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Select Board — March 17, 2026

Routine approvals dominated, but nuclear rejection and 3-1 funding splits plus ignored public comments introduced measurable dissent and tension.

Date Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Duration 2.9h Speakers 1 Public comments 2 Decisions 13 Mildly contentious
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

250th anniversary event funding articles

$100,000 total proposed allocation Affected: All taxpayers via free cash use
budget cut
02

Charter amendments shifting town meeting and election dates

Spring town meeting moved to May, election to June Affected: All residents participating in town meeting or elections
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approved amplified music permit
Motion by Ky, second by Iquinto
4-0 (Ky, Iquinto, Cohan, Chair)
Approved administrative notes items 1-5; removed item 6
Motion by Kanty, second by Iquinto
4-0
Appointed Barnaby Bosen K to Affordable Housing Trust (term ending June 2026)
Motion by Ky, second by Iquinto
Unanimous
Appointed George Washington Herz to Affordable Housing Trust (term ending 2027)
Included in same motion
Unanimous
Appointed Darlene Ford to Natural Resources Committee (Morton Park neighbor term ending June 2026)
Motion by Ky, second by Iquinto
Unanimous
Appointed Grace Dixon to Natural Resources Committee (citizen at large term ending 2028)
Board poll: all voted Dixon
5-0
Appointed Mike Lombard to Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation (term ending 2028)
Board poll
Unanimous
Name Route 80 cemetery Freedom Memorial Cemetery
Motion by Mr. Quintto, seconded by Miss Quinto; roll call: Mr. Kanty yes, Mr. Quintto yes, Mr. Cohen yes, Chair yes.
Unanimous approval
Approve phases one and two of e-bike education and communication plan
Motion by Mr. Ky, seconded by Mr. Cohen; roll call unanimous.
Unanimous approval
Submit $50k July 4th funding article to town meeting
Quintto motion, Cohen second; Kanty opposed.
Approved (3-1)
Submit $50k Thanksgiving funding article (with 250th focus) to town meeting
Quintto motion, Cohen second; Kanty opposed.
Approved (3-1)
Submit four charter/bylaw articles to change town meeting and election dates
Kanty motion, Cohen second.
Approved (unanimous)
Submit nuclear resolution article to town meeting
Quintto motion, Cohen second; all opposed.
Rejected (0-4)

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:00 Meeting Opening and Procedures

Board reconvened from executive session, led Pledge of Allegiance, noted recording by The Local Scene, and confirmed hybrid meeting format under 2025 COVID extension act.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 01:35 Amplified Music Permit

Board considered one amplified music permit license.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 02:00 Administrative Notes Update

Item 6 removed from agenda; motion to approve items 1-5.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 02:42 Public Comment: Budget and Volunteers

Mr. McKay spoke on town budgets, volunteer value at $42/hour, and use of volunteers to avoid overrides.

Speakers: Mr. McKay
▶ 07:15 Public Comment: Nuclear Energy Resolution

Mr. Dinardo requested insertion of non-binding resolution supporting nuclear energy initiative into town meeting warrant. Request to submit non-binding resolution on exploratory discussions for SMRs at Pilgrim site rejected by board due to need for broader community input and hearings.

Speakers: Mr. Dinardo, Speaker A (Donado via Quintto, Cohen, Kanty, Aquinto)
▶ 11:11 Affordable Housing Trust Appointments

Interviewed Barnaby Bosen K and George Washington Herz; both appointed to staggered terms.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Barnaby Bosen K, George Washington Herz
▶ 26:24 Natural Resources and Coastal Beaches Committee Appointments

Appointed Darlene Ford (Morton Park neighbor) and Grace Dixon (citizen at large); other applicants noted.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Darlene Ford, Grace Dixon
▶ 37:17 Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation Appointment

Interviewed three candidates; appointed Mike Lombard to term expiring 2028.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Mark Deldeld, Mike Lombard, Stanley Wman
▶ 48:18 Memorial Hall Facilities Update

DPW Director Bill Coyle reported on curtain drain, masonry sealing bid, boiler replacement, and historic preservation study. Board discussed prioritizing building envelope repairs (sealing, windows, roof) pending historic preservation study recommendations, while expressing caution about investing in a building whose long-term future is under review via business case study.

Speakers: Bill Coyle, Unidentified speaker, Board members
▶ 1:02:19 Cedarville roundabouts project status

Board requested near-term update on project progress; staff noted strong local support but funding competition and multi-year timeline to reach shovel-ready status.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Board members
▶ 1:04:36 Route 80 cemetery naming

Cemetery Commission recommended naming the new cemetery Freedom Memorial Cemetery to honor Revolutionary War veterans buried nearby; presentation covered selection process from ~20 options.

Speakers: Diane Maguire, Board members
▶ 1:09:01 Beach tree leaf disease (BLD) management

Update on nematode affecting beech trees in Chiltonville and Burial Hill cemeteries; discussed treatment options (phosphites, Arbotect 20S), costs, removal challenges, and need for formal assessment before deciding on treatment vs. removal.

Speakers: Nick Fiella, Chuck Bramhal, Diane Maguire, Board members
▶ 1:37:14 E-bike education and communication plan

Presentation of three-phase plan focused on signage for Seaside Trail, dedicated website, pamphlets, and partnerships; phase one (signage and website) ready for launch, aligned with state micromobility recommendations.

Speakers: Miss Quinto, Board members
▶ 1:54:01 250th anniversary celebration funding

Discussion of proposed $50k each for July 4th and Thanksgiving events via free cash to enhance existing celebrations; concerns raised about coordination with new 250th committee and current budget climate. Motion to allocate $50,000 from free cash to the July 4th Plymouth committee for fireworks and events tied to the 250th anniversary; sent to town meeting. Motion to allocate $50,000 from free cash to America's Hometown Thanksgiving celebration (with caveat to highlight 250th anniversary); sent to town meeting.

Speakers: Board members, Speaker A (Quintto, Cohen, Kanty, Aquinto)
▶ 2:15:40 Charter and Bylaw Amendments for Town Meeting/Election Dates

Proposals by Mr. Kanty to shift spring town meeting to May and election to June for better alignment with state aid figures and informed participation; four related articles approved for submission.

Speakers: Speaker A (Kanty, Cohen, Aquinto, Quintto)
▶ 2:31:18 Town Manager Updates and Other Business

Updates on yard waste drop-off, cemetery groundbreaking, GIS mapping progress, recreation programs, library phones; discussion of ZBA hearing conduct and reaffirmation of guiding principles.

Speakers: Speaker A (Bdissy, Cohen, Quintto, Kanty, Aquinto)

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Non-binding nuclear energy resolution at Pilgrim site

Mr. Dinardo sought warrant article to signal openness to SMRs for fiscal benefit; board rejected without hearings, citing need for broader input
Board position: Rejected submission; directed chair to explore separate community forum
medium concern
02

250th anniversary event funding ($100k total from free cash)

Proposed amid explicit fiscal pressures and levy concerns; one member argued funds should be reserved for capital needs
Board position: Approved sending both articles to town meeting
Internal dissent
Kanty opposed both motions
medium concern

Split votes

Submit $50k July 4th funding article to town meeting
3-1
Submit $50k Thanksgiving funding article to town meeting
3-1

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Be sworn in by town clerk
Assigned: Appointees · Due: Immediate
Bid masonry sealing project (north side primary, east side alternate) via revolving account
Assigned: DPW · Due: Spring 2026
Complete historic preservation study award by April; study due August
Assigned: DPW · Due: August 2026
Seek FINCOM reserve fund transfer for boiler replacement pending FEMA reimbursement
Assigned: Finance · Due: End of fiscal year
Provide update to Select Board on Cedarville roundabouts project status
Assigned: Staff (James Downey) · Due: Very near future
Conduct formal assessment of beech trees in Chiltonville and Burial Hill cemeteries to determine treatment vs. removal needs
Assigned: Nick Fiella and Chuck Bramhal · Due: Spring (prior to next update)
Submit approved articles (July 4th funding, Thanksgiving funding, date changes) to spring town meeting warrant
Assigned: Select Board · Due: Spring 2026 town meeting
Explore options for wider community engagement/forum on nuclear energy at Pilgrim site
Assigned: Chair (Aquinto)
Send guiding principles document to all committee members
Assigned: Executive assistant · Due: Post haste
Address damaged barriers and roof at 0 Spooner Street; consider stable alternatives
Assigned: Town staff (via Bdissy)

Notable ⁠statements

Towns undervalue volunteers; Massachusetts values volunteer hours at $42/hour and Plymouth should quantify and leverage them to avoid overrides. — Mr. McKay · Public comment on budgets ▶ 02:42
Requested non-binding warrant article supporting nuclear energy to signal openness and avoid past horse-track style conflicts. — Mr. Dinardo · Public comment on energy policy ▶ 07:15
Cautioned against further investment in Memorial Hall pending business case study outcome on long-term viability. — Miss Iquinto · Memorial Hall update discussion ▶ 59:53
Concern that continued investment in Memorial Hall may not align with long-term prospects pending business case study results. — Board member · Memorial Hall discussion ▶ 1:01:03
Support for accelerating Cedarville roundabouts project by applying pressure on consultants and state delegation, especially given Cape Cod bridges projects. — Board member · Roundabouts discussion ▶ 1:03:48
Six-year effort to address cemetery capacity needs, fulfilling legal responsibility to bury town residents. — Mr. Quintto · Cemetery naming discussion ▶ 1:07:31
Plan reflects resident feedback favoring education and communication over prohibition to promote responsible e-bike use. — Miss Quinto · E-bike plan discussion ▶ 1:51:27
Adding funding beyond maintained levels is not timely given fiscal pressures; free cash should be reserved for capital/projects. — Mr. Kanty · Opposing both event funding motions ▶ 2:00:20
Non-binding nuclear resolution requires public hearings and due diligence before board submission; petition process available instead. — Mr. Cohen · Explaining opposition to nuclear article ▶ 2:25:24
Residents voicing project concerns must be treated with dignity and respect; recent ZBA conduct fell below standards. — Mr. Kanty · Following ZBA hearing discussion ▶ 2:51:20

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
0
Addressed
0
Partial
2
Not addressed
Mr. McKay
▶ 02:40
Not addressed
Mr. McKay argued that town departments and the school system could reduce expenses further rather than passing costs to town meeting. He proposed that Plymouth should better utilize volunteers by assigning a monetary value to their hours (citing $42/hour in Massachusetts) to offset budget shortfalls and avoid future overrides. Key concern
Town should maximize use of volunteers to reduce expenses and avoid fiscal crisis/overrides
Board response
Moderator thanked him after time expired and moved to next speaker; no substantive discussion or action
Board offered no response or follow-up to the suggestion about valuing volunteer hours
Mr. Dinardo
▶ 07:06
Not addressed
Mr. Dinardo requested the board insert a non-binding resolution into the town meeting warrant regarding Governor Healey's new all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes nuclear. He argued this would signal Plymouth's openness to conversation on nuclear energy to address the town's fiscal needs. Key concern
Insert non-binding resolution on nuclear energy into town meeting warrant
Board response
Moderator thanked him after time expired and moved directly to the regular agenda; no discussion or vote taken
Board took no action on the request to insert the resolution
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Report composed by grok-4.3, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-27.