Plymouth Select Board Hears Water Quality Concerns and Economic Development at South Elementary Meeting
Residents raise questions about landfill monitoring and well testing while board explores strategies to attract technology companies and high-paying jobs to the community.
PLYMOUTH - July 15 - The Plymouth Select Board heard concerns about water quality monitoring and discussed economic development strategies during its July 15 meeting at South Elementary School, the second in a series of community meetings held throughout different neighborhoods.
Residents from the Cedarville area raised questions about potential contamination from the closed Cedarville landfill and recent sand mining operations on nearby properties. George McKay, Precinct 8 chair, expressed concerns about changes to the underground aquifer that could affect private well water for residents located between the development site and Cape Cod Bay.
"The current development related to the sale of 41 Hedges Pond Road for light industrial use and the clearing of the land and sand mining that was allowed, there is a possible danger to the health of some Cedarville residents," McKay said.
Select Board Chair Kevin Canty assured residents that the town continues monitoring the landfill and surrounding areas. He emphasized that if water quality issues were detected, they would become the town's top priority.
Paul Smith, who lives less than half a mile from the landfill, said he and his wife have tested their private well and met with town officials about the monitoring process. He noted that more than 20 neighbors rely on private wells and expressed concern about potential changes to groundwater flow from upstream sand mining operations.
Assistant Town Manager Silvio Genao explained that residents can find information about town water service areas on the municipal website under the Department of Public Works section. He also noted that the Board of Health website provides guidance on private well testing, though costs can range from $125 to $685 depending on the testing method.
Board member David Golden encouraged residents to review water quality reports available online, noting that Massachusetts maintains some of the highest water quality standards in the United States.
"We consistently have high quality water in this community," Golden said. "We all drink the water here in Plymouth."
The board also addressed economic development concerns raised by younger residents struggling with housing affordability. Emily Tompkins, 32, described the challenges facing her generation in finding affordable housing and well-paying jobs in Plymouth.
"Many young people have to leave Plymouth in order to find reasonable housing and a job that pays enough for the cost of living these days," Tompkins said. "We spend so much money on our great education system, but so many of those students can't stay here, and we lose that return of investment in the town."
Stevie Keith, who owns a plumbing company, asked about efforts to attract technology companies, particularly those involved in artificial intelligence, to provide better-paying jobs for local residents.
Canty suggested partnering with the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce and examining successful strategies from other communities to attract businesses that offer both blue-collar and white-collar employment opportunities.
"We need to look at what businesses we'd like to attract to do what types of things in our community, provide what types of services, what types of jobs," Canty said.
Golden noted that attracting AI-related businesses would require significant infrastructure improvements, particularly increased electrical power capacity, making it a long-term goal rather than an immediate solution.
Board member Bill Keohan suggested organizing a housing summit to coordinate efforts among various organizations working on affordable housing development. He noted that the Plymouth Housing Authority successfully built affordable units in previous decades but construction slowed significantly starting in the 1980s due to reduced federal and state funding.
**Other major items discussed during the meeting included:**
• Progress on the Bourne Road Fire Station project, with consultants currently working on schematics and completing preliminary site studies
• Updates on the Halfway Pond Road and Long Pond Road intersection improvement project, scheduled for completion by September with final touches potentially extending into November
• Plans to present speed limit reduction proposals to the board on July 22, allowing communities to lower speed limits from 30 to 25 mph in thickly settled areas
• Status of the Atlantic Golf Property negotiations, with the town reviewing a recent response letter from the prospective buyer's attorney
• Retirement announcements for Fire Lieutenant Mark Milroy after 45 years of service and Firefighter James Kittredge after 27 years and 10 months
• Concerns about ICE operations in Plymouth, with Canty criticizing the federal agency for conducting enforcement actions without notifying local police
• Discussion of a proposed air monitoring program for silica dust near sand mining operations, offered by Air Partners at Olin College of Engineering
The board emphasized its commitment to transparency and community engagement through these neighborhood meetings. Board member Deborah Iaquinto suggested developing a more robust communication plan to address concerns raised during community meetings and track action items more effectively.
The next select board meeting is scheduled for July 22 at Town Hall, where the Department of Public Works will present speed limit reduction proposals for board consideration.