NO Proposition 2 ½ Override

I will not support an override and will work to prevent one.

Full Audit of the Town of Plymouth:

I will request the Office of the State Auditor conduct a full top-to-bottom audit of the Town of Plymouth and all of its departments.

Tax Relief for Seniors:

I will propose a $100 property tax abatement for a property owner who has reached the age for full Social Security benefits (67 years old). This abatement increases to $200 at 70 years old. I will work to increase this abatement, but will start cautiously to avoid significant impact until the budget can be reduced and stabilized.

Lower Taxes for All:

I will work to reduce the budget and toward a leaner and more effective town government which will reduce the burden on the tax levy.

Plymouth Foundation:

NO elected or appointed member of Plymouth's Town Government should serve on this board due to a perceived conflict of interest.

Increase Revenue Streams:

I am the only candidate in the race for Plymouth Select Board that is actively proposing non-tax revenue solutions for our town. As your next Select Board Member, I will explore these and any opportunities (including Enterprise Account solutions) that benefit our communities.

Proposal 1: Third-Service EMS. I propose that Plymouth take over its ambulance service, based on the “Fall River Model,” as a “Third Service,” but supervised by the Fire Department in the same manner that the Harbormaster falls under the Police Department.

Fall River EMS performs BLS (Basic Life Support - EMT level) interfacility transports to generate revenue. Medicare/Medicaid/MassHealth pays approximately $2000 per BLS interfacility transport.

This not only provides a significant revenue stream of up to $15 million dollars,(the current Fire Dept budget is $18 million) but also provides a huge increase in emergency services, with the ability to surge 15 ambulances to a significant catastrophic event, far beyond what we have now.

This additional-revenue-stream proposal saves us money AND increases public safety!

Proposal 2: Hydro-Power in Plymouth. It’s as old as the Jenny Grist Mill, built in 1636.

I propose using existing (and free) town water lines running under our streets, tapping a new source of electricity that can be sold back to the grid (much like solar), and reducing the town's energy costs and saving money.

This Green Energy source doesn’t take up the space that solar fields do, isn’t controversial, and hydro-power was specifically mentioned in the Governor’s recent “All of the Above” energy strategy. This proposal saves us money and benefits the environment.

Proposal 3: Utilize our landfill to generate electricity. I propose using gas generated by Plymouth’s capped landfills (methane) to create electricity.

Landfill methane is a renewable energy resource, which can be sold back to the grid to reduce the town’s overall electricity costs and save taxpayers money.

The Washington Electric Cooperative in Vermont is using methane gas from the Coventry Landfill, which currently creates 8 MW of electricity for its residents. In addition to supplying about two-thirds of its members’ electricity needs, the Co-op can also sell “Renewable Energy Certificates” to help companies in other New England states meet the requirements of Renewable Portfolio Standards.

This green energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions that cause smog and global warming. There are currently 480 Landfill Gas-to-Electricity projects in the U.S., which produce over 12 billion kWh of electricity. This proposal saves us money and benefits the environment.

Animal Shelter:

I will work towards opening a new modern animal shelter on Long Pond Road where the former blighted “water barn” is located.

No Salary:

 I will donate the $4,000 stipend to the animal shelter. I’m not in this for the money.