The disposal of town-owned property took center stage as Select Board member William Keohan voiced sharp opposition to the final execution of the purchase and sale agreement for the Sims House. Located at 29 Manomet Point Road, the property is slated for sale at a price of $40,000, a figure Keohan argued is a fraction of its true worth. I'm completely opposed to giving a building away for pennies on the dollar, Keohan said, suggesting the town should have pursued a long-term lease similar to the models used for the Spire Theater or the Center for the Arts. The building is worth much more than $40,000. This is not how you treat taxpayers' money... It feels like it's out of spite.

The sale drew similar criticism from the public gallery. One resident expressed disbelief at the transaction, telling the board, I just heard... this board is selling the Sims House for $40,000? My car cost more than that. We need an investigation. Despite the pushback, the board moved to finalize the deal. Motion Made by D. Iaquinto to approve and execute a purchase and sale agreement for the property at 29 Manomet Point Road known as the Sims House. Motion Passed (3-1), with Keohan casting the lone dissenting vote and Member Richard Quintal absent due to a family bereavement.

The board also navigated a significant request for conservation funding as the Buzzards Bay Coalition sought $750,000 from the Plymouth Community Preservation Committee. Brendan Annette, Vice President of Watershed Protection for the coalition, detailed a massive 400-acre acquisition of the Man Property, a former cranberry farm. Annette explained that the project aims to restore natural wetlands and protect the Agawam River, stating, The driver for the acquisition... was the potential to restore the natural resource values in the Agawam River. Director of Energy and Environment David Gould noted that the coalition had successfully secured federal NOAA grants to support the broader restoration effort. Keohan, despite his earlier frustrations over the Sims House, praised this initiative. Congratulations to you... the water qualities you've been working to protect for many years is all coming to fruition, he said.

A decision on another major land parcel, the 130-acre Landers Farm, was delayed as Chair Kevin Canty announced the board would remove the item from the agenda for further review. Resident Katherine Harelson urged the board to exercise its right of first refusal under Chapter 61A to prevent unrestricted development on the sensitive Pine Barrens eco-region. These parcels represent extraordinary open space... the best way for the town to retain control of the future of these parcels is to exercise its right, Harelson argued. Residents reminded Vice Chair David Golden and Chair Canty of previous commitments to land preservation, urging them not to waive the town's rights to the property.

Conservation capacity emerged as a looming administrative crisis. Walter Morrison, Acting Chair of the Conservation Commission, warned the board that vacancies are threatening the commission's ability to function. Morrison noted that the body is down to six members and faces strict 21-day legal windows to render decisions on wetland permits. We can't afford to miss meetings, Morrison said, adding that under state law, applications are automatically approved if the commission fails to act in time. Member Deborah Iaquinto agreed the process must be fast-tracked. I think we should accelerate that process... showing that we are very serious about our commitment, she said. Golden suggested the town should consider appointing alternates to ensure quorums are met, noting the need for an onboarding process and mandatory training.

Town Manager Derek Brindisi provided updates on infrastructure and upcoming community events, noting that Hollywood's coming back to Plymouth with a movie filming scheduled downtown on June 16. Brindisi also announced a $15,000 grant for municipal cyber security training, an investment Golden called vital. I'm encouraged that we're making progress on cyber security... anything we can do to move the needle on that is important, Golden remarked. In more routine business, the board authorized several licensing requests for the coming season. Motion Made by D. Iaquinto to approve a group of licenses including outdoor amplified music, one-day malt/wine, and farmer brewery sales. Motion Passed (4-0).

As the meeting neared conclusion, Member Keohan raised a historical concern regarding the naming of a local roadway. He noted that a street in the industrial park, originally named Christa McAuliffe Way in honor of the Challenger astronaut, appears to have been renamed Commerce Way. I noticed the sign was gone... I want to ask staff if they could look into where that naming of that street has gone, Keohan said. Chair Canty closed the session by observing a moment of silence for longtime volunteer Charlie Vanini, the Mayor of North Plymouth, and Judith Quintal, mother of Member Richard Quintal.