Agenda – Select Board 2-1-22 Agenda

Official Minutes – Select Board 2-1-22 Minutes

Please note this transcription is unofficial. If you find an error, use the contact page to notify Plymouth On The Record.

[0:00:09]

Dick Quintal:

Welcome to the selectmen’s meeting, February 1st, 2022. I’m going to call the meeting to order. Mrs. Cavacco?

Betty Cavacco:

In accordance with Section 2475, and pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this meeting will be conducted via remote means and in-person. Members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so in the following manner: tune into PACTV government-access cable channels, Comcast 15 or Verizon 47 and watch the meeting as it is aired live, or watch the meeting live on PACTV website at https://www.PACTV.org. Members of the public who wish to participate in the meeting may do so in the following manner:

Remote participation: please go to the town website under the Select Board page and click on the Zoom Webinar Registration box or contact the Selectmen’s Assistant, Christopher Badot.

Dick Quintal:

The first order of business tonight is the public hearing for the Shanty Rose. In accordance with Chapter 138 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held remotely on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022 at 6:00 PM to consider the application for a transfer of Annual All Alcohol Restaurant License from Shanty Rose Inc. doing business as Rose, 16 Town Wharf, Richard Milmore, manager to Shack On The Wharf Corp. doing business as Shack ON The Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, Paul Tupa, manager. Description of premises is as follows: 2 buildings plus outside patio totaling 2,080 sq ft. includes bar seating, 2 dining areas and kitchen, outside patio area, 6 exits and entrances, wheelchair ramp and two handicap accessible bathroom. Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should plan to attend this meeting. I now declare this hearing open and I believe Mr. Triffletti is representing the applicants.

Steve Triffletti:

Good evening, Mr. Chair, and members of the Select Board. Thank you for hearing us this evening. We have submitted a packet of materials and I can tell you that my client, Paul Tupa is here with us to answer any questions. He and Peter Lucido are principals in an entity known as Shack On The Wharf Corp, and that was formed for the purpose of acquiring and operating the location currently in use for the Shanty Rose is on Town Wharf right behind Tavern on the Wharf, which they currently own and operate. So, this application is to seek a transfer of the existing liquor license to Shack On The Wharf Corp. The location, as you know, is owned by the Town. It was leased to the Shanty Rose and the town has already approved assigning the remainder of the Shanty Rose lease to our client, and that would run through June 30th of 2029. The clause for the purchase of the assets is 750,000 and my clients are borrowing that amount from Tavern on the Wharf LLC. There are no major renovations contemplated this time for the next year. My clients have filed the usual entertainment licenses with the application. I would just further note that in addition to their experience with Tavern on the Wharf, they also have been operating now for the past month, Plymouth Public House located at Exit 2 in Cedarville. My understanding is that they have complied in all of their restaurants with all the requirements in the Town of Plymouth, not aware of any complaints and we ask for a favorable approval on this request.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you, Steve. Chris, is there anyone wishing to speak in favor of this application?

Christopher Badot:

Not that I know of.

Dick Quintal:

Anyone at this time wishing to speak in opposition of this application?

Christopher Badot:

No, sir.

[0:05:02]

Dick Quintal:

Okay. I’m going to bring it back to the board for any comments or questions. Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

If I can address this, I guess, to Mr. Tupa. I wish you well, by the way down at Cedarville. I heard it was going well. I don’t have a problem with this transfer. It made sense. It’s in front of your other business. The only question I have is Shanty Rose never had live music on the deck, never had live DJ’s or entertainment on the deck. I kind of have a problem with that. I don’t think it’s something you need in a small space like that. I’m afraid it would conflict them with the Cabby Shack. I think it might even conflict with your own business but I’m sure that’s your business but I’m worried about Cabby Shack conflicting. So, I’m all in favor for this transfer with the exception of the outdoor amplified music permits on the deck.

Steve Triffletti:

Quintal, could I respond?

Dick Quintal:

Absolutely.

Steve Triffletti:

Yes. My clients each time they have applied for liquor license have submitted all of the possible requests for entertainment as well as the license. The reason for that is so that neither they nor you would have to come back at another time in order to further address these. Their plan is to do entertainment consistent with what they’ve down at Tavern on the Wharf, what has been done with Cabby Shack. In fact, there has been entertainment at Shanty Rose. For further comments, I would like to go to my client, Paul Tupa, with the Chair’s permission. Thank you.

Dick Quintal:

Absolutely.

Paul Tupa:

We really want to have live entertainment because we do a lot of functions and when we do change the concept or really clean up the establishments as well and get an architect or whatever we need to do to really play off the views and everything else, depending on how we set it up in the future so that’s the reason. We’re just looking down the line of what we’re going to go there. Obviously, it’s such a small space now. Outdoor amplified music, we wouldn’t really have unless it was a function and it would be basically a guitar person or something like that with just a speaker because obviously taking up seating right now in these conditions especially for outside seating, anything like that would be difficult. But for future reference of having a function or changing the plans or changing some things inside the building just to enhance and invite more people in, that’s really the reason of entertainment. I understand what you’re saying we don’t want to conflict. Obviously, we don’t want to conflict with the Tavern or Cabby Shack with their music but we also want to compete with Cabby Shack and Tavern and everybody else on the waterfront as well. So, if we’re not having music and everybody else is around us, it kind of draws less attention to us and everybody else is they’re going to go somewhere else. For future reference, so we don’t come back and say, “Okay. We have a function that just wanted to book five days out,” and then we have to go race to the town to try to get a permit for just a jazz musician that’s going to play outside so on and so forth. We’re just looking for the future more than anything.

Steve Triffletti:

Mr. Chair, if I might just add. One thing I did forget earlier was that although I said there were no major renovations planned during the first year, there may be major renovations in the future. Most importantly, my clients are intending to do a major clean up of the existing facility because there’s a lot of deferred maintenance and it’s in great need of a lot of clean up.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Thank you.

Charlie Bletzer:

Can I respond to that? I’m very familiar with the Shanty and Rick is a good friend of mine and I go in there. It’s too small of a place and I don’t know what you anticipate right now as is you’re going to do for functions outside.

[0:10:00]

Charlie Bletzer:

But if you have a DJ out there and I’m pretty familiar with buying a restaurant business, club business, if you get the wrong crowd out there with a DJ, out there in the Wharf, directly right out there in the Wharf, who knows what it’s going to be played out there? You have no control of DJ’s. I mean, you don’t know what’s going to happen out there. So, as of right now, I would be against this outdoor amplified music permit. If you come back later and you do some renovations and it looks suitable for what you are saying as a function place then I could reconsider at that point but tonight, I would vote no on the amplified music outside.

Dick Quintal:

Harry?

Harry Helm:

I, too, but for different reasons have issues around this Sunday entertainment and the outdoor amplified music permit. When the Shanty Rose was given the nod to expand into the town on property next door, this was several years ago, I wasn’t on the Board of Selectmen but I was on the Fin Com and I distinctly remember that the reason that the owners of Shanty Rose gave for the expansion was that they wanted to create a family restaurant. That was the reasoning at the time. In my mind, it remains the reasoning that carries through the lease that they are transferring to the new owners. Mr. Triffletti, Mr. Tupa, please feel free to respond. I question how Sunday entertainment and an outdoor amplified music permit fit into the original statement from the original owners of the lease that this is a family restaurant?

Paul Tupa:

Have you ever been to Tavern on the Wharf or Public House? I mean, that’s what we really base on. I mean, I’m a father of three and little kids so that’s the only establishments we want. Peter, my partner, has three little ones. By little, I mean, mine are 5, 4 and 1 and his are 10, 8 and 7. So, we are definitely going for the family atmosphere. We do bigger size tables to invite those families in, to invite the tourists in, to invite everybody that’s in the area. We’re not looking for a DJ. We’re not looking for a night light. We’re definitely an establishment that is going for a family fun time. We do brunches, we do Santa brunch for the kids, we do Easter brunch, have the Easter Bunny. I mean, that’s our go-to, our bread and butter and that’s what we’re trying to do. The reason we do things is so we can have Irish stepdance. We use the local prod dance group comes down and she has all her dancers. I mean, we try to do a lot with the community. We try to do a lot with everybody just to get everybody’s family out. My wife grew up in the area so we are definitely shooting for family friendly. So, the entertainment aspect is basically just for really function use. Yes, we do bands, we do Jeff Hilliard, we do other local musicians, we do a country fest with Ayla Brown and her husband, Rob Bellamy. Those are only going from noon till 8 o’clock. We’re not trying to do 1:00 AM parties and stuff like that. That’s not what we’re looking for.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yeah, but Paul, you’re talking about the Tavern. We’re talking about the Shanty. No offense.

Paul Tupa:

Yes, but it doesn’t matter on what size of venue we’re doing, it’s our same concept and what we build around. It has nothing to do with the size.

Charlie Bletzer:

I’m just trying to protect the area right now. I see the size of your space. I know your space very well. Rick is a good friend of mine. I grew up at that place. Right now, it doesn’t warrant. You don’t need amplified DJ music which you have right down on the description. You don’t need it. So, if you take that out, I’m a 110% behind you on this transfer and I wish you well with it.

[0:15:01]

Charlie Bletzer:

Rick never used it and he was successful. So, therefore, I don’t see that. I just want to make sure. I can just see a DJ out there with blaring music, and maybe I’m wrong, right out to the Wharf with all the tourists walking by and it’s not a good look for Plymouth. Okay? I’m trying to protect the area. So, that’s all. I have nothing against the Tavern. You’re successful over there and you’re going to be successful down at Cedarville and I want you to be successful at the Shanty. I think you can be without needing a DJ out in the deck outside. So, that’s where I’m coming from. Mr. Chairman, I see Mr. Milmore around there.

Richard Milmore:

Yeah. So, that means he can have a DJ inside just not out on the deck? Is that what you’re saying, Charlie?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yeah, I don’t want to see outside competing with Cabby Shack, number one plus also, right over onto the Wharf. Okay? You’re going to have music from Tavern, music from Cabby, and now music there? It’s just going to be a lot of noise for that area right there.

Richard Milmore:

It kind of happens now anyway. I mean, everybody got music so I don’t know the difference but it’s up to you guys.

Charlie Bletzer:

Mr. Chairman, is this okay? But Rick, you don’t use outside music?

Richard Milmore:

I have a happy hour singing out there on an afternoon but Cabby Shack every day at like 9:00. So, I’ve had it out there but not all the time. I have them a few times but not all the time.

Charlie Bletzer:

Paul even admitted right now, Steven that they don’t need this right now. If they do something and they come back to us, that’s fine. Right now, as of tonight, I couldn’t vote if that’s still part of the package.

Paul Tupa:

Yeah, we can come back to the live entertainment outside. We’re going to run it as is for the first year because obviously, you saw how long it took for Plymouth Public House to not only just get materials and get going and everything else with all the delays with everything across the board. So, we’re going to run it as is from when we take over through the summer and then the architect and ideas and everything and see what we really can do with the location and renovating and really clean everything up and trying to work with everybody in the area to make it a destination go to like the Tavern, like Cabby Shack, like Anna’s, like Eastbay. So, if we come back to it, we can come back to it. It’s not a dealbreaker for us at this point. I mean, we can come back to it.      

Dick Quintal:

Well, hold on a second. First off is the transfer, that’s one vote. And then the entertainment license is in conjunction. That’s a different vote. They’re not contingent. You know what I’m saying? So, let’s just slow down a little there. And Patrick, you had your hand up.

Patrick Flaherty:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think one thing I want to just caution our board on as we talk to people who come before us, if someone has an idea that they want to make an investment into, someone who’s going to be putting investment into a space and has a business plan is certainly not trying to do something that’s going to be a disaster. So, I think just have a little more of that awareness. But if someone is violating the by-laws, like we have had comments about sound and different things from different neighbors from the downtown area, then I think we always have the opportunity if something does become a nuisance to address it. If he is going to come back later because they don’t need then that sounds fine but it always can be revoked if there’s a problem. So, I just feel a little uncomfortable hearing we’re going to do something or not do something because a neighboring business may or may not like it. So, I would be of the belief that if someone is going to come forward and bring a good business plan and invest what sounds like up to a million dollars into a space, that’s kind of good will to the area. They’re trying to enhance it and run a good business. So, I would sort of give the benefit of the doubt that they’re trying to enhance the area with that type of investment.

[0:20:09]

Patrick Flaherty:

But if they’re not going to use it right now and it sounds like at least two people in this board are opposed to that then they come back later, I think that’s fine too. But I just want to be cautious of how we approach anyone who comes to the board like this. But overall, I would be of the belief that if they did something that became a problem then these types of permits can always be revoked or if they go against the by-law, that’s the law in town that we need to enforce. Not necessarily if we think a business will like it or not next door.

Dick Quintal:

Harry?

Harry Helm:

I would just like to make it very clear that my concerns about the outdoor entertainment have nothing to do with protecting another business. Thank you.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

I want to be clear too that I’m not trying to–if Mr. Tupa was coming before us to say he’s got this renovation planned and I could see something more than what I see is there right now and he needed outdoor then I might change my opinion. It’s why I’m saying, “Come back to us when you do some renovations and then ask for it.” I could probably change my opinion at that point. When you did the Public House, didn’t even question what you’re going to do down there. Okay? It’s because it was a large space and I have no questions. It has nothing to do with the operators. It’s just right now I don’t see a need for that in that small space. I just don’t see a need for it. I don’t have a problem some deck in the back, I saw that. You put a guitar player out there. No issue with that. It’s just that, that small space between right directly on the Wharf, I just don’t think there’s a need back for it. I want to see what they’re going to do with that place. I’m excited to see that. Okay? So, I’m not trying to hurt a business, that’s for sure. The more successful the business is in the Waterfront, the more successful everybody down there. I get that. I’ve been down there for 22 years and I get it. So, I wish them more than luck. Let’s come back with some more plans after the summer or whenever you plan on coming back with an architecture’s design and maybe it’s more suited to do functions. Right now, I mean, no disrespect but I don’t think it’s suited for functions right now. I think Paul knows what I’m talking about. He knows because he’s operated a lot of places. So, that’s it. That’s the only problem I have. I want to see this transfer to go through. I want to see some renovations to it down the road, come back to us, ask for what you need, you’ll probably get it. You’ll get it from me most likely. Okay? So, that’s all. That’s where I’m coming from, Patrick. Just so you know.

Dick Quintal:

Any other questions or comments from the board? Betty?

Betty Cavacco:

Obviously, you’re making a significant financial investment in this. Although, I don’t necessarily have a problem with outdoor amplified music, I wouldn’t mind seeing it event specific. So, I don’t think that you’re thinking that this is going to destroy your business if you don’t get this outdoor amplified music permit today. So, I think in the good faith of moving forward, I want you to get this license. I want this transfer to go through and if we can just remove that and do it event specific, I’d be happy with it. I’ve been down to Waterfront myself for many years. It can become very convoluted when there are different places playing all at the same time. It’s not really a calming near the ocean kind of place. But I don’t have a problem supporting any specific event in the future.

[0:25:04]

Dick Quintal:

Well, I don’t know. I think everybody surrounding them has it. So, to say no to the one guy because it might be a smaller operation, I don’t know. Every time I went by, sorry, Richard, I always hear music going. I mean, that’s what it is down there. When you want to be quiet, you go to the beach. When you want to go for entertainment, you go down there. That’s what it is. The town is always looking for ways for businesses to come and to make the community find more things to do so not just stopping and taking off. I mean, I got to agree with Patrick at some point. Somebody that’s dumping a million dollars in an old place, unless they have a bad record. I mean, we do regulate it anyway to anybody that gets the license. If we feel there’s abuse, we’ll have a hearing and we’d pull it back. I mean, time to shut the windows. I mean, in my tenure, there’s been quite a few. So, I just want to say that I really don’t have an issue with it. I mean, if everybody is worried about outside music then let’s not have it in all place. Then it will be real quiet. So, I just got to call it like I see it. I mean, if somebody is standing on that corner saying no and ten feet, from there there’s a stage and there’s a band playing all outside. I mean, that’s just as noisy if not noisier. I’m not here to put one against the other but I’m just saying what’s good for one is good for the other unless there’s a problem. It’s just like going downtown. If you want to be quiet, that’s not the place to go. It’s just isn’t. Yeah, go ahead, Richard.

Richard Milmore:

No. I’m just saying they took all my parking away. This year, I have no parking because they’re doing it in the park. The only thing that keeps me even above wire in the winter time is a little bit of entertainment I have inside. I mean, in the summer time, there’s no parking here at all. Parking I do have every year they reconstruct and something. It’s tough enough to make a living with parking, never mind without parking. My wife wants to say something by the way.

Mrs. Milmore:

Hi. I just want to say that I think that music is a draw anywhere that you go. Different music draws different people. I don’t believe that there’s going to be music that’s offensive as I think Charlie alluded to earlier or going to cause all kinds of problems on the Wharf. In general, the music that has been at the Shanty in the past and I assume that the Tavern will be doing it as well will be tasteful, will not be a DJ who has free run of whatever he happens to want to play. It will be a different vibe because the Tavern is now redoing the Shanty with a completely different business plan and has thought this through. I would like to say it’s not that it’s not conducive to events. In fact, we just had our wedding here. It was a beautiful place for an event because there were multiple rooms for different people to be in and pair off in and they could be in one room where the music was or out in the deck or in different area. So, it was actually quite conducive to a beautiful event. I think at those kinds of objections aren’t very business friendly. They have put a lot of thought into this. They’re putting a lot of money and time into this and music is really as Cabby’s music is, the band tends to have their backs to the Wharf with the music facing in towards their establishment. I’ve been able to sit down on the deck at the Shanty and barely even hear their music. So, I don’t see a real conflict there. I’m sure that if the Tavern had plans to have something distasteful or problematic or something instigative of poor behavior on the Wharf that that would be shut down by the town immediately. I’m sure that’s not their intention. They just want to have the opportunity to have this license without having to come back for every event specific issue that arises. So, I think it’s in the nature of good business and in fair business for them to be granted any opportunity that any other business down in the Wharf has, which I agree with and I’m sorry I can’t see your name but who just said that the Wharf is a happening, busy, noisy place. It’s not a place that you can come to listen to the waves. It’s a place that you come for action, for entertainment and to be with friends to drink and enjoy yourself. I think that their request fits right in with that whole vibe. Thank you.         

[0:30:12]

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Charlie, you have your hand up.

Charlie Bletzer:

I just wanted to say to the Milmore’s, this is not anything negative about the Shanty. It’s just the new group coming in, I just would like to see something done to the building before they tell me they need DJ’s and live entertainment for functions. Let me leave it at that. We’ve said enough I think about this. So, that’s where I’m coming from. Would I vote to change my mind later on? Absolutely! Absolutely. Believe me I’m pro, especially restaurant, pro-business and I want to see everybody succeeds. Okay? That’s where I’m coming from.

Dick Quintal:

Other comments from the board? Okay. Now, I declare the hearing closed and bring it back to the board for their recommendation.

Betty Cavacco:

And to approve. Do you want them separated, Mr. Chairman?

Dick Quintal:

That’s up to the board.

Charlie Bletzer:

Yes.

Dick Quintal:

You want to take them all one at a time, is that what you’re asking me?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yes.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Common victualler. Well, we have a motion by Betty. Do we have a second?

Charlie Bletzer:

I second.

Dick Quintal:

Common victualler?

Charlie Bletzer:

Are we voting?

Patrick Flaherty:

Oh, a vote? Yeah. Definitely!

Dick Quintal:

Raise your hands up. Thank you. Unanimous. Comprehensive entertainment (Group 1, 2, 3 – radio, TV, dancing, live).

Harry Helm:

Motion.

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? Patrick?

Patrick Flaherty:

My vote is a yes.

Dick Quintal:

Oh, you were voting early. Okay. Voting early, Pat. Okay. Put your hands up. 1, 2, 3. Charlie?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yes.

Dick Quintal:

Unanimous. Extension of hours (1:00 AM)?

Harry Helm:

Motion.

Charlie Bletzer:

Motion.

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Early Sunday Sales (10:00 AM)?

Harry Helm:

Motion.

Charlie Bletzer:

I make the motion.

Dick Quintal:

Motion. Do I have a second?

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Outdoor amplified music (Live DJ from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM). Do we have a motion?

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Patrick Flaherty:

I second that.

Dick Quintal:

Second. Discussion? All those in favor? 3 to 2, motion carries. 2 in opposite position, Mr. Helm and Mr. Bletzer. Thank you very much.

Lee Hartman:

Did you miss the Sunday Entertainment? I didn’t check that all.

Dick Quintal:

I thought I get it.

Lee Hartman:

Okay.

Dick Quintal:

Because I was checking them as I went, Lee but I can make mistakes, trust me.

Lee Hartman:

Okay. Just double checking.

Patrick Flaherty:

I think we might have missed it, Mr. Chair.

Lee Hartman:

I think you did.

Dick Quintal:

In case I did, Sunday Entertainment (Live).

Patrick Flaherty:

I move.

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Harry Helm:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Second. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Okay?

Charlie Bletzer:

All right. Good luck. Good luck, gentlemen.

Richard Milmore:

Thank you so much.

Steve Triffletti:

Thank you very much.

Dick Quintal:

Virtual town meeting, Mr. Triffletti?

Steve Triffletti:

Yes. Good evening and thank you for having me. As we all know, we’ve been in a surge with the Covid- 19 Omicron virus, which has resulted in more remote participating. In fact, you had in-person meetings and now you’re conducting your meetings remotely. I’ve been in contact with our legislative delegation. They have supported legislation to extend the former legislation for remote participation that expires on April 1. Our town meeting is scheduled for April 2. Two weeks ago, the house passed a bill. Last week, Senate Bill No. 2622 allows for the conduct of representative town meetings by remote means in response to the pandemic.

[0:35:09]

Steve Triffletti:

It is expected the governor will sign it. Town meeting is now less than two months away. We’re busy planning for town meeting. So, it’s time now to make some decisions I’ve held off as long as possible hoping things would get better. But at this point, given the action of the legislature, I’m asking that the select board also approve the request that we may be able to have a virtual town meeting again. The process is that ultimately the town meeting members would have to vote at the first session as to whether they want to proceed with the remote participation. I would observe that at our prior meetings by remote participation, we’ve had the highest attendance, we’ve had the highest number of people voting. Town meeting members have learned how to navigate both the Zoom video conferencing as well as the OTI of the voter. We brought in people on a panel. Some of you have spoken at the virtual town meeting. We’ve also brought in residents, which is provided under the statute. Last week, I met with the Board of Health. The Board of Health voted unanimously to support a virtual town meeting rather than an in-person meeting. Unlike all the other boards and committees in the town, at town meeting we can expect up to 135 town meeting members as well as other people supporting town meeting. The Finance Committee has asked to be fully credentialed for the virtual town meeting. There’s 15 of them, there’s 5 of you and I can go on. But given the numbers and given the ongoing pandemic, it’s my view that and listening to the science and the medical people and our Board of Health, people with disabilities, it seems that it’s appropriate once again to make this request and I hope that you will approve it such that we can move forward with the planning and let the town meeting members decide if they wish to proceed with remote participation.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Any other questions to Mr. Triffletti? I see none. Do we have a motion?

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Dick Quintal:

Motion to approve?

Patrick Flaherty:

I second that.

Dick Quintal:

Second. Discussion? All those in favor? Charlie, you were opposed?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yes.

Dick Quintal:

Harry, you’re opposed?

Harry Helm:

Yes.

Dick Quintal:

Two in opposition and three in favor.

Steve Triffletti:

Thank you.

Dick Quintal:

Yeah, thank you. Town meeting Articles, 19 (Route 80 sidewalks). Mr. Hartman, I see right there. Lee, can you give us a little background to how we got to this and what they have done just so the board’s got a rough idea. I know there’s some coverage here that needs some back up.

Harry Helm:

This is a petition article. Because of the size and the amount, we go through the capital process and we run it through just like the articles that various departments have done. So, this is a petition article. It’s seeking $1.5 million to give sidewalks on Route 80, on Plympton Road in the vicinity of West School. When it went through capital, it ranked 47 out of–I don’t know what the total number is but it ranked 47 out of a capital. So, I would say that that’s fairly low looking at this. There’s a 49 so it’s on the 50, 51, 52. So, it’s 47 out of 52 articles. What we would recommend is if town meeting does choose to fund this, it would have to be through borrowing.

Dick Quintal:

Mrs. Cavacco?

Betty Cavacco:

Can we use ARPA funds for that where it’s infrastructure?

Harry Helm:

I can check. I mean, to see ARPA issue–we can check.

[0:40:06]

Dick Quintal:

Any other questions? Lee, I guess I have a question and maybe you can help answer it. I’ve always wondered whether it’s West Plymouth on Route 80 or the other side, Carver Road. How developments get approved without sidewalks? I mean, when it comes down to the residents having to go to town meetings and place with it a tech. It’s almost too bad we couldn’t have some sort of by-law. Whatever I’m trying to say here is you develop the land, you’re responsible to put a sidewalk in front of the piece of land because all too often even in the park that I am in and it’s a beautiful park, but when the park is done and people move on, there’s no sidewalks. Now, the tax payers are pulling back and taking up the tabs on the sidewalks. It’s a safety thing. I shouldn’t just refer to the money all the time. I mean, it’s definitely a safety thing. We got an elementary school at the other end of the park and it just keeps getting built on and built on and there’s no sidewalks.

Lee Hartman:

So, the big issue especially at West Plymouth is kind of the Foster Child Board. For whatever reason, in the 70s and 80s, when you look at all of those subdivisions that were built, many of them even inside the subdivisions don’t have sidewalks. So, for whatever reason, there was not a major look at sidewalks in the 70s and 80s as we saw West Plymouth develop. So, certainly, when projects come in, sidewalks offsite are a major discussion. The Stonebridge one, for example, I believe it’s $15,000 for our offsite sidewalks that can be used somewhere in Carver Road. When we did the Market Basket project, they were required to put sidewalks in on both along their entire frontage on their project. So, as different projects come in, we certainly are always looking at their ability to put sidewalks in. It gets a little more complicated because on Route 80, it’s a state road and that’s highway jurisdiction. Carver Road gets a little funny because in some places, we don’t have a layout for the road to actually put a sidewalk on the side. Sometimes when you look and say and we had a lot of discussions on the Market Basket one. How do you do that? Because maybe there’s a steep slope and you would have to get some kind of easement from the [inaudible] [0:42:38] to actually put the sidewalk in because of the slope or even a temporary easement to construct it. So, there are a lot of different things that come in that it’s just not a simple as putting a sidewalk in. We have 88 compliance that’s required too. But certainly, as any new development comes in and I think the Market Basket is a good example, both the planning board and the zoning board and staff spent a lot of time talking about sidewalks, where they could go, how far we could go and where they could put it in. So, yes, it’s something we always talk about but there’s often a challenge and that could be a legal challenge because we don’t have the right-of-way. It could be a physical challenge because of steep slopes next door but it is something that we look at in almost every development when they come in.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you, Lee. And I’ve seen Mrs. Barber here. Right? Correct, ma’am?

Judith Barber:

May I speak?

Dick Quintal:

Yes, absolutely. Yes.

Judith Barber:

I think it sounds like you all have a pretty good handle on what the project is about. It’s basically a material of the West Plymouth Steering Committee and we submitted this petition as article because we were very concerned about the traffic. In the essence of it is that it’s one, ADA compliant sidewalk 6-foot with a vertical curbing of a 32-feet deep feet of 0.62 of a mile on Plympton Road from Commerce Way going down to Kristin Way on Route 80. We would have to work with the State Department of Transportation to be able to go forward with this because it is a state road. The funding we’re seeking now is 1.5 million. The DPW is always searching for funding methods and they have tried so many things and they’re constantly there. So, we feel we need to be there before you. In 1999, the Safe School Highway Fund was applied for by Plymouth but we did not get accepted.

[0:45:06]

Judith Barber:

Once the project was funded then the engineering department would step in and take a look at which side of the road the sidewalk would go on. So, right now, we’re only talking about from Commerce Way along Route 80 down to Kristin Road. As you probably all know, this was a proposal that was submitted two years ago by the DPW and that was for sidewalks, the full length from Samoset all the way down to the Kingston Line. This is not what we’re proposing. We’ve scaled it way back just to the most intense area. We did get favorable vote at that meeting. However, not the two-thirds vote which we very much wanted. I think that the two maps that I sent along to you, folks, I wanted you to see the scope of the impact area. It’s all the way from the intersection from Samoset to Carver Road to Route 80 and all the way down Commerce Way, Industrial Way, the Colony Place. We’re talking about a huge area with dramatic flows in this particular area. So, therefore, it is a very, very dangerous spot. If you look at the second map, the post version of it, you can see how many people are separated because they cannot get close to each other because the roadways are not safe. We have major subdivisions. We have two over 55 projects. So, it’s a really large amount of area that needs to be connected. So, there are two main reasons for the need that I’ve highlighted. But first of all, there are no sidewalks in the front of the West Elementary School along Route 80. Children cannot commute to school nor can they go there for after school activities. The roadway simply is not safe for pedestrians nor bicycles. The neighborhoods are not connected through a sidewalk system and that discourages interaction, it creates isolation and limits those that have handicaps. As I mentioned, there are several over 55 places in the area and the West Plymouth Steering Committee, has an objective to build community. We’re trying to connect people and let them know about the West Plymouth Village. I sent you a list of all the projects that have happened in the past 5 years. You all know that Route 44 was realigned and brought over and the Colony Place was built. These are major projects. But in the last 5 years alone, I’ll just get a moment to run through them, the Cranberry Crescent Shopping Center, Summer’s Reach and Sawyer’s Reach is almost 500 units combined there. Colony Place initial development but it’s continuing to grow and all Colony plastered across from Colony Place is just the Palmer Pack and Ride has new malls there. We have two car dealerships in Colony Place and a third proposed. There are several charter schools within the Industrial Park. There are two new hotels in the Colony Place and the third is in the planning stage. There are three now are on retail stores within the Industrial Park. We have Carver Reach on Carver Road, 56 low-and-moderate income housing project and we have the development of Stone Gate Subdivision further down Carver Street. They will allot the 320 units for low-and-moderate income housing is in the process. How are those children going to get to school? We have Plymouth Village that continues to develop. We have the project eco distribution center on Prestige Way, that’s not far away. We have a park-and-ride development also has a medical office building. And then there’s a 114 Park Road daycare center.

[0:50:01]

Judith Barber:

So, there are so many projects and the town has not in this particular area promoted balanced development. We have the intense use and we have no transition to the adjacent uses. The other parts of town, downtown not Plymouth and Pine Hills, there’s a transition, there’s heavy activity but it’s planned poor. There’s a way for people to exist and to enjoy these. We all like developments that bring taxes and jobs. Those are wonderful things but we have to be sensitive to the people who live there and that is our great concern. So, we hope you will look favorably on this project and recognize that part of good planning means planning for everything. Thank you.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Any questions or comments from board members? Betty?

Betty Cavacco:

One of the things I would like to find out in for the town manager is if these can be covered under ARPA funds or the new infrastructure bill that was passed? And then the second one I’d like to check with our new grant writer and see what possibilities that there may be for this because I believe we heard about these sidewalks from when Mr. Helm and I were on Fin Com 6 years ago. So, I think this has been going on for a long time and I absolutely agree that there should be sidewalks in front of the school. So, if we could get those answers to the board as soon as possible?

Lee Hartman:

Yes, definitely! We did apply a couple times to what’s called the Safe Routes to Schools Program but we were not successful with those grants.

Betty Cavacco:

Maybe the third time is a charm.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

Yeah, I agree with Betty. We have to fix this and it should have been fixed through development and we have to stop this. We have to figure out a way to fix this without putting it on the tax payers. So, hopefully we can get that done and then we can keep an eye out on further development that they need to help out with the infrastructure so this doesn’t happen again like this. So, anyway, thanks.

Dick Quintal:

Mrs. Barber, do you want to say something else?

Judith Barber:

Yes. JB is supposed to be here. I’m not sure if he’s accessible but we did talk about the federal funding that is becoming available. We spoke about that and I have a note from him that I can read. If he’s here, he can speak up for himself. This is from JB and I had asked about the federal fundings availability. “I agree that there will most likely be future grants, but we cannot gauge when and what purposes and/or restrictions they may have. Mass works may be viable, but there needs to be strong housing and economic fulfilment for consideration of these grants and that they’re not announced until fall.” So, what he’s saying is that there are not well-defined at this point but it appears as if the limitations may not make this project a good candidate for this funding. The state representative is looking into the matter. She’s checking out to see if there seems to be anything that would fit. So, we will wait to hear from Natalie [?]. They’re supposed to get back on Friday to us. So, that would be something that we could look at but as I say, from what we know so far, it looks like the restrictions may not put us in a favorable light.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Mr. Patrick?

Patrick Flaherty:

So, I guess just a part of the process with how this goes forward, I know the town meeting warrant the funding sources kind of a part of each article. If we vote favorably on this and it’s borrowing that is the source of funding, that would still be a two-thirds super majority vote.

[0:55:12]

Patrick Flaherty:

And in the meantime, if there is some alternative source that comes up, that could always be sort of presented at town meeting as well. So, that wouldn’t be precluded from using other funds if they came up but then it would still require two-thirds of town meeting if we do get that.

Lee Hartman:

Correct! And even if you had a borrowing for 1.5 million and then we went and after town meeting, we identified a source. Town meeting just gives you an up to. You don’t have to spend the 1.5. So, even if we have the 1.5 and then in August, we found a funding source to offset that, we could always offset that.

Patrick Flaherty:

Got it. So, with all that said, then I support this knowing that we can always come back and get funds from somewhere else later on especially where we know this came before us, the town, a few years ago in a much larger package. This is sort of like as Ms. Barber said the most critical part of the stretch that has been in focus. So, hopefully we get some of that money but in the meantime, I do support this as it is funded from borrowing.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Mrs. Barber, if I may ask you a question. If it was to make at the town meeting floor, just say a conversation just like that that I just had with you. It didn’t get any grants or it didn’t make mass with that. Somebody at town meeting would maybe say, “Maybe do half this year,” and I’m just throwing it out there, “Maybe half next year.” Would you be okay with that? I mean, piece of the pie of delivering up money per se if they weren’t willing to borrow the whole amount right now. Did you want to stick with the 1.5?

Betty Cavacco:

Wouldn’t that be amended on the town meeting floor?

Dick Quintal:

I mean, I don’t know if it could, Betty so.

Al DiNardo:

I would also say part of it would be checking with JB to see if that’s actually viable too. A lot of it could be about how the construction might work. So, if somebody wants to do that, we should probably reach out to JB sooner than later to see what 750,000 could buy and whether that’s a viable amount to do some work.   

Dick Quintal:

Well, I just figured sometimes a piece of advice better than all find and go back and get it finish it up the fall. We could support this the way it is and then we could always come back to it.

Lee Hartman:

I’ll report back to you also on those funding options.

Dick Quintal:

All right. Thank you. Gentlemen, just identify yourself for the record because I can’t see it.

Judith Barber:

The 1.5 million is we went to the Venture Capital Expenditures and we’ve been to the Finance Committee and we got a unanimous endorsement by the Finance Committee. This was discussed and the Department of Public Work said that 1.5 million was a conservative number and that they feel very comfortable with that. They felt that they could very, very well live within that.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Thank you. Sir, did you want to speak up? Just identify yourself for the record.

Al DiNardo:

Yes. Mr. Chairman, my name is Al DiNardo. I live at 46 Sunflower Way. I was recently appointed to town meeting in a recent vacancy and I would like to thank the Precinct 12 for that. In my previous town, I served at town meeting for 30 years. I was also the chairman of our sidewalk committee for many years. We dealt with these issues not only are they sidewalk issues but really, they’re ADA issues. I’m well aware of Plymouth having a lot of old country roads and they’re beginning to come in to that suburban look. I know that funds are limited. We went through the same thing in Saugus. I know you do have some sort of comprehensive plan. I am supporting this. Like I had said last night at the COPC meeting and that I think the town needs to be aware of is that this is a state road. With that is I’m sure this road was milled in the last 20 years. Milling over road triggers automatic installation of sidewalks with ADA ramps. The state knows this. I dealt with them on Route 1 in Saugus that they totally grant. Recently, [inaudible] [1:00:01] Road was milled.

[1:00:05]

Al DiNardo:

What we want the state to do, and this could be worked on long-term, is we want them to complete the areas that they need to complete up until the airline, so to speak and eventually in the future that our community can fill in those gaps. Again, I’m supporting this, but I would like to see some sort of action with the delegation to get the DOT down here. They met with me many times in Saugus. They installed the ADA ramps. They will do that. They know that there has been court orders and as a matter of fact, there’s a famous quote of Yerusalem versus the City of Philadelphia 20 years ago where they were sued by a handicapped person. Now, in its best and at least we’re doing this project and I only want to say that God forbid that someone is handicapped, at least we showed the courts we’re doing something. This is a good start. So, I’m not being critical. I know we’re doing the best we can. But I’m just putting that out there as an FYI. This is a good beginning. I think this will uncover much more that we need to do. Again, I support it and if we can afford it and the board supports it as well. Thank you for your time.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you very much, sir. Any other questions or comments from the board? I have one last question for you, Mrs. Barber. The Committee in Precinct Chairs, how did they vote on this?

Judith Barber:

They have not voted on this yet. I’m scheduled to be at the February meeting so we haven’t been there yet.

Dick Quintal:

So, it’s just the Finance Committee, right?

Judith Barber:

Finance is unanimous and we went to the Capital Expenditures and they put it down for borrowing and payment would be through the raising appropriate for the principal and interest for a period of 15 years. That’s what they recommended when they finished their evaluation.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Well, I work in the area so you have my support because I see the need of it every day. Any other questions, Betty?

Betty Cavacco:

Yes. Lee, could you kind of research or speak with council and ask them about the example that Mr. DiNardo had mentioned? So, we may have a clearer vision on how we can proceed with that. I also support it. I think I supported it several years ago as well.

Lee Hartman:

Yeah. Anything that’s going to be done half of the 88 compliant. Some may have said that MAS highway is looking to do some major renovation work on the road. They might be doing that but I don’t think they have any plans in junction to get in there and re-do that road.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

Well, I’m in favor of this regardless of whether we get outside funding for it. I think it’s a significant need for that area and the Steering Committee’s examples of the development that has gone on in West Plymouth is pretty eye opening when you see it down in writing. So, I just want to make sure when we do vote and it has not been motioned and seconded so I’m assuming we’re holding the discussion now before that. I just want to make sure that we are voting yes or no on supporting this regardless of outside funding or checking on whether the State of Massachusetts through–

Dick Quintal:

Is that your motion, Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

Sure. That can be my motion.

Dick Quintal:

Why don’t you give us the perfect motion? Go ahead.

Harry Helm:

Well, I doubt it to be perfect but I motion that we support the article as written.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Do we have a second?

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? Any more discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Thank you for your hard work and good luck.

Judith Barber:

Thank you.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Let’s move on to the town manager’s contracts. We have come to an agreement. Correct, Mrs. Cavacco?

Betty Cavacco:

Yes, sir. We have come to an agreement with Mr. Derek Brindisi as appointment of the Town manager with a unanimous vote from the Board of Selectmen or Select Board, I’m sorry.

[1:05:06]

Dick Quintal:

We like to vote it in public.

Betty Cavacco:

Sure.

Lee Hartman:

No, that’s not necessary. I think we just–

Dick Quintal:

Oh, it’s not necessary, Lee?

Lee Hartman:

No. Somebody reminded me, I don’t believe that was necessary. I think we were just announcing what has occurred. Yeah, just announcing it in public.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Well, let it be announced then. We have a press release here. Betty, do you have the press release? Do you want me to read it?

Betty Cavacco:

No, I don’t have it.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. The Plymouth Select Board is pleased to announce an appointment contract has been successfully negotiated with Mr. Derek Brindisi as the next town manager. Mr. Brindisi was selected after a nationwide recruitment and selection process. It is expected that Mr. Brindisi will assume the duties of the town manager on March 14th. Mr. Brindisi currently served as town manager for the town of Upton where he has been employed since 2017. During his tenure in Upton, Brindisi has had the chance downtown lead development of it, re-engineered its financial structure and security, AA+ rating, developed a 21st Century Public Safety model and focused on environmental initiatives by assisting in acquisition of 100 of acres of open space. Prior to Mr. Brindisi served as assistant town manager in Plymouth and was the director of administrative and health for the City of Worcester. Mr. Brindisi is also lieutenant colonel in the New Hampshire Air National Guard. Mr. Brindisi holds a bachelor of science from Worcester State College and he mastered in public administration from Clark University. The board is very excited to hire Mr. Brindisi’s experience both in Plymouth and other communities. He will serve this community well into the future. His prior knowledge of coastal communities is advantageous. He has a proven track record in local government and values active listening and respectful dialogue. Mr. Brindisi added, “I am really looking forward to coming back and working to the Plymouth community, select board and town staff in achieving a collective vision. Plymouth is an amazing place and I feel very fortunate to be joining the team.” Mr. Brindisi will be paid an annual salary of $230,000 and will begin his employment with the Town of Plymouth on March 14th as I said earlier. We wish him all the best. I think he was in town either today or yesterday stopping by. He’s met with a few of us already. I haven’t met with him yet but I will. Any comments from the board? I know Lee is getting a little excited. So, that being said, we’re going to move on and get this community rolling, I hope. So, no comments. We’ll move on. We’re going to have an update on cemetery and crematory, all cemetery operations and what the status of that is right now. But due to the blizzard we had and the DPW staff being everywhere just working 24/7, we’re going to let that go for a week or so until they can catch their breath and they’re still working on clearing out roads and listing where there’s problems. There’s more than just moving snow. There are a lot more concerns than that. So that being said, Lee getting in for the town manager’s report.

Lee Hartman:

Just very briefly, we wanted to just give a shout out to the town employees: JB and the DPW crew, the police, the fire and emergency management, marine and environmental affairs and the harbormaster. I think they did a great job considering how much snow we had and the challenges they had. It was my first experience of watching how that all works, how it’s coordinated, how people work together to make sure that we do the best we can with the roads in top conditions and make sure people are safe. So, again, I’m very proud of the work that I saw occur and the coordination that occurred during unprecedented snowstorm. That’s all I have.

Dick Quintal:

Any other comments from the board on the storm or anything? Mr. Bletzer?

[1:10:05]

Charlie Bletzer:

I’d like to echo what Lee said. Good job by the DPW, JB, all his guys and ladies, Chief Bradley and his crew, the emergency managements. They did a great job. Chris Robert [?], the people at the shelter volunteering their time. I think it was a great effort by this town. Yeah, there are still some streets that need to be cleaned up but this was a huge storm and if you saw the weather channel out there, you might have seen Chairman Quintal out there reporting from there. But even if you listen to Mike Seidel, he was out there with different paths. And congratulate all our good deed there. He was doing with this snow plowing. So, it’s a lot of work. And Lee, I’m glad you got to see it. I’d like to watch them in action sometime too. But this wasn’t some little 6-inch storm, 8-inch storm. This was a major, major storm. And kudos to everybody involved keeping us safe. [inaudible] [1:11:24] that too because the power outage was minimal. Anyway, thank you to everybody out there.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

Yeah. For the residents of Plymouth, I’d just like to point out a couple pieces of information. I know there’s a lot of concern about the roads not being totally clear and they’re justified concerns but just a couple of pieces of information for everybody to take into consideration. I haven’t gotten the official snow fall but Plymouth received upwards of 28 inches and even if it isn’t 28 inches, if it was 24 inches, this last snow storm will rank in the top 1 or 2, even at 24 inches, top number 1 snow fall event in our history. So, everybody needs to understand it was really major. The other thing is perhaps a lot of people don’t realize this but our DPW is responsible for plowing over 1,000 lane miles. That’s huge! I asked everybody just to think about that and understand the immense amount of work that was involved in clearing one of the largest snowfall events in our history and also over 1,000 lane miles. So, just for consideration for everybody.

Dick Quintal:

Mrs. Cavacco?    

Betty Cavacco:

Yes, and to go on what Harry and even Charlie said, so significant event. I mean, I know there have been some complaints about the worlds but just so you guys know that our crews are in it midnight on Friday. They didn’t get our first break until Sunday. I mean, if you see them, give them a bottle of water, just say thank you, give them a wave. Our folks are exhausted. We have about a hundred contractors coming in that have been in, that have helped out and I know after speaking to the director today, Jonathan Beder, he said that they’re going to get as many of them and tomorrow. Now, when Boston made their announcement, they basically said that it will take a week to ten days to recover from this storm. I think we’re doing pretty well. Only three days out, schools, sidewalks are being done. We have equipment on the sidewalks now and we did get a report from the school committee chairman that said, “All of the school responsible sidewalks are completed.” So, I know there were machines in the Plymouth on the sidewalks today, machines and man-to-man on the sidewalks today so just to let folks know that they’re not sitting anywhere with their feet up. They’re really trying to recover.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. I’ll just echo quickly that that is the case and everybody is doing the best that they can. I guess, that’s the bottom line and they’re all doing a good job, all the departments not just DPW.

[1:15:02]

Dick Quintal:

Police, fire, paramedics. I was watching ambulances going by three and four at a time on Long Pond Road probably doing transports to the North High School or to the hospitals. Everybody was very, very busy. Just helping the shelter alone, just things I didn’t know. They stationed paramedics there. They have security there. It was very organized. The first EOC meeting was Friday, I believe 1 o’clock and all of our department heads come together and it’s not a big deal the way they do it. They just sit there, they talked, it’s all applying in the way we go and I have to give hats off to the EOC Director. I believe his name is Christopher.

Betty Cavacco:

Christian.

Charlie Bletzer:

Christian Horvath.

Dick Quintal:

Okay, yeah. He’s done an amazing job as far as updates go with the emails. I mean, he did a very nice job. And then if I ask him anything, I got a response right away. So, I got to say, good job by you all. I was in one of the trucks one of the nights and believe me, they were working and we did the route out 4th Street Waterfront and Main Street downtown. One of the big problems they had was it warmed up there for a little bit and then it froze right up. Just like tonight, it’s freezing down. So, I mean, you can put chemicals down all day long but after a certain temperature, they don’t work. And one just bottom line, be patient. They’re on their way. They know. They’re doing the best they can. If you have an issue, please don’t call Betty. Call the Highway Van and leave your message over there. Right, Betty?

Betty Cavacco:

I’ll always take a call. I think that’s why they do it.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. So, you have to understand just like they do that they’re doing their best too.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, I understand.

Dick Quintal:

And I got to hold to the head of the class. There’s a list going and that’s what they’re doing.

Betty Cavacco:

And JB is great. I send them streets and whatever I get for any kind of issues, I just snapshot it and send it over to him and he’s been addressing them.

Dick Quintal:

Anyone wishing to speak on a public comment? Chris?

Christopher Badot:

Not that I can see.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Then we’ll move on–

Christopher Badot:

Wait a minute, there is one hand. Hold on.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. All right.

Christopher Badot:

Yes. David Golden.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Mr. Golden, welcome.

David Golden:

Can you hear me?

Dick Quintal:

Yes.

David Golden:

Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the board for allowing me to come here to speak tonight. I come before you to speak about the upcoming spring town meeting on Wednesday, January 26, our esteemed town moderator appeared before the Board of Health to request their support and moving forward with a virtual town meeting, the fifth since the pandemic’s onset. For anyone who moved to Plymouth since March of 2020, our government’s most important actors, the members of this board and town meeting have met virtually. Our citizens have been unable to show up in-person and in full cohort to petition our government for more than two years. That runs contrary to our belief system particularly here in New England, where self-determination and democratic participation are the cornerstones of our public life. I commend Moderator Triffletti for attempting to address this matter by announcing how many people are in line for public comment during our town meeting sessions. However, it simply cannot compare to the impression that a group of passionate and articulate citizens can make on their duly elected representatives. Moreover, the state has not yet approved an extension for the suspension of certain aspects of the Open Meeting Law, making the Board of Health, the moderators and sadly now this board’s action premature. That’s in response to the Board of Health’s vote and support of original town meeting, I wrote to Dr. Barry Potvin, Chair of the Board, to request that he will consider hosting weekly meetings through at least town meeting to address the viability of an in-person meeting in addition to the existing and unnecessary mask mandate. I received no response. Let me be clear. I was in full support of the decisions that had to be made in early 2020 in order to keep people safe.

[1:20:01]

David Golden:

Leaders across the commonwealth and in every industry carry the burden of reimagining our world as a socially distance in virtual reality in response to Governor Baker’s declaration of emergency on March 23rd, 2020. But we have come a long way since Mr. Baker shutdown the commonwealth on that fateful day nearly two years ago. I have said before this board and the Board of Health, we have done the hard work. This decision is in order to stem the rising tide of Covid cases and deaths early in the pandemic. Citizens masked up to protect themselves and others even in the phase of empirical data that demonstrates that the most common masks used are not useful in stopping the spread of Covid-19. Massachusetts has displayed one of the highest vaccine acceptance rates in our nation with 76.4% of the state fully vaccinated and 98.4% of the population at least partially vaccinated. We ranked among the top 5 states in vaccination rates. County-wide, our case count is plummeting from the peak of the Omicron variant. Deaths in our town are stagnant. Why then are we making decisions based on old information? Day after day, public health experts across the country are concluding that Covid is effectively endemic in our society at this point and that we should prepare to move to lift all mandates. This includes Brown University School of Public Health Dean Dr. Ashish Jha in a recent Boston Globe article. Closer to home, our own officers of Executive Education and Health and Human Services just this past Friday co-authored a letter to college and university presidents of the commonwealth urging them to begin relaxing Covid protocols in an effort to ease the mental health toll that the pandemic has had on our students. The town should be preparing to move forward in 2022 not looking to updated policies from 2021 and 2021 that only led to isolation and resentment. It is time that we begin to return to normalcy. I came to this meeting to humbly request that this board refused to support a virtual platform for our town meeting, which is more than two months away. Unfortunately, this board chose to vote without meaningful input from the public. I commend Mr. Bletzer and Helm on their opposition in this vote. Since the remainder of the board chose to move forward without allowing public comment on the matter, I must now appeal directly to the members of town meeting. Let your constituents show up and be heard not through a screen but in front of the very people who make the most important decisions about the direction of our town. When the time comes, I implore you all, please do not support a virtual town meeting. Thank you.

 

Dick Quintal:

Thank you. Anyone else who wishes to have a public comment, Chris?

Christopher Badot:

Not that I can see, no.

Dick Quintal:

Okay. Thank you. Well, then we’ll move on to licenses and administrative notes. Plymouth Project Arts, amplified music permit for concerts from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the DCR Park and the date is June 29, July 6, 13th, 20th, 27th, August 3rd, 10th, 17, 24 and 31, 2022.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Dick Quintal:

Second? All those in favor? Unanimous. South Shore Race Management is requesting an Amplified Music in front of the Lobster Hut on 2/19/22 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a DJ.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Dick Quintal:

Second?

Patrick Flaherty:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. South Shore Race Management is requesting an Amplified Music Permit for Stephen’s Field on July 4th from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a DJ.

Patrick Flaherty:

So moved.

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. South Shore Race Management is requesting an Amplified Music Permit on 3/27, 10/2 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a DJ. That’s on Resnik Road Unit #23.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Patrick Flaherty:

Second.

[1:25:02]

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. South Shore Race Management is requesting an Amplified Music Permit for race at the DCR Memorial State Park Water Street for a DJ on:

• 3/19 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
• 9/ 10/22 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• 11/ 24/22 from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Charlie Bletzer:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. And once again, South Shore Race Management is requesting an Amplified Music Permit for a Road Race at Town Square for the Christmas tree on 12/2/2022 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 AM for a DJ.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion.

Charlie Bletzer:

Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. I believe that’s it for those. Any questions on the administrative notes? I see none. Do we have a motion on those administrative notes?

Charlie Bletzer:

I make the motion.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion. Second.

Dick Quintal:

Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Committee Liaison updates? Designee updates? Old Business? Letters? New Business? Mrs. Cavacco?

Betty Cavacco:

Yes. New business, please. I had spoken to a couple people and Mr. Beder is one of them and our new town manager that is coming in and we’re trying to figure out something to make it easier for people to report some of their actions. Mr. Brindisi actually came up with like a 311, you know how we have 911 and 211 for information. He says that it’s an app that can be used and we can use it and program it for different things. I’d like to be able to put it on in agenda, maybe have him join us sooner than later so we can try to move forward for something. Because not only can you report snow plowing, you can report a powerful or a sewer cover or any issues that we deal with. He was explaining to me that it automatically tracks it and tracks the progress of it. I know we had discussed something like that previously but I don’t think it was an actual app. So, I think I’d like to visit that and make it easier for our residents to communicate with our town staff and us as well.

Dick Quintal:

Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

I just got one question. This 311 go to your phone.

Betty Cavacco:

No, it doesn’t go to my phone. It goes to–

Charlie Bletzer:

Just kidding. I’m being humorous.

Betty Cavacco:

You’re being facetious, Mr. Bletzer.

Dick Quintal:

Well, right now, we do have a phone number with an extension for them. So, I think we wait till the town manager comes on, put it as a doc item and listen from JB, the new town manager and roll it out that way then we can ask questions and so on.

Betty Cavacco:

That’s what I was asking.

Dick Quintal:

Okay.

Charlie Bletzer:

Mr. Chairman, one of the biggest things we have is communication so that would be a good communication.

Dick Quintal:

Absolutely! I’m just saying we should wait until he’s on board and we have a public discussion. That way, people want to call in. If anybody wants to make comments, they can make them during the meeting. That sounds exciting. So, anything else? Okay. I guess, I’ll wait in the motion to adjourn.

Charlie Bletzer:

Motion to adjourn.

Betty Cavacco:

Second.

[1:30:01]

Dick Quintal:

Thank you very much for watching. We’ll see you all next week and have a good night and be safe, and patient.