WHITMAN – A gas station at 79 Temple St., was damaged by fire Thursday, July 13.
Whitman Fire crews extinguished a structure fire at a gas station on Thursday night, according to Chief Timothy Clancy after the department received multiple calls at about 7:30 p.m. regarding a structure fire at the gas station and
were on scene in less than a minute because the scene was about 250 feet from the station.
The fire was brought under control by approximately 7:45 p.m.
Mutual aid was provided by the Abington, Bridgewater, and Hanson Fire Departments, and a Halifax Ambulance aided at the scene. Hanson Fire provided station coverage.
The gas station building and its contents were damaged, with a total loss estimated at $750,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Whitman Fire and Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Whitman Fire and Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.

WHITMAN – While encouraging Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter to continue exploring Select Soccer’s proposal for a youth soccer field complex at the Camp Alice Carlton property, Select Board Chair Dr. Carl Kowalski agreed with a resident’s request that the process slow down while a committee is formed to explore other options.
After Town Meeting, the town had agreed to continue analysis of the Carlton property, Carter reminded the board, pointing out that meant continuing surveys of the Whitman and Rockland parcels in order to determine if the matter should be pursued further. Carter stressed that she was not presenting a proposal, only seeking board consensus to direct her efforts.
“We are still awaiting the results of the Whitman tract,” she said, noting she, Assistant Administrator Kathy Keefe and former Town Administrator Frank Lynam met with Select Soccer’s owner, reviewing the results of the Rockland land. “The survey they had done reveals areas of wetlands that would limit what could be developed in Rockland.”
Select Soccer is still interested in the property, but there is still a question as to whether it can be used for soccer fields will depend on the Rockland Conservation Commission.
It might also depend on potential opposition from a group of Whitman residents who question whether that use is in line with the intent of the Carltons when the property was bequeathed to the town.
Select plans to lay out soccer fields, but they also mentioned walking trails around the property which would be open to the public and connecting to the Whitman parcel – one of the uses opponents preferred.
Carter suggested if the soccer facility was something Whitman would consider, a long-term lease of the Rockland property to Select Soccer would permit the town to retain land ownership while providing revenue that could improve the Whitman parcel for recreational use.
Carter was seeking a consensus from the board on whether to continue exploring the option, but the four board members present were divided – Laura Howe and Shawn Kain saw merit in the opponents’ objections, while Kowalski and Vice Chair Dan Salvucci favored continued exploration of the Select Soccer proposal. Member Justin Evans was away on vacation.
Pine Street resident Eric Joubert voiced objection to the proposal as counter to the Carlton family’s intent when the land was bequeathed for recreational purposes.
“You think putting a commercial business on that land is what the family planned?” he asked.
Salvucci said soccer fields were recreational, but Joubert objected to the fields benefitting a commercial business. He compared it to baseball fields already in place in Whitman because families pay a fee for their kids to play in Little League.
“They’re not putting up buildings and they’re not restructuring the land,” Joubert retorted about the baseball fields. “How are you going to level [the Carlton property] for fields without doing major damage to the forestry area?”
He warned it would destroy woodlands and noted that the natural purpose of trees is to clean carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen – and people enjoy hiking in the area. A 1988 plan had outlined using the forest area on the property as green space, with a Girl Scout camp tying into it.
“I think the potential of the town [using] it as greenspace, as the family intended, would be a much better option for the future of the town,” Joubert said. “We could have a committee and we could work on it.”
“I 100-percent agree with you,” Howe said. “I hope, maybe, we can figure out a way to do that, because Peaceful Meadows is now, obviously moving on and I respect that, also there is a lot of other land being donated for different things, and we don’t have a lot of greenspace.”
She said wildlife is also running out of habitat because of that trend.
“I just saw land sitting there unused, and thank you for enlightening me,” Salvucci said. “I didn’t realize people were walking there.”
Kain said Joubert had changed his mind.
“You certainly won me over,” he said. “[Keeping] this either open space or conservation, greenspace, it is really what I would like to see happen with it.”
Carter said she had not yet seen specific plans, but synthetic turf fields, hard court and a small playground area and a parking area had been discussed by Select Soccer. She said the only intent at this point was to explore the issue further.
Joubert said the proposal seemed like it was being “pushed through rather fast” and did not pass the “smell test” with him. While Kowalski challenged the suggestion that the Select proposal was being rushed and agreed that a committee could be formed while the exploration of Select Soccer’s proposal continued.
“There’s been a big time out on that,” Kowalski said.
Resident Gloria Knox also argued that the Carlton’s intent was to provide an opportunity for young people to “get into nature” and enjoy the recreational opportunities provided by the properties.

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has announced new appointments to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Board of Directors. For the first time, the board will have representation from a member of the disability community, Dr. Lisa Iezzoni. Governor Healey also appointed to the board Thomas M. McGee, who served as the Mayor of the City of Lynn from 2018-2022; Rick Dimino, current President Emeritus of A Better City after serving as the President and CEO from 1995 to April 2023; and Ilyas Bhatti, Associate Professor holding the Douglas C. Elder Endowed Professorship in the Department of Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.  
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that our state’s transportation system is safe, reliable and accessible for all, and we’re confident that this talented, diverse group of leaders will drive that work on the DOT Board of Directors,” said Healey. “We are particularly proud to be appointing a member of the disability community for the first time in the board’s history. As a user of the DOT and MBTA systems herself, Dr. Iezzoni will bring a critical perspective to this board that will help us ensure that our transportation system is accessible for people with disabilities.”   
“I’m pleased to welcome our new members to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “Together, they bring a wealth of lived experiences and expertise that is crucial in serving our communities throughout the Commonwealth. We are focused on creating safe, equitable, and reliable transportation for all and I look forward to working with the MassDOT Board to further these goals.”  
Dr. Iezzoni is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, based at the Health Policy Research Center and the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. For 25 years, her research has focused on improving the lived experiences, healthcare quality, and health equity of adults with disability, particularly mobility disability. 
McGee served as Mayor of the City of Lynn from 2018 to 2022. Previously, he served as Massachusetts State Senator from the Third Essex district. He was a member of the Senate Joint Committee on Transportation starting in 2003 and served as Chair of the committee from 2011 to 2018.  
Dimino currently serves as President Emeritus of A Better City after serving as the President and CEO from 1995 to April 2023. Under his leadership, A Better City achieved major organizational accomplishments and influenced a wide range of city and regional infrastructure projects.
 Bhatti, P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE is currently an Associate Professor holding the Douglas C. Elder Endowed Professorship in the Department of Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.
 The MassDOT Board of Directors serves as the governing authority for MassDOT. The MassDOT Board is comprised of eleven members who are appointed by the Governor. Each member is required to fulfill specific criteria with expertise in transportation, finance, and/or engineering.

By Linda Ibbitson Hurd
Special to the Express
M y mom had an Aunt Violet and Uncle Jasper who lived in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. The year I was 11 and my siblings, 8,5 and 2, we were invited to spend the Fourth of July with them. I could tell my parents were excited and when we found out our cousins – Joan, Donny and Bobby, Aunt Phyl, mom’s sister, and Uncle Al – were coming, we got excited, too.
We lived in Hanson, and Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Al lived in Albany N.Y. We looked forward to seeing them in Maine.
When mom and dad had the car all packed for the few days we’d be away, we piled in and headed for Maine. When we arrived, my cousins were already there. Everyone came out to greet us, everyone happy and excited to see one another. Aunt Violet led the way to the dinner table where we all had a nice meal. 
The next morning was the Fourth of July.
My two older cousins and I were up first and went outside and sat on the big wrap-around porch that was on the front and side of the big, beautiful house surrounded by flowering bushes and trees. Down a small slope was a lake. We also noticed a barn to one side of the yard. We ventured over to it and peeked in to see a very big gray horse. It looked just like my Gramp’s horse, Harry, who was a big gray work horse. Jasper came into the barn and asked if we had met Max and gestured towards the horse. I told him my Gramp had almost the same horse. He knew my grandparents and smiled, saying, yes they did and told us that just like Harry, Max could hold several people on his back and he’d let us ride him later. 
On the side yard was a big long picnic table, a barbeque grill, a badminton net and rackets, a few swings and a big box to one side that we were sure was filled with fireworks and sparklers. Out in back were two metal stakes far apart and a pile of horseshoes. When we walked down the slope to the water, there were several boats with oars and boulders to one side of the pond that were perfect for climbing. It was a haven and we started climbing the rocks. 
After a few minutes, Jasper came down the slope with a boy and girl about our ages and introduced us. They were neighbors who lived close by and they and their parents were invited to spend the day with all of us. Their names were Sue and Brad and they joined us on our climb. It wasn’t long before we realized Brad was kind of a bully. My cousin Don stood up to him when he started teasing my cousin Joan about her New York accent and he backed off.   
When we smelled food, we all got down off the rocks and headed for the yard just as our moms were calling us. When we got back to where the picnic table was, Chinese lanterns had been strung across the yard and porch, there were flags and bunting along the porch railing, it was very festive. 
I remember feeling so happy to see my parents and Aunt and Uncle laughing and smiling. I liked watching the men play horseshoes, my dad was really good at it and my Uncle let my cousin Donny play. 
 
Uncle Jasper finally brought Max out of the barn and helped my mom, Aunt Phyl and Brad’s mom get up on him while he led them around the field. The younger kids had the next turn and then it was the older kids and we all went to climb up. Brad was being a jerk again and Jasper wouldn’t let him on the horse. After we had our ride and got off, Brad ran and jumped up on the horse, dug his heels in Max’s side yelling, “let’s go boy, git!” Max didn’t run, Jasper yelled at Brad to stop jabbing him with his heels and to sit still and be quiet. Max ambled over to a big tree and as he walked under a low hanging branch before Brad could realize what was happening, the branch knocked him off the horse onto the ground. Almost everyone started laughing and us kids applauded. We all went over patting and stroking Max and he nuzzled us. That seemed to put Brad in his place and he was very quiet for the rest of the day.
When it started getting dark we got to use our sparklers. We all walked towards the lake and Jasper, my dad and uncle and Brad’s father took two of the row boats, rowing out into the middle of the pond where they set off the fireworks and they were beautiful! When we walked back to the house, Violet put a record player out on the porch and served drinks to the adults. We were having the best time watching them all while they were listening to music. The words of a song filled the night as we heard, “I was a Yankee Doodle Dandy born on the Fourth of July” …. and on it went. Pretty soon my Dad and Uncle were dancing on the porch to the songs. My cousin Joan and I went up on the porch and we ended up dancing with our dads. 
As we got to know Violet and Jasper better, we looked forward to seeing them as did our cousins. More memories were made there and we could see how much they loved our mothers. It was a special home and place where our parents were carefree and it seemed to carry them through the year until we went again to Jasper and Violet’s. 

Join the Hanson Public Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, June 16 to kick off our 2023 Summer Reading program, “Find Your Voice!” Our voices have power.
We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Explore, discover, and celebrate the voices of others and learn more about yourself along the way. The Summer Reading Program this year challenges you to “Find Your Voice” through words, movement, art, and more.
Mobile-MiniGolf will be here on Friday to help kick off the summer with a 9-hole golf course through the Library. We will have information available on how to track your reading this summer, and can also help you sign up for weekly and one-time summer reading events and book clubs throughout the coming months. 
Please visit our website, hansonlibrary.org, to sign up and learn more about the Summer Reading Kickoff and other upcoming programs. If you have any questions, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 781-293-2151.

Some new faces will be wielding the gavel at meetings of the regional school committee in the coming fiscal year as town boards held reorganization sessions on Monday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 23.
The School Committee kicked things off Monday by electing Beth Stafford as the new chair by a 8-2 vote on a first ballot. Fred Small had also been nominated.
The committee reorganization was the only agenda item. Hanson member Glen DiGravio attended remotely by phone.
Presiding until a chair had been voted, Superintendent of Schools Jeff Szymaniak also welcomed new Hanson member Steve Cloutman, who was elected to fill out the final two years of former Chair Christopher Howard’s term after he resigned earlier this spring. Szymaniak also congratulated Whitman members Steve Bois and David Forth on their re-elections as well as Hanson member Hillary Kniffen, who was also re-elected on Saturday,, May 20.
The Vice Chair selection took two ballots after nominees Fred Small and David Forth were deadlocked with five votes each, Steve Bois had also been nominated for the first vote, but withdrew is name by voting against himself. On a second ballot, Chris Scriven threw his hat into consideration, winning the vote by a vote of 6-4.
Steve Bois was elected treasurer by unanimous vote with Dawn Byers elected assistant treasurer by 9-1 vote. David Forth received 9 votes to 1 be selected secretary-clerk.
Subcommittees and new membership for the Regional Agreement Committee were delayed until the committee’s next meeting in order to give new members time to familiarize themselves with the available subcommittee assignments.
The select boards held reorganization sessions Tuesday, where Hanson kept its officers from last year – chaired by Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, with Joe Weeks again serving as vice chair and Ann Rein elected as clerk once more.
It was back to the future in Whitman, with Dr. Carl Kowalski voted as chair, Dan Salvucci as vice chair and Justin Evans as clerk. Evans was also selected as the board’s liaison to the Regional Agreement Committee, while Hanson tabled their committee and subcommittee assignments until their board members can review their present commitments, although new member David George volunteered to serve as liaison to the Veterans Serives Officer and the Police Department. He is a veteran who worked in law enforcement before retiring.