In a significant change to town governance, Town Meeting approved a consolidated motion for Special Town Meeting Articles 5 through 8, which amends the Town Charter and Bylaws to move the annual town election to June and the Spring Town Meeting to May. The move is designed to provide officials with more accurate financial data during the budget process.

Select Board member Kevin Canty argued that the shift is essential as Plymouth faces a tightening fiscal environment. A yes vote gives you more information to make an informed choice... a no vote continues to have you reaching around in the dark on important numbers, Canty said, referring to the state aid figures typically released by the legislature in late spring. Opponents, including Lawrence Piser, expressed concerns that moving the election to the second Saturday in June, after high school graduations, would further depress voter turnout.

Motion: To amend the Charter and Bylaws to move the election to the second Saturday in June and Town Meeting to the third Saturday in May.

Vote: Passed 117-37-0