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Circumstance amid pomp

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HANOVER — One might say that even the South Shore Vo-Tech National Honor Society members of the Class of 2018 went down in history … the school’s history book, that is.

It represented the largest graduating class in school history with 148 diplomas awarded on Friday, June 8 at Cohasset’s South Shore Music Circus. The venue was nearly filled to capacity with graduates and their proud family members.

More members of the Class of 2018 participated in cooperative education work outside the school than ever before and 14 juniors and seniors, accompanied by four faculty chaperones, exercised the school’s renewed dedication to community service in its first service trip over April vacation.

“They showed us that civic-mindedness means playing a role in our community, even one that is hundreds of miles away, and that is because ‘community’ and the common good are not limited by ZIP Codes,” Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey said in his address. “Our students told me that the service trip inspired them to be part of something bigger than themselves, to tackle something they had never done before.”

Valedictorian Rosa Gachia of Whitman has also made her mark in the SSVT history books. Born and raised in Kenya, Gachia told her fellow graduates that she spoke little to no English when she moved to the United States with her family. She also graduated as the school’s Outstanding Allied Health Technician student and a licensed CNA who will attend Bridgwater State University in the fall and hopes to become a surgeon.

She thanked her father for his influence in her life.

“For as long as I can remember you have guided me and influenced me into making the right decisions,” Gachia said. “You helped me with every stage of my life, including the adjustment into a new country, but I don’t think I was quite ready for the changes high school brought.”

She added the same could be said for many of her classmates. But there were plenty of firsts.

“This was the first class to go on a service trip to New Jersey, the first class to have a rocking senior reception, and the first class to ask someone to prom through an email,” she said encouraging her fellow graduates to continue embracing life and taking risks.

Hickey also singled out the seniors who went to trip to Wall Township, N.J., to help in the continuing recovery effort after Hurricane Sandy for thanks: Grace Ciampa, Alixandra Elliot, Outstanding Metal Fab/Welding Student Cole Hoadley, Kelly Pienkos, Jackson Powers, Outstanding Automotive Mechanic and Vocational Student of the Year Mikaela Drake and Gachia.

“For four years we have told you that the workforce needs your skills and talents,” Hickey said. “Beyond that, the world needs you to share your time and talents with others. Invitations for service are all around you.”

He stressed that means more then building houses for the poor or dispossessed. It includes serving as youth sports coaches, Scout leaders, volunteers in local government and voting in elections or attending town meetings.

Service to country is also important and nine members of the Class of 2018 have enlisted to serve in the armed forces. Students going on to higher education from SSVT have been accepted to more than 50 colleges and universities.

Senior Class President Taylor McKinnon of Abington also spoke of the value in SSVT’s cooperative education program as part of the added responsibilities they found being seniors meant.

“We now had freshmen to watch over,” said McKinnon, who was also the Outstanding Culinary Artist for the Class of 2018. “We earned more and more trust as some of us went out on coop and got real-world experience, while some of us stayed to learn more from our shop teachers.”

She noted the bittersweet nature of graduation, but added SSVT seniors gradate “with two educations that have the power to change our futures.”

But McKinnon also basked in the goofy memories — the time she set off a fire alarm at a SkillsUSA competition or a classmate starting a minor fire in shop freshman year.

“It’s a mistake not to dedicate yourself to the things you are great at,” she concluded. “So, whether it be your trade, art, music or even basket weaving, dedicate yourself to it because your talents are like no other.”

A lot to cheer about

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On the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1968, the news has been ticking off that milestone in national and world events — the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, student strikes in Paris and Prague, assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy during his presidential campaign and the riots at the Chicago Democratic National Convention.

But for many young people who graduated high school in that tumultuous year, it was the beginning of a life dedicated to improving the lives of others.

The 275 members of the Class of 2018 have that in common with their predecessors.

It is a class that has been — and plans to continue to be — dedicated to public service as 15 members will join the military after high school or college, several have charted majors geared toward education, medicine or other related pursuits and at least one plans to join the Peace Corps.

“We have such an awesome class, one comprised of driven athletes, talented musicians and performers, brilliant artists, leaders, and humanitarians,” said Salutatorian Cameron Rogers in his address. “Thank you for being such a great group of friends to go to school with every day.”

He noted that the people they were as freshmen may have been far different than the seniors they have become — or the adults they can be.

“If you wished your journey through high school went differently, I encourage you to be active and involved wherever the next step in your life takes you,” he challenged. “That is the best way to discover yourself and what you love to do. Once you realize what you love to do, take it and run with it.”

One student, Hanson’s Aubrie Galinis will be studying bioinformatics aiming to get her bachelor’s degree and pursue a career in medical research. Galinis, who uses a wheelchair, said she was looking forward to graduating prior to the Friday, June 1 ceremony to “move on to the next chapter” of her life. The national Honor Society member and recipient of the Class of 1968 Scholarship will attend Wheaton College in Norton this fall.

Principal Jeffrey Szymniak reviewed some of the class’ accomplishments in service to others during his remarks during Friday’s ceremony before awarding 50th anniversary diplomas to members of the Class of 1968 present — and of an honorary 50th anniversary diploma from WHRHS to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner. She was traveling the next morning to celebrate her 50th reunion with classmates in Mercersburg, Pa.

She advised the graduates to recognize now, what she learned long after her own high school graduation — “As I sat through speeches like this one, it is now evident that I didn’t even know what I didn’t know,” she said. That included not knowing, as she began her college years majoring in biology, that she would retire 50 years later as a school superintendent or that a woman could ever hold that position.

By using their head to ask questions, think things through and keep learning; their heart to show empathy and seek understanding; their heads to do the hard work required and their gut to trust their instincts and believe in themselves.

“Whether you are graduating from high school today or walked across the stage 50 years ago, a balance of head, heart, hands, and gut will ensure that as the world changes, you will also grow, prosper, and change with it,” she said.

In addition to those planning to serve in uniform, Szymaniak lauded the 81 John and Abigail Adams Scholars in the class; 53 who participated in the Experiential Learning & Leadership internship program; honor society members who worked on projects to support food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, cancer fundraisers, the Brockton VA Hospital, hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and Texas and area homeless shelters as well as the school’s SADD chapter, which worked on the biannual pre-prom mock car crash.

Student speakers also alluded to the past dedication and future aims of their classmates.

“I am excited for everything that the future holds for every one of us,” said class President Kristina Woodward. “We all have the ability to change the world in our own way, despite time continuously working against us, and I am eager to see where everyone’s hands end up.

“Maybe I’ll run into Lexi Grazioso at 5 o’clock on some remote island in the tropics nursing a sea turtle back to health, or I’ll call up David Murphy around 3 p.m. to have him help me with my finances, or I’ll hear someone singing on the radio on my way to work at 6 and immediately know that its Grayce Brown’s new single …” Woodward said, comparing their school lives and future to a clock.

Valedictorian Kaitlyn Morrison said that, while educational lessons, friendships and athletic achievements of the class are memorable; the Class of 2018 has done much to improve their world already.

“We have participated in multiple Shanty Town fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity,” she said. “We have been a part of and organized a school walkout for the victims of the Parkland school shooting. These are just some of the incredible accomplishments and memories we have made here at Whitman-Hanson. Whitman-Hanson’s Class of 2018 has become a family whose home is this school.”

She also urged classmates to cherish the memories they have made.

“Maybe this was the place that you fell in love. Maybe this is where you lost someone. Maybe this was the place you met your best friend. Maybe it was a place where you went through hardship. Or maybe it was the place where you discovered your true self,” Morrison said. “Whatever your experience maybe, cherish these years. Don’t look back with despair or regret of the things that you didn’t do. Look back at the accomplishments you’ve made.”

Speaking for the Class of 2018, senior Riley MacDonald reminded her classmates that they were much more than their grade point average.

“I have a challenge for you,” she said. “I challenge you to strive for greatness and achieve all of your goals. For a chapter of our lives is coming to an end today but another one is waiting to be started.”

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes suggested a good place to start is to take it easy on social media and strive to interact more with people face-to-face.

“Cell phones are great but they do have a place and it’s not at the dinner table,” he said to cheers and applause from parents in the audience. “Our future is together.”

(Stephanie Spyropoulos contributed to this report.)

Constable process reviewed

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WHITMAN – The process governing how constables are appointed is being reviewed by town officials. At issue is the discrepancy between state requirements under MGL Chapter 41 and a relatively informal process that is currently being followed. The Board is expected to revisit the process at a meeting in June.

Whitman resident James Fallon, who has already served as a town constable for six years, appeared before Selectmen prior to the May 7 Town meeting to request his re-appointment to another three-year term.

“I haven’t had any complaints or violations or anything against me,” Fallon told the board, adding he has also gone through the reserve officers academy, in-service requirements and obtained certifications and additional training.
Town Administrator Frank Lynam told the board at the time that Police Chief Scott Benton and Deputy Chief Timothy Hanlon had recommended against Fallon’s reappointment when he submitted his initial request. Neither of them were able to attend the May 7 selectmen’s meeting, held before Town Meeting.

Lynam also researched the process under which constables are appointed.
“There is a significant process involved in the application for constable,” Lynam said of state law governing the office. “The paperwork I have is simply a letter requesting your appointment in the past along with a notice that you have completed the reserve officer academy.”
The statute requires a written application to the appointing authority – in this case the Board of Selectmen – stating reasons desiring the appointment and such information as may be reasonably required by the authority regarding fitness for office.

Benton also pointed out that the Selectmen are the appointing authority.

“We have nothing to do with the process except to provide any professional interactions that we may have had with the applicant any that would be appropriate for the Board to consider in whether or not to appoint or reappoint,” Benton stated Tuesday, May 29.

An application must also include a statement about the moral character of the applicant signed by at least five reputable
citizens of the city or town of residence, at least one of which must be an attorney.

“We have never done that here,” Lynam said.
There are about a half-dozen constables serving the town of Whitman, which should be retaining 25 percent of what constable-generated revenue, Fallon added, saying he wants to pay that to the town.

Lynam told Selectmen there was a representation of a “questionable action” on Fallon’s part in displaying his badge and requiring a person to stay on the scene of a civil incident that “exceeded any authority [he] may hold as a constable.”
That incident – in August 2013 – involved a question about two women involved in a vehicle incident as well as an earlier incident involving a complaint from February at Diamond Fuels in which Fallon allegedly pulled up to a gas pump in the wrong direction. The station manager on duty shut the pump off for that reason and Fallon was said to have pulled out his badge and stated he wanted to refuel.
“That’s something that can be troubling,” Lynam said.

Fallon countered he had been out serving papers on the day of the February incident, and said he wears his badge on a lanyard around his neck on those occasions. The badge was mentioned by the manager of the station and he simply asked if the pump could be turned back on since there were no other customers at the time. He said when another person drove up, he just left.

“At no point did I whip out [the badge] and say, ‘Turn it on, I’m a
constable,’” Fallon said.

Lynam said the investigating officer noted at the time that the clerk had a video of the incident on a cell phone and he observed it noting Fallon “could be clearly seen taking the badge and showing it to her.” There are also incidents that may or may not be involved with Fallon’s actions at Marble Street, including his demand that the manager there give him an unlisted number for a person he wanted to contact, Lynam reported.

“Those things raise a concern,” he said.
Fallon said the Marble Street issue went to court when a harassment complaint was filed against him but argued the complaint stemmed from a single interaction in which he is alleged to have yelled at the person. A harassment complaint must involve three separate interactions, he said, noting a judge did not allow it to go further.

“I don’t even know who this person is,” Fallon told Selectmen he said to the investigating officer. “I’ve never seen this person, I have no knowledge of what she looks like. I could be standing right next to her and not even know it.”

The day the incident allegedly occurred, Fallon said, he and his son were at the White House for an event.

Fallon said the objections centering on incident in 2013 was not brought up when he was last re-appointed in 2015.

Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said that didn’t make sense.

“I think we need to clean up this arrangement,” Kowalski said. “I’m not comfortable voting one way or the other in the form the information is in.”

“That’s the reason I did the research on the constable appointment process, because it appears that we’ve taken a very informal approach,” Lynam said.

“It’s part of the weakness in the system, which prompted me to look at the appointment process.”

 

Mitchell tabbed as Hanson Select Board chair

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HANSON  — Selectmen welcomed two new members and discussed ways to attract more residents to the ranks of public service at the board’s annual reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, May 22.

Selectman Kenny Mitchell was also elected the board’s new chairman, joined by new Vice Chairman Jim Hickey and Matt Dyer as clerk. Dyer, Selectman Wes Blauss, Cemetery Commissioner Jim Flanagan — who had accepted his four-write-in-vote win — Health Board member Arlene Dias and Housing Authority member Benjamin Fletcher were sworn in by Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan to start the meeting.

W-H senior Marc Benjamino was among more than two dozen people receiving one write-in vote for cemetery commissioner, with another nine people attracting two or three votes each.

Mitchell offered thanks to former Selectmen Chairman James McGahan and former member Don Howard for their service.

“Don Howard is a breath of fresh air,” Mitchell said. “He loves the town of Hanson. … Don’s blood type is 02341.”

Mitchell also noted that Howard, who served on more than a half-dozen committees might be interested in, and would certainly be welcome to, continue serving on some of those. Not all the appointments need to be selectmen.

Mitchell asked Blauss and Dyer to look over the committee assignments filled by Howard and McGahan to determine which ones they would be interested in serving.

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett suggested that social media platforms such as Facebook could be used to outline the skill sets needed and time demands required of boards and commissions.

“Trust me, I understand the words I’m saying out loud in this town — Facebook and Hanson, not a great mix,” she said. “But I do think for some people, that’s the level, that’s where they’re engaged and there are ways to prevent people from abusing that and using it just for information.”

She has been doing some of that outreach on her own already.

“We need some fresh faces,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

“One of the problems I see with maintaining a Facebook page is maintaining a Facebook page,” said Town Administrator Michael McCue, noting that a planned IT hire cold be tasked with doing that, among other responsibilities. “One of the things we would expect of an IT director is [his or her] currency with new technologies and any new methods for getting information out.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett also reiterated the need for more transparency in the process for filling appointed committee vacancies, urging they be posted with more regularity to help attract new people with the right skill sets and reassure the public.

“We want to open it up, welcome everybody and be really transparent,” she said. “They’re being appointed by us.”

Selectmen also reviewed their goals for the year, many of which are still in the works — such as reuse of the Maquan School building, new cell towers, Plymouth County Hospital reuse, potential new highway building among them — while goals of hiring a new police lieutenant and a part-time facilities manager have been completed.

“These things are being accomplished with the invaluable assistance of … department heads … and staff members,” McCue said. “When I read a list of things and say, ‘We’ve done this and we’ve done that,’ these are really staff accomplishments.”

Grenno leads fire chiefs’ association

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BRIDGEWATER — Before a hall filled with family, friends, Whitman officials and dozens of fellow fire chiefs, Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno was sworn in as president of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) during ceremonies at Bridgewater State on Tuesday, May 15.

After taking his oath, administered by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Grenno noted the date coincided with Peace Officer Memorial Day, first designated by President Kennedy in 1962, and thanked police, particularly the Whitman Police Department, for their service.

Grenno pledged to work closely with the firefighters’ union as well as state officials to ensure firefighters’ safety and well being.

“At the end of the day, we are all the fire service,” he said. “We may disagree at times on the fundamentals of some things, but in the end our mission creed is the same: To see that everybody goes home at the end of their shifts.”

He also pledged to work to restore funding for training, mental health services for stress-related issues such as PTSD, fire safety programs to educate the public and for legislation to provide protection from and treatment for work-related cancers.

Grenno offered a special tip of his hat to his mother Marylyn, who he was not sure would be able to make it due to recent health issues. A new rehabilitation facility, however, has recently helped improved her health and she was able to attend.

“She’s always been the strongest person I know,” he said, adding thanks and “saving the best for last,” to his wife Maureen.

“I love you and thank you for your continued support, even if it appears I love my phone more than you sometimes, I really don’t.”

Family and community was the unofficial theme of the event.

“This is a time to celebrate, to highlight, to spotlight public service — and in particular, the fire service,” Polito said. “I hope that you know when come to these gatherings, that no one goes this way alone, that you have a strong and reliable partner in state government.”

She noted that the men and women who devote their lives to public service are not always forefront in the public’s mind so long as streets are plowed, the lights come on and the cable TV connection works.

“I value public service, as you do, and without you we would not be the great state that we are on many levels,” she said. “We have that because of you, and I cannot state that strongly emphatically enough — how grateful we are for your choice of careers — hometown careers in municipal service that have made your communities better and our commonwealth better.”

Grenno was accompanied in the procession opening the ceremony by retired Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Travers, a past president of the FCAM. Whitman Fire Department Chaplain the Rev. Alan Butler offered the invocation.

Before leading the prayer, Butler recalled the little red fire chief cars kids used to dream of getting for a toy — and how times have changed.

“Today, if Timmy is called to a scene in Whitman he shows up in a black Chevy Tahoe,” he said. “The windows couldn’t be any darker. All the lights are camouflaged and you don’t know whether it’s the fire chief or Secret Service agents — and Timmy pops out.”

He spoke of the level of stress among today’s first responder as “beyond telling.” Equipment is taken good care of, but the personnel need support as well, asking for grace upon those gathered, especially among the fire service for work that is hard — if not impossible to talk about.

Guest speakers at the ceremony included Bridgewater State President Frederick Clark, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Travers and Polito before Grenno’s swearing-in and address.

Travers recalled that Grenno’s father was a charter member of IAFF Local 1769, his sister Missy and her husband Richard also served as firefighters.

The need to prevent job-related cancers and increase aid to cities and towns for public safety was also stressed by Travers in his remarks.

Ostroskey said the FCAM is extremely valuable to its members and agreed that cancer prevention, as well as active shooter and hostile event response are key issues today.

Family ties also figured prominently in Clark’s address.

“You’re really part of the family,” Clark said of Grenno, whose wife Maureen has worked for the university for 18 years. “We know your jobs get more and more complicated based on the challenge that comes before you. … Right now we’re challenged by the opioid crisis, which affects us all. But you all manage through those challenges beautifully, you adapt wonderfully and professionally as well.”

He then joked he was presenting Grenno the virtual key to the campus but noted all the doors are locked for the summer.

Sparks fly over recall bylaw in Hanson

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HANSON — Proposed bylaw changes governing recall elections sparked more heated debate during Hanson’s annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 7 — while bulk soil removal and storage as well as marijuana business placement also spurred discussion.

“It’s amazing we have 124 people who don’t give a damn about the Celtics,” Moderator Sean Kealy said in announcing that a quorum had been achieved to permit the session to begin. There were 177 total voters signed in for the meeting.

After more than two hours of civil discourse on financial and bylaw articles, debate boiled over when the recall amendment came up for discussion. The amendment was passed, 80-50.

While Kealy managed to keep his humor for most of the meeting, the recall debate tested his patience as a resident repeatedly ignored his admonition to confine debate to the current issue and not dwell on past recalls.

The recall revision article changes the time window for recall votes and provide seven specific reasons for recall elections:

• Conviction of a felony or misdemeanors [domestic violence, DUI, illegal manufacturing, distribution or dispersing of controlled substances, assault or criminal harassment — while presently in office;

• Admission to facts, while presently in office, sufficient to be convicted of a felony or the above misdemeanors;

• Was found in violation of the conflict of interest law while presently in office as determined by the state Ethics Commission or the Attorney General;

• Attended less than 50 percent of the posted public meetings of the board of office of which the official was an elected member or to which he or she has been elected or appointed as part of his or her elected position during the previous 12 months;

• Lack of fitness and sobriety while performing official functions, involuntary commitment to a mental health facility, being placed under guardianship or conservatorship by a probate court;

• Corruption, conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude, conviction of bribery or extortion; or

• Violation of law, regulation, bylaw or other abdication of the applicable requirements for the elected position.

Former Selectman Bruce Young, who wrote the current bylaw, reiterated his objection to changes, citing the fact that it is similar to the bylaw used in many other towns. He added that it would be difficult to recall an official elected without voter knowledge of a conviction in another state. He “totally agreed” with Kealy’s admonition not to rehash prior recall debate.

“We tried to use some elements of the existing bylaw for recall,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan. “This change proposed is to make this bylaw more fair, responsible and reasonable.”

But resident Mark Vess, wielding a sheaf of recall petitions from a 2014 recall election, raised the temperature of the debate. Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett made repeated point-of-order objections as Kealy worked to rein in Vess’ comments.

“Do not restrict my speech,” Vess said raising his voice. “Hold it right here.” He charged Kealy could not dictate what goes on at Town Meeting, to which Kealy responded was, indeed, his function as moderator.

“I know you’ve got the Enterpriseon speed-dial, but I can decide what is within the scope of this argument,” Kealy said.

Vess then challenged Kealy to have him ejected from the meeting by police, which Kealy said he preferred not to do. Vess then continued to refer to the 2014 recall.

“There are no names mentioned in what I’m presenting here tonight,” Vess said.

“It’s a small town,” Kealy responded.

Vess continued to read from the 2014 recall petition.

“There’s no need to reread what was put forward as the recall several years ago,” Kealy said. “Is this a wise change to the bylaws or not?”

Vess said it is not a wise change because recalls are intended to remove officials voters do not feel are doing their job.

Holmes Street resident Adam Valachovic noted only half the towns in Massachusetts have recall bylaws.

“The fact that we have one is actually somewhat amazing,” he said in support of the article. “If we’re going to have a bylaw, let’s have it as transparent as possible.”

Another resident said it appears to insulate officials a bit, asking what prompted the drafting of the article.

McGahan reiterated his position that misuse of a bylaw to control a selectman is wrong, but it included valid reasons to remove an official not doing their job.

“In most towns and communities, people are removed from office by recall for malfeasance, misfeasance or non-feasance,” said West Washington Street resident Joe O’Sullivan in support of the article. “The toxic political environment in this community causes good people not to run for those seats up there [on the town officials’ dais].”

MARIJUANA BYLAW

Voters grudgingly voted to approve a zoning bylaw governing marijuana sales in town, with an eye toward future amendments and/or a referendum and also approved a 3-percent sales tax on marijuana products.

Marijuana establishment bylaws were required after state voters opted to legalize recreational use in 2016, but former Selectman David Soper wanted to know how Hanson failed to be among 189 communities restricting it or the 25 communities that otherwise regulate it.

A Planning Board-supported effort to pass a moratorium on marijuana establishments was defeated at Hanson Town Meeting, and Hanson was among the state communities voting yes to recreational marijuana in 2016, selectmen pointed out.

“The best we can do to mitigate any potential impact … would be to follow the lead of the Planning Board, which is to zone where these folks can set up,” said FitzGerald-Kemmett. “At least we can control that piece.”

Planning Board member Joseph Weeks said because the moratorium was defeated, Hanson no longer has the luxury of time.

“If we don’t zone it and/or if we zone it and make it too restrictive … there is a possibility in which litigation can come against the town and then we find ourselves really opening up anywhere within the confines of the law and it may go somewhere we just don’t want it to go,” Weeks said. “There is nothing to say you can’t do a referendum after the fact.”

Young asked what the true consequences of voting down the bylaw.

“I’ve been informed by town counsel that the licenses will begin issuing June 1,” Kealy said. “We won’t have another town meeting before then.”

BULK STORAGE BYLAW

The bulk soil storage bylaw revisions were opposed by former Selectman Bill Scott, as a change that would affect “every homeowner in town that decides to put an addition on their home.”

Even the installation of a 40-foot swimming pool would produce 350 yards of material that would have to be moved and stored, Scott said. He also argued it would impact the Highway Department and “anyone trying to run a business” in town while Cranberry growers, of which he is one in Wareham, would be hit hard because of the amount of sand needed in their growing operations.

“This is a knee-jerk reaction to something that has to be decided on its merits, not by putting this garbage in the warrant,” Scott said.

Another cranberry grower, who lives in East Bridgewater but pays taxes in Hanson, said there are already a lot of difficult regulations governing the business.

He doubted the town had standing to supercede state and federal regulations, but pledged to try to work around them if that was the town’s wish.

“I’m not so sure we have the right to tell them how to run their business,” Vess agreed.

Rosewood Drive resident Danielle Sheehan, said she and her neighbors began the bylaw revision effort because of problems with wind-blown sand in a nearby bog. She has lived on the street for 20 years with no problem until recently, saying they had been working with the town for almost a year trying to deal with it.

“We’re not asking them to not do bogs,” she said. “We understand the importance of it. My husband and I are in landscaping and trucking and dealing with sand as well all day long, but there’s a 4,000-yard pile of and out there that, when the wind blows it’s blowing in our faces, our kids can’t play outside. Our outdoor hockey rinks in the wintertime can’t go up because the sand is melting the ice — we have it in our window sills, we have it in our doors, we have it in our cars.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said the board supports the cranberry business and that the bylaw only requires an annual permit.

Bog owners said that, with dropping water tables and uncertainty over which bogs would be threatened, the permit creates a hardship and that agriculture should be exempted.

McGahan said he has seen the size of the pile in question and noted the severe windstorms this year have exacerbated the problem.

“We didn’t want to do this, but we had to put some kind of control in place so that if it comes down to it, the Board of Selectmen can take action,” he said.

The bylaw change was narrowly defeated 73-67.

“I knew we were going to have a discussion about plants going in, but I didn’t expect it to be about cranberries,” Kealy said at one point during the evening.

BUDGET ISSUES

Only two budget lines were questioned, one by Planning Board member Don Ellis seeking an additional $5,000 for the town planner’s salary, but that is not permitted via amendment from the floor.

The other, regarding Park and Fields expenses was raised by Soper, who questioned the $25,000 budgeted for an expense that he had understood has been covered by user fees in the past.

Selectman Kenny Mitchell said the funds were intended to maintain seven fields used by various sports leagues. He said sports groups do not support that effort financially. Fertilizer alone costs $9,000 each year, Mitchell said.

Sports groups have provided funding for upkeep of fences, one league representative said, but McGahan, who is active in youth sports, said most user fees go toward uniforms and equipment.

Both Hanson and Whitman town meetings were carried live and recorded for rebroadcast by Whitman-Hanson Community Access TV.

Whitman OKs region revision: Agreement change to go before May 7 Town Meeting

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 on Tuesday, April 24 to accept and recommend to Town Meeting the revised regional agreement for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District.

Selectmen Randy LaMattina and Scott Lambiase voted against the revision because of concerns over the requirement that dissolving the region be a unanimous one on the part of both towns.

“A lot of language has been cleaned up with regard to assessment and capital costs,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said of the revision. “In 1992 when we regionalized, we were a 9-12 region and added the K-8.”

That agreement provided that either town could opt to withdraw from the region for kindergarten through eight-grade schools, Lynam noted.

“We’re basically being asked to OK an amended agreement that takes away Whitman’s ability to withdraw from the region without Hanson’s permission,” Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski said.

“And vice-versa. Yes,” Lynam said.

“Thanks for the vice-versa,” Kowalski said. “I don’t care whether or not Hanson gets permission from us.”

Selectmen Vice Chairman Dan Salvucci, who served on the regional agreement revision committee, said there is good reason for the provision.

“You’re regionalizing both towns, not just half … and the fact that if you wanted to de-regionalize, the cost would be unbelievable,” Salvucci said.

School Committee member Fred Small, attending the meeting for the budget discussion also said the language was written with flexibility to allow an additional town to join the region, should that ever be a consideration. That flexibility was a reason for South Shore Vo-Tech’s recent revision of its regional agreement, approved by Whitman voters at a special Town Meeting in December.

Kowalski said he shared some of LaMattina’s concerns.

Small said the DESE and the school district’s counsel had both approved the revised agreement and the School Committee unanimously voted for it.

“As Whitman is forecast to pick up more and more of that [per-pupil] swing as the Hanson population declines” it presented additional financial worry for LaMattina on behalf of Whitman.

Salvucci said LaMattina’s concerns were the reason he called for an additional discussion of the revision by the School Committee.

“If the population imbalance keeps going the way it’s going, you could see a time when 30 percent of the students in the school system are from Hanson and 70 percent of the students are from Whitman, and Whitman will have to pay 70 percent of the cost,” Kowalski said.

“But we’ll get 70 percent of the School Committee members,” Salvucci said. Small added that it would give Whitman control of the School Committee and its direction.

Hanson might seek an exit if the Whitman edge reached the 80-20 split, Small said.

“It’s not going to be any easy way to divorce the two towns,” Kowalski said.

Small said that was exactly the term used by the Mass. Association of Regional Schools’ consultants.

“That’s what happens — you get divorced,” Small said. “You both have to sign off on the divorce.”

Selectman Brian Bezanson said he does not foresee such a regional divorce occurring.

“I look at it this way — this is a partnership. If we become in a situation where it’s 70/30 or 80/20, we’re in control and we have a silent partner,” he said. “Why would we want to be paying 100 percent?”

Whitman budget talks continue

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WHITMAN — The town’s budget remains out of balance, even as some requests for funding have been removed and officials continue to work toward reducing the deficit.

“As we speak today, based on revised requests, and a number were removed, we’re still $1.2 million over the levy limit, with all requests,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam told Selectmen on Tuesday, April 3. “That includes an increase of almost $1.5 million to the Whitman-Hanson School District, as well as some other pretty significant increases.” Lynam said he will contin ue meeting with the Finance Committee in order to present the final Town Meeting warrant to the Board of Selectmen, which meets next on Tuesday, April 24.

A scheduled vote on the amended W-H Regional Agreement has been delayed due to the need for another meeting of the School Committee’s subcommittee in order to review some provisions of the agreement.

The town will finally be able to sell a vacated property at 1030 Temple St., a property taken in foreclosure about 16 months ago.

The town is required to wait a year before taking action to dispose of it and there were also people living there who had to be removed from the premises, according to Lynam. The last residents left on March 7.

“We also had to secure the property — it’s already been broken into once — and I’d like to move ahead with the sale,” he said.

In other business, Selectmen approve requests by Dollars for Scholars President Michael Ganshirt to declare April Dollars for Scholars month in Whitman and to erect a fundraising thermometer on the Town Hall lawn through the end of May.

Selectmen lauded Ganshirt’s work for, and commitment to, the scholarship program.

“I want to commend Mike for doing such a great job,” Selectman Brian Bezanson said. “For so many years, now his group has been unbelievable with their concern and tireless devotion.” “I second that,” said Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski, who has known Ganshirt since they both served on the School Committee together. “He’s been a man whose been dedicated to this town.” 

Kowalski also noted the receipt of an anonymous letter concerning the issue of town supplies — including a veiled reference to an enclosure. While underscoring the board’s policy not to reply to anonymous letters, he urged a group calling themselves “Wiped Out” to bring their concerns before the board at an open meeting. 

The board also approved license applications for The Garage II at 849-851 Temple St., and the Hungry Coyote at 372 South Ave., pending the receipt of license fees and other stipulations required from the town. Both business owners were afforded the opportunity to put in a plug for their shops during the meeting.

“We see an opportunity to bring a nice product into the town of Whitman,” said Eric Schneider of the Class II auto dealership he is opening. The second-generation business also owns a dealership in Brockton, where it has done business for close to 50 years. The business also holds a finance license and a Class II license in Bridgewater. Sharing space with Sparky’s Automotive offers “one-stop shopping” where people can bring their vehicles in for repair.

The Hungry Coyote’s common victualler’s license approval will hinge on surrender of the license for the site under the name Avocado’s as well as a copy of the eatery’s declaration of fees for workmen’s compensation.

The Mexican restaurant has been on site for three year’s under the name Avocado’s and is changing the name to reflect a real Mexican Aztec approach to its fare. The owners also plan to make improvements to the shop inside and out.

Whitman man charged with motor vehicle homicide

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PLYMOUTH – A Whitman man has been arraigned on charges that he was operating under the influence of alcohol when he caused a crash that killed a Carver man, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced Wednesday afternoon, March 28.

Alec Dowie, 51, of Whitman, was arraigned in Plymouth District Court on one count each of Motor Vehicle Homicide and Operating Under the Influence, third offense. He pleaded not guilty today in Plymouth District Court and was held on $5,000 cash bail with conditions that he does not drive, he submit to daily drug and alcohol monitoring, and that he surrender his passport.

On Febr. 6, at 6:45 p.m., Halifax Police and Fire personnel responded to the area of 38 Monponsett Str., for a report of a two-car crash. Upon arrival, police found that a 2018 Dodge Challenger operated by Dowie, had crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2005 Honda CRV operated by Richard March, 78, of Carver. Both operators were transported from the crash scene for treatment of their injuries.

March was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where he succumbed to his injuries just after 9 p.m. that same night.

Halifax Police contacted State Police Detectives with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI and State Police CARS Unit.

The investigation found that Dowie had a Blood Alcohol Content Level of 0.084 and Dowie tested positive for Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine and Opiates in his system. Dowie told investigators that he took a Percocet prior to the crash.

Dowie was arrested by Whitman Police on Monday, March 26 on an outstanding warrant. He is next scheduled to appear in court on June 6 for pretrial conference.

Assistant District Attorney Russell Eonas is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Halifax Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI and State Police CARS Unit.

Hanson revisiting by-laws

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HANSON — Selectmen have appointed an enforcement officer for a town earth removal bylaw already on the books, as well as a placeholder article on the May 7 Town Meeting for a resident’s proposed petition bylaw to govern the storage of sand, soil, mulch and similar materials.

The storage measure will have to be reviewed by Town Counsel before the board votes on specific language, however. The removal bylaw was approved by a vote of 4-1, with Selectman Kenny Mitchell voting against it during an unusual Thursday night session — due to last week’s nor’easter — on March 15.

Town Administrator Michael McCue said the draft soils storage bylaw was composed by Town Counsel Jay Talerman of Mead, Talerman & Costa LLC, and was given back to Talerman and concerned residents in the Robinson Street area where an ongoing agricultural soil removal operation has been an issue.

McCue suggested that a placeholder article sponsored by Selectmen would negate the need for the resident seeking the bylaw to rush for signatures before the vote to close the warrant March 20. The board was not voting on any proposed language yet.

“The feeling that I’ve gotten from the board, in a general sense, is that the board would be in favor of putting something like this in place as long as it was reasonable and didn’t unduly burden the average person,” he said. An example would be someone with a small pile of mulch they are going to spread around their property.

Specifics would be ironed out before the warrant is printed.

“You don’t have to vote the same way every time you look at it,” said Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “If this evolves and you don’t like it, then you can vote against it.”

Town attorney Katherine M. Feodoroff of MTC said the petitioner had wanted the language to include retail enterprises in the bylaw’s regulations, but businesses are already governed by existing regulations. Commercial farms could be included under the retail umbrella.

Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said his only concerns centered on defining limits to amounts allowed for storage and

“Anybody who has large amounts of material of this type on their property, its impacting other people’s quality of life,” he said.

The board voted 5-0 to sponsor the placeholder article.

The earth removal bylaw vote was a revision of the existing bylaw, intended to clarify that the enforcement authority would be the building inspector.

“When you look at the bylaw online, there’s a small link at the bottom that says enforcement, and that basically says who enforces these bylaws,” McGahan said. “I clicked onto that, and I was educated to know the Board of Selectmen do that. … I didn’t know that we were the policemen of that bylaw.”

The board has the authority to appoint a different enforcement officer, with McGahan suggesting Building Inspector Bob Curran, adding that Curran had agreed to take on that responsibility.

McGahan also urged a review of other policies in which the board does not have expertise in an effort to appoint enforcement officers who do.

“I think it is appropriate, very appropriate, for the Board of Selectmen to authorize — and in all honesty, I think it should be the building inspector, to authorize someone as the enforcement officer, aside from the Police Department,” McCue said. “I wouldn’t expect an officer of the law to go out and interpret these sorts of bylaws.”

He did suggest he come back to the board at a future meeting with an omnibus recommendation of enforcement authority for other bylaws as well.

“I think it makes sense to do it all together instead of piecemeal,” McCue said.

McGahan argued that recent windstorms made the earth removal bylaw enforcement more urgent and the issue has been going on with no enforcement officer for too long.

“I think he might have other things he may be enforcement officer over,” Mitchell said of Curran. “I think we should take a couple weeks and have [McCue] review everything so we’re not calling Bob every other week, going, ‘Here’s another one.’”

FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed with McGahan that residents have become frustrated and that she has been receiving calls on the issue and enforcement of the bylaw, especially centering on the soil removal operation near Robinson Street

Planning Board member Joe Campbell suggested an alternate from either the building or health departments for situations when issues come under one of those two agencies. McCue said he wanted to confer with potential alternates to ensure they could do the job before they were appointed.

In other business, Campbell and Planning Board members Don Ellis and Joe Weeks attended the Selectmen’s meeting to discuss street and private road acceptance policies.

McCue agrees with them that there were some key gaps that could be filled. A private way is a road not yet accepted by the town as a public road, which requires betterments to bring a roadway up to standard first.

“The town is very limited on the funding and the man hours that can be spent in this kind of repairs,” Campbell said. “This way, we’d have a policy in place to actually have those roads accepted onto public roadways.”

McCue added that a policy would also ensure consistency.

Ellis said the problem arises when a developer fails to meet requirements for seeking acceptance of development roads when projects are completed.

“Some of these guys just don’t care,” he said. “The poor citizens on that street want it accepted at that time.”

McGahan said that’s where it gets complicated as people are paying town taxes and they can’t receive services for the upkeep of their road.

“The developer owns the road until he wants to relinquish it.” Ellis said. Some towns take those roads by eminent domain when the road is complete.

Feodoroff said the question becomes whether the town wants to accept a private road with all the expenses that the process incurs. She said a policy does a good job of educating the Planning Board about the condition of a road before it is accepted and hearings should be required first.

Engineer, attorney and construction costs must be borne by residents of the road — another source of concern for Feodoroff.

“For the residents to be able to afford that on the front end is probably very unlikely,” she said, especially on shorter streets and cul de-sacs. The language also has to clarify whether the street residents or the town bear the cost of betterments and urged that the language be refined.

“I think with a couple minor tweaks we’re good to go,” she said.

Campbell said it is meant to indicate the costs should be shared.