Just 50 feet from Winnetuxet Road, Plympton, near the bank of the Winnetuxet River, this huge foundation was excavated to reveal the size of the building project.  The barn was part of a complex that included Blanchard’s Sawmill, a poultry shed, and dairy barn, built in 1897.  Also unearthed was this cast iron cylinder with an opening at each end.  Do you know what it is?  Email deb@whphexpress.com. See page 6 for more about the old barn through the words of Eugene Wright.. Photos by Sandi Neumeister

Plympton selectmen voted Monday night to implement the much-debated Pay as You Throw trash bag purchase program.  Residents will now – as of April 1, 2023 – be required to purchase trash bags specifically marked for Plympton, at a cost of $1.25 each for the 15-gallon size and $2.50 each for the 33-gallon size.

About a half dozen residents attended the ZOOM hearing to speak against the program, questioning how compliance could be enforced if current transfer station rules for recycling and what can be accepted at the rubbish compactors cannot.  Highway superintendent Rob Firlotte said that it would be enforced the same way that stickers are enforced – people without the proper trash bags would be turned away, just as people without current stickers are turned away.  Flagrant violators could have their transfer station privileges cancelled.

Colleen Morin, Administrative Assistant at the Highway Dept., said she will begin selling the new stickers on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at a cost of $65 and a discounted cost of $45 for those over age 65.  Recycling only stickers will remain at $30 and additional stickers for residents with a second vehicle at the same residence will remain at $10.

Selectman Chairman Christine Joy told those in attendance that she feels it is the right move and the right time and didn’t think it necessary to rehash the situation when the end result would be the same.  Mark Russo made the motion to ratify vote of the Board of Health and the wishes of the Highway superintendent to implement the Pay as You Throw program, with Joy seconding.  Selectman John Traynor voted against the motion, saying that he didn’t think people have had enough time to get informed on the concept and many older residents who aren’t comfortable with computers need to be brought up to date with new information.  The motion carried.

North Carver Rte 44 project terminated

In other business, Chairman Joy read correspondence from Sharon Clarke, Chairman of the Town of Carver Redevelopment Authority.    “We’ve been working with them closely on the project behind the former Shaw’s building, “ Joy told the board, “She wanted to let us know that they were notified on Monday from Hillwood that they have terminated their contract with Route 44 for the North Carver project.  There was an issue about extending their agreement for the Attorney General’s office appeal period for the new bylaws that Carver passed and they chose to terminate their agreement.    Joy said that Clarke will keep Plympton informed if any new projects are proposed.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, Oct. 17.

Tom Millias, who serves as the Inspector of Buildings/Building Commissioner and oversees zoning determinations and zoning enforcement, attended the meeting to provide an update on the Building Department. Selectmen have been continuing the tradition begun last year of inviting various department heads to attend different meetings to get an overall sense of what is going on in the town. “We continue to be quite busy with permit applications… despite the high cost of materials,” Millias explained.

Millais turned things over to Kathy Cannizzo who acts as an Administrative Assistant as well as dealing with zoning determinations and enforcement to elaborate further on zoning issues.  “One item we continue to pursue is signs,” she explained. She said that no sign should exceed 6 sq. ft. of area without a signed permit from the Planning Board. She also said that no property should have more than three commercial vehicles without a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. “We’ve also been dealing with a lot of preexisting houses looking to add on,” she said. “We’ve been dealing with a lot of older lots that have suddenly and recently been put on the market,” Millias added. He said that following the chain of title to determine what needs to be presented to comply with the new bylaws has proven challenging.

“One of the items I would like to touch on… is with dog kennels. We are in the process of putting in some observations and suggestions to the Zoning Bylaw Committee,” Millias explained. He said that the zoning section of the bylaws and the municipal section of the bylaws conflict with one another that presents a problem. Selectman John Traynor asked if they could identify those conflicts and ask the Bylaw Committee to address them. “I’m in total support, Kathy your knowledge of the zoning bylaws just staggers me,” he said to Cannizzo. “Me too,” Millias said concurring with Traynor.

“We are engaged, and we are involved, and we have been dealing with quite a few things,” Millias said of the enforcement. Selectman Mark Russo asked what kind of feedback is received when they speak to residents about enforcement. “A lot has to do with how you approach people; I’ve never been a guns blazing kind of guy – that’s counterproductive,” Millias said. He continued saying that most residents are receptive and do their best to cooperate. He credited Cannizzo with having a pleasant demeanor about her that helps ease the tension.

Town Administrator Liz Dennehy went over the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting that will be held on Nov. 30. Article 1 is for the acquisition of Turkey Swamp. Article 2 is put forth by the treasurer to afford her the ability under Mass General Law to setup payment plans for landowners. Article 3 is for the unemployment line which is budgeted at only $1,000 annually. Dennehy said that the estimated amount needed is $21,000. Article 4 looks to exempt the Fire Chief from Mass General Laws that require he be under 65 years of age. She said the article is to allow him to retain the position through age 70. Article 5 is a housekeeping article for the wage and personnel bylaw. Dennehy noted that it wouldn’t affect anyone’s benefits. Article 6 is from the Assessor’s office to transfer from the overlay surplus fund to reduce the 2023 tax rate. Article 7 is from the Town Properties Committee to replace or repair the roof at the Old Townhouse. The Selectmen voted to recommend the articles. The Selectmen also voted the approval for the posting of the warrant for the Nov. 8 State election.

Also on the agenda for the evening was the approval of the Conservation Commission’s Acceptance of two different deeds for two pieces of land located off Prospect Rd. The lands were gifted by Curtis Shaw and Robert Sarofeen. Chair Christine Joy asked if they abutted Two Brooks Preserve and was told they were in that general area. Dennehy said that the acquisition of the land would help the town in their overall footprint of protected lands. One of the lands is referred to as Cob Fresh Meadow and is 1.5 acres. “The Curtis Shaw land is known as Sampson Fresh Meadow,” Dennehy said. “So, both of these lands are going to help make connections with Two Brooks Preserve,” she continued. The Selectman voted unanimously to accept the land that was gifted.

Among her Town Administrator’s updates, Dennehy said she met with the Finance Committee to discuss some potential changes to the budget process. She said they would be meeting on November 14 to vote their recommendations. She said that at the November 7 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the Town Moderator would be in attendance to iron out the language for the motions at the Special Town Meeting. Dennehy also said that the heat pump system work that was done under the Green Communities Grant is nearly done, noting that it would be able to be closed out almost as quickly as it was opened.

Russo led off the raves with one for the foliage in October calling those lucky enough to witness it “quite blessed.”

Traynor said his rave was similar noting that his grandniece got married outside at Perkins Farm.  “Looking across the pond toward Main St. with the foliage in the background, it was something like you would see in Yankee Magazine, it was beautiful,” he said.  “

My rave is for Liz and Chief Ahl with managing the strike,” Joy began. “This has been so much time and energy around the clock, really managing a very big situation,” she continued. She said her second comment was more of a warning as a coyote went after her and her dog while walking. “You just need to be aware of your surroundings.”

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually at 1:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 3. The brief meeting was to discuss and vote on a conservation restriction. “It pertains to a portion of the property that is located off of Lake St., I believe the official address is 0 Lake St.,” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said.  “The conservation restriction itself will encompass approximately 31.07 acres… it’s owned by Harju Brothers Cranberries Inc. and what’s before you today, I would suggest that you make a motion to approve said conservation restriction for that portion of the property,”  Dennehy explained to the selectmen.

A conservation restriction in the State of Massachusetts is a legal agreement that protects conservation ideals while allowing for limited land uses that align with those ideals. The Massachusetts Conservation Restriction Handbook describes them as follows, “The unique features of conservation restrictions are that they leave land on the tax rolls (though sometimes much reduced in value), preserve land without public ownership and allow, in many instances, for public access.”

Selectman John Traynor moved the motion and Selectman Christine Joy seconded. Traynor acknowledged that no one from the public attended the meeting but did open it up for discussion, nonetheless. Joy said, “It looked good to me; it looked like basically the Wildlands Trust had been involved in this and that they were happy with the conservation restriction… I wish it was a larger parcel but I’m happy with what they have come up with. It looks like it is a nice parcel of land with some potential for some passive recreation at some point.”  The Wildlands Trust describes their mission as being, “committed to protecting land and providing access to nature for the people of our region, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Selectman Mark Russo abstained from the vote saying, “As a member of the Board of Wildlands Trust, just to avoid any confusion whatsoever, I’ll abstain.” Howard Randall of Plympton is also a member of the Wildlands Trust Board. The motion passed 2-0 with both Joy and Traynor voting in favor of the conservation restriction.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, Sept. 26. Christine Joy was not in attendance.

The Board approved early voting hours for the November election. Town Administrator Liz Dennehy went over the Board of Selectmen sponsored articles for the Special Town Meeting on November 30. Two of those articles are for acquisition of the Turkey Swamp parcel. Another is for the Fire Chief age restriction cap extension. It is currently capped at age 65 and the town is looking to petition the State to extend it to age 70 for Plympton’s Chief. Another is a simple Wage and Personnel bylaw which was described by Dennehy as “minor housekeeping.”

Yet another was for a temporary solar moratorium through July 1, 2023. “For all of the existing ground mounted solar projects, all of those were grandfathered in under the old bylaw,” Town Properties Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen said. Dennehy said that there were no problems with existing projects, but rather the amount and frequency of the projects has led to the desire for a temporary moratorium on them. Selectman John Traynor said he would like an opportunity to evaluate the environmental impact of these projects.

Dennehy said the application she submitted for a Community Compact grant for just over $25,000 for technical assistance in developing an emergency preparedness plan was approved. She said they would not be eligible for funding of the updating of the Capital Improvement Plan. She said they may want to consider an article at town meeting in May to create a five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

The Selectmen ended with their rants and raves. “For Liz and the late in the week report she sends sort of giving background on agenda items… it really is tremendously helpful to have that information and have the weekend to think about and digest that,” Russo said. Traynor said he was approached by a CASA member who put him in touch with someone who was trying to find space for youth cheerleading. He said he reached out to Colleen Thompson and the church will now be hosting them for 8 sessions.