PLYMPTON– On Monday, March 21, a large group of residents attended the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to hear a report from Chairman Mark Russo regarding an alleged home invasion on Brook Street earlier in the month, nearly adjacent to the Brook Retreat, at 55 Brook Street, a sober living facility. A guest of the facility was alleged to have committed the crime.

The operators of the Brook Retreat, South Shore Transformations, Inc., a sober living and 12-step facility located in a residential neighborhood, refused to appear before the board publicly, nor did they respond to a request from the Express for comment, but they did sit down with board Chairman Russo to discuss the March 6 incident.

On that Sunday night, according to police and court records, an individual named Shane Patrick Sullivan, 25, of Boston, but staying at the Brook Retreat, allegedly terrorized a couple at around 11 p.m. in their home, attempting to break windows, damaging a storm door, and breaking a light fixture with an icepick and committing other property damage.

He had been staying at the Brook Retreat for only four or five days, said Russo.

When found by police, according to the Plympton Police incident narrative, Sullivan was barefoot in the street, making bizarre statements, including that he had killed a whole family, that he had killed Satan. He also spontaneously uttered, “I’m guilty.”

Sullivan was charged with felony vandalizing property as well as felony home invasion, and misdemeanor disturbing the peace and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

According to Russo, court records and a law-enforcement source, Sullivan is being held for psychiatric evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital, in order to determine “criminal responsibility” and “competency to stand trial”.  A Plymouth District Court judge ordered this evaluation before he was arraigned.

Although he allegedly told paramedics, who reported back to police, that he had ingested illegal drugs this may not be the case as he was not making much sense according to the police report.

Sullivan has at least one open case in Massachusetts, in Chelsea District Court, on charges of shoplifting and possession of a Class E substance. The prosecutor in that case is asking a Plymouth judge to revoke his bail in the case, which originated in Revere, according to the Chelsea District Court Clerk’s office.

According to a law enforcement official Sullivan is “well-known to area law-enforcement.”

Russo reported that the operators of the Brook Retreat were deeply sorry for the incident, and were taking pro-active measures to prevent an incident like this from happening again. They released a statement directly responding to questions from a concerned resident, via Russo, which stated:

“What happened on Sunday night to the Limitone family by one of our guests is unacceptable. We are grateful that no one from the family was injured. We are a very strict structured program. We take the safety of our guest [sic] and neighbors seriously. We appreciate the action by police and emergency personnel who defused the situation quickly.”

The statement further went on to say that they have been following the agreement they made with the town (although there was no formal agreement) stating that they would not accept guests that have been “arrested for either arson or any sexual related offenses.”

At a forum in Sept. 2014, the Express reported that the three principals of the Brook Retreat mentioned violent offenses would also be part of the list of disqualifying arrests, but left this out of their statement.

Russo stated that CORI checks were not being performed, so it is not apparent exactly what type of background check is being done.

Russo described some of the other policies as reported to him, though it was not clear which one broke down earlier in March. The Brook Retreat claims that they will build a fence around the property with a gate, but this did little to assuage the concerns of residents.

Russo also noted that because the facility is technically a “school” under a 1950’s era state law known as the Dover Amendment, part of M.G.L. Chapter 40A(3), which allows schools, even those with non-traditional curriculums, to be operated relatively unfettered from local zoning restrictions. (Chapter 40A(3) has been a key issue in the on-going discussion over whether to allow a medical marijuana grow facility on Ring Road.)

The Brook Retreat has no license from any government authority, local or state, although the fire department checks the sprinklers annually.

Residents were uniformly angry, upset, fearful or expressing some mixture of the three. The lack of any oversight from any agency is a huge issue for residents.

Amy Cronin of County Road said she supported effort to help “these people”, but had grave concerns with the way the facility was managed.

She was thankful she didn’t live on Brook Street, but “am afraid for my neighbors that do,” and that she was personally “scared.” She mentioned property values potentially going down, noting that on a popular real estate website the incident is already noted.

Cronin would like to see a certified or licensed facility.

James Boucher of Mayflower Road was also vocal. He added that he thought something was going to happen when the project was proposed, that it was just a matter of time. “Someone could have been shot,” he said.

“I don’t want to wake up with…one of my neighbors stabbed with a knife or stuck with a needle,” he later added.

He later even stated that Plympton was being used as a “dumping ground”.

Although not all of the language was this vitriolic, several other residents brought up what they thought could be ways to close the facility, for example, an excess number of beds, excess occupancy, or an improper septic system but the facility has followed all the rules it is subject to, according to Russo.

Most were simply incredulous that a sober living facility could be operated with no oversight.

Selectperson Christine Joy expressed anger that residents were living in fear, and took the suggestion of an audience member that Town Counsel be asked for advice regarding any action the town could take against the Brook Retreat.

The Board unanimously agreed, although Russo noted that he was afraid that the answer would be unsatisfying to those gathered.

Selectperson Colleen Thompson expressed concern that background checks weren’t being performed.

Russo noted at the end that after having met with the operators, he very much supports their efforts. He even went so far to say as he would be happy to have the Brook Retreat next to his own home.

The audience was not convinced.

Sullivan is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. in Plymouth District Court on Monday, March 28, 2016.

HALIFAX– Citizens will soon be able to drive to a parking lot again, rather than park directly on Elm Street, in order to access the Halifax entrance to the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, shared with Hanson. There is no other vehicle access in Halifax to the WMA, although there is in Hanson.

The WMA, once dominated by cranberry bogs, was purchased and created by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) in 2002. The 1,600-acre property was sold by the Northland Cranberry Company.

The controversial purchase led to litigation between Halifax and the DFW, regarding taxes Halifax asserted were owed on the land as it was no longer being used for agricultural purposes, which was eventually settled. This was not the only controversy regarding the WMA, though. A couple who abuts the parking lot and driveway to the Halifax entry-point have complained for years about a lack of policing, litter and nightly noise caused by trespassers. Christopher and Thais Kasmerek, by a fluke, discovered that due to a surveying error, they actually owned a good portion of the access road, and essentially closed it off to vehicle traffic by building a fence down the middle, delineating their newfound property.

Citizens are still able to walk on the State-owned side of the fence to enjoy the WMA, but have been creating a safety hazard by parking on the side of Elm Street.

In response to the fence, the DFW has announced it will simply pave a new road around the Kasmerek’s fence, to the original parking lot, by-passing private property and remaining on State-owned land.

The Kasmereks have come before the Halifax Board of Selectmen with their fears of actions that the Town or State might take to open up access again, as recently as December.

At that meeting, Selectmen foresaw just this scenario, and attempted to work with the couple on a compromise in order to prevent it. The DFW had offered to build some sort of buffer for the Kasmereks, but they rejected that offer suggesting that no buffer could assuage their concerns.

The Kasmereks complained of more “bad-behavior” behind their property after the DFW created the WMA, with people coming and going at all times of day and night and leaving behind beer cans, glass, needles and dog refuse.

Another issue is that policing of the property falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Police, because the WMA is owned by the DFW. The Environmental Police, a relatively small agency, appear not to have the will or resources to properly police the huge WMA, at least not to the satisfaction of abutters.

Armed with an ice pick, Boston resident Shane Sullivan attempted a home invasion late Sunday night.

Plympton officers were dispatched to a home on Brook Street for a report of an armed home invader who had a gun at 11 p.m. Sunday.

Shane Sullivan, 26, failed to comply with officers when they arrived.  There was a brief struggle when he would not show his hands. It was later determined that he did not have a fire arm, however he did have an ice chipping tool which he was using to strike the side of the house as well as to gain entry.

Plympton Police Chief Patrick Dillon commended his officers for showing ‘great restraint’ in subduing the suspect.

Sullivan reportedly has an address in Boston but has been staying at the Brook Retreat, a substance abuse continuation program for recovering addicts, nearly adjacent to 47 Brook St., the home he attemped to break  into.

Sullivan, who  according to police, was having a medical episode related to ingested drugs, was on the back porch of the home where he broke a  window, a light  and  a storm  door as he attempted to force his way in the house.

Sullivan was placed into custody by officers and evaluated by Plympton EMS. He was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Plymouth   for further medical evaluation.

Chief Dillon clarified neither the homeowner nor the suspect had a firearm, which had been falsely posted on social media and on the morning television news.

Neither the homeowner or any police officers were injured.

Sullivan is facing charges of armed home invasion, willful malicious   destruction of property and disturbing the peace.

Dillon expressed thanks   to officers from Halifax, Carver, Kingston, Massachusetts State Police and Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for their assistance during the tense situation.

Plympton locals hash it out over marijuana: Residents share concerns at marijuana grow facility forum

PLYMPTON– On Jan. 25, the Board of Selectmen held a special forum for residents to give their input on a proposal by Jeff Randall, of 98 Ring Road, to build an indoor medicinal marijuana grow facility on his family farm.

In order for the project to proceed, he needs either a letter of non-opposition or a letter of support from the Board. Selectmen may also choose to take no action, or write a letter of opposition, according to Selectperson Colleen Thompson.

More than 50 residents were present, as was Randall and his representative, Kris Krane, to help explain the proposal. The room was full, with townspeople standing in the rear and on the sides of the room. Some had lived in town as short as three months, while others were lifelong residents.

The mood of the meeting was tense throughout, and although never got out of hand, there were certainly some raised voices.

Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo began by setting some ground rules, as did Selectperson Christine Joy.

Russo then began by mentioning some of the concerns he and the other Selectmen had heard from the public before the meeting.

These concerns included odors, the impact of such a facility on area land values, the proximity of the proposed facility to the Dennett Elementary School sending a mixed-message to children in town, concerns of abutters and neighbors and the opposition of the police chief.

All of these concerns were brought up by residents at the forum, as well.

Randall spoke first, reiterating his presentation given at a Selectmen’s meeting several weeks ago.

The facility to grow medical marijuana, according to Randall, would be entirely indoors, with the plants being grown in soil in a 60 foot by 180 foot enclosed building. He previously presented a very detailed written proposal to the Board, explaining the entire licensing process. He specifically noted that he is not proposing a medical marijuana dispensary in Plympton (a place where medical marijuana is sold to patients). There would be a direct payment to the Town, based on the amount of marijuana produced. Randall estimated this at $50,000 a year, although latter appeared to acknowledge that this amount would be negotiable.

Maureen Doyle of Ring Road had questions about the application itself. She questioned if the application could possibly allow a marijuana dispensary in Plympton. She asked several times, “Is it possible?” According to the law, it is not (this would require an entirely new application) and Randall reiterated, as did his representative, that he was not proposing this.

Doug Reese of Center Street questioned why Randall was not growing the marijuana near a dispensary. Randall and his representative explained that there is no wholesaling in Massachusetts, so Randall will be operating a dispensary, in a yet to be decided city or town. This is legal under the Commonwealth’s medical marijuana laws – and he cannot get his application approved by the State without having both the remote cultivation facility and the dispensary located elsewhere signed off on by the Selectmen in both towns they are located in.

They also noted a shortage in supply.  There are only four operating dispensaries in Massachusetts: in Ayer, Brockton, Northampton and Salem. According to Krane, they are all experiencing shortages. With more than 18,000 medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts, there is an apparent need for more dispensaries – and thus cultivation facilities, such as the one proposed in Plympton.

Several neighbors and abutters of Randall’s then became quite vocal, some expressing that they felt he had misrepresented them in his first meeting with the Board. Randall said that he had spoken to some neighbors, and that they were enthusiastic.

Dan Doyle, of Ring Road, stated that he was “personally offended” by the alleged misrepresentation. He also questioned why Randall characterized his conversation with Police Chief Patrick Dillon as “productive” in his initial meeting with the Selectmen if the Chief had written a letter of opposition printed in the Express.

While that statement may have been true, and there were neighbors who supported him present, Randall apologized for not speaking to all of them. “I didn’t feel it was appropriate to trap you at your door,” he said to Doyle.

As for the meeting with the Chief, Chief Dillon stated that, “Jeff is a nice guy,” and that they had a “nice” conversation, although he would not characterize it as “productive”. He stated that he told Randall that he opposed the idea at the end of their meeting.

The Chief believes that for the proposal to be viable, the police would have to hire another officer. The cost to the Town would be about $68,000. He came to that rough number estimating the cost of a second year police officer’s salary and benefits.

Chief Dillon opposes the project for Plympton, and posed the question: “Do you really want this in your community?” As well, although not mentioned during the meeting, he later stated in a conversation that he was not opposed to the medicinal use of medical marijuana, he just did not feel that this was a good fit for Plympton.

Sharon Housley, of Ring Road had several comments regarding safety. She stated that the security issues are real, and spoke quite emotionally about how in about 20 years of living in town, she’s never felt unsafe. “If we can put it next to an Elementary School, it can go anywhere,” she said.

When Randall tried to explain the security measures his building would require by law and what he specifically was planning, she responded, “Jeff, I don’t care about your pot.”

“This whole process is about limiting gangs [having access to marijuana],” Randall said, as several residents started talking over each other, referencing thieves, gangs and murderers being brought to Town.

Chris Housley, of the same Ring Road address, was also outspoken in his opposition to the proposal. He expressed that he understood the grow facility would be secure, but was very concerned for his security and that of his neighbors.

“This is a residential neighborhood. What will the increased security be for our neighborhood?”

At this point, Randall’s representative tried to respond over a half dozen times, only to be interrupted by Housley insistently stating that he wasn’t addressing the question. Finally, in frustration, Krane turned to Chairman Russo and said, “I feel like I’m trying to answer the question but I keep getting interrupted.”

Krane’s answer that there would be security cameras pointing out was not satisfying to Housley and Russo moved the discussion forward.

The Selectmen spoke and asked questions next.

Selectperson Colleen Thompson, who is “neither for nor against” the proposal at this point in time, asked about the timing of when the Board would have to make a decision. As Randall still has to finalize the location of his dispensary, he anticipates several months.

Thompson asked as well about odor control, and Randall explained that he would be using a system that removed any odor in the exhaust fans before it exited the enclosed building.

Thompson also had several legal questions, which Krane answered, including the logistics of getting a bank account for a Federally illegal practice. Krane stated that the Justice Department is now legally bound by Congress to not use its money to interfere with properly state-sanctioned activities that are illegal at the Federal level.

Thompson also stated that she had spoken to the Police Chief of Ayer, where a dispensary had recently opened up. She stated that the Chief  had said everything was, “so far, so good.” She also suggested to Randall to contact people like the Ayer Police Chief for some testimonials as it might benefit him.

Chairman Russo spoke next, and wanted assurances that there would be no odors, pests, or light pollution.

Randall and Krane described the odor control system, that there would be little concern regarding pests because the operation would be indoors and thus manageable, and that as for any light pollution, he would work diligently with anyone concerned to curb it.

He also stated that it would be an organic operation.

Selectperson Christine Joy, who clearly stated her opposition with one of the largest reasons being that she believed the project would be cash flow negative to the Town due to the cost of hiring a police officer, had some questions for Randall as well.

They were more probative in nature, checking in on where Randall was in the application process, notifying him that all other necessary Town Boards and Committees would have to approve the project if the Selectmen did, asking if he had established a non-profit (he had), and what his waste disposal plans were.

She had security concerns as well, and wanted to know Randall’s plans. Krane, the representative, stated that it could be whatever the police wanted, but that it was standard for the police to have direct access to the cameras but a private security firm would be constantly monitoring them.

Joy, and the Police Chief were both concerned that in the future, if the project is given the go-ahead, could put the Town at risk for grants or funds from the Federal Government.

She and Randall also debated whether the proposal fell under the “right-to-farm” by-law, with Joy specifying that she didn’t believe this was a “normal” agricultural practice while Randall insisted that the by-law did not specify what the crop was.

Joy did not push this too far as Randall did not seem to want to concede his point.

The public was given a second round for comments at this point, and some of Randall’s supporters spoke up.

Evelyn Dunbar of Ring Road stated that there have been many, many illegal crops over the years in the area that were well known “secrets”, and that there were no murders.

A recent resident who moved from Wareham to Cranberry Knoll, though, disagreed.

A youth basketball coach, she spoke of the horrible drug issues that she had witnessed in Wareham, and that she believed it all started with youth smoking marijuana. She did not believe that the grow operation would send an appropriate message to children.

Another Ring Road couple spoke in favor of the proposal, declaring themselves possible “lone wolves” in the room, but that they thought Randall would “do a good job” and that “crime is not new.” They did not believe the grow operation would increase crime. “Times change and growing medical marijuana is compassionate.”

Their endorsement was seconded by a Winnetuxet Road woman.

In a touching moment, well known farmer Abdu Nassrella of Maple Street, a more than 30 year resident of Plympton said that the Board has a “huge challenge in front of you,” but that “I know Jeff Randall and he’s a class act.” He called him a gentleman, and he also said he had confidence in the Plympton Police Department. He wished to personally vouch for Randall.

Then, in a more hushed tone, he stated that he had a daughter with terminal cancer. With conviction, he said that she has a medical marijuana card, “and it is a god-send.”

Chris Hously of Ring Road spoke for a third time, criticizing the location, stating that it was hypocrisy to children for such a facility to be built, and he didn’t see “anything positive except for Jeff.”

Next, Frank Santoro of Ring Road, maybe the newest resident in the room having only lived in Town for two months, said that he and his wife had chosen Plympton because it was a right-to-farm community, and that he and his wife fully support and endorse the proposal.

A realtor addressed land values after several residents expressed concerns. Jean Cohen of Buttonwood Drive stated that there was no way to know how land values might be affected. She stated when she shows homes near a gun range, some people go running for the door, while those who enjoy target shooting end up excited.  She also noted that what she does know adversely affecting property values is the junk in peoples’ yards.

Another abutter, Dawn Hastings stated her grave concern for the project, and Susan Hayes of Cushman’s landing expressed concern for the reputation of the community, while expressing compassion for medical marijuana users who are sick. Hayes took umbrage with the term ‘pot’ being used in the newspaper.

Kim Russo of Palmer Road spoke at length about teaching children to understand things in context, such as medical marijuana or opioids for that matter. She further added, “bringing something progressive to Town will not kill us.”

Finally, Jeff Randall was given a moment to thank the crowd for attending, and said that he hoped that an “arrangement that works for everyone” would be found.

Chairman Russo stated that this would be the hardest decision the Board of Selectmen would have to make in his time there, and that he would seek to balance the rights of individuals with the rights of the Townspeople.

Dogs, poles and ’thanks’: Hearings dominate Halifax Selectmen’s meeting

HALIFAX– Tuesday, Jan. 12, Halifax Selectmen met for both a dog hearing and a pole hearing, that dominated the discussion of the evening.

Dog Hearing: Dating back to Nov. 18, an incident occurred at 304 Wood Street.  A bicyclist, the victim, was riding his or her bike at approximately 5:05 p.m. when a dog began to chase the bicycle and bite the victim.

Originally, the dog could not be located, but Halifax Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan investigated and eventually located the dog at 270 Wood Street. She stated that according to an anonymous neighbor, the dog living at 270 Wood Street is often running loose.

At the hearing, which became quite heated, the owner of the dog at 270 Wood Street appeared with his teenaged son, who was watching the dog at the time of the incident, along with younger siblings. The dog-owner was not home at the time of the incident.

The dog-owner claimed that he simply did not believe that it was his dog that had bitten the bicyclist, despite the fact that the Halifax ACO stated that the description given by the victim matched the dog and the dog was “positively identified.”

He stated that the dog was either on a chain or in a kennel at all times.

This led to a heated back and forth discussion between the ACO and the dog-owner. Noting that all the victim wanted was his or her riding pants to be replaced, the dog owner said he’d be happy to do that and that this situation was causing “a lot of stress for [his] family.”

Selectmen Chairman Kim Roy pointed out that this was not the first such incident with the dog, noting that in 2009 a nearly identical incident occurred with a bicyclist and a hearing was held. The dog-owner said he did not remember that hearing. The Board all in one way or another stated that it was likely not a coincidence that two such similar incidents had occurred.

Roy, along with the rest of the board, asked pointed questions of the dog-owner, and cited the need to further investigate and protect the people of the Town.   Roy continued the hearing with a unanimous vote of the rest of the Board to Jan. 25 at 8:45 p.m.

The Board is hopeful both the victim and the neighbor will come before the Board– as they currently wish to remain anonymous– as well as the dog-owner’s wife. They pointed out to the dog-owner that he was not even home at the time of the incident, so his testimony was of relatively little use.

The dog is currently licensed and vaccinated, although according to records was not in 2009 when the previous incident occurred.

Pole Hearing

In Halifax, National Grid and Verizon jointly own utility poles, but Verizon sets them. The jobs are initiated by National Grid, which is attempting to improve safety in the area by moving guide wires, which help support the poles, from the trees where they are currently anchored to poles they claim are safer.

A Verizon representative came before the board to get permission to do the work. About a half-dozen residents of Lingan Street and surrounding streets in “the avenues”, where several of the new poles for guide wires were slated to be placed were also present.

The Verizon representative had already been researching the area, and was accommodating to the concerns of the Board and the residents. She had already spoken to several residents earlier in the day.

She was quick to point out that no new guide wires were being installed; only existing ones were being moved slightly from being anchored into trees to being anchored in poles.

Residents spoke passionately about how the neighborhood was congested, and contained crowded and narrow streets. They questioned whether the work was needed. Most notably, they were concerned that truck and boat-owners would continue to be able to clear the guide wires, which pass over the street.

Happily, a solution that worked for everyone was eventually crafted.

The most controversial pole, close to 116 Lingan Street, was denied by the Board, to the relief of the residents in the room. The guide wire will remain anchored to a tree. The board did approve a second pole on the street, near 120 Lingan Street.

The others were not as controversial once everyone understood exactly what Verizon was proposing. The Board approved three guide wire poles to be installed, one each on Garden Road, Pratt Street and at Richview Avenue.

Growing Pot in Plympton? Local farmer proposes medicinal marijuana ‘grow-op’ venture

On Monday, Jan. 4, Plympton Selectmen met to discuss what appeared to be a very short agenda. Yet, a surprise lurked in the “Appointments” section of the agenda. Only a resident’s name and “Agricultural venture” gave away any type of hint as to the surprise that would come with the 6:30 p.m. appointment.

The resident, local farmer Jeff Randall, is proposing to build a medicinal marijuana growing facility, commonly known as a “grow-op”, on his farm on Ring Road. The marijuana, according to Randall, would             be grown indoors, in soil in a 60 foot by 180 foot enclosed building. He presented a very detailed written proposal to the Board, detailing the entire licensing process. He specifically noted that he is not proposing a medical marijuana dispensary in Plympton (a place where medical marijuana is sold to patients).

Although marijuana is still considered illegal at the Federal level, at the State level it has been “decriminalized” for recreational use and legalized for medical use with a doctor’s prescription. The Commonwealth has stringent regulations for growing marijuana and selling it to patients medicinally, and Randall noted that he was still early in this    process.

At some point, he needs either a letter of support or a letter of “non-opposition” from the Board of Selectmen. Randall noted that he was quite likely in front of the Board prematurely, but was seeking input from the Selectmen to get a feel for where they stood on the issue.

The responses of the Selectmen were as interesting as the proposal.

The Board had clearly done their homework and asked detailed questions about security, abutters, the licensing process and Randall’s future intent with his property. The Commonwealth requires stringent security, and Randall had already had what he described as a productive meeting with the Police Chief. He stated that he hadn’t spoken to every abutter, but those that he had spoken to were enthusiastic and he has no intention of giving up his other farming activities, which include cultivating cranberries and boarding horses.

Selectperson Christine Joy spoke first when it came time for the Board to express where they stood on the proposal. Joy initially stated that she was opposed and personally uncomfortable with the idea. “I’m not a huge fan. I don’t think it is a good fit for the town … But if the townspeople support it, I support it.”

Selectperson Colleen Thompson spoke next. Typically she appears to listen very carefully, take everything in and ask a few pointed questions. This night was no different. She didn’t have many questions, but she stated that she “was not opposed.” Thompson said that she wasn’t sure if she would lean more towards a letter of support or a letter of non-opposition, but in any case would not stand in the way of Randall.

Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo enthusiastically supported the proposal. Citing that Plympton is a “right-to-farm” community, that he encourages expanding agriculture in town, the revenue such a venture could bring in taxes and his own interest in herbal medicine and noting  that his brother is a world-wide expert on the medical use of marijuana, he was whole-heartedly on board provided the appropriate other town boards approved the proposal.

The Board plans to set aside time at their January 25th meeting to seek public input and hear more from Randall.

Conflict erupts at Plympton Selectmen meeting over petitions

Plympton – Monday, Dec. 14, Plympton Selectmen’s regularly scheduled meeting at the Town House began with former Selectman John Henry dropping off two petitions regarding meetings being filmed by Area 58 Community Access Media to the Board as they adjourned their executive session.  Henry was not on the agenda and this was not expected. The Selectmen also finalized a title for the “employee document” and further tackled various sections. They also announced that the USDA had auctioned off the property at 59 Parsonage Road. The meeting was brief, but dramatic.

Henry presents petition

Selectmen were just closing their executive session when resident and former selectman John Henry handed the Express two petitions he had circulated asking that all Finance Committee meetings between January 1, 2016 and the Annual Town Meeting be filmed by Area 58 CAM. The other asked that the Public Safety Building Committee meetings be filmed, as well.

He also supplied an email dated Dec. 6, stating that many elderly residents in the community could not attend these meetings because they don’t drive at night, that the room where they are held in is too small and uncomfortable, that the busiest meetings for the FinCom happen during flu season and that the FinCom meetings should be moved to a different room.

Selectmen had previously discussed the matter and decided that there was no problem with the current arrangement as the meetings are lightly attended, and FinCom Chairman Susan Ossoff had cited logistical issues in moving from their current space.

When selectmen asked Henry if his petitions were on the meeting agenda for the evening, Henry replied that no, he was just going to hand them to the Board after the meeting had begun.

As the Board broke from executive session, Henry entered the room and before the Board had come back into Open Session presented his petitions to the Board.

The entire exchange happened quickly, as Area 58 was setting up their cameras, so no record of the incident exists. A heated discussion ensued and Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo and Henry exchanged harsh words. The meeting began in open session after Henry left, continuing his tirade with members of the Finance Committee who were standing in the hall outside the selectmen’s meeting room.

Everyone who signed the petition to have the Public Safety Building Committee meetings filmed signed the petition to have the FinCom meetings filmed, but a few more signed the FinCom petition, with 78 unique signatures. Two individuals signed twice and were thus only counted once.

Just examining the FinCom petition, approximately 60% of the petitioners were over the age of 70, according to an analysis by the Express accomplished by crosschecking the names and addresses of the petitioners against birth years provided in the 2015 edition of the annually published “Plympton Street List”. The average age was about 70, and the median age was 72. According to the 2010 US Census, the median age for Plympton is 44.

Of all the petitioners, only four were under the age of 50. Of these four, only one was in his 40’s. The other three were between 30 and 35. The range of ages of the petitioners was from 30 to 90.

The Selectmen agreed to discuss the petition next week.

Sale of 59 Parsonage Road

Several attempts to negotiate Plympton’s obtaining the storied 36-acre property at 59 Parsonage Road for conservation land and other uses, fell through due to the lack of funding on either side for Phase II environmental studies.   The USDA, which owned the property through foreclosure, was finally able to bring it to auction on Friday, Dec. 11, when the property was sold to the highest bidder.

There was no floor on the initial bid. The USDA would not confirm the sale price as of press time, although the popular real estate website Zillow.com indicates a pending sale of $170,000 for that address.

The Chairman Russo wasn’t sure if the buyer’s name had been made public, but he did mention that he was led to believe that the property owner intended to continue to use it for agricultural purposes.

The Express has since learned it was a Plympton resident who made the purchase.

Personnel document progresses

The “personnel document” received a new name – the “Town Employee Policy and Procedures Handbook”.

The Board also settled on disciplinary guidelines, chosen from several other towns and Town Counsel, which were voted on and approved for a ten-day posting period for public comment. Following the review period, it will become part of the handbook.

They also voted on a uniform employment application, which as well will be posted for a ten-day period for public comment.

The Selectmen also discussed a “social media policy”, and were examining several possibilities, from one to eight pages long. The longest policy was recommended by Town Counsel.   The Board decided they needed more time to look over the document.

Furure meeting dates

Future meeting dates:

• The Board of Selectmen will meet next on Dec. 21 and Jan. 4.
• The Public Safety Building Committee will meet next Dec. 30.

Regionalization is key, more  grants available for Plympton

PLYMPTON – On Monday, Dec. 7, Plympton Selectmen discussed the progress of the employee handbook, which is being prepared over several weeks; Selectperson Christine Joy presented a new Community Compact grant opportunity for further regionalization purposes; and the concept of “municipal aggregation,” was introduced, referring to purchasing electricity with other municipalities to get better rates.

Employee handbook

The “employment document,” as it is being called, is coming together as a full-fledged employee handbook. The Board has taken similar documents from other towns, as well as suggestions from Town Counsel, and “cutting and pasting” the best parts.

At this point, a hiring policy, a recruitment policy as well as a CORI policy have been adopted.

Selectmen discussed a disciplinary policy on Monday, although the exact language was not voted. They were referring to a model from the Town’s attorney, and it was based on a model of “progressive discipline,” whereby warnings are given before eventual termination.

Where the Board did not have a comprehensive list of rules to be broken – or followed – this section continues to be a work in progress until they can develop a protocol.

The process has included input from all three Board members, as well as Town Coordinator Dale Pleau, who has been gathering comparative documents from many Massachusetts towns.

Next up: a uniform employment application for all Town positions.

Regionalization Grant

Selectperson Joy notified the board that a new round of Community Compact grants are available.

Plympton just signed a document with the Commonwealth awarding three financially focused grants to the town.

The Community Compact Cabinet is offering a new grant opportunity to help towns study the possible benefits of regionalizing – sharing – certain services.

Board Chairman Mark Russo has been encouraging further discussions with neighboring communities on regionalization for months, but notes the difficulty in getting busy officials from differing towns into the same room. “It’s like herding cats.”

The Selectmen authorized Joy to apply for the grant.

Municipal Aggregation

Though it might sound like “regionalization,” or even combining towns, municipal aggregation is a term that refers to the purchase of electricity for residents in bulk together with other communities to get the best rate.

Joy recently attended a presentation on this topic by the Old Colony Planning Council.

The basic premise is that multiple towns hire a third-party “aggregator” who seeks out the lowest possible price for electricity.  Lower prices are due to the increased purchasing power of a group of towns buying together.

A resident could choose to opt out and no one would see a change in the company that their bill comes from. The savings would be modest, according to Joy, although she mentioned that very conservative estimates were presented by the OCPC.

Several towns in the county have expressed interest, and the Board will continue to explore the matter.

“It’s an interesting opportunity,” said Joy.

In Other News:

• Just Right Farm was issued a Common Victualler’s License. Because Chairman Russo lives at Just Right Farm, he recused himself from the vote.

• The Selectmen will meet next on December 14th and December 21st at 6 p.m. in the Committee Meeting Room.

• The Public Safety Building Committee will meet next on December 16th and December 30th at 6 p.m. in the Committee Meeting Room.