How the Plymouth Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Harry Helm joined the board in May 2021 and Richard Quintal Jr. became Chair. Shelagh Joyce resigned during the May 18, 2021 meeting; the seat was empty until Charlie Bletzer, elected in a special election, was sworn in on August 17, 2021. The town lists agendas but no minutes for 11 meetings in this term (June 14, 23 and 28; July 6 and 28; October 16 and 28; November 4, 2021; January 21 and 27, and April 2, 2022). Covers 45 meetings, May 18 to May 17, 2022.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
From the agendas Plymouth posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Plymouth, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.
Special Town Meeting · April 11, 2026 7 votes: 6 passed, 1 failed
Art. 1Appropriate $318,000 from sewer retained earnings to design wastewater plant HVAC systemsPassed“Motion carried · 146-3-0”
Art. 2Add $300,000 from free cash to the police station HVAC replacement projectPassed“Motion carried · 147-1-0”
Art. 3Appropriate $50,000 from free cash for July 4 Plymouth, Inc. (250th anniversary)Passed“Motion carried · 135-15-0”
Art. 4Appropriate $50,000 from free cash for America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration (250th anniversary)Passed“Motion carried · 135-17-1”
5-8Charter and bylaw changes (Articles 5-8, voted together) to move the town election and Spring Town Meeting later in the yearPassed“Motion carried · 117-37-0”
Art. 9Let the Select Board sign solar credit purchase contracts of up to 30 yearsPassed“Motion carried · 144-6-1”
Art. 10Citizen petition: special law ending the 2003 retiree health premium rule for employees hired after it takes effectFailed“Motion failed · 34-112-6”
Art. 29FY2027 Community Preservation budget, debt service and reserves: $1,322,806Passed“Motion carried · 146-0-0”
Art. 30Allow leases for private carport solar at Plymouth North High and South Middle School, with credit purchases up to 30 yearsPassed“Motion carried · 146-1-1”
Art. 34Let the Select Board sign payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreements with renewable energy facilities, up to 30 yearsPassed“Motion carried · 136-4-1”
Art. 35Accept M.G.L. c.33 §59 (paid military leave up to 40 days for employees)Passed“Motion carried · 139-4-3”
Art. 36Citizen petition: $28,492.32 from the tax levy for weed treatment at Billington SeaPassed“Motion carried · 145-0-0”
Art. 6Petition the Legislature for a land acquisition account funded by Chapter 61 rollback taxesPassed“Motion carried · 123-17-1”
Art. 7Accept culvert easements and take temporary/permanent easements at Morton Park Road for the Town Brook culvert projectPassed“Motion carried · 83-0-0”
Special Town Meeting · April 5, 2025 14 votes: 13 passed, 1 failed
Art. 1Pay prior-year water bills of $1,691.14 from the FY25 Water Enterprise budgetPassed“Motion Carried · 143-0-0”
Art. 2FY25 budget change: move $20,000 from debt service to Town Clerk expensesPassed“Motion Carried · 141-0-0”
3 A1-A2Appropriate $151,048 from the Environmental Affairs Fund for a vehicle and Black Cat Bog restoration engineeringPassed“Motion Carried · 132-8-2”
3 B1Borrow $6,738,500 for Jenney Pond dam repairs and bypass (Town Brook)Passed“Motion Carried · 145-0-0”
Art. 12Opt municipal buildings and town property out of the new state firearm 'prohibited areas' rule (Ch. 135, Acts of 2024)Failed“Motion Failed · 34-112-5”
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes from January 2021 through September 1, 2026, as posted on the town’s Agenda Center. Not here yet: earlier years, and meetings the town lists without posted minutes (several each year, and meetings after September 1, 2026). Three 2021–2022 minutes are scanned documents, which we read with text recognition. Most votes are recorded by roll call with each member’s name. In 2021 and 2022 many votes show only a count such as “Voted 5/0”; when the count equals the members present we show each member as voting yes, and when it does not (for example 4/0 with five members listed as present), we show the count only. Some appointments were made by each member naming a choice or by ballot; those show the result only, with a note quoting who chose whom as the minutes record it. Where the names in the minutes do not match the recorded count, name a member the minutes list as absent or as having left, or list a member twice, we show the count only and add a note. Votes by other boards at joint meetings (Planning Board, School Committee, Housing Authority) and votes taken as Water Commissioners are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
May 17Approve the recommendation of the Town Moderator to conduct…Motion: to approve the recommendation of the Town Moderator to conduct the…Passed 4–1 · No: Helm
May 17, 2022: Approve the recommendation of the Town Moderator to conduct the June 21, 2022 Special Town Meeting
ApprovePassed · 4–1
To approve the recommendation of the Town Moderator to conduct the June 21, 2022 Special Town Meeting
Yes: Bletzer, Cavacco, Flaherty, QuintalNo: Helm
From the minutes
“On a motion by Patrick Flaherty and seconded by Betty Cavacco, the Board voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Moderator to conduct the June 21, 2022 Special Town Meeting. Voted 4/1 Quintal-Yes, Cavacco-Yes, Flaherty-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Helm-No.” (Motion: Flaherty, second: Cavacco)
May 3Approve an Alteration of Premises for Stav Family Enterprise…Motion: to approve an Alteration of Premises for Stav Family Enterprise Inc…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Bletzer, Quintal
May 3, 2022: Approve an Alteration of Premises for Stav Family Enterprise Inc d/b/a Anna's Harborside
ApprovePassed · 3–0
To approve an Alteration of Premises for Stav Family Enterprise Inc d/b/a Anna's Harborside
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Harry helm, the Board voted to approve an Alteration of Premises for Stav Family Enterprise Inc d/b/a Anna's Harborside. Voted 3/2 Cavacco-Yes, Flaherty-Yes, Helm-Yes, Quintal-Abstain, Bletzer-Abstain.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Helm)
May 3Approve an Alteration of Premises for LJP Corporation d/b/a…Motion: to approve an Alteration of Premises for LJP Corporation d/b/a Martini's…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Quintal
May 3, 2022: Approve an Alteration of Premises for LJP Corporation d/b/a Martini's Bar and Grill
ApprovePassed · 4–0
To approve an Alteration of Premises for LJP Corporation d/b/a Martini's Bar and Grill
“On a motion by Charlie Bletzer and seconded by Betty Cavacco, the Board voted to approve an Alteration of Premises for LJP Corporation d/b/a Martini's Bar and Grill. Voted 4/1 Cavacco-Yes, Flaherty-Yes, Helm-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Quintal-Abstain.” (Motion: Bletzer, second: Cavacco)
Apr 26Set the price of $3,750,000 for the purchase of…Motion: to set the price of $3,750,000 for the purchase of 46…Passed 3–2 · No: Flaherty, Helm
April 26, 2022: Set the price of $3,750,000 for the purchase of 46 Sandwich Road from Rick Vayo
ApprovePassed · 3–2
To set the price of $3,750,000 for the purchase of 46 Sandwich Road from Rick Vayo
Yes: Bletzer, Cavacco, QuintalNo: Flaherty, Helm
From the minutes
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to set the price of $3,750,000 for the purchase of 46 Sandwich Road from Rick Vayo. Voted 3/2 Cavacco-Yes, Quintal-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Flaherty-No, Helm-No.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Bletzer)
Apr 12Approve an Alteration of Premises and Change of License…Motion: to approve an Alteration of Premises and Change of License Category…Passed 4–1 · see note
April 12, 2022: Approve an Alteration of Premises and Change of License Category for Artisan Pig LLC d/b/a Artisan Pig
ApprovePassed · 4–1
To approve an Alteration of Premises and Change of License Category for Artisan Pig LLC d/b/a Artisan Pig
The minutes give only the count (4/1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to approve an Alteration of Premises and Change of License Category for Artisan Pig LLC d/b/a Artisan Pig. Voted 4/1.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Bletzer)
Mar 29Express support for the conceptual project of a sports…Motion: to express support for the conceptual project of a sports and…Passed 3–2 · No: Flaherty, Helm
March 29, 2022: Express support for the conceptual project of a sports and entertainment complex and service amenities in the Town of Plymouth to be located on approximately 110 acres of land on…
ApprovePassed · 3–2
To express support for the conceptual project of a sports and entertainment complex and service amenities in the Town of Plymouth to be located on approximately 110 acres of land on Camelot Drive and Long Pond Road also known as the woodlot subject to the project proponent obtaining all of the necessary licenses, permits, and approvals, and maintaining compliance with all of the applicable statutes, codes, regulations, and bylaws
Yes: Bletzer, Cavacco, QuintalNo: Flaherty, Helm
From the minutes
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to express support for the conceptual project of a sports and entertainment complex and service amenities in the Town of Plymouth to be located on approximately 110 acres of land on Camelot Drive and Long Pond Road also known as the woodlot subject to the project proponent obtaining all of the necessary licenses, permits, and approvals, and maintaining compliance with all of the applicable statutes, codes, regulations, and bylaws. Voted 3/2 Quintal-Yes, Cavacco-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Flaherty-No, Helm-No.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Bletzer)
Mar 29Place a non-binding ballot question on the May Town…Motion: to place a non-binding ballot question on the May Town Election…Failed 1–4 · No: Bletzer, Cavacco, Helm, Quintal
March 29, 2022: Place a non-binding ballot question on the May Town Election Ballot asking residents if they support a thoroughbred horse racing track to be built on the County Woodlot
ApproveFailed · 1–4
To place a non-binding ballot question on the May Town Election Ballot asking residents if they support a thoroughbred horse racing track to be built on the County Woodlot
Yes: FlahertyNo: Bletzer, Cavacco, Helm, Quintal
From the minutes
“On a motion by Patrick Flaherty and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to place a non-binding ballot question on the May Town Election Ballot asking residents if they support a thoroughbred horse racing track to be built on the County Woodlot. Voted 1/4 Flaherty-Yes, Quintal-No, Cavacco-No, Helm-No, Bletzer-No.” (Motion: Flaherty, second: Bletzer)
Mar 8Recommend STM Article 1 (Collective Bargaining Agreements) to the…Motion: to recommend STM Article 1 (Collective Bargaining Agreements) to the April…Passed 4–1 · No: Flaherty
March 8, 2022: Recommend STM Article 1 (Collective Bargaining Agreements) to the April 2, 2022 Special Spring Town Meeting
ApprovePassed · 4–1
To recommend STM Article 1 (Collective Bargaining Agreements) to the April 2, 2022 Special Spring Town Meeting
Yes: Bletzer, Cavacco, Helm, QuintalNo: Flaherty
From the minutes
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to recommend STM Article 1 (Collective Bargaining Agreements) to the April 2, 2022 Special Spring Town Meeting. Voted 4/1 Quintal-Yes, Cavacco-Yes, Helm-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Flaherty-No.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Bletzer)
Mar 1Allow for an in-person Town Meeting on April 16,…Motion: to allow for an in-person Town Meeting on April 16, 2022…Failed 2–2 · No: Helm, Quintal
March 1, 2022: Allow for an in-person Town Meeting on April 16, 2022 in the event that Town Meeting voted down a virtual option for Town Meeting on April 2, 2022
ApproveFailed · 2–2
To allow for an in-person Town Meeting on April 16, 2022 in the event that Town Meeting voted down a virtual option for Town Meeting on April 2, 2022
Yes: Bletzer, CavaccoNo: Helm, Quintal
From the minutes
“On a motion by Betty Cavacco and seconded by Charlie Bletzer, the Board voted to allow for an in-person Town Meeting on April 16, 2022 in the event that Town Meeting voted down a virtual option for Town Meeting on April 2, 2022. Voted 2/2 Cavacco-Yes, Bletzer-Yes, Quintal-No, Helm-No.” (Motion: Cavacco, second: Bletzer)
Feb 15Recommend Article 18 to the April 2, 2022 Spring…Motion: to recommend Article 18 to the April 2, 2022 Spring Town…Failed 1–4 · No: Bletzer, Cavacco, Helm, Quintal
February 15, 2022: Recommend Article 18 to the April 2, 2022 Spring Town Meeting
ApproveFailed · 1–4
To recommend Article 18 to the April 2, 2022 Spring Town Meeting
Yes: FlahertyNo: Bletzer, Cavacco, Helm, Quintal
From the minutes
“On a motion by Patrick Flaherty and seconded by Harry Helm, the Board voted to recommend Article 18 to the April 2, 2022 Spring Town Meeting. Voted 1/4 Flaherty-Yes, Quintal-No, Cavacco-No, Helm-No, Bletzer-No.” (Motion: Flaherty, second: Helm)
From the Plymouth Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Deb Iaquinto and Bill Keohan from the Plymouth Independent (April 2025); David Golden Jr.’s campaign photo, via the Plymouth Independent (May 2024); Kevin Canty’s campaign photo and Richard Quintal Jr. (PACTV interview), via The Plymouth County Observer (2023). Former members show initials.