Whitman-Hanson Express

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Hanson plans EDC grant forum

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HANSON  — The Economic Development Committee met Monday, May 24 in preparation for a 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 1 presentation to the Board of Selectmen along with the EDC’s consultant Phillip Schaeffing on the rapid recovery grant.

All town departments, residents and business owners are encouraged to attend.

“We just wanted to make sure we weren’t caught flat-footed when we meet next week,” Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said during the brief Zoom session. “I think the way that we see this rolling out is that we’re going to have our consultant really take the reins and walk us through what the purpose of the local recovery planning grant is … what the format of the outreach will be.”

She said the EDC also would need to know what he will do with the information and next steps, which he has reviewed with the EDC, but needs to review for Selectmen.

“He speaks well and seems to be able to field questions well,” said Town Planner Deb Pettey, noting that Schaeffing, of the consulting firm Stantec has a PowerPoint presentation to stress current conditions. Pettey was instrumental in applying for the grant and organizing the forum, according to FitzGerald-Kemmett.

“It’s important for people to understand this is a planning grant, it’s not an action grant,” Pettey said. “That’s kind of hard to wrap your head around sometimes, when you are talking about what you would like to see happen, and we’re just trying to get a vehicle together to get to the action grants.”

The June 1 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, while in-person, will have multiple people participating in the meeting remotely.

“It could get confusing,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, adding that she has full faith and confidence in Whitman-Hanson Community Access TV to make it work smoothly.

She asked that an email inbox be set up to enable those without access to cable TV or a computer to have their concerns and questions answered. Pettey said that could probably be arranged, if it hasn’t already been done.

“I’ve worried about that throughout COVID, that voices aren’t being heard,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett envisions an outline of the EDC’s mission and membership, introduce Schaeffing and review the purpose of the meeting before getting into the presentation. She wants to end with Schaeffing outlining how feedback from the meeting will be used in the grant process.

WHCA Executive Director Eric Dresser said there will be a lot of moving pieces that might make it seem awkward, but that could be a concern even if all the meeting participants were in the same room.

“This is obviously some uncharted territory, so it’s going to be a little bit seat-of-the-pants as we figure out how it’s going to work in terms of recognizing people,” Dresser said. He indicated that moderating conversation would be important.

A brief recess between the regular Selectmen’s meeting and the EDC presentation was also suggested.

Protocols, including prior registration for the session, are being prepared to prevent interruption — or Zoom-bombing — of the remote participants, Dresser said.

Kevin Curran said he wanted to ensure everyone’s questions get answered.

EDC Vice Chair Dan Bathalon said he was only concerned that the flow of the meeting be smooth.

  

Override, incumbents carry elections

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Low turnouts for annual Town Elections are nothing new, but — while an override question in Hanson brought out voters — a nail-biting four-way School Committee contest in Whitman was not enough to boost turnout, according to results.

Only 9 percent — 914 — of Whitman’s 10,900 registered voters cast ballots. In Hanson 1,766 —about 22 percent — of the town’s 7,969 registered voters, cast ballots, according to Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan.

She attributed the difference in turnout to the $1.8 million override question, which Hanson voters passed, in a break with tradition, by a vote of 1,072 to 677.

“First of all, I’m relieved,” Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch said of the override result. “The thought of losing seven positions would have been detrimental to our ability to support the town.”

Six officers would have been cut and another position unfilled if the override had failed.

I am pleased that the override passed,” Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr. said. “This will allow us to continue to provide fire and EMS services at our current level.  I would like to thank all the residents that came out to vote. The men and women of the Hanson Fire Department appreciate the continued support.”

The Fire Department had faced the prospect of losing four firefighters had the override failed.

“I’m very grateful to the residents and we look forward to serving them as we have in the past,” Miksch said.

Anti-override resident Mark Vess called it “a most tragic day” for the town of Hanson.

“The town of Hanson has been pitted against the Whitman School Committee  and I’m very disappointed that the people that are recovering from Coronavirus, that have been put out of work, that are marginally of income are going to take this in the neck if it passes.”

Election results made official by Whitman Town Clerk Dawn Varley, show two races in the Saturday, May 15 Town Election were decided by six votes.

Incumbent Selectman Dan Salvucci received 443 votes to Rosemary Connolly’s 497.

“Every vote counts,” Salvucci said while sign-holding Satuday morning.

“You’re always a winner when you vote and you speak up,” Connolly said a sshe waved to motorists. “You’re always a winner when you have a voice — you change things. You make change just by running.”

There were 31 blanks and three write-ins. Incumbent School Committee member Fred Small returned for another term with a 406 to 400-vote margin over challenger Heather Clough.

“I’m hoping that my background with education advocacy really speaks to the voters and that they realize that I will do whatever I can to help all of their kids recover from the pandemic,” Clough said, expressing cautious optimism about her campaign.

Incumbent Christopher Scriven coasted to re-election with 525 votes.

He noted that he had a good support system as he commented the School Committee needed more solidarity.
“We need some leadership that’s going to take us in that direction,” Scriven said, also taking note of the number of candidates running for School Committee. “You’ve got to love the interest. It can’t be a bad thing.”

Another of those challengers, William Haran, 21, who is an education major in college received 231 votes.

“Either way, I’ve won by getting information out there and starting conversations,” Haran said of his campaign while holding a sign across the street from Whitman Town Hall Saturday morning. He said he got involved in politics last year when he supported School Committee member David Forth’s campaign.

“Most of the people I’ve walked up to with fliers had already heard of my campaign or were already leaning toward voting for me,” Haran said.

While Connolly put out a letter to constituents over the weekend indicating she would seek a recount, Varley said she has heard nothing yet. Connolly has 10 days — or until May 25 — to request a recount.

“Anybody can ask for a recount — even if it’s 100 votes,” Varley said, noting that it won’t be apparent until 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 25 if there will be a recount.

“With such a narrow margin of only 6 votes, I am moving forward to initiate the process of a recount of ballots, by hand,” Connolly posted online in a message to supporters. “This process is formally outlined by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with timelines and requirements to collect 10 signatures from registered voters from each of the four precincts in Whitman.”

She asked voters to contact her at romeyjosie@gmail.com or 617-872-7751 if they wished to support a recount.

For his part, Salvucci thanked the voters for their support.

“Both Rosemary Connolly, and I kept our race for the Board of Selectman above board, with class and energy,” he said. “Winning by such a close amount of votes shows that voters considered both of us as valid candidates.”

That’s her right,” Salvucci said when contacted for comment on Connolly’s interest in a recount. “I’ll be there when it’s done if she get the signatures that are required.”

Small said, in a letter to the Express [see page 10] that he had heard some of his campaign efforts were “a bit much” for a School Committee race.

“While I can understand that sentiment that is not me, if something is worth doing it should be done to the best of your ability,” he stated. “If I am in it, I’m in it to win it!”

Hanson incumbent Selectman Matt Dyer was re-elected with 1,012 votes and Joe Weeks was elected to fill the vacancy left by Selectman Wes Blauss’ decision not to run again — “It’s not my thing,” Blauss said. “I’m done with politics.”

“I think I’ll do alright,” Weeks said about his chances.

Weeks received 903 votes. Write-in candidate Jessica Keegan received 362 votes.

Dyer and Weeks expressed optimism in their chances as they held signs and Dyer said he felt the override would pass as the town saw it’s promise.

For School Committee, Michelle Bourgelas won in the race to fill former Committee Chairman Bob Hayes’ seat, with Daniel Stautman garnering 534 votes.

“I’m thrilled to be elected to the W-H school committee,” she said Saturday evening. “I look forward serving the citizens of Hanson and can’t wait to get started. Thank you to the town for the overwhelming support.”

She had expressed optimism earlier in the day as she held a sign outside Hanson Middle School.

There were nine write-ins and 216 blank ballots returned in that contest.

“I feel pretty good about it,” Strautman said, noting he had been frequently stopped during canvassing by people wanting to talk to him about his campaign.

“I always say, when I meet people, they’re meeting me,” he said, noting his job as a pharmacist gave him some facial recognition with people, even when it didn’t click right away. “It’s great to see those people that I really haven’thad a nonprofessional interaction with recognize me as an individual.”

He said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere win or lose.

Hayes opted to retire from the School Committee after 18 years — 15 of them as chairman [see story page one].

Hanson reopens on June 1

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HANSON — Town Hall will reopen for regular business operations on June 1.

The Board of Selectmen voted to lift the restrictions to access imposed by the coronavirus pandemic during its Tuesday, May 18 meeting.

“The last time we discussed this as a group, we were a little different with the forecast of COVID,” said Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer. “With the governor ending the COVID emergency here in the commonwealth, on the 29th — or dropping the COVID restrictions — I wanted to get a motion from the board to reopen Town Hall to the general public on June 1.”

Selectmen also dealt with resignations, accepting with regret the departure of IT Director Ryan McGonnigle. He is accepting a position in East Bridgewater.

But a resignation letter from Planner Deb Pettey led to a tense discussion, as Selectmen Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett and Joe Weeks advocated against accepting her resignation in hopes the town could entice her to stay. She had intended to depart May 24, but has asked to stay on until June 10.

Dyer was reluctant to get into detailed discussion on the matter out of concern for potential violations of the rights of a public employee.

“I would like to see if we could have a conversation with her and I would like to not accept her resignation and see if we could work something out with her,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “You can’t discuss departure date without accepting.”

“I would have liked to discuss this a little bit more before going right to a vote,” Weeks said.

Dyer explained his concern was over exposing the town to liability if a discussion took place without proper notification so Pettey could have the opportunity to attend such a meeting.

“She has done a lot of work,” Dyer said in thanking Pettey for her service to Hanson. “A lot of stuff has been on her plate the last couple of years. … She has done a lot of great things here in the town of Hanson.”

Planning Board member Joe Campbell asked if there would be a point in the near future where a discussion of Pettey’s departure will happen.

“I think it’s pretty straightforward that Ms. Pettey had tendered her resignation at her will, and we’re just accepting her resignation,” Dyer said. “We will not be revisiting this topic.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett countered that, when a long-time employee leaves — “somebody whose done a damn good job, which you said yourself” — the board has an obligation to find out why she is leaving and see if there is anything to be done in an effort to retain a good employee.

She said Pettey’s performance need not be discussed in such a conversation.

“I feel it’s a missed opportunity,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Dyer said that has never been done when any other employee left.

Campbell said he was empowered by the Planning Board to oppose any acceptance of Pettey’s resignation.

Interim Town Administrator Lisa Green said the board could have a discussion with an employee to try identifying reasons or motivations for such actions and ask them to consider their decision.

Selectmen Kenny Mitchell and Jim Hickey joined Dyer in voting to accept Pettey’s resignation.

The board also addressed filling the two positions.

Green said the planner position has a very broad job description and favors more closely identifying its duties and responsibilities.

Dyer said he and Mitchell had met with Green and Planning Board members Campbell and Don Ellis to discuss that.

Green said she will be working on the job description with the Planning Board.

Ellis asked if any Selectmen had spoken to Pettey about the job description as written. Dyer said the discussion with Green touched on it, but no other Selectmen indicated they had done so.

Town Administrator John Stanbrook said the agreement with East Bridgewater called for the town to pay more than $60,000 of the IT director’s $90,000 cost associated with the position’s time serving Hanson’s needs. Green noted that most area towns have a dedicated employee working part-time as IT.

FitzGerald-Kemmett asked if Hanson’s needs dictate hiring a full-time person.

Clancy named WFD’s chief

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen, on Tuesday, May 18, voted to appoint Lt. Timothy Clancy as the town’s new Fire Chief, subject to successful contract negotiations.

The board also voted to open all town buildings on June 1, in keeping with Gov. Charlie Baker’s latest COVID guidelines.

Clancy, whom Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman called the “best candidate for the job” met with the board. The meeting was broadcast and live-streamed by WHCA-TV.

Heineman offered a brief overview of Clancy’s résumé.

Lt. Clancy began his career as a call firefighter in Whitman in 1991 before his promotion to full-time work in the department in 1997. From there, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2008, and currently serves as an instructor at the Massachusetts Fire Academy and has been an instructor for emergency medical teaching services and paramedic training in the past. He is a Certified Fire Officer Levels 1, 2 and 3, and a Certified Fire Instructor Levels 1 and 2.

A graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, he has a master’s degree in fire science from Anna Maria College. Clancy is also credentialed as a fire chief by the Mass. Fire Service Commission.

Clancy excelled in a November 2020 written exam and full-day assessment center about a month ago, Grenno said.

“He has certainly shown his commitment to furthering others in the field,” Heineman said. “All these pieces together … I would strongly recommend his appointment as the next chief.”

Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, joked being named Tim was a requirement for the job as Grenno’s predecessor was Chief Tim Travers. Clancy officially becomes chief at 5:01 p.m. July 9, with an official badge ceremony to be planned.

When he took over in 2008, Grenno said his main goal was to ensure his command staff received the education and training required to perform their jobs.

“Lt. Clancy has never stopped his education or training,” he said.

Grenno said he and Clancy were the only paramedics in Whitman for several years.

“Tim spent many nights molding and building our EMS with me to what it is today,” Grenno said. “I’m very honored to let you know what you already know that Lt. Clancy has topped that and I am honored to recommend him as chief.”

Selectman Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski suggested the board vote to appoint Clancy before he spoke so he would be the chief-designate when he spoke to them.

Clancy thanked Grenno and Heineman for their recommendations and said he has been a firefighter since he was a senior in high school.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with great members over the years and they’ve all shared with us knowledge and experience that we’ve been able to take forward,” Clancy said.

He credited Grenno’s planning and preparation the department was prepared for the pandemic response.

“I’m proud to be a member of this department,” he said.

Selectmen lauded the departments’ responses to emergencies at their homes in some cases, and appreciation for getting the town through the pandemic.

Selectman Randy LaMattia said his personal experience with an attack of kidney stones that required ambulance service showed him first-hand Clancy’s skills as he “basically saved my life that night.”

“He not only save my life he tied my shoes when he had to pick me up off the floor,” LaMattina said.

Selectman Dan Salvucci spoke of a humorous fire call when his cat started a small fire by peeing on an outlet, as well as a time when the department came to his aid after a fall.

“The fire service has never come to my house and I certainly hope that that would continue,” Selectman Brian Bezanson joked as he offered his congratulations and full support. He also thanked Grenno for making sure his department helped the town through the pandemic.

Selectman Justin Evans, the Fire Department liaison, said his father, a paramedic in Weymouth has expressed admiration for the Whitman Department.

“I don’t know if I’d say they’re the best on the South Shore, because I’d get in trouble at home for that one,” he said.

Grenno said the transition will have Clancy moving to the day shift on June 1 until he goes to the National Fire Academy’s executive officer program in Maryland. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Fire Academy/Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management Chief Fire Officer Program.

“I think it will be just a flip of the switch for you guys,” Grenno told Selctmen.

Town reopens

Selectmen voted to reopen all town buildings on June 1, in keeping with Gov. Charlie Baker’s latest COVID guidelines, and voted to change the Town Meeting to Town Hall at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 2.

The Monday, June 8 Selectmen’s meeting will mark a return to in-person meetings.

Gov. Baker has put a May 29 ending date for all mask requirements and indoor capacity limitations related to COVID-19. The state of emergency ends on June 15 and temporary outdoor dining licenses expire on that date.

Selectmen also discussed budget recommendations with Finance Committee Chairman Richard Anderson, who also expressed his concern over the proper process for presenting the municipal budget at Town Meeting.

Kowalski said both the Selectmen and FinCom recommendations would be presented to Town Meeting.

“Generally speaking, the Finance Committee concurs with the articles contained within the warrant,” he said adding the FinCom has made final recommendations on all budget line items.

“A discussion about whose budget it is, is a discussion that doesn’t go anywhere,” Kowalski said. Anderson agreed on that point.

“I really am concerned that we’re headed in a direction that takes away from the independent review of the Finance Committee,” he said, suggesting it was a debate that would likely continue.

There is only $9,000 difference — revolving around non-mandated busing — between the Selectmen’s and FinCom’s budgets.

Anderson had expressed concern that the School Department would have “home field” advantage in the Town Meeting being held on high school property. Kowalski also said that, with COVID restrictions being eased, the Town Meeting will likely be moved to Town Hall. That was, indeed, decided later in the meeting [see above].

The Finance Committee budget advocates level-funding the busing line item.

Evans asked if that was intended to seek a change from the School Committee or a statement to shift the cost elsewhere.

He said the issue was more that Selectmen are recognized as the policy makers and sought to make is clear that the recommendation was simply on the financial implications of that budget line and the fact that it is no longer sustainable.

 Hayes hands in his gavel

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School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes presided over his last meeting on Wednesday, May12 — he opted not to run again after 18 years on the committee, representing Hanson. He served as chairman for 15 of those years.

“I think we have a great gathering here — it must be a budget meeting, I’m not sure,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeff Szymaniak, invoking a point of order before the meeting’s regular business began. “Today is a special occasion.”

School Committee member Fred Small kicked off the ceremonies with the presentation of a plaque, a  W-H facemask, a proclamation from Gov. Charlie Baker (with which state Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington, assisted) and an American flag that had been flown over the Statehouse on April 27.

“Bob, it’s been a pleasure knowing you a good portion of my life … and to be involved and to serve with you on the School Committee for the past nine years,” Small said. “It’s truly been an honor and a privledge, and knowing the time, effort and amount of work that you’ve put into this committee, I know you’re going to sorely be missed.”

Hayes said his work on the committee was an “18-year team effort with many, many School Committee members that came and went.”

He also thanked selectmen and town administrators he has worked with over the years.

“They all came together at several times,” he said, noting budget negotiations. “All of this is how, from this brand new building 16 years ago … being built — everybody has played a part,” Hayes said, insisting he did nothing as an individual.

“We were not alone doing this,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not about anybody in this room, it’s about everybody in this room. It’s about all of us.”

Szymaniak presented him with a certificate from the committee and his gavel as well as a gift.

Whitman Selectmen Vice Chairman Daniel Salvucci presented a proclamation on behalf of his board honoring Hayes and his contributions to the community. Fellow members Justin Evans and Randy LaMattina also attended the meeting.

“I know that you’re not going to just walk away, you’re going to get your hands into doing something for both communities,” Salvucci said, noting that he has known Hayes for about 30 years.

Sullivan, joined by state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke, and state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, presented honors from the General Court.

“It’s great to be back,” Cutler said, mentioning that he and Sullivan calculated that the last time they had been in the WHRHS library was February 2020. “I’m sorry that it’s for this reason. Is there time to change this?”

Cutler said he could not imagine the W-H School Committee without Hayes.

“The breadth of commitment that you’ve given this community in both towns is incredible,” Cutler said before reading the resolution, which also honored his service as a youth sports coach. “In all the towns I represent, I can’t think of anyone whose done more for our schools than you have.”

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done,” Sullivan said. “I know that you’re on the Hanson side of the W-H School District, but you have never been a stranger to reaching out and supporting the good cause here in W-H and we appreciate everything you do.”

She noted that Hayes’ grandchildren were among family members in attendance and suggested that, perhaps one of them would fill his shoes one day.

Brady, who also served on a school committee, also thanked Hayes for his service.

In other business, the School Committee said principal vacancies at Indian Head and Whitman Middle schools were filled, Szymaniak announced.

Paul DuPrey, currently principal at Remmington Middle School in Franklin, was chosen as principal WMS, and Dr. Joel Jocelyn, of Brockton, is currently principal of Franklin Elementary School in Newton, and will take the helm at Indian Head.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools George Ferro highlighted some of the summer programs being offered at W-H this year.

“All of them will center around regression and help with students in math and English language arts,” Ferro said. “They will look different in some schools.”

All summer programs at Duval Indian Head will have free six-week, home-based programs offering help for students who need it, funded by grants. All summer programs are based on end-of-year assessments and students will be invited to join the program they require. Conley’s traditional Camp Conley with daily enrichment in math and ELA built in. The Conley program will carry a fee, but the district is seeking summer enrichment grant money to help fund the Conley program and keep costs low.

Middle Schools will also be offering at-home help programs based on assessment results.

Aside from traditional sports camps, WHRHS Principal Dr. Christopher Jones said the regular summer enrichment program will be expanded by 30 seats and will address regression. Summer school will also be offered as well as the academic 3-D and science camps.

The extended school year program at the high school for special education students will also be offered as usual.

The School Committee voted to approve school improvement plans for next year.

Forums spotlight Whitman candidates

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WHITMAN — Candidates for the Board of Selectman and W-H Regional School Committee fielded questions during forums produced and broadcast by Whitman Hanson Community Access TV (WHCA-TV) on Friday, May 7.

The two candidates’ forums are being rebroadcast on the station and are available for streaming on WHCA’s YouTube site.

First up were candidates for the one seat up for grabs this year Board of Selectmen — incumbent Daniel Salvucci and challenger Rosemary Connolly.

WHCA Studio Production Specialist Kevin Tocci served as moderator while Executive Director Eric Dresser was timekeeper. The Whitman-Hanson Express assisted in development of questions for the event.

Connolly, who drew the opportunity to open, said she has served two terms on the Whitman Finance Committee, using skills she has had in the workforce as a staff auditor in that role.

“These are strengths that I can bring to the Selectmen position as we plan forward,” she said. “We would commonly use strategic planning in staff auditing.”

She also stressed her experience can help her govern effectively, identifying where the town can better use state aid where weaknesses such as a good human resources department can leave the town at risk of lawsuits.

Salvucci, has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for 18 years so far, noting he started out on the Finance Committee himself, in the mid ’90s.

“I wanted to increase what I could do for the town,” he said. “I know the budget of this town very well, and have done everything I can — and will continue to do everything I can — to improve this town for our citizens.”

He is a representative and vice chairman of the Old Colony Planning Council and the Metropolitain Planning Organization.

Questions ranged from what makes an ideal selectman; the community survey; the fiscal 2022 town budget; the prospect of de-regionalization; capital projects and personnel decisions.

Salvucci pointed to his work as a manager for Star Market, from which he is retired after 43 years, as lending him the experience in working with people and budgets, looking at projects with an eye to getting things done. Connolly said the ability to serve and listen to constituents and to deliver services is key. She also pointed to her volunteer work in town and the fact that she would be the only female member of the board, and one with children in the school district — the town’s largest budget area and employer.

She said the town has overlooked the process in the effort to implement the findings of a community survey taken a few years ago.

“We have the finances to implement that, but we did not handle our Chapter 70 issues,” she said of the Madden Report survey of town finances. “We diverted $4.5 million into paying for another community’s bills as we ignored what our community was saying in that survey.”

Salvucci countered that Whitman was doing the best it can with what the town has, granting that there was a mistake made in the assessment formula used for the school budget.

“But that is water over the dam,” he said. “We need to go forward. Once we get through this budget season and we continue to bring in businesses … and promote businesses in our town — bring in revenues — we can get things that need to be accomplished, accomplished.”

Salvucci said the town’s budget for the moment, meets the town’s needs, but a lot depends on the coming year before it can be determined whether an override might be necessary in fiscal ’23.

“I don’t want to say we’re going to go for an override in next year’s fiscal budget,” he said. “We don’t know. You don’t know until you see the numbers.”

For her part, Connolly said there is data that can indicate if an override is necessary.

“It is not something you willy-nilly decide,” she said. “And one piece of data they would use is ‘are you funding your primary budget with non-sustainable resources?’”

She charged that the town is making a lot of financially risky moves if it wants to stave off overrides.

“We have to be careful not to be penny-wise and pound foolish,” she said. “The longer you push off an override, the more expensive things get, the larger the override grows.”

About a week after she was first appointed to the Finance Committee, she advocated doing everything at 2 ½ percent as they reviewed town spending, only to spend a lot of money later to have someone else tell the town the same thing. She said she still believes the town needs to review its spending practices to determine what isn’t working.

Salvucci said his “water over the dam” comment was a way to describe Whitman’s effort to help its partner in the W-H Regional School District so as not to “totally cripple them” in the fiscal ’21 budget process.

“Town Meeting said yes, and I always live by, being a selectman, Town Meeting says, I do,” he said.

Salvucci said he doesn’t know the kind of school system being thought of in Hanson’s discussion of de-regionalization, but that he doesn’t think it is something that town can afford. He pointed to Pembroke’s effort to leave the Silver Lake region and, noted that, despite being the larger town, it took them five years to do it.

Connolly agreed, saying Suzanne Bump’s office did an analysis on the subject, and recommended that both towns read it, because they would likely find neither town would be allowed to de-regionalize by the state since it would jeopardize how children could be educated.

That discussion led to a question of the scope and price of a new Whitman Middle School.

“Sometimes these things come down to what we can’t afford,” Connolly said. “We really can’t afford not having a safe building for children.”

The MSBA selected Whitman’s project because it met standards of need, “pretty much above any other town in Massachusetts because this building needs to be rebuilt,” she said.

Salvucci said the state will decide the scope of the project, but “eventually something needs to be done with that middle school.”

In addition to any amount of MSBA reimbursement, both candidates noted that debt for current school loans end and debt service for a new school would begin.

A new DPW building, also on the top of Salvucci’s agenda as a project needed by the town, was also discussed. It had frequently been overtaken as a goal, by other projects including the new police station. Connolly said it is one area on which she and Salvucci see eye to eye, but that the matrix formula, which includes state aid, often leaves the building behind.

They were also asked about the kind of candidate they would like to see hired after Fire Chief Timothy Grenno retires in July. Connolly said the résumé bullet points of working effectively with staff, grant writing and community outreach were important. Salvucci noted that the Civil Service list, peopled with officials who possess qualities to which Connolly referred, would have to dictate the process.

Other questions focused on skills a potential assistant town administrator and salary that should be offered; economic development; the priority for a strategic plan for financial planning; the process for reopening town facilities; and what other issue they find is important.

Visit the WHCA site at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwBGkMC5K4w.

Hanson TM voters approve SST debt

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HANSON — The annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 3 approved a proposed $10,516,372 debt authorization plan for South Shore Tech.

Hanson’s share would be 13.65 percent of that figure.

SST intends to phase in projects between fiscal 2023 and 2028, with the borrowing costs to be part of the district’s proposed annual assessment starting in fiscal 2023.

The funds are intended to cover remodeling and extraordinary repair costs at the school and had already been approved by Scituate, Hanover and Rockland voters. All eight towns in the regional school district must approve the plan for it to move forward. Whitman will vote on the proposal June 2.

The proposal was originally intended to cost $18,960,537.

The SST School Committee in a special meeting, on Monday, April 26 lowered the amount it is recommending for its debt authorization article to $10,516,372.

Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey explained that the school was originally built in 1962 with an addition constructed in1992.

“These projects stem from our facilities master plan, and we are essentially trying to find a cost-effective way, through borrowing, to keep capital costs low and deal with a lot of the issues in our 1962 building,” he said. “He have a well-maintained building, but we have some big capital projects coming up in the future.”

Hanson’s Finance Committee had not recommended the article.

Finance Chairman Kevin Sullivan said his committee supports the school, with the town’s current financial situation, they were not in the position to take on a significant amount of debt.

“We believe that the renovations are very real, very needed, but we talked about addressing it at a fall special Town Meeting, pending the outcome of the override,” Sullivan said.

Hickey said he appreciated the Finance Committee’s diligence in the matter, but stressed all eight towns’ support was required to move forward with the borrowing.

“With this capital plan, we would actually see Hanson’s borrowing costs go down by about $30,000 a year, starting at fiscal ’25,” he said.

Interest rates are not currently locked in, but are based on a best estimate of the Federal Reserve not raising the interest rate until 2023.

Interest-only borrowing is planned for fiscal ’23 and ’24, which is why the estimated costs are very low, according to Hickey. They are planning based on interest rates of about 2 percent starting in fiscal 2025.

Voters also approved an article to raise and appropriate funds to operate the transfer station as well as an article authorizing the town’s participation in a Community Choice Aggregation Program, which residents may opt out of if they do not wish to purchase their energy in that manner.

An article concerning rule change swapping 8.5 acres of the Webster-Billings Conservation Area for a 25.403-acre parcel the protection of a town well head by transferring control to the Conservation Commission was approved. The article was intended to ensure the public has access to trails and open space for passive recreation.

Plymouth County Final Reuse Committee Chairman Don Ellis said that committee was neither approached nor notified of the proposal.

“The park plans are not yet finalized,” Ellis said. “The committee is working with an engineer on final design and needed infrastructure. To swap 8.5 acres for 25 acres is just not right.”

He said there must be other town-owned properties of more equal value to swap. He also noted the property in question is more than half of the former hospital property.

He moved to pass over the article.

Conservation Committee Chairman Phil Clemons, who also serves on the Reuse Committee noted the property has three parcels and the one involved in the article does not include the area being looked at for a park and that the article is 100-percent more in keeping with future plans for the park and is more in keeping with the committee’s mission.

Selectman Wes Blauss expressed surprise that the Reuse Committee had not been informed of the article, but he advocated moving forward with it, as did Selectman Matt Dyer, who serves as vice chairman of the Reuse Committee.

Kathleen Marini said she was shocked that the Reuse Committee was not informed and that she considered it a “run around” on the committee before it had the chance to complete it’s work.

 

 

 

School Committee hopefuls discuss the issues

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WHITMAN — The three candidates seeking the opportunity to serve Whitman on the W-H Regional School Committee met in a Candidates’ forum at Town Hall Thursday, May 6. Two seats are up for election this year.

Incumbent Fred Small and challengers Heather Clough and William Haran attended the forum. But incumbent Vice Chairman Christopher Scriven was unable to attend.

Small thanked his opponents for taking part and noted he was running for his fourth term in office, saying he has “unfinished business” he wants to pursue on the School Committee. He noted both his children are graduates of W-H and are residents of Whitman.

“I have a lot of things I’d like to get done,” he said. “But understanding what the committee is — by myself, I am nothing — I’m just a person. It’s the committee as a whole that has the power.”

Haran, a graduate of WHRHS attended Whitman schools all his public life, and had the opportunity to assistant teach in Hanson Middle School during his senior year.

“Through that, I learned that education is my passion,” he said, promising to stand up for students and parents no matter what. “I’ve seen a culture of under-funding, holding back our students and our towns. I’m running to change that.”

Clough said she is running because she thinks the district can do better for students.

“I’m not saying that we’re not doing great again, I’m saying that we can do better, and that we’re obligated to do better,” she said, citing academic regression because of the pandemic as a huge concern.

Clough said some academic studies indicate younger students will be six or more months behind, especially in math, as a result of the education challenges posed by COVID-19. Trained in special education advocacy, she wants to bring her training with state agencies to work for the School Committee.

“I want to make sure that all of our students get the kind of academic supports that they might not have needed before the pandemic,” she said. “This has been tough for everyone.”

Questions ranged from topics such as: Why would one run after the turmoil surrounding the assessment formula; could there have been a better compromise for the school funding issue; their understanding of the budget and what needs to be done to move the district forward; potential participation by town officials in collective bargaining; state funding support for a new Whitman Middle School; the impact of COVID-19 on education; and the job performance of Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak and his administrative team.

Haran said he wanted to run because the Whitman schools have been such a large part of his life.

“Even in times of turmoil, our kids still need us,” he said. “We still need a School Committee that’s going to stand up for them even if that’s tough to do.”

Clough said it is time to move on from that debate.  Small reiterated the call of unfinished business.

“If not me, who?” he said. “I also want to see us bring a sustainable budget. I believe that is within our grasp over the next few years.”

Offering foreign languages as early as elementary school is one area that should be pursued, he added.

Clough argued that a more gradual approach to a funding compromise for the school assessments could have been possible, but what’s done is done. She said the numbers don’t lie. Whitman taxpayers could have used the $4 million over six years that the town paid instead of Hanson, could have been used for other financial priorities.

Small said Whitman officials don’t know that the figure is $4 million, but there is one person who has made that assertion.

Haran said he believed the switch to the statutory method was done in the correct way, and noted both towns agreed to it at last year’s town meetings. He did say, however, that the switchover should have occurred sooner that it did.

Small outlined his knowledge of the budget process and offered that, to move forward, the revenue sources of new growth and additional levy within Proposition 2 ½ limits the district to about $1 million for fiscal 2022.

“We need to become sustainable,” he said.

Haran argued that establishing a budget subcommittee that analyzes budget needs each year, perhaps ahead of the rest of the committee, would be a good idea. It had also been recommended by a DESE review of the district in 2014.

Clough also advocated for a budget subcommittee “keeping an eye on things that may come down the pipeline as needs for capital improvement and educational programs.

“Educating people about the schools … actual ‘This is what you get when you invest in education,’” she said. “People are more willing to invest when they know they have a personal stake in it, even if they don’t have students within the district.”

All three expressed a willingness to include a town official in collective bargaining negotiations with educator unions. Funding for the Whitman Middle School project was also discussed.

While Clough admitted she did not know the exact funding percentage, the Whitman Middle School as a grade five to eight school, is going to need a lot of work, so an investment in a new building is wise, she said.

Small, who chairs the building committee, said the funding is currently at about 50 percent, with points available depending on design specifics. He also served on the high school building committee. He wants to discuss with administration what the best grade levels would be to place in the school.

Haran also was aware of the reimbursement level and that is fantastic that the town is on the list and should embrace it.

The candidates also discussed their ideas for how to help students catch up on lost learning time due to COVID. Haran said appropriate use of federal relief funds should be used to help a school committee willing to fund schools to help students come back.

“You’re not going to get a committee that’s willing to build back better from this from a committee that hasn’t consistently stood up for school budgets anyway,” Haran said.

Clough said the goal could be achieved by a wide variety of approaches, from a movement break during class to allowing them to have a small hand-held fidget.

“But students are going to require remediation academically,” she said. “They’re going to require tutors possibly, they’re going to require extra help. There may even be students who end up having to repeat a grade or possibly retake the MCAS again in high school.”

Small said the School Committee’s role is to provide resources to help every student who has regressed.

One question initially left Small speechless — the job performance of Szymaniak and his team in terms of preparing the school budget.

“There are frustrations that I have,” Small said. “I believe that the superintendent means well in everything that he does, and [he] wants to see the absolute best for our children.”

But he also said Szymaniak is a realist about the challenges facing school districts and committees. While Small lauded the team Szymaniak has formed and the work that they are doing — while COVID has caused disruptions — he said he wants to move at a faster pace, which he has addressed with the Szymaniak.

Haran said Szymaniak is a hard worker who does a good job of running meetings and getting information to parents and running the schools.

“I do have frustrations, as well,” he said. “For me, it comes during budget season. He could do more to advocate for the district goals that he and the committee are setting forth for themselves.”

“I believe that Superintendent Szymaniak is doing a pretty good job,” Clough said. “He’s only human. He does as much as he can and he advocates for all of our students.” Her only critique, she said, applies to anyone — more listening and community outreach.

Other questions focused on the need and importance of full-day kindergarten; other issues — such as out-of-district special education costs, the culture in the partnership with Hanson, and hold harmless allowance from the state — were also discussed.  Visit the WHCA site at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTTbXJv_Rpo.

Whitman weighs Town Hall opening

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WHITMAN — Selectmen and the Board of Health have agreed on a series of recommendations aimed at gradually reopening Town Hall.

The Board of Health has concurred with Selectmen on reopening Town Hall for in-person early voting in the annual Town Election, according to according to Town Administrator Lincoln Heineman. The Board of Selectmen last month approved early voting from May 10 to 13 during regular Town Hall office hours.

The Health Board also recommended a return to in-person meetings with town officials by appointment only with each department cleaning their area after each visit. That change would go into effect immediately.

Health officials also recommended removal of the temperature screening station from the lower Town Hall entrance, leaving the hand sanitizer station in place. Department heads have hand-held temperature scanners. The Board of Health also concurred with Selectmen changes in the travel policy.

The Health Board’s recommendation for reopening Town Hall for regular business, however, was to wait until the town has been in the green for three weeks, but changed the guideline to the point at which 50 percent of statewide residents over age 16 are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Selectmen accepted the recommendation to remove the temperature screening station, agreed with the change in standard for opening after the 50-percent statewide vaccinations level has been reached and to permit one-on-one in-person meetings in Town Hall during their Tuesday, May 4 meeting.

After a lengthy discussion Selectmen voted to go along with the Health Board’s recommendation to follow the state guidelines.

“That gave me some pause when I was considering the Board of Health’s recommendation,” Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said. “We live in Massachusetts, but we also live in Whitman. It’s been a red zone until very recently.”

The state vaccination range is now between 36-38 percent.

Whitman is currently at about 30.1 percent vaccinated, according to the latest figures available, but only 2 percent of the 4,000 residents under age 19 have been vaccinated. For the older, more vulnerable populations have higher vaccination rates — 67 percent of those age 75 and up; 71 percent of ages 65-74; and it trickles down to 20 percent of ages 20 to 29 and “falls off a cliff” under age 20.

Overall, Evans said, the town is in line with state averages.

Kowalski said he does expect the figures to improve, but urged staying with current access limitations for Town Hall at least until Town Meeting.

“I’m hopeful that things are going to change over the next month or so,” he said.

“My strong recommendation is that we open all town buildings, with the exception of the Council on Aging and, possibly, the library at the same time and make sure everything is open in the same way,” Heineman said. The COA could conceivably reopen a week later because it serves a particularly vulnerable population — which has had a chance to be vaccinated.

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if all town buildings would be properly equipped for protecting residents, such as with Plexiglas shields. Heineman said that was tasked to the facilities manager.

“I personally, if I was to make a recommendation, would be to stay status quo until after Town Meeting,” Selectman Randy LaMattina said, noting that Whitman has been out of the red — but not yet in the green — for about two weeks.

Selectman Brian Bezanson mentioned President Biden’s announcement this week that the administration expects about 70 percent of Americans to be vaccinated by Independence Day.

“Things seem to be breaking our way,” he said, while agreeing with LaMattina that there is a need to remain cautious. Still, he said he is hearing “a lot of grumblings around town” as to why Whitman has not yet reopened.

Kowalski said the state is sending some positive signs, closing mass vaccination sites and stressing local doctors as the source for vaccines.

“Maybe that will take care of Whitman better than we’ve been taken care of before,” he said. “We’ve talked for years that the problem for Whitman is that no one can get there from here, that’s one of the reasons we don’t have a great business [tax base]. …. It’s hard to get here from any place else, likewise, it’s hard for us to get someplace else.”

The temperature screening station, used to determine admittance to Town Hall, will be removed after technical problems brought its usefulness in doubt.

“It was a good thing to try,” Heineman said. “But it’s extremely sensitive — it doesn’t really work that well.

Bezanson noted he registered a temperature of 107.9 and then gave a normal reading after he stepped back and wiped his forehead.

The hand sanitizer station will stay in place.

Heineman wondered if the next step wasn’t to accept Board of Health recommendations for in-person, socially distanced, mask-wearing meetings. Kowalski said that really meant reopening Town Hall.

“Because once Town Hall is opened, whenever it happens, I believe masks and social distancing are going to be part of it,” Kowalski said. “At least, for a while.”

Limited, face-to-face interaction is not reopening Town Hall, LaMattina said. Reopening is opening the doors so people can come and go, with no contact tracing.

The Town Meeting warrant was approved by the board, including an article permitting the moderator to allow non-voting residents or visitors to speak at town meetings.

Several W-H students have citizen’s petitions on the warrant, involving plastic bag and polystyrene bans, Evans noted.

“They are currently not allowed to speak on behalf of the bylaw proposals they’re putting forward at Town Meeting,” he said.

LaMattina asked if there was a time frame, or “plastic exit strategy” for businesses to phase out use of the materials.

Heineman said both petitions indicate a starting date of January 2022 and permit the Board of Health to exempt a retail establishment for six months if it is found that the requirement would cause undue hardship or there is need for extra time to go through an existing inventory of plastic bags.

“I’m behind the article 100 percent,” LaMattina said.

Selectmen also approved calling for a promotional list from civil service for police sergeant and lieutenant. There is no current active list for either rank.

Whitman, district settle water bill

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The School Committee on Wednesday, April 28 unanimously approved a outlined a settlement agreement with the town of Whitman to pay water and sewer bills at the high school, which have been the source of concern since it was discovered that the bills have been in error for 14 years.

School district legal counsel Matt Feeney outlined the agreement that the district pay $185,826 over three years to resolve the dispute.

Whitman DPW notified the school district in May 2019 that multiple water and sewer readings and billing errors for the high school had been detected.

Meters were read incorrectly beginning in October 2005 and were repeated until Feb. 25, 2019, resulting in an under billing of about $307,000, School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes reminded the committee.

The Whitman DPW apologized for the error and any inconvenience it caused, but maintained water and sewer services for the high school.

Only WHRHS facilities were involved in the billing errors.

The School Department worked with Feeney and the town of Whitman to “determine what the district realistically owed” on a six-year statute of limitations, Hayes said.

The result was a mutually agreed-upon $185,826.46 to be paid in equal installments of $61,942.16 over three years, beginning in fiscal 2022.

Business Manager John Tuffy said a payment plan has not been determined yet, but a $61,000 forecasted in state aid or a transfer from excess and deficiency look like the most likely funding avenues.

“There is no intention to modify the budget, at least that I’ve heard of, and send a new assessments out for the towns,” Tuffy said.

COVID update

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak presented a brief COVID update, noting all students returned to class on April 5 and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley issued a May 17 date for all high school students to report back to in-person class.

“For us, if we hadn’t made that move it would have been within six or seven days, but they’ve been in school since April 5 and things have gone pretty well,” he said.

Middle schools were supposed to reopen by April 28, and in W-H have been back since April 5 as well.

Contact tracing presents a new situation, Szymaniak said. DESE and the state Department of Health and Human Services has issued new guidelines which involves close contacts exposed to COVID-19-positive people in the classroom or on the bus. Those wearing masks do not have to quarantine unless they were within three feet of the person testing positive for 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. The order does not apply if such contact occurred outside the classroom or bus.

“This new guidance will drastically decrease the amount of quarantines within our district,” Szymaniak said. “This will help us keep kids in school. … It will be parents’ choice whether they qauarantine their child. Our directive from DESE is to notify families.”

The district is also receiving eight pallets of persona protective equipment (PPE) — masks, hand sanitizer, gowns, stethoscopes, etc. — after the state ended up with a surplus it offered to schools, and will pay interested school districts to pick it up.

“We should be in a good spot come September,” he said.

MCAS and winter school

Because juniors who missed the MCAS last spring during the COVID shutdown, are eligible to take the exam to qualify for Adams Scholarships, the district is over the number of students they can test with the current number of proctors. Testing will take place May 6 and 7 and May 10 and 11.

Principal Dr. Christopher Jones said a “reverse half-day schedule” is being used to work around the issue. Buses will run at the usual times and students not taking the tests, who cannot get a ride at a later time can ride the bus.

MCAS testing ends at 10:15 a.m. and all students taking the test will proceed to classes after the exams. Distancing will also have to be provided for the 354 students — 288 sophomores and 66 juniors — taking the MCAS.

Winter school, which moved summer school classes to the winter season, saw a 76-percent success rate, Jones said, meaning 40 out of 52 moved out of winter school with passing grades.

“The important part was a decent number of them were seniors at risk,” Jones said. “They were at risk of not graduating.”

For the graduation ceremony at 6 p.m., on Friday, June 4 (rain date June 5), enough seats will be put out on the field used for four members of each graduates’ family at proper social distance. Other family members may use the standing room area at social distance.

Szymaniak said all those attending must sign in to permit contact tracing, if necessary.

“It’s not going to be a free-for-all,” he said.

The committee also began discussion of a proposed policy for therapy dogs in district schools. Szymanaiak said it was going to be worked on over the summer to present a well-thought-out plan.

A gender identity policy is also being looked at in an effort to see if current school policies are adequate.