Plymouth: Candidates for Board of Selectmen debate trash and transparency

Plymouth town meeting slashed the solid waste budget by $3.6 million due to confusion over implementing a curbside pickup or pay-as-you-throw trash disposal. Thursday night during a League of Women Voters hosted Candidates Night, and selectman candidates agreed trash disposal is a passionate issue that needs a resolution.

Ken Tavares, a former 17-year Plymouth Selectman, believes residents weren’t given enough clear information about changing to curbside pickup, “Some areas of town it’s a slam dunk, others it becomes a big, big problem. I think that eventually what we’re going to see is a combination something with transfer stations. I’d like to think we’re almost there but we’re not.”

However, Dick Quintal, who was bested in last year’s Selectman’s race, disagreed with Tavares stating a vote is overdue, “I believe it’s time we get the information, put the numbers on a ballot, and let the people in the community decide what they want.”

Tavares also noted Plymouth needs more transparency, especially after a decision by current Selectmen to ‘take no action’ on the town’s budget, “I think it was a very, very poor choice and it was one of the main reasons why at the last minute I decided that I wanted to seek reelection back to the Board.”

The other three candidates also called for more transparency but stated the resignation by Plymouth’s Town Manager this past Tuesday may have resulted from budget disagreements with Selectmen.

John Moody and Robert Morgan are also running for the one open Selectman’s seat.

Plymouth’s annual town election is Saturday May 12^th.

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