Plymouth Consolidates Polling Locations to Four Sites

Select Board approves plan amid concerns over southern access

PLYMOUTH - February 3 and 4 - Plymouth's Select Board has approved a plan to reduce the town's polling locations from 14 to four, aiming to streamline voting processes and save costs. The decision, made during the board's Feb. 4 meeting, faced opposition from some residents concerned about accessibility in southern Plymouth.

Town Clerk Kelly McElreath presented two proposals to the board. The approved plan, known as Proposal A, will consolidate voting to four locations: Plymouth Community Intermediate School, West Elementary School, Indian Brook School, and Plymouth South Middle School.

McElreath cited changing voting patterns as a key factor in the decision. "53% of the voters that voted in 2024 in those five elections, voted early in-person or by mail. They did not vote on election day," she said.

The consolidation is expected to save the town approximately $9,000 per election due to reduced staffing needs, particularly for police presence. However, the initial investment for the change is estimated at $34,000 for equipment and voter notification.

Select Board member David Golden expressed concerns about the lack of a polling location in southern Plymouth. "People down there feel that the town has forgotten them in every issue," Golden said. "The optics of not having a polling location in the southern half of town, I think, creates a problem for us that we don't need."

Despite these concerns, the board voted 3-2 in favor of Proposal A. Select Board member Kevin Canty supported the decision, stating, "I think four is a cleaner solution. No one is going to be 100% happy with whatever we decide, but four has the more significant savings, more efficiency."

The town clerk's office plans to implement the changes for the upcoming local elections in 2025 and 2026, as well as the 2026 state primary. McElreath emphasized that voters still have options, including vote-by-mail and early in-person voting at Town Hall.

In other business, the Select Board addressed growing concerns over high electricity bills affecting Plymouth residents. Board members reported receiving numerous complaints about transmission fees reportedly doubling the cost of actual electricity usage.

Select Board Chairman Richard Quintal said, "We need to get answers for the people that we represent. That's for sure." The board plans to engage with state representatives and utility companies to seek solutions.

Town Manager Derek Brindisi informed the board that Eversource declined an invitation to attend a Select Board meeting. However, Brindisi said, "I'm still working with them, hoping to have something by the end of the week that we could share with the community."

The board discussed potential actions, including drafting a letter to the Department of Public Utilities, the Governor, or the Legislature to advocate for the community. Golden suggested, "Is it appropriate if this board were to address a letter to the DPU or to the governor or to the legislature to say on behalf of our community, we think that this needs to be revisited?"

Quintal also proposed reaching out to neighboring communities to join in the effort, saying, "We should reach out to other communities, Kingston, Carver, our neighbors, and, you know, because it's everywhere."

The board agreed to add the electricity bill issue as an agenda item for a future meeting and to invite Michael Cahill, the town's Climate Resiliency Planner, to discuss the municipal aggregation program.

Other significant items from the meeting included:

- Approval to reestablish the Recycling Committee

- Discussion of a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan

- Update on the Fourth of July Committee's plans for 2025 and announcement of its dissolution after this year's events

- Approval of a special municipal employee designation for the Director of Assessing

The Plymouth Select Board meeting on February 3, 2025, became a battleground for the contentious issue of expanding Plymouth Municipal Airport's runway. The board interviewed candidates for a new airport advisory committee, revealing deep divisions within the community over the proposed 351-foot extension.

Proponents argue the expansion would enhance safety and bring economic benefits, while opponents fear increased noise and environmental impact from larger jets.

"The expansion of the runway will make it a lot safer for everyone that uses the airport, and it will cut down on the noise concentration," said Donald Stasko, a 26-year airport user. He explained that the extension would allow aircraft to reach higher altitudes before crossing residential areas, potentially reducing noise levels.

However, Lisa Lantagne, a 37-year resident of West Plymouth, voiced strong opposition. "We've had frustration expressing our concerns to the current management of the airport and the commission," she said. Lantagne fears the expansion will lead to more traffic and larger aircraft, citing a recent early morning jet flight over her home.

The proposed extension would increase the runway length to over 5,000 feet, a threshold that some residents believe could attract more private luxury jets. Steve Lantagne, another vocal opponent, stated, "Once we increase to 5,000, it opens it up to all the private luxury jets to come, and that's our fear."

Tim Hellman, a 20-year aviation industry veteran, supported the expansion, drawing parallels to a similar project at Marshfield Airport. "I don't think you're going to find another pilot that says a bigger runway isn't safer or usable," he said, noting that the Marshfield expansion resulted in aircraft being "200, 300 feet higher" when passing over residential areas.

The Select Board aimed to create a balanced committee, seeking members with diverse viewpoints. Board member John Mahoney emphasized the importance of neighborhood representation, stating, "There has to be some neighborhood participation on this committee."

Some candidates, like Michael Leary and Kyle Waddell, expressed neutrality on the issue, stating they needed more information before forming an opinion. This approach was welcomed by board members seeking impartial voices on the committee.

Lorraine Ramsey, a 15-year resident, raised concerns about the impact on quality of life. "I hear planes all day, every day over my house," she said, questioning the necessity of the expansion and who would benefit from it.

The meeting also revealed tensions between long-time residents and newer arrivals. Rick Robbins, a Plymouth resident since 1971, supported the expansion, noting, "The airport's been here since 1929, 1939, way before other people developed around us."

The Select Board appointed eight residents to the new advisory committee, balancing representation between expansion supporters, opponents, and neutral parties. The appointments included Steve Lantagne and Anthony Caruso for three-year terms, Alan Costello, Kyle Haas, and Timothy Helm for two-year terms, and Peter Conner, Justin Fosdick, and Adam Bond for one-year terms.

Full meetings available via The Local Seen. February 3 and February 4.