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

By Tracy F. Seelye, Express editor
editor@whitmanhansonexpress

HANSON — The Chimney Chap, which has done business — in Bridgewater and Duxbury, where the firm was founded — for 34 years, will open the doors to a new location at 1127 Main St. this fall.

While owners Scott and Rania Sarras are proud of the family business’ success and longevity, they are more pleased with the solid reputation they’ve achieved. Nothing makes them angrier than the scams some out-of-state companies have perpetrated in Massachusetts.

“These poor customers, one or two years later, have real problems,” Rania said. “We’ve called the attorney general’s office and we’ve discussed problems that these companies are creating in the state.”

A common scam is to quote a low figure such as $69 for a chimney sweep, only to “discover” CO2 coming back into the house because a new liner system is needed. Usually, no problem exists or, if one does, it is made worse by shoddy workmanship offered at a “discount” price. Some offending companies even make cold calls.

Another problem with fraudulent companies is they often will change their names after a year or two, making it harder to challenge poor workmanship, according to Rania.

“It was happening a lot on the North Shore where you have a lot of out-of-state scam companies,” Rania said as the wiring was being upgraded in the new location. “They do a lot of advertising on Groupon, Angie’s List, Amazon.”

Angie’s List has since removed companies not properly licensed in Massachusetts.

The Chimney Chap has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, is an A-rated Super Service on Angie’ List and is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) as well as a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. The company holds state Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor’s licenses, which can be verified on its Website.

“It’s to protect the homeowner,” she said. “If something is installed improperly, the customer can go through the state for the refund.”

The Sarras and the state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation agree that the best way to obtain reliable chimney cleaning, or any home improvement service is summed up in two words: Think twice.

“You don’t ever hire anyone or sign anything on the spot,” Rania said. “You want to make sure they are CSIA-certified. You want to do your research on the company. Always get two estimates.”

The CSIA Website can provide a list of certified firms in an area when consumers enter their ZIP Code.

“Social media can be a valuable tool,” she said. “People will tell you about their bad experiences, their good experiences.”

The couple did their research in finding a retail space when the company outgrew their Bridgewater home office. Hanson is centrally located to many of their clients in Hanson, Halifax, Bridgewater and Pembroke so the location was ideal.

“I like the town of Hanson,” she added.

They have been working to build floor-display fireplaces in materials ranging from traditional masonry to wood frame-and-ceramic-tile, mantles, gas inserts and stoves.

About a month after their planned opening in late September or early October, the Sarras will hold a grand opening barbecue, which will include raffles for T-shirts and some of their goods and services.

“We want to get settled and then have our opening day,” she said.

The best time to get a chimney sweep? Traditionally, people wait until fall when the demand is highest because that nip in the air is a reminder of cold weather to come, but Rania has a better suggestion.      

“Do it in the summer,” she said. “Do it the minute winter’s over and you know you’re not burning anymore — April, May. You get it out of the way and don’t have to worry about having to wait.”

Off-season sweeps can also save customers 25 percent.

The Chimney Chap’s services include: Inspections, cleaning, crown repair, cap and liner installations, chimney repointing and rebuilds, chimney restoration, masonry work, dryer vent cleaning, drafting problems and weatherproofing.

 

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

WHITMAN — For those who were growing up in the 1930s and ’40s, memories are filled with families making do during the Great Depression and World War II.

But for every time mothers had to make “Cape Cod Turkey” — desalinated and boiled salt cod and fried salt pork served up over mashed potatoes — there are memories of plentiful Concord grapes growing by within easy reach of the road, and roadside tables selling strawberries everywhere.

The gift of a bicycle during wartime, when shortages made them hard to get, was priceless.

For Whitman resident Ed Leadbetter, sharing such memories is a gift to the future. As he writes on the flyleaf of his self-published book, “South Shore Potpourri,” “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.

“I started out writing some stories about my experiences in Pembroke High School and some about Whitman,” he said. He sent the stories to a former teacher who was very encouraging about his work and urged him to write a book.

“I had a lot of fun doing it and I’m thinking of doing another one,” he said.

He grew up in Brockton’s Campello section during WWII and went to school there until 1947, when he moved to Pembroke. During the war he was a member of Brockton’s Junior Police.

“We took our jobs seriously,” Leadbetter recalls.

Leadbetter moved to Whitman from Halifax in 1959, and operated a service station and body shop at 333 South Ave. for more than 50 years before he retired.

“Some of the years were really hard,” he said. “But I miss my customers.”

From memories of Howard Johnson’s restaurants, to the work and reflections of local artists, the book recaptures a bygone era on a score of South Shore cities and towns.

“So many memories, so little time,” Leadbetter said with a chuckle. “There’s stories in here that I wrote and some that were contributed. It’s a book written by people that have lived or are still living on the South Shore — and we love the South Shore.”

Contributors include Janice Melanson Ford, John Reddie, Ray Freden, Althea Page Magoun, H.B. Jones, Mike Zaccilli, Roger Anttila, Stella Howard Young courtesy of Marie Young Combs, Kathy Peters and Dana Rodman.

“I included whatever I thought would be interesting and some that I really liked,” he said. “There’s a little bit in here for everybody.”

He arranged for permission from Stonehill College to use some of the late Brockton Enterprise photographer Stanley Bauman that were left to the college. Bauman’s black and white photos are interspersed with full-color pictures from private collections of Leadbetter and other contributors.

He’s sold about 200 copies of the spiral-bound volume published by Harding Printers in Whitman — mostly at his cost of $20. Leadbetter is hoping to obtain a copyright on the work in order to sell it online for a bit more.

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

HANSON — The Police and Fire departments are seeking a combined  $341,150 in budget transfers at the October special Town Meeting to fund upgrades in technology, equipment, uniform needs and a vehicle to better serve the town’s public safety needs.

Four warrant articles proposed by Police Chief Michael Miksch and three proposed by Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr., were placed on the warrant by unanimous votes of 4-0 during the Tuesday, Aug. 26 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Votes on warrant article recommendations have not yet been made as firm dollar amounts were not yet available for some of the warrant’s 40 articles, but selectmen voiced some support for the public safety requests.

“We have plenty of time, we might as well wait for more concrete numbers,” said Town Administrator Ron San Angelo.

Selectman Bruce Young was absent due to illness.

The board meets at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9 — the late start due to poll hours for the state primary election.

Miksch’s requests include $17,750 to replace at least five desktop computers and a network switch as well as the purchase of backup services, hardware and software; $4,400 for protective and safety clothing; $4,500 to tire deflation devices such as Stop Sticks and $11,000 for new AR-based patrol rifles compatible with academy training weapons.

Thompson is requesting $16,000 for upgrades and maintenance at the Main Street Fire Station; $240,000 from the ambulance account to purchase and equip a mini-pumper truck and $36,500 for protective clothing.

The police computers and hardware in question are outdated.

“When the Police Station was completed, they all got new computers — that’s a good thing — the bad thing is they all got old at the same time,” San Angelo said. “All of these items from free cash are going to have to be evaluated and prioritized, but this is another one of those ‘wish-list items’ that make sense.”

Miksch is working to develop a plan to replace them on a staggered basis, but he said the network switch and data backup are needed now.

The Stop Sticks are needed in view of recent pursuit incidents in the region, including one last year that began with a Brockton armed robbery, skirted Hanson and ended with shots fired on Route 27 in East Bridgewater on the Brockton line.

“In this case they attempted to deploy the Stop Sticks, but I think if there were more units with those available they could have brought that to an end sooner and, hopefully more peacefully than it ended,” Miksch said. “Chases aren’t as common as they used to be, but given our proximity where we’ve got some major roadways that somebody’s going to use … I think it’s short money.”

The rifles would make Hanson’s department more consistent with training and surrounding communities.

Selectman Chairman David Soper asked how often rifles are used, when do they become outdated and why the old ones can’t be adapted.

Miksch said the current rifles (mini 14s), while good weapons, have not been used much due to training compatibility and cruiser storage issues and optics require a special kit to attach them.

“The continuum on training with the AR-style rifles, where so many other departments have them, makes the training a bit easier … plus a lot of the young folks that are coming on have military experience and are extremely familiar with the AR-style rifle,” said Selectman Bill Scott, a retired police chief.

A mini-pumper truck sought by the Fire Department would reduce stress on, and extend the life of, larger vehicles. Two engines, on the capital plan for replacement could be used for another three to four years with the purchase of a mini-pumper, according to Thompson.

“It’s a smaller apparatus that we could use for ambulance calls and calls that aren’t actually building fires,” Thompson said. “We have the funds we’re able to use this year as well as the funds to put toward operational costs over time.”

The maintenance article for the Main Street Fire Station would pay for replacement windows to reduce energy costs on the building, which is more than 100 years old, Thompson said. The uniform article replaces turnout gear that are nearing the point where they would not be sanctioned by the National Fire Protection Association and, unless replaced, Hanson firefighters without new gear would not be permitted to take part in live fire training.

Other public safety articles — sought by the Highway Department — deal with funds to purchase supplies for grading private ways; to pay for street sweeping to support that budget in the wake of last winter’s heavy snowfall, to remove the existing damaged danger sign on Route 27/Franklin Street with an LED sign and to continue drainage work.

Articles proposed by the library director and director of elder affairs are aimed at replacing defective windows and for a needs assessment for redesigning the roof of the building the agencies share.

“As many people know, the roof continues to leak even though they have tried to patch it and do different repairs,” San Angelo said. A facilities management report has pointed to a design flaw is the cause for the problem which is centered in the library side of the building.

The windows are estimated to cost $5,200.

“I think it’s time to do all the windows at once and fix that issue,” San Angelo said.

Preliminary election to set  Nov. ballot

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, the 2014 campaign season has officially kicked into high gear in advance of the Tuesday, Sept. 9 state primary election.

Television commercials that had appeared only sporadically over the summer are now broadcast in blocks, most notably during local news programs.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both Whitman and Hanson with absentee balloting already open to those who qualify [see page 12]. Whitman voters cast ballots in all precincts at the Town Hall Auditorium and all Hanson precincts vote in the cafeteria at Maquan Elementary School.

Secretary of State William Galvin’s office expressed concern this week that less than 20 percent of voters will turnout Tuesday.

The contested races center on statewide offices with Democrats facing a three-way race for governor, lieutenant governor and treasurer and two-candidate contests for attorney general and

Plymouth County register of probate. Republicans in both towns will choose between two candidates seeking the governor’s office and a three-way race for Plymouth County register of probate.

Hanson Republicans will also see a four-man contest for the nomination to face Democratic incumbent Rep. Bill Keating for the 9th Congressional District seat in November. Whitman is in the 8th District where no candidates are listed on the primary ballot.

There are candidates listed for the towns’ representation on Beacon Hill, but no primary contests for the nomination in either party.

Candidates on the Democratic primary ballots are:

• Senator in Congress — Edward J. Markey

• Governor — Donald M. Berwick of Newton, current Attorney General Martha Coakley of Medford and current State Treasurer Steven Grossman of Newton.

• Lt. Governor — Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung, Stephen J. Kerrigan of Lancaster and Michael E. Lake of Boston.

• Attorney General — Former Asst. AG Maura Healy of Boston and former state Sen. Warren E. Tolman of Watertown.

• Secretary of State — Incumbent William F. Galvin of Boston.

• Treasurer — State Rep. Thomas P. Conroy of Wayland, state Sen. Barry Finegold of Andover and Deborah B. Goldberg of Brookline.

• Auditor — Incumbent Suzanne M. Bump of Great Barrington.

• Representative in Congress [8th District, Whitman ballots] —Incumbent Stephen F. Lynch of Boston. [9th District, Hanson ballots] — Incumbent William R. Keating of Bourne.

• Councillor [Fourth District] — Incumbent Christopher Iannella of Boston.

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Incumbent Thomas P. Kennedy of Brockton.

• Representative in General Court [6th Plymouth, Hanson ballots] — Incumbent Josh S. Cutler of Duxbury. [7th Plymouth, Whitman ballots] no candidate listed.

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — Mark E. Linde of Brockton and Matthew J. McDonough of Marshfield.

• County Treasurer — Incumbent Thomas J. O’Brien of Kingston.

• County Commissioner — Scott M. Vecchi of Plymouth.

Candidates on the Republican primary ballots are:

• Senator in Congress — Brian J. Herr of Hopkinton.

• Governor — Charles D. Baker of Swampscott and Mark R. Fisher of Shrewsbury.

• Lt. Governor — Karyn E. Polito of Shrewsbury.

• Attorney General — John B. Miller of Winchester.

• Secretary of State — Malden City Councilor David D’Arcangelo.

• Treasurer — Michael J. Heffernan of Wellesley.

• Auditor — Patricia S. Saint Aubin of Norfolk.

• Representative in Congress — Mark C. Alliegro of Falmouth, John C. Chapman of Chatham, Vincent A. Cogliano Jr., of Pembroke and Daniel L. Shores of Sandwich.

• Senator in General Court [2nd Plymouth & Bristol] — Viola A. Ryerson of Hanover.

• Representative in General Court [6th Plymouth, Hanson ballots] — Joseph Sheehan of Pembroke. [7th Plymouth, Whitman ballots] — Incumbent Geoff Diehl of Whitman.

• District Attorney — Incumbent Timothy J. Cruz of Marshfield.

• Register of Probate [Plymouth County] — R. Andrew Burbine of Abington, Anthony T. O’Brien Sr., of Pembroke and Joseph M. Truschelli of Plymouth.

• County Commissioner — Sandra M. Wright of Bridgewater.