Community Preservation Articles Expected to Keep Town Meeting Busy Saturday

There are 35 numbered articles on the warrant but 12 were withdrawn. Of the remaining 23 articles, the petitioners have said they will ask that no action be taken.

That leaves just two or three that may result in debate.

Article 8 asks Town Meeting to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take control of the 1820 Courthouse, Commissioners' Building, the former police station and surrounding parcels in order to develop and/or protect the historical courthouse building. At the Spring Town Meeting, the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority convinced representatives to vote against a similar measure on a smaller parcel. But it appears that both sides have come to some sort of agreement.

Article 16A seeks approval to use CPA funds to allow the Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center to transform what is now the Congregation Beth Jacob Community Center, at 25 1/2 Court St., at the corner of Brewster Street, into a 200-seat performing arts center. The building would cost $365,000, and an additional $285,000 would ensure the building complies with Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as install emergency exits and a sprinkler system.

Questions on whether the building is nessesary when Memorial Hall is located just down the street, will probably be raised.

Articles 16B and 16C seek to acquire open space. Article 16B seeks to purchase 19 acres off Center Hill Road for $350,000. If purchased, a conservation restriction would be placed on the parcel.

Article 16C asks for $3 million to purchase approximately 350 acres of land off Old Sandwich Road in order to protect a water source.

Article 33, which was petitioned by several Plymouth residents, asks Town Meeting to approve a two-year moratorium on the permitting and building of wind turbines on public or private land. It also directs the Planning Board to review the town's current turbine bylaws and zoning bylaws that permit turbines within town limits. The article comes after several residents in neighboring Kingston have filed complaints about health problems they say result from a turbine built at the town's capped landfill, and three others on private land adjacent to the Independence Mall.

The full Town Meeting warrant is attached.

Town Meeting begins at 8 a.m. today, Saturday, at Plymouth North High School. This is the first town meeting at the new high school.