HALIFAX - October 7 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen voted unanimously October 7 to support Plymouth County Outreach (PCO), a regional post-overdose intervention program that has achieved a 32% reduction in fatal overdoses across the county. The decision authorizes an annual contribution of approximately $9,896 from the town’s opioid settlement funds to help sustain the program beyond September 2026 when its federal grants expire.
The Full Story
PCO Executive Director Vicky Butler and Hanover Police Chief Tim Kane presented data showing dramatic decreases in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses since the program’s inception in 2017. The collaboration of 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County has become a national model, with law enforcement agencies across the country visiting to replicate the approach.
“We started as a post-overdose follow-up program,” Butler explained. “If someone overdoses anywhere within the county, we’re going to go out and offer services and support to both the person who experienced the overdose as well as the family members.” The program has expanded to include at-risk referrals, mobile drop-in centers, family peer support, and a situation table that addresses individuals at acutely elevated risk from multiple factors, not just substance use.
Chief Kane, who began his career in the early 2000s as the opioid epidemic was escalating, emphasized the program’s importance to modern law enforcement. “Back then, our approach as law enforcement was we were trying to arrest our way out of the problem. And it was not productive,” Kane said. “I think what PCO really does is eliminate that stigma that goes along with drug addiction. Our officers today, they respond to an overdose. They have tools at their disposal that can now ensure that this family has some level of support.”
Halifax Police Chief Joao Chaves confirmed that the town has been an active participant since the program started, but previous federal grant funding meant no municipal contributions were required. Halifax has received $84,199.84 from opioid settlement payments since March 2024, with additional funds expected through 2039, totaling approximately $280,000. The settlement funds can only be used for opioid-related programs and initiatives.
The data presented showed 75 fatal overdoses in Plymouth County in 2024, down 32% from 2023. Non-fatal overdoses decreased 36% over the same period. The program uses a critical incident management system that allows police departments across jurisdictions to share information instantly, preventing residents from falling through the cracks when overdoses occur outside their home communities.
The Board also approved a net metering power purchase agreement with NuGen Capital that will save the town approximately $42,000 annually in electricity costs, representing nearly $1 million in savings over the 25-year contract term. Dan Cooney, Managing Director of NuGen Capital, explained that the company secured the last available net metering allocation in National Grid territory for a 1.5 megawatt solar installation on Summit Street.
“We were originally going to have to shrink it to 1.3, but we ended up being able to get it to 1.5,” Cooney explained. “While we were working everything out, somebody dropped, and we grabbed it just in time.” The agreement provides the town with approximately 750,000 kilowatt hours annually at a 20% discount on the public net metering rate, with a floor of 11 cents per kilowatt hour. NuGen will also donate $2,500 upon commercial operation and provide schools access to solar monitoring systems for STEM education.
The Board appointed Sarah Toomy to the Holidays in Halifax committee. Toomey, a recent Halifax resident and Rockland Trust employee, expressed enthusiasm about community involvement, citing her previous volunteer work with holiday events in Hanover. Committee member Kim announced that Rockland Trust has donated $1,000 toward the December 13th event, which will feature synthetic ice skating instead of fireworks this year as organizers focus on creating a “Norman Rockwell Christmas” atmosphere on the town green.
In response to critical staffing shortages, the Board lifted the hiring freeze for three positions: building commissioner/zoning enforcement officer, wiring inspector, and finance committee recording secretary. The Board then appointed Dennis McManus as wiring inspector, filling the position left vacant by the recent death of the previous inspector. McManus had served as assistant wiring inspector and received the recommendation of Building Commissioner Joe Braga, who is retiring October 10th.
Interim Town Administrator Bob Fennessy reported receiving nine qualified proposals for the senior center design project, substantially exceeding expectations. “Their proposals are top notch,” Fennessy said. Colliers Engineering will work with the municipal and school building committee to narrow candidates to two or three for interviews, with a final recommendation expected to come to the Board by mid-November. The selected firm would begin work immediately after Board approval.
Fennessy also announced good news for residents enrolled in the town’s electricity aggregation program. Rates will drop from 15.17 cents per kilowatt hour to 14.166 cents per kilowatt hour, with the new rate appearing on December bills. No action is required for current participants, though residents may opt in or opt out at any time.
Looking ahead to fiscal year 2027, Fennessy indicated that budget development is officially beginning with department head meetings. “Department Heads all realize that it’ll be a somewhat lean budget coming up, short of bringing in any new revenue,” Fennessy said. Revenue could come from new growth or other sources, but expectations remain modest.
The Highway Department is seeking experienced plow truck drivers for the upcoming winter season, offering an early sign-on bonus of $400 per truck for applications submitted before October 31st. Fennessy noted intense competition among municipalities for qualified drivers. The Water Department will conduct hydrant flushing beginning October 14th during nighttime hours, which may cause temporary water discoloration.
Why It Matters
The decision to fund Plymouth County Outreach ensures Halifax residents experiencing substance use crises will continue receiving immediate intervention and support services that have proven effective at reducing overdose fatalities. With overdoses most frequently affecting residents aged 30 to 39—parenting age—the program’s family support services address impacts on youth and loved ones. The funding comes from restricted opioid settlement money that cannot be used for other town purposes, making it a strategic allocation that sustains critical public health infrastructure while the town navigates fiscal constraints. Halifax’s participation joins 26 other Plymouth County communities in preserving a nationally recognized program that law enforcement credits with fundamentally changing how they respond to addiction.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Affirm approval of vendor warrant #30 ($271,987.42) and ambulance commitments ($42,331.30). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:01:58)
Motion: Approve payroll warrants, vendor warrants, withholding warrant, school warrant, and mobile park fee totaling $980,236.45. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:02:42)
Motion: Authorize interim town administrator to execute power purchase agreement with NuGen Capital for 25-year term at 20% discount on net metering rate. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:36:20)
Motion: Appoint Sarah Toomy to Holidays in Halifax committee, term ending June 30, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:40:32)
Motion: Approve use of town green for Holidays in Halifax event on December 13, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:42:30)
Motion: Approve rain date use of town green for December 14, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:42:42)
Motion: Lift hiring freeze for building commissioner, zoning enforcement officer, wiring inspector, and finance committee recording secretary. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:44:36)
Motion: Appoint Dennis McManus as wiring inspector, term expiring June 30, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 2-1 (Selectman Pratt opposed). (Timestamp: 00:46:35)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes for August 7, August 26, September 9, and September 10, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:47:14)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:58:21)
Public Comment
No public comment period was held during this meeting. All presentations were made by invited guests and officials.
What’s Next
The Plymouth County Outreach funding allocation will be presented as an article at an upcoming town meeting for formal appropriation from the opioid settlement fund. The municipal and school building committee will meet October 21st to review nine proposals for senior center design services with Colliers Engineering, with finalist interviews scheduled for either November 7th or 15th. A recommendation will then come to the Board of Selectmen for final approval. Budget development for fiscal year 2027 begins immediately with department head meetings. The Holidays in Halifax event is scheduled for December 13th on the town green from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with setup beginning at noon. Water main flushing will occur starting October 14th during nighttime hours. The next Board of Selectmen meeting schedule for November remains tentative pending member availability around Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
Full meeting available via Area 58 Community Access Channel.