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.

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.