PLYMPTON – Monday, July 9, Plympton selectmen met for approximately 35 minutes to execute a short summer agenda.
• Steven Fennell, Stephen Galambos, Leah Marshall (who wasn’t present) and Tyler Potrykus were all sworn in by the board as call firefighters. The young group of new firefighters came with family and friends for the exciting celebration, and the selectmen expressed enthusiasm to see new, youthful firefighters joining the force.
• The board declared PFD Engine 3 surplus, at the request of Fire Management Consultant Chief Lance Benjamino. The 2008 GMC C5500 Danko Mini Pumper has served Plympton well over the past 10 years, according to a memo by Benjamino, but, “no longer fits into the Plympton Fire Department’s response plan.” A firefighter with the department noted after the meeting that the engine barely fits into the firehouse.
• Elizabeth Dennehy, Town Administrator, announced that the Town is seeking to hire a permanent fire chief, with an Aug. 17 deadline for applications and hopefully narrowed down to two or three names by September. Fire Management Consultant Chief Lance Benjamino will be assisting the town with the process.
• Robert Karling, in a memo to the board, respectfully declined a one-month appointment as the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Karling had been the town’s ZEO for a decade. Tom Millias, current Building Inspector, will fill that position on a temporary basis until a permanent ZEO is hired.
• Selectmen approved 30 hours of Town Counsel time for the Zoning Board of Appeals, which is currently dealing with several complex cases.
• Devang and Manisha Patel were granted a liquor license for the package store and convenience component of Plympton Gas & Convenience, which they lease. The gas station component is operated by a different owner. Minimal to no changes are expected in the operations of the store, according to the applicants. The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes.
• The board will next meet Monday, July 16, at 6 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Town House. A hearing regarding the Atwood property and the town’s first right of refusal will take place at that meeting.
Photos by Abram Neal