We’re giving an award for getting an award, but it’s important,” he said.

Francomano, who is also a King Philip Regional School District school committee member, said Aiguier should reflect on what it took to become nationally recognized in his field.

“You came out as best of the best. That’s a huge achievement,” Francomano said.

Glenn Koocher, MASC executive director, also attended the presentation last Wednesday. Also recognized was Jeanne Boretti, one of Aiguier’s allied health teachers at SSVT.

“He is very well deserving,” she said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Molla of Norwell presented an award on behalf of the School Committee recognizing Aiguier’s national achievement.

New boiler

Superintendent-Director Thomas Hickey said a project to replace the school’s 52-year-old boiler has been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s accelerated repair program.

Hickey said the district has been assigned an owner’s project manager, Expertcom, Inc. of Dedham, and a designer, Raymond Design Associates of Hingham.

The boiler could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace, but the MSBA would reimburse the district at a rate of 53-percent, he said.

Hickey said the designer will design a system and with it an estimated cost. The district will send that information to the MSBA by a Feb. 11 deadline, and the MSBA Board of Directors will vote on the project at their March 25 meeting, he said.

Hickey said the district will then have 90 days to secure funding for the project, and will present warrant articles seeking funding to Town Meeting in all eight towns next spring.

All eight towns must approve the project to take effect, he said.

If the measure passes, SSVT will start construction on July 1, and be done by December, he said.

Superintendent goals

The School Committee approve a series of superintendent goals proposed by Hickey for the 2014-2015 school year.

Hickey said he plans to develop a process for providing staff feedback on superintendent performance, make sure all eligible students pass a third party licensure test, and ensure the successful integration of the new positions of lead bus driver and network technology specialist.

Credit and banking

District Treasurer James Coughlin said SSVT will soon be able to start accepting credit card payments for school registrations, in the restaurant and in cosmetology.

Coughlin said the district is working with Rockland Trust to set up a system.

He said the district would need to put policies and procedures in place, and do training.

SSVT should be able to accept credit card payments by Nov. 1, he said.

“It’s just a convenient thing,” he said.

Coughlin said the regional school district could gain an additional $3,000 to $4,000 in interest payments per year if the district invested in local banks in the district’s eight towns.

He said local banks do stuff in their communities and SSVT should support banks such as Abington Bank, Mutual Bank, Scituate Federal, Pilgrim Bank and others.

Coughlin said the district has savings in the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust bank in Boston, with low interest rates of .19.

However, interest rates at local banks range from .20 to .35 to .60, he said, which might offer a better option.

Molla said the district went with Mass Municipal at a time when the bank was paying better, but since the economic downturn has been paying lower than anyone.

He said that personal checking accounts pay more, and he supports Coughlin’s efforts.

Back to school

Principal Margaret Dutch said SSVT opened on Sept. 2 for faculty, which included a professional development presentation by school psychologist Christine Darsney on the teenage brain.

The are four new high school staff members. They are Kristin Bateman, an English teacher who comes from the Middleborough school district; Dan Condon, an electrical teacher; Lindsay Cunniff, a culinary teacher from Attleboro; and Patricia Henderson, a librarian from Dighton-Rehoboth.

The SSVT Hall of Fame Breakfast and Induction will take place on Oct. 25, during homecoming weekend. The Hall of Fame Committee was scheduled to meet Thursday Sept. 18 to review the nominations, Dutch said.

Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey said that on July 1 a new state law took effect governing how school districts handle student discipline and absenteeism.

The law sets up a due process system. The school now must arrange a meeting with a parent before suspending a student, Aubrey said.

The state law also requires schools to send a letter home to parents if a student has five unexcused absences, he said.

Aubrey said SSVT has a stricter policy.

Letters go home after three unexcused absences. Students must also appear before an attendance committee of teachers, guidance counselors and administrators to discuss earning back credit, he said.

Director of Guidance and Admissions Michael Janicki said SSVT is offering a new guidance curriculum for all students during shop cycles.

The curriculum offers classes on transitioning to high school, who’s who at SSVT, study and organizational skills, and job and career skills, he said.

Janicki said SSVT is partnering with the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority to offer the “Your Plan for Your Future,” program, an online tool to help students plan their careers.

Director of Vocational Education Deborah Collins said the school will hold a career and job fair on Oct. 3, in order to help seniors get in touch with employers for their coop program.

Hickey said South Shore Vocational Technical High School will hold an open house on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hearing on gravel removal is continued

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen, following a site visit by members Don Howard and Bill Scott, Conservation Agent Laurie Muncy and a member of the Conservation Commission, will reopen a hearing at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30 on the application of Great Cedar Cattle Feeders Inc. of Halifax for a soil removal permit.

Howard has professional experience with bogs and gravel management, and Scott is a bog owner.

Great Cedar Farm Manager Demetrius Haseotes explained at the hearing Sept. 16 that the work involves removal of 3,400 cubic yards of soil from cranberry bogs at Pierce Avenue and Robinson Street in Hanson for use at the company’s agricultural property in Halifax. The company has already removed 600 cubic yards of gravel from the site.

He aplogized for beginning the work without a permit because he did not know it was necessary. The company’s bog manager Jesus Rivera was unable to attend the hearing.

“We had no idea we were to come before you,” Haseotes said. “What we were doing, we thought, was a routine operation and maintenance of our cranberry bog. We meant no disrespect to the board or any of the neighbors.”

Abutters expressed concern about the effect of the soil removal on drainage in the area, dust and traffic as well as the legality of the gravel removal operation if the project fits that definition. Selectmen all shared concerns voiced by abutters, but expressed the need for more information before rendering a decision.

“This is serious amounts of gravel being moved,” Selectmen Chairman David Soper said. “I ask this board to consider what we have going on here.”

 “Obviously it is a gravel removal operation,” Scott said. “Whether it’s consistent with the farm plan … and may or may not be an exemption to the farm, that may be something to be decided outside this forum.”

Haseotes said the objective for the work is to create a “landing area” for trucks during picking season for safer and easier access to the property away from wetlands and wildlife. He noted that his father had a dangerous car accident on site last winter when his vehicle skidded on ice and ended up rolling over the vehicle in a bog pit.

“That day, when things got settled, we started to look at the bog and how to make things much safer,” Haseotes said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

He pledged to do the work during “normal business hours” and assured selectmen it was not a commercial operation.

Soper said that, from the fenceline, it appears excavation is close to the fence on the Robinson Street side and the operation should be required to truck out soil via Route 27 to control traffic and dust.

“It’s a big dust storm down there,” said Pierce Avenue resident Alan Spera, whose property abuts the bog area on two sides. “The actual excavation area is approximately 120 feet from my property line.”

He said work began in the busy area in August — there are town ballfields, an American Legion Post and Boss Academy of Performing Arts also located on Robinson Street, which forms an “L” intersection with Pierce Avenue.

“The town specifically does not allow gravel removal operations in any zone,” Spera added. “The only exception is if there is an accessory use … [or] related to that use.”

Haseotes argued his work fits that definition, but Spera — while he appreciated the apology — countered that removing the soil from the site is not an accesory or related use.

“I think we need a lot more information before we can support what you want to do — if we, in fact, are going to do that — and you are going to have to supply that information to us,” Spera said.

Robert White, a Robinson Street resident, spoke about the effect of dust and truck traffic.

“It’s lit up when trucks come out of the bogs,” he said of his house. “We have to keep our windows shut because of the dust coming off the roads. … It looks like the Big Dig.”

He said there are people going in out of the bogs at all hours of the night.

Where the dust is concerned, Haseotes said this has been one of the driest seasons he has seen in 25 years of farming.

Indian Trail resident Kim Wilson was chiefly concerned with the effect of the bog work on drainage.

“I’m looking at it not to stop someone from using the property they own but what effect that might have on myself, financially,” she said. “Gravel is drainage.”

Haseotes said he does not think work is close enough to the buffer area to affect drainage, but Conservation Commission Chairman John Kemmett said the company’s farm plan should contain answers to a lot of the questions being asked.

“I think it’s important that the board see that plan so they understand if you’re in compliance,” Kemmett said.

Selectman Bruce Young asked how the farm plan applied to the work being done. Hiseotes replied it would improve access for updating the bogs for increased production as well as improve access roads at other crop-producing properties.

Selectmen requested a copy of the farm plan as part of the continued hearing.

Scott said good relations with neighbors are important for farmers and said Route 27 as an access for trucks and watering down dust would help with that effort.

“If you kind of overdo you exemption rights, that sometimes creates a problem for neighbors,” Scott said. “Try hard not to do that.”

Howard, who also has bog experience, said the periodic sanding of bogs does not require removal of gravel to his knowledge. He also expressed concern about the dust problem.

Bogus billing headed off at W-H as BBB warns of scam

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

Fake invoices for unordered supplies are appearing in area schools as the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to schools and districts across the country after the consumer group fielded complaints from 27 states, including Massachusetts.

Fake invoices have already been received by the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, where the district’s purchase order system has prevented them from being paid, according to W-H Business Services Manager Christine Suckow.

“It’s all over the South Shore,” Suckow said. Two of the fake invoices have been received by WHRSD schools — one at Duval School and another directed to Maquan.

Suckow said invoices coming in to W-H principals must match up with purchase orders, which the two in question did not. She does not rule out the possibility that more fake invoices may still be received, but stressed the checks and balances of the accounting system protects the district.

“The principals know what they order because it goes through a requisition process,” Suckow said. “If it doesn’t have a P.O. number, we question it.”

In the past few weeks, there has been a rush of complaints filed with BBB against “Scholastic School Supply,” which claim either a Nevada or New Jersey address that turn out to be mail drops.

The BBB has urged that schools not to pay the invoices but to send them to the local Postal Inspector and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as their state’s attorney general or consumer protection agency.

So far, none of the complainants have sent money; however, BBB has no way of knowing if any schools have unknowingly paid the invoice, since they would not have filed a complaint.

“Many of our customers have received invoices from a company calling itself ‘Scholastic School Supply,” read a statement issued by the global children’s publishing, education and media company. “Scholastic School Supply is not affiliated with Scholastic Inc., but rather is a company that is using Scholastic’s name and trademark without authorization. Scholastic recently became aware of this company and its actions, and has demanded that they cease and desist using Scholastic’s name and trademark, which they have agreed to do, but they seemingly have not done so as of the date of this communication.”
In addition, Scholastic stated it has been investigating this company and will continue to do so.

“If we determine that this company is allegedly violating any other laws or regulations, we will take prompt, appropriate action,” a company spokesman stated. “However, in the course of our investigation and through conversations with our customers who have brought this company to our attention, it appears that numerous schools and districts have referred “Scholastic School Supply” to various state attorneys general and the U.S. Postal Inspector in Nevada and New Jersey for further investigation.”

BBB Serving Southern Nevada received its first complaint against Scholastic School Supply on Aug. 20, 2014 and since then has received nearly 70 complaints from schools across the country. The company’s online BBB Business Review has also received more than 3,000 inquiries; there is an Alert posted there so that visitors are able to confirm the suspicious nature of the invoice. The company maintains a mail drop in Sewell, New Jersey, as well as Las Vegas, and BBB New Jersey has received more than 20 complaints so far.

The bogus invoices have been for $647.50 for the bulk purchase of “English-Language Arts Practice Books” or $388.50 for math workbooks (although the amounts and products could change at any time). Complainants have said they cannot reach the company to inquire about the products or amounts allegedly owed, and all have denied ever doing business with the company previously, according to the BBB.

To date, BBB has received complaints from schools in 27 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Due to BBB’s process for handling complaints, which gives a business up to a month to respond, the complaints received to date are still considered pending.

“Contact information available on the invoices was initially just going unanswered, but now email is bouncing and the phone number has been disconnected,” the BBB stated. “BBB has been unable to locate any corporation filings, business licensing, or documentation to substantiate a physical location in Nevada.”

Earlier this week, an agent in New Jersey filed as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) under the same company name, and the BBB there is investigating the connection. The UPS Store in Las Vegas is a BBB Accredited Business and is cooperating with the Postal Inspector and other agencies investigating the scheme.

To find out more about scams or to report one, check out BBB Scam Stopper.

W-H alumnus killed in Afghanistan

By Stephanie Spyropoulos
Express staff

WHITMAN — Flags are flying at half-staff in Whitman as the town mourns one of their own. Paratrooper Maj. Michael J. Donahue, 41, a native of Whitman and graduate of Whitman Hanson class of 1990, will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in the weeks to come.

Donahue was killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sept. 16. He was in his third deployment.

Joanne Nickerson of Middleboro, his only sibling who is also a graduate of Whitman-Hanson, said she is struggling with the loss of her younger brother. The amount of support from the Whitman-Hanson community has been incredible, including many messages to her through social media. W-H sports teams wore black armbands in support of Maj. Donahue this week.

She joined their parents, who now reside in North Carolina, in a military ceremony Tuesday night referred to as a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to bring her brother home.

Nickerson revealed fondest memories of her brother and referred to him as “everyone’s best friend.” He was not only a likeable guy but had an enormous heart and thought nothing of doing things for others, she said, recalling a gift of a handmade rug that he sent her after her family moved in to their new home.

“He went village to village with my color swatches to match the rug to my living room décor,” Nickerson said.

She recalled the details through laughter and tears how his rug quest was typical of her brother’s nature of doing for others; no matter how big or small the task.

Amy Driscoll-Balonis, a classmate of Donahue who reconnected with him on Facebook said she received messages of support from him when her son enlisted in the military.

“When my son went in to the Marines Mike would ask ‘how is he doing?’ It was the fact that he asked and offered support to me,” Driscoll-Balonis said. “Here he was in war, seeing all he did, serving his country and stopped to ask me about my son,” she said.

Donahue attended a family reunion in Massachusetts in August, at which many family members were able to see him and his entire family.

In a Facebook message to friends and family Donahue posted at 2:13 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 12 via Shahr-e Now, Afghanistan:

“I am leaving this country in 30 days or so. Thanks for everyone’s unwavering commitment with your thoughts, prayers, letters and packages; not only for the Troops and I but for the Afghans as well. Please stop all mail services no later than Sept 15th. I owe everyone a hug, high five, and a beer.”

Donahue was an operations support officer with C Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps.

“The Dragon Family has suffered a great loss today, and we would like to express our deepest condolences to the Donahue family,” said Lt. Col. Gabriel Barton, Donahue’s battalion commander, in a statement. “Maj. Michael Donahue was an exceptional officer and a huge part of our team and our family.”

 Also killed during the same attack was Stephen Byus, 39, a member of the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio. Byus, a civilian, was working in Afghanistan as a supply specialist assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

Donahue, who had lived in Columbus, Ohio, enlisted in the Army in February 1996 and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in April 2000. He arrived at Fort Bragg in July 2012, where he was assigned to the corps’ Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

Donahue’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge.

Donahue is survived by his wife, Sherri, and their children Victoria, Seamus and Bailey.

The Donahue family also lost a cousin in a1990 helicopter crash during Operation Desert Shield, the buildup toward the first Gulf war, known as Desert Storm. He was flying a night mission using night-vision goggles and was involved in a mid-air collision. His body was never recovered so he is remembered in the memorial section of Arlington National Cemetery — the reason Maj. Donahue  will be interred in a different place in the cemetery.

A public burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Nickerson is currently working with Massachusetts state representatives to organize a tribute for her brother.  Details will be forthcoming when they are available.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 10 voted to present two articles to voters at Hanson Special Town Meeting on Oct. 6: One that would repair the Indian Head School roof, and another that would replace it. Each article authorizes spending as much as $850,000 to do the work. Town Meeting voters will be asked to consider both articles at the same time, in order to discuss both options, town and school officers said.

Hanson Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo said requests from all town departments are subject to funding and state Department of Revenue certification of the town’s free cash figure.

Selectmen are looking into what can be funded by free cash or rolled into a capital exclusion override. The board might have to re-prioritize and change their recommendations on articles, San Angelo said.

“At this point, we don’t know what free cash is going to be,” he said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes complimented the work of the facilities and capital projects subcommittee of the regional school committee, and the town Indian Head and Maquan school priority repair committee, which met Wednesday for 90 minutes before the regional school committee meeting.

Hayes said the district and town are going through untested waters, but seem to be heading in the same direction.

“It’s wonderful to see everyone on the same page,” he said.

Hanson Selectman Bruce Young, who chairs town priority repair committee, said he hopes they all make it.

However, it might be like the sign at the entrance to the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean ride says, “Ahoy matey, there’s rough waters ahead,” Young said.

The School Committee also voted to present an article requesting spending as much as $200,000 to repair or replace window lintels at the Indian Head School.

The committee voted to recommend passing over a request for $55,000 to install an indoor ventilator at the Maquan School, and do more air quality testing in the winter.

The committee voted to present an article to fund the development of public bid documentation for the Indian Head School repairs.

The committee voted to recommend passing over a request to fund the repair or replacement of the cafeteria floor and office carpets at the Indian Head School, as the work has been done.

In other business, School Superintendent Ruth Gilbert-Whitner presented her self-assessment and goals, part of an annual evaluation process set forth by the state education department.

Gilbert-Whitner said the regional school district did not have to lay off one teacher this year, the first time in her term as superintendent.

However, the district is still seventh from the bottom on a state list of per pupil expenditures, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said Whitman-Hanson has some first grade classrooms with 25 students. The district needs six additional teachers to address big class sizes, which would require an additional $300,000 to $400,000 in funding, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said eight Whitman-Hanson managers trained in the ALICE (Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) safety protocol, which offers more options if there is an active shooter or crisis than simply sheltering in place.

She said the school district is upgrading the school website, which will launch in the middle of the school year.

Gilbert-Whitner said her goals include looking at the effective use of student data to determine if schoolchildren are getting the education they need.

She said she plans to develop a human resources department, revise the crisis management and safe schools plan, review the progress made under a five-year strategic plan as it completes its fifth year this year, and develop a new five-year strategic plan by the opening of school in fall 2015.

The School Committee voted to allow the Whitman Mothers Club to sell tickets for a gala benefit at upcoming football games.

Beth Stafford, a sixth-grade teacher and past president of the Whitman Mothers Club, said the club is celebrating its 70th anniversary at Whitman Town Hall on Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 per person.

The Whitman Mothers Club gives money for scholarships, PCC, PACs, the library, food bank and toy drive, Stafford said.

New job description

The School Committee voted to revamp the job description for the assistant superintendent for district operations to one for an assistant superintendent for human resources or executive director of human resources.

Assistant Superintendent of District Operations Craig Finley is leaving the school district to pursue a consulting opportunity in the private sector.

Gilbert-Whitner said she recommending changing the position from district operations to human resources because there is a need there.

The school district processes 900 W-2 tax forms a year, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said the position’s responsibilities would include personnel, labor relations, staff development, budgets and salaries, and community involvement.

She said she would prefer an assistant superintendent because of the educational background, but would also hire an executive director in order to draw a wider net of candidates. The difference of titles is based on licenses and certifications required the state, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said the district would post the opportunity, but the position could not be filled until after Jan. 1.

The salary range would be from around $100,000 to $125,000, she said.

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

HANSON — The doors of fellowship are open wide again.

Members of the First  Congregational Church, the community at-large and town officials gathered to celebrate the dedication of the church’s renovated front entrance Saturday, Sept. 13.

Selectmen Bill Scott, David Soper and Bruce Young, along with Police Chief Michael Miksch attended the ribbon cutting for the front doors as well as a short worship service before the congregation and guests moved outside for food, games, crafts, music and miniature train rides for the kids.

The front entrance had been closed for renovation last summer, according to church member Phil Clemons, because it became evident during work on the front stairs that they had to be replaced — and the foundation needed to be repaired.

“We found the sill was all rotted,” he said.

A couple of years ago, it was determined that those front steps were unsafe, according to church member Bob Cox in his welcoming remarks.

“This [work] was done with the cooperation of the congregation of this church — their faith, their support, their prayers created what you see here today,” he said.

After a series of fundraising work, a contractor was hired to install new granite steps.

“We got the old steps out and discovered that there was no sill on the front of the building … which kind of opened up a another problem and we had to close the building up,” Cox said. “We had to put the steps on hold.”

Clemons said the granite steps have inspired town officials to look into granite to replace crumbling concrete steps that are posing a safety hazard at Town Hall.

Duiring the church renovation, an engineer had to be found to dig a new foundation without touching the old foundation. The work took about a year.

“It’s as close to the orginal as possible,” Cox said of the result.

The main entrance’s side doors, dating back to 1836 and held together with wooden pegs instead of nails, were restored and all four doors were refinished. The “new” center doors date from the 1850s.

Ironically, the work had begun while the church was providing worship space to the First Baptist Church while that building was being renovated. FCC is also housing the Hanson Food Pantry during renovation of its new site at the former Plymouth County Hospital’s nurse’s quarters building, which had also been used by Plymouth County BCI.

“We’re looking for more people to help fill up the space, so today we said, ‘let’s invite everyone,’” Clemons said of Saturday’s event which was, in part, a celebration of how the church community aids its town.

Clemons led the gathering in a dedication prayer before youth member Miranda Campbell, interim Pastor Joy Matos and Trustee Harold Towne cut white ribbons in front of each set of doors.

“The way we open things up is the way we do everything — with prayer,” Clemons said.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the doors were thrown open for the congregation to enter as the steeple bell was tolled. Once inside, they took part in a 15-minute service of celebration and dedication, which included music by the praise band.

In the devotional reading, member Cindy Fish talked of how her eyes would always be drawn to “those beautiful old doors” whenever she stopped at the church to see how the renovation was coming along. It put her in mind of what the original craftsman must have been thinking as he built them, and she spoke of touching the doors as work neared completion.

“I was very pleased that a craftsman from my generation had restored these doors so lovingly, and with so much care, so that generations to come can walk through them and come into this beautiful sanctuary to worship,” she said.

Matos, in her brief sermon, reviewed how the highest elevation in Hanson was chosen for the site of the First Congregational Church and the church’s heritage before leading the congregation in the recitaition of the church covenant.

Following the service, in addition to food and fun for the children, tours of the church were provided and informational tables outside allowed church committees as well as the Hanson Food Pantry and Boy Scout Troop 34 to discuss their programs. The South Shore Worship Band also performed during the event.

Resigning as selectman for professional, personal reasons

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

HANSON — Citing “both personal and professional” considerations after “considerable thought,” Selectmen Chairman David Soper has announced his resignation from office effective Wednesday, Oct. 8.

“This is obviously not something that was planned,” Soper told the board Tuesday, Sept. 16. “There’s been a lot of delibaration in the Soper household. Just know this is not on my terms and I will miss my role on the board.”

There is one year and seven months left in his term and the board, voicing appreciation for Soper’s years of service and regret at his decision, voted 4-0 to schedule a special election for Saturday, Dec. 13 — the earliest date on which an election could be set under Mass. General Law.

If Town Meeting votes to send a school roof question to the ballot, it would also be Dec. 13, although it could have been scheduled as early as Nov. 15 had it appeared on a ballot separate from the selectman seat. Whether a ballot question will be voted will be decided on Town Meeting night.

Town Administrator Ron San Angelo said in the little over a year that he has worked with Soper they have had a wonderful working relationship.

“I wanted to say thank you, both as a town administrator and a citizen, for the work that you’ve done on behalf of the town,” San Angelo said. “Your work has been appreciated.”

Selectman Don Howard agreed with San Angelo’s sentiments, but argued the board needed full membership.

“I think we should fill it,” Howard said to the board’s agreement. “Nothing against David, but I think we should have five members on the board and I think we should do it as soon as we can do it.”

Selectman  Bruce Young said he, too, was leaning toward voting right away to set a Dec. 13 election.

“It gives people more notice that an election will take place, rather than waiting for the October Town Meeting,” he said.

In other business, the board finalized the special Town Meeting warrant, removing four of the 46 proposed articles as no longer applcable or redundant. Town Meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6 at the Hanson Middle School auditorium. Selectmen suggested that, with so many articles on the warrant, a second night at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct.  7 may be required.

One of the removed articles, relates to rekeying doors at Maquan School, as windows along side classroom doors complicate security even with new locks and the new ALICE (Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) approach to live shooter training emphasizes evacuation over shelter in place procedures.

“What they’re finding is in some cases an evacuation is much better than an actual lockdown,” said Selectmen Bill Scott regarding discussion with Police Chief Michael Miksch on the ALICE approach. “The glass to the side of the door could easily be broken.”

Also removed were articles seeking an indoor ventilator for the Maquan School office, pending further air-quality testing, as well as an article seeking funds for public bid documents for the Indian Head roof, as is would be included in the process of repairing or replacing the roof and is covered in two other articles.

The fourth article removed was one seeking creation of a revolving fund from a portion of subdivision review fees to pay for sidewalk projects. The current town counsel agreed with former counsel Kopelman & Paige that the fund would be illegal.

Soper asked if another funding solution could be found.

“We, as a town, have not been responsive to the needs of our community,” he said adding and improving sidewalks near the train station could boost ridership, for example.

Language — revised by the School Committee and town attorney — was also adjusted in two other articles to update the wording concerning the roof and lintel questions for Indian Head School.

Selectmen also heard a presentation from Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O’Brien, County Commissioner Sandra Wright, state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, and state Sen. Tom Kennedy,  D-Brockton, about a $75,000 grant for pond maintenance.

The award was funded through Plymouth County via a line item in the state budget secured by Cutler and Kennedy. Hanson has been selected to be the first recipient for the pilot program.

Whitman OKs updates to Park, WMS ballfields

By Mike Melanson
Express correspondent

WHITMAN — Selectmen on Tuesday Sept. 16 voted to approve a request by the Whitman Baseball & Softball Association (WBSA) to place a flagpole and bench near the baseball dugout at Whitman Park, and place batting cages at the Whitman Middle School.

Town Administrator Francis Lynam said the Massachusetts Historical Commission, acting on behalf of the National Register of Historic Places, must also approve the Whitman Park project, as the park is encumbered by a preservation agreement.

“It’s minor in nature. I don’t anticipate a problem,” he said.

Lynam said the project could relocate a flagpole from the old police station behind town hall to the field, and perhaps remove the other old police station flagpole at the same time.

He said batting cages behind the current police station would be relocated to the middle school fields.

Lynam said there is some concern about that part of the project.

He said there is a sophisticated irrigation system at the middle school field, and there is an electrical component as well.

The complex cost approximately $1-million to build, and there will need to be architectural and engineering designs for the batting cages, Lynam said.

“We’re going to need to make sure we know what we’re doing before we start this project,” he said.

In a letter to Lynam, Kevin Briggs of WSBA said they would need to dig a trench for power to operate a pitching machine at the middle school.

To install the batting cages, it might be necessary to take a layer of grass up, level the ground, then pour cement or asphalt and lay baseball artificial turf.

The WSBA has licensed electricians on its board of directors who will do the wiring, and all expenses would be the association’s responsibility.

The cages behind the police station are rarely used due to their location and condition.

“The convenience of location and quality of these new cages will benefit the children of Whitman Baseball and Softball for years to come,” Briggs states in the letter.

Selectman Daniel Salvucci said a flagpole at a baseball field is usually on the first base or third base lines. He said it is interesting that the flag pole and bench at the Whitman Park ball field would be put in the place where there used to be a baseball monument, behind the dugout on the first base side of the field.

“It will dress up the area,” he said.

Lynam said there would be problems if the flag pole was put on the foul lines because of the layout of Whitman Park and proximity of a pond.

“This is the appropriate location for this setting,” he said.

DPW Commissioners 

Selectmen and Public Works Commissioners met jointly Tuesday and appointed two commissioners to  fill vacancies after the resignations of commissioners Edward Winnett and Dana Olson.

Appointed by vote of selectmen and the commissioners were David Cook and Wayne Carroll.

Cook, a senior project manager at Keough Construction Management, will serve until 2017, when the position will be up for election. Cook has been a Whitman resident since 1990, and said he wanted to get more involved with the town and thought he has the qualifications for the position.

“This opportunity presented itself,” he said.

Wayne Carroll, who has been a Whitman resident for 50 years, born and raised in town, was a career firefighter who just retired after 27 years as a Hanson firefighter.

Carroll said he has worked for the highway and water departments, and has 25 years of experience of negotiating union contracts, including going through arbitration. He will serve until 2015, when the position will be up for election.

“I’m very interested in the DPW position, and I intend to run for the position in May,” he said.

Block grants

Assistant Town Administrator Gregory Enos has worked on a cooperative agreement with Abington to secure community development block grants for both towns, Lynam said.

The towns applied for an $800,000 grant two years ago to set up a fund for people with economic needs to make necessary repairs to their properties.

This year, $780,216 was awarded to Whitman and Abington, to fund repair projects for 18 housing units in each community, and support the St. Vincent de Paul food pantries in both towns, Lynam said.

This year, Whitman will receive $262,000 to cover 18 units, which can be used to replace hot water tanks, make units handicapped accessible, and to get things up to code. The food pantries in Whitman and Abington will also each receive $36,000, Enos said.

Selectmen praised the agreement.

“This is outstanding,” said Selectman Brian Bezanson.

“Spectacular,” agreed Selectman Lisa Green.

Tax abatement 

Lynam said that under the town’s property tax work-off program, senior citizens may volunteer to work for the town for 100 hours at $8 per hour, the state minimum wage, in exchange for an $800 abatement.

However, the governor has signed legislation raising the minimum wage, and Whitman might want to considering changing the amount of hours that senior citizens in the program work, or the amount they are paid per hour, he said.

Lynam said he plans to present a proposal in November, but wanted to bring the matter up with selectmen Tuesday.

Salvucci asked if volunteers would need to be turned away if the town increased the work-off abatement to $1,000.

Lynam said that on average there are 26 senior volunteers and the program has been open.

If there are more applicants than positions open, new applicants get priority over returning ones, he said.

“We’re getting a lot of help out of the program. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “We’ll be revisiting.”

School dishwashers

Selectmen voted to support a special or annual Town Meeting warrant article for $32,000 to replace dishwashers at the Conley and Whitman Middle schools.

The devices are beyond repair, and their immediate replacement will require the regional school district to “pre-pay,” and then seek reimbursement from Whitman, according to school officials.

Lynam said the town is required to pay for capital items at the two school buildings.

Assistant Superintendent of District Operations Craig Finley and school Superintendent Ruth Gilbert-Whitner, in a letter to Lynam, said they understood that the district would pre-pay for the dishwashers and Whitman selectmen would support a May Town Meeting article reimbursement request.

“They are looking for assurance,” Lynam said. “These are expensive machines.”

Benefit aids W-H scholarship and two charities

HANSON — For Edward Flanagan, younger brother Patrick was a real profile in courage.

The Flanagans, former Whitman residents, now live in Abington. Patrick was a graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

Often he endured hours of wrenching vomiting due to kidney disease before heading off to school in the morning.

“Paddy endured more pain in one day than I’ve known in 27 years,” Edward wrote on the fundraising website forpaddy.com. “He endured so much at such a young age — and yet never wanted to receive extra attention  or to feel different or to be left behind by friends or classmates.”

Paddy was born in Boston in 1992, suffering severe kidney illness from birth. Floating Hospital for Children became “his second home.” Despite a successful kidney transplant in 2008, he died following a heart attack and coma on Dec. 23, 2012.

Tickets online

His family and friends are now planning a fundraising celebration of Paddy’s life and legacy from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at Camp Kiwanee. Tickets are $40 and only avaiable online through a link at forpaddy.com. Attendance is limited to 250 advance tickets and tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Fireside for Paddy will include music by Lenny Lashley’s Gang of One, Lee Preston, Jon Cauztic + Powwer Geoff, Civil Warblers and The Hired Men. A campfire evening, food truck, ice cream truck, raffles and prizes are also available.

Cabins will be available for overnight camping.

The fundraiser will earmark 60 percent of proceeds to an annual scholarship for Whitman-Hanson students interested in pursuing a culinary career will also benefit from the fundraiser, according to family friend, Scott Cappellini. 

“He went to Johnson & Wales,” Cappellini said. “His father was a cook and he wanted to be a cook.”

For those who helped

The event will also benefit two organizations that played a big role in Paddy’s short life — 20 percent of proceeds each to Floating Hospital where he was treated and the Make-A-Wish Foundation that arranged a trip for Paddy to San Diego to watch a Red Sox-Padres baseball game prior to his kidney transplant.

“Patrick avoided telling anyone the story of why we were there,” Edward wrote. “He was simply grateful for such a generous gift and the chance to share it with his family.”

“He was sick and didn’t tell anybody,” said family friend Scott Capellini of Hanson about Paddy’s final fight. “He had been sick his whole life.”

For more information or to make a donation the mailing address is For Paddy, P.O. Box 151, Hanson, MA 02341 or email friendsoftheflanagans@gmail.com.

— Tracy F. Seelye