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School Committee reviews 1/12 budget

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The School Committee on Monday, June 29 discussed the current budget picture under a 1/12 budget.

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak clarified that the 6-4 vote in December was to provide him and Assistant Superintendent George Ferro with a method of assessment to bring to the communities in February.

The schools began working within a 1/12 budget on Wednesday, July 1 — using fiscal ’21 cherry sheet numbers — puts the operating budget for Hanson, under the state-required statutory method, at $11,397,219.16 and for Whitman, it would be $14,259,517.84.

The Hanson’s overall assessment under a 1/12 budget, with $350,000 in excess and deficiency and another $700,000 in circuit breaker money, would be $11,156,979.16 and Whitman’s would be $13,899,757.84.

Using fiscal 2020 numbers, with no E&D funds, overall assessment under a 1/12 budget would be $11,374,413.46 and Whitman’s would be $14,392,243.54. If the commissioner allows the district to use E&D, circuit breaker and cherry sheet funds, Hanson’s would be $11,134,173.46 and Whitman’s would be $14,032,483.54.

The fiscal ’21 budget sent to the communities was $55,320,238 and the compromise assessment was $11,745,020.21 for Hanson and $16,206,216.79 — using E&D and circuit breaker funds.

Szymaniak still wants to use those numbers at town meetings.

“It was a non-binding vote,” Szymaniak said of the 6-4 vote. “The only binding vote can be a two-thirds majority of the … School Committee on the vote and the assessment methodology.”

He stressed that the 9-1 vote was not statutory and was not an agreement, it was an amendment to the agreement put forth in May to both communities for the fiscal 2021 budget. Both communities, in turn, have to approve the method of assessment at both town meetings.

Szymaniak said Christine Lynch of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) told him there was nothing illegal about that vote.

“It’s challenging to explain that,” he said. “But the only way a budget comes out of committee is two-thirds majority. This committee voted a two-thirds majority [for] the compromise, which was a combination of statutory and agreement, and you voted a budget. It was 9-1.”

Lynch confirmed that the committee did nothing wrong. Only 10 regional districts in the state are now using the agreement methods with DESE now requiring boards of selectmen to sign off on it when their towns approve it.

Given financial storm clouds they see on the horizon, committee members did not favor taking any more money out of excess and deficiency — which is needed for emergency expenses.

Business Manager John Tuffy said the commissioner of education will set a budget that represents an expenditure limit. It doesn’t tell what the funds can be spent on — just the total amount that can be spent based on the current fiscal 2020 budget.

Payroll adjustments will be needed because of the cost of salaries that won’t be met by the 1/12 budget, Szymaniak said. The law requires that, without a budget, all non-professional status teachers had to be sent a reduction in force letter until a budget is approved. The district sent out 117 RIF letters.

“We never said we were reducing 117 teachers,” said Committee Chairman Bob Hayes. “Hear me clearly, we never said that. We said we were reducing in force roughly 40 teachers and staff.”

“This wasn’t a bluff,” Szymaniak said. “That’s not a tactic I’m going to use.”

The disctrict has also been reduced in bond rating from a AA to AA- based on the low level of cash in excess and deficiency.

Szymaniak began his report to the committee by commenting on “vile” remarks about and photos of him posted on social media over the weekend.

“It’s First Amendment rights and I’m not going to tell people to not express themselves,” he said. “But I really wanted to thank the members of both communities who emailed me and Facebook messaged me [as] a show of support in the values and ethics that I put forward and the commitment that I have for the kids of both of these communities.”

Re-opening plans

The district is being asked by the state to formulate multiple re-opening plans — fully remote, a hybrid plan, full day with restrictions and home school. [See page 2].

The first day of school has been pushed back to Sept. 8 with teachers given a start date of Aug. 27 and 28 and three professional development days Sept. 1 to 3. Snow days will be used as remote learning days.

“Parent still aren’t sure of the difference between remote school and home school,” Szymaniak said.

To home school children, parents must submit a letter to the district asking permission to do so along with the curriculum they plan to use, while remote learning is the school’s teacher-driven distance learning program used this spring. Home-schooled children do not receive any school services.

Hybrid programs could, for example, bring students into school one week and teach remotely at home the next.

“It’s kind of nightmarish because we don’t know how many of our teachers are going to feel comfortable coming back to school to teach during COVID-19,” he said. “We don’t know how many students are going to be sent to school by their parents during this pandemic.”

Parents and teachers have been asked to complete a survey to glean that information. All plans must be submitted to DESE by mid-July.

Szymaniak said transportation arrangements are not yet decided.

“We don’t know how many of our staff are going to be returning,” he said. The prospect of laying off about two dozen teachers in the worst budget scenario “really challenges us.”

Measuring distances in actual classrooms, Szymaniak said it appears about 20 students can be fit into a high school classroom, but they have not yet done the elementary school. Class size — to be determined by the budget — will have an effect on that.

“We may not have enough staff,” he said. The district expected to hear the 1/12 budget number by June 30. A $250 per student stipend to cover PPE costs is also being worked on by the state. State Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke, is also working on funding of between $250,000 and $300,000 to beef up technology for remote learning.

Parents were asked to please return the survey to help make determinations on how the plans will be designed.

Szymaniak said the district is slowly working toward opening summer programs, but building use programs will not be allowed at the high school — except for district-run camps.

New faces

The W-H Regional School Committee welcomed its newest members, 19-year-old David Forth Jr., of Whitman, and Hillary Kniffen of Hanson — and congratulated returning incumbent member Steve Bois during the reorganizational meeting.

Szymaniak, presiding until a chairman was elected, also thanked Whitman’s Alexandria Taylor for her six years of service and Hanson’s Robert O’Brien Jr., for his nine years of work on the committee. Taylor was narrowly defeated in the Saturday, June 27 town elections and O’Brien opted not to seek re-election.

“It’s not an easy task, as those who have been here for many years know, but it is rewarding and you are here for the students,” Hayes said in his welcoming remarks to Kniffen and Forth.

“It’s great to see new faces on the committee,” Szymaniak said. “This is a great team to be on.”

Socially distant graduation

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MARSHFIELD — As the Class of 2020 turned their mortarboard tassels from one side to the other, confetti poppers shot colorful paper bits in the air, families cheered and car horns honked — South Shore Tech community celebrated graduation.

Family cars, vans and pickup trucks were lined up in front of staging at the Marshfield Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 17, a change in venue required by the challenges of dealing with coronavirus.

That challenge was also brought to mind by Student Body President and Valedictorian Emily Ingraham of Whitman, who began her remarks by asking for a moment of silence to honor those lost to COVID-19 and to honor those on the front lines fighting the virus.

Ingram spoke of looking forward to the highlights of senior year.

“Then the world fell apart, and I truly thought this day would never come,” she said.

Craig Davis’ history class, in which students learned to disagree on issues with those who disagree.

“We made each other think and listened to each other’s opinions, which made us want to gain more knowledge on so many different topics,” she said “No two humans process or experience life in the same way, and we each have our own unique stories, passions, and opinions, and in freshman year, we learned how to express ourselves and grew from letting others express themselves through their stories, passions and opinions.”

But a bigger lesson was in the offing.

“We are graduating in the middle of a global pandemic, and with that we lost out on the best part of high school — the end of our senior year,” Ingram said. “And while we won’t be going to a senior prom, we have the tools and lessons on how to be successful from here.”

Hard work showed the Class of 2020 what it takes to persevere, she said.

School administrators also had to persevere to arrange for the day’s ceremony.

“You won’t know the number of hours, and phone calls, and meetings he had to do to put this event together, but a lot of this is directly due to him,” Principal Mark Aubrey said in introducing Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey for his remarks.

“If you enjoy this event, you’re welcome,” Hickey joked after a chorus of car horns. “Any complaints, see Mr. Aubrey.”

Hickey thanked officials at the fairgrounds and Marshfield town government for the assistance they provided in planning the event.

“We wanted to give you an event you would remember after such an eventful end to your senior year,” Hickey said. “It is wonderful today to be together in the same time and place after spending so much time apart.”

He noted that this year more than any other in recent memory, parents have been our partners in educating their children, right up to the very end of high school. Prior to the pandemic, Hickey said most in the school community would have thought that the most significant ‘adjustment story’ to mark this school year was when the football team was down 30-0 at halftime, and came back to win 42-36 in double overtime.

Hickey also described how the Drama Club, after the spring performance of “Clue” was canceled due to the COVID-19 shutdown, worked with advisers to perform the play on Facebook live.

“These qualities, developed at home and strengthened in your school community should grow as you enter adulthood,” he said. “Keep developing the habits of mind that the world needs: Be supportive, resilient, flexible, and focused. … I want to thank all of you for being resilient, sticking together, and supporting one another. Class of 2020, you are a graduating community for the ages.”

Senior Class President Ryan Mahoney spoke of knowing she wanted to attend SST since she was in the sixth-grade, when she looked forward to learning cosmetology. She graduated, however, as a CNA heading for nursing school.

“I’m sure many can relate when I say that we definitely didn’t have our lives as figured out as we thought we did back in eighth grade,” Mahoney said. “This place and these teachers have opened our minds and allowed us to dig a little deeper into ourselves to find who we are and who we are supposed to become. And for those of you who aren’t there yet, and who are still figuring out what your next chapter will look like, I hope that being a Viking has brought you that much closer to your greatness.”

School budget on to TM votes

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Whitman Selectmen are standing firm on their budget proposal headed for Town Meeting, including the budget that supports education.

Hanson Selectmen, meanwhile discussed the Regional Agreement amendment on the issue with Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff.

“I’m comfortable that you get the savings in the first year, and that’s the real benefit,” Feodoroff said.

Both boards met virtually on Tuesday, June 30.

“The budget is built on the assumption that we meet in the middle, in a transition from the current [school] budget method … to the statutory method, which is what most communities in Massachusetts that are regional are using,” said Town Administrator Frank Lynam. “Hopefully, we’ll see support for that when we go to our Town Meeting on July 27.”

Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski agreed.

“It’s the only real way for us to help the schools to transition from this year to next year,” Kowalski said. “The best thing to do for the students of our system, and for our system itself, is to go with the Selectmen’s recommendation and not the Finance Committee’s recommendation on the school budget.”

Selectman Randy LaMattina, who worked on the panel of officials from both towns that drafted the compromise, said that while there may be a better financial path, there is not a better path toward supporting education and the school district.

“It’s a two-part piece — one will not work without the other,” LaMattina said. “You can’t say you support the budget and not the amendment.”

He said town officials are aware Hanson will “struggle to get there” and if the relationship is going to be preserved both towns are needed.

“It’s sink or swim together and are we going to make it work?” LaMattina said. “For the budget to work this year, we need to offer Hanson some help of what basically and ultimately comes down to $211,000.”

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if Hanson helped Whitman the previous year when they had to take $840,000 out of stabilization to offset the budget.

“Sometimes you do the wrong thing for the right reason,” LaMattina said, but stressed the 50/50 compromise is the best deal Hanson is going to get.

Lynam said the Finance Committee can, at Town Meeting, recommend a budget less than what the School Committee is requesting, but all that does is reject the budget.

“It has no other action,” Lynam said.

The School Committee’s budget must be presented to Town Meeting. But if Hanson’s budget does not support the assessment, the budget itself is rejected and the district can’t use Whitman’s appropriation until a budget is established, according to Lynam.

If Whitman passes a school budget that Hanson does not, there is no minimum time limit for the School Committee to approve another assessment.

Kowalski also reported that the way a recent paid posting of an ad in the Express by the Whitman Finance Committee, according to town counsel, was not in violation of either an ethical or campaign finance standpoint. Selectmen also have no authority over the Finance Committee, which is appointed by the Town Moderator.

A Juneteenth call for unity

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HANSON — The Black Lives Matter movement, having moved from cities to the suburbs and rural communities in recent weeks, arrived in Hanson in time to coincide with Juneteenth last week.

About 100 residents, wearing protective masks and distanced six feet apart, gathered on the Hanson Town Hall Green Friday, June 19 to protest racism and call for change.

“We have faced name-calling … been told [after a cheering competition] to go back to where I came from,” said longtime resident Cheryl Nolan. “This is my home, and I will fight for it to continue to be my home and I’d like to thank all of you who are here today — it saddens me that there are not more — for coming out and standing up for what’s right. Racism is wrong.”

While no specific event in town spurred the rally, DiMascio and Dias said recent national events such as the killing of George Floyd and resulting protests across the country inspired the event — which coincidentally fell on Juneteenth after an organizational delay.

Juneteenth is a traditional African-American commemoration of June 19, 1865 when the last slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of their emancipation after the Civil War ended.

“[We] got together to talk about having something in Hanson and thought it would be a great idea to bring something like this to Hanson,” Marianne DiMascio said of a conversation with Recreation Committee member Juvelyn Hartwig and Health Board Chairman Arlene Dias.

“But I grew up here, I went to high school here and, when that happened with [Floyd], it triggered memories of things that I hadn’t thought about in years that happened,” Dias said. “I believe there are subtle things that happened — people aren’t blatantly racist, but it’s still here and people need to be aware of the fact that it’s not OK. But it’s one of those things, in a small town, you don’t talk about it.”

Hartweg, who was not able to attend, wrote of similar experiences her children have had in a speech on the importance of allyship, read by Becca LeValle, also of Hanson.

“I’m so grateful that many of you are willing to stand for me, maybe with me or by me,” Hartweg, a woman of color who has biracial children, wrote. “But we also recognize that not everyone’s experience has been the same, or even pleasant, at times.”

Hartweg asked the crowd to think about unconscious biases or behaviors, that can often be second-nature. She wrote about a black contractor doing business in her neighborhood who was greeted with suspicion, as well as a time when her son was given the nickname “chimp” while in the second grade. At the time, she was advised to move on and not rock the boat, when she approached school  officials.

“I’m asking you today to not move on — and to rock that damned boat,” Hartwig wrote. “Today, I ask you to be an ally.”

As Dias put it before the program, “At some point we need to to bring it out and say, ‘OK, air it to the sunshine.”

Elected officials attending included Selectmen Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, Kenny Mitchell, Wes Blauss and Jim Hickey, as well as state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke. Selectman Matt Dyer was unable to attend.

The program began with chants of, “No Justice, No Peace,” “Silence is Violence,” and “Black Lives Matter,” after which, Nicholas Donohue read an acknowledgement that the gathering stood on land was stolen from indigenous people through genocide and forced removal. It ended with a recitation of the names of some of the black Americans to die as a result of police violence in recent years, and a moment of silence — a process taking eight minutes and 45 seconds, the time George Floyd struggled to breathe under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.

“We’re here today to unite against racism and for equality and justice,” DiMascio then told the crowd, noting that the Black Lives Matter movement is beginning to correct past mistakes. “It can redefine who we are as a people and it can move our communities forward.”

But the main focus was on elevating the voices of people of color in the community, while stressing that the gathering was not meant to be anti-police.

“But we want to live in a community where everyone is safe, is fully accepted, and we want to push back against any structures, policies or biases to keep that from happening,” DiMascio said of police violence seen across the country. “Our silence is unacceptable, but our collective power is unstoppable.”

Erin Slayton, a 2014 W-H graduate, now a high school English teacher, noted that she is a biracial woman of African-American and Irish heritage.

“I like to believe there are lessons in all things,” she said. “My experiences with individual racism have taken the shape of ugly words — ‘You’re not black enough,’ or ‘You talk like you’re white’ — have shape-shifted into unprompted hair-touching, racial profiling. I am both black and white, never one or another. That is intersectionality.”

Ayala Royster’s Tennessee-born grandfather was born the in 1914, himself the grandson of slaves, and raised as a share-cropper on the same plantation where his ancestors were property. The family had been unable to leave the plantation due to a lack of assets.

Her grandfather migrated to Chicago in the 1920s, where he met her grandmother. They later moved to Hobson City, Ala., the second-oldest all-black community in the United States, a community founded as a by-product of racism in an effort to keep black residents separate from the city of Oxford. Black residents of Hobson City founded their own K-12 school.

“They developed businesses and became a safe place for all black people to visit during the Jim Crow Era, while passing through the state of Alabama,” said Royster, a Hanover resident. “There is where we would learn about black success. There we were able to see that our story and contributions to America did not begin and end with slavery.”

She said celebrating Juneteenth reminds her of that slavery, despite the inventions, medical advancements, business success and military service and heroism of black Americans.

“I’m celebrating all the strange fruit that has been strung from the trees,” she said through tears. “When I celebrate Juneteenth, I’m celebrating the creation of Hobson City, the place of my birth. … I’m celebrating all of my grandfather’s dreams that he had for me.”

Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch was among those addressing the rally attendees.

“The Hanson Police will work with you,” Miksch said, adding when he was originally asked to speak, he did not think he had anything to add, but changed his mind after speaking with Hartwig and Dias. “We want to hear you. If we’re doing something you don’t like, or you think is wrong, please tell us. If we don’t discuss it, all we’re going to have is conflict and we’re never going to solve anything.”

Like Whitman Police Chief Timothy Hanlon noted after Floyd’s death, that police in Massachusetts are not trained in the techniques that were used in Minneapolis.

“I have yet to meet a police officer that agrees, in any way, with what happened in Minneapolis,” Miksch said. “The only way I can look at that is a lack of humanity.”

Participants marched around the town hall before holding their placards in a visibility opportunity on the sidewalk along Liberty Street.

DiMascio also announced a new community Facebook page — Hanson United Against Racism — and a Twitter page, @HansonUnited.

As with similar area rallies, there was voter information provided at he event.

Towns OK 1/12 July budgets

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Selectmen in both communities approved 1/12 budgets to continue operations until July Town Meetings can vote on fiscal 2021 municipal budgets.

The effect of the fiscal situation faced by towns, partly as a result of the economic impact of coronavirus, has proven one consideration in Hanson Selectmen’s Tuesday, June 23 decision to keep Cranberry Cove closed for the summer.

Whitman Town Administrator Frank Lynam presented a July budget request of $8,495,517 to the town’s Board of Selectmen on Tuesday. That differed from an earlier request after Plymouth County Retirement increased the town’s assessment by $2,762. Selectmen approved it unanimously.

The entire budget for this year, he noted, is $39,252,492 which will be presented to voters on July 27.

“That money is all paid on the front end in July,” Lynam said. “It will be coming from money we eventually raise, the whole process involves the collection of local receipts and levy. It may well be that we will have to take revenue anticipation notes if we don’t have sufficient cash to cover that before we receive our first tax payments, which will be in July.”

In Hanson, Town Administrator John Stanbrook said Town Accountant Todd Hassett has calculated a 1/12 budget for July of $3,663,407. Hanson Selectmen also voted unanimously on the July budget.

The July budgets must be submitted to the Department of Revenue for approval from its director of accounts.

COVID concerns

On the COVID-19 front, Lynam said his biggest concern is the ability to return to normal operations as the town awaits delivery on a temperature sensor system ordered by Fire Chief Timothy Grenno. The temperatures of all people will be assessed as they entered Town Hall.

“We have not had any issues yet,” Lynam said. “I would like to return to full staff in the Town Hall, and once we have the ability to do that, I’ll ask the board to authorize returning to full staff.”

The Treasurer/Collector’s office is already fully staffed as Whitman approaches month and year-end financial deadlines. Staff is properly physically separated in the office.

Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green reported that she has spoken to all the Washington Street restaurant owners about Selectman Randy LaMattina’s suggestion to close the town center for outdoor dining on Saturday evenings. However, Napoli Pizza was the only business expressing any interest in the idea.

“The other business owners, although they appreciate the gesture, said at this point in time, with the resources that they would have to spend to make that happen, it really just is not feasible for them at this point,” she said.

Most eateries were focusing on bringing back staff for reopening for indoor dining.

“But they all thought it was a good idea,” she said.

LaMattina said he anticipated that reaction and urged the public to have patience with businesses as they start to reopen.

No swimming

In Hanson, meanwhile Selectmen voted to reopen town fields and parks, subject to social distancing regulations, but voted 4-1 against reopening Camp Kiwanee or Cranberry Cove for swimming this summer. Selectman Matt Dyer voted to open the Cove.

Health Board Chairman Arlene Dias said Health Agent Gil Amado had issued a letter June 2 with his recommendations after meeting with Recreation Director William Boyle.

New recommendations for coastal and inland beaches were not available until June 4.

“There’s been some talk about the Cove being an enclosed space, which it is not,” Dias said. “It safely could open with distancing following the orders that were appropriate for it.”

But three of the Selectmen were concerned about the financial impact as well as public safety concerns over opening the popular beach this summer.

“My understanding as that a lot of the discussion at the Recreation Commission meeting was really — regardless of that interpretation, which I’m not saying is not important — a fundamental question of do we feel … we are able to safely open down at the Cranberry Cove?” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. Her concern was over teenage staffers being confronted by angry patrons for trying to enforce coronavirus safety regulations at the beach.

There are 10-15 people — from the same household — permitted per spot.

“Right off the bat, you’re going to have people saying they’re from the same household, where they’re actually not from the same household,” said Recreation Commission member John Zucco “And then you’ll have situations where people will be in the water … drooling in the water, spitting in the water, it’s not an ocean where the water’s coming in and out all the time, cleansing itself.”

He also foresees problems with teen lifeguards being challenged on distancing enforcement.

“This is going to go on all day,” Zucco said.

Recreation Commission Chairman Diane Cohen, meanwhile said she doubted that behavior at the Cove would be any different than it has ever been.

“Every person will be handed a copy of the regulations that are going into effect regarding social distancing,” she said. “I don’t anticipate a problem in the parking lot as well … I think the people of Hanson are mature enough and can handle it.”

She also said the pond, a spring-fed and frequently tested body of water, is not the “germ fest” Zucco’s concerns indicated.

Zucco said he restrooms will also require sign-in logs to permit contact tracing if there is an exposure from a guest at the Cove.

The bathroom would also have to be cleaned with electrostatic spraying if an exposure happened.

“You have to have proper spacing … you’ve got to eliminate touch points,” he said noting that refitting restrooms with touchless toilet flushing, sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers is expensive.

“We can open the Cove without opening the bathrooms,” Cohen countered.

Amado, however, said he has concerns about social distancing at the Cove that would argue against opening.

“I think we’re in a weird place here, where we’ve got a commission divided, we’ve got a health agent who feels it’s not in the best safety and public health concerns,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Cohen also questioned the town’s liability for an accident if people trespass at the Cove.

Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff said that Hanson, to be cohesive, should also monitor its Cove parking lot and echoed Amado’s concerns about the bathrooms and who would monitor the proper cleaning of the facilities.

“There are always loopholes for everything,” she said of Cohen’s concern about liability. “This is a nationwide problem and some people are saying do it at your own risk … We’re the managers of our town and we have a responsibility to ensure that the system and the areas that we allow people to go to that are under our governance are sufficiently secure to protect them.”

Amado also pointed out that the nearby Rainbow Camp — which has operated for about 40 to 50 years — has closed for this summer for the first time.

“I will note Whitman made the very tough decision not to open up their town pool,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “That’s like an institution in Whitman.”

Other beach areas in Pembroke are open, Cohen argued.

Hanson Selectmen were also divided on the issue of opening the Cove.

“My personal thought is, I think we can open it,” said Selectman Matt Dyer, who has spoken with Recreation Commission members about it. “They have a plan in place. Last time that they were here, they didn’t have a plan.”

He argued that, since the board’s mantra for the past four months has been to follow the governor.

“The governor has opened up DCR parks, ponds, and swimming areas,” he said. “Camp Kiwanee is a cooling center, it’s a public health thing where heat waves kill more people than any other natural disaster, so I think we need to make sure we open this up so we have a relief area.”

Selectman Kenny Mitchell said he was fine with opening the Cove so long as social distancing was observed, but he is worried about the financial impact.

Selectman Jim Hickey opposed opening.

“In no scenario does the Cove make money,” he said. “My real concern is that COVID-19 could spread from Cranberry Cove being open.”

Selectman Wes Blauss agreed on the fiscal concerns, but also expressed dismay that a Recreation Commission member told a friend of his that the Board of Selectmen is “out to get” the Recreation Commission.

“That is so not true,” he said. “We’re trying to look out for the best interests of the town and whether we split our vote, like the Recreation Commission just has … the parking lot is as big a problem as the beach … you’re going to need the lifeguards, then we’re going to need someone whose basically washing down the bathroom after every use. It just goes on and on.”

Cohen said she understood the challenges facing the town and applauded Selectmen’s diligence in trying to make the right decision.

“I thank you for listening,” she said.

Towns to vote Saturday

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The voters in Whitman and Hanson go to the polls on Saturday, June 27 to elect officials to town boards and the regional School Committee.

Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Whitman Town Hall for voting in that town.

Due to Covid-19 the Secretary of the Commonwealth has allowed Early Voting by mail for all voters. Visit the State Election website at sec.state.ma.us/ele. Absentee ballots are still available for those who are disabled, out of town during polling hours or have a religious reason. If you do not have access to a printer the Clerk’s Office will mail you an application.

Send the completed application to the Town Clerk’s Office at town hall. Applications can be mailed or hand-delivered to the outside drop box or submitted electronically by fax (781-618-9791) or e-mail (dawn.varley@whitman-ma.gov), as long as your signature is visible. For more information call 781-618-9710 for the Whitman Town Clerk.

Please allow ample mailing time for this application and for the ballot. Ballots must be returned to the Town Clerks Office by Election Day.

Due to the pandemic Whitman also purchased a larger drop box for Early voting ballots and all other correspondences that needed to be deposited for Town business. The box is located on the parking lot side of the building next to the stairs and the handicapped ramp.

Hanson votes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hanson Middle School. All voters who cannot vote in person at the Hanson Middle School on June 27 have been encouraged to fill out an absentee ballot application if they would like to vote early by mail.  Both applications are available on the Hanson Town Clerk’s website.

To vote by mail in Hanson, download an application for either an Absentee Ballot (this allows you to have a ballot mailed to you for all elections this year); or, an Early Ballot Application (which is just specific to this election).  Once you have completed and signed either application, please either mail to: TOWN CLERK, 542 Liberty Street, Hanson, MA 02341  OR:  Scan application (with signature) and email to townclerk@hanson-ma.gov.  The Town Clerk’s office will mail you a ballot which will need to be received back to the Clerk’s office by Election Day, June 27, 2020.

Candidates in Whitman are: Moderator: Michael Seele. Treasurer: Mary Beth Carter.Board of Selectmen (vote for two): Dr. Carl Kowalski, incumbent; Randy LaMattina, incumbent; Rosemary Connolly. School Committee (vote for two): Steven Bois, incumbent; Alexandra Taylor, incumbent; David Forth Jr. Department of Public Works Commissioner (vote for two): Kenneth Lailer; David Cook. Public Library Trustees (vote for two): Ann Trotta; Susan Duran. Planning Board: Adam Somerville. Heidi Hosmer is a declared candidate for Assessor.

Hanson candidates are: Moderator:  Sean J. Kealy. Selectman (vote for two): Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, incumbent; James Hickey, incumbent; and Paul Benenato. School Committee: No candidates officially filed, but resident Hillary Kiffen is running a write-in campaign. Assessor:  None filed. Board of Heath: Kevin R. Perkins. Cemetery Commissioner: None filed. Planning Board (5 years): John Kemmett. Planning Board (3 years): Kevin D. Cohen. Hanson Housing Authority (5 year term): Marilyn Cardile. Two Trustees of Public Library (3 years): John F. Papp and Teresa M. Santalucia. Water Commissioner (3 years): Michael J. Chernicki.

W-H proceeds with July 31 grad plan

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The School District is still looking at a Friday, July 31 date for the Class of 2020 graduation ceremony, according to Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak.

“Right now, the location looks to be outside of the stadium on the JV baseball/softball fields,” he said. The location permits the construction of staging while keeping graduates physically distanced from each other.

“We’re looking at numbers of tickets per graduate and putting families in groups or blocks six feet apart from others,” he said. Only Principal Dr. Christopher Jones and student speakers will be on stage at proper distances. “But we will try to make is as elegant and as celebratory as we can for the Class of 2020.”

While the ceremony is expected to begin at 6 p.m., Szymaniak cautioned that it would be “pretty warm,” as it takes place in the middle of summer.

“We moved it from the football field so it wouldn’t absorb as much heat … the challenge right now is having enough power to power up our audio system,” he said.

Details on the event will be forthcoming as it is “a work in progress.”

School officials will also try to gradually reopen some summer school programs, including coach-sponsored youth sports clinics, school-related camps such as Science Camp are “on the block” and the YMCA program is going to use Duval, where the North River Collaborative will also use classrooms. Strict guidelines set up by the Mass. Department of Public Health will be followed.

“We thought it was important … to make sure we get some kids involved in some things this summer to get them re-acclimated socially with peers and have some fun since many summer camps are closed,” Szymaniak said. He is looking to mid-July or August to get camp programs going.

The state enters re-opening Phase 3 after Monday, July 4.

Szymaniak said the state safety protocols do not now require temperature checks, but all others, including distancing, masks and hand-washing will be observed.

“All the camps and clinics will be un by people that are accountable to us,” Szymaniak said about the potential for leasing the high school’s facilities to boost revenue flow. “I’m very hesitant — and I’m going to leave this up to the committee — to discuss and potentially vote on.”

He recommended not opening buildings for such use until after Labor Day and when school is back in session and new guidelines are known.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the new school year are estimated to be about $460 per student, or a $1.8 million expense as the district tries to plan for next year as a complete picture of state guidelines are not yet available.

“We won’t be able to control the folks who come into our performing arts center,” Szymaniak said. “We won’t be able to trace somebody if someone ends up getting sick at an event that we have.”

Committee member Fred Small suggested such a situation could leave the district open to liability, which Szymaniak said was exactly his concern and he is asking people who want to rent the facility to be patient.

Committee member Dan Cullity argued the district would not be in a position to make leasing worth the cost of maintaining cleanliness and that the district’s main concern should be getting students back to class.

The committee voted 9-0 to support Szymaniak’s recommendation to close the high school to outside groups until after school re-opens.

Szymaniak said parents and staff are being surveyed about their experience with remote learning this spring, to plan in case it is required for part of the next school year.

Hanson Committee member Mike Jones asked how town meetings would be affected, as both towns are looking at the high school for the sessions. Szymaniak said the gym can fit more than 300 socially-distanced people, with room for almost 125 more in the performing arts center — and that both towns can be accommodated for an outdoor event, as well, he said. Local attendees would also make contact tracing easier, according to Szymaniak.

Budget

A budget Q & A document, used as talking points at a recent meeting of the Whitman Finance Committee, is being posted on the district website to provide information for residents and officials to refer to going into town meetings, including staff reductions and resulting class sizes.

“I implore anybody, if you have any questions, to please contact the superintendent or administration — not for people to be sitting in a meeting and saying, ‘Well, the superintendent can do this …,’” Small said. “When, in fact, its not true, they don’t know what they are talking about and it’s very frustrating.”

The 10-page document is also the subject of an informational half-hour cable show on WHCA-TV hosted by School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes in conversation with Whitman member Christopher Scriven and Hanson member Christopher Howard.

“It’s a dangerous precedent to just float numbers out there when there are really other true numbers, that the true, hard facts come through at,” Hayes said.

“I will not respond to questions on social media,” Szymaniak said. “I will only respond by email or phone call.”

Committee member Dawn Byers urged the committee to keep their eyes on the education they are providing.

“Education should level the playing field, so our budget is something that we’re presenting to prepare kids to compete with our area kids,” she said, concerned about regression by the fall among children whose families can’t afford tutoring or other technology, educational or social-emotional assistance. She also noted years in which she sat in the audience at meetings watching services to children funded last.

“I watched as the leftovers of the municipal budget went to the school as if it was an insignificant piece of the town,” she said. “This district has been an excellent partner to both towns. This district has negotiated every year — unfortunately, some years, negotiating down and cutting the budget.”

She cautioned that excess and deficiency has to be used as a budget safety net and made a motion to meet with the Mass. Association of School Committees to set up a series of workshop to set goals for student achievement, establishing all-day kindergarten and budgetary goals for 2023.

The motion was not supported because other committee members argured, Szymaniak is already working on a strategic plan while the towns are stuggling to fund a level-service budget.

Retiring Old Glory

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WHITMAN — The large American flag, folded in the traditional tri-corner way, lay in the fire pit as orange flames singed the threads of the white stars and enveloped the blue union. Soon more were consigned to the pyre.

The Post 22 Sons of the American Legion held its annual Flag Day unserviceable flags ceremony at the post on Saturday, June 14. A handful of veterans gathered in the parking lot to watch the event and wish their Army brethren a happy Army Birthday, also observed on June 14, before SAL Commander John Cameron and Sgt.-at-Arms Donnie Westhaver began the ceremony.

The first flag to be retired was the folded banner that flew outside the Legion hall for the a few years.

“It’s been recommended that our worn, unserviceable colors be fitted for retirement, as they have served our post for many years, but on this great occasion we shall retire them with the respect they deserve.”  Cameron said to begin the ceremony.

Westhaver then began the ceremonial inspection of the flag, which had already been deemed too worn and weather damaged to be of further use.

“We have the honor to present for inspection and retirement, the colors which have served for our post for many years,” Westhaver said, handing the flag to the post’s inspection team for examination. After being deemed to faded, damaged an worn to be no of further service, the flag was presented to Cameron for retirement by burning.

After a prayer by the post chaplain, Cameron carried the folded flag to the fire pit and placed it in the flames as the veterans saluted until the fire consumed it.

Other flags, brought in by residents for disposal, were then placed on the fire.

The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440, passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937, according to the Legion’s website [legion.org/flag/ceremomy]. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since that date.

A set of rules of civilian flag courtesy popularly known as the Flag Code was first formulated by the National Flag Conference meeting in Washington, June 14-15, 1923. The Flag Code was an attempt by prominent patriotic organizations to collect together in one instrument statutes, executive orders, and rules of established custom and usage relating to the U.S. flag. On Dec. 22, 1942, the 77th Congress approved Public Law 829, giving official sanction to most of the provisions of the Flag Code. This public law established the Flag Code in Title 36, U.S. Code, Chapter 10, Sections 173-178, including the Flag Code § 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags.

“We are of the opinion that The American Legion’s Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is a dignified tribute to the U.S. flag and to its symbolism,” according to the Legion. “We therefore conclude that this ceremony is both legal and proper, and that it is an effective instrument for promoting enhanced respect for the U.S. flag.”

How to reopen eateries

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WHITMAN — Town officials are looking into a weekly block-off of the streets in Whitman Center to help downtown eateries whose businesses have been impacted by coronavirus safety closedown, as the reopening phases begin.

Hanson, meanwhile, has fewer restaurants that need or have the safe location to provide outdoor dining, some town officials said during their Tuesday, June 9 meeting.

“Obviously, a lot of our restaurants have been severely affected by this,” said Selectman Randy LaMattina at Whitman’s June 9 meeting, and suggested having Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green look into perhaps closing the center down one day a week to permit restaurants in that area to expand outdoors a bit within the governor’s guidelines.

Board members were enthusiastic about the idea.

“Randy, you hit a home run on that one,” said Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski.

“This could turn into something very positive and maybe keep going even after everything has gone back to whatever normal will be,” said Selectman Brian Bezanson. “This could maybe change the downtown area for the positive.”

Green noted that it has been in the news that some other towns have done that.

“It’s worked out very well,” she said.

“Let’s get that ball rolling,” Kowalski said.

The discussion followed approval of a Common Victualler’s license for Old Colony Brewing, as well as a request to expand the business for outdoor seating at its location, 605 Bedford St.

Co-owner Dennis Nash joined the board’s virtual meeting June 9 to outline his plan, which includes three parking spaces on the side of the building where owner Richard Rosen has granted permission for the business to place outdoor seating, if approved.

“I sent a list of the safety protocols that we would put in place to open, with a maximum number of 24 people there — probably more like 16 at a time — with reservations and 45-minute intervals,” Nash said. A 15-minute cleaning would take place between reservations.

Nash said the plan was devised according to recommendations in Gov. Charlie Baker’s June 1 order as well as a consultation with Health Inspector Alexis Andrews.

“In order to offer outside service, he must also offer food, and that’s the reason for the application for the Common Victualler [license],” said Town Administrator Frank Lynam.

A dozen other licensees were also approved, according to Gov. Baker’s June 1 order, at the request of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Executive Director Ralph Sacramone.

Lynam said the intent is to allow a quick response to other business owners seeking to do that while boards may be meeting infrequently.

Selectman Justin Evans asked if Old Colony Brewing was the only business seeking the permit that does not already serve food.

“You have to serve food and it has to be prepared on the premises,” Lynam said. “It can’t be a snack truck driving in.”

Any other establishment that, like Old Colony Brewing does not already have a Common Victualler license for serving food, must also come in — as Nash did — to apply for that license.

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if handicapped accessibility laws would be relaxed for businesses eyeing sidewalk space for outdoor seating.

“No,” Lynam said. “ADA is a federal law. There has to be sufficient room for the public to travel [through], and most of these are not going to be sidewalk. They’re going to be parking lot or side aisle-like locations.”

Hanson’s Health Board Chairman Arlene Dias and Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff met via video conference June 9 to discuss the outdoor dining provisions for Hanson.

“At this point, it looks like the biggest impact we’re going to have is Phase 2 Part 2, which I am assuming is going to be the 29th,” Dias said. “I don’t think we have a lot of restaurants that have the capacity to do outside seating.”

The Hitching Post on Route 58 and The Meadow Brook on Route 27 already have or are planning outdoor seating, but Mo’s Place also has picnic tables roped off in the front parking lot along Route 27 for the breakfast/lunch eatery’s customers. Connie’s, located in Indian Head Plaza on Route 27 has indicated to FitzGerald-Kemmett that they have always offered outdoor seating.

Dias said more businesses will open and, while “it’s not fast enough for some people” she has to make sure the town’s number of COVID-19 cases does not go up from too many people congregating.

“I would think, as a board, we’d want to support our local restaurants by pushing the envelope a little because, for this particular phase, where they’ve had their dining rooms shut down, some have continued to do take-out throughout the pandemic, but some have not,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “Now we’re at a juncture where we’re able to support these small businesses.”

She asked Feodoroff what kind of power the board has to try to get local restaurants back on their feet.

Feodoroff said Gov. Baker’s order is broad and there is legislation pending to create flexibility where towns were given none.

Zoning issues can crop up when business use part of the parking area for outdoor dining, which can be waived through a streamlined application process without triggering public hearings normally triggered under the Ch. 40-A zoning act. Liquor licenses normally carry similar application requirements.

She said Board of Selectmen policies would have to be enacted to govern the situation, governing hours and ensuring the ADA requirements are not violated.

Feodoroff said the liquor accommodations can last into November when the governor would likely rescind his order. Once a policy is created a single individual can be assigned to approve outdoor dining plans, but the liquor controls are more involved.

She also stressed, as Lynam had, that outdoor dining at bars require on-premise food preparations. For businesses opting to put up a tent in the event of rain, the tents must be open on at least two sides, or it defeats the purpose of outdoor dining.

Restaurants selling liquor have to follow ABCC regulations for patio spaces to ensure customer safety as they dine in what is normally a parking lot.

Building Inspector Robert Curran suggested requiring a site plan filed with the Selectmen who should be accommodating in scheduling meetings. The police chief would be involved in the event there were any safety concerns.

Blauss moved that Town Administrator John Stanbrook be named to facilitate outdoor dining permits according to state regulations.

Summer send-off for eighth-graders

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Whitman Middle School eighth-grader Alvin Depina Gomes passed by waving faculty members during the Friday, June 12 events, with his family and two giant balloons in the wind. See more photos, pages 8 and 9.

Photos by Tracy Seelye, right and Stephanie Spyropoulos, below