HANSON — The Board of Selectmen Tuesday night voted 4-1 to approve a policy under which access to the town’s law firm — Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead LLC — by individual selectmen requires approval only by the Board of Selectmen’s chairman or vice chairman.

The town administrator would be notified of such requests, but will not have the power to approve or deny them.

Selectman Don Howard dissented, saying he has never had a problem going through a town administrator, and he has worked with three in his seven years on the board.

“I don’t see why we need a policy,” Howard said, noting that is why taxpayers fund the town administrator’s position.

“We never had a firm, written policy on access to town counsel,” Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young said, explaining a new request for legal services form he had drafted. “At least there’s a record that this happened because now we can get into the billing process.”

He said the request form represents an internal control system key to a well-run accounting system.

Town Administrator Ron San Angelo countered that the form stems from a disagreement between him and Young on the wording of the Town Administrator Act, and sought joint approval from the chairman and administrator on the forms.

“This is an interpretation kind of issue,” San Angelo said. “Like all good pieces of legislation, it’s debatable.”

He argued that his job is to act as liaison between town counsel, the Board of Selectmen and affected town departments or officials,’ other than selectmen’s, requests.

“I don’t believe the chairman, nor any single member of the Board of Selectmen, has the direct power to go to town counsel,” he said. “That has to be done in conjunction with the town administrator. … The power to go to a town attorney rests with the entire Board of Selectmen, not any individual selectman.”

San Angelo said he has never refused any selectman’s request to refer to the town attorney if there is a need for it and if there was a concern over need he would work with the chairman to solve it.

“I’m supposed to be the coordinator of that and to know what legal funds are being spent,” he said.

Selectman James McGahan said San Angelo’s reliance on the phrase  “I believe” regarding the issue required an opinion from Town Counsel Jason Talerman, who attended the meeting.

“I really don’t care how you get to me or how a board of selectmen wants to access me,” he said. “I care that it’s clear and that everyone is informed.”

Talerman has worked with more than 100 of the state’s 351 cities and towns and there are “just as many” policies on how to contact town counsel.

While he thinks San Angelo is a liaison to town counsel, he doesn’t see a prohibition of contact by the selectmen chairman. For individual selectmen to consult him, he said there does need to be a policy.

“You just make a policy on that — I’ll follow the policy,” he said. “When I’m contacted by a single member I have to think to myself, ‘Is that reflective of the entire board, or what at least a majority, says?’”

Two residents also weighed in on the issue.

“The town administrator reports to this board,” Richard Hickey, 43 Morton St. said. “He’s asking for full authority. He’s not an elected person in this town. …He does not need to cosign on anything. He works for you folks. He will be in the electronic loop.”

Mark Vess, 303 High St., agreed.

“I’ve never understood it that the Board of Selectmen could not go directly to legal counsel to address any concerns that they had,” said Vess, who served as a selectmen in the past.  “I heard what you are trying to do tonight and I could not agree with you more.”

In other business, the board voted 5-0 to approve appointment of Jared M. Meegan to the Hanson Police Department. The appointment of Meegan, now a member of the Wellfleet Police Department is effective Monday, May 18, but he may start later if his services are required in Wellfleet over Memorial Day weekend.

The hiring process began last August when more than 40 people applied for the position, according to Police Chief Michael Miksch.

Meegan has been a part-time officer in Wellfleet since 2009, becoming full time in 2013. He is a 2013 graduate of the Plymouth Police Academy and is state certified as a full-time police officer and passed an extensive background check.

“His chief was rather upset that he was going to lose him,” Miksch said. “He describes officer Meegan to be very responsible, motivated, dedicated and loyal. His chief further informed me he that he could see Jared as one of the next leaders in their department and is sad to see him leave.”

W-H celebrates the team’s 5-3 Opening Day win over Rockland April 14. A 13-2 rout over the same team Monday gave the Lady Panthers a 3-0 record. Photo by Sue Moss

W-H defeated Rockland 13-2 on 17 total hits and RBIs from eight Panthers on Monday to remain undefeated on the season. Senior Captain Ally Webster went 4-5 (2 2B) with an RBI and three runs scored. Junior Maxine Vincent went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Emily Cook earned the win for the Panthers (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits).

The Panthers defeated Duxbury 3-0 on Thursday, April 16. Captain Gabby DeLeon earned the win with a complete game shut-out and 10 Ks. Vincent (1-3) Kristin Arthur (1-2 2B) and Kelly Burke (1-1) each had an RBI. Senior Captain Caitlin Hughes went 2-3 with a run scored.

On Tuesday, April 14 W-H won their opener 5-3 against Rockland after overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the fifth. Webster went 2-3 with two RBIs and a two runs scored. Vincent went 1-3 with a pair of RBIs. DeLeon had 6 Ks and 0 ERs to earn the win for the Panthers.

First baseman Mike Josselyn readies for the pickoff throw. Photo by Sue Moss.

The Whitman-Hanson Panthers baseball team had a tough loss with a final score of 8-6 at Duxbury on Thursday, April 16 to even their record at 2-2. Nick Haley continues to have a hot bat for W-H with a lead off single and a homerun.

Solid win

Senior Matt Donovan (4.1, 2 hits 3K’s) along with Juniors Jared Pendrak (1.0, 1-2-3 seventh with a strikeout) and Jason Keenan (1.2) held North Quincy to two runs with some solid defensive plays by the Panthers. Whitman-Hanson had timely hitting late in the game by Junior Ricky Sherlock (2-3 with 3 RBI) and Haley (2-3 double, triple and RBI) to seal the 7-2 win for the home team.

Junior Brenndan Rogers fired 4 1/3 innings of two-hit shutout ball with five strikeouts, but East Bridgewater rallied for three seventh-inning runs to beat the Panthers, 3-0.

Taming the Green Wave

Jake Long takes a shot on goal in the 17-6 loss to Hanover April 16. Photo by Sue Moss.

The W-H boys’ lacrosse team avenged their opening game loss to Abington Monday, April 20, with an 11-4 victory. The Panthers took a 10-2 lead into the half and held on for the win. Freshman Jake Long notched four goals. Sophmore Bret Conors returned to action today with a pair of goals. Junior Kyle Bina also had two goals. Junior Captain Dylan Thomas, Junior Joe Arico and Sophmore Ryan Kennedy all added goals. Junior Goalie Jack Molito came up huge in the second half stopping a number of close in shots. With the win the Panthers move to 4-3 on the season.
The Panthers had lost to Hanover 17-6 in Patriot league action on April 16. Hanover jumper to an 8-0 lead and never looked back. Junior Colin Downing recorded three goals to lead the Panthers.

On April 13, a clogged waste pipe was reported at Hanson Middle School. Students were moved from the affected areas, picked up their materials for the day, and were dismissed from the auditorium, according to school officials.

“Facilities staff were on site as soon as the incident was reported.” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner. “They contained the water, placed cones in areas to avoid having students walk in contaminated areas, and cleaned areas as the source of the problem was being investigated.”

A build up of improperly disposed feminine hygiene products was determined to be the cause.

“After investigation, a blockage was removed from the pipe with a “roto-rooter” system,” Principal William Tranter told parents in an email blast April 14. “After the blockage was removed, Service Master came to HMS yesterday afternoon to address areas impacted by the overflow. SJ Services employees also assisted with cleaning floors.”

American Environmental has performed air quality testing and will continue to do so as long as needed. Acting Hanson health inspector Vincent Flaherty visited Hanson Middle School and indicated that the response to the waste pipe issue was appropriate.

“I am satisfied with the immediate and corrective action taken by the school,” Flaherty wrote in his inspection report dated Wednesday, April 15.

“We are awaiting the official air quality report from American Environmental; their preliminary report indicates that there was no contamination in the swabs collected at HMS,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “During the vacation week, affected carpet and tiles are being replaced and all four bathrooms are being completely sanitized.”

The lockers were removed to allow the area behind them to dry out, according to Tranter. Students in one of the classrooms were moved to another area of HMS until moisture issues are addressed and Paramount Rug evaluated the carpeted areas.

“In the past, when there have been flooding issues at HMS (a bubbler leaked several years ago), carpets are replaced with floor tiles,” Tranter said.

A joint investigation by FBI agents and detectives from the Nashville, Tenn. Metropolitan Police Department’s Specialized Investigations Division (SID) led to the April 16 overnight arrest of a South Nashville teenager suspected of originating electronic threats to schools in Tennessee and three other states, including threats made to the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School by email on April 13, and by phone on March 20.

The other Massachusetts schools involved are Brockton High School and Cardinal Spellman High School.

“At this time, we have been asked to direct any questions regarding these threats to the Boston office of the FBI,” W-H Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner said in a prepared statement. “We are delighted that a suspect has been apprehended.”

The teenager, who is a Nashville alternative school student, was booked on a state terrorism charge and spent the night in Metro’s juvenile detention facility. He was charged federally and was to appear before a United States magistrate judge the next day.

The teenager is suspected of originating multiple emails and telephone calls threatening violence to schools in Tennessee, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Ten email messages threatening violence were made to Metro Nashville Schools between March 16 and April 16. Thursday’s message directed to Antioch High School was so concerning that administrators dismissed classes at 9:45 a.m.

This investigation has been a priority for SID detectives and FBI agents over the past month, according to a statement by Nashville Police. It was made more complicated by the teenager’s efforts to mask his electronic footprint, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.

“Nashville area law enforcement takes threats of violence to schools and other institutions very seriously,” a Metropolitan Police spokesman stated. “Persons responsible will be arrested and prosecuted.”

The arrest was part of a joint investigation by the FBI Boston Division and detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department in Nashville. The Hanson, Whitman, Brockton and Quincy police departments assisted in the investigation along with the Massachusetts State Police.

“The FBI takes threats of violence to schools very seriously,” stated Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Make no mistake we investigate these incidents and those found responsible are subject to arrest and full prosecution no matter where they are located.”

Prudential Spirit of Community Award finalist Mekalia Mason-Rollins (center) with her parents Danielle Mason and Everett Rollins and her little brother Seamus. Photo by Tracy Seelye

Whitman-Hanson Regional High School honored the good works of 170 students — and the significant fundraising efforts of another — during the school’s second Panther Pride awards ceremony of the school year on Thursday, April 16.

Students are nominated for Panther Pride honors by faculty and staff in five areas: academic attitude; attitude of mind (perseverance); grit (resilience); kindness and respectfulness.

Sophomore Mikalia Mason-Rollins of Whitman was also saluted for her selection as a state finalist in the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

“Each of the students here have really unique qualities,” Principal Jeffrey Szymaniak said. “That’s what makes a school great.”

Students who shovel the driveway for others, worked as tutors in the library, who walked to school when they didn’t have a ride, pick up trash in the halls and who sit with fellow students eating lunch alone were among those receiving awards.

“That’s what inspires us as educators,” he said. “Outside of graduation … these awards ceremonies, where we recognize the true meaning of culture, of goodness, of perseverance is what it’s all about here at Whitman-Hanson.”

Guidance Department members Amy Burns, Brianne Bianco and Courtney Selig presented the Panther Pride award certificates before students and their parents were invited to a Continental breakfast in the cafeteria.

“Everything around us that is good should be celebrated and recognized,” Burns said. “Your extraordinary acts of kindness were noticed. Your academic excellence was seen and your resilience, perseverance and respectfulness were heard.”

Bianco echoed that those traits matter and should be honored.

“It is truly amazing to see what these students do here on a daily basis,” Selig said.

Mason-Rollins received an engraved bronze medallion as a Prudential Spirit of Community Award finalist from Blackstone Valley Regional Schools Assistant Superintendent David Thompson, representing the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“NASSP partners with Prudential Financial to sponsor a national awards program to honor young Americans who care about their world and find ways to make a difference,” Thompson said. “We do this because we believe if we’re going to meet the challenges we face today, we’re all going to have to be more involved in making our communities a better place to live.”

Thousands of students nationwide were considered for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award this year with a select few from each state and the District of Columbia selected for special recognition.

Mason-Rollins has raised $1,700 since 2012 to support Boston Childrens Hospital by creating and selling duct tape crafts through her project Duck and Donate.

“I’m proud of you, we as a school are proud of you and I encourage you to continue to make your mark — not only within the school, but in your community and, once you leave us, in your workforce and college career,” Szymaniak told the Panther Pride honorees.

HANSON — Selectmen on Tuesday, April 14 finished their recommendations on articles and signed the warrants for the Annual and Special Town Meetings.

Town Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4 at the Hanson Middle School in the auditorium. Voters will act on 56 warrant articles.

On April 14, Selectmen voted, 5-0, to support the town administrator’s proposed budget for fiscal 2016, which starts July 1.

Town Administrator Ron San Angelo said the proposed $22,376,854 budget is balanced and meets the needs of residents.

The budget funds 2.5 percent pay raises for all Wage and Personnel employees. It differs from the budget that will be recommended by the Finance Committee, which funds 2 percent pay increases for such employees. The difference is $7,000 to $9,000, San Angelo said.
Selectmen made no recommendation on an article to borrow $266,000 for the Maquan School roof, and left the measure on the Town Meeting warrant for voters to decide.

The article would provide for a project to tear off the existing tar and gravel roof over the gym and cafeteria, original to the school in 1966, and replace it with new PVC roof system with insulation.

Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young said that a new method using hot tar was used in December to fix leaks in the Maquan School roof.
Young said the roof has not leaked since, but there is no guarantee the new method will stop the leaks.

The School Department is getting estimates for repairs that would last for six to eight years, he said.
On April 8, the School Committee voted 9-0 to withdraw the article, he said.

Selectman Donald Howard said there is a big difference between the $1,200 cost to fix leaks and the $266,000 to replace the roof.
“It’s kind of a shame to put money into it if we’re going to tear it down,” Howard said. “You can do some temporary fixes and keep it dry.”

Selectman James McGahan said the town might need to tear the school down as a permanent solution, but the roof has been leaking, people are using the gym and something needs to be done.

“I don’t find that acceptable. The people in there don’t deserve it,” he said. “Put the decision in the people’s hands.”

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend an article to borrow an additional $900,000 to finish work on the water tank. A two-thirds vote is required for the measure to pass and the impact would be reflected in the water rates. The two tank bids received exceeded what the town appropriated in the 2014 Annual Town Meeting, and the project will need to be re-bid.

Selectmen also voted 5-0 to recommend an article to borrow $1.3-million to install new water mains, a measure that also needs a two-thirds vote to pass.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend an article to borrow $633,500 for computer replacement in all Whitman-Hanson schools. Desktop computers in use now are 10 years old. The appropriation will upgrade computers for students and staff with greater capabilities and a better user experience for 21st century learning, according to an article explanation in the warrant.

Of the $633,500 total, $70,000 would be allocated to the Maquan School for computer upgrades; $105,000 to the Indian Head School; $175,000 to the Hanson Middle School; and $283,500 to Whitman-Hanson Regional High School as Hanson’s share, said McGahan.
The measure requires a majority vote to pass.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend an article calling for special legislation to allow selectmen to negotiate and enter a three-year contract with the appointed highway surveyor.

San Angelo said that unlike the police and fire chiefs — allowed by state law to negotiate multi-year contracts — but nothing in state law provides for other department heads to have other than a one-year contract.

Since home-rule legislation was sought to change the highway surveyor position from elected to appointed, a similar measure must be undertaken to make the contract change.

San Angelo has said other department heads in Town Hall have expressed concern to him that they would not receive similar consideration.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend an article calling for a $319,356 enterprise budget for the Recreation Department to operate Camp Kiwanee.
Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend a $370,143 enterprise fund budget for the Board of Health to operate the transfer station.

The board voted 5-0 to recommend that voters approve a capital improvement matrix and plan for the next fiscal year.

The board voted 5-0 to recommend that Town Meeting appropriate $70,000  as the first of three lease-to-purchase plans for two police cruisers.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend a citizens’ petition article to increase the Board of Health from three to five members.

The board voted 5-0 to not recommend a citizen petition article to withdraw from the Whitman-Hanson regional school district.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend a citizen petition article to oppose federal Common Core education standards and associated PARCC testing in the schools.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend that Town Meeting appropriate $10,000 to study Wampatuck Pond, to evaluate contaminants and clean up options.

The board voted 5-0 to recommend that Town Meeting add $10,000 to the school capital stabilization fund.
Selectmen voted 5-0 to recommend that Town Meeting accept a donation of land and buildings by Hubbell Inc. of former Lite Control property at 100 Hawks Ave.

Finding someone to look up to

LITTLE BIG FAN: Wearing Mitchell Kinney’s practice jersey as a cape, Jacob Franceschini listens in during a sideline huddle.
Courtesy photo, Jessica Franceschini.

When 6-year-old Jacob Franceschini of Hanson met W-H basketball player Mitchell Kinney of Whitman during the winter basketball camp for elementary and middle school children it was, as they say in the movies, the start of a beautiful friendship.

For Kinney, the youngest in his family — both he and Jacob have an older brother and sister in their families — he now has the experience of being a big brother figure for Jacob. At 6’7” make that a really big brother.

It’s also a testament to the kind of mentoring Athletic Director Bob Rodgers has in mind for the program. Registration for the summer camp has just opened at whathletics.com. Programs are available for boys and girls with participation caps at 100 players.

“At our camps and clinics everybody can come and have fun and make a connection,” he said. “Jacob’s been special because the connection he made with Mitchell is just so genuine. They’re like brothers.”

This was Jacob’s first basketball camp, said his mom Jessica Franceschini, adding he has played soccer and T-ball and is learning lacrosse this year. Basketball camp, however, has made a big impression on the shy little boy with a 1,000-watt smile.

That smile is missing two front teeth from an off-target chest pass, but Jacob doesn’t seem to mind much. He’s already dreaming of wearing a Panther basketball uniform. In the meantime he wears the practice jersey Kinney gave him as a cape around the house, according to Jessica.

“He came running home saying, ‘Mom, I have the tallest coach,’” she recalled about his first camp session. “He had a blast.”

A superfan

At the end of camp, Rodgers had passed out game schedules for the varsity team and Jacob, who was sad that camp was ending, vowed to attend all the games.

He did just that.

“Except for two,” Jacob said — the team’s Florida trip. Jessica set up her first Twitter account so her son could follow the team.

“He’s definitely a number one fan,” said Kinney, who is a junior this year. “I hope he’s cheering me on next year.”

He’s been invited to Jacob’s birthday party and they’re plotting a trip to do go-karts soon, if Mitchell can fit in one.

“It’s like a school thing now,” Kinney said. “Everybody knows about it, not just the team.”

The team even began developing a routine with Jacob, according to Jessica — coaches would say hello to him with their own handshake or fist bump and players would give him a high-five after warm-ups. Jacob has also become buddies with Kinney’s grandparents, who also attend games.

“Everyone knows him,” Kinney said. “I have to give a lot of thanks to my teammates for being so welcoming to him on the team.”

Rodgers said anytime a parent can get their children involved in any activity it enriches them. Basketball is a sport that anyone can play on a leisure level and sometimes kids have the talent and drive to go further.

“Nobody can work at this as hard as they have to if they don’t love it,” Rodgers said. “So the first thing we try to instill in them is that passion for, ‘this is fun, this is meaningful — it’s worthwhile.”

Still learning the basics, Jacob’s mom said he is already showing an interest in defense. But when you get right down to it, he just wants to be like Mitchell for now.

“So many parents will contact me and say that their sons, when they go to camp and meet our players, it inspires them to want to be like them,” Rodgers said. “We have such good kids in our program — it’s something that’s a big reason we’ve been so successful.”

Kinney, who is deciding between sports science, sports medicine or criminal justice, said the experience of mentoring younger children is valuable.

“They’re great role models,” Jessica said of the team. “They show great restraint and awesome self-control on the basketball court. It’s been great for [Jacob] to watch.”

Role models

She said that sportsmanship contrasts greatly with some other teams the Panthers have played.

“It’s nice to hear that,” Rodgers said. “As a coach I’m very fortunate to have quality kids. They’re very talented, but they’re really good kids.”

The ratio of campers to high school player-coaches is around 6:1, which allows the coaches to get to know the younger kids. The summer camp is a bit more comprehensive than February’s, as every aspect of the game is covered in a full week with a lot of games played, Rodgers said.

Fall clinics are geared more toward skill development and in February the campers become part of the high school program for a couple of days — taking part in practices and attending W-H games as a group.