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.

HANSON — Selectmen voted unanimously in a special meeting, Friday, May 22 to place an $800,000 override question on the Saturday, June 27 Town Election ballot.

The board took no position on the question, only placing it on the ballot for residents to vote on the issue.

The board had voted to postpone the Town Meeting until July 20 at its Tuesday, May 19 meeting.

The questions ask voters to decide on an $800,000 override — about $199 per household based on a $354,000 valuation — to pay the town’s assessed share of the fiscal 2021 W-H operating budget, and represents a one-year fix.

“We settled on that number based on where we sit right now, based on [negotiations between] Whitman, Hanson and the School Committee,” said Finance Chairman Kevin Sullivan. “It gets us through this year, it gears us up for next year to see how it changes,

Hanson’s deficit sits at $865,000, he said, meaning $65,000 would have to be trimmed from the town’s budget.”

“We looked at this number because of the implications for next year,” Sullivan said. Both lower and higher amounts were considered. “Our fear was, if we did not do this this year, it would force us to make significant cuts in the departments and the departments that would bear the brunt are the departments with the most personnel,” he added.

Whitman and the School Committee are fairly lock-step with the budget number, Sullivan explained.

The dollar amount for an override question, voted May 19 had to be voted on before Saturday, May 23 to comply with a 35-day notice requirement to place an override question on a town election ballot. Town Election will be held Saturday, June 27.

Regardless of the outcome of the Town Election, the School District and town will be on a 1/12 budget because the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff and Sullivan sat in on the meeting conducted virtually via the GoToMeeting platform.

Sullivan had been meeting with Town Administrator John Stanbrook and Town Accountant Todd Hassett about numbers and options surrounding the override issue since May 19.

Stanbrook said a tax calculator is being placed on the town website hanson-ma.gov.

“We know about peoples’ appetites for an override,” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “I don’t even like to mention the O-word.”

She asked if the override could lead to cuts next year, and what could happen if an override fails.

“If it doesn’t pass, you don’t have the same ability to raise taxes to cover the costs so you have to either cut, try to reject the budget and go through that whole process,” which could lead to a super town meeting, Feodoroff said.

Sullivan said it could lead to a better spot if it passes, while it could lead to cuts, it is the Band-Aid the town needs to get there at all, a conclusion Hassett supported. Next year there is more potential to influence the school budget.

Feodoroff reminded Selectmen that, in framing an override question, the purpose — whether general operating expenses a  specific use — must be stated. Because the Town Election comes first, due to COVID-19 related postponements of the Town Meeting, the election results can be used in framing the warrant article to provide more flexibility.

In response to a question from Selectman Kenny Mitchell, Feodoroff said failure at the ballot box could limit the town on the amount of revenue it is able to raise from residents.

Selectman Matt Dyer asked if the $800,000 figure took into consideration anticipated cuts to local aid from the stat, and what cuts might look like with an override.

Sullivan said personnel cuts would not be needed to find the remaining $65,000

“Where we get into difficult times is if the override isn’t approved,” he said. Because there isn’t enough built into the budget to cushion the entire $865,000.

“I would like to see some sort of cushion built into this number,” he said. Hassett said, while the concern is valid, Hanson is not as dependent on state aid as some other communities.

Sullivan also said some other capital projects in the warrant might be examined.

He asked why the entire $865,000 was not being sought, and Sullivan said the $800,000 — while a significant number — is a round figure that leaves room to maneuver.

HANSON — Selectmen approved a proposal for a one-day SARS2-coronavirus testing event on Friday, May 22 at the former Maquan School.

The price is $65 per person, for which insurance reimbursement is mandatory by order of Gov. Charlie Baker. To sign up, visit https://www.bedfordresearch.org/product/hanson.

Ann Kiessling, director of the Bedford Research Foundation, and Town Moderator Sean Kealy, who has been on the BRF board of directors since 2007, made the proposal at the Tuesday, May 19 Board of Selectmen meeting.

“We’re able to offer this because of the governor’s task force,” Kiessling said. “In early March [it] got very involved with any [Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments] CLIA-licensed lab that could possibly begin to pick up this testing. This is not something that we were doing.”

She said BRF has been doing that type of test for HIV, and other illnesses, so it was an easy transition.

“I think this is a great opportunity for the community as long as there is appropriate certifications and credentials and that we have the signoffs from the [police and fire] chiefs,” said Selectman Matt Dyer.

Selectman Jim Hickey asked if the tests would be used for tracking, and Kiessling said it would be used that way for positive results.

“It’s all about the testing,” Kiessling said.

“Let’s do it,” Selectman Wes Blauss said.

Kiessling has been conducting the tests in her hometown of Bedford and has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Mass. Department of Public Health, conducting tests for various hospitals and nursing homes.

“What she would like to do is expand her tests to individuals in towns to make sure people don’t have COVID-19 and, if they do and are asymptomatic, know to self-quarantine and stay away from people,” Kealy said.

He said the aim is to conduct a three- to three-and-a-half-hour event at the former Maquan School, and has spoken to Board of Health Chairman Arlene Dias about the proposal.

“We thought that, if we set up a tent outside of the Maquan School for a couple of hours people would register online ahead of time, get a number and a slot [for] when they could show up to be tested,” Kealy said. A nurse would be on site to order the tests and a BRF technician skilled at performing the tests.

The tests take only a few moments and people would wait in their vehicles until their number is called, the return to their vehicle after the test and depart.

“It’s remarkable how we can get people through,” Kiessling said. No paperwork is passed and there is nothing to sign.

Traffic should not be a problem due to the parking lot layout at Maquan and bathroom facilities would not be needed as people are given a time slot for the tests, which do not take very long, Kealy explained.

Kiessling said HIPPA privacy protocols are part of the federal CLIA licensing requirements to which BRF adheres.

“The only information that gets shared is with the DPH, they want to know everybody who tests positive,” Kiessling said. “As more and more testing sites open up, it’s possible that this sort of community approach may not be necessary … Bedford has discovered is once you start doing some kind of community and public testing, it raises awareness of the idea.”

More people then request tests, she said, revealing how many people may have it without knowing and can help flatten the curve of contagion.

Kiessling said that, at any given time, 1 to 2 percent of the population is infected and does not know it.

“This would be a great opportunity for our emergency responders to be tested, as well,” Kealy said, noting that it could become a weekly thing as is the case in Bedford.

Dias noted that first responders are currently sent to Foxboro for testing. She has spoke to Police Chief Michael Miksch about it, but Kealy said he has not had the opportunity to discuss it with Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr., as yet. Dias said Miksch indicated to her that he saw no potential traffic problems.

Selectman Kenny Mitchell initially questioned the need, pointing to testing sites in several area towns.

“The only way we’re going to get ahead of this thing is to get as many people tested as possible,” Kiessling said.

Dias added that physician referrals or employers — for essential employees — must make referrals for other testing sites.

Kealy said that BRF has a 24-hour turnaround on test results, followed up by a phone call for positive tests and a letter for people testing negative. Everyone is also mailed a follow-up letter with insurance forms.

WHITMAN — COVID-19’s effect on the annual Town Meeting and Election process, was discussed by the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, May 5.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam said a question has arisen concerning employees working on alternate schedules being brought back in to work together.

“So long as we could ensure social distancing in safe environments … we could bring more of the staff back to work on a regular work week basis,” Lynam said about a letter he sent to department managers, copied to the Board of Selectmen. “I have to see how that goes over the next few days [and] who is looking to make what adjustments.”

He said how the process works will not be clear until “more and more people return to the open market” over the next several weeks.

Coronavirus will also have an effect on how Town Meeting is operated as well as when it convenes. The board voted to schedule the annual Town Meeting on Monday, June 22, with the possibility that it could be pushed back again.

Should social distancing regulations force the spacing of Town Meeting participants to keep six feet from each other the entire seating area of the Town Hall auditorium would only fit 100 people, Lynam said. He has reached out to Superintendent of School Jeffrey Szymaniak about the possibility of holding Whitman’s Town Meeting at either the high school gym or the Performing Arts Center.

“The only wrinkle in that is that the school is located in Hanson and state law requires that the meeting be held in Whitman,” Lynam said. “I would argue that the mailing address for the school is 600 Franklin St., Whitman.”

He asked for a legal opinion about it from Town Counsel, adding that Senate Bill 2680 was filed, which, if passed — and indications are that it will be, according to Lynam — would allow Whitman to hold Town Meeting at the school or other out-of-town facility.

Szymaniak said Whitman could use the high school if needed.

Finance Committee member John Galvin asked if, in view of Baker’s statement that limits on public gatherings could be increased on May 18 back to 50 from the 10 persons now permitted, raises the question of whether that allows for town meetings to be held.

“I believe not, because it involves voting rights,” Lynam said, noting that residents must be given 20 days’ notice for registering to vote at a town meeting. “The state is adamant about not depriving people of the opportunity to vote.”

He said the attendance limit may not apply to government meetings, either.

Selectmen also discussed a feasibility study for Whitman Middle School, with Selectman Brian Bzanson suggesting it be expanded to include the possibility of a junior-senior high school in case Hanson pushes to de-regionalize. Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said the same thought had occurred to him.

Lynam said bidding guidelines would require a separate study for such a scenario.

“I like the idea, I just don’t think it’s practical,” Lynam said.

De-regionalization, if it were to happen, would be a long process, selectmen noted.

HANSON — A mother of three lost her life in a house fire Monday night May 4.

Margaret O’Toole-Driscoll, 58, known as Peggy, perished along with the family’s dog in the fatal blaze. The home located at the end of a cal-du-sac is part of a small neighborhood off West Washington Street.   

Two of her three children are currently students at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School confirmed in a press release by Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak. Driscoll was employed as an instructional support aide for East Bridgewater schools, according to media reports.

The family has resided in the neighborhood for approximately 20 years, according to neighbors.

In a press release through Plymouth County District Attorney’s Timothy J. Cruz’s office, who confirmed the name of the victim, also said the cause of the fire was under investigation by the State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Hanson Fire Chief Jerome Thompson released a written statement early on Tuesday morning and later confirmed by phone that the fire at 165 Pennsylvania Ave. had been fatal.

Thompson called the conditions untenable as heavy fire and heat caused deteriorating circumstances for the four initial firefighters who responded to the call.

He commended the efforts of the firefighters who performed a secondary search of the home along with continued fire suppression before locating Driscoll.

The flames took nearly an hour to get under control.

There were three other occupants living in the single family, cape-style log cabin home at the time of the fire and they were able to safely escape, according to the press release through the D.A’s Office.

Neighbor Alyssa Aghajanian and her family, who live with her parents, share a side yard with trees separating their home from the Driscoll’s. They could see the flames through the trees, she said

Aghajanian, 29, who babysat for many of the families on the street, was consoled by her young daughter and family as she became tearful and saddened talking about times she recalled as a youngster braiding her hair with Peggy. She estimated they have known the family at least 20 years.

They originally heard noise coming from the yard that sounded of people yelling, but they soon realized the home was engulfed.

“We had the window open … we went to look, and saw the fire from the front window,” said Aghajanian.

She said they were screaming “bloody murder, ‘Is everyone out of the house?’” from their front porch.

They had later learned that wasn’t the case.

All three of the Driscoll children were W-H students with two of them current students, according to Szymaniak, who released information on counseling services during the pandemic.

“Counseling services will be made available to all students by email or using Google voice/text,” he stated. “To schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor, please call one of the phone numbers listed on the district’s website:  https://www.whrsd.org/central_administration/district_departments/student_services.

“While we are not currently able to be in school, we will all be there to support the family with whatever they need and encourage other members of the school community to do so as well,” said Szymaniak.

Thompson commended the efforts of the firefighters although the outcome was not a positive one.

He said their thoughts were with the family and that losing a member of the small, Hanson community affects everyone.

Firefighters immediately conducted a primary search on arrival at the scene. After nearly an hour and the bulk of the fire being brought under control, firefighters were able to re-enter the building to complete a secondary search, which is when they discovered the deceased victim.

A neighbor had given the family refuge at the scene and they were there early Tuesday morning, according to Aghajanian.

The family is being assisted currently by the Red Cross, said Thompson. The home is uninhabitable due to the extensive damage. The fire is not considered suspicious and the cause is still undetermined as late Tuesday, said Thompson.

Hanson was assisted at the scene by Hanson police, Hanson water department, and the towns of Whitman, Pembroke, Halifax, and the Whitman CERT team.

Hanover fire also covered the Hanson headquarters.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday, April 28 that his emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 18.

Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18.

Whitman and Hanson have expanded requirements for physical distancing to include boards of health orders to mandate the wearing of protective masks by all residents entering essential businesses.

“In the past 10 days, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 has doubled,” Whitman Town Administrator Frank Lynam advised residents in a weekend reverse-911 call. “It is this condition that prompted the Board of Health to issue the following order: effective immediately, all persons entering any essential business premise must wear a face mask for the protection of the public.”

Business failing to follow the order will be subject to a closure order by the Board of Health.

“On a personal level, Whitman residents are advised to avoid gathering in groups and to wear a mask anytime they are in a public setting exposed to other people,” Lynam said. He also said there was great concern about the number of people walking dogs in Whitman Park without cleaning up after their pets.

“If this continues, the town will have to consider closing the park to all dog walking,” Lynam said. “We sincerely hope this will not be necessary.”

Residents age 2 and older entering essential businesses, including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores and the like must wear a cloth face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth. Face coverings can be made out of household fabrics and materials and should ideally have multiple layers.

An employee of the retailer shall be designated to ensure that members of the public ages 2 years of age and older are entering the establishment wearing a cloth face covering, according to Hanson’s Board of Health order. Whitman’s Board of Health issued the same order, effective at 6 a.m., Monday, April 27.

“By taking common-sense precautions — not going on unnecessary outings, wearing a mask in public and avoiding gatherings — we can get through this pandemic until it is safe t ease restrictions,” Lynam said.

The Department of Public Health’s stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person-to person contact during this time period.

WHITMAN — After Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Tuesday afternoon, April 21 that schools would not reopen this school year, Whitman Selectmen voted to reschedule the annual Town Election to June 27.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam reported that there are now 73 Whitman residents with coronavirus, up from 52 last week.

“I don’t know where that big jump came from, but hopefully it’s not a sign of any future trend,” he said.

Two town employees have been quarantined, but no one has “come back active” with COVID-19. One Whitman resident, who had been living in a nursing home in another community has reportedly died from the virus.

Baker’s announcement also included an order that all non-emergency child care programs also remain closed until June 29. Residential special education programs are exempt from the order.

“It’s the right thing to do considering the facts on the ground associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Baker said during Tuesday’s announcement. “And at this point in time, there is no authoritative guidance or advisories with respect to how to operate schools safely and how to get kids to and from schools safely. We believe students therefore cannot safely return to school and avoid the risk of transmitting this virus to others.”

Teachers’ unions had been pushing for a decision on the matter, which continues the current online learning approach as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) begins working on summer learning programs for students at risk of falling behind in their schoolwork. A remote learning initiative is also being finalized for students and teachers as they continue remote learning activities from home.

Whitman Selectmen also endorsed a proposal from Selectman Brian Bezanson and School Committee member Fred Small that the town organize some kind of celebration during the summer for the Class of 2020, who will miss out on senior year milestones of prom and graduation.

“It would be nice if the town could come through with something to lift spirits after this kind of ruined their senior year,” Bezanson said.

But the bulk of discussion between Selectmen and Town Clerk Dawn Varley Tuesday night centered on when — and for how long — polls should be opened to ensure voting rights as well as the safety of poll workers.

Town Election

While the postponement to June 27 was approved, the issue of polling hours is still pending. The election must take place before June 30.

“It looks like, no matter what we do, we have to hold an election this year,” Lynam said. “Dawn’s concern is bringing people into Town Hall to vote.”

Varley stressed that she is concerned about protecting the health of her election workers — many of whom are senior citizens — as well as the public.

“If somebody were to get sick because of an election and because of me it would be a terrible thing to live with, and I want to do everything I can to protect the voters and to protect the people that work the elections,” she said.

She suggested a four-hour voting period with the option of voting by mail in state-wide elections. Lynam said six hours is also an option. Six-foot boundaries would also be marked off.

In the last 10 town elections an average turnout was 931 voters out of 10,453. The state has encouraged a four-hour voting window, the minimum allowed by law.

Selectman Justin Evans expressed concern that voting hours should not be restricted without first exploring other options, including possibly rotating election workers’ shifts.

“I just don’t like the idea of limiting any opportunities to vote,” Evans said.

Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski’s concern came from a different direction.

“If you’re trying to avoid people crowding into a place, the more you restrict the hours, the more you increase the opportunities for lots of people to show up at the same time,” Kowalski said.

Varley noted that people have asked if, as grocery stores are doing, certain hours could be set aside for seniors to vote or even holding the election outside.

“We’ve all thought of a lot of different things,” she said. “You can’t do any of that.”

Face masks cannot be required, either, she argued. Lynam said Selectmen could require it, but for an election, Varley said the town may be required to provide them, which Bezanson said the town could do.

Lynam expressed concern about that expense.

Drive-up dropboxes for depositing completed ballots were also discussed.

Since the hours do not have to be set right now, Varley said she will track the number of early ballots she receives as well as follow-up guidance from the state and surveying what other communities are doing, before the board decides that issue.

In other business, Selectmen voted to keep Town bill due dates as is, with interest or penalties waived for the period of March 10 to June 29.

HANSON — With the wind howling at more than 50 miles per hour, according to reports — and some areas recorded close to 80 MPH — the South Shore was one of the hardest hit areas during Monday’s rain storm.

Hanson homeowner Jen Durant was left shaken and scared, but had luck on her side after a tree fell over her during the peak of the storm. She was unharmed.

She had run outside to check the latch on their chicken coop during the wind and rain on Monday when she heard a terrifying crack and a pine tree fell as she stood just feet from its landing.

Durant who is a nurse at Brockton Hospital is on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. She has had a busy work schedule, and is balancing home life with five teens at their East Washington Street home. The family was outside Tuesday cleaning up after the aftermath of the enormous pine tree, which spared their mother’s life and sheered the metal car port completely off the house.

Durant’s brother, David Towle, and  their father, also David Towle,  were breaking apart and towing sections of the large pine to release the trapped vehicles that were left inside and  under the twisted metal.  Durant said she could hear and see other pine trees falling in the grove behind her home as she made her way to safety.

Kerry Krup was home with her two teens at around 5:15 p.m. on Bowker Avenue a small side street in Hanson.

“I was downstairs and heard a horrific noise that was very loud and shook the whole house — so sort of in a panic — I ran upstairs where my two boys were,” said Krup.

Luckily the family was unharmed but shaken as the shattered glass and tree limbs entered one of the sons’ rooms who are aged 13 and 14.

It was a scary few minutes and a relief that everyone was OK, she said.

The limbs had gone through the roof but some of the attic was pierced were she accumulates her storage and sentimental keepsakes.

Rain poured in the kitchen where the limbs had pierced the roof like daggers as the fire department and building inspector, as well as her landlord, all came to assess the damages.

Remnants of the pine were left on the front yard Tuesday and just feet away some portions of the tree were like splintered blades vertically standing in the ground proving the force of the storm.

Having to consider social distancing during the pandemic, Krup who was calm and composed, said they are relieved to able to stay at the home (deemed safe by the building inspector) another positive in the frightening circumstances.

She said she was happy that nobody was hurt and considering the craziness during this time of pandemic it was a trigger of some anxiety having to let people in the house, she said.

“We tried to isolate ourselves and having to let people in to help also caused a bit of stress,” she said.

She commended the fire department for their quick response during such a hectic afternoon.

The Hanson Fire Department responded to 30 storm-related calls with two homes being struck by trees. Both were still habitable, according to Deputy Fire Chief Rob O’Brien. On Tuesday afternoon 50 percent of power was still out in the town of Hanson.

In Whitman, the hardest hit areas with tree limbs and wires down was in the area of Indian Trail and Arrow Drive, according to Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno.

They had calls for storm related issues, however no reports of injuries or trees through homes, he added.

It took two tries, but the School Committee — meeting via Zoom conference call on Wednesday, April 1 — set the fiscal 2021 budget at $55,040,238 — the amount for the required budget to maintain level services without returning the four teachers cut from last year’s budget.

The budget number can still be changed but not the assessment method.

“We need to set a budget,” said School Committee member Fred Small in making the motion. “I cannot see any way, shape or form, or in any world, how we would set a budget that would be cutting anything that’s required. If our administration tells us that is the bare bones of what they need … then I think that’s what we need to support and that’s what we need to send to the towns.”

Whitman committee member Dawn Byers said she felt it was important to return the four teachers in order to reduce class sizes in elementary grades. She noted that the Whitman Finance Committee, meeting met Tuesday, March 31 and has a placeholder through which they are able to afford the assessment which incudes the four additional teachers.

Byers sought to amend the budget total to $55,320,238 — including the four teachers — but there was no second to her motion. The original $55,040,238 was voted down 5-4 [Hanson members Christopher Howard, Michael Jones and Robert O’Brien Jr. and Byers voted no]. Whitman’s Alexandria Taylor was not able to call into the meeting in time for the first vote. Two-thirds of all committee members, whether all are present or not are required to approve budgets.

The reconsideration was approved 7-3, with Taylor and Byers joining the affirmative votes.

Small then moved to have the original vote reconsidered. Reconsideration votes are permitted so long as they are moved by one of the yes voters on the same night as the original vote, School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes explained.

Committee member Christopher Scriven of Whitman suggested they “kick it to the no’s” to determine what it would take to pass a budget.

Howard said he was trying to make sure education is put first, but that if a budget is “slammed through” without working out an assessment compromise, it will fail. In Hanson, an override would be necessary for even a level-service budget.

Howard asked Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak to give the committee an idea what cuts would look like and that the 1/12 budget — which looks like a certainty for many districts across the state [see story opposite] — presents an opportunity to bring the towns together to work it our now.

Scriven said the ball really is in the towns’ court.

“If I vote no on this required budget, then that means I’m going to be voting at some point on a budget that’s less than what’s required, and I don’t want to do that right now,” he said.

O’Brien said he agreed with the $55,040,238 but cautioned that Hanson is not going to agree to an override, especially now that some people are finding their jobs and incomes threatened by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Even before everything went on in the world, it was going to be a hard pill to swallow to get Hanson residents to vote an override — where, now, I don’t think they’re going to,” O’Brien said.

Jones agreed.

“At no point are we saying what you are presenting us is not correct, and we are not looking for you to make any cuts, or I am not,” Jones said to Szymaniak. “We just want to be able to sell to the town of Hanson, something that they’re going to vote yes on.”

Cullity reminded the committee a 1/12 budget would mean 48 staff cuts to Whitman-Hanson schools, mostly teachers.

“It’s up to the towns to figure out whether they are going to support the school system or not,” Cullity said, arguing for setting a budget. “I understand you’re looking for a compromise, a compromise isn’t going to happen.”

He said an override is almost certain.

Cullity said, without a budget figure to work with, the towns will not be able to reach a compromise.

O’Brien suggested changing the assessment method back to the alternative formula, based on pupil population, that night. Hayes said that was not possible.

Szymaniak said, traditionally, the committee passes a budget and the towns determine what they can afford.

Hayes said he voted yes because, while the assessment method can’t be changed right now, the committee can change the budget’s number right up to the date of town meeting votes. The state is also reviewing the statutory formula.

“I would implore everyone to find it in your hearts to be able to send a budget,” Small said. “The agreement, or whatever the two towns do, that’s separate from whatever we’re sending for a budget.”

He argued that he could not see decimating the school system.

“It was bad enough, what happened last year,” Small said. “I’m begging everyone. Please.”

Byers maintained that the four teachers are needed now, more than ever.

“Students are having a loss of learning right now, and it’s unacceptable to have class sizes of those sizes — especially in first and second grade, those early learners, learning to read,” she said.

Small said he was basing his motion on the budget administrators presented as what was absolutely required.

“I have to side on the fact that they’re the experts,” he said, characterizing this as an absolute need budget year. “I feel very strongly about class size and people doing the best we can for the kids.”

Byers reminded the committee that the four teachers had been included in the fiscal 2020 budget as necessary, but were cut anyway.

“What we’re doing today is horrible, and the position we put our great teachers in, having to teach behind the eight-ball, is not right,” Small agreed. “It’s not fair, but it’s life, and that’s what we have to deal with.”

He reminded the committee that one town can afford things, but the other town is struggling.

Byers replied that, while she respects the superintendent and the decisions made in the budget preparation, she reminded the panel that it sets district policy and she feels an obligation to students and teachers who will return in the fall after losing four months of learning.

“I want it all, if we’re talking what we really need … but I’m trying to be realistic, too,” Szymaniak said. “I just need a budget, because my teachers are anxious. We’re all anxious right now, that we’ve been talking about a number for three months … and the first vote of this committee was a no budget.”

He said that, based on the first vote, he and Assistant Superintendent George Ferro “are cutting right now” and were looking for a budget number to come out of the meeting to direct that work.

“Let’s set a budget,” Cullity said.

Howard said the intent of the budget process is to give the towns the ability to plan for what is coming from the school districts.

“I do think we’ve had sufficient discussions with the towns in terms of providing them with the numbers so they understand what needs to be done,” Howard said. “I think the larger issue right now is there is so much fluidity, as to what’s going on, I’m not sure the towns — even with the numbers we provided them — have a good understanding of what their revenues are going to look like and even what some of their expenses are going to look like.”

With people facing job loss before being asked to absorb a “massive [budget] swing” in Hanson and to vote on an override, Howard said he does not think the current budget is one the committee should be looking at before having some sense of what a compromise between the towns would look like.

Cullity said he understood Howard’s concern but that the committee’s jurisdiction is to provide a budget to the towns.

“They have to have figures to work with,” he said. “We don’t have to push an assessment on them now.”

“I think if there was a compromise, they would have come forward already, and shared any information they had,” said School Byers. “I haven’t heard that. Right now, we owe it to the teachers, who are working their tails off, and to the students, who are doing their best to participate.”

She said nothing short of level services — which, she added, isn’t enough — was acceptable.

Szymaniak was charged with meeting with town administrators John Stanbrook of Hanson and Whitman’s Frank Lynam between School Committee meetings, but Stanbrook was ill so the meeting did not occur.