Plymouth Appoints Wastewater Committee
Select Board selects six members to evaluate discharge options, hears concerns about dangerous roads
PLYMOUTH, MA - June 4 - The Select Board appointed six members to a new Citizens Advisory Committee Tuesday night to evaluate wastewater discharge options amid an ongoing debate over ocean versus groundwater disposal methods.
The committee will review scientific data and make recommendations on whether to continue discharging into the harbor or switch to groundwater discharge.
"We want to have people coming in, listening to the data that's presented, and making the best decision not just for them, not just for their family or their individual needs, but for the 60-plus thousand people that live, work, and play in this community," said Select Board member Kevin Canty.
The board appointed Joshua Bose, Bill Doyle, Martin Enos, Rose Forbes, Hampton Watkins and Mark Champagne to the committee after interviewing 13 applicants.
Several appointees emphasized the need to follow scientific evidence in evaluating discharge options.
"I think it's an issue of managing risk to all of us and to the future generations for whom we are responsible for the stewardship that we have of the community," said Watkins.
In other business, residents voiced concerns about dangerous traffic conditions on Long Pond and Halfway Pond Roads, calling for expedited installation of traffic signals and speed limit reductions.
"The traffic on Halfway Pond Road and Long Pond Road is unacceptable. It is hazardous for emergency vehicles and school buses, as well as the residents traveling every day on these roads," said Pat Adelman, chair of Precinct 12.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi reported progress on negotiations with property owners for road improvements, saying three out of four abutters have agreed in writing to provide right-of-way access.
"We are expecting this fall to do some tree clearing, some road widening, adding some additional lanes," Brindisi said. "If things go extremely well, there may be an opportunity that we have the signal equipment up either late winter or early spring."
Brindisi also announced Plymouth will adopt the 10th edition of the state building code, including new energy efficiency requirements in the "stretch code" effective Jan. 1. The changes are expected to significantly affect local construction practices.
"So folks need to be aware of that because it's going to have a significant effect on how we do construction here in town," Brindisi said.
Other updates from the town manager included ongoing work at Stevens Field, with a soft opening planned for mid-July, continued progress on water main work on Manomet Point Road, and a kickoff meeting for Plymouth's master planning process on June 20.