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Select Board — April 28, 2026

While much of the meeting was routine, the presence of specific dissent regarding roadwork and passionate public comment regarding school department theft increased the tension.

Date Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Duration 3.0h Speakers 1 Public comments 2 Decisions 4 Lively

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Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.

Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At the April 28 Select Board meeting, several decisions were made that will directly impact the budgets and daily lives of Plymouth residents.

Regarding infrastructure, the Board voted to proceed with a $2 million roadway program focused on chip sealing 15 miles of roads. While the DPW highlighted that this is more cost-effective than 'mill and overlay' methods, the decision was met with dissent. One board member opposed the motion, citing specific complaints from residents regarding the roadway program.

There is also a major question looming over how the town handles solid waste. The Board is currently weighing four different models for trash and recycling services—ranging from our current transfer station system to a full municipal curbside collection model. This shift could result in significant changes to how residents access services and how much they pay. For now, the DPW has been directed to focus on improving the current transfer station model.

Finally, the meeting highlighted growing community frustration regarding oversight in the school department. Following reports of food and equipment theft by an employee, a resident urged the Board to contact the US Attorney to ensure adequate legal accountability. While the Board heard the testimony, no formal response or policy change was announced.

Apr 28, 2026 3.0h long 1 speakers 2 public comments 4 decisions Lively
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“If the board feels... that a prison sentence of between four and 10 months is inadequate, then the board should immediately write to United States Attorney Leah Foley.”

— Mr. Ceri · Commenting on the plea agreement for a school department employee involved in theft. 1:59:53

“Utilizing our average construction cost per mile, the proposed 15 miles of chip seal will cost approximately $2 million. For comparison... we would be able to complete about five miles of mill and overlay.”

— Rick Bossy · Explaining the cost-effectiveness of the chip seal program compared to other paving methods. 2:05:14

“I would probably most likely recommend number three [focus on the current transfer station].”

— James Downey · Recommending a course of action for the town's trash and recycling services. 2:33:19

“I have decided that I will not accept the nomination for chairmanship next month should the opportunity arise.”

— Speaker A (Mr. Cohen) · Announcing his decision to step down from the Chair position to allow for a seamless transition after the November election. 3:00:48

“Be very careful with the scale that she is [holding] and be careful with the sword.”

— Speaker A (Mr. Cohen) · Advising staff during the removal of the Lady Justice statue because the scale is a historical component from the previous statue. 2:56:23
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Approximately $2 million investment in 15 miles of chip seal treatment.

What was discussed

Potential shift from transfer station model to municipal curbside collection, affecting how all residents pay for and access waste/recycling services.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The Chair declared executive sessions for real property negotiations regarding 29 Manat Point Road and Landers Farm Road, and for litigation strategy regarding the Plymouth Airport Commission.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Chad Hunter
What was discussed

The Harbor Master presented four aquaculture license items, including renewals for Cassie Goslin, an amendment for Connor Doyle, and nursery site upwellers for Bill Morani and Doug Bartlett.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Kenny Samkin
What was discussed

The board reviewed four outdoor amplified music licenses and two one-day wine and malt licenses.

Speakers: Mr. Ceri
What was discussed

A resident, Mr. Ceri, spoke regarding the theft of food and equipment from the school department by an employee, questioning audit procedures and suggesting the board contact the US Attorney.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Bill Coyle, Rick Bossy, James Downey
What was discussed

The DPW presented the pavement management plan, focusing on a tiered approach of chip seal, mill and overlay, and reclamation to improve the Roadway Surface Rating (RSR).

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, James Downey, Miss Aquinto, Mr. Cohen, Ever Maligudi, Speaker A (Malagoodi), Speaker A (Unnamed Board Member)
What was discussed

The DPW presented four options for future solid waste and recycling services, ranging from maintaining the current transfer station model to implementing a new municipal curbside collection. Discussion included the economic and environmental benefits of local recycling and the need for improved outreach and transfer station management.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Mr. Bissy
What was discussed

The Town Manager provided an update on the Water Street sewer project, noting the completion of the section south of Memorial Drive.

Speakers: Speaker A (Town Manager)
What was discussed

Updates on the Water Street sewer project nearing completion, upcoming sidewalk installation on Town Wolf Way, and harbor improvements.

Speakers: Speaker A (Town Manager)
What was discussed

Updates on ARISE grant applications for opioid mitigation and the development of a five-year community health improvement plan.

Speakers: Speaker A (Town Manager)
What was discussed

Removal of the Lady Justice statue due to disrepair, plans to hire a part-time conservation agent, and the upcoming Hometown Cleanup.

Speakers: Speaker A (Town Manager)
What was discussed

Report on mail-in ballot processing, the May 11th application deadline, and the start of early voting on May 7th.

Speakers: Speaker A (Mr. Cohen)
What was discussed

The current Board Chair announced he will not seek re-nomination for the chairmanship to ensure leadership stability following the upcoming election.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

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

Potentially controversial issues

01

School Food Theft & Legal Accountability

A resident raised significant concerns regarding theft within the school department, questioning current audit procedures and advocating for federal intervention to ensure adequate punishment.
Board position: The board heard the testimony, but no formal board action/stance was recorded in the summary provided regarding the suggestion to contact the US Attorney.
medium concern
02

2026 Roadway Program (Chip Seal vs. Mill and Overlay)

The choice of pavement maintenance methods involves balancing cost-effectiveness against quality and resident satisfaction. A board member opposed the chip seal list due to specific resident complaints.
Board position: The board decided to proceed with the chip seal list as presented by the DPW.
Internal dissent
One unnamed board member opposed the motion due to resident complaints regarding the roadway work.
medium concern
03

Solid Waste and Recycling Services Model

The town is weighing four different models for trash and recycling, ranging from the current transfer station model to full municipal curbside collection. This involves significant debate over economic benefits, environmental impact, and management efficiency.
Board position: The board directed the DPW to develop ideas and proposals specifically for improving the transfer station (Option 3).
medium concern

Split votes

Instruction to DPW to proceed with the chip seal list
Passed (with dissent)

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
2
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Chad Hunter
1:50:28
Addressed
The Harbor Master presented four aquaculture license applications for approval. He recommended approval for Cassie and Bob Goslin, proposed amending Connor Doyle's existing license to move to a larger site, and recommended nursery upweller licenses for Bill Morani and Doug Bartlett. Key concern
Approval of various aquaculture licenses and a request to amend an existing license for Connor Doyle rather than issuing a new one.
Board response
The board discussed the items and moved to approve all four aquaculture licenses as presented.
The board held a motion and a vote to approve all the licenses presented by the Harbor Master.
Kenny Samkin
1:55:00
Addressed
As the owner of Second Wind Brewing Company, he addressed concerns regarding a request for amplified music. He explained that the music would take place in the lot in front of the brewery and would wind down by dark, typically occurring between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Key concern
Clarifying the location and timing of amplified music for a brewery anniversary to mitigate neighbor concerns.
Board response
The board heard the clarification and proceeded to vote on the group of licenses, which included his request.
The board member's question regarding neighbor impact and location was answered by the speaker, and the board then moved to approve the licenses.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
1:53:51
Approval of aquaculture license items presented by the Harbor Master.
Approval of licenses for Cassie Goslin, Connor Doyle (amendment), Bill Morani, and Doug Bartlett.
Unanimous
1:54:16
Approval of outdoor amplified music and wine/malt licenses.
Approved as a group.
Unanimous
2:18:50
Instruction to DPW to proceed with the chip seal list.
The board voted to move forward with the chip seal list as presented, despite one member's opposition due to resident complaints.
Passed
3:01:20
Adjournment of the open meeting.
Motion made by Mr. Ky and seconded by Ms. Aquino to adjourn the open session.
Approved

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Split vote/decision prioritizing cost-effectiveness over resident complaints
At the 4/28 Select Board meeting, the board voted to move forward with a $2M chip seal program for 15 miles of roads. Despite one member opposing the move due to specific resident complaints, the DPW was instructed to proceed. #PlymouthMA... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/plymouth/select-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch
317/280 chars
Community concerns regarding school department theft and oversight
Plymouth residents are calling for more accountability in the school department following reports of food and equipment theft. During the 4/28 meeting, a resident urged the Board to contact the US Attorney to ensure justice is... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/plymouth/select-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch #PlymouthMA
317/280 chars
Significant potential change to resident service models and fees
How should Plymouth handle trash and recycling? The Select Board is weighing four models, including a shift to municipal curbside collection. The DPW is now tasked with finding ways to improve the current transfer station model... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/plymouth/select-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch
306/280 chars

X thread

1
What is the future of Plymouth's roads and waste management? The April 28 Select Board meeting revealed significant decisions and growing tensions regarding how your tax dollars are spent. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #PlymouthMA
216/280
2
First: Roadwork. The Board approved a $2M chip seal program covering 15 miles. While DPW cited cost-effectiveness, the vote wasn't unanimous—one member opposed the plan specifically due to complaints from residents about the roadway work.
238/280
3
Second: Waste Management. The Town is considering a major shift in how we handle trash, from the current transfer station model to municipal curbside collection. This could fundamentally change how residents pay for and access these services.
242/280
4
Finally: School Oversight. A resident used public comment to demand more rigorous audits and federal involvement following theft within the school department. The Board heard the concerns, but no formal action was taken.
220/280
5
Stay informed on these decisions that affect your wallet and your community. #PlymouthMA #LocalGovernment https://meetingwatch.org/ma/plymouth/select-board/2026-04-28/
129/280

Facebook — long form

At the April 28 Select Board meeting, several decisions were made that will directly impact the budgets and daily lives of Plymouth residents.

Regarding infrastructure, the Board voted to proceed with a $2 million roadway program focused on chip sealing 15 miles of roads. While the DPW highlighted that this is more cost-effective than 'mill and overlay' methods, the decision was met with dissent. One board member opposed the motion, citing specific complaints from residents regarding the roadway program.

There is also a major question looming over how the town handles solid waste. The Board is currently weighing four different models for trash and recycling services—ranging from our current transfer station system to a full municipal curbside collection model. This shift could result in significant changes to how residents access services and how much they pay. For now, the DPW has been directed to focus on improving the current transfer station model.

Finally, the meeting highlighted growing community frustration regarding oversight in the school department. Following reports of food and equipment theft by an employee, a resident urged the Board to contact the US Attorney to ensure adequate legal accountability. While the Board heard the testimony, no formal response or policy change was announced. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/plymouth/select-board/2026-04-28/ #MeetingWatch #PlymouthMA

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Develop ideas and proposals for improving the transfer station (Option 3).
Assigned: DPW Team
Conduct a walkthrough for the final phase of the Water Street project.
Assigned: DPW/Contractor · Due: 2026-04-29
Provide ideas for improving the transfer station and recycling efforts.
Assigned: Town Staff/Management
Conduct a walkthrough of the final phase of the Water Street project.
Assigned: DPW and Engineering Staff · Due: 2026-04-29
Present final community health improvement plan to the board.
Assigned: Health and Human Services · Due: June 2026
Remove the Lady Justice statue from the 1820 courthouse.
Assigned: Parks Division · Due: 2026-05-01
Hire a part-time conservation agent.
Assigned: Conservation Commission · Due: Next week or so
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Report composed by gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-25.