Along with other residents of West Plymouth, I attended the Select Board meeting on November 10, 2026. I live very close to the huge 392-apartment, 40B proposal by developer Rick Vayo, which the Select Board summarily voted to approve on a fast track, and to send a prepared Memorandum of Agreement and Support letter to the state housing agency, with no residents of the area present at the meeting.
In response, I and several others filed complaints under the state Open Meeting Law, about lack of adequate notice. That issue was on the agenda for Nov. 10. I am not opposed to truly affordable housing, which this is not. My issue is about the lack notice and opportunity for input on this extensive proposal, and the impact on West Plymouth.
I and the others were not allowed to speak for our 3 minutes until the Public Comments period. As we waited for that opportunity, Select Board member Kevin Canty decided to scold us for questioning the lack of input from West Plymouth residents, who will be affected by this project. He proceeded to angrily and at length inform us about his history growing up in West Plymouth, along with a litany of his high school friends, originally from West Plymouth, who have moved to other towns, most with house prices at or above in Plymouth. None of these people live in West Plymouth now. We do, many of us for a long time. West Plymouth now is without question already one of the most dense areas of town.
Mr. Canty’s speech felt disrespectful, demeaning and judgmental, even intimidating, before we even had a chance to speak. Mr. Canty’s response was not what I expected of my elected representative.
– Wynn Gerhard