Plympton Opts Out of Early Vote-by-Mail, Approves Fire Station Ballot Question
Town officials cite mail reliability concerns while ensuring voting access remains flexible for May election
PLYMPTON - March 25 - The Plympton Board of Selectmen votes unanimously to opt out of early vote-by-mail for the upcoming local town election, addressing concerns about mail service reliability while maintaining voting access for residents.
Town Clerk Tara Shaw explains that opting out of early vote-by-mail actually provides residents with more flexibility to vote absentee without requiring one of the three traditional qualifying reasons.
"By opting out, it gives a fourth reason," Shaw tells the board. "So an absentee ballot says you qualify for an absentee ballot and you are voting in a local election in a city or town that has opted out of vote by mail for an election."
The decision comes amid ongoing concerns about mail service in Plympton, which the Town Clerk describes as "really terrible" during recent elections.
"We mailed, for example, 253 early vote by mail ballots, and we received back 127," the Town Clerk notes, highlighting the unreliability of the current mail system. "So even when they physically had the ballot in their hands, they didn't even send it back."
Board Chair John Traynor confirms with the Shaw that residents aren't losing any voting options with this change. "No, in fact, I think it's actually making the application process a lot more legitimate because by opting out, it doesn't make people have to tell a white lie when they're filling out their application," the Town Clerk responds.
The change allows residents to vote absentee without needing to claim they will be away on election day, have a religious belief preventing polling place voting, or have a disability that prevents voting at their polling location.
Residents can still track their ballots if they choose to mail them, but Shaw emphasizes that in-person absentee voting provides greater security.
"I will be in the office right up until the day before the election, so Friday the 16th up until noon, somebody can walk into the office and vote in the office with me and hand me the ballot and it never leaves the building," Shaw explains.
The board votes unanimously to opt out of early vote-by-mail for the May 17, 2025, local town election.
The Board of Selectmen also approves placing a ballot question for the May 17 Town Election regarding a Debt Exclusion to fund the construction of a new fire station.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy informs the board that the Finance Committee voted favorably to recommend placing the question on the ballot.
"I thought the presentation that Mr. Wilhelmsen made was informative, so I think we should go forward with the ballot question," Chair Traynor says. "It doesn't mean we're in favor of it, but at least it'll give the townsfolk a chance to hear from all parties, and then we'll see how the vote goes."
The proposal requires a two-thirds majority vote at town meeting to pass, followed by a simple majority vote on the ballot.
Selectman Dana Smith praises the presentation on the fire station proposal, noting, "He did a very good job of that and explained it, and I think if he's going to explain to the point in that meeting as to what the actual physical impact for every citizen, how much it's going to cost financially, and the breakdown that he proposed also is excellent."
Chair Traynor emphasizes the importance of providing clear financial information to residents before the vote. "That's something we're going to have to work on between now and over the next month, make sure we can go to the townspeople and say this is what will cost you on your tax bill."
The board unanimously approves placing the question on the ballot and including it on the annual town meeting warrant.
Traynor announces that the Town Properties Committee will present information about the fire station proposal at the library on April 5, encouraging residents to attend to have their questions answered.
In other business, the board:
- Appoints Elizabeth Westley to the Board of Registrars for a term from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028
- Preliminarily appoints Robin Cotter to the Board of Registrars from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027, with formal ratification scheduled for April 14
- Authorizes the Town Administrator to sign a lease for a highway department pickup truck previously approved at town meeting
- Approves the chair's signature on a Title V application for septic system work at the town complex
- Acknowledges the appointment of Jason Fraser to the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council
- Approves requests for use of town property for a town-wide cleanup on April 12 and library events on April 3 and 5
The board also recognizes probationary firefighter Bella Gales for her professionalism in reporting a building fire in Hanson. Fire Chief Robert O'Brien of Hanson commended Gales for being "extremely professional" and providing "excellent information to the 9-1-1 call taker."
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2025.