HANSON — Voters approved the amendment to the Regional Agreement governing the assessment formula, to fall into line with the vote taken by Whitman Monday, July 27.

They also approved the Selectmen’s recommended school budget 434-83 and the budget as a whole, based on the Selectmen’s recommended budget of $11,214,177 — at Town Moderator Sean Kealy’s motion — after the assessment article passed.

The vote was checked by a hand count after a resident asserted that visitors may have voted.

The town convened its 200th annual Town Meeting — one of the few bicentennial events not cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic — on Wednesday, July 29. There were 518 residents attending.

The outdoor session was held, like Monday’s Whitman Town Meeting, at the ball fields behind Dennis M. O’Brien stadium.

Kealy led the meeting in a moment of silence to all those lost to COVID-19 as well as a round of applause for the health care workers and first responders who cared for those who contracted the virus.

In another concession to the pandemic, Kealy — instead of individual department heads reading articles they have proposed — read all articles into motion with Selectman Matt Dyer making all seconds. Some of the warrants’ more routine articles were combined into one of two consent motions to streamline the outdoor meeting before mosquitoes became a concern after dusk.

Kealy also appointed Barbara Arena as deputy town moderator to help recognize those wishing to speak in the dispersed gathering.

“We have a balanced budget,” said Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell in announcing that the town’s budget would balance even if the school articles passed. “This wasn’t easy at all. This was a combination of the Board of Selectmen, our financial team, FinCom, department heads, Police, Fire, Highway [departments]. Everyone worked up until last night to get a balanced budget.”

There was $1,296,088 available in free cash; $1,311,186 in stabilization; $161,647 in school stabilization; $820,493 in water surplus; $4,205 in recreation retained earnings; and $15,585 in solid waste retained earnings.

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes echoed Whitman Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski’s analogy of the “Wizard of Oz” and the need to use heads, heart and courage in deciding the school funding issue.

“Tonight we have some tough decisions to make regarding the W-H Regional School District, public education itself and our greatest assets — our children,” Hayes said, noting that Hanson has the fifth-lowest tax levy in the area and fifth-highest in spending on police and fire and lowest spending in education.

He said he had attended Whitman’s Town Meeting and wondering where Kowalski was going with his reference to the 1939 MGM adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wizard of Oz.”

“It takes courage, ladies and gentlemen to make tough decisions, it takes brains to think things through and do what’s best for schools and taxpayers, and you need to have a heart to realize we are all in the education of children together,” Hayes said. He noted that — just as in Whitman, the Finance Committee was unanimously against the article while Selectmen had voted unanimously to recommend it to voters.

“Some people will say that we probably should have got a better deal,” he said. “This is the only deal that is on the table for both of these towns.”

Hayes said a no vote would mean Hanson could lose $570,917 and would be assessed on the statutory formula. He reminded voters that the district is already on a 1/12 budget and faced a Dec. 1 deadline before the state completely takes over the schools if a budget was not approved. The district would lose more than 40 district positions in the interim as the state made its move.

“Class sizes will get larger and difficult to manage and with COVID-19 uncertainty and the future hanging in the balance, this looks pretty bleak for the school system,” Hayes said.

He noted that the assessment formula was adapted with the Education Reform Act in 1993, but the W-H District, for some reason did not.

“Our students are the leaders of our future,” he said. “Please vote yes on this article.”

An amendment was suggested from the floor to amend the article to change wording to split calculations for the statutory assessment cost and per-pupil cost method down the middle as it has been for years, increasing Hanson’s portion by $575,000 for 2021 and a decrease for Whitman in that amount. It was argued that moving to the statutory method alone would cost Hanson an additional $1,150,000 with a corresponding savings for the town of Whitman.

Hayes said that, if the amendment had been approved, the School District and Committee would have to start over again and Whitman would have to approve any change Hanson would make. Failing that, a super town meeting would be required.

“The problem with 1/12 budget is you can’t plan for what you’re going to do for the rest of the year. You need to have a budget in place” said resident Joseph O’Sullivan, noting the concerns of the MTA on the readiness of schools to open on time because of the pandemic.

“The strength of a school system isn’t the building, it’s the teachers,” he said.

Only 1 percent of 10,000 Massachusetts teachers said their schools are fully prepared to open in September; 41 percent said their schools are somewhat prepared and 58 percent said they are not prepared. The MTA has recommended a 10-week delay in school reopening during which time educators would work to “reimagine” what school will look like with distance learning and meeting later on whether to reopen or use a hybrid.

Resident Elizabeth Welch questioned whether Hanson was footing the bill for Whitman students because of the division of student population. Kealy cut short her remarks as off-topic when she began to criticize the quality of individual teachers.

“This is a difficult issue for the town of Hanson, for sure,” said School Committee member Christopher Howard, noting that after the towns make their minimum contribution, the 60-40 split based on student population kicks in. He said Hanson’s School Committee members fought hard to protect Hanson’s interests, before the Education Reform Act proved insurmountable.

“We discovered that all roads lead to statutory,” Howard said, strongly advising against the amendment and approve the original assessment article. “But this compromise helps the town of Hanson.”

Another resident noted that Hanson pays assessments to SST under the statutory formula as one of the eight member towns.

“We’re a partner with Whitman,” said resident Kim McCoy. “The statutory method is the preferred method for the regional school districts funding their schools, the statutory method has been used for years for other partnerships in this town without uproar or problem.”

Resident Jane Durante, who disagreed with the assessment agreement, asked by the Finance Committee voted against recommending the original article.

Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan said the article cannot be supported by the operating budget.

Resident Frank Melisi, who asked why — amid the concern for budget dollars — that children were not being mentioned.

“I haven’t heard much about the kids,” he said. “Last year’s school year failed our kids, not as the fault of anyone in this school system, the teachers, School Committee or anything like that. It was for unforeseen circumstances.”

He said students do not deserve a second year of having a wasted school year.

Kealy defended his motion for the Selectmen’s budget, as did Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff.

“Town Meeting is full of tradition, for sure, and Hanson’s tradition is normally to go with Finance Committee recommendations, but that’s not necessarily a legal obligation,” she said. “As a matter of fact, the Board of Selectmen are the ones who prepare the warrant so they, under the law, have control of the warrant.”

Both the $10.4 million Finance Committee column, which did not consider the apportionment passed in Article 5, and the Selectmen’s column of figures balanced.

“If we hadn’t passed Article 5, then I would have moved the Finance Committee’s numbers,” Kealy said.

Comments from the floor objected to it as being improper.

“By all means, I’d be happy to go to Superior Court on my own behalf,” said Kealy, who stressed he does not cast votes at Town Meeting.

There was also some discussion during the special Town Meeting concerning private road improvements as residents asked why such work would be done on private roads.

Highway Director Matt Cahill said the five miles of private gravel roads are required by town bylaw to be improved twice a year in the interest of public access and safety.

WHITMAN — Before the business got under way at Whitman’s annual Town Meeting Monday, July 27, Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski likened the task at hand to the lesson of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz.”

The meeting, held outdoors at the JV ball fields at WHRHS due to coronavirus concerns, required the 165 attendees to wear masks and maintain proper social distance.

“It’s a difficult time in this country and in this town and in this state, and it feels like I ought to be introducing a band and this would be a summer concert,” Kowalski said of the unusual setting for the meeting.

He acknowledged that it took courage and commitment for residents to even attend the Town Meeting this year, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the heat emergency conditions of the evening.

Kowalski also said the far-reaching choices to make regarding the regional school district also took the commitment of those attending.

“I have every faith that we’ll weather those storms, as we usually do, and follow the values that were so clearly described in our citizens’ survey last year,” Kowalski said.

He alluded to a statement Finance Committee member Rosemary Connolly made at last week’s meeting regarding following her head and her heart in making budgetary decisions.

“It brought to mind something that has meant a lot to me for over 20 years,” Kowalski said, recalling a reading he came across about managing change, while he was on a sabbatical in Austin, Texas.

“All life has to do with how we manage change, and the key to doing so can be found in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Kowalski recalled his aunt taking him to see the movie when he was 10 years old. He noted how the film’s black and white opening underwent change with a terrible storm into a Technicolor world where she met strange people, including the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

“They all had qualities they were missing that they needed to find,” Kowalski said. “They didn’t think they had it inside themselves [to find those qualities]. They thought that a Wizard could give it to them.”

The film famously exposed the Wizard as a fraud hiding behind a curtain.

“They found out that they had these qualities in themselves,” Kowalski said. “We do, too. Whatever we accomplish tonight, will undoubtedly mean changes in the lives of Whitman citizens, particularly its younger ones.”

He said the meeting would talk it over, but he was convinced the Town Meeting would support the school budget request.

“We have the brains, we have the heart and we have the courage within each of us to do so,” he said. “So let’s tonight, use our heads, follow our hearts and act with courage.”

Kowalski also led the meeting in a round of applause for Town Administrator Frank Lynam, who is planning his retirement, on what may be his final Town Meeting in that office.

The School Committee on Wednesday, July 15 reviewed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) re-opening guidelines.

“School’s about building relationships,” Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak said during a discussion about the start of work on the 2020-25 strategic plan. “My priority for my kids is to get them back so they feel good about school again — and then start school, and when I say start school, I mean academics.”

The plan is not precisely to “hit the ground running.”

“The opportunity, because of the pandemic, is an opportunity to rethink how we teach kids,” Szymaniak said. “Good, bad and indifferent, it’s given us an opportunity to think way outside the box, and we’ve hit some home runs and we’ve struck out on a few things, but it’s an opportunity to do some things differently.”

Szymaniak said, despite news reports about proposals elsewhere, DESE has been consistent about requiring school districts to develop three different plans for school operations in the fall. The plans are due July 31.

“We’re looking at a full opening,” Szymaniak said. “What a full opening means is yet to be determined. … I don’t know if we have the capacity in the traditional classrooms, even in the gyms and cafeterias to be able to go back full.”

If there is a budget reduction on a 1/12 budget, Szymaniak said he cannot commit to anything full time right now.

All instructional plans will also have to be bargained with the Whitman-Hanson Educational Association, with whom Szymaniak said district officials have a very good collaborative relationship. Any remote learning plans will include a memorandum of understanding on how many hours a day of active learning will be expected.

Social distancing is another concern.

DESE now recommends a social distance of six feet with a minimum of three feet apart in classrooms. That puts and average classroom at a maximum capacity of 23 pupils. If six feet apart is required it is reduced to 12 in a classroom.

“We have no classes that are running at 12 right now,” he said. “Something above 200 sections of high school classes are above 23 right now.”

He stressed school officials can look at every available space in school buildings to have classes, but “that doesn’t mean I’ll have all the teachers I need to fill those classes.”

Teachers have been asked to remove all personal property and items not school-related from classrooms.

“Think of the old 1920s classroom where all you have are rows of desks facing the teacher,” Szymaniak said about the education commissioner’s directive. “No bookshelves, no extra chairs, no extra tables. … That’s what schools going to look like, folks, based on the requirements and recommendations.”

Each school in the district has a COVID-19 building-based team looking at each school’s specific needs, Szymaniak said.

“We have to look at scenarios about how kids enter buildings, how kids get their lunch, how kids go to the bathroom, how kids wash their hands, where their lockers are going to be, if they can use lockers, if there’s transitions,” he said.

“It’s nice to hear we need toworry about the students, but we also have to worry about the staff,” said Hanson School Committee member Hilllary Kniffen, who is a teacher, noting there is not a lot of answers from DESE right now. “I don’ t see a lot of that happening.”

Kniffen also said that students could end up eating lunch in hallways under social distancing guidelines.

“I don’t know how that’s going to be beneficial to a student’s mental health, for one thing,” she said.

Hanson member Christopher Howard also cautioned against forgetting parents and their concerns.

“I am very worried, with everything that’s going on, what that will look like,” he said. “And I also look at it through the lens of an employer.”

Howard said there are a lot of employers talking about bringing people back to the office sometime after the summer, setting up what he called a “perfect storm” of educational priorities and employers’ demands on parents. He said a survey of parents — even if inconclusive — could be helpful in that area.

“This is round peg in a square hole and there’s no direction — and it’s dark outside,” Szymaniak agreed.

Assistant Superintendent George Ferro is the point person on the district-wide planning team with Szymaniak, Special Education Director Lauren Mathieson, Facilities Director Ernest Sandland, lead Nurse Lisa Tobin, teacher union representatives Kevin Kafka and Cindy McGahan, Business Director John Tuffy, Athletics Director Bob Rodgers, Elementary Cirriculum representative Jane Cox, Food Services Director Nadine Doucette, Tech Director Steve Burke, data person Kim Barnard and Karen Villaneuva is representing transportation as well as a person heading up parent and staff surveys and a School Committee member and human resources staff.

“One size does not fit all,” Whitman School Committee member Dan Cullity said of DESE guidelines, especially six-foot distancing, which he said is not doable. “Three-foot is barely going to get us to what we need to do.”

He said the district panel will be key in finding solutions to state mandates.

DESE has dedicated $292,000 to the district for technology and COVID-related expenses. State Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke, and Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington, have committed $200,000 each in appropriations bills before their respective bodies.

“I don’t count those dollars until we get a check,” Szymaniak said of the bills, but noting the district already has the DESE funds in the bank.

Szymaniak also anticipates $855,000 — based on a formula of $225 per pupil — that should be coming to the district from the Plymouth County CARES grant, but it is not an appropriation, it is a reimbursement.

Szymaniak is confident the financial assistance will help the district provide a Chromebook to every student to take home if the district must go to remote learning again. He said teachers should also have a district device to use from home for instruction, as well.

South Shore school superintendents are also discussing various hybrid educational plans.

Hybrid plan options

One is a four-day-a week split-session plan for elementary students in the buildings with Fridays dedicated to virtual learning with only teachers and staff in the building. Another would have half of the elementary students in the building for a full day on Mondays and Tuesdays, the other half on Thursdays and Fridays with Wednesdays as a virtual learning day for all students. Similar plans, with different times, are being discussed for middle school students.

“The high school has a lot of flexibility in how we want to work,” Szymaniak said. “The high school schedule is going to be the toughest to operate, or it may be the easiest.”

At first the commissioner’s guidance indicated students would be expected to stay in classrooms — especially in elementary grades — including lunch, he said in response to a question from School Committee member Christopher Scriven of Whitman. That was adjusted to permit use of the cafeteria for lunch with students staying six feet apart, but he does not see how movement between classes can be avoided in the middle and high schools.

“I anticipate teachers using the outdoor absolutely as much as they can,” Szymaniak said.

He said the main challenge for any hybrid plan is transportation. Split days would require four bus runs, based on safety limits of 24 kids on a bus. The bus company has also said they do not have enough buses for that.

“I can’t afford two bus runs,” he said, noting he would likely do another parent survey on the hybrid options.

Chorus programs might also be affected by guidelines aimed at limiting the particulates into the air.

Szymaniak said the School Committee would be asked to decide which plan to use if a hybrid model is used, because setting a school schedule is one of its charges.

“The health and safety of our children and our staff should be our priority, not the economics of our district,” he said. “To say this is a daunting task — double that, and quadruple that, not having a budget,” he said. Szymaniak said he is budgeting with the assumption that the towns will support the school budget.

If there is no budget by Aug. 1, it “might take a full-time return to school absolutely off the table, and might take hybrid off the table in some respects,” as the district would be faced with staff cuts.

Szymaniak also said he is confident the commissioner of education might support a 177-day school calendar while relaxing time-on-learning requirements.

Parents also have the opportunity to choose fully remote learning at any time during the school year, which is not the same as home schooling.

While some town officials are eager to return to in-person meeting sessions of boards and commissions, others are advocating a more cautious approach.

In Whitman, Selectmen on Tuesday, July 14 voted to change the time of the annual town meeting to 6 p.m., Monday, July 27. It was originally set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on that date.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam said there were two considerations behind the recommendation — it is being held outdoors and lighting is going to be an issue.

Selectman Dan Salvucci asked if the time change would make it difficult for people coming home from work to attend.

Lynam also reported that the transition process of re-opening Town Hall — by appointment only right now — is going well.

“We talked about that with the moderator,” Lynam said. “It may provide some people with a decision as to whether or not they want to leave [work] early to make Town Meeting, but the sense was people have generally been pretty available at that time of night.”

He said concerns of the health and safety of people attending the meeting. The field will be treated that morning by Plymouth County Mosquito Control and mosquito repellant will be made available at check-in tables for people to use.

There has been evidence in the general South Shore area — if not Whitman — for both Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus, which prompted the concern.

“It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to let it run late into the night when that is the prime time for mosquitos,” Lynam said.

Whitman is participating in Plymouth County’s COVID program and is waiting for confirmation that $235 per student in state funding would be provided to the schools to deal with coronavirus issues.

Hanson Town Administrator John Stanbrook reported to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, July 7 that he and Health Agent Gil Amado have discussed open meetings of town boards and committees in the Selectmen’s meeting room. Gov. Charlie Baker’s latest guidance is eight people per 1,000 square feet, but deferred the decision to the local boards of health. The Selectmen’s meeting room — at about 700 square feet — could accommodate about six people, Stanbrook said.

Amado, however, said 14 people could safely meet there. Seats would be spaced six feet apart and hand wipes and sanitizer would be made available. Meetings of more than 14 people, including public hearings would be held at Hanson Middle School.

FitzGerald-Kemmett asked how a meeting, that draws an unexpectedly large audience, would pivot. Stanbrook suggested it could possibly be taken outside but he thinks most boards and committees know what issues would likely draw large crowds and can plan accordingly.

Mitchell said he was in favor of getting back to meetings in Town Hall this week, but Dyer and FitzGerald-Kemmett urged holding it at the middle school, if possible, since the Cove opening issue could draw a crowd.

“I don’t feel comfortable being in the Selectmen’s room at this point,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “Even if it was just us, I’m not comfortable. I’m not going into the office. … I love you guys and love talking to you — and would love to see you all again someday soon — but I don’t want to be sitting two feet from you in a room.”

She did favor a meeting at HMS.

Town Hall is now open — by appointment only — from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The public will be expected to answer COVID-19 related questions before entering the building and must wear masks while there as well as observing social distancing and hand-sanitizing guidelines.

“If you can’t or won’t wear a mask an employee will meet you outside to conduct business,” Stanbrook said. People are still urged to conduct as much business as possible without coming into Town Hall and no cash is being accepted during the appointment-only period.

One glitch that has been discovered is that Google searches for Town Hall do not always bring up thee correct phone number, however. Residents should call 781-293-5186 for fastest service.

Lynam recommended, meanwhile, that a previous board vote to hold a season-opening parade for Whitman Youth Soccer in August be rescinded.

“After discussing with [Fire Chief Timothy] Grenno and the Health Department, they do not feel that it would be prudent to have people gathering in a parade format,” Lynam said.

Selectmen also voted to authorize requests for reimbursement from Plymouth County for COVID-related expenditures. Lynam said Whitman Fire Department has been tracking the expenses and the town accountant is reviewing all requests for appropriateness and documentation.

“What I’m now being told is that money is coming from the COVID funds that each town in Plymouth County is eligible to receive from the $90 million that was granted to Plymouth County,” Lynam said. “I don’t believe it would negatively impact us because we were never in a position to spend the apportionment that would have been available to us based on need. We’re not cutting corners, but we’re not spending just because the money’s there.”

He said he would follow up on the situation and report back to the board.

On Tuesday, July 14, the Hanson board voted to open Cranberry Cove by a 3-2 vote depending on the quality of water and adequate staffing. Selectmen Jim Hickey and Wes Blauss voted no, based on concerns over the impact it could have on the coming school year. Selectmen voted unanimously to approve opening camping at Camp Kiwanee. The Cove could be opened within 48 hours. the board was told.

The Recreation Commission had been asked to restrict access to the cove to Hanson residents, use of a non-cash payment process, strict cleaning protocols, swimming schedules, and escorts to the exits. Water testing results and the availability of adult gatekeepers would also have an effect on opening.

Stanbrook said he continues to receive emails from people asking that Cranberry Cove be opened for swimming.

“Last week we were waiting for the [reopening] plan,” Mitchell said. “We did receive the plan, but it was after our meeting ended.” He reviewed the plan on Wednesday, July 1 and still had questions about it and met at the camp with Recreation Commission Chairman Diane Cohen and Amado on Friday, July 3.

“I’m satisfied with the plan, now that I went down there, [but] there’s one small component I’m waiting for, which I should have by [July 9],” Mitchell said. If he is satisfied with the way that concern is handled, he was willing to place it on the agenda for a vote this week. [See related story].

Blauss said he recently drove to Cranberry Cove.

“It struck me that this is what dire financial straits look like,” he said. “This is visible. There’s going to be a lot of less-visible cutting going on for the public when $1.35 million disappears from our budget. … It cannot be funded adequately, if it cannot be totally supported, the town is not going to be able to afford this no matter what the social distancing guidelines are.”

He also said there would be issued surrounding masks at the Cove.

“There are people in Hanson who will not wear a mask,” Blauss said. “There are people in Hanson who are not worried about their kids and the spread of COVID, and they’re going to show up on the beach.”

It will have ramifications beyond recreation, as well.

“The beach is going to be the place where school in the Whitman-Hanson district, does not open in September, except virtually, because there’s a surge. Because we are not being careful with our kids,” Blauss said.

The Cove has not closed for 80 years, but the impact on the school opening and the town’s need to support the Recreation Budget if it can not stay solvent, are reasons to keep it closed this year.

HANSON — The company opening a marijuana grow facility in town will be conducting another community outreach meeting on their new manufacturing component. The virtual meeting will be heavily promoted on local media beforehand, according to co-owner Ralph Greenberg.

During the Tuesday, July 7 Board of Selectmen meeting, members also addressed the Town Meeting warrant articles, including one to approve the amended W-H Regional School Agreement. They unanimously voted to include the article on the warrant as a placeholder, with the aim of including it as an open-ended discussion that could include a change in School Committee membership to five from each town.

Selectmen will discuss the article again at its Tuesday, July 21 meeting.

The Board of Selectmen on June 30, had voted to conduct a review of an amendment the host community agreement (HCA) with Impressed LLC to include a manufacturing license at 15 Commercial Way for its meeting this week. The board voted to make that approval July 7.

The Cannabis Control Commission has issued guidance about virtual meetings to allow applicants to discuss plans with the community, according to Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff. Accommodation must be made for hearing-impaired viewers and a process must be available for residents to ask questions during the meeting. Only one meeting is required and is planned in about a month.

“Their contention is it will make the business more profitable and, therefore, sustainable — the benefit to the town being that the community impact payment will increase based on their profitability,” Feodoroff said June 30 of the request by co-owners Ali and Ralph Greenberg. Profitability is based on gross sales.

Selectmen had asked the applicants to attend the meeting. While not the technical review that would take place in the permitting process, Feodoroff said Selectmen were seeking information on the general impact to the town. She prepared an amendment to the HCA in case the Selectmen wished to go that route.

Based on her work in other towns, Feodorff said cultivation and manufacturing, which are both passive uses, tend to go hand-in-hand.

Ralph Greenberg said that some of the waste would be used in the manufacturing process, reducing the amount to be disposed of.

“Candidly, the increased revenue — not only for the company, but for the town — is going to be really cool,” he said.

Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell asked how long it would take to get the manufacturing license, which Ralph Greenberg estimated would take as long as the cultivation license has taken. He hopes to have that process concluded by the end of the year.

Feodoroff said the company’s engineers have their plans ready for submission to the Conservation Commission as part of a plan to square off the building.

Ali Greenberg said no equipment could be installed until after local approval and CCC licensing.

Ralph Greenberg said that, with the new cultivation process, the company will be “increasing [the] economic structure by at least 20 percent.” What had been estimated at a $10 million company could see profits of $12 to $15 million business model with a manufacturing component adding an additional 10 percent.

He said a 3 percent impact payment could be $450,000 to the town, with the first payment to the town by the summer of 2021 if not before.

The amendment could take four to five months to move through the process for local approval. The CCC can’t give final approval until all the local approvals are received.

Additional public meetings will be held on the request for a license change.

“We’ll have to do the same process again,” said Ali Greenberg. “We’ll have to do the community outreach, we’ll have to send out the notices, and, usually, with the approval from the town, we can get that done within the month.”

That process would take a few months. Feoodoroff said the CCC has offered guidance for remote community outreach meetings, allowing them to be conducted remotely. That option requires approval from selectmen and the ADA accommodation of closed captioning. The board could not vote on an outreach meeting June 30, because that aspect of the discussion was not posted.

All zoning and conservation approvals would also require public hearings.

Ralph Greenberg also responded to a question from Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett about a new extraction process prevent waste water from manufacuring process from infringing on nearby wetlands.

He said it involves “heat and pressure and ice and water,” where a lot of manufacturers use ethanol or other chemicals.

“[Chemicals] was never our business model,” he said. “Everything is going to be as organic as possible, based on CCC requirements.”

They said other businesses don’t use the technique because it dilutes the profits.

“The concern for manufacturing is almost erased with our approach,” Ali Greenberg said.

Regional Agreement Amendment

In opening the July 7 discussion on the warrant article, Mitchell said he personally was not intending to tell other selectmen how to think or how to vote.

“Is this the best solution that we wanted? No,” he said. “There were several roadblocks getting here. We didn’t like how we got here, but … this is the best possible deal that we can get right now.”

Selectman Jim Hickey initially said he would not second any motion, but later argued for placing the article for further discussion.

“I’ve stated from the beginning that I was against this,” Hickey said. “I know it is what it is, but I can’t second this motion.”

Hickey said he disagreed with the whole idea that the board would go along with an issue on which the School Committee was split 6 to 4 in Whitman’s favor.

“This is probably one of the most difficult articles that I’ve seen, at least in the three-some odd years that I’ve been on this board,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “I don’t like where we’re at.”

She said what could have begun as an “organic conversation” about how both towns discovered the assessment errors and each felt ripped off, and should have led to a more open dialog, became a different conversation.

“If it were a one-time agreement and we were able to go back to the table and talk about a long-term agreement, I probably would be more inclined … but there are some fundamental pieces missing to this that I think are critical to a partnership — which is an open dialog, a conversation of mutual respect and acknowledgement of what this means to each side,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

At the same time, FitzGerald-Kemmett reminded the board that three members of Whitman’s Board of Selectmen are also taking a risk in their efforts to find an amicable solution, too.

“There have been partners in Whitman that have stuck their neck out on this,” she said. “I want to acknowledge people on the School Committee as well, who have tried to be good partners. … Don’t we deserve to be able to have a conversation about that and see it all the way through?”

She acknowledged that her comments did not make it clear where she stands, because she feels incredibly conflicted on the issue.

Mitchell said if the warrant article, seeking $500,000 from Hanson, fails at either town meeting, Hanson could be facing a bill for the $10.9 million it would be responsible for with an immediate shift to the statutory agreement with no compromise period.

Selectman Matt Dyer also indicated he could not offer a second to the motion because, while it is financially the most responsible thing to do, he felt it was not responsible to move the article when the public has had no opportunity to give their opinion on the issue.

He said he was open to a 50/50 agreement for this year while the towns negotiated but has felt he has been unheard.

Mitchell countered that the kind of discussion Dyer spoke of is what Town Meeting is for.

“I have no faith that Whitman is going to approve this amendment, either,” said Selectman Wes Blauss.

Hickey said, while he is opposed, the board has an obligation to let the people decide.

“If we don’t vote to put this on the warrant, nobody gets to talk about it,” Hickey said. “I think we have the obligation to the people of Hanson to make sure that it gets placed so that they can talk about it.”

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.

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.

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.

  

While the early closure of school buildings due to COVID-19 could save some money, social distancing and other safety requirements could take a bite out of the fiscal 2021 school budget, too.

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak discussed the impact of a 1/12 budget, as was required as of June 1. If a budget is not in place by July1, Commissioner of Edcation Jeffrey C. Riley will impose that 1/12 budget on the district.

Because the town meetings have been rescheduled due to coronavirus concerns, the month of July will begin with a 1/12 budget, Szymaniak said.

Normally, 1/12 budgets — forced by local financial considerations — are few and far between, according to Szymaniak.

“However, this year, 150 [regional] school districts won’t have a budget by next Monday because virtually no town meetings have taken place,” he said. “I will submit [the 1/12 budget] to the School Committee when we submit it to DESE.”

Szymaniak also plans to submit a letter to the commissioner outlining the steps taken to approve a budget and explaining the process to determine an assessment methodology and the compromise amendment under consideration.

If the commissioner approves the amendment and the budget fails the amendment to the agreement would be the way Riley would assess a fiscal 2021 budget. He also must approve any amendment.

Because the School Committee put forth a budget last month, it gives an option the district can present to the commissioner concerning what has been done, Assistant Superintendent George Ferro said.

Szymaniak said his understanding is that a 1/12 budget will be based on fiscal 2020 numbers for all districts because it would be confusing to do something for one district and not the others.

For W-H, that figure is $52,425,738 and the current budget proposed for fiscal 2021 is $55,040,238 — which would require a cut of $2.6 million to make salary for a presumed Aug. 24 date for next year’s classes.

Based on an average teaching salary of $65,000, Szymaniak said staff cuts would require eight reading specialists district-wide ($550,000), five teachers at Hanson Middle School ($325,000), three teachers at Conley Elementary ($195,000), three teachers at Indian Head ($195,000), two teachers at Duval ($130,000), two facilities positions ($120,000), five curriculum directors at the high school would go back into the high school but lost their stipends ($90,000), they are also looking at librarians at the high school and Hanson Middle School ($130,000) as well as four library paraprofessionals ($80,000), staff cuts to the high school after school program for about $60,000, five high school positions ($320,000), the district is projecting no freshman athletics all year next year ($70,000) and still don’t know if there will be any fall sports offered. The remaining $350,000 will be cut from supplies and a non-union administrator. The cuts come to about 39 staff cuts.

“This is a rough estimate, as we don’t know what the commissioner is going to give us for a budget, but we have to notify our teaching staff of the potential cuts by May 31,” Szymaniak said.
“It’s devastation,” said School Committee member Fred Small, asking if unemployment costs were included or if those cuts would be deeper.

Szymaniak said it depends on who the district can bring back. Small also asked about other ideas such as closing on Fridays and adding a little time onto other days to try saving money on transportation and facilities costs.

But such out-of-the-box changes also hinge on the cost of the PPE and devices such a temporal thermometers the district will have to buy — or the potential for split sessions due to coronavirus. Committee member Robert O’Brien Jr., deputy fire chief in Hanson, asked Ferro to call him the following day as he felt that he and Whitman Fire might be able to work with MEMA and FEMA to aid with PPE purchases.

“[Riley] said nurses will look like ER nurses with the gear that they’re going to have to have — the face shields, the booties, the full nine yards — and that’s going to have to be disposable,” Szymaniak said, noting that equipment and training involved in remote learning requirements.

“The commissioner has been very quiet on what a bus may look like next year, too — I’ve heard numbers of eight to 10 kids on a bus to maybe 15, with glass shields up — I don’t know what that’s going to look like,” he added. “Some of our elementary and middle school buses are packed.”

Committee member Mike Jones asked how decisions on teacher cuts were made. Szymaniak said he looked at class size and put everyone between 25 and 30 students. Whitman Middle was already at that level for class size.

Committee member Dan Cullity asked what would happen if the district was unable to obtain enough PPE. Ferro said they were working on purchasing and stockpiling them.

Szymaniak said special education is also a concern as the stress of dealing with the pandemic and regression from lack of a school environment have and effect on students.

“I think the message should be clear to anybody, that we don’t have a pocket of money sitting around,” Small said.

Excess and deficiency as well as circuit-breaker funds have already been visited, he noted and the need for one-use PPE will require medical waste disposal protocols, which will also cost money. Interim Business Manager John Tuffy said he is also not certain how much circuit-breaker money the district will see.

He has heard rumors of cuts of between 10 and 20 percent.

“I’m concerned that, over the next six months, we’re going to be not with quite a few additional expenses that we’ve never seen before and we’re going to have to live through,” Szymaniak said.

He said there is also no guidance on potential exposure of the school population if a student comes to school with a fever.

Both middle schools will hold a car parade for eighth-graders on the morning of Friday, June 12. ChromeBook return will take place June 11 and 12.

High school underclassmen will be permitted to pick up their belongings from Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 12.

College students are helping maintenance staff clean buildings for closure June 15 as S.J. Services continues to be on sabbatical from the contract with the district after a family member of an employee tested positive for coronavirus. The cleaning is also intended to prepare the building in the event Gov. Charlie Baker approves in-building summer school and extended-year programs for special ed students.

Szymaniak said S. J. is not likely to return to working in school buildings until July 1.