In Plymouth the Chair of the Plymouth Select Board, Dick Quintal, is out of town on a family matter. So he was not present at the Board meeting this week on April 30th. However, he chaired the meeting the week before on the 23rd,–in which it was reported by Town Manager Derek Brindisi that Article 16B, calling for $960,000 in Community Preservation funds for the construction of 6 affordable housing units at 132 Court Street, which was approved by a wide margin at the April 8th Town Meeting—would have to be presented again at fall Town Meeting. This…because both CPC Chair Bill Keohan and Planning Director Lee Hartmann incorrectly told Town Meeting members that the state would credit the town with 40 units of affordable housing instead of the 10 the state will actually allow. This caused a heated discussion by Select Board members, some calling for Keohan to be called to account, perhaps in an executive session. But, following the meeting Chairman Quintal told the Town Manager that would not happen.
WATD’s Bobbi Clark has more…
Selectman Chairman Dick Quintal:
“I informed the Town Manager that I will not be entertaining any executive session or any public session against Mr. Keohan for his mistake at Town Meeting.”
But at Town Meeting Bill Keohan, a volunteer of over 20 years of service did indeed present Article 16B as one that would allow the town to get credit for 40 affordable units. However, Director of Planning Lee Hartmann, a salaried town official, backed up that statement:
“There was more than just Bill Keohan making a mistake on the units. A lot of eyes looked at that paper-work, in the process of anything that goes to Town Meeting, counsel, Director of Planning. Bill was not the only one to make a mistake.”
Keohan apologized for that mistake both to the Community Preservation Committee and Town Meeting, and that was at the CPC meeting on April 25th, however, if he chooses to apply, his appointment comes up for consideration on June 2nd.
“Basically, if Bill isn’t reappointed, or doesn’t choose to be appointed, then, who does take Bill’s place? Who is going to take that responsibility and have the know-how?
In Plymouth, Bobbi Clark, WATD News.
