WHITMAN — Town officials are exploring the feasibility of entering a municipal electric aggregation with several area communities via the Old Colony Planning Council that could, if approved, save residents money on their electric bills.

Mass. General Law permits municipalities to enter into such aggregations with town meeting approval, according to Assistant Town Administrator Gregory Enos. An aggregation would allow bulk purchase of electric power through a collective effort of businesses and residents.

Such a vote would be about a year away, but the Board of Selectmen by consensus has green-lighted a look at the possibility.

“Basically, it allows residents to have a fixed price for up to three-to-four years … so they can budget,” Enos said. “This winter I know a lot of people saw their bills coming in during February and [were] going berserk. I know I got a few phone calls.”

A conservative estimate puts the savings per year in an aggregation at $125 per year per residential customer, varying depending on weather, with municipal savings much higher, Enos said.

Customers would be automatically signed up if the aggregation is approved, but may opt out at any time and Whitman is under no obligation to sign up for the contract, if the bids are not favorable.

“We’ve had two or three meetings going over this type of procedure,” Enos said of the OCPC. “We would hire a consultant through the RFP process. They would go to every single meeting they could potentially go to [do] social media responses … get all the information out about the program.”

Five of the 16 OCPC member communities — Whitman, West Bridgewater, Halifax, Bridgewater and Avon — have committed to bring the proposal to their boards of selectmen, according to Enos.

The towns will reconvene soon to go through the consultant selection process and examine the program in-depth before seeking bids.

The Southeastern Regional Planning Development Authority (SRPDA) has already done that work prior to putting out for bids within the next two months, he said.

WHITMAN — Students, faculty and honored guests paid homage to those who have served — and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice — in the nation’s uniformed services during Duval School’s 12th annual We Remember program Friday, May 22.

Guests included members of the Duval family, Veterans Services Officer Tom McCarthy, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner, Selectmen Daniel Salvucci and Scott Lambiase, Fire Chief Timothy Grenno and retired Navy Seal Anthony O’Brien. Many parents also attended the program.

“We’re honored that so many people wanted to join us this morning to teach a valuable life-long lesson to the future citizens sitting in front of us,” said Principal Julie McKillop.

Fifth-grader Patrick McBroom led the school and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by fifth-grader Michaela Happeny’s performance of the national anthem.

Salvucci then spoke on the importance of respecting the American flag for which so many have fought and died.

He brought a display case built by one of his sons to display the WWII service medals, uniform patch and dog tags of his late father in-law Mark A. “Tony” Merline, who was a Navy Seabee. The case also holds a photo of Merline in uniform and an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his name.

“He honored the flag of the United States with his heart and soul,” Salvucci said. “He felt that the United States has gone to war to free people … and while that freedom includes the right to disrespect the flag, it doesn’t make it right.”

The sacrifices of soldiers for the flag demands respect, he said.

O’Brien then followed his own tradition of having a handful of fifth-grade students dress in his old camouflage fatigue uniform blouses and covers to salute the five branches of the military.

“While you say thank you to us for our service, we say thank you to you — our teachers, our brothers in uniform on the fire and police departments — for your service as well,” O’Brien said. “[But] this weekend is about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

He told the children that the best way to honor the dead is by helping the living and asked for a show of hands by those who would start on Tuesday to be helpers at home, the community and in school. Hands shot up all over the gym.

Marine Corps veteran McCarthy thanked the school for the moving  ceremony, one of several he was attending over the weekend.

“This weekend isn’t all about barbecues and having a good time with your family,” he said. “Please remember to thank a veteran when you see them — it’s important. There’s a lot of veterans who never got thanked in the past.”

He also encouraged the students to go to the Memorial Day parade.

“There’s been a lot of drop in participation at the parade,” McCarthy said. “If you can make it we’d love to see you there.”

Students sang patriotic songs and read original poems and essays as well as reciting passages from The Declaration of Independence, the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, “The Gettysburg Address” and Emma Lazarus’ sonnet  “The New Colossus” — written in 1883 and engraved in a bronze plaque placed at the Statue of Liberty in 1903.

“We are free because of these brave men who honored freedom in front of themselves,” student Joshua Scott read from an essay he wrote.

The program concluded with students and staff members placing small flags on a wreath in honor of family members who served in the military, followed by a moment of silence and the singing of  “God Bless America.”

Fifth-graders serving as escorts then presented red carnations to the honored guests before escorting them to the library for a reception.

HANSON — Lining the streets with patriotic colors, adults and children alike waved and snapped photos as their family members, friends and neighbors marched by in the Hanson Memorial Day Parade Monday. Undoubtedly, many were enjoying the sunshine and warm weather at last, following our long, dreary winter.

Local veterans, church groups and town officials welcomed and reminded guests what the true meaning of the day and the cost of such freedom.

Veteran Drew Kitchen of Hanson was an infantry officer who grew up in Holden and graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 2003.  He spoke at the Colebrook Cemetery about the significance of Memorial Day. A combat veteran on the front lines he served for 10 years in the United States Army, recently completing his service. He served in Iraq and Africa totaling 24 months of active tours, which included battle.

“I will never forget the many soldiers who fought alongside me and those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

He thanked his family for their support and strength while he was away as well as Hanson Veteran’s Agent Bob Arsenault for providing him confidence and courage to speak on a day, which is so difficult in the memories of his fallen comrades.

“I still remember the excitement and fear I felt giving my wife and daughter a kiss for one last time before boarding the plane to Iraq the first time,” Kitchen recalled. “As I looked at them I remember thinking ‘God please let me come home,’ and as I looked at my fellow soldiers I thought ‘God please let me bring them home.’”

Over his combined decade of service he returned home with 15 fewer soldiers.

He reminded those who live in freedom to not only honor them on Memorial day but to live in gratitude every day.

He ended his speech with an Army motto “No mission too difficult no sacrifice too great duty first.”

“God Bless America” was sung by all in attendance at the cemetery and later a medley of song was played by the middle school marching bands of Whitman and Hanson.

Ceremonies at Town Hall included a wreath-laying at the Civil War memorial along with a firing squad salute and the reading of “The Gettysburg Address” by Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young.

See more photos here.

WHITMAN — The weekend’s sunny weather stuck around long enough to shine on the community’s expression of gratitude for those servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for country and freedom.

Larger than usual crowds lining the streets and gathering at wreath-laying ceremonies was noticed — and deeply appreciated by veterans.

“Over the years we’ve had fewer and fewer people,” said Whitman-Abington Veteran’s Services Officer Tom McCarthy in thanking the spectators for attending. “It looks like we’ve reversed that this year, we’ve got a great crowd.”

“We had a great turn out today,” said VFW Commander Aaron Richardson after the parade. “It was excellent. Great day, great weather. I thought it was a nice touch, getting the Scouts involved in the prayers.”

McCarthy is a Marine Corps veteran and Richardson served in the Navy.

“This weekend isn’t all about barbecues and that sort of stuff,” McCarthy said. “If you see a veteran, thank him for his service. We’re all very proud of what we’ve done for all of you and hopefully, you won’t have to do what we’ve done in the past.”

McCarthy thanked Plymouth County DA Timothy Cruz; state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman; Selectmen Dan Salvucci, Scott Lambiase and Brian Bezanson for participating in the parade. Police Chief Scott Benton, Deputy Chief Timothy Hanlon and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno also marched.

Diehl and  Salvucci addressed the crowd during ceremonies at Town Hall.

“We gather to honor our fallen soldiers,” Diehl said. “Those who were so willing to give of themselves to defend their friends, their  families, their community and their country.”

He asked for veterans and their families to raise their hands for a round of applause and thanks.

“We stand in the midst of patriots and the families and friends who have nobly served,” he said. “Since the first shots at Lexington and Concord were fired and our Revolutionary War begun … nearly one million men and women in the armed forces have sacrificed their lives while defending America in time of war.”

For those killed in the line of duty — such as Maj. Michael Donahue, who was killed in Afghanistan last fall — the best way to honor them is to remember them and care for their wounded brothers and sisters and to safeguard their families, Diehl said.

“Because they gave the ultimate sacrifice, we can be here today, walking our streets in freedom,” Salvucci said of those lost in war.

Boy Scouts Adrian White, Zachary White, Brady Pare, Brady Stokinger and Drew Sullivan offered prayers at ceremonies along the parade route, as did the Rev. Joshua Gray, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Whitman at the WWI Memorial Arch.

Gray’s prayer offered thanks “for our many freedoms, thanks for our peace here, thanks for prosperity and security. On this Memorial Day we give thanks for the men and women who gave of themselves in times of war to help to ensure the blessings that we now enjoy.”

WHRHS student Krista Anderson read the Gettysburg Address at Colebrook Cemetery ceremonies and Tom Long recited Gen. Logan’s Orders at the Civil War Monument wreath-laying.

W-H Regional High School’s Panther Marching Band and majorettes participated in the parade, with trumpet players Brian Simonelli and Samuel Androk played “Taps” and “Echo” respectively during wreath-laying ceremonies.

Color guards from the police and fire departments as well as the VFW and a combined American Legion/Sons of the American Legion color guard and firing squad also marched. The latter fired ceremonial salutes during wreath ceremonies.

See photos here.

WHITMAN — They’re getting ready for trouble.

While participants in a RAD for Seniors Systems program at the Whitman Senior Center are hoping they never have to use the self-defense skills being taught by Whitman Police officer Kevin Harrington and Lt. Christine May-Stafford, the men and women are glad to have the training.

“I’m very happy with the turnout and they’re very much into it,” Harrington said. “It’s great.”

One woman, good-naturedly nicknamed “Attila,” said she would at least like to try a few skills on a real person.

“If we don’t get to all seven does he have to lie there until we finish?” she asked, with a laugh, about the seven basic strategies of defense against attacks from behind they were learning.

“Most of the time you’re not going to get through all seven,” Harrington said. “It’s what target you have presented to you. … Some of you can’t do all of them, either.”

Harrington joked that he had better not get any reports about guys left laying in the park crying because of a vicious older lady.

All joking aside, the men and women enrolled in the 10-week program are serious about learning how to protect themselves from physical assault and fraud in a modified version of Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Systems of Self Defense. RAD is typically an intensive three-hour course in four sessions aimed at teaching skills to fend off physical attacks.

“RAD Systems developed this for the older adults,” Harrington said after a class Friday, May 15. “A lot of these physical defensive techniques are used in the regular RAD program, but they do tailor them toward the older adults. Sometimes we have to do different things with their hands and things like that.”

The group ranged from active seniors involved in sports programs like pickleball, to more frail elders and those with conditions such as Parkinson’s.

“I think when we first started they were hesitant about what the program entailed, but once they saw we never require the physical stuff — they can sit and watch — I think some of them watched the first week but most of them got into it and now they love it,” Harrington said.

Each session begins with a tutorial on crime prevention techniques. During week six it covered financial fraud and identity theft. The second half of the class reviews previously learned self-defense moves and teaches a new one. On this day it was defending against attackers attempting a “bear hug” immobilization from the front and rear.

They start the physical work with warm-ups featuring head rolls and arm circles and stretches.

One woman joked that working the kinks out would take longer than the hour. Then they moved to “establishing a base,” a neutral position that provides good balance and on to the defensive stance of hands raised in front of the face while shouting “no” before moving to a new skill.

“A lot of these, if you hit someone where they don’t ever get hit, it hurts,” Harrington said of pokes to the clavicle notch at the throat or the eyes. “You just give a little poke and it’s going to hurt — it’s all distraction techniques.”   

Above all, the message is: “Don’t panic.”

RAD emphasizes that once techniques are learned, a person can shift from one to another until an attacker releases.

“If you find one or two that you can use, use it,” Harrington said.

Future classes will cover defending against choking and attacks if one is at home in bed or on the ground.

Another 10-week course is being planned for the fall. For more information, contact the Whitman Council on Aging at 781-447-7619.

The School Committee voted 7-0 Wednesday, May 13 to refinance the debt on the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School — a decision that will save the towns just over $929,000 over the next 12 years, or about $77,000 per year.

Whitman would save about $45,000 and Hanson would save about $32,000 next year.

Member Alexandra Taylor arrived after the vote and members Robert O’Brien Jr., and Robert Trotta were absent.

School principals, meanwhile, presented school improvement plans by level and the bottom line, all agreed, was more investment is vital to a system already cut to the bone.

“If we can’t move forward, we’re going to start to regress,” said WHRHS Principal Jeffrey Szymaniak. “I don’t know where to cut anymore. We’re getting to bone.”

Speaking for elementary school administrators, Maquan Principal Donna Murphy said curriculum focus remains literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with safety also a concern.

Hanson Middle School Principal William Tranter said he and WMS Principal George Ferro and their school councils work closely together. They are especially keen to bring algebra to grade eight and are also concerned about school safety.

School Committee member Kevin Lynam noted the goals indicated more resources would be appreciated.

“I hope that rang through,” Ferro said.

Szymaniak again this year stressed his goal for graduates is college and career readiness, and noted NEASC recommendations continue to point to the need for investment.

“They want a plan in place [as to] how we will support education at the high school minus user fees,” he said.

Szymaniak also advocates AP training for all teachers as well as training on Google Classroom and a year-round curriculum for core courses, as the trimester schedule does not allow a full school year in all courses.

“The budget has precluded me from working on that schedule,” he said. “This year I’m looking at potentially laying off teachers in my building and I’d be hard-pressed to put forth a full schedule for 1,200 students if I don’t know if it’s going to work.”

Teachers also need mental health training to help the increasing number of students with mental health issues.

“They want to help as best they can,” Szymaniak said. “They’re teachers. They know their subject matter, they care about kids, but they don’t know, necessarily, how to identify a kid who’s dealing with anxiety and stress.”

He said he will soon be coming to the committee to seek approval for gofundme.com fundraisers to support programs.

“We heard a message loud and clear,” said Chairman Bob Hayes. “One of the biggest issues … is the funding source.”

“When you’re 10th from the bottom, every single teaching position, support position that we cut hurts — and hurts children,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner said of ongoing cuts to materials, which have so far reduced the FY 2016 budget deficit to about $500,000. But cuts that won’t affect staff are becoming hard to find.

It was a good day to be an incumbent in Whitman and Hanson as voters cast ballots in the annual town elections Saturday, May 16, and both towns may benefit in the future from losing candidates who ran positive, issues-based challenges and indicated a willingness to run for office again.

In Hanson, where 17 percent of voters turned out, incumbent selectmen Don Howard (493) and James McGahan (681) were re-elected despite a respectable showing by challengers Annmarie Bouzan (403) and Joseph R. Weeks III (371). Whitman Town Clerk Dawn Varley (618) also bested challenger Catherine Gage (236) in a contest that saw 9 percent of the town’s 9,491 voters cast ballots.

Arlene Dias, LPN won Hanson’s other contested race — for an open seat on the Board of Health over Plymouth County Mosquito Control Commissioner Kimberley King, 646-406.

The ballot question concerning technology upgrades for the schools passed in both towns [see related story].

“No change in the board — that tells me that people of Hanson are happy with the direction we’re moving and I’m really excited about it,” McGahan said as supporters congratulated him. “But I really think we should thank Annmarie and Joe Weeks for stepping up and trying their best. I have a lot of respect for both of them.”

“I’m pleased,” Howard said of his re-election. “I wanted the people to vote and I got the opinion that they wanted me back in as selectman so I’ll do everything I can to work for them.”

McGahan and Howard both said continuing to push for solutions to school issues will remain on the board’s front burner, as well as some of the ideas fostered by the other candidates.

“I would love sidewalks in this town, I really mean that. We’ve talked about it,” McGahan said, echoing a major issue put forth by Weeks.

“Anything for the kids has got to be it,” Howard said. “Adults in Hanson, or any town, are responsible for the children … they’ve got to have good schools and equipment.”

Bouzan, while disappointed said she tried her hardest and will likely run for office again.

“I ran a really fair and great race and I feel like I’ll be back,” she said. “The voters chose the right two candidates for them and it was a learning experience for me and I’m happy to have taken part in that.”

She said she will not lose sight of what she stands for or what goes on in town as she becomes involved in different areas of the town government.

Weeks, too, is leaving that door open saying if he can contribute to the town in anyway he will.

“I’m obviously a little disappointed that I didn’t win, but I think the town has spoken and Don and Jim are the right men for the job,” he said. “I wish them nothing but success.”

Dias said she was excited by her win and pledged to make education and emergency preparedness the first orders of business.

“I’m going to look forward to doing a lot of things,” she said. “There’s so much information that’s available that people aren’t aware of, and I think we should be a resource for people in the town.”

King said she is happy to see a new face on the Board of Health.

“Arlene is a good addition to the board and I congratulate her,” she said. “I’ll be staying active nothing’s going to change.”

In fact, King will be holding her annual public meeting on mosquito-borne diseases and control practices at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28 at Hanson Middle School.

King’s young son asked her if she had won over “the bad guys.”

“There’s no bad guys,” she told him.

Both Whitman Town Clerk candidates expressed appreciation for one another’s campaigns and voter support.

“I’m proud,” Varley said. “The townspeople believed in me. That makes me feel good — it would make anybody feel good — and I promised them that I’d do a fantastic job for the next three years, like I’ve done in the first three.”

She said Gage gave her a hug and congratulations after the votes were announced, which Varley appreciated.

“I was not surprised that I had an opponent,” Varley said. “I think it makes you stronger, especially when you win and you’re doing a good job.”

Gage, who stressed her run was an effort to use her customer-service experience to become involved in her town, said she would most likely run for office again.

“I am so appreciative of the people and the support that I did have, and I was very happy in the end,” Gage said. “This was my first time running and I felt good at the end. I was a little disappointed I didn’t get in, but I’m very happy with what I did do in the past months.”

Varley said that, while she ran the election as the job requires, she recused herself from handling absentee ballots and the vote-counting Saturday night.

Write-in campaigns were also waged for offices in both towns, as James Arena III garnered 70 write-in votes for Hanson Cemetery Commissioner, a position he sought after no other candidates came forward.

In Whitman, Conservation Commission member Joshua Kimball was less successful with his write-in effort for a seat on the Planning Board, which he began shortly after he missed the filing deadline because he was out of town. Wayne Andrews won the four-year term with 596 votes to Kimball’s 87.

A landscape operations manager for a Walpole company, said he had been confident of his chances in light of support he’d seen on Facebook, as he held his signs across the street from Town Hall.