Added 1/9/25
The Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that despite some techical errors in the creation of guidelines, the MBTA Communities Act is both constitutional and enforceable. Communities that do not comply are not only subject to loss of State grants but also legal enforcement action by the State Attorney General.
As a result of this decision, the State is now being required to reissue the guidelines for compliance. This could potentially have a drastic efffect on Plymouth. For more analysis and to review a copy of the SJC decision go the the MBTA Communities page under Town Issues.
The Master Plan is one of the most crucial documents in Town, right next to our Town Charter. That is because it identifies the concerns and priorities of the residents, and what they want to achieve. It is the guidebook for Plymouth’s future. Click below to be directed to the Master Plan page to learn more.
Updated 8/20/24
A developer is asking the Town to rezone this site in order to be allowed to build apartments. Learn what is being proposed, what the process is for public input, and what decisions would have to be made by which Town bodies.
Updated 8/25/24
Holtec, the company now decommissioning the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, wants to release over 1 MILLION GALLONS OF RADIOACTIVE WATER into Cape Cod Bay. Several heartings were held and a separate public comment period was given to allow those opposed to the proposal to submit their views. The Save the Bay organization sponsored rallies and letter writing campaigns, and several towns and private individuals submitted legal arguments in opposition.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued its ruling denying Holtec's request. That ruling was not based on either policy or scientific grounds, but rather a legal issue. Specifically, the MADEP determined that the Holtec plan would violate the Marine Sanctuaries Act by dumping polutants into a protcted area. Not surprisingly, Holtec has apealed this ruling, arguing that because its permit predates the Ocean Sanctuaries Act its ongoing activities cannot be restricted by that law. There is no timeline for a ruling on this appeal, and it could up to a year to decide after which Holtec has further avenues for legal challenge.
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QUICK LINKS:
On May 6, 2022, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) held a "field hearing" of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in Plymouth on Issues Facing Communities with Decommissioning Nuclear Plants. To view the video of the entire 3+ hour hearing, go to https://www.facebook.com/EdJMarkey/videos/369466435223333/
The Provincetown Independent has written an article explaining the finances behind Holtec's activities. To read the article, go to https://provincetownindependent.org/news/2022/05/18/holtec-expects-to-make-huge-profit-off-pilgrim-plant/
Click below to be directed to the Holtec Radioactive Water Release page where you will find more information, summaries of the proposal, documents, and links to other sites.
Updated 2/8/24
At a meeting before the Select Board, the County Commissioners which own the Wood Lot, the land on which the proposed racetrack would be built, formally announced that after investigation the developer to whom they leased gthe land would not be proceeding with either a horse racing track or gaming facility on the site. The residents of Plymouth had previously voted overwhelmingly to reject horseracing, and the Select Board had sent two letters to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission stating that they would not provide required authorization to dconduct horseracing in Town. Instead, the developer, Boston South, which has signed a 73 year lease for the property, is investigating other uses for the property which would include some form of sports complex along with possible office/medical/biotech space, and a hotel. Depending on what is proposed, the project (or portions thereof) may require approvals by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and/or Town Meeting.
Click below to be directed to the Racetrack Proposal page where you will find information about the history of the racetrack proposal and the residents' response.
By now you have probably seen some of the new housing complexes being built around Plymouth. You may also have heard that some are 40B developments, but don't know what that exactly means. Click below to be directed to the Chapter 40B Housing page for an overview of this law and how it affects Plymouth.