Plympton Board Addresses Resignations as Key Volunteers Step Down from Town Committees
PLYMPTON - September 8 - In a concerning development for Plympton's volunteer-driven government, four experienced committee members submitted resignations during the September 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, including longtime Conservation Commission member Linda Leddy and three members of the Town Properties Committee. The mass resignations prompted board members to acknowledge what Selectman Mark Russo called "a bit of a crisis right now in town government."
The Full Story
The resignations came from some of Plympton's most dedicated volunteers. Linda Leddy, who served on the Conservation Commission for many years and was credited by Selectman Russo with leading efforts to preserve "several hundred acres in three different parks or conservation areas," stepped down from her position. On the same day, Ross MacPherson, Jon Wilhelmsen, and Mark Wallis all resigned from the Town Properties Committee, with Wilhelmsen also leaving the Plympton Historical Commission.
Mark Wallis, a 30-year veteran of the fire department who also served on the library building committee, expressed his frustration during public comments. "I'm very disappointed in the comments and the support that we were given as a town properties committee," Wallis said. "I don't feel that we were... We did a lot of hard work and I don't think it was appreciated."
Wallis’s wife, Linda Wallis, also spoke during public comments, emphasizing that the simultaneous resignations should serve as "a siren" that something needs to be addressed. She noted the "constant negative feedback" that committee members receive despite their efforts to protect town interests.
The resignations appear to be connected to recent tensions over the Town Properties Committee's oversight of various projects, including a controversial $60,000 front door restoration project for the town hall that was approved at town meeting using Community Preservation Act funds. Wallis expressed confusion about the Board of Selectmen's review of the project, believing the board had asked the committee to reconsider it despite the town meeting approval.
Board Chairman Dana Smith clarified that the board was not overruling town meeting, but rather asking the committee to be "mindful of the cost" due to concerns about the town's tax burden. "There are many, many of the people in this town that are very much concerned about the tax burden that's being put upon them right now," Smith said, pointing to the increasing number of "for sale" signs around town.
The meeting also featured a comprehensive update on the School Resource Officer program from Police Chief Matt Ahl, who reported that the program has found stability with Officer Tim Johnson now serving full-time at Dennett Elementary School. The program has transitioned from the longtime DARE program to the LEAD program, which Chief Ahl described as more holistic, covering topics including drug awareness, cyberbullying, domestic violence, and emergency procedures.
Chief Ahl acknowledged the program has experienced significant turnover, with "four, maybe five different officers" serving as SRO over the past few years. However, he expressed confidence that Officer Johnson is "round peg, round hole" for the position and plans to continue in the role long-term. The program includes a 10-week educational component for fifth and sixth graders, daily safety checks of the school building, and community engagement activities.
The board also addressed ongoing maintenance issues at both the current town hall and the old town house property. Town Administrator Liz Dennehy reported that the Board of Health will be conducting moisture-related testing in the town hall basement out of an abundance of caution. The fire department has already moved medical supplies from the basement, and the planning board has been advised to relocate their files until testing is complete.
In other business, the board appointed Molly Hutt Wardwell to the Conservation Commission, for a term running through June 30, 2027. The board also endorsed a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a proposed 40B affordable housing development off Spring Street, reiterating concerns about fire suppression, water impacts, and the lack of age-restricted affordable units.
The meeting highlighted ongoing communication challenges in town government, with multiple speakers calling for better outreach to residents who cannot attend daytime meetings. Mark Wallis suggested alternating between daytime and evening meetings to accommodate working residents, while others emphasized the value of recording meetings for later viewing.
Why It Matters
The simultaneous resignations from experienced volunteers represents a significant challenge for Plympton's committee-based government structure. With the Town Properties Committee now reduced to just two members from its normal five-person roster, and the Conservation Commission losing a longtime member, the town faces potential disruptions in oversight of municipal properties and conservation efforts. This volunteer shortage could impact everything from building maintenance decisions to environmental protection projects that have helped preserve hundreds of acres in town.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Authorize town administrator to find applicable funding source for basement testing, not to exceed $5,000. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 39:32)
Motion: Appoint Molly Hutt Wardwell to Conservation Commission, September 8, 2025 through June 30, 2027. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 40:14)
Motion: Adopt student activity account guidelines as proposed by treasurer collector. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 43:57)
Motion: Approve 15 one-day liquor licenses for Stellwagen Beer Company at Sauchuk Farm, with police detail condition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 46:40)
Motion: Approve August 18, 2025 meeting minutes as written. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 47:28)
Motion: Endorse letter regarding 40B development to Zoning Board of Appeals. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 52:20)
Motion: Appoint Debbie Batson as interim delegate to Old Colony Elder Services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 55:06)
Public Comment
Multiple residents expressed concerns about committee support and communication challenges. Mark Wallis voiced disappointment with town support for volunteer committees, while his wife Linda emphasized that mass resignations indicate systemic problems. Becky Archambeault suggested exploring recruitment strategies to attract more volunteers and noted the negative impact of social media debates on volunteer morale.
What's Next
The Board of Health will meet tomorrow to consider hiring vendors for basement testing. The board will need to recruit new members for the severely understaffed Town Properties Committee. Website upgrade decisions will be considered during budget preparation for the next fiscal year. The board will consider alternating meeting times to accommodate more residents.
These resignations are regrettable but not surprising given the frustration of devoting thousands of volunteer hours to the town, of late without fruition. The issue goes deeper than this specific door issue.
Look no further than the most recent ballot, where 27% of registered voters turned out and voted. 60% of those actual voters rejected replacement of a 50+ year-old fire station. The need of a replacement - for the safety of first responders as well as our citizens - has been evident for at least a decade. It would have added about $500 per year to the average annual bill. It's a democracy and we get what we deserve.