Plymouth Town Meeting Approves $2M Budget Boost
Adds In-House Legal Staff Amid Debate Over Costs
PLYMOUTH - October 18 - Plymouth’s Fall Annual Town Meeting voted to significantly expand the town’s legal department by approving two new positions—a labor attorney and paralegal—as part of a $2.06 million supplemental budget increase, despite vocal concerns about adding permanent staff during uncertain fiscal times.
The Full Story
Over the course of a marathon Saturday session at Plymouth North High School, 162 elected town meeting members tackled 26 warrant articles in a hybrid format that allowed both in-person and remote participation. The meeting, which began with tributes to retiring Planning Director Lee Hartmann after 37 years of service, concluded just before 2:40 PM after members approved most major spending requests while rejecting attempts to restrict funds for controversial projects.
The most contentious debate centered on Article 1’s supplemental budget request, specifically a $115,000 allocation to hire a labor attorney and paralegal for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. Town Manager Derek Brindisi argued the positions would save money by bringing work currently outsourced to private firms at $300-550 per hour in-house at an effective rate of $72 per hour. He noted the town has seven unions, over 500 employees, and 24 grievances filed in the past 18 months, with labor law alone costing $95,000 annually in outside counsel fees.
Select Board member Kevin Canty reinforced the efficiency argument, explaining that grievance proceedings can cost $9,000 per day when handled by outside firms charging for both attorney time and profit margins. He emphasized that a paralegal would free attorneys from administrative tasks like filing and scheduling, allowing them to focus on higher-level legal work.
However, several town meeting members raised concerns about the long-term cost implications. Geraldine Williams of Precinct 8 calculated that the half-year request of $115,000 would balloon to at least $250,000 annually when benefits and cost-of-living increases are included. Michael Babini of Precinct 3 warned against hiring permanent employees during a looming fiscal cliff, noting that unlike contractors, town employees become lifetime obligations including retirement benefits.
Dale Weber, representing the town’s largest municipal union, questioned whether the positions were truly necessary given that human resources staff has quadrupled from one to four employees over 40 years while the town workforce has remained at 500. He argued that grievances—which have decreased to fewer than six in the past two years for his 300-member union—should be resolved through labor-management meetings rather than legal proceedings.
Despite the opposition, the Article 1 Subcommittee Report A passed 108-34, with the Advisory and Finance Committee recommending approval by a 9-0 vote. The committee noted that bringing general counsel Kathleen McKay in-house last year had already saved $50,000 in legal fees, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of the approach.
The supplemental budget also included $75,000 in free cash for a consultant to study earth removal bylaws, added through an amendment by Albert DiNardo of Precinct 17. This followed the withdrawal of Article 25, a citizen’s petition seeking a moratorium on earth removal permits. Planning Board Chair Steve Bolotin acknowledged the $75,000 would not cover the entire scope of work needed but would allow the newly forming committee to begin gathering data and reviewing legal aspects immediately.
In other major business, town meeting members grappled with airport infrastructure needs. Article 4, Item A5 sparked heated debate as neighbors of Plymouth Municipal Airport expressed concerns that a $9.2 million runway reconstruction project—90% federally funded—might facilitate future runway expansion. Despite assurances from Airport Commission Chair Kenneth Fosdick that the project would rebuild the existing runway to current FAA B2 standards without changing length, width, or weight capacity, some residents remained skeptical about transparency.
Lisa Lantagne of Precinct 10 urged a “no” vote until the commission provided written FAA assurances that accepting federal funds would not obligate the town to pursue future expansion. However, Richard Serkey of Precinct 2 countered that the commission’s representation should be sufficient and that no current commission could bind future commissions. The measure ultimately passed 93-50, with a related $59,000 taxi lane reconstruction project (Item A6) approved 130-9.
The meeting opened with ceremony and recognition. After the Pledge of Allegiance led by VFW members and the National Anthem performed by Plymouth North student Sophie Hall, Select Board Chair David Golden highlighted the town’s progress: body cameras and crime analysis tools for police, emergency preparedness planning, modernized fiscal systems, and infrastructure investments from Jenney Pond dredging to EV charging expansion. He emphasized the board’s neighborhood outreach meetings in South Plymouth, Cedarville, and Manomet, which directly led to articles on the warrant including the Chapter 61 land acquisition fund.
The emotional high point came when Town Manager Brindisi called Lee Hartmann forward to recognize his 37 years of service to Plymouth’s planning department. Brindisi praised Hartmann as his “consigliere” and noted that much of the town’s physical progress bears Hartmann’s fingerprints. Hartmann, who will retire December 5th, graciously thanked town meeting members and boards for their partnership, calling it “absolutely a great experience” to raise his family in Manomet and serve the community.
A significant procedural development occurred when town meeting member William Abbott of Precinct 16 appealed Moderator Steven Triffletti’s ruling that declared Article 26 out of order. The article—a citizen’s petition urging the Select Board to prohibit municipal employees from serving on the Plymouth Regional Economic Development Foundation board—was deemed tantamount to a non-binding resolution, which Triffletti has consistently ruled outside town meeting’s legislative scope. The appeal failed 93-50, falling short of the required two-thirds vote, after being moved up in the warrant order at the request of Sybil Holland of Precinct 8.
The debate over Article 26 highlighted ongoing community concerns about the foundation’s transparency following its role in the controversial 71 Hedges Pond Road transaction. George McKay of Precinct 8 detailed how the Select Board sold conservation land to the foundation for $1, which then sold it to a developer for $3.5 million, returning only $1.2 million for traffic mitigation while the foundation retained $1.5 million. Pat Edelman noted that multiple residents have spoken before the Select Board about foundation transparency without results, while Sybil Holland emphasized the need to maintain boundaries between town employees and foundation directors, especially after the Attorney General recently ruled the foundation exempt from open meeting laws.
Community Preservation Committee articles dominated the afternoon session, with members approving $900,000 for an accessible trail at Jenney Pond’s Dark Orchard parcels, $729,291 to purchase 20.8 acres of cranberry bog land off Beaver Dam Road for conservation, and $70,000 for Habitat for Humanity to complete an affordable housing unit on Strand Avenue. The Gilmore land acquisition will retire two cranberry bogs to improve water quality for Island Pond, Bartlett Brook, and Whitehorse Beach while providing public access for recreation.
The most spirited CPC debate centered on Article 21’s $644,000 request to rehabilitate the historic Training Green. Kenneth Stone of Precinct 16 moved to reduce the appropriation by $220,000, arguing that irrigation and interior lighting were unnecessary, environmentally wasteful, and contrary to Frederick Law Olmsted’s 1890 design that never included internal lighting. Michelle Christensen of Precinct 9 supported the amendment from an engineering perspective, noting that drought-tolerant grasses and ambient street lighting would be sufficient for a memorial space not intended for nighttime use.
Opponents emphasized the Training Green’s significance as the final stop of the Memorial Day parade and argued that proper lighting enhances public safety. Town Manager Brindisi questioned whether town meeting was making a policy decision against lighting in all parks, noting Stevens Field received $5.5 million with lighting included. Stephen Lydon of Precinct 17, representing the Visitor Service Board, pointed out the green will attract tourists and noted the board contributed $100,000 toward the project. After lengthy debate, Stone’s amendment passed 74-66 in a close vote, with the amended main motion then carrying 134-3.
Town meeting also approved important governance changes. Article 10 recodified and standardized the town’s general bylaws, though not before Donna Curtin of Precinct 3 successfully amended six sections to preserve equal committee term rotations, maintain broader membership thresholds, and protect historical language. Article 6 authorized special legislation to create a land acquisition fund using Chapter 61 rollback taxes—revenue generated when land leaves forestry, agricultural, or recreational designation. Select Board member Kevin Canty explained the fund would capture unpredictable rollback revenues (averaging $83,565 annually since 2009) for future open space and municipal land needs as Plymouth approaches buildout.
In rapid succession near the end of the session, members approved $36,000 for a Little Red Schoolhouse conditions study, $90,000 for a Memorial Hall historic structure report, $35,000 to digitize town records from 1783-1866, and rescinded $100,000 in unused borrowing authority from the completed Spire Center project. They also voted to move the 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting from April 4 (a holiday weekend) to April 11 to ensure adequate attendance.
The only significant funding reduction came when town meeting rejected Robert Zupperoli’s motion to cut $200,000 from the Visitor’s Center addition project. Despite concerns about the $378,518 price tag for what amounts to a 16-foot addition without confirmed state grant funding, members accepted arguments from Facilities Director Carl Anderson and Building Committee member David Peck that the project was prudently budgeted with contingencies and would address long-overdue ADA compliance issues. The full appropriation passed 119-23.
Technical articles addressing water infrastructure, easements, and regulatory compliance passed with minimal debate. These included $400,000 for Title V septic system repairs, a multifamily overlay district zoning amendment, acceptance of culvert easements for the Morton Park/Town Brook project, utility easements for Eversource at Jenney Pond, and acceptance of the assessor certification stipend statute. Article 11 established a new Plymouth Historical Commission by accepting General Laws Chapter 40, Section 8D.
The meeting demonstrated the continuing effectiveness of Plymouth’s hybrid format, with 19 town meeting members participating remotely via Zoom while the majority attended in person. Assistant Town Moderator Nicole Manfredi managed the technical aspects, though she cautioned members about inadvertently pressing buttons on their electronic voting devices. The V-Voter platform allowed town meeting to conduct 130 roll call votes over the 6.5-hour session, with participation rates consistently above 85% of the 162-member body.
Why It Matters
The decision to expand in-house legal capacity represents a fundamental shift in how Plymouth manages labor relations and legal affairs. While the immediate cost is $115,000 for half a fiscal year, the long-term implications include annual expenses exceeding $250,000 for permanent positions that cannot easily be eliminated during the widely anticipated fiscal challenges ahead. Residents will see whether this investment delivers the promised savings and efficiency gains—or whether it represents the kind of structural spending increase that will make navigating future budget constraints more difficult.
The approval of the Chapter 61 land acquisition fund creates a new tool for preserving open space and acquiring municipal land as development pressure intensifies. However, with revenues averaging only $83,565 annually based on historical data, the fund alone cannot address major acquisitions like Atlantic Country Club (which would have generated $127,024 in rollback taxes) or the 1,530-acre Holtec property. The fund’s success will depend on whether Chapter 61 withdrawals accelerate as Plymouth approaches buildout and whether town meeting demonstrates the discipline to reserve these funds for strategic acquisitions rather than immediate spending pressures.
For airport neighbors, the runway reconstruction approval means $9.2 million in mostly federal funding will rebuild aging infrastructure, but concerns about transparency and future expansion remain unresolved. The decision establishes that airport commission assurances—rather than written FAA documentation—are sufficient to justify major capital projects, a precedent that may influence future debates about airport development.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Conduct Fall Annual Town Meeting as hybrid remote/in-person session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 129-2. (Watch)
Motion: Schedule adjourned session for Monday, October 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM if needed. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 136-1-1. (Watch)
Motion: Move Article 26 before Article 4 in the warrant order. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 105-32-2 (two-thirds required). (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report A - $186,900 supplemental appropriation including labor attorney and paralegal. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 108-34-1. (Watch)
Motion: Amend Article 1, Report A to reduce by $50,000. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: 39-103. (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report B - $22,371 supplemental appropriation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 139-3. (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report C - $174,679 supplemental appropriation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 142-0. (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report D - $157,305 supplemental appropriation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 138-1-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report E - $75,000 from free cash for earth removal consultant. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 134-12-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 1, Subcommittee Report F - $1,515,103 supplemental appropriation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 140-2-3. (Watch)
Motion: Appeal moderator’s ruling on Article 26. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: 93-50-2 (two-thirds required). (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A1 - $713,603 for hydro excavator. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 133-1 (two-thirds). (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A3 - $32,715 for coastal resiliency pilot. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 132-6-2. (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A5 - $460,000 for runway reconstruction. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 93-50-2. (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A6 - $59,000 for gate 3 taxi lane reconstruction. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 130-9-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A8 - $144,440 for fire department overhead doors. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 141-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 4, Item A9 - $378,518 for visitor’s center addition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 119-23. (Watch)
Motion: Amend Article 4, Item A9 to reduce by $200,000. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: 41-102. (Watch)
Motion: Article 5 - Reschedule 2026 Spring Town Meeting to April 11. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 142-0. (Watch)
Motion: Article 6 - Authorize Chapter 61 land acquisition fund legislation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 123-17-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 7 - Accept culvert easements for Morton Park/Town Brook. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 83-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 8 - Grant Eversource easement at Spring Lane/Jenny Pond. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 117-0. (Watch)
Motion: Article 9 - Accept assessor certification stipend statute. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 127-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 10 - Bylaw recodification as amended. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 136-0. (Watch)
Motion: Article 11 - Establish Historical Commission. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 124-10-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 13 - $400,000 borrowing for Title V septic repairs. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 137-1 (two-thirds). (Watch)
Motion: Article 14 - Multifamily overlay district zoning amendment. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 131-5-2 (two-thirds). (Watch)
Motion: Article 16 (CPC) - $900,000 for Dark Orchard All-Person Trail. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 137-3 (two-thirds). (Watch)
Motion: Article 17 (CPC) - $729,291 for Gilmore land acquisition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 137-2 (two-thirds). (Watch)
Motion: Article 18 (CPC) - $70,000 for Habitat for Humanity affordable housing. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 138-1-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 19 (CPC) - $36,000 for Little Red Schoolhouse study. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 132-4-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 20 (CPC) - $90,000 for Memorial Hall historic structure report. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 125-10-3. (Watch)
Motion: Article 21 (CPC) - $644,000 for Training Green rehabilitation. Outcome: Approved as amended. Vote: 134-3-1. (Watch)
Motion: Amend Article 21 to reduce by $220,000 (remove irrigation/lighting). Outcome: Approved. Vote: 74-66. (Watch)
Motion: Reconsider Article 21 and restore $220,000 from free cash. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: 31-105-1. (Watch)
Motion: Article 22 (CPC) - Rescind $100,000 unused Spire Center borrowing. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 131-0. (Watch)
Motion: Article 23 (CPC) - $35,000 for historic town records transcription. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 138-0. (Watch)
Motion: Dissolve Fall Annual Town Meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 137-0. (Watch)
Public Comment
The Fall Annual Town Meeting operated under representative town meeting rules where elected members debate and vote on warrant articles. Public comment occurred through town meeting members representing their precincts’ constituents. Notable participation included residents from Precinct 10 expressing concerns about airport transparency, Cedarville residents advocating for the Little Red Schoolhouse preservation, and neighbors of the Training Green debating the merits of irrigation and lighting improvements. Multiple speakers referenced constituent feedback and neighborhood discussions that informed their positions on various articles.
What’s Next
The supplemental budget amendments take effect immediately, with hiring processes beginning for the labor attorney and paralegal positions. The Planning Board will establish a committee to study earth removal regulations using the appropriated $75,000 consultant funding. Airport runway reconstruction and taxi lane projects will proceed pending final FAA coordination and procurement processes. The Chapter 61 land acquisition fund requires state legislative approval before implementation. Community Preservation Committee projects will advance to design and procurement phases, with the Dark Orchard trail, Gilmore land acquisition, and Training Green rehabilitation expected to begin in 2026. The Historical Commission will be formally established under General Laws Chapter 40, Section 8D. The 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2026.
Full meeting available via The Local Scene on Comcast Channel 9, Verizon Channel 47, and streaming at YouTube.