Plymouth Select Board Appoints Dozens to Town Committees, Implements Beach Safety Measures
Board fills key positions on Conservation Commission, Cultural Council, and other committees while addressing emergency vehicle access concerns at Plymouth Beach.
PLYMOUTH - June 17 - The Plymouth Select Board appointed more than 50 residents to various town committees and boards during its June 17 meeting, filling positions ranging from the Conservation Commission to the No Place for Hate Committee while also addressing public safety concerns at Plymouth Beach.
The board implemented new safety measures at Plymouth Beach after emergency vehicles could not access parts of the area due to improper parking. Water-filled jersey barriers now prevent parking along the center line of the beach.
"We could not get any emergency vehicles down this end of Plymouth Beach," Town Manager Derek Brindisi said during his report. "So for safety reasons, we will prohibit parking down the center line of the beach."
The barriers create a clear path for emergency responders and establish a queue line for beachgoers heading to the guard shack. Officials estimate the change eliminates about 10 parking spaces, though Brindisi noted the center line was always intended as a no-parking zone.
The board appointed three members to the Conservation Commission for three-year terms. Sean Anderson, the current chair, secured reappointment along with Paul Churchill and Paul Denoncourt. Anderson highlighted the commission's heavy workload, noting 38 meetings with 231 votes requiring site visits across Plymouth over the past year.
"We've had 38 meetings with 231 votes, which required 231 site visits across the entire town of Plymouth over the course of the year," Anderson said.
For the Cultural Council, the board selected Michaela der Kinderen, a recent high school graduate who emphasized her commitment to diversity and cultural expression. Der Kinderen was appointed over incumbent Samantha Nichols, who had served on the council for several years.
"I believe culture is the heart of a strong, connected community," der Kinderen said. "I believe I would be a good fit for the Council because I'm passionate about supporting local artists and celebrating diversity."
The No Place for Hate Committee gained two new members: David Brown, an educator with more than 30 years of experience, and Peggy Grimes, who recently retired after working in higher education. Brown brings experience in facilitating conversations about identity, bias and equity.
"I seek your appointment to the No Place for Hate Committee because I believe deeply in the committee's mission to make Plymouth a welcoming and inclusive and safe community for all," Brown said.
The Senior Task Force Committee, which focuses on creating an age and dementia-friendly community, appointed 10 members across various term lengths. Pat Achorn, who has served since the committee's inception in 2021, emphasized the group's recent progress in training local businesses.
"We have now gone out into the community. We've gone to businesses. We've said to them, hey, look, we want to train you. We want to get you to understand about aging and dementia," Achorn said.
The committee has developed a card system for restaurant patrons accompanying someone with dementia, allowing trained staff to provide appropriate assistance.
The Center for Active Living Advisory Board appointed three members for three-year terms: Richard Bond, a professional social worker with 40 years of experience; Janice Capofreddi, the current board secretary; and Kevin Manuel, a Plymouth police captain who serves as the department's liaison to the center.
Manuel highlighted transportation as a critical issue for seniors. "Transportation is a huge issue in town. It's so big. CAL has so many services at that building but so many people can't get there," he said.
The Harbor Committee reappointed Joshua Bows and Thomas O'Reilly for three-year terms. O'Reilly, a commercial fisherman for more than 40 years, serves as the liaison between the fishing fleet and the committee.
Brindisi provided several other updates during his report. The town completed the Halfway Pond Road resurfacing project and plans to begin intersection improvements at Halfway Pond Road and Long Pond Road now that the school year has ended.
A new rescue truck became operational at the Pine Hills fire station, adding three additional firefighters to create a six-person company at that location. Most other fire stations operate with three-person companies.
The town also secured a new municipal aggregation contract for electricity at approximately 13 cents per kilowatt hour, effective Oct. 1. The four-year agreement is expected to save average users about $100 annually, with low-income qualified residents saving approximately $243 per year.
Piping plovers have returned to Whitehorse Beach for the third consecutive summer, with two nesting areas currently protected by symbolic fencing. The birds are expected to hatch around July 3, requiring restrictions on bonfires, fireworks and off-road vehicles in those areas during the town's annual beach celebration.
The board also completed a $30,000 restoration of the old harbormaster shack using federal ARPA funds. The structure received new siding, windows, doors and roofing, extending its useful life by an estimated 15 years.
The meeting concluded after more than four hours, with the board also assigning members to serve as liaisons to various committees and organizations throughout the coming year.