In Plymouth, the Select Board issued a new policy last November that when the warrant closes the second week of December—all language and supporting documents must be presented in the lead up to spring Annual Town Meeting. The Community Preservation Committee, or CPC, presented those materials on the 22nd—one day late.
Community Chairman Bill Keohan explains the articles in question:
“They are land acquisitions, there are some accounts set-asides—they are basically administrative articles other than the land acquisition.”
So in light of the CPC being a day late in presenting their articles, the Select Board placed an item on their agenda of January 10th, calling for a vote as to whether or not to grant an exception to the new ruling. In a 3 to 2 vote it was denied, with Selectmen Betty Cavacco, Harry Helm and Dick Quintal voting no and Selectmen Charlie Bletzer and John Mahoney voting yes.
But, in spite of that vote, Keohan says, he’s happy to comply with the new policy… “…because this policy that they’ve enacted is greater than the CPA. This is about transparency and accountability. This is about seeing a warrant five weeks before the first committee votes on it. So the public would benefit for this new policy. So I commend the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen on their new policy.”
Town Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 1st at Plymouth North High School.
