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You are here: Home / Archives for Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

Hanson boards post ‘help wanted’ sign

June 22, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — As Hanson works to fill vacant posts on 31 town committees, it named two people on Tuesday, June 13 to new or revitalized committees.

Michelle Mills of Capt. Nathaniel Drive, a retired teacher and librarian who has had cerebral palsy and right hemiplegia since birth, was appointed to head up the Hanson Disability Commission. Holmes Street resident Gary Banuk, a retired teacher and industry researcher with budgetary experience, was appointed to the town’s dormant Education Fund Committee.

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said discussion of the general state of committee vacancies should be delayed to June 27, due to the evening’s full agenda. The board concurred.

“I think it would be helpful to get descriptions of what each one of the committees does and how many people we’re down,” she said. “Then we could have a more robust discussion.”

Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant Meredith Marini has already done some of that work.

“Some of them are standing committees,, so we can skip over a bunch of them,” Marini said. “I’ll go through and pare it down and [leave] the ones that you are probably going to have questions on.”

Mills has a bachelor’s degree in special needs with a minor in psychology and is a pastoral minister to the disabled as well as chairman of the Cohasset Commission for the Disabled. She holds a certificate in pastoral care.

“I started the Commission on Disabilities in Cohasset,” Mills said of the group she chaired for seven years. “We want a van for the town for the seniors and we would be up for information.”

Town Administrator Michael McCue said the Disability Commission, just created at the October 2016 Town Meeting, would oversee efforts to make facilities accessible according to state and federal guidelines, assisting with decisions about sidewalks and crossings.

“Very specific people need to be on that — someone who is disabled, a family member of someone who is disabled — it’s rather succinct,”  McCue said. “As soon as we wanted to start to get rolling, I reached out to Mrs. Mills.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said Hanson is fortunate to have someone with Mills’ experience step forward to take the post.

“We need someone designated to run the group and at least four Hanson citizens,” Banuk said. “I think people from Hanson would like to see the money distributed to Hanson people.”

He also said he would like to see the tax bill check-off changed.

“It starts at $1 to $10, which is nothing nowadays,” he said. “I think this is a way for people to put a few dollars into this, because I hear people talking about it … and maybe we can do something for the schools.”

Banuk had also served as a member of the former Indian Head and Maquan Schools Priority Repair Committee.

FitzGerald-Kemmett asked what the Education Fund Committee’s charter and purpose are. The committee, according to Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant Meredith Marini, was formed by Town Meeting in 1993 to form a committee consisting of the superintendent of schools or their designee, and four Hanson residents serving three-year terms to provide scholarships funded by a check-off box on town tax bills.

“The committee has been inactive for years,” Marini said. “The last time somebody was appointed to it was in 2008. Mr. Banuk has inquired about it and we’d like to get it up and running again.”

McCue said the fund currently contains about $7,500.

Selectmen also filled a vacancy — through June 30, 2018 — on the Recreation Commission, after some discussion about possibly tabling the decision in order to attract more applicants.

Selectman James Hickey suggested a month’s delay to bring in “new blood, perhaps someone who has not been in there before.” He also said he had been told a third application was coming in, but it had not been filed.

“I would like to see us be a lot more active in reaching out and soliciting more volunteers,” FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed. “This isn’t a reflection on anybody in the past, I’m just talking about going forward, this is what I’d like to see us do.”

The motion was withdrawn, however, at the request of Recreation Commission Chairman AnneMarie Bouzan, who urged action as the new commission is trying to get things moving again.

Health Board Administrative Assistant Theresa Cocio of 1211 Whitman St., was ultimately chosen on the stipulation that she step down from her post as union steward, but may remain on the negotiating committee. Cocio said she had indicated that willingness to Marini when she filed her application.

Bouzan noted that Cocio, who had applied for appointment when the new commission was appointed, had never volunteered for other boards.

Former Camp Kiwanee Caretaker and volunteer James Flanagan of 43 Baker St. had also applied.

“I knew you guys weren’t going to vote for me, so if you want to appoint her you can,” Flanagan said, withdrawing from consideration. “I was just throwing my hat in to volunteer. … I know that they can use a lending hand.”

McGahan said he appreciated the gesture.

“I’ll talk about the elephant in the room,” he said, referring to labor counsel Leo Peloquin’s report, which mentioned Flanagan in several areas. “I know that you objected to it, and I heard what you had said, but that is definitely something that struck me. … We’ve still got to heal and move forward. More time is needed.”

In other appointments, Health Agent Matt Tanis was named records access officer for the Board of Health, Senior Center Director Mary Collins was reappointed as a member of the Old Colony Elder Services Board of Directors and FitzGerald-Kemmett was appointed as the Board of Seletmen’s representative to the Hanson 200th Anniversary Committee.

“I have weaned down many of the other things that I was part of in order to give this job its due respect,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said of her new position of Selectman.

“You’ve got more energy than anyone can deal with, so absolutely,” McGahan said of his vote in support of her appointment.

With the change of Memorial Field Trustees from an elected to an appointed board, Selectmen voted to appoint Michael Josselyn of 33 Litchfield Lane, whose elected term would have expired in May 2018 and Robert O’Brien Jr., 1003 Monponsett St., who received the most votes for a two-year term ending in 2019. Mark Gomes, 113 Andrew Lane, who received the most votes for a three-year term, ending in 2020. Both Josselyn and O’Brien already serve on parks and fields and have said they would be willing to serve on the Memorial Field Trustees. Selectmen said Gomes had made no such commitment, and may withdraw if he wishes.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Kirby to be feted

June 22, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Selectmen on Tuesday, June 20, discussed eviction proceedings aimed at squatters inhabiting a recently foreclosed property on Temple Street as well as plans to honor the late state Sen. Edward Kirby at a Whitman Park ceremony on Saturday.

The board has proclaimed Saturday, June 24 as Edward P. “Ned” Kirby Day in Whitman, which will include a tree dedication in his memory at the Whitman Park bandstand at 11 a.m. Saturday.

June O’Leary of the Friends of Whitman Park said a great American elm tree, selected by the Department of Public Works, has already been planted and will be the centerpiece of the ceremony.

She said Kirby had been especially helpful when she first came to the Board of Selectmen for permission to work on improving the park 17 years ago.

“When I wrote my first grant, for $285,000, Ned was a big part of that,” she said. “We appreciate that.”

The short ceremony in the park will include presentation of citations to Mary Alice Kirby.

The Selectmen’s citation, researched by the board’s Administrative Assistant Laurie O’Brien, notes Kirby’s legal education and Korean War-era service in the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s office as well as his service as both a state representative for six years and a state senator and as an elected member of the Plymouth County Commissioners. He also served as an administrative law judge and a worker’s compensation appeals judge. Kirby was also instrumental in returning commuter rail service to the area.

“I wanted to recognize him,” O’Leary said. “We just don’t thank people enough, we really don’t. There are people in this town — like yourselves — that serve for years and that service should be recognized. I appreciated Ned, he was the type of person that you were glad to see coming … he had a wonderful outlook on life.”

Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski noted that both he and Town Administrator Frank Lynam had the same experience with Kirby at different times.

“He was the first person to welcome us to town,” Kowalski said. “He ran to us at church. … He was a terrific guy and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

The land court authorized the foreclosure of the property at 1030 Temple St., in December. Subject to a recapture, the property owner — or their heirs — have a year to reclaim the property, of which time six months remains.

“I do have a concern that there are people, for lack of a better word, squatting in the property,” Lynam said, seeking the board’s approval to have the town’s land title attorney take the necessary steps to evict them and secure the building. “Although I’m aware there are people in the property, I didn’t want to move in the winter months because I’m also aware there’s a young child there and was reluctant to start an eviction process.”

Once the foreclosure process is complete, the town gets the proceeds of sale. according to Lynam.

“We’re into the property right now for a $76,000 in taxes, fees and interest plus whatever interest we expend to secure the property,” he said.

In other business, Selectmen approved year-end transfers and announced receipt of a Green Communities Grant, for which Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green wrote the application.

The transfers included those from the Selectmen’s office for the elevator, accounts and street lighting. Transfers for the Health Inspector’s line and two for clerical expenses were also included, as well as a transfer for part-time clerical expenses at the Conservation Commission as well as a small transfer for additional clerical at the Council on Aging.

DPW is working on a water main project, replacing water gates that are more than 10 years old, on Bedford Street where the state is working on the reconfiguration of two intersections. Lynam said they want to take the opportunity to have the state do some of the work at what would be a discounted cost. The cost of the necessary engineering is just under $20,000, which is being transferred from retained earnings in this year’s budget to pay for those costs.

Green said the $197,408 phase two grant will allow lighting upgrades in the police station and DPW building as well as heating systems in the fire station and library, while make possible the purchase of an industrial sized steamer/kettle cooker for Whitman Middle School.

“By completing that grant, Lisa is returning to the town not only in savings, but in actual capital costs, more than twice her salary,” Lynam said.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Hanson begins planning Maquan future

June 15, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 13 voted to appoint Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett as the board’s liaison to work with the town administrator in formulating a proposal for a committee to explore transition options for the Maquan School building.

“I feel a sense of urgency on this because we don’t have much time, and I know government has a tendency to kind of work slow,” Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said. “There’s got to be a timeline on this. If we don’t act on this timeline, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) stuff can’t be transitioned and the building formally closes, then there’s really nothing you can do with it. We have to have a plan.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett will meet with Town Administrator Michael McCue as a point person, over the next two weeks, in formulating an ad hoc committee for the board to vote on at the June 27 meeting.

“One of the main topics at the next meeting is going to be boards and committees, so this should fit in nicely with that, as opposed to just doing it on the fly right now,” McCue said.

The School Committee officially informed Selectmen by letter May 22 of its April 12 vote to return the school building to the town due to declining enrollment. The district has also updated parents and guardians of administrative changes for the school’s final year — the 2017-18 school year.

The committee will be charged with recommending what the town should do with the building, including whether to sell or lease it — or to tear it down, McGahan said.

With the upcoming retirement of Indian Head School Principal Elaine White, effective June 30, Maquan Principal Dr. Elizabeth Wilcox will serve as principal of both schools next year. John Riley will continue as Indian Head School’s assistant principal and Director of Science Mark Stephansky, a licensed principal/assistant principal, will be based at Maquan where he will also serve as assistant principal.

Maquan Administrative Assistant Susan Andrews will remain in place next year and will move to Indian Head for the 2018-19 school year. Indian Head Administrative Assistant Joan Maloney is retiring, effective June 30, and a temporary assistant will be hired for next year. Maquan’s Early Childhood Coordinator Patricia Collins and School Psychologist Joan Joyce will continue to assist with administrative responsibilities.

Selectman Kenny Mitchell said he wanted to see a feasibility report, but McGahan said the report made during the former School Building Committee’s work is still available.

“If we don’t act soon enough, we could miss a window,” McGahan said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said she understood Mitchell’s concern, but noted the committee would not make a final decision, it would “simply ferret out all the information that this board would need to make the decision about what they would propose to Town Meeting.”

She said residents must be informed of the pros and cons of the available choices — including whether to lease, sell or raze it.

“There’s only so many options,” she said.

“If we were going to sell it, I think we would need a commercial realtor to come in and put a value on it to see what it’s worth,” Mitchell said. “Is that something the community would do?”

FitzGerald-Kemmett also said the building’s proximity to the Indian Head School should also be taken into account in what the building might be used for if it is sold.

McGahan said the town should also take into account the need for playing space for indoor youth sports teams such as cheerleaders and basketball.

“My biggest concern is the pitfalls to be unwary of [include] when does that ADA get triggered and when do all the required code upgrades get triggered,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “Is it if we sell it, is it if it starts being used at all, if it’s leased does that grandfather us in? We really need some help maneuvering through all those kinds of decisions.”

In other business, the board began hearing suggestions from members for its goals for the coming year. FitzGerald-Kemmett outlined her concerns about some ongoing projects as well issues she would like to see the board take on. McGahan also listed some issues of concern, with other Selectmen due to submit their lists in the coming days.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said she wanted to see updates on the sale of town-owned properties and planning for the Plymouth County Hospital site as well as a cost estimate on razing and site cleanup of the existing highway barn as part of the project to place a new facility at the former Lite Control site.

New goals she listed included: exploring the use of the former Plymouth County 4-H building at the food pantry site for a potential use as a senior center; work with the Capital Improvement Committee and department heads to get a clear picture of the status of town buildings; Main Street development; better public outreach to inform residents of programs, town needs and upcoming meetings and elections; and formulating a performance measurement format for McCue.

McGahan asked for formulation of a sidewalk plan, aiming at 1,000 feet per year over the next 10 years, to protect pedestrian safety as well as exploring the potential for placing solar panels at the food pantry to help defray utility costs.

Selectmen also voted to empower Selectmen Don Howard to vote for the Plymouth County Commissioner’s budget, except for the line item that would increase commissioners’ salaries by $13,000 per year. The board is asking for that increase — which returns the three commissioners’ pay to the $28,000 that was paid the position before 2008 — be phased in over three years.

The pay had been cut under pervious commissioners, when a previous administrator was displeased with their job performance. Plymouth Selectmen has already unanimously voted not to support the increase.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

‘I see champions …’

June 15, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

172 graduate from SSVT

COHASSET — The 172 members of the South Shore Vocational Technical High School Class of 2017 have been urged to be champions of others — they are already champions themselves.

“You have character, a strong work ethic and talent,” Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey told his graduates Friday, June 9 during ceremonies at the South Shore Music Circus. “You’re a group of young adults who are ready to fix, to build, to lead, to create, to heal, to serve. I see champions everywhere I look.”

Introducing his theme with an audio highlight clip of Super Bowl LI, courtesy of 98.5 Sports Hub Radio Producer Howie Sylvester, Hickey urged the students to remember the word “champion” is also a verb.

“When we champion the causes of others, it means we are there to support and rally to others in need,” he said. “Because there will be people in your lives, at home, at work, who will be down 25 points, and they may not have a Brady or an Edelman, or a Belichick behind them. But they will have you.”

Student speakers, too, spoke of the difference the Class of 2017 has already done in their four years at SSVT.

“We were artists and actors, craftsmen and friends,” said Valedictorian and Senior Class President Benjamin Duncan. “Each one of us having a unique skill set and talent that we were ready and eager to share with the world.”

Duncan shared the last of his infamous annotated emails to his fellow seniors, offering a 13-point to-do list for life after high school. Expressing gratitude, smiling often, living simply and showing persistence were among those goals.

“Let’s throw ourselves out into the open and let’s not be afraid to make mistakes, because who knows where taking those chances will lead us in the future,” he concluded.

Salutatorian Dakota-Lyn Bagley used her volleyball team’s growth in her four years as an example of how she has also grown as a student, an athlete and a person.

“High school is difficult,” she said. “It is awkward and an emotional rollercoaster for everyone. … I was lucky to find stability at SSVT and I cannot put into words how thankful I am that I met all of you people that helped me find it.”

She said the process will start all over again with the start of college in the fall.

“But my time at SSVT has taught me that I will be OK,” she said.

Student Body President Jacob Cormier also lauded the school for providing each student the opportunity to discover their own unique talents.

“The experiences during the time at Vo-Tech have shaped every single one of us in some incredible way,” Cormier said. “If I hadn’t come to this school, I would be a completely different person.”

Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey summed up the Class of 2017 in a different way before handing out the diplomas:

“Every graduating class is a little unique,” he said. “Looking back at this class, the best way I can describe it is — young at heart. This is the class that brought a bouncy house to school last week. That’s before some mean, older guy told them they had to take it down.”

Whitman and Hanson graduates of SSVT are:

              WHITMAN

Sarah Achin, David Anderson, Olivia Baker-Buckley, Matthew Bennett, Cassidy Burt, Steven Coates, Ashley Corkery, Corissa Crowley, Alex Cullinan, Mitchell Ellis, Alexis Green, Shawn Holland, Christopher Kearns, Jared Keith, Liam Leonard, Christopher Martell, Sarah Maul, Nathan Maynard, Owen McLaughlin, Alex McPherson, Jonathan Mills, Kelly O’Sullivan, Cassie Rapoza, Alexandra Reiser, Christian Tanner.

HANSON

Brian Buchanan, Brian Burns, Alexander Cross, Tylor Fleming, Harry Gauthier, Colby Ingemi-Jolie, Dylan Key, Matthew McAndrew, Kade Milewski, Harrison Newcomb, Christopher Pellerin, Emily Sansone, Derek Stalker.

W-H lauds its CES graduates

They’ve already taken the road less traveled toward earning their high school diplomas, so Community Evening School Co-Director William  Glynn had some suggestions for the 18 students of the Class of 2017 — keep blazing different trails.

Be the first one to dance at a party. Eat weird foods — try mayonnaise on your hot dog. Read books no one has made you read and authentically share your life with others.

He also asked the students to step up to help change their world, by being themselves.

“This evening’s ceremony not only celebrates the countless hours of hard work of our graduates, but the dedication of those who have supported the students throughout their journey,” Co-Director Dianne Nicol said in her welcoming remarks Thursday, June 1. “Everyone sitting in this auditorium has contributed to each student’s success — give yourself a well-deserved round of applause.”

The keynote speaker, Glynn has been a part of the graduates’ entire high school experience. He asked the students if they felt nervous on the occasion he felt “terrified — and I’m from Whitman, so imagine how the people from Hanson feel right now,” he quipped.

He congratulated the students from the heart.

“You did this,” he said. “Of course, people helped you — family, friends, even some teachers, all looked out for you. They guided you, they goaded you, in some cases they affectionately dragged you here to this moment. But you did this.”

He said many had overcome challenges that would have stopped others in the room dead in their tracks.

“It will provide a place of strength from which you can better face the challenges, seize the opportunities and enjoy the splendors of the world that now lie before you,” Glynn said. “Get out there and experience it.”

He urged them to go places they’ve never been, to meet new people and try new things — including that bit about mayo on hot dogs. He also urged them to listen to new music and work a bunch of different jobs.

“Some things will work out beyond your wildest expectations,” he said. “Some things, to speak the truth … might feel like soul-crushing disasters.”

Both kinds are invaluable experiences that can enrich and ennoble life and neither is forever, Glynn said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes noted that while CES students may not go through the “typical program of studies, but it got them here” as graduates of WHRHS.

“You have to stay committed and finish — finish everything that you do. It’s a must,” Hayes said. “As you know, this was not an easy task. … the future has great hope for all of you. Stay focused and committed.”

He also advocated that the students dream big and remain life-long learners.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner also addressed the class, in the same theme of the meaning of success as her address to the 282 students who graduated Friday, June 2.

“When success is defined as favorable or desired outcomes, each one of you is a success, having accomplished all the requirements to obtain a high school diploma,” she said.

She also urged them to savor the moment.

“Memories that will last a lifetime are being created right now,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “For those of us who graduated from high school some time ago, those memories are rekindled as we proudly watch the Class of 2017 receive their diplomas.”

Students then received their diplomas from persons each had asked to make the presentation.

CES Class of 2017

Rebecca Helen Ames presented by Bruce Gardner, Owen Robert Andrews, Jesmelia Isabel Brandao presented by Emelia Ortiz, Aaron Douglas Brown presented by Vivki Brown, Paulo Roberto De Oliviera presented by Maureen Garrett, Taylor Grace Fitzgerald presented by Paul Fitzgerald and Kim Baker, Sarah Catherine Folan presented by Shana Folan, Katrina Lucille Freeman presented by Jeffrey Andrews, Thomas Ray Hines was absent, Cameron Charles Hunsinger presented by Rachel Hunsinger, Katherine Anne Lee presented by Kerry DeSista, Ryan Patrick McCabe presented by William Glynn, Cole James McCarthy presented by William Glynn, Joseph Scott McHugh presented by his father, Bailee Frances Poirier presented by William Glynn, Mark Joseph Smith presented by Bruce Gardner, Shelton Caribe Terry presented by William Glynn and Debra Rose Williams who was absent.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Budget talks begin

June 15, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

Whitman and Hanson town administrators will meet with school district Business Services Director Christine Suckow over the summer to examine the numbers and create a document outlining revenue — and expenses for all departments and capital improvement needs — as they begin work on a comprehensive budget approach for next fiscal year.

Another meeting will be scheduled when that process is concluded, most likely before Sept. 11, as Whitman Town Administrator Frank Lynam urged a realistic fiscal outlook be ready by September.

Former W-H School Committee Chairman Wilbur Danner of Hanson had suggested appointing subcommittees to examine the “actual cost of the schools or the departments” and bring that information back for discussion.

“We can sit here and talk forever about what we need. We need something tangible … then work together to try and reach that goal,” agreed School Committee member Robert Trotta.

More than two dozen town and school district officials, School Committee members and concerned residents from both communities met Monday, June 12, conducting a wide-ranging discussion to begin the process of determining how to best coordinate town and school budgets to meet ongoing fiscal challenges.

“This is not a School Committee meeting,” said Chairman Bob Hayes, who facilitated the session Monday night. “This is a meeting of people in town and town officials. … [We’re trying] to be objective to try and settle some of this budget stuff, and it’s not just school budgets — the towns are having the same issues.”

The greatest need is one of more revenue to fund all town budgets, officials said.

“We’re trying to figure out how, collectively, how to move forward,” Hayes said. “For years people have urged us to start early to see what we could do. Now we’re off and running.”

He stressed the group is in no way trying to circumvent boards of selectmen, but rather seeks to come up with ideas for addressing financial challenges facing both communities.

State Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, attended and state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman was represented by staff member David Walsh.

“You’re not alone,” Cutler said. “Every town is facing these kind of challenges. … At the state level, we’re having the same sort of issues with revenue, our revenues are not meeting their benchmarks.”

New state revenue sources are being considered, such as an Airbnb tax or a surtax on the state income tax, as well as the revenue from now-legal recreational marijuana, once governing legislation is complete, he said. Absent major changes such as those, Cutler doesn’t expect to see Chapter 70 increases for the next three years or so.

“I think we should be suing the state,” School Committee member Fred Small said about cuts to such mandated reimbursement programs.

Hanson Selectmen Chairman James McGahan and Whitman Selectmen Chairman Carl Kowalski also attended along with Whitman Finance Committee member Shawn Kain and Michael Dugan of the Hanson Finance Committee.

“We’re coming down to two basic principals,” Dugan said. “Where’s the revenue coming from and what are the expenses we need to support. … Poor choice of words, but where the biggest fires are going to be.”

Schools represent about 33 percent of Hanson’s budget and 65 percent of Whitman’s. Student population also has an affect on those percentages.

Kain urged a greater level of transparency in the budgeting and financial planning process, with a long-term approach.

“If we’re going to ask people to sacrifice, it’s very important that we demonstrate to people how we’re sacrificing in all departments,” Kain said.

Lynam said gross estimates from the towns and the schools by August or September would help identify what the towns can expect for the next fiscal year’s budgets.

“The bigger picture is our ability to identify our resources, your needs and put them together to figure out how to meet them,” Lynam said. “The elephant in the room is how much of that budget has to be allocated to education. … What I would like to see from the schools is earlier estimates.”

Whitman resident Christopher George asked why firefighters and police personnel did not face the same layoffs as teachers during recent tight budget years.

“The only department that lost employees was the schools,” he said. “Every other town around us has figured out they need more revenue. … In the absence of more revenue, the other departments have, essentially, kept level service and at some point that’s got to give.”

Lynam said finding the revenue was the only viable solution.

“We’re not going to cut fire,” he said. “We’re not going to have people waiting for an ambulance for 13 minutes because only one shift’s on. You’re not going to cut police with everything that’s going on.”

He said there are three departments that deliver a “huge percentage of essential services” — the schools, police and fire department — along with public works.

“The rest of us are overhead,” Lynam said. “But without that overhead, nothing else gets done.”

Practically speaking, George said he is talking about an operational override that could result in cuts across the board to all departments if it failed.

“This group is talking more of getting together to see how we’re going to expand revenue, not how we’re going to kill each other,” Hayes said.

Whitman resident Marshall Ottina also urged that public safety officials be included in the meetings to help ensure the financial plan is comprehensive, representing all town departments.

“Department-wise [approach] tends to pit one against the other, and we don’t want to do that anymore because nobody wins,” agreed Whitman-Hanson Education Association Vice President Beth Stafford. “If we present a united front and present one thing ‘for the town’ … I think that’s really important.”

School Committee member Dan Cullity noted that the overall budget problem started in 2008 when the state reduced its Chapter 70 reimbursement from about 70 percent to about 50 percent. The state has also informed the district that the towns must increase funding closer to the expected target share.

Grants that have been depended on to fill the void and support needed programs are also beginning to run out, which present another budget challenge.

McGahan asked about the possibility of hiring a professional grant-writer, perhaps one paid on the basis of the successful applications they write.

“Grants are called soft money,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner. “They’re going to be here for a period of time and then they’re gone, so in terms of sustainability that’s a concern.”

The district often has to partner with other districts or educational collaboratives that better qualify with demographic profiles in obtaining grants.

School Committee member Alexandra Taylor asked about the likelihood of attracting more commercial development to benefit the tax base.

“From a practical standpoint, the only way to generate that revenue is to move Whitman and Hanson to a highway,” Lynam said. “We’re too far off the road to attract large businesses.”

While Whitman does well with small business, revenue raising is limited to taxes and fees, he said.

Elimination or charging fees for non-mandated busing of school children was also questioned as a possible revenue source by a parent. But Lynam argued families with two working parents often depend on that transportation for their children.

“That’s a voters’ decision,” he said.

Gilbert-Whitner also noted the district is required by law to provide transportation for any student who lives two miles or more from a school, and is reimbursed for transporting students within a mile and a half.

Whitman resident Cheryl George pointed to surrounding towns’ success in passing operational overrides to support all departments. But others pointed out, Whitman-Hanson’s regional school district, and the commercial tax base of those surrounding towns, makes the process more difficult.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

W-H Cheers Class of 2017

June 8, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

Amid glances back on the past four years and glimpses of future goals, the 272 members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Class of 2017 graduated Friday, June 2 with tears, cheers and laughter.

“As we leave here today, remember that we have all been blessed with enormous opportunities, and it is our responsibility to take each door that is opened to us and use it to make a contribution,” said Valedictorian Olivia Morse. “With the strife and conflict that is plaguing the world today, our courage, compassion, and determination is needed now more than ever.”

It was a night to celebrate great academic and extra-curricular achievement, but Principal Jeffrey Szymaniak also recognized graduates who had more pressing challenges to overcome on their way to a diploma.

Honor Society graduates, 12 military-bound seniors, band, chorus and show choir members, 81 Adams Scholarship winners, athletics participants and sportsmanship award winners, championship teams, Superfans, academic competition award winners, art students who participated in the Memory Project for orphan paintings and various art competitions, Mock Trial competition participants and seniors who have worked to support fundraisers for several local nonprofits were among the students recognized by Szymaniak for a round of applause from the audience.

“Today is about academic achievement,” Szymaniak said. “However, there’s some of you … that should be commended for actions that aren’t on any traditional awards list.”

He referred to “The Missing Awards List,” which he ran across on a blog that recognized students “brave enough to come to school the day after a bad day.”

“I wish I could give an award for those sitting here who did homework and studied while juggling a job, had to take care of siblings or a sick family member, to help pay the bills,” he quoted. “I wish I could give an award to those of you who cope with surgeries, allergies, medications, conditions, tests, procedures, doctors appointments, measured diets … as part of your normal.”

He also saluted the parents who take care of the students who don’t get the awards, applauding the award-winners while thinking “my kid, too.”

Student speakers also saluted the hard work all their classmates have done toward this day.

“Whether you believe it or not, each and every one of you seniors out there has become more mature and grown tremendously, not just in your education, but as a person over these four short years at Whitman- Hanson,” agreed Class President Lily Spicer in her welcoming remarks. “We’re not freshmen anymore and soon we won’t even be seniors. Together it is time to say goodbye. Enjoy this summer and within the next few months, we will all begin a new and exciting chapter of our lives.”

“Our time here has emphasized that life isn’t meant to be easy, and that the greatest things we could ever hope for arrive only with work and determination,” Salutatorian Emily Cook said. “Dreams and aspirations are what motivate us to act, to pursue success; but never let your dreams remain just that – figments and reminders of what could have been.”

Graduation night awards [below] were presented to: Emily Cook, Zara Rabinovitz, Madison Jolliemore, Emily Gonzalez, Michael Gorman, Jessica Gaudreau, Devyn Smith, Patrick Brown, Owen Lydon, Taylor McVeigh, Luke Tamulevich, Morse, Robert Caliri, Hannah MacDonald, Mikayla White and Spicer.

“Each graduating class is unique in its accomplishments,” School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes said. “Since their arrival as freshmen in 2013, they have participated in academic and athletic programs in a building that supports 21st-Century teaching and learning. … Now it’s up to the graduates to shape their future and, as you just heard, they have a future and it’s a great one.”

Hayes said the class has the keys to their own future success, but offered some advice.

“Confront challenges,” he said. “Learn to use your time wisely. Put down that cell phone and socialize with your friends and family. Look to the future with hope, embrace the world we live in and leave it better that you found it.”

Both Hayes and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner encouraged the graduates to return often to touch base with the school because they will always be W-H Panthers.

“This is the best day ever,” Gilbert-Whitner said, quoting her grand daughter’s approach to life. “You’re just the best ever and it’s just so exciting to be here and feel the energy here this evening.”

In her prepared remarks, Gilbert-Whitner reflected on the meaning of success.

“Now, at this very moment in time, each one of you is a success, having completed all of the requirements to attain a high school diploma,” she said. “In earning your diploma this evening, you have accomplished a tremendous amount from the beginning of your public school journey in kindergarten to the stage this evening.”

She also quoted the poem “Success,” attributed to both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Bessie Anderson Stanley:

“To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Senior Sophie O’Brien, the class speaker, noted the obstacles that had to be overcome on the way to successfully completing high school.

“And along the way, many of us can agree in saying we got lost, or in other words, felt like we got defeated, or that we just wanted to give up,” she said. “But clearly, we got out of bed, and we didn’t let those late nights, bad grades, or tough losses, stop us because look where we are. We have made it to the biggest stage of our lives so far and made the journey worthwhile.”

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Planning for PCH future

June 8, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — Members of the Final Plymouth County Hospital Site Committee met on-site with a land development consultant Friday, June 2 to discuss possible recreational use of the land. The 8:30 a.m. meeting touched on what LLD Collaborative Principal Michael D. Farias called a master plan for recreational uses.

Farias’ Fall River collaborative will present its suggestions to the town through Town Administrator Michael McCue.

“You let us know what you’re trying to accomplish, and exactly where you’re looking at,” Farias said.

Parcel 1, the former hospital site where the committee is looking toward open space and passive recreational use is likely to be his main focus as well as Parcel 2, the U-shaped property around the hospital. Parcel 3 is conservation land.

Farias asked if there has been “any type of public process” such as brainstorming what residents want on a wish list for the site. Selectman Don Howard, who chairs the PCH panel, said that has no happened yet, but fellow Committee member Marianne DiMascio said surveys have indicated some ideas, but a proposal should come first.

“Before we could do anything, he had to get rid of the hospital,” Howard said. “Now that we’ve got it down, things are going to open up a lot more.”

“This has been going on for a long time, so we have some sense of what we’d like to see,” DiMascio said.

Don Ellis indicated the committee is looking for a schematic as to what can go where and how it should look, so McCue can take it from there.

Farias said his design approach is to take photos during the site visit for an analysis of what might work best as uses for the property, based on the geography, topography and vegetation that exists.

“That gives us the dos and don’ts so when we go public to do kind of the brain-storming and the wish lists … and go right into a couple schematic designs — 180 degrees in one direction and 180 degrees in another,” Farias said. “Then what we do is a preferred concept of a master plan. It takes the best of all the ideas and puts them together into one particular plan and that becomes the focal point of what you’re going to build on.”

He encouraged the committee to include the concepts it most wants in the plan as five of 10-year proposals that can be competed as funds become available or to revise as needs change.

“It sounds like you are saying ‘think in terms of phases’ because waving a wand is unlikely to be possible or not even a good idea,” said Committee Clerk Phil Clemons.

Farias said that was exactly right, comparing it to building a home. The frame is more important to get right, while specifics such as granite countertops may be added later.

Committee members indicated that playing fields should be part of the plan, even though there are some in town. McCue and Howard said a mixed-use park in Hanover may be the pattern they look to, as multi-use fields are important as sports such as lacrosse grow in popularity. Clemons, meanwhile, pointed to the need for a facility active elder residents may use without worrying that access would be restricted by school hours.

“There needs to be some general informal recreational space,” he said.

Farias said all parks now are designed with accessibility for all abilities and age groups in mind. Maintenance costs or seasonal limitations for park use should also be considered, he cautioned.

“You can always find the money somehow, some way to build something, but it’s the residual costs associated with maintenance,” Farias said.

Clemons said the committee is also strongly considering a solar field as one use of a portion of the property, most likely on the former hospital site.

Another proposal at the property is to eventually move Schoolhouse No. 4 from Main Street to an area near the Bonney House, which sits to the front of the PCH site, as a village green type of area with an historical component, according to Clemons and Ellis.

“I want to see that as being a very nice complement to the park-type space — a place for people to meet and do things and learn,” Clemons said.

Ellis said a farmer’s market area adjacent to the food pantry and community garden is also being considered.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Loss of spaces?: Benton looks to improve safety in crosswalks

June 8, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Selectmen, at the behest of Police Chief Scott Benton, are considering a reduction of the number of parking spaces permitted on South Avenue in front of Town Hall to improve pedestrian visibility and safety in crosswalks.

Old Colony Planning Council will be asked to conduct a study on the feasibility of such a move — as well as a reduction of the speed limit in that area to 20 miles per hour.

“We can go to 20, but there’s a petition process,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said, noting the statutory speed limit is 25 there. Lynam and Selectman Dan Salvucci said the OCPC can work rather quickly on the issue.

“There’s going to have to be some periodic enforcement, too,” Lynam said.

Benton provided a packet of eight photos illustrating the parking spaces and street traffic in front of Town Hall, as well as a copy of the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices, to illustrate his points. The photos demonstrate the lack of room for safely opening car doors and visibility problems when pedestrians emerge in the crosswalk from between cars to cross the street.

“I have people come in all the time complaining they almost got killed in this crosswalk out here,” Benton said. “Are we going to count bodies before we say, ‘Well, maybe we ought to take a look at this’?”

Selectman Brian Bezanson said 15 years of holding political signs in the Venus parking lot on election days has demonstrated to him the need to address the problem.

“You get to see a lot of things, and I can tell you that people go way too fast in front of this building,” Bezanson said. “It’s outrageous. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen one of your officers practically jump out of their shoes to get cars to slow down and stop and not hit pedestrians.”

He said the town is between a rock and a hard place, losing parking spots that are like gold to save somebody’s life. A lack of curb cuts for handicapped access to crosswalks is also a dangerous problem, Bezanson said, advocating a close look at the whole picture of safety in the area. Salvuci said the OCPC would require the curb cuts, which Lynam said should be done in any case.

“There’s a reason to do it for the traffic itself, but, certainly for the pedestrians, the biggest problem I see is visibility,” Benton said of the parking space changes. “They’re not visible.”

The federal guidelines place a minimum of 20 feet from a crosswalk to a parking space, with a recommendation of 30 feet or more. Benton said there are about three spaces in that stretch of roadway that are not 20 feet from the crosswalk. At least three parking spaces would be eliminated with the 20-foot guideline, six would be cut with a 30-foot guidelines.

“What we have here, too, a lot of the time is a lot of ‘almosts,’” Benton said. “Somebody goes to open their door without looking, and the door’s going South except for a motorist’s reaction or their person [opening the door] catches themselves.”

The situation also creates a problem of insufficient travel space for traffic in both directions when a westbound vehicle moves toward the center to provide room for opening car doors.

It presents a problem for crosswalks at Central and Davis streets as well as in front of the post office.

According to Benton, courts have held that, if a driver doesn’t have time to see an obstruction and avoid it, they are not responsible for a collision. A left turn out of Davis toward the east end of town, requires cars to make a wide turn — almost into the left lane — to get around cars parked in the corner space, he added.

Large trucks and emergency vehicles are also faced with the challenge of getting past parked cars.

Benton said that removing parking spaces and reconfiguring traffic flow past the 418 block of South Avenue near Raynor Avenue has reduced the number of accidents in that area. Selectmen Chairman Carl Kowalski, however, said the new traffic pattern there makes it difficult to see westbound traffic coming from the intersection of Pleasant and Franklin streets with South Avenue.

“It’s amazing how a line of cars, with almost no space between them, comes through that [four-way] stop sign,” Kowalski said. “Something has to be done with that.”

Benton said the problem with past accidents there was due more to visibility restrictions from traffic emerging from Raynor Avenue because of parked cars along the 418 block.

Kowalski said parking near Town Hall is also important for elders, especially as the back parking lot is often filled with employee vehicles.

Selectmen Scott Lambiase and Randy LaMattina suggested the municipal lot behind Dunkin’ Donuts is available, and perhaps signage is needed to alert people of its presence.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Duval students salute service

June 1, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Under a giant American flag, the Duval Elementary School’s students, faculty and some parents gathered in the school gym Friday, May 26 to kick off Memorial Day weekend with the school’s 13th annual We Remember program.

The school welcomed special guests selectmen Scott Lambiase, Randy LaMattina and Dan Salvucci, Town Administrator Frank Lynam, Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, Veterans’ Agent Thomas McCarthy, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Dillon — who is a lieutenant in the Coast Guard — and members of the Duval family at the event.

Retired Navy SEAL Lt. Cmdr. Anthony O’Brien also attended to lead a group of students, clad in his old fatigue blouses and covers, in saluting the five branches of the armed services with a loud shout of, “Thank you for your service!”

“It is so important that we have you come here to help teach all of our friends that are with us how important it is to pause this weekend and remember the men and women who have sacrificed so much for all of us,” Principal Julie McKillop said in her welcoming remarks.

But the students were the primary participants in the event, as a handful read from reports, poems and letters to veterans in honor of service to country before the student body sang “America,” and “God Bless America.”

“We would like to thank all of our special guests who took the time to be with us today to help us remember the brave men and women who have given their service and lives for their country,” said fifth-grader David Nourse in his welcome on behalf of his fellow students. “We are honored to have you join us in our celebration.”

Nourse singled out Dillon and school gym teacher Patrick Kennedy, a Marine reservist currently on a humanitarian deployment to Hondouras, thanking them for their service.

Students and Duval staff members also placed tiny American flags on a wreath for display in the lobby in honor of relatives who have served their country.

“You help protect us and keep us safe. When people are doing bad things, you protect us through it all,” student Kelsey Fitzgerald read from her letter to veterans. “You are awesome and brave. Thank you, soldiers.”

“Inside every soldier, there’s a heart, and inside every heart, there is love,” read Brailey Murphy from her essay. “In every heart there is bravery — more bravery than anyone can imagine — it all comes from the love. … It makes you strong. It makes you bold. It makes you a soldier.”

The school’s fourth-grade class also presented with donated personal care items to Jason Gray, a representative of the Brockton VA Hospital.

“I understand a lot of hard work went into this, and we thank you very much,” Gray said before pledging to leave immediately to deliver the “conference room full of stuff” to the veterans to whom it was donated. “Thank you for working so hard for us — our country and our veterans — it’s what you give back to your community.”

Salvucci noted the huge American flag dominating the gym wall behind the speakers’ podium as he honored his late father in-law, a World War II veteran who had served in the Normandy invasion and transferred to the Pacific after the war in Europe had been won. Salvucci said the Duval program is his favorite event because he gets to talk about his father in-law’s service and his devotion to the flag.

“I always carry an American flag — when you see me marching, I’m carrying this small flag,” he said as he took the flag out of his breast pocket. “This year, when I walked into this room and I saw this American flag, my heart stopped. I want to thank you.”

O’Brien, too, said he was impressed by the giant flag, adding that, for some, Memorial Day is every day.

“If you served in combat, you’ve seen too many caskets with [our] flag on it,” he said. “So, to see that flag is extra special.”

He noted that only 1 percent of the American public serves in the military, and only 6 percent of Americans are veterans, adding that teachers, town officials and public safety personnel should also be thanked for their service to their community. He asked the students to think of those who are serving in uniform now or have served in the past as they honor those who have died in service to their country over the weekend.

More students followed O’Brien, including Camryn Tarr, reading her essay on Betsey Ross and Livia Saya, who read from her paper on the bald eagle. Kathryn Ward, Nathan Smith and Brooklyn Uzzell read from their original poems and Lillie MacKinnon, Van Le and Ariana Beane read from their letters to veterans.

“Thank you for protecting us and all you’ve done for us,” Le read from his letter. “Because of you, we can be safe from harm. Keep up the good work.”

Student leaders then presented red carnations to the special guests and escorted them to the library for a breakfast reception and gave them hand-written thank you letters.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Whitman vows to remember

June 1, 2017 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — An occasional chilly sprinkle from leaden skies couldn’t put a damper on the town’s Memorial Day parade and traditional observances on Monday, May 29.

After last year’s parade was rained out, organizers vowed this year’s parade would go on as rain was forecast to hold off until the afternoon.

As the parade formed at Court Street ahead of the 9:30 a.m. step-off, residents began to line the South Avenue route in front of Town Hall and Cub Scout leaders organized a group photo on the steps to occupy their energetic scouts.

Town Hall was the first stop along the parade route for a prayer by American Legion member Richard Cameron and remarks by state Rep. Geoff Diehl.

“On this Memorial Day, help us to remember with deepest gratitude and awe the extraordinary men and women who, out of love, gave their lives to protect our beloved country and preserved our liberty,” Cameron prayed. “Help us to be ever-mindful, also, of the wounded heroes in our midst who, with valorous hearts, risked their lives that we might prosper and that our children’s future would be secure.”

Diehl also honored the sacrifice of those lost in defense of country, noting that international peace has been the goal of U.S. military deployments in both world wars as well as current missions in the Middle East.

“Americans are fortunate to have not fought a foreign army on our own soil in preservation of our liberty since the War of 1812,” Diehl said. “But we have had to remain vigilant after attacks on Pearl Harbor and the World Trade Centers, where justice for the innocent and the unarmed has cost us the lives of too many brave young men and women of our armed forces.”

Diehl said Memorial Day observances help keep those fallen warriors alive in our memories.

“It is our duty to answer their sacrifice by immortalizing them … so as not to ever to allow the life they gave, along with many of their brothers and sisters in arms, to be diminished,” he said. “They say that a person dies twice — the time when they take their last breath and the time when their name is last spoken.”

Memorial Day “provides the living legacy that keeps them from ever dying in vain,” Diehl said.

A ceremonia volley from a VFW firing squad and the playing of “Taps,” and “Echo,” by W-H students Sam Andruk and Matt Gallagher, were followed by the parade’s reforming and proceeding to the fire station on Temple Street for another wreath ceremony before concluding the route of march at Colebrook Cemetry where Boy Scout Nathan Morse read the “Gettysburg Address” during wreath ceremonies at the Civil War Unreturned and American Legion memorials.

Parade participants also gathered at the Whitman Park flag pole for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance and at the Civil War Soldiers Monument for Morse’s reading of Gen. Logan’s Order establishing the first Memorial Day in 1868 and finally to the Veterans of All Wars monument for a prayer and wreath ceremony.

Participating in Whitman’s parade were Grand Marshall Paul Riccilli of VFW Post 697, co-Marshall George Lopes of American Legion Post 22; Diehl, Town Administrator Frank Lynam Selectman Dan Salvucci; the Whitman Police and Fire departments, VFW Post 697, American Legion Post 22 and auxiliary; Sons of the American Legion Squad 22; Post 22 Legion Riders, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 119; Knights of Columbus Council 347; W-H band and majorettes, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Troop and Pack 22 as well as Troop and Pack 59; and Girl Scouts, Brownie and Daisy Scouts.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

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