The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, Dec. 19. The meeting got off to a late start following a lengthy Executive session.
Ethan Stiles of the Plympton Board of Assessors met with the Board of Selectmen for a tax classification hearing to decide whether to have a single or split rate. Stiles told the Selectmen that the Board of Assessors had voted not to recommend the split rate due to the small number of properties that would qualify. It was recommended that the Selectmen adopt a residential factor of one which means all four classifications of property get taxed at the same rate. The Board of Assessors also recommended against the residential exemption, the open space discount, and the small commercial exemption. Selectmen Chair Christine Joy asked if any members of the public wished to speak on the matter and no one came forward. The Selectmen voted unanimously to follow the Board of Assesors’ recommendations.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy provided a very brief update saying that they had distributed the next fiscal year’s budget worksheets. She noted that they were working separately with the Police and Fire Departments as the process won’t work as well for those specific departments.
Asked if her fellow Selectmen had raves, Selectman John Traynor simply said, “Not tonight.” Selectman Mark Russo acknowledged that they had a difficult Executive session but said, “we are in a season of radiant sparkling light and I’m appreciative that there is that and a little bit of solace from the difficult situation.” “Happy holidays and peace and love as we move into 2023,” Joy said. The Selectmen then adjourned to return to Executive session.