HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 27 heard a presentation from MassWorks Infrastructure Program Director Erica Kreuter on the program and how it can help provide funding for town projects.

“MassWorks oversees five different grant programs,” said Town Administrator Michael McCue. He has experience with the offices’ Small Town Rural Assistance Program (STRAP) grants from his tenure in Avon.

“It was a godsend,” McCue said of the $500,000 grant Avon received.

Kreuter summarized the program and answered Selectmen’s questions. Grants under the MassWorks umbrella also include those for public works development, Community Development Action Grants, the Growth Districts Initiative, Mass. Opportunity Relocation and Expansion and Transit-Oriented Development programs.

“We are always available to discuss any applications,” she said. “We really saw an opportunity to create one program designed to work on infrastructure and designed to unlock immediate private investment.”

That investment has to be kept in line with the state’s sustainable development principles such as multi-family housing, economic development in distressed areas and roadway safety in small, rural communities.

Among the projects MassWorks has worked on include the $2 million T Wharf project in Plymouth, the $25 million Assembly Square T Station in Somerville and the Market Street extension of Mashpee Commons at $901,250.

Selectmen Chairman James McGahan asked about the type of job creation involved in the program.

Roadway projects, such as drainage work, in conjunction with a water and sewer project was one example Kreuter provided.

Transit and re-use of previously developed sites and regional projects are among the office’s continuing investment goals. There have been 716 applications for $1.7 billion in total requests for projects since 2011. More than $418.3 million has been invested in 215 projects selected across the state.

“It is an extremely competitive grant program,” Kreuter said. “Anything over $2 million has to demonstrate significant private development.”

In other business, the board approved an Eagle Scout project for a 5K cross country course at WHRHS proposed by Caleb Parkinson, a member of Whitman Boy Scout Troop 22.

Parkinson, a member of the cross country team, needed Selectmen approval because the entire trail route is within the town of Hanson.

Work will involve filling in a trench dug by a teacher for a previous project and a bridge over conservation land. He will also be meeting with the Hanson Conservation Commission on the project. Hanson Boy Scouts and some teachers have also indicated a willingness to help with the work.

“This is for the actual meets,” Parkinson said.

Selectmen expressed enthusiasm for the project in casting their votes in support.

Selectmen also approved the completed street prioritization list with the crossing in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts at Liberty Street and County Road, the crossing in front of Town Hall at Liberty and Winter streets, the intersection at the middle school on Liberty Street, the sidewalk on High Street from Main Street to the Plymouth County Hospital site, a bicycle lane on Route 58 and a similar project on Main Street.

WHITMAN — A heavy rain on the morning of the dedication of a Great American elm tree to the memory of former state Sen. Edward P. “Ned” Kirby Saturday morning, couldn’t dampen the spirits of his family and friends attending the ceremony at Town Hall auditorium.

They rather thought Kirby would enjoy the turn of events.

“I never dreamed so many people would come,” Kirby’s widow Mary Alice said of the event and the “amazing” tree planted in her husband’s memory. “It’s breathtaking.”

“I’m not worried about it — at least the tree’s getting some water from heaven, courtesy of Ned,” said June O’Leary of the Friends of Whitman Park.

“I think Ned is up in heaven looking down on us and [the rain] is probably tears coming from his eyes,” agreed Selectman Daniel Salvucci. “He wasn’t the type of a guy that would want anyone to pay tribute to him because what he was doing was what he was meant to do.”

About two dozen family members and friends of Kirby’s attended the ceremony Saturday, June 24 to remember him and his friendship and accomplishments — and dedicate the tree planted near the park bandstand the week before.

“This is a really nice tribute to Ned that you come out in the rain and be here for Mary Alice and his family to remember him,” O’Leary said. She said the choice of a Great American elm was only the appropriate tree to plant in Kirby’s honor. She credited Kirby with being a longtime supporter of Whitman Park, including being the person largely responsible for a $285,000 grant that gave the park such a boost. He also pitched in to rake and clean up the park “just like the rest of us,” she said.

O’Leary also thanked DPW Highway and Park Superintendent Bruce Martin for his help in selecting and planting the tree.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam presented Mary Alice with the Selectmen’s citation, researched by the board’s Administrative Assistant Laurie O’Brien.

Lynam made the presentation for Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski, who was unable to attend due to a family obligation. Selectmen Randy LaMattina and Brian Bezanson joined Salvucci in attending the ceremony.

The citation notes Kirby’s legal education and Korean War-era service in the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s office as well as his service as both a state representative for six years and a state senator and as an elected member of the Plymouth County Commissioners. He also served as an administrative law judge and a worker’s compensation appeals judge. Kirby was also instrumental in returning commuter rail service to the area, among other accomplishments.

“He is sorely missed,” Lynam said of Kirby. “The town would like to recognize Ned for his countless contributions to the town.

The State House citation, presented by state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, recalling a tribute to Ned read as a tribute to him at the General Court’s opening session for the year on Jan. 5.

“He was always doing something,” Diehl said. “I don’t think there was a day when Ned wasn’t serving somebody in some capacity — whether it was in the military, in office, or as a private citizen.”

Diehl also lauded Kirby for his work with the Whitman Food Pantry and the senior center.

“The curse of going second is that virtually everything in the town citation is mirrored in the citation presented by the House,” Diehl said. “I’m going to give this to Frank to keep for the town, because I’ve already presented Mary Alice with a copy of this as well.”

Friends and Kirby family members also spoke, recalling fond memories of the veteran public servant who died Jan. 3.

“I never could find anyone who could find fault with Ned, he was just a very nice person, a gentleman — somebody you were glad to meet,” O’Leary said.

Bezanson said the rain was fitting for the occasion, just as Kirby’s support provided a beginning for his involvement in town politics, as well as for others.

“It’s nourishing Ned’s tree from the beginning to get it started,” he said. “I can guarantee you that’s going to be one of the biggest trees in this park for years to come.”

Kirby’s son Thomas shared a memory.

“He was a great dad and an excellent family man,” he said, recalling an anecdote from his days as a Little League participant. “Most days dad would come home and throw the ball with me in the front yard. On one occasion — I wasn’t very tall — he threw the ball to me and I missed it. [The ball] beaned his windshield — broke it, shattered it — and he just kind of looked at it and said, ‘OK.’ He was just a super-sweet guy.”

He added that a painting of the bandstand owned by the family will mean more now that the Great American elm planted in Ned’s name is growing there.

His daughter Jane remembered that her dad, who was born at home in Whitman, loved his town and how touched he would be by the tree dedication ceremony.

“He wanted to live here his entire life,” she said. “This is where his heart was and it as really because of the people of the town.

HANSON — Hanson police officers made arrests this week in two cases crediting police work, and alert witnesses for providing valuable information.

On June 14 just before 9:30 p.m., a masked male armed with a knife attempted to rob the Dunkin Donuts on Liberty Street. The employees reportedly fled the building to get help and the suspect left empty handed.

Officers were lead to the suspects after Officer Meegan of the Hanson Police had observed a similar car at Shaw’s matching the brown 2002 Ford Taurus that was seen leaving CVS at the time of the robbery and had obtained a plate number.

Subsequent interviews and video led Hanson Police to contact Quincy Police, said Chief Michael Miksch in a prepared press statement. The Dunkin Donuts manager assisted police in viewing the surveillance video. The footage showed a male party holding a knife in his hand, take the tip cup and attempted to open two cash registers.

Hanson Police were able to secure and execute two arrest warrants in the city of Quincy for Nicole Gallagher, 38, and Kenneth Gosselin III, 33, both of whom reside in Quincy.  Mrs. Gallagher is being held on $100,000 bail for arraignment in Plymouth District Court on Monday. Mr. Gosselin is also being held on $100,000 cash bail for arraignment Monday in Plymouth  Police were led to the suspects after interviewing the witnesses who observed a vehicle that matched the description of Mrs. Gallagher’s vehicle.

charges

Gallagher was arraigned on one count each armed and masked robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon. Gosselin  was arraigned on one count each of armed and masked robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon. They are both scheduled to be in court again on Tuesday, July 11. The investigation was led by Sgt. Andrews and Officer Meegan of the Hanson Police Department. Detective O’Brien, Officer Hughes, Officer Vigneau, Officer Peterson, and Officer Godwin were also instrumental in solving this case. The Hanson Police Department would like to thank the Quincy Police for their assistance as well as the area businesses and witnesses who provided valuable information.

Hanson Police received a report of a breaking and entering to a motor vehicle at Shaw’s Supermarket on Liberty Street just after 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16.

One of the vehicle’s windows was smashed and the perpetrators stole a purse. Witnesses reported seeing a green Mitsubishi Galant occupied by a male and female party in the area. A broadcast was sent out to area police departments with the vehicle later being located in Whitman at the CVS on Bedford Street. Whitman Sgt. Bombardier and Officer Young held the vehicle and the occupants until Hanson police could identify the parties.
Officers found the stolen pocketbook from the vehicle in Hanson. Police found numerous cell phones and pocketbooks in the car after obtaining a search warrant.

pair charged

Nicolas Flores, 24, of Brockton  and a 17-year-old female from Ohio were taken into custody and charged with breaking and entering to a motor vehicle, larceny over $250, and destruction of property over $250. The female was being held in custody by Department of Youth Services until her arraignment in Plymouth Juvenile Court Monday. Flores was being held on $2500 cash bail at the Plymouth House of Correction.  He was arraigned on Monday in Plymouth District Court. Flores was arraigned on in Plymouth District Court June 19. He is next due in court on Aug. 8.

The Hanson Police are working to locate the owners of this merchandise. Sgt. Peter Calogero, Officer Elisha Sullivan, and Sgt. Michael Bearce  assisted in the case. The cooperation of witnesses and the Whitman Police were also greatly appreciated, said Miksch.

HANSON — Members of the Final Plymouth County Hospital Site Committee met on-site with a land development consultant Friday, June 2 to discuss possible recreational use of the land. The 8:30 a.m. meeting touched on what LLD Collaborative Principal Michael D. Farias called a master plan for recreational uses.

Farias’ Fall River collaborative will present its suggestions to the town through Town Administrator Michael McCue.

“You let us know what you’re trying to accomplish, and exactly where you’re looking at,” Farias said.

Parcel 1, the former hospital site where the committee is looking toward open space and passive recreational use is likely to be his main focus as well as Parcel 2, the U-shaped property around the hospital. Parcel 3 is conservation land.

Farias asked if there has been “any type of public process” such as brainstorming what residents want on a wish list for the site. Selectman Don Howard, who chairs the PCH panel, said that has no happened yet, but fellow Committee member Marianne DiMascio said surveys have indicated some ideas, but a proposal should come first.

“Before we could do anything, he had to get rid of the hospital,” Howard said. “Now that we’ve got it down, things are going to open up a lot more.”

“This has been going on for a long time, so we have some sense of what we’d like to see,” DiMascio said.

Don Ellis indicated the committee is looking for a schematic as to what can go where and how it should look, so McCue can take it from there.

Farias said his design approach is to take photos during the site visit for an analysis of what might work best as uses for the property, based on the geography, topography and vegetation that exists.

“That gives us the dos and don’ts so when we go public to do kind of the brain-storming and the wish lists … and go right into a couple schematic designs — 180 degrees in one direction and 180 degrees in another,” Farias said. “Then what we do is a preferred concept of a master plan. It takes the best of all the ideas and puts them together into one particular plan and that becomes the focal point of what you’re going to build on.”

He encouraged the committee to include the concepts it most wants in the plan as five of 10-year proposals that can be competed as funds become available or to revise as needs change.

“It sounds like you are saying ‘think in terms of phases’ because waving a wand is unlikely to be possible or not even a good idea,” said Committee Clerk Phil Clemons.

Farias said that was exactly right, comparing it to building a home. The frame is more important to get right, while specifics such as granite countertops may be added later.

Committee members indicated that playing fields should be part of the plan, even though there are some in town. McCue and Howard said a mixed-use park in Hanover may be the pattern they look to, as multi-use fields are important as sports such as lacrosse grow in popularity. Clemons, meanwhile, pointed to the need for a facility active elder residents may use without worrying that access would be restricted by school hours.

“There needs to be some general informal recreational space,” he said.

Farias said all parks now are designed with accessibility for all abilities and age groups in mind. Maintenance costs or seasonal limitations for park use should also be considered, he cautioned.

“You can always find the money somehow, some way to build something, but it’s the residual costs associated with maintenance,” Farias said.

Clemons said the committee is also strongly considering a solar field as one use of a portion of the property, most likely on the former hospital site.

Another proposal at the property is to eventually move Schoolhouse No. 4 from Main Street to an area near the Bonney House, which sits to the front of the PCH site, as a village green type of area with an historical component, according to Clemons and Ellis.

“I want to see that as being a very nice complement to the park-type space — a place for people to meet and do things and learn,” Clemons said.

Ellis said a farmer’s market area adjacent to the food pantry and community garden is also being considered.

WHITMAN — Early morning traffic was snarled in Whitman Tuesday as traffic was re-routed to avoid a section of Bedford Street (Route 18) during an investigation of a bomb threat — determined to be a hoax.

In a joint press release Whitman Police and Fire departments stated they investigated a report of a bomb threat at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 30,  which was later determined to be a hoax similar to one in another state.

Officials made the decision to close Bedford Street during the investigation out of an abundance of caution, the chiefs said. The business, an insurance office, and surrounding businesses, including a fast food restaurant, were evacuated for a short time.

Police Chief Scott Benton and Fire Chief Timothy J. Grenno both responded to the scene. The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded and conducted a search that discredited the threat.

“While we regret the inconvenience this incident may have caused, we hope that citizens and motorists understand that these precautions can sometimes be necessary,” Benton said. “These cases require the utmost caution, because being wrong even once can result in dire consequences.”

The Whitman threat was reportedly received by a business owner via fax. Police stated the hoax was nearly identical to another reported incident in London, Ky., at a newspaper printing company. In both messages, the owner was instructed to wire $25,000 to a Brazilian national in Chicago. Whitman Police warn business owners that these faxes are hoaxes, and any money wired to anonymous individuals will be lost forever and cannot be recovered.

During the investigation, Whitman Police and Fire were assisted at the scene by Abington and East Bridgewater Police units.

The incident is under investigation by the Whitman Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and federal authorities.

The School Committee, after conducting its post-election reorganization Monday night, May 22, turned its attention to the coming budget meeting planned for 7 p.m., Monday, June 12 in the WHRHS library.

The district is sending a letter to town administrators in both towns seeking designation of selectmen and members of other boards that would be attending the June 12 meeting.

“If we get enough people, then maybe we can get a vision in the first meeting or two, and see which direction we’re going to go in,” Chairman Bob Hayes said.

Member Robert Trotta also suggested a discussion of educational priorities such as full-day kindergarten, be included in the meeting.

“The primary thing is to find out who’s going to be involved,” said member Kevin Lynam, cautioning that without participation from enough municipal representatives, “we’re just talking to ourselves, anyway.”

Hayes said he would welcome “anyone from the towns” to attend, saying he would not mind seeing residents of both communities attend to provide input. He indicated a time limit of 90 minutes to two hours would likely be set on the duration of the session.

“It’s pretty easy to give us input on social media, but if you don’t show up for the meetings, nothing transpires,” he said.

Member Fred Small suggested that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner might fine-tune the pillars outlined within the Student Success Budget put forth for fiscal 2017 last year.

His idea is to put forth a comparison between an estimated level-service budget and what “we need to add on and what programs” are needed.

“I think it ties in beautifully with the strategic planning process,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “Every bit of it links to the budget. … If it’s going to be successful, it’s going to need to be a joint effort by all the stake-holders.”

Hayes said he also wants to see department heads, including police and fire chiefs attend the meeting.

“Let’s talk about this and see where we’re going,” he said, also advocating the invitation of state legislators.

The School Committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, but may be rescheduled.

In reorganizing, meanwhile, the committee selected its officers and subcommittee assignments for the coming year. All current members up for election were re-elected this year.

“Essentially, for the 2017-18 school year, everybody’s a veteran,” said Gilbert-Whitner, who chaired the meeting until a chairman was elected.

Hayes returns as chairman with Small — attending remotely while away on a business trip — selected as vice chairman, Dan Cullity was chosen as secretary-clerk, Alexandra Taylor as treasurer and Trotta as assistant treasurer. Representatives to the Negotiations Subcommittee — to be joined by a municipal representative — are Hayes, Small, Trotta, Christopher Howard and Michael Jones. Small, Cullity, Jones and Robert O’Brien Jr., were tabbed to serve on the Facilities and Capital Improvement Subcommittee. Trotta, Small, Howard and Lynam will serve on the Policy Subcommittee. Jones will return to the committee’s Legislative Subcommittee, joined by Small.

“Fred, maybe we should ask if there’s anything you don’t want to do,” O’Brien joked.

“There’s one I don’t want to do,” Small said when the Mass. Association of School Committees/Mass. Association of School Superintendents joint voting delegate and alternate were chosen. Steven Bois was again selected as the voting delegate and Hayes as the alternate.

O’Brien and Trotta were chosen for a grant council to 21st Century Learning Community Grant program, for which the district is reapplying after receiving more than $750,000 in past years to fund programs for at-risk students. Small agreed to serve as an alternate. Bois returns as representative to the Pilgrim Area Collaborative, but Gilbert-Whitner will represent the district on the North River Collaborative, which has switched to a board of superintendent members.

HANSON — Selectmen looked to the future of recording town boards’ meetings Tuesday, May 16 while bidding farewell to Selectmen Bruce Young and wishing him a happy retirement.

The Board supported Town Administrator Michael McCue’s recommendation that, effective July 1, all appointed boards and committees video record open session meetings.

The Finance Committee, Community Preservation Committee, Conservation Commission, Council on Elder Affairs, Recreation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals are included in that list. Elected boards — Assessors, the Board of Health, Library Trustees, Planning Board and Water Commissioners — are encouraged to record their meetings, as well.

“Our goal is to achieve the highest level of transparency and we believe broadcast of as many board and committee meetings as possible helps achieve this,” McCue wrote in the policy draft adapted by Selectmen. Each chairman is asked to assume the responsibility of ensuring that meetings are recorded and that tapes/DVDs are provided to W-H Community Access TV for broadcast and storage.

Training will be provided on the proper use of equipment.

“What we’re trying to do here is be more transparent and certainly educational to the many folks who don’t attend these type of meetings,” Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said. “I think it’s a good idea. I don’t expect it to be perfect, but hopefully we can get people to take part and know what’s going on.”

Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, who chairs the Community Preservation Committee, asked if the equipment would be stored at Town Hall where it would be readily available. AnneMarie Bouzan of the Recreation Commission asked if that board would be able to store equipment at Camp Kiwanee where they meet.

McCue said that is the aim, but that logistics have to be worked out.

Planning Board Vice Chairman Joseph Campbell asked about the potential for using cameras for site visits and whether new technology such as MP3 and other 21st Century formats could be taken by WHCA.

McCue said off-site use would be up to individual boards and WHCA Executive Director Eric Dresser indicated the purchase of newer technology is in the agency’s purchasing plans.

“When we’re shopping, we’ll be looking for that,” he said.

Former volunteer videographer Richard Edgehille said the filing of recordings is important to ensure an accurate record of meetings.

“Minutes are not accurate,” he said. “When I was on the Board of Health, sometimes I wouldn’t sign the minutes because not everything was there. A DVD tells you the whole deal.”

He asked if, should elected boards decline to record meetings, a ballot question could be brought forward to require it.

“You’ve got the people to account to,” Edgehille said.

McGahan said, according to Roberts Rules of Order, minutes are not meant to be too detailed.

“It’s a more precise record,” Selectman Don Howard said, noting that the Water Department used to have a camera on site to record meetings.

McCue said perhaps a by-law change could be considered, but did not want to “hang my hat on it.”

As he was adjourning the meeting, McGahan passed the gavel to Young to do the honors in his last Board of Selectmen meeting.

“I want to say thank you for your service,” McGahan said of Young’s 40 years of service to the town on various boards and committees. “You’ve been a big influence within our town government and on behalf of the community of Hanson, I want to thank you very much. … We’ve had our agreements, we’ve had our disagreements, but I still respect and admire what you’ve done.”

Young reminded residents of the Saturday Town Election.

“No matter who is sitting here next Tuesday, I want to wish those people the best,” he said. “This is a very difficult job in this day and age — it’s a lot more different and complex in the world of social media.”

A reception with cake was held for Young after the meeting.

WHITMAN — The town’s financial future became a bit tighter Monday, May 1, after voters at annual Town Meeting agreed with requests from the floor for department head raises of 2.5 percent that, in most cases, were not included in the Article 2 budget for fiscal 2018.

“The whole point of setting financial controls is to set the tempo for future bargaining and future expenditures,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said after the session. “Unfortunately, the message wasn’t perhaps, as clear as it needed to be.”

Lynam also suggested it could be a matter of too little a difference in dollars during a budget year in which one contract is out of synch by 2.5 percent.

“They collectively added up to about $5,000 or $6,000 on a $35 million budget,” Lynam said. “If the Town Meeting was willing to support the votes, I’m certainly not going to be opposed to it. It’s a decision that gets made here.”

He said that perhaps more work needs to be done during bargaining to make sure people understand a lot depends on the town’s ability to make the payments.

“We went almost right up to the levy limit tonight, so it’s going to limit what we can do next year, unless we change significantly how we do business,” Lynam said.

The 2.5-percent department head raises were requested by Michelle Hayes, who is a 13-year employee of the collector’s office.

“This is the first time I can remember that our department heads … are on your warrant [for a] 2-percent pay increase, while the Town Hall employees negotiated with the union for a 2.5-percent pay increase,” she said. “I would like to put them on par with us.”

All five of her amendments — for the town accountant, assessor, treasurer-collector, clerk and building commissioner  — were approved by the voters.

Lynam said the department head salary issue had been intended to “set a standard for the next several years in the direction of salaries and costs,” and that it was very difficult to set one contract against another. He said he would support the Town Meeting’s decision.

Voters did question a $22,752 salary increase (for $86,000 total) for Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green. The increase was supported by a vote of 96-62.

Michelle Winnett, 308 Raynor Ave., asked why the 35-percent increase was being requested. Lynam outlined that when former Assistant Town Administrator Greg Enos was hired in 2013, his limited experience dictated the starting salary of $63,248 now being paid to Green, who is an attorney and has government experience with the Social Security Administration. Enos had left to take a job with another town for $30,000 more.

Lynam then surveyed salaries in other similar communities, finding Whitman “significantly off” the pay scale.

“My concern, and the concern of the Board of Selectmen, was to recruit and hire somebody capable of doing the job I’m doing and, perhaps being prepared to [take over] when I’m no longer standing here,” he said. The decision was made to offer a salary commensurate with those responsibilities.

Winnett also asked what salary would be offered to an assistant town administrator without Green’s credentials should she move up on Lynam’s retirement. Another resident asked why a more competitive salary wasn’t advertised when Green was hired.

“We didn’t want to go through another cycle of hiring someone for less, training them and sending them off somewhere else,” Lynam said.

He also said he could not forecast the future but added, “It is impossible to do this job without the staff to support it.” He said the hours and responsibility of the job demands a competitive salary.

“There isn’t another town that operates as efficiently as we do, in terms of cost for administration,” he said.

The Board of Library Trustees sought a 4-percent salary increase (to $67,095) for the Whitman Library director, which Town Meeting approved.

Since the Town Meeting approved the other raises, Lynam then asked for reconsideration of salaries for DPW operations superintendent, recreation director, Council on Aging director and technology director, at 2.5 percent increases, which were approved.

Electronic voting

Former Town Moderator Mike Hayes opened the meeting with a report on the Electronic Voting Committee’s work, and articles to authorize it on the annual Town Meeting and to fund costs associated with it on the special Town Meeting warrants. In a squeaker of a counted vote, the funding was approved, 83-81, with the article accepting the  committee’s report  later passing by large margin in a voice vote.

“If you have questions, just bring them forward and we’ll discuss this,” Hayes urged during discussion over transfer of $3,400 for the funding article. “It’s a big change for the town.”

Garrett Moniz of 88 Woodlawn Circle asked how the votes are stored. Hayes explained that vote totals only, and not information on how individuals cast votes are stored on the Internet cloud, but he admitted there is a risk of hacking.

Town Clerk Dawn Varley also said that devices, assigned a number at voter check-in, would be for ensuring the devices are returned, rather than tracking votes.

“I don’t even know what’s on that device,” she said. “I wouldn’t know what your votes were.”

Denise M. Taylor of Captain Allen Way wanted to know the name of the company — Turning Technology, which the town will be using — and more information on the cost. Hayes said Turning Technology and Option Technology were the two firms providing quotes to the town. The small devices work like a hand-held calculator, Lynam said, explaining that voters would have a time limit to cast votes with their last vote being counted. Voters therefore have the opportunity to change their minds. Final vote totals would be displayed on a projection screen.

Michelle LaMattina of 6 River Birch Circle asked if some kind of security deposit or fine for lost or damaged devices would be charged as the town would be leasing the devices. Hayes said there would be a replacement cost, but not a security deposit

Another voter asked why Whitman’s small Town Meetings require the devices. Hayes said most area towns already using the devices are or a similar size.

Water meters

During the special Town Meeting, Article 4 — which called for a Transfer of $1.87 million to purchase and install replacement water meters — was passed over due to an equal cost to the town involved in intersection work planned to widen intersections, at  routes 18 and 27 and at routes 14 and 27. Old water gates in those areas would be replaced at that time, which is where the additional $1.8 million cost would be involved.

Lynam indicated that, while the new meters are vital for auditing water costs, the town found out about a week ago that MassDOT intersection work will be done next year.

“We would like to step back from this article, have a conversation with public works, selectmen and the Finance Committee to determine what would be in our best interest,” Lynam said. “It may make sense to fund one of the projects by borrowing and paying for it over eight or 10 years … and pay the other costs directly. But that’s not a decision to be making on short notice.”