HANOVER — With MCAS test results out, South Shore Tech students scored 10th in the state on student growth in English language arts — at an average of 65.5 percent.

Students who passed the ELA MCAS, but fell short of the score required for an Adams scholarship have the right to retake it, and nine SST juniors have opted to do that, according to Principal Mark Aubrey.

In math, SST was sixth out of 35 vocational school districts in student growth with 56.9 percent improvement and five students will be required to retake the math exam in November.

Attendance is also improved by 23 percent so far this school year.

Aubrey also introduced the school’s resource officer, Adam Hill of the Hanover Police Department. Hill serves at the school 16 hours per week, which usually boils down to two eight-hour shifts per week.

Hill also works during special events such as the Homecoming dance.

“He’s in the classrooms, he’s in the shops, he’s communicating with the kids,” Aubrey said. “He eats lunch with the kids, he sits at their tables. He’s doing a fabulous job and we are appreciative of every moment that he can give us.”

For his part, officer Hill said everyone at the school has been very welcoming.

“I had no idea [of] the capabilities of this facility, I’m truly impressed with it,” he said. “The kids are unbelievable.” He said the students are capable of confidently teaching an adult about their shops.

“You should be proud of the work that goes on here,” he said. “I’m very impressed.”

Hill’s comments came on the heels of Whitman resident Paul Varley’s continued charges of bullying and abuse at the school, to which he said his brother has been subjected. Varley addressed the committee during the public comment period, as his state Rep. Allyson Sullivan, R-Abington, “directed me to come to this committee for your help to take care of all my issues.”

He had appeared before the committee in recent months to address a bullying complaint.

“Now, either Allyson Sullivan or this very committee has no idea what it’s function is, as this committee sent a very brief summation, in a letter stating nothing will be done on the committee’s end, then pretty much dismissing my very lengthy email — time-lining everything,” Varley read from a prepared statement.

He said the committee had suggested he talk to Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey, about the matter, which Varley said he has tried to do.

“The district takes all concerns very seriously and reviews such matters thoroughly; it goes without saying that student safety and student success are critically important priorities,” Hickey said in a statement Tuesday, Oct. 22. “While we cannot comment publicly on specific student matters, the school administration will always seek dialogue in the appropriate venue with any parties who have concerns and questions.”

The public comment is designed to give people a chance to address an issue not on the agenda, and no one on the committee commented during the meeting for that reason.

“My hope here is trying to use this public forum to find someone who cares and can help,” he said. “As I’ve heard from current and former students over the last few years, these are the things going on that the school is also aware of.”

He listed allegations of threats to kill or harm others or blow up the school, sexual assaults and destruction of a motor vehicle as examples.

“This school is, by definition, the model school for a bullying culture,” Varley stated. He described the video-recording and editing of fights for entertainment purposes as well as taking inappropriate photos of each other, and charged that teachers and staff join in on bullying, lying and stealing from students while he accused the administration of not caring.

“I’ve given the school far too many chances to do something tangible, and I live by the motto ‘see something, say something,’ so here I am,” he said. “Here’s your wake-up call South Shore, before catastrophe is at our doorstep.”

HANSON — Selectmen on Tuesday, Oct. 15 voted 5-0 to approve Impressed LLC’s 55-page license application, with supporting documentation, to open a marijuana grow facility at 15 Commercial Way.

The business has submitted its application for approval to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) and is now in the queue for state review. But once an engineering plan is complete, they can come back to the town at any time to apply for a special permit, which is necessary for the CCC to issue its approval of a provisional license.

That license is required before Impressed LLC can begin renovations on the building, but the company has already begun cleaning out the building in preparation for that.

The vote came after a 14-minute hearing, during which Impressed LLC co-managers Alli and Ralph Greenberg indicated the waiting list for a ruling by the CCC is about eight months, and that it could be up to two years before they are up and running.

“I guess that was going to be my question,” said Selectman Jim Hickey. “You guys knew going into this. … We’ve already been talking to you guys, it seems like forever, but it’s been about six months anyway, so by the time the whole thing comes all the way to the end, it is pretty close to three years.”

Town Counsel Katherine Feodoroff said that to some extent the business is fortunate to own the property.

“As soon as you mention marijuana, apparently, the rents go up by four times the amount of the going rate [in many communities],” she said. “It’s proving to be a difficult process.”

Feodoroff said the license, akin to a liquor license, is renewable annually and is based on rules and regulations adopted two or three months ago.

“This is distinct and apart from the special permit, which would have to be applied for by Impressed — more of a land use kind of approval,” said Feodoroff, indicating that engineering plans for odor control and other physical components of the building, including security, water demands and waste remediation, would be discussed at that time. “This is more of an opportunity to talk about the business.”

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett sought confirmation, which Feodoroff provided, that business owner Shahram E. Moghaddam, a dentist who lives in Dover, purchased the property at 15 Commercial Way and is leasing it to the Greenbergs.

“That was a good question,” said Selectman Wes Blauss. “Am I clear on who owns, who’s leasing, who’s the sub-landlord. As I read through it, I thought I had it.”

Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini said the application was well put-together with accompanying exhibits following the related portion they were intended to support.

“We’re happy to be here and are receptive to answering any questions you have for us,” Ralph Greenberg said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett indicated that environmental impact and odor control would likely be the main concern of residents.

“This plan is what we’re committing to,” Alli Greenberg said.

Feodoroff said the license is more of a prophylactic measure, to require a compliance meeting if any problems occur.

“The special permit process is really where you drill down and dig into the technical aspects, but it’s just so much more difficult to bring someone in on a compliance issue if it’s based on a condition of a special permit,” she said.

Marini asked where the process goes after the board signs off on the license application.

“It doesn’t go anywhere,” Feodoroff said. “This is a creature purely of local creation. Unlike an ABCC, which has a statutory authority to issue licenses, this is something we created through our bylaws and does not exist in 94G.”

She said that, in her mind, Hanson is more protective of its residents than many other communities across the state.

“I shouldn’t say that — you’re fine, other communities,” Feodoroff said with a laugh.

In other business, Selectmen asked Marini and Assessor Lee Gamache to outline possible solutions to an easement issue passed over at the Monday, Oct. 14 Town Meeting.

An 30-foot septic system easement had been sought for a septic system installed and owned at 51 Ocean Ave., by a homeowner across the street at 62 Ocean Ave.

The Board of Health had allowed the two septic systems with the caveat that the owner issued himself an easement for 62 Ocean Ave., in 2004, and for 51 Ocean Ave., in 2007.

“We’ve got the town owning one of these lots right now [No. 62],” FitzGerald-Kemmett.

The small lots have been merged for tax purposes, and Gamache said a lot of people are interested in 62 Ocean Ave., for parking space. She added that it is not unusual for a house to appear on such small lots after a sale.

Marini suggested separating the lots.

The board has asked Foedoroff to consider the issue and find the best way to solve the issue while protecting the septic system’s owner and the town.

HANSON — Voters at Town Meeting Monday, Oct. 7 approved bans of single-use plastic check-out bags and polystyrene food and beverage containers, while passing over a pair of articles aimed at limiting the number of marijuana establishments in town.

The cannabis articles, brought via citizens’ petition will be renewed for the May Town Meeting in order to permit the proposed bylaw amendments to be placed on the Town Election ballot, as was the case with previous marijuana articles.

An article to rescind an October 2018 Town Meeting vote in favor of a revised W-H Regional agreement was unanimously passed without comment.

The plastic and polystyrene articles were passed nearly unanimously by the approximately 165 voters, many of whom brought green-colored re-useable bags distributed to shoppers by Green Hanson at Shaw’s last month. The bags were printed with a checklist reading: “Paper,” “Plastic” and a checkmark next to the word “Neither” and Green Hanson’s logo.

A group of WHRHS students commented in favor of the plastic bag ban and only one resident, who said he depended on the bags to carry his notebook and pens to the library, spoke and voted against it.

The amendment to town general bylaws is aimed at reducing the number of single-use bags in the waste stream and environment.

“It is not banning plastic bags all-out throughout town,” said Selectman Matt Dyer. “It’s banning plastic bags at the point of checkout. This does not remove the option of getting a bag at the point of check-out, and it’s not going to add a tax or anything like that for bags.”

Instead of plastic, paper bags will be available at the point of check-out.

“It’s not just because of the environmental crisis … but also because of our solid waste workers and improving their safety at the plant,” Dyer said of his reason for making the proposal. He said the bags get tangled in the gears at sorting centers in Massachusetts and nationwide, shutting down the machines every half hour. Workers have to climb into confined spaces to clear the bags, armed with a pocket knife.

“This is to keep the cost of recycling down, keep American manufacturing competitive, because otherwise it all gets shipped out to China and other nations,” he said.

Resident John Zucco of Glenwood Place asked if plastic bags used to keep food safe and fresh in the meat and produce departments would be included in the ban. Dyer said bags used at the grocery meat and produce departments, the dry cleaner and the like, will not be affected by the ban.

Students speak

Green Hanson member Marianne DiMascio of Indian Head Street, said she favored the ban an introduced W-H Environmental Awareness Club students Allysa Small, Sarah Reagan, Nicolette Heath, Riley Getchell, Carly Balfe and Jenna Lacey.

“I’m always happy to hear from our students,” said Moderator Sean Kealy. “You’re always welcome at Town Meeting and I hope that, when you are 18 and you register to vote, that you participate  in your town meetings, as well.”

The students spoke of the environmental impact of plastics and the effect of such waste on public health.

“I always think how none of those plastic bags are ever going to decompose in my lifetime, my children’s lifetime, or even very possibly my grandchildren’s lifetime,” said Regan who lives in Whitman, but is concerned about the issue. She noted that plastic bags have only been in existence for about 100 years. “Every single plastic bag that’s been made hasn’t left this planet and hasn’t decomposed.”

Lacey, who lives on Lakeside Road in Hanson, said she used to enjoy walking near the lake in nice weather, but now she does so less and less.

“It’s not because I don’t appreciate the plant life and fresh air, but because other people didn’t,” she said. “Now when I walk through these woods or along that lake, all I see is plastic bags, styrofoam cups and other pieces of trash that don’t belong in my town’s forests.”

Small noted that plastics only break down into microplastics which we eat and breathe in everyday.

But resident George Craig or East Washington Street, noted he depends on the bags to carry his belongings or to clear litter from the roadside.

ZBA member Don Ellis of High Street asked about the penalties for violations, suggesting the article’s wording was not clear.  Initial violations bring a written warning. The next subsequent violation described as “the first violation following issuance of a written warning” carries a $50 fine, a second violation would bring a $100 fine. Fines are cumulative and each day in which a violation occurs is considered a separate offense.

Town Counsel Katherine Feodoroff relayed, through Keating, that the language was clear.

The polystyrene container bylaw, passed unanimously, does not include plastic straws, cutlery or anything not listed in the bylaw — foam plates, cups, bowls, trays and hinged or lidded containers are the only items listed.

“I know a lot of people care about their Dunkin’ Donuts [polystyrene] cup,” Dyer said. “If you have not heard, Dunkin’ Donuts is moving away from the [polystyrene] cups by the end of 2020 throughout the nation. Regardless of whether this passes or not, the [polystyrene] cups are going to disappear.”

He said polystyrene, like the plastic grocery bags does not break down.

Elm Street resident Gilbert Allen said his only concern was about Meals on Wheels containers and the ability of seniors to obtain to-go containers at restaurants.

“What are we going to replace them with?” he asked.

Dyer explained his research showed the only concern he found was about thermal protection for people with sensitive fingers. Paper and other products that are more degradeable or recycleable are an answer he indicated.

Cannabis limits

The night’s final two articles, centering on the citizens’ petition to limit the number of marijuana establishments to one, under both general and zoning bylaws, generated discussion on potential environmental impacts of the business as well as whether the issue should go to the ballot.

“Hanson voters voted to prohibit marijuana retailers,” said co-petitioners Annette Benenato of Brookside Drive. “But there is currently no limit on the number of other types of marijuana businesses in town.”

She argued that the amount of electricity required — from lighting an HVAC needs — to grow the plants, and the impact on water consumption make the business and environmentally unfriendly business model.

She charged a portion of liquid waste could pollute groundwater and aquifers and said extraction of THC is a dangerous process and that impact fees of 3 percent to help mitigate the business effect on town services would only last five years.

Asked why the Finance Committee voted not to recommend the article, Chairman Kevin Sullivan said, “These are legitimate businesses.”

“They will continue to provide revenue to the town,” Sullivan said. “That can fluctuate, but they will continue to provide revenue. … They will not be exempt from taxes.”

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said that language in the community host agreement does not allow the company, Impressed LLC, to “flip and request an agricultural exemption.” The Selectmen also voted not to recommend.

Paul Benenato pointed to tobacco, lottery and alcohol retailers “never turn out very well for the taxpayers.”

When asked about the claims of impact on town aquifer and waste water plans, Water Commissioner Don Howard said he was not fully aware of the issue, saying he had questions about it himself.

“This is a highly regulated industry like nothing I’ve ever seen,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, noting that Impressed LLC will be collecting agricultural discharge water out and trucking in water they need. She also stressed that Impressed LLC is not the issue.

Another resident asked if any other industry in town was limited to a single business.

“Are there businesses pounding down our door to take up residence here, and if the marijuana industry thinks this could be a potential match, then I think its worth considering on an individual basis going forward and not putting out a blanket rule in advance that limits us,” asked a Squantum Avenue resident opposed to the article. She noted that, without new business, and a continued reluctance to raise taxes, Hanson would not be able to fund schools or other budget needs.

Conservation Commissioner Phil Clemons pointed out that, the trucked in water comes from another aquifer in town.

South Street resident Richard Edgehille asked how the article could legally limit the number of businesses in town.

Feodoroff said limitations can be set on the marijuana industry, but the petition before the Town Meeting was not one that triggers a ballot vote.

She also stressed the wastewater is handled in a closed system to protect groundwater, and the discharge of water into any system is something that is “very highly regulated by the Cannabis Control Commission.”

Patrick Powers of Holmes Street suggested passing over the article for May to enable a town-wide ballot.

“We should stay consistent with that, as opposed to try to sneak something through,” Powers said.

Eric Van Riper looked around the empty shelves of his Hanson store, Vapor Image, at 1000 Main St., where only a small display of sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats remained on display this week.

These items, and his CBD oils, are all that exists of his business after Gov. Charlie Baker ordered a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in Massachusetts.

“It’s definitely restricted us from selling 95-percent of our inventory,” Van Riper said Monday. “We do some CBD sales, so we’re keeping the store open for that, and we’re finding that some municipalities are actually restricting vape shops from closing because they need to maintain their tobacco licenses.”

Vapor Image does not carry tobacco products.

“We’re kind of in between a rock and a hard place in that regard,” he said. “I think the writing is on the wall, I think, on a state and federal level, they want vaping gone.”

Health agents across Massachusetts, fanned out last week, armed with flyers explaining that the state had ordered a four-month ban on vaping sales, to be posted in public places in their stores. The packet included a letter outlining the ban on flavored and non-flavored vaping products, it’s immediate implementation and the penalties for violation — including fines and seizure of products; the order from the Commissioner of Public Health; the governor’s proclamation and a notice to place in the business.

Seen as the strongest effort against e-cigarettes across the country, Baker’s ban applies to both tobacco and marijuana vaping products, and is intended to allow a federal officials and medical experts to investigate the cause of an increase in illnesses tied to the devices.

“There have been so many pulmonary diseases — damage — across the country in people who vape,” Hanson Board of Health Chairman Arlene Dias said. “It’s not one particular product that they’re using, so they are trying to find out why it’s causing such significant pulmonary damage.

“I visited 11 places in Hanson that were listed as selling tobacco as part of their permit and to have them sign that they had received the information we got from the state,” Dias said. She said a couple of stores on the list did not have any kind of tobacco products.

“Everyone signed that they are aware of what the law is and that they cannot display or sell any kind of vaping products,” she said. “Most of the places in Hanson are combined, they have tobacco products and vaping and might have had a smaller inventory of vaping products,” she said.

Only one business in town, Vapor Image, sells vaping products nearly exclusively.

“I don’t know what other products they sell, but everybody else sells cigarettes,” Dias said. “I was really surprised at how many places we had in town.”

Van Riper said it has always been part of his company’s mission statement to get people away from using tobacco.

“We are vape-centric,” he said. “That’s something that I won’t waver on, but you can expect more smoke shop-centric items here just to kind of fill out the gaps in the interim.”

Van Riper said he is “planning for all eventualities” and trying to ride the situation out. He said he has fielded dozens of calls from consumers, some with existing lung conditions, who have experienced a lot of relief since making the switch to vaping and depended on his business.

“They don’t have a viable alternative,” he said, his voice breaking.

Elaine Williams, administrative assistant for the Whitman Board of Health, said her department sent out the order Wednesday, Sept. 25.

She said the state order pertains only to vaping products.

“I think the governor — I saw him on the news — and he had said they had considered those kind of situations, but the health [considerations] were more important at this point,” Williams said. She indicated there are no shops in Whitman that sell vaping products exclusively.

“I believe all the adult shops that we have in Whitman sell tobacco product, as well,” Williams said.

A Whitman Board of Health meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 1 was not slated to discuss pending revisions to tobacco sales regulations, according to Williams.

“I don’t know if they are going to continue to do anything because of what’s happened [with the vaping moratorium], if they are going to wait until January to see what happens with what the state’s going to do or not,” she said.

According to published reports, Danvers vape shop Vapor Zone filed a lawsuit Thursday, Sept. 26 in Suffolk Superior Court seeking to stop the ban at the state level, while a group of three shops in the state is preparing a federal lawsuit to halt the ban.

Van Riper said he is not involved in any lawsuits at the moment, but is rather standing behind the state trade organization, Vapor Technology Association (VTA).

“Not only is it an investment for me, but it’s been a passion of mine and we’re just celebrating five years,” Van Riper said. “We’ve dodged a lot of bullets and faced a lot of adversity. I think everyone kind of expected something like this, but to have it happen so abruptly, to me that’s just overreach of authority and to me it just reeks of corruption.”

He pointed to “a lot of the same politicians” that have campaigns funded by big tobacco and big pharma.

“It’s really just exciting the public, because the gun owners are starting to take notice, too, who say ‘They’ve been trying to take our liberties for a while,’” Van Riper said. “The implications and the precedent this sets is damning for anyone. We are seeing a lot of public outrage, whether they have a horse in the race or not.”

State law affords the governor authority to declare a public health emergency and to order that officials move to “insure the continuation of essential public health services.”

Dias said the Massachusetts order carries the potential for an extension beyond the four months.

California and Rhode Island officials are also said to be advising people to stop vaping immediately.

Dias said that, while companies claim their products are not marketed to youths under the age of 18, “a ton of kids are having access, even though they’re not supposed to, they’re still getting it, they’re still using it.”

She also said kids are not simply using the liquids manufactured for use in vaping products, they are also using THC — the narcotic agent in marijuana — into the vapes.

“It really was aimed at younger people,” Dias said of the fruit and bubblegum flavors sold.

Van Riper said he is encouraging his customers to contact Gov. Baker’s office to say that, as vapers and voters, they oppose the ban and talk about things that vapor has done to improve their health and that the freedom to choose flavors has affected your experience.

“Using flavors as a scapegoat is — I’m an adult, I like chocolate chip cookies just as much as I like a good tobacco flavor every now and then,” he said. “Removing that flexibility to choose would severely inhibit the industry.”

HANSON —  Selectmen finalized and signed warrant articles for the Oct. 7 special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and heard an overview of events being planned for the town’s 200th anniversary celebration next year.

Article 1 was completed, for settling unpaid bills — at a final number of $3,100.27 to be paid from free cash and $3,565 from retained earnings  — was recommended by the board. Article 2, supplemental budget is still incomplete, with a recommendation vote now slated for Oct. 1.

Articles 7 and 8, pertaining to zoning map book ($25,000) and codifying of zoning bylaws ($5,000) were recommended by the board as figures were solidified.

Article 18, which would fund tree removal around Needles Lodge at Camp Kiwanee ($25,000), was held pending necessary information from an arborist.

Articles 20 (adding $50,000 to stabilization) and 21 (adding $25,000 to school stabilization) were both recommended to be funded by free cash by the board.

An article to issue an easement at 410 Woodbine Ave., previously held up because of a lack of monetary consideration, was placed on the warrant after selectmen reopened the warrant to include it as Article 26.

“Just today, I received a call from the bank, who wants to know what’s going on with Woodbine Avenue,” said interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini. She said a bank official indicated they would “see what they could do. … I’d rather at least have it on the warrant and see if we can negotiate it and get this put to bed. There are a few things I’d really like to get wrapped up before I retire — this is on the list.”

“I’m thrilled that they’re even considering it,” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett.

The polystyrene cup and plastic grocery bag ban articles (31 and 32) were recommended after town counsel completed some language revisions.

Chairman of the 200th Anniversary Committee Audrey Flanagan provided a month-by-month look at some of the community events planned by her committee. A calendar project organized by Selectman Matt Dyer, who used to serve on the Anniversary Committee, will include event dates, Flanagan said.

“We’ve met a little more frequently over the last month,” she said. “We talked about what makes sense and assigned project managers to each event.”

In February, a kickoff dinner and proclamation will mark the actual anniversary of the town at a location to be determined. The committee would like to use Camp Kiwanee, Flanagan said, but she noted that weather is a concern and discussions are still being conducted on that point.

In March, the Anniversary Committee will join the Hanson Business Network to hold the HBN’s annual St. Patrick’s Dinner at Kiwanee.

Historical talks are planned for May, in conjunction with the Hanson Historical Society at various locations around town. Members of the Mattakeesett tribe had met with the Anniversary Committee after the Wampanoag presentation at this summer’s fundraising dinner, and expressed an interest in participating in programs as the actual native American tribe that lived in what is now Hanson.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said they are also trying to connect the Mattakeesett tribe with the schools for a local history project.

Geocaching programs are also being planned in May.

There are discussions ongoing about a carnival in June, possibly with a Cape Verdean theme in recognition of the Cape Verdean contributions to the town’s history, according to FitzGerald-Kemmett.

An Old Home Day in July is planned as a “real traditional family day,” on the green with games such as sack races and egg-tosses. A food truck rodeo is being planned in August.

A parade is slated for September and, in October, an Oktoberfest Beer Garden event is being planned at a location to be determined. The year’s events wind down in December with the annual Holiday Fest on the Town Green with the Anniversary Committee joining in the planning.

Hanson 200 souvenirs are available on the Café Press website.

HANSON — On the eve of the start to a new school year, Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak briefed Hanson Selectmen on district funding calculations, Whitman’s passing over the amended Regional Agreement at the May Town Meeting, and the potential impact of 15 years’ of Whitman billing errors for water and sewer at the high school.

During the Selectmen’s review of October Town Meeting warrant articles Tuesday, Aug. 27, the board added a place-holder article to revoke pervious Town Meeting approval of the amended Regional Agreement.

“If we don’t revoke the agreement we have in place, we could be locked into this right now … especially where it sounds ambiguous, at best,” said Hanson Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan in recommending a warrant article. “Just something to think about.”

“It’s easier to have it on, than not,” said Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini.

There is no plan to revisit the fiscal 2020 school budget, Szymaniak said.

“One of my goals this year, after I met with School Committee last year, would be to be as up front with the Hanson Selectmen as inquisitive as the Whitman Selectmen have been,” Szymaniak said.

He reviewed how the Regional Agreement was revised in June 2018, and approved by Hanson Town Meeting that fall. Whitman voters, during a “difficult budget process,” Szymaniak noted, passed over the agreement.

“I started asking some questions about why the Regional Agreement was passed over, and the issue around funding came up,” he said.

There are two ways to fund a regional school district, according to Szymaniak. The statutory method is based on the minimum local school contribution and the alternative method, which does not — it is instead currently based on enrollment figures with Whitman bearing the cost of 60 percent of the school budget and Hanson 40 percent. Under the statutory method, he said Hanson might be paying more under the alternative method.

“It could be a substantial swing,” Szymaniak said. “I don’t know if members of the Regional Agreement Committee  knew that the statutory method was going to have an impact on the town of Hanson as drastic as it has.”

The issue was slated for further discussion at the Wednesday, Aug. 28 School Committee meeting.

He sought a recommendation on the issue from district legal counsel on how to proceed without an approved and signed Regional Agreement and was advised that the statutory method would be used until that happens.

The minimum local contribution takes into account inflation, enrollment, wage adjustment, property values, income and municipal revenue growth.

W-H has been funded through the alternative method since 1991, and, despite a 2007 recommendation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that all regional school districts begin using the statutory method, the district did not make that change. He said the 2018 revised Regional Agreement it is inferred that the statutory method be used, but not expressly written out.

Selectman Jim Hickey said he would be interested in looking up School Committee minutes from those discussions to determine why the DESE memo was not recommended at that time.

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said it was likely at the time that, while DESE was recommending, but it wasn’t required.

“It seems as time has gone on, it’s a firmer position that DESE’s taking,” she said.

“When DESE usually recommends, that means it’s in effect,” Szymaniak said, adding that he does not see that yet, but noted Dennis-Yarmouth is also grappling with the question.   

FitzGerald-Kemmett also asked about the dollar amount Hanson would be shouldering, noting she had heard it to be about $900,000. Szymaniak confirmed that figure and said Whitman has not yet put the Regional Agreement on any warrant for a fall Town Meeting.

“We definitely appreciate the heads-up,” she said. “We appreciate being told about it.”

Whitman’s Override Evaluation Committee has hired consultant John Madden to conduct and audit/needs assessment, based on where the town could be financially in five years.

Marini said she has discussed the issue with Town Accountant Todd Hassett, who said the statutory agreement would likely be the one that would be used, based on his experience in other communities.

“We really need to know this sooner, rather than later, for planning purposes because that’s a significant amount of money and we have no magical way of making that money appear,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

“This isn’t unique to the W-H School District,” said School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes, a Hanson resident, who attended the Selectmen’s meeting. “This is popping up with Regional Agreements across the state. As you can see, every attorney has a different opinion on it, but it looks like it’s going to fall over on the statutory method.”

He said he expects it to be challenged legally.

In theory, Szymaniak said the agreement could be voided at town meeting and changed to the alternative method, but that the absence of any contract or an expressly worded change, it would default to the statutory method.

The water/sewer bill, discovered by Whitman’s new water superintendent in February, would be split 60-40 without DESE’s involvement.

Since the high school was built in 2004, incorrect bills from the Whitman DPW — said to be caused by human error — have left the School District with not only a $300,000 bill, but no accurate idea of the actual water cost for future budgets.

“That’s a heck of an error,” said FitzGerald-Kemmett.

“A heck of an error and it says human error on the bill,” Szymaniak said. “I have kind of kicked that can down [the road] because of the bigger issue right now.”

The district’s legal counsel is reviewing the situation, but current case law only covers a case of going back about seven years to rectify bills caused by human error.