Plymouth Charter Committee Proposes New Precinct Advisory Group, Removes School Building Oversight

Contentious vote removes School Committee responsibility for buildings, grounds

PLYMOUTH, MA - May 14 - The Plymouth Charter Review Committee voted Tuesday to create a new Precinct Advisory Committee to assist with redistricting after each census, while also removing language giving the School Committee responsibility for school buildings and grounds.

In a series of votes, the committee approved establishing an 11-member Precinct Advisory Committee that would include five members appointed by the Select Board, five by the Committee of Precinct Chairs, and the Town Clerk serving as chair.

"I think this is a good idea. I think it's a great idea," said committee member Mike Hanlon. "I'm actually kind of surprised that in 400 years, we've never had such a requirement to form a committee."

The new committee would review census results and propose precinct changes to the Select Board, as well as hold public hearings for input. It would be formed in years ending in 1, after census data is available.

In a more contentious 5-4 vote, the committee decided to remove charter language giving the School Committee responsibility for school buildings and grounds. Proponents argued this could allow for future consolidation of services with the town.

"I'm strongly in favor of consolidation of services," said committee member Len Levin. "But if you leave this in here, it'll never happen."

However, some members expressed concerns about removing School Committee oversight.

"To take this out, I believe would limit what the School Committee can do in terms of what needs to happen in terms of educating kids," said one committee member.

The committee also voted to move several committees and boards into a new Chapter 8 of the charter, including the Committee of Precinct Chairs, Board of Health, Open Space Committee, and others.

There was discussion of potentially moving the School Committee to a different section as well.

"I think that moving the school committee, which is extremely important to a section where it can be readily found, makes sense," said committee member Steve Bolotin.

The committee plans to continue reviewing and reorganizing sections of the charter at future meetings. The chairman set a timeline through town meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting, as the committee is "a little bit behind where we thought we'd be."

The next Charter Review Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.