Question 1 on the May [17] ballot is binding. This was added by the Select Board on a Friday, one day before the printing deadline – to be added to a ballot in a May election that has historic low turnout (meaning just a few people would be making this important decision). Though Select Board members said they had been working on it for months – there has been no public discussion, no education about what this means for our town and our police force.
A recent Plymouth Independent article describes union approval – they were promised 10 to 25 percent raises, and shifts that would go from 4 days on, 2 days off to 4 days on 4 days off, it’s not surprising.
Our issue? Transparency and public education. Why the rush to do this at the last minute? Yes, other communities have left the civil service, but by and large they are much smaller communities than Plymouth. Don’t we want the absolute best police force? Don’t we want the most professional force? It’s safer for the other officers and the public.
We’re suggesting a “no” vote on this rushed binding question – and ask for public discussion and education.
When the Select Board pushed through opting out of the civil service at the last possible moment – with no public notice or discussion – we were assured that there would be lots of public education around what this meant for Plymouth and our police force.
We think a reasoned response – not a rushed and binding vote – is a good idea.
Vote no on Question 1.
– Kara Mallon