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Lifted on the wings of love

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HANSON —  Army Black Hawk helicopters flew in formation this weekend at the Cranland Airport bringing honor, tribute and strength to the family and friends of Chief Warrant Officer Three Scott Landis a year after his death in a private plane crash.

The military training coincided with the anniversary — fitting, as the hosting grounds were one of the most cherished places in Scott’s life, and also where he died after his plane went down last August.

Staci Landis and her two children were embraced by hundreds of servicemen and women among their close family and friends. Although they gathered to celebrate the life and legacy Scott left behind while celebating the recent birth of his daughter Olivia Scott. The Landis’ had learned they were pregnant only a few days before his tragic accident. Jack, 2 ½ and his infant sister were two of the many children at the community event.

In total, there were six Army UH 60 Black Hawks, three Medevacs and a Lakota helicopter UH 72.

Dozens of cell phones were focused skyward as  guests recorded one Black Hawk after another cutting through the sky in a tremendous parade of mammoth military choppers, with rumbling engines and rotating blades.

All operating aircraft from around the state were on the grounds at Cranland Airport, according to CWO 3 Dan MacSwain who grew up in Hanson with Landis and flew overseas with him.

Staci Landis offered a special thank you to Cranland Airport, the Hanson fire department, and Scott’s former aviation unit for their support and execution to make the day as special as it was.

“Cranland was Scott’s favorite place on the planet so it was only fitting to celebrate him in that setting surrounded by his closest family and friends,” she said. “I learn more every day how many people loved my sweet Scott and how many lives he touched in his short life. It was a day filled with love, tears, and most importantly, Blackhawks.”

The choppers were due to continue their flight path toward Joint Base on Buzzard’s Bay Cape Cod for their training completion and a formal ceremony in Landis’ memory.

Hanson police and fire personnel, Boston Med Flight  as well as team members from the Plymouth County technical rescue were among those in attendance as part of the drill.

Catering was provided by Catering by Warren Inc. and Krazy Cook Catering.

Regional pact to face TM challenge

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HANSON — On the eve of the start to a new school year, Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak briefed Hanson Selectmen on district funding calculations, Whitman’s passing over the amended Regional Agreement at the May Town Meeting, and the potential impact of 15 years’ of Whitman billing errors for water and sewer at the high school.

During the Selectmen’s review of October Town Meeting warrant articles Tuesday, Aug. 27, the board added a place-holder article to revoke pervious Town Meeting approval of the amended Regional Agreement.

“If we don’t revoke the agreement we have in place, we could be locked into this right now … especially where it sounds ambiguous, at best,” said Hanson Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan in recommending a warrant article. “Just something to think about.”

“It’s easier to have it on, than not,” said Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini.

There is no plan to revisit the fiscal 2020 school budget, Szymaniak said.

“One of my goals this year, after I met with School Committee last year, would be to be as up front with the Hanson Selectmen as inquisitive as the Whitman Selectmen have been,” Szymaniak said.

He reviewed how the Regional Agreement was revised in June 2018, and approved by Hanson Town Meeting that fall. Whitman voters, during a “difficult budget process,” Szymaniak noted, passed over the agreement.

“I started asking some questions about why the Regional Agreement was passed over, and the issue around funding came up,” he said.

There are two ways to fund a regional school district, according to Szymaniak. The statutory method is based on the minimum local school contribution and the alternative method, which does not — it is instead currently based on enrollment figures with Whitman bearing the cost of 60 percent of the school budget and Hanson 40 percent. Under the statutory method, he said Hanson might be paying more under the alternative method.

“It could be a substantial swing,” Szymaniak said. “I don’t know if members of the Regional Agreement Committee  knew that the statutory method was going to have an impact on the town of Hanson as drastic as it has.”

The issue was slated for further discussion at the Wednesday, Aug. 28 School Committee meeting.

He sought a recommendation on the issue from district legal counsel on how to proceed without an approved and signed Regional Agreement and was advised that the statutory method would be used until that happens.

The minimum local contribution takes into account inflation, enrollment, wage adjustment, property values, income and municipal revenue growth.

W-H has been funded through the alternative method since 1991, and, despite a 2007 recommendation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that all regional school districts begin using the statutory method, the district did not make that change. He said the 2018 revised Regional Agreement it is inferred that the statutory method be used, but not expressly written out.

Selectman Jim Hickey said he would be interested in looking up School Committee minutes from those discussions to determine why the DESE memo was not recommended at that time.

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said it was likely at the time that, while DESE was recommending, but it wasn’t required.

“It seems as time has gone on, it’s a firmer position that DESE’s taking,” she said.

“When DESE usually recommends, that means it’s in effect,” Szymaniak said, adding that he does not see that yet, but noted Dennis-Yarmouth is also grappling with the question.   

FitzGerald-Kemmett also asked about the dollar amount Hanson would be shouldering, noting she had heard it to be about $900,000. Szymaniak confirmed that figure and said Whitman has not yet put the Regional Agreement on any warrant for a fall Town Meeting.

“We definitely appreciate the heads-up,” she said. “We appreciate being told about it.”

Whitman’s Override Evaluation Committee has hired consultant John Madden to conduct and audit/needs assessment, based on where the town could be financially in five years.

Marini said she has discussed the issue with Town Accountant Todd Hassett, who said the statutory agreement would likely be the one that would be used, based on his experience in other communities.

“We really need to know this sooner, rather than later, for planning purposes because that’s a significant amount of money and we have no magical way of making that money appear,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.

“This isn’t unique to the W-H School District,” said School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes, a Hanson resident, who attended the Selectmen’s meeting. “This is popping up with Regional Agreements across the state. As you can see, every attorney has a different opinion on it, but it looks like it’s going to fall over on the statutory method.”

He said he expects it to be challenged legally.

In theory, Szymaniak said the agreement could be voided at town meeting and changed to the alternative method, but that the absence of any contract or an expressly worded change, it would default to the statutory method.

The water/sewer bill, discovered by Whitman’s new water superintendent in February, would be split 60-40 without DESE’s involvement.

Since the high school was built in 2004, incorrect bills from the Whitman DPW — said to be caused by human error — have left the School District with not only a $300,000 bill, but no accurate idea of the actual water cost for future budgets.

“That’s a heck of an error,” said FitzGerald-Kemmett.

“A heck of an error and it says human error on the bill,” Szymaniak said. “I have kind of kicked that can down [the road] because of the bigger issue right now.”

The district’s legal counsel is reviewing the situation, but current case law only covers a case of going back about seven years to rectify bills caused by human error.

Police chiefs offer back-to-school safety tips

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As students prepare to return to school, Whitman Police Chief Scott Benton and Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch would like to remind residents to follow several important safety tips.

“We encourage parents to have safety conversations with their kids before they go back to school,” Benton said. “This includes how to safely cross the street and how to be careful when getting on and off the bus.”

Whitman-Hanson Regional School District students return to class Wednesday, Aug. 28.

With students often on their phones texting, browsing the internet or playing games, the Whitman and Hanson Police Departments recommend that parents talk to their children about the following safety tips provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) when headed to and from school:

• Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.

• Never cross the street while using an electronic device.

• Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.

•  Cross only at crosswalks.

• Do not wear earbuds while walking across the street and stay alert.

Drivers should be on increased alert when traveling through school zones and should NEVER text and drive. Additionally, the NSC reminds operators to:

• Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk or intersection.

• Never go around a school bus that has its lights activated and stop sign out.

• Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign.

• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.

• Do not honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

To ensure that children who travel to school by bus get there safely, the Whitman and Hanson Police Departments advise that students follow these tips from the NSC:

• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.

• Line up away from the street as the bus approaches.

• Wait until the bus has stopped completely and the doors open before approaching.

Behavior on the bus:

• If available, always wear your seat belt.

• Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window.

• Always wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.

Getting off the bus:

• If you have to cross in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver. Make sure the driver can see you too.

• Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing. When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes.

• If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you.

The return of classes also means that there will be many new teen drivers operating on the roads going to and from school.

According to the NSC, teen crashes occur most often because they are inexperienced. They may misjudge gaps in traffic, the right speed for road conditions and turning safely, among other things.

The Whitman and Hanson Police Departments, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminds parents to set rules before their kids hit the road with “5 to Drive:”

• NO cell phones while driving

• NO extra passengers

• NO speeding

• NO alcohol or drugs

• NO driving or riding without a seat belt

Statistically, half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school. Car crashes are the number one cause of death among teens, yet many crashes are preventable. Teens who continue to practice driving with their parents after obtaining their license increase their chances of avoiding a crash.

“A major part of driving safely in general is to not be a distracted driver. This is especially important during the school year,” Miksch said. “Drivers need to be able to give their full attention to school zones, buses and crosswalks. Anything that takes away from your attention on the road puts kids in danger.”

Benton and Miksch and the members of the Whitman and Hanson Police Departments would like to wish all students and faculty a fun and safe school year!

Hanson’s Main Street progress eyed

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HANSON — Maintaining progress at a group of former old Ocean Spray buildings along Main Street, where workers have been installing new windows and siding recently, is key to the future of South Hanson, town officials say.

“We all get a lot of pressure about that,” said Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “Every time we see people at an event … they say, ‘What the hell’s going on with that whole area?’”

A past security problem at 1011 Main St., has led the Fire Department and Building Inspector Robert Curran to approve an occupancy permit to help secure the building, Curran told Selectmen at the board’s Tuesday, Aug. 20 meeting.

He said the building has a fire alarm and sprinkler system, but has had issues while renovation work has been done, including a roof collapse from snow pack

“I have been approached by prior Selectmen to try and help this guy the best I can, to encourage him not to close the building down,” Curran said of the building’s owner. “If the building becomes abandoned, then my feeling is, we’re going to be in trouble.”

He said that, in abandoned buildings, sprinkler systems freeze and fail, leaving the structure to become a potential fire hazard.

Curran noted the owner has Zoning Board of Appeals approval for 21 residential units, with 13 planned in the first phase of development.

“The problem is, it’s going to take a lot of money,” Curran said. “I think he’s spent more money on that project than he ever thought he would.”

He added that industrial buildings could always be shut down.

“There’s all kinds of problems all the time,” he said. “What you’ve got to do is hope that everybody’s safe and that you’ve identified most of the structural issues.”

The building’s owner spent more than $100,000 in design so far just to get the residential aspect started, but Curran said he does not think the man was aware of all the new seismic requirements and other requirements.

“This is going to take a, hopefully, positive attitude from the town,” Curran said.

Curran said his vision for the property is a project called The Village at South Hanson with businesses on the first floor and residences two or three floors.

“Then the whole area will start to develop,” he said.

The board of Selectmen planned to meet with the building owner on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to discuss his plans and what the board can do to help, short of a financial investment.

“We need to try to move this ball forward,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “It’s a blight and everyone in town acknowledges it — and it’s private property. You can’t really dictate what people can do with their private property.”

“It’s been an ongoing issue since the 1980s,” Curran said. “This building hasn’t looked good in a lot of years. As long as there’s forward movement, I think that’s progress and I do believe that could be downtown Hanson — I really think that is a possibility.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said the property’s location near the Commuter Rail station makes it logical for such a project.

“I think the attitude of the town has got to be to reach out and help him,” Curran said, noting that some buildings to the rear of the property have been sold and plans are in the works by new owners.

Curran provided a department report to the board, noting the busy time of year for inspections.

There have been 172 residential building permits issued since January and nine commercial building permits, Curran said. The department has also issued 132 electrical permits, 77 for plumbing projects and 93 gas permits.

Curran also reported that he had just completed the back-to-school building inspections.

He has also asked the attorney general’s office for help with eight properties in town through the abandoned housing initiative, one of them being the former liquor store on Main Street as well as buildings on Bayberry Road and West Washington Street, among others.

“They are amazing,” he said of the attorney general’s office. “They’ve helped us tremendously.”

In other business, Selectmen reviewed their goals and warrant articles for the October special Town Meeting.

Troop 68 Boy Scout Zev Andruk also outlined his Eagle project to rehabilitate the three-quarter mile section of the Bay Circuit Trail that winds through the Hanson Town Forest.

The trail passes through two wetlands zones in the town forest and he has received permission from the Conservation Commission for two small foot bridges he plans to put in.

“It needs a lot for it to be an active hiking trail, but with what we have in store for it, we believe we can get it done in just under a month,” Andruk said. “This project is basically reclaiming an entire portion of the town so that it has an entire lap around the town forest, making easy access for town employees or the Fire Department.”

He and Conservation Agent Philip Clemons have already walked the trail and marked trees, mostly fallen, that need to be removed. Clemons has also donated all the four-inch Bay Circuit Trail markers and two larger signs for the parking area. A small ATV will need to be used to haul equipment and chainsaws — which, like the ATVs will be used by adults.

The Board of Selectmen’s permission was needed to use motorized equipment in a conservation area. The board voted to grant that permission.

Season Preview: Flexibility and depth are strengths for girls’ soccer

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24-year head coach David Floeck. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers made the postseason last fall, but were unable to make the bang they hoped for, bowing out to Hingham, 2-1, in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals, capping the season at 14-2-4.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team, the goal remains the same.

“We want to get better every day and to be playing our best soccer towards the end of the season and hopefully that means we’re in the tournament and we can make some noise in there,” said 24-year W-H head coach David Floeck, whose team hasn’t had a losing season since 1999.

The Panthers made the postseason last fall, but were unable to make the bang they hoped for, bowing out to Hingham, 2-1, in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals, capping the season at 14-2-4.

“Going out in the second round of the tournament, that’s not something we wanted to see happen,” Floeck said.

Finding the back of the net was admittedly a challenge for W-H, which scored a nine-year low 51 goals. Now, with 44 of the goals back, scoring shouldn’t be an issue anymore. The now-sophomore trio of Olivia Borgen (eight goals), Nora Manning (eight goals) and Kelsee Wozniak (team-high 11 goals) netted over half of those tallies last season.

“They’ve worked on the physical part of their game and came back bigger, stronger and faster,” Floeck said. “They certainly have worked on things they needed to work on. We’re extremely impressed with the type of years they had last year, but if they duplicate that, we’d be disappointed because that means they didn’t grow.”

A striker, Wozniak was an EMass first-team selection and earned a spot in the Patriot League All-Star game, and she should be the catalyst of the offense yet again.

“She has the chance to go down as one of the best players we’ve ever had in this program when it’s all said and done,” said Floeck, whose program has churned out All-Americans in three straight seasons. “I don’t know that we’ve identified a ceiling for her yet. She has tremendous potential.”

Senior midfielders Riley Bina (captain), Anika Floeck and junior midfielder Alexis Billings will also be crucial assets to the offense.

Though, question marks do loom, in terms of experience, on the other end of the pitch, with the graduation of defender Olivia Johnson (starter for Endicott College), four-year starting goalie Skylar Kuzmich (starter for Hofstra University) and All-American back Sammy Smith (starter for Boston College), all of whom were captains last fall.

But the Panthers do return some talent back there, in seniors Sam Perkins (league all-star last season), Erin Wood, Courtney Woodward (captain) and sophomore Ava Melia.

In net, there’s a healthy competition going on between juniors Reese Codero and Kylee Colclough.

“They’ve been working with [Skylar Kuzmich] all along and both gotten varsity experience due to injuries or different opportunities,” Floeck said. “We feel pretty good about both of them. If we think both are at the same level, we can split them or they can play different games.”

Floeck said the Panthers’ strengths are their flexibility and depth.

“We have a number of players that play different positions,” said the coach. “We have a number of people who can put the ball in the back of the net, so if teams start to take away one aspect of what we’re doing there’s other players that can take advantage of that. We’ll have six or seven kids on our bench that can come in and score or help us defend.”

W-H opens its campaign at home Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. against league foe Plymouth South.

“We had a couple games that we didn’t perform at our best and it cost us the league championship,” Floeck said. “We’re gonna try to work on that to make sure we don’t have those missteps because we’re in a league where if you go out and lose a game or tie a game you shouldn’t have, it’ll cost you.”

 

Hanson Selectmen pick their new executive assistant

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HANSON — One search is over. Selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 20 voted to endorse the recommendation of interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini to hire Greer Getzen of Norfolk to succeed Marini as Executive Assistant to the Board. Getzen accepted the position.

“I just want the board to find a fit for them,” Marini said, noting that the Town Administrator Act calls for her as interim to make a recommendation to them as the relevant board. “I felt that the board needed to have part of the interview process. It’s a really close relationship and I’m not going to be here.”

Marini plans to retire in December so long as a new town administrator is in place by that time.

The board was impressed with Getzen’s experience.

Getzen, who also has experience as an interim town administrator in Dover from 2004-09 and as town administrator until 2018, also has 14 years’ experience as an executive assistant to that town’s Board of Selectmen.

Also interviewing with Selectmen Tuesday were Leanne Monaghan, currently part-time clerk with the Hanson Water Department, and Halifax Assistant Town Treasurer Linda Cole. Both may also be considered for clerical vacancies in Hanson’s Conservation and Planning departments, Selectmen said.

The three finalists were all recommended for interviews after Marini, Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett and Selectman Kenny Mitchell independently reviewed résumés of 36 applicants.

“I’ve been told that there’s some concern regarding the posting process,” Marini said before Tuesday’s interviews began. She said that, in compliance with general bylaws, an internal posting was done two weeks ahead of public posting, with preference in the process given to town employees.

Department heads and Marini — in the capacity as town administrator — reviewed the applications before she, FitzGerald-Kemmett and Mitchell made their recommendations for which candidates should sit for final interviews. Mitchell and Marini interviewed five people Tuesday, Aug.13.

“I think this is the first time we’ve ever done this that Laura, Kenny and I went through them — at different times — and all picked the exact same people,” Marini said.

Getzen had begun her career as a paralegal and then worked for Legal Aid, assisting low-income people with applications for federal benefits before becoming an executive assistant with the town of Natick from 1995 to 2004. She took the position of administrative assistant to the Dover Board of Selectmen in 2004, where she worked until leaving to become project/procurement specialist for the town of Westford in 2018.

“I found local government really fascinating and important,” she said. “Over time the selectmen grew to trust [me and the town administrator] and grew very comfortable with us. We were the first administrator and assistant who were there for a long term, before that it was three years and out. We were used as a stepping-stone.”

She admitted her departure from Dover was prompted by a selectman’s campaign platform of “out with the old, in with the new” and she was concerned she would be painted with that brush.

“I’m not sure what the reason was, but I just felt the language was on the wall, she said. Westford was not a good fit, she said, as she was seeking “a real executive assistant position” and the more clerical role she walked into “bored me to death,” Getzen said.

“I have a broad range of skills and experience,” she said.

Selectmen were impressed with both her skills and candor.

“You’ve explained very clearly why you left your current position and you come to us highly recommended,” said Selectman Wes Blauss. “My only concern is I had to go on Google Maps — where is Norfolk?”

He wondered about Getzen’s ability to contend with the commute, especially in winter.

“I am not afraid to drive and I have a good four-wheel-drive vehicle,” she said. “For me, it’s not a problem.”

Marini said that, as long as the board was comfortable with any of the finalists, Getzen got her nod because Getzen has the skills and experience to take the executive assistant position before a new town administrator was chosen.

“We asked her about how she feels about taking the job and not knowing who the boss was going to be,” Marini said. “We asked everyone the same question. It wasn’t going to be a problem for any of them.”

Marini agreed that Getzen came highly recommended.

“I thought all three were excellent,” said Selectman Jim Hickey, who noted he felt unprepared to comment further as he had just met all three candidates, but that he would cast a vote.

Getzen was Mitchell’s front-runner.

“But if you told us you couldn’t take the job, I’d be fine with the other two,” he said.

“I really was looking for somebody with municipal experience,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “Perhaps the other two … would be excellent here [for other vacancies]. I don’t want to be in a position where we would want to have another interim town administrator — I’m hoping this is the last time we ever have to do that — but if we don’t, I think this woman could step right in and do the job. That, for me, is compelling.”

A Plymouth resident who has worked at the Water Department since 2013, Monaghan pointed to her knowledge of Hanson and her possession of the skills required for the job as reasons she would be the best candidate. She has also worked for Analytical Balance in Middleborough coordinating the sampling and testing for public and private water supplies, and performed similar duties at GeoLabs in Braintree before that.

Hanson resident Cole said her range of experience working for the town of Halifax for 20 years has prepared her for the executive assistant role. She began work in Halifax in a clerical role for the Town Clerk/Treasurer’s office in 1995.

Hanson hires TA search consultant

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HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 20 hired Muncipal Resources Inc., (MRI), a recruiting service out of Meredith, N.H., to help with the search for Hanson’s new town administrator.

A second bidding firm GovHR USA of Northbrook, Ill., was not considered because of the firm’s distance and because it did not send a representative to the meeting to meet with the board.

MRI’s President and CEO Alan S. Gould and team member Reginald “Buzz” Stapscynski briefed Selectmen on their services and the type of search they will conduct.

“I don’t like surprises,” Gould said of the thoroughness of their background investigations. “We don’t get surprised.”

MRI has done personnel searches in Massachusetts communities from Lexington and Acton to Hanover, Dighton and Carver.

“I don’t think there’s anybody better in New England,” Gould said. “We know who’s available. We know who’s out there looking.”

He complimented the board for the straightforward request for proposal drafted to guide Hanson’s town administrator search.

MRI does everything from drafting and posting the ad to a comprehensive background check.

Gould, a retired police chief, described the background check as one involving a complete financial work-up, driving records and employment history and conducts pre-interviews with candidates, as well as department heads, citizens and any search committees used in hiring communities.

“We wouldn’t put anyone in front of you that we wouldn’t hire,” he said.

While Hanson is not using a search committee this time out, selectmen expressed interest in meetings between MRI and department heads and interested residents.

“We’ve had some lively discussions at senior centers after lunch,” said Stapscynski. “And we ask what are the challenges [to towns]. What’s important here? And we’ll hear traffic, we’ll hear residential growth, we want more commercial development or parks and playgrounds, and that’s good for us. Doing the search of the next town administrator, we’ll have a good idea of the fit.”

Essay questions are filled out by applicants and early-round telephone interviews are conducted with at least two MRI representatives on the phone, Gould said.

“Every community has challenges and we can find candidates that have dealt with them,” he said. One of the last questions they ask is whether they will find any embarrassing information when they Google an applicant’s name.

“We’ve already done that,” he said. “We’ve got two or three pages [at hand] sometimes of any time they’ve appeared in the press, any issues that are out there.”

Selectman Kenny Mitchell noted that compensation has become an issue with previous town administrators and asked when MRI would discuss that issue with the board.

“Where do we need to be to be on an average and get that right?” he said.

Gould said Hanson probably needs to be a little above the salary it now offers.

“We would want to get you to a salary that could be competitive,” he said. “We always like to post a salary range with the top number you could possibly offer.”

During phone interviews, MRI finds out information about candidates that includes their salary worth.

“I don’t want you to fall in love with a candidate and not be able to shoulder the cost,” Gould said. “At the same time we want candidates to know the value of the opportunity here.”

Gould said he usually comes back to select boards with three-to-four final candidates, with three being ideal.

Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini asked how long the process would take in view of her pending retirement plans in December.

“2019?” Gould asked with a laugh.

He estimated, seriously, that final candidates should be available in 60 days with background investigations taking two to three weeks followed by contract negotiations.

“I would hope it would be Dec. 1,” Gould said.

Selectmen Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett also said GovHR’s price was too high and she was not convinced they offered a better or even comparable product.

Rec panel reviews business plan, policies

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HANSON — The town’s Recreation Commission is continuing its review of a business plan as well as policies and procedures. Discussion of increasing revenue was the focus of the panel’s work on its draft policies on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Member Juvelyn Hartwig said the changes are important, not only to increase revenue, “which is huge for us,” but also for increasing community and business partnerships, while being mindful of the nonprofit status of Camp Kiwanee.

Improving facilities was also cited as an important goal.

Hartwig suggested a 10-percent annual increase in revenue was the short-term goal for which the commission should strive.

The financial plan includes a forecast budget of more than $300,000 for the next fiscal year, including a $53,000 debt payment on septic repairs, that the commission hopes will be resolved at the October Town Meeting. But Hartwig suggested the commission’s goal should be $300,000 in revenue next year.

Recreation Director William Boyle pointed out that, if 10-percent growth was maintained over five years, in the final year revenue would be close to $250,000.

But Committee member Brian Fruzzetti argued for a more conservative goal of, perhaps 3 percent a year and build up from there over time.

“I think if you set yourself up for 10 percent right out of the gate … revenue could fall off a cliff,” he said. “I don’t want it to be overpromised.”

Selectman Matt Dyer, the board’s liaison to the Recreation Commission agreed that, in the event of a shortfall at a 10-percent goal, the town would be hesitant to bail them out again.

Boosting Kayak rentals at Cranberry Cove, such as including it in a family membership for $125, was also suggested by Hartwig.

“If people see the kayaks out there, they’ll start to ask questions,” she said. “Then the Cove experience becomes swimming and kayaking, so you’re getting more for your money.”

Dyer also said that the kayaks are not advertised as they should be.

Installation of broadband WiFi was pointed to as a key component in attracting bookings of Needles Lodge for corporate meetings or team-building outings.

While she cautioned that such rentals should not be the main goal, Hartwig said they could be an important part of meeting revenue goals.

“We really need to have a real plan, where it’s not just talking about, ‘Oh, we should be doing this,’” she said about getting the word out about programs like the upcoming Fun Day.

“I think it’s good that we’ve identified a shortcoming in our advertising,” Dyer said. “I think it might be really useful to start breaking those down tonight and start talking about how we should advertise the camp for a wedding. … But, also, we need to look at the hanging fruit — why aren’t there any fliers in the foyer saying, ‘Rent the Lodge!’”

When there are other events there, he said a flier should be available to outline the amenities of the lodge for those who are attending and looking for a venue for other events.

Rental policies were also discussed in connection with a request from St. Joseph the Worker Church for free passes to the Cove for the church’s vacation Bible school counselors. Current policy requires an overnight cabin rental to obtain such free passes and nonprofits already pay a minimum hourly rate when voted on by the Recreation commission and Board of Selectmen, member Joan Fruzzetti said.

“We are supposed to be a benefit for the town,” Hartwig said. “This facility is supposed to benefit the community.”

She noted that the Boy and Girl Scouts receive such benefits when they request to use Kiwanee, suggesting that the commission look into why they receive that benefit and others do not — while recognizing the work the Scout organizations do for Camp Kiwanee in terms of volunteer work at the facility.

“My thought was that we have a better way to communicate for next year,” Hartwig said.

The policies and procedures are still under revision

“St. Joe’s Church is great, their VBS is great, but we have to remember, they’re charging families to utilize their services and they’re asking to come here for free,” Dyer said. “I think this is a hiccough year, and we’re hitting the reset button with this commission.”

He suggested meeting with the church’s vacation Bible school organizers to arrive at an agreement on what would be fair to both organizations.

Hartwig argued that the cost for renting facilities, coupled with the policies and procedures gives nonprofit organizations reason to question why they should try to use Camp Kiwanee.

“We have to create a path to make it easier for some of these folks to come in,” she said.

Joan Fruzzetti said posting photos of the facility on social media could help advertise the camp might be helpful.

“Pictures do a lot,” she said.

Procedures and policies on the lodge rental cost for birthday parties;  for smoking — and e-cigarette/vaping use — on Kiwanee property; as well as camp employees’ clocking in without interrupting wedding function use of the office, is also under review. Brian Fruzzetti argued that any changes to the procedures keep in mind that requiring employees to clock in before doing any work provides protection for the commission and the town in the event that a worker is injured on the job.

Whitman board salutes Benton

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen honored police chief Scott Benton Tuesday, Aug. 20 ahead of his retirement on Sept. 16.

Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski read a proclamation signed by the Board of Selectmen in recognition of the many achievements and honors that had been bestowed upon Benton in his nearly 33-year career including becoming the town’s first DARE officer and receiving the Medal of Valor in 1992.

Benton began his career in 1986 as an auxiliary police officer before becoming a full-time officer in 1990. From there, he was promoted to sergeant in 1994, detective sergeant in 1997, deputy chief in 2008 and finally chief of police in 2013.

“The Board of Selectmen on behalf of a grateful community does hereby commend Scott D. Benton for services rendered to the town and now therefore the Board of Selectmen of the town of Whitman does proudly proclaim Monday, Sept. 16 Scott D. Benton day in the town of Whitman,”  Kowalski read from the proclamation.

Selectman Randy LaMattina, who chairs the Budget Override Committee, gave a brief update saying that the committee had not met again since the last Selectmen meeting. They are scheduled to meet again on Monday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. LaMattina said he had locked down a consultant who would be coming to the meeting to make a brief presentation and answer questions from committee members. The only other update from LaMattina was that he had received an email from one of the committee members inquiring about the Old Colony Planning Council. From their website, “The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) is a governmental entity that was established under state statute in 1967 as a comprehensive regional agency to “prepare plans for the physical, social and economic development of the District”. The Council was formed in response to a growing need of local communities to be able to address the multitude of problems that cross over local boundaries such as air and water pollution, transportation deficiencies and economic distress.”

LaMattina said it is certainly something Town Administrator Frank Lynam can look into as it may provide yet another building block toward a solution. Additionally, Lynam is attempting to set up a meeting between the Selectmen, the Budget Override Evaluation Committee and the Capital Improvements Committee to hear a report from the Collins Group on the work that they’ve been doing. The tentative date for that meeting is September 10.

The Board approved a change in date for the Whitman Area Toy Drive’s tollbooth fundraiser to from Aug. 31 to from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday,  Sept. 7. The rain date for the event will be Sept. 14. The Board also approved the Whitman Youth Soccer opening day parade for 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7.

Kowalski also discussed a number of existing vacancies on the various Boards and Committees in town.

The Board also voted unanimously to rescind two appointments to the Cultural Council. One was due to a resignation and the other due to a member never having been sworn in and never attending any meetings. Oliver Amado was appointed to a three-year term through June 30, 2021 on the Cultural Council. Kowalski described the Cultural Council as being wide open and said if any residents are interested in joining, they should contact the Selectmen’s office.

Other vacancies include a regular member and an alternate delegate vacancy on the Triple A Advisory Committee. The Building Facilities and Capital Spending Committee have two vacancies. The Conservation Committee has two vacancies, both with terms ending in 2022. Additionally, two alternate member vacancies with terms ending in 2020 and 2021 also exist on the Conservation Committee. The Economic Development Committee and the Fair Housing Committee both have one vacancy each with both terms ending in 2020. The Historical Commission has two associate member vacancies with terms expiring in 2022.

The Board voted to approve a request from Bruce Perry on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society doing business with the Whitman Food Pantry at Holy Ghost Parish for a one-day liquor license on Saturday Sept. 21. The Board also unanimously voted to waive the fee for the aforementioned permit.

The Board also addressed Environmental Pickup Corp.’s application for a junk collector’s license. The company is purchasing Conway Scrap Metal Inc. from Michael Conway. The current license held by Conway Scrap Metal Inc. will be rescinded upon the issuance of the license to the new owner. The Board asked the new owner what street they planned to use for their business. The new owner said he planned to use 36 Vincent St. as the previous owner had done. The Board asked that the new owner work with residents on neighboring Paul St. as damage had been inflicted on the road from the trucks pertaining to the business and the DPW is unable to fix it as it is not an approved street.  The new owner said, “I did speak to the neighbors and introduce myself. I did tell them I’m going to help fix the street as best I can.”

Hanson Library offers summer ukelele lesson

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HANSON — The reverberation of ukuleles could be heard throughout the Hanson Library on Tuesday an ideal activity for a rainy, summer day.

The inside event featured Julie Stepanek, a children’s performer from Shutesbery, a town near Amherst. She’s a self taught guitarist who fell in love with the ukulele.

She works for the Jones Library where she teaches children’s programs and has become known for her ukulele music lessons and programs.

Tuesday’s class of 14 children was colorful with each ukulele individually wrapped as a Christmas morning surprise. The children sitting in a circle unwrapped and held their instruments turning to see who got which color and if their ukuleles were comparable to the larger or smaller versions of the instruments on the front bench.

Stepanek kept the children engaged for the one hour program explaining plucking, and basic musical notes, proper fingering techniques and differentiation between the guitar and ukulele.

Several children had their own instruments from home, which Stepanek adjusted; also using the teaching moment to give explanation how she brought the instrument into tune. The program was funded by the Hanson Public Library Foundation.