(This report has been edited to correct the spelling of Jessica Kenny’s name.) A civil liberties group asked a Suffolk County judge on Tuesday to force Plymouth County Sheriff to turn over records detailing the medical treatment of federal immigration detainees at the jail. Sheriff Joseph McDonald has so far rejected a December public records […]
Author Archives: Fred Thys - Independent Staff
Posted inGovernment
Construction around Jenney Pond to last all year
A few months behind schedule, the $20.9 million project to restore Town Brook near Jenney Pond and the Plimoth Grist Mill to something closer to a pristine state – where the river herring can run much as they did hundreds of years ago – is expected to finish by the Spring. As for now, the […]
Posted inGovernment
Select Board under fire on Landers deal
More than a dozen Cedarville residents showed up at the Select Board meeting Tuesday to vent disappointment at a recent board vote on a nearby land deal some said was fraught with conflict of interest, undue secrecy and a lack of integrity. The ire was directed at a June 9 vote clearing the way for […]
Posted inGovernment
Move to oust Keohan from preservation post fails
(This version of the story has been edited to correct a factual error about a unanimous June 2025 vote on appointments taken by the Select Board. Minutes show David Golden left the meeting just prior to the vote. The Independent regrets the error.) A move to oust Select Board member Bill Keohan from his longtime […]
Posted inCulture
Transplant survivor writes book, plays guitar
Andrew Botieri bellows out a reporter’s name at the top of his lungs as the reporter drives up to Botieri’s West Plymouth condo. You would never know by the volume of his voice that Botieri, a wiry 67-year-old, is recovering from a double lung and kidney transplant. Botieri received his new lungs and kidney on […]
Posted inGovernment
Plan could help fund busing costs
The town’s $6 million cost to take school kids to and from school each year could be getting a boost from taxpayers statewide next year under a new plan adopted unanimously by the state Senate. Under a budget amendment co-sponsored by State Sen. Dylan Fernandes, D-Falmouth, state lawmakers for the first time are considering the […]
Posted inGovernment
Status quo prevails
(This report has been updated from its original version) In the closely watched and very acrimonious Select Board race, which featured four candidates vying for two seats, Kevin Canty and Dick Quintal prevailed. They defeated challengers Betty Cavacco and Scott Vecchi. “I look forward to have three more years to make meaningful changes to Plymouth to make […]
Posted inGovernment
Town sells Simes House for $40,000
The Select Board has approved the sale of the historic Simes House in Manomet for $40,000, after the Town spent nearly $4 million and several years in an unsuccessful effort to find permanent use for the 19th century home. The sale – to the operators of Manomet Bird Observatory – likely marks the end of […]
Posted inGovernment
Early voting is closed, but election day is Saturday
The annual town election is underway now, and concludes with in-person voting on Saturday, May 16. For everyone registered to vote, there’s still time to get up to speed. Here’s a final-days primer. WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT? Voters will elect two members to the five-member Select Board. There are four candidates running, including two incumbents. […]
Posted inGovernment
Select Board candidates spend thousands on campaigns
Once again, the Select Board race is an expensive one, with incumbent Kevin Canty receiving more in contributions than any of the other three candidates on the ballot, according to the latest campaign finance filings. The election ends Saturday, May 16, but early in-person voting began last week and continues through Wednesday. Mail-in ballots are […]