Hearing was held jointly with the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and focused on tourism, arts, culture, museums and libraries

The House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability held a hearing on the Trump Administration’s impact on the tourism, arts and culture and library sectors in Massachusetts. The hearing was held jointly with the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. The hearing featured testimony from libraries including the Boston Public Library, the Cambridge Public Library, the American Library Association and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Testifiers from the arts and culture space included museums such as Mass MoCA, the Peabody Essex Museum, the Museum of African American History, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, and organizations such as the New England Museum Association, Mass Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, MassCreative and Mass Humanities. Testifiers from the tourism sector included the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, MeetBoston and a panel of representatives from three regional tourism councils (RTC).
“Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s best museums and libraries, most vibrant artistic and cultural communities, and is a top destination for tourists, both domestic and international. Just five months into this presidential administration, we are seeing devastating effects to these critical sectors that make Massachusetts unique and drives our economy,” said Representative Kathy LaNatra, Chair of the House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability (D – Kingston). “This hearing was an opportunity for both the Legislature and the public to better understand the effect that federal funding cuts, program eliminations, tariffs and political rhetoric are having on tourism, culture and the arts in the Commonwealth. I want to thank my co-Chairs, Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey for their continued leadership in this space and for their partnership in hosting this hearing.”
Millions of dollars in federal spending cuts have already been made across the Commonwealth, with many stemming from the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Executive Order 14238, as well as the 35% proposed cut to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Grants supporting artistic, cultural, and historic organizations, as well as libraries have been abruptly rescinded, typically through a non-governmental email account in the middle of the night. While some have been reinstated through court decisions, those cases are still playing out in the judicial system, leaving many organizations uncertain of where there funding stands.
The tourism industry in Massachusetts is a top driver of economic activity in the Commonwealth. MOTT Deputy Director Ticotsky testified that there was $23.6 billion in direct spending from domestic and international visitors each year, and See Plymouth President Lea Filson testified that tourism is the number one industry in Plymouth and Plymouth County. Despite strong projections last year that international and domestic visitation would see strong growth this year, projections have changed from a near 10% increase from last year to a near 10% decrease. Among the reasons cited for this change were the political rhetoric coming from the Presidential Administration, the concern over visa crackdowns and issues at the border, leading students, workers and visitors not to enter the United States, as well as the funding cuts to organizations, such as BrandUSA that support local destination marketing organizations such as MeetBoston and RTC’s.
The Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability was created to monitor the effects of federal policy decisions on Massachusetts, particularly in areas like education, public health, veterans’ services, civil rights, and climate policy. The committee will engage with residents, businesses and stakeholders who have been impacted by President Trump’s actions, a process that will allow the House to better understand how to respond to the developments in Washington.
For questions about the Committee, concerns about Federal funding or policy that you would like directed to the Committee, or to submit written testimony to the committee, please email Christopher.Jean@mahouse.gov.

The Plympton Board of Selectmen approved an updated procurement policy and authorized a property survey during their July 7 meeting, addressing several administrative and operational matters affecting the town.
The board unanimously adopted revisions to the town’s procurement policy, retroactive to June 30, 2025. Town Administrator Liz Dennehy explained the changes focus on clarifying requirements for written scope of work documentation.
“The updated policy that’s proposed clearly specifies that for construction type services between $5,000 and $10,000 that are for work on town grounds or in town buildings that we have that written scope of work in the file,” Dennehy said.
The policy update ensures detailed documentation of work to be performed for quoted prices, while maintaining compliance with Massachusetts General Laws governing municipal procurement.
Selectmen authorized Dennehy to proceed with surveying the Old Townhouse property, following an estimate of $1,300 from a local surveying company. The survey will establish visible stakes for property boundaries and provide the town with a plan showing exact property lines.
The survey addresses issues stemming from recent tree removal work that left stumps on the property. Tree Warden services removed 13 trees due to damage concerns affecting both town property and neighboring properties.
“If the board was inclined to consider putting a fence up at the property in the future, I would strongly recommend that we have the survey done,” Dennehy said.
Funding for the survey will come from existing articles for surveys and appraisals, with any remaining costs covered by the town buildings and grounds maintenance budget.
The board appointed Nathaniel Sides as their representative to the Old Colony Planning Council. Dennehy described the role as involving monthly or bi-monthly meetings, with participation varying based on topics relevant to Plympton.
“It’s not something that you would have to participate in every single month,” Dennehy explained. “Sometimes they’ll have meetings, and if it was something that was of particular interest to you, like, they have their board meetings, but then they also have, like, the joint transportation planning group.”
The council provides technical assistance to member communities, including help with green community grant applications and housing production plan updates. Dennehy noted the organization has helped Plympton secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in green community funding.
Selectmen reappointed Timothy Johnson as a part-time police officer from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Johnson previously declined a full-time appointment, creating complications with the school resource officer program.
The town voted to fund a full-time school resource officer position, but Johnson’s preference to remain part-time requires renegotiation of the memorandum of understanding with the police union.
“The little hiccup in everything is that the union contract, it involves like it’s supposed to be a full-time officer,” Dennehy said. “So if he’s only going to remain part-time, we need to go back to the drawing board and come up with another option.”
Police Chief Matt Ahl is working with the union to develop a hybrid approach that would involve multiple officers in school coverage while maintaining patrol responsibilities.
Dennehy provided several operational updates, including work on closing fiscal year 2025 with line-to-line transfers needed to balance accounts. The town accountant continues processing final invoices through the July 15 deadline.
The auditor has signed an engagement letter and aims to begin the audit process by early September. A finance committee meeting scheduled for the evening of July 7 will recommend a candidate to fill a vacant committee seat.
Regional Old Colony Communications Center received grant funding to update fire and police radios, addressing long-standing communication issues between departments.
“Radios are very expensive. And the ROC went out of their way to apply for some additional grant funding for us,” Dennehy said.
The highway department’s generator failed and requires replacement. Town officials solicited written quotes following proper procurement protocols, with South Shore Generator selected to install a more powerful unit.
Funding will come from a combination of ARPA funds and town building maintenance accounts, depending on invoice timing.
Website improvements are underway to address ADA compliance requirements and mobile accessibility issues. The town plans to integrate the police department website with the main municipal site for cost savings and improved functionality.
“I think the biggest issue with it, it looks fine if you access it from a desktop computer, but when you’re on your phone, which I feel is, like, a lot of people access from their phone, it brings up, an abbreviated menu,” Dennehy said.The board continues expanding video coverage of municipal meetings through Area 58. Additional boards including Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Town Properties Committee are being added to the recording schedule.
Board Chair Dana Smith emphasized the importance of accessibility to town government, noting that video recordings allow residents to view meetings at their convenience.
The board scheduled their next meeting for Aug. 18 at 1 p.m., moving the start time earlier to accommodate scheduling conflicts.

On July 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Plympton Town Hall in the Deborah Sampson Room, a hearing will take place on the Ricketts Pond Estates 40B Project proposed by Peter Opachinski of SLT Construction Cooperation. SLT Construction is proposing to develop a parcel of land near Route 44 in an area zoned as General Industrial. The site is accessed through Carver via Ricketts Pond Drive -a private road that SLT built to access the small industrial park that abuts their proposed development.
SLT says it intends to develop Ricketts Pond Estates which will include 30, two family condominiums containing 2-3 bedroom units and that 25% of the units will be designated affordable housing. SLT Construction also claims they will provide private wells and septic systems for all 60 homes on their 23 acres of land under the 40B application which overrides many of Plympton’s by-laws.
This project requires multiple facets of review and consideration including a traffic study, environmental impact implications, and a myriad of other points that various public service entities have written letters of concern and inquiry about in going forward with this project and its impacts on Plympton.
Previous hearings for the Ricketts Pond Estates 40B Project have taken place on May 28th and June 26th of 2025 with very little residential attendance or awareness for a project that would increase the town population by 5-7%. The Plympton ZBA must make a decision on the project within 180 days of the first hearing per state law.
SLT Construction earlier proposed an asphalt crushing site on the same parcel of land but this use for the land was turned down by Plympton. Residents of Plympton are encouraged to visit the town website for all public data, letters, and information about the 40B Project and attend the forthcoming public hearings -all which are listed in the newspaper community calendar and the town website. www.town.plympton.ma.us

This week, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a $1.39 billion supplemental budget funded by the Fair Share surtax that represents $716 million of funding for public transportation and $593.5 million for public education across the Commonwealth. Senator Dylan Fernandes worked successfully to secure $750k in targeted investments that will directly benefit communities across the Cape and South Shore.
“Our region faces unique challenges in transportation and education, and this funding is crucial to expanding opportunities for our students and improving mobility for residents across Cape Cod and the South Shore,” said Senator Dylan Fernandes. “As the federal government reduces resources for our communities, the money we secured in this budget will have an even greater impact, strengthening the everyday experiences of residents throughout the Cape and Plymouth communities.”
Fair Share Budget Investments Secured by Senator Fernandes
● $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod
● $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth
● $25,000 to the Plymouth Center for Active Living
● $25,000 to Plymouth Family Network
● $25,000 to fund a study to expand commuter rail to Buzzards Bay
● $30,000 for the Town of Sandwich through the Cape Cod Foundation
● $35,000 to See Plymouth
● $40,000 to the Pembroke Public Library
● $25,000 to the Pembroke Public Schools

● $40,000 to the South Shore Community Action Council
● $40,000 to Volunteers of America, Massachusetts, Plymouth Area Veterans Center
● $50,000 to the ARC of Plymouth and Upper Cape
● $75,000 to the Silver Lake Regional School District
● $100,000 to the Plymouth Educational Foundation
● $165,000 to Falmouth/Upper Cape YMCA
● $25,000 to Taking People Places/ Plymouth Transportation
Senator Fernandes praised the Senate bill as a transformative funding tool: “This legislation will enhance our local schools and student enrichment, increase transportation access, and expand opportunities across the Plymouth and Barnstable District. I am proud to have worked with the Massachusetts State Senate and the entire Legislature to bring these resources to our region and the Commonwealth.”
Additional Fair Share Budget Investments:
● MBTA Upgrades. $535 million for improvements and infrastructure upgrades across the MBTA system.
● Aid For Cities and Towns. $103 million for regionally equitable, shovel-ready transportation improvements.
● Regional Equity in Transportation. $73 million for regional transit initiatives.
● World Cup Preparations: $5 million for transportation improvements associated with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
● Special Education. $248 million for special education costs, including Circuit Breaker reimbursements to local school districts.
● Career Technical Education Capital Grants. $100 million to expand capacity and accommodate additional career technical education school opportunities, including $15 million for a pilot program to support career and vocational technical annex buildings on comprehensive high school campuses.
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● EEC Workforce, Affordability, and Quality Improvement. $45 million for initiatives to support workforce development, affordability and quality improvements in the early education and care sector, including $20 million for rate increases to support early education providers.
● Literacy Growth. $25 million for high dosage tutoring to support accelerated literacy growth and success for students in kindergarten through grade 3.
● Endowment Match. $20 million for the endowment incentive match program to leverage public funds to encourage private fundraising by the state’s public higher education institutions to support accessible and affordable education programming, including $10 million for a Department of Higher Education (DHE) endowment incentive match and $10 million for the University of Massachusetts endowment incentive program.
● English Language Learning Programs. $10 million for educational grants to help speakers of languages other than English to learn English—and subsequently aid in filling in-demand jobs—by reducing the waitlist for services.
● Green SchoolWorks. $10 million for grants to eligible local school districts for clean energy infrastructure improvements and upgrades.
● Regional School Transportation. $8.1 million to support regional school transportation costs.
Having passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, the bill now goes to the Governor for her signature.

Effective June 5, 2025, new water restrictions were put into place as follows:
No outdoor watering on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Outdoor watering, including the use of lawn sprinklers and automobile washing, is permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
The Board of Water Commissioners appreciates everyone’s cooperation in conserving water to avoid a total water ban.
If these restrictions are not adhered to, the following fines will be enforced:
1st Offense – Verbal Warning
2nd Offense – $50 fine
3rd Offense – $100 fine
4th Offense – TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE AND $250 TURN-ON FEE.
The increased demand we have experienced can threaten public safety and the quality of public drinking water. In extreme cases, high water use can threaten the ability of Municipalities to store water for water pressure and fire protection purposes.
Watering during the heat of the day does not help your lawn and wastes water.
If you have a well, please visit the Board of Health office to obtain a well or irrigation well number.
This number must be posted on the front lawn to prevent the Water or Police Departments from stopping at your house to enforce this policy. For questions, you should contact the Water Department by visiting their office at 500 Plymouth Street or calling (781) 293-1733. The Board of Water Commissioners appreciates your cooperation.