The Plymouth Select Board faced a stark fiscal reality during their Tuesday night meeting as Director of Assessing Michael Han revealed a staggering $6 billion increase in residential property values over the last four years. Han, delivering his first tax classification hearing for the town, noted that residential properties now comprise 86% of the town's total valuation. Despite the pressure on homeowners, Han recommended against shifting the tax burden to local businesses, stating, 86% of our total valuation for Plymouth is coming from the residential class. This prompted a significant discussion on affordability, with William Keohan observing, We're building a type of housing that very few people can afford that live here in Plymouth. Ultimately, the board followed the recommendation to maintain a single tax rate to avoid stifling economic growth. Kevin B. Canty emphasized the long-term view, saying, I think it's important for our long-term sustainability and for affordability... to keep a unified tax rate. Motion Made by Kevin B. Canty that the board adopt a unified tax rate and that we not adopt any of the additional exemptions that were outlined and described to us. Vote Passed 5-0

Economic development took center stage as Stephen Cole of the Plymouth Foundation proclaimed November 29 as Small Business Saturday and made a surprise $500,000 funding announcement. Cole urged residents to skip the big box chaos and join me in shopping in downtown Plymouth, before detailing a new facade program that will provide up to $50,000 per business to improve storefronts. The board expressed optimism about the investment, though Deborah Iaquinto noted the broader challenges, stating, This is really a story about the need for economic development. In a lighter moment, the board celebrated community service by naming Dale M. Weber as the recipient of the 2025 Edward W. Santos Community Service Award. Weber, appearing genuinely moved, told the crowd, I am truly humbled by this presentation. I mean that from my heart. Motion Made by Kevin B. Canty to approve the proclamation of November 29 as small business Saturday. Vote Passed 5-0

The board also addressed immediate community safety and infrastructure concerns. During public comment, local attorney Rich Ciri offered to represent the town pro bono to force the demolition of the unsafe Berts building, telling the board, I'm asking you to let me be a legal volunteer and it won't take me till December 1 to file it. Town Manager Derek Brindisi confirmed that while the owner had begun asbestos abatement, progress had stalled, and the town is now considering legal escalations. Meanwhile, the environmental team provided a comprehensive climate update. David Gould highlighted the department's success in securing funds, noting, Since 2001, the department... we’ve brought in approximately $96 million. Sustainability Planner Michael Cahill detailed the new downtown resiliency project, explaining that the town received a nearly $300,000 grant to create a total cost of risk economic simulator for 500 downtown properties. Motion Made by Kevin B. Canty to approve the closing documents for an interim loan for Title 5 through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. Vote Passed 5-0

The meeting also featured several licensing approvals and a lottery for the popular senior and veterans property tax work-off program, which saw a record 115 applicants this year. Samantha Thompson, representing the new Cambria Hotel, secured a new all-alcohol license, stating, We’re a 107 guest room hotel with an on-site restaurant... looking to open in the evening to allow liquor to be sold. Additionally, Ollie DeMacceto updated the board on the 30th annual America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, noting a new three-year contract with ABC to televise the parade nationally. Thanksgiving, which is a national holiday, started right here, DeMacceto said. We ought to embrace it, we ought to own it and we ought to brag about it. Richard J. Quintal Jr. praised the collaborative spirit of the town's volunteers but cautioned that municipal coordination still needs work, saying, I feel that that's a missing link and we need to fix that. Vice Chair David M. Golden Jr., attending remotely while ill, added his congratulations to the award winners, noting, The small businesses are the very lifeblood of our community. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.