Plympton Reports Strong Revenue Collecton in FY25

PLYMPTON - February 13 - The possible closure of the Plympton-Halifax Express has prompted Plympton officials to consider a new venue for publishing legal notices. The Brockton Enterprise emerges as the likely candidate to maintain transparency and consistency in public communications.

Town Administrator Liz Dennehy announced the potential shift during the Feb. 13 Board of Selectmen meeting. "Brian Vasa from the Conservation Commission reached out to a couple different local papers for some general pricing. And it seems like the Brockton Enterprise will be our best bet financially," Dennehy said.

While exact costs remain undetermined due to variations in content and length, the Enterprise proved most cost-effective in test runs with sample ads typical for the Conservation Commission.

Dennehy emphasized the importance of centralizing legal ad placements. "We definitely, in my opinion anyway, do not want people advertising in different newspapers, because I think that's too confusing for the townspeople. And it's not really transparent if they don't know where different legal ads will be," she said.

The Plympton-Halifax Express did update that they are working with a potential buyer, and are continuing operations for the time being. See the note on their website. https://plymptonhalifaxexpress.com/express-redux/

In financial news, Plympton's Treasurer-Collector, Christine Kelly, reported strong revenue collection for the current fiscal year. As of Feb. 11, the town had received 68% of committed personal property revenue, totaling $763,205 out of $1,116,374.

Real estate tax collection also shows promising results, with 73% of the $10,989,355 commitment already received. This figure includes solar revenue.

"We're right on mark. Another 25% we should be holding," Kelly stated, expressing satisfaction with the collection rates and processing speed.

She also highlighted recent success in filling a key position. "I'm so pleased that we have found somebody that I think is going to fit the bill to the table," she said, referring to a new assistant treasurer-collector with municipal experience.

In other town business, officials discussed potential changes to investment strategies for certain trust funds. Kelly is proposing to adopt the "prudent investment rule" for the cemetery and perpetual care trust fund.

This change, if approved at the annual town meeting, would broaden investment options beyond the current Massachusetts legal list. "If we can get a higher yield, get more money working off of those funds, then it's less money we have to raise in appropriating for the highway department when it comes to cemetery maintenance and perpetual care, lawn mowers, all that stuff," the Kelly explained.

The board also addressed concerns about lighting at the Old Town House. A resident complained about excessive brightness affecting neighboring properties. "We moved in, I think, May of 2019. And there was no lights. And I don't know if they were broken or if they were not operational at that time. But within a couple of months, that place has gotten lit up like the White House," the resident said.

Board members expressed sympathy and agreed to revisit the issue, balancing safety concerns with quality of life for neighbors.

The meeting concluded with appointments to the Recreation Commission and approval of routine financial transfers. The board also declared a snow and ice budget emergency, allowing the highway department to continue deficit spending as needed for winter operations.

Full meeting available via Area 58.