PLYMOUTH - October 28 - The Plymouth Select Board confronted a stark reality Tuesday night: Memorial Hall, the town’s premier entertainment venue and economic driver, faces potential closure due to severe water intrusion and structural problems that have been neglected for more than a decade. Town Manager Derek Brindisi presented urgent repair options ranging from $753,000 to stabilize the building temporarily to a full $22 million renovation, while Director of Inspectional Services Jason Silva warned he cannot guarantee the building will remain open in its current condition.
The Full Story
The meeting, which lasted over five hours with an executive session, revealed the extent of Memorial Hall’s deterioration and the difficult choices facing town officials. Water is penetrating the building through the foundation, east wall, and north wall, creating dangerous conditions where water and electricity could come into contact. During heavy rain events, water is reaching the stage itself.
Memorial Hall Director Joe Goldberg presented an overview of the venue’s recent success, showing how attendance has grown from 650-750 people per event in 2021 to approximately 1,000-1,100 per event currently. The hall has generated significant revenue while maintaining a self-sustaining operation that requires no taxpayer burden for staffing costs of $239,000 annually. Nearly 274,000 people have visited the hall’s social media since January, and 60,000 have visited its website.
However, Brindisi outlined the building’s troubled history with water problems. In 2011, the town hired CME Associates to conduct a water infiltration analysis for $18,000, which recommended repairs costing $33,000. Five years later, in 2016, town meeting appropriated $86,000 for that work, but nine years later, that money remains unspent. Meanwhile, the problems have only worsened.
The administration presented several funding options to address immediate needs. To stop water intrusion through the foundation would cost $60,000. Repairing the east wall would cost $275,000, and the north wall would require $350,000. In total, keeping water out of these critical areas would cost approximately $750,000, though the town has $86,000 already appropriated that could be used immediately.
Board member Deb Iaquinto pressed on how long these repairs would keep the building operational. DPW Director Bill Coyle estimated the work could buy the town at least five years, though he acknowledged some limited water intrusion might continue. The goal is to eliminate approximately 90% of the current water problems and protect the electrical systems, which are the Building Commissioner’s primary safety concern.
The board discussed various funding strategies, including using $500,000 from Memorial Hall’s revolving fund, seeking $100,000 from the Visitor Services Board, and potentially requesting support from the Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation and the Economic Development Foundation to cover the remaining gap. Board member Kevin Canty suggested increasing the $1-per-ticket facility fee to $5 to replenish the revolving fund over time, though Memorial Hall Director Goldberg cautioned this could take eight months to negotiate with promoters and artists and might risk losing some entertainment management companies.
The broader question of Memorial Hall’s future remained unresolved. The Economic Development Foundation has committed to helping explore options, which could range from a $22 million renovation to demolishing and rebuilding the structure, either with public funds or through sale to a private equity group. Brindisi noted the foundation would hire a consultant to analyze these options, but that process would take six to seven months, meaning no final recommendations would be available until fall 2026.
Board member Kevin Canty emphasized the need to determine what Plymouth wants Memorial Hall to be before committing to any major renovation. He suggested specializing the venue for musical acts and stage performances rather than trying to accommodate everything from concerts to pickleball to mixed martial arts events. He advocated for establishing the Plymouth Philharmonic as an artist-in-residence or house orchestra to enhance Memorial Hall’s marketing and reputation.
The Philharmonic’s relationship with Memorial Hall emerged as a significant subplot. Goldberg explained that the organization has been reluctant to expand concession sales and pay the standard rental fees, though he noted the town has invested $10,000 in lighting specifically for their needs and is meeting with Yamaha to discuss sound system improvements. Board members expressed strong support for strengthening the partnership with the Philharmonic, which has served the community for 100 years, provides free concerts, and previously offered music education programs in Plymouth schools.
Board Chair David Golden emphasized the economic impact of Memorial Hall’s potential closure on downtown businesses, many of which see revenue increases of 50% on event nights. Visitors are now coming from as far as Connecticut and Rhode Island, staying in local hotels, and dining at Plymouth restaurants. The economic ripple effects of closure would be substantial.
In another lengthy discussion, the board addressed the controversial practice of chip sealing residential roads. DPW Director Bill Coyle presented data showing the town has completed 70 miles of roads over the past two years using a combination of chip sealing, mill and overlay, and full reclamation. Chip sealing costs approximately $125,000 per mile with a 10-year lifespan, compared to $400,000 per mile for mill and overlay or $1.1 million per mile for reclamation.
However, residents from multiple neighborhoods appeared to complain about loose stones, damage to vehicles, scratched floors inside homes, and safety concerns for children and bicyclists. Greg Tavares, a Little Pine Lane resident, said his road was chip sealed in July 2024 and he is still pulling rocks out of his driveway despite multiple street sweeping visits. He argued that chip seal works on high-traffic roads like Long Pond Road and Rocky Hill Road but is inappropriate for residential neighborhoods.
Town Meeting Member Connie Melahoures spoke in favor of the chip seal program, saying it provides cost-effective road maintenance that saves taxpayer money. Select Board member Kevin Canty defended the program as necessary to maintain the town’s 235 miles of accepted paved roads, noting that without chip sealing, residents would wait 40 to 100 years for their roads to be repaired.
Coyle proposed mitigation measures including staying six inches away from the edge of the road during application to reduce spillover into grass and driveways, and using leaf blowers to clear driveways immediately after work is completed. The board directed staff to conduct enhanced outreach to neighborhoods before chip sealing, provide educational materials about the process, and perform quality control follow-up visits in the weeks after application.
The board also received an update on the Water Street sewer interceptor project. Coyle reported that Northern Construction will return on December 1 to replace approximately 400 feet of pipe between the Visitor Center and Chilton Street that does not meet design grades and has a sag causing operational problems. The work was originally completed in April 2024 but will need to be redone at the contractor’s expense. The town has withheld payment until the work is properly completed. The project is expected to be finished by June 6, 2026, in time for the summer tourism season.
The board heard a presentation from Assistant DPW Director James Downey on converting Fremont Street to one-way traffic as a 60-day pilot program. The proposal responds to a 2022 resident petition signed by 80% of properties on the street and recommendations from a 2025 traffic study. The street’s 22-foot width cannot safely accommodate two-way traffic with parking. Board member Bill Keohan, who lives on Fremont Street, expressed support for trying the pilot but raised concerns about speed and emergency vehicle access. The board voted unanimously to approve the 60-day trial with a community meeting scheduled for late January to evaluate results.
Attorney Kate McKay presented a second draft of regulations for electric bicycles in Plymouth. The proposed special act would require registration of e-bikes, restrict operation to those 16½ and older (or 18 without a driver’s license), prohibit use on certain paths including the rail trail, and establish fines for reckless operation. However, board members and residents expressed concern about prohibiting responsible riders, particularly those with mobility issues who depend on e-bikes. The board directed McKay to refine the regulations, specifically addressing whether Class 1 e-bikes should be permitted on bike paths and ensuring the ordinance also addresses electric dirt bikes and scooters. A third draft will be presented before the December 17 warrant deadline.
Town Manager Brindisi announced several personnel updates, including the retirement of Margaret McGrath after 23 years and Fire Lieutenant Mark Helminiak after 25 years. He also announced the town received a $350,000 grant for acquisition of the Gilmore property and hired Cheryl Jones as the new Director of the Center for Active Living. The Board of Health will hold an informational session about kratom, an ingredient found in drinks sold locally, on November 9.
Board member Kevin Canty requested several items be added to future agendas, including discussion of establishing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to address extreme weather events and natural disasters. He noted that while the town is developing a wildfire response plan, a CERT would provide broader emergency preparedness through trained community volunteers. He also followed up on previous requests for discussions about a land acknowledgment, public safety and immigration enforcement activity, streamlining the open space donation process, and developing a town-wide permitting guide for businesses.
Board members David Golden and Bill Keohan advocated for restoring funding for the Training Green project, which was reduced at the most recent town meeting. They argued the lighting and irrigation system should be installed during the current renovation rather than tearing up the green twice. Keohan suggested historically accurate lighting could qualify for Community Preservation Act funding, which was a sticking point in the previous town meeting debate.
Why It Matters
Memorial Hall generates significant economic activity for downtown Plymouth, with businesses reporting 50% revenue increases on event nights and visitors traveling from throughout New England. The building’s potential closure would eliminate jobs, reduce tax revenue, and diminish Plymouth’s reputation as a cultural destination. The facility operates without taxpayer subsidy for its $239,000 in annual staffing costs, making it a rare self-sustaining municipal asset. However, years of deferred maintenance have created dangerous conditions where water infiltration threatens electrical systems. The board must balance immediate safety needs against long-term vision and funding constraints, while also determining whether Memorial Hall should specialize as a music venue or continue serving multiple purposes. The decisions made in coming months will shape downtown Plymouth’s vitality and the community’s cultural identity for decades to come.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve licenses including one-day wine and malt licenses, amplified music permits, common victualer license for new owner, and change of manager. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous). (Timestamp: 1:15:19)
Motion: To approve administrative notes items 2 through 7. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous). (Timestamp: 1:16:21)
Motion: To approve minutes from September 30th meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous). (Timestamp: 1:17:01)
Motion: To approve 60-day experimental one-way traffic designation for Fremont Street followed by public meeting with Select Board to discuss results. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous). (Timestamp: 2:07:04)
Motion: To adjourn the meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-0 (Unanimous). (Timestamp: 5:48:05)
Public Comment
Joe Paulcinello expressed frustration about delays in finalizing his purchase of the Spooner Street Firehouse, which was awarded to him in April but has not been completed. Kate Sekerak urged the town to submit an appropriate article to complete the Training Green project with proper irrigation and historically correct lighting, and raised concerns about the planned one-way conversion of Fremont Street creating traffic problems. Steve Lydon advocated for chip sealing roads and requested that officials and student visitors from the sister city Shichigahama make a presentation to the board and public. Rich Serkey questioned why the Bert’s property on Court Street still stands while other demolition projects have been completed. Connie Melahoures and Jerry Sirrico, both Precinct 3 residents, supported the Fremont Street one-way proposal as a safety improvement. Rick Levin questioned town meeting’s effectiveness and advocated for considering alternative governance structures given Plymouth’s growth. Stevie Keith promoted the Five-Gallon Challenge for Hunger food drive scheduled for November 1 at Bravo Payroll. Michelle Christensen, a civil engineer and town meeting member, expressed concerns about the condition of chip-sealed roads in the Ponds of Plymouth neighborhood, noting residents can still pick up handfuls of loose gravel weeks after completion. Greg Tavares, a Little Pine Lane resident, detailed ongoing problems with loose stones from chip sealing done in July 2024, including vehicle damage, scratched floors, and safety issues for children.
What’s Next
The Select Board will review the minutes from September 16th at a future meeting after Mr. Keohan consults with staff about necessary corrections. DPW will implement the Fremont Street one-way pilot program within approximately one month, with signage, direct mailings to abutters, and variable message boards providing advance notice. A community meeting will be held in late January to evaluate the 60-day trial results. The town manager will pursue funding for Memorial Hall’s urgent water intrusion repairs totaling $753,500 through a combination of existing appropriations ($86,000), the Memorial Hall revolving fund (up to $500,000), Visitor Services Board grant application ($100,000), and potentially PGDC and Economic Development Foundation contributions. The Economic Development Foundation will hire a consultant to analyze Memorial Hall’s future options, with recommendations expected by fall 2026. DPW will conduct enhanced community outreach before chip sealing residential neighborhoods and implement mitigation measures including staying six inches from road edges and using leaf blowers on driveways. Northern Construction will begin work on December 1 to replace 400 feet of the Water Street sewer interceptor, with completion expected by June 6, 2026. Attorney McKay will revise the electric bicycle regulations draft to address board concerns about bike path access, Class 3 bikes, electric dirt bikes, and enforcement provisions, returning before the December 17 warrant deadline. The Board of Health will hold an informational session about kratom on November 9 from 6-8 p.m. Chair Golden will meet with Melissa Ferretti on November 7 regarding a potential land acknowledgment. The Plymouth Fall Hometown Cleanup will take place November 1 (contact Patrick Farah at 508-322-3374). DPW will hold an interview fair on October 30 to recruit additional employees. Plymouth South and Plymouth North will play their Thanksgiving Day game at Fenway Park on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.