W-H alumnus killed in Afghanistan

By Stephanie Spyropoulos
Express staff

WHITMAN — Flags are flying at half-staff in Whitman as the town mourns one of their own. Paratrooper Maj. Michael J. Donahue, 41, a native of Whitman and graduate of Whitman Hanson class of 1990, will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in the weeks to come.

Donahue was killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sept. 16. He was in his third deployment.

Joanne Nickerson of Middleboro, his only sibling who is also a graduate of Whitman-Hanson, said she is struggling with the loss of her younger brother. The amount of support from the Whitman-Hanson community has been incredible, including many messages to her through social media. W-H sports teams wore black armbands in support of Maj. Donahue this week.

She joined their parents, who now reside in North Carolina, in a military ceremony Tuesday night referred to as a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to bring her brother home.

Nickerson revealed fondest memories of her brother and referred to him as “everyone’s best friend.” He was not only a likeable guy but had an enormous heart and thought nothing of doing things for others, she said, recalling a gift of a handmade rug that he sent her after her family moved in to their new home.

“He went village to village with my color swatches to match the rug to my living room décor,” Nickerson said.

She recalled the details through laughter and tears how his rug quest was typical of her brother’s nature of doing for others; no matter how big or small the task.

Amy Driscoll-Balonis, a classmate of Donahue who reconnected with him on Facebook said she received messages of support from him when her son enlisted in the military.

“When my son went in to the Marines Mike would ask ‘how is he doing?’ It was the fact that he asked and offered support to me,” Driscoll-Balonis said. “Here he was in war, seeing all he did, serving his country and stopped to ask me about my son,” she said.

Donahue attended a family reunion in Massachusetts in August, at which many family members were able to see him and his entire family.

In a Facebook message to friends and family Donahue posted at 2:13 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 12 via Shahr-e Now, Afghanistan:

“I am leaving this country in 30 days or so. Thanks for everyone’s unwavering commitment with your thoughts, prayers, letters and packages; not only for the Troops and I but for the Afghans as well. Please stop all mail services no later than Sept 15th. I owe everyone a hug, high five, and a beer.”

Donahue was an operations support officer with C Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps.

“The Dragon Family has suffered a great loss today, and we would like to express our deepest condolences to the Donahue family,” said Lt. Col. Gabriel Barton, Donahue’s battalion commander, in a statement. “Maj. Michael Donahue was an exceptional officer and a huge part of our team and our family.”

 Also killed during the same attack was Stephen Byus, 39, a member of the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio. Byus, a civilian, was working in Afghanistan as a supply specialist assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

Donahue, who had lived in Columbus, Ohio, enlisted in the Army in February 1996 and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in April 2000. He arrived at Fort Bragg in July 2012, where he was assigned to the corps’ Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

Donahue’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge.

Donahue is survived by his wife, Sherri, and their children Victoria, Seamus and Bailey.

The Donahue family also lost a cousin in a1990 helicopter crash during Operation Desert Shield, the buildup toward the first Gulf war, known as Desert Storm. He was flying a night mission using night-vision goggles and was involved in a mid-air collision. His body was never recovered so he is remembered in the memorial section of Arlington National Cemetery — the reason Maj. Donahue  will be interred in a different place in the cemetery.

A public burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Nickerson is currently working with Massachusetts state representatives to organize a tribute for her brother.  Details will be forthcoming when they are available.

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 10 voted to present two articles to voters at Hanson Special Town Meeting on Oct. 6: One that would repair the Indian Head School roof, and another that would replace it. Each article authorizes spending as much as $850,000 to do the work. Town Meeting voters will be asked to consider both articles at the same time, in order to discuss both options, town and school officers said.

Hanson Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo said requests from all town departments are subject to funding and state Department of Revenue certification of the town’s free cash figure.

Selectmen are looking into what can be funded by free cash or rolled into a capital exclusion override. The board might have to re-prioritize and change their recommendations on articles, San Angelo said.

“At this point, we don’t know what free cash is going to be,” he said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes complimented the work of the facilities and capital projects subcommittee of the regional school committee, and the town Indian Head and Maquan school priority repair committee, which met Wednesday for 90 minutes before the regional school committee meeting.

Hayes said the district and town are going through untested waters, but seem to be heading in the same direction.

“It’s wonderful to see everyone on the same page,” he said.

Hanson Selectman Bruce Young, who chairs town priority repair committee, said he hopes they all make it.

However, it might be like the sign at the entrance to the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean ride says, “Ahoy matey, there’s rough waters ahead,” Young said.

The School Committee also voted to present an article requesting spending as much as $200,000 to repair or replace window lintels at the Indian Head School.

The committee voted to recommend passing over a request for $55,000 to install an indoor ventilator at the Maquan School, and do more air quality testing in the winter.

The committee voted to present an article to fund the development of public bid documentation for the Indian Head School repairs.

The committee voted to recommend passing over a request to fund the repair or replacement of the cafeteria floor and office carpets at the Indian Head School, as the work has been done.

In other business, School Superintendent Ruth Gilbert-Whitner presented her self-assessment and goals, part of an annual evaluation process set forth by the state education department.

Gilbert-Whitner said the regional school district did not have to lay off one teacher this year, the first time in her term as superintendent.

However, the district is still seventh from the bottom on a state list of per pupil expenditures, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said Whitman-Hanson has some first grade classrooms with 25 students. The district needs six additional teachers to address big class sizes, which would require an additional $300,000 to $400,000 in funding, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said eight Whitman-Hanson managers trained in the ALICE (Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) safety protocol, which offers more options if there is an active shooter or crisis than simply sheltering in place.

She said the school district is upgrading the school website, which will launch in the middle of the school year.

Gilbert-Whitner said her goals include looking at the effective use of student data to determine if schoolchildren are getting the education they need.

She said she plans to develop a human resources department, revise the crisis management and safe schools plan, review the progress made under a five-year strategic plan as it completes its fifth year this year, and develop a new five-year strategic plan by the opening of school in fall 2015.

The School Committee voted to allow the Whitman Mothers Club to sell tickets for a gala benefit at upcoming football games.

Beth Stafford, a sixth-grade teacher and past president of the Whitman Mothers Club, said the club is celebrating its 70th anniversary at Whitman Town Hall on Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 per person.

The Whitman Mothers Club gives money for scholarships, PCC, PACs, the library, food bank and toy drive, Stafford said.

New job description

The School Committee voted to revamp the job description for the assistant superintendent for district operations to one for an assistant superintendent for human resources or executive director of human resources.

Assistant Superintendent of District Operations Craig Finley is leaving the school district to pursue a consulting opportunity in the private sector.

Gilbert-Whitner said she recommending changing the position from district operations to human resources because there is a need there.

The school district processes 900 W-2 tax forms a year, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said the position’s responsibilities would include personnel, labor relations, staff development, budgets and salaries, and community involvement.

She said she would prefer an assistant superintendent because of the educational background, but would also hire an executive director in order to draw a wider net of candidates. The difference of titles is based on licenses and certifications required the state, she said.

Gilbert-Whitner said the district would post the opportunity, but the position could not be filled until after Jan. 1.

The salary range would be from around $100,000 to $125,000, she said.

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

HANSON — The doors of fellowship are open wide again.

Members of the First  Congregational Church, the community at-large and town officials gathered to celebrate the dedication of the church’s renovated front entrance Saturday, Sept. 13.

Selectmen Bill Scott, David Soper and Bruce Young, along with Police Chief Michael Miksch attended the ribbon cutting for the front doors as well as a short worship service before the congregation and guests moved outside for food, games, crafts, music and miniature train rides for the kids.

The front entrance had been closed for renovation last summer, according to church member Phil Clemons, because it became evident during work on the front stairs that they had to be replaced — and the foundation needed to be repaired.

“We found the sill was all rotted,” he said.

A couple of years ago, it was determined that those front steps were unsafe, according to church member Bob Cox in his welcoming remarks.

“This [work] was done with the cooperation of the congregation of this church — their faith, their support, their prayers created what you see here today,” he said.

After a series of fundraising work, a contractor was hired to install new granite steps.

“We got the old steps out and discovered that there was no sill on the front of the building … which kind of opened up a another problem and we had to close the building up,” Cox said. “We had to put the steps on hold.”

Clemons said the granite steps have inspired town officials to look into granite to replace crumbling concrete steps that are posing a safety hazard at Town Hall.

Duiring the church renovation, an engineer had to be found to dig a new foundation without touching the old foundation. The work took about a year.

“It’s as close to the orginal as possible,” Cox said of the result.

The main entrance’s side doors, dating back to 1836 and held together with wooden pegs instead of nails, were restored and all four doors were refinished. The “new” center doors date from the 1850s.

Ironically, the work had begun while the church was providing worship space to the First Baptist Church while that building was being renovated. FCC is also housing the Hanson Food Pantry during renovation of its new site at the former Plymouth County Hospital’s nurse’s quarters building, which had also been used by Plymouth County BCI.

“We’re looking for more people to help fill up the space, so today we said, ‘let’s invite everyone,’” Clemons said of Saturday’s event which was, in part, a celebration of how the church community aids its town.

Clemons led the gathering in a dedication prayer before youth member Miranda Campbell, interim Pastor Joy Matos and Trustee Harold Towne cut white ribbons in front of each set of doors.

“The way we open things up is the way we do everything — with prayer,” Clemons said.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the doors were thrown open for the congregation to enter as the steeple bell was tolled. Once inside, they took part in a 15-minute service of celebration and dedication, which included music by the praise band.

In the devotional reading, member Cindy Fish talked of how her eyes would always be drawn to “those beautiful old doors” whenever she stopped at the church to see how the renovation was coming along. It put her in mind of what the original craftsman must have been thinking as he built them, and she spoke of touching the doors as work neared completion.

“I was very pleased that a craftsman from my generation had restored these doors so lovingly, and with so much care, so that generations to come can walk through them and come into this beautiful sanctuary to worship,” she said.

Matos, in her brief sermon, reviewed how the highest elevation in Hanson was chosen for the site of the First Congregational Church and the church’s heritage before leading the congregation in the recitaition of the church covenant.

Following the service, in addition to food and fun for the children, tours of the church were provided and informational tables outside allowed church committees as well as the Hanson Food Pantry and Boy Scout Troop 34 to discuss their programs. The South Shore Worship Band also performed during the event.

Resigning as selectman for professional, personal reasons

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

HANSON — Citing “both personal and professional” considerations after “considerable thought,” Selectmen Chairman David Soper has announced his resignation from office effective Wednesday, Oct. 8.

“This is obviously not something that was planned,” Soper told the board Tuesday, Sept. 16. “There’s been a lot of delibaration in the Soper household. Just know this is not on my terms and I will miss my role on the board.”

There is one year and seven months left in his term and the board, voicing appreciation for Soper’s years of service and regret at his decision, voted 4-0 to schedule a special election for Saturday, Dec. 13 — the earliest date on which an election could be set under Mass. General Law.

If Town Meeting votes to send a school roof question to the ballot, it would also be Dec. 13, although it could have been scheduled as early as Nov. 15 had it appeared on a ballot separate from the selectman seat. Whether a ballot question will be voted will be decided on Town Meeting night.

Town Administrator Ron San Angelo said in the little over a year that he has worked with Soper they have had a wonderful working relationship.

“I wanted to say thank you, both as a town administrator and a citizen, for the work that you’ve done on behalf of the town,” San Angelo said. “Your work has been appreciated.”

Selectman Don Howard agreed with San Angelo’s sentiments, but argued the board needed full membership.

“I think we should fill it,” Howard said to the board’s agreement. “Nothing against David, but I think we should have five members on the board and I think we should do it as soon as we can do it.”

Selectman  Bruce Young said he, too, was leaning toward voting right away to set a Dec. 13 election.

“It gives people more notice that an election will take place, rather than waiting for the October Town Meeting,” he said.

In other business, the board finalized the special Town Meeting warrant, removing four of the 46 proposed articles as no longer applcable or redundant. Town Meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6 at the Hanson Middle School auditorium. Selectmen suggested that, with so many articles on the warrant, a second night at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct.  7 may be required.

One of the removed articles, relates to rekeying doors at Maquan School, as windows along side classroom doors complicate security even with new locks and the new ALICE (Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) approach to live shooter training emphasizes evacuation over shelter in place procedures.

“What they’re finding is in some cases an evacuation is much better than an actual lockdown,” said Selectmen Bill Scott regarding discussion with Police Chief Michael Miksch on the ALICE approach. “The glass to the side of the door could easily be broken.”

Also removed were articles seeking an indoor ventilator for the Maquan School office, pending further air-quality testing, as well as an article seeking funds for public bid documents for the Indian Head roof, as is would be included in the process of repairing or replacing the roof and is covered in two other articles.

The fourth article removed was one seeking creation of a revolving fund from a portion of subdivision review fees to pay for sidewalk projects. The current town counsel agreed with former counsel Kopelman & Paige that the fund would be illegal.

Soper asked if another funding solution could be found.

“We, as a town, have not been responsive to the needs of our community,” he said adding and improving sidewalks near the train station could boost ridership, for example.

Language — revised by the School Committee and town attorney — was also adjusted in two other articles to update the wording concerning the roof and lintel questions for Indian Head School.

Selectmen also heard a presentation from Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O’Brien, County Commissioner Sandra Wright, state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, and state Sen. Tom Kennedy,  D-Brockton, about a $75,000 grant for pond maintenance.

The award was funded through Plymouth County via a line item in the state budget secured by Cutler and Kennedy. Hanson has been selected to be the first recipient for the pilot program.

Whitman OKs updates to Park, WMS ballfields

By Mike Melanson
Express correspondent

WHITMAN — Selectmen on Tuesday Sept. 16 voted to approve a request by the Whitman Baseball & Softball Association (WBSA) to place a flagpole and bench near the baseball dugout at Whitman Park, and place batting cages at the Whitman Middle School.

Town Administrator Francis Lynam said the Massachusetts Historical Commission, acting on behalf of the National Register of Historic Places, must also approve the Whitman Park project, as the park is encumbered by a preservation agreement.

“It’s minor in nature. I don’t anticipate a problem,” he said.

Lynam said the project could relocate a flagpole from the old police station behind town hall to the field, and perhaps remove the other old police station flagpole at the same time.

He said batting cages behind the current police station would be relocated to the middle school fields.

Lynam said there is some concern about that part of the project.

He said there is a sophisticated irrigation system at the middle school field, and there is an electrical component as well.

The complex cost approximately $1-million to build, and there will need to be architectural and engineering designs for the batting cages, Lynam said.

“We’re going to need to make sure we know what we’re doing before we start this project,” he said.

In a letter to Lynam, Kevin Briggs of WSBA said they would need to dig a trench for power to operate a pitching machine at the middle school.

To install the batting cages, it might be necessary to take a layer of grass up, level the ground, then pour cement or asphalt and lay baseball artificial turf.

The WSBA has licensed electricians on its board of directors who will do the wiring, and all expenses would be the association’s responsibility.

The cages behind the police station are rarely used due to their location and condition.

“The convenience of location and quality of these new cages will benefit the children of Whitman Baseball and Softball for years to come,” Briggs states in the letter.

Selectman Daniel Salvucci said a flagpole at a baseball field is usually on the first base or third base lines. He said it is interesting that the flag pole and bench at the Whitman Park ball field would be put in the place where there used to be a baseball monument, behind the dugout on the first base side of the field.

“It will dress up the area,” he said.

Lynam said there would be problems if the flag pole was put on the foul lines because of the layout of Whitman Park and proximity of a pond.

“This is the appropriate location for this setting,” he said.

DPW Commissioners 

Selectmen and Public Works Commissioners met jointly Tuesday and appointed two commissioners to  fill vacancies after the resignations of commissioners Edward Winnett and Dana Olson.

Appointed by vote of selectmen and the commissioners were David Cook and Wayne Carroll.

Cook, a senior project manager at Keough Construction Management, will serve until 2017, when the position will be up for election. Cook has been a Whitman resident since 1990, and said he wanted to get more involved with the town and thought he has the qualifications for the position.

“This opportunity presented itself,” he said.

Wayne Carroll, who has been a Whitman resident for 50 years, born and raised in town, was a career firefighter who just retired after 27 years as a Hanson firefighter.

Carroll said he has worked for the highway and water departments, and has 25 years of experience of negotiating union contracts, including going through arbitration. He will serve until 2015, when the position will be up for election.

“I’m very interested in the DPW position, and I intend to run for the position in May,” he said.

Block grants

Assistant Town Administrator Gregory Enos has worked on a cooperative agreement with Abington to secure community development block grants for both towns, Lynam said.

The towns applied for an $800,000 grant two years ago to set up a fund for people with economic needs to make necessary repairs to their properties.

This year, $780,216 was awarded to Whitman and Abington, to fund repair projects for 18 housing units in each community, and support the St. Vincent de Paul food pantries in both towns, Lynam said.

This year, Whitman will receive $262,000 to cover 18 units, which can be used to replace hot water tanks, make units handicapped accessible, and to get things up to code. The food pantries in Whitman and Abington will also each receive $36,000, Enos said.

Selectmen praised the agreement.

“This is outstanding,” said Selectman Brian Bezanson.

“Spectacular,” agreed Selectman Lisa Green.

Tax abatement 

Lynam said that under the town’s property tax work-off program, senior citizens may volunteer to work for the town for 100 hours at $8 per hour, the state minimum wage, in exchange for an $800 abatement.

However, the governor has signed legislation raising the minimum wage, and Whitman might want to considering changing the amount of hours that senior citizens in the program work, or the amount they are paid per hour, he said.

Lynam said he plans to present a proposal in November, but wanted to bring the matter up with selectmen Tuesday.

Salvucci asked if volunteers would need to be turned away if the town increased the work-off abatement to $1,000.

Lynam said that on average there are 26 senior volunteers and the program has been open.

If there are more applicants than positions open, new applicants get priority over returning ones, he said.

“We’re getting a lot of help out of the program. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “We’ll be revisiting.”

School dishwashers

Selectmen voted to support a special or annual Town Meeting warrant article for $32,000 to replace dishwashers at the Conley and Whitman Middle schools.

The devices are beyond repair, and their immediate replacement will require the regional school district to “pre-pay,” and then seek reimbursement from Whitman, according to school officials.

Lynam said the town is required to pay for capital items at the two school buildings.

Assistant Superintendent of District Operations Craig Finley and school Superintendent Ruth Gilbert-Whitner, in a letter to Lynam, said they understood that the district would pre-pay for the dishwashers and Whitman selectmen would support a May Town Meeting article reimbursement request.

“They are looking for assurance,” Lynam said. “These are expensive machines.”

Benefit aids W-H scholarship and two charities

HANSON — For Edward Flanagan, younger brother Patrick was a real profile in courage.

The Flanagans, former Whitman residents, now live in Abington. Patrick was a graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

Often he endured hours of wrenching vomiting due to kidney disease before heading off to school in the morning.

“Paddy endured more pain in one day than I’ve known in 27 years,” Edward wrote on the fundraising website forpaddy.com. “He endured so much at such a young age — and yet never wanted to receive extra attention  or to feel different or to be left behind by friends or classmates.”

Paddy was born in Boston in 1992, suffering severe kidney illness from birth. Floating Hospital for Children became “his second home.” Despite a successful kidney transplant in 2008, he died following a heart attack and coma on Dec. 23, 2012.

Tickets online

His family and friends are now planning a fundraising celebration of Paddy’s life and legacy from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at Camp Kiwanee. Tickets are $40 and only avaiable online through a link at forpaddy.com. Attendance is limited to 250 advance tickets and tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Fireside for Paddy will include music by Lenny Lashley’s Gang of One, Lee Preston, Jon Cauztic + Powwer Geoff, Civil Warblers and The Hired Men. A campfire evening, food truck, ice cream truck, raffles and prizes are also available.

Cabins will be available for overnight camping.

The fundraiser will earmark 60 percent of proceeds to an annual scholarship for Whitman-Hanson students interested in pursuing a culinary career will also benefit from the fundraiser, according to family friend, Scott Cappellini. 

“He went to Johnson & Wales,” Cappellini said. “His father was a cook and he wanted to be a cook.”

For those who helped

The event will also benefit two organizations that played a big role in Paddy’s short life — 20 percent of proceeds each to Floating Hospital where he was treated and the Make-A-Wish Foundation that arranged a trip for Paddy to San Diego to watch a Red Sox-Padres baseball game prior to his kidney transplant.

“Patrick avoided telling anyone the story of why we were there,” Edward wrote. “He was simply grateful for such a generous gift and the chance to share it with his family.”

“He was sick and didn’t tell anybody,” said family friend Scott Capellini of Hanson about Paddy’s final fight. “He had been sick his whole life.”

For more information or to make a donation the mailing address is For Paddy, P.O. Box 151, Hanson, MA 02341 or email friendsoftheflanagans@gmail.com.

— Tracy F. Seelye

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress.com

WHITMAN — Good nutrition can be tricky at any age, as dietary guidelines change with advances in scientific research, but for seniors the changing needs of one’s body add to the challenge.

Community Outreach Coordinator Ann Marie Powers and registered dietician Claire Kennedy of the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice (NVNA) presented “Healthy Eating As We Age,” at the Whitman  Council on Aging Thursday morning, Sept. 4.

Another session, at a time to be announced, is being planned for an evening in October for those who were unable to attend last week’s program.

“I am a senior, as you can tell by looking at me,” quipped Kennedy, who has been with the NVNA for the last 10 years of her long career in nutrition.  “I’m still working because I love nutrition and I’m not ready to stay home.”

Her program also included tips for grocery shopping, but the bulk of it centered on nutrients, why they are needed, how one’s body absorbs them and oral health can affect the comfort of eating.

“As we age, people tend to eat less,” Kennedy said. “Medication can change the absorbtion of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.”

She said concerns over skin cancer have decreased the level of vitamin D, and sunblock also interferes with it. For those limiting sun exposure, calcium supplements and dairy in the diet becomes more important.

“A lot of Americans are low in vitamin D because we don’t get out in the sun,” Kennedy said.

Eggs, too, have had a change in dietary status with changes in scientific thinking. They, like yellow and orange vegetables, are rich in vitamin A, which boosts the immune system and aids bone growth.

“The best source of protein you can eat is an egg,” Kennedy said. “Eggs are not the culprit they used to be … they found that cholesterol in food was not associated with heart disease. It was actually saturated fat.”

She cautioned her audience to consult with their phsyician if they have specific medical conditions.

Hydration is also a challenge for older persons as thirst mechanisms slow and the body loses the ability to regulate fluids.

Kennedy supplied the group with a chart of a balanced daily diet titled MyPlate for Older Adults, which recommends half one’s diet be comprised of fruits and vegetables, one quarter whole grains and one quarter meat, fish and dairy as well as eight 8-ounce servinces of fluids.

The information packets provided to the group by the NVNA also included a chart on how common fats and oil affect lipids in the body, charts on how to store foods (and for how long) in the pantry and refrigerator and recipes for healthy meals.

Kennedy also touched on grocery-shopping strategies for economy and good nutrition.

Comparing sale circulars is a good way to save money, but the best strategy lies in developing a meal plan, making a list — and sticking to it.

Incorporate sales within that  meal plan and don’t depend on one store. Use two or more.

“Decide which store has the best prices and  go there first,” she said. Use other stores for sale prices only.

Don’t use coupons for items you don’t usually use just to save money, she advised.  Shop the perimeter for staples, if a store is designed that way.

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhanson express.com

WHITMAN — If  breakfast is the most important meal of the day, a lot of area residents have been strarting their days right at Cowbells Café, 25 South Ave., for the past four months.

“Phenomenal,” is how one regular customer summed up the fare after getting up to ring the bell by the door. “This is the only place I’ll go. I’ve been here maybe eight or nine times since it opened. I recomment it to everybody.”

He had brought along a friend to whom he had praised the eatery owned by Abington resident David Doyle.

A printer by trade for several years, Doyle had always loved to cook.

“Cooking’s always been my passion,” he said during a lull in the breakfast seating Tuesday, Sept. 2. “I’ve worked with a lot of five-star chefs and learned a lot just by working side-by-side with them.”

His brother, who had owned Doyle’s Duxbury Pizza for several years has also been a source of education and inspiration. Like that eatery, Cowbells is also a breakfast and lunch bistro.

But “Cowbells,” is not a name derived from a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Doyle’s daughter, Kelly, had been nicknamed Kell-bell by the family when she was a baby. Her uncle thought it was “cowbell,” and — as such mixups often do — the name stuck.

“When we were planing to open, I told my girls to come up with a name.” Doyle said. “They remembered that story and thought it was a good name.”

He ripped up the carpet from the floor of the former pizza place, lowered the counter and chose a buttercream yellow color for the walls and antique-y, mismatched furniture for a country look to complement the name. His daughter, Erin, designed the café logo.

 “It’s a simple menu … I’m tweaking it as I go along,” he said. “We give a good quantity to people.”

From fluffy omlettes and breakfast sandwiches to French bread french toast and pancakes, generous is the word that best describes the servings.

The popular selections from the lunch menu have been a chicken cutlet BLT, a daily homemade soup and an array of hot and cold subs served up with homemade fries.

“Business has been more than I expected,” Doyle said. “People rave about the corned beef hash, because they know it’s homemade.”

The hash has been a specific rave on yelp.com.

Even Yelp — where negative phantom reviews, by people who have never been to restaurants they review, can sometimes be found — has been almost universally positive. One local customer went so far as to call Cowbells “probably the best breakfast in Whitman now.”

Still, the in-person feedback always means a bit more.

“I’m so glad you opened up, this place is fantastic,” said Dan Farrell of Whitman as he paid for his breakfast.

Such word of mouth is gold for Doyle as it resulted in a packed house for breakfast on Labor Day, and he had contemplated being closed for the holiday.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go because we’re new,” he said. “It was a holiday. It started out slow and all of a sudden, boom, the place filled up and it never stopped.”

Doyle and his daughter had even called one of the waitresses scheduled to work that day to tell her they wouldn’t need her just before the café got busy about 9 a.m. He did all the kitchen work — cooking and doing dishes — while his daughter waited tables and worked the cash register before her mother and sisters came to help.

It’s all part of getting a new restaurant off the ground for a man who puts the family in the phrase family business.

A sign in the front window and mementos inside dedicate the café to the memory of Doyle’s son in-law, Marine Sgt. Daniel Vasselian, who was killed in Afghanistan Dec. 23, 2013. Vasselian was married to Doyle’s daughter, Erin.

“A lot of people ask about him and how we knew him,” Doyle said. “People bring us flowers with flags in them. It’s nice.”

A gold-star banner, which hangs under a donated drawing of Vasselian, was donated by another man who works at New Englad Art.

Doyle borrowed a sign reading “Salute,” which Erin had bought at an antique shop as a gesture in memory of her late husband. That sign graces a wall behind the front counter until she moves.

“Our staff is all friends and family,” he said.

Diane Gillis of Abington is one of those friends who work at the café.

“Our kids grew up in the same neighborhood together, so we’ve been friends forever,” she said. “I bring a lot of people in — it’s a great place.”

By Mike Melanson
Express Correspondent

HANSON — Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo said he plans to offer selectmen monthly written and verbal reports on the town’s finances, at the request of board members.

On Tuesday Sept. 9, Selectmen Chairman David Soper said board members want more financial information and data in a more timely and succinct manner.

San Angelo said monthly financial statements have not been presented to selectmen as routine business in years, since before his time as town administrator. Selectmen sign warrants and see bills. San Angelo said he provides audits to the board and budget information during budget season.

“We do provide a lot of information at times as needed, but there hasn’t been a monthly report,” he said.

San Angelo said he gives monthly expense reports to the finance board, and said he would provide the report to selectmen too. The reports include spending on capital items, he said.

“If any board member ever has a question about a particular finance item, my office door is always open. It is never closed,” he said. “We’re willing to give you what you want.”

San Angelo said his concern now is for the town’s free cash amount to be certified by the state Department of Revenue in time for the Oct. 6 Special Town Meeting, which includes warrant articles that draw on free cash.

Interim Town Accountant Todd Hassett said he has filed balance sheets and schedules with the DOR to be certified as free cash.

Hanson is in the top 25-percent of communities in getting their balance sheets in. The DOR guideline is for them to be in by Sept. 15, and the town is ahead of that by a week, he said.

Hassett said Hanson has approximately $1.8-million in free cash.

San Angelo said he plans to submit expense reports to selectmen once a month, during the second selectmen meeting of the month.

Selectman Bruce Young asked if San Angelo could also present information on receivables that could affect free cash in his reports, and the town administrator said he would do so.

Selectman William Scott said he would like for San Angelo to offer a verbal report and synopsis of what is going on in the town that selectmen should know about to go along with the written financial reports.

“I think we should do something once a month. If that’s what we’re going to do, I’m OK with it,” he said.

Remote participation

In other action Tuesday, selectmen voted, 5-0, to allow remote participation by board, committee and commission members at town government meetings.

Members of boards who cannot attend meetings because of illness or business out of state may now participate in meetings, and deliberate and vote by telephone or video conference.

Under state law, selectmen may vote to allow remote participation, but it must be allowed for all town boards, committees and commissions, San Angelo said.

The board chairman must notify those in attendance at the beginning of a meeting if a member plans to participate remotely, and it should be included in meeting postings and agendas if the board knows about the need for it ahead of time, he said.

The law requires that a clear communication device must be used and that all board and audience members must be able to hear what is being said, he said.

San Angelo said most of the town hall meeting rooms have phones, and would allow for remote participation. Other meetings might be more complicated, such as Hanson boards meeting jointly with boards from other towns in meeting rooms in other towns.

“Ninety-nine percent of our meetings, I don’t think it’s going to be an issue,” he said.

Soper said remote participation is not an opportunity for townspeople to call into meetings.

He said there must still be a quorum of board members present in the meeting room in order to allow remote participation, and that the policy would be posted on the town website.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said.

San Angelo said remote participation is not for board members who simply do not feel like going to town hall to attend a meeting.

“There must be a legitimate reason. That’s in the regulations,” he said.

If there is remote participation in a meeting, all votes must be roll call votes. If participating remotely in an executive session, a board member may have no one else in the room where the call is made from, he said.

Selectman James McGahan said he believes allowing remote participation makes sense.

Town Meeting recommendations

Selectmen Tuesday also voted board recommendations on a series of more than 40 warrant articles to be presented to voters at Special Town Meeting on Oct. 6.

Selectmen voted to recommend requests by the police chief for $17,750 for technology upgrades for police, $4,400 for protective and safety clothing for officers, $4,500 for tire deflation devices known as Stop Sticks, and $11,000 for rifles.

The board also recommended requests by the fire chief for $16,000 for Main Street fire station maintenance, $240,000 for a Mini-Pumper, $36,500 for protective clothing, and $10,000 for relocation of floor drains in connection with a fire station septic repair project.

Selectmen are recommending articles to name the playground on Hancock Street in honor of Army Sergeant James Francis “Red” Harrington, who was killed on April 8, 1951 while serving in Korea, and for $1,200 to provide a marker for the memorial park.

Also recommended was a request for $83,000 to reimburse the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District for emergency repairs to the Indian Head and Maquan schools.

Selectmen held a recommendation on a request for funds to replace locks, keys and corridor doors at the Maquan School until building repair committee and school administrators determine costs.

The board held on a request for $55,000 to install an indoor ventilator in the Maquan School offices until they get the results of an air quality study.

Also held were requests to fund the development of public bid documentation and rehabilitation or replacement of the slate roof, and the repair or replacement of the cafeteria and office floors at the Indian Head School. There were no cost estimates Tuesday, selectmen said.

Selectmen placed and recommended a request to create a regional schools capital stabilization fund for capital projects at the Hanson school buildings and the regional high school. Funds would be expended by Town Meeting. The board also recommended that Town Meeting voters on May 6 put $10,000 into the fund.

Selectmen placed an article to repair Indian Head School roof, and another article that would replace the roof, but held on making recommendations on the proposals.

The board also placed an article to replace window lintels at the Indian Head School, but held recommendation because there is no cost estimate.

San Angelo said all warrant articles are subject to the availability of free cash. If free cash is limited or not available, selectmen would need to re-prioritize recommendations on articles, he said.

Soper said the free cash figure is important.

“If we don’t get the money, we won’t be able to make it happen,” he said. “Here’s hoping to hope that we have enough free cash to cover the bills.”

Selectmen approved a Historical Society request for a common victuallers license in connection with the annual Harvest Festival, to be held Sept. 20, with a Sept. 21 rain date.

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhanson express.com

In a state primary election noted mainly for low voter participation, there was little by way of surprises in the outcome Tuesday.
Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker, as expected, carried their respective nominations for governor in the Nov. 4 general election. For lieutenant governor, Democrats statewide also tapped Maura Healy over Warren Tolman for attorney general. Locally, it was not a day of heightened activity at the polls. Less than 20 percent of registered voters cast ballots.
From the start, local town clerks were not certain that percentage would make it out of the single digits.
“I don’t think you’ll see 20 percent — not in Whitman,” said Town Clerk Dawn Varley Tuesday morning. “I can’t speak for the state.”
She said primaries don’t generally bring out the voters.
The reasons suggested by local observers ranged from the timing of the election so early in September, a lack of local contests or general apathy.
Neither state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, or Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, faced primary challenges. There was a 15-percent turnout in Whitman during the 2010 primary.
“I think November will be busy, but I think we’ll be lucky to get 3 percent,” Varley said. “I could be wrong.” When all the votes were counted, a total of 13% of Whitman registered voters cast their ballots.
Only a handful of residents were in line when polls opened at 7 a.m., according to Varley who said, “usually we have half a dozen people out there.”
There are 9,795 registered voters in Whitman — 2,356 Democrats and 1,138 Republicans. There are 6,253 unenrolled and a scattering of several minor parties.
There are 6,975 registered voters in Hanson, including 1,466 Democrats, 1,053 Republicans and 4,427 unenrolled.
“It’s going to be a very low turnout,” agreed Whitman School Committee member Dan Culity, holding a sign for Republican Register of Probate candidate Andrew Burbine outside the polls. “People don’t care, unfortunately. They should, because it’s a big decision. It’s just a shame.”
Selectman Dan Salvucci, also holding a Burbine sign, said voting is vital.
“You have to vote,” he said.
In Hanson, it took about two hours before they reached 200 voters, said Town Clerk Beth Sloan.
“I don’t think we’ll get 12 percent,” she said. “I don’t have many absentees this time, either.” Only 35 absentee ballots had been cast.
“If that’s an indication of your turnout …” she said. “I don’t think people are paying attention yet.”

Local vote totals for Whitman in the Democrat primary election were:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey (D) 598
• Governor — Donald M. Berwick (D) 139
Martha Coakley (D) 347
Steven Grossman 345
• Lt. Governor — Leland Cheung (D) 132
Stephen J. Kerrigan (D) 422
Michael E. Lake (D) 154
• Attorney General — Maura Healy (D) 480
Warren E. Tolman (D) 329
• Secretary of State — William F. Galvin (D) 664
• Treasurer — Thomas P. Conroy (D) 184
Barry Finegold (D) 251
Deborah B. Goldberg (D) 336
• Auditor — Suzanne M. Bump (D) 639
• Representative in Congress — Stephen F. Lynch (D) 681
• Councillor [Fourth District] — Christopher Iannella (D) 609
• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] —Thomas P. Kennedy (D) 650
• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde (D) 212
Matthew J. McDonough (D) 485
• County Treasurer — Thomas J. O’Brien (D) 618
• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi (D) 606

Local vote totals for Whitman in the Republican primary election were:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr (R) 356
• Governor — Charles D. Baker (R) 341
Mark R. Fisher (R) 113
• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito (R) 389
• Attorney General — John B. Miller (R) 375
• Secretary of State — David D’Arcangelo (R) 364
• Treasurer — Michael J. Heffernan (R) 360
• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin (R) 347
• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Viola A. Ryerson (R) 345
• Representative in General Court [7th Plymouth] — Geoff Diehl (R) 418
• District Attorney — Timothy J. Cruz (R) 401
• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine (R) 283
Anthony T. O’Brien Sr. (R) 103
Joseph M. Truschelli (R) 46
• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright (R) 354

In Hanson’s Democrat primary election:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey (D) 376
• Governor — Donald M. Berwick (D) 88
Martha Coakley (D) 223
Steven Grossman 246
• Lt. Governor — Leland Cheung (D) 94
Stephen J. Kerrigan (D) 290
Michael E. Lake (D) 81
• Attorney General — Maura Healy (D) 300
Warren E. Tolman (D) 241
• Secretary of State — William F. Galvin (D) 446
• Treasurer — Thomas P. Conroy (D) 106
Barry Finegold (D) -171
Deborah B. Goldberg (D) 236
• Auditor — Suzanne M. Bump (D) 404
• Representative in Congress [9th District] — William Keating (D) 399
• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] Thomas P. Kennedy (D) — 429
• Representative in General Court [6th Plymouth, Hanson ballots] — Josh S. Cutler (D) 418
• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde (D) 103
Matthew J. McDonough (D) 349
• County Treasurer — Thomas J. O’Brien (D) 406
• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi (D) 395

In Hanson’s Republican primary election:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr (R) 382
• Governor — Charles D. Baker (R) 364
Mark R. Fisher (R) 111
• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito (R) 415
• Attorney General — John B. Miller (R) 386
• Secretary of State — David D’Arcangelo (R) 379
• Treasurer — Michael J. Heffernan (R) 382
• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin (R) 369
• Representative in Congress [9th District] — Mark C. Alliegro (R) 73
John C. Chapman (R) 73
Vincent A. Cogliano Jr. (R) 180
Daniel L. Shores (R) 119
• Representative in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol District] — Viola A. Ryerson (R) 377
• District Attorney — Timothy J. Cruz (R) 411
• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine (R) 163
Anthony T. O’Brien Sr. (R) 231
Joseph M. Truschelli (R) 38
• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright (R) 375.

Correction:

Hanson results in the Sept. 9 primary for state representative in the 6th Plymouth District were misreported in the Sept. 11 Whitman-Hanson Express. Joseph Sheehan of Pembroke received 125 votes in precinct one, 136 votes in precinct two, 131 votes in precinct three for a total of 392 votes. There were no write-in votes and 92 blanks cast — 26 in precinct one, 38 in precinct two and 28 in precinct three. Candidate for state senate in the 2nd Plymouth & Bristol District Viola Ryerson received 377 votes in the Hanson Republican Primary, with no write-in votes and 107 blanks. The Express apologizes for the omission