Studio, local rule on ballot
Saturday's annual election ballot in Plymouth features a three-way race for two selectmen's terms, a two-way contest for a seat on the Planning Board, and 50 Town Meeting representative positions up for grabs. But the real draw is expected to be two referendum questions.
Plymouth voters will be asked whether this sprawling town of more than 100 square miles needs a change in its form of government, based on a controversial proposal submitted by the Charter Commission. If approved, the changes would go into effect in July of next year.
Voters also will weigh in on a plan to build a $300 million film studio in south Plymouth. While this question is not binding, proponents say approval would put pressure on Town Meeting representatives who will take action on articles critical to the project on June 9.
The charter proposal, endorsed last fall by a 5-to-3 majority of the Charter Commission, would give Plymouth a popularly elected mayor, an appointed town manager, and a five-member Executive Board that would include the mayor. It also would create a Representative Board similar to, but smaller than, the current Town Meeting representative arrangement. The board would meet four times a year and act on bylaw proposals.
The proposed charter change also includes a Strategic Planning Council for long-range planning, as well as an elected Planning Board similar to the one the town now has.
Anthony Schena, vice chairman of the Charter Commission, said his panel took a "surgical approach" - changing parts of the town's charter that have been criticized and keeping parts that don't need adjustment.
"I think this charter proposal addresses a lot of the concerns people had over the last two charter reviews done," he said.
Charter commissioner Karen Buechs, who opposes the package, said the plan only adds more layers to an already unwieldy government and does little to change the way things are done. She said the Executive Board is simply another name for the Board of Selectmen.
"The intent was good, but it's just too convoluted, and it's really the same government we have now," Buechs said. While Buechs stated that the mayor would be only part time and possess little authority, Schena argued the charter doesn't stipulate whether the position would be part or full time.
Businessman Ric Cone put a sign in front of his shop telling voters to defeat the charter proposal. The mayor in this proposal is "just a figurehead," Cone said.
The proposal "is going to fool people who don't read it carefully," Cone said. "We're looking for less layers of government and this gives us more layers."
The nonbinding referendum question on Plymouth Rock Studios is expected to receive overwhelming support.
Richard Silva, chairman of the Yes to the Rock Committee, said supporters of the $300 million proposal have been holding signs, participating in weekly rallies, and attending discussions at Town Hall. "I imagine there will be a large contingency at the polls as well," Silva said. "The Town Meeting members are looking for sufficient evidence to move forward. The votes of seven, eight, or nine thousand people will let Town Meeting members know how constituents feel."
Town Meeting next month will act on a request to designate 300 acres of town-owned land in South Plymouth for use as a film studio site, and a request to create a zoning overlay district at the location.
Silva is concerned the Town Meeting representatives may defeat the articles on June 9. "They would stop this project dead in its tracks," Silva said. "And I'll tell you, this town will be upset."
Christine Legere can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.
