North Plymouth Residents Press Select Board on Pulte Traffic, Water Mains, and 40B Mandates "On the Road"
PLYMOUTH — July 21, 2026 — Facing a packed gymnasium at Cold Spring Elementary School, the Plymouth Select Board fielded an array of urgent neighborhood concerns during a “Town Hall on the Road” in North Plymouth. Local residents pressed municipal officials for concrete updates on long-delayed infrastructure projects, dangerous pedestrian crosswalks, ongoing water main breakages, and the contentious 300-unit Pulte residential development off Prince Street and Hedge Road. Board members and Town Manager Derek Brindisi outlined key infrastructure developments while emphasizing ongoing town strategies to achieve state “Safe Harbor” status to prevent future unwanted Chapter 40B developments.
The Full Story
The Plymouth Select Board held its off-site “Town Hall on the Road” meeting in North Plymouth, providing residents a direct forum with board members and Town Manager Derek Brindisi. Highlighting the evening were discussions regarding major infrastructure initiatives, local school building studies, traffic safety, and the contentious Pulte Chapter 40B housing development.
At the outset of the meeting, the board briefly debated Administrative Note #1 regarding personnel code amendments. Select Board Member Bill Keohan raised concerns over voting on reclassifications while a town-wide compensation study remains underway. Town Manager Derek Brindisi clarified that the proposed changes included reclassifying the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) coordinator position from grade A5 to A6 and shifting seasonal treasurer-collector staff to non-union roles following bargaining with SEIU. Brindisi noted that the town-wide study is expected to wrap up by the end of fall. To allow for further evaluation of position percentages and pay steps, the board voted unanimously to defer action on the item.
During the Town Manager’s Report, Brindisi provided updates on critical North Plymouth issues:
Pulte Development Infrastructure Obligations: Pulte has agreed to several infrastructure improvements, including reconfiguring the end of Prince Street with a standard turnaround, installing a looped water main between Prince Street and Hedge Road, placing an emergency warning beacon at Hedge Road and Court Street, and establishing a connection to the North Plymouth Rail Trail. However, Brindisi cautioned that all Pulte improvements remain on hold pending the outcome of ongoing legal appeals regarding the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) decision.
Cherry Street & Court Street Intersection / Water Main: The town executed a contract to replace the aging, break-prone water main on Cherry Street, with work slated to start this fall, pause for the winter due to surface bypass lines, and complete in the spring. Furthermore, Eversource plans to replace a main on Cherry Street crossing into Prince Street. The major intersection improvements at Cherry Street, Court Street, and Prince Street—budgeted at approximately $2.5 million—are projected for summer or fall 2027 to avoid tearing up newly paved roads after utility work.
Hedge & Cold Spring School Feasibility Study: The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) accepted Hedge Elementary School into its feasibility study stage with an estimated 53% state reimbursement, exploring potential consolidation with Cold Spring Elementary. An Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) contract has been executed, and an architectural firm selection is underway, to be followed by robust public outreach meetings this fall.
North Plymouth Fire Station: Following failed negotiations with prior top bidders, the town is pursuing state funding for a Phase 2 site assessment to remediate soil and building hazardous material contamination before repurposing the structure.
Traffic & Pedestrian Upgrades: DPW added 28 crosswalk/pedestrian signs along Court Street, installed bump-outs at Standish and Alden Street, and added flashing pedestrian signs near Christ the King Parish at Allerton Street.
