Agenda – Plymouth Select Board 11-1-22 Agenda

Official Minutes – Plymouth Select Board Minutes 11-1-22

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

Betty Cavacco:

Good evening, everyone and welcome to the Plymouth Select Board meeting, Tuesday, November 1st. If you would please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

All:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Betty Cavacco:

The select board has been in Executive Session since 5:30 and we’d like to welcome our Planning Board that is with us today, three gentlemen in front of us and I believe we have someone online. And this is according to our stature, our charter that says that we meet at least once a year. So, welcome Mr. Grandy, Mr. Mand and Mr. Bolotin.

Tim Grandy:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

We’re going to change up the agenda a little bit. The first order of business is we have an Eagle Scout that would like to do a quick presentation.

Aidan Basinski:

Thank you. Okay.

Betty Cavacco:

It’s tough being short. So, this is Aidan Basinski. Mr. Basinski?

Aidan Basinski:

Hello?

Betty Cavacco:

Hi! We can hear you.

Aidan Basinski:

All right. Thank you. Should I share my screen for my presentation?

Betty Cavacco:

Sure. You may want to speak up a little bit too.

Aidan Basinski:

Okay.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. We have your presentation all set, so we’ll play it now.

Aidan Basinski:

Okay. All right. So, hello! My name is Aidan Basinski. I am working on my Eagle Scout project proposal, and I am proposing that I work on the Redding-Bloody Pond Cemetery fence as my like a replacement for the community. I’m a Life Scout with Troop 1620 from Plymouth. I’ve been in scouting for nine years and I’m currently working on my Eagle Scout rank, which requires a service project. And that’s why I’m here tonight to propose my Eagle Scout project with this quick slideshow. I appreciate you taking the time to look at my proposal.

I would like to replace the fence around the Redding-Bloody Pond Cemetery located near 794 Long Pond Road. As you can see in the picture down below, it is a very run down fence and it has been for years. The cemetery dates back to 1851. I would like to replace the fence not only to show respect to the people buried there, which includes two veterans, but also improve the appearance of the community.

My plan if approved by the Board would be:

• A council sign off;
• then I would have to be doing fundraising via social media.
• I have materials, which would be specified wood, hardware, paint, all approved by Mr. King.
• Safety – we need to call DigSafe and then utilize signs, cones, vest because we’re working on the side of the road;
• And then the time frame – upon getting full approval, I would start fundraising immediately and construction of fence replacement would be taking around in the springtime.
• And I’ll be working close with Mr. King to make sure it meets all the local requirements.

Thank you again for taking my Eagle Scout proposal into consideration.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you so much, Aidan. Do the Board have any questions or comments? No. Well, we know John’s an Eagle Scout so he’s got to say something, right?

John Mahoney:

Great presentation, Aidan and I’m assuming Derek, there’s been some sort of communication with Mr. King on this project?

[0:05:08]

Derek brindisi:

Yes. The department is fully involved.

John Mahoney:

Okay, fantastic. So, the fence that exists now is not of any historical significance and obviously, removing it and replacing it in a project like this is not going to create any problems?

Derek Brindisi:

That’s correct.

John Mahoney:

Okay. Aidan, I wish you the best. Great job in the presentation and when you get to the fundraising part, don’t be afraid to reach out to the Board.

Aidan Basinski:

Thank you.

Charlie Bletzer:

Betty?

Betty Cavacco:

Great. Oh, Charlie?

Charlie Bletzer:

Aidan, I’d just like to commend you. It’s good to see our youth appreciate and respecting our veterans and our history. So, I commend you for what you’re doing and you should be proud to be an Eagle Scout. That’s a lot of work and I’ve been lucky enough to present some proclamations at some of your ceremonies and it’s a very proud group. So, I commend you. Thank you.

Aidan Brasinski:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Derek, do we need to motion this?

Derek Brindisi:

Yes.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Harry?

Harry Helm:

I motion that we accept Aidan’s proposal for the fencing at Redding-Bloody Pond Cemetery.

Betty Cavacco:

We have a motion by Mr. Helm, seconded by Mr. Bletzer. Discussion? All those in favor? Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:

Aye.

Betty Cavacco:

Unanimous. Congratulations, Aidan and good luck. Let us know if you need anything.

Aidan Brasinski:

Thank you. All right. I will. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

So, Derek, I’m going to kind of deviate from our agenda because I would like for you to bring the Board and the public up on our migrant status that we’ve received quite a bit of emails and I think we need to get some clarification for folks please if you would.

Derek Brindisi:

Sure. So, thank you for allowing me to do this. I feel like it’s most appropriate for me to speak at the podium today given the sensitivity of this issue that we’ve been working on for the better part of a week now. Just so it’s clear, so you probably have seen a lot of Facebook posts. Some of them I’d say are inappropriate and nasty to a certain degree, criticizing the town and other local officials for their “operation” of relocating migrants here in town. So, I think it’s important to stay publicly and we try to articulate this last Thursday during our press conference in this room that this operation was spearheaded by the Department of Housing Community Development. That’s a state department. They had notified me last Tuesday evening around 8:30 p.m. and they had stated to me over the phone and I’ll quote them, “We just procured 27 hotel rooms in town.” Those 27 hotel rooms are split amongst two different hotels here in town in which they plan to relocate migrants to this community. And they laid out what I thought was a really good plan of an organization they want to work with that would provide wraparound services. They were still working on a plan for who would be the medical provider and they had stated that evening that they’d be connecting with our school department on education needs.

And as you can imagine, the events that had taken place in Kingston and Methuen started to grow and the media started to pay close attention to what was happening now in Kingston but in Plymouth. And so, we started asking a lot of questions. Our fire chief, our police chief started asking questions of what the state’s plan was, and quite frankly, they didn’t have a plan although they thought they had a plan on Tuesday evening. So, we’ve been able to work with the organization that the state had contracted with to provide these services and that’s an organization called NeighborWorks.

NeighborWorks has been contracted by the state to provide food, clothing and case management. So, certain social wraparound services. The state also hired a security form to provide security at these two locations and then by the end of last week, they were able to identify Harbor Health as the medical provider for these individuals.

So, what role did the town play and continue to play? Really not much.

[0:10:00]

Derek Brindisi:

What we’ve been trying to do is really try to interject ourselves in that conversation not to provide services but so much that we have a sense of what’s going on in this community. Again, this is a direct business transaction between the state and NeighborWorks and had nothing to do with the town. Since then, we do believe that they’ve been working with the school department. We know that there are at least 11 school-age children here in town, 24 total children, 12 families are now here in town and starting to receive those services. We have since migrated and have identified Christian Horvath, who’s our Emergency Management Director. He’s our lead on this and our point of contact with state officials. And he’s also been working with NeighborWorks to establish a donation system here in this community because for the most part, the quiet majority in this community want to help. And we’ve started to see that when folks have been calling Town Hall and calling a lot of the other town buildings on what they can do to assist. So, we’ve established a donation system. One is here in Town Hall; the other location is at the library and the last location is over at the Emergency Management Department down at the Cedarville fire station.

So, Chris Horvath has been collecting those donations. He actually dropped off a set of donations to NeighborWorks today to assist them in their need. So, two things before I end. So, one, I was told by the state that this operation would end on January 1st, 2023. That was last Tuesday. We had a webinar yesterday with the lieutenant governor and a number of other state officials where they had stated for the first time that they are expecting the number of migrants to be requiring emergency housing over the next 12 months to double. I’m not saying it’s going to double here in Plymouth but what they’re saying across the state, they’re expecting the need to double. They’re starting to see an influx of what they determined as migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. So, any one of those legal statuses are arriving here in Massachusetts and this is a Right to Shelter state. We are one of only two states in the nation that have a law of Right to Shelter and this law and some requires the state to shelter any homeless family in Massachusetts. And New York is the only other state that has this law.

So, that’s where things stand. We will continue to engage state officials on this issue. We’ll continue to provide updates when and if necessary but I can tell you though Senator Sue Moran, Rep. Muratore and Rep LaNatra, they have been front and center on this issue from day one. They call me and others on a regular basis to ask what we need. They have insisted that the state provide the answers that we’re looking for. And so, again, I appreciate everything they have done to try to help us. I understand this growing need in the community. So, I’ll end there. I’m happy to answer any questions, but thank you for giving me the time to provide this update.

Betty Cavacco:

We appreciate the update, Derek. Thank you. And as we move along, so there is a Planning Board appointment and I don’t know if Mr. Grandy, you need to bring your board to session or–

Tim Grandy:

Yes, I can certainly do that. The Planning Board meeting scheduled for this evening is now in session. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Betty Cavacco:

You’re welcome, Mr. Chairman. This meeting is a joint session with the Planning Board to fill a vacancy. The term expires April 1st, 2023. There are two candidates: Mr. Carl Donaldson and a Mr. Scott Hokanson. Is Mr. Donaldson here? Would you like to say anything Mr. Donaldson?

Carl Donaldson:

Yes, please. Thank you, Select Board members for your time. My name is Carl Donaldson. I am fairly new to Plymouth. I’ve been living here for three and a half going on four years. I am a resident of the area, and I currently sit on the Manomet Beach Shores Association Board. So, some of my experience includes: working for the Department of Interior as an administrative admin at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historical Site as well as the John F. Kennedy home site.

[0:15:12]

Carl Donaldson:

While working on my Master’s Degree in City Planning from Boston University, I had the pleasure of working on some educational and consulting projects. Some of these projects include feasible analysis of projects for future development in the Back Bay Area of Boston as well as Consulting projects for the New Bedford Metro Bridge in Greater Quest Center District. I also worked on a work development plan for the City of Medford, a planning and transportation analysis project for Boston University green line and I also had a week-long sustainability trip to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

If approved for this position, I will work with the current Planning Board members to make decisions based on data zoning regulation laws in the town master plan and vision. The City of Plymouth development needs should fit in the short-term and long-term goals. I believe we have to develop maturely for the future while respecting and honoring our past without giving up our historical traditions and norms of the town. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Mr. Hokanson?

Scott Hokanson:

Thank you very much. I appreciate it, Madam Chair. My name is Scott Hokanson. I’m a 23-year resident of Plymouth. I’m raising five children here and I own a few businesses here in town. I am very involved in the town. Vice-chair of the Chamber of Commerce right now. I’ve been involved with the Plymouth Antiquarian Boys and Girls Club and a number of all the charities here in town. So, my commitment to community has been a lot on the charity side and I would like to get more involved with the town specifically. And this was to be honest with you a nice forgive me, you know, with his passing but would be a great way for me to introduce myself to the town over a short period of time between now and April, the town to get to know me better and for me to get to know the town better and see if we both like this process. So, I’ve never been a politician and never had to ask for a vote for somebody. I have asked for people for donations for charity so I’m guessing both are equally difficult to do. So, really appreciate your time and efforts. I promise I will come respecting the town. I’m raising children here and running a business here so I come with a unique perspective of preserving what we need in town and also respecting the business community as well. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, how would you like to proceed?

Tim Grandy:

What I’d like to do is give the ability of any of the members to ask the candidates any questions, if that’s okay.

Betty Cavacco:

Yes, of course.

John Mahoney:

Just for clarity, can you tell the public, Mr. Grandy this appointment will be for how long?

Tim Grandy:

The appointment for this is a replacement of a member Paul McAlduff who served this community for over 20 years. So, the position we’re filling this evening will only run until the next election, which is six or seven months from this time frame. And after that, we will have an election in the town for a five-year seat and the remainder of Mr. McAlduff’s term, which I believe is one year.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Tim Grandy:

You’re very welcome. Any of the members who’d like to ask the candidates any questions?

Birgitta Kuehn:

Through the Chair. This is Birgitta. It’s very hard for those on Zoom to hear you, Mr. Grandy and I’m hoping I can hear Mr. Mand and Mr. Bolotin better.

Francis Mand:

I’ll try to enunciate. Can you hear me now?

Birgitta Kuehn:

I can hear you, Frank. I just wasn’t able to hear Tim.

Francis Mand:

So, I’ll ask some similar questions to both, but first Mr. Hokanson in reverse order, I guess. Am I pronouncing your name correctly, Hokanson?

Scott Hokanson:

Yes.

Francis Mand:

In your letter of interest/resume, you note that you are a huge proponent of the master plan. Can you elaborate on that?

Scott Hokanson:

Obviously, I’ve followed what the town is trying to do and I guess–I don’t know how to–want to protect so many of the big projects we have upcoming.

[0:20:16]

Scott Hokanson:                                                                                                                

And I think we have a lot of good transitions coming that the Planning Board is going to have to be involved in over the next five years specifically the nuclear plant. We have the county area across from Home Depot and obviously, the regular sentiment from everybody in town on the 52B developments and how those relate to our school program and the capacity of our school programs and how that relates to our taxes and the different protections on both sides.

Once again, I am a beneficiary of a student who requires a lot of resources from the school in the special ed department. And as we add more of these developments, we have to be aware of what that does to the rest of us. And again, I’m a consumer of that with five children here in town.

Francis Mand:

Okay. You note in your resume as well that, or your comments, that you work with hundreds of local businesses.

Scott Hokanson:

Yes.

Francis Mand:

But does that present a potential conflict of interest?

Scott Hokanson:

It probably could at times and I’d have to disclose that. I sell health insurance to employers in town. I have 800 clients primarily in Plymouth County. So, not only Plymouth companies but there might be local, outside of Plymouth companies that want to develop here in town and I’d have to disclose. That was the first question I asked when I asked some questions of people in this room of me being part of this how does that affect it.

Francis Mand:

I know this has come up suddenly with this opening but have you shown interest in the Planning Board in the past? Have you attended meetings either via Zoom or in-person? And if so, what issues interest you the most that you saw during those meetings?

Scott Hokanson:

So, I have not attended in-person to any of the meetings. And I guess, the issue that probably interested me the most when I moved into town is obviously the development of the Pinehills, which is obviously 20 something years ago. That was probably the last one that I followed closely.

Francis Mand:

So, you seemed to suggest that you’re checking out the process as well as the town checking you out. So, you’re not committed to running for the full-term next year?

Scott Hokanson:

I have not committed to running for the full-term next year.

Francis Mand:

Okay. Thank you.

Scott Hokanson:

So, I want to make that very clear that part of my interest in the seat was the short-term commitment.

Francis Mand:

Okay, thank. So, Mr. Donaldson, some are the same, a little different. Your resume and application speak of an interest in three different positions. It talks about the Planning Board, the Zoning Board and the Historic District Commission. Are you looking for any and all? Are you mostly interested in one or another?

Carl Donaldson:

I’m mostly interested in the Planning Board as more and my second choice would be the Zoning Board, and that’s based upon my background and the things that I’ve done.

Francis Mand:

So, I’d also ask what I asked Mr. Hokanson about attendance in the past, if you’ve either via Zoom or in-person attended any Planning Board meetings? And if so, any issues or things that came up that caught your interest?

Carl Donaldson:

Yes. So, I have in the past been on a Zoom and I also get the emails from the Planning Board the things that I’ve corresponded and things like that so I can stay in touch. The biggest thing I think that was more of an issue of concern for me was with the nuclear power plant since that I live on the water in Manomet.  So, I think uh the whole issue of what’s going to be dumped into the water in that area and things like that and I’ve done some research and looked at the scientific analysis of like the parts per millimeter and that will be going and over the course of time and things like that. So, I can actually talk to my other neighbors when it goes a little bit too far in the conversation. And so, I try to keep myself a breasted of a lot of things that’s happening in town.

[0:25:05]

Francis Mand:

Okay. What do you see as the chief role of a Planning Board member?

Carl Donaldson:

The chief role would be is to make sure that we are making decisions that are in the best interest of the town based upon the charter that’s given to us or the city plan, the city master plan and as well as we’re in compliance with any rules or regulations that may involve the development whether it’s small or big.

Francis Mand:

And if you are appointed to this position, would you seek election next year?

Carl Donaldson:

Yes.

Francis Mand:

You would?

Carl Donaldson:

Yes.

Francis Mand:

Thank you.

Carl Donaldson:

For me or?

Steven Bolotin:

I’m going to start with you because you’re staying there.

Carl Donaldson:

Okay.

Steven Bolotin:

So, from your observations, what do you see as the role of the Planning Board as part of town government?

Carl Donaldson:

I would say the role would be to make the decisions or vote on the decisions that is going to be, like I said, for our long-term and short-term benefit for the town and for the people. My personal beliefs don’t get into anything, whatever the way the wind is blowing doesn’t get into my decision making. My decision making would be based upon facts, data, is it lawful? Does it meet the requirements of the zoning and is it going to be in the best interests of our Town based upon our master plan?

Steven Bolotin:

And what made you decide to go for your Masters in Planning?

Carl Donaldson:

Wow. So, I just got out of the military and the economy was bad and I decided to go back to school and I use my GI Bill to do that. And really, I was interested in real estate and I’ve always had that passion for that. And then looking at also like my background that I couldn’t actually kind of fully do the things that I wanted to do and I still wanted to stay in government, and the best way to combine the both was to go for the Masters in City Planning. And my family has a background not necessarily in politics but being involved in the community, in the city. And so, I still had that urge but I also like, ‘Hey, I love anything that has to do with developing and building.’ And I have my own projects that I’ve done and worked on so I was like let me combine the two.

Steven Bolotin:

Thank you.

Tim Grandy:

Thank you, Mr. Bolotin. Ms. Kuehn, do you have any questions for any of the candidates?

Birgitta kuehn:

I do. Thank you, Mr. Grandy. So, let me start again. I can’t see my screen somehow.

Carl Donaldson:

I’m Mr. Donaldson and I’m still here.

Birgitta Kuehn:

All right. Somehow whomever is managing the screen is taking my view away of the room, but I’ll try to compensate for that. Thank you, Mr. Donaldson for your interest in the Planning Board. And I can tell you from experience, I haven’t been here much longer than you have and I know how daunting it can be to get involved in a town such as Plymouth that has such a rich history and the longevity of its volunteers and such. So, I want to give you sort of kudos for having the courage to come up in front of us and say you are interested and you have a skill set. But I do want to ask you about what the Planning Board is always expected to do and it kind of sits in the background, and that is to balance between environmental issues and development of the town.

[0:30:00]

Birgitta Kuehn:

It sits richly in our master plan. It will also be in our new master plan, but it’s also part of the discussions that we have whether or not our bylaws and regulations directly address those issues. It always sits there. Can you comment on what I’ve just put in front of you?

Carl Donaldson:

Yes. For Massachusetts, in any development, from the beginning of the ground level, there’s always going to be an environmental assessment that has to be done. I’ve worked on some sustainability projects doing my course in my studies. And the balance between environmental and development also as a planner, we have to make sure the development is able to, if there’s any measures to one prevent any environmental harm or two, if there’s some litigation or mediation or something that they can do to either improve, sustain or better the environmental situation.

So, a perfect example would be if there’s a developer that’s building next to a marsh and they’re asking for different setbacks or a change to an environmental law this and that, my question would be is okay if you get this, what are you going to do to mediate or do this that has to do with the environment? And that’s not only for the environment. I think in any development, the town should be looking at okay, this is going to be a benefit but what type of benefit this is going to be for the town whether it’s economical, environmental, social, cultural or whatever. It shouldn’t be just a check the box that this is a great idea.

Birgitta Kuehn:

Thank you very much. Thank you very much for your answer and I’d like to also ask Mr. Hokanson if he could stand up and answer the same question because I believe it’s an important question for sitting on the Planning Board.

Scott Hokanson:

Well, first and foremost, I love the environment that Plymouth gives us. One of the projects I’m working on outside of this is I’m working with Dave Gould and Chad Hunter and Stephen Cole on kelp farming and improving that business here in town whether it’s with me or just encouraging that. I just went to the Blue Green Conference last Monday and Tuesday here in town, which was amazing where we got to hear about all the aquaculture that’s going on in our harbor and what the potential is for that. So, we’re probably not going to be building many buildings in the harbor but really my commitment to protecting our environment. You can follow me on Facebook catching my stripers and every time saying just what Carl just said, “Can we just not put runoff there, please?” Obviously, being a big part of what we’re all concerned about here in town. So, I don’t know how else to say it other than I am absolutely committed to protecting our environment.

Birgitta Kuehn:

Thank you.

Scott Hokanson:

You’re welcome.

Birgitta Kuehn:

Thank you. Mr. Grandy, I finished my questions.

Tim Grandy:

Great, thank you. I don’t have any questions for the candidates other than a couple of comments. One, I want to say thank you to both of you for applying for the position. Being a member of the Planning Board is a very important position as far as working with everybody in the town. Most importantly, we work with the Board of Selectmen. So, you are part of the planning for the entire town. We work with Mr. Hartman as the Planning Director and we follow the Zoning bylaws for the town. If I may correct you, it’s not a city. Okay? It’s a town. I know you probably were in the city before but it’s the Town of Plymouth. Okay? So, it’s very important that we work and look at the environment, economics in the town, the quality of life for the residents that live here and future planning. So, we look at the master plan, which is being worked on now by the Master Plan Committees that are involved in the processes.

The master plan is a guideline that we should be following to the best of our ability. So, with that, again, I want to thank both of you for applying for the position and all the questions you heard from other members this evening, you’ll be hearing if you run for a term and be elected by the residents of the Town of Plymouth.

[0:35:10]

Tim Grandy:

So, whichever one of you is selected this evening, I will welcome you as a Planning Board member and if you’re not selected, please continue to work for the town whether that be on a Steering Committee, which sends advisory reports to the Planning Board and they also have one member of the Steering Committees that’s appointed by the Board of Selectmen. So, if you’re not appointed this evening, please continue to help the community by volunteering and I very much appreciate that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do the board members have any questions or comments? Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

I just have comments. I looked at both resumes and I can tell you, you’re both impressive candidates and whoever doesn’t get appointed, I hope that you please get on another committee or another board because you both have great credentials. My comment tonight is for whoever gets appointed and what I think the qualifications of is your personality. We need people that are open-minded, that are reasonable and respectful when they’re dealing with developers as well as environmentalists. We don’t want anybody that has a personal agenda on the boards. It’s about what’s in the best interests of the citizens of Plymouth. Not all developments hurt the environments, okay? I’m big into economic development and I’m not afraid to say that and I think we have to work together, the developers, the environmentalists to help the economy and the people of Plymouth. So, whoever gets on, those are my words of wisdom. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Chairman, would you like me to call for the vote or would you like to do the honors?

Tim Grandy:

I would like you to call for the vote, please.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. We have one seat to fill and the first candidate is Mr. Carl Donaldson. Bridgitta? I’m sorry.

Harry Helm:

She’s voted for him.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, she’s voted for him. Yes. Two? Okay. And Mr. Hokanson? Six. Congratulations, Mr. Hokanson. And Mr. Donaldson, please we have 65 boards and committees, pick one. Pick another one. Pick five, right. And we appreciate both of you putting your name forward for these positions. Now, Mr. Chairman, is this an adjournment of a joint session with the Planning Board?

Tim Grandy:

Yes, please. I’ll entertain a motion from the members to end the meeting this evening.

Steven Bolotin:

Motion to adjourn the Planning Board meeting.

Francis Mand:

Second.

Tim Grandy:

All in favor? Ms. Kuehn? There was a motion to adjourn.

Birgitta Kuehn:

I understand. Before we adjourn, I’d like to make this proposal to the Select Board. Because this was a very specific issue just to have an interim appointment to the board and you had introduced this as our yearly joint session, I’m hopeful that we can actually have a yearly joint session possibly before the fall town warrant closes so that we can have a joint session to discuss the warrant proposals and the workings of the Planning Board and the status of what we’re working on. This was a little bit narrow and focused and I’d like to have a bigger opportunity in the future. And yes, I vote to adjourn. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

You’re welcome.

Tim Grandy:

Just so you know, Ms. Kuehn, that’s underway. I’ve already spoken with the Chair of the Board of Selectmen and we’re working on scheduling that.

Birgitta Kuehn:

Then I misunderstood Ms. Cavacco saying this was our yearly meeting, but thank you.

Tim Grandy:

All right. Planning Board is now adjourned. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

You’re very welcome.

[0:40:06]

Betty Cavacco:

All right. As we move forward, we have Committee Appointments. We have the Zoning Board of Appeals. There is–yes?

Harry Helm:

Madam Chair, a procedural question. As noted, Mr. Donaldson in his email to us put his name in for all of these. Are we going to be considering Mr. Donaldson who is leaving for these?

Betty Cavacco:

Well, I mean, he’s not on the agenda and I’m not sure why he’s not on the agenda. And I know that his emails did say that he showed interest but let’s see. Anthony, are there alternate positions for any of these boards that we have on tonight’s agenda?

Anthony Senesi:

Madam Chair, there’s a possibility of two potential alternate positions open for the Historic District Commission dependent on how the board votes for the full voting position of the Historic District Commission. It could be either one or two alternate openings.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. And now, with Mr. Donaldson’s interest, would he be put on that? I mean, we’re not going to vote on the alternates this evening.

Anthony Senesi:

Correct. He did submit a letter of intent that includes Zoning Board of Appeals and also the Historic District Commission. So, yes, he would be available.

Betty Cavacco:

So, we’re going to fill the full seat tonight and then the alternates will be at our next meeting?

Anthony Senesi:

Correct, yep.

Betty Cavacco:

Great, okay. Just so you know, Mr. Donaldson. You’re welcome. So, the Zoning Board of Appeals, one full seat and we have three candidates: Mr. O’Reilly, Mr. Ricardi and Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. O’Reilly?

Kevin O’Reilly:

Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is Kevin O’Reilly and I have applied for the position on the Zoning Board. I appreciate your consideration. I think over the 30+ years that I’ve been actively involved in one volunteer organization or another in this community, I’ve been able to work with all of you whether it was the Nuclear Decommissioning, Citizen Advisory Panel, the Chamber, Plymouth 400. I think you all know me as somebody that well I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m very fair. I believe in this community. I believe in doing what’s right for this community. I understand that the Zoning Board plays an important role and has important guidelines through our Zoning bylaws that we have to adhere to at all times. And I just had like to appreciate your consideration and would appreciate your vote tonight.

Betty Cavacco:

Does anyone have any questions for Mr. O’Reilly? No? No, thank you.

Kevin O’Reilly:

Thanks again.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Ricardi?

Philip Ricardi:

Thank you, Madam Chairman. I have an interest in the board because I’d like to help serve the town and use my background for the development for economic development. My background is I have a degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern and I’ve worked primarily through my career managing commercial projects for developers and owners, a variety of developments from just a small building restaurant retailer to multi-unit residential complexes, shopping malls which all would include parking garages elaborate landscaping been built on brownfields, all kinds of other varieties of areas, heavy areas of public use.

[0:45:31]

Philip Ricardi:

And in the last 16 months, I’ve been one of the alternates on the Board of Appeals and I’ve served on quite a few of the cases because I was the only alternate for the first year that I was on it. And during that time, I’ve developed a good relationship working with the chairman and the other members and I’m looking to do more of that as a full-time member. And I appreciate to get your consideration.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. And Mr. McLaughlin?

Stephen McLaughlin:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Attorney Stephen McLaughlin. I’ve been a resident of Plymouth for 17 years since 2005. I’ve been practicing law mostly in Plymouth County since 1980, so I have 42 years of practice experience and a lot of that is in land development and zoning. I have served for three years in the Town of Carver Zoning Board of Appeals and I’ve served for nine years on the Town of Hingham Zoning Board of Appeals. In Carver, it was basically the late 1980s to early 1990s and Hingham, it was from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

By virtue of my experience as an attorney and as a member of those Zoning Board of Appeals, I’m thoroughly familiar with the provisions of Chapter 48, which is the Zoning Statute for the Commonwealth. And through my experience on those boards, I have heard literally hundreds of zoning cases. I’ve written dozens of zoning decisions. Some of which have gone through the Appeals Court and have been upheld.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a unique board. It is a quasi-judicial board. It is not in any way legislative group or board like the Planning Board is. The Planning Board proposes zoning bylaws, amend zoning bylaws and presents those to town meeting. The function of the Zoning Board of Appeals is markedly different. As a quasi-judicial board, the Zoning Board hears presentations for special permits or variances or perhaps comprehensive permits and then applies the facts to the existing zoning bylaws and the regulations and the statutes. It’s not the role of the Zoning Board of Appeals to decide, ‘Gee, the zoning bylaws really shouldn’t say that or what the zoning bylaws should say is this,’ that’s not the role of the Zoning Board.

The role of the Zoning Board is to apply what other people have decided are going to be the zoning bylaws. That’s a very important consideration especially when dealing with the citizens of a town. Citizens of a town often have very strong opinions of proposals that are set before the Zoning Board of Appeals especially in residential sections, but also in commercial proposals. And these people will come to the Zoning Board hearings with very strong opinions of what they think should happen or what they think shouldn’t happen, and it’s the role of the Zoning Board of Appeals to help educate everybody, the citizens as well as the applicants, to what the role is and what the rules of the game are and how the decision is going to be made based upon those bylaws, those statutes, those rules and regulations.

In addition, a Zoning Board of Appeals is very, very frequently acting with other town boards especially the Planning Board, Conservation Commission or other town boards even sometimes the selectmen. And it’s very important for members of the zoning board to understand there are various stakeholders coming into the Zoning Board of Appeals who want to be heard, who need to be heard and need to leave with an understanding of they were heard and the decision was made with their input included and considered.

So, I think it’s crucial for any member of the Zoning Board of Appeals that is appointed by the Board of Selectmen to understand those very important considerations.

[0:50:06]

Stephen McLaughlin:

I never go to or never undertake any hearing with any personal agenda. I never have and I never would, because I respect the fact that the zoning bylaws have been enacted and approved by people in other roles. It wouldn’t be my role to say the bylaw is no good or the bylaw should be changed. That’s up to other people. And I wouldn’t take a personal interest or approach onto whether or not a proposal is good or bad, but I would try to help make a proposal better if that can be done within the rules and regulations and parameters of the zoning ordinance, zoning bylaws and the statutes and the rules and regulations. So, that’s my history, my approach.

I practice under the name of McLaughlin Law, Mediation, Conciliation & Arbitration and I think it’s very important to bring those mediator skills and those conciliation skills into the public hearing so that hearings really can be done in a way that if there is tension, if there is disagreement that that tension and disagreement can be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Thank you very much.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you, sir. Okay. We will–

Charlie Bletzer:

I have a couple of questions.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, do you have any questions?

Charlie Bletzer:

To Mr. McLaughlin.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. McLaughlin.

Charlie Bletzer:

Hi, Mr. McLaughlin. So, you’ve said you’ve been practicing since 1980 in Plymouth County.

Stephen McLaughlin:

Yeah. Mostly Plymouth County for a while.

Charlie Bletzer:

And you’ve lived here 17 years?

Stephen McLaughlin:

I’ve lived here since 2005, yes.

Charlie Bletzer:

Okay. Have you been on any other boards or committees?

Stephen McLaughlin:

I have not been on any Boards of committees in this town.

Charlie Bletzer:

I just wonder what piqued your interest in getting on the Zoning Board at this point.

Stephen McLaughlin:

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Charlie Bletzer:

I’m just wondering what has piqued your interest in getting on the Zoning Board at this point of your career?

Stephen McLaughlin:

I am 67 years old and I–

Charlie Bletzer:

You’re still young.

Stephen McLaughlin:

–intentionally slowing down my practice which included a lot of litigation. I’m not that young guy anymore that wants to take on those battles, and I’m focusing more on the mediation, conciliation and arbitration. I’ve always greatly enjoyed being a member of a Zoning Board of Appeals. With nine years in Hingham, it was just a great experience. It’s an opportunity to give the town the benefit of my experience, my legal knowledge, my experience in handling matters, resolving matters, deciding matters. And so, my wife was the one who told me that this was open. She saw it on her email and I immediately responded that same day, but I always enjoyed it. I know I would enjoy it here as well.

Charlie Bletzer:

So, when were you in the Hingham Zoning? When was that? What years were those? The Hingham Zoning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Stephen McLaughlin:

Hingham Zoning Board of Appeals, over the course of the nine years, we would alternate each year, the chairman, vice-champion.

Charlie Bletzer:

Yeah. What years were that?

Stephen McLaughlin:

I believe it was nine years ended around 2005 when I came here. So, it was back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, so.

Charlie Bletzer:

And then the last question is, have you represented before Planning or Zoning in Plymouth, any projects in Plymouth that you’ve experienced here?

Stephen McLaughlin:

I don’t recall ever appearing before the Zoning Board in Plymouth, no.

Charlie Bletzer:

And what about Planning, any boards in Plymouth?

Stephen McLaughlin:

No, no.

Charlie Bletzer:

Okay, all right. All right. Thank you very much.

Betty Cavacco:

Any other questions, gentlemen? No? So, we’ll call for a vote. Mr. Kevin O’Reilly? Four. Mr. Phil Ricardi? One. Mr. McLaughlin? Zero. Congratulations, Mr. O’Reilly. And thank you to the others. And please, look for boards and committees.

Charlie Bletzer:

Please.

Betty Cavacco:

Our next appointment is the Historic District Commission and there’s one full seat and we have one, two, three, four, five people that are applying for this one full seat.

[0:55:00]

Betty Cavacco:

And as Mr. Senesi mentioned earlier that depending on how this vote goes that there may be one to two alternate seats that will be coming up at our next meeting. So, we have Mr. Darryl Lynch. He’s not here. Okay. Mr. Ryan Vayo?

Ryan Vayo:

Hi.

Betty Cavacco:

Good afternoon.

Ryan Vayo:

I’d just like to say thank you for the time and the consideration. I’ve been a resident of Plymouth for coming up on eight years now. I’ve lived in North Plymouth Manomet and I’m currently building a house in Chiltonville. I’ve really come to fall in love with the Town of Plymouth. The important role that it plays in the history of our country as a whole and obviously especially the downtown historic district. My experience lies in construction. I’m a licensed general contractor. Most of the work that I have done and I’m currently doing is in town. I think that the mission and the purpose of the Historic Commission is an important one. We have an amazing Historic downtown district that like I said plays a major role in not just Plymouth’s history but the history of our country in general. And I see it as a great opportunity to possibly be a part of that and maintaining the historic look and feel and importance of our downtown. So, I would just like to thank you for the consideration.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Wait a minute. Hold on just a second, I’m so sorry. Questions from the board members? Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

So, Mr. Vayo, so, I’ll ask you a question and I think there’s three more candidates. We’ll ask the same question of all four remaining candidates because the first one was not here. So, if you looked at the last town meeting a few weeks ago, the Community Preservation Committee had an article passed that some may consider or may not consider basically a Hail Mary with respect to a structure that sits just outside of the historical area, and it’s over there on Union Street and it’s a building that dates back to 1857. So, have you been paying attention? Are you up to date on what’s going on in that issue? And then the second thing is are you going to be willing to embrace work with Chair Tubin and the other members of the Historical District Commission to potentially bring a proposal forward to a future town meeting to expand the Historical District?

Ryan Vayo:

I can’t say that I’m completely up to date with that specific issue, but to the second part of your question, I would definitely be excited about, willing to, open to working with everybody to expand the Historic District, whatever that might mean. There’s a number of different areas in town that could be considered historic. I just went to Bill Fornaciari’s presentation last week on the Estates of the Gilded Age in Plymouth where I’m building over in Chiltonville was sat on what was the Forger’s estate. So, to your point of expansion, it isn’t just the downtown historic district that means a lot to the history of Plymouth and the history of the country. There are definitely other parts of town that are of major significance from a historic standpoint.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else?

Harry Helm:

That was my question.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, that was his question. Lucky you.

Charlie Bletzer:

One question. Ryan, can you tell us what provides you? You got one in Chiltonville that you’ve worked on historic projects. You’ve had other ones that you’ve worked on?

Ryan Vayo:

Yes. So, I’ve worked with my family, MEGRYCO on a number of projects downtown in the historic district: the Armory Building, the Registry building. Most recently, the Governor Bradford and a few other smaller projects downtown.

Charlie Bletzer:

So, you understand what goes into these projects, what you can and can’t do and you understand all the rules and regulations? Okay.

Ryan Vayo:

Yes, sir.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? No? Thank you.

[1:00:03]

Ryan Vayo:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Vecchi?

Scott Vecchi:

Good evening. Thank you for having me here. My name is Scott Vecchi. I was born in the Town of Plymouth. I’m actually a member of the Mayflower Society and we go back to seven different programs. I’m also the current alternate member on the Historic District Commission. I’ve served as an alternate member on the Historic District Commission, sorry, I’m a little tongue-tied, since July of 2020. So, just almost two and a half years as an alternate member.

During that time on the Historic District Commission, we’ve tackled a lot of difficult projects including the condos that are currently residing behind Reliable Cleaners. We’ve dealt with the input that we could have on the project that you had mentioned before. There have been discussions about expanding the historic district.

To deviate a little bit, just a little bit more on my background, like I said, I was born in the Town of Plymouth. I’m also a licensed attorney and a licensed real estate broker, which brings a variety of knowledge that I try to use to assist on the Historic District Commission. When I was a kid in the 70s, I grew up downtown so I possessed a lot of institutional knowledge of the downtown area as much as a little kid likes to wander around and get into trouble. And I’ve dedicated my life to service both of our country. I’m a retired Gunnery Sergeant of Marines and to our town, I’ve been an employee of the Town of Plymouth for 25 years and I served as a town meeting representative. I was appointed to the Charter Commission, the Charter Review Commission. I’m currently an elected member of the–I’m sorry, the Charter Committee. I’m currently elected to the Charter Commission. And I’m also elected to the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority. So, I have a lot of love for the Town of Plymouth and I dedicate a lot of my time to the Town of Plymouth including the Historic District Commission.

Again, we’ve tackled some pretty important projects in the recent history that I’ve been on aboard. I think that my input has always been positive in working with all the other members of the commission to do what’s best for the Town of Plymouth. I very much am in favor of working towards expanding the historic district. In my opinion, it should at least go down to Stephens Field, to the south and up to at least Nelson Street in the north, if not further north, as there’s a lot of history out in North Plymouth just from the Cordage Company and some of the buildings that relate back to that huge industry where at one point the majority of the population of the Town of Plymouth lived north of Chilton Street.

And like I said, the last appointments that came before, I was unaware at the time that as an alternate member I had to reapply for the position when the last two full-time members were appointed so I kind of missed the vote on that one. But I am before you today as an active member of the Historic District Commission asking to be appointed to the full voting seat.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Any questions? Nope. Thank you. Mr. Lodi?

Steven Lodi:

Hi! Steve Lodi, lifelong resident of Plymouth all but me dating myself about probably 25 to 27 years when I lived in the Boston area. I have a very deep-rooted love and passion for the history of our town. I’m very connected to it. I probably don’t have as robust a background as some of these folks but I work for  an affordable housing developer and I cover the Greater Boston and Mid-Atlantic region which includes Washington DC, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Maryland and all the surrounding towns in the Boston area, Connecticut and Rhode Island. And through my work, I’ve had the opportunity to touch some preservation projects not directly but indirectly, because I’m on the management side of these deals.

And I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a preservation project in the Channel Center area of Boston which is converted into artist studios, Midway Studios, the Baker Chocolate Factory and the administrative building in Lower Mills Dorchester.

[1:05:03]

Steven Lodi:

Westminster Lofts which was the Peerless department store in Rhode Island. And I just have a great passion for preservation, for the fabric that makes up our town. And I have demonstrated track record in this industry that I work in after 33 years. And in particular, the company that I work for now of collaborative work to come to the best solutions and choices for a town, choices to be made for any particular circumstance. I would love the opportunity to give back.

I have to answer other questions that I’ve heard you ask others. I’ve not had an opportunity to volunteer on anything yet. I’m at a point in my career where I’ve made a conscious decision to step back a little bit from the long hours at work and dedicate myself to other passions, and one of them is the Town of Plymouth.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Any questions?

John Mahoney:

Steven, I had a question with respect to a potential expansion of the historical district area.

Steven Lodi:

Like Mr. Vecchi, I feel strongly about the north Plymouth area too. I think there are opportunities to expand and preserve other beyond the current footprint of the Historic District Commission. I think there’s still opportunity to protect other architectural assets in the neighborhood, and I agree. I had the opportunity to go to first and second grade at the Oak Street School. So, a two-room schoolhouse and I lived right next door,1882 Victorian and it’s still in the family since 1941. So, I think there’s other opportunities in town, yes.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? Okay. Thank you, sir. And Kate Sekerak? Did I say that right?

Kate Sekerak:

Sekerak.

Betty Cavacco:

Sekerak, I’m sorry.

Kate Sekerak:

Yes, that’s okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is Kate Sekerak. I have lived in Plymouth for almost 19 years on Bradford Street. I am a lifelong South Shore resident, but very new to the government process. I am a founding member of the Bradford Area Commission, which was the efforts begun by our neighborhood to work with the new owners of the marina to help preserve and restore potentially the old foundry building. After a year of getting to a point of pretty relative success, well there’s much to do, in that process, I found that there were areas of our town that are definitely in jeopardy.

I’d like to expand the historic district to see that expanded to include the Bradford Area neighborhood to at least Stephens Field and to tell a complete story of what the Waterfront history is. I’ve begun the process. It’s a lengthy process of understanding the necessary studies, the documentation, the presentation and the community commitment that this involves. This is a major undertaking. Following the demolition delay bylaw, which was successfully put into place by the Historic District Commission, I began to attend their meetings on a somewhat regular basis to understand more about what it was that they did, what the process was. In general, it was just interesting to me. So, whether it was the idea of what windows were being replaced in a historical home or whether it was something as major as the project that we undertook, I just found it interesting.

But what I did observe among other things was that there are other neighborhoods in town that are definitely facing the threat of significant change without some kind of guidelines in place. Those being specifically White Horse Beach. There was discussion of taking down a cottage which may seem benign except that when you say, “Well, we’re going to rebuild on the footprint.” it’s still a brand-new house. And just because it’s been neglected for 50 years doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs to be destroyed.

[1:10:05]

Kate Sekerak:

There are other areas as well: North Plymouth, Chiltonville. I’d like to become a part of the Historic District Commission to help with the expansion and also help residents appreciate what it means to live in an historic area, to help residents understand what all the positive implications are and dispel the myths that you’re going to be told to fix up your house and paint it khaki green because I think that that’s automatically what folks are going to think when you know if they think that, ‘Uh-oh, they want to invade our neighborhood and expand the historic district.’ There’s going to be a lot of delicate conversations to have and I realize in doing some of this preliminary study work that it’s going to be tough. It’s going to take some conversations and a lot of discussion and education, maybe some walking tours, etc.

The earliest historic districts were created in Beacon Hill, Nantucket. All of Nantucket is a historic district. Lexington and Concord and it seems that Plymouth was a little late in the game, but there’s so much more to be accomplished to keep the town significant and allow development that allows us to move forward in prosperity, but also preserves history in our mind and in view.

So, this opportunity I feel is timely because we’ve seen recent projects that have been completed that don’t necessarily fit into the village scape and landmarks that have been removed and homes that are changing the neighborhood scape now forever. So, I find myself sort of a reluctant applicant honestly, but I think it’s important and it’s fascinating and whether I’m elected to a permanent seat, an alternate seat, I’m going to keep going to the Historic District Commission meetings because it’s interesting to me and I’ll keep trying to understand. And of course, I’ll keep working as a member of the Bradford Area Commission of course towards the Foundry project which is first and foremost the most important thing for our group right now, but there’s certainly a big picture as well. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Any questions?

Charlie Bletzer:

No, just one comment. I mean, the Historic Commission is very important to our tourism industry preserving a good example, the Spire is being restored right now. And when that’s done, that’s going to be the center of attention besides the Town Hall right here and it’s going to be a huge, huge boom for the tourism. I mean, I see people now taking pictures of it. They were taking pictures when it was scaffolding on it and wait till it’s beautified. So, we want to expand for that reason and to make it a bigger area. But I it’s very important for tourism.

A house from your speech doesn’t really fall into that. That’s a different board but I just want you to know how important this commission. It’s a very important commission.

Kate Sekerak:

Yes. And with respect, I agree.

Charlie Bletzer:

You saw it down at Bradford how important to you guys that building is, the façade of that building.

Kate Sekerak:

It is. And I feel like there are other places in town that have so much history and White Horse Beach is one of them. There’s all those cottages.

Charlie Bletzer:

I don’t know about a cottage in White Horse Beach.

Kate Sekerak:

And I know that it’s not a tourist draw but I think–

Charlie Bletzer:

It is very important to the residents of Plymouth if you saw the response at town meeting. I mean, Spire was 125 to 2, I think it was the votes. And actually, had to be more than that because it’s–what was? Yeah 125 to 2. And I think the same thing for the project down in Bradford.

Kate Sekerak:

Yeah. We’re really pleased with that. We’re very proud. Yeah. So, hopefully–

Charlie Bletzer:

Keep fighting.

Kate Sekerak:

We will keep fighting.

Charlie Bletzer:

All right. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay.

Kate Sekerak:

Anything else?

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? And we’ll call for the vote.

[1:15:02]

John Mahoney:

Madam Chair?

Betty Cavacco:

Yes.

John Mahoney:

So, just for clarification here, one vote, we can’t put whatever we do the other one or two seats to bed tonight?

Betty Cavacco:

No.

John Mahoney:

We’ve got to post that and come back at a future date?

Betty Cavacco:

Yes.

Derek Brindisi:

That’s right. Those positions haven’t been advertised so we have to reopen those seats.

John Mahoney:

Okay.

Betty Cavacco:

Are we good?

John Mahoney:

We’re good.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Darryl Lynch? Zero. Ryan Vayo?

Derek Brindisi:

Roll call.

Betty Cavacco:

Roll call. Mr. Bletzer? Yes.

Charlie Bletzer:

Yes.

Betty Cavacco:

Myself, yes. Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:

Yes.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

No.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Helm? I forgot your name there for a minute.

Harry Helm:

No.

Betty Cavacco:

Three votes for Mr. Vayo. Mr. Vecchi? No votes.

Harry Helm:

No. One.

Betty Cavacco:

One, okay. One vote. Mr. Lodi? No votes. And Ms. Sekerak?

John Mahoney:

Yes.

Betty Cavacco:

One vote. Okay. Mr. Vayo, congratulations. And the other positions will be posted as alternates. I’m hoping for the next meeting? Yes? Okay. Thank you.

Okay. The next order of business on the agenda is Holiday Tree on Town Green – Discussion and Vote Anticipated.

Derek Brindisi:

Sure. So, to the Board, although Halloween just ended last night, we are here this evening to talk about the location of the Holiday Tree for the December holiday time period. So, as you all know, for the past number of years, the Holiday Tree has been erected over at Town Square. We have received numerous and dozens of requests, I would say mostly from local businesses, asking the board to consider relocating the Holiday Tree and the holiday festivities to the Green in front of Town Hall.

The reason why we’re asking for a consideration this evening is because if the board were to approve this, we need substantial lead time in order to prepare the area for a tree. Right now, the parks director has already identified a 40-foot tree for this year. So, it’s going to take some work in order to have that area prepared for this large tree. So, that’s the reason for this agenda item this evening and I’ll turn it back to the board.

Betty Cavacco:

Great. Any questions or anything?

Charlie Bletzer:

Well, we can discuss them.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

Oh, it actually worked the first time. Mr. Brindisi, given this proposal to move this on to the Town Hall grounds. Have you discussed and given the recent issues around flying a flag on the flagpole that that tree will be very closely located to? Have you spoken with our counsel? Because I do know there’s been an organization that has attempted to have a menorah displayed for a number of years. Have you spoken to counsel about the ramifications of moving a Christmas tree to the Town Hall?

Derek Brindisi:

So, we’ve actually done some research and actually have talked to town counsel regarding this very issue. And counsel has opined that holiday trees or Christmas trees, as some call them, are actually considered not a religious item but it’s considered a tradition as far as U.S culture. So, it’s not considered a religious type of event. I mean, there’s case law on that.

Harry Helm:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, I think there’s no better place than right in front of Town Hall to have a 40-foot tree. And my understanding is difficult for our Police Department to mitigate the traffic in the other locations.

[1:20:05]

Betty Cavacco:

So, I think this is a much easier location. And the businesses actually have been the ones asking to be able to move that because it really kind of centers the town, Town Hall, the downtown business district. So, I’m thrilled about it. I wish we had done it years ago. John?

John Mahoney:

Yeah. Derek, I just want to make sure that we do a little bit more of investigative legwork with respect to–I mean, when we undertook this project, I don’t know how much they dug out there on the lawn. There is a stone or I believe a memorial to Veterans out there, and then 40-foot tree is pretty large so I just want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make sure that there’s no permanent damage done out there. And I don’t know if it’s the veterans or whoever, make sure that they’re communicated to with respect to what we’re doing.

Derek Brindisi:

Yeah. I’m happy to work through a veterans’ agent to reach out to the veterans’ groups that are out there to make sure that we’re not missing the mark on that area. I’d have to say though having talked to the DPW director, they’re certainly going to disturb the front lawn. I mean, to the point where probably the area that’s disturbed, they have to loom and seed it in the spring. We have an irrigation system out there. We don’t expect the irrigation system to be damaged but having the irrigation system, we believe the lawn will be restored next spring.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Bletzer?

Charlie Bletzer:

Ever since we built a beautiful Town Hall here in the center of town, which was going to revitalize our downtown, that’s what we talked about and it’s beautiful. I’ve been wondering why we haven’t had our Christmas tree out here or a holiday tree/Christmas tree since we opened. It’s finally going to come to fruition, and I think it’s great. It’ll be the focal point of the downtown. There’s going to get a lot more exposure, okay? People can come to the businesses then go see the Christmas tree and I just think we need to do a lot more with that in front of this Town Hall because it is right in our business district, right in the center of it. So, I’m excited about this. It’s going to be probably a three-foot sleeve in the ground. I don’t think it’s going to do much damage and we vetted it through legal, it’s legal. And I think we’re going to get a great response for having this tree. So, anyway, I’m ready to make a motion.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, hold on a minute. Mr. Quintal, your hand is raised but I’m not sure if it’s just hanging there from another–

Dick Quintal:

No, it’s not, Madam Chairman.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay.

Dick Quintal:

I also think it’s a great idea to put the holiday tree there. Last year, actually, we had a holiday tree in the foyer of Town Hall for the first time. And previously, the old Town Hall on Lincoln Street, I used to decorate the entire building inside every holiday season. I would be polite as the holiday season, out of respect for all. So, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I think it’s great and good idea whoever thought of it. Thank you.

Charlie Bletzer:

And maybe we can get Santa Claus to show up maybe at one of the Saturdays or who knows? Maybe even for the parade. You never know, it should be a good spot. When is the tree going to go up? When will it go up?

Derek Brindisi:

I’m not sure the date the tree will go up. I was told today the tree lighting ceremony is the first Friday in December, which for this year would be December 2nd.

Charlie Bletzer:

Yeah, okay. So, maybe one of those Saturdays, we can get Santa out there.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, you better call him.

Dick Quintal:

It’s a nice Santa Claus.

Betty Cavacco:

Yeah, if we can get him out of Florida.

Dick Quintal:

We can.

Betty Cavacco:

And just to bring the whole holiday traditions and yesterday, was the first time our Town Hall was involved in the Halloween on Main Street. And the employees, they decorated all the offices, they were all dressed up. The kids absolutely loved coming here and I hope it’s something that we can get the tradition to continue because it brought in such a sense of community and that’s really why we’re here is to serve the community. So, it doesn’t always have to be bad.

[1:25:02]

Betty Cavacco:

It doesn’t always have to be something that people are unhappy about. I know I got a message from a little friend that I did a Girl Scout meeting with when I was able to take the Girl Scouts through the building and stuff and they were looking for me and unfortunately, I wasn’t here but I think it’s a great direction that the town’s going in and hopefully will continue that way. So, I’ll make the motion to accept the holiday tree to move in front of Town Hall.

Dick Quintal:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Discussion? All those in favor?

Dick Quintal:

Aye.

Betty Cavacco:

It’s unanimous. Have fun with your tree, Derek.

Derek Brindisi:

Thank you.

`

Betty Cavacco:

Now, American Cruise Line is tabled.

Derek Brindisi:

We’re going to table that again for another week.

Betty Cavacco:

Now, the Town Manager’s Report.

Derek Brindisi:

Sure. So, not a lot of to report today. The vast majority of my comments were directed under the update related to the migrant relocation here in town. And now, that the Chair took my thunder again with Halloween update, I just wanted to just mention that though, I can say that everything that the Chair just mentioned, every floor is decorated, all of the town offices really got excited about having the opportunity to open Town Hall to the community specifically the children around the holiday event. They gave out hundreds of candies to all the children. In fact, one individual told me they heard a couple of parents walking out and saying, “Next year, the only thing they’re going to do for their children is come to Town Hall just to do trick-or-treating inside Town Hall.” So, this was year one and I’m sure like every other year, things get bigger and bigger and I would say the morale around Town Hall yesterday was extremely high with all the employees. So, it was a good event so I appreciate the board supporting the town and allowing them to do those types of events.

Charlie Bletzer:

I’d like to also give a shout out to the merchants, the whole downtown, the pictures I saw were unbelievable. Lea Filson out there, our tourism, the Chamber of Commerce, all the merchants in downtown made this thing a huge success. It’s going to get better, as you say, every year and Town Hall was all part of it. So, it’s very exciting. So, this could be a new tradition that’s going to get bigger and bigger. I mean, we’ve been doing it for years but not to this extent what I saw this year. So, great job everybody.

Derek Brindisi:

And Town Hall is just a great location. I mean, it’s really in the center of our business district and so you know why not participate whether it’s the Halloween event the chamber puts on or any other event in the future. So, we’re hoping that we can participate in all other future events. So, the Human Resources Department in particular did a great job. Our HR Director really pulling this together, engaging the staff on a regular basis, making it fun for folks. Actually, creating even a competition amongst the ranks. So, well done by everybody.

So, just a couple quick updates. The floats down at the harbor are coming out. So, the Harbor Master’s office is starting to prepare for winter. You’ll see the floats will be the first step they take towards those preparations. We plan to see the boats coming out this Friday. You’ll see here on corner of Main, the bump outs will be removed by the DPW this week as well. So, we’ll start to see that breakdown.

In addition, the Commerce Way has been long. We’ve been trying to get that paved so that’ll be paved this coming week as well. And then last, I know the board has been asking to start to dispose of some of the property. We talked about the disposition of land prior to the special town meeting in June. To Mr. Brothers credit, we now have the IFB. So, the bid will be issued for 2253 South Meadow. That’s been issued today. It’ll close on November 30th, which at that time we’ll have a bid opening. So, I’m going to come on that. We’ll keep you posted on what we get for the highest bid amount.

So, pending any questions, that’s all I have for this evening.

Betty Cavacco:

Does anyone have any questions for Mr. Brindisi? Looks like Mr. Quintal is going to have to buy more than 50 pounds of candy for next year because he did donate 50 pounds of candy to Town Hall for the Halloween. Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:

Thank you, Madam Chairman and I’d be more than happy to long as I’m able. But at this time, I’m going to ask you if I can sign off, I’ve had an exhausting day today and I’m running out of gas. So, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to sign off and catch you in a couple weeks.

[1:30:15]

Betty Cavacco:

Please do and take care of yourself and get some rest.

Dick Quintal:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Select Board Open Discussion – New Business/ Letters/ Old Business. Do we have any?

Okay. License and Administrative Notes. Does anyone have any questions on any of the license and administrative notes? If not, I would like them moved as a group.

Charlie Bletzer:

I make the motion.

Harry Helm:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

We have a motion and a second. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous.

We also have a Change of Manager (Liquor License), 110 Grill CWP Plymouth LLC, 53-1 Commerce Way is requesting a change of manager from Brittany Bearse to Sydney Andrade.

John Mahoney:

Move approval.

Harry Helm:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Motioned by Mr. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Helm. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous.

Pole Petition. Eversource Energy Work Order 7999777, one petition covering the installation of conduit on Wareham Road. This construction is to accommodate a new pump station on Wareham Road. Do we have a motion?

Harry Helm:

Motion.

John Mahoney:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Discussion? All those in favor. Unanimous. And now, there’s a motion to adjourn.

John Mahoney:

We’re going to come back to public comment. Did you have that early on?

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, I am so sorry. I did not. I did bypass public comment. Is there a public comment? Any public comment? I guess not.

John Mahoney:

Motion to adjourn.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. There’s a motion, second. All those in favor? Wonderful, it’s unanimous.