Plymouth Battles EEE Outbreak, Debates Affordable Housing Funding
Town closes parks and fields, conducts aerial spraying as Select Board considers $140,000 for controversial housing project
PLYMOUTH, MA - August 27 - Plymouth officials are taking aggressive action to combat an outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) while simultaneously grappling with a request for additional funding to complete a contentious affordable housing project.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi announced at Tuesday's Select Board meeting that all parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields in Plymouth have been closed from dusk to dawn due to the EEE threat. The closure is expected to remain in effect until at least early to mid-October.
"Triple E is a fatal disease. It has fatality rates in some communities upwards of 70%," Brindisi said. He noted that an 80-year-old male in southern Worcester County has contracted EEE this season.
To combat the mosquito-borne illness, aerial spraying was scheduled to take place from dusk to dawn on Aug. 28 in designated areas of Plymouth. Ground spraying is also planned for specific streets from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Aug. 29.
Brindisi urged residents to take precautions, including closing windows and turning off air conditioning during spraying events. He emphasized that the chemical used dissipates within a few hours and does not negatively affect water quality.
The EEE outbreak has garnered national media attention, with NBC Nightly News, Fox News, and CNN covering Plymouth's response. Michelle Bratti, Plymouth’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services, appeared on Fox News to discuss the town's efforts to protect residents.
In a separate matter, the Select Board debated whether to provide an additional $140,000 to complete the affordable housing project at 10 Oak Street. Chris Plourde, Assistant Executive Director of the Housing Authority, made the request, stating that the funds are needed to finish the conversion of an old school building into three affordable units for elderly, disabled, or veteran residents.
If approved, the total cost of the project would reach $1,168,000 for three units, or over $389,000 per unit. Several board members expressed skepticism about the request.
Select Board member Kevin Canty said, "I am 100% confident that I am not going to put more money in this project in its current design." He suggested exploring alternatives, such as selling the property to a private developer for $1 to complete the project.
Board member Charlie Bletzer, while initially opposed to additional funding, expressed concern about leaving the building vacant. "I just don't want to see this Oak Street building empty," he said.
The board did not make a final decision on the funding request but scheduled a special meeting for Sept. 4 to further discuss the matter.