Select Board — June 2, 2026

Attorney Dennis Quilty represented the applicant, explaining that the licenses are being transferred from Sodexo Live to Gourmet Caterers, Inc. as the new concessionaire. The premises include the Gainsborough Room, Patuxet Room, Gallery Room, various theaters, and the Peabody Pavilion.

All three license transfer applications were approved by the board.

The board approved items 1-4 and 5-8. Item 5-8 concerned the appointment of weighers for the Department of Weights and Measures from T.L. Edwards staff. Item 9 involved a reappointment to the Board of Registrars, which was contested due to procedural issues regarding the submission of lists from local political committees and the need for an interview process.

Administrative items 1-8 were approved; the reappointment for the Board of Registrars was postponed.

The Board will contact the appropriate parties to place the Board of Registrars appointment on a future agenda for interviews.

Speakers urged the town to exercise its right of first refusal to conserve the Landers Farm parcels, citing ecological value and water protection. Concerns were raised regarding transparency, potential conflicts of interest among board members, and the impact of development on the Cedarville area. Some residents requested a delay in voting to allow for more community input.

The Board clarified that no vote was taken during the executive session and the matter would be continued.

The Board will continue the discussion regarding the Landers Farm property at the next Tuesday meeting.

Based on a Raftelis study, the DPW recommended a 9% increase in water volumetric and fixed rates, a 5% increase in sewer volumetric and fixed rates, and a roughly 4.2% increase for septage/sludge. No increase was recommended for solid waste. Board members reviewed a five-year plan involving rate increases to fund capital improvements and debt service, questioned the impact on residents, discussed self-sustaining enterprise funds, and suggested water conservation programs. The discussion on solid waste focused on estimated revenues from transfer station fees, recycling, and interest, with suggestions to incentivize recycling.

The board approved the recommended water and sewer rate increases; no formal decision was made regarding solid waste fee changes.

The proposal included no fee for town events, cost recovery for nonprofits, $25/hour for private meetings, and $500/day for commercial filming. The board debated charging local nonprofits and non-Plymouth schools for custodial and security costs, discussed the zero balance of the revolving fund, impact on weddings, and compliance with state law. A compromise was proposed to exempt small weddings from certain fees.

The board approved the fee structure for Tiers 3 and 4, with an amendment to exempt weddings with 19 or fewer attendees from additional fees.

The Town Clerk proposed increases for certified copies, business certificates, raffle permits, underground storage registration, and claiming permits, estimating $60,000 in new revenue. Discussion arose regarding the ethics of increasing death certificate fees for grieving residents, though it was noted that many requests come from funeral homes for estate purposes.

The board approved the fee increases as presented.

a speaker proposed a three-tiered system: keeping some appointments direct, delegating others to staff for evaluation, and using an Appointment Advisory Committee for others. Concerns were raised about 'abdicating' responsibility to unelected officials and the potential for 'rubber stamping' recommendations. Members also discussed the impact on staff overtime and the need for a more efficient schedule.

The board approved establishing an additional meeting (ideally one Thursday per month) to handle appointments and other non-substantive or time-sensitive administrative matters.

The board will observe the new appointment process for a few months and then revisit the decision.

The Town Manager reported that the Town Wharf Way sidewalk project is 95% complete. He also discussed the $1.3 million Infiltration and Inflow (INI) program for sewer maintenance, the receipt of a $250,000 MassDOT grant for a new grader, and upcoming work at Spooner Alley and Memorial Hall. A board member raised concerns regarding construction timing near a Center for the Arts fundraiser in Le Baron Alley. Updates were also provided on the Shallow Pond Estates road grant pursuit.

The Town Manager agreed to coordinate with the DPW to potentially delay Le Baron Alley work to avoid disturbing the Center for the Arts event. The Town is actively working with a grant writer to secure local funding for Shallow Pond Estates roads.

DPW to provide updates on Spooner Alley and Le Baron Alley project starts; Town Meeting to address the grader subsidy.

The proposal includes fees of $100 for a first reinspection, $250 for a second, and $1,000 for a third, along with mandatory Board of Health appearances. Supporters argued this shifts the cost from taxpayers to the businesses responsible for the violations, while some members expressed concern regarding the high cost of the third tier.

The motion to approve the reinspection fees was approved.

The speaker highlighted that CAL volunteers contributed 33,000 hours of service over the past year, valued at $1 million. He also promoted the literacy program graduation scheduled for June 22nd.

The board acknowledged the recognition of the CAL director and volunteers.

Literacy program graduation on June 22nd from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library.

While the Town has not yet established a formal policy for accepting private roads as public ways, the Town Manager noted they are pursuing a grant to potentially bring 50 roads in Shallow Pond Estates up to town standards with mill and overlay and sidewalk improvements.

The Town is actively working with a grant writer to secure local funding for these residents.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 27th, in Town Square near the 1749 courthouse. The ceremony involves flag raising, speeches, and coordination with the Wampanoag Great Herring Pond Tribe regarding a potential land acknowledgement.

A draft version of the event sequence will be shared with the board.

Draft version of the sequence of events to be provided to the board within a week.

The department proposed a $50 fee for Certificates of Appropriateness and a $100 fee for demolition delays. Several board members opposed the plan, arguing that the fees are a burden on local businesses and that any revenue collected should be placed in a dedicated revolving fund for the Commission rather than the general fund.

The board approved a flat $100 fee for demolition delays but rejected the proposed Certificate of Appropriateness fee.

The Certificate of Appropriateness fee will be revisited when a warrant article for a revolving fund is presented.

A board member requested a follow-up on the five-year forecast with different scenarios. The Chair confirmed that monthly financial presentations will begin in August (covering July) and will include high-level 'headlines' and indicators like red/green flags.

The detailed forecast presentation was moved to the June 30th meeting to allow the Finance Director more time.

Finance Director to present the year-in-review and updated forecast on June 30th; monthly reports to begin in August.

The Town Manager and the Chair met with staff to advance the project of developing a code of civil conduct.

Progress is being made, and a proposal should be ready for the board soon.

Presentation of the code to the board within the next month.