Plymouth Select Board Reverses Course on Firearms Ballot Question, Places Police Civil Sevice Ballot Question
Board votes unanimously to reconsider after town meeting rejection; also receives notice of potential $20 million land sale
PLYMOUTH - April 8 and 11 - The Plymouth Select Board votes unanimously to reconsider placing a non-binding question on the ballot regarding firearms in municipal buildings, following overwhelming rejection of the proposal by town meeting members.
"Last week I voted in favor of putting this question on the ballot. It was my hopes that the town meeting would take a pause," says board member David Golden. "However, town meeting did not take a pause. They forged forward, as is their right. The vote was overwhelming and so I'm going to respect their vote."
The board's decision to reconsider comes after town meeting members voted against the article that would have allowed firearms in municipal buildings.
Vice Chair Kevin Canty, who opposed the proposal in previous forms, points to a similar law in New York State that was challenged and ultimately upheld by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court declined to take up the matter, allowing the prohibition of carrying guns in government buildings to stand.
"I don't know how this law could proceed procedurally differently, but a lot of people are presuming that it is already unconstitutional. I think that is a live issue," Canty says. "I'm certainly not going to put my name on allowing firearms within government buildings."
Board member Charlie Bletzer, who initially proposed the ballot question, expresses disappointment that town meeting acted before receiving feedback from voters but respects the decision.
"My entire intent with proposing this ballot question was to hear from the residents," Bletzer says. "I'm incredibly disappointed that town meeting decided to act and not wait for feedback from the voters, but that was their choice and I respect the decision."
Board member John Mahoney adds that "a question like this would just further split the community down the middle and that's something we don't need."
Several residents speak during public comment to thank the board for its reconsideration.
Pat McCarthy, a Precinct 18 town meeting member, appreciates "all of the citizens who contacted town meeting members prior to town meeting to just make their viewpoints known."
Art Desloges, representing the League of Women Voters of the Plymouth area, says the organization was concerned that "placing this non-binding question on the ballot was not in the public interest."
"We believe that articles that are passed or rejected at town meeting should not be placed on a municipal ballot with only a Select Board vote. Such a practice would weaken the legislative authority of Town Meeting," Desloges says.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi announces that Plymouth received a notice of intent to sell a 177-acre property at 450 Little Sandy Pond Road, commonly known as Atlantic Country Club.
The property is being sold for residential development at a purchase price of $20 million. As a Chapter 61 property, the town has 120 days to exercise its right of first refusal.
"Under the guidance of the Select Board, the administration will be examining this notice and will research to make a recommendation back to the board as to whether or not the board should exercise its right of first refusal," Brindisi says.
The 120-day period began on April 4, 2025, and will expire in mid-August.
The board also approves text for a different ballot question concerning communication with elected officials and state agencies about Holtec and the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
The approved text states: "A yes vote supports town government communicating with elected officials and state agencies concerning Holtec and the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth. A no vote supports the town government taking no action to communicate with elected officials and state agencies concerning Holtec and the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth."
Board member John Mahoney clarifies that there has been consistent communication between the Plymouth Select Board, professional staff, and state delegation regarding the nuclear power station.
"I cannot come up with one example of any communication that has not occurred between the Plymouth Select Board professional staff we have in our state delegation," Mahoney says. "Everything with respect to this topic they know of."
Canty adds that the ballot question aims to demonstrate the level of public support for addressing concerns about the property and radiological material.
"Not everyone in the community is as concerned about it but many people in the community are very concerned and I think they're just looking to have their voices heard," Canty says.
* Charlie Bletzer announces that remediation is finished at the Whitehorse area, with building demolition expected soon
* Chair Richard Quintal commends the recent town meeting for its smooth operation and respectful debate
April 11 - Plymouth's Police Department is looking to leave the state's civil service system to boost officer recruitment and retention. Police Chief Dana Flynn presented this proposal to the Plymouth Select Board during a recent virtual meeting.
The board has given the green light to put a binding question on the May 17 town election ballot. Voters will decide whether to revoke Plymouth's 1917 acceptance of the civil service law for the police department.
Chief Flynn points out that interest in law enforcement careers has dropped sharply in recent years, leading to unprecedented staffing shortages. The department ended last fiscal year short 11 patrol officers and is currently down six officers, even with 10 recruits in training academies.
Flynn describes the current civil service hiring process as outdated, with limited exam dates, strict residency requirements, and difficulties in hiring experienced officers from non-civil service departments.
"The civil service process is holding us back from effective recruitment, hiring, and retention," Flynn explains. He notes that over 35 police departments in Massachusetts have already opted out of the system.
Both police unions support leaving civil service. The police superiors union voted 20-1 in favor, while the patrolman's union voted 59-7 to back the move.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi says exiting civil service is part of a three-pronged strategy to improve recruitment and retention. The other two parts involve increasing education stipends and switching to a four-day work schedule.
"We wanted to wait for the unions to vote so we knew we were working together with them before presenting this to the Select Board," Brindisi adds.
Flynn assures that protections against nepotism and favoritism will remain through collective bargaining agreements and other oversight measures.
Select Board member Charlie Bletzer supports the change, saying, "We need to get out of civil service to hire more officers more quickly."
The ballot question will appear on the May 17 town election ballot.
Full meetings available via The Local Seen. April 8 and April 11.