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Local fire dept. grants

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KINGSTON -State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston) commended Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito recently for their support of $920,000 in grant awards to 174 Massachusetts fire departments for gear and equipment for that will reduce firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing chemicals on the job.

All of the communities within Representative LaNatra’s district, with the exception of Duxbury, received funds in these grant awards. There are two different grants. For the first, the Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant program will provide firefighters in 144 departments with new hoods and gloves for structural firefighting activities. These items will reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in the head and hand areas, which are high-risk areas for dangerous chemicals to enter the body. In total, approximately 3,000 hoods and 3,000 pairs of gloves will be purchased with the $500,000 from this program. Communities receiving grants in the district included Halifax, $2,390.07; Kingston, $2,506.25; Plymouth, $2,496; and Plympton, $2,440.

Through the Washer-Extractor Equipment Grant, $420,000 was awarded to 75 departments that will receive a new washer-extractor to clean their structural firefighting gear after exposure to smoke and other toxic chemicals. Because some of the recipient agencies are purchasing regional-use machines, 84 departments will actually benefit from them.  A national standard set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on the care and cleaning of structural firefighting gear delineates specific types of machines that should be used to effectively remove cancer-causing chemicals after each fire. All washer-extractors purchased with this grant will meet this standard, and enable personnel to wear clean gear each time they leave the fire station for an emergency. The town of Middleboro received a grant of $5,000.

Representative LaNatra said, “First responders face so many dangers on a daily basis. I am thrilled to see the Baker-Polito administration taking an active role in first responder safety and ensuring that they are able to perform their jobs without the risk posed by out-of-date equipment.”

Representative LaNatra’s district includes all residents of Halifax, Kingston and Plympton, as well as residents of Precincts 1, 11 and 13 in Plymouth; Precinct 1 in Middleboro; and Precinct 1 in Duxbury.

She maintains regular office hours throughout the district. For additional information, please contact Chris Jean, Christopher.Jean@MAhouse.gov. Meetings can also be arranged by appointment.

Roofer Will sentenced

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BROCKTON – A South Shore contractor who ran a scheme to defraud dozens of homeowners out of many thousands of dollars has pleaded guilty to larceny and other charges, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

Late Monday, Matthew R. Will,  of Pembroke, pleaded guilty to one count each of Larceny of Property Over $1,200 by Single Scheme, State Building Code Violation and Money Laundering.  Will additionally pleaded guilty to seven counts of Home Improvement Contracting Violations and three counts each of Forgery and Uttering.  Brockton Superior Judge Mark A. Hallal sentenced Will to serve 2-3 years in State prison with three years of probation from and after.   Once released on probation, Will must adhere to the court ordered conditions that he stay away and have no contact with the victims of the case, surrender his contractor’s license, submit to a substance abuse evaluation, cooperate with victims of the case seeking restitution through the state fund and remove the roofing company’s website from the internet.

In July 2018, a Middleboro Police investigation began when at least 15 individuals reported that Will had defrauded them out of funds ranging from  $800 to $12,000.  The extensive grand jury investigation revealed a substantial criminal enterprise involving multiple victims that extends across the entire state.   In total, the investigation found that approximately 39 victims, ranging in age from 50 years-old up to 94, were defrauded in the towns of Middleboro, Kingston, Duxbury, Brockton, Plympton, Wareham, North Easton, Hanson, Falmouth, and Pembroke.   The approximate total amount that Will defrauded customers of is in excess of $250,000.

On March 2 and 3, 2018, a severe Nor’easter storm struck the New England region, with heavy rains that caused extensive power outages as a result of downed trees.   Many homes within Oak Point, a large retirement community in Middleboro for people aged 55 and over, were left badly damaged from the storm.  Will, doing business as 5-Star Discount Roofing, offered his services to homeowners to repair their roofs.   Will took payments and never returned to start any work.   Homeowners often found themselves unable to get a hold of Matthew Will who ignored concerned texts and calls from customers.

In late July, 2018, Hanson Police Department received a complaint from a couple who reported that Will had defrauded them when they hired him to replace damaged shingles on their newly purchased home.   In August 2018, Kingston Police were contacted by a couple who also reported that Will had defrauded them after providing him with a down payment for his roofing services.   In November 2018, Wareham Police also received a report from a customer who reported that Will had defrauded him after accepting payment to repair his roof in East Bridgewater.

Will held a Construction Supervisor’s License from the state and was operating his business as 5-Star Discount Roofing out of a Halifax address.   

Will engaged in a pattern of criminal conduct or scheme while operating as a contractor through 5-Star Discount Roofing.

The investigation further found that Will made false statements about the length of time to complete projects to induce customers to employ him, that he received funds from customers’ jobs but then did not pay his employees, vendors or for equipment.

Will forged and uttered the signatures of customers on contracts submitted to obtain building permits and used false names to obtain jobs with customers.

Will continued to remain in business well after these initial reports were made to police, falsely telling customers in Pembroke, Hanson, and Falmouth that the name of his company was “Matthew Ryan Roofing.:  The customers, unaware of the allegations against Will, hired him to repair their roofs and were unable to reach him after he failed to start any work.

“Mr. Will promised necessary home improvements to these victims, many of whom were elderly, and event went to so far as to use conditions of a Nor’Easter storm to his advantage,” DA Cruz said.   “Though his schemes and scams he victimized these people and stole from them – first their trust, and then their money.  I am hopeful that Mr. Will will spend some time in state prison thinking about his manipulative actions toward this vulnerable group of victims.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexander Zane and was investigated by Sgt. Eugene Andrews of the Hanson Police and the Middleboro Police Department, Pembroke Police Department and Wareham Police Department.

Rain barrel winter storage tips

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Anyone who purchased a rain barrel this summer, it’s time if you haven’t already, to drain and store it! This prevents it from cracking from freezing water left inside.
There were directions on how to store your barrel, but if you are like most folks, finding them may be harder than the process!
Some helpful tips on how to do it!
1) take off the top of the barrel and use a bucket to get most of the water out then gently tip over to get the rest out.
2) use an elastic to keep the lever down and let it flow through the spout (see pics)
Also if you don’t have space in a garage, shed or basement to store it, make sure it is totally empty and lay it on it’s side. Secure it from rolling with rocks, bricks or some other heavy object against winter winds. If you leave it standing, rain and snow will just filter in again. If you must leave it standing, flip it over and put a heavy object on top.
This will keep your water barrel useable for next season and many more to come!
Have a safe winter and here’s to looking forward to gardening weather in 2020!

– Thank you to Nancy & Joe Botelho for these tips!

Open air burning season begins January 15

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The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and our local fire departments limit open burning for public health and safety reasons.

Open burning is allowed in Plympton and Halifax from January 15 to May 1, with permits available at no charge at the fire station beginning January 1.  You must have a permit issued by the fire department in advance.

State fire wardens determine each day whether conditions are safe for open burning. Weather and air quality can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire departments can rescind permits when that happens.

Open burning must be done between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from January 15 to May 1, at  least 75 feet from all buildings.

You must also be sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the Massachusetts DEP Air Quality Hotline at (617) 556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online website at http://public.dep.state.ma.us/MassAir.

Only Certain Materials Can Be Burned

• Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations, agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control, trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing, • Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.

Call For Help Immediately if a fire gets out of control.  People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for the costs of extinguishing the fire in addition to fines or imprisonment (M.G.L. c.48, s.13).

See the Massachusetts web site for complete information www.mass.gov/doc/safety-tips-for-open-burning

Halifax COA holiday luncheon

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Halifax’s first responders were on hand to serve  up a delicious roast beef lunch to the seniors on Tuesday, Dec.10, at the annual Halifax Council on Aging Holiday Luncheon,

Guests enjoyed Christmas music from Corey Winters  and organists Vivian Cardinal and many guests  sang along.

Santa himself made a special appearance and many guests enjoyed taking selfies and photos with the jolly old elf himself.

Interim COA Director Brenda Fitzgerald welcomed all and thanked all the volunteers including members of the Halifax  Police, Halifax Fire, and the Plymouth County Sheriffs’ Office who helped make the luncheon a success.  Also helping was Jim Brenton from State Senator Mike Brady’s office.

Due to the large number of seniors participating in this event, the lunch was prepared and served at the Our Lady of the Lake Parish Hall .

Auto accident closes Rte 58; driver is OK

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A passenger vehicle collided with a log-carrying truck, ending up underneath the truck, closing down Route 58 in Plympton, near the Winnetuxet Road intersection Wednesday at 11 am.

The single passenger, a woman, did not appear to suffer serious injuries, but was transported to the South Shore Hospital trauma center in South Weymouth as a precaution, according to Capt. John Sjosted.  Plympton firefighters were needed to extricate the woman from her vehicle.

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Halifax Cultural Council grant awards

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The Halifax Cultural Council is pleased to announce its grant awards for the 2020 grant cycle:

• Jazzin’ the Blues w/Paul Speidel $200

• A Musical Journey Through The Years w/Tommy Rull $375

• Concert: Plymouth 400-Adoration of Place  w/Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra $500

• Children’s Songs and Singing Games Family Concert w/Roger Tincknell $500

• Beethoven @ 250: 2 Area Performances of his Fifth Symphony and Mass in C Major w/Mayflower Camerata and Chamber Orchestra $457

• Guest Art Demo & Workshop at Silver Lake Regional High School $350

• High Art 2020: DREAMSCAPES at the Attleboro Arts Museum $100

• Art and Poetry: Making Creative Connections w/Bill Alberti $100

• Concert / Music Education w/David Maloof $375

• Magic for Seniors w/Ed Cope $450

• Halifax Reads at the Holmes Public Library $400

• Passes to Plimoth Plantation at the Holmes Public Library $500

• SENSEation Days at the Fuller Craft Museum $350

• Craft Inspires at the Fuller Craft Museum   $150

• Another Crossing: Artists Revisit the Mayflower Voyage at the Fuller Craft Museum $500

• Essential Portraiture Class at Silver Lake High School $150

• Soule Homestead Harvest Fair $200

• South Shore Natural Science Center’s Corn Festival $500

• Treasure Hunts at the Pilgrim Hall Museum  $100

• Senior Art Class w/Halifax Council on Aging $400

Information about the dates and locations of specific events will be posted on the Town’s web site at a later date. The Halifax Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information about the Halifax Cultural Council, please contact Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig, at 781-294-1316.

Happy 94th Birthday, Rita!

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It was standing room only at The Moon and Back Café in Plympton Center, as friends, neighbors, and 4-H associates, came to wish Rita LaPointe a happy 94th birthday on Saturday, and enjoy a piece of her pink heart-shaped birthday cake, made by her neighbor Christine Perkins.   

Rita has been a Plympton resident for more than half a century and is well known for her expertise in raising and training dogs, as well as grooming and boarding dogs for many through the years.  She has led the Cave Canem 4-H dog club since 1961, with her group taking first prizes and ribbons for training and conformation at local shows, regional shows, up to Eastern States, “The Big E”.

Rita’s “no nonsense” training approach takes a firm hand on the leash and a voice that speaks with little “wiggle room” in the commands given, followed up with loving praise for commands well followed.  Training and caring for dogs gave many of her 4-H youngsters a sense of responsibility and self esteem under Rita’s direction, and she was well respected, indeed a legend, in her dog training.

In 2013 she added the esteemed “Speak for Thyself” award to her credit.  This honor is given each year by the Alden Kindred of America, recognizing exceptional women who, in the spirit of Mayflower Pilgrim Priscilla Mullins Alden, make their own choices, women who, standing on their own merits, have accomplished much in their community.

Just last year Rita retired from her grooming business; at the age of 93 she felt it was getting to be too much for her.  She is still involved in her 4H dog club.

Leaving Plympton last week was a difficult move for her.   She left her home for All American Assisted Living in Hanson.  “It’s the first time in my life I haven’t had a dog,” she said Saturday.  She has a good attitude about her new location and looks forward to all of its advantages..  She wants people to know where she is and that she would love for friends to visit.

Dr. Dorothy MacFarlane, SL Class of ‘61, speaks up about sexual harassment in the workplace

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By Mallory McCarthy
The Laker Student Editor

Ms. Cahill’s journalism class sat in a semi-circle, intently listening to the life stories of their guest speaker Dr. Dorothy MacFarlane this past October 15th. MacFarlane is a Kingston resident and graduate of Silver Lake’s class of ‘61. She returned to her alma mater to share her experiences as a woman working in the male-dominated science field. MacFarlane explained her hardships and struggles with sexual harassment throughout her career, and expressed her hopes for gender equality in the future.

As a child, MacFarlane excelled in science and math. She followed her father’s words of wisdom to “aim high,” and wanted to pursue an education in the chemistry field. However, a college advisor told MacFarlane that chemistry is for men, and women should only consider careers in biology. Following this advice, MacFarlane earned her BA in Biology at Northeastern University in 1966, and went on to earn a master’s degree in physiology in 1972.

MacFarlane experienced sexual harassment during her college experiences. She told the students how she was afraid to walk down certain hallways in the school buildings because some male professors and administrators were notorious for cornering the young female students. MacFarlane said the harassment ranged from unwanted verbal advances to physical abuse. Whatever the victimized students endured, MacFarlane made it clear that there was nowhere to seek justice– often times the individuals students should turn to for help were perpetrators.

When MacFarlane landed a job with the U.S. Borax company and moved out to California to begin her career, she hoped she would be taken more seriously. Yet, sexism in the workplace was evident from the very beginning of MacFarlane’s experience, with male higher-ups penalizing women for their achievements.

MacFarlane explained to Laker students how the harassment was not always blatant: Her presentations were at times cut short with insignificant questions, and she was often scheduled to present last, when all the men of the company were eager to leave and play golf. MacFarlane felt that she was not always taken seriously and granted the respect she deserved, and she was paid less than male individuals who had the same qualifications. This subtle, but continous discrimination only progressed as she attempted to flourish in her field.

Eventually the harassment became physical and more egregious. During a company trip to Puerto Rico, she was groped by one of her coworkers on the dance floor. Incensed by this, MacFarlane fled to her hotel room, where the man followed her and repetitively knocked on the door. MacFarlane was mortified by the unwanted attention and commotion caused, and waited until the man gave up. Later, she answered a phone call and remembered hearing, not only the voice of the pursuing man, but the laughter of her colleagues in the background. The people she thought of as friends, along with her bosses, found the situation entertaining and did nothing to rectify the hurt and embarrassment MacFarlane felt.

 After that trip, MacFarlane realized she would never be valued as an equal in that company. She shared that women did not have many options with regard to sexual harassment in the workplace. “Either you took it or you left.” MacFarlane left. This decision afforded MacFarlane the opportunity to continue her education, and she eventually earned her doctorate in biology in 1996.

In the wake of campaigns like the #metoo movement, Doctor Dot’s experiences are relevant more than ever. While sexual discrimination still remains part of our nation’s institutionalized culture, Dr. Dot is hopeful that women will keep making forward progress. She found assurance in the fact that Cahill’s thirteen year-old daughter could not conceptualize the wardrobe limitations put on female college students in the 70’s. When Dr. Dot explained she was only allowed to wear pants on Saturdays, Cahill’s daughter questioned, “What did you wear then!?” The skirt rules of the past are so far removed from the eight-grader’s current experience, that she misunderstood Dr. Dot’s anecdote.

Dr. Dot is still visibly angry and upset when she talks about the harassment she endured so many years ago.  She stood up against inequalities and hopes that by sharing her stories young people can continue to make progress. She encourages Laker students to live by her father’s words and “aim high” for the future.

Local dancers shine in “The Nutcracker”

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Join South Shore Ballet Theatre (SSBT) this holiday season for its annual production of The Nutcracker!

Based on E.T.A Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice”, and set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved musical score, SSBT’s The Nutcracker celebrates the magic of the holidays through the joy of dance.

Come watch as Clara explores a world of magic from her family’s living room on Christmas Eve, through an enchanted forest of dancing snowflakes, and into the magical Land of The Sweets led by the Sugar Plum Fairy.

SSBT’s exciting, family-friendly production features 90 student dancers from its ballet training programs, representing communities on the south shore from Plymouth to Quincy.

SSBT provides quality dance training and inclusive performance opportunities to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

After 11 successful years of operation in Hanover, SSBT has relocated its studios to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Hingham, conveniently located adjacent to the Derby Street Shoppes. Under the direction of founder Marthavan McKeon, SSBT’s new facility in Hingham has anchored the studio’s role as the South Shore’s premier ballet studio.

All are welcome to celebrate the holidays with SSBT’s timeless production of The Nutcracker.  Performances will take place at Thayer Academy in Braintree on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

To purchase tickets and learn more, please visit the web site www.southshoreballettheatre.com or email them at ballet@southshoreballettheatre.com.

There are four dancersfrom Plympton and one from Halifax among those performing in the 2019 production.

Sofia Mendez, 16 years old, currently in 11th grade at Silver Lake High School, will dance Snow, Spanish, Demi Soloist and Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers.

Emma Christensen, 13 years old, in the 8th grade at Silver Lake Middle School, will dance Snow, Arabian, Lead Marzipan and as Demi Soloist and Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers.

Sofia Christensen, 10 years old, is in 5th grade at Dennett Elementary School in Plympton. Sofia will perform as Palace Fairy and Trepak.

Olivia Christensen, 9 years old, is currently in 4th grade at Dennett Elementary. She will perform as Party Child and Polichinelle

Enya Teran, 7 years old, is a student in the 2nd grade at Dennett Elementary. She will perform as Doll After the Tree Grows and Angel.