Salute for native son

WHITMAN — The town will honor Army Paratrooper Maj. Michael J. Donahue, a Whitman native who was killed on Sept. 16 by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan during his third deployment.

Selectmen on Tuesday, Sept. 30, voted to hold a memorial ceremony to honor Donahue, a graduate of the Whitman-Hanson class of 1990.

Donahue, 41, was with an 82nd Airborne unit out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday.

The town ceremony will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. in Whitman Park, near the pond and All-Wars Memorial.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam said he met with state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, on Tuesday about organizing a ceremony.

Lynam said Peter Brown, a classmate of Donahue, has offered to help coordinate the event, as has Aaron Richardson, commander of the VFW, and Christie Coombs, whose husband Jeffrey Coombs died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“We as a community would like to honor him,” Lynam said. “All of the pieces are coming together.”

Selectmen Tuesday also voted to invite the state’s constitutional officers as well as Whitman’s state and federal legislative delegations to the cermony.

Whitman police, fire and other departments will also support the program, including  honor guards.

Lynam said the memorial could draw 100 people or several hundred people, and is an appropriate way to honor Donahue.

“He’s been away from Whitman for a long time, but he’s a native son,” he said.

End of Winterfest

Richard Rosen, chairman of the Winterfest Committee, on Tuesday told selectmen that the committee has voted unanimously to end Winterfest after two decades.

“Mr. Chairman, times have changed. Things have changed. All good things must come to an end,” he said.

Rosen said the Whitman Winterfest celebration started as a one-day event 20 years ago, usually held around the first weekend in December.

The Winterfest Committee worked on a yearlong campaign in connection with Whitman’s 125th anniversary, with the largest parade, held carnivals for 15 years, raised funds for a $125,000 playground in the Whitman Town Park, and held the first-ever Whitman First Night this past New Year’s Eve.

Selectman Daniel Salvucci praised Rosen and the committee and said they made Whitman a better place.

Selectman Brian Bezanson said he thought Winterfest would expand and he was bummed out to hear it is ending.

“It caught me by surprise. I didn’t expect it,” he said.

Selectman Lisa Green commended Rosen’s and the committee’s dedication and said she is sorry to see Winterfest go.

Selectmen Tuesday voted to approve a request by Rosen to hold another Whitman First Night ceremony, to be held this New Year’s Eve.

Chest compressor 

Selectmen voted to sign off on an application for a $499,000 Community Innovation Challenge grant application to purchase 37 Lucas chest compression machines to be spread across 18 Plymouth County fire departments, including Whitman.

Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, who requested the measure, said the $4-million grant program is administered through the governor’s office and is for innovative projects that combine services or purchases of capital equipment.

Grenno said he spoke with his brother fire chiefs and they looked to a group purchase for equipment to help patients who are suffering from a cardiac arrest.

The Lucas chest compression machine straps around the chest of a patient, and compresses at the proper rate and depth, he said.

“It’s proven. It’s tested,” he said. “It increases, up to 88 percent, the chance of survival for patients who suffer from pre-hospital cardiac arrest.”

Security fence 

Selectmen approved a building alteration requested by Police Chief Scott Benton to insert black or privacy slats into a 440-foot fence around the police station, to prevent people outside from viewing the parking lot. Part of the fence damaged during snow plowing will also be repaired. The low bid for the project was $4,000.

Benton said a police supervisor brought the idea up during a monthly command staff meeting, noting that a number of police officers were concerned about the security of the parking lot.

“If it’s serious enough for them to come to me, I’m going to pitch it,” he said. “A safe work environment for the men and women over there is what they want.”

The chief said a lot goes on in the area, with prisoners being brought in, and lots of sport teams and people coming in and going out.

Benton said people tease officers about a police car that was in a crash that is parked in the lot.

He said the department gets undercover vehicles from the district attorney’s office that are parked there.

“Bad guys do surveillance, just like the good guys do,” he said.

Benton said the town had a bank robbery. The suspect or suspects knew the police and personal vehicles and shifts of Abington and Whitman officers, he said.

He also mentioned that the  ambush of two Pennsylvania state troopers, took place after an assailant — still being sought — watched for two months and figured out the troopers’ schedules.

Salvucci said he stopped at a number of police stations during a recent trip with his wife to the Cape Cod Canal, and he could not see into the parking lots of at least six police stations along the way.

“When we had that station built, I don’t know why we didn’t think of that,” he said.

Lynam said community policing was the focus when the police station was built in 2008 and 2009.

However, community policing has changed since then, he said, although Whitman police continue to engage and interact with the community, walk around, and in good weather bike around the community.

There is a different group of people out there now, and in this electronic age, it is not hard to figure out who is in the vehicles, Lynam said.

“I thought, ‘are we trying to wall out people and build a fortress?’ But it makes sense,” he said.

 

The girls’ soccer team survived a tough week playing to draws against both Scituate and Weymouth before wrapping up the week with a thrilling 3-1 come from behind win at Plymouth North.

After a scoreless first half, Plymouth North took a 1-0 lead 5 mins in to the second half. Alexis Fruzzetti tied the score when she took a Katie Korzec pass and floated a shot over the keeper. Later Fruzzetti sent freshman Eve Montgomery towards the goal which she placed in the corner and gave Whitman Hanson a 2-1 lead.

With two minutes remaining junior Rachel Kelley took a Fruzzetti pass and fired a low shot into the corner for the final 3-1 score. Elana Wood, Kelsey Gilbert, Jill Shangold and Katherine O’Kane all played strong defense in front of keeper Arianna Comendul who made 9 saves in goal. Taylor Kofton played a strong game in the middle of the field.

The Lady Panthers started off a new week by defeating Quincy 4-1 Monday, Sept. 30.

Casey Corr, Elana Wood, Taylor Robertson and Lauren Bonavita all recorded single tallies. Katie Korzec, Katherine O’kane, Taylor Kofton and Kelsey Gilbert all had strong games. Arianna Comendul recorded 3 saves in the Whitman Hanson net.

 

The ‘Waugh-riors’ fight back

WHITMAN — Her husband always had a poised personality. He was a devoted father, a happy, caring individual, amused by life and family, but she eventually noticed something was ever so slightly altered about his normally laid-back demeanor. His primary care doctor referred him to a neurologist after he also observed fluctuations and a change in physical movement.

 Bruce Waugh lived nearly a decade with Parkinson’s disease after his diagnosis in 2005. He kept active and kept moving — key components to longevity in delaying the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

His wife Priscilla observed the one-year anniversary of her husband’s passing in August. It was a time of celebration and memories with family but also a time of healing. She has missed him greatly this past year, she said.

The “Waugh-riors” will also be moving for Parkinson’s disease and in honor of Bruce next weekend as a group of 21 strong. Moving Day-Boston will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2014 at Artesani Park, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Boston.

With 50 teams registered for the event, there will be numerous activities to inspire moving the body (known to extend the lives of those afflicted with Parkinson’s). Physical activity is key to keeping the muscles strong and delaying deterioration, according to the official Parkinson’s disease website.

They had a life full of love, laughter and adventure Priscilla recalled about the first time they drove down Washington Street in Whitman in 1968.

“I remember him saying ‘I’m home,’” she said.

Indeed, they were home. They planted their roots and celebrated 53 years of marriage in Whitman where they raised three children and welcomed grandchildren as the years went by.

He spent 28 years working at Pneumatic Scale of North Quincy and eventually as the recession brought change in 1982 he found permanent employment as the full-time assessor for the town of Whitman.

He held the position from 1982 through his retirement in 2002. Waugh also volunteered over the years on various boards before becoming an elected member of the Board of Assessors.

Priscilla realized that her husband’s physical therapy sessions were keeping him strong. They fought the disease together through sickness and health. Physical therapy sessions included strength exercises for the arms and legs, tossing and catching a ball for eye hand coordination and other various movements for day to day living.

Waugh also had a heart attack, which affected the progression of his Parkinson’s disease.

As the sole care giver of a loved one with Parkinson’s there are many aspects of adjustment.

Daily challenges

Personal care, healthy, proper eating and day-to-day changes that occur with the progression of the disease are challenges a caregiver undertakes. When some days are more challenging Waugh gives this advice to other caregivers.

“You are as strong as you need to be at the moment,” she said. “A new day arrives and it’s fine. You, in some ways, put your life on hold and you do it lovingly. But like myself, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.

One of their sons, David Waugh, who now resides in Florida will be taking part in the Miami “Moving Day,” event Oct. 5. He is the IT manager for the National Parkinson’s Foundation located in Miami. He is also among the travelers who will attend the Keep Moving-Boston event on Oct. 11.

“In the United States, 50,000-60,000 new cases of PD are diagnosed each year, adding to the one million people who currently have PD. The Center for Disease control rated complications from Parkinson’s disease as the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, it is estimated that four to six million people suffer from the condition,” according to the Parkinson’s disease nationwide website.

For more information on the disease, visit Parkinson.org.

Moving Day is the National Parkinson Foundation’s annual fundraising walk/run event. It is a fun and inspiring fundraising event that unites families, friends and communities both large and small in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. This celebration of movement will feature a family friendly walk course, a kids area, a caregivers relaxation tent and a special Movement Pavilion featuring yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, etc. all proven to help manage the symptoms of PD.

To sponsor Waugh in her efforts to raise money for the foundation visit her direct link   http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/pwaugh  http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/waughrriors

A boost in free cash

HANSON — When voters meet in special Town Meeting Monday, there will be more free cash than previously forecast available to fund some of the 42 articles on the published warrant.

Available free cash amounts to $1,446,878 — for this year, anyway.

One of the articles where that free cash spike will help concerns roof replacement costs for the slate roof section at Indian Head Elementary School. The town will now seek a vote at special Town Meeting that $170,000 come from free cash and the remaining $680,000 be funded by a one-year capital exclusion to Propostion 2 1/2.

Town Administrator Ron San Angelo announced during the Tuesday, Sept. 30 Selectmen’s meeting that free cash numbers are “significantly higher as a result of  a lot of hard work from varous department heads.”

Town Moderator Sean Kealy suggested San Angelo produce a flyer outlining the free cash situation for voters at the Special Town Meeting, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6 at Hanson Middle School Auditorium. San Angelo said he plans to make a presentation about the free cash situation at the start of the meeting.

The town usually enters October’s special Town Meeting with between $600,000 to $800,000 available in the free cash line.

San Angelo said the higher free cash amount is not due to taxes being increased too much, but rather to stepped up efforts to collect back taxes owed to the town.

“One of the main reasons … is the great deal of work done between my office, the treasurer-collector’s office and all the land use and health departments collecting back taxes,” he said. “I wish we had this every year [to work with], but this is sort of a nice, one-year bonus for us. … A lot of it was from one large development a lot of people worked hard on.”

About $398,000 was from back tax collections and another $104,00 was from interest on the back taxes. A rise in the number of inspection permits has also helped as have savings on insurance.

San Angelo also credited Assessor Lee Gamache with her work on a new method of doing supplemental taxes over the past few years. As a new development project, such as condominiums, is constructed the assessed value increases with progress on the project, he explained. The result of that work has been an additional $86,000 in free cash.

“That’s taxable revenue on that improvement,” San Angelo said. “Our assessor has been working hard to collect those supplemental revenues to make sure we get that growth as it occurs.”

When the school roof articles are reached at Town Meeting, an article to repair the slate roof at Indian Head School will be passed over in favor of one to replace it on the recommendation of the Schools Repair Priority Committee. Selectman  Bruce Young, who chairs that committee said the move will be fully explained to voters at the special Town Meeting.

The $170,000 from free cash, if approved, would permit the roof project to begin before any ballot vote on a capital exclusion takes place — most likely on the design phase and formulation of bid documents.

A vote at Town Meeting to send a capital exclusion to the ballot requires a simple majority because it is not a debt exclusion funded by town borrowing, which would need a two-thirds vote. Debt exclusions funded via borrowing by the regional school district, as would have been the case for a new school, also requires a simple majority at  Town Meeting.

Resident Joseph O’Sullivan asked if any funding for the roof prooject from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in involved. Repair Committee members present stressed that MSBA’s accellerated repair funds would be available if the problem was limited to the roof. Any other problems in need of repair disqualifies a school from consideration.

In other business, Selectmen again continued a public hearing on a gravel removal permit sought by the Great Cedar  Cattle Feeders Inc., of Halifax at bogs they own at Richardson Street and Pierce Avenue until an Oct. 21 meeting. The continuance is aimed at providing time for the farm and bog abutters to work out conditions under which the operation would be acceptable to both sides.

Panthers on a tear

Jim Barrington is in his last season at the helm of the Whitman-Hanson Panthers Boys Soccer program. After a recent absence from the MIAA Tournament, the Panthers and Barrington look for a return to the state’s biggest stage of competition — a great send-off for their coach. Brian McGahan and company sparked a second half breakout, shutting out the East Bridgewater Vikings 5-0 on Sept. 25 — then followed with another explosive performance on offense to top Quincy 5-3 Monday night. In the first half Whitman-Hanson and East Bridgewater battled it out, with bodies flying and tempers flaring, and went into the locker room at half tied 0-0. McGahan came out of the gate early, scoring in the 44th minute off a Kyle Nehiley assist. Two minutes later the Panthers struck again as Nick Haley blasted a goal from thirty feet out, giving Whitman-Hanson a 2-0 lead. McGahan had the assist on Haley’s goal. “Brian (McGahan) played his heart out tonight and led this team to a well dissevered and hard fought victory” an electric Barrington spoke of McGahan. “His hat trick was the first Whitman-Hanson hat-trick in over ten seasons for the program, showing the magnitude of his performance tonight.” In the 55th minute McGahan netted his second goal of the night. During the 64th minute the Panthers added yet another goal as Jared Pendrak netted his first score of the season, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead. Pendrak’s goal came on a strong cross from Brian Barry, adding to the strong showing by the junior class.    Minutes later McGahan netted the hat trick off an assist from senior Jack Bannon, who started the game as the goalkeeper. Bannon, along with sophomore goalkeeper Connor Keene split the shutout, proving that the Panthers goalie situation hasn’t dwindled after the graduation of all-star goalkeeper Jason Malloy, who is now serving as an assistant coach for the Panthers. “With this victory, we are inching closer to our goal of making the tournament, and we are a team on a mission, and its hard to stop the momentum we are gaining” added Barrington on his team’s performance thus far this season. Whitman-Hanson defeated the Quincy Presidents Monday, Sept. 29, 5-3 at Veterans Stadium in Quincy, improving to 5-3-2 overall and 4-3-2 in the Keenan Division of the Patriot League. The Panthers first goal was scored by Pendrak off an assist by Antonio Centeio. Quincy tied the game on a goal by Yuri Mascarenhas at the 22nd  minute. The Panthers then went ahead at the 28th minute on a goal by Tom Chmura assisted by Centeio. W-H scored again with five minutes left in the half with a goal by Centeio. The Panthers led 3-1 at the half. At the 6-minute mark, they scored on a goal by Haley assisted by Ben Mains. Nehiley scored the final goal for W-H assisted by Jared Pendrak. Quincy scored on a penalty kick at the 23rd minute by Yuri Mascarenhas. Yuri also scored the final Quincy goal at the 28th minute. W-H tied last week against Plymouth North, 1-1. The Panthers got on the board at the 11th minute on a goal by Haley, assisted by Pendrak. Plymouth North tied the game at the 30th minute on a goal by Nick Greely. Both teams had numerous opportunities but couldn’t break the tie.

Francis W. “Obie” O’Brien 96, of Marshfield, formerly of Marco Island and Bradenton, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 21 after a period of failing health. He was the beloved husband of 70 years to Mary C. (Walsh) O’Brien.

Born and raised in Boston he was the son of the late Francis J. and Margaret (White) O’Brien and a graduate of South Boston High School.

He was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945.

Obie was a familiar face having worked for Whiting Milk and retiring as a mail carrier from the U.S. Postal Service. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Patriots and had always enjoyed the challenge of a good card game.

In addition to his wife Mary he leaves his loving children Elaine Joyce and her husband Peter of Abington, Francis X. O’Brien and his wife Joanne of Norwell, Robert J. O’Brien and his wife Terri of Rockland and Janet Rice and her husband Donald of Whitman. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Agnes Corcoran, Mary Kennedy, Helen Dooley, Rita Ryan, Margaret Johnston and Ann DeSantis.

His funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman.  Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Mass. National Cemetery, Bourne.  Visiting hours were Wednesday, Sept. 24.

In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Catherine S. (Barbara) Walleston, 66, of Whitman died Sunday, Sept. 21, after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was the beloved wife of 46 years to John Walleston, Sr.

She was born to Camilla (Friscia) and Anthony Barbara in Gloucester, on Feb. 8, 1948.

Catherine was a graduate of Gloucester High School, Class of 1965.

In addition to raising her family, Mrs. Walleston worked for the Whitman Public School system in the late ’80s and early ’90s. She was also employed by Fabric Place in Randolph from 1997-2006.

Catherine enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, crafting and traveling.

In addition to her husband John, she leaves her loving children John Walleston, Jr. of Brockton, Daniel and Lilly (Stewart) Walleston and Anthony and Mary (Stewart) Walleston, all of Whitman, and Erin Walleston of Rockland. She also leaves her grandchildren; Carrissa, Anthony, Patrick, Jack, Dan, Shawn and Nick Walleston, all of Whitman, and Layla Walleston of Rockland. She was sister to Jack Barbara of Pittsfield, and the late Rosalind (Demetri) Hopkins and Anthony Barbara both of Gloucester.  She also leaves her nieces and nephew Denise (Demetri) Alves and Michael Demetri of Gloucester, and Donna Demetri-Friedman of New York City, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman.  Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Catherine, to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.

Matthew Ryan “Matt” Taylor 28, a lifelong resident of Whitman, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 20.

Born in Weymouth and raised in Whitman he was a beloved son of Gary D. and Jacqueline (Lucas) Taylor and had attended Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

For over more than five years Matt had worked at his Dad’s auto body shop, Pearl Street Auto Body of Braintree and for a short time had owned and operated his own detailing business “MRT Detailing.”

Matt enjoyed fishing and working out, and loved the time spent with family and his daughter Makenzie.

In addition to his parents Gary & Jackie he leaves his daughter Makenzie Taylor of Weymouth, his brother Gary D. Taylor Jr., and his wife Jennifer of Whitman, and his sisters Amy Proulx and her husband Adam of Whitman and Jennifer Comperchio and her husband Jim of Rockland. He also leaves his grandparents George and Joan Taylor of Florida, his longtime girlfriend Meagan Adukonis of Weymouth, six nieces and nephews and several aunts, uncles and cousins as well as many friends.  He was the grandson of the late John and Winifred Lucas.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 26 in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman.  Burial will be at a later date. Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25.

Donations in his name may be made to the Makenzie Taylor Benefit Fund, C/O Mutual Bank, 570 Washington Street, Whitman, MA 02382 or Learn2Cope, Box 60, Raynham, MA 02767 (learn2cope.org)

The Kiwanis Club of Hanson is hosting an Open House meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Olde Hitching Post with a 6 p.m. social and 6:30 meeting, ($20 buffet meal). The Kiwanis year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and the Hanson Club and Foundation recently completed a number of successful programs involving local youth groups and a variety of organizations, support of the N.E. & Bermuda District of Kiwanis and the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute at Tufts/Boston Floating Hospital for Children, and even support of Kiwanis International’s global effort in conjunction with UNICEF to eradicate Maternal Neonatal Tetanus in the 24 (of the original 59) countries where it still exists.  Kiwanis is raising $110 million for the Eliminate Project.

The coordination of the successful Campaign for the Hanson Food Pantry involved the community and brought individuals and organizations together with a common purpose. While the final summary of the campaign will be provided next week, the goal of $15,000 so the HFP could occupy its new facility was reached and may have even been exceeded.

The club is in the process of chartering an Aktion Club with New England Village, Pembroke.  It is a club for adults with disabilities and has been a popular addition to the Kiwanis family of clubs and programs. Locally, the Hanson Middle School Builders Club and the WHRHS Key Club are Kiwanis-sponsored Service Leadership Programs.

Everyone interested in being of service and making a difference is encouraged to attend. There are many ways members can contribute, even people with busy schedules.  Members of the Whitman Kiwanis Club will be present to answer questions. The important goal is awareness of servant leadership.

For questions and to confirm attendance, please contact Gerry Lozeau, President at 508-454-6665, gerryhb@aol.com.

The Towns of Abington and Whitman have announced they will receive $780,216 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 18 housing units (nine in each town) and to support the Saint Vincent DePaul food pantry in each community.

The towns also received CDBG funding in 2012 to support these activities. Pre-grant activities still need to be completed before funding is available to the public. The towns are hopeful the new round of programs will be up and running by mid-October.  The funds will be used to correct code violations at eligible properties.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently announced the 54 cities and towns that will receive $27.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local infrastructure. The CDBG program is the Commonwealth’s largest available resource for neighborhood revitalization projects and helps meet the housing and public service needs of low- and moderate-income communities while building and repairing infrastructure vital to the health and safety of all residents. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and funds are distributed by DHCD to cities and towns in Massachusetts with populations of less than 50,000.

Communities may apply for CDBG funding for activities including: housing rehabilitation projects, infrastructure repair or replacement, construction or rehabilitation of public facilities, neighborhood improvement projects, economic development loans and other business assistance programs, social service upgrades, downtown improvement projects and architectural barrier removal and planning.

Community Opportunities Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in community development and planning services, assisted the towns in preparing the application and held several public meetings in during the application process.

Under the previous grant award, the Abington-Whitman program completed 22 projects (11 in each town) at an average cost of $23,000.  The projects ranged from a small emergency hot water heater replacement to full handicapped accessibility retrofits.  The assistance is provided in the form of a deferred payment loan that expires after 15 years if there is no change in ownership with a per unit cap on assistance of $35,000.

For more information, please contact the Abington Office of Community Development, located at the Abington Council on Aging, at 781-982-2145 ext. 6.