Plymouth Select Board Reaffirms Guiding Principles, Discusses Multi-Family Inspections
Board members and town officials take turns reading principles focused on civil discourse and respectful governance
PLYMOUTH - June 3. -The Plymouth Select Board unanimously voted to reaffirm its commitment to a set of guiding principles first established in 2013, emphasizing the importance of civil discourse and collaborative decision-making in town governance.
During Tuesday's meeting, board members and town officials took turns reading the nine principles that outline expectations for civil discourse, respect, and collaboration among town officials, board members, and employees.
"These guiding principles are here to remind all of us that our opinions matter. However, they need to be shared in a suitable manner," Chair Kevin Canty read from the document's conclusion.
The reaffirmation was initiated by board member Bill Keohan, who noted that the principles were originally adopted in April 2013 when then-Chairman Matt Muratore observed that "public debate was deteriorating."
"Coming off this campaign, I did note when I was meeting with voters across the town of Plymouth, I heard this tone. People were very concerned about how people were treating each other in the capacity of public meetings, public discourse," Keohan said.
The principles include guidelines such as being patient and tolerant, showing respect, being inclusive, providing excellent customer service, maintaining integrity, having a positive attitude, listening, taking responsibility, and being part of a team.
Town Moderator Steve Triffletti, who participated in the reading, commended the board for reaffirming the principles and announced that he would bring them to the Advisory and Finance Committee for adoption next week.
"I think of it as the golden rule," Triffletti said about the principle he read on showing respect. "It is something that I have always said to all of the people that I appoint to the Advisory and Finance Committee."
The board voted unanimously to reaffirm the principles, which apply to all board and committee members and town employees. They are:
Be patient, kind and tolerant
Show respect in attitude, tone, and approach
Be inclusive, collaborate, and promote diversity
Show in your actions, attitude, and tone that excellent customer service is important to you
Retain the highest levels of integrity in your performance, actions, and decisions
Strive to have a positive attitude about the governance of the Town
Listen
Take Responsibility
Be part of a great team
In another significant agenda item, Jason Silva, Director of Inspectional Services, presented information about periodic inspections of multi-family buildings with three or more units.
Silva explained that these inspections, required by state building code but not widely enforced across Massachusetts, ensure compliance with safety standards in common areas of apartment buildings.
"We're dedicated to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our community through diligent inspections, enforcement, and education," Silva said.
The inspections focus on common areas rather than individual units, checking items such as proper egress pathways, door locks, exit signs, fire detection systems, and building maintenance.
Silva proposed waiving the inspection fees for the first six months to encourage property owners to comply voluntarily.
"Our goal is always voluntary compliance. We're not looking to penalize anybody," Silva said. "That's an effort to show that our department is looking to try and provide safety and not criticism of people out there in the community."
The board expressed support for the proposal but decided to formally vote on the fee waiver at a future meeting to ensure proper public notice.
Fire Chief Neil Foley, who joined Silva for the presentation, explained that the inspections would help identify buildings that might need more frequent checks due to safety concerns.
"If we have a property that is a problem, whether it's an old system that needs to be maybe rebuilt or some components need to be swapped out... we can address that each property individually and decide whether or not for the safety of the residents if we need to increase the frequency of those inspections," Foley said.
Silva estimated there are approximately 400 multi-family buildings in Plymouth that would require these inspections, which are typically conducted on a five-year cycle.
Other notable items from the meeting included:
- Town Manager Derek Brindisi reported that the town's website now includes AudioEye, a new ADA-compliant feature that allows people with disabilities to better navigate the site.
- Brindisi announced that MassDOT's Project Review Committee approved the Hedges Pond Road and State Road intersection project, which will move forward with design work.
- The board heard concerns from several residents about a proposal to hold some Select Board meetings in different locations throughout town.
- Brindisi noted that eight new police recruits will be graduating from the police academy next week and entering a 90-day field training program.
- The town manager also mentioned that the police department is seeking its second re-accreditation, having first been accredited in 2016.
The meeting began with a badge-pinning ceremony for nine new firefighters who recently completed their training and are now fully certified Massachusetts firefighters.