The Plympton Board of Selectmen spent significant time at their August 18 meeting debating a Community Preservation Committee-approved project to replace the front entrance doors at the town house facing Palmer Road. The $60,000 project, already approved by both the CPC and town meeting, would replace deteriorating doors that are currently bolted shut due to weatherproofing issues.
Board Chair Dana Smith raised concerns about the expense, noting that the doors would serve no functional purpose since the building has two ADA-accessible entrances on either side. “It just seems to be a very steep price tag,” Smith said. “It’s still a door that’s not going to be utilized in this building.”
Fellow Selectman and CPC Chair Mark Russo defended the project, explaining that it represents historic preservation work that qualifies for Community Preservation Act funding. “This project was seen as the first step on much, much more that will have to be done up front,” Russo said. He emphasized the thorough vetting process, noting the project went through multiple meetings before town meeting approval.
The debate revealed tension between fiscal concerns and established municipal processes. Selectman Nathaniel Sides supported continuing the project despite cost concerns, stating, “I think the process was there. It was followed. It was followed to the T.” However, he suggested looking for ways to reduce costs by 20%.
Residents Art Morin and Deb Anderson participated in discussion about the town house door project. Morin suggested using Silver Lake vocational students to reduce costs, while Anderson defended the CPC process and emphasized that structural repairs justify the expense. Both highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility while maintaining historic preservation standards.
Morin’s suggestion involving Silver Lake Regional High School’s vocational program gained support from other board members. “The vocational department has built houses from Metal Fab,” said Highway Superintendent Robert Firlotte, who attended the vocational school. “If you have an architect design it, they can do it.”
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy clarified that most of the project cost involves structural repairs around the doors rather than just door replacement. The doors are currently causing maintenance issues, with the custodian having to repeatedly clean up falling plaster and deal with plastic weatherproofing that blows down.
The board ultimately voted 2-1 to ask the Town Properties Committee to revisit the project “in a more fiscally responsible way and looking at things to be done outside the box.” Russo cast the dissenting vote, expressing concerns about setting a “horrible precedent” by second-guessing approved CPA projects.
In other significant business, the Highway Department received approval for a comprehensive update from Superintendent Robert Firlotte. The department finalized a new waste management contract with an 8% increase after initially rejecting a much higher proposal. Firlotte reported that Waste Management had initially sent “the wrong contract” with “huge” increases before providing acceptable terms.
The board also addressed several infrastructure projects, including catch basin replacement on Colchester Road and culvert work on Winnetuxet Road. Furlong reported that the department’s flail mower was totaled in an accident, with insurance providing $17,000 toward a $40,000 replacement.
Sides, recently elected after serving on the Finance Committee, expressed frustration with the annual line item transfer process. The board approved $139,683 in year-end transfers, with Sides noting that some departments exceeded their budgets by 6-8%. “That didn’t happen overnight,” he said, requesting quarterly budget updates to avoid surprises.
Looking ahead, Dennehy reported that Animal Inspector Brian Kling will retire in January 2026, giving the town time to find a replacement for the specialized position. She also announced completion of the town’s MBTA zoning compliance application and ongoing work to upgrade the municipal website to be mobile-friendly.