Plymouth Select Board Approves Controversial $40,000 Sale of Historic Simes House Despite Fierce Opposition
PLYMOUTH — May 12, 2026 — In a tense session marked by sharp division and public outcry, the Plymouth Select Board voted 3-1 to execute a purchase and sale agreement for the historic Simes House at 29 Manomet Point Road for just $40,000. The decision drew passionate resistance from Select Board Member Bill Keohan, who criticized the transaction as giving away a million-dollar municipal asset for “pennies on the dollar,” while local residents expressed shock during public comment over the handling of taxpayer-funded property.
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The decision to sell the historic Simes House dominated the early portion of Tuesday evening’s open session, revealing a deep philosophical rift on the board regarding the management and liquidation of town-owned historic properties. Item number four of the administrative notes, which authorized the signing of the purchase and sale agreement, was pulled for separate consideration at the request of Select Board Member Bill Keohan [06:29].
Keohan voiced unequivocal opposition to the deal, arguing that the town should have pursued a long-term lease agreement rather than an outright sale, pointing to successful local precedents. He noted that community preservation acquisitions like the Center for the Arts and the Spire Theater were successfully leased to maintain public benefit while keeping the properties intact under town oversight. Keohan emphasized that the building’s true market value far exceeds the $40,000 purchase price, calling the transaction an irresponsible deployment of public money [07:02].
“The idea of selling this building, I was opposed to. Now there’s a purchase and sales agreement for 29 Manomet Point Road, the Simes House, for $40,000. The building is worth much more than that. This is not how you treat taxpayers’ money when it comes to buildings... giving a building away for pennies on the dollar is wrong.” [07:30] — Bill Keohan
Despite Keohan’s sharp objections, Select Board Member Deborah Iaquinto moved to approve and execute the purchase and sale agreement, a motion seconded by Kevin Canty [08:28]. Keohan reiterated his deep frustration before the vote, arguing that a property worth over $1 million was being liquidated without Town Meeting approval, a move he described as a disservice to the Manomet neighborhood [08:42]. The motion ultimately passed 3-1, with Chair David Golden, Iaquinto, and Canty voting in favor, and Keohan casting an emphatic dissenting vote [10:01]. Vice-Chair Richard Quintal was absent from the physical chamber due to a family bereavement; a moment of silence was held in honor of his mother, Judith Quintal, at the meeting’s commencement [04:18].
