Plymouth’s Advisory and Finance Committee met in the Great Hall to navigate a series of high-stakes financial articles, headlined by a debate over the town's $23.4 million free cash surplus. Director of Finance Lynn Barrett opened the discussion on Article 13, proposing a $5 million transfer into the Facility Capital Stabilization Fund to maintain 32 town buildings. Barrett explained that the town manager and I talked... we thought it was a very good idea, a prudent idea to put $5 million away into this facility capital maintenance stabilization fund for future repairs. However, the proposal faced pushback from members seeking more immediate taxpayer relief. Mr. Malagudi questioned the lack of a specific spending plan, asking, Why we would be constantly putting it in there instead of using it for the actual needs that we're seeing firsthand? Supporting a failed attempt to reduce the transfer to $3 million, Mr. Snyder noted, I'm just looking here to see what we can do to help our taxpayers because the bills are getting out of hand.

The committee remained split on the town's long-term saving strategy. Miss Tomkins argued it was vital to reserve this for the future uses I think that is you know some long-term and midterm planning that is important to the fiscal health of our town. Seeking to understand the financial mechanics, Mr. Freriedman asked, Is there any additional benefit having it in a stabilization fund versus having it in free cash? while Mr. Veky reminded the committee that anything we can do to reduce the tax levy and alleviate, especially for our seniors, I think we should definitely do our due diligence. During the final tally for the $5 million transfer, Mr. Dunn was recorded stating Yes to approve the measure, joining Miss Butler, who had confirmed her presence earlier by answering here to the roll call. Motion Made by Miss Richards to approve article 13 as presented. Motion Passed 9-3-2

Debate grew more complex during Article 14, a $500,000 request for the Nuclear Mitigation Stabilization Fund intended to help the town eventually purchase 1,530 acres of Holtech land. Select Board member Kevin Canty described the move as a strategic defense against overdevelopment, stating, This is an effort to try and stop a significant fire from starting in the first place and to get control of our destiny. Ms. Okconor expressed concern over the fund's narrowed singular purpose, while Ms. Writman questioned the balance of remaining cash, asking where is the number 1.5 million for the remainder came from? Despite the friction, Mr. Ramy supported the fund because it's become kind of clear to me that these are just kind of higher interest savings accounts. Mr. Justinto agreed, noting the fund would generate more interest with a higher interest account than it would be just sitting in free cash. From the virtual gallery, Mr. Trudell remarked, seems to me we can always find a reason not to put money aside. Motion Made by Miss Butler to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $500,000 to the nuclear stabilization fund as authorized by Mass General Laws chapter 40 section 5B. Motion Passed 8-6-0

The committee also approved Article 20, a $1.3 million allocation for the Plymouth Promotion Fund. Planning Director Lauren Lind explained the fund authorizes the town of Plymouth to dedicate a defined portion of its local room occupancy tax to a special Plymouth promotions fund to bolster tourism. Additionally, the committee acted to save $500,000 in interest by paying off a fire truck in cash. Miss Keating voiced her support for procedural clarity by stating Yes during the unanimous votes for the final warrant articles. Motion Made by Miss Richards to transfer $1,336,320 into the promotion fund for the visitor services board. Motion Passed 14-0-0 The meeting was adjourned at 9:15