WHITMAN — As part of National Crime Prevention Month, Chief Timothy Hanlon and the Whitman Police Department wish to warn the public about common types of scams.

October is National Crime Prevention Month. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2019 consumers lost more than $1.9 billion to fraud with nearly $667 million lost to imposter scams alone.

Chief Hanlon warns that residents should NEVER give personal information, social security numbers or credit card numbers to people through social media, or to people who call their homes or cell phones unsolicited.

“It is important for residents to be able to identify the various types of scams that are out there,” Chief Hanlon said. “For example, residents should always verify the legitimacy of a caller before giving out any personal information, and should never pay for an item with a gift card.”

Common scams that target residents – specifically senior citizens – include:

• Social Security Scams: Scammers pretend to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration and try to get your Social Security Number or money.

• IRS Scams: Scammers call, pretending to be from the IRS, and say they’re filing a lawsuit against your back taxes.

• Phishing Scams: Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information.

• Fake Check Scams: Scammers ask you to deposit a check for more than you are owed and send some of the money to another person.

• Utility Scams: Scammers pose as bill collectors from utility companies and threaten to shut off service if you do not pay.

• Sweepstakes: Someone calls to notify you that you have won a contest or sweepstakes and must send money to collect any winnings.

Often, the scammer will demand payment via electronic money order or pre-paid debit card. This should be an immediate red flag. No legitimate vendor will ever demand money via these means.

To prevent similar scams, the FTC recommends the following:

• Do not take calls from unknown numbers. Caller ID is not always accurate. A call from a “local” number might not be coming from a local person or organization.

• Do not share personal, identifying information like your Social Security Number, account numbers, or your mother’s maiden name.

• If a caller claims to represent an organization and you are doubtful, hang up and contact that agency to verify whether the call was truly from a representative.

• Never pay a caller with a gift card.

• Telemarketers are required by law to state that they are making a sales call. They are mandated to say the name of the seller and the product before pitching their sale. If this does not happen, hang up.

• Be wary of callers who talk quickly and pressure you to make a decision quickly.

• Do not buy a product or service because of a “free gift.”

• Get all information in writing before making a purchase.

• Verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating.

• Before making an investment that a caller or emailer is offering, check with your state securities regulator to make sure the offer is properly registered.

• Do not send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money transfer. If you pay for a product or service with cash or a money transfer, you run the risk of losing the right to dispute fraudulent charges.

• Do not accept an offer that requires a registration or shipping fee to get a prize or gift.

• Beware of offers to “help” recover money that you already have lost. Scammers sometimes pose as law enforcement officers who will help get money back for a fee.

•   Report rude or abusive callers, even if you already sent them money, by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or by visiting ftc.gov/complaint.

If anyone has any questions or feels that they have been victimized, they are encouraged to call the Whitman Police Department.

School Committee members rated the panel’s community engagement as weak or in need of improvement, with the School Committee at the Wednesday, Sept. 30 meeting during discussions about the issue.

“I think it’s poor,” Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak said of the committee’s track record. “I don’t think these meetings allow engagement of the community unless it’s a hot topic. I would like to see it better.”

Vice Chairman Christopher Scriven said he doesn’t know what more the committee does to engage the community other than posting the meeting.

Chairman Bob Hayes was unable to attend due to a prior commitment and Committee member Fred Small participated in the meeting remotely via telephone.

“I understand that there’s got to be more than just community involvement for the stakeholders,” said committee member Steven Bois.

“We have to get more information out to the people when they need it,” agreed member Dan Cullity. “We have to start educating them much better. …Sometimes it falls on deaf ears with some groups out there.”

Member Fred Small suggested structured time within meetings to answer questions that citizens submit could help get people more involved. Members Dawn Byers and Hillary Kniffen termed the effort ineffective and member Michael Jones graded it weak.

Member Christopher Howard,, who led that discussion agreed.

“We have limited participants and it was even worse pre-COVID, as we would only have a handful of people attend the meeting,” Howard said. “It’s not their problem to fix, it’s ours.”

Howard asked each committee members to list three ways the committee could improve engagement.

Committee member David Forth suggested establishing a community relations subcommittee, or use of a Zoom session through which community members could dial in and ask questions as well as liaisons to PTOs and a student advisory council.

Scriven favors a subcommittee approach, but wanted members to submit ideas for that by the next meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Forth and Jones also liked the idea of pop-up meetings, and social media efforts as well as shortening meetings.

While she said a public comment opportunity “needs to happen,” Kniff said a Zoom call might not be the most effective avenue for it. She said being visible in the community might be more effective and liked Jones’ idea of appointing a point person for social media.

Szymaniak said the Zoom call for public comment could potentially be in place by the next committee meeting. Cullity said the chairman controls that aspect of the agenda in any case.

“Yes, people are going to be out on social media and they’re going to have their own opinions, but we can state the facts,” Byers said. “It’s best if you can point them right back to a district documents and then turn off those comments and notifications and just leave it there.”

Byers also suggested School Committee members could attend PTO meetings as “ears” and report back on things PTO members wish to tell them.

Szymaniak said the public comment idea gives an opportunity to speak at a specific point in a meeting, with people sometimes required to sign in as guests to do so ahead of time, which can also give the opportunity for members to research their question. He also found value in attending PTO meetings and having a public relations professional to direct a social media effort. He also suggested committee members should feel free to use the “Principally Speaking” column space allotted to the School District in the Whitman-Hanson Express as a way to communicate directly with residents.

The Mass. Association of School Committees does not permit committees to operate Facebook pages.

“I never want to engage in any argumentative or controversial [discussions] or I never speak on behalf of the committee on social media — just giving our effective information,” Byers said, noting she has had informational posts removed from community Facebook pages in the past.

Both Kniffen and Forth said they use personal Facebook pages to post factual information and meeting recaps about School Committee activity, which are permitted by the MASC, and not opinions. Small voiced concern that such recaps are more akin to non-approved draft minutes. Forth said he ran his intention to recap by MASC, but Kniffen suggested that Forth go into a bit less detail to address Small’s concerns.

Bois agreed that her posts have been effective in getting the facts before the community.

Howard said timeliness is a problem with social media. If one is not on it all the time, one could miss a timely opportunity to correct errors or misinformation.

“I’m an admitted dinosaur when it comes to social media,” Scriven said. I don’t engage in it — hardly ever. … From my perspective it presents more challenges than [benefits].”

He argued it is especially true for a school committee, which is bound by policies and restrictions.

“I think it’s important for us to speak with one voice as a committee, and not have the off shoots,” Scriven said. “I don’t know what that looks like. I just have those concerns.”

During the three-hour meeting, committee members also pointed to the length of meetings as a turn-off for residents who might otherwise attend.

WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen has contracted with Community Paradigm Associates of Plymouth to conduct a search for the town’s new town administrator during the board’s Tuesday, Sept. 22 meeting. The vote was 4-1, with Selectman Brian Bezanson voting for Municipal Resources Inc., (MRI), of Meredith, N.H,

Current Town Administrator Frank Lynam is retiring, effective Oct. 13.

Rather than conduct official presentations, the board had both organizations simply answer questions from selectmen, based on materials presented to the board in advance. Lynam had already reached out to references from both companies.

“All of the people I have been able to contact have had very positive things to say about both organizations,” Lynam said.

Paradigm was represented by Bernard Lynch, Sharon Flaherty and John Petrin, representatives of the firm, who would be working on Whitman’s recruitment effort.

MRI had managed the search for Hanson’s new town administrator last year. Was represented by  Robert Mercier and Reginald “Buzz” Stapscynski.

Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski asked both firms why Whitman should select them.

“Because we’re better than everybody else,” Lynch said. “We have the most extensive experience in Massachusetts over the last several years.”

Lynch said Paradigm is the most active recruiting firm in the state with more than 50 town administrator searches to its credit. Recent area searches have included Pembroke, Plympton, East Bridgewater, Lakeville and Rockland. They are also currently working with Kingston.

“We know the region very well, we know the manager world very well,” said Lynch who has served as a town administrator for 30 years and Petrin has done so for nearly 40 years in Massachusetts. They generally get pools of 30 to 40 candidates.

“The list of towns [they serve], basically in our area, is very impressive,” said Selectman Dan Salvucci.

“What I like about this firm is that they are kind of local and they’ve got a finger on the pulse of the South Shore and how things operate here,” Bezanson agreed, before asking how long the average search process takes.

Lynch said they have brought it down from 16 to 14 weeks, but have done it in as little as 11 weeks. They take a couple of weeks to talk to Selectmen and department heads to learn about a community, before writing up a mission statement about the community and what it looks like to match with the ideal candidate.

“We want to find you the ideal candidate, so we want to know what you want,” Lynch said. Then they spend about four weeks doing active recruiting and advertising, then screening candidates to present finalists to the board.

“We’ll probably have a Supreme Court justice before you guys are finished,” Kowalski quipped.

Selectman Justin Evans asked if, having done so many searches in the same area, the firm has seen a lot of repeat candidates on their lists. Lynch said that they do, but that they also bring in new candidates.

Mercier said his firm has been in the business for more than 30 years, with a “long reach” in New England, recently finishing jobs in Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island as well as “a ton” in Massachusetts.

“We have chosen, during this COVID time, lots of communities that are just out of our reach,” he said. “We have nothing on our plate right now. You would be our committed community.”

MRI, according to Stapscynski also represents a lot of town administration experience under their belts.

“We’ve sat in the chair you are looking to fill,” Stapscynski said.

Mercier also said their firm places a lot of importance on talking to Selectmen to determine a community’s needs.

MRI’s procedure takes about three months, including written responses to questions applicants have been asked to answer.

Selectmen asked Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green to absent herself from their deliberations before voting to select Paradigm.

“Really [the decision will come down to] preference, but I don’t know how we could go wrong either way,” Evans said.

“Both companies are outstanding,” Salvucci said, noting his preference went toward Paradigm. “The towns that they did were more like Whitman. … They’re more in tune to our type of community.”

Kowalski preferred the interstate experience of MRI.

“They were a lot more pointed in the description of our issues and our environment than I expected them to be,” he said.

Bezason leaned toward Kowalski’s view, pointing to Paradigm’s clients as akin to “the usual suspects.”

Selectman Randy LaMattina said the profile document Paradigm did on Kingston was impressive, but also harbored some concern about the depth of the talent pool. It was not a big enough concern, however, for him to vote against Paradigm.

Lynam said he is familiar with both organizations and respects both of them.

WHITMAN — The town of Whitman and the Whitman Board of Health report that the Town of Whitman has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, and are urging the community to follow COVID-19 prevention guidance.

According to data shared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday, there have been 12 confirmed positive cases of the virus in Whitman over the past two weeks.

“We urge all Whitman residents and those visiting our town to remain vigilant in their fight against COVID-19,” Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Timothy Grenno said. “We thank everyone who has continued to take the virus seriously by practicing social distancing, wearing a face covering and not gathering in large groups. If we all do our part we can ensure that the number of positive cases stays as low as possible.”

Gov. Charlie Baker, in response to a statewide rise in positive cases, implemented several efforts and stricter guidelines, which went into effect Tuesday, Aug. 11. These included a reduction in the maximum number of people permitted at outdoor gatherings on both public and private property from 100 to 50 and a requirement that people wear face coverings whenever more than 10 people from different households gather.

Baker’s announcement reinforces an earlier order issued in May, which requires everyone, exempting children under the age of two or those with an underlying health condition, to wear a mask in public when maintaining social distancing, a minimum of six feet from others, is not feasible.

Indoor gatherings remain limited to groups of 25 or fewer people under Gov. Baker’s increased restrictions.

Restaurants have also been barred from selling alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption unless accompanied by a food order in an effort to ensure bars remain closed.

Fines or cease and desist orders may be issued by local or state public safety officials in the event hosts violate the limit on the number of people permitted at a gathering or the face covering order.

COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:

• Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of six feet from others, is critical.

Those who must go out are urged to:

• Avoid gathering in groups

• Maintain six feet from people outside your household

• Do not shake hands or hug

• Wash your hands often

• Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands.

• Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and with underlying health conditions.

Face coverings should:

• Cover the nose and mouth

• Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face

• Be secured with either ties or ear loops

• Permit breathing without difficulty

• Be able to be washed and machine

• Whitman officials encourage everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19. The following websites are recommended for the most updated information:

• Town website: whitman-ma.gov.

• Whitman’s COVID-19 Resources and Information website: https://whitmancovid19.com/

Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/covid-19

Massachusetts 2-1-1 general COVID-19 information: Click here or dial 2-1-1 (24/7)

Sign up for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Text Message Notification System to receive important updates: text “COVIDMA” to 888-777

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov.

HANSON — Finding a balance between outward and inward emotions as well as the boundaries of body and buildings has been current challenges so many businesses have faced during the pandemic.

Two local women both Halifax residents are using the opportunity presented by the lockdown to reinvent space and grow their businesses in Hanson.

Local artisan and vendor Amanda Bright, of Always Bright Creations, and Naturespeaks2you’s Sara Beth Ostrander (who goes by Sara Beth) are sharing space and offering a variety of items for all age groups in an outdoor vendor-style tented area in the parking lot of their normally indoor space is at 500 Liberty St., in Hanson — across the street from the fire station.

They are extending into the community at a time it is most needed including a practice of positivity they call “raising the vibration.” The changes during the pandemic have taken a toll on the well -being of so many.

Bright’s displays contain countless inspirational handmade items they include: wire wrap and organite  jewelry, mirrors and coffee cups with both funny and positive sayings, and the ever popular  tie-dye trend. She hand dips and creates patterns on her T-shirts, bandanas and table decorations the hues are instantly uplifting. She twisted and created more than 50 shirts that were nearly sold out by Sunday afternoon.

Sara Beth who normally teaches inside her space at the naturespeaks2you has two and a half decades of self-teaching in geology. The more she learned about the  healing powers associated with rocks and crystals  she knew there were dozens of reasons she sought to teach others.

She is well-versed in the healing properties of natural rock formations using them in her everyday life as well as in mediumship practice and intuitive healing services that she offers at the naturespeaks2you. She showcases her own handmade jewelry, and gifts inspired by nature, which she hand- collected from crystals throughout New England. A portion of her own journey has been as a member of the South Eastern Massachusetts Mineral club.  She has an inherited passion for teaching the younger generations about minerals and rocks, which has carried through three generations in her family.

COVID has changed some of the classes and in-person services but her intuitive development services are offered remotely on a case basis and one on one individual class as the State restrictions allow.

On Sunday the tent sale features both full and partial dinosaur prints collected in the Connecticut River valley, according to Sara Beth.

She also has museum quality replicas of many different dinosaurs.

Numerous items seen on Sunday’s outdoor sale belonged to an avid collector of 50 years, a fellow mineral club member who has recently fallen ill. They are working together with the family to try and get his collection out for purchase with money supporting the family and his medical bills. Along with the opportunity she aims to pique the attention of younger generations educating them on crystals and the energy found in natural formations.

“It is cool to see people come over and pick the crystals up … and see the excitement of what people are drawn to- it is what serves them,” said Sara Beth.

Bright who has done great reflection and self improvement has found her passion after losing her mother in Dec. 2018 it coincided with the breakup of a toxic two-year marriage.

She had depression and complex PTSD, with financial insecurity that forced her to move back home. She thought she was at rock bottom and in her own words “felt like giving up.”

“I was a mess,” she said.

Empowering herself and realizing giving up was not in the cards she started writing on her mirrors screaming self love and self worth at herself by writing ‘you got this! … you are strong. You are beautiful.”  Each day finding strength and literally writing these affirmations on and in all of her reflective surfaces.

She began crafting, picking wild flowers and drying them teaching herself how to make smudge sticks and balls made from organic white sage and an assortment of beautiful handpicked flowers and herbs as well as Dream Catchers handcrafted and made from the grapevines right in her own back yard in Halifax.

They are planning on hosting their outside sale 12-5 on Sunday’s and a second day weather permitting.  All of their sale and contact information as well as updates on their tent sale are located on Facebook pages Always Bright Creations and Naturespeaks2you .

As they serve some of the most vulnerable members of the community during COVID-19, senior centers in Whitman and Hanson are trying to also address the sense of isolation some of their clients are beginning to feel as the pandemic enters its sixth month.

Health experts’ predictions of a second wave of the virus is also raising concern.

Massachusetts Councils on Aging have been stressing all spring and summer that, while the senior center doors have been closed, service have still been provided.

Only activities at which clients congregate have been curtailed.

“A lot of the seniors I have spoken with are starting to feel that sense of isolation, and these include many people who have been really active and are continuing to go to the supermarket and do the basic things that they need,” said Hanson Multi-Service Center Director Mary Collins. “The socialization is a huge part of what we do during our activities and we have to figure out a safe way to socialize.”

Moving the programs they do offer outdoors has been seen as a solution for the Hanson center. All the tables and chairs are being removed from the center and placed into storage. Computer terminals, where some clients used to while away free time playing solitaire, have been removed.

But activities like chair yoga and the women’s group are returning in late September with the hope that the chorus can start up again in October, Collins said.

In order to attend these events, note that there is a cap on attendance. Call 781-293-2683 in Hanson and 781-447-7619 in Whitman to make reservations. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing will be maintained at all times. A COVID-19 screening along with temperature check will be performed prior to each senior center program attended. Hanson attendees are required to sign a waiver of liability prior to attend programs. Do not arrive any sooner than 10 minutes prior to the start of the activity and leave the grounds when the activity is complete.

“The safer, the better, and outside is the place to do that,” Collins said. “We’re starting slow. It’s one step at a time.”

Whitman Selectmen have voted to delay any return to in-person programs until at least the first of the year, said new Council on Aging Director Mary Holland.

“We can’t even have outdoor events,” Holland said, noting some communities, such as Hanson are allowing that. “I totally understand, the elderly are among the most vulnerable populations.”

But she had hoped to be able to place a tent in the parking lot where regular programs such as the knitting group, might meet while observing social distancing requirements.

The Whitman Senior Center is allowing hairdressing and podiatry appointments, with seniors required to wait outside until their appointment time, when they must go directly to the room where the service is being provided, and leave the building as soon as they are done.

“You have to do what’s best for your community,” Collins said. “We have to follow the letter of the law. It has to be small groups with a lot of space.”

She said that, before the decision is made to return to events inside Hanson’s building, the Board of Health will have to inspect and approve it.

“I want to make sure everything is in place and we have enough space before we go back to allowing anybody to go in there,” Collins said.

Facilities are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between patrons.

Transportation to the Family Dollar store, local banks and pharmacies is still provided, but ridership on the 14-seat senior van is limited to four people at a time. As with the hair and podiatry appointments, the van is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between trips.

Hanson is not offering van transportation at this point.

“We are all facing challenges during this pandemic,” Holland wrote in the September Seen Your News? Newsletter from the Council on Aging, which is produced remotely by senior volunteers. “It’s OK to have your feelings, but you know you are not alone. We are here for you! Just phone call away if you need assistance or a friendly voice.”

For more information on current programs and pandemic limitations call the Hanson Multi-Service Senior Center at 781-293-2683 or the Whitman Council on Aging at 781-447-7619.

Cohort assignments for the coming school year were expected to be released on Friday, Aug. 28, according to Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak, as administrators continue to work toward the Sept. 15 first day of school’s hybrid instruction model.

“Depending on what happens tomorrow with the staff coming back and the fires we’re putting out,” an FAQ will be posted as soon as possible, Szymaniak said during the Wednesday, Aug. 26 School Committee meeting.

One issue still up in the air is how hot days, that could still occur in early September, would affect the school schedule as not all school buildings have adequate air-conditioning. Szymaniak said snow days will not be called this winter — instead instruction will simply pivot to remote learning — but he had not yet heard guidance on “heat days” from the commissioner of education. A blizzard that knocks out power for all or large parts of the school district would be the exception to that plan.

School Committee member Fred Small said Comcast is continuing its essentials program at $9.95 per month. Originally offered to new customers for two weeks of high-speed internet at home during the pandemic, the program is aimed at assisting low-income households.

Internet need

Assistant Superintendent of Schools George Ferro said families can be sponsored within the essentials program, if needed. Families should contact building principals if they need that assistance.

“If your WiFi fails because there is a power outage in a snowstorm, or if someone hits a tree and you lose your power, there will be compassion on the part of teachers K-12 to say, ‘Hey, look, don’t worry about that,’” Szymaniak said.

Szymaniak also sought guidance from the School Committee on a recommendation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that would have local school districts accommodate children of teachers who reside in town, but teach in other districts, to attend schools four days a week. The children would be placed in a supervised setting in a library or other setting.

The committee authorized a survey of resident teachers and district staff on the matter before making a decision on participation.

Szymaniak said complying is based on the capacity of a school district, and not all have the space.

“Everything is throwing the decisions back to the local level, which I appreciate at times,” he said. “But, also, it’s been a challenge and I don’t want to divide our community.”

School Committee member Hillary Kniffen, who is a teacher, said she was concerned about the optics of teachers appearing to receive special privileges.

“It’s shame on the commissioner for putting districts in this position,” she said. “Child care is hard for everyone. It’s a hybrid model and nothing, nothing is good for anybody in this.”

Small suggested residents might wonder why similar arrangements were not made for public safety workers. Federal policy includes teachers as essential workers, but the state does not right now, according to Szymaniak.

Since the school district is looking at school reopening from a compassionate, humane aspect, perhaps some of the emails the district has been receiving are OK, Ferro said.

“Maybe some of the problems we’re experiencing are OK because everybody’s experiencing them differently now,” Ferro said before going over the district’s schedule for a hybrid remote learning program for elementary, middle and high school students.

The Ingenuity program includes concept coaching that connects with a virtual tutor immediately.

“It’s different, but it’s exciting — it could be very cool,” he said. “Now, there are people out there saying I’m all wet, which is fine because that’s what everybody gets to do, they get to have their own opinion.”

Szymaniak reported that more than 100 teachers received reduction in force (RIF) letters in May. The district also no longer has a human resources department, which had been cut in a previous budget year and the work distributed between about a half-dozen people on the Central Office staff. Adding to that issue are people who can’t come back to school for medical reasons because of the coronavirus.

Szymaniak said he has 14 teachers, five paraprofessionals and one duty aide who can’t return because of a valid medical issue.

“Luckily, we were able to find roles for them in district and keep them off extended [Family Medical Leave Act] leaves, keeping them working,” he said.

“Teachers have gone above and beyond this summer to prepare for virtual learning,” Szymaniak said, noting that building principals have also worked long hours over the summer to accommodate social distancing into school routines. Google will be the instructional platform, not Zoom or another option.

getting ready

While buildings aren’t school-ready yet, he lauded the facilities department for the work they have been doing over the summer to see that buildings were cleaned and will be ready for the first day of school.

Szymaniak also thanked the public for supporting the schools both financially and in spirit. There are 396 students who will be going to fully-remote learning, which took some time to verify and adjust cohort assignments and transportation issues.

Virtual open houses for schools are being planned.

“The reason we can’t have a live open house is I can’t really control the community at this point,” Szymaniak said.

At lunchtime, there will be no special orders at the lunch line — it will all be grab-and-go with a cell phone application being made available for parents or high school students to use for ordering lunch.

Before and after school care will also be available at the elementary schools provided by the YMCA, including remote assistance for parents who require it.

There are about 30 more families opting for home schooling, bringing the number to around 70, Ferro reported. Szymaniak added that those families can change their mind, but should notify the district by mid-October in order to give time for their children to be added to a cohort in time for the second quarter to begin in early November.

The committee voted to accept a state policy requiring face masks in schools.

WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 11 voted to authorize a grant application to fund the next level of site assessments on the Regal Property, a vacant lot next to the commuter rail on South Avenue.

The town contracted with Ransom Consulting in 2017 to perform Phase 1 and 2 site assessments of the property, according to Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green. Grants from Mass. Development funded the assessments.

“We’ve got some ideas of the nature and level of the ground contamination and … there is still an amount of work to be done, a Phase 3 type of assessment to determine what it’s done to the soil and groundwater,” she said, noting a comprehensive settlement and surface water settling study remains to be done. “They need to assess the ecological characterizations of the land and also do a human health assessment and what impact it might have to future site occupants.”

The third assessment is in the cost area of $63,900 and a lack of funding had halted its progress. Green noted, however that there has been a lot of progress in the realm of brownfields redevelopment over the last three years, with more state and federal funds being made available. She still has to reach out to Ransom to obtain an updated grant proposal and cost analysis.

Grants for such work are now up to $100,000 she said.

“We would get enough money to finish the site assessment an know exactly what we’re dealing with,” she said.

Protection from municipal liability in proceeding with projects on such sites is now available by statute through the Attorney General’s office, Green advised.

While the town would have to pay the grants back if the property was sold at a large profit, Green said that is not likely because the land has been under tax title for so long.

“A huge selling point for the Regal property is it’s right next to the commuter rail station,” she said. “There will be lots of eyes on that property once we know what we’re dealing with in terms of redevelopment.”

A wetlands survey has determined that just over four acres of the property is developable. A similar brownfields property of 3.36 acres in Jamaica Plain was developed to include 132 housing units and retail/office space and self-storage building, which created 90 jobs.

Green also spoke about the Community Preservation Act ballot question on the state ballot, now that the act has been passed at the July 27 Town Meeting. Selectmen voted to place the question on the ballot.

Selectman also heard an update from Green on a housing production plan, which also must be approved by the Planning Board, but it did not recommend doing so.

Green had asked for waiver of that approval from the Old Colony Planning Board, which declined to do so.

“It’s very disappointing in that adopting this housing production plan and having it recognized by that department, would have opened up some grant opportunities for us,” she said.

In other business, Selectmen approved a farmers’ series pouring permit on the premises at 599 Washington St. — the block where Supreme Pizza is located. A common victualler’s license was also granted for the location.

Old Colony Brewing co-owner Dennis Nash said the plan for the site at 605 Bedford St., foregoing the pouring license there. They will instead brew the beer at the Bedford Street location and operate a taproom on Washington Street. No outdoor dining is planned like is currently offered at Bedford Street and only 25 seats are planned at the Washington Street site under current COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Owners of other businesses in the town center — including John and Craig Duval, whose family has owned Duval’s pharmacy for 74 years, along with another area businessman, expressed concern over parking. A concern shared by Health Board Chairman Eric Joubert.

Building Inspector Bob Curran said a bar or business in that area are permitted by right an have never had to go before the board of Appeals. He also said most of the taproom’s parking needs would occur on nights or weekends when there is not typically a lot of traffic downtown.

The board also recommended revisiting the parking issue if a problem crops up.

The Hanson Board of Selectmen met on August 11 for their first in-person meeting since March.

Cranberry Cove

Recreation Director William Boyle was on hand to discuss the possibility of opening Cranberry Cove despite staffing shortages. Boyle explained that they don’t have enough staff, including lifeguards, to run the Cove as they normally would. At their last meeting, the Recreation Commission voted in favor of opening the beach to the public with appropriate signage indicating that there are no lifeguards and swimming would be at your own risk. Boyle was seeking a vote from the Selectmen as well. General Counsel Kate Feodoroff, who attended the meeting over the phone, cited the recreational use statute which protects property owners from liability if people are using their land for free. The water has also been tested regularly and is safe for swimming.

The selectmen engaged in some debate as to whether it would be in the best interest of the town to open the Cove. Selectmen Clerk Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett pointed out that some youth sports such as baseball have proceeded with their seasons this summer and suggested it would be inconsistent and unfair to allow one form of recreation to proceed while prohibiting another. She said, “We’re at a place where people need to be responsible for their actions and their children’s actions and they need to monitor them and do whatever is best for them, society, and their little family… I don’t want to be into trying to decide if kids should be going down to swim or not.” Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell agreed saying, “Accountability needs to start at home.” Selectman Matt Dyer said he believed the Board should have a uniform approach in their decision-making regarding recreation during the pandemic.

Selectman Jim Hickey saw things differently saying, “It’s not about being consistent, it’s about not repeating a mistake.” Selectman Wes Blauss made a point to publicly state that there would be no social distancing on the docks. Hickey concurred saying, “There’s not 6 inches, let alone 6 feet on those docks.” Blauss stressed that the priority should be on getting children back into school, a feat complicated by a lack of social distancing and potential spread of the virus. Despite some objection from other members of the Board that the issues were separate, Blauss said he felt that they really weren’t. He also referenced the loss of the Whitman-Hanson graduation due to the actions of a couple of seniors.   

Following deliberation, the Board voted 3-2 in favor of opening Cranberry Cove with proper signage and in compliance with Governor Baker’s orders. Blauss and Hickey were the dissenting votes. The Board also took a vote to extend the FY 2021 to FY 2022 camping season at Camp Kiwanee from May 9, 2021 to October 31, 2021. It passed unanimously.

Marijuana Cultivation

Mitchell told the Board that they would need to select a peer review firm for the marijuana cultivation special permit application that was submitted by Impress LLC on August 6. Feodoroff as well as Town Planner Deb Pettey were available to answer questions and make recommendations to the Board. Federoff explained the need for the peer review saying it was necessary to have engineers who are engaged with the town analyze the plans submitted by Impress LLC to ensure that they are consistent with the neighborhood. Of greatest concern is the mechanical plans which will include odor control as that was the type of concern most voiced during the town’s hearing. Pettey offered that the town could handle the review of the site plans but would not be able to properly review the mechanical plans. According to her, the firm Trinity would be able to handle the bulk of the needed review.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said, “I don’t want us doing anything in house, they are on the hook to pay for this. I want to make sure it is thoroughly peer reviewed… if we need to get two engineering firms – one to look at mechanical and one to look at site and the rest of the stuff, then I think that’s what we do.” Federoff agreed saying that the town did not need to limit itself to one engineer but noted that they would want to be sure not to duplicate efforts if choosing to go with more than one firm. The Board voted to allow Town Administrator John Stanbrook to select the firm or firms.

Committee Openings

The Board decided to elect Blauss and FitzGerald-Kemmett to the task of interviewing candidates to fill the at-large vacancies on the new De-Regionalization Feasibility Committee. Hickey will serve on the committee to represent the Board of Selectmen and Kevin Sullivan will represent the Finance Committee. Blauss and FitzGerald-Kemmett will interview 11 candidates before making their recommendations to the Board of Selectmen during the August 25 meeting.

FitzGerald-Kemmett read from a lengthy list of town committees in need of volunteers. They included the Facebook Upkeep Committee, 200th Anniversary Committee, Conservation Commission (associate members), Cultural Council, Disabilities, Economic Development, Finance, Highway Building Committee, Historical Commission, Memorial Day and Patriotic Observance, Memorial Field Trustees, North River Commission, and an alternate for the Zoning Board. Applications for appointment as well as information on the committees are available on the town website.

Voter Registration and Early Voting

A voter registration session will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 8 pm at the town hall. It will be the last chance to register to vote for the September primary. The town will offer in-person early voting for the September primary on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 at the town hall from 8 am until 12 pm. Early voting will also be available during regular working hours from Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28.

Town Finances

The Board voted to accept the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act reimbursement money. According to Stanbrook, the town is eligible to receive over $900,000 through the Act.

Stanbrook told the Board that the state has announced the much-anticipated numbers for Chapter 70 funding and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA). Hanson will receive $14,658 in Chapter 70 funding – just under the amount of $14,955 budgeted at town meeting. The actual numbers for UGGA came in at $1,359,810 which represented an increase of $176,700 over what was budgeted and approved at town meeting.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation announced $4 million in mass trails grants. Hanson was on the list for the Bay Circuit Trail relocation and will be receiving $100,000. FitzGerald-Kemmett thanked Dyer and Chairman of the Conservation Commission Phil Clemons for their hard work. “That was some bright and lovely news in the middle of an otherwise dismal year,” she said.

Roadwork

In other news, Stanbrook told the Board that the construction at the Liberty St. and County Rd. intersection will begin on August 24. The work will be paid for out of the state’s Complete Streets Funding Program. Road paving, which is paid for through the town’s Ch 90 allotment, will be finished in the next few weeks on Rte. 14, County Rd., and West Washington St. Stanbrook said, “Please slow down while in the work zone to enhance safety for you and for the town’s employees and contractors. I would like to thank everyone for their patience while this needed work is completed.”

EEE

Finally, Mitchell said that the EEE level in Hanson is currently moderate. If it is increased to high, fields in town will automatically get shut down. Mitchell noted that it is not decided through a vote of the Board of Selectmen, but rather is a decision made by the Board of Health.