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Whitman panel to study voting devices

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Whitman panel to study voting devices

WHITMAN — A committee is being formed by Town Moderator Michael Seele to study the pros and cons of electronic voting at Town Meeting — an issue affecting bylaws that will ultimately be put before Town Meeting to accept or reject.

Seele and Town Clerk Dawn Varley are the first two members of the study committee, being asked to update selectmen on its progress in March. Members from both sides of the issue will be placed on that panel.

Whitman panel to study voting devices

Small, remote control-type devices, like the one showed above, are being studied as a voting toll. They have a numeric keypad on which a yes or no vote would be cast by punching number one or two. They can be leased or purchased with the town able to borrow extra from other towns if a huge Town Meeting turnout is seen.

The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Dec. 15 expressed divided opinions on the idea — with Brian Bezanson and Dan Salvucci supporting electronic voting, Scott Lambiase voicing objections and both Lisa Green and Chairman Carl Kowalski saying they need more information before forming an opinion.

“I’m not really comfortable being on the fence on anything,” Kowalski said. “My first reaction was we don’t need that.”

But, he added that he understands how a shy person can feel cowed by the number of people around them that may be voting differently.

“I’m interested in hearing some more about the motivation for this,” he said.

Varley opened the discussion with a report on how electronic voting works and opinions of officials in towns now using it.

The small, remote control-type devises with numeric keypad on which a yes or no vote would be cast by punching number one or two. They can be leased or purchased with the town able to borrow extra from other towns if a huge Town Meeting turnout is seen.

“I’ve pretty much given you all the information that I found out, and that’s what my job was,” Varley said.

She did report that voice votes are generally inaccurate, standing counts are time-consuming and public votes can result in the potential for intimidation.

“I have a problem with that [last point] because we shouldn’t feel intimidated or fear retribution when we’re in our own town — in our own community — and we all have a common interest,” Kowalski said. “They’re our friends and neighbors.”

Kowalski said, even though there have been contentious town meetings in the past, the current practice of voice and standing votes has worked for a number of years.

“I don’t remember the really weird times,” he said.

Another reason for considering electronic voting is the continuing effort to increase voter turnout.

“Every Town Meeting, I’m fighting to get 150 people,” Varley said. “I think this might be it.” Lawn signs and reminders on census forms are also being considered.

“The participation is going to be [based on] what you have for warrant articles,” Lambiase said. “I think that the biggest thing is that a great majority of the populace has no idea what we do at Town Meeting.”

Bezanson said he, too, likes to think intimidation is not a big factor in low Town Meeting turnout.

“It doesn’t stifle any discussion,” he said of electronic voting. “But I think it really takes a burden off the voter when it comes time to make the vote.”

Salvucci also favors electronic voting, but expressed concern over its ease of use, especially for seniors.

“I like the idea of the device,” Salvucci said. “I like the idea of secret ballots because you vote the way you want to vote. It’s that simple.”

Seele discounted concern about intimidation, saying he has not received any complaints from voters about it.

“We have a tradition here in this town of standing up and being counted for you vote,” Seele said. “I’ve not gotten the sense … that there was any sort of recrimination or intimidation going on against anybody.”

He called it “probably the largest conceptual issue” around electronic voting.

Police Chief Scott Benton again argued that intimidation could cut both ways, as his department “doesn’t make everybody happy.”

While the police have a lot of supporters in town, he said the job doesn’t always make friends in performing their duties.

“I’m not saying I’m against [electronic voting],” he said. “In my line or work, I’m here to represent our department and look at the misuse because that’s what we deal with.”

Seele said he is also concerned about the nuts and bolts of how it would work, especially for the disabled and those uncomfortable with the technology.

“I’m all for technology,” he said. “But I wonder if this is a hammer in search of a nail.”

Lambiase, who works in Duxbury where electronic devices — but only on close votes — are used, said officials in that town calculated they only saved four minutes in an eight-hour town meeting.

“Personally, I don’t agree with it,” he said. “I’m more of the spirit that Town Meeting is to be an open town meeting and we should not be afraid to get up and speak our mind and be proud of our vote.”

Green said the discussion toward making Town Meeting more efficient is a healthy one, but said more information is needed before any decision is made.

IT Director Josh MacNeil said a lot depends on the company used and whether devices are leased or purchased, but agreed with Green that more information is needed.

“I agree with everything that’s been said here,” said Town Administrator Frank Lynam. “I can agree that the concerns people have are valid, because I can remember town meetings when I may have been the only one standing up.”

He said people genuinely feel intimidated in voting for contentious issues.

“I don’t know that that’s a reason to do this,” Lynam said. “I think it’s something we should look at.”

Hanson author writes about Boston El trains

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Hanson author writes about Boston El trains

HANSON — For Hanson resident Lawrence D. Mills, retirement has literally opened a new chapter in his life — several of them in fact — as he recently completed work on a book saluting Boston’s erstwhile elevated train system.

The book [“Main Line Elevated,” Xlibris, 83 pages, hardcover $61.99/large format paperback, $51.99/E-book, $24.99] is not a history, but rather a photo essay of the last years of Boston’s Main Line elevated train.

Hanson author writes about Boston El trains“It describes what it was like to see and use this transportation on one of the heaviest transit lines in the city of Boston,” Mills states in his promotional materials.

The elevated trains also afforded the chance for Mills and his sister to spend hours of locomotive and people watching at Dudley Station from a display window in Roxbury’s Ferdinand’s Furniture Store where his parents met on the job and his father worked again after WWII.

The Charlestown elevated route ended in 1975, followed by the one in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain in 1987, and “there are adults today that never saw it” he said of his reason for doing the book.

“It’s a way to see what life was like in those days because you see everything — the cars, the way people dressed, the ads — the whole business,” he said. “My view has always been that these pictures don’t do any good sitting in a closet. They should be where people can see them.”

While he never worked for a railroad or the MBTA, Mills continued his lifelong interest in railroads and transit systems during his military service, which included postings in Germany, and during a career with the Federal Protective Service, which protects federal buildings, for more than 35 years. His FPS service was largely in Boston and other New England sites.

“I’ve had this as a hobby all my life,” he said of his collection of El photographs. A book he bought about the Third Avenue Line in New York City provided the spur to create his own book.

Most of the photos are his from a personal collection dating back to 1964, except for a half dozen from Rockland resident George Jason, a few from a retired Boston Fire Lt. Jim Teed and some black white photos from Mills’ father Thomas.

“This was something I have been thinking about for years and when I retired, we sat down and [decided to] do it,” he said. His wife Michele, a former librarian, used her expertise and connections to find Xlibris, a self-publishing firm in Bloomington, Ind.

“The quality of the book turned out well,” he said. “I was impressed with that.”

Mills had done all the scanning and layout of photos on his home computer.

“That’s one of the good things about his pictures, he has all the old cars, the old buildings, the old signs,” Michele said. “They’re historic.”

Mills plans to make appearances at train and hobby shows — such as one held in Springfield next month — as his primary merchandising avenue, but the book is also available online via Barnes & Noble and Amazon and at rail museums.

Michele noted that the book will also be in The Library Journal so town libraries and special libraries may purchase it if they wish.

The book provided Mills with a project during last winter’s worst weather. He is now looking toward the next project while he continues interest in trains.

Even his move from Brookline to Hanson hinged on the Commuter Rail service, as his job did not initially include a “take home” vehicle.

“It was a convenient commute and they were building the area up,” he said.

“We worked together on the house,” Michele said. “Larry told me what he wanted and I worked with Jack Conway himself [to design it].”

Conway had been a friend of her family in Cohasset for years.

 

Dance show aids Whitman food pantry

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Dance show aids Whitman food pantry

The Dance Dimension School of Dance and Theatre of Whitman held its annual winter showcase at Whitman Hanson High School on Saturday evening.

Dance show aids Whitman food pantry

HOLIDAY DREAMS: Students from Whitman’s Dance Dimension School of Dance and Theatre perform a number costumed in holiday PJs during the annual winter showcase Dec. 12. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

Collectively they raised $1,300, which was presented in a check by Owner and Director Laurie Healey to Bruce Perry for the Whitman food pantry at the start of the event and more than 100 pounds of food were donated for the pantry during the event.

There were 25 to 30 toys donated to the Whitman area toy drive through the efforts of the Whitman Hanson drama club. Along with the dance teams several vocal soloists from WH drama club, and chorus performed an array of holiday musical arrangements.

Mrs. Claus was portrayed by a local woman who volunteered her time for the event after overhearing the director talking about it.

“Our hope is to continue to grow this (event) into other performance groups and people in our community. It is such a great town we live in,” said Laurie Healey’s husband and school co-owner Mike Healey.

— Stephanie Spyropoulos

Whitman teen struck crossing street to bus

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Whitman teen struck crossing street to bus, received non life-threatening injuries

WHITMAN – A female high school student was transported to the South Shore Hospital for non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a car in Whitman near 309 Washington Street at about 7 a.m., Thursday while getting on the school bus.

The initial investigation by Whitman police was that the teen was struck by the side mirror of a car as an elderly woman went past the stopped school bus, according to Police Chief Scott Benton.

Whitman teen struck crossing street to bus

caption: The initial investigation by Whitman police stated that a teen was struck by the side mirror of a car as an elderly woman went past a stopped school bus. The teen was treated non-life threatening injuries.

The bus driver, whose name has not been released, works for First Student Bus Company. She initially reported to police her red flasher lights were on for the students to safely cross the street. However, after a statement and corrected report by the bus driver to Whitman police she informed the officer her yellow lights were on not her red lights, which would have activated the cross board on the front of the bus to signal that all traffic must stop.

“The bus driver made the determination to allow two more cars to pass before activating her red lights. The student, anticipating the red lights, then stepped into traffic and was struck by the car. She was not hit by the bus,” Benton said clarifying incorrect information that was possibly started on social media.

The women driver of the grey sedan was shaken and did stop at the scene. A male who identified himself as the son of the driver said his mother “is elderly and very upset.” He did not want to speak further.

He was driving her home following the accident.

Two women who reside across from the bus stop said approximately five students wait at the bus stop daily.

Tina Burnell, whose daughter is a high school student, said her daughter was right behind the girl who was struck and that she had been upset by the incident.

Benton said the investigation is ongoing, however he does not believe the driver of the car will face charges and there were no charges filed as of Thursday Dec. 17.

Hanson family displaced by fire

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Hanson family displaced by fire

At eight o’clock Friday night the Alexopoulos family was home decorating for the holidays. Just five hours later they were fleeing a raging fire, barefoot, screaming for one another to get outside as flames tore through their home on Stringer Lane.

The family was awakened by smoke detectors at about 1 a.m.,   Saturday, Dec. 5, and had safely evacuated the home by the time firefighters arrived, said Hanson Fire Chief Jerome Thompson in a press release.

Hanson family displaced by fire

TOTAL LOSS: Following a house fire that destroyed a Hanson house Dec. 5, the blackened interior can be seen while Christmas decorations on the front lawn remain undamaged. No one was hurt in the two-alarm blaze. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

The family is being assisted by the Red Cross and there were no injuries reported.

John Alexopoulos and his wife Wendy, married for 20 years, have lived in their home at 40 Stringer Lane for the last 15 years, raising their two children Drew, 18, and Carly, 15, there.

Still shaken and distraught with the flames gone, but the smell of charred wood still permeating the air, John and his son salvaged baseball memorabilia from his son’s high school career.

The family is well known in town and league baseball, and dozens of neighbors and supporters offered comfort and a shoulder to lean on throughout the morning, as they stopped by with clothing and food to assist the family who had a long, sleepless night.

With appreciation to those who extended their sympathy and friendship the Alexopoulos family said they were all safe and that was what mattered.

Wendy recounted seeing the flames grow with in seconds of their smoke detectors sounding.

“I was screaming ‘Get out! Get out!’ but I don’t know if they even heard me, the whole thing is a blur,” she said, still stunned and weeping. “I saw about a foot of flames, near the couch. I ran and grabbed pants and ran out without shoes.  We just had to get out.”

Son Drew, who was home from school for the weekend said his room was at the back of the house and was hopeful he could salvage some items.

He heard the smoke detectors and went downstairs.

“I saw flames near the ceiling,” he said.

He described the area as the front of the house, a family room, where he saw the flames. He ran out a side door that they normally use and in relief saw his family had gotten out and were safe.

Carly, 15, a junior at Whitman-Hanson had a friend sleeping over. The girls were also were unharmed. The family dog was rescued safely, too.

Upon arriving at the call for a structure fire a crew of four Hanson firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions. After sounding a second alarm the towns of Whitman, Pembroke, Halifax and East Bridgewater assisted at the scene while Hanover Fire covered Hanson headquarters.

The flames were knocked down within an hour, however crews remained on scene for several hours due to extensive overhaul, said Chief Thompson.

The family was planning on staying with relatives.

“We just finished decorating the house for the holidays.  It was beautiful,” said  John Alexopoulos in disbelief. Staring at the outside of his home where Christmas decorations remained untouched but the inside of the home completely destroyed. Fire, smoke and water damage was extensive throughout the house, which is uninhabitable, said Thompson.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Hanson Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office but is not suspicious in nature. 

Security cameras eyed for Whitman Park

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Security cameras eyed for Whitman Park

WHITMAN — Police Chief Scott Benton is considering a Town Meeting warrant article calling for the placement of security cameras in Whitman Park. He has been discussing the issue with Town Administrator Frank Lynam, IT Director Josh MacNeil and DPW Parks and Highways Superintendent Bruce Martin.

Lynam urged Benton to bring the idea to the Board of Selectmen so, from a policy standpoint, “We can clear the air and not just surprise people by throwing cameras up there.”

Security cameras eyed for Whitman ParkThe discussion was intended to inform the town and spur public discussion on the proposal.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Lynam said. “Ten years ago, this was Big Brother watching everything. I think today people realize that [cameras] serve a public and public safety purpose.”

He said cities, such as New York and London, are heavily covered by security cameras, and the trend is coming to smaller communities now. Lynam added that he’d like to see them used downtown, as well.

“There’s always a big debate on do cameras reduce crime? No,” Benton told selectmen on Tuesday, Dec. 1. “The long and the short of that is no, but they go a long, long way to solve it.”

He noted that the Boston Marathon bombing, and many other cases including motor vehicle accidents, would not have been solved without video evidence gleaned from security cameras. FBI Academy information Benton cited points to security cameras as “holding more evidence than any other source — more than DNA, crime scene analysis or eyewitness testimony.”

“The need is there,” Benton said, citing past vandalism damage to the park area and town pool. He also stressed that recordings would only be reviewed when there is cause to do so.

“When something happens, people want answers,” he said. “You want to be able to provide those answers.”

Others make move

Many surrounding communities are also making the move to post security cameras. The initial cost is expected to be lower than the cost of maintaining equipment and archiving recordings.

“The ability to identify people who do bad things goes a long way toward deterring other people from doing bad things,” Lynam said. “The concern I have always had is one of infrastructure cost.”

Estimates are being sought on the cost of fiber optic and other wireless systems for a pilot program consisting of a couple cameras as a test, perhaps ahead of a Town Meeting vote.

Vice Chairman Dan Salvucci, who conducted the meeting in the absence of Chairman Carl Kowalski, asked if permission from the Historical Commission would be needed to place cameras in the historic park.

“We have talked about putting cameras in the park in the past,” Salvucci said.

Lynam said the small cameras would in no way alter the park’s appearance.

“In the times that we live in, I think it’s critical,” Benton said. “I think it’s my responsibility to make the board aware — make the people aware. I think we let the people vote, let the people have their say.”

But he stressed the importance of protecting the park as a place of recreation for young families.

“You don’t want to be the guy who’s looking at a family saying, ‘Geez, I don’t have any answers to that,’” Benton said.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea, and I don’t think you’ll have to do a lot of convincing,” said Selectman Lisa Green, citing recent “questional behavior” in the park as well as questionable items left behind.

Selectman Brian Bezanson also voiced support.

“Who knows what’s going to come around the corner and for us to say ‘we should have’ is not good enough,” Bezanson said.

Living Nativity

In other business, the board approved a request by the Rev. Joshua Gray to permit closing off a portion of Broad Street between Washington and Central streets from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20 so the First Congregational Church may conduct a living Nativity program. Refreshments and a carol sing will follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

“It’s just a great community event, [we’re] trying to get people out to remember what this season is about for those of us who are Christians,” Gray said. “Just a fun community event.”

Selectmen review employee policies

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Hanson Selectmen review employee policies

The Board of Selectmen are reviewing updated town policies regarding employee benefits and conduct.

Policies pertaining to domestic violence leave, the Family Medical Leave Act, information technology use, HIPPA practices, social media and municipal vehicle use are being studied. Some are out of date and others, such as the social media policy — which has been urged by Selectman James McGahan — and the vehicle use policy are new.

Selectmen review employee policiesMcGahan said he would be looking at LaCamera’s social media policy draft in comparison with what other towns are doing.

“In looking at some of the town policies that we have, and some that we’re lacking that we should have, what I’ve tried to do is take the ones that really need to be addressed as soon as possible,” said interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera at the Tuesday, Dec. 8 meeting. He will be meeting with town department heads next week to obtain their input.

“I’d like the board to look at these policies and see if [you] have any suggestions for changes or recommendations to improve these policies,” LaCamera said. “Sometime in the first part of January, we’ll take all of this input and revise the policies and hopefully, the board will vote on these policies so they can be implemented.”

LaCamera noted employees are supposed to receive copies of the policies every year, sign an acknowledgement that they received them and have read them.

Town Counsel will also review them, especially new policies or those affecting union contracts.

“It’s better to get them wrapped up now,” said Selectmen Kenny Mitchell.

Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young also commented on the complaint policy, which calls for complaints to be filed with the board or commission in charge of the person the complaint involves.

“The town administrator should explain the procedures in dealing with a complaint as mandated under the Open Meeting Law,” Young said, particularly if an executive session is in order. “I think that can eliminate potential Open Meeting Law complaints. I just happened to think of that in [light] of recent events.”

One Open Meeting Law complaint— stemming from an incident at Hanson Day last June — has been accepted for review by the Attorney General’s office. He noted three or four OML complaints had been filed regarding town government, but only the one had been accepted for review.

“I want to make it clear that I’m not trying to discourage or encourage anyone to file an Open Meeting Law complaint,” Young said. “But keep in mind it’s serious business, because every elected board or commission is responsible for complying with the Open Meeting Law.”

He noted there is a misunderstanding of what constitutes a violation.

If a quorum of members on any board attend a public meeting, it does not automatically constitute a violation of the Open Meeting Law. They may do so provided they communicate only by open participation.

“They may not deliberate at such meetings,” he said.

One-on-one conversations outside posted meetings are permitted so long as they don’t become “chain letter” conversations with other board members.

McGahan added it is important in filing Open Meeting Law complaints to know exactly what the breach was to avoid frivolous complaints.

“It could basically tarnish your reputation,” Young said. “That complaint is out there … and it may or may not be true. It becomes a public record and stays a public record.”

Tree warden

In other business, the board voted 4-0-1 to appoint David Hanlon of 5 Arthur St., as tree warden, filling a vacancy until the annual Town Election in May. Mitchell, who works for Newcomb Tree Service, abstained. Michael Means of 342 South St. had also applied.

Selectmen agreed both were clearly qualified for the position and encouraged both to run for the office in May.

Both Hanlon and Means work with the Highway Department. Hanlon is an 18-year veteran, citing familiarization with MGL sections 41 and 87, which govern tree warden responsibilities. Means is also a call firefighter/EMT as well as a senior heavy equipment operator at the Highway Department.

“The priority of tree warden, number one is public safety,” Hanlon said, who noted dealing with utility companies is also important.

Means agreed that public safety is paramount. Both have limited experience with grant writing, but Hanlon has retail budgeting experience and has worked with Highway Surveyor Bob Brown on budgeting. Means said he has little municipal budgeting experience.

Both expressed a willingness to obtain arborist training.

McGahan, who said he also reviewed both men’s Facebook posts, said Hanlon’s grasp of state statues made the difference for him.

“This is two good men applying for the position,” McGahan said. “I checked both your Facebook postings and I saw nothing negative toward this board or to any of its members.  I like some of the stuff you guys have put out there — it’s positive — and that means something to me.”

“It’s nice to see you guys step up,” said Selectman Bill Scott.

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Lobsterman finds off-season notoriety with Christmas tree

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The Lobstah Tree: Lobsterman finds off-season notoriety with Christmas tree

WHITMAN — A Christmas tree is not an uncommon sight this time of year, but one constructed out of lobster traps just might make you stop for a second look.

Lobsterman Tim Walsh of Whitman points out he is not an artist, but he has created a bit of roadside folk art.

“I just wanted to bring the ocean a bit further inland,” he said.

Lobsterman finds off-season notoriety with Christmas tree

AHOY, THERE: Tim Walsh takes time out from building his tree for a photo. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

Where grass and farm land are familiar, he is set to light up his lobster tree in the backyard of his Perry Avenue home simply to evoke joy in all who travel down the busy Route 58/Plymouth Street as they go through Whitman and Hanson.

After the positive responses he received last year and the countless folks who stopped along the roadside to snap photos of his lobster tree, Walsh set out to go bigger with 300 stacked traps painted in greens and reds.

It took him about a full day and a half to stack the traps. The tree will be lit with hundreds of colorful holiday strands and the dedication to his late friend will top the unique structure.

The tallest buoy belonged to fisherman John Fleck of Hull who lost his battle with cancer.

“He was my friend, mentor and fellow fisherman,” Walsh said.

Several of the dangling buoys also belong to friends making the tree a unique vessel of heartfelt joy.

His family is also an inspiration.

Walsh’s wife Lori, who hails from Weymouth, is expecting their first child in the spring. She is a holiday lover, Walsh said.

She is also the inspiration in the naming of his lobster boat the Miss Lori, which is moored in Allerton Harbor in Hull where Walsh grew up.

A graduate of the Class of 2004 in Hull, he spent his days either in the water or on it.  His father passed on the trade of fisherman and love of the ocean, he said.

“I love it,” he said.  “I couldn’t do it if I didn’t.”

Walsh logs an average of 10 hours a day on his boat — it’s both his career and passion for living as a lobsterman.

He takes time off during the winter and heads back out in the spring.  He is looking forward to the holidays and some much needed rest with his family.

Hanson Selectman clarify school budgeting process

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Hanson Selectman clarify school budgeting process as they take issue with budget critics

HANSON — As the town begins work on the fiscal 2017 budget, some officials have taken exception to statements made at a Nov. 18 School Committee meeting on how that budget is formulated.

Interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera reported Tuesday, Dec. 1 that town departments are already submitting budget proposals as the process begins.

Hanson Selectman clarify school budgeting process

Hanson Town Hall

“What I’m going to do before we even get to the point where we distribute the budgets to the selectmen and the Finance Committee is to sit down with each department head and review each budget to make sure what’s being submitted is what we want to be submitted,” LaCamera said. “There will be some discussion with [selectmen] about some of their budgets.”

He estimated the budgets will be ready for presentation to selectmen and the Finance Committee by the end of January.

Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young noted that it was said at the School Committee meeting that “a couple of people made statements that the School Committee comes before the selectmen and they better make sure they get there soon to make sure the selectmen will give them enough money.”

That statement is inaccurate, according to Young.

“The selectmen really don’t have anything to do with meting out how much money the schools get,” he said.

The budget and assessment are certified by the School Committee, and the assessment then comes before the Finance Committee for a recommendation, Young said.

“I believe the selectmen and town administrator also make a recommendation on that as well, but it’s the Town Meeting that actually votes the assessment up or down,” he said. “The selectmen really have little or no power to cut the budget of the School Committee.”

He also commented on the assertion by teachers’ union representative Beth Stafford that the last successful override was followed in the next year by increased requests from other departments as the increased levy limit went into general funds.

“The only way that can really happen is if the School Committee chose to lower the assessments to the two towns,” Young said. “I realize an override is only earmarked for one year, but unless the purpose of that override somehow goes away … there isn’t leverage in the other departments to fill that gap.”

LaCamera also stressed that both towns must agree on a school budget to adopt it. He reported that he had met during the day on Tuesday with Whitman Town Administrator Frank Lynam regarding the regional school budget, among other issues.

“The concern in both towns is [that] we have only a limited amount of funds available to spend so, if you’re asking for a million dollars or something, the towns can afford that kind of money,” LaCamera said. “What concerns me is we don’t seem to be part of the process.”

Hanson’s Finance Committee has appointed a liaison to the School Committee, but LaCamera said he and a representative from the Board of Selectmen should also attend budget meetings.

“I think the communication between the School Committee and the towns needs to be worked on,” he said.

Selectmen also discussed town and school department capital improvement plans.

LaCamera and Capital Improvement Committee Chairman John Norton have agreed to “wipe the plan clean” and start over, taking off project proposals on the list that have not been addressed — and may not need to be — after five years. LaCamera has also informed department heads that he will be reviewing submittals, and seeking selectmen’s input, before they are advanced to the Capital Improvement Committee.

He suggested a similar review be conducted regarding the schools’ capital improvement matrix.

“In fiscal 2016 there’s $5 [million] to $6 million that has potentially not been addressed and … somebody needs to tell the board why these things are on the list,” LaCamera said. “If it’s a priority that needs to be addressed, that’s OK, but to say that we’re going to fund $5 million in one year is impossible.”

Many project numbers are estimated pending an engineering review.

In other business, the board amended and approved language for a new posting for the Town Administrator’s job and revisions to the contract under which the new administrator will be hired.

Young also reported periods of rain during the past week have pushed the completion date for the Indian Head roof project to Dec. 6.

South Shore Vo-Tech to keep MCAS

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South Shore Vo-Tech to keep MCAS…for 2016 anyway

HANOVER — As it now stands, South Shore Vo-Tech will again administer the MCAS test as planned in the spring while the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education irons out details of an MCAS/PARCC hybrid exam as the new state standard.

Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey updated School Committee members on the issue during the Wednesday, Nov. 18 School Committee meeting.

“My gut is why would we change midstream,” he said.

More than half of state school districts administered the PARCC test in spring 2015, while SSVT conducted a pilot PARCC test but administered MCAS.

South Shore Vo-Tech to keep MCAS“In 2016, the test will be MCAS with a sprinkling of PARCC-like questions,” Hickey said. “In 2017, the expectation is that the hybrid test would be real for everybody, but everyone would be held harmless.”

By 2019 all testing is expected to be online.

“Let’s just take one year at a time,” said Hickey, adding he needed to obtain more information on the district’s options for 2016. “As it stands here, the curriculum is what it is. Our math and English departments are perfectly comfortable with the curriculum that they’ve been teaching and they continue to get our kids ready. I have absolute confidence that they will continue to do so.”

He stressed, however, that SSVT must prepare for any future changes.

Whitman representative Dan Salvucci, meanwhile, said delegates to the recent Massachusetts Association of School Committees conference voiced general opposition to standardized testing.

“They feel you need to look at [students’] entire educational experience … and not just if he passes a final exam or MCAS,” Salvucci said. “I had to agree with them, but you also need to be able to test students.”

Scituate representative John Manning said alternatives to standardized tests could be an area where vocational schools have an advantage.

“We have people out in the trades telling us what our students need to know,” he said.

In other business, Kyle Thompson of Hanson, a senior culinary student and football team quarterback, was named Student of the Month for November.

“Every month we introduce different facets of leadership and success,” said Guidance Director Michael Janicki. “Kyle’s nomination came about a s a result of his leadership on the football field.”

Thompson leaves everything out on field and is a role model for his teammates, football coaches reported in their nomination. He is planning to attend college — most likely at Bridgewater State University — where he plans to pursue a degree in teaching or business.

November’s Staff Member of the Month is science teacher Jeremy Shaw. He was not able to attend the Nov. 18 School Committee meeting, but will be recognized next month along with the December honoree.

According to Principal Margaret Dutch, Shaw has been teaching at SSVT since September 2013 has degrees in electrical and computer engineering from WPI and Tufts University.

He has “excited an engineering curiosity” in SSVT students while developing a comprehensive engineering program at the school, according to Dutch. He is also a physics teacher, a senior class advisor and helps out with the cross-country team.

“Mr. Shaw is a good person,” read one student’s nomination. “He is always there to help and is an amazing teacher.”

Molla said he asked that the presentation be made despite Shaw’s scheduling conflict as a demonstration of the committee’s commitment to honoring a staff member in the month they are chosen.

“The committee takes this quite seriously,” Chairman Robert Molla said.

“He was thrilled to have it and thrilled to know that it came from the students,” Dutch said.

School Committee members and school staff alike expressed great satisfaction with the Nov. 14 open house.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve done a couple tweaks of where things are and how we present the school and departments — and we nailed it,” Janicki said. He added that feedback regarding students who attended and their families was universally positive as well.

The school also received good news regarding work students have performed as Habitat for Humanity volunteers, doing electrical work on two house projects on Center Street in Hanover. Habitat is now seeking additional help from SSVT students and teachers for a project in Duxbury.

“Although Duxbury is not in the district, I feel this is an excellent opportunity,” said Hickey. “It comes recommended from the staff.”

Senior students would be working on it only for a couple of shop week cycles into December, returning in the spring to do some finish work, according to Hickey.