Agenda – Plymouth Select Board 2-28-23 Agenda

Official Minutes – Plymouth Select Board Minutes 2-28-23

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 of February 28, 2023. Would you care to 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:                                               

Thank you everyone. The Board of Selectmen has been in Executive Session. Sorry we’re a little late. Please forgive us. We are going to go right to Public Hearing. The Harbor House Restaurant LLC d/b/a 71 Degrees West:

• A Comprehensive Entertainment, Group 1, 3 – radio, TV, live entertainment
• Common Victualer License
• Sunday entertainment – live entertainment
• Early Sunday Sales – 10 a.m.
• Extension of hours to 1:00 a.m.

Is there anyone that would like to be heard on this? Hit your little–

Harry Helm:

There’s a little green button.

Mr. Hynes:

There we go. Got you. How about now?

Betty Cavacco:

Yeah, we can hear you.

Mr. Hynes:

I’m smarter than I look, I promise. Thanks for having us. So, we are from 71° West, which was formerly Isaac’s down on the waterfront. We’re thrilled to be coming back home to that location. I was driving here this evening and came to my mind that this is actually the fourth time that we’ve opened a restaurant in Plymouth. And by we, I mean, my father Kevin Hynes here dating back to the mid-1980s. So, this is the fourth time and the second time at this address on Water Street. So, we’re thrilled to be back in there.

I remember I was personally nine years old when my father opened it the first time with his partners. I think he was 40. And now, 32, 33 years later, we’re back in there. I’m 40 or 41 technically. I know, I know. And I have a little son and we’re walking through the construction just like I was with my father back in the 90s, 1990 and it’s all come full circle. So, we’re thrilled to be in there. We, currently, this will be our fifth restaurant in Hynes Restaurant Group, that we’re operating now. You all know 42 North in Plymouth and we opened that surprisingly 12 years ago, 13 years ago, I think. Yeah. So, it’s been great down at Manomet. We’re now excited to be down on the waterfront. So, that’s kind of the backstory. We have another restaurant, two restaurants in Weymouth, one in Quincy. Now, this will be the second one in Plymouth and we’re excited to get in there. So, I’m going to let my father talk a little bit more about the plans.

Betty Cavacco:

Great.

Kevin Hynes:

How are you, folks? My name is Kevin Hynes. I’m the owner of the Hynes Restaurant Group. It’s been a long time. Started in 1981 at the old Paisano’s, which earlier than that was the Outside Inn. 12 restaurants later, here we are. And we’ve studied construction. We’ve gutted the entire establishment from right down to the studs. There’s nothing left. Wiring, plumbing, ceiling, walls. Windows are going in this week, the siding right after that. It’s going to be a brand-new building. And I’m here just to answer any questions you might have. I’ve been in the business for a very long time. It’s about 50 some odd years. I don’t know where it went but here we are. And any questions you might have, I’ll be glad to answer them.

Betty Cavacco:

Do Board members have any questions? Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

Kevin, I just want to congratulate you and your son in your success and everything you put into this business in the last four decades of your life and obviously um you know improving and reinvesting in this location is going to be a bonus for the community.

Kevin Hynes:

I am broke again, by the way.

John Mahoney:

So, what kind of timeline are we looking at before you have an opening night and what kind of fare will be on the menu?

Kevin Hynes:

What we’re trying to do is something different. Whenever I open a restaurant, I look at the community and see what they don’t have, and they have plenty of seafood. So, we looked at something that I think has been wanted for a long time here. We’re looking at high-end steak and seafood, something at Capital Grille, etc. and all that normal seafood fair. But you have to understand the community we’re in, we can’t charge Capital Grille prices. So, we’re looking at the same type of beef, etc. at half the price. And it’s going to be a semi-upscale establishment. Everything is brand new from furniture to lighting to walls to floors to just about everything. And I’m really looking forward to it but you can’t go way over the board and try to scare away the normal people like you and I. So, with that being said, it’s going to be a special, special place.

[0:05:17]

John Mahoney:

And was there an opening?

Kevin Hynes:

We’re looking the end of April, 1st of May, in that vicinity.

John Mahoney:

You’re getting close.

Kevin Hynes:

Excuse me?

John Mahoney:

You’re getting close.

Kevin Hynes:

Yeah, two months.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Kevin Hynes:

You’re welcome.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:                                                                                                           

I just want to say that I’ve known Kevin’s family and partners for a lot of years. I’m not going to go to the dates.

Kevin Hynes:

1981, Dick.

Dick Quintal:

And I wish you the best. About how many jobs you figure you’d be creating in there?

Kevin Hynes:

There’ll probably be about all-inclusive full-time, part-time probably a hundred.

Dick Quintal:

100 jobs, yeah. Are you going to do valet parking and stuff?

Kevin Hynes:

We’re still working on that. More than likely, our derivative of valet.

Dick Quintal:

And I just want the people watching to know that 42 Degrees and the Hynes Family have always supported the Plymouth events such as Fourth of July. Whenever they’ve reached out to Kevin, Kevin’s help them. And I don’t sell Kevin vegetables, so you can all put that to sleep. Okay?

Kevin Hynes:

We can talk.

Dick Quintal:

So, that being said, I make a motion to approve.

John Mahoney:                                                                                                                       

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion by Mr. Quintal, second by Mr. Mahoney. Discussion? I just have one comment. I mean, Kevin sees us in there all the time. I love 42 North and I think that just the quality of what you folks put out there is great. And I think you can go up against any restaurant in Boston. So, I wish you really all the best and I can’t wait to be in there myself.

Kevin Hynes:

I appreciate it.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. All those in favor? Unanimous. Congratulations.

Kevin Hynes:

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. The next order of business Gift of Land on Bourne Road – A.D. Makepeace.

Dan Gorczyca:

Good evening, Chairman, members of the Board and staff. My name is Dan Gorczyca. I’m the Redbrook Project Executive and Vice President of the A.D. Makepeace Company. I’m also a lifelong resident of the Town of Plymouth where I reside here with my wife and my four children.

Joining me this evening, we have Chief Foley along with some members of the Building Committee. About a year ago, I was approached by then former Chief Ed Bradley with Chief Neil Foley and members of the Building Committee to discuss the Fire Department’s need for some land for a new fire station in South Plymouth. As you all know, the A.D. Makepeace Company has a long history of supporting the Town of Plymouth with land conservation, traffic improvements, monetary donations and more and we are here this evening to extend another opportunity to help.

The land we are presenting tonight is right on Bourne Road near the Redbrook Community. It’s clouded in that area in red. And with that said, I’m going to turn it over to Chief Foley to talk about the location a little bit more. Thank you.

Chief Neil Foley:

Good evening. Thanks for having us. First, I’d like to start off by saying thank you to Dan and the principals of A.D. Makepeace. This has been a long process that we’ve gone through, but it never was a contentious process. They’ve been forthcoming right from the start of the conversations that they wanted to help and they just wanted to know how they could best help and that was really encouraging. Members of the Building Committee Tim Grandy and David Peck that are here tonight also really just kept the conversation moving forward in a positive light. They were able to visit Station 4 a long time ago and it was for several years now that we’ve identified the need that in the future, we are going to have to address Station 4.

That was built in 1977 and the community in that area looks vastly different than it does now. And I believe in another 10 years is going to look vastly different then. So, this will allow the Fire Department to continue to have a foothold in this great neighborhood and to be able to continue to serve the residents of Plymouth as a whole and especially in that area in the future. So, we’re really appreciative of this donation of land that A.D. Makepeace is pledging to us.

[0:10:01]

Chief Neil Foley:

If you look at the graphic and you see the clouded area, to the left of that is a current solar field. To the right of that is residential addresses. 216 Bourne Road is directly across from a plot of land that we’ve identified. It’s a two-acre lot that is fairly flat and should be easier to build on than some of the other areas in that vicinity. Additionally, you can see that Bourne Road has a fairly good stretch of line of sight in that area. Currently, where the Bourne Road station is now at 533 Bourne Road, the line of sight when pulling out of that station is virtually non-existent. It’s very difficult for oncoming traffic to see the fire apparatus coming out to the roadway. We’ve had a lot of near-misses over the years. Thankfully that’s it. But anybody who’s been driving in that area knows that all of a sudden you just come upon a fire station. It’s right there. So, this will give us much more better visibility and will be a safer location for us to operate out of.

North of that is at around 178 I believe Bourne Road is the South Elementary School, just to kind of give you a better idea of the location of this plot of land. And it’s only about a mile and a half north of the current location of Station 4. And it’s really in the heart of the ongoing development of that area with A.D. Makepeace being a large part of that but there’s several other developments going on as well. So, that’s basically the summary of the need and also the location of where we plan to locate a future fire station for the Bourne Road area.

Betty Cavacco:

Perfect. Does anyone have any questions? Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:

The Bourne Road Station that is referred as the joke the bat gave?

Chief Neil Foley:

Correct.

Dick Quintal:

Yeah. I must say, that station is well hidden especially early evening.

Chief Neil Foley:

The bats know where it is.

Dick Quintal:

But it’s definitely needed after I visited there Christmas Eve and not this past Christmas, the Christmas before and I went by that particular firehouse probably three, four times was getting aggravated. Siri and I weren’t getting along at all because you know I don’t know, I couldn’t see good or I just couldn’t find it and I’ve been there before. And then there it was, so.

Chief Neil Foley:

It’s a unique station because it’s outlaid into a fairly remote area of Plymouth, but it covers approximately like 13 and a half square miles. So, it has a very large coverage area. It’s actually the fourth largest district out of the seven districts in Plymouth that we cover. Additionally, the access into that area from any of our other stations is also limited just due to the road structures. There’s not a lot of ways to get into this area. So, one of the things that we’re looking at is expanding it so that we could eventually have EMS coverage down there out of that station.

Dick Quintal:

I was going to ask you that next, yup.

Chief Neil Foley:

And possibly additional manning as well just depending on what the need is in the future as we see the growth in the area.

Dick Quintal:

Great. Thank you and thanks to A.D. Makepeace for working with our community. It’s nice to see.

Betty Cavacco:

Geez, last week we get $2.5 million, this week we get land, it’s just every week we’re getting something good. I like it. Anybody else?

John Mahoney:

Derek, I know at the last meeting we talked about going to town meeting with the–we’re talking about adjusting the policy so that the Select Board could accept land. So, in a situation like this, how’s this process going to work?

Derek Brindisi:

Excuse me. If the bylaw had already passed then this donation would come before the Select Board and you could accept this donation of land. And this is what I mentioned last week when we talked about this that having a bylaw in place allows government to be a little bit more efficient. Not having that bylaw in place, in in this situation, we’d have to wait until October before the Town could accept this land.

[0:15:00]

John Mahoney:

Right, okay. All right. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Anything else?

Derek Brindisi:

If I could just for a minute, I just wanted to personally thank Mr. Gorczyca and the President of A.D. Makepeace, James Kane for this donation. I’ve been here just about a year now, and I’ve had multiple conversations with Mr. Gorczyca and Mr. Kane, and all those conversations were very productive. They’ve proven to be a very collaborative developer and I look forward to working with them in the future. So, again, Dan, we appreciate your efforts and give our thanks to Mr. Kane as well. Thank you.

Chief Neil Foley:

If I could just add just one quick thing, the Fire Department has been looking to identify some land in this area for years. There was no available land in that area. And the fact that A.D. Makepeace was able to come forward and work with us on this, it really was relieving because we knew we needed to move but we didn’t have a place to go and nobody wants to go and take land. So, this is really very timely in the planning of the Fire Department for the future.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, Mr. Mahoney just said we need a picture. So, do we have a picture? Did you want to take a picture? Do we want to take five minutes and get a picture done? Take a break? We’re going to take a five-minute break.

Welcome back, everybody. Okay. Now, we will go on to License and Administrative Notes. We have everything in the packet as you see. I’d like to entertain a motion to move as a group. Do I have a motion?

Harry Helm:

Motion to move as a group.

Betty Cavacco:

Do I have a second?

John Mahoney:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Mr. Helm motions, second by Mr. Mahoney. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. And next is Public Comment. Do we have anyone for Public Comment? No? No? Wow. Moving right along.

Anthony Senesi:

Give me one moment. Patricia Adelmann.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. You’re muted.

Patricia Adelmann:

Can you hear me now? I’m not muted.

Betty Cavacco:

We still can’t hear you. Hold on.

Harry Helm:

Patricia, if you check the microphone setting on your computer, your microphone may actually be off.

Betty Cavacco:

Try it now.

Patricia Adelmann:

You can hear me now?

Betty Cavacco:

I can hear you a little bit.

Patricia Adelmann:

Okay.

Harry Helm:

Yell, Pat.

Pat Adelmann:

It was a question about when will the Bourne Road Fire Station be started?

Betty Cavacco:

Hold on, Pat. We can barely hear you. Hold on. I think there’s something wrong with your connection, Pat.

Harry Helm:

She’s showing up in there. It’s not translating over here.

Betty Cavacco:

Hold on.

Pat Adelmann:

Hello? Hello?

Betty Cavacco:

Pat, can you hold on? And we can come back to you in a little bit.

Pat Adelmann:

Sure. I’ll type my question into chat.

[0:20:02]

Betty Cavacco:

Do we have her question in the chat? Okay. Do we know what her question is? Okay. All right. Anybody else for Public Comment? No. All right. Next order of business is the Plymouth 400. Mr. McKay?

George McKay:

Yeah. I want to thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. The last time I was in front of the Board, I was a man dressed in a turkey outfit. Tonight, I’m just a turkey dressed in a man suit, but I wanted to go over with you where we are. Everybody knows we did a lot of planning for the 2020 Commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the landing of Pilgrims. And unfortunately, a lot of that went up in smoke.

At one point, we bragged about having hotel rooms booked from Connecticut to Maine and we expected tons of tourists, and we expected the meals tax to go through the roof, and all that didn’t happen. We did manage some programs after 2020, very limited. But tonight, I want to talk about the Legacy projects that are occurring as a result of that. So, let me just run through this quickly.

Anthony, I need some help here. Is it the top button? Thank you. Anyway, there are basically five Legacy projects that we’re working on. One of them I talked about last fall which is the Thanksgiving Remailing program where we get people involved in promoting things through the mail with a postal stamp on it that says Give Thanks and this is the site of the first Thanksgiving. The other program is the license plate program. We also had started a project on Coles Hill Remembrance Park and we’ll talk about that in a minute. I’ll go through these in more detail, but it won’t take a lot of time.

We also have a project at foot to archive items that were created during the lead up and including those that were generated in 2020, and that’s a major project we’re working on. I’ll talk about that in a few minutes and then we have Thanks-For-Giving Day. So, let me get right into this.

The First Legacy project we started talking about last fall had to do with the remailing project, which involved promoting Plymouth as the site of the first Thanksgiving. We started this in 2021. We had over 20,000 pieces go through the mailing system with the promotion of Plymouth as the site of the First Thanksgiving. Last year, we doubled that and we had over 4,000 pieces mailed. We expect this to continue on and we expect it to continue to grow, and it’s a major promotion for Plymouth. It’s a national project and it’s also an international project promoting Plymouth as the site of the first Thanksgiving.

The second project that we’re working on is the License Plate Program, and these are available now at the RMV. We started this in 2015, 18 years ago–8 years ago I’m sorry. What I have on the screen is a comparison of the Cape & Islands License Plate Program, which is the largest specialty license plate program in the Commonwealth and they’ve been at it for 26 years. They raised over one million dollars a year with their program that goes back to the communities and the organizations on Cape Cod and the surrounding area. By comparison to Cape Cod, we raised about 30,000 a year currently.

[0:25:04]

George McKay:

And to date, since we started the program, we’ve raised over two hundred thousand. Cape & Islands supports over 200 organizations. Today, we’ve supported about six. Going forward, as we expand this program and the revenue keeps increasing, we expect to increase that substantially. Cape & Islands has over 11,000 CI license plates in the service promoting their particular area. Plymouth right now has over 3,000 in service promoting the Greater Plymouth area.

And as John mentioned the last time when we met, of the initial fee, $40 goes to Plymouth, the Plymouth organizations and every two years upon renewal, we got another $40 out of it. So, the current annual revenue generated by this program is 30,000 a year and we’re looking to increase that as we go forward.

The remembrance park is on the top of Coles Hill. It’s the only in-ground Legacy project that we have. We started planning for this in 2018. We acquired the land. We decided to have people design the project. It was originally thought to have this commemorate and remember the Wampanoags and they got wiped out a hundred percent with a European plague that wiped out a lot of the native peoples from Southern Maine to Rhode Island and into Connecticut. The only surviving Wampanoag from Plymouth was Squanto and the only reason he survived is he was captured as a slave, taken to England. So, he was not here when the epidemic went through.

The other part of Remembrance Park was going to remember the pilgrims that came in 1620, and there was about a hundred plus people on the Mayflower. And in the first year, about 50% of those died. So, Remembrance Park was going to and is going to commemorate the number of pilgrims that died the first year and the Wampanoags that basically got wiped out with the plague in about 1618, I think it was. Anyway, so we acquired the land and as you know in Plymouth on Coles Hill, you can’t do anything unless you have an archaeological dig. So, we started an archaeological dig and we’re waiting for the report from the archaeological dig. And I think the last time I was here, I mentioned that they found remains of a native village that goes back over 2000 years.

The archaeological dig report is being delayed because they’ve actually done some additional work and found native remains going back 3,000 years. So, that’s the good news and we want to preserve all that information. A little bit of bad news is most of those archaeological finds that are really old are right underneath where we’re going to have the walkway for the park. So, we don’t want to put concrete over it. So, we’ve got to do some modifications of the park design to accommodate that. So, everything is paid for except the actual building of what we’re going to put in the park. So, we need money for that. We’re looking for additional support and fundraising. Part of the revenue from the license plates will go towards building this in-ground Legacy Project.

What did I do wrong? Okay. Thank you. Sorry about the confusion here. Yeah, this is all right.

One of the other Legacy projects we’re working on is we’re going to have displays of memorabilia both in the Town Hall and probably at the 1749 Courthouse.

[0:30:07]

George McKay:

And in the upper right-hand corner, you see a display as you come out of the Town Manager’s Office, in the hall, there’s a display showing artifacts from the Plymouth 400. And there’s a banner like this that’s displayed there. There’s other things related to the license plate, which is now basically obsolete. We need to update it with current information. And there’s other things in there in this paraphernalia that I have, I have a Plymouth 400 shirt on. And in the background, we have information on the Mayflower stamp that we produced or the US government produced. And thanks to everybody in this room, we did sell out and there were none destroyed. So, there are 28 million of those stamps that were produced. We also had the U.S mint do commemorative coins and those are still available but they’re very, very pricey because they’ve stopped production.

In addition to that one, we have a scarf that was done for one of our events in the winter time. We have little lapel pins that was done. We have some brochures that were created for the auction. When we started with the license plate, we reserved number 1 through 100 and plates like 2020 and 1620 to auction off and that was a very successful auction. It raised over a hundred and six thousand dollars for the events and things we did in 2020. License plate number 1 went for $10,000. License plate 1620 went for 10,000. So, anyway, these are some of the things we want to collect from the public if they have any or businesses so we can put in an archive so that people in the future can go to the museums and see things that we did in 2020.

The other thing we’ve started to do is work with a project called Thanks-For-Giving and this is another thing which will go on, and it was kicked off by the Plymouth 400. We’re still trying to figure out exactly what we do to make this a lasting Legacy project. So, that’s really all I have. I just wanted to give the Board an update and I also wanted to use this to ask the public to support us in terms of what we’re doing. The Legacy projects, the license plate primarily. And secondly, if somebody has a banner or information related to what we did in 2020, don’t throw it in the trash, give it to us. I don’t know if anybody was up at the Kingston collection, they had a huge banner on the wall advertising Plymouth 2020. it was about the size of this wall in back of you and I was anxious to get that for the archives. And they took it down and I said, “Where’d you put it?” And they said, “In the dumpster.”

So, one of the reasons I’m here tonight is if any business or any organization has paraphernalia related to the Plymouth 400, give it to us and let us make the decision of whether it should be archived or whether it should be put in the dumpster. So, anyway, thank you very much for your time.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Does the Board have any questions or comments?

John Mahoney:

George, you had a slide up there. I’m guessing it’s too late but you showed the 400th Anniversary in Plymouth, the license plates of 3,000, it’s people had signed up. Oh, great. So, you’re saying the Cape and Islands have over 11,000 in service, correct?

George McKay:

Yes.

John Mahoney:

Okay. So, you’re saying Plymouth plate has 3,000. I don’t understand the disparity in the 30,000 in revenue that we get and the million they get. I mean, is that really 300,000 or is it only 30? It seems like a big gap for–

George McKay:

Well, we have some people that bid on low numbered license plates and put them on their car for a while, and then they move to Florida and they took their license plates with them. So, they don’t have to pay a renewal fee. So, some of the disparity between our 3,000 plates and their 11,000 is their 11,000 is actually they’ve gone through the first 10,000, if you look at a Cape and Island’s license plate, most of them have CI, but now there are license plates out there that have IC.

[0:35:09]

George McKay:

And the reason for that is they went through the first 10,000 and people wanted more. So, they came up with a CI instead of an IC. Two plates out there. And so, they are into the second 10,000 issued of which of that 20,000 possible, our estimate is that there’s about 11,000 still in service. We’re not quite at the point where I can make the direct comparison between the two.

John Mahoney:

So, you’re seeing fair amount of our 3,000 aren’t necessarily still in service?

George McKay:

Well, don’t forget, most of it is going out fairly recently. And so, you don’t get the renewals for two years on those. So, it’s a little bit of a problem trying to figure out exactly where they are. I’ve been concentrating on trying to get more out and not necessarily the numbers.

John Mahoney:

Okay. All right. Thanks, George. Again, great job as always.

George McKay:

Yeah, thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else have any comments or questions? No? Thank you so much, George.

George McKay:

Yeah, thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

And thank you for all your hard work. Okay.

[Music]

Do you want to bring Ms. Adelmann back? Or did you did you already address her question? No. Is she there? Okay.

Pat Adelmann:

I’m here. Can you hear me now?

Betty Cavacco:

We can.

Pat Adelmann:

Okay. I just wanted to know when the Bourne Road Fire Station would be built?

Derek Brindisi:

So, that’s a very complicated question. There’s a lot of variables that would come into play. Right now, we’re looking on March 28th. Lynne Barrett, our Finance Director is going to come in and do a presentation on the new revised updated Capital Improvement plan. So, we’ll get a better sense of when that building is programmed but I can tell you that there’s a few factors that we’ll need to consider.

So, number one, what debt is coming off over the next three to seven years because we can backfill the debt that’s coming off with new debt for a new fire station. The other question we need to ask ourselves is where is the School Department with the replacement of an elementary school? Because timing is everything with that. Both of these structures would probably in all likelihood require a debt exclusion. So, oftentimes, we like to do debt exclusions together. So, we would have to consider the timing on that as well.

And then, lastly, just kind of forecasting our finances and where we’re going to need to be. Right now, we don’t have any room to incur additional debt as something as a $15 to $20 million build out. So, it’s difficult to answer that question, but I would say no earlier than three years. I was talking to the Chief prior to his departure, and he’s hoping that we can come to town meeting possibly next April or next October. So, sometime in 2024 just to ask for design money.

Pat Adelmann:

Thank you.

Derek Brindisi:

You’re welcome.

Betty Cavacco:

Is that it? Okay. So, next, we have Committee Appointments. And the first Board up for an appointment is the Distinguished Visitors Board. Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

Madam Chair, before we move to consideration of candidates, given the interest that we had in the At-Large seat, I would like to move to increase the at-large membership from one seat to two seats. This would bring the total committee membership to eight seats. And that is a motion.

Dick Quintal:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion by Mr. Helm, seconded by Mr. Quintal. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Okay. So, with the Distinguished Visitors, I think we don’t even really have to go through it, any of it because every Board member that’s on there will be put back on the Board or new to the Board.

[0:40:05]

Betty Cavacco:

And I’ll just read the names:

– Andrew Loretz (At-Large)

– Chris Talamo (At-Large)

– Len Levin (At-Large)

– Margie Burgess (At-Large)

– Sandra Almaguer (At-Large)

– Scott Coogan (At-Large)

– Matt Tavares (Town Meeting Member)

– Evelyn Strawn (See Plymouth Designee)

– Paula Harris (Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce)

– Kim Savery (School Committee Designee)

– Steve Lydon (Visitor Services Board)

And I will make a motion to add Mr. Helm as the Select Board Designee.

Dick Quintal:

Move it as presented.

Betty Cavacco:

Do we have a second for Select Board Designee?

John Mahoney:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Discussion?

Dick Quintal:

Thank you, Harry.

John Mahoney:

This current motion is to make Mr. Helm the designee for Select Board. Okay, yes.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. And all the other names that I have read, congratulations. You’re all part of the Distinguished Visitors.

John Mahoney:

Madam Chair, so that’s my question, if there’s 12 individuals here, the prior motion was to expand I thought the committee from 7 to 8, two of the 8, which would have been At-Large candidates.

Betty Cavacco:

Additionally, correct. So, out of all these–

Harry Helm:

My motion was to, you know, because we had six people interested in the At-Large seat, and only one seat. It seemed a good idea because of the interest to increase the number of seats from one to two not increase six. So, I think we need to vote on two of these six.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Understood. So, it’s not these people that you put here as appointments. Okay. All right. So, the first, are you going to keep track? Will you keep track? I mean, not At-Large seats–

John Mahoney:

If we’re going to choose two of the six At-Large seats, I’d like to hear from some of these people if they’re in the room or if they’re Zooming in remotely. Some of them might.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay.

Dick Quintal:

Probably just go down the line.

Betty Cavacco:

Yup. I’m going to go down the line. Mr. Loretz. Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening.

Andrew Loretz:

Good evening, yeah. So, I’m Andy Loretz. I’m a Music Teacher at Plymouth South Middle School. I’ve worked with the Distinguished Visitors Committee since, I believe, 2017. I was originally appointed as a Town Meeting Member prior to my move down to South Plymouth, and then I became one of the Citizen At-Large positions. I helped chair the committee with the help of many of the people in this room.

During the pandemic, we did kind of not have Distinguished Visitors. And the primary focus of the committee is the Shichigahama relationship. We maintain that relationship over the past two, three years through virtual delegations with students. We had two different virtual delegations attended by between three and seven students in each delegation. It was a really successful experience.

Our last delegation just wrapped up, and the students had a very positive experience getting to meet other students from Japan. We’re already currently in the process of getting ready to send our first delegation back to Shichigahama this summer. It’s been kind of a whirlwind putting it all together and trying to make sure that we can continue this relationship now that things are opening up both here and in Shichigahama. And so, I’d love to continue serving on the Committee. If you have any questions, I’m happy to take them.

Betty Cavacco:

Any questions? Great. Thank you.

Andrew Loretz:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Chris Talamo. I’m sorry, I hope I pronounced your name right.

Chris Talamo:

Everybody has their own interpretation, so it’s fine. Thank you though.

[0:45:01]

Chris Talamo:

Yeah, my name is Chris Talamo. In my professional life, I run the International Model United Nations Association. I have not served on this committee before but I saw that you were looking for applicants and I figured that since in my professional life, I do a lot of work with both teachers and students of this age group that this Committee did a lot of work with, that I could lend a lot of those cross-cultural communication skills and the connections that I’ve developed. I’ve been looking for a good way to contribute back to this town for a little bit now. When I saw this opportunity to come through, it seemed like a good fit to me. So, I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring at the very least, but it seems like there’s a lot of good support out there for this program. So, I’m happy to take any questions you guys might have.

Betty Cavacco:

Any questions? Thank you.

Chris Talamo:

Awesome, thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Len Levin.

Len Levin:

My name is Len Levin. I’m here before you to apply for the At-Large position for the Distinguished Visitors Committee. I’m a new resident of Plymouth. I just moved here about a year and a half ago and you probably could guess I live in the Pine Hills. It’s interesting that I live in the Pine Hills because I started my career in the I.T profession back in 1972, and I was working at DEC when DEC brought that land. And so, now, I find myself finally moving to the Pine Hills but not working for DEC.

Over the last 30 years, I’ve been self-employed as an I.T consultant. One of the things I got to do during my career is travel the world luckily, and I’ve been to many of the countries around the world both professionally and personally. And I think my work experience and my personal experience doing that traveling and being as part of this community would make me a good member of the Distinguished Visitors Committee. So, thanks for your time and I hope you’ll select me for the committee. So, if you have any questions.

Betty Cavacco:

Anybody have any questions? Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

Len, just out of curiosity, DEC, Digital Electronics Corporation?

Len Levin:

Digital Equipment Corporation.

John Mahoney:

Equipment, okay. Thank you.

Len Levin:

You’re welcome.

Betty Cavacco:

Margie Burgess. She’s here. Was she? No. Sandra Almager. Oh, hello. You’re muted. You’re still muted.

Sandra Almager:

Hello. Oh, hi. Sorry, I was trying to take myself off mute there. Thank you for pronouncing my last name correctly. Appreciate it.

Betty Cavacco:

Clearly by mistake, I’m sure.

Sandra Almager:

No, you did well. I’m here to apply for Distinguished Visitors Committee, because I, as you can tell from my accent, I’m originally from Africa. I have lived in Plymouth since 2019. I have been to three continents total including America, Africa and Europe. So, I have done a little bit of traveling.

Myself, I don’t know if you are familiar with the J-1 Visa. That’s what I came here with back then when maybe I would say 15 years ago. So, I have experience in the area of how people can benefit from traveling from one country to another, learning different cultures, having different experiences, knowing people from different backgrounds and really getting wiser and smarter in the process because the experience is just really different. So, when I saw this opportunity, I wanted to jump in and be part of something exciting, something that I know I’m familiar with.

And professionally, I am a project manager for TD Bank. And I am also an entrepreneur. I would be interested in being part of this challenge. Thank you.

[0:50:09]

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you so much. I love your accent, by the way.

Sandra Almager:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Scott Coogan. No? So, one of the things that the only seats that were challenged were the At-Large seats. So, the rest of the seats were Matt Tavares – town meeting, Evelyn Straw – See Plymouth, Paula Harris- Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Kim Savery- School Committee designee, Steve Lydon – Visitor Services Board Designee and Select Board Member Designee. Well, that wasn’t challenged. So, those positions we can appoint.

Also, I believe the Board, there was some confusion at the original motion to only add an additional seat. I don’t know if you want me to make the motion or you can make the motion, Mr. Quintal or Mr. Helm because you do it. Harry do it.

Harry Helm:

No, I can certainly move to–because we moved and passed, I’m going to move again to increase the At-Large membership from two seats because that’s what we passed to six seats. And one of the reasons being I have a tough time choosing two people out of this group. I mean, me personally. I mean, it’s hard to. For something like this to people who are interested and interested in helping out are always welcome. So, anyway that would once again increase the At-Large membership from two to six seats.

Betty Cavacco:

So, everyone that has applied for the Distinguished Visitor would actually be seated. And I say the more the merrier.

Harry Helm:

So, we have to have a second for that motion. Our clerk is going to demand it.

Dick Quintal:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Seconded. Nope, Mr. Quintal, go ahead. Seconded by Mr. Quintal. Discussion? All those in favor? It’s unanimous. Well, congratulations all you people that I just listed. Ms. Savery? Sure, yeah, perfect. And if anyone that has been appointed who wants to get up and speak, please feel free to do so.

John Mahoney:

Just a point of clarification. So, we made a motion to go from two to six. Do we need a subsequent motion to actually appoint those six or all of them?

Betty Cavacco:

We just did. Well, we could.

John Mahoney:

That was all done and the same. You expanded. Again, we went from one to two and then we went from two to six, but we then need a subsequent motion. Derek?

Derek Brindisi:

You would need a motion to take them as a slate of all the applicants that are listed on the agenda.

Betty Cavacco:

Do you want to make that motion, Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

Yes. I’ll make a motion that we approve the 12 individuals that are put before us. Certainly, the six At-Large seats and then the other six that had their specific designations.

Harry Helm:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion by Mr. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Helm. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Okay, go ahead.

Kim Savery:

Hi. Thank you. And congratulations to everybody. We’re looking forward to helping you. I mean, for you helping us. There’s been many times that there’s been one or two people doing all of the arranging. So, this is great. So, the main goal. I found some documents from in 2011, when the committee was still established Shichigahama. However, there have been other instances where we have entertained, provide funds for other travelers. The 400th was going to be a big one for us. We’ve had people from Italy that were connected with the Cordage. We’ve had people from Plymouth England. We’ve even had people that are from the United States that might have come for certain reasons. People have come to us to request our help. If we know that somebody distinguished is coming to Plymouth.

[0:55:01]

Kim Savery:

Everyone asks us exactly what defines a distinguished visitor. It is a little bit vague, but we kind of talk about it in the committee and decide it’s something that we want to use our funds on. And the funds are contributed by the committees that are represented on here. So, right now, we’re excited. We didn’t realize we thought this was a year where they were going to come here because the last time, we went there but because it’s Japan and I work for Japanese companies, so I know that it’s very black and white and on the calendar. It says this year we go there. So, they’re expecting us.

We should have done all this in December. So, we’re scrambling a little bit to get our delegation together. We have interviewed our students. We have chosen 10 out of 30 student applicants, and it’s a town not a school trip. So, we opened it up to any Plymouth student that was a middle school. And we’ve chosen our 10. Where in the process, we’re going to have an orientation for them on the 13th to start talking about what to expect and we’re in the process of picking our adult delegation as well. We have our chaperones, and we’re just really looking forward to it. We’re looking forward to all the help, anything that we can do and just we’re really excited to get rolling.

I’ve been involved with the program. I got to go in 2013. I’ve been involved for a long time. I feel like they’re my family. I did an interview with them Sunday night for their International Day. Their theme for International Day this year is Plymouth Mass – America’s Hometown. And I did an interview with them for their publication just as they call me the bridge, so that’s why they chose me and I’m a descendant so they wanted to ask me all these questions.

It actually challenged my knowledge of Plymouth, but that’s where we’re going right now. We do have a meeting coming up on next Thursday. So, we will get all of your contact information. Andy’s the current chair, and I’m very glad that he’s on because I think we would be in a lot of trouble if he wasn’t because he has been integral with the students. He’s got that relationship with them and he’s done all the work with all the virtual delegation exchanges. Did you want to say anything?

Andrew Loretz:

Yeah. Oh, sorry. Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

Kim, so, here we are, we’re on the other side of the pandemic. I know this relationship was on hold for a while. I’m glad that we’re starting it up again and the delegation will go over. What’s the status with Plymouth, England? In the past, I’ve been to some functions over here with some delegations have come over from Plymouth. Has that just been gone dormant for the last few years?

Kim Savery:

No, actually, they were here very recently. So, we do a lot. With the school, we do some exchanges with the music program and I believe the Arts. Maybe Andy could answer that question better because he did work with them. They were here just a few months ago.

Andrew Loretz:

Yeah, I believe in November, in the fall.

Kim Savery:

Yeah. So, do you want to talk about?

Andrew Loretz:

Yeah, sure. So, Plymouth, England, in my experience, we’ve done small things with the DVC with Plymouth, England. That has, like Kim said, been mostly through the School Department though as opposed to the DVC. As a member of the Visual and Performing Arts faculty, most of that has been through our department. And kudos to Mr. Caple, the Coordinator of that department for keeping that side of things really up and running.

There have been exchanges back and forth. In 2019, that was the last time that I believe the band students went over and got to go to Plymouth, England. There have been exchanges like Kim referred to on this past fall. There were chorus students who came from Plymouth, England to here, Plymouth, Mass and performed a whole concert. In fact, at Plymouth North High School. And so that relationship is still going strong. But like I said, it has mostly been through the school side of things. It hasn’t really been fully within the purview of the DVC. Recently, at least.

Just to say thank you to the Board for expanding this committee. Like Kim was mentioning, there’s a lot of work that this committee does. And so, to have all of these new helping hands and especially all of these folks with great experience too, that is really exciting. And I think that’s going to really, really help our relationships with international relationships or any other distinguished visitors. So, thank you to the Board for expanding our committee. It’s truly appreciated.

[1:00:03]

Betty Cavacco:

Great.

Steve Lydon:

I’d like to thank Andy and Kim because they have been outstanding. These two have been there. If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t think it would be so successful. The other people I’d like to thank are the Select Board, the School Committee and the Visitor Service Board who fund this program. Because before this agreement was made, when someone came here, a distinguished visitor would come here, people would be running around trying to get tickets for this. And it was just we are a first-class talent and we should support the people who come to this town. Also, it’s great for tourism. So, I’d like to thank the Select Board and the Visitor Service Board and the School Department for funding this group. And it’s a great program. And like I said Kim and Andy, if it wasn’t for them, I don’t think this would be successful. So, they deserve a lot of credit. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Just one quick. I know, Andy, you and I have communicated a little bit. And I know that it’s time that we’re going to have to have, it’s going to be the town manager. I actually spoke with Mr. Mahoney and he remembers two Selectmen attending. So, if that is what the plan is to move forward then I think we as a Board need to make some decisions sooner than later.

Kim Savery:

It’s different each time. What we had done this year as we were going to do, we did two School Committee members and two Town members. I know that Mr. Brindisi has been asked to go as well. If you want to approve to send another Select person that’s I guess up to you. That’s not what we originally had decided on. We actually have to buy the tickets next week. They’re very expensive right now and they’re getting more expensive. Also, our students need the time to plan and fundraise but yes, we do. We are still hoping that you have a designee to give us.

Betty Cavacco:

Is this a discussion that we want to have today? Because we do not meet for two weeks. Don’t be shaking your head. What do you think?

Steve Lydon:

Excuse me, could I add that it’s very important if we could get a decision. We have to buy all the tickets. We buy for the students. We buy for the delegation that’s going on. The students pay for their own tickets, but they buy all the tickets as a group and it’ll be a lot easier if we knew who was coming so we could get all the tickets and make all the plans as a group. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, it’s the pleasure of the Board how we want to proceed.

John Mahoney:

Kim and Andy and maybe Harry can weigh in. How are the finances of the committee? I know a decade ago, we put in a pretty consistent funding mechanism of 555, if you will. And I’m assuming in the last few years, not a lot of revenue has probably come out of that account. Am I wrong?

Andrew Loretz:

No, you’re accurate. So, yeah, it’s still 5,000 per year from the School Committee, from the Select Board and from the Visitor Service Bureau. And so, we’ve been lucky to have all three of those boards contribute even through the pandemic. So, our account numbers do look high right now, but it is kind of the way I explain it is feast or famine. It’s a large amount of money right now because we have to purchase all of the tickets. And it will still be quite a large amount of money through this year. When they come to us next summer, that account is basically going to be dried up essentially because we’re going to be the ones shelling out the money for their visits here. Hotels, transportation, things like that, that we do as the hosts. So, right now, our account balance is about 76,000. Yeah. So, that’s where that stands.

John Mahoney:

So, I’ll just make one last comment and this is from experience and Mr. Quintal can probably back me up on this. So, if you’re going over in early August, late July. I mean, you have five to six months but obviously, there’s a lot of ceremonial stuff over there. There’s an exchange of gifts. And Andy, I know you have the ability to think outside the box but you don’t want to leave that to the last minute.

Kim Savery:

We’re already working on it.

John Mahoney:

Okay. We can look at multiple ideas and don’t wait.

Kim Savery:

Yeah. We’re also working on some fundraiser ideas for the students to help alleviate the cost.

[1:05:03]

Kim Savery:

Oh, sorry. We’re also working with the students for fundraising. The tickets are, I want to say 3500 and up right now and it’s just getting higher every day, which is why we really need to act as soon as possible. Also, the students need to start getting their passports and all their information together but we have been working with them with some fundraising ideas to help raise some money. So, it’s not such a burden to the families.

Betty Cavacco:

Great. So, how does the Board feel? We may not have the actual names of the Selectmen today unless you guys know that you want to go or you don’t want to go. I do not. But how does it feel? Do you want to have two Selectmen attend? Do you want to have one selectman attend?

Andrew Loretz:

Can I make just a quick point? I’m sorry, and a bit of an awkward point, so I’m sorry. They did only ask because of the pandemic, they wanted to keep the numbers very small this year. So, they did ask for two town meeting rep, I’m sorry two Town Hall Representatives. We did already have Derek and so, that would leave one spot for a Select Board member. Again, sorry but it’s just kind of how that worked out. Things aren’t set in stone. So, now, would be the time to change anything if you wanted to. I just wanted to offer that piece of information.

Derek Brindisi:

Andrew, if I could. When you say Town Hall, that could be to Selectmen, correct?

Andrew Loretz:

Yes.

Derek Brindisi:

Okay, yeah. So, I think it’s appropriate to have the Select Board have two representatives.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, we think you should go.

Kim Savery:

They’re actually excited to meet him.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, who wouldn’t be?

Harry Helm:

Madam Chair, I think this is a somewhat complicated discussion where various members of the Board are, because this is a week and it is a trip to the other side of the Pacific Ocean. I think we should discuss this um amongst ourselves. I’m not really sure statute or any other provision requires that we have this discussion in public. So, I think we can just decide. I mean, just like it was decided that there would be two Town Hall representatives, we can decide and I would like that time.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay, yeah, sure.

Harry Helm:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Well, congratulations everybody that got appointed. And obviously, a great thing to move forward. And Mr. Quintal?

Dick Quintal:

Andy, can you tell me how many school representatives are going with the 10 students?

Andrew Loretz:

Yeah. So, there are two teacher chaperones. One from PCIS, Jackie Gervais and JC Vino from PSMS. They’re both teachers currently at those two schools. We also have two School Committee members. So, that I believe is Kim and Luis Pizano, and then the two Town Hall representatives whoever that may be.

Betty Cavacco:

I don’t consider us Town Hall representatives. I consider us–we had to represent just the Town Hall, this would be a cake walk.

Kim Savery:

Town representatives, yes. We asked the superintendent and he wasn’t available to go. Normally, I wouldn’t–they actually requested that I go and I might be staying in a home instead of a hotel because they said that I’ve been working with them for so long that that was a request. And Luis hasn’t gone–we, the School Committee has a strict policy that during an election year, we can’t do that. So, it limited our choices and Luis was very happy to go and we’re happy to have him.

Betty Cavacco:

Great, okay. We’ll give you a decision within the week.

Andrew Loretz:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Perfect. All right. Next is Climate Action Net Zero Advisory Committee. There are three At-Large positions. We have four candidates. Mr. Joe Fisher. Go ahead.

[1:10:12]

Joe Fisher:

Hello, everyone. I’m Joe Fisher. I have been a licensed architect for nine years. I have my own business that specializes in custom residential houses with an emphasis on sustainability, resiliency and occupant health. And I found out about this committee through kind of multiple channels, and it seemed like something that I would be interested in lending my experience and expertise to.

Betty Cavacco:

Great. Do we have any questions for Mr. Fisher? Okay. Thank you.

Joe Fisher:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Marilyn Ross? No? This is going to be a–Marinanicole.

Anthony Senesi:

She goes by Nikki, I believe and she’s live via Zoom.

Betty Cavacco:

Oh, hi.

Marinanicole Schulteiss:

Hi, yes. I’m Marinanicole Schulteiss. I also go by Nikki. And I have a Masters in Public Health and with a specialization in Environmental Health Science and Policy. I currently work as a project manager with the Computational Epidemiology Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital where I lead digital infectious disease surveillance tools and pandemic preparedness and response digital tools as well.

I’m interested in working with this committee because I’m really interested in the built environment and sustainability specifically the intersection of the built environment and health. And I would love to be a part of this local effort focusing on sustainability and being able to bring that health perspective to the table as well.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, thank you very much, Nicky. I’m glad I didn’t have to try to say your name again. Does the Board have any questions? No. Thank you. And the next is Steven Feldman.

Steven Feldman:

Hi! I’m Steve Feldman, my wife Beth. And I moved from Boston to Plymouth seven years ago for a lifestyle change and because we love this area. And I’m really looking for a way to give back to the community. I’ve been a renovator of homes for that period of time and before. And I’m also a realtor in the community. I’m really looking for means to lower emissions not only on the homes that we renovate and other issues as well. And Beth serves on the Habitat for Plymouth, so this is my effort to figure out. I’m a very strong writer with strong marketing skills, so I really think that I could help this committee by getting the word out in a succinct articulate fashion. So, I thank you for your consideration.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Do we have any questions for Mr. Feldman? Okay. Now, we will take a vote. We have three votes. So, Mr. Fisher? Four votes. Ms. Ross? No votes. Nicky, four votes. And Mr. Feldman? Four votes. Well, congratulations, Joe, Nicky and Steven. Welcome to the Climate Action Net Zero Advisory Committee.

Okay. Now, we have the Disabilities Commission. Heidi MacCurtain? Yes, MacCurtain.

Anthony Senesi:

Madam Chair, Heidi is not able to make it tonight, but she’s still interested in the commission.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. And Lisa Rice.

Anthony Senesi:

She’s not on Zoom.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay.

Dick Quintal:

Shall we vote?

Betty Cavacco:

We want to vote? Okay. Heidi MacCurtain? Four votes. And that’s just one seat.

Elderly & Disabled Tax Fund Committee. Three At-Large and there are three applicants. So, it would be–

[1:15:05]

Dick Quintal:

Move all three.

John Mahoney:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Discussion? All those in favor? Perfect. Congratulations, Ms. King, Mr. Young and Ms. Keenan.

Manomet Village Steering Committee. There’s one seat. Debra Leavitt?

Debra Leavitt:

Hi! Good evening, everyone. Debra Leavitt. I have been working in Plymouth since 1987. I worked at the Nuclear Power Plant from 1987 till 2019. So, I have been involved in Plymouth and in Plymouth for a very long time.

I moved to Plymouth in 2004. I live in Manomet and I love Manomet. Manomet’s a great little village. It’s got so much to offer. Just a couple of things have been done recently. I love on Taylor Ave that they designated parking spots now for residents to park in and that stickers are required. I like that there’s more control on the 3rd and 4th of July festivities. I’m glad they still go on though because they’re a lot of fun and it’s become more of a place where you can bring children to participate and watch the goings-on without being in fear that they would get injured or encounter too much crowd, the crowd control.

I love what’s going on in Manomet business-wise. We have a Dunkin Donuts. Some places have three of them in the same little village. We have one, I’m satisfied with that. We have the Leyden Street Coffee Shop. We have an upscale market now that’s right up the street. The turkey place is always beautiful around Thanksgiving time. So, there’s a lot in Manomet that I think is really, really going well and I want to be a part of that development and a part of that committee to be able to have input and be involved in it.

A couple things that I kind of see as maybe improvement is Manomet Plaza has a lot of vacancies. I’d love to see that populated again with businesses and more people coming in to Manomet. Preservation of green spaces. The plant is eventually going to put a lot of property potentially on the market. I’d love to see it acquired for conservation land. I know that Wildlands Trust is looking at it and working with NEMBA, the New England Mountain Biking Association because there’s a lot of trails back there to try to acquire it. So, I think that would be something I would like to get involve with as well. And just concern for the growth. Manomet is a village. I’d like to see it stay a village, not be overrun with too much development where it becomes like Quincy or Weymouth or some of the other places that are much more populated. So, that’s why I’d like to be appointed for this committee. Are there any questions?

Betty Cavacco:

Do we have any questions? No. Thank you.

Debra Leavitt:

Thank you so much.

Betty Cavacco:

Jeffrey Fiedler.

Jeffrey Fiedler:

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I appreciate this opportunity. I’m interested in the Manomet Steering Committee for a couple reasons. I moved to Manomet in 2014, so 8 years or so. I’ve seen a lot of things in that period of time. One of the things I definitely am very concerned about is community preservation. I think it’s very important that we maintain, as the previous speaker mentioned, the integrity and the feel of that community.

Responsible development. Within my neighborhood, there was a track of land, five acres, three homes were approved to be built on that five acres. Unfortunately, the developer of that land clearcut the entire property. It was horrible. So, it created this big open space, which also created some issues for the neighbors in the area because now the wind was coming through that space and toppling trees. Not a good situation. It’s very unfortunate. I would not like to see that happen again.

In the area of Manomet, there are a lot of coastal communities as well. Some of those neighborhoods are on soft bluffs with erosion issues. Within my own neighborhood, I’ve seen that. It’s created a lot of problems. Some of those problems get very complicated because they involve public works and other entities, and that needs to be looked at because we want to preserve that ocean front not just for the neighbors but for everybody.

[1:20:06]

Jeffrey Fiedler:

I’d like to see that property that is currently being taken over by the company that’s managing this dismantling of the power plant. I’m concerned about water discharge that’s been talked about. Everyone may have heard about that. I’m very concerned about that. As well as what is going to become of that land. It’s a lot of land. And when is that land available? What is the best use of that land? I don’t have the answer, but I would like to be part of that discussion.

I would also like for us to consider not just in the Manomet neighborhood but beyond is the issue with disposable knit bottles. Anybody that’s ever walked around Plymouth on the side of the road to see those little bottles on the side of the road, it is just a disgrace. It is a terrible image for people to see that, right? I know that other communities have successfully banned those. I would like to definitely get that at least discussed because that is a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away. I care about what happens in this community. I live in Manomet. I’ve been there. I’d like to see sustainable development, development that stays within sort of the character of the town in that village. Very, very interested in contributing. I don’t have any vested interest. I’m not a developer. I work in IT. I just want to give something back and contribute to the town. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Any questions? No. Thank you. Timothy Bennett?

Timothy Bennett:

Good evening. I wrote down some bullet points to keep myself from random rambling and be conscious of your time.

Betty Cavacco:

It happens.

Timothy Bennett:

I appreciate the opportunity. I am a 32-year resident at Manomet. If we go based on longevity, I might have the win here. My family moved here in 1969. I was smaller then. I attended Manomet Elementary. I have one son who graduated from there last year. Excuse me, last year. And is now in sixth grade at PCIS. I have another son who’s in third grade at Manomet Elementary. In fact, my wife is treasurer of the Manomet Elementary Home School Association. Excuse me.

I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Priscilla Beach Association, have been for 10 years. And I served as president for four years. I am currently at 10 years as a member and I’m the current acting Chairman of the Plymouth Roads Advisory Committee. I was also a member of the first White Horse Beach Parking Committee in 2013-2014.

I’m an assistant scout master and merit badge counselor of Troop 52 Manomet. You may have seen us out selling Christmas trees at Gellar’s this past Christmas. You may not think so to look at me, but I am an avid mountain biker and I am very in much in favor of responsible community preservation.

I’m a member of the Second Church of Plymouth in Manomet. I’m a member of the Board of Directors of the Plymouth Little League-Manomet. I’m a licensed Professor land surveyor, have been for over 30 years. I own my own civil engineering firm for 10 years. I have a solid working and familiarity with the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Town Engineering and DPW staff and especially Conservation Commission and staff.

I have read the Manomet master plan from 2014. The 2014 update and I reviewed the available committee agendas and minutes of the past two years and found that many of the issues raised would be of the sort I feel I could provide a meaningful contribution to the community and to the committee. Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

John Keenan?

Anthony Senesi:

Madam Chair, John Keenan is on Zoom.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay.

Anthony Senesi:

John, you can unmute yourself.

John Keenan:

Can you hear me now?

Anthony Senesi:

Yes, we can.

John Keenan:

I’ve lived in Plymouth for full-time for the last four years, brought my house down here about eight years ago. I worked at the power plant for 25 years.

[1:25:05]

John Keenan:

And I’m interested in what goes on with Holtec and the dismantling of the plant. There are many things in the town that has to change. Nothing drastic. I know every place we live in or every place I’ve lived in myself, things change over time and you have to be able to accept certain things. I was on a Board of Appeals, Town of Everett, for a number of years. And that’s probably about it for me.

Betty Cavacco:

Any questions? Nope. Okay. Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

I guess, as is my want this evening. I’d like to motion that we increase the membership of the Manomet Village Steering Committee by one additional seat, which means we would be appointing two seats tonight.

Betty Cavacco:

Do we have a second?

Dick Quintal:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Discussion?

John Mahoney:

So, what’s the current makeup of this committee? Is it a five, seven or nine member committee? And is it struggling to get people to show up? Are they struggling to get a quorum at their meetings?

Anthony Senesi:

Madam Chair, there are usually seven members. There’s tonight one vacancy that is on the agenda. I do not know any information if they have any difficulties reaching a quorum, that I did not speak to the chair or the vice chair regarding that.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Actually, the chairman just sent me a message that always is a full meeting. I’m just thinking that if it’s seven and there’s one vacancy then it’s six with one, stays at seven. If we put in another one, it goes to eight.

Anthony Senesi:

That is correct. An even number.

Harry Helm:

She doesn’t agree. She wants one.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. So, do you want to withdraw your emotions?

Harry Helm:

Given a consultation with the chair of the Manomet Village Steering Committee, I’m going to withdraw my motion.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Do you withdraw your second, John?

John Mahoney:

Dickie.

Betty Cavacco:

Dickie, I’m sorry.

Dick Quintal:

Withdraw my second.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. So, now, for the Manomet Village Steering Committee, we have one seat. Debra Ann Leavitt? Two. Jeffrey Fiedler? None. Timothy Bennett? Two. And John Keenan? Zero. Okay.

Harry Helm:

So, what do we do now?

Betty Cavacco:

You know what? I would hate to choose between Ms. Leavitt and Mr. Bennett. And you know what, I think we need to have a conversation with the chairman. I think we hold off on this appointment tonight and bring it back on the next agenda. Does the Board have an issue with that? And hopefully, you guys don’t have an issue with it either. But thank you. And like I said, we’ll bring it back.

[1:30:04]

Betty Cavacco:

Anthony will notify you when it’s going to be coming up. And not that you have to attend, but we need to have some type of consultation with the Steering Committee. But thank you for coming.

Anthony Senesi:

March 14th is the next scheduled Select Board Meeting.

Betty Cavacco:

So, we can put that on for March 14th?

Anthony Senesi:

Absolutely.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Okay. Next order of business is 253 South Meadow Road Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Derek Brindisi:

Great. So, you have the purchase and sale agreement. I think Mr. Brothers had reported over a month ago through his efforts with working with the Procurement Office that property went out to bid as promised last June prior to the special town meeting. And the winning bidder came in at $1.2 million for 253 South Meadow Road. So, thank you to Mr. Brothers and the Procurement Office for making that happen.

So, what’s before you this evening is the purchase and sale agreement.

Betty Cavacco:

Okay. Any questions? Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

Derek, we have a purchase price of 1.2 million. I believe the proceeds, if the closing goes through, will go into the sale of real estate account?

Derek Brindisi:

That’s right.

John Mahoney:

Off the top of your head, do you know what the current balance in that account is?

Derek Brindisi:

I do not. I do not.

John Mahoney:

I just wonder maybe two weeks from now at the next meeting, if you can update the Board through your Town Manager’s Report.

Derek Brindisi:

Yeah, we can get that information prior to that.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Do we have a motion?

John Mahoney:

Move approval.

Harry Helm:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

Motion by Mr. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Helm. Discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Town Manager’s Report.

Derek Brindisi:

Okay. So, I just want to give the Board an update as to where we’re going with the printing and distribution of the proposed charter. So, this document here is what will be sent. We went back out to see quotes as promised at A&F. We were able to get the quote down from $75,000 to 65,000. So, we saved 10,000 but in addition to saving $10,000, we’re actually getting more product with the $65,000 purchase. So, we will acquire 35,000 red line versions of this document. 28,000 of those will be mailed to each one of the homes here in town, the other 7,000 that are remaining will be left at various locations throughout town: to the library, CAL, here at Town Hall and other places, other municipal buildings so that folks could pick them up if they need to. And in addition to that, we will get 1,000 clean copies so not a red line version so folks just want a clean copy, they can come to Town Hall and they can acquire those as well. So, again getting a little bit more for our acquisition and we’re saving $10,000 dollars at the same time. So, hopefully that puts to bed that conversation.

In addition to that, I just wanted folks to be aware that since we will not convene prior to the PACTV forum on the town proposed charter. On March 13th, in this room, PACTV is going to hold a symposium and it’s going to be made up of a number of different individuals. So, three individuals from the Charter Commission itself, myself, the chair for A&F will be in attendance. So, our finance director will be attendance. I believe Selectman Helm will be representing the Select Board and one Planning Board member as well. Steve Bolotin, I believe, will be representing the Planning Board. So, that’ll be the panel. There’ll be a number of questions asked of the panel to try to provide more insight, more information to the voting body as to whether or not they want to vote this charter up or down.

So, moving on. One of the goals, as you recall, the Board had set back last July was to really focus in on economic development and try to become a more business friendly organization. And myself coordinated by Lee Hartman had a meeting about a month ago with a number of local business owners, small business owners, developers and so forth and they gave us a lot of good feedback. And one of the pieces that we learned from that conversation was about expedited permitting process. So, we’re looking at some of these recommendations. And I can tell you that the Building Commissioner, Nick Mayo is already starting to implement some of these recommendations.

So, I mentioned in the past that we’re going to go online with our permitting process.

[1:35:01]

Derek Brindisi:

And now, starting to roll an expedited permitting process. So, for a really small example, no longer if you wanted roof mounted solar panels, you no longer have to go to the ZBA. That’s a direct application to the Building Commissioner and they’ll take a look at that application and then provide any feedback.

In the past, you’d have to go in front of the ZBA and through a public hearing and it would take months to get solar panels approved for an installation. So, again, that’s just one more goal that we’re trying to move forward. In this case, for expedited permitting.

And then the last item I want to bring up, two more items I want to bring up. So, the parents of our public-school students received a message yesterday from the school superintendent. I wanted you to be aware that the message is that working with our police department and Chief Flynn, we have now installed safes. So, gun safes at our two secondary schools. These safes are stored in a location that only school administrators know and the police law enforcement school resource officers are aware of. In these safe, they will store weapons that they may need if there were to be an active shooter or event. This program allows for a more coordinated and a more responsive effort if that case were to arrive versus having to go to their vehicles and use these weapons. So, I just want you to be aware of that because you may get phone calls about why the police department is doing that. With all the events that have happened throughout the years at our public schools, I think that this is a really strong partnership with our PD working with the School Department to make sure our staff and our students are safe at all times.

And then last, I just wanted to bring to the Board’s attention that we have posted a notice for a public hearing to take place in this room on March 14th. At that public hearing, the Board will consider increasing parking fines in those districts that require beach stickers. So, I’m making this announcement publicly so folks that are interested in that discussion can attend the March 14 Select Board Meeting.

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

Betty Cavacco:

Any questions for the Town Manager? No questions.

Harry Helm:

Derek, on the gun safe thing. Am I correct in believing that the access to this safe will be police only, not teachers?

Derek Brindisi:

Yes, that’s right. It’s only accessible through our Police Department. In particular, our school resource offices.

Harry Helm:

Okay.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? Okay. Thank you, Derek. The next order of business is the Select Board Open Discussion, New Business, Letters, Old Business. Anyone? Mr. Helm?

Harry Helm:

I’d like to bring up a piece of new business that’s actually very old business. I would like to request at our next meeting that we have an agenda item to have a thorough discussion of the fishing shacks on Warren Avenue across from the old Bert’s. Over my years here in town, I’ve watched them go from being somewhat in use to not in use to one being burnt down and to one now, if you drive by slowly and take a look is about to collapse. And I feel that these are symbols of our history of what we are as a community and allowing them to just collapse in upon themselves I think is inappropriate. And I think it’s time that we had a public and thorough discussion of what we’re going to do with those. Okay.

Derek Brindisi:

Yeah, I think that’s a great suggestion. I had the opportunity to meet with three CPC members this past last week actually, and the focus of the conversation was the dilapidated cabins that are located at Hedges Pond. And the town’s intention on removing those structures because of the unsafe condition that they’re in. During that discussion, I did ask the question to the three CPC members, what were the plan for these fishing shacks? And in addition, what is the plan for the storage structure located at Stephens Field given the fact that we’re renovating Stephens Field soon?

[1:40:00]

Derek Brindisi:

So, great idea, Mr. Helm. I think it would be important and potentially, we can invite CPC to come in and give us information as to what their goals are with those structures because they’ve been sitting there for decades and really have provided no additional use or purpose.

Harry Helm:

Well, if I have any say in it, I would I would really like the CPC to be here because those have been in front of every single Plymouth resident for way too long and I really doubt anybody even very few people other than people who use Hedges Pond know that there are some old camping cabins in the back, way back of Hedges Pond. So, I would like the CPC to be here.

Betty Cavacco:

And while we’re talking about, just one minute. Sorry, Everett, just one second. While we’re talking about dilapidated buildings, let’s talk about Bert’s.

Dick Quintal:

Yeah, I was going to say that as everybody was talking.

Betty Cavacco:

That’s like way too over its expiration date. We need to do something. It’s hideous to look at. I mean, it’s shameful.

Harry Helm:

Might I make a suggestion for another agenda item? If we could have a discussion of nuisance properties.

Derek Brindisi:

Sure.

Betty Cavacco:

And then we can add the full sale to that too.

Harry Helm:

Well, yeah, that’s in general nuisance properties. So, I would like–

Betty Cavacco:

Anybody else?

Harry Helm:

Anybody else have a neighbor? I would like the fishing shacks to be a separate discussion, please.

Dick Quintal:

Simes, yeah. Be careful what you wish for.

Betty Cavacco:

Yeah. Mr. Malaguti?

Everett Malaguti:

Everett Malaguti, Chair of the Natural Resources Committee. Thank you, Mr. Hell and Mrs. Cavacco for actually bringing this up. We’ve actually talked about this on the committee for at least the past couple of meetings. It’s been brought up by members. And I do think it would be pertinent to actually have the CPC here regardless if they want to come or not, because it was their task to use administrative funds to shore up the buildings in the past to actually have some sort of a reuse plan as was being talked about when this first came up. I think the first time they were talking about maybe six, seven years ago.

Betty Cavacco:

I’ve just gotten on the Board. I remember it.

Everett Malaguti:

And it was talked about some sort of a reuse like what they had down I think in Hyannis or something with like the little artist shacks and stuff like that, but nothing ever materialized. So, I really do request that the CPC actually be present for that. And thank you, Betty for actually bringing up the Bert’s Restaurant because that has also been another topic that we’ve been talking about not just for the aesthetics, but also for potential for rejuvenation of that end of the beach and also for a possible additional parking or additional activities that could be done for the beach area for residents in Theresa Lake. So, thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

You’re welcome. Anything else? Mr. Mahoney?

John Mahoney:

To the Board and to the Town Manager, I know there was a meeting today with respect to I think the Lobstermen’s Association got together with State delegation. I believe the former Senate President attended and numerous others in Economic Development to talk about finding that balance between a small cruise ship coming into the new pier and minimizing any disruption to not only the lobstermen but any of the other industries we have. And I just want to, again, I don’t think this point can be made enough. We need to get the other pier in the State Park yesterday. I don’t know what needs to be done. I believe we have a department head or Mr. Gould and others, and I think the state’s delegation is amenable. I know there was a state report years ago that said if they were going to divest themselves of one of these State piers, that would be one of them. So, that should have been ours a long time ago. And I don’t know if we ever–in the future, you need a formal vote Mr. Town Manager, but that’s something that the state delegation should have at the top of the list for this community.

Betty Cavacco:

And you can add the DCR park to that too. Might as well.

John Mahoney:

One thing at a time.

Derek Brindisi:

We definitely have had those conversations in the past two days. We had a meeting yesterday with the state delegation and Senator Murray.

[1:45:03]

Derek Brindisi:

And again, they met separately with the Lobstermen Association today as well. And in those conversations, we all realize that in order to really make the harbor work, getting the DCR property is probably the best course of action. So, State delegation is going to work with us to try to arrange for a meeting so we can engage the governance, I think really the Lieutenant Governor, who’s a former mayor of Salem who really understands coastal communities and their needs. So, to get in front of them and express our interests in that property.

Betty Cavacco:

Perfect.

John Mahoney:

Thank you.

Betty Cavacco:

Anyone else? Do you have anything? I just have one thing. And I just want to say that I just sent Brad and Derek an email that I received from one of our commercial fishermen, mussel dragger. And this gentleman called me today. He was pretty upset. They blew a motor in their boat. It was trying to get them like people to come, maintenance to come out to a mooring and that wasn’t working. They couldn’t get anybody out there. So, they hauled the boat. They’ve purchased new motors, but he was saying that he’s being told by the Harbor Master Department that if he doesn’t get his boat in the water quickly that they were going to revoke his license. And I don’t think that’s something that we should be doing when it’s literally a mechanical failure. And the way things have been going of getting parts and all this. I guess, what I’m trying to say and I hope I have support of the Board, I don’t want anybody’s license revoked especially someone that’s dealing with mechanical failure. And if there’s going to be a revocation, it has to come through this Board. We approve the licenses, we revoke the licenses.

So, I did send you the email. Please communicate that with the Harbor Master and try to maybe reach out to this gentleman. And he’s pretty upset about it. So, he’s afraid that, that’s his livelihood so it’s bad enough that he blew motors on his boat but now, the threat of revoking his license is problematic.

Derek Brindisi:

We’re happy to follow up.

Betty Cavacco:

Thank you. Okay. I know we all like to be here a little bit longer. Oh, Polar Plunge. One last thing. So?

Dick Quintal:

Good news.

Betty Cavacco:

Good news is that we’ve had a fundraiser for the Polar Plunge and we got the Town Manager to take a dive but today while we are in a joint meeting with some people, we convinced Mr. Quintal to add an additional $500 so Mr. Brothers would be joining the Town Manager in this Polar Plunge. So, he hasn’t agreed to it. What he doesn’t know is he doesn’t have a choice because now there’s a thousand dollars right there on those two.

Derek Brindisi:

Well, we were called out publicly a few weeks ago so there’s no way we could deny that request.

Betty Cavacco:

Well, Brad is sitting there very quietly with his hand on his mouth thinking they’re not, she can’t see me, she can’t.

Derek Brindisi:

Brad didn’t attend I mean so he thought he got out of it.

Betty Cavacco:

But there is sponsorships for the Polar Plunge and I think we’re here up to, was it $3,000 or something?

Dick Quintal:

Pretty close.

Betty Cavacco:

And that that will go to Jordan.

Dick Quintal:

Unless the Superintendent wants to jump in. If you want to reach out to the Superintendent, I’ll match him to jump in with you.

Derek Brindisi:

I think Brad can work on Mr. Campbell telling him to jump in the ocean.

Dick Quintal:

Yeah. I think Mr. Campbell would love to jump in too.

Betty Cavacco:

You just keep putting those $500 bills out and I’ll get this whole crowd in there.

Dick Quintal:

Easy.

Betty Cavacco:

And with that being said, we will be meeting on March 14th. And I look for a motion to adjourn.

John Mahoney:

So move.

Betty Cavacco:

Second?

Harry Helm:

Second.

Betty Cavacco:

All in favor? Unanimous. Have a good week.