The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday, Aug. 28, at the Plympton Town House, 5 Palmer Rd.
Chairman Christine Joy called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. to recognize “some lifesaving acknowledgements”. She then turned the meeting over to the Public Safety Dept., and Fire Chief Cheryl Davis spoke of the teamwork between the members of the fire and police departments that allowed the positive outcome of saving a life.
She then turned the podium over to Police Chief Matt Ahl, who in addition spoke to the support the departments receive from the town.
The specific incident began Thursday, Jan. 12, at 11:34 a.m. Sgt. John Simonds, Officer Cam Broderick, and Officer Robert Orr were dispatched to 118 Mayflower Rd. for a report of cardiac arrest with CPR in progress. The officers arrived on scene within 52 seconds of being dispatched. As Officer Orr rushed inside the residence to assess the situation, Officer Broderick removed the automated external defibrillator known as an AED from the medical kit in the police cruiser. Upon entering the residence the officer noted an unconscious male lying on the floor and not breathing. Officer Broderick was not able to obtain a pulse. Officer Orr opened the AED and placed the defibrillator pads on the patient. The AED then performed an automated check and determined that a shock was needed to regain rhythm in the heart. The shock was administered, followed by continued CPR. Officer Broderick then placed a bag bottle mask on the patient and began rescue breaths as the patient’s son continued chest compressions. Plympton fire personnel arrived on the scene and began using an automated CPR device called the Lucas Machine. A second shock with the AED was advised and administered and a pulse was restored, and the patient began breathing again. All police and fire personnel assisted to get the patient prepared for transport to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. As a result of a quick response, the teamwork and life-saving actions of the police officers and fire personnel involved, the life of the individual was saved and he made a full recovery. Chief Ahl congratulated the departments saying, “Officers, your actions in this incident reflect your continued dedication to this agency, the town it serves, and the people who live here. Please keep up the great work. Thank you.”
Chief Ahl then asked Lt. Dan Hoffman present the life-saving awards to his officers, Sgt. John Simon, Officer Cameron Broderick, and Officer Robert Orr. Chief Ahl then turned the podium over to Fire Capt. John Sjostedt who reflected on the day. “As the shift commander that was on duty that day, we’re gifted with skills that help us perform these duties – thankfully we don’t have to do it every day – it’s a blessing that we can do what we have to do when we’re called upon to do it but while their response time was 52 seconds, mine was 52 and a half because I recall pulling into the driveway and seeing Officer Broderick and Officer Orr flying right across in front of me with the defibrillator in hand so I already knew they were one step ahead of the game going into the house. We got there and the patient’s son was performing CPR already for us. It’s the first time in 25 years that I let a bystander continue doing CPR. He was doing an amazing job and it allowed me to work with the police officers to do what we had to do. Nothing short of perfect is the best way I can describe how this went. We had dispatchers take a call – I listened to the call afterwards – nice and calm, professional, they gave the instructions. … that’s what leads us to what I wanted to share with you today which is called “The Chain of Survival”. It’s something that we often teach. The first link, if you haven’t seen it, is calling 9-1-1. Dispatch then provides instructions to start CPR as fast as possible. We apply an AED and used an AED. Then you have response from the EMS personnel to provide the Advanced Care: medication, electricity, whatever it is that’s needed for that particular patient. We transport them to the hospital and then we’ll leave them in the hands of the hospital, and thankfully we have some of the best medical care on the South Shore… These professionals are taking what we bring to them and doing the best that they can working together. We’re in a town works so well together – I remember pulling into the driveway and seeing Cam and Rob and I’m so thankful that they were there. I was immediately relieved I had two capable people that I was working with, and then coming right behind them were firefighter Sharenka, Chief Davis, Firefighter Galombos, and all the other responders that came along with us. There was Joe Wright, another great paramedic Gary Samaro, Zach Russini and Clayton Marshall, all professionals in this community, for a small community, we’re so lucky to have who we have responding to make such a difference to this situation. So again, I bring attention to this Chain of Survival: Call 9-1-1. Our ROCC dispatcher will give the pre- arrival instructions: staying calm, walking the family through what they were dealing with, they began CPR – it was in progress when we got there. That’s truly what saves the life – early CPR is what allowed us to bring the tools that we bring to make this work. The use of the AED delivering the shocks – I think we delivered two shocks before the paramedics started their assessment and their work and then our EMS professionals, some of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure working with in 25 years – and then I transport to the hospital and in this case, thankfully a recovery. So congratulations to everybody involved. Thank you for everything you guys did and it’s a pleasure to work side-by-side with you. At this time I’d like to have Chief Davis present our crew with a citation for the uniforms.
Firefighter Paul Sarinka, Firefighter Steve Almos, then Sjostedt asked for Mike Mahoney to come up to the podium to say a few words – Sjostedt said we’d also like to give the same firefighter award to the dispatchers who are an extension of our Police and Fire Departments .
Deputy Tucker received the Firefighter’s award on behalf of Samantha Gomes, Dispatcher Matthew Miller, Dispatcher – another dispatcher, and then recognized two of the ROCC supervisors, Matt Riggins and another fellow who wasn’t named. But came up and got his award.
Sjostedt then thanked the families and members of the community who came out to support the first responders.
Chairman Joy said she speaks for the board in saying what a great team, we realize it, we appreciate the hard work you do and we are here to support you and go through the chief, you know whatever we can We’re here for you guys and appreciate everything you do for us and our residents and we couldn’t be more proud. “I feel like proud parents, so thank you everyone.
At the close of the ceremony, the gentleman who was the recipient of all this lifesaving attention spoke up to say, “and here he is – the proof in the pudding – right here”. He got a standing ovation from all in attendance.
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The Plymouth Public Library Foundation is pleased to announce our 4th Annual Juried Arts & Crafts Festival. The Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plymouth Public Library.
Held on the Library’s expansive front lawn and inside the library, thousands of visitors will enjoy a full day of music, food, and the opportunity to view and purchase artwork from more than 80 regional artisans, including painters, photographers, sculptors, custom jewelry makers, woodworkers, metalworkers, and illustrators.
Festival admission is free and activities include face-painting, sand art for kids, Child’s Play Alpaca for the whole family to enjoy, plus “Craft and Chill” where families can create their own masterpiece inside the library. We will also be holding a silent auction and an artisan raffle during the festival.
New this year, sponsored by Modern Metal Design, is “Art under Creation,” an interactive exhibit that offers visitors the opportunity to witness artists bring their visions to life.
Auxiliary parking with shuttle service is available at the Center for Active Living on Nook Road (just around the block from the Library). While at the festival, Plymouth residents can register for a library card and anyone can register for the Reading Rivals contest.
Festival proceeds assist the Plymouth Public Library Foundation in providing the Library with technology and landscaping improvements, support the Library’s Literacy Program of Greater Plymouth and also fund its many cultural, artistic and educational programs.
The Festival is funded in part by the Town of Plymouth Promotions Fund and is sponsored by area businesses and organizations including: Tech Etch, Bridgewater Credit Union, Modern Metal Design,Tiny and Sons Glass, Alvin Hollis & Co. Inc, Allen & Majors Associates Inc, COBRA, Dimarzio Insurance, Members Plus Credit Union, One Stop Painting, Plymouth-Carver Primary Care, Plymouth Ears, Nose & Throat, Renewal by Andersen, and Vinny’s Vehicles.
For additional information, on all auxiliary parking sites and participating artists, please visit our website at https://pplfdn.org/4th-annual-arts-crafts-festival-2023/ which will provide all the information needed regarding the 4th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival.

Longtime newspaper columnist Nancy Crochiere will discuss her fiction debut novel, “Graceland,” on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St.
Hope Robinson can’t seem to please anyone lately, especially not her mother, the flamboyant soap star Olivia Grant. Olivia loves Elvis more than Jesus and, convinced she’s dying, insists on a final visit to Graceland. Unfortunately, that’s the one place Hope can’t take her. Hope fled Memphis years ago with a shameful secret and a vow never to return. Olivia, though, doesn’t understand the word no. Instead, she wrangles Hope’s pink-haired daughter, Dylan, to drive her to Memphis by promising to reveal the mystery of her long-lost father. Hope must stop them before they expose the truth and all hell breaks loose.
As the women race from Boston to Memphis, encountering jealous soap actors, free-range ferrets, and a trio of Elvis-impersonating frat boys, everyone’s secrets begin to unravel. In order to become the family they long to be, Hope, Olivia, and Dylan must face hard truths about themselves and one another on the bumpy road to acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately, grace.
Crochiere wrote a humor column about family life for Massachusetts newspapers for 13 years. Her collection of those columns titled, The Mother Load, was a finalist for Foreword Reviews’ Book of the Year in humor and the Independent Publishers of New England 2014 Book Award. Crochiere’s essays have appeared in The Boston Globe, Writer’s Digest, and WBUR’s Cognoscenti blog. She lives north of Boston with her husband.
You can learn more about Nancy Crochiere on her website at nancycrochiere.com.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org.