Author Archives: Richard M. Serkey

I believe that the Select Board made a mistake when it voted (3-to-2) on Sept. 16 to reorganize to oust Mr. [Kevin] Canty as chair. The stated basis for the majority’s vote was “dissatisfaction with how Canty was running meetings.” As Mr. Canty candidly acknowledged during the board’s discussion, “I can be too rigid on […]

Although certainly well intentioned, I believe it would be a mistake for Town Meeting to enact a moratorium (for 11 ½ months) on the issuance of zoning permits and special permits for earth removal. I believe that the moratorium would be both (1) ineffective and (2) injurious. I was a member of the committee that […]

On Aug. 19, Town Moderator Steven Triffletti asked the Select Board to allow his law firm to represent clients before town committees by designating the moderator as a “special municipal employee.” a designation that would enable him to do so, even   though less than two years ago the Board had unanimously voted to deny him […]

On July 31, the Select Board, through the director of inspectional services, commendably started to play hardball with the owner of Bert’s. Strike one was a letter to the owner pursuant to state law, ordering him to secure theproperty by installing a six-foot chain-link fence around the structure within 24 hours of his receipt of […]

In June, 2024, the Plymouth Independent published a letter from me urging the Select Board to take action to remove the [former] Bert’s restaurant eyesore. Three months later, in September 2024, I spoke to the Select Board during public comment to urge them again to do the same thing. At that time, I proposed taking […]

The June 26 article in the Plymouth Independent about the 163 condo units proposed for North Plymouth by Pulte Homes of New England LLC on land currently owned by L. Knife & Son, LLC and Eight Mates LLC states that Meg Sheehan, a beneficiary of trusts having an interest – but not a controlling interest […]

Editor’s note: David Lee Delaney, a longtime Plymouth attorney, died on June 12 after battling a rare form of lymphoma. Dave Delaney was a highly respected colleague. Like him, I began practicing law in Plymouth in 1974 and remained here for my entire professional life before retiring 45 years later in 2020. A good real […]

Kudos to Lori Fitzgerald for her courage in confronting ICE agents in North Plymouth and for having the presence of mind to video her encounter with them. North Plymouth is a neighborhood that was settled by immigrants, who were able to set down roots in America because of the benevolence of the Cordage Company, which […]

On May 8, the PI reported that Select Board Chair Dick Quintal misspoke on April 29, when he stated that Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance (“Southeastern”), together with others, had sued the town in April 2025 to stop construction of a business park on Hedges Pond Road despite having  previously received a “sweetheart” lease on […]

Select Board candidate Scott Vecchi has a serious credibility problem. At a forum on May 1, Mr. Vecchi claimed that a “toxic environment exists at the Plymouth Police Department” and blamed Police Chief Dana Flynn and Town Manager Derek Brindisi for it. The Plymouth Independent has reported Mr. Vecchi worked for more than 25 years […]