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

W-H proceeds with July 31 grad plan

June 25, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

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.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Retiring Old Glory

June 18, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

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.”

Filed Under: More News Right, News

How to reopen eateries

June 18, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

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.

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Summer send-off for eighth-graders

June 18, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

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

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Hanson examines likely TM locations

June 18, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 9 raised issues of exactly where the annual Town Meeting will be held. The question will be revisited at the Tuesday, June 23 meeting.

Town Administrator John Stanbrook said Town Moderator Sean Kealy, has looked at various school venues in towns and capacity to accommodate social distancing for Town Meeting.

“Sean would really like to have it outside,” said Town Clerk Beth Sloan. “I think he was really going toward Indian Head.”

Sloan said her only concern for that location is parking capacity.

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said she has spoken to the Mass Municipal Association, which has advised that “to the extent you can have it outside, you ought to have it outside.”

She said it helps ensure social distancing and people’s comfort level.

Dealing with residents who do not want to wear a mask, and handling of the microphone are also issues of concern. A recording of the presentation is viewable on the MMA website.

“There’s a lot to work out,” she said. “If it’s outside, then you have to think about do you need a canopy.”

Sloan said the high school would probably be the best location, but then tents and whether to use them would be an issue.

“ADA would probably be the best at the high school as well,” she said. “If you’re going to do it outside, I definitely think we should do it at the high school.”

“The main thing is just saying where it’s going to be,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “You don’t have to say in the gym, or the PAC or the football field.”

Selectman Wes Blauss raised the questions of the size of tent needed in the event of rain.

Selectman Matt Dyer suggested a “drive-in” Town Meeting, as some other communities have done, as well as a streamlined agenda. Feodoroff suggested the consent agenda approach for articles never traditionally discussed such as town reports, could be used as a separate article to be voted on en masse — with the opportunity of placing holds on them before voting in case questions do arise.

For any outside meeting, Dyer argued that any area chosen should be sprayed for mosquitos ahead of time.

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Hanlon denounces Minn. officers involved in George Floyd death

June 11, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Police Chief Timothy Hanlon and the men and women of the Whitman Police Department condemn the actions of the Minneapolis Police officers which resulted in the death of George Floyd on May 25.

“Our department stands together in denouncing the actions that led to the death of George Floyd,” Hanlon said in a June 3 statement. “We as police officers take an oath to serve each and every member of our community, and we must never lose sight of that. The actions of the involved officers in Minneapolis in no way reflect the values of the Whitman Police Department.”

The methods used in Minneapolis that killed George Floyd are not part of any police-training program in Massachusetts, including those used by members of the Whitman Police Department. Specifically, police are never trained to place a prone suspect on his or her face or to put pressure on the neck or throat of a person being detained.

The Whitman Police Department believes in treating all citizens, including those accused of committing a crime, fairly and with dignity. Officers are trained only to use the amount of force necessary to ensure safety for the suspect, the officers, and civilians in the area.

“The mission statement of our department clearly states that our officers are committed to working with the entire Whitman community to make the town a safe and desirable place for all, and that we will partner with the community to solve problems and improve public safety in a manner that is fair, impartial, transparent and consistent,” Chief Hanlon said. “We stand with those members of the law enforcement community who abide by these same principles each and every day.”

Filed Under: More News Left, News

Whitman moves back TM

June 11, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 9 voted to again move the date of the annual Town Meeting to request that Town Moderator Michael Seele, in consideration of public health and safety, to postpone Town Meeting for another 30 days.

Seele, who had joined into the Zoom meeting, agreed to the request.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam said the board can meet again within that 30-day window to set a specific date for Town Meeting, if the board’s wish is to hold it at the end of July. Hanson has already rescheduled its Town Meeting for July 20.

Whitman Selectmen were leaning toward a Monday, July 27 date for the ultimate Town Meeting date.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed S2680 on Friday, June 5, which would allow communities to hold town meetings outside of their geographic boundaries. Whitman officials have been hoping to move Town Meeting to WHRHS, but — while the school’s mailing address is in Whitman — the building is entirely in Hanson.

“With that legislation in place, the next question is should we hold the meeting on June 22 at W-H,” Lynam told the board. “If we do not hold a meeting until July, the town will be placed on a 1/12 budget.”

He said the town accountant has prepared a budget for July that he will be reviewing “in the next day or two,” which includes all necessary payments, debt, school assessments that normally occur in July.

Selectmen would be required to approve that 1/12 budget.

“As someone who has, by doctor’s orders, been housebound for a long time now — basically, I’m under house arrest and my warden, my wife is also a nurse and she’s fierce about it — I have had real concerns about being able to be at the meeting on June 22,” said Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski. “It’s not just myself, it’s other people in the town who are vulnerable, too, if we could push it off until July, it would ease my mind a little bit.”

Seele said people should be asked to wear masks and he had joined Lynam at a meeting with Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak about setting up the school’s gym in a way to maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) physical distancing requirements.

“That said, there are people in situations where they cannot wear masks, people with health conditions,” Seele said. “There may be people who do not want to wear masks for whatever reason.”

Seele advocated seating the former group in the Performing Arts Center and linking the two rooms by video and placing an assistant moderator there to recognize people who wish to speak and count votes.

“It would be complicated, but it could be done if people are comfortable with that,” he said.

Selectman Justin Evans noted that, since the School District will be on a 1/12 budget for July because of Hanson’s July 20 Town Meeting and FEMA has moved the deadline for approval of a Whitman flood map vote, he asked if there were any other pressing reasons to have a Town Meeting before July 1.

Lynam said transfers for the remainder of fiscal 2020, most notably about $44,000 to cover veterans’ benefits, but there are other bookkeeping solutions for that.

Selectman Dan Salvucci said he had no objections to keeping the Town Meeting on June 22 because reopening plans are progressing, and Selectman Brian Bezanson had no preference, but suggested July 27 could be an option.

“We’ve made some incredible progress in the last couple weeks … if this progress continues, we may see a better turnout in July, which is the ultimate goal,” Selectman Randy LaMattina said of the town’s COVID-19 response. “I would hate to see people not come to town meeting because, one, for health reasons they couldn’t or just the fear of possibly getting this.”

Lynam also reported that the town is continuing with plans to start engaging the public with activity, focusing on access to fields and baseball.

“That’s going to start happening next week,” he said. “We’ll actually start — if everything goes OK — playing games the beginning of July.”

As for town Hall access, Lynam has ordered a walk-through temperature station for the building entrance as a screening process for the coronavirus. The device should arrive within two weeks.

“At that point, I would like to look at staffing all of the offices and beginning, or at least consider, doing public visits by appointment, but we’ll talk more about that as we get closer to it,” he said.

  

Filed Under: Breaking News, News

Kiwanee opening is still on hold

June 11, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 9 decided to again delay reopening Cranberry Cove and Camp Kiwanee until they see a clear plan, including the financial impact, from the Recreation Comission.

“The financial impact is crucial to this,” argued Selectman Wes Blauss. “There are times when that parking lot is a public menace [even without physical distancing requirements] and requires policing.”

He said he can envision the cove closing again if it does open because of issues at the gate with kid gatekeepers.

“We’re talking young college kids who are going to be dealing with belligerent families who want their people on the beach, now,” Blauss said. “It’s that volatile a situation.”

Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan recommended keeping the cove closed for the season as it is not taking in revenue this year and will require more town financial assistance next year.

Recreation Director William Boyle said, since the cove is fenced in, it falls within regulations limiting attendance for confined spaces to 10 persons at a time, according to the governor’s reopening guidelines.

“I know there is also another memorandum out there about coastal and inland beaches, so right now it’s up for discussion whether or not the Cove is allowed to go to that 12-foot rule between beach towels and no more than 10 persons per beach towel,” Boyle said. “But that would get very tricky very quickly down at the cove.”

Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff, who views the cove as an inland beach said, agreed with Boyle’s summation. She added that unlike the 6-foot distance required for other social settings proper physical distance at a beach is now 12 feet between groups on towels.

“How many groups [are admitted] really depends on your square-footage. … This doesn’t have to be exact,” she said, however, but the beach needs a plan as to how people would be seated.

Matt Dyer said the beach is .3 acres or about 13,000 square feet.

“I think your pretty well above the 10 person limit,” Feodoroff said.

“We need to try to balance the health and safety of everyone with the need for people to have that recreation,” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “We’ve got a lot of pent-up demand and a lot of people staying home this year are not leaving to go vacationing.”

Recreation Commission member Diane Cohen said they were waiting for more guidance from the governor as to what phase-in category the beach fell under. Once admission limits are determined they can map out the beach to determine how many people the cove can handle.

“I do want clarification as to what happens when people go in the water, particularly children,” Cohen said, noting younger kids tend to play in groups by the docks.

Feodoroff said she would need more guidance from the state as well adding that enforcement will be hard.

Another issue of concern for Cohen and her commission is trespassing, which has already been a problem. Cohen suggested more control of beach access is possible by opening than not.

“People are swimming there every day,” said Recreation Commission member John Zucco. “I don’t know how you enforce that or what’s going on. … Are you going to tell people they can’t come in because we’ve got people swimming already?”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said the rules have to be enforced once it does open, but hoped an officer will not be necessary.

Boyle said that the loss of season passes and swim lessons, it cost the Recreation Commission $17,000.

Recreation Commission member Brian Fruzetti argued for passing over the issue because the Recreation Commission has not met on it.

“You’ve got a lot of safety things all rolled into one here,” Fruzetti said.

Selectmen said they were not willing to make a decision until they see a plan from the Recreation Commission.

“I think it’s a really tricky operation to try to open up without a social distancing component,” said Selectman Matt Dyer. “I think it’s important for the Recreation Commission to do their best to open it up at some point. I’m a true believer in having a local swimming hole is very important for the health of our town.”

If it can’t open he said it is important to help families come up with other resources.

Fields open

Selectmen also joined their Whitman counterparts in green-lighting use of fields for youth baseball as softball.

Paul Clark, president of Hanson Little League attended to “see what we have to do to get the fields open” for the season.

Feodoroff said state guidelines are trying to prevent close contact such as football, FitzGerald-Kemmett said youth baseball has been the only sport to apply for permission so far.

Selectmen voted to approve the proposal Clark outlined for youth baseball as well as girls’ softball.

Parents will be provided safety guidelines, including bringing their own equipment and physical distancing from the state and youth baseball. No kids will be permitted in the dugout in either stage 2 or stage 3. An email was sent out offering refunds for those who want them and the season has been canceled for the youngest division of play.

“What I was impressed with is the younger instructional teams,” Selectman Jim Hickey said.

Clark said the “games” will be more along the lines of instructional drills.

Anti-racism vigil

Selectmen also approved a request to hold a Resisting Racism vigil from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 19 at Town Hall Green. The event was originally planned for Saturday, June 13, but organizers Dias, Juvelyn Hartwig of the Recreation Commission, and Marianne DiMascio of Green Hanson and the Plymouth County Reuse Committee, have indicated more time was needed for the work of organizing the event.

Police Chief Michael Miksch has asked to be kept updated on the number of people expected to permit adequate staffing.

Dyer asked for more information about it, which Dias said is modeled after Whitman’s vigil held Sunday, June 7.

“We only want to do it for an hour at Town Hall Green and, we would only have speakers and then walk around the green, so it wouldn’t go off-site anywhere,” she said. “It’s just a matter of getting people together to talk about the issues that have come up recently and how we can learn to communicate better and a variety of other things. … To show we can begin to work together and to begin to work toward some changes.”

Dyer asked about physical distancing precautions. Dias said there is plenty of opportunity for distancing on the grounds of the Town Hall Green.

FitzGerald-Kemmett asked about masks and after-event cleanup Dias said masks would be required.

“At this point, in any gathering, you have to be sure to wear a mask,” she said.

Participants would be required to stay on the green, as well.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

Time of reflection, learning

June 11, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Out of hate and brutality has come a glimmer of hope.

Whitman resident Morgan Kerins and Shannon Murphy of Hanson organized a Resisting Racism peaceful protest at vigil Sunday afternoon.

An estimated 300 people from Whitman and surrounding communities gathered at Memorial Field to hear speakers: former Brockton pastor Dave Capozzi and Khadia and Ben, both African-American residents — speak against systemic racism and, in the case of two, their own personal experiences.

“Peace does not exist when there is injustice,” Capozzi said. “Even though we are all standing together, we are not at peace.”

Dorchester native Khadia spoke of her experience growing up in Whitman after her family moved here when she was in the third grade.

“Coming here, I was optimistic about everything,” she said, urging residents to make Whitman a community where everyone feels they belong. “The thing that got me down the most … I’m sure a lot of you have seen it, [is] the Confederate flags in our schools and all around our town. … Every time I see that, I just feel like I don’t belong here, like I’m not wanted here and that’s not right.”

“I stand with you!” a woman in the crowd shouted. “We’re with you!” and “You belong here!” others yelled out.

Through tears, Khadia described daily comments she heard in school because of her race and said that administrators took no action.

“A lot of people will see this as kids just being jerks, kids just being bullies,” she said. “But those kids grow into adults with real money and real power … into the cops that stop us because we look suspicious because of our color. … into the government officials that won’t pass bills against discrimination or police brutality.”

Ben, a resident of Hanson, also recalled the sense of isolation he felt as the only person of color in his class.

“It made it really hard to know who really was my friend,” he said about classmates who would use racial slurs and say they were “just kidding.”

“We can’t stay silent,” he said about speaking up against racism. “Even when it’s uncomfortable saying it to people you are friends with, saying it to family members. … If we want real change, we can’t let this die out.”

While the organizers, and most of the crowd was white, like 97-percent of Whitman’s population, Murphy called the event an opportunity for people to educate themselves as they support African-Americans.

“Just because we’re predominantly white doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a voice to speak and talk about this,” Murphy said, adding she was eager to work with more than a dozen teenagers in town who wanted to take action.

First they put up anti-racism posters around town, but when they were removed, they planned the protest.

“I was frustrated,” Kerins said, noting she expected some discussion of the poster disappearance, but there was no mention of it. “This is part of the reason it’s so important to do it in a place like this. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this before, which is why we’ve gotten so many mixed responses.”

Murphy said the removal of the posters moved her to action.

“This is not about one man, it is about resisting racism on all levels,” she later told the crowd. “It is about equality and ending racially motivated police violence. It is about standing in solidarity and fighting injustices. It is about humanity.”

People attending had many reasons for showing up.

“I’m here because I’m done being silent,” said a young Whitman woman who gave her name as Lex. “I’m done being part of a complicit system, where I am allowed to go out and I’m OK being with a cop.”

She contrasted that to how African-Americans worry for their lives in the same situations.

“I’m tired of being in a system like that,” she said.

“I just wanted to show up to make sure we have enough support in this town,” said Whitman resident Marshal Ottina, who was volunteering at a voter registration table. “Black lives matter to me and my family and we wanted to show that support today.”

After the speakers, participants circled the field and walked to Whitman Park where they marched, chanting against racism through half the park before returning to Memorial Field for a vigil.

“It’s a difficult time and it’s uncomfortable for people,” said WHRHS counselor Dom Amado of Hanson. “I think the biggest [outcome has been] the unity, the togetherness. People working together for a common goal.”

He said people have to come together and use their power for good.

“If it was someone near and dear to you, obviously, it would matter — it would hit close to home — so I think that’s the kind of mentality that we have to take,” Amado said. “It’s a human race issue.”

Brockton resident Chantelle Boateng, 17, was leading marchers in chants from the sidewalk along Park Avenue.

“It’s bringing people together,” she said. “I think it’s going to change. They’re helping and I really appreciate them, too.”

“I think this moment is different from any other moment,” said Richarson Fong, who moved to Whitman from Weymouth three years ago. “If you look at the crowd, at the ethnicities, it’s mixed up — it’s America.”

Fong said that, while “we love the police officers” because they secure their communities, it is important to recognize there are some bad apples.

Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ activist Dominique, of Easton concluded the speakers’ program before the vigil.

“I am sick and tired of going out everyday and being scared when I pass a police car,” she said before reading a list of some of the names of people killed by police in recent years.

Participants remained kneeling and silent for eight minutes and 45 seconds — the length of time Minneapolis, Minn., police officer Derek Chauvin allegedly kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd.

“This is pretty impressive for Whitman,” Selectman Justin Evans said of the event as residents filled Memorial Field. “It’s a matter of just looking at ourselves. It’s a lot of reflection, a lot of listening.”

Evans said he plans on reviewing state and local use of force policies to determine if they perhaps need updating.

“It’s sobering to hear some of these things,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said. “To hear people still experiencing that today is really heartbreaking. It’s crazy. It’s absolutely crazy.”

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Region compromise heads to TMs

June 4, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

Whitman’s Board of Selectmen, meeting Monday, June 1, Town Administrator Frank Lynam said Town Counsel had asked to amend the Regional Agreement amendment due to concerns over clarity of how accurately the process had been outlined.

The proposed amendment provides for a 50-50 split of the W-H assessment for fiscal 2021 only and thereafter moves to the full statutory method.

“That was the problem with the language, because it really isn’t 50/50,” Lynam said. “It’s 50/50 of the difference.”

Lynam said two copies of the agreement — one the original from W-H and the other Whitman’s recommended language received Sunday, May 31 — are posted on the town website whitman-ma.gov.

Language changes allow amendments up to a Town Meeting vote, according to Lynam, providing the ability to make changes if there is no uniform agreement with the school district and Hanson, but enables placing it before Town Meeting for action.

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if he was precluded from speaking against an item on the warrant, as the amendment is, if he disagrees with it.

“This is not a collective bargaining issue where we’ve entered an agreement and now have to present it for approval after we’ve ratified it,” Lynam said. “This is a proposed amendment. We’re all free to speak as we may choose.”

Lynam said the board’s vote to accept the amendment and the W-H budget are conditioned on whether Hanson accepts the agreement and funds the resulting appropriation. Whitman’s affirmative vote at Town Meeting would accept the “50/50” split.

“I think what our lawyer has done in drafting the language for Article 7, has taken care of the questions that we had last week,” Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said.

HANSON

Hanson Selectmen did not vote on recommending the amendment to the 1991 regional agreement and the override facing the town, but several agreed the town’s hands are tied, financially.

Town Administrator John Stanbrook on Tuesday, May 26 and Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan led a discussion on the issue. Sullivan said his concern centered on the effects of the changing timeline and COVID-19 delays on the standard negotiating window.

“This is the first time I’ve ever experienced this,” Sullivan said. “I’m fearful that this is the best deal we’re going to get, and I hope — at a very minimum — the citizens of Hanson realize that regardless of how we got here or the tempers that are flaring on both sides, there’s a very real possibility that this is the best deal we’re going to get.”

Sullivan said he is working to set up a couple of informational events to advocate for the override, not for the benefit of the school district but for the overall financial health of the town.

“The worst-case scenario is pretty dire, and I think people need to just take that into consideration,” he said. “I’ve never been a fan of an override, but I think this is a unique one-off circumstance.”

Selectman Matt Dyer said he would like to see an additional year of compromise under the post-COVID “new normal” before going to the full statutory formula.

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said the amendment precludes further compromise, which Stanbrook confirmed.

“I think, at this point, that ship has sailed, said Selectman Kenny Mitchell. “We need the override.”

Mitchell said if the override fails, Hanson faces potential cuts to public safety.

Selectmen Jim Hickey and Wes Blauss favored placing the issue before the voters, but Hickey did not agree with the compromise on balance, based on Whitman’s retaining a 6-4 majority on the School Committee. Blauss argued the board was not obligated to support the compromise because it is Town Meeting and Town Election voters and the state is likely to support the statutory formula.

“Of course I’m going to vote for the override, because I see there’s no possible way for the town of Hanson to move on,” Blauss said. “I’m just infuriated, as are most of us, that we’ve been put in this position.”

He argued that Hanson has always been the less wealthy of the two towns and has practically no commercial base. As a former teacher, however, who educated younger members of the police and fire departments who would be among the first to face layoffs in the event of budget cuts, he felt there is no other choice.

Filed Under: More News Right, News

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