At the April 29 Select Board meeting, Chair Dick Quintal made statements during a second public comment period, which he requested, that contained inaccuracies about a lawsuit being brought against the Town of Plymouth. He asserted that the lessee of Center Hill Preserve is suing the town and that Frank Mand is vice chair of the plaintiff organization. Neither is true. Here are the facts:
- As was stated correctly, the Community Land and Water Coalition (CLWC), formerly known as Save the Pine Barrens, is the organization that has brought suit against the Town of Plymouth.
- CLWC is not the same organization as the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance (SEMPBA) and is not the lessee of the Center Hill Preserve property.
- SEMPBA – not CLWC – is the only lessee of the Center Hill Preserve property.
- SEMPBA has not been dissolved. It is still in existence and is the only occupant of the leased property.
- Frank Mand is the vice president of SEMPBA; he is not connected to CLWC or its lawsuit.
Conflating these two organizations and asserting that the lessee at Center Hill Preserve is suing the town will very likely damage SEMPBA’s reputation. Incorrectly identifying Frank Mand as vice chair of the plaintiff organization will also tarnish his reputation as he runs for a seat on the Planning Board. Following Mr. Quintal’s comments, Precinct 17 Town Meeting Representative Steve Lydon even called for the Center Hill Preserve lessee to be arrested and thrown out.
These misstatements of fact were delivered in a very public manner. They are now being repeated and amplified on social media. If unaddressed, they will continue to hang in the air and cast doubt and resentment among Plymouth residents and voters toward both SEMPBA and Mr. Mand. I urge the speakers and the board to correct them publicly and to issue apologies to both.
– Holly States