WHITMAN – Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter on Select Board on Tuesday, Dec. 19, followed up on survey being done on farmland of local importance after the town approved a Right to Farm Bylaw at the November Town Meeting.
That vote was taken to make it possible for Hornstra Farms to return cows to the former Peaceful Meadows facility the Norwell Dairy had purchased at public auction.
Carter said a soil survey has been conducted in December by a certified soil scientist with the American Farmland Trust on certain other parcels in Whitman.
“The document recognizes the soils that have evidence of suitability for crop production within a locality but are not classified as important farmland soils in the soil survey,” Carter said. “These identified parcels can now be considered for federal agricultural land easements … funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).”
Under the federal agricultural land easement program, the landowner is paid the market value, less the agricultural value of the land in exchange for limiting non-agriculatural uses of such parcels.
“It’s a good program,” Carter said. “It’s good to have in place so that, if we do go in that direction, we’re eligible for funding.”
She said the former Peaceful Meadows land is probably the only one where the issue would arise.
Farmland of Local Importance documents are signed by local officials and the NRCS’s state conservationist. It is then recorded in the NRCS field offices’s technical guide.
“There’s no cost to the town,” Carter said. “There is no regulatory association, [and] the designation does not affect tax rates and it may not make a difference in preserving farmland.”
Carter said that, just as the Right to Farm Bylaw should raise the town’s eligibility for state funding for agricultural restriction program, so should the Farmland of Local Importance increase the eligibility for a federally-funded agricultural land designation and easement.
“Basically, by having some of these properties identified with the Farmland of Importance designation, it opens up some state funding for the right to farm and, for this program, federal funding,” she said. “So, if the town wanted to pursue an agricultural restriction on any of the land in Whitman … it would give us some funding toward that.”
Other funds that could be used would be Community Preservation funds.
– Tracy F. Seelye

By Dr. Darlene Foley,
Duval School Principal
It’s been a busy fall at John H. Duval Jr Elementary School with lots of exciting things happening. Last spring, Duval had its annual Boosterthon event and raised funds for an Outdoor Classroom. The Outdoor Classroom will be a flexible learning space for teachers and students. It was purposely designed so seating (not shown) can be arranged that reflects lesson needs and the imagination of teachers and students. The project was designed and built with the support of Duval families, PTO, and WHRSD. I’d like to give special thanks to Baker and Sons Construction, Chuck Crawford, Mike Driscoll, Marshall Ottina, and Matt Price, who were instrumental during the process.
Duval held its Annual Basket Raffle on Nov. 17 at the Whitman VFW. The event was so much fun for the entire family, and we raised a staggering $15,500!
The Basket Raffle is a huge undertaking every year and includes a wide variety of themed baskets, gift certificates, entertainment tickets, and unique experience events designed and donated by the Duval staff. The Annual Basket Raffle keeps getting better due to the ongoing commitment of our volunteers and the generosity of our entire school community.
I’d like to thank the PTO board members Mrs. Dearing, Mrs. DeLaiarro, Mrs. Lyons, Mr. Ottina, and Mrs. Chester (the event chair…huge kudos!) who worked on the event about 12 months in advance. Proceeds from the event support learning enrichment programs for all of our Duval Dolphin students.
The giving keeps on giving at Duval!
Last Friday, we wrapped up our Holiday Food Drive for the Whitman Food Pantry at our All School Meeting. Students donated green beans, carrots, potatoes, yams, gravy, cranberry sauce, desserts, and quick breads. All those individual donations – those individual acts of kindness – resulted in an enormous food donation that will help many families in our community.
With the help of our grade five Student Council members, 500 pounds of food was loaded into cars destined for the Whitman Food Pantry. Former Duval teacher Mrs. Kelley, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Smith, and Mr. Ward received the donation on behalf of the Whitman Food Pantry. Thank you to all the families who contributed to the food drive. At Duval, we feel that this food drive provides students with an important opportunity to learn and practice community engagement and citizenship.
These successes show that students, families, and staff are fully committed to our school. I am grateful for everyone’s attention and effort that make John H. Duval Jr. Elementary School a special place.

South Shore Tech Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey is asking for people’s patience as the regional vocational school district shares what they know about the cost of a new school building.
“It may not be best marketing, but it is what we know,” Hickey said in Whitman on Thursday, Dec. 14. “We’ll [soon] know more, and at least we can start having a conversation [about what each design version might cost].”
School officials know that building costs are high these days and the building committee will be smart and practical about what they are looking for, prioritizing shop settings.
“They’re a workforce provider. There’s a lot of benefit that comes from our [vocational] schools – even after-hours – local employers and the local economy benefit,” Hickey said, noting there is a need for advocating for greater support from the Legislature. “You can support local taxpayers by juicing up the reimbursement rates in a few areas that are unique to our school.”
He said his Christmas wish would be a one-time earmark for SST to enable the school to push off the first year of costs.
“Maybe that’s too selfish,” he said. “But at the very least, systemically, we should not be reimbursed as a regular high school. Period. There should be certain categories where our reimbursement rates are higher – that would be a game-changer.”
Hickey said he does not believe for one second that anyone is opposed to the school’s building proposal.
“It’s just about threading that needle with something that will get us that next 50 years and not break everybody’s bank,” he said.
If the aggregate of the nine communities pass a single ballot question to be voted on during the same time window on the same day of January 2024, the project would be deemed approved. Hickey has met with town clerks in all nine communities concerning what the statute says about a district-wide ballot, knowing that 2024 is also a presidential election year and town clerks will have limited free time.
“I can say with great confidence that, if we got to that point, nearly all of my nine communities would have to consider a debt exclusion for that,” Hickey said.
While they do not have accurate estimates of the project cost, the design team has calculated cost estimates based on square footage.
Design 2.0 is estimated at $344.1 million to $350 million with $104.6 million reimbursable and $239.6 million divided between the member towns as the local share. For Design 2.1, the total cost is so far estimated at $349.8 million with $106.7 million reimbursable and $243.1 million on the towns.
Hickey said he hopes to be able to report, after Jan. 17, that the reimbursement amount will hold, but the total amount will drop and that the 30-percent reimbursement number they are now seeing will be higher.
“We know that MSBA reimbursement rates have improved, but it’s still not good enough and certainly not good enough for vocational schools,” Hickey said, noting the MSBA does not have a separate reimbursement scale for vocational schools. “We’ll continue to advocate with our legislative delegation in the hopes that they will be able to advocate for adjusted reimbursement rates.”
Whitman’s percentage, based on enrollment, is the highest at 25.4 percent. Hanson is currently 13.8 percent. The percentages are calculated by adding the enrollments for the last five years, dividing it by the aggregate number of in-district kids.
“If these fake numbers held, Whitman’s share could be anywhere from $58 million to $62 million,” Hickey said. “These are cost estimates that … are clocking in at $1,400 per square foot. The market, right now, is not costing $1,400 a square foot, its probably costing under $1,000 – hence the reason for some optimism at least.”
Bob Kimball, a former school committee member and proponent of vocational education, asked about whether Whitman’s 24 percent of the cost burden, based on current enrollment would be in effect if its enrollment declined during the life of the debt exclusion and how Marshfield figures into it.
Hickey said it would have to carry the 24 percent in that case. Marshfield agreed to pay a little under 18 percent of the SST existing stabilization fund – about $400,000 – based on enrollment trends.
“Their buy-in [to the building project] comes in over time – four years of adjustable debt share and then a fixed debt share after they’ve been in the building for five years,” he said.
There are currently three Marshfield seniors attending SST as non-resident students admitted before state regulations changed, and freshmen will attend as residents of a member community in the fall.
“First of all, we want this,” said Finance Committee member Rosemary Connolly. “We want this for our kids, but we want to make sure that it’s equitable and fair.”
She asked how the reimbursement to communities would be handled by the MSBA.
“We’ve got the largest amount [of the cost] and we’re a poor town,” she said. “Will we be enjoying the reimbursement that would have been given to us if it was separate?”
Hickey said he didn’t think he could confidently and concisely answer that, saying he would have to look into the reimbursement model and how it is calculated. The reimbursement rate for the feasibility study
Public information session is held
was 55.5 percent.
“We’re the largest amount and we’re also now burdening in two different ways to subsidize, in a sense, other wealthier towns,” she said. “I would like you to watch that, maybe re-look at those numbers a little bit.”
Finance Committee – and Whitman Middle School Building Committee – member Kathleen Ottina followed up with a question on the reimbursement rate.
Hickey said the 55.5 percent for feasibility study would not necessarily carry over to the next phase,
“All bets are off for the construction phase,” he said. “You have to look at the situation when we’re eventually going into construction.”
While Whitman has the most students at SST, Ottina noted they have the lowest per-pupil cost based on the statutory model, because they have the highest Chapter 70 funding because Whitman as the poorest town in the district.
“You can tell, based on your fiscal 2024 budget, who can afford it and who can’t,” she said, adding that she has looked into how the MSBA calculates the reimbursement rate, and two of the three factor are similar to how the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does reimbursement – aggregate wealth and income. “We’re going to get clobbered unless there’s a pro-rated [formula]. We’re 24 percent of the students and 24 percent of the debt, so 24 percent of the reimbursement rate should be what Whitman would get by itself.”
Hickey said those issues are something he could definitely get answers for – not only how MSBA makes the sausage, but how it cuts it up.
Project Manager Jen Carlson from the firm LeftField said the designs have been closely following the allowable space guidelines from MSBA.
Resident John Galvin, who has served on both the Finance Committee and WMS Building Committee, asked several questions, including the evolution of the square-footage in design plans, time between MSBA design approval and the January vote, whether any forecasting has been done on how a new building might affect enrollment, and the prospect of reviewing the SST regional agreement and the calculation of student share.
Carl Franshesci said they are working off a program that calls for a certain number of classrooms and shops and the square-footage needed, which will work for both plan options.
Starting conversations with town clerks now, and providing feedback has been important, Hickey said. The early message received has been one of timing based on the demands of those running local elections.
Carlson also noted that it is not permitted on a state or federal ballot, requiring a separate ballot and check-in process.
“The [enrollment] variable for me right now is Marshfield, because we don’t have any data on that, but Scituate and Hanover have changed in the last few years,” Hickey said, noting that those two communities’ enrollment have begun tightening up. “That means that, in some respects, Whitman’s share will likely plateau and then decline if all those factors hold true.”
Hickey said if enough communities want to review the calculations of student share a review of that portion of the regional agreement is possible, depending on how risk-averse they are to a fixed formula to something adjustable.
“I think the idea deserves to be looked at,” he said.

The Whitman Public Library will present an author talk on Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m., with Robert Knox, whose novel, Suosso’s Lane, deals with the infamous trial and execution of two Italian immigrants, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, who became a cause celebre around the world as support for the two men reached celebrated national and international figures. 

Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars will be processing orders for gift cards this holiday season as part of its fall fundraising drive. Interested individuals will be able to order gift cards from over 300 nationwide merchants. DFS will receive a commission for selling the cards while the recipient will receive the full-face value of the gift card.
A Dollars for Scholars representative will be in the Community Room of the Whitman Public Library on from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 2, and in the Meeting Room of the Hanson Police Station from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 3, to answer any questions. Orders may be placed at those times. All gift cards ordered are expected to be delivered by Dec. 11. Payments should be in the form of a check or cash.
Currently, DFS places gift card orders every other month for its board members. Members use the gift cards as gifts for family or friends or toward everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, prescriptions, and restaurants.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit graduating high school seniors in the form of scholarships at the end of the school year. For more information on the gift card ordering program, contact Mike Ganshirt at 781-252-9683 or visit www.WhitmanAndHanson.DollarsforScholars.org.

The Abington Garden Club’s Greens and Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 at the United Church of Christ, 10 Bedford St. (Route 18), Abington.
The fair features holiday greens arrangements, a bake sale, an opportunity drawing, and hand-made crafts from local artisans. Proceeds benefit the garden club’s scholarship fund as well as maintenance of the Butterfly Park and other civic beautification projects.