HANSON — While they were aware she was looking for a new position, town officialswere a bit surprised on Monday, July 24 when Marybeth MacKay, recreation director since April, tendered her resignation effective Friday, July 28.

Town Administrator Michael McCue said that MacKay had tendered her resignation letter to him during the day July 24 and he forwarded it to the Recreation Commission for action at its meeting that evening.

“They are technically her hiring authority and they accepted her resignation Monday night,” he said.

In the interim, he authorized MacKay to go home early on Monday while he “figured out the best thing to do in terms of going forward,” McCue then met with Recreation Chairman Annmarie Bouzan and both agreed MacKay could return keys, laptop and other items on Tuesday, July 25. She was paid for Monday and Tuesday and was then done for the week.

MacKay had accepted a similar position in the private sector at an assisted living center in Middleboro, MacKay and Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said Friday.

“She was off the books as of Tuesday,” he said. She was still within the six-month probationary period.

A call placed to MacKay’s Lakeville home for comment was not returned.

“If it was a perfect scenario, [a municipality would take] a couple of months to fill such a job,” McGahan said of the hiring process she likely went through in Middleboro. “A private company would have a shorter time period.”

“They’d go a lot quicker than us,” McCue agreed. “We knew she was looking, but we had no idea that it was imminent.”

McCue said it has yet to be determined how the process to find another recreation director would progress, but the Recreation Commission will be asked to meet with Selectmen for an open discussion on the matter in the near future.

The previous applicants, interviewed during the process through which MacKay was chosen likely would also be contacted again for new interviews.

“It kind of shortens up the process,” McGahan said. “I have no influence with the Recreation Commission, though.” He noted he has received calls from residents interested in the job, but makes it clear that decision is not his to make, all he can do is pass that information along.

“I don’t want to influence it,” he said.

McCue said the candidate who was in consideration along with MacKay, but at the time was not yet back from living in Dublin, Ireland, would still be a strong candidate this time around.

“There were a couple qualified people,” McCue said. “The runner-up was not back from Dublin. He’s from here originally and had been in Dublin for about 10 years.” He had been about six weeks away from his moving date during the last round of interviews.

“He may be down the street and around the corner and we may be able to speak with him,” he said. “She was always the number one candidate and he was a close two.”

Both McGahan and McCue said they would not be surprised if the June meeting during which MacKay narrowly avoided losing the Hanson job by a 3-3 vote of the Recreation Commission motivated her to look elsewhere.

“There was a red flag there,” McGahan said of the vote.

“I don’t blame her for that,” McCue said of MacKay’s decision to seek a new position. “I would have done the same thing.”

McGahan noted that the automated accounting system that was to be set up for the director to use, as recommended by former Selectman Bruce Young, to develop a more transparent financial system at Camp Kiwanee had been a sticking point for MacKay.

“We knew we had problems on that,” McGahan said of the past contract process for Kiwanee events. “We had contracts that were half signed [before a full-time director was sought], we saw big discounts given … we want an official record and a system that accounts for that.”

MacKay was supposed to take over responsibility for the automated accounting system.

“Bruce had a pretty solid idea for how things should go forward,” said McCue, who started forwarding that process to the new commission when it was formed. “As soon as we hired Marybeth, I completely handed everything off to her.”

Both McGahn and McCue said nothing more was done after that. McGahan said asking a few companies in to demonstrate their software was all that was needed to be done to accomplish the accounting requirement.

“If I were hired as recreation director, that would be the number one item on my list, because you’re talking about money coming in and out,” he said. McGahan acknowledged, however, that the problem of a lifeguard shortage was properly addressed by closing the beach early during the past week for training.

Both McCue and McGahn also agreed that Bouzan and the Recreation Commission is doing a great job.

“Annmarie and I have not always been in alignment, but he does her job and she does it well,” McGahan said.

WHITMAN — A drug arrest was made in Whitman July 20 in conjunction with the WEB Task Force after a month-long investigation.

The WEB Task Force combines the investigation efforts of officers from West Bridgewater, Whitman, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University.

Samuel Rutledge, 28, of 50 Center St., Brockton, was identified by West Bridgewater Officer Sean Devilly,  and Whitman officers Paul Young and Peter Aitken as the Fentanyl supplier to various customers in this region.

Rutledge was an alleged dealer utilizing various female drivers to transport and deliver the narcotics.

On Thursday, July 20, investigators assigned to the task force observed Rutledge engage in what was believed to be a narcotics transaction in Whitman. Detectives then stopped Rutledge and the female who was driving Rutledge to the narcotics transaction, according to a police statement. He had possession of what was suspected to be Fentanyl and crack cocaine, which was packaged for resale, according to a prepared press release from the WEB Task Force. The estimated street value of the seized drugs was approximately $3,000.

“The pairing of crack cocaine and Fentanyl is problematic for investigators and health care workers as there has been a noticeable increase in overdoses due to the coupling of these two narcotics,” police stated. “Investigators and Health Care experts have noticed that traditional cocaine users are overdosing on what they believe to be Fentanyl instead of cocaine.”

Rutledge was charged with trafficking a class B substance, distribution of a class B substance three counts, possession with intent to distribute a class B Substance – Fentanyl and one count of trafficking more than ten grams of Fentanyl. He was arraigned on July 20. The Commonwealth requested $50,000 bail. Judge Bernard set bail at $25,000 along with the requirement to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. A probable cause hearing is set for Aug. 18.

The driver Christina Justiniano, 31,who gave her address as Weymouth during booking — but was identified as from 126 Nicholson Drive, Brockton in the WEB relase —was charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the drug law. She was also arraigned on July 20 and is due back to court Sept. 7. She was given a bail warning.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen is seeking three Hanson residents to serve as at-large members of the Maquan School Transition Committee. Those interested in helping determine the future of the elementary school building, being closed as a school and returned to the town at the end of the 2017-18 school year should apply to the Selectmen’s office as soon as possible.

Town Administrator Michael McCue told the board on July 11 he has been in contact with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner as well as School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes to appoint a Hanson representative to the committee.

While the School Committee is not scheduled to meet in July, Hayes said he will reach out to Hanson members to determine who is willing to serve on the panel.

“They’ve also indicated that members of staff, as needed, will be made available to us as we go forward,” McCue said.

Selectmen Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, who has been selected to represent the Hanson Board of Selectmen on the Maquan Committee, also noted that a “litany” of other residents have also been mentioned as possibly being asked to serve the committee in an advisory capacity.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said she wants to see the committee in place and ready to go to work by late August or early September at the latest.

“I don’t want to get dramatic about this, but it is a rather large-scale project and it’s a lot to look at in a fairly condensed timeline,” she said. “The number of people impacted [is large and there is] the anxiety level around it for a lot of people with little people that want to know what’s going on — the schools will obviously handle a lot of communication with folks around the physical transition of their little guys. But I would like to get our conversations going just about as soon as we hear from the school Committee on who they’ve got.”

McCue said he shared that concern and noted that the only difficulty would be in attracting the at-large members from town.

McCue is also aiming to convene a workshop meeting of some of the members of the Memorial Field Trustees, the Thomas Mill Committee, the Parks and Fields Committee and the Recreation Commission regarding committee consolidation as soon as he can arrange a date that works for all parties, preferably in early August.

“What we’re trying to do is look at efficient use of limited resources and take a fresh look at whether [some of] these committees are needed or whether they’re a little redundant and maybe another committee can pick up a few tasks without being unduly burdened,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

Selectmen also devoted more discussion to their goals for the year as Selectman James Hickey noted his wish to stress conclusion of the situation at the former Plymouth County Hospital site, perhaps citing a solar panel installation either there or at the transfer station as well as finding a location for a cell tower in town.

“Cell phone reception in Hanson is the worst,” he said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett and McGahan have already submitted lists to McCue.

“I want to make sure each member of the Board of Selectmen knows that I certainly want to welcome any items — any other input,” McCue said. “My hope is that, at the next meeting, I would have a formalized list I could present to the selectmen and we could all come to an agreement that this is what the board as a whole wishes to move forward on.”

McCue also noted that the state has given little guidance on the subject of marijuana bylaws, adding “we need to get in line so that we have some sort of bylaws on the books in October [when the special Town Meeting is the town’s next bite at the apple] in terms of regulating retail marijuana.”

He has already begun discussing the issue with the town planner and health agent, but noted Selectmen should also be involved and added that the current recommendation include with the present overlay district for medical marijuana — in a section of the industrial park toward East Bridgewater — a location for any retail establishment.

He cautioned, however, against bylaw that would contradict the state “once they get their act together.”

HANSON — The Recreation Commission heard updates on more than two dozen issues and upcoming projects from Director Marybeth MacKay two weeks after she narrowly avoided being dismissed from her job over alleged performance concerns. The commission also heard a presentation from an ADT Security Services representative on improving alarm and camera coverage at Camp Kiwanee.

A 3-3 vote on June 26  — one member was unable to attend — taken during an open session, provided MacKay with the opportunity to meet in the days since with Town Administrator Michael McCue and commission members from both sides of the vote to discuss concerns aired at that meeting.

“I plan to continue to assist the Recreation Commission and staff in every appropriate way to ensure the continued and future success of Camp Kiwanee,” McCue said in a statement Tuesday morning.

MacKay had reportedly requested the open session in order to defend herself publicly against any statements that might be made about her. A second vote to re-evaluate MacKay’s performance in September also failed by the same tie vote, according to a Facebook post about the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting have not yet been posted on the town website. There was no mention of that meeting’s business at the July 10 session in which MacKay was asked for progress reports on — among other items — caretaker job descriptions, computer software updates, employee packet and key dispersal updates as well as reports on the status of the Gatehouse and alarm procedures. She also presented information on upcoming wildlife programs for children that were approved by the commission.

ADT Territory Manager Suzy McPherson, whose job includes sales of systems to small businesses, gave a presentation on the alarm system upgrades the commission is seeking.

“I met with Marybeth and we had an extensive conversation,” McPherson said. “I understand you have an alarm and camera system here and that you want to have the ability to change the code.”

The commission is concerned with controlling access to Needles Lodge as well as exterior building security, an issue with both the key dispersal and alarm system protocols.

“I kind of think it’s a user issue and something easy, that you don’t need to spend money on,” McPherson said, noting that statement might seem counter to her job as a sales representative.

She said the problem is that anytime the alarm access code needs to be changed —as most businesses do anytime an employee leaves, voluntarily or by dismissal — the alarm company or Police Chief Michael Miksch must be contacted because they are the only ones with the master code.

The master code allows home or business owners to delete and add user codes, McPherson said, adding that even ADT doesn’t want to know the master code because of the liability. Instead, they walk clients through the process of accessing it or send a technician out if a home or business owner forgets it.

“I don’t understand how, because I deal with some municipalities, why don’t you want to know who’s coming and going,” she said of what is known as a pulse system. “If [an employee] wants to hang out with his buddies, if he comes in at 9 p.m. and puts in his code, there can be a record established.”

She said the universal use of one code presents a big liability for the town, but did not “want to throw a price at you if you don’t need it.”

Former Selectman Bill Scott, who attended the meeting, said he is also concerned about the police chief being the one in possession of the master code.

“Personally, I don’t want anyone’s code and I don’t know why our police chief has it,” said Scott, who is also a retired police chief. “He should not have it. Their job is to be objective and respond to any criminal violations.”

While stressing he was not criticizing Miksch in particular, Scott maintained that, “He should have no right to change any alarm in this building. Why that was done in the past, I don’t know.”

Miksch said Tuesday night he does not have, nor would he want, the master code to the alarm system. He said he has the codes for surveillance cameras, but doesn’t want that information, either.

If the commission decided to switch to ADT, McPherson said they would switch out the keypad, the cell communicator in case phone lines go down and the panel.

The process for issuing keys at Camp Kiwanee is also being changed, but there are more bugs to be worked out.

Keys have been issued with engraved IDs in sets numbered 1 to 10 for each of the staff members and letters on the reverse to identify what they are used for at the Camp, MacKay said.

“I’ve got a list of what key everybody has,” she said. “So, if people find a set of keys sitting out in the campground, I can say, ‘Number 7 are Bill’s keys and are there any missing? He signed out for seven keys and here they all are.’”

Chairman Annmarie Bouzan asked how copies are controlled. The new job description covers that issue under the heading “unauthorized use,” which are grounds for dismissal.

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.