Plympton’s selectmen reorganized their board on Monday, May 22, naming vice-chairman Christine Joy chairman and John Traynor as vice-chairman. Saturday’s May 20 Town Election saw Mark Russo elected in what can only be referred to as a landslide, with 203 of the 250 ballots cast naming Russo in his write-in campaign for selectman.
Russo had previously served on the board from 2013-2016. After taking a year off, Russo says he’s excited to be back.
Russo also served as a member of the Finance Committee from 2011-2013, is the current chairman of the Community Preservation Committee, and a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. After reorganization of the board of selectmen, Russo will serve as its clerk.
Colleen Thompson, who chose not to run for re-election, will still have a role as appointed by the board, continuing as its representative on the Public Safety Building Committee. Mark Russo will also attend meetings and work as the Selectmen’s liaison.
Eagle Scout Project
Frank Perfetuo Jr., a member of Plympton’s Boy Scout Troop 53 and a junior at Silver Lake Regional High School, presented his Eagle project proposal to selectmen.
Perfetuo’s plans to create a picnic table and benches out of recycled plastic for the town green. “The table will be wheelchair accessible,” Frank said, and will be light, moveable, and durable for the winter.
Selectman Russo said he’s happy the picnic table is moveable so the grass can be mowed. Joy added that having the table and benches moveable makes it more flexible for events to take place on the town green.
Perfetuo said the table will cost approximately $800 and the benches are around $260 each. He plans to hold a fundraiser to pay for them.
Selectmen approved the plan, pending approval from the Historical Commission and the Highway Department.
Other News
The Board of Selectmen discussed how they want to go about hiring a town administrator. The funding for this position was approved at the Annual Town Meeting.
Though other options are being explored, the consensus of the board was that the Collins Center is most likely to be the firm the town uses.
Selectmen John Traynor said, “I like the idea of the Collins Center’s process.” He added that he likes how the Collins Center helps identify what the town is looking for in a candidate and Plympton’s values.
Chair Christine Joy mentioned that the Plymouth County Commissioner’s office also offered to help by sitting in on interviews or a screening panel. This is something the town may still explore in addition to the Collins Center or another firm.
Traynor and Joy took some time to review the Annual Town Meeting and make sure new board member Mark Russo was up to speed. Russo said, “This was probably the quickest and smoothest town meeting.”
Plympton was awarded a Community Compact Grant intended to upgrade their exchange systems and technology at the Town House. Originally, the town was seeking $49,000. However, the grant awarded them $16,000.
According to the Board, the grant can be used at the Board of Selectmen’s discretion as long at it’s used for technology. John Traynor said that Town Clerk Tara Shaw’s request for her public records software is already covered by approved appropriations at Town Meeting.
Other Restructuring
• Selectmen Clerk Mark Russo was voted the signatory for warrants at Board of Selectmen Meetings. Russo was also voted to represent the Board on the Mayflower Muncipal Health Group board.
• Joy was confirmed as Plympton’s representative to the Plymouth County Advisory Board.
The next selectmen’s meeting will be Tuesday, May 30, due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday.