At best it’s abuse of power. At worst it’s utter incompetence and unchecked hubris. Select Board Chairman, Mr. Quintal, went to the podium for public comment recently and stated he will speak as a citizen. He then proceeded to share information that is never open to citizens (ongoing litigation). He did so with righteousness and utter contempt for Plymouth citizens running a nonprofit. A citizen elected to public office is, by law, held to a higher standard of conduct. This higher standard was not on display. Speaking at the public’s comment podium, not only were Mr. Quintal’s facts total fiction, but his hubris and lack of competence as a Select Board chair was evident.
Mr. Quintal, you do not speak for the board unless you are tallying the vote or reading a consensus document. Your board members have a duty to compel your apology even when your pride stops you. Moving forward, how can you be trusted in your key position if you don’t understand the basics of major litigation facing the town? Your fellow board members remaining silent is a failure of your chairmanship.
Plymouth citizens, there is an election on May 17. It’s time to elect competence to the Select Board and reject the enablers of Mr. Quintal’s incompetent board.
– Birgitta E. Kuehn
Kuehn is a former Planning Board and Town Meeting member.