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Rec Panel reviews Kiwanee use

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HANSON — The Recreation Committee will be fine-tuning its policy for fundraisers — as well as its continuing amending of other policies — at Camp Kiwanee’s Needles Lodge after some issues had been raised about programs planned by the South Shore Children’s Museum — a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit —founded by former Recreation member Juvelyn Hartwig.

No vote was taken on the issue during the Monday, Nov. 15 meeting.

Initially, concerns had been raised about unpaid bills, which have since been paid, a point verified by the town’s treasurer/collector. For that reason, new Recreation Chairman Frank Milisi did not allow discussion on that point.

Member Brian Smith had expressed concern over a fundraiser apparently approved Sept. 29, but was not brought before the committee previously.

“I’d like to know who these folks spoke to,” he said, also asking why it was presented as a private party rather than a fundraiser, for which the Camp should have been paid 20 percent of receipts. The 7 p.m. To midnight schedule also requires late hours for staff doing cleanup. He also questioned the handling of the liquor license and deposit check for the comedy night set for Nov. 19.

“We’re in a financial hole,” he said. “What are we doing?”

The paperwork had been received Monday, Nov. 8, but Camp Kiwanee Administrative Assistant Dori Jameson said she had received a call months ago from a museum representative Leah Snowdale. Selectman Jim Hickey said he took the liquor license application and check over to Town Hall for Jameson to offer a hand because he was going there anyway.

Vice Chairman Audrey Flanagan said the event had been on the calendar for quite some time, but had originally been planned as a drag show – which was not planned as a fundraiser. It was later changed to a comedy night fundraiser.

A security deposit for the prior event was rolled over to the fundraiser.

Fundraisers held at Kiwanee are supposed to be charged a fee, according to Recreation policy.

Hartwig stated to the Express, the fundraisers are vital to finding a new location for the museum.

“I’m not at all thinking there is anything deceptive about this, but it is completely unorganized,” said former Chairman Diane Cohen. “As far as the pricing, we need to raise our rates [and] I believe that is something the commission is going to be working on.”

Milisi said the rate discussion is “absolutely valid.”

“That’s something that needs to be addressed in the future so that, when a situation like this comes up, there’s a proper policy to protect both parties involved,” Cohen said.

Hartwig did contact The Express, after the meeting – and had spoken to the Committee, about the timing of the discussion. The meeting had been moved up to 6 p.m., despite her explaining to some members in advance, that she could not attend until 6:30 p.m., because of work commitments.

Dollars For Scholars Taking Orders For Gift Cards

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Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars will be processing orders for gift cards this holiday season as part of its fall fundraising drive. Interested individuals will be able to order gift cards from over 300 nationwide merchants. DFS will receive a commission for selling the cards while the recipient will receive the full face value of the gift card. 

A Dollars for Scholars representative will be in the Community Room of the Whitman Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 4, and in Training Room of the Hanson Police Station from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 5, to answer any questions. Orders may be placed at those times. All gift cards ordered are expected to be delivered by Dec. 11. Payments should be in the form of a check or cash. Currently, DFS places gift card orders every other month for its board members. Members use the gift cards as gifts for family or friends or toward everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, prescriptions, and restaurants.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit graduating high school seniors in the form of scholarships at the end of the school year. For more information on the gift card ordering program, please contact Mike Ganshirt at 781-252-9683 or visit www.WhitmanAndHanson.DollarsforScholars.org.

Whitman nor’easter response lauded

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WHITMAN — The town’s public safety crews received glowing praise for their work in response to the nor’easter that plunged the town into darkness Nov. 3. At the same time, Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman said there were lessons learned — on both the positive and negative sides of the leger — to help improve response to the next weather emergency.

“Obviously that was a really big event and affected everyone in town and certainly the town departments quite a lot,” Heineman said. “I certainly wanted to commend [and express] deep appreciation for the police department … fire department … and the DPW. Both the water and sewer departments and the highway, grounds and parks. They really did an amazing job.”

The cleanup and work done to ensure water and sewer services continued to function despite no power was lauded, as well as the quick cleanup of down trees and branches and leaf-covered streets.

Positives that Heineman said he would like to continue during any future power outages included Clancy’s efforts to keep the pressure on National Grid to hasten its response.

“We certainly fared a lot better than some of our surrounding communities … with a very similar level of damage, we certainly got our power back a lot more quickly than a lot of our neighbors,” he said. “A lot of it is in no small part due to his persistence with that.”

The decision to expand the use and hours of warming and charging stations at Town Hall and the Senior Center was also popular with residents, especially in view of the failure of cell service.

“That was really well-received, from what I heard, and that’s certainly something I’d like to continue in the future, particularly when it’s cold,” Heimeman said.

He also said he plans to speak with DPW Superintendent Bruce Martin about having a brush pile so residents have a place to get rid of felled branches.

Proof of residency would be required to deposit brush there.

Lack of responsiveness from National Grid and cell phone communications failure were pointed to as glaring negatives Heineman wants to see rectified following a storm recap meeting Thursday, Nov. 4.

“Some things are outside of our control,” Heineman said. “National Grid was not very responsive in terms of getting downed wires out of the road quickly so that [they could be] cleared in timely manner.”

Ultimately that could be a statewide issue, he said.

“I don’t think we’re going to solve it locally, but I wanted to make folks aware that was a very real challenge,” Heineman said.

Cell phone communications badly affected.

“That is a pretty new phenomenon,” he said pointing to a lack of back up generation for power at cell towers. “It was a real challenge for the town and for public safety folks.”

“I think it’s clear that because of the difficulty we had communicating without phones, if we didn’t have Josh McNeill it would have been more of a  disaster,” Selectman Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said. He suggested that future budget planning should think seriously of getting some backup for him. He also lauded the Town Hall custodian Todd DeCouto, particularly in the setting up and assisting people at the charging station.

“The team came together,” Kowalski said.

“It’s the people who work behind the scenes that you don’t see that don’t get the recognition [they deserve],” Selectman Dan Salvucci. Heineman added kudos to the CERT team for their disaster respons

Heineman said it might be time think about targeted capital items to make town more resilient, including digital radios in case of future cell communications failures as well as more wood chippers and generator upgrades at sewer treatment plants.

Selectman Justin Evans asked how the streetlights fared in the first real test since the town took over maintenance responsibilities.

“We did not have any major loss. We may have lost one or two,” Heineman said.

Whitman plans Asst. TA process

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen will soon have the opportunity to interview finalists in the search for a new assistant town administrator.

Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman reported on Tuesday, Nov. 9 that the search for applicants has so far generated 35 résumés, and the opening will be posted until Nov. 23.

Selectman Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski, Selectman Justin Evans and Heineman will meet to review the applications to winnow the field for the subcommittee to agree on five or six people to interview. At that point Executive Assistant Laurie O’Brien would take part in process as an observer during the interviews with semi-finalists, as she would also be working closely with the person hired.

“I think including her in this is a great idea,” said Selectman Brian Bezanson. “It makes a lot of sense to have her in the loop on this.”

“You’re probably looking at January for the whole process to be done,” Kowalski said. 

The full board would interview the two or three finalists recommended by the subcommittee. Only finalists’ names would be made public.

COVID update

Heineman said he was heartened to see town has reached the 60 percent threshold on people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Fire Chief Timothy Clancy’s weekly updates.

“The vaccination rate is going up slightly each week,” Heineman said. “A week ago the vaccine was approved for those ages 5 through 11, so obviously, there’s a lot of parents who are making that choice about whether or not to vaccinate their children.”

He also reported that OSHA issued its long-expected regulation on COVID Thursday, Nov. 4, but added that Massachusetts is “completely unique” in a law that references the agency’s rules but does not have a plan to apply them locally, according to town counsel on whether the regulation applies to municipalities here.

Counsel expects guidance from the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to help clarify the issue later on this week.

In the meantime, Clancy and the town’s clinical coordinator are working on scheduling booster clinics.

“Those are set up,” Heineman said. “Any resident of Whitman is welcome to go on our website, where [the information] is front and center, to sign up for a booster if they are already fully vaccinated.”

Boosters are administered six months after a person is considered fully vaccinated – two weeks after the second injection.

There are still slots open on Nov. 17 and 18 and there will be another session early in December.

Heineman also reported that he spoke with the president of the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra, for which Selectman have approved use of Town Hall Auditorium for a Dec. 5 holiday concert, as well as an April 24 concert. Both events are funded by the Whitman Cultural Council.

Selectmen voted to honor the request.

Similar to a recent concert by the Brockton Symphony, the SPO president requested that the audience be required to wear masks to attend.

“It’s a benefit to the community and if they’re policing their own requirements, I don’t see a problem,” Evans said.

“We affirmed the Brockton orchestra’s desire to have the audience wear masks,” Kowalski said. “I see this as giving this organization the same respect … it would also be in the interest of courtesy as a host.”

“I believe this is about choice, and they chose to ask,” Bezanson said. “If you want to go, wear a mask.” But he did not see the need, at this point, to extend that to April at this time.

Strategic plan

Mission, Vision and Values statements drafted at the Oct. 23 retreat meeting with town boards and citizens’ representatives were approved by a vote of 5-0. Heineman said that consultant Ann Donner had agreed that, if the board is ready to do so, it would make sense as the policy-making board of the town adopt the statements.

“The next steps, in speaking with her yesterday is to … firm up a little bit of the draft five-year strategic priority document and then to have a department head meeting to discuss the implementation of those initiative,” he said of a meeting he would have with Donner. “Obviously, we’re still moving toward having a draft prepared by her and ready in December and a final by the end of December.”

Selectman Randy LaMattina thanked all participants of the workshop.

“I thought it was a worthwhile exercise,” he said.

“It was a good day,” Kowalski agreed.

Towns thank our veterans

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As one town seeks to start what they hope will become an annual way of honoring veterans, another was finding that its established tradition was different after COVID.

Whitman kicked things off Thursday, Nov. 4 with its inaugural Veterans Breakfast, catered by the Cast Iron Café and served up by Senior Center staff, Whitman Veterans Agent Sara Lansing and state Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington. Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman stopped in to say hello and speak briefly to veterans and their guests.

In Hanson, Selectman Jim Hickey was the lone town official able to interrupt the workday to join veterans at the annual event on Monday, Nov. 8. Planned by Hanson Veterans Services Agent Timothy White, the event was held at the Hanson Multi-Service Senior Center and staffed by the Friends of the Senior Center.

More subdued than previous years, White noted the country’s — and region’s — losses during COVID and led a moment of silence for those lost to the pandemic as well as those service members killed or missing in action during wartime.

“It’s been two years since we last gathered here for a Veterans Day brunch,” he said, noting that nearly everyone’s life had been impactedby COVID. “It’s really altered our lives for the past couple of years — public gatherings, public places, whether you’re wearing a mask or not and all the things that we’ve been through.”

He said he is personally working with dozens of veterans and surviving spouses and has seen scores of people in and around the Hanson community be affected by the virus ad reminded the gathering that, to date nationally, more than 750,000 Americans have died from COVID.

“The sadness is, they died alone, and there’s a lot of pain there,” White said.

Whitman Senior Center Director Mary Holland, who came on board during the COVID shutdown, introduced herself and the speakers for Whitman’s event.

“I appreciate your service, as does everyone in this community,” Holland said.

“I want to thank all of the veterans who are here today,” said Lansing, an Army veteran of the Iraq war, was also hired during the COVID months. She asked veterans of each service branch to raise their hands for recognition.

Lansing also hosts a twice-monthly coffee hour at the center.

“I’m so honored to be here and see so many familiar faces,” Sullivan said. “We definitely have a long line of veterans in our family.”

She spoke of her grandfathers, one who served in the Marines during WWII and another who served in the Navy, and her sister who served in the Army.

“She joined the military because of [her Marine grandfather’s] service and hearing his stories,” Sullivan said.

She said veterans don’t hear the words “thank you” enough and encouraged people in the community to thank veterans and active duty service members for their service.

“It goes a long way,” she said. “The service that you gave, and your families gave, made an impact on my generation and generations to come.”

Heineman also extended gratitude for the veterans’ service to country.

“This is a great tradition to start here,” he said.

Hanson’s event featured only White as a speaker. He read the governor’ proclamation on the observance of Veterans Day, and a proclamation by the Board of Selectmen in recognition of Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day.

He also shared a Cape Cod Times story written earlier this year, about a Korean War soldier whose remains were repatriated after nearly 70 years to Massachusetts for burial at the national military cemetery in Bourne.

The soldier had already served for the final year of WWII and had been discharged, but re-enlisted in 1948 and was killed in 1950 during fighting at the Chosin Reservoir.

“It gives us an opportunity to reflect on somebody being repatriated and is back home,” White said as he stressed the importance of remembering the POW/MIA troops still unaccounted for.

White concluded with information on how veterans with “unseen injuries” such as concussions or other traumatic brain injuries that do not always qualify them for Purple Heart honors.

“Their Humvee was hit, or something like that, and they’re injured at the time, but they still maintain the mission,” White said. “They’re just following orders to ‘shake it off’ or something like that and, if they don’t see a corpsman or a medic at the time … it’s never recorded and they’re never reported as being injured. It’s just something to be aware of.”

He urged those attending the breakfast to make sure people they know in their friend and family circles that may be dealing with such situations should contact a veterans agent for assistance.

He concluded the program with the reading of a poem about the flag, before the senior center chorus — the Swinging Singers — performed patriotic songs.

Cheer wins another Patriot League title

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Their reign continues. 

For the 28th straight season — between fall and winter — the Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders are Patriot League champions. 

“A lot of our message this season has been a focus on having the team compete against themselves instead of others,” said head coach Alyssa Pietrasik. “We want to focus on beating our own last best record and continue to improve. We definitely did that in the league championship which I am insanely proud of.”

The Panthers topped their competition last Sunday, Nov. 7 on their home mats. 

“This is definitely one of our sweetest,” Pietrasik said. “The league championship is so important at Whitman-Hanson. It’s something we take pride in. Before results were in I let them know that either way, after their performance I was extremely proud of them. But I do have to say, it was great to win in our house on our mats with alumni, fans, families, and other W-H sports teams surrounding us.”

The Panthers have a quick turnaround time before their back on the mat. They’ll travel to Marshfield for the South regional championship this Sunday, Nov. 14. 

“Our goal is to continue to solidify this routine and master it,” Pietrasik said. “There’s potential to add a skill or two as well.”

The Panthers are captioned by seniors Jazzy Gomes, Tiffany Joyce and Samantha Sicuranza.

Hanson’s storm response lauded

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HANSON — The Board of Selectmen offered kudos at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 2 to the first responders and town officials who helped with the storm response and cleanup last week.

Town Administrator Lisa Green said the storm was worse that expected.

“I want to do a shout out to all of our first responders, the Highway Department, the Water Department and everyone who has been involved with the storm — police, fire water, highway — Lisa on the phone making sure everything is going right,” Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer said. “We were really hit.”

Town Hall was closed for two days last week, although a few town officials had reported to their offices on Thursday morning after the building was powered by a generator, which led some residents to question why it wasn’t fully open. Dyer said the computer servers had also been down, which severely limited the work that could be accomplished.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone,” he said, noting the cleanup was still ongoing.

Selectman Joseph Weeks was among the volunteers sawing up and removing the trees felled by last week’s nor’easter at Camp Kiwanee on Sunday, Oct. 31. The damage forced cancellation of the planned Halloween event planned for the camp that afternoon.

“We found ourselves in new territory,” Green said. “We know what we need to improve before the harsh winter moves in.”

She said the normal practice when storms are forecast is to watch weather reports and meet with department heads to go over response plans.

“This storm — I don’t think anybody thought it was going to be what it was, or it was worse than many people expected,” she said. “Nobody expected 100-percent power outages in this entire area to the Cape and islands.”

Green and IT Director Stephen Moberg did the best they could with what they had available, she said. She had charged both her phones, and when she lost power at 4 a.m., Green began working the phones trying to get messages out about Town Hall.

“Unfortunately, with cell service not running, some people didn’t get messages, they didn’t get text messages.”

Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan and Police, Fire and Highway departments had “excellent response” to the situation, Green said. By the time the Town Hall generator kicked in, the computer servers had gone down and emails were bounced back when sent out.

“I’m really hoping that going forward, we could try to do a better job of a consolidated message of library, senior center, what the fire and police have got to say, through the town website and Facebook page,” Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said, noting it was not meant to criticize Green. “I just am hoping that prospectively we do better.”

Green said a storm-specific plan is being formulated, including a broadcast text message to all employee cell phones to get the word out without draining her phones.

“I was trying to limit my phone use to keep my batteries alive,” she said. “But we’re well on our way to fixing that and being ready for the next storm.”

Maquan insurance

The insurance carrier has informed the town that premium for the Maquan School has gone up “substantially,” according to Green. The one-year premium to insure the vacant building is now $38,029. The budget provided $30,000 for that bill. Selectmen voted to request a reserve fund transfer from the Finance Committee of $8,029 to make up the difference.

Green said a letter from the insurance company explained that the longer a property is vacant, the chances of severe damage increases, which increases the premium for coverage. She said there is a bidding process for insurance coverage and would have to look into whether there is any option for shopping around for better coverage.

“We’re going to see the premium rise as long as we hold onto this building,” Green said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett spoke about the intent to use the building as affordable senior using, but after that original objective was agreed to the town has seen a lot of housing units for the over 55 population that are not affordable, but target the same demographic.

“As a committee [the Maquan Reuse Committee] felt the timing wasn’t right to do affordable housing there,” she said. “We probably need to look at it being used for the library, the senior center or some kind of recreation for the town. We’re still looking for a reuse. It was never our intention to still have that building standing and not reused, but we are working on it.”

 She asked if there was anything the town could do to bring the premium cost down. The premium last year was closer to $25,000.

“Their main focus is the building is vacant,” Green said, noting she would ask the carrier if there was any kind of security measures the town could take to bring the cost down.

Despite the challenges of asbestos that needs to be removed, it is not ADA compliant and lacks fire suppression, “the bones are really good,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, indicating grants may be available to help make the building useable for the library or other such purpose.

If it is more cost-effective to tear it down, the committee would favor that, she said, but cost-effective reuse is preferred.

Tax classification

The Board of Assessors met jointly with Selectmen to set the tax classifications for fiscal year 2022. Assessors recommended and Selectmen approved, that a uniform tax rate for residential and commercial tax rates in town be continued. The tax rate has been calculated at $15.09 per $1,000 assessed valuation. Personal property makes up 93 percent of tax revenues with commercial/industrial makes up 7 percent.

Selectmen also accepted the assessors recommendation against a residential tax exemption, typically used only for communities with a high number of rental properties, or a small commercial exemption, used typically for businesses that own their own property. Any reduction in the tax would not be guaranteed to reach businesses that rent their property. Only eight businesses in town would qualify to benefit the small commercial exemption.

The excess levy capacity for 2022 is $14,241.73. 

Future of Lite Control eyed

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HANSON – The Lite Control property, long eyed by the town as a location for a new Highway Department building, has drawn interest from potential buyers or renters.

The property was donated to the town in 2019 for that purpose, but the two remaining buildings have been vacant since. Any disposition of the property would have to go before the May Town Meeting.

Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer urged Green to ensure the buildings are secured, while moving ahead on parallel tracks — with the Highway Building Committee doing its work while Town Administrator Lisa Green and town counsel investigate the options for disposition of the property. The board concurred with that approach.

“There’s not enough information available now to make an informed decision,” Selectman Joe Weeks said.

The property has become a hangout for people who have been breaking into the buildings — and making bonfires inside the buildings — Green said, adding that Impressed LLC is interested in the property, but that the town would have to follow the procurement process prior to any sale or lease agreement.

“[The vacant buildings are] extremely dangerous since they are surrounded by very dry vegetation,” she said. “We’ve had some interest in the buildings and the property. People who either would like to purchase it or lease it.”

She said the windows are also being used for “target practice,” leaving the floor covered with broken glass.

Green said in either case a procurement process for municipal property disposition would have to be followed. Town counsel is already reviewing the restrictions on use of the property help with that complicated process.

“I just wanted to get the board’s feelings and thoughts on this,” she said. “We know, by the donation deed, there’s a lot of restrictions that follow this.”

For example, the property cannot be used for any residential, medical, day care or outdoor recreation or noncommercial gardening purposes. Wells may not be drilled, but town water is available to the site.

Green said the parties expressing interest are “looking at the buildings as they are” for a particular purpose.

“It would be interesting to get this back on the tax rolls,” she said. “It could bring jobs to the town instead of sitting there being an abandoned property that is a fire risk right now.”

Dyer reminded the board the property was being looked at for a future Highway garage site and asked if she had discussed the matter with Highway Director Jamison Shave in view of the town’s need for a new Highway facility.

“He was actually out there with us [when] we walked around the property. He knows a party is interested,” she said. “I don’t know if a new Highway Department is ever going to see the light in that particular location.”

Green said there is a lot of work to be done there and she is not certain the town has an appetite to fund that kind of project right now.

“The problem that I see is we did a feasibility study for that property that we’re only 70 percent done — $365,000,” Selectman Kenny Mitchell said. “Before we make any decisions, we need to determine whether Highway is going to go up there or not. You may be right, maybe it won’t be, but I think before we exercise this option — for our employees, we need to find out if it’s feasible to put a Highway Department there and, if it’s not, maybe then go to Town Meeting.”

Mitchell, who chairs the Highway Building Committee, said it hasn’t met in over a year because an override was coming last year and the cost was starting to increase. A couple of Highway employees who had served on the committee have retired, as well.

“I’m not even sure we have a quorum, but the Highway Building Committee needs to meet first and discuss this and kind of see where we’re at before we start making plans for that property.”

He also asked if the deed limited the property’s use to municipal purposes.

Green said it did mention municipal purposes, but argued it could go before Town Meeting to see if that restriction could be removed.

Mitchell said he understands the desirability of making the property a revenue-generator, but stressed the continuing need for a Highway garage.

“Our employees need to go somewhere,” he said.

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed.

“I do think we need to see that process through to figure out what is the price tag we’re looking at?” she said. “In my mind, there’s no denying that the space that our Highway folks are in is not acceptable.”

She said the current building is “literally falling apart at the seams.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said that process would not only provide an indication of what a new Highway facility could cost the town –— between $5 and $7 million when last calculated, not including the takedown and cleanup of the old building —  it would provide an indication of how to leverage the town’s existing assets and get some revenue.

“I’m wondering, do we actually end up getting those Highway guys in a building by somehow making a deal on that Lite Control property and getting money,” she said. “That’s a revenue stream that we don’t have right now.”

“I think Lisa’s absolutely on the right track as far as thinking outside the box, but I do think we’ve got to look at the Highway [Department],” Mitchell said.

Selectman Jim Hickey pointed out that the RFP process that Green was proposing would take “months and months” to complete. In the meantime, he suggested, if she starts it now, it will be complete by May Town Meeting. That would give residents something to compare — the potential revenue compared to projected costs and what has already been spent investigating the feasibility of using the site for a Highway barn.

“All the effort that’s gone into this [Highway building] RFP wasn’t specific to this … building,” Dyer said. He also suggested that the most environmentally responsible thing to do — as well as the cheapest and easiest thing to do – about the current building is to knock it down and build new.

“You can take the building on this piece of paper and move it anywhere,” Mitchell agreed. “I think there’s a few things we need to look at before we move forward.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said there could also be a use for the property that hasn’t been considered that might make the property attractive. Green reported on Nov. 2 that the building commissioner is gathering quotes for boarding up the doors.

In other business, As Darkness Falls paranormal investigations was granted permission by the board to conduct an investigation of the old Plymouth Hospital property provided they not go near the food pantry building, particularly Tuesday nights when the food pantry’s clients pick up their parcels.

 Green said she forwarded the request to Police Chief Michael Miksch who said he did not have a particular issue with the request so long as there is no damage done to the property.

“I am a little bit concerned,” FitzGerald-Kemmet said. “We’ve got the food pantry up there and I want to ensure that people’s privacy is preserved.”

For that reason she requested that the applicant not be permitted to have cameras there, while she also voiced concern for the security of the pantry building.

“I think that’s reasonable to tell them to stay away from the pantry building,” Dyer. “But if they wanted to go to the old paint shack, or down to the incinerator, or wherever, I think that’s fine.”

Green also reminded the board the group would only be there at night.

Whitman mulls finance plan

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Oct. 26 discussed the potential direction for a financial policy for the town.

Forest Street resident Shawn Kain had indicated that he would like to see some additional financial policies instituted for the town, according to Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman who said he appreciated the suggestion.

Selectmen asked Kain, who attended the meeting to sit in on discussion of the issue.

Heineman said the policies now followed are very good ones, but that he appreciated Kain’s bringing up the topic for further consideration and possible revision — the disposition of surplus property, in particular.

The town’s auditor has also recommended revising of the town’s federal awards and procurement policy.

“The current policies that we have are a cash receipt and petty cash handling policy, a fund-balance policy, an investment policy statement for investment funds and, as I mentioned, the disposition of surplus property,” Heineman said. “What Mr. Kain had been talking about having some policies dealing with the appropriate level of debt for the town and what an acceptable level of debt, in the policy view of the town, is.”

Heineman said Whitman does not have a lot of debt in comparison to other towns of its size and valuation in Massachusetts, and that many towns do not have an acceptable debt policy.

“We had a great conversation,” Kain said of his discussions with Heineman concerning the number of reasons why such a policy makes sense. “I think why this is important now … is that financial policy helps guide your spending and borrowing practices.”

These practices can affect bond ratings and set limits and signals the public that town leaders are making decisions that will maintain the town’s financial health and good standing.

“I think it’s relevant now because there are a couple of big projects on the horizon,” Kain said, noting that a new Whitman Middle School and DPW building could be on that list. “Immediately people get concerned [about] borrowing more money, another debt exclusion, that kind of thing, and I don’t think people have a good frame of reference of how much debt do we have currently on the books. Are we in good shape or are we not in good shape?”

A debt policy would provide a good frame some of the difficult financial decisions that may lie ahead, Kain said. Without it, making the arguments for needed projects when they crop up.

Heineman noted that a recommended debt level policy would effectively raise the town’s acceptable level of debt.

“Our level of debt is so low right now, as compared with similar communities, that effectively, if we … wanted a policy that laid out an acceptable level of debt — presumably somewhere around the average of like communities — then … we would be saying it was fine to have relatively significantly more debt than we do now.”

Selectman Justin Evans, a member of the budget working group in 2018, said that group drafted some financial policies, including a limit of excluded debt service costs at less than 12 percent of tax levy at all times, and that general fund debt service should be limited to 1 and 2.5 percent of general fund operating revenues.

“I don’t know if the board ever adopted those policies,” he said. “But that might be a place to start.”

Neither Kain nor Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski recalled that happening, either.

“We have to be careful and clear that the levels that we recommend have some data behind them,” Kowalski said.

Heineman reminded the board that Proposition 2 ½ limits debt to 5 percent of the total assessed value of property — whether residential personal property or industrial/commercial property – in a town.

“We’re nowhere near that,” he said.

Selectman Dan Salvucci noted that past practice was to keep in mind the conclusion of one bond before borrowing to do another project. 

Cheer takes first at B-R

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Make it two straight for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders. 

A week after capturing the Duxbury Invitational — their first live completion in two years — the Panthers took first place at Bridgewater-Raynham last Saturday, Oct. 30. 

“Another great day with these Panthers,” tweeted the team. “After a week of sicknesses and weather cancellations these athletes pulled it off. Now begins the journey to leagues.” 

And the Panthers will host that Patriot League championship this Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m.