HANOVER — The South Shore Vo-Tech School Committee on Wednesday, June 21, heard a report from its Regional Planning Subcommittee on progress made concerning revisions to the district’s regional agreement.

Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey provided a PowerPoint overview of edits to the agreement recommended by consultants from the Mass. Association of Regional Schools.

“We have a little more work to do,” Hickey said. “It’s our intention to bring to you, as a full committee, a proposed revised regional agreement at our July meeting. I think we’re almost there.”

He said there remain some “small language items” that still need clarification, and that the subcommittee wants the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to weigh in on the document changes.

No vote was sought June 21, but Hickey said, the subcommittee wanted to present a draft that would help the committee feel comfortable in bringing the updated agreement to the eight member communities for town meeting votes soon. The timing was gauged to provide time over the summer for boards of selectmen, town administrators or other stakeholders to give early feedback on some of the proposed changes.

“If the feedback from our communities is neutral to favorable, then I would probably want to bring [this matter] back to you for a vote to move this as a potential warrant article for fall or special town meetings,” he said. “If we get feedback that [it] requires further study, there is no rush. There is no looming deadline hanging over our head.”

The possible admission of the town of Hull to the district is a separate topic, Hickey stressed.

“This presentation is not word-by-word, it’s really just a view at 5,000 feet,” he said, noting he would review the proposed changes to the agreement only.

Among the proposed changes are:

• Moving mention of Whitman and Hanson to the preamble — as the last time the agreement was revised was the mid-1980s when those two towns first joined the district — and removal of specific mention of them in the rest of the first section as no longer relevant to mention of the “original member” towns.

• Updating member community status to reflect the one-member-one-vote process now followed. The subcommittee and consultants spent the most time in sections IV and V to reverse them and revise the budget and assessment procedures. In the previous version assessments were addressed before how budgets are built.

• Dealing with capital on a three-year rolling average and makes clear where a year refers to a July-to-June fiscal year and where it refers to a calendar year.

• Handling debt as a fixed number.

• Referring to a specific statute, MGL Ch. 71 Sec. (d) or (n), on how communities would be asked to incur debt. It is not now referred to in the agreement.

“This law is very challenging,” Hickey said, noting that a debt service could be passed with only two-thirds of member communities voting in favor. “But, any community that votes no doesn’t have to pay their share, and any community that votes no could have their enrollment restricted from any part of the building where an addition or a renovation might take place.”

He said he does not know how the district would address that restriction should the renovation be to something like a septic system or a cafeteria.

“I certainly don’t understand how that promotes district harmony,” he said. Currently debt must be accepted by a unanimous vote of member communities.

Future amendments to the regional agreement not involving debt, however, would only need a vote of two-thirds of member communities. Admission of new member towns would be covered by that change.

For withdrawal from the district, more clarity is included on necessary notice, procedure and post-departure financial obligations.

Chairman Robert Molla said he would like to see enough time built in that process to ensure the freshmen of a departing town would be able to complete their education at SSVT.

“In a nutshell, the bulk of this work is updating to current practices, aligning with current statutes, looking to give this and future committees greater flexibility as permitted under the statute in many cases,” Hickey said.

In other business, the committee overruled Hickey’s self-evaluation rating of “proficient” in all categories and insisted he be rated “exemplary” despite Hickey’s objections.

“I think Tom was very conservative and underestimated his abilities,” Molla said. “He’s been a 24/7, 365-day superintendent.”

“His ability to sit with you and talk with you is unbelievable,” member Kenneth Thayer of Norwell said of Hickey’s willingness to discuss concerns with School Committee representatives.  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

Hickey kept shaking his head “no” during the comments.

“I appreciate the motion, I appreciate your support,” he said. “I would, however, like to go on record  and say that I do believe my self-assessment more accurately reflects the rubrics of a superintendent. I will sign the evaluation if you vote this way, but I do so under protest because I think that “proficient” is a more accurate reflection of my performance.”

They didn’t listen to him and voted for the higher ranking.

The School Committee on Wednesday, June 14, provided more detail on transitional plans as Maquan Elementary School enters its final year as an active school in Hanson this September.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner along with Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Safety and Security Dr. Patrick Dillon and other administrators have met with Maquan and Indian Head School faculty to discuss the transition.

Dillon is leading that transition.

“This summer, during the school break when kids aren’t in session, we’ll start to meet with school leaders who are responsible for various portions of the transition and start the detailed planning process,” Dillon said.

“I think we’ve made good progress,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “I think people feel comfortable that, if they do have questions, to bring them forward. We’re asking them to remain calm, we’ve been through this process before.”

Dillon reported the leadership team has been identified and new Special Education Director Kyle Riley will oversee the preschool and special ed transition at Maquan. Hanson Middle School Principal William Tranter will be responsible for the incorporation of fifth-graders into that school and Maquan Principal Elizabeth Wilcox, who will serve as principal of both schools next year, will also supervise the transition of the remaining grades into Indian Head.

The district had announced to parents last week that John Riley will continue as Indian Head School’s assistant principal and Director of Science Mark Stephansky, a licensed principal/assistant principal, will be based at Maquan where he will also serve as assistant principal.

Maquan Administrative Assistant Susan Andrews will remain in place next year and will move to Indian Head for the 2018-19 school year. Indian Head Administrative Assistant Joan Maloney is retiring, effective June 30, and a temporary assistant will be hired for next year. Maquan’s Early Childhood Coordinator Patricia Collins and School Psychologist Joan Joyce will continue to assist with administrative responsibilities.

A steering committee of from eight to 10 stakeholders will also help provide guidance in the process.

The committee also reviewed the district’s Emergency Management Plan, which has addressed situations this year ranging from a smell in the Hanson Middle School elevator and a gas problem at Whitman Middle School to the national concern over scary clown sightings last fall.

“As we were reflecting on that, folks were saying, ‘and that all happened this year?’ — and it did,” Gilbert-Whitner said.

For the past two years, Dillon, has been working on a comprehensive emergency plan.

“When we reflected on the events from this year, we became ever more certain as to why those things [in the plan] needed to happen,” Gilbert-Whitner said.

Dillon reported on the progress of his 13-person planning task force. That group has reviewed the plan and provided individual feedback, which will be incorporated into the plan and submitted to Gilbert-Whitner by the end of the month and the police and fire chiefs in both towns over the summer.

The 2017-18 training plan will be presented to the School Committee in August, including procedures for evacuation, relocation and reunification plan for emergencies.

“One of the goals next year will be to practice that evolution in one of the schools,” he said. “It won’t happen until the springtime, but that’s an example of what we’re training for.”

In other business, the Committee presented its evaluation of Gilbert-Whitner’s goals and performance for 2016-17.

“The committee seems to be very pleased with our superintendent,” School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes said of the rankings which were in the proficient-to-exemplary range. The reports are kept on file at the administration office.

“The role of the superintendent has really changed over the years,” said committee member Robert Trotta. “I think it’s important to know that there’s a lot that goes on at the superintendent level — just dealing with the budget alone has got to be the most frustrating thing … All in all, I think you’ve done a great job.”

“I know we’re getting beat up a lot with financial issues … but I’ve seen a lot of improvement in what’s happening,” said member Kevin Lynam, whose children attend school in Whitman. “I’ve seen science programs hit the elementary schools … my oldest did not have that program and my youngest do.”

He said his children are now always bringing home science projects and are talking about science.

“That never happened before,” he said. “Neither of their parents have a science background at all — this is all coming from the schools.”

Committee member Fred Small, cautioned that the budget situation remains a concern.

“There’s so much more that we could be doing and should be doing,” he said.

172 graduate from SSVT

COHASSET — The 172 members of the South Shore Vocational Technical High School Class of 2017 have been urged to be champions of others — they are already champions themselves.

“You have character, a strong work ethic and talent,” Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey told his graduates Friday, June 9 during ceremonies at the South Shore Music Circus. “You’re a group of young adults who are ready to fix, to build, to lead, to create, to heal, to serve. I see champions everywhere I look.”

Introducing his theme with an audio highlight clip of Super Bowl LI, courtesy of 98.5 Sports Hub Radio Producer Howie Sylvester, Hickey urged the students to remember the word “champion” is also a verb.

“When we champion the causes of others, it means we are there to support and rally to others in need,” he said. “Because there will be people in your lives, at home, at work, who will be down 25 points, and they may not have a Brady or an Edelman, or a Belichick behind them. But they will have you.”

Student speakers, too, spoke of the difference the Class of 2017 has already done in their four years at SSVT.

“We were artists and actors, craftsmen and friends,” said Valedictorian and Senior Class President Benjamin Duncan. “Each one of us having a unique skill set and talent that we were ready and eager to share with the world.”

Duncan shared the last of his infamous annotated emails to his fellow seniors, offering a 13-point to-do list for life after high school. Expressing gratitude, smiling often, living simply and showing persistence were among those goals.

“Let’s throw ourselves out into the open and let’s not be afraid to make mistakes, because who knows where taking those chances will lead us in the future,” he concluded.

Salutatorian Dakota-Lyn Bagley used her volleyball team’s growth in her four years as an example of how she has also grown as a student, an athlete and a person.

“High school is difficult,” she said. “It is awkward and an emotional rollercoaster for everyone. … I was lucky to find stability at SSVT and I cannot put into words how thankful I am that I met all of you people that helped me find it.”

She said the process will start all over again with the start of college in the fall.

“But my time at SSVT has taught me that I will be OK,” she said.

Student Body President Jacob Cormier also lauded the school for providing each student the opportunity to discover their own unique talents.

“The experiences during the time at Vo-Tech have shaped every single one of us in some incredible way,” Cormier said. “If I hadn’t come to this school, I would be a completely different person.”

Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey summed up the Class of 2017 in a different way before handing out the diplomas:

“Every graduating class is a little unique,” he said. “Looking back at this class, the best way I can describe it is — young at heart. This is the class that brought a bouncy house to school last week. That’s before some mean, older guy told them they had to take it down.”

Whitman and Hanson graduates of SSVT are:

              WHITMAN

Sarah Achin, David Anderson, Olivia Baker-Buckley, Matthew Bennett, Cassidy Burt, Steven Coates, Ashley Corkery, Corissa Crowley, Alex Cullinan, Mitchell Ellis, Alexis Green, Shawn Holland, Christopher Kearns, Jared Keith, Liam Leonard, Christopher Martell, Sarah Maul, Nathan Maynard, Owen McLaughlin, Alex McPherson, Jonathan Mills, Kelly O’Sullivan, Cassie Rapoza, Alexandra Reiser, Christian Tanner.

HANSON

Brian Buchanan, Brian Burns, Alexander Cross, Tylor Fleming, Harry Gauthier, Colby Ingemi-Jolie, Dylan Key, Matthew McAndrew, Kade Milewski, Harrison Newcomb, Christopher Pellerin, Emily Sansone, Derek Stalker.

W-H lauds its CES graduates

They’ve already taken the road less traveled toward earning their high school diplomas, so Community Evening School Co-Director William  Glynn had some suggestions for the 18 students of the Class of 2017 — keep blazing different trails.

Be the first one to dance at a party. Eat weird foods — try mayonnaise on your hot dog. Read books no one has made you read and authentically share your life with others.

He also asked the students to step up to help change their world, by being themselves.

“This evening’s ceremony not only celebrates the countless hours of hard work of our graduates, but the dedication of those who have supported the students throughout their journey,” Co-Director Dianne Nicol said in her welcoming remarks Thursday, June 1. “Everyone sitting in this auditorium has contributed to each student’s success — give yourself a well-deserved round of applause.”

The keynote speaker, Glynn has been a part of the graduates’ entire high school experience. He asked the students if they felt nervous on the occasion he felt “terrified — and I’m from Whitman, so imagine how the people from Hanson feel right now,” he quipped.

He congratulated the students from the heart.

“You did this,” he said. “Of course, people helped you — family, friends, even some teachers, all looked out for you. They guided you, they goaded you, in some cases they affectionately dragged you here to this moment. But you did this.”

He said many had overcome challenges that would have stopped others in the room dead in their tracks.

“It will provide a place of strength from which you can better face the challenges, seize the opportunities and enjoy the splendors of the world that now lie before you,” Glynn said. “Get out there and experience it.”

He urged them to go places they’ve never been, to meet new people and try new things — including that bit about mayo on hot dogs. He also urged them to listen to new music and work a bunch of different jobs.

“Some things will work out beyond your wildest expectations,” he said. “Some things, to speak the truth … might feel like soul-crushing disasters.”

Both kinds are invaluable experiences that can enrich and ennoble life and neither is forever, Glynn said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes noted that while CES students may not go through the “typical program of studies, but it got them here” as graduates of WHRHS.

“You have to stay committed and finish — finish everything that you do. It’s a must,” Hayes said. “As you know, this was not an easy task. … the future has great hope for all of you. Stay focused and committed.”

He also advocated that the students dream big and remain life-long learners.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner also addressed the class, in the same theme of the meaning of success as her address to the 282 students who graduated Friday, June 2.

“When success is defined as favorable or desired outcomes, each one of you is a success, having accomplished all the requirements to obtain a high school diploma,” she said.

She also urged them to savor the moment.

“Memories that will last a lifetime are being created right now,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “For those of us who graduated from high school some time ago, those memories are rekindled as we proudly watch the Class of 2017 receive their diplomas.”

Students then received their diplomas from persons each had asked to make the presentation.

CES Class of 2017

Rebecca Helen Ames presented by Bruce Gardner, Owen Robert Andrews, Jesmelia Isabel Brandao presented by Emelia Ortiz, Aaron Douglas Brown presented by Vivki Brown, Paulo Roberto De Oliviera presented by Maureen Garrett, Taylor Grace Fitzgerald presented by Paul Fitzgerald and Kim Baker, Sarah Catherine Folan presented by Shana Folan, Katrina Lucille Freeman presented by Jeffrey Andrews, Thomas Ray Hines was absent, Cameron Charles Hunsinger presented by Rachel Hunsinger, Katherine Anne Lee presented by Kerry DeSista, Ryan Patrick McCabe presented by William Glynn, Cole James McCarthy presented by William Glynn, Joseph Scott McHugh presented by his father, Bailee Frances Poirier presented by William Glynn, Mark Joseph Smith presented by Bruce Gardner, Shelton Caribe Terry presented by William Glynn and Debra Rose Williams who was absent.

WHITMAN — Selectmen, at the behest of Police Chief Scott Benton, are considering a reduction of the number of parking spaces permitted on South Avenue in front of Town Hall to improve pedestrian visibility and safety in crosswalks.

Old Colony Planning Council will be asked to conduct a study on the feasibility of such a move — as well as a reduction of the speed limit in that area to 20 miles per hour.

“We can go to 20, but there’s a petition process,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said, noting the statutory speed limit is 25 there. Lynam and Selectman Dan Salvucci said the OCPC can work rather quickly on the issue.

“There’s going to have to be some periodic enforcement, too,” Lynam said.

Benton provided a packet of eight photos illustrating the parking spaces and street traffic in front of Town Hall, as well as a copy of the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices, to illustrate his points. The photos demonstrate the lack of room for safely opening car doors and visibility problems when pedestrians emerge in the crosswalk from between cars to cross the street.

“I have people come in all the time complaining they almost got killed in this crosswalk out here,” Benton said. “Are we going to count bodies before we say, ‘Well, maybe we ought to take a look at this’?”

Selectman Brian Bezanson said 15 years of holding political signs in the Venus parking lot on election days has demonstrated to him the need to address the problem.

“You get to see a lot of things, and I can tell you that people go way too fast in front of this building,” Bezanson said. “It’s outrageous. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen one of your officers practically jump out of their shoes to get cars to slow down and stop and not hit pedestrians.”

He said the town is between a rock and a hard place, losing parking spots that are like gold to save somebody’s life. A lack of curb cuts for handicapped access to crosswalks is also a dangerous problem, Bezanson said, advocating a close look at the whole picture of safety in the area. Salvuci said the OCPC would require the curb cuts, which Lynam said should be done in any case.

“There’s a reason to do it for the traffic itself, but, certainly for the pedestrians, the biggest problem I see is visibility,” Benton said of the parking space changes. “They’re not visible.”

The federal guidelines place a minimum of 20 feet from a crosswalk to a parking space, with a recommendation of 30 feet or more. Benton said there are about three spaces in that stretch of roadway that are not 20 feet from the crosswalk. At least three parking spaces would be eliminated with the 20-foot guideline, six would be cut with a 30-foot guidelines.

“What we have here, too, a lot of the time is a lot of ‘almosts,’” Benton said. “Somebody goes to open their door without looking, and the door’s going South except for a motorist’s reaction or their person [opening the door] catches themselves.”

The situation also creates a problem of insufficient travel space for traffic in both directions when a westbound vehicle moves toward the center to provide room for opening car doors.

It presents a problem for crosswalks at Central and Davis streets as well as in front of the post office.

According to Benton, courts have held that, if a driver doesn’t have time to see an obstruction and avoid it, they are not responsible for a collision. A left turn out of Davis toward the east end of town, requires cars to make a wide turn — almost into the left lane — to get around cars parked in the corner space, he added.

Large trucks and emergency vehicles are also faced with the challenge of getting past parked cars.

Benton said that removing parking spaces and reconfiguring traffic flow past the 418 block of South Avenue near Raynor Avenue has reduced the number of accidents in that area. Selectmen Chairman Carl Kowalski, however, said the new traffic pattern there makes it difficult to see westbound traffic coming from the intersection of Pleasant and Franklin streets with South Avenue.

“It’s amazing how a line of cars, with almost no space between them, comes through that [four-way] stop sign,” Kowalski said. “Something has to be done with that.”

Benton said the problem with past accidents there was due more to visibility restrictions from traffic emerging from Raynor Avenue because of parked cars along the 418 block.

Kowalski said parking near Town Hall is also important for elders, especially as the back parking lot is often filled with employee vehicles.

Selectmen Scott Lambiase and Randy LaMattina suggested the municipal lot behind Dunkin’ Donuts is available, and perhaps signage is needed to alert people of its presence.

WHITMAN — Under a giant American flag, the Duval Elementary School’s students, faculty and some parents gathered in the school gym Friday, May 26 to kick off Memorial Day weekend with the school’s 13th annual We Remember program.

The school welcomed special guests selectmen Scott Lambiase, Randy LaMattina and Dan Salvucci, Town Administrator Frank Lynam, Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, Veterans’ Agent Thomas McCarthy, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Dillon — who is a lieutenant in the Coast Guard — and members of the Duval family at the event.

Retired Navy SEAL Lt. Cmdr. Anthony O’Brien also attended to lead a group of students, clad in his old fatigue blouses and covers, in saluting the five branches of the armed services with a loud shout of, “Thank you for your service!”

“It is so important that we have you come here to help teach all of our friends that are with us how important it is to pause this weekend and remember the men and women who have sacrificed so much for all of us,” Principal Julie McKillop said in her welcoming remarks.

But the students were the primary participants in the event, as a handful read from reports, poems and letters to veterans in honor of service to country before the student body sang “America,” and “God Bless America.”

“We would like to thank all of our special guests who took the time to be with us today to help us remember the brave men and women who have given their service and lives for their country,” said fifth-grader David Nourse in his welcome on behalf of his fellow students. “We are honored to have you join us in our celebration.”

Nourse singled out Dillon and school gym teacher Patrick Kennedy, a Marine reservist currently on a humanitarian deployment to Hondouras, thanking them for their service.

Students and Duval staff members also placed tiny American flags on a wreath for display in the lobby in honor of relatives who have served their country.

“You help protect us and keep us safe. When people are doing bad things, you protect us through it all,” student Kelsey Fitzgerald read from her letter to veterans. “You are awesome and brave. Thank you, soldiers.”

“Inside every soldier, there’s a heart, and inside every heart, there is love,” read Brailey Murphy from her essay. “In every heart there is bravery — more bravery than anyone can imagine — it all comes from the love. … It makes you strong. It makes you bold. It makes you a soldier.”

The school’s fourth-grade class also presented with donated personal care items to Jason Gray, a representative of the Brockton VA Hospital.

“I understand a lot of hard work went into this, and we thank you very much,” Gray said before pledging to leave immediately to deliver the “conference room full of stuff” to the veterans to whom it was donated. “Thank you for working so hard for us — our country and our veterans — it’s what you give back to your community.”

Salvucci noted the huge American flag dominating the gym wall behind the speakers’ podium as he honored his late father in-law, a World War II veteran who had served in the Normandy invasion and transferred to the Pacific after the war in Europe had been won. Salvucci said the Duval program is his favorite event because he gets to talk about his father in-law’s service and his devotion to the flag.

“I always carry an American flag — when you see me marching, I’m carrying this small flag,” he said as he took the flag out of his breast pocket. “This year, when I walked into this room and I saw this American flag, my heart stopped. I want to thank you.”

O’Brien, too, said he was impressed by the giant flag, adding that, for some, Memorial Day is every day.

“If you served in combat, you’ve seen too many caskets with [our] flag on it,” he said. “So, to see that flag is extra special.”

He noted that only 1 percent of the American public serves in the military, and only 6 percent of Americans are veterans, adding that teachers, town officials and public safety personnel should also be thanked for their service to their community. He asked the students to think of those who are serving in uniform now or have served in the past as they honor those who have died in service to their country over the weekend.

More students followed O’Brien, including Camryn Tarr, reading her essay on Betsey Ross and Livia Saya, who read from her paper on the bald eagle. Kathryn Ward, Nathan Smith and Brooklyn Uzzell read from their original poems and Lillie MacKinnon, Van Le and Ariana Beane read from their letters to veterans.

“Thank you for protecting us and all you’ve done for us,” Le read from his letter. “Because of you, we can be safe from harm. Keep up the good work.”

Student leaders then presented red carnations to the special guests and escorted them to the library for a breakfast reception and gave them hand-written thank you letters.

HANSON — The Hanson Board of Selectmen Tuesday May 23, expanded the scope and changed the name of its school buildings repair committee.

It was the board’s first  meeting since the May 20 election, kicking off with the swearing-in of new selectmen Jim Hickey and Laura Fitzgerald-Kemmett, who were active in discussion and ready to provide input on many of the agenda items.

Most of the meeting dealt with Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair Committee, the name of which is being changed to reflect the concerns about all three Hanson school buildings.

The Selectmen decided to vote on renaming the committee to the concise School Repair Committee. They also unanimously voted to add the Hanson Middle School to this committee after discussing the responsibility and role of the committee.

“Maybe we need to incorporate all of the town buildings into this committee because they’re all in disrepair and we always seem surprised when something like a roof leak comes up,” Selectman Fitzgerald-Kemmett said.

Chairman McGahan agreed.

“We have a need for a group to focus on town buildings,” he said.

Selectman Howard asked if the school department didn’t take care of schools?

Essentially, the argument is that the schools shouldn’t be incorporated with town buildings, as the responsibility is lying in different pockets. Whitman contributes money to the school department. There is also the matter of people covering the school buildings not having knowledge of the happenings of town buildings.

“I don’t know if this committee is the way to do it (determining the needs to repair town buildings),” Selectman Kenny Mitchell said.

In response to the arguments, Fitzgerald-Kemmett said, “It’s evolving to where we need two or three committees… Bring groups together so they can prioritize what they all need.”

Selectman Hickey differed.

“I don’t know if we want to make two or three new committees,” he said. “We have enough trouble getting people to join our current committees.”

“This town is committee-ing itself to death,” School Committee chairman, and member of the Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair Committee, Bob Hayes said. He argued that regardless of how many committees there are, the town still has to vote to listen to them.

Town Administrator Michael McCue felt that this was something that could not be accomplished during this meeting. He thought the discussion was healthy but they should attend to the matter at hand, which was the Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair Committee.

The former selectman member of this committee was Bruce Young. Due to his retiring, the members had to vote on his replacement. Hickey said that he would like to take on this responsibility and the members voted to approve him unanimously. This will, of course, be his first committee as a selectman.

The meeting began with their swearing in with many attended the meeting in order to see these Hanson residents officially become Selectmen and there was applause from the crowd.

The board then reorganized, voting James McGahan back as chairman and Mitchell as vice chairman.

A former Whitman Police sergeant pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, May 16 to wire fraud, preparing false income tax returns for clients of his tax preparation business, obstructing the internal revenue laws and misappropriating funds from the accounts of disabled veterans while he was a fiduciary appointed by the U.S.  Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

The plea was announced by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb for the District of Massachusetts in a press release from the Public Affairs Office of the Department of Justice-Washington.

Glenn P. Pearson, 61, admitted to causing a tax loss of more than $1.5 million.

Pearson used his position as a fiduciary to misappropriate and embezzle more than $250,000 in VA-issued benefit money from the accounts of several veterans, according to the statement.

In court documents, officials stated Pearson obstructed the IRS by falsifying statements and documents for his clients, who were being audited.

“Mr. Pearson now finds himself on the opposite end of the very laws he was once sworn to uphold,” said Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw of the FBI’s Boston Field Division.  “He took advantage of his position as a fiduciary to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from disabled veterans. The FBI will do everything we can to protect citizens against fraud, and stop those who steal from them.”

Pearson is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 19, facing a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, five years for misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary, three years for preparing false tax returns, and three years for attempting to interfere with the administration of the internal revenue laws.  As part of his plea he must make restitution to the veteran’s, the VA and IRS.

Pearson was reportedly fired as a Whitman police officer in early 2001 amid allegations of numerous inappropriate actions while on the job.

WHITMAN — As Fire Chief Timothy Grenno began his campaign last week in support of a $310,000 Prop 21/2 override question on the Saturday, May 20 ballot [see related story, page 8], town officials have begun calculating the cost to taxpayers.

According to Town Administrator Frank Lynam on Tuesday, May 9, that preliminary unofficial numbers could put the tax impact of the override and additional budget expenditures voted at the May 1 Town Meeting at $390 — based on a $300,000 home value — over the four quarterly tax bills. This represents an extra $1.09 per $1,000 valuation for the Article 2 adjustments from Town Meeting floor and 20.4 cents per $1,000 for the Fire Department override. The two add up to an additional $1.30 per $1,000 according to the preliminary figures.

Assessor Kathy Keefe must still verify the numbers. Much also depends on how much property values have increased in town, Lynam noted.

Grenno appeared at a candidates’ forum Thursday, May 4 to explain the need for an extra three firefighters at Whitman Fire-Rescue. It is a task he has vowed to repeat at as many opportunities as possible over the next nine days.

With a call volume of 496 emergency runs in 1965, a full-time fire department was implemented with five people per shift — where it has remained since. Last year’s call volume of 2,664 runs were still being answered by five-person crews — a 177-percent increase in calls.

“It is very, very difficult — if not, at times, impossible — to maintain the public safety that you, the taxpayers, you the residents, deserve and expect from your Fire Department,” he said. “I do not take overrides lightly, I do not take finances lightly.”

Grenno stressed that the extra firefighter per shift will give the department “a fighting chance” on fire and medical emergency calls.

“It will give you that comfort, knowing that when you call 911 we should have a response time of less than four minutes coming to your front door because we have the proper staffing,” he said. “That cannot be guaranteed at this time.”

Lynam said the Town Meeting votes pushed the town budget closer to the levy limit.

The tax rate — used to determines how efficiently a government operates and the kind of value one gets out of property — is the result of dividing how much money the town spends over all of the town’s taxable valued property, Lynam explained.

Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate a total of $30,916,844.85 between Article 2, debt and other expenses as well as capital funding for purchases — $1,660,531 more than last year. Free cash and other available funds are not included in that figure.

HANSON — The annual Town Meeting kicked off a smooth outing Monday, May 1 by honoring longtime Selectman Bruce Young, who is retiring from public office this year. State Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, attended,  discussing the impact that Selectman Young has had on the Hanson community.

“The gentleman we are here to recognize has served the town of Hanson in many ways, dating back to 1977 as a Finance Committee member, a Historical Commission member, as a Board of Water commissioner and most recently on the Hanson Board of Selectmen,” Cutler read from a ciation he presented on behalf of the Massachuetts General Court. “Be it hereby known to all, that the House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to Bruce Young in recognition of your many years of service to the Town of Hanson.”

“Josh and I are a prime example of people on opposite political spectrums that get along,” Young said of Cutler. “Everyone is working towards a common effort to move in the right direction for Hanson.”

Young also called the Town Meeting “the purest form of democracy” and encouraged everyone to spread the interest in Town Meetings to those around them for this generation and future generations.

Selectmen Chairman James McGahan praised Young for taking him under his wing, adding that Young has been a big influence on him politically.

The Town Meeting officially began by voting on the articles in the Special Town Meeting, during which, in Article 9, the entire Maquan School engineering condition assessment was scrapped. With this section of the article abandoned, the total cost of free cash went from the initial projection of $78,667 down to $53,667.

Between the Special and Regular Town Meetings there was a brief time-lapse video presentation of the Plymouth County Hospital demolition. It was said that the vacant area will be covered in a field of grass in roughly six weeks.

Marijuana
moratorium

Hanson voters rejected a temporary moratorium on the sale and distribution of marijuana in Hanson during the annual Town Meeting. There was disagreement between the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, with the Selectmen voting 5-0 to recommend and the Finance Committee voting 5-0 not to recommend.

There was an amendment to this Article, moving the date this moratorium would end from June 30, 2019 to January 1, 2019.

“Our primary focus as a committee is to look at the financial impact and what’s in the best interest, in terms of financial interest, to the town,” Finance Committee Chairman Michael Dugan said in discussing the vote not to recommend. “We looked at this as if a retail location opened in Halifax, or any of the surrounding towns, this would, in effect, have a future impact limiting free trade in Hanson.”

Essentially the Finance Committee didn’t not want to risk future financial gains via taxes from a potential marijuana facility. This moratorium would prevent Hanson from gaining a financial benefit if neighboring towns choose to open a facility before 2019.

One resident asked how much money the town could potentially gain from a marijuana outlet. The Finance Committee said that the town has the right to add an additional 2 percent tax on top of the state tax for marijuana sales.

This close voice vote was challenged by a resident, the lone article among 52 that required a vote count. In addition to a vote count, it also required a 2/3 majority. 62 voted yes while 56 voted no, defeating the moratorium.

Capital matrix

As was the case during the Town Meeting Preview, Article 14 was the primary source of drama for the night. The primary concern, as brought up by the speaker from the Capital Improvement Committee, was the cost.

He said, “It is not up to our committee to second guess the department heads, it is not up to the board of selectmen to decide what the people of Hanson can afford will afford and will pay. We simply put the facts as they’re given to us by the department heads as a point of information to the citizens.”

During the annual Town Meeting, Young was highly critical of the Capital Improvement Committee’s repair matrix in Article 14:

“The purpose of having a capital improvement committee is outlined in the general by-law,” he pointed out, “It’s true the department heads bring their requests to the capital improvement committee each year, but it’s up to the Capital Improvement Committee, as outlined in the bylaw, to coordinate the development of the capital improvement budget within the operating budget in the current fiscal year.”

He explained that capital improvement funds can afford between $800,000 and $1 million, therefore the town shouldn’t have $11 million or $12 million in the capital improvement matrix.

“The committee is charged with prioritizing department head requests into the matrix for the first year and then to the corresponding five years as they see fit,” Young said. “That way you don’t have the department heads dictating and dividing up where the priorities should come, you have an independent board called the Capital Improvement Committee, made up of seven members at large, who possess neutrality on the subject dividing up and prioritizing capital improvement funds.

“If you don’t follow these rules and you just list everything under fiscal year 18 then there’s no sense in having a Capital Improvement Committee, because they’re the ones in charge of prioritizing it and sending it to the board of selectmen for approval,” Young continued. “Thus, if I see a capital improvement matrix that doesn’t follow the capital improvement by-law and I go along with it then I turn my back on what should be done under the general by-law. If we have a by-law, like any other law, it’s supposed to be followed. Why should I go along with a committee that isn’t following the capital improvement by-law?”

Voters nonetheless voted to approve Article 14 even with the Capital Improvement Committee brazenly ignoring the by-law and Young didn’t hide his disappointment over the vote.

Articles 31 and 32, seeking donations to nonprofit organizations were deemed illegal by town legal counsel, because the town is not allowed to give money to an outside organization. The organizations are Health Imperatives’ Violence Intervention and Prevention programs and the South Shore Women’s Resource Center for deomestic violence intervention and prevention. During the Town Meeting Preview, the Selectmen emphasized that they support these organizations but could not recommend them as they must follow the law in this instance.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, April 25 previewed next week’s Town Meeting articles.

The rehearsal for the Monday, May 1 Town Meeting was mostly intended as an opportunity for various town officials to discuss articles that will be put before the meeting. Some of the officials came to specifically discuss articles they were representing.

Most of the articles were passed over quickly, without much discussion, but others were more controversial. At various times Selectmen and even town officials spoke out against articles.

Selectman Bruce Young, for example, maintained that town bylaws are not being followed on Article 14 — the Capital Improvement matrix, which totals $12 million — a figure the town is unable to fund. Young maintained the Capital Improvement Committee is not doing its job, because it is charged with producing a matrix the town can afford.

“I’m not going to let you twist my arm in public,” Selectmen Chairman James McGahan said in an effort to restore order to the meeting.

There was also much discussion revolving around the WasteZero contract, recently extended for three years. The extension was signed by Town Administrator Michael McCue.

Selectmen expressed concern over the relevance of a waste disposal transfer station when most people in town are now using various hauling companies for their waste.

Young was concerned about the lack of publicity surrounding the extension, citing that it was highly publicized three years ago at the initial signing with WasteZero. He said that it was previously a “ceremonial signing of the contract.” He offered to show the video to the representative from the transfer station. Selectman Kenny Mitchell agreed with Young, stating that he was there during the last signing and was surprised that it was not done in a similar manner this time.

McGahan said he felt this portion of the discussion was a distraction.

“Regardless of the history, let’s stick to what’s on the agenda,” he said. “I don’t want to go into a violation of the Open Meeting Law.”

McCue wanted to verify his intent in signing the contract extension. He stated, “there’s a misconception that this was a de facto extension” on his part and wanted to make it clear that, if the town eventually wants to move toward curbside trash collection in the future, it would need to start the process at a more adequate time.

“In the interim we need to keep in place what we have now or we’ll have nothing in place,” he said.

Young also wanted to know the number of Hanson residents who have a valid pass for the transfer station and compare that to the number of homes in Hanson to gauge the relevance of the program.  He said that on his street various waste disposal companies are used and wonders how many people truly take advantage of the pay as you go transfer station system. This information was not immediately available.

Selectman Donald Howard defended the transfer station, stating, “Pay as you go has worked throughout this country.”

“We have tried many ways to fund the transfer stations,” Howard said. “Yes, we run at a deficit but eventually we’ll get better at it.”

The representatives from the transfer station were pleased with Howard’s sentiment, and were adamant in their plan to make the transfer station “self-sufficient.”

Mitchell said, “I don’t believe it will ever be self-sufficient.”

The board approved to hire and appoint three women to positions in the Town of Hanson.

Rhondalee Larson will be the new clerk to the Treasurer. The Selectmen spoke very highly of Larson and her 20 years of experience.

“We were quite fortunate that Rhondalee chose to apply to the position,” McCue said.

The town also appointed Mary Drake to be an Animal Control Officer. She has experience providing home pet care and has written a book on a six-week dog training program. McCue praised her enthusiasm and said she has been active as interim animal control officer in the past two weeks.

Lee Gamache, a resident of Hanson for 54 years and an employee of the town for 20 years, applied to be a member of the 200th anniversary commission and was accepted by the Board.

To start the meeting the Board entered executive session for roughly 40 minutes. This was to strategize “in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.” These strategies apply to various employees for the town.