SouthEastern News

12/03/2023

Since being challenged elsewhere on reports of the CIA Office of Global Access, I and many others have been collecting evidence for OGA's existence. In that...

08/12/2022

And it's not everyday that gets a whole article in The Daily Beast...

Wampanoag tribal members say a Massachusetts museum prioritizes the colonialist past, even as it claims to present a “bicultural” history.

08/11/2022

steps back from Emergency Water Restrictions. BUT, do you really think it's wise ???

(Free access)

The town is reverting to required Mandatory Water Use Restrictions.

08/11/2022

's water supply has a problem: Elevated Manganese.

Free bottled water is now available. While not an immediate health threat, children under 1 year of age should be drinking bottled water only.

Read more here (Free):

Officials say infants less than a year old should be drinking bottled water and that infant formula should be prepared with bottled water. Here's why.

07/30/2022

Local Pembroke Town Manager (William Chenard) appears on CNN regarding the region's drought...

07/26/2022

[ PEMBROKE WATER CRISIS ]
Last weekend many residents in Pembroke begun to experience water-pressure issues; This is a huge warning sign -- Pembroke has a water crisis.

This topic got top-billing at today's Central Plymouth County Water District Commission. This is an old, and once dormant County body -- newly funded and activated with the help of State Rep. Josh Cutler -- which is monitoring the situation. Watch their discussion about "Pembroke's Water Crisis" here...

07/26/2022

Are you DRAMATICALLY conserving water yet ?!?!
(( You should be ))
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What follows is a public post from State Rep. Josh Cutler detailing efforts to deal with the current water-crisis (yes, that's what it is) facing a number of communities in SE Mass. [[We had FB Tech issues sharing this public post directly, thus the copy.]]
--
Josh S. Cutler...
As most folks know we are currently experiencing a Level 2 severe drought in our region. This has led to some significant water restrictions and acute water supply issues in some communities.

In my district that includes the town of Pembroke which is experiencing a severe strain on local water supply and also discolored water. I have reached out to Mass DEP to ensure they are aware and in communication with the town. Our office also reached out to Pembroke Fire Department and they tell us they have contingency plans in place should the need arise in an emergency response scenario. I am grateful to them as well as our DPW and Water Departments for their efforts to manage a difficult issue.

There is a lengthy and complicated relationship of water management in our region. I’ve gotten several emails asking about this, so I wanted to share some brief background (Warning: it’s not really that brief!)

Thankfully we have a revived Central Plymouth County Water District Commission which helps to monitor water quality and facilitate water management among the eight member towns in our region (Towns of Pembroke, Hanson, Whitman, Plympton, Brockton, Halifax, East Bridgewater and Kingston.)

This commission had been inactive for many years. Starting back in 2014 our legislative delegation was successful in reviving the Commission and securing a modest level of state funding to support its activities (FY’15 budget). Much of the credit for that is owed to former Rep. Tom Calter. Since his retirement, the CPCDWD has continued to receive state funding, most recently thanks to an amendment from Sen Mike Brady. Our legislative delegation works together in a bipartisan way each year to support this. (I have secured some additional funding for Pembroke and Hanson ponds during that time as well.)

We are grateful to the County for assisting in this and to the volunteer members who serve on the Commission and also on the Advisory Committee. The Central Plymouth County Water District Commission continues to hold regular meetings and in fact has a meeting scheduled tomorrow. https://www.centralplymouthcountywater.org/

The other big development was in 2017, when the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection entered into a Consent Order with the city of Brockton relative to Monponsett Pond and their water diversion practices. This had been a bone of contention for a long period of time. The consent decree stated the following:

“The Order requires the preparation of a Resource Management Plan that will include recommended metrics and procedures for Silver Lake diversions and Stump Brook Dam operations that are intended to improve West Monponsett Pond's water quality and ecosystem while maintaining Brockton's drinking water supply system reliability.”

Clearly we all need to work together in this. There is no one solution to water supply and water quality issues. All of these pieces play a role. And there are now new concerns such as PFAS that we are now facing. Thankfully there are resources to help. One of these is the County ARPA program which includes federal funding for water and sewer infrastructure. https://www.plymouthcountyarpa.com/.../infrastructure.../

This is just a brief recap. The origins of all this date back to 1899, with some more “recent” changes in 1965. The town of Halifax has a very detailed 75-page history for those who would like even more info, and the CPWDC website also has lots of good information. I hope this post provides some helpful context.

In any case, we will continue to monitor this carefully and work with our relevant state and local officials to address our water supply issues. If folks have questions or need assistance please reach out to me or my team anytime. We are here to help! My email is [email protected] or also [email protected]. Our State House office is also fully staffed; the phone number is 617-722-2013.

Central Plymouth County Water District Commission

07/05/2022

"We should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our Liberties if anything partial or extraneous should infect the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections. If an election is to be determined by a majority of a single vote, and that can be procured by a party through artifice or corruption, the Government may be the choice of a party for its own ends, not of the nation for the national good."

- , Inaugural Address, 1797

06/28/2022

We're at Pembroke's first event ! 5pm-7pm today (Tuesday)

06/26/2022

We hope to see you at Plymouth Pride's "Pride in The Park" today (Sunday) 11am-6pm !!!

06/24/2022

Over 90% of Americans support abortion in cases of R**e or In**st.
Over 60% support Roe v. Wade as a Constitutional Right.
--
Jewish Law demands Abortion if the life of the mother is at risk. While little mentioned by many Fundamentalist & Envangelical Christians, it reflects a core ethos of Judaism -- existing life always takes precendent.

Support American Democracy = VOTE

06/23/2022

Yes, we will be there !

One week from today!! 🥳

Grab your favorite blanket and pack your favorite basket and head on over to the Town Green at 5pm next Tuesday for a Pride in the Park community celebration! 🏳️‍⚧️🤎🖤🏳️‍🌈

We will be sharing some Pride history, there will be a DJ, lots of rainbow activities, and our very own coming out that you won't want to miss! We can't wait to see you there! 🤩🌈🎉

06/22/2022

This is simply GOOD works happening...

06/22/2022

We'll be there !

5 days until Plymouth Pride Festival!!
11-6! Nelson Park!

Dancing, music, amazing speakers!
Children's stories at 12:30.
Pet contest at 1.
Performers all day.
Justin Arena last set until 6.
Food trucks. Beer garden.
Tons of resources, crafters, and amazing, creative people!
Beach, playground, and splash pad.
A full day of fun and Pride for everyone!

06/21/2022

Pembroke Waterbodies:
SO FAR, SO GOOD...

Pembroke's Health Agent, Lisa Cullity, has been regularly testing Pembroke's ponds and lakes to ensure clean water -- and safe use. Thus far "...the ponds all tested within limits the last two weeks."

Today she obtained new samples from the Town's waterbodies. These tests, while likely within safety limits, may show slightly elevated counts given recent rainfall and the resulting runoff from adjacent roadways.