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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.

Kiwanee to get Netflix close-up

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HANSON — Camp Kiwanee will become the latest South Shore location for filming of the upcoming Netflix movie, “The Sleepover,” as final approval was granted by the Recreation Commission Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The Board of Selectmen must also approve use of the former Maquan School parking lot for film company vehicles, which is slated for the Tuesday, Aug. 20 agenda.

Crews will be working on scenes at Needles Lodge, the shoreline of Maquan Pond, several cabins and other locations at the camp, according to Assistant Location Manager Liliana Kondracki, who briefed the commission on the project.

Netflix will be paying $25,000 — plus costs associated with camp staff, police details and other expenses, according to Kondracki. Caretakers will be asked to monitor the camp and one or two Hanson Police officers will be contracted for the filming dates.

Scenes have already been filmed at Hanover High School and in Scituate and Boston. Filming at Kiwanee is slated for Aug. 21 to 30 with wrap work on Sept. 3 and 4. Filming will not interfere with a wedding already approved for Needles Lodge Thursday, Aug. 22.

The amount offered for the rental was based on the film’s budget and what work would need to be done to dress the location, Kondracki said.

Selectman Matt Dyer, the board’s liaison to the Recreation Commission, asked how Kondracki found Camp Kiwanne and whether she had any advice on how the commission might better market the facility.

“I found it after a lot of research,” Kondracki said describing the process of narrowing down a Google search for “log cabin” after a couple of weeks’ work.

“I’ve been in Boston for about year,” the Florida transplant said of her research here, after working for 20 years in the Miami area. “If you ask me about Florida, I knew everything, here, I’m starting from scratch. … [Camp Kiwanee] wasn’t easy to find.”

She said she didn’t know what to suggest, except to say the “amazing facility” should be marketed better. As for screen credits for use of the location, she said that is up to the production company.

“If they are feeling particularly generous, they might put [thanks to the] ‘Town of Hanover,’ ‘Town of Hanson,’ or something like that,” she said. “They not always do.”

Kondracki described the adventure/comedy plot as a coming-of-age story mixed with an “Oceans 11”-type crime tale.

It focuses on two boys planning a sleepover while their goody-two-shoes sister plans to sneak out of the house for the first time at night. Their mom, meanwhile, is kidnapped because of a secret in her past and the kids have to come to the rescue.

Kondracki noted, with a resigned laugh, that plot details were supposed to be confidential, but that an Aug. 7 story in The Boston Globe, already outlined a lot of that information.

“We’ve been working on finalizing things with [Town Administrator Meredith Marini] and the [police and fire] chiefs about it,” said Recreation Director William Boyle.

Kondracki provided the commission a filming outline.

“It’s a family action/comedy,” Kondracki said. “They’re trying to compete with Disney, so it’s that type of project.”

Kiwanee was chosen to film scenes surrounding a portion of the plot where the parents are taken to a remote cabin, as well as the sleepover scenes with the kids. The Frontier Cabin is a focal point of the filming, according to Kondracki.

“They obviously need to do a number of changes to it in order to make it work for the scene,” she said. “Anything that we do would be returned to the original condition, unless it’s something you guys want to keep.”

Among the changes would be replacing the windows at the front for those with a more rustic look, adding wood-panel façades to interior walls to give them a more rounded log look to the room, moving a woodstove out of a fireplace, and adding a vintage refrigerator. A certified HVAC contractor will be installing a propane-fed flame to the fireplace and the film crew has cleared the work with Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr.

Boyle has also approved the clearing of a few low-hanging branches in one spot for better camera angles and a hose will be used to add water to a dry creek bed for a plot point. The pavilion will be used for catering, with food prep being done in a food truck that has already been licensed by the Board of Health.

A temporary floating dock, which the crew is covering with a wooden dock mock-up is being added for scenes at the boathouse.

Gator vehicles will be used to transport equipment, parking of large trucks will be done at the former Maquan School and Kondracki is working to negotiate with Shaw’s for use of part of their lot for crew parking. They expect about 120 cars.

“We’re taking over,” she quipped.

Filming will be done on most of the days from noon to 10:30 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. On the last day, filming is expected to continue all night with the adult cast members — with filming of scenes involving youth actors complete by 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

“In all likelihood, we’ll be seeing the sun come up on Saturday morning,” Kondracki said with a laugh.

Cannabis grow public meetings continue

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By Drew Sullivan
Express intern

HANSON — A small turnout for Impressed LLC’s latest public outreach meeting took place on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Hanson Senior Center, as they continue their process toward opening a cannabis grow facility in town.

Local supporter Amanda Rubins was the lone person in attendance, as she talked about the possible benefits of CBD, the non-psychoactive chemical in the marijuana plant.

Co-owners and father-daughter team Ralph and Alli Greenberg talked about their positive impact plan, and the importance of community in their process.

“I think corporate social responsibility is instilled in us,” said Alli. “We founded a family nonprofit and I couldn’t think of being in this position and not trying to do more.

“We even hired someone to come up with our positive impact plan to then see what we could do beyond it.” said Ms. Greenberg

Alli then went into further detail about their nonprofit, Key for Hope.

“If we could find two local food pantries, we’ll do an annual donation, and I’d like to match that via our nonprofit as well.”

The donations would be an expression of community support, according to the Greenbergs.

“The end goal is to eliminate food insecurity,” said Ralph. “By utilizing the metal from spare keys, that can be turned into money to buy food.

“It’s not just the sheer economic value,” said Mr. Greenberg, “but a community program that provides awareness.”

Hanson resident Amanda Rubins appeared pleased with the steps that Impressed LLC has taken thus far.

“I’m a non-consumer, but I think all of their outreach and all they’ll do for Hanson will be great,” she said. “I’m glad they’re here doing great things for us.”

As for the hopeful company’s next steps, the Greenbergs have a plan.

“We still have to get through the licensing process,” said Alli, “then marketing and building our team will be our next big component. We’re hoping to be in business by spring of 2020.”

County man has EEE virus

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WHITMAN — State and local public health officials have announced that an elderly Plymouth County man is the first confirmed human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the state since 2013.

“Today’s news is evidence of the significant risk from EEE and we are asking residents to take this risk very seriously,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel of MassDPH. “We will continue to monitor this situation and the impacted communities.”

The nine communities now at critical risk are Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Middleborough, Rochester, and Wareham in Plymouth County and Acushnet, Freetown, and New Bedford in Bristol County.

Whitman Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Timothy Grenno and Whitman Board of Health Chairman Eric Joubert reminded residents that the virus was confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Whitman last week.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MassDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in mosquito samples collected in Whitman this year. As a result of the tests, the Mass.DPH has announced that the current risk level for Whitman is high.

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Whitman was completed by the MassDPH and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) over the weekend. MassDPH and DAR officials will monitor the area over the coming weeks and plan to conduct a second round of spraying.

At this time, scheduled activities in town are not affected by the EEE test, according to Grenno.

“The Board of Health is monitoring the situation and will continue to keep the public updated,” Health Board Chairman Joubert said Monday in a joint statement with Grenno. “We would also like to remind Whitman residents that there are health regulations in place regarding standing water in yards and unkempt yards which are common areas where mosquitoes breed.”

Whitman’s environmental regulations for mosquito reduction can be found at whitman-ma.gov. EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

“Though scheduled outdoor activities are not affected by the results of the tests, taking preventative measures, especially the use of proper bug repellent, is a necessity for any outdoor activities, including sporting events,” Grenno said.

This week Mass.DPH and the DAR announced they would be conducting and monitoring aerial spraying in specific areas of Bristol and Plymouth counties to reduce the mosquito population and public health risk. Aerial spraying began Aug. 8 and is expected to continue throughout the weekend during evening and overnight hours.

Although the scheduled aerial spray is designed to help reduce the risk of EEE throughout the area, residents are reminded that they should use mosquito repellent and consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

In addition to the nine communities now at critical risk, 15 communities in southeastern Massachusetts have been determined by DPH to be at high risk for the EEE virus and 18 at moderate risk.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE occurs sporadically in Massachusetts with the most recent outbreak years occurring from 2004-2006 and 2010-2012. There were 22 human cases of EEE infection during those two outbreak periods with 14 cases occurring among residents of Bristol and Plymouth Counties.

EEE virus has been found in 227 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

Avoid mosquito bites

• Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.

• Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

• Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-proof your home

• Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.

• Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website.

Whitman chiefs plan to retire

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WHITMAN — The Board of Selectmen began the transition process for changes at the top in the police and fire departments while they reviewed progress toward addressing the ongoing budget crisis Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Fire Chief Timothy Grenno indicated he plans to retire by Aug. 1, 2022 and requested Selectmen call for a fire chief exam by spring or early summer of next year. Grenno has been chief for 12 years, appointed in 2007.

“My wife and I are in negotiations right now, and I can tell you that you should hold the assessment center or the written tests now,” he said.

A spring test should provide a two-year promotions list for the town. Civil service no longer provides the exam as most towns across the state are opting for assessment centers, which create any written tests. A date cannot be set until an assessment center prepares an exam and/or assessment process.

The board approved the request and also voted to promote Deputy Police Chief Timothy Hanlon as chief as of Tuesday, Sept. 17 and to promote Sgt. Joseph Bombardier as deputy chief on that date.

Police Chief Scott Benton has informed the board that he plans to retire on Monday, Sept. 16.

“Hopefully, between now and then, we’ll have an opportunity to have the chief here to thank him for his years of service,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said.

Both Hanlon and Bombardier were the top candidates on their respective promotion lists.

Budget update

Lynam also updated Selectmen on the town budget and Selectman Randy LaMattina updated the board on the Monday, Aug. 4 Override Evaluation Committee session.

Lynam said the town is close to receiving a final draft from the Collins Center on capital planning and that he has received some, but not all, departmental budgets including the requested five-year projections for planning purposes.

There was some disagreement between Lynam and override panel citizen at-large member John Galvin about the meaning of a state Department of Revenue.

Lynam said the DOR indicated that revenue raised, if not used right away, the opportunity to use it for that year is gone forever. However, that money then ends up in the levy limit. Galvin argued that his understanding was that, while the excess levy does need to be appropriated, it does not end up in the levy limit the following year.

“It’s a one-time use,” he said. “If our levy is above the levy limit, any excess levy cannot be used the following year. That’s the discussion Frank and I had at length this morning and I still think we’re not on the same page yet.”

Lynam said he agreed that if the money is not used when it is available, the opportunity to use it is gone, but that the DOR said the levy limit would reflect that money.

“We just got a taste of how daunting this is going to be,” LaMattina said, noting that the Override Evaluation Committee has made a lot of progress after its second meeting. They established a mission statement concerning what the committee is going to do — evaluating the town’s finances and determine whether an override is needed.

He reported that the School Committee will be asking the Mass. Association of Regional Schools for an audit and Selectmen also authorized an independent audit, at a cost not to exceed $10,000, to determine where Whitman is now and what it’s five year financial outlook would be.

“This is something that, I think, really helps us in terms of credible support for presentation,” said Lynam, adding that the Collins Center work does not include a budget review and forecast. “This is a third-party, independent assessment.”

Galvin said if the two independent audits reach similar conclusions, it would provide valuable information about where the town is going financially.

“The key word is independent,” he said.

Heat response

Grenno also opened the meeting with an impassioned defense of his department’s — and the town’s — response to the four-day heat wave from July 18-21 in response to criticism on social media and a resident’s tirade against a member of the department in a local grocery store.

“I feel the need to publically set the record straight to reassure our residents as it pertains to our response to emergency preparedness,” Grenno said. “I’m troubled that I need to come before you this evening to defend our great community, you the board and public safety after a rogue resident took to social media making false claims and statements relating to the recent heat wave.”

The fire chief outlined that the response was in keeping with emergency preparedness plans already in place. Those plans call for a cooling center when: power is lost in town; if a heat wave lasts more than 48 hours; and if the Fire Department begins to see issues with residents. On Sunday, a cooling center was opened because the heat wave had hit the 48-hour mark and, after a vehicle had crashed into a utility pole on School Street and National Grid advised the town that power loss was possible.

“Because of those two issues, we opened the center in accordance with our plan,” he said. “We are on the street. We know what’s going on in our community.”

All information was also relayed via social media, reverse 911 and town websites and, Grenno said, no one uses a cooling or warming center or shelter as long as they have electrical power or during the first 48 hours of a weather emergency.

A cooling center was opened at the Whitman Senior Center on Sunday and the only person who showed up, did so out of an effort to see if they could be of help, according to Grenno. All Housing Authority facilities had power, including in common rooms with air conditioning with generator back-up.

“This resident verbally attacked and bullied one of my members at a local grocery store that day, berating him in public as to why a cooling center was not opened and that my lack of action [reflected] poorly on them as firemen,” Grenno added. “It was so bad that another citizen stepped in.”

He said bullying is unacceptable in any venue, but confronting a firefighter in public to the point where others take notice and comment “is not only ignorant, but repugnant,” Grenno said.

“The type of attitude or politics this person displayed has no place in our community,” he said.