School Committee Chair Beth Stafford took the opportunity at the Wednesday, Feb. 28 meeting to make clear that the Committee has not had anything to do with an override question.
“I want people to know – the public to know – that the School Committee has not had anything to do with that request, nor have we approved that, because we haven’t even given our assessments yet,” she said. “The figures that [Superintendent of Schools Jeff Szymaniak] had given before were based on just broad numbers that they had.”
She said anyone familiar with the budget process knows the School Committee goes through a lot of steps, looking at data pertaining to enrollment, class size and more – and that work is not yet complete.
“We haven’t done our assessment, so it’s very difficult for us when we look at the comments that people are making,” Stafford said. “We’re not done and I want the public to know that.”
She added that a lot of the Committee members are “kind of leery about a ‘school’ override” because it would not be a long-term solution to the budget problems they face.
After the first year, funds gained from an override go into the general fund, with no guarantee of being earmarked for school budgets.
“So, I want to just caution everybody that we have had no conversation with either town about an override,” she said. “It has not happened yet and we’re still looking – there’s a lot of factors that impact the assessment, but not services to the students of the district. We do not want to impact the services the students already have and the services we were able to get though ESSER that have shown the positive impact it has had on the students and the W-H Regional School District.”
Stafford also noted references on Facebook of a sarcastic nature about the Committee wanting what is best for students.
“Well, all 10 members of this committee and the administration try every day to do what is best for the students, and I can speak for everybody on this committee,” she said. “We don’t do things willy-nilly. Everything is [done] with great thought and, hopefully, with cooperation and coordination with the two towns.”
Stafford also stressed that, if the committee had to have more conversations with the towns, they will.
Szymaniak said he was invited to a Whitman department head meeting before the February break.
“It was a very good meeting,” he said.
At that meeting, Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter shared figures surrounding a 5-percent assessment increase from the school district and it, “seems that Whitman still has some issues around their budget,” he said.
“Being transparent, I will ask Mary Beth if I can share that budget with you folks,” he said. “It was just given to the department heads, so I don’t want to overstep. I also received a budget from Hanson.”
Town Administrator Lisa Green did include the 5-percent overall increase of the budget, and he said he will ask her the same [question] to see what both budgets look like as the School Committee moves forward for its next meeting.
“To be level-service we need a 5-percent increase of our overall budget,” he said. “Then I gave you a 4-percent increase, a 3-percent increase and a 2-percent increase. That 2 percent takes into account pretty much what both towns had earmarked for us without substantial change to their own budgets. I will sit here as superintendent and say I don’t know who can survive with a 2-percent increase of their budget.”
He said such a budget would have “significant impact” on staffing and service delivery to students.
Szymaniak said a 5-percent increase is needed for level service, but he does have some potential flexibility if the committee opts against replacing people who retire. But that would affect classes at the high school where most of the retirements – five – are planned, at a savings of about $300,000 and excess and deficiency has not been discussed yet, either. Szymaniak also said he has not yet committed extra circuit breaker money.
“We went through this budget already and curtailed everything, or trimmed everything as far as non-people,” he said. “There’s no more flexibility there. … We haven’t issued an assessment yet but the assessment I’ve provided for really right now is a 2-percent increase of the overall budget.”
At that level the personnel cuts would be significant. Class size increases are also being considered.
The state is not adding funding, he said and the funds from the communities are not enough to meet the needs of the schools.
State aid
State Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, R-Abington, and state Sen. Mike Brady D-Brockton, provided a legislative update to the committee during the meeting.
Szymaniak had written to Brady on behalf of the committee following its last meeting about the unfunded and under-funded mandates school districts must live by.
“Being the regional school district that we are, we rely on the state pretty heavily and when that under-funded mandate comes in more under-funded that we anticipate, it directly affects service,” he said. “I would just ask on behalf of myself and the committee, that we fully fund those mandates, and that changes the whole dynamic of how I plan a budget and what happens to the taxpayers in both towns.”
His areas of concern include transportation, circuit-breaker and special education as he asked that the under-funded sections of the budget be as level, as they have been in the past. Last year, the district over-estimated transportation reimbursement, and when it came in lower than expected it led to the removal of some staff prior to the beginning of the school year.
Small thanked Sen. Brady for attending the meeting, expressing his appreciation for seeing Brady and knowing his concerns.
“I know the hard position that you folks are in where the state made certain projections and anticipation of revenue,” he said, stressing that he was speaking for himself. “Those aren’t being hit. As a matter of fact, they’ve adjusted them and the adjustments aren’t being hit.”
He said at the same tine, the district is charged with educating children.
“Our towns have a finite amount of money that you can raise with Proposition 2 ½, so their hands are somewhat tied,” Small said. “It’s my opinion … that one department should not be taking away from another.”
Small said that, while Select Boards are still expected to bring a balanced budget before Town Meeting, but noted the assessment is up to 5 percent in their budget.
“It’s very difficult,” he said. “I would ask you to fight for every penny you can get for us. It would just go so far. I know you’ll do your best, and that’s all any of us can expect at this time.”
Brady said he and Sullivan-Almeida have a great working relationship, noting the school district communities also lost another representative, Josh Cutler, who has joined the Healey-Driscoll administration, leaving that seat open until the end of the year.
“Anything we can do, we’re both going to advocate for [it],” Brady said. “I know sometimes these regional schools do get short-changed, especially with regional transportation.”
He said they would be happy to support amendments to the state budget, but cautioned that the legislature has to fully fund what’s recommended in the Chapter 70 money and the student opportunity Fair Share Amendment.
“The unfortunate thing on the state level is the last four months, revenue has been down.” he said. “You’re not going to get anything less, because that’s committed at the state level.”
Sullivan-Almeida said Rep. David DeCoste, R-Norwell, who represents a portion of Hanson had a personal appointment and was not able to attend the meeting.
She said that special education, which is always a “big-budget item” on the W-H budget that they are required by law to address, and stressed all the district’s legislators support fully funding budget mandates from the state.
“Unfunded or under-funded mandates [are] not fair to the towns and we fully understand that,” she said, noting that their position on legislation depends on where the funding is coming from, but added they are always keeping a close eye on that.
“I’m almost hard-pressed to guarantee you a certain amount of money that you’re going to get right now, because it is scary,” she said. “Revenue has been down from the projected numbers. They’ve even had to go back in and re-project those numbers, and it’s even down from there.”
She said the scary part is, those revenue numbers could go down again from what is being projected now.
“I don’t want to give you false hope in any way, shape or form,” she said, noting if she had to choose between funding a small project in a town and ensuring the mandates are funded, Sullivan-Almeida said she would rather see that the mandates are funded to ensure students are not left behind.
Scriven asked for some examples of how education is funded.
Sullivan-Almeida, who sits on House Ways & Means, said that committee is currently on a listening tour of the state. Brady serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
“We definitely have a different perspective on how the budget process goes,” Sullivan-Almeida said, noting the chairs of each committee follows a lengthy process, including hearing from each state department and executive office what their “asks” are. “In amongst the listening tour, we always advocate for local aid, we advocate for the increasable bleed with Chapter 70, Chapter 90 – funding that really impacts our local communities.”
That includes funding for regional transportation and special education, she said.
She said they also encourage boards, committees, residents and even students to reach out to advocate for their education needs.
“We’re going to advocate on your behalf,” Brady added, “But the more, the merrier – the old cliché, there is strength in numbers.”
“And the squeaky wheel always gets the oil,” Sullivan-Almeida said, adding that both she and Brady make an effort to share information on grant availability with the district.
Where ESSER funds are concerned Sullivan-Almeida said they have a solid working relationship with the federal legislative delegation, but Brady said inaction in Congress is delaying any work in that area right now.
“I think ESSER funds were great,” Small said. “But the job’s not done and I think that’s the scary part. Our budget’s in trouble, and part of it is we did what was needed, being fully cognizent of the end date, but now with it’s ending how do you deal with it?”

Hanson Public Library made Valentine’s week twice as lovely with a Family Valentine Craft Day, during which parents and their children made Valentines, left, while patrons were encouraged to offer notes about what they love about the library all month. See more photos, page 6. Courtesy, Hanson Library

HANSON – A fatal construction accident at a Hanson home is under investigation after a portion of a foundation fell on him, according to the office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.
According to family members present on scene, the victim is Gercier Faria, 51, who moved to Massachusetts from Brazil just seven months ago. He has two grown children. The situation remains under active investigation.
Police Chief Michael Miksch reported Wednesday, Feb.7 that the Hanson Police Department had responded to the scene that morning.
DA Cruz reported to media outlets later in the day that a “suspected fatality” had occurred as the homeowner was having their basement waterproofed. The homeowner was at home at the time of the accident.
Kingston fire officials had posted on that department’s Facebook page that one person was believed to be dead. That post was not visible on the site at 5 p.m.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., Hanson Police and Fire responded to 50 Dwight St., for a report of a construction incident involving a partial foundation collapse, Miksch stated. The Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team also responded.
OSHA was also on scene and investigating.
The workers were digging when the foundation broke away from the home, trapping a male worker underneath, WBZ TV reported at 3 p.m.. Crews stabilized the house and are using air bags to lift the foundation so that the man’s body could be recovered.
Part of the trench appeared to be filled with water, and first responders seemed to be focused on a part of it where a large piece of the concrete had fallen in, according to the WBZ report.
Police remained on the scene through the afternoon and people were asked to avoid the area.

By Linda Ibbitson Hurd
Special to the Express
 At the top of Elm Street in Hanson during the ’60s there was an ice cream place called Brine’s Dairy Queen where what’s now known as Mo’s Place is located.
Martha Brine, who started and owned the ice cream place, grew up with my father and became one of my mother’s best friends. Behind Martha’s house and to one side were hills where the Brine kids and many of us from Elm Street went sledding. In back of the house which looked down on Elm Street, a spacious field, a farm and homes below, proved to be the perfect place where the older boys made a ramp on one side of the hill where our sleds literally sailed through the air as we rode them over the ramp and landed safely on the snow-covered field, gliding to a stop.
On the right side facing the front of the house was another hill, less steep that was in the direction of where Ace Hardware is now. As long as we followed Martha’s rules, we were welcome. Those who did not were sent home. 
I can still hear the shouts of happy voices, laughter, squeals delight and sometimes groans or disappointments when someone had to chase their runaway sled or if there was a tumble or a fall. Some of us had coasters that Bob Ibbitson, a cousin of ours who worked for Coca-Cola had, that were actually big metal signs perfect for coasting and so much fun to ride in. A cousin of the Brines’ who was older, got in a wooden milk box one day as we all gathered around to watch. Some of the girls told him not to do it, most of the boys cheered him on. He went down the smaller hill, the box picking up speed and it flipped, giving him a good knock in the head and tossing him out into the snow. Martha came running out, sent us all home and took him in the house. Luckily he was fine. The box was never seen again. 
Martha had started a tradition of setting aside a special day each year for all the parents to come sledding with their kids. One year it happened to fall on Valentine’s Day. It was a beautiful, sunny Winter’s Day and my parents seemed exceptionally happy. The four of us kids got up early to make Valentine cards for mom and dad and they in turn gave us ours and some to each other. Mom was very busy that morning and my sister Penny and I were helping her in the kitchen. When it was time to go to Martha’s, dad loaded the sleds in his truck, and we followed in the car. 
There was a good turnout of parents and kids. One family brought a toboggan, and the sleds and coasters were plentiful. The mood there that day was magical. Everyone was happy and so carefree. Martha was closed to the public that day and joined in the fun. The family with the toboggan offered everyone a turn in it and the coasters were full of both adults and kids and even one of the dogs.  
As sunset approached and a full moon shone, I noticed no one was leaving. Martha turned the lights on in the Dairy Queen and the outside spot lights as well announcing the rest rooms were open for anyone who needed to use them. A group of parents were ushering Martha into the building and more parents were going to their vehicles and bringing things inside. Soon we were all inside. Martha seemed a little flustered. The counter inside and the tables were filled with all kinds of food and there was a very large gift on the counter. 
One of the mom’s walked over to Martha and began telling Martha how much all of them appreciated her letting their kids come there every Winter to go sledding and making the annual family time there possible with their kids.
“We have turned the tables on you and we wanted to do something special for you this year,” she said. “We’ve brought food for supper and some good desserts. Happy Valentine’s Day to one of the most generous and loving gals we know. Before we all dig in, please open our gift!”
Martha was overcome as we all applauded and waited expectantly for her to open her gift, which was a money tree that she truly appreciated. 

WHITMAN – The ranks of the town’s public safety departments officially increased on Tuesday, Jan. 23 with the swearing-in ceremonies for new firefighter-paramedics Justin Everson and Joseph Lasko as well as new police officers Roger Kineavy and Alyssa Andrews as part of the Select Board’s meeting, in the Town Hall Auditorium.
Fire Chief Timothy Clancy thanked the board and Chair Dr. Carl Kowalski and Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter for the evening before introducing his new personnel who had been hired off the Civil Service list after completing the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and one-year probationary period with the department.
Everson started Aug. 8 2021. Having grown up in Pembroke, he is now a resident of Abington.
“Justin has proved himself to be a great addition to our department,” Clancy said. “One thing you can say about him – he’s committed to training. You always see him out there working on skills.”
He was Clancy’s first official hire as chief of the department.
Lasko started Nov. 14, 2022. He grew up in Marshfield and also now resides in Abington.
“I believe they’re neighbors,” Clancy said of his new crew members, and like Everson, Clancy described Lasko as an asset to the department.
“We see Joe out always training, reviewing equipment and looking to better himself,” Clancy said. “Most recently, he approached me about becoming a member of the regional technical rescue team.”
Lasko also holds an associate’s degree in fire science.
“Both these firefighters came to our department as an unknown, which is kind of different for our department we usually know the people we’re hiring,” Clancy said. “I can say they have proven themselves to be great additions to our department, the service of our town and a benefit to our community.”
After being administered their oath as firefighters by Town Clerk Dawn Varley, Justin Everson’s mother Elizabeth Dwyer pinned on his new badge and Joseph Lasko’s new badge was pinned on by his mom Karen Lasko.
Police Chief Timothy Hanlon said both had attended the 75th ROC Plymouth Academy.
Alyssa Andrews, a graduate of W-H, lives in Whitman. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University. Before attending the police academy, she worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Logan Airport.
Roger Keneavy lives in Whitman with his wife Bryn and their 6-month-old daughter. A graduate of Weymouth High School, he attended Quincy College and Petersburg College in Florida. He is a Marine Corps veteran, who served one tour of duty in Afghanistan and received the distinguished Purple Heart. He had worked for four years as a Plymouth County corrections officer before attending the police academy.
They both began their field training with the Whitman Police Department after graduating last week from the police academy.
After Varley administered their oaths, Andrews’ badge was pinned on by her grandfather, Wayne Andrews, and Keneavy had his badge pinned on by his wife.

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Clancy reports that the Whitman Fire Department responded to a partial collapse in a vacant building on South Avenue on Wednesday Jan. 10.
A 911 call reported a collapse at a one-story building at 356 South Ave. at 9:32 a.m., according to Clancy. Upon arrival, firefighters found that a portion of the front wall had fallen over. No injuries were reported. That portion of the building is vacant and unoccupied. It is attached to a two-story building, which was not damaged. 
Firefighters quickly secured the building. National Grid and the building inspector were notified. Crews cleared the scene at 10:13 a.m. Traffic was not affected. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. 

Hanson Scout Jack Rasa become an Eagle Scout, taking part in his Eagle Court of Honor along with seven other Scouts, Saturday, Jan. 6 in Hanover. To attain that rank, 14 merit badges are required, as well as a minimum of seven others, totaling 21, before the age of 18, and they must complete an Eagle project. Jack has 60 merit badges. Above, he lights candles represent the Spirit of Scouting during the ceremony. His parents Pam, left, and Rose Rasa, applaud after his Eagle rank becomes official. See more photos, page 6.
Photos by Carol Livingstone

HANSON – All the work is about to pay off for Hanson Scout Jack Rasa. On Saturday, Jan. 6, he will reach a goal he has dreamed of, planned for and worked toward since he was 10. He will officially become an Eagle Scout, taking part in his Eagle Court of Honor, along with seven other Scouts at 5 p.m. in Hanover Center School.
It’s an honor that only between 4 and 6 percent of Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Rasa is unique even among that number, in the 60 merit badges he has earned – earning him the higher distinction of Palms for that achievement.
There are 14 merit badges that are required – as well as a minimum of seven others, totaling 21 – for a Scout to obtain before 18, in addition to an Eagle project, to attain that rank. Jack has 60 merit badges. There are many levels of leadership roles and other requirements (camping nights, knife handling, fire safety, etc…to achieve during one’s Boy Scout years, too. Only .04 percent of Scouts achieve the rank.
Jack has also attended 16 different summer camps, averaging three per summer from Maine to New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island as well as New Mexico.
Still, he remains, the humble, reticent person who does it all because he simply loves Scouting.
“It went well,” he said. “It all got completed. … A lot of the people at the American Legion [Post 226] came to help me with getting the flagpole back up.”
The Legion became enthusiastic participants in the project, in which Scouts must prove their leadership skills by doing the planning and supervision on their projects.
“We didn’t expect it,” Pam Rasa said. “We just thought we were going to go in and help do the façade kind of stuff out front. It turned into a much bigger project.”
“I like the fact that Jack saw the needs at the American Legion in Hanson – the hall needed a lot of TLC so I like that he got involved.” said Troop 38 Scoutmaster Gary Martin, who had conducted an Eagle Court of Honor for seven Scouts on Saturday, Dec. 30. “The great thing with his project, is that once he started getting involved and reaching out for help, people did start to offer lots of assistance for him, including the troop.”
Noting that leadership skills, including supervision of the project is a key part of how an Eagle Scout project is evaluated, Martin said the troop came together to help do the work of replacing a ramp at the storage shed and repainting the flagpole.
“They have to show a benefit and they have to lead the project start-to-finish – planning, scoping and then following up, making sure that the benefactor is happy with the work,” Martin said.
The Hanson Fire Department became involved as volunteers one weekend as they provided the help needed to remove the flagpole for repainting.
“That’s what’s great about Eagle projects,” said Martin Troop 38 of Troop 38 in the Cranberry Harbors District of the Mayflower Council in the Boy Scouts of America. “The boys are looking around for ways to be of service in the community.”
Martin said the number of projects demonstrates “a lot of good leadership opportunities” are out there.
“I think that’s one of the best things about Scouting, because Scouting is boy-led,” he said. “Scoutmasters are there to guide them and keep them safe, make suggestions, but the boys do the planning and lead their projects.”
Martin did admit that it can sometimes seem daunting for Scouts to come up with a worthy Eagle project, but noted there are lots of organizations in towns that could use a hand.
“The American Legions in Hanover and Hanson have been two of our benefactors,” he said. “Of course, Scouting is very patriotic, and we really celebrate the veterans and what they’ve done for us – and then there’s lots of conservation organizations in town. On the South Shore, there’s the Wildlands Trust and in Hanover, there’s an open space committee and the Cardinal Cushing Center and the big churches. That’s usually the big focus. Lots of trail work and things like that.”
The veterans are just as pleased with Rasa’s work.
“Jack did a good job,” George said Tuesday morning. “He’s a good kid.”
George said Rasa got credit for the new sign and gutters, too. They were part of his project outline, but George didn’t want liability problems for Scouts climbing ladders to work on the gutters, and his daughter’s sign company could produce a new one, instead of trying to recreate the old one.
Rasa is also being credited for the Roof repair, George said.
“It just turned into a great project,” Mrs. Rasa said. “I think he was able to influence the adults that go there to kind of care more about their Legion – and I think David George was a huge plus.”
George, who also serves on the Hanson Select Board, is an Army veteran and Post Vice, stepped in to help.
“He thanked us so much,” Pam Rasa said of George. “Jack got the fence replaced, did the flagpole and then the sign [which] Jack and his friend were going to repaint … David George’s daughter owns a sign company, so they put a new sign up.”
Jack’s project also involved clearing around a back fence, replacing a ramp to a storage shed and having the gutters cleaned, but George, concerned that someone might get hurt in the gutter project, hired a professional who worked with Rasa so he would be able to get the credit for that part of his project.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to be on a ladder or on the roof, as that is a huge liability,” George said at the time. “Jack will be receiving credit for all his projects.”
His Eagle Board of review was held on Dec. 17, which approved Rasa’s Eagle rank. He has another review to undergo with 12 Scout leaders from around his Council who will question him about the project experience and make sure he followed all the guidelines before his court of honor, Pam Rasa said Friday, Dec. 29.
Jack is equally driven in his education and career goals, planning to enter the Coast Guard after graduating from Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton and then to pursue a career in environmental policing.
Among the things that made Bristol Aggie a good fit was that Mass. Environmental Police work with the Natural Resource Management major to protect endangered turtles in Massachusetts and use the school as a go-to for confiscated reptiles. 
Jack also hopes to attend Mass. Maritime Academy to major in environmental management.