Plymouth Select Board Candidates Outline Priorities at Forums
Affordable housing, taxes, and Holtec property among key issues discussed as five candidates vie for two seats
PLYMOUTH - May 1, 5, and 8 - Five candidates for the Plymouth Select Board present contrasting visions for the town's future as they compete for two seats in the May 17 election. Five candidates competing for three school committee seats particpate in a forum.
Charlie Bletzer, Deb Iaquinto, Bill Keohan, John Mahoney, and Scott Vecchi participated in multiple forums where they addressed issues ranging from affordable housing to the future of the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station property.
The candidates bring diverse backgrounds to the race. Bletzer and Mahoney are incumbents, with Mahoney having served 15 years on the board. Iaquinto is a former communications professional now working as a teacher. Keohan has served on town committees for over 25 years, while Vecchi is a retired police sergeant, Marine Corps veteran, and practicing attorney.
Affordable housing emerges as a critical concern for several candidates. Bletzer identifies it as "one of the most pressing challenges" facing Plymouth.
"Too many of our working families, even our seniors, are being priced out of the town they love," Bletzer says. "We need more workforce housing so people who work here can afford to live here."
Iaquinto agrees, noting that housing affordability affects multiple demographics.
"Everywhere I go, everyone I speak to has a story to tell about a senior citizen that's being priced out of their home or a working age family that is not able to find a house or young single adults that are not able to even find apartments to rent that they can afford," she says.
The candidates offer different approaches to managing town finances and controlling property taxes. Mahoney emphasizes his focus on creating dedicated funds for specific purposes rather than putting all revenue into the general fund.
"I amended. Mr. Bletzer supported that. We went to town meeting a couple of years ago and expanded that fund out to proactively investing in public safety, public education, and DPW structures," Mahoney says, referring to the meals tax fund. "By continuing to put a little bit of contributions into that fund every so often, you can prevent property taxes from going up billions."
Vecchi proposes exploring new revenue streams, including a municipal ambulance service.
"The city of Fall River runs its own ambulance as a third service," Vecchi explains. "When I work on the ambulance, we do about five [transfers] a day. They bill Medicare $2,000 each. So my ambulance makes about $10,000 a day for the company."
Keohan focuses on zoning changes to encourage economic development.
"We should be focusing on small businesses and light industrial. These are where small businesses locally owned by people pay a livable wage in benefits," Keohan says. "This is the type of sustainable local economy that we can build that doesn't burden the taxes."
The future of the 1,600-acre Holtec property, site of the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, represents another significant issue. Mahoney highlights his role in creating a fund to potentially purchase much of the property.
"Twelve years ago last month I sponsored an article at town meeting where we created the nuclear stabilization fund," Mahoney says. "Today that account has $10.4 million in it."
All candidates express openness to considering small modular nuclear reactors on the portion of the property Holtec plans to retain, though they emphasize the need for environmental and safety considerations.
The candidates also address communication between town government and residents. Iaquinto, drawing on her communications background, suggests a more structured approach.
"We need a communication plan that focuses on audience segmentation so that we understand who our different audiences are, who our different stakeholders are, how they like to get information, and what information they need," she says.
Vecchi proposes regular office hours in different parts of town.
"I want to mirror that and have office hours at very least once a month. I'd like to have them every other week and do them in different parts of the town to be accessible to people," he says.
The candidates split on ballot question one, which asks voters whether to remove the police department from the state's civil service system. Bletzer, Iaquinto, and Mahoney support the change, while Keohan and Vecchi oppose it.
"We're down 20 officers. This is a public safety crisis," Bletzer argues. "To say that we're going to wait another year is just outrageous."
Vecchi, a former Plymouth police officer, counters that the department's staffing issues stem from other causes.
"There is a much bigger problem that needs to be addressed before we deal with civil service when you have people literally abandoning ship," Vecchi says.
All candidates oppose a split tax rate that would charge commercial properties at a higher rate than residential properties, though some express interest in exploring variations that might target specific types of businesses or properties.
Five candidates for the Plymouth School Committee present their visions for the district's future during a recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. The candidates include Christina Charlyn Bryant, Deborah Rae Dugan, Luis Alberto Pizano, Paul Samargedlis, and Hunter Young.
The candidates tackle a range of issues facing Plymouth schools, from immigration enforcement to budget challenges, while highlighting their qualifications and priorities for serving on the committee.
When asked about supporting families impacted by increased ICE activity in Massachusetts, the candidates offer varying perspectives on how schools should respond.
Paul Samargedlis emphasizes that schools must be safe places while acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
"If there were students who were impacted by an ICE sweep, the schools are a safe place," Samargedlis says. "There's dialogue that goes on between the schools, the adjustment counselors, and the parents that has to take place. But you also have to abide by the law."
Christina Bryant praises the district's response to national challenges, saying, "We need to meet them where they are. We need to be supportive. We need to understand how to support the student who is essentially a victim in all of these circumstances."
Hunter Young, at 19 the youngest candidate, emphasizes constitutional rights while acknowledging the complexity of immigration enforcement.
"I believe in the Constitution and that everybody has constitutional rights. So people have the right to due process. They have the right to the Fourth Amendment, which is against unlawful searches and seizures," Young says.
Luis Pizano takes a firm stance on protecting students regardless of immigration status.
"Schools should be, to me, our sacred ground. Students should feel safe there. Students should be protected there," Pizano says. "Plymouth Public Schools is committed to doing everything we can to protect our students. And we're committed to educating every student in this town regardless of immigration status, period."
When discussing the major issues facing Plymouth schools, candidates identify budget challenges as a primary concern.
Young points to balancing competing needs as the biggest challenge.
"Students have needs. Teachers have needs. Taxpayers have needs. Everybody in the town has something to say about where the money is being spent," he says. "I believe in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and that we should all understand where our money is going."
Pizano highlights funding and facilities as interrelated challenges.
"We've got a massive district with a lot of buildings that require millions of dollars just to maintain, not to mention our aging buildings that are in need of replacement," Pizano says. "We struggle every year just to have a level service budget."
Dugan focuses on preparing students for future employment opportunities.
"I think that the federal government is looking to return manufacturing to America," Dugan says. "I think preparing our students for the new jobs that will be coming back will be a major concern."
Bryant emphasizes the importance of curriculum development and staff expertise.
"We need to continue to lean in and learn in regards to the changes that are coming from a curriculum perspective to prepare our students for the future," Bryant says.
Samargedlis stresses the need to focus on fiscal policy rather than divisive issues.
"We have so many federal level issues that we're trying to bring into the classroom. We don't spend enough time on talking about fiscal policy," Samargedlis says. "We should be focused on the fact that a kid doesn't get second grade back."
The candidates also discuss strategies for engaging with students to hear their perspectives.
Bryant, a mother of five, emphasizes accessibility and attending school events.
"I try to be as approachable as possible. I try to connect wherever possible," she says.
Young proposes student-led forums where they can ask questions of committee members.
"I think it'd be great if there could be opportunities to have forums that are led by students where they get to ask the questions," Young says. "When I was in school, I didn't even know there was a school committee."
Pizano highlights his practice of being present at school events and maintaining open communication with students.
"I'm at every school event that I can possibly be at," Pizano says. "The number of people in this town in the school districts, whether it's students, teachers, staff, faculty administration, have my cell phone number and text me on a regular basis is astonishing."
In their closing statements, candidates emphasize their unique qualifications and visions for the committee.
Young stresses his youth as an asset and his commitment to service.
"I'm really dedicated to serving. I believe that politics is about, I don't ever want to be called a politician because that feels like a dirty word to me. I want to be called a servant," Young says.
Dugan highlights her extensive experience on school boards and concern for the country's future.
"I've been a homemaker for the past 50 years now. And being a stay-at-home mom has given me numerous opportunities to contribute to the communities in which I've lived," Dugan says.
Bryant reflects on her recent appointment to the committee and her advocacy work.
"I want to continue to be able to bring people in and understand what their needs are, what their concerns are, and continue to elevate and advocate for those voices," Bryant says.
Pizano emphasizes his proven ability to work collaboratively and focus on real issues.
"If I'm reelected, I will continue to dedicate myself to supporting the students, families, and staff and will keep the school committee focused on real priorities," Pizano says.
Samargedlis points to his experience on the Norwood School Committee and his fiscal background.
"I served nine years on the Norwood School Committee. Four years I was the chairman," Samargedlis says. "I want to contribute my fiscal background and my policy background."
The election is scheduled for May 17, with early voting available through May 14.
Forums available on YouTube. Plymouth Area League of Women Voters Forum, WATD Forum, PlymouthFirst Forum.