It’s a stunning number that casts a shadow on citizen participation in local government: 66 people appointed to town boards and committees by the Select Board over the past two years have never bothered to get sworn in, as required by town bylaws, Kevin Canty, the board’s chair, told the Independent. Why people who […]
Author Archives: Fred Thys - Independent Staff
Posted inBusiness
A mixed menu for the summer restaurant scene
As the summer season winds down, one waterfront restaurant owner wonders why her establishment and others didn’t attract the usual crowds this year. The owner – who asked that her name be withheld out of fear of derogatory comments on social media that might further hurt business – said tourists have been filling up parking […]
Posted inBusiness
Lawsuit accuses restaurateurs of failing to make payments on $1.2m advance
The owners of Proof 22, the shuttered Main Street restaurant that surrendered its liquor license last month, face yet another financial problem: a $734,000 lawsuit from an investor that claims they defaulted on a contract to turn over 30 percent of revenue from their restaurants to cover a $1.2 million advance. Fundamental Capital, a private […]
Posted inBusiness
Downtown fixture New World Tavern fighting to survive
Karl Heine is in a predicament many restaurateurs face as the industry struggles to regain its footing since the pandemic. He’s trying to save his business, The New World Tavern, amid a decline in tourism, fewer young customers, higher prices for goods, a shortage of workers, and – most important – a six-figure bill from […]
Posted inBusiness
Poof goes Proof 22
After offering several explanations for what its owners characterized as a temporary shutdown, Proof 22 on Main Street is now permanently closed. Peter Lucido and Paul Tupa, “have decided not to re-open the … establishment, and they hereby relinquish their liquor license to the Town of Plymouth effective immediately,” their attorney, Allan Costa, said in […]
Posted inGovernment
With the Legislature on recess, we checked in with Plymouth’s Beacon Hill representatives
The Massachusetts Legislature is in its August recess, with members spending more time reconnecting with their districts. It seemed liked a good time to find out what Plymouth’s three state legislators have been up to on behalf of their constituents. The Independent asked each of them to list what accomplishments they are proudest of thus […]
Posted inGovernment
Moderator can represent his law firm’s clients before town committees
It played out like a civil confrontation between Select Board Chair Kevin Canty and Town Moderator Steve Triffletti, but in the end the board on Tuesday granted Triffletti permission to act in his role as an attorney by representing clients before town boards. The 4-1 vote – with Canty the lone dissenter – was a […]
Posted inGovernment
Open space, industry, homes: Report offers options for huge parcel surrounding nuke plant site
The Select Board Tuesday accepted a consulting firm’s report on how Plymouth could use 1,600 acres around the former Pilgrim nuclear power station in Manomet owned by Holtec International, the company that is decommissioning the plant. That is, if Holtec decides to sell the property and the town can afford to buy it. The cost […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Nine Plymouth ponds now under algae advisory
Ezekiel Pond, Little West Pond, and Great South Pond are the latest bodies of water in Plymouth to be placed under a public health advisory by the town’s Department of Public Health because they have high levels of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. “We’re advising folks to stay out of the ponds that have active cyanobacteria […]
Posted inBusiness
More trouble on the menu for Proof 22
Add a tax lien to Proof 22’s growing list of troubles. The state Department of Revenue imposed the lien on the shuttered Main Street restaurant on June 27 for failure to pay $41,217 in meals, food, and beverage taxes for August, September, and October 2024. Including penalties and interest, the total is $45,552. Co-owner Peter […]