Plymouth Honors Former State Representative Matt Muratore
Town officials and community members gather to recognize decade of service
PLYMOUTH - January 14 - The Plymouth Select Board meeting on Jan. 14 took a celebratory turn as the town honored former State Representative Mathew Muratore for his decade of service to the community.
The event, held at the Great Hall of Town Hall, drew a crowd of local officials, State Representatives, and community members eager to recognize Muratore's contributions to Plymouth.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi opened the ceremony, highlighting Muratore's dedication to public service. "Matt has been the person that the town would go to when we needed something, whether it's filed special legislation, advocating for additional dollars. He was always there for us," Brindisi said.
Former Senate President Therese Murray praised Muratore's ability to work across party lines. "Matt knew how to work within the legislature, within the House, on both sides of the aisle," Murray said. "You have to come to, you have to work together, and hopefully going forward, with our new representatives in place, that that will continue to happen."
Muratore's advocacy for elder care, disabilities, and environmental sustainability earned him several accolades during his tenure, including Legislator of the Year awards and an Environmental Hero Award.
Representative Michael Day, a colleague of Muratore's, shared personal anecdotes that highlighted Muratore's dedication and humor. "Matt is a true friend that transcends politics," Day said.
In his speech, Muratore expressed gratitude to his family, colleagues, and the community. "We wanted to be part of a community. We wanted to give back to the community. We wanted to show our kids, you know, why it's good to give back to a community, be a part of it," Muratore said.
The celebration included presentations from various town departments, including the police and fire chiefs, recognizing Muratore's support for their services.
In other business, the Select Board addressed ongoing tensions between town officials and the Plymouth Independent newspaper.
Town Manager Brindisi responded to criticism regarding communication with local media, emphasizing the need for accurate and balanced reporting. "We are not withholding information. Absolutely not withholding information," Brindisi stated. "It's about setting the direction, setting up a process where we can give accurate information and accurate information is reported, not sensationalized reporting."
Brindisi acknowledged the strained relationship with the Plymouth Independent but expressed a desire to resolve the issues. "I can say with certainty that we will work this out. But like any marriage or any relationship, there's going to be growing pains," he said.
Several community members spoke during the public comment period, expressing concerns about transparency and the importance of local journalism.
Emily Tompkins, a resident from Precinct 14, urged both parties to find common ground. "I urge the PI and the town to work out their differences and serve the public's need for accurate, timely, easy to understand information. The residents are counting on you," Tompkins said.
Select Board member John Mahoney reflected on the changing media landscape and the challenges it presents for local government communication. "Now when you go to online content, I don't want Miss Kennedy, our communications coordinator, and I don't want the town manager answering a public safety question for the police chief or for the fire chief or something in detail about infrastructure that the DPW department or Energy and Environmental Affairs should handle," Mahoney said.
The board also addressed several other items, including updates on ongoing projects such as the Jenney Pond dredging and the Pilgrim 1600 acre area plan process.
As the meeting concluded, board members emphasized their commitment to transparency and effective governance, while acknowledging the need to navigate the evolving relationship with local media outlets.