Plymouth Town Meeting approved $50,000 from free cash under Special Town Meeting Article 3 to support the 250th Anniversary July 4th celebration, amid warnings that the event's traditional funding model is failing. Matthew Tavares told the meeting that private contributions have dropped significantly, leaving the committee's reserves nearly exhausted after six years of drawdowns.

Last year, we had 52 individuals out of a community of 62,000 people donate... That reserve is almost completely wiped out, Tavares said. Selectman Richard Quintal noted he brought the article forward to ensure the town is in the game for the historic 250th-anniversary milestone.

The debate highlighted concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of relying on free cash to cover public safety and operational costs for large-scale community events that previously relied more heavily on private fundraising.

Motion: To appropriate $50,000.

Vote: Passed 134-15-0