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Sanders is top choice on local Democratic ballots

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With nearly half the registered voters in both towns turning out to vote Tuesday, Whitman and Hanson backed the outsiders in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in Massachusetts. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders garnered 1,414 votes to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 970 in Whitman, while he received 997 to Clinton’s 692 in Hanson. Statewide, Clinton carried the day by a slim margin of some 20,000 votes. Businessman Donald Trump received 1,242 votes in Whitman as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio got 292, Ohio Gov. John Kasich had 266, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz had 186 and Dr. Ben Carson had 52. Other candidates who have withdrawn from the race split 60 votes in Whitman. Trump sailed to the front of the pack in Hanson with 1,000 votes, compared with 237 for Rubio, 205 for Kasich, 194 for Cruz, 50 for Carson and 46 for withdrawn candidates or no preference.

Of Whitman’s 9,909 registered voters, 4,582 — or 46 percent cast ballots. In Hanson 48 percent of the town’s 7,215 registered voters — 3,475 — cast ballots. “There was a line when polls opened this morning,” said Whitman Town Clerk Dawn Varley. “People were waiting.” She was hopeful, based on interest, phone calls and the number of people registering, that they might see a 50-percent turnout. In the first hour alone, 300 votes had been cast in Whitman. While voters lined up to vote, sign-holders supporting candidates were an unusually rare sight during the day on Tuesday. Two, supporting Sanders in Whitman and Cruz in Hanson, spoke of their support for their respective candidates. Anastasia Mykoniatos of Whitman, holding signs for Sanders in front of the post office next door to the Town Hall polling place, was counting on a high turnout to help her candidate, who she said needed five states to stay competitive. “I like the fact that he’s paying attention to the lesser-thought of issues such as student debt and the climate change that a lot of the other people aren’t paying attention to or supporting,” she said. “I like the fact that you can trace back his stance on issues for at least two decades.” Mykoniatos noted Sanders has supported LGBT rights since 1992, while Clinton voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Sanders took four states — Vermont, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Colorado — on Super Tuesday to Clinton’s  seven. Trump took seven — Georgia, Alabama, Massachusetts, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and Vermont —with Cruz winning Texas and Oklahoma and Rubio notching  his first primary win in Minnesota. “Trump scares me,” Mykoniatos said.

Leslie J. Molyneaux, also a candidate for GOP state committeeman said he was backing Cruz for similar reasons. “I’m working for Ted Cruz because he’s a constitutionalist,” Molyneaux said outside of Hanson’s Maquan School polling place. “He knows the Constitution front and back and he’s been fighting for it his whole life.” Molyneaux noted that Cruz, a former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist, is also the most experienced candidate in terms of governance. “He successfully argued several cases regarding personal liberty before the Supreme Court,” he said. “Donald Trump, I don’t feel, is a conservative. Donald Trump is a populist and he has reached a nerve with the American people who truly are sick of government.” But, Molyneaux said, what happens down the road has yet to be determined. “Certainly the establishment Republicans are really unhappy because they don’t have a dog in the hunt,” he said. “I think the establishment is putting all their money behind Rubio, and he’s really not one of them, but he’s closer to being one of them than Trump or Cruz is.”One local official that has gone to work for Trump as the state co-chairman of that campaign is state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman.

“He’s clearly going to win, it’s just a question of how big,” Diehl said of Trump’s chances Tuesday morning. “Just like my run in 2010, I think Donald Trump brings that same business background to D.C. with the momentum of supporters who feel like D.C. is no longer listening to them.” Diehl compares Trump’s past business setbacks with the experimental failures Thomas Edison experienced while inventing the light bulb. He also noted that the economic climate of the past few years has made Trump realize that government has done a poor job of allowing businesses to grow. “I’m a  Cruz man, but Geoff is a good man,” Molyneaux said.

Lennie Baker serenaded at funeral

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WHITMAN — In a final standing ovation for his lifetime of generating music and melody, musician Leonard J. “Lennie” Baker, 69, of Whitman was laid to rest Tuesday at the Colebrook Cemetery surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and classmates.

His bandmate and longtime friend Paul Pennini, also a graduate of W-H and part of the group Paul Wayne and the Wantells, performed “Rock ’n’ Roll is Here to Stay” in front of Baker’s casket — asking those in attendance to rise one last time for Baker. Pennini said the song was his connection to his fellow musician and would forever remain that memory. So he jammed on his guitar with not a dry eye in the room.

As a graduate of Whitman Hanson class of 1963 Baker was a well-known member of the 1950s-style doo-wop group Sha Na Na and appeared on a TV variety show from 1977- 1981. The group made their biggest appearance in the classic movie “Grease” in 1978. Baker sang lead on “Blue Moon,” a song he continued to perform for more than 30 years — even selling out Carnegie Hall. The movie soundtrack album went multi-platinum. He never disregarded smaller venues and hit all the local Boston night clubs, colleges and universities around the country. Fame didn’t change him. “Lennie never left his roots,” said sister- in- law Marcia Baker. “He was a grounded man and he did what he could for his family and the town of Whitman.”

He was always generous and committed to his family. Although he had failing health, he received a kidney transplant from his nephew David Baker, surviving 15 more years. He recently celebrated the anniversary in his life, said the Rev. Sue Webster of Winthrop Church of Holbrook who performed his services. He celebrated the millennium and officially retired Jan. 1, 2000 after playing at the International Dateline in Fiji. He was one of four brothers and his natural gift of music emerged in elementary school when he learned to play the clarinet then the saxophone. He was asked to perform with the W-H high school band while he was still in middle school. He performed early on in his career at local clubs with the musical group the Pilgrims and later The Spellbinders. He joined Sha Na Na in 1970 performing with them for the next 30 years. He sang, played sax and enjoyed life spending time on the water with his two boats, and living in Martha’s Vineyard for several years. However the musician was only one side of Baker’s personality. His family and friends described him as a generous, kind-hearted soul.

Baker’s picture hangs in the W-H Hall of Fame. His first and last public performances were in the presence of his community. He appeared on stage in the musical “Grease” in February 2014 with the cast at W-H under the direction of Laurie Healey, theater director and owner of Dance Dimensions in Whitman. His career came full circle when he appeared in one show with the full cast even though he was in a wheelchair at the time. “I asked him to attend the show and meet the kids…he was so personable,” she said. “He offered to perform ‘Blue Moon’ in the show.” He spoke with the cast, answering questions, and was a classy, wonderful spirit, she said. “He finished where he started off,” said Healey who emphasized how thrilling it was to have him perform and attend their show. Baker had been in failing health recently and died peacefully on Feb 24, at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.

 

 

 

National Grid growth felt in Whitman

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WHITMAN —  It may sound like a good thing for the town, but while a National Grid personal property report has added $72.8 million in new growth, it has raised the town’s levy limit — and it’s not expected to last.

The anomaly was discovered during an analysis of available funds, including new growth, according to Town Administrator Frank Lynam.

“Typically, we estimate new growth before Town Meeting and we plan our budget with an awareness of what our ability to raise funds is based, in part, on new growth,” he said.

national gridThe town had been notified in March that National Grid and its affiliates reported new growth of $72,784,278 in taxable personal property in Whitman in fiscal 2016. The growth was not presented until the classification hearing, which set the tax rate, Nov. 10.

Last year, the town’s total of taxable personal property was $9,745,287 — a value that had held fairly steady for years. Added to the National Grid growth, should put the total for new growth at about $81 million, which means National Grid’s report already includes a depreciation of about $8 million from the value of their personal property.

If that trend continues, the new growth funds from the National Grid property is going to run out in nine years, according to Lynam. He likened depending on the funds to balancing a budget with free cash.

Lynam will be recommending that the town uses the National Grid growth figures only for capital expenditures that are voted from year to year. He will recommend using $300,000 of it this year for the Duval school roof as well as more for other non-recurring capital projects.

“If you build the budget using personal property which doesn’t typically grow, unless you add more real property to it, your ability to raise money is going to drop each year,” Lynam said.

Real estate valuation is generally more reliable than that. Single-family homes will add $110,600 to the tax value, condos $23,400, two/three-families $15,500, multi-families $1,100, vacant land $4,400 and commercial $1,154,300.

“Real estate typically appreciates in value or, at least, kind of stays stable,” Lynam said. “Even in cases where it declines the total value of real estate is sufficient that it doesn’t impact us as a community.”

Even when property values are in decline, he noted, there is room between the levy limit and the levy ceiling to raise money for town operations. The levy ceiling is the most that can be assessed on property, including overrides.

“If we exceeded our levy limit and needed more money, we could call for an override election,” he said. “As long as the people vote it, we could then raise the tax revenue up to that levy ceiling — we can never go over that under any circumstances.”

Lynam said there is a “healthy difference between the two. This year’s levy limit is $23,142,555, with the ceiling at $35,582,215. The town has to raise $22,189,069 from real and personal property to operate. The tax rate is $15.59.

“The problem is personal property is a depreciating and depleting asset,” he said.

Diesel Trucks faces deadline

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Dealer gets last chance

WHITMAN — Vehicle dealer David Federico now faces a solid March 1 deadline to clean up the lot of his 575 Bedford St. Diesel Trucks business or face suspension of his Class II Auto Dealer’s License until he does.

The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 Tuesday, Feb. 9 to support Building Inspector Robert Curran’s recommendation to grant the second extension. Selectmen Dan Salvucci vehemently disagreed.

diesel trucks“It’s been five weeks now,” Salvucci said. “I’ve seen a little improvement, but then you go back to your old ways. … I would think that you would do what we asked you to do and then come back [to request more vehicles]. You haven’t done that. It’s like pulling teeth for you to do what we’re asking you to do.”

Federico raised the board’s level of frustration by suggesting he should be permitted to store at least 52 vehicles on the lot and that they did not understand the nature of his business and were being unfair to him because he is not a Whitman resident.

“I’m working on an extremely tight margin here as profit goes,” Federico said after the vote. “I’m not from the area, I’m not from Whitman, I’m from Needham. Maybe I do feel I’m not being treated as fairly as another car dealer who’s from the area.”

Selectman Brian Bezanson agreed with Salvucci’s frustration and asked if the board wasn’t being more lenient with Federico than with other dealers in town.

“I believe we need to treat everybody the same in this category,” Bezanson said, but deferred to Curran’s judgment for now. “I don’t want the public to get the impression that we’re going the extra, extra mile.”

In January, Federico had been granted an extension to Feb. 9 after he had reduced the number of vehicles from 65 down to between 48 and 50 and created a handicapped parking space, but more issues — such as a car parked in the loading area — remained, bringing about the extension to Feb. 9. The board had ordered Federico to limit his inventory to 35, be open normal business hours and provide adequate customer and handicapped parking by Jan. 19 or risk revocation of his license.

Selectmen Chairman Carl Kowalski suggested endorsing Curran’s recommendation, while requiring a site plan and Curran’s oversight of the improvements.

“Mr. Federico ought to understand that March 1 is the dead deadline,” Kowalski said.

Curran now suggests 40 is a more realistic vehicle limit for the business and said he would continue working with Federico to develop the best layout for that number. He said March 1 is a workable deadline.

“He’s trying to keep the amount of vehicles to around 50 or a bit over that,” Curran said. “The issue here is, and I think I have to change my opinion a little bit, this gentleman is selling trucks — Diesel Trucks is the name of the business. I can’t go in there thinking I’m going to see cars for sale.”

He said Federico has a lot of older vehicles with diesel motors in them and said the motors are, more often than not, more valuable than the bodies and Federico markets mostly on the Internet.

“However, I still feel it’s over-crowded,” Curran said. “You should give him a little time to get rid of another 10 vehicles and then restrict him to 40 until he wants to re-address it.”

Inspections over the past week reveal the handicapped parking space is blocked again and the Federico still has the loading area blocked. Snow removal was also an issue.

“The vehicles at the rear of the property are kind of three or four deep and they seem to be backed up into the woods,” he said.

Federico brought in a plan he said took him eight hours to draw up, but Selectman Lisa Green noted there was no provision within it for the size difference between passenger cars and larger diesel vehicles and trucks.

“I don’t own the property,” Federico said, repeating several times his absentee landlord’s advice that he hire a lawyer. “My response to him was … ‘These guys seem like nice guys, I don’t think we need an attorney. I think we can go in and move some cars around here and get everything squared away.”

Federico suggested the property owner is ready to litigate against somebody.

Selectman Scott Lambiase and Assistant Town Administrator Greg Enos both reminded Federico the license is in his name, not in the property owner’s, and goes with Federico if he moves within town.

W-H district rolls out budget

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Officials unveil level-service plan, make case for ‘Student Success’ budget

As promised, the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District rolled out two budget proposals during the Wednesday, Feb. 3 School Committee public hearing on the fiscal 2017 budget.

A $45,714,344 level-service budget, already reflecting a $1,388,214 deficit due to increases in fixed costs, was outlined by line item, followed by the review of three goals that would be incorporated in a “Student Success” budget that would add $3 million to the bottom line.

WHRSDWhat form the budget will ultimately take will be decided by the School Committee in the coming weeks.

The current fiscal 2016 budget of $45,688,067 had been increased only .01 percent — reflecting an increase in local assessments of 3 percent, or about $500,000.

Several officials from both towns’ select boards and finance committees were joined by the district’s state legislators and dozens of educators and concerned parents at the annual budget presentation.

“I have in front of me a stack of letters from constituents of the School District to all of us,” School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes told his members. “I also had come to the district a stack of letters from a second grade group of students talking about restoring libraries. We’re hearing you. We’re going to be discussing it.”

He implored concerned residents to attend meetings during which the budget is discussed.

“We believe in education, that’s why we’re on this board,” he said.

The budget is available online at whrsd.org along with information on state Chapter 70 aid reviewed by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) representative Melissa King.

Whitman is currently 8.5 percent — or $1,322,998 — short of the target share sought by the state in its Chapter 70 calculations. Hanson is 5.21 percent below target share — $1,170,654.

Two Whitman residents urged adoption of the student success budget.

“I think the students deserve that,” one resident said. “They’ve lost a good amount of things over the years.”

“Our kids deserve every last bit of this,” Marshall Ottina said. “How can we, in any good conscience, not vote for this $3 million?”

“This is the beginning of the budget process for the district,” said Hayes in his introduction to the hearing. “The superintendent meets with the leadership team and they go over and present the budget and formulate what you have in front of you. This is the first night.”

He stressed that the final budget may not end up looking “anywhere near” the presentation as the committee works toward a vote on a spending plan for fiscal year 2017. That vote must come in mid-March, 45 days before the town meetings.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner made the budget presentation, beginning with an overview and historical background. She then discussed grants/other funding sources, revenue and the budget proposals in turn, pausing for questions as they came up.

“This has been a long process, and probably one of the most challenging ones we’ve done,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “It’s going to cost 2.25 percent — or approximately $1.1 million — more just to do the same thing [as in fiscal 2016].”

The average per-pupil spending statewide, according to DESE, is $14,518 (fiscal 2013-14), but W-H spends $11,126 per pupil — 10th from the bottom, she noted.

Perceptions

“I think we do a great job in this district in terms of getting a lot out of a dollar,” Gilbert-Whitner said of the student success budget proposal. “But there’s a lot we’re not doing. For many years we’ve been told W-H cries wolf because we’re getting good results and, darn it, look what they can do. But this year we couldn’t fix it.”

The “three pillars” of the proposal — healthy bodies/healthy minds, a cohesive prekindergarten to grade 12 system and safe/secure schools — include budgeting $500,000 toward reducing elementary class size, $400,000 to implement free all-day kindergarten, $320,000 to restore the library program, $240,000 to replace the grant funding the elementary science curriculum, $70,000 for middle school foreign language programs and about $170,000 for music and art, among other line items.

Professional development expenditures have declined to $35.17 per pupil, vs. a state average of $217.34. Enrollment had also been declining in recent years, but has begun to stabilize. One lower-than-average expenditure Gilbert-Whitner highlighted was administrative costs — 2.77 percent of the budget. The state average is $500.15 per pupil, while W-H spends $314.81.

“We often hear in the district that people think we are administration-heavy,” she said. “We put our money into classroom and specialist teachers.”  [W-H is at $4,437.61 per pupil with the state average $5,441.36.]

Grants augment revenue in several key programs, but some the district receives are expiring and competition for some others is becoming more keen.

“There aren’t nearly as many grant opportunities available, but we certainly need them,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “We are funding 81 positions outside of the LEA budget.”

School Choice, accepted for high school students only and bringing in $5,000 per student from sending districts, funds programs for that school only. WHRHS is using the funds to hire the teachers needed to help implement a schedule and program of studies change next year.

Hayes vehemently denied rumors that the high school recruits school choice students. It is also against MIAA rules.

The bulk of revenue, however, comes from Chapter 70 and local aid funds.

State representatives Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, and Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, as well as state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, have signed onto a letter to the House and Senate Ways & Means committees seeking an increase in the Chapter 70 funding formula. The increase would change the minimum aid increment from $20 to $50 per pupil. It was $25 per pupil last year.

“It’s a protection,” Diehl said. “Chapter 70 is a formula because it protects those funds from being politicized.”

That said, he noted legislators on both sides of the aisle recognize more funds are needed. Diehl also credited Cutler for his networking on behalf of regional schools on Beacon Hill.

“We try to bump up the numbers wherever we have the ability to do so,” Cutler said about the minimum aid. “It is something we are all in unison on.”

Brady said the school budget funding formula is reviewed every year.

“But at the end of the day, we have to balance the budget,” he said. “In the meantime, we can try to file any amendments you’d like to try to adjust the budget.
Projected revenue for the WHRSD level service budget now stands at $45,326,130 with no assessment increases from the towns other than to account for population shifts.

Debt payments for the high school are about $100,000 lower for the towns after a refinance in June.

Non-mandated transportation assessments in the FY 2017 budget are $351,012 for Whitman and $96,280 for Hanson — also calculated by enrollment, a figure that also drives local assessment calculations.

Organized by school, the FY 2017 level service budget line items show, for example, that elementary principals’ travel and supplies funds were eliminated and teacher salary changes reflect contract or status changes and any use of revolving funds. District expenses also reflect changes in debt service and reductions in legal fees not needed after teacher contract negotiations concluded.

McAleer shines for Shriners

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W-H junior named to All-Star Classic game

By Nathan Rollins
Express correspondent

McAleer shines for Shriners: Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey is sending a player to skate in this year’s Shriners All-Star Classic. Forward Melanie McAleer has been selected to compete in the event.

The Shriners All-Star Classic is a showcase of the best and most talented hockey players across Massachusetts. The game is played to help raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, specifically for the Aleppo Transportation Fund. Every year, the event raises thousands of dollars for the hospitals. The event illustrates the devotion Shriners Hospitals for Children has for their patients.

WHSL co-captain Mel McAleer, a junior forward, has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Shriners All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 26. Photo by Sue Moss

WHSL co-captain Mel McAleer, a junior forward, has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Shriners All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 26.
Photo by Sue Moss

McAleer said being one of a handful of girls chosen to take part in the action is a tremendous gesture.

“To play in the Shriners All-Star Classic Game is truly an honor,” the junior said. “I always knew that the players that were picked to participate are highly respected on and off the ice and it is truly a privilege to be one of them this year.”

The game, which is scheduled for Friday, March 26 at the in Loring Arena in Framingham, held an orientation on Feb. 6 at the Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School. It was there, that the players took team and individual pictures had the chance to meet with their coaches. McAleer said it was an incredible feeling to be among some of the best hockey players around but that’s not the real reason the game is held.

“What inspired me most during the orientation, was the video presentation that was shown of the patients that Shriners has helped,” McAleer said. “Listening to their stories made me understand why they bring us all together. It is awesome to be considered one of the best hockey players in the state, but it feels much better to be looked to with the responsibility of raising money for such a great organization.”

The 17-year-old McAleer said the sport of hockey drew her in at a young age and she has pursued it ever since.

“My family has always been into hockey, but my love for the game was natural,” McAleer said. “I always loved skating and when I was 7-year-old, my mom finally agreed to let me start playing. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped loving it.”

Whitman-Hanson / Silver Lake girl’s hockey coach, Kevin Marani, said McAleer has an incredible amount of talent on the ice.

“[She’s] an amazing strong skater with great stickhandling and a hard shot,” Marani, who coached McAleer for one year in youth hockey, said. “What separates Mel from most of the players is her unselfishness, commitment and leadership. Those three characteristics are paramount to our team’s success.

McAleer has notched 26 goals and complied 13 assists so far this season.

Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery

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Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery: Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.   

suspect

Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.

Neumeyer was taken into custody without incident at about 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at his residence located on Avalon Dr. Weymouth by Hanson Police with the assistance of Weymouth Police Department.  Hanson Police had obtained information from witnesses that lead to the apprehension of Neumeyer. 

After his arrest, Neumeyer was transported back to the Hanson Police Department and booked on the charges of armed robbery and larceny over $250.

Search Warrants were obtained for his residence and vehicle. Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee. 

The incident continues to be and ongoing investigation, according toa statement issued by Hanson Police.

Neumeyer is being held at the Plymouth County House of Correction on $50,000 cash bail pending his arraignment on Monday Feb. 1. 

Weymouth Police, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI assisted in this investigation. 

Mutual-012816

Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee.

Hanson bank robbery investigated

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Hanson bank robbery investigated: A midday bank robbery at the Mutual Bank 430 Liberty St. Thursday, Jan. 28 closed the branch for the rest of the day as authorities investigated the incident.

In a prepared press release Hanson police described the male suspect as approximately 6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He handed the teller a note stating he had a weapon and demanded cash in large bills. No weapon was shown. He was approximately 30 years old with dark hair.

Mutual-012816

The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves.

The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves. The suspect fled in a small dark colored SUV believed to be a Jeep Liberty or Jeep Compass. The vehicle fled west on Route 14 toward Whitman. 

Hanson Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI Unit, and the FBI are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hanson Police at 781-293-4625.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.   

As of Friday afternoon there had been no arrests made, according to Hanson Chief Michael Miksch.

Afternoon bank robbery at Mutual Bank in Hanson

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At approximately 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, the Mutual Bank branch on Liberty Street in Hanson was robbed. The scene is still active and under investigation by the Hanson police. The Express will provide more details as they become available.

Scene of the robbery midday Thursday on Liberty Street in Hanson. The Mutual Bank branch will be closed for the rest of the business day. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

Scene of the robbery midday Thursday on Liberty Street in Hanson. The Mutual Bank branch will be closed for the rest of the business day.
Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

Whitman and Hanson libraries receive bequest

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Whitman and Hanson libraries receive bequest

BROCKTON — Some people may, on occasion, consider taking a walk to their town’s public library — if the weather is nice and it’s not too far — but avid patron Bruno G. Guerra of Hanson thought nothing of walking as much as four miles through the woods to use a library.

The Brockton native used his research at three area libraries to build a healthy stock portfolio and, in his will, shared the dividends.

Brockton, Hanson and Whitman public libraries were each left more than $350,000 for capital projects. Guerra also left funds to Bentley College to endow a scholarship in honor of his wife Marjorie.

All three libraries will also post a memorial plaque to Guerra.

The libraries receiving bequests from Guerra’s estate co-hosted a reception program at the main branch of the Brockton Public Library Sunday afternoon as a thank you to his family.

“He loved the library,” said nephew Barry Guerra. “He loved to read and had a lot of passion for libraries and he had a lot of friends — he just loved to talk to people.”

The libraries loved him back as the advocate for the valuable services libraries continue to provide communities.

“It took a lot of self control on my part to tell nobody for like a year,” Brockton Library Trustees President Fred Howell said of the probate period. “We decided it would be really nice to have an event to memorialize Bruno’s gift to the library systems of Brockton, Hanson and Whitman and to bring his family here to recognize what a wonderful gift this was.”

Library directors were invited to talk about the benefits of the libraries to their communities.

“Libraries are a place that anybody can go to,” Howell said. “It’s just a huge opportunity and a place where you can grow personally.”

Two of Guerra’s friends — Corinne Cafardo of Hanson and Don Karp of Brockton — spoke fondly of their late friend.

“The [Hanson Library] Foundation is overwhelmed by the generous donation made by Bruno Guerra,” said Foundation member Cafardo, a neighbor of Guerra’s. She enjoyed conversations with him about libraries and books he liked to read.

Honoring a friend

After seeing him walking through Whitman one day, Cafardo asked Guerra where he was headed and he told her he often walked the two miles from his house on Holly Ridge Drive in Hanson to the Whitman Library. Agreeing that Whitman’s Library is an excellent facility within easy walking distance, Cafardo also told him about Hanson’s library.

“Then I found out he had walked four and a half miles to the Hanson Library through the woods,” she said. “I had a talk with him about walking through the woods. I didn’t want anything to happen to him. The next I heard, he was walking down Route 58.”

She then had to insist driving was safer.

Cafardo said Bruno believed in the value of public libraries as a means to connect people and foster friendships.

“I will always remember Bruno as a loveable neighbor and friend,” she said, choked with emotion.

Karp, for whose family business — Central Radio Stores — Guerra worked for some 50 years, related how Guerra worked to learn bookkeeping and became a tax preparer.

“His life was centered around the library,” Karp said. “He was a very modest man, not particularly materialistic, he drove old cars because they were imperfect.”

Libraries were Guerra’s Google search engine, he said. He used the library to research companies before making small investments.

“His life centered around the store, his friends, his nephews in particular and the library,” Karp said.

Plans for gift

Hanson Library Director Nancy Cappellini, said Guerra was a very humble man who  is helping enhance the facility. She said his bequest can help her library, built in 1991 and outgrown within four years, to expand.

“Libraries are busier than ever,” she said. “You can find any information you need … it’s a lifeline for most people.”

Whitman’s Assistant Library Director Marcie Walsh-O’Connor said the gift is greatly appreciated by a staff that is as dedicated to the community as Guerra was to libraries.

“It is truly a blessing to have staff and to have a community that cares,” she said, noting the gift will be used to enhance library technology. “Most people no longer have a desktop in their home anymore, so the ability to have brand-new computers in the library to assist them so that the staff can sit with them and show them how to use this lovely gift will be amazing.”

Brockton Library Board of Directors member Mark Lindy added that libraries treat all patrons alike.

“There are no barriers,” he said referring to a 1930s WPA mural on the third floor that calls libraries “the people’s university.”

Physical barriers to the city’s libraries were recently removed through renovations at the main and east branches and Guerra’s gift will be used to help renovate the west branch.

“People that need to seek jobs come here, people that need to learn about the stock market come here … and we’re just happy and pleased that we have all these folks here on a cold winter’s day to keep the library alive,” Lindy said.

Bob Buckley, chief of staff to Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter concluded the program by presenting a citation of appreciation to members of Guerra’s family.

“Municipalities can’t survive without the generosity of people like Bruno Guerra,” he said. “Money is tight, as you all know, we’re battling for every dollar at the state, federal and local level and a gift like this is something that opens doors to people that would [otherwise] be closed forever.”