Kristy Zamagni-Twomey
Express correspondent
The Plympton Board of Selectmen met on Monday, July 22. Rick Burnet appeared before the Board to discuss the flags on the Town Green. “The flags are in disrepair. I hear that you guys are basically in charge of the flags, so they need to be fixed… there’s five in disrepair between my house and here.” Selectman John Traynor agreed saying, “there’s one in front of the house that’s just torn to shreds… and another one is just hanging by a thread.” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said, “they’re very expensive… we spent a small fortune on them.” Traynor said that he initially advocated for the flying of the flags and that he wanted to follow the example set by Kingston. He said that they may need to rethink the size of the flags, etc.
Briggette Martins, who spearheads the Memorial Day activities in town, said, “I think it would be great to have them up for Memorial Day… and we take them down after the Fourth. I did speak to the Veteran’s Agent, and she said that as long as… for Veteran’s Day our main flags are flying, that is what she’s concerned with.” The flags were being flown longer than typical in the last year which has led to additional wear and tear.
Regarding cost, Selectman Mark Russo proposed that it be funded by a Town Meeting article. “Let the townspeople decide,” he said. Dennehy proposed having Highway Superintendent Rob Firlotte take all the flags down. “I would just take all of them down and then we can look at everything – our inventory, what it would cost to replace, what it would cost to convert to a banner system and then we’ll have something in place for Veteran’s Day,” Dennehy said. Traynor said, “I would rather see them flying.” Russo agreed with Traynor. Instead of Dennehy’s proposal, they agreed to have Firlotte take down the damaged flags only while looking into cost for replacement and alternative systems as well as funding it through an article at Town Meeting.
Before leaving the meeting Burnet said, “It’s a respect. There’s texts that need to be followed and we don’t follow them even having them all repaired; they need to be lighted at night… there’s a lot to it. I’ll put up with not having that part, but having them flying correctly.”
The Director of Elder Affairs Colleen Thompson appeared before the Board to provide a departmental update. She began by saying that they are well within their budget and noted that they have been offering luncheons every other month and other activities. The Friends of the COA also help with putting on programming. Upcoming activities include a cookout at the Upland Club on August 21. She said that attendance at yoga has grown enough that they have added a second class. A monthly newsletter is also distributed.
Regarding the food pantry, Thompson said it serves about 30 people across 18 households. Thompson said, “we don’t restrict the use of the pantry; I suspect there are some people that don’t have a financial need that use it, but if somebody tells me they want some food, it’s not that big of a deal.” Thompson said, “I do want to mention that the church is very supportive of the COA.” She said that they don’t charge for use of the building.
The nurse that has been working with the COA is leaving and a new one is in the process of being hired. “The biggest thing is getting our new driver in place… I’m really hoping we can find someone that is already certified,” Thompson said. She said that it is over 40 hours-worth of time to get trained. She said that the driver would be in addition to the Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA).
Selectman Mark Russo said, “I think you guys, along with the Historical Society, are ripe, sooner or later, for a major donation. I think dropping that hint every once and a while and planting that seed – sooner or later someone is going to recognize their frailty and their age and have some wherewithal and what better way to support the town that they’ve enjoyed their whole lives?”
Police Chief Matthew Ahl also appeared before the Board to provide some updates. He said that the elementary School successfully started a garden club. Ahl said, “My school resource officer team has executed plantings out there and got the students involved which has been great.” He told them that the same school resource officer team participated in D.A.R.E. camp at Whitman-Hanson. Ahl also told the Selectmen that they have been working on many grants and recently appropriated “a few hundred thousand dollars” toward different things as well as acquiring an ATV.
Ahl said that as part of SEMLEC, he runs a multi-agency/unit for civil disturbance. “It’s unfortunate that we’re here in this climate based on what’s going on politically and around the world, what we’ve found is that in this immediate Southeastern MA area is that there is a need to create a unit around rioting and protesting,” he explained. Ahl is running and fielding the unit. Ahl also said that on August 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. they will be holding National Night Out which will include many town departments, touch-a-truck, etc. Ahl said that Library Director Mike Slawson has been incredibly helpful bringing in fun activities like face painting, etc.
Dennehy told the Selectmen that they need to name a new nominee to the Old Colony Planning Council. “But before we do so, I was wondering if the Board would entertain authorizing Selectman Russo and myself to pursue other planning agencies?” Dennehy asked. She said that they were specifically interested in Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD). The Selectmen agreed to pursue looking into SRPEDD.
Dennehy also read a letter from Cathy Ferguson, in the capacity of a resident, regarding some of her concerns. She first said that the decision to ban alcohol on town property should not be revisited. She also expressed concern about using the Old Townhouse as a venue open to the public citing concerns about it sitting on a cesspool septic system.
Regarding the Old Townhouse, Traynor said, “it’s owned by the people and I think we need to have as much going on there as possible.” He said that they would need to do some more homework regarding the septic situation.
For raves, Traynor said that while it wasn’t directly tied to Plympton, the waterfront concerts sponsored by Plymouth are wonderful.