Plymouth Select Board Swears in New Officers, Approves Multiple Business Licenses
Two promotions and eight new hires join police force as board handles routine licensing matters and discusses White Horse Beach parking concerns
PLYMOUTH - July 8 - The Plymouth Select Board swore in 10 new and promoted police officers at their July 8 meeting, marking a significant expansion for the department that includes the town's first-ever deputy police chief.
Deputy Chief James LeBretton, a 19-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department, becomes the first person to hold the newly created position. Chief Dana Flynn said the deputy chief role was recommended in a department study to improve the chain of command and organizational structure.
"Two new promotions, eight brand new officers will be sworn in tonight," Flynn told the board. "One of our promotions is a first for the department and for the town of Plymouth."
LeBretton previously served as a K-9 officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain during his tenure with the department. He was joined by Lieutenant Andrew Carney, who was promoted from sergeant after serving with the department since 2016.
The eight new officers include Patrick Brady, Jared Burke, Justin Gatie, Logan Humphryes, Joseph Grogan, Nathan Viscariello, McKenna Coolidge and Joseph Espinola. All are Plymouth residents and recent graduates of various high schools and colleges in the region.
Flynn noted that Officer Humphryes will join his sister on the Plymouth Police Department, while Officer Burke's father, retired Plymouth Police Sergeant Michael Burke, attended the ceremony
The board also approved several business license applications during the meeting. Independent Fermentations Brewing received approval for both a new farmer winery pouring permit and an alteration of premises permit to add wine service to their existing beer and kombucha offerings at 127 Camelot Drive.
"We've been making beer and kombucha for a while now and wanted to just diversify, add some options for other people who don't care for those products and add wine to our repertoire," said Paul Nixon, co-owner of Independent Fermentations.
Plymouth General Store received approval to transfer an annual wine and malt package store license from Craft Beer Cellar, allowing them to merge the operations for what owner Tatum Stewart called "a better consumer experience."
Kogi Bar and Grill was approved for a change of location permit to move their all-alcohol restaurant license from 8 Court Street to 35 Main Street. Co-owner Patricia Choi said they have purchased and renovated the new building and are targeting an Aug. 1 opening for their 11th year in business.
The board also approved a host community agreement with Coastal Roots LLC, a cannabis manufacturing establishment planning to operate at 11 Richards Road. Owner Brandon Lynch said the company has an existing provisional license in Middleborough and expects to be operational by January or February after completing the state transfer process.
Board members discussed ongoing parking enforcement issues at White Horse Beach, with Selectman Richard Quintal reporting he has received numerous complaints from residents. The enforcement vendor operates five days per week rather than seven due to budget constraints, leaving gaps in coverage that the understaffed police department struggles to fill.
"The problem is under the new RFP for this year, there was X amount of dollars," Quintal said. "But the problem is the police department was going to fill in on the days that the enforcement company weren't there. And we know we don't have enough police officers."
Town Manager Derek Brindisi suggested applying the successful Plymouth Beach parking model to White Horse Beach, which uses kiosks and seasonal employees for enforcement while maintaining a resident sticker program.
The board recognized two students with No Place for Hate Outstanding Citizenship Awards. Zoe Wodja, a Plymouth South High School graduate, was honored for her work mentoring students in the autism spectrum disorder program and participating in the Allies for Equity Club. Cassidy Maciel, a rising senior at Rising Tide Charter Public School, was recognized for her volunteer work with underserved youth and elderly patients.
During public comment, representatives from the Collective Bargaining Relief Association raised concerns about potential silica dust exposure at Memorial Hall following demolition work on a cement wall behind the stage area. Union officials called for the building to be closed until professional hazmat cleaning and air quality testing can be completed.
Other business items approved by the board included:
• Multiple one-day wine and malt licenses for various events
• Outdoor amplified music permits
• An Eversource utility petition
• Special municipal employee designations for several town positions, including the planning board, director of assessing, and seasonal natural resource officers
Brindisi provided updates on recent town activities, including the successful search and rescue of a young boy lost in the woods, retirements of two veteran police officers, and completion of road overlay projects on Justine Road with work continuing on Brentwood Circle, Henry Drive and Ferry Lane.
The town manager also praised the July 4th Committee for another successful Independence Day celebration and announced the release of the fourth edition of Plymouth Magazine, available electronically on the town website.
The board's next meeting will be held at South Elementary School July 15 at 6 p.m. as part of their "on the road" series designed to increase community engagement and accessibility.