Staff report

After a double whammy of wild winter weather, the region has seen just about every form of precipitation imaginable since Thursday, Feb. 9, forcing three straight school day cancellations and adding to the cost of snow removal efforts in Whitman and Hanson.

Whitman DPW’s Highway/Park Superintendent Bruce Martin said he is still calculating the cost since Feb. 9, but Town Administraror Frank Lynam said Tuesday that he has already authorized deficit spending for snow removal.

“We had contractors in Sunday night,” Martin said, noting a lot of salt was also used on the streets. “It’s expensive.”

“The slush is tough because the plows don’t scrape it as good, you almost need a squeegie,” he said. “It’s harder to push, it’s harder for the sidewalk snowblower to clean — everything is harder because it’s wet an slushy.”

“Ballpark cost of [cleanup has been] $30,000 not counting fuel, salaries  and material,” Hanson Town Administrator Michael McCue said Monday. The $30,000 paid for outside contractors, according to McCue.

Martin said he keeps an unofficial snowfall log for his own reference and the town is up to 55 inches of snow for the season, a figure that is slightly above average, which is in the “high 40s.”

“Even last year — people think last year was a down winter, but we were actually right above average with 51 inches,” Martin said.

On the roads, police and fire departments responded to numerous reports of accidents and stuck vehicles.

State officials also wanted people to take their time going to work Monday morning to allow crews a chance to clear the roads after the second round of snow, slush and ice hit the state Sunday.

On Sunday night, Gov. Charlie Baker called for an 11 a.m. start time for some state employees, as did the state Senate and House of Representatives.

On Sunday night, Baker said the two-part storm that was expected to stretch into midday Monday was “more unpredictable” than last Thursday’s storm and that he wanted to wait until the picture came into better view before deciding whether to delay or cancel work for state employees. The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a winter storm warning for most of Massachusetts and warned of strong, damaging winds and the possibility of power outages Monday.

The wind associated with the Feb. 9 storm had already proved damaging to the home of a Hanson family.
“Our East Washington Street house was hit by a large pine tree during the peak of the [Thursday, Feb. 9] storm,” said Express photographer Stephanie Spyropoulos. “There were a few loud booms at the time reported as thundersnow by the weather forecasters.”

She described the situation as “scary, loud and chaotic for a short period of time” as police and firefighters arrived assessing the damage and the downed wires. No injuries were reported.
One large limb and several smaller punctures occurred when the tree fell striking the front of the cape style home. A smaller tree which was also crushed may have absorbed some of the weight of the pine.

The roof was boarded up by Sunday afternoon and ready for the next round of snow.

Heavy winds returned on Monday afternoon as those not working or clearing snow headed out to play in it. Neon sleds, snow pants and matching hats were like brightly colored gum drops standing out in the snow banks at the Whitman Park on Monday. Still, the hill was not as busy as normal.

The wind was blowing in full force and picked up speed Monday at noon as a small crowd of teens braved the cold on a snow day to take a few runs down the hill at Whitman Park. However families with smaller children who were red faced and chilled to the bone were making the last few steps as parents began to pack sleds and wet jackets in the cars.

Carrying her infant Dylan in a baby carrier on her chest Tammy Bengin of Whitman walked her two dogs both Siberian Huskies along the Whitman Park.

Despite the cold she bundles up and heads out because the dogs need to get out and they love the cold, she said. She doesn’t love the winter weather but said that in spring you will see her walking and making tracks across Whitman.

Staff writers Tracy F. Seelye and Stephanie Spyropoulos and State House News Service writer Colin Young contributed to this report.

HANSON — A municipal park — perhaps including a common, walking and picnic areas or a gazebo bandstand — has been recommended by the Final Plymouth County Hospital Committee as a use for a portion of the property once the dilapidated hospital building is razed in April.

“Even though we have great resources like sports fields, a nice pond on either side of the Town Hall and Camp Kiwanee, Hanson has never in its history had an actual park,” Committee member, and Conservation Commission Chairman, Phil Clemons said.

Selectmen voted Tuesday, Feb. 7 to support the recommendation for designing a park on the site. Selectman Don Howard chairs the PCH Committee. The vote, not intended as a final approval, enables the PCH Committee to move forward with financing a park design.

Selectmen also approved a bid from Almar LLC of Medfield, as well as a change order, for the latest roof repair project at Maquan School.

The park project would be located in parcel two on the 55-acre property, in which three parcels with distinct features have been identified. Parcel two is where the food pantry, community garden, water tower and other buildings are located.

“It’s a sensible thing to do,” said Clemons. “We think we’ve answered questions regarding funding and the whole concept. The committee would be interested in feedback from this board.”

The board liked what they heard.

“You came to us with a potential solution,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan. “But, not only did you come to us with a solution, you came to us with a point on how to fund it, so I’m very impressed.”

He updated the Board of Selectmen on the PCH panel’s work. The committee has also proposed ways to fund the project.

Clemons’ PowerPoint presentation outlined the PCH Committee’s work over the course of more than 45 meetings, and indicated residents expressed a “strong desire” for a park at the site in a survey conducted last year.

“We need to make sure we set aside a way to fund the maintenance of the park,” McGahan said. “I’m sure that’s a big concern.”

Voters at the October 2016 Town Meeting authorized $1.8 million for razing the former hospital and outbuildings, with a bid of $1 million awarded to J. R. Vinagro. The balance of the unused funds reverts to the town and cannot be retained for maintenance.

The Committee has proposed the establishment of an account in which proceeds from the sale of the former hospital superintendent’s house “or a few other sources,” would be deposited to help fund maintenance. The panel also recommends an appraisal of the superintendent’s house.

The Committee has also applied to the Conway School of Landscape Design to plan a park on the site, estimated to cost about $7,000 and expects to hear that result soon. Clemons said feedback on the application has been “very positive.” The $7,000 price tag would encompass several site visits and a public meeting in Hanson for public input and ideas as they gather information. The cost would be paid over two installments at the beginning and end of the process.

Town Administrator Michael McCue said, at that price level, there is no need for competitive procurement.

Community Preservation funds are considered as a funding source for the design, but that process could delay the work. The town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) expected to be completed this month, would allow the committee to apply for several grants for the park. It also makes $4,000 in Conservation Commission funds immediately available for the park project, as well as more modest conservation funds that could be permitted for use by the state.

On Feb. 15 the Conservation Commission will discuss and vote on the possibility of going that route.

“Every previous version of that [OSRP] plan has included vague ideas about the county hospital — now it’s time to get specific,” Clemons said.

Besides a common, the plan could also include a low-maintenance playground, accessible walking trails, connection to the 200-mile Bay Circuit Trail and a possible dog park.

Other recommendations for the PCH property’s remaining parcels that are still under discussion, involve expanding the water tank easement to allow a second water tank, supporting the Bonney House as an historic education site, exploring the possibility of an unobtrusive cell tower and a solar array option for the south end of the property.

“There’s income for the town from [a solar facility],” Clemons said.

The PCH Committee is also investigating the use of online crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe to help pay for the project and its maintenance.

“We seek not to increase, but to control tax burdens,” he said.

“From what I can see, it gives you some revenue from the solar and the only thing you’re missing is an adult driving range,” Selectman Bruce young said.

“We think the golfing public has other options,” Clemons said.

Maquan roof

The board’s vote on the bid for the repairs to a small section of the Maquan School roof followed a similar vote by the School Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The School Committee recommended awarding the contract to Almar LLC for a bid of $44,747 as well as an alternative of $9,500 for a total of $54,247 for the second phase of the roof’s repair. The Selectmen’s vote allows McCue and School Business Services Director Christine Suckow to sign the contract.

The work entails additional items found that were not part of the original roof repair contract for the flat part of the school’s roof. Flashing and brickwork found in need of repair will now be addressed.

A $7,600 change order with consultants Gale Engineering was also approved to appoint the firm as clerk of the works on the project.

WHITMAN — Popular Children’s Illustrator John Steven Gurney made lots of silly faces when he spoke to the students at Conley Elementary School Thursday, Jan. 26. They were just as pleased to give him the arched eyebrow and make cartoon-like expressions in return.

After all, they were envisioning how they would look as a character in one of his many books.

Having the perfect pout and eye expression is the goal when Gurney is sketching for publications, he told students. His well-known “A-Z Mysteries,” “Pet Hotel,” “The Bailey School Kids,” and more than 140 other books grace the shelves of libraries everywhere and Conley is no exception.

Many Conley students were engaged in drawing easy cartoon figures, and most gasped when the PowerPoint showed their favorite books, which were illustrated by Gurney.

He gave a detailed step-by-step description of the creative process which goes into illustrating — explaining that he works closely with the editor, and not the author, of a book — which can be a lengthy process to define the finished product.

During the PowerPoint presentation, his various stages of work were explained complete with using his son to capture a moving subject. He later compared the early sketches to the finished pages in the book.

Several second-grade students whispered across their row to one another about a book they were currently reading in class.  They giggled as if they had a kept secret for the ending but then realized Gurney would never reveal the ending of the book.

No spoiler alert needed.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen discussed updates on the Maquan School repair project, as well as the Whitman Hanson Community Access contract during its Tuesday, Jan. 24 meeting.

With several issues arising over the conditions of Maquan Elementary School, real change needs to occur shortly, town and school district officials agree. The roof over the gym was recently repaired, but that is only a small accomplishment in comparison to many other problems with the building.

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes updated the board on a rejected statement of interest in an accelerated repair. This will slow down repairs from February until sometime in the spring.

Next Monday, the School Committee’s Capital Improvements subcommittee will be meeting at Maquan to discuss the issues that have been brought forward. Hayes mentioned the town needs to “appropriate $15,000 to $25,000 to evaluate the entire system.”

Hayes listed electrical problems, an overhaul of the heating system, the lack of a sprinkler system, asbestos removal, and an upgrade of the fold-down lifts as some of the work still to be done at the school.

There is already difficulty in determining the priority of these problems, he noted.

“We have been operating without a sprinkler system since the 60s, I would think the sprinkler system may not be as big a priority as the heating system,” Hayes said. “You can’t be in the building with no heat.”

Selectman Bruce Young mentioned that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) said that the building should have been replaced three or four years ago.

Depending on the evaluation of the school, there may need to be drastic steps taken moving forward according to Hayes.

“If [proposed repairs] reach 30 percent of the assessed value of the building then you need to bring the whole building under every code,” Hayes said.

The expectation is that Maquan will end up being over the 30-percent threshold.

“Every system should be replaced and that is why we will not qualify for the statement of interest (on the accelerated repair),” Young said. “It sets up a paradox between how many systems should we replace, when three or four years down the road you repurpose or you may not use the building.”

In other business, the board again placed the Whitman Hanson Community Access contract on hold.

As soon as the discussion started, W-H Community Access Board Chairman Arlene Dias, raised concerns over problematic language in the contract.

Section 3 Article J states: “The obligation to cablecast these meetings shall remain regardless of funding available to W-H Access.”

Dias and members of the board were confused as to how W-H Community Access could cover these meetings without having the funding to exist at all.

“We should take it back to the attorney to find out what the intent is,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan.

Town Administrator Michael McCue reported that discussions regarding the removal of the Plymouth County Hospital are still in the early stages. Much of the technical details appear to be in the works.

“They need to remove hazardous material before they start,” said Selectman Donald Howard, who chairs the Final Plymouth County Hospital Reuse Committee.

Howard also mentioned that the winter would be the ideal time to start this project, as it would prevent destruction related dust from contaminating the area.

Two structures are planned to remain after this process is over. The communication tower will be auctioned off rather than simply destroyed.

Prior to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the board’s Wage and Personnel Subcommittee discussed changes to the library director’s job description.

“This change comes from the library trustees, as they feel the current description has become outdated,” McCue said. The last change was made in 2004.

Some of the updates include additional duties such as increased oversight and attending various workshops. Additionally, there is a larger emphasis on education. Minimum qualifications list a “master’s degree in library science and five years of progressively responsible experience public library administrations.”

It also mentions an equivalent combination of education and experience will be adequate. Members of the board suggested that experience can be more valuable than education.

HANSON — While a group of Lakeside Road residents attended the Tuesday, Jan. 10 Board of Selectmen’s meeting to hear Conservation Commission concerns about the sale of two parcels on the road at public auction, they learned there were none. The conservation concern was confined to a narrow strip of land on Brook Street, which will not be sold.

Lakeside Road residents, however, voiced their own concerns about how — and to whom — public meeting notification letters on the matter were issued.

Conservation Commission Chairman Phil Clemons said he wanted to clear up any misunderstanding or confusion as his board’s part in the process is completed.

“There were two parcels that we thought would have value from the conservation standpoint,” Clemons said. “Lakeside Road was not one of those.”

Selectmen voted 5-0 to put aside the Brook Street parcel for protection from sale. Town Administrator Michael McCue reminded Selectmen of their vote in the fall against selling the Maquan Street parcel as well as to sell the two parcels on Lakeside Road.

Residents of the Lakeside Road were urged to provide contact information for notification of an auction date – most likely in the spring — for the parcels at 261 and 0 Lakeside Road.

“How many abutters were notified?” asked Lakeside Road resident Gail Joyce. “I’m at the end of Lakeside Road and I don’t know how many abutters are notified, because I didn’t even know about the meeting tonight until I heard it by word-of-mouth.”

“This meeting did not require notification,” McCue said. “The abutters that were notified were done out of courtesy, thinking they might be interested in attending this meeting.”

A man who lives next door to one of the parcels said he had never been notified of any meetings.

“For an auction of this type, they are not required to notify people,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan, noting that residents would have to be notified if construction was planned there.

The ConComm advised the town keep a parcel with an address of 0 Brook St., and another with an address of 308 Maquan St. — both small, watershed lands. The entire Maquan parcel is within the kind of buffer zone for which the Watershed Protection Act was intended to safeguard.

“We think the town will be well-served if we kept the shoreline and natural vegetation and restore the natural vegetation and kept it as a natural area to protect the shore of [Maquan] Pond and the water quality,” Clemons said.

The 1.9 acres on Brook Street is narrow with a long boundary on Indian Head Brook where native brook trout have been found, most of which is within the Watershed Protection Act.

Maquan school

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes, who announced the statement of interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for a Maquan/Hanson Middle schools project has been turned down for this year, stressed the decision had no connection to the town’s rejection of a new elementary school project a few years ago.

“There were other districts who have greater needs,” Hayes said, suggesting they ought to go for accelerated repair funds toward a long-term goal, such as fixing the heating system for the short term. “There’s more submissions being put in to do those types of repairs or replacements.”

McGahan noted one of those schools had a roof collapse, and was in more dire need. Selectman Bruce Young said the boilers in the building are original to the 1968 school construction.

The School Committee voted Wednesday, Jan. 11 to resubmit an SOI for a Maquan School replacement project. Selectmen are scheduled to vote on the new SOI at the Tuesday, Jan. 24 meeting.

Interim library
director

In other business, Selectmen voted to appoint interim Library Director Karen Stolfer as the Library’s Records Officer. Stolfer graduated with her MLS in 2005 from Simmons College and started working at the Hanson Public library in September of 2003.

“Karen was the first person Nancy hired,” the library’s Technical Services/Systems Director Antonia Leverone told McCue. “I remember still being the Acting Director when Nancy and I interviewed Karen. … She was a patron as a school kid before she went to Wheaton. Since she came into the reference position she has been a tremendous asset to the library with her computer and reference skills [as well as her] friendly way with the patrons. The staff all think very highly of her, both professionally and as a colleague.”

HANSON — The town has a new Recreation Commission — as soon as the seven members approved by Selectmen on Tuesday, Jan. 10 are sworn in.

Selectmen voted by paper ballot for the seven out of a field of 13 applicants and distributed the staggered terms of office according to the number of votes received. Eventually all commission members will serve staggered three-year terms, but to start two of the posts come up for reappointment on June 30, 2017.

“I want to say thank you to these folks who stepped up and volunteered,” McGahan said to a warm round of applause from the audience after the vote. “There’s been a lot of controversy, a lot of news on this issue and, frankly, I thought it was going to drive more people away, but we’ve brought in a good group and we’re looking forward to moving on this year.”

The appointments were made by a 4-1 vote with Selectman Bruce Young voting against the move.

Serving on the new commission will be: Brian Fruzetti (five votes, term through June 30, 2019); Rachel Gross (four votes, term through June 30, 2019); Brian Smith (four votes, term through June 30, 2019); John Zucco (four votes, term through June 30, 2018); Sondra Allen (four votes, term through June 30, 2018); Annmarie Bouzan (three votes, term through June 30, 2017) and Diane Cohen (three votes, term through June 30, 2017).

After the commission members are sworn in, Town Administrator Michael McCue said he would contact them to arrange a first meeting date and plans to attend that session.

Also applying were: Kevin Cameron of 205 Partridge Way, Theresa Cocio of 1211 Whitman St., Wilbur Danner of 445 State St., Audrey Flanagan of 43 Baker St., John Mahoney of 96 Main St., and Donna Tramontana of 591 High St.

“I heard a lot from people coming up to me … many people out there want more community events up there,” McGahan said. “We obviously want to see some income generated as well. It actually brings the community together.”

The ballots

Selectmen voted in the following manner: Don Howard voted for — Allen, Bouzan, Cameron, Cocio, Flanagan, Fruzetti and Mahoney; McGahan voted for — Allen, Bouzan, Cohen, Fruzetti, Gross, Smith and Zucco; Kenny Mitchell voted for — Allen, Bouzan, Cohen, Fruzetti, Gross, Smith and Zucco; Bill Scott voted for — Allen, Cohen, Danner, Fruzetti, Gross, Smith and Zucco; and Young  voted for— Cameron, Danner, Fruzetti, Gross, Mahoney, Smith and Zucco.

Young also read the commission’s responsibilities into the record.

“They’ve certainly got their work cut out for them,” McGahan said, noting the first order of business will be helping to interview candidates for recreation director so Selectmen could vote on hiring one of their recommendations.

The vote on commission members was preceded by a heated exchange between resident Richard Edgehille and Young on where the hiring power for hiring that position falls under the Town Administrator Act and Edgehille’s asking for an opinion from town counsel. Edgehille maintained that the town administrator does the hiring.

“He doesn’t hire anybody,” Young retorted. “Who told you that?”

“I’m not looking for an argument, I’d just like it investigated,” Edgehille said.

“I’m not arguing, I can tell you right off the top of my head,” Young said. “The town administrator posts any positions that are open in the town of Hanson and then he takes applications and he interviews the candidates for those positions. But the relevant body is responsible for the hiring and the firing of the individuals that work under them under the Town Administrator Act.”

“I would like to hear that from town counsel,” Edgehille said.

“This is insanity,” Young said of that request, as McGahan gaveled for order. “I know people enjoy hearing from me, but this is not the way it works. … There is no debate about it.”

McGahan told Edgehille he would look into his question and get back to him.

Once the process got back to the applicants, McGahan asked each present to rise and introduce their qualifications.

making their case

Allen of 188 Elm St., a lifelong resident active at the camp, was not present due to work commitments.

Bouzan of 95 Woodbrook Lane noted her experience at Kiwanee, which she described as an excellent place for residents of all ages to get together.

“I started my career off at Kiwanee for the town of Hanson,” she said. “I wrote grants for the camp, I put together Halloween parties for the camp, I organized fundraisers for the camp and I just saw potential for the camp and I just want to give back a little for what it gave to me.”

Cohen of 767 Pleasant St., is a new resident of Hanson, having moved to town 18 months ago.

“My son has taken swimming lessons there for about five years and I fell in love with the place because it is uniquely Hanson,” Cohen said. “I was hoping to bring a little collaboration and cooperation into the Recreation Commission.” She is a special needs teacher in Weymouth and serves on that town’s public safety committee.

Fruzetti of 370 Elm St., is an advertising consultant who has completed a Plymouth County online training program in the conflict of interest law and filed a disclosure form indicating he has an immediate family member with a financial interest — his son Christopher who has worked at Kiwanee as a caretaker.

“I didn’t take swimming lessons at the camp, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care,” he said. “I’d like to see us come together and help the camp move forward.”

Gross of 35 Katy-Did Lane, owns an event marketing company, which works both on weddings and with communities over the past 15 years.

“I find that background is helpful in where the camp’s finding itself right now,” Gross said. “There’s a lot of re-branding that needs to be done as well as restructuring … I think that would be an exciting project to be part of.”

Smith of 38 Sandy Terrace is a facilities supervisor for Eversource. He stressed the need for bringing best practices for long-term planning to Kiwanee to preserve the facility for future generations.

Zucco of 101 Glenwood Place is also an entertainment specialist, specializing in corporate and social events.

“My specialties would be more on the artistic end, generating more money for weddings … elevating the quality of the weddings, or any corporate events that come in, but also making sure that Hanson residents have special privileges in the camp for doing things that outside residents wouldn’t have,” he said.

not chosen

Health Agent Tramontana and Board of Health Administrative Assistant Cocio could not attend because the Board of Health was also meeting Tuesday night.

Cameron, a previous Recreation Commission member who resigned a couple of years ago due to work commitments, has been involved in the hospitality industry for 25 years and said he wanted to help balance recreation and revenue needs at Kiwanee.

Danner stressed his past work at Kiwanee and service on Hanson Little League, town and regional school committees, Board of Assessors and a past Plymouth County Hospital Committee. The owner of the Meadow Brook and other area restaurants said he is “in a retirement mode” and has the time and financial experience to help make Kiwanee “an income property to the town and not a liability.”

In her third request to re-join the commission, Audrey Flanagan said her knowledge of the history and operations of Camp Kiwanee will be valuable at this time. She was unable to attend the meeting.

Mahoney has been an active member of Hanson Recreation Drama since 2006 and has volunteered many times to help build, rebuild and clean Camp Kiwanee, which he called a tremendous resource for the town.

WHITMAN — Heavy rain may have prevented some residents from attending, but the Whitman Council on Aging held an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5 to highlight the center’s new hours and the programs it offers.

The COA will now be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and  from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, “regular” hours of from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. will still be in force on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The senior center will also be the town’s new location for processing passport applications.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam, who stopped by with Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green for the event, lauded the change in hours.

“I think it’s wonderful that Barbara is reaching out to the community and offering our services for people seeking passports,” Lynam said. “Obviously, the intent is to serve the public, but also to give an opportunity to showcase our lovely facility and invite people who are young seniors to become familiar with the building.”

The open house, and a growing list of Tuesday evening programs are intended to demonstrate the benefit a senior center can provide — and there is some thought being given to change the name of the Whitman Council on Aging.

The Toll House Center has been suggested, but is not popular with some town officials. Barbara Garvey, Whitman’s Council on Aging Director Garvey and Green jointly suggested Tuesday that the Town Park Center might be an option.

In the meantime, upcoming Tuesday evening events will feature meet and greets with Police Chief Scott Benton and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno on Jan. 10 and a program on real estate tax exemptions with Assessor Kathy Keefe on Jan. 31. In February, a chowder supper is among the programs planned.

Both Garvey and Hanson Multi-Service Senior Center Director Mary Collins have noted the difference in the way Boomers approach aging — and, according to statistics, 10,000 of them have been turning 65 every day since 2011.

“It’s a huge problem,” Garvey said recently. “We’re trying to capture the Baby Boomers, the young seniors. They’re working, they’re caring for their grandchildren, they’re playing golf. It’s a different lifestyle than their parents led.”

She said it appears that Boomers view senior centers as a place “for very old people, and that’s not them.”

First time

One of those seniors with a younger, independent outlook stopped by the Jan. 5 open house for a tour and review of services offered — and made an appointment to discuss legal concerns during attorney Ronald Whitney’s monthly legal advice sessions at the COA.

“I just didn’t think it was time yet to come to the senior center,” a 76-year-old Whitman resident said as she enjoyed refreshments from Trio Café. “I thought I should see what’s going on, see if there’s some programs that I’m interested in.”

She had looked it up on her iPad to see what was offered in case she might someday need the services and decided to attend the open house. The weather almost dissuaded her, but she kept to her plan.

“I think this is a great idea,” she said of the open house. “Uusually I don’t even bother to go out on a rainy night, but I said to myself, ‘Get out, go. You said you were going to go over there.’ So I made myself come.”

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), 70 percent of senior center participants are women, half of those live alone. They also have higher levels of health, social interaction and life satisfaction, but have lower levels of income. Their average age is 75 and they visit their center one to three times per week for and average of 3.3 hours per visit.

Retiree Edward Dinardo is one such frequent visitor to the COA. He stopped by the open house to see what it was all about, and gave the idea high marks.

“It’s a good idea for people who have to work and can’t make it here during the day,” Dinardo said of the new Tuesday evening hours.

He said he likes the monthly “brown bag” food program, which supplies a bag of groceries to seniors, helping them stretch their food budget, and has enjoyed playing bingo and cribbage tournaments there in the past.

“We’re trying to change our programming so that it will interest younger people,” Garvey said, noting that a recent evening program on Medicare aimed at people approaching retirement was very well attended, including  those who had not been at the center before.

“We haven’t been open in the evening, but I’m thinking about maybe rearranging hours so that folks that aren’t available during the day would be able to participate and benefit,” Garvey said.

Services

Aside from a social outlet, senior centers connect older adults to services that can help them stay healthy and independent, and according to the NCOA, more than 60 percent of centers are focal points for services through the Older Americans Act. Those services include health, fitness and wellness programs; public benefits counseling; information and nutrition programs among others.

Garvey said events such as paint nights and the possible development of a bocce court are being considered at her center, and Whitman is one of the first towns in the area to offer pickleball, which lost some of its participants when the Abington Senior Center built three new pickleball courts. An Eagle Scout candidate, however, conducted a project to improve the Whitman pickleball courts adjacent to the Police Station last summer.

I see bingo attendance declining,” she said, but new games being offered have begun to draw interest. “Craft classes are well attended, I’m just trying to hone in on what’s successful and what’s not.”

A questionnaire about programs people would like to see is in the works. Every resident 60 and over also receives the Whitman Council on Aging newsletter.

HANSON — The community is mourning the loss of Hanson Public Library Director Nancy M. Cappellini, a loving person who made friends with colleagues and made her friends feel like part of the family.

Cappellini died at home Sunday, Dec. 18 after a long illness [see obituary, page 13]. The library was slated to be closed Thursday, Dec. 22 to permit the staff to attend her funeral.

“Nancy Cappellini was a positive, welcoming presence for everyone who came to the library,” said Library Trustees Chairman Jennifer Hickey. “She was a joy to work with. Everyone liked Nancy and the energy that she brought to every interaction.”  Hickey said to Cappellini, running the library was more than a job — she truly cared about the patrons, staff, Trustees and the Foundation.

“She will be sorely missed,” Hickey said. “Nancy became a good friend to me over the years, and I am heartbroken at losing her.”

The Board of Selectmen also honored Cappellini, observing a moment of silence in her memory Tuesday night.

“I know she’s had a great impact on a number of people — seniors and our kids in our town,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan. “I know that she’ll be sorely missed.”

Many of those who knew and worked with her in town government echoed that sentiment.

“She was such a special, uplifting person,” Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan said. “It’s such a loss. She was such a presence in that library and even in Town Hall when she was here.”

Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen Meredith Marini said she will remember Cappellini as a pleasant person with a ready smile.

“She had a great outlook on life,” Marini said. “It’s heart-breaking, she’s definitely too young to be gone.”

Those who worked closely with Cappellini were deeply shaken by the news of her passing, said Senior Center Director Mary Collins, whose facility shares the same building as the Hanson Public Library.

“It was a very family-like atmosphere,” Collins said of the library. “Each one of them (staff members) said to me that’s because she created that.”

Collins spent part of the day Monday with the library staff.

“It’s so personal,” Collins said of the loss. “I just feel truly that she was a woman of integrity and compassion and she always had what was in the best interest of the patrons in mind.”

Cappellini was always looking for ways to improve the library’s services and involve more people in programs, including the founding of the monthly Book-to-Movie group. She was also an advocate of agriculture, including a farm babies petting zoo in the annual summer reading program kickoff events and working to help form the town’s Agriculture Committee, on which she served as its clerk. She also served on a past reuse committee for the Plymouth County Hospital site.

“I think she was one of Hanson’s treasures, and hopefully people had an opportunity to know her,” Collins said.

Library friends and colleagues also spoke of their friend.

“I worked with Nancy serving as Library Trustee for five years, and I always admired her grace, humor, and patience,” said Trustee Helen Levesque wrote on Cappellini’s condolence page at the Keohane Funeral Homes website.

Library staff and trustees in Whitman were also saddened by Cappellini’s loss.

“Nancy was a wonderful woman,” said Whitman Public Library Director Andrea Rounds. “She was really well-respected in the library field and we’re so sorry to hear about her passing.”

Rounds said her Hanson counterpart will be truly missed.

“She was one of the most welcoming people,” agreed  Michael Ganshirt, administrative assistant to Whitman Town Clerk Dawn Varley and a Whitman Library trustee. “Every time you went in the library, she always came out and said hi and spent some time with you. The town is going to miss her greatly.”

Ganshirt, who is also president of Whitman and Hanson Dollars for Scholars, said Cappellini was supportive of that cause and “anything that anyone else did,” he said.

Whitman Public Library Senior Library Technician Mary Casey said Cappellini  had the remarkable ability to make one feel part of her family.

“She exuded such grace, compassion and warmth,” Casey said. “She met everyone with her radiant smile and had the ability to put everyone at ease.”

Casey recalled a Mass. Library Association conference dinner in May, during which Cappellini just happened to sit next to her.

“I had an extraordinary evening with her because … she was just a fun person, a very down-to-earth person, funny and just very graceful,” Casey said. “She was just a real lady.”

HANOVER — Hanson native Laurie Fusco — who is also a mom and advocate for youth with autism — and her son Kevin, 15, who has autism, joined several families for Pizza with the Police last Thursday and a viewing of “Be Safe: The Movie” at the South Shore Children’s Museum in the Hanover Mall.

Fusco was instrumental in bringing national advocate and educator Emily Iland, M.A., co-producer of “Be Safe: The Movie” to educate both officers and youths with autism and other disorders on how to safely interact with one another.

The group enjoyed pizza, watched the movie and then played games that helped role play and enforce behavior modeling students saw on the video first. Officers and guests were able to sit together and intermingle in an undisturbed,  non-threatening environment.

Iland who has an adult son, 34, with autism was first made aware of the need for education more than 20 years ago when her son had experiences with officers.

“I was very worried about him when he was out driving, because he has autism.” Iland said. “I wasn’t sure how he would do in meeting the police. It is as important to teach the police how to interact and understand how to interact with people with disabilities.”

In reviewing her efforts over the last 20 years and the education of 5,000 officers she realized it was still not enough.

“We have to also train our young people”, she said. “I discovered there were no tools to aid with teaching. I decided to do something about it.”

The movie was made by and for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to a press release about the program about which Iland is so passionate. The DVD is a video modeling tool using games, activities and lessons to reinforce positive and safe behaviors when dealing with law enforcement.

Iland recently worked with Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald and Hanson Chief Michael Miksch in February training 50 officers and deputies on autism.

She joined forces with producer Joey Travolta who has a movie training studio and works with individuals with cognitive disorders, autism, ADHD, and various mental health disorders.

They created “Be Safe: The Movie” using specific techniques to educate youth on the autism spectrum on how to interact safely with police officers.

State Rep Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, and Hanson police along with officers and police chiefs from several south shore communities attended the event.

“We teach individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder not to run, fight, or reach for the officer’s belt, or equipment,” Iland said. “In return for the officers — the event allowed a casual meeting with youth in their communities who may have a disability  — the officer can hear how they talk, communicate and can even offer mentoring skills to help them develop skills to grow positively within the community.”

Key behaviors which are enforced through the movie are that an officer must be able to see your hands. The organization handed out self-disclosure cards in which families may want to fill out with their information and specific accommodations.

“They can’t just reach into their pockets so we use the correct model on how to behave and ask for help,” said Iland.

As past president of the Autism Society in Los Angeles Iland is an award winning author, is an adjunct professor of Special Education at California State University, Northridge.  She is the author of Experience Autism training for law enforcement and is actively involved in initiatives and policies related to autism and safety, according to her bio emilyiland.com.

HANSON — Pastor Kristian Skjerli of Calvary Baptist Church, may not have planned on leading a church, but since he was a teenager he knew he had a calling to serve God in his community.

“It’s something I knew God was calling me to do back when I was 17,” he said. “It just took a little bit of a winding road that I didn’t expect. But it was a good road.”

Skjerli, 56, was approached to become senior pastor at Calvary Baptist about a year and a half ago, while serving as a deacon and member of the search committee to fill the vacancy in the pulpit after the Rev. Jeffrey Lavoie left to found The Well Community Church in Halifax.

“The thing that we want to make sure of, is yes we’re here to serve the needs of the community — whatever that is,” Skjerli said during an interview at his church Thursday, Dec. 1.

The church is a center to administer vouchers for families in need to contact the Salvation Army — the Hanson Senior Center fills that role for the elder population. The church also has begun an annual Thanksgiving dinner for dementia patients as well as an occasional thank you breakfast for the region’s first responders.

The church works with the Hanson Food Pantry as a collection location, as well as hosting a monthly support group for families who have lost children to addiction and is reaching out to determine how it can assist a program at East Bridgewater’s Covenant Community Church.

A group of Calvary Baptist members with trades backgrounds are joining forces to help people in need of minor repairs on their homes but can’t afford to hire a repairman. Residents purchase the material and the group performs the labor.

Calvary Baptist is also becoming involved as a participant in the Hanson Holiday Fest. Church member Jamie Bevelaqua is leading community outreach initiatives.

“The goal is to extend the hands and feet of Christ — that we are, literally, those hands and feet — so that as there is a need people can sense that we’re reaching out not only because we’re nice people, but because we have a message that drives us,” Skjerli said. The church also supports 39 mission projects around the world, as a way to aid its global community.

It’s the type of community outreach to which Skjerli has always been called.

“I started public speaking when I was 12 through a mission down in New York [City],” he said of a Baptist church group he belonged to that volunteered at an Episcopal mission, ministering to the homeless.  “I started sharing my faith and scripture as simply as a 12-year-old could.” Skjerli recalled.

Their mission was to provide information about services available to the homeless and to “give them hope because of Christ.”

“You have to look at things through their eyes,” he said. “Walk beside them at least, and feel what they feel, to get an idea of who they are.”

He recalled one man, a journalist from Los Angeles named Thomas O’Brien, who had struggled with alcoholism, and moved to New York for a job he was unable to find.

God’s love

“I asked him what the hardest thing was on the street, and he said, ‘Knowing that nobody cares about me. That — if I were to die today — nobody would know,’” Skjerli said. “I was able to share God’s love with him and that transformed me into recognizing the deepest need of people is to understand that somebody loves them, and God’s love is real and we understand it as we talk about this time of year through Christ.”

As a teen, Skjerli also helped found a program in his home church in the Brewster, N.Y., area to pick up kids and families who had no transportation on a church bus to provide rides to church and Sunday school.

“My heart was beginning to expand then, and my mind toward the needs of a community,” he said.

Born in Stamford, Conn. and raised in Danbury and in Brewster, N.Y., Skjerli, he and his family have lived in Scituate since 1994 — moving to care for his wife’s ailing parents. He graduated from Word of Life Bible College in upstate New York and at Cedarville College in central Ohio where he studied liberal arts and a Bible major.

His first ministry experience was as a teacher in a Christian school in Danbury. Eight years later they moved to Massachusetts, joining New England Baptist Church in East Bridgewater, where he was again asked to teach in a church-run school, doing so for 10 years.

While he never had the opportunity to go to seminary, Skjerli has preached at church and in a home church setting in addition to working with kids and learning sign language while at New England Baptist, which brought them to Calvary Baptist seven years ago. Skjerli now plans to continue study toward a master’s degree in counseling. It has been an unusual journey to the position of pastor, but one the church elders felt was strong enough in Biblical and pastoral knowledge to earn him the job.

“I have a strong Biblical education … I have a lot of experience in the pulpit,” he said. “Ministry has always been a part of my fiber.”

Skjerli served as a deacon under Lavoie and, as chairman of the deacons, the “leadership kind of fell into my lap when Jeff left,” due to a difference in philosophy. Skjerli then shared ministry with others trained in ministry while the search committee did its work.

When the time came to decide on whether to call three final candidates to serve as a guest minister so the church could get to know them, one of his fellow deacons asked Skjerli he would first consider being the new pastor.

He felt the decision needed thought and prayer, but accepted the post after undertaking a two-and –a-half hour question and answer session that ordained him.

“They needed to know who I was,” he said. He then preached a Sunday as a candidate pastor before being overwhelmingly winning votes from the congregation.