Steve Bolotin Member Planning Board
Creating a better tomorrow!
Steve Bolotin Member Planning Board
Creating a better tomorrow!
Save The Bay
Holtec Radioactive Water Release Plan
Holtec, the company now decommissioning the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, is considering releasing over 1 MILLION GALLONS OF RADIOACTIVE WATER into Cape Cod Bay.
For residents of the communities on the Bay the issue is that we truly don’t know the potential long term implications of such an action on a crucial portion of our ecosystem. But there is no doubt that if there is any contamination, the consequences for those who live and work by the water would be disastrous. And where there is a perfectly viable alternative there is no reason to allow this to happen. It is a simple choice, have the communities of the South Shore and the Cape risk a potentially irreversible environmental and economic catastrophe or have Holtec make a little less money.
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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/
Learn More
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.
Racetrack Proposal for County Land
Meetings, Documents, Referenda, and the Power of the People
Many people will likely be offering their own mortem on last night’s horseracing presentation, giving their arguments why we should or shouldn’t support this idea. I’m sure there will be comments about the questions that weren’t answered which, depending on the question, may be fair criticism. Others will have a position based on philosophic reasons, and those views should also be respected. I have expressed my view that I personally don't believe this type of use (or gambling) will serve as a long-term benefit to the Town for multiple reasons. But rather than go into any of that again, I’d like to offer a different take, some observations as to responses to direct questions that were different than statements made before:
1. Boston South previously said that it would not seek to utilize any “zoning loopholes” (yes, that is a direct quote), such as citing to county ownership of the Wood Lot, to avoid Town zoning. At the presentation last night, Mr. Gabbert would not reaffirm that statement, and instead said that Boston South would review the law and would do what was required of them.
2. Boston South previously said they would make payments to the Town even if they didn’t have to pay property taxes, meaning that they would enter into what is typically referred to as a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Town which, given county ownership of the property, is the only way the Town would receive any ongoing payment from the developer. At the presentation last night, Mr. Gabbert would not commit to entering into such an agreement with the Town, saying only that Boston South expected the Town to benefit from meals taxes, labor taxes (which we do not have), and increased tourism.
3. Boston South previously said that if the Town residents didn’t want the racetrack they wouldn’t proceed. At the presentation, Mr. Gabbert not only said that they wouldn’t be dissuaded if the Town voted against horse racing in a non-binding referendum, but also that they would not withdraw their proposal even if the current Select Board declined to give them a necessary letter of support for their racing license.
I offer these thoughts not as a criticism of the merits of a project that has yet to take shape, but rather a reminder to the residents that in making your decision not to focus too heavily on promises made. Different representations have been made at different times by different members of the development team to our Town representatives and to the people. I and others have taken notice of these contradictions, including members of the Select Board.
If Boston South execute a lease with the county at the end of June, they will have 3 years to decide what positions they will take regarding how they engage with the Town before deciding whether to try to proceed with a particular development proposal. This will include whether other factors (such as the potential availability of State funding and gaming revenues) make it more profitable for them to act in a manner against the Town’s interests. As Mr. Gabbert said several times last night, everything is on the table.
Learn More
Click below to be directed to the Racetrack Proposal page where you will find copies of the relevant documents and information about what the residents of Plymouth can do to express their views.
Chapter 40B Housing
By now you have probably seen the housing complex being built behind Home Depot. You may have heard that it is a 40B development, 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.
MBTA Communities
Massachusetts is considering regulations which would require communities like Plymouth to allow for thousands of new multi-family homes to be built in established neighborhoods, changing their character and straining Town resources. Click below to be directed to the MBTA Communities page to learn more.
Master Plan
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.
Old Exit 5 Traffic
Traffic by the Home Depot is only going to get worse, and the Town doesn't have a way to address it. Click below to be directed to the Home Depot Traffic page to learn the history behind this problem, and support efforts at proactive planning to help prevent it from happening again.