It’s the time of year when Plymouth takes on an international accent. Despite being known by many as a destination for day-trippers because of its proximity to Boston, the local tourism industry relies heavily on visitors from other countries, who stay longer and spend more money. But this summer, fewer foreign languages are being heard […]
Author Archives: Fred Thys - Independent Staff
Posted inGovernment
Memorial Hall funding request pulled
As expected, plans to seek Community Preservation funds for the renovation of Memorial Hall have been put on pause. At the request of the Select Board, the Community Preservation Committee Thursday voted 8-0 to table a proposal to spend $15 million to go toward restoring the century-old downtown structure, which is deteriorating. The total cost […]
Posted inGovernment
Town to Bert’s owners: You have 60 days to tear it down
The town is moving to demolish the abandoned waterfront property that was once Bert’s restaurant, 12 years after its last tenant closed the doors. Town Manager Derek Brindisi told the Select Board Tuesday that an order would immediately be sent to the decaying property’s owners to secure the building, followed by another order directing them […]
Posted inGovernment
Select Board wants to pause Memorial Hall funding request
The Select Board wants to pause the town’s request for $15 million in Community Preservation funds to help restore the aging Memorial Hall. The move comes after Town Manager Derek Brindisi received a mixed response to the request at a Community Preservation Committee meeting on July 23. Members cited concerns about the amount of money […]
Posted inGovernment
Community Preservation Committee split on recommending $15m for Memorial Hall work
Community Preservation Committee members’ opinions on a request from town officials for $15 million to go toward renovating the aging Memorial Hall ranged from enthusiastic to skeptical during a CPC meeting Thursday. In making his case for funding, Town Manager Derek Brindisi told the nine-member committee that the 100-year-old downtown venue is in critical condition. […]
Posted inGovernment
Town ‘VIPs’ are going to Japan. Not everyone thinks it’s a good idea
A delegation of 10 students, two chaperones, and eight “VIPs” are headed to Japan for an eight-day trip to Plymouth’s sister city of Shichigahama on July 29. Officials tout the excursion as beneficial to the town, but critics say it’s a junket that costs $30,000 and doesn’t produce a quantifiable return. Select Board chair Kevin […]
Posted inBusiness
Free shuttle will connect business district with MBTA station
Tourists and others will soon be able to catch a free ride on a Ride Circuit vehicle from the Kingston MBTA commuter rail station to Plymouth’s downtown and waterfront district – and back – thanks to a $30,000 state grant. The funding will allow the tourism organization See Plymouth to operate a five-passenger electric vehicle […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Jenney Pond footbridge marks a major step in restoration project
The new bridge at Jenney Pond is open, marking a milestone in an ambitious project to revitalize the popular park area all the way through Brewster Gardens to the waterfront. The 75-foot-long, 10-foot-wide span replaces a narrower, less accessible wooden footbridge that was more than 50 years old and deteriorating. “I’m very happy with how […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
All clear: Town says testing shows Memorial Hall air is safe
Graham Nash fans can breathe easy. Friday night’s concert by the legendary member of Crosby, Stills, and Nash will go on as scheduled at Memorial Hall after outside testing showed air and surfaces inside the town-owned building were within a normal range for silica dust. The decaying downtown venue was closed last week after […]
Posted inGovernment
Memorial Hall closed after union claims workers’ health put at risk.
Town officials have closed Memorial Hall until early next week, when they expect to receive test results from an air quality sample taken July 10, a week after dust was created when a contractor removed a cement covering on a wall. The closure means the relocation of a national dance contest, Take Centerstage Dance Challenge, […]