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Superstorm Riley claims Plympton dad

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Superstorm Riley claimed the only fatality in the Commonwealth, here in Plympton. Ryan W. MacDonald, 36, of Main Street lost his life Friday night, March 2, while driving home from work at about 5:15 p.m. in his Dodge Ram pickup truck.   His truck was hit by a falling tree at 101 Cedar St., Plympton.

First responders were hampered in their efforts to get to MacDonald, as trees had been brought down all around the vehicle and were blocking the roads, according to Plympton Police Chief Patrick Dillon.   It took more than 20 minutes to get to the scene because of the fallen trees, downed utility wires, and debris blocking the roads, Dillon told The Express.

 

Responding from the Plympton Police was Sgt. Brian Cranshaw.  From the Fire Dept. was Captain/Paramedic Cheryl Davis, first to arrive with the engine crew, Paramedic Ian Andrews and Firefighter/EMT Andrew Norton.  Arriving in the ambulance were Firefighter/Paramedic Gary Somero and Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Skarinka.

Despite their best efforts, MacDonald was declared dead at the scene and the State Police took jurisdiction.

Chief Dillon said, “This is a tragedy for the town … this is sad.  It’s sad any time you lose a citizen, but this one is particularly difficult …”

MacDonald and his wife, Andreah J. MacDonald, had bought their house on Main St. a few months ago, their dream house, according to his friend Justin Dennison.  They lived there with their children, daughter Avery, age 11 and son, Tegan. 8.   

“Ryan grew up a lot sooner than the rest of us, “ Dennison continued.  “He knew what he wanted early on, what was important to him, what was right: home and family… When we finally caught up to him, we envied all that he had, beautiful wife, kids, it seemed like he had it all…  This is surreal.  It can’t be true.  But it is.” 

The town is stunned by the news.   MacDonald grew up in Plympton on Pope’s Farm.  He graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School. 

MacDonald worked as a journeyman electrician, a member of IBEW Local 223.   Adam Perry worked with Ryan and described him as “a regular guy, a super hard worker.with a great sense of humor; you couldn’t not like him.”

He was a member of the Upland Sportsman Club in Plympton. Ryan played hockey and  was a coach for his his son’s hockey team.

His funeral will be Saturday, March 10, at the First Parish Church, 19 Town Square, Plymouth, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.  This is the church where Ryan married Andreah a lifetime ago.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Go Fund Me fund that has been set up for his family at 

http://bit.ly/macfamily

Students will have safe water by fall

By

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The Plympton School Committee met Monday, Feb. 26 to discuss the current physical and financial state of the Dennett Elementary School. The first update was regarding the sign at the end of the driveway of the school. There are plans for the entrance to contain a lighted sign, important for informing unfamiliar visitors of the school’s whereabouts, especially at night. The school is currently seeking quotes for this project, which is suspected to be easy, as there is a meter located closely behind where the sign would be placed, according to Chairman Jon Wilhelmsen.

The Dennett Elementary has been experiencing water filtration issues over the past several years, which should be coming to an end shortly, according to Wilhelmsen. The water treatment project has been progressing quickly, and a contract is due to be signed prior to April vacation. The school could then use April vacation or the beginning of summer to conclude the project. The committee expects there to be safe drinking water provided at the school by fall.

Along with the safety of the water, the safety of the current playground at the Dennett is being evaluated. The committee announced that following February break they are planning to contact Marshfield Public Schools, who have adopted a safer playground model within the past three years. The committee hopes for suggestions and may follow Marshfield’s model for safe recreation.

The committee continued the meeting by discussing the new tiles that have been installed by the 2nd and 3rd grade wing of the school. They had been popping out of the floor, in desperate need of repair. The school followed Kingston’s new tile renovation as the tiles used are durable, soundproof, and easy to clean, saving the school money on maintenance.

The generator at the school has experienced significant issues, resulting in  budgeting for a new one. The school anticipates spending $69,850.13 on the project, as wiring, purchasing, and a short time rental of a new one are included in the pricing.

In addition to budgeting for a new generator, the committee discussed appropriately increasing funding to professional development and special education. Joy Blackwood, Superintendent of Silver Lake Public Schools discussed how surrounding districts are planning to raise budgeting 6.5% for special education, resulting in Silver Lake’s participation. Professional development is in a $6000 deficit by the end of the school year due to graduate program financial aid provided through the district. However, with a high number of retirements projected for 2019, the district finds it best to increase funding of professional development and training for the new hires taking the positions of those retiring.

With this increased budget for professional development, it would help aid in restructuring the previous year’s programs for faculty. By doing so, it is able to ensure the district is in compliance with civil rights for the state. The program would train and gain recognition for inexperienced teachers on historically marginalized subgroups and ensuring no equity gaps in the classroom.

In efforts to help the town’s budget, it was suggested by Superintendent Blackwood to split the cost of new textbooks to be ordered at the end of the school year in half, progressively paying it off throughout two years. She also suggested there may be sudden retirements within the district, which could, in fact, help the school’s budget as well.

As of Feb. 26, there are 204 students enrolled at Dennett Elementary, with one more month for students to enroll.

The meeting ended with dates to remember for the upcoming month of March:

March 9 – Early Release Grades 7-12: 10:45 a.m.; Grades K-6: 12 noon (NO lunch served)

March 22 – Early Release Grades K-6: 12:45 p.m. Parent Conferences

March 26 – Next Plympton School Committee Meeting.

New earth removal by-law introduced

By

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The Plympton Board of Selectmen began their meeting on Feb. 26 with Linda Leddy, a member of the Conservation and Open Space Committees. She and Amy Cronin of the Conservation Committee have drafted an Earth Removal Bylaw regarding the potential Atwood property sale on Prospect Road.  This bylaw will be presented to Plympton voters at the Annual Town Meeting.

This bylaw protects the residents of Plympton from destruction of their air and water quality, protects the wildlife in a potential earth removal site, and provides a checklist for approving a sand and gravel removal application presented to the town. Plympton’s earth removal bylaw is seriously outdated and the town recognized its need to update the by-law, as surrounding towns’ bylaws for sand and gravel contain more in-depth procedures.

Leddy and Cronin researched the bylaws of 20 to 30 Massachusetts towns, focusing on those that are rural with smaller populations. They centered on Hubbardston, a town located near Worcester, Sutton, and Marshfield, when drafting Plympton’s version, all of which have been approved by the attorney general and are active bylaws.

One major issue presented with drafting the bylaw was who will approve the application and permit for sand and gravel locations in Plympton. Leddy stated, “Sixty  to seventy percent of towns researched use the Board of Selectmen as the board overseeing the project,” and ultimately approvinacting ong the application.

With this information, the board agreed and voted to allow the Board of Selectmen to be the entity to oversee the the applications for the town. The board suggested that along with this decision that they bring the Conservation Commission into any decision making, as it is an agricultural topic as well.

The town’s attorney has not been consulted yet, but will evaluate the proposed bylaw once Leddy and Cronin have finalized their wording.  The  polished version will be presented to selectmen on Monday March 5, and then will be presented for approval to Town Council.

The members of the board then individually thanked and recognized Leddy and Cronin for their hard work and determination for the town of Plympton. John Traynor stated, “This town is run by our amazing volunteers”, which was then followed by Christine Joy stating how wonderful these two women are and how they have stepped up to benefit the town in a time of need.

  Rocky Harvest

  Water concerns

Following the discussion of the bylaw, the board discussed Rocky Harvest Water LLC, violating time restrictions by arriving before 6:30 a.m. to pump water. Since mid January, this has been the sixth violation of hours of operation for Rocky Harvest, which concerned board members. Joy asked, “How many times can they violate until we finally do something?” The board plans to contact Rocky Harvest to attend a meeting to discuss the issue.

The meeting ended positively by recognizing two promotions of special police officers who will provide coverage during parades and special events until June 2018.

The board also spread the news of Silver Lake’s Track and Field creating new school records at a state competition, and the success story of  Officer Douglas Mazzola helping to reconnect a missing dog and his owner this week.

The next selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5.

Old Town House project will be brought to ATM for vote project

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The Plympton Community Preservation Committee voted Tuesday, Feb. 13, to present the preservation of Plympton’s first Town House, on upper Main St., to town meeting voters for their approval at the annual Town Meeting May 16.

Plympton’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) received the application from the Plympton Board of Selectmen, in conjunction with the Plympton Historical Society for possible CPA funding consideration at the May 2018 Town Meeting.

The project under consideration is an historic preservation of the town-owned “Old Town House ” on Main Street at the junction of Center Street, also sometimes known more recently as the    “Plympton Historical Society Building”.   

The structure was built in 1850 as a Town Hall. For the last 65 years it has been used by the Plympton Historical Society for the preservation and presentation of materials and collections related to the Town’s history as well as the site of many community events.

The project under consideration requests funds for much needed rehabilitation and restoration of the historic building. Estimated project cost would be approximately $87,500 which includes $25,000 for painting and clapboard restoration, $45,000 for window restoration and replacement, and an additional $17,500 to be used in the case of unexpected contingencies.

In the committee’s efforts to diligently review and choose well-conceived projects that offer a lot of benefit for its limited funds, the CPC welcomes any and all comments and input.

Another side of Atwood

By

Jessica Zeoli

Express correspondent

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met Monday, Feb. 12 to continue the discussion regarding the parcel of land off Prospect Road known as the Atwood Property.  Ryan Vlaco of BRV I, Inc. in Middleborough, has signed a purchase and sale agreement in the amount of $1 million for the 75.3 or perhaps 113-acre parcel – acreage differs from the earth removal permit application and the plan of land submitted with the application.

Selectman Russo reminded the crowd that the meeting was not an official hearing and no official proceedings were to take place. The public will be notified when, in fact, legal measures will begin to take place on the purchase of the parcel.

After hearing concerns of many Prospect Road and Soule Street residents regarding issues such as unreasonable wear and tear on roads by the estimated 100 gravel trucks per day each hauling a full load of gravel, effect on nearby wells, the tearing up of pristine woodland and damage to the ecosystems of several protected species of birds, reptiles and plants, Beverly Atwood, longtime owner of the property now protected by the Atwood Family Irrevocable Trust, stood to be heard, citing the hypocricy of the group. 

“When your children were throwing rocks into our canals, that didn’t bother you and I think the person’s here whose sons were doing that.  When somebody else’s sons burned down our bog shed, that didn’t bother you.  When some other people put up signs for their horse trails – that didn’t bother you.  That’s our property.  Nobody ever has come to me and asked permission …  And we have never been confrontational about any of it.  And now all of you are here, all of a sudden  – something’s going to happen to your property … And you people all now are nature lovers!  You didn’t give a darn about my bogs when you people trail rode through.  Geese – I give them a free ride because they belong there – but you people don’t! None of the rest of you beautiful land people who love the land but have no respect for mine until I want to sell it because my husband is sick … and I have to get this property sold …  where were you last year asking me to buy it?  Where was anybody three years ago?  Nobody! …  All of a sudden your playground’s going – the place where you go and don’t ask permission.  And now it’s a nature preserve!”

Jennifer MacDonald, 44 Prospect St., spoke to the right of way which her property abuts, saying that it is no way capable of handling 100 trucks per day, and that the deeded right of way is for timber removal, and perhaps the occasional cranberry truck, but to make any changes to the right of way would require consent from the abutters.   She also noted that the gravel trucks cannot negotiate the sharp curve onto Prospect Road in either direction and would need to go forward onto Marie Elaine Drive and Tobey Lane, through thickly settled residential areas, to make the turn.  MacDonald continued to say that if she’d known the land was for sale, “I would have bought it!”

Gail Knight of Winnetuxet Road empathized with Mrs. Atwood, saying that she would feel the same if people were abusing her property.

Russo told Mrs. Atwood that the process (of coming out of Chapter 61) would take time.  “One of the consequences of putting land into Chapter is that you save on taxes, and you complicate the sale in the end,” Russo said. 

According to state law, land that has been protected and held under any of various “Chapter” titles, such as 60, 61, 61A must be offered back to the town before it can be sold.  The town may then exercise its option of first refusal.

This 75.3 to 113-acre parcel of has raised many questions for the residents of Prospect Road and surrounding areas in last week’s meeting.  Selectman Mark Russo attempted to address citizen concerns.

A list of priorities regarding the project were announced beginning with contacting town council to address a letter to the current owner of the land to establish communication. Next, the board discussed clarifying the boundaries of the project and verifying that the land for sale is entirely owned by the seller.

Plympton assessors are working to determine the boundaries of the project  Linda Leddy and Ami Dion of the Open Space Committee will begin volunteer research on agricultural bylaws and legal measures taken in similar towns when dealing with earth  removal applications. Following this research, the town may go forth with creating procedures for handling the sale of Chapterland and future applications regarding earth removal operations in the town.

Selectmen plan to “represent all the citizens involved in the project and remain fair,” as stated by Russo, all other board members agreeing.

Rocky Mountain

water concerns

Selectmen agreed to have Town Administrator Elizabeth Dennehy research a surveillance system to address concerns that water trucks are going onto the Brook Street property earlier than their agreement with the town allows.  One abutter noted violations Feb. 6, 7, and 12.  Selectman John Traynor suggested a camera system be set up to document these incidents.  Russo said he would call Mr. Rose again to let him know.  Traynor said that the town should have firm legal documentation of these violations.

Old Town House

Lease signed

The lease between the town and the Plympton Historical Society has been updated and signed by both parties, according to Selectman John Traynor, who asked that copies of the lease be emailed to Society President Jessica Kinsman and the members of her board.

One of the terms of the lease is to have a sign.  The current sign was damaged by snow removal equipment.  Town maintenance superintendent Sarro has said he will repair the sign and have it re-installed in the spring, after the ground thaws.

Recreation

Commission

Selectmen are seeking volunteers to serve on the Recreation Commission.  Anyone interested should contact the selectmen’s office at 781-585-2700.

In other busines

• The board ended the meeting by approving a Best Buddies Bike-A-Thon in June, pending approval by the fire and police departments.

• Selectmen will not meet next week because of the President’s Day holiday on Monday, but will resume their meeting schedule the following week, Monday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.

• MRI Consultants, who are working on a review of the Plympton Fire Department, will have a draft of their report by the end of this week.

Deborah Anderson

contributed to this article.

Tensions high as gravel removal plans unveiled

By

Jessica Zeiol

Express correspondent

Plympton’s Prospect Road residents voiced their concerns over the proposed purchase of a parcel of land that is either 75.3 acres or 113  acres, even the proposed purchaser didn’t seem sure.   The Prospect Road parcel contains acres of cranberry bogs, a spring-fed pond that serves as reservoir for the bogs, hardwood forest, and pine forest.  The area was also pointed out as a known haven for at least two endangered species.

Rick Burnett, local farmer and member of the Agricultural Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Community Preservation Committee, and advisor to the Historical Commission, told the gathering that he was speaking only as a resident Monday night, introducing selectmen and others to the “magic” of the area known as the Atwood Land.  Burnet knows the land well as it borders Soule Farm where Burnet is active in farming activities.

Selectmen were made aware last fall that the property was coming out of Chapterland and the town was offered first refusal to purchase the land as is required by law.  Selectmen have now received a purchase and sale agreement that would sell to Ryan Vlaco, principal of BRV I, Inc., 607A Wareham St., PO Box 107, Middleboro, from Atwood Family Irrevocable Trust, represented by Sarah Atwood Preston, at a pricetag of $1 milion. 

The P&S, has several conditions to it, Selectman Mark Russo told the group, one of which is the granting of a gravel removal permit by the Town of Plympton.  Asked if it was proper to give a permit to anyone other than the actual owner of the property.  Russo answered that was a question they would put to Town Counsel.

Many residents expressed concern that removing so much gravel would affect the pond and the water table, thereby affecting nearby wells.  Emotions were high, with violence threatened and answered in one reparte.

Howard Randall, whose home is on Prospect Road, wanted to be sure that selectmen didn’t miss the deadline of 90 days to respond to the offer. 

The applicant spoke to the group, stating that he had completed perc tests on the four proposed house lots on Prospect Road, across the way from Toby Lane and Marie Elaine Drive.  The proceeds from the sale of these house lots, he said, would help finance the overall project. 

Asked whether he planned to remove the gravel from the property beyond what he would use to expand the cranberry bogs, he said he would.  His stated intent was to have a gravel removal operation in addition to the cranberry bogs.  The proposed operator estimated 100 gravel-laden trucks would pass down Prospect Road each day.  The application states that they would not operate beyond 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and would not operate on weekends and holidays. 

Chairman Christine Joy asked if he owned other cranberry bogs.  He said he did, in Middleboro on Pine Street.  She said she would like to see them, to see what kind of operation he had there.

Members of Marie Elaine Drive neighborhood expressed their worries regarding the operation of a gravel removal pit and the effects on the neighborhood’s water wells and the value of their homes. Rebecca Lipton, a resident of Prospect Road stated, “This will greatly change our water supply, which has already been affected by Middleboro’s waste management facility down the road.”   

Other Plympton citizens heavily debated the damage that would be done to the roads that are narrow with many curves and turns.  There were also expressions of concern for the children in the surrounding houses and the effect of operation on the value of neighborhood homes.

The plan is unclear as to the amount of land this parcel includes and one taxpayer said he has been paying taxes for decades on a parcel that he thinks is located within the bounds of the property under consideration, and questioning the legality of the purchase and sale agreement. Assistant Assessor Wendy Hughes said she would look up the maps in question and report back to selectmen.

The board of selectmen is planning to gather information and answer the questions presented by the public before deciding whether or not and how the town will continue with the project.

Selectman John Traynor  told the group that there would be many opportunities to be heard on this application and proposal, as many hearings would be needed before several boards before it could be done. 

Russo said that he and his board would also investigate the possibility of acquiring the property for the town, much as the town had acquired the Churchill Park property.

The next Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26.

~ Deborah Anderson contributed to this story.

Marijuana grow facility: Host Community Agreement considered by Selectmen

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Four Daughters Compassionate Care, LLC, has submitted to Halifax selectmen a Host Community Agreement (HCA) as one of the first steps toward the construction of a marijuana cultivation and/or manufacturing facility on River Street.

Halifax selectmen are accepting comments, questions, and concerns about the HCA in time for the Board’s discussion at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to the process Four Daughters Compassionate Care will follow, the HCA outlines the Community Impact payments of 3% of the gross wholesales of marijuana cultivated at the premises and 3% of the marijuana infused products.  The first of these payments would be made within three months following the first date of sale of marijuana, and continue on an annual basis.

Up to a 60,000 square foot commercial space is planned for the 45-acre parcel for the purpose of operating a cultivation and/or product manufacturing facility under a Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD) Certificate of Registration as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Medical Marijuana Program.

The entire HCA can be viewed online at  http://www.town.halifax.ma.us/…/fourdaughtersHCA20180108.pdf)

While the Host Community Agreement covers several subjects, it is not a zoning permit. Any proposed facility would have to obtain a “special permit” from the Zoning Board of Appeals (a public hearing is required with notice to abutters) and approval of a site plan from the Planning Board. A proposal has not been submitted to either Board. Both steps will be publicized here and in other venues

Town administrator Charlie Seelig assures Halifax residents that while there may be concerns regarding noise, lighting, and odors, these matters will not be addressed as part of the HCA; they would properly be part of any discussion of the possible approval of a special permit and site plan for this facility.  The signing of the HCA is just one step in the process.  Four Daughters will need to obtain various zoning permits in Halifax, along with whichever permits the State requires.

November 28, 2017, Halifax hosted an informational meeting in the Town Hall where residents were invited to hear about the Four Daughters Compassionate Care proposal and ask questions at that time.

The presentation was recorded and can be watched on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyirPfa7lYA (forum begins at 26:23 into the selectmen’s meeting).

If selectmen do sign an HCA with Four Daughters and Four Daughters moves forward with this project, then a public hearing will be held as required under state regulations.  Abutters will be notified and the hearing will be publicized.

Halifax readies for town elections in May

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Town Clerk Barbara Gaynor has announced the following positions will be on the ballot at the Halifax Town Election on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Halifax Elementary School, Rte. 106, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Board of Assessors, seat currently vacant.  Term of office three years.  Holly Merry has drawn nomination papers for this position.

• Board of Health, seat currently held by Alan J. Dias.  Term of office three years.

•  Town Clerk, seat currently held by Barbara Gaynor.   Term of office: three years.  Barbara Gaynor will seek re-election.

•   Town Treasurer-Collector, seat currently held by Pamela Adduci.   Term of office: three years.  Pamela Adduci will seek re-election.

• Holmes Library Board of Trustees, seat currently held by  Ava Grimason who is not seeking re-election.   Term of office: three years.

• Holmes Library Board of Trustees, seat currently held by Maureen C. Thayer who is not seeking re-election.   Term of office: three years.

•  Housing Authority*, seat currently held by Lee Mulready.   Term of office: five years. *Contingent on State approval.

•   Town Moderator, seat currently held by John Bruno.   Term of office: three years.

•  Park Commission, seat currently held by Gerard Elliott.   Term of office: three years.

•   Planning Board, seat currently held by Mark T. Millias.   Term of office: five years.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Alexander Mead.   Term of office: one year.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Summer Schmaling .   Term of office: three years.

•Elementary School Committee, seat currently held by Linda Twiss Gioscia.   Term of office: three years.  Linda Twiss Gioscia is not seeking re-election.

•Silver Lake School Committee, seat currently held by Mark J. Aubrey.   Term of office: three years.  Mark Aubrey is not seeking re-election.

• Board of Selectmen, seat currently held by Thomas Millias.   Term of office: three years.  Thomas Millias will seek re-election

• Water Commission, seat currently held by Daniel O. Bosworth, Jr.   Term of office: three years.

Nomination papers are now available and can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office during regular office hours through Wednesday, March 28, 2018.  All completed papers must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2018.

This list may be revised due to resignations or other changes.

Rte. 44 highway mishap kills one

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State police are continuing their investigation into the accident that ultimately killed Daniel A. Newcomb, a 31-year-old East Taunton man, Friday night, Jan. 12, on Route 44 in Carver.   Newcomb is the son of Michael and Melissa Newcomb of Halifax.

A 23-year-old Monponsett man was traveling westbound in a 2001 Mitsubishi Gallant on Route 44 when he struck a 1998 Saturn SL2,  that was stationary in the breakdown lane.  Newcomb was believed to have been outside of his vehicle at the time of the crash, according to preliminary reports by State Trooper Justin Greene who is investigating the crash.

Newcomb was transported to South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth where he later died.

The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

No charges had been filed as of press time Thursday.

State Police Nicole Morrell, when asked by the Express the identity of the other driver, said it is not the policy of the State Police to identify parties involved unless they face charges.

State Police were assisted on scene by the Carver Fire and EMS and MassDOT.

She hopes one of her customers will “win big” in the lottery …

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Meet Suzy Youssef, new owner of Plympton Gas and Convenience, 280 Main St., Rte. 58, Plympton. 

After working 16 years for IBM in distributive software, Suzy said, ”I told myself it’s time for me to own my own business – time for a new adventure.”

She took her time to find just the right situation, and after two years, found Plympton!  Suzy and her husband have two gas stations, but none with a convenience store.  The Stoneham and Medford businesses are fairly close to home, but she really likes the hour-long commute which brings her to another world – out of the city and into the country – where horses and trees are common elements, and the city sights and sounds are left behind.

Right in the heart of historic Plympton Village, Plympton Gas and Convenience serves its customers 7 days a week, from early until late enough, with competitive gas prices and the convenience of beer, wine, groceries, and of course, lottery.

“I’d love to see one of our customers hit it big,” Suzy said.  “Not for us; for the fun of seeing the lottery won here.” 

Suzy says she feels lucky to have found Plympton Gas and Convenience.  “We have a good team here.  Well organized, a really clean place.”  She credits former owner Kelly Craig for giving her the time to show her how the Craigs had run the business.  “Most people, you buy the place and that’s it.  Kelly really helped us from the beginning.”

“I hope to stay here for a long time.”

Suzy Youssef, new owner of Plympton Gas and Convenience, hopes one of her customers hits it big in the lottery.