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Whitman considers electronic voting

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Officials divided as Whitman considers electronic voting

WHITMAN — Town Administrator Frank Lynam will be hosting a meeting within the first two weeks of December “to conduct a preliminary discussion regarding the possibility and practicality of utilizing electronic voting at town meetings.”

But the device, which resembles a miniature TV remote, could be a tough sell in some quarters.

Whitman considers electronic voting

A CHANGE? Whitman officials are discussing use of this palm-sized electronic device for Town Meeting votes. Courtesy photo

Police Chief Scott Benton and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno have voiced objections to it, and DPW Parks and Highways Superintendent Bruce Martin has suggested the money to purchase the devices could probably be better spent elsewhere.

The devices, for which a quote has been received from Turning Technologies of Youngstown, Ohio, are expected to cost $7,050 for 150.  Their product is heavily used in colleges and by the military. Whitman would look to obtain 300, should they be approved, with renting or borrowing more if more are ever needed.

“I’m going to deal with whatever comes out of it, but I think if they want to zero in on an individual … and they want to zing them, it’s a good way to sit there and hide behind a button,” Benton said.

“There’s more than just us that aren’t happy with it,” Grenno said, suggesting it could change the democratic process of town government. “We have a town meeting that works.”

Lynam sees electronic voting as a way to avoid intimidation at town meeting.

“The biggest challenge is making sure that we have a sufficient number of devices,” he said. “The benefits to a push-button device? It takes the intimidation factor out of voting. People can vote their conscience or their wishes without fear of reprisal, intimidation or scorn from their fellow voters.”

Benton took issue with that.

“We, by the nature of our job, [tick] people off,” Benton said. “So is it to be portrayed that the Police Department has always been funded because I intimidate people?”

Lynam had originally posted the meeting for Nov. 24, but Town Moderator Michael Seele was unable to attend on that date. The session, which will also include Town Clerk Dawn Varley, Technology Director Josh MacNeil, Finance Committee Chairman William Capocci and selectmen, has yet to be reposted.

Varley and Lynam said electronic voting would be more accurate and could remove the intimidation factor from votes on controversial warrant articles.

“Nobody has to know how you’re voting,” she said. “We would do it on all articles, not just the sensitive articles. … It’ll be fair. I think it will be much faster.”

She recalled a past town meeting at which she cast a vote for a school budget. Her mother, watching at home gave her what-for after seeing her vote on TV.

Benton, for one, sees real intimidation problems within electronic voting. He argues the process could allow people to “bully silently.”

“We’ve seen how powerful social media is,” Benton said. “I just think our form of government works.”

“There’s a process in place to have a secret ballot,” Grenno said. “There’s not a problem, it’s not broken and I don’t believe that the town is in the fiscal situation to wastefully spend money on electronic voting machines when there are needs for public safety, there are needs for Town Hall, the DPW and there are needs for tax relief in town.”

Varley, however, sees electronic voting as the way things are headed.

“We’re trying to get interest from the voters,” Varley said. “We scrimp and scrape every town meeting to get 150 people here.”

It will also make her job easier, as all votes will be recorded and saved in a file. The warrant could be produced in PowerPoint for on-screen display during town meetings to help voters follow along.

“You can do cumulative [tallies] so they can watch the votes come in, but that’s not what we’ll do,” she said. Whitman would use a time limit for casting votes before the results are displayed.

While devices carry numbers for inventory control, Varley said no one will know which device an individual voter has, but misuse may have to be controlled by peer pressure.

“Other towns have done it and they don’t find any of this stuff to be a problem,” she said, noting Avon and Belmont use them. Belmont tested theirs in a mock town meeting, trying to alter or change votes and were unable to do so.

Lynam said he was inspired to look into electronic voting after seeing an article two years ago in The Advocate, a municipal paper, indicating some towns were considering it and has been informally discussing it with Varley and Capocci on whether it was viable and how to pay for it.

Hanson is also interested in the devices, perhaps sharing with another community, according to Varley.

Whitman razes blighted house

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Whitman razes blighted house

WHITMAN — A blighted house at 36 East Ave. was torn down Thursday, Nov. 12, to ease the process of auctioning off a vacant house across the street and resolve complaints from neighboring residents of vermin they said were traced to the condemned house.

Whitman razes blighted house

GOING: A worker operates the heavy equipment to tear down a dilapitated house at 36 East Ave., in Whitman last week. Courtesy photo, Frank Lynam.

Selectmen voted on Tuesday, Nov. 10 to authorize Town Administrator Frank Lynam to hire an auctioneer for 35 East Ave.

“This has been something that’s been pending for several months,” Lynam said of the auction. “We have had permission to sell the property for a while, but given the fact that the property across the street is even worse than that and we had voted to take that property down, I wanted to wait until we actually did that before seeking to auction this.”

The presence of 36 East Ave. would have greatly reduced what could be brought in by an auction of 35 East Ave., according to Lynam.

The town received a judicial order to demolish the property.

“Once it’s down and graded I’d like to move forward with the sale of the other property,” Lynam told selectmen.

East Avenue neighbors attended a Board of Health meeting on Sept. 2, 2014 regarding a continuing problem with rats in the East Avenue neighborhood — and the possibility that the two vacant houses on the street were housing the vermin. While there was doubt in some quarters if rats were, indeed, living inside 35 and 36 East Ave., evidence that raccoons nested in one of the houses had been found.

Town officials, meanwhile, saw legal and financial limits to what could be done about the problem posed by the decaying houses.

The town had, by that time, already foreclosed on 35 East Ave., and had to wait until November 2014 [the end of a one-ear waiting period] before anything could be done with it, including trying to sell the property to a developer who would raze the house and build there, according to Lynam.

“We will not move forward without a judicial order, because it puts the town in a liability position,” Lynam said at the 2014 Board of Health meeting. “The biggest question then becomes funding because we have to have funds have to pay someone to take the house down.”

A Town Meeting vote in May of this year provided the funds.

— Tracy F. Seelye

Hanson installs new drop box

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Hanson installs new drop box as an easy payment option

HANSON — Convenience now comes in the form of a locked, secure steel drop box in front of Town Hall into which residents may leave bill payments or official correspondence on off hours or in the case of persons with mobility problems.

“Convenience is really the perfect word,” said Treasurer Jean Sullivan. “It’s perfect because of the [traffic] light, too.”

Hanson installs new drop boxInterim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera announced at the Tuesday, Nov. 10 Board of Selectmen’s meeting that the drop box was officially in place, but that parking spaces along the horse-shoe driveway may need to be adjusted to improve access and traffic flow.

“For safety’s sake we need to have room to pull in and room to pull out,” Sullivan said.

The weather-proof drop box will be checked on a daily basis, or more often when needed with all correspondence delivered to the appropriate departments.

Residents are asked not to make cash payments via the drop box.

“People are getting away from [paying in cash] anyway,” Sullivan said.  “We take payments here, we do online payments, we do a lock box, a lot of people mail them in — this is going to be another way.”

Between all the payments accepted by the Treasurer/Collector’s Office conducts 35,000 transactions per year, including real estate, motor vehicle and personal property taxes as well as water bills.

Highway Department employees installed the device manufactured by American Security Cabinets, and the steel-encased cement safety poles that protect the drop box from bumps by vehicles.

Voters at the October special Town Meeting approved a $3,000 transfer from free cash to install the drop box to aid residents, particularly handicapped or elderly persons, in delivering payments or other correspondence from their vehicles. Selectmen recommended it, but the Finance Committee had not done so.

Former Finance Committee member Barbara Arena noted at Town Meeting that there were alternatives, such as online payments and mail, that work just as well and that $3,000 could be better spent on other areas.

“I know a number of towns have this particular item in place, and its not only a convenience but … the easier you make the process to pay bills, the quicker your going to put that money into action for the town,” Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young said at Town Meeting.

Assessor Lee Gamache also recommended passage of the drop box article.

“I see [elderly people] come in and just struggle trying to come into the Town Hall,” Gamache said. “Young mothers with children, too. You see them lugging everything from the car to come in and pay a bill when they could just drop it in a box.”

Hanson’s new secure drop box, into which residents may deposit payments or correspondence for all town departments, is located next to the flagpole in front of Town Hall and is accessible without the need to get out of a vehicle.

Photo by Tracy Seelye

Hanson repair plans reviewed

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Hanson repair plans reviewed as Selectmen consider amending the regional agreement for the W-H regional school district

HANSON — Selectmen say it may be time to amend the regional agreement for the W-H regional school district in an effort to codify the board’s authority to approve emergency school building repairs costing more than $5,000.

Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young also suggested that it might be time to adjust that figure for inflation over the 18 years since the over $5,000 repairs clause was added to the regional agreement in 1997.

Hanson repair plans reviewedAn emergency repair to a heating coil at Maquan School’s cafeteria  — costing $5,276 — has cropped up this week.

Facilities Director Ernest Sandland said replacement could cost as much as $16,000, according to Selectman James McGahan.

Young expressed concern that selectmen are asked to authorize emergency repairs, such as the heating coil, in the hope that Town Meeting will vote to reimburse the school district, with no guarantee that will happen even for needed repairs.

“The regional school agreement really has to be amended,” he said. “There’s no place in the regional agreement that provides for selectmen to give the go-ahead. … But we’ve been doing that for years.”

He also said he favored a change to the $5,000 in repairs clause to make towns responsible only for the costs over the $5,000 mark — in the case of the heating coil, $276.

“If this was $4,900, the school committee would be bearing the entire amount of money,” Young said. “But because this is $5,276, it’s over $5,000 [and] we’ve got to pay for the whole thing, which to me doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense.”

He said an adjustment for inflation is also needed and suggested the school district should be conducting continual reviews of the regional agreement.

“Either bring the [threshold] up to $10,000, or even more, or we pay for anything over $5,000 and they pay for up to $5,000,” he said.

Selectman Bill Scott agreed that the towns should only be responsible for repairs over $5,000.

The discussion followed a budget process update by interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera Tuesday, Nov. 17 on the fiscal 2016 municipal budget and concerns about projects included in the school department’s capital improvement matrix.

“One of the things that we need to look at is what does that all mean and do we need all that,” LaCamera said of the   school departments’ capital plan. “The second or third issue has to do with the capital plan the Board of Selectmen is working on.”

The highway barn and Plymouth County Hospital site projects are among those selectmen want to see go forward, he noted.

“Those items should be included in the plan whether we do anything or not,” he said.

McGahan noted the town’s capital improvement matrix does not always reconcile with the school committee’s list.

“We have to somehow get them in sync,” LaCamera said. “We can’t have two lists out there at the same time with multiple projects.”

LaCamera said he is starting the budget process based on level-service spending plan, noting that union contracts are now up for negotiation so no cost-of-living increases are included until negotiations are completed.

Tax rate set

Selectmen also voted unanimously to set a uniform tax rate of $16.55 for fiscal year 2016. Residential and small commercial exemptions were not recommended, both in keeping with past actions as not applicable to town properties.

Assessor Lee Gamache presented the Board of Assessors’ recommendations during a public hearing at the selectmen’s meeting.

“That’s not a certified rate yet, but that’s the calculations,” Gamache said of the figures presented to selectmen illustrating the impact of a uniform rate as well as shifts of 1, 5, 10 and 25 percent should split rates be chosen. “Historically, Hanson has not ever adopted the split tax rate.”

The Board of Assessors did not recommend a split rate, arguing it could end up discouraging business development in town.

The average single-family home assessment is now at $292,100 with a tax of $4,834.21 and the average commercial assessment is $481,800 with an annual tax of $7,973.79 under a uniform rate.

The assessors also reported that the fiscal 2016 estimated tax levy is $18,880,954 with an excess capacity of $37,472.

“You folks are there as the unsung heroes of how the town actually works,” said Scott. “I personally believe that our people that work for us are our most important resource.”

Whitman Area Toy Drive cheers children

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Whitman Area Toy Drive cheers children in need

WHITMAN — Within an hour on Sunday morning, a small army of volunteers had transformed the VFW Post 697 pavilion at 95 Essex St., into something like an annex of the North Pole.

Members of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary and the Whitman Mother’s Club were joined by the WHRHS Drama Club and many more residents responding to a Facebook appeal for assistance, participated in the Whitman Area Toy Drive kickoff day on Nov. 8. In previous years, the kickoff was in early December.

Drama Club Vice President Samantha Healy said the group’s members volunteered because they know volunteer Jane Plasse.

“I mentioned to her that we wanted to do something to give back,” Healy said.

School Committee member Fred Small, a longtime volunteer with the Whitman Area Toy Drive, thanked the Drama Club for its participation.

“It’s really appreciated,” Small told the students. “Don’t ever stop getting involved. Don’t ever stop giving back.”

Volunteers Dan, Amy and Logan Desmond received a Facebook message from toy drive founder Donnie Westhaver and decided to come and help, too.

This is the toy drive’s 14th year and, for the past couple of years, a nonprofit partner of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary, according to Westhaver. That helped streamline the to drive’s nonprofit status while helping bring in some corporate donations, he said.

A first this year will be a visit by Santa Claus for photos with children from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6. There is no charge for the photos, but toy donations would be welcomed.

“We are here for the needy,” Westhaver said. “We always have been.”

The Whitman Area Toy Drive was started as a Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots collection, but the toys collected that year didn’t stay in the area because there is no reserve unit on the South Shore to oversee it.

“In order to pick up the slack for the community we decided to start Whitman Area Toy Drive, which goes to local families,” Westhaver told the volunteers. “It’s kind of a ‘one-stop shopping thing.’”

Westhaver also works to cooperate with toy drives in neighboring communities.

“A lot of the surrounding towns — Abington, Hanson, Rockland — have toy drives,” he said. “I told them if they run out of toys by the middle of December, call me up.”

But he encourages residents of those towns to go through their community program first.

Client families come to the pavilion close to Christmas to select toys for their children — often three to five toys per child s well as clothing items — and are provided with gift wrap supplies they need and even Christmas trees, complete with lights and ornaments.

The Men’s Auxiliary presented Westhaver, it’s president as well as the toy drive organizer, with a $3,000 donation Sunday morning and the Whitman Mother’s Club presented $5,000 as its annual donation. The auxiliary’s donation was one of many it was able to make from the $17,000 raised at its annual golf tournament in August. The Mother’s Club’s donation is also a regular part of the group’s community support fundraising.

“It’s very rewarding and we have a great time doing it,” said auxiliary member Matt Olson. “It’s too much for one guy, so all of us do whatever we can. [Westhaver is] very dedicated to it and doesn’t want all of this to fall away.”

Last year the drive received $9,000 in cash donations and $50,000 worth of donated toys and clothes.

“There’s some great people here,” Westhaver said. “This is overwhelming.”

The volunteers assembled briefly to receive instructions and to hear more about the toy drive’s roots and mission before sorting the toys donated since last Christmas, which have been in storage. Two long rows of tables, covered with red or green plastic tablecloths, were labeled with signs indicating how to lay out the toys by gender and age group.

On Friday, Nov. 20, a performance by an Elvis/Johnny Cash impersonator is planned at the VFW to support Whitman Area Toy Drive and Men’s Auxiliary programs. Call 781-447-6883 for tickets and more information. A meat raffle is planned for Saturday, Nov. 28 at the VFW to support the Men’s Auxiliary.

Hanson Holiday Festival to make season sparkle

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Hanson Holiday Festival to make season sparkle

HANSON — The Hanson Holiday Committee is checking the bulbs and solidifying plans for its tree lighting festival at Town Hall green one month from now — from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Fireworks will punctuate the program at 7:30.

Santa will arrive by fire truck, after his customary tour of town neighborhoods, to light the tree and pose for photos with children, which can be downloaded from a web address provided at the event.

New this year is the sale of 500 buttons, which at $5 each, are intended to help defray costs, but are not required for admission to the free event. The buttons were produced through a donation from Sullivan Funeral Homes.

Every button purchased, however, will entitle the holder to a free raffle ticket at the event toward a chance to win a ride to school via fire engine for a family’s children.

Buttons may be purchased from Modern Barber Shop, Mike’s House of Pizza, Ford Insurance, Ferry’s Sunoco and Stitch ’N Time cleaners or from committee members Steve Amico, Bob Hayes, Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr., and others.

Other businesses interested in selling buttons, or residents seeking more information on where to buy them, may contact Amico at 781-293-2532.

“The committee thanks Sullivan Funeral Home for the generous donation,” Amico said at the committee’s Monday, Nov. 2 meeting. The final meeting prior to the event is slated for 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, at the Fire Station.

“If we find that they went like that, then next year we can do [more] and we can get them earlier,” Amico said of the buttons.

Food at the event will again be provided by Mike’s House of Pizza and The Old Hitching Post, with the committee working to add Venus III and Meadow Brook Restaurant to the list. Shaw’s is being approached to supply water and possibly cookies again this year. A DJ will provide music and a living nativity will be provided by a local church.

The Fire Department is also considering expanding the fire pit to help keep revelers warmer.

Traffic control will depend on the size of the crowd, Police Chief Michael Miksch said, indicating he has three different plans from which to choose.

Hanson honors vets at Tri-Town Parade

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Despite the wet weather, Hanson honors vets at Tri-Town Parade

On the 240th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps and the day before 97th anniversary of the armistice ending World War I, Hanson held its annual Veterans Day Breakfast at the town’s Multi-Service Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov.10.

The center, like town offices, other government buildings, libraries and schools were closed Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The Tri-Town Veterans Day Parade — Whitman, Abington and Rockland — slated to step off at 8:45 a.m., Wednesday stepped off on schedule in spite of high wind and rain, even as parades in Brockton and Weymouth were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

In Hanson, Veterans’ Agent Bob Arsenault welcomed veterans, their spouses and invited guests, selectmen Don Howard and Bill Scott, Sons of the American Legion Commander — and past Post Commander — Sam Hammond as well as past selectman and retired Army Brig. Gen. August Silva during his remarks following a hearty breakfast prepared by Marine veteran Arthur Leonas, his wife Joan assisted by Assessor Lee Gamarche.

“I’d like to recognize the spouses that are here,” Arsenault said. “Many times during war time, when the forces are deployed, it’s the spouses that are home taking care of the kids, taking care of the bills, making sure things run smoothly.”

One of those spouses, Norma Billings, brought a photo (circa 1944) of her late Navy veteran husband Dana to the breakfast, propping the picture before her place at the table. She also wore a sailor’s “Dixie cup” hat while dining before performing with the Swinging Singers chorus.

Arsenault read a Veterans Day Proclamation from Gov. Charlie Baker, presented new American and POW/MIA flags to Senior Center Director Mary Collins and presented certificates of appreciation to each veteran attending. Those veterans were:

Air Force — Donald F. Howard, Joseph Marsden, Bill O’Brien, Carl Patterelli, Sylvia Salas, Peter Travelini and Bill Ward.

Army — Lee Baker, Johnny Barboza, Sam Hammond, Dave King, Paul Leta, Charles Marsh, Hugh Monahan, Jim Pearson, August Silva, Al Supple, Robert White, Dody Whooten and John Woefel. Coast Guard — Charles Conant and Joe Norton.

Marine Corps — Arthur Leonas.

National Guard — Frank Turner.

Navy — George  Copeland and Anthony Eosue.

The Swinging Singers performed a medley of patriotic songs including the five service anthems and closing with “God Bless America,” which chorus member and National Guard veteran Frank Turner called one of the three “most meaningful songs we have glorifying this country.” The other two are the national anthem and “Let There be Peace on Earth.”

The chorus performed “God Bless America” following a moment of silence in memory of all veterans and loved ones who have died this year.

“This song, to me exemplifies the true meaning of America,” Turner said, noting its composer Irving Berlin was a Jewish immigrant who came to the United States seeking a better life. “This states what the true meaning of America is and how blessed and thankful we are to live in this country.”

Whitman seeks female police officer

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Limited Civil Service list approved as Whitman seeks female police officer

WHITMAN — Selectmen on Tuesday, Nov. 10 approved a request by Police Chief Scott Benton to call for a selective Civil Service appointment list of female candidates to fill a pending retirement vacancy.

The department needs to hire another female officer to comply with federal as well as Massachusetts standards for department accreditation, which recommend that 14 percent of staff be female. Whitman is now at 3.8 percent. Mass. General Laws also require departments to make the effort to hire female police officers to serve in units dealing with rape reporting, counseling and prosecution as well as — whenever possible — have a female officer interview a female rape victim.

“As a service to the citizens and for the efficiency of the Police Department, it’s my job to tell you when I see a problem, and this is a problem,” Benton said. “This is an opportunity to address it.”

Civil Service provides for a department to call for a selective list in such circumstances, according to Benton, so long as officials can articulate why it is needed.

“In looking at the operations of the Police Department and some of the things I deal with, they are prohibitive of us running as efficiently as we could,” Benton said. “Currently we have one full-time female officer … who works a day shift and has some administrative duties as well.”

Statistics regarding gender of both those arrested for crimes, or who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse, also require an additional female officer, according to the chief.

In 2012, 97 of the 312 full custody arrests, or 31 percent, were females. Another 60 victims of 92 reported domestic assaults, and all three victims of sexual assault reported to police were females. In 2013, 94 of the 313 full custody arrests, or 30 percent, were females. Another 40 victims of 57 reported domestic assaults, and five of the six victims of sexual assault reported to police were females.

“In recent years, we’ve even run into a problem with matron coverage,” Benton said. “We call in the specials when we can, however I can’t force them to come in and if they can’t come in obviously that becomes an issue.”

Selectmen agreed that Benton had made his case.

“I think a female officer — somebody that’s trained to deal with this type of victim, these types of cases — you’re right on the money,” Selectman Dan Salvucci said. “You’re absolutely right that you should be doing this.”

Taxes, trash

In other business, selectmen agreed with the Board of Assessor’s recommendation for a tax factor of 1 for both residential and commercial properties, and heard an update on progress toward a new trash-hauling contract from DPW Superintendent Bruce Martin.

Assessor Kathy Keefe said the total valuation of property in town is $1,423,288,613 and has already been certified by the Department of Revenue. The excess levy capacity this year is $1,460,512.

“That’s unusual,” Keefe said of the excess levy figure. “The reason for that was the new growth that did get approved this year was for a valuation of $1,328,292. That was and increase of 353 percent, almost all of which was attributable to New England Power’s improvement in infrastructure.”

She also reported the average single-family home is valued at $270,939 and the increase on tax bills, with the rate of $15.59 is $122.

“We’re very close to staying level in our assessments based on what we’ve spent and what we’ve seen in growth other than the unusual growth we’re talking about with National Grid,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said. “The tax rate is actually going down two cents per $1,000.”

He added that it is possible, and had happened with Verizon in the past, that National Grid — who provided their valuation numbers — could come back and seek an abatement, arguing they had overestimated.

“If we moved ahead in planning this money, it could be disastrous for us,” Lynam said. “I think we should wait it out and see where it goes.”

Salvucci supported the tax factor of 1 for both residential and commercial properties as a way of attracting much-needed business to town.

“It’s a way to say we’re business-friendly,” he said.

Martin reviewed changes residents will see when a new contract for trash hauling is finalized. The board has already approved a return to the $250 per year fee structure.

“We’re still negotiating with two haulers,” Martin said. “The current hauler is doing a good job, we are negotiating with them and another hauler right now.”

The hope is that a contract will be finalized this month with a contract signed Dec. 1.

“Either one is going to mean automated delivery, which will change our trash collection to a two-barrel system,” he said.

Each household would be provided two 64-gallon tubs, both equipped with lift-bars, which current barrels do not have. One trash barrel and one recycle barrel are included. The trucks are fitted out with a mechanical device that lifts barrels to empty them into the truck. Barrels are outfitted with computer chips and a serial number assigned to the property. When you move, the barrels stay behind.

“There is a cost associated with that,” Lynam has said. “It’s in the $320,000 to $350,000 range for the barrels.”

The first two barrels are paid for by the town, replacing lost or damaged barrels is on the resident.

Large item disposal, now permitted once a week, will likely change to once a month with a $10 fee, with how that will be collected still to be determined.

 

Hanson has new sealer of weights, measures

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Keeping business in balance as Hanson has new sealer of weights, measures

HANSON — Most residents probably never give a second thought to the town’s sealer of weights and measures or what that official does, much less to the fact that the office in Hanson has been vacant for a year.

Selectmen on Tuesday, Oct. 27 voted to appoint Robert O’Rourke of Hanover to fill the vacancy left by the death in October 2014 of Hanson’s Sealer of Weights and Measures Peter Jones. O’Rourke is also Hanover’s sealer of weights and measures.

“The board and your residents should know that, within the weights and measures field, Mr. Jones was very well respected,” O’Rourke said. “I was saddened to hear of his passing. … He is and will be missed.”

He pledged to get to work right away to catch up on the required annual inspections not yet conducted, though Jones was up to date on his inspection schedule when he died. O’Rourke’s appointment is through June 30, 2016.

O’Rourke is a certified sealer of weights and measures by the state for gas pumps and meters as well as deli scales, price verification units and point of sale registers at retail stores and truck scales.

Sealers of weights and measures are also on call anytime a business changes a scale or pricing unit.

“I enjoy it,” he said. “I like to see the businesses. I like when residents see me do the job. … You can explain to them you’re there to be fair and equitable for both the business and the residents.”

He went into the application process not even aware of the small stipend of $3,200 per year — plus $400 for expenses — that Hanson offers, O’Rourke said when asked by Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young if he minded the amount.

For Hanson’s needs, he said the stipend was fair.

“He’s one of the people who works behind the scenes that you never hear about,” Young said. “It’s good that he came forward like this. This is the fellow, when you go down to Shaw’s to get a pound of bologna, you’re sure you’re getting it — not a half a pound or three-quarters pound, but a full pound of bologna.”

Selectman James McGahan asked how frequently inspections are required.

“It is yearly,” O’Rourke replied. “A gas meter or pump, a scale are once a year. Scanners — price verification — is every two years, but a town can request to do it every year.”

“What if you have a gas pump that fails?” Selectman Kenny Mitchell asked.

O’Rourke explained that he uses a five-gallon fuel container calibrated by the state to verify accuracy of pumps.

“You can be off six cubic inches either high or low to legally pass it, but as a rule you want it as close to zero as you can,” he said. “If it’s way out of whack, you shut it down and they have it calibrated. I cut the seal and they have a technician come in and I do another test. If my seal is cut when I go in, there’s an issue.”

He added that, more often than not, a consumer complaint about gas pumps reveals it is the gas station that is losing money.

Mattress sales aid WHRHS music

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Mattress sales aid WHRHS music as annual fund-raising event

If you are looking to buy a new mattress — and industry research indicates that every year 10 percent of you are— the students in Whitman-Hanson Regional High School’s band and chorus programs hope you come to them first.

The first of what is intended as an annual fund-raising event, a mattress fundraiser sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 as the WHRHS cafeteria is set up as a mobile mattress showroom, according to Jack Isaacs of Custom Fundraising Solutions. He runs the fund-raising events in Massachusetts.

Mattress sales aid WHRHS musicSimilar benefit sales have raised $6,500 for Easton’s Oliver Ames High School football team, $5,540 for Hingham High School’s golf team and $9,350 for Norwood High School, among programs in more than 60 high schools in the greater Boston area. The average school mattress sale raises between $4,000 and $7,000, Isaacs said, and some schools raise more. Marshfield High School recently raised $12,000 for one of the school programs through a mattress sale.

The W-H sale is aimed at purchasing band instruments and defraying travel expenses for the band, chorus and High Frequency Show Choir, according to teachers Devin Dondero and Donald Legge.

Students making referrals to the sale receive a commission in their own account.

“He showed up at my door,” Legge said of how they decided on doing a mattress sale. “I took his card, but in the back of my head I was saying, ‘This is crazy — it’ll never work.’ But, after going to his website (CustomFundraisingSolutions.com), and seeing all the other successful schools around the area, I was convinced.”

Isaacs also spoke at a parents’ meeting last week to explain the sale to them.

The sale will feature brand-name mattresses, adjustable beds, and luxury pillows with layaway and delivery, within five to seven business days, available. Cash, check and credit card payments will be accepted and varieties from firm to pillow-top, orthopedic to memory foam are included at prices up to 50 percent off retail.

“You’ll see everything you’d see as you walk in a mattress store, except because we come to the school, our showroom essentially is free — we have no overhead,” Isaacs said Friday, Oct. 30 before briefing students on how to market the sale. “All the money stays locally in the communities that everybody loves.”

Prices at the W-H sale range from $249 and up for twin size; from $289 for full; $299 and up for queen and $499 and up for king/California king.

Student referrals can not only earn $25 commissions for the students, but also bring an additional $50 off any mattress set for the referred customers. Prizes are also raffled off among students after a threshold of 40 referrals come to the sale.

Posters about the sale, being placed at local businesses also bear five $50 coupons — limit one per customer.

Custom Fundraising Solutions runs fund-raising sales from 50 locations in 34 cities nationally. All mattresses are brand new with full factory warranties.