Rescue team frees man from trench
HALIFAX — Members of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue team rescued a 51-year-old man from a trench after the land gave way around him Tuesday morning.
Paul Brown of Plymouth was approximately eight feet down in a yard on South Street in Halifax on Tuesday morning when the earth around him collapsed.
“He was conscious the whole time, “said Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.
It took rescuers two hours to free Brown.
“We were in constant communication with him and he was receiving advanced life support treatment as the team was working to free him,” Viveiros said.
Chief Viveiros along with Lt. Rob O’Brien of Hanson fire spoke to media following the intensive rescue effort. A long backboard with several pulley systems was secured to heavy ropes as the group slowly and methodically pulled Brown up.
“They used small army-type shovels to move the dirt as any heavy machinery could jeopardize the victim; dumping more dirt on him,” said O’Brien who is part of the Plymouth County Technical Rescue team.
After securing the trench for members to enter, buckets were moved by rotating firefighters who were taking turns in the hole lifting dirt out. Fire chiefs as well as their fire department members who are specially trained in technical rescues represented many towns on the South Shore.
A portable heating unit was placed with flexible tubes in the ground while the man was trapped as he began to show signs of hypothermia.
It appeared Brown suffered from possible lower extremity injuries, said Viveiros.
Brown who works for Evergreen Landscaping was in the trench working when the area collapsed around him. Another person who was not injured had operated an excavator.
They continuously talked with him letting him know that there were specialists to help get him out, the ‘best of the best’ who constantly train for these rescues, said Viveiros in an effort to keep the victim calm.
The homeowner said Brown was speaking to her and expressed that he didn’t think he could get out when she called 911 after 9 a.m. Tuesday. She said she could see him moving the dirt with his hands but he could not free himself.
The repair was involving a septic system unit and was on private property, said Viveiros.
“I just can’t say enough for the support and what they did here – the technical team and the individuals who were here today,” Viveiros said.
The incident’s positive outcome and rescue was very fortunate, he said.
Brown was flown via Med Flight to a Boston Hospital.
OSHA and several state inspectors were on scene throughout the day as part of the investigation, according to Viveiros.
Hanson Selectmen choose TA finalists
HANSON — Now there are two.
After interviews with the four final candidates — Greg Enos of Brockton, Michael McCue of Mansfield, Chawner Hurd of Lakeville and Sarah Smith of East Bridgewater — recommended by the Town Administrator Search Committee, Selectmen narrowed the field to McCue and Smith Tuesday, March 22.
It came down to experience, enthusiasm, longevity considerations, personality and opposition to using overrides to balance school operating budgets. Enos, Whitman’s assistant town administrator, also received high marks for his experience, particularly in grant writing and familiarity with the regional schools.
“I thought they were all good,” said Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young. “They all had various strengths.”
All four candidates had expressed an aversion to micro-managing and concern for the ethical use of social media, key areas of concern for selectmen.
“I think they’re all great candidates,” said Selectman James McGahan. “I thank the board for getting us some really highly qualified people. I think we’ve got some great talent.”
“I think we can take all four of them and flip a coin, they’re so close,” Selectman Don Howard said. “I’m having a difficult time because I’ve been through this twice before.”
While there was wide agreement on McCue, with Howard voting for Hurd (a businessman and former selectman), another 4-1 consensus vote selected Smith, with Selectman Bill Scott favoring Enos, following some discussion.
“I’m an experience guy,” Scott said. “We have two candidates [McCue and Enos] that bring experience to the job. … I don’t think we can afford the time to train another town administrator, with all due respect to the candidates — they were all impressive — but my feeling is it should go to someone … that can hit the ground running.”
McGahan agreed Smith is not familiar with regional schools, but noted she is friends with W-H Director of Business Services Christine Suckow, and can gain information from that relationship.
“But she made it a point in her letter that she understands there has to be a balance between the two (town and school budgets),” he said. Smith is currently business manager for West Bridgewater schools and has worked in private business as a financial officer.
Selectman Kenny Mitchell said he liked all four, but that Hurd’s résumé bordered on inscrutable.
“I’m not quite sure what he does now,” Mitchell said. He and McGahan agreed Smith’s enthusiasm for the position outweighed her lack of experience.
“I think she’s hungry for the job,” McGahan said.
The board will meet Tuesday, March 29 to make its final selection following reference checks.
Vote factors
McCue was favored for his experience and Hanson ties. He is currently town administrator in Rochester, a post he has also held in Avon, and has served as an administrative assistant to selectmen in Mendon, as an Economic Development grants officer in Walpole and was a selectman in Mansfield for six years. McCue had been a finalist for Hanson’s former executive secretary position about 12 years ago when Michael Finglas was hired, and his parents have lived in town for about 20 years.
Each candidate was allotted 45 minutes, with all but McCue taking less time to exhaust selectmen’s prepared questions and follow-ups. All four interviews were recorded for later broadcast by Whitman-Hanson Community Access Television.
Questions ranged from familiarity with the Town Administrator Act and the role of the office to management style, relations with selectmen and the regional school district and use of social media.
“I see myself as generally providing oversight to all departments, making sure all departments work cohesively, without being invasive,” McCue said of the role of town administrator. “My chief role would be shepherd of the budget.”
“Facilitating your visions and goals for the town” is job one, Smith said. “The residents elected you. I just want to make sure that we fulfill what you want to do legally, ethically and make the town better that way.”
She added that she advocates an open-door policy, listens to all sides and doesn’t take things personally.
“The town administrator doesn’t run the town, you people do,” she said.
Both McCue and Smith were conversant that Hanson’s current budget is $22 million. Neither favors overrides as a method of balancing the school district’s operational budget.
“I am aware your growth has been down this year and that you do have some debt exclusions out there,” Smith said. “Overrides for balancing budgets, I’m just not a fan of.”
While appropriate in some circumstances, she said a “major discussion” must happen before it comes to that.
“I believe that is the last resort,” McCue said. The law allows us to do it. I think that, in extreme circumstances, it can be warranted. I can safely say that I have not been party to an operational override. … It is the option of last resort, I believe.”
McCue also said his role would also be to investigate and foster economic expansion for the town, while serving as spokesman and go-between for the Board of Selectmen. The commuter rail station area is one he sees as a prime area for that type of expansion.
“Having served on a board of selectmen for six years, I do think I bring to the position an understanding of what you all deal with and need to work through on a daily basis,” McCue said.
Like all four candidates, McCue said communication was key to avoiding or resolving conflicts between subordinates, peers and board members.
“I don’t stand over people’s shoulders,” McCue said. “I expect people, who get paid very well and who are professionals, to do their job. That being said, there are occasions where I need to get involved and I try to keep those lines of communication open on a regular basis so I can nip problems in the bud.”
Smith agreed.
“I’m definitely a team player,” she said. “I’m not a micro-manager. I understand that sometimes you need to be firm, but you can always do that in a respectful way.”
One question outlined a hypothetical situation in which selectmen approach a town administrator for help setting up a social media page in support of a multi-million dollar project, requiring a debt exclusion, on which only favorable posts are permitted. All candidates said they could not ethically do that, nor would they use social media to advocate for extension of their contract.
“I cannot ethically do that,” Smith said of the project scenario. “I feel that social media, for a town, is to get information out to the people. … I’m not one to air my political views or anything like that.”
“There are constraints in terms of what one can do in terms of political function,” McCue said. “I would do my best to get the information out there, to deal with any questions that people might have … I’d hold public meetings — and they wouldn’t necessarily be here in Town Hall.
“One needs to be a little careful with social media because you can lose that person-to-person contact that I think a lot of people still want,” McCue said.
Panthers end season on Garden Parquet!
BOSTON — It’s said all good things have to come to an end, and for the Whitman-Hanson boys’ basketball team, that was their season. The Panthers (22-3) lost a tough fought battle in the Division 2 State semifinals, held at the TD Bank Garden Tuesday, to New Mission 62-50.
“I give my kids so much credit for how hard they played,” head coach Bob Rodgers said. “They were very aware of New Mission’s athleticism and I think that prevented us from sharing the ball as well as we usually do.”
In what was a back-and-forth game all night, a three-point basket by senior guard Alonzo Cooper, which put his team up by three with under 2:30 left in regulation, would be the nail in the coffin for the Panthers’ season.
The Panthers notched the first two points in this one, not even 30 seconds in, but New Mission was relentless on the offensive glass, like they were all night, and came back to tie it at six. A putback by six-foot-one junior forward, Kevin Nunez (11 points), with under 50 seconds remaining in the quarter pushed the Titans ahead 14-13 at the end of the first.
The Panthers weren’t about to roll over just yet and captured their first lead in over three minutes at the 5:10 mark of the second quarter, after senior captain Nick Smith (14 points, two rebounds) knocked down two free-throws. Smiths’ makes would ignite a three-point barrage by senior guard Brenndan Rogers, who would hit a three to tie the game at 21. Tied at 24, Rogers would go on a 6-0 run of his own to give the Panthers their biggest lead of the night so far, 30-24. Though, a three-pointer by junior guard Alexander Delarosa put the Titans right back in this one heading into the half as they trailed, 30-27.
After hitting four three-pointers and scoring 16 points in the first half, the Titans were able to hold Rogers in check after the halftime break.
“We went cold, we couldn’t get anything off,” Rodgers said. “They started to face guard Brenndan. [He] was playing so well for us, and we still got some good looks for him, but I think that kind of changed the momentum a bit.”
Five points by senior captain Joshua Rice (13 points, three rebounds), contributed to a 10-3 Panthers run to start the third quarter as they led by their largest lead of the game at 40-31. But like the second, the Titans answered with a run of their own and a Delarosa bucket with under 20 seconds remaining cut his team’s deficit to two heading into the final eight minutes.
“We got the stops tonight, we just didn’t score the ball as well as we usually do,” Rodgers said in regard to the Titans’ third quarter run.
Tied at 45 with under 3:50 remaining, a two-point basket by junior guard Nikko Raftes would push the Titans ahead. Rice, who scored all eight of the Panthers’ fourth quarter points, notched it back up at the 2:46 mark. Following Cooper’s make, Delarosa would score four points in the final two minutes as his team held on.
The Titans hauled down 17 rebounds in their win.
“You’re not going to win many games when that happens,” Rodgers said.
Eight of the Panthers’ players, including their entire starting five, played their last game on the court for the Whitman-Hanson this season. Rdogers said that is a stat that hurts more than the loss.
“Those seniors are very special,” Rodgers said. “They’re very special to each other, they’re special to me, they’ve been special to this program. That to me, is honestly, the hardest part of the night. You knew there was going to become a time which you wouldn’t be able to coach them anymore. They’ve had an impact on this program that is bigger than I think any of them realize.”
Rodgers said he couldn’t even put into words as to what they’ve meant to this program as a whole.
“They’re character kids who do things the right way,” Rodgers explained. “They set a standard for how hard you have to work, the good decisions you have to make away from basketball and being unselfish. I told them, there are a lot of little kids from Whitman and Hanson that they’ve coached in the camps that we have, that will be back here in Boston because of them.”
Police Seeking would be Abductor
WHITMAN — After a failed child abduction attempt on Lazel Street Friday, Whitman Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying the male who reportedly grabbed a 9-year-old girl in her front yard.
The girl’s grandmother, who talked to the Express on Sunday, was still visibly upset as she recalled the previous day’s events. Whitman police and the Express are not identifying the family name because of safety concerns.
Just after 4:15 p.m. Friday, when her two granddaughters and their friend — all elementary age — were playing outside in the driveway of the family’s Lazel Street home a man came and put his gloved hands over one girl’s mouth.
“She came in the house and said, ‘Nanny there was a man in the driveway, he was whispering something to me and he put his hand on my mouth and he unzipped my jacket,’” the woman said. “She said the man ran away when the other girls came towards the yard.”
The child didn’t hear what the white male whispered but she told police he jumped over a fence and ran when the other girls approached —perhaps startling him, according to police who released the following information:
The suspect is a white male, 5’10”, in his late 20s to early 30s, thin build, clean shaven, with acne on his face. He was wearing black stocking hat, brown jacket, blue jeans, black shoes, and black fingerless gloves.
“My granddaughter is very articulate and she described him in detail to police,” the woman said. “She was comfortable talking with the officer (School Resource Officer Kevin Harrington) who assured her that the school and her teachers would be aware of what happened.
“She had the presence of mind not to panic,” the grandmother continued. “She told the neighbor, her grandfather and the police were here in minutes. She was calm Friday night and was still OK. We thought maybe she would have a tough night sleeping. We clarified with her that this was in fact an event and she was very clear in recalling what happened.”
Whitman police sent out several community alerts regarding the description of the suspect immediately following the occurrence. Whitman Police Department received several reports of persons matching the description of the suspect. Each report was followed up and although the descriptions were close, the suspect was not identified, said police in a press release.
“After an extensive search by the K-9 teams, the suspect was not located. Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the Whitman Police Department at 781-447-1212. Detective Pete Aitken is the lead investigator for this incident.
Deputy Chief Timothy Hanlon said the department is also analyzing surveillance video from area businesses.
Lennie Baker serenaded at funeral
WHITMAN — In a final standing ovation for his lifetime of generating music and melody, musician Leonard J. “Lennie” Baker, 69, of Whitman was laid to rest Tuesday at the Colebrook Cemetery surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and classmates.
His bandmate and longtime friend Paul Pennini, also a graduate of W-H and part of the group Paul Wayne and the Wantells, performed “Rock ’n’ Roll is Here to Stay” in front of Baker’s casket — asking those in attendance to rise one last time for Baker. Pennini said the song was his connection to his fellow musician and would forever remain that memory. So he jammed on his guitar with not a dry eye in the room.
As a graduate of Whitman Hanson class of 1963 Baker was a well-known member of the 1950s-style doo-wop group Sha Na Na and appeared on a TV variety show from 1977- 1981. The group made their biggest appearance in the classic movie “Grease” in 1978. Baker sang lead on “Blue Moon,” a song he continued to perform for more than 30 years — even selling out Carnegie Hall. The movie soundtrack album went multi-platinum. He never disregarded smaller venues and hit all the local Boston night clubs, colleges and universities around the country. Fame didn’t change him. “Lennie never left his roots,” said sister- in- law Marcia Baker. “He was a grounded man and he did what he could for his family and the town of Whitman.”
He was always generous and committed to his family. Although he had failing health, he received a kidney transplant from his nephew David Baker, surviving 15 more years. He recently celebrated the anniversary in his life, said the Rev. Sue Webster of Winthrop Church of Holbrook who performed his services. He celebrated the millennium and officially retired Jan. 1, 2000 after playing at the International Dateline in Fiji. He was one of four brothers and his natural gift of music emerged in elementary school when he learned to play the clarinet then the saxophone. He was asked to perform with the W-H high school band while he was still in middle school. He performed early on in his career at local clubs with the musical group the Pilgrims and later The Spellbinders. He joined Sha Na Na in 1970 performing with them for the next 30 years. He sang, played sax and enjoyed life spending time on the water with his two boats, and living in Martha’s Vineyard for several years. However the musician was only one side of Baker’s personality. His family and friends described him as a generous, kind-hearted soul.
Baker’s picture hangs in the W-H Hall of Fame. His first and last public performances were in the presence of his community. He appeared on stage in the musical “Grease” in February 2014 with the cast at W-H under the direction of Laurie Healey, theater director and owner of Dance Dimensions in Whitman. His career came full circle when he appeared in one show with the full cast even though he was in a wheelchair at the time. “I asked him to attend the show and meet the kids…he was so personable,” she said. “He offered to perform ‘Blue Moon’ in the show.” He spoke with the cast, answering questions, and was a classy, wonderful spirit, she said. “He finished where he started off,” said Healey who emphasized how thrilling it was to have him perform and attend their show. Baker had been in failing health recently and died peacefully on Feb 24, at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.
McAleer shines for Shriners
W-H junior named to All-Star Classic game
By Nathan Rollins
Express correspondent
McAleer shines for Shriners: Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey is sending a player to skate in this year’s Shriners All-Star Classic. Forward Melanie McAleer has been selected to compete in the event.
The Shriners All-Star Classic is a showcase of the best and most talented hockey players across Massachusetts. The game is played to help raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, specifically for the Aleppo Transportation Fund. Every year, the event raises thousands of dollars for the hospitals. The event illustrates the devotion Shriners Hospitals for Children has for their patients.
WHSL co-captain Mel McAleer, a junior forward, has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Shriners All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 26.
Photo by Sue Moss
McAleer said being one of a handful of girls chosen to take part in the action is a tremendous gesture.
“To play in the Shriners All-Star Classic Game is truly an honor,” the junior said. “I always knew that the players that were picked to participate are highly respected on and off the ice and it is truly a privilege to be one of them this year.”
The game, which is scheduled for Friday, March 26 at the in Loring Arena in Framingham, held an orientation on Feb. 6 at the Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School. It was there, that the players took team and individual pictures had the chance to meet with their coaches. McAleer said it was an incredible feeling to be among some of the best hockey players around but that’s not the real reason the game is held.
“What inspired me most during the orientation, was the video presentation that was shown of the patients that Shriners has helped,” McAleer said. “Listening to their stories made me understand why they bring us all together. It is awesome to be considered one of the best hockey players in the state, but it feels much better to be looked to with the responsibility of raising money for such a great organization.”
The 17-year-old McAleer said the sport of hockey drew her in at a young age and she has pursued it ever since.
“My family has always been into hockey, but my love for the game was natural,” McAleer said. “I always loved skating and when I was 7-year-old, my mom finally agreed to let me start playing. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped loving it.”
Whitman-Hanson / Silver Lake girl’s hockey coach, Kevin Marani, said McAleer has an incredible amount of talent on the ice.
“[She’s] an amazing strong skater with great stickhandling and a hard shot,” Marani, who coached McAleer for one year in youth hockey, said. “What separates Mel from most of the players is her unselfishness, commitment and leadership. Those three characteristics are paramount to our team’s success.
McAleer has notched 26 goals and complied 13 assists so far this season.
Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery
Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery: Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.
Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.
Neumeyer was taken into custody without incident at about 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at his residence located on Avalon Dr. Weymouth by Hanson Police with the assistance of Weymouth Police Department. Hanson Police had obtained information from witnesses that lead to the apprehension of Neumeyer.
After his arrest, Neumeyer was transported back to the Hanson Police Department and booked on the charges of armed robbery and larceny over $250.
Search Warrants were obtained for his residence and vehicle. Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee.
The incident continues to be and ongoing investigation, according toa statement issued by Hanson Police.
Neumeyer is being held at the Plymouth County House of Correction on $50,000 cash bail pending his arraignment on Monday Feb. 1.
Weymouth Police, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI assisted in this investigation.
Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee.
Hanson bank robbery investigated
Hanson bank robbery investigated: A midday bank robbery at the Mutual Bank 430 Liberty St. Thursday, Jan. 28 closed the branch for the rest of the day as authorities investigated the incident.
In a prepared press release Hanson police described the male suspect as approximately 6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He handed the teller a note stating he had a weapon and demanded cash in large bills. No weapon was shown. He was approximately 30 years old with dark hair.
The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves.
The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves. The suspect fled in a small dark colored SUV believed to be a Jeep Liberty or Jeep Compass. The vehicle fled west on Route 14 toward Whitman.
Hanson Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI Unit, and the FBI are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hanson Police at 781-293-4625.
A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
As of Friday afternoon there had been no arrests made, according to Hanson Chief Michael Miksch.
Afternoon bank robbery at Mutual Bank in Hanson
At approximately 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, the Mutual Bank branch on Liberty Street in Hanson was robbed. The scene is still active and under investigation by the Hanson police. The Express will provide more details as they become available.
Scene of the robbery midday Thursday on Liberty Street in Hanson. The Mutual Bank branch will be closed for the rest of the business day.
Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos