Administration of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) from the US Treasury to the 27 communities that comprise Plymouth County government
All Plymouth County programs are already available to all socio-economic background within Plymouth County
Plymouth County is currently in a Sister County Agreement with the County of Donegal where we sponsor conferences on the concept of Blue/Green Economy opportunities between the Counties. In 2023 during the Plymouth Conference, Donegal brought a Kelp Farming 7 figure Blue /Green corporation and spoke to the attendees about opportunities for economic development per the County Treaty.This year the Plymouth County Delegation will visit with the Irish government to learn more about Wind, Solar, and Battery storage operations in Donegal and present its findings at the Blue Green Economy in Mid October 2024. We are exploring these initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint in the County and to explore investment potential of Irish companies
The County has property throughout the County that could be used in partnership with responsible developers to come in the compliance with the goals of the 2024 MA Affordable Housing Act. One example would be to adopt a Veterans Preference Zoning and Housing administration on behalf of the Plymouth County communities qualifying the County to be the recipient of Federal funds from the McKinley-Vento Act Hearth amendment to address homelessness to housing initiatives which could allow the County to administer and distribute the federal funds to the qualified communities who opt to adopt that provision of the MA Affordable Housing Act
Recalculation of the the Plymouth County Deeds Excise tax formula for distribution for our member communities. Currently the formula is 10% of every Deed recordered comes back to the County. That is 10 cents on the dollar... we would like to change that formula to 27 cents on the dollar so we do not have to charge our member communities an assessment for the services of the County.
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Campaign Phone
5088682547
The Register of Deeds offices are where all homeowners process deeds with the majority of county employees and budget.
Our courthouses provide invaluable services to our justice system and county staff provide facility management, maintenance, and coordination of issues with state agencies. When I was a member of the Board of Commissioners during 2009-2013, we made great progress in our relations with the state staffs towards mutually beneficial agreements.
Many leaders and friends in Plymouth have concerns about controversial issues regarding the county “Wood Lot” in Plymouth.
As we have in the past, we can do more for bulk purchases and regional services especially for our public safety departments that have needed help for years.
To increase the number of homeowners, federal government could lower interest rates. Board of Commissioners need to ensure county government is doing all possible to increase services, shared revenues, and assistance to towns. County Advisory Board and state, town, and regional leaders and staffs may be very helpful with more ideas.
Many town, state, and regional leaders and residents have complained that county assessments to the towns are excessive since the county provides limited value to towns. Many town and state leaders complained Commissioners announced a $1 Million budget deficit and each Commissioner has a salary of $33,000 per year for their part-time duties while town Select members have more responsibilities and no salary.
Previous county government administrations have provided leadership with assistance for facilities-properties in towns for basic energy efficiency and greener measures (including alternative energy like solar & wind) which county leaders may expand. There are many federal, state, and commercial resources and opportunities for us to take advantage of for county-wide betterment. Most know the EV experiment is still in progress with many important issues to continue reviewing. Federal & state government may provide more local help if they do more for our economy, cost of living & other issues for residents and businesses by printing less money & decreasing debt, interest rates, taxes & inflation and solving the illegal migrant crisis.
An issue requiring appropriate attention but where the county has limited capacity to assist. The MBTA Zoning law is creating significant problems causing many unproductive tensions between, among, and within our towns and state staffs. This raises great concerns among many town and state leaders questioning the wisdom of the intent, implementation, exercise, and impact of the law. County leaders may encourage state officials to review the entire situation to ensure there are not better options for better outcomes for all involved. Less homeownership, higher interest rates, and the illegal migrant crisis contribute. County should keep 40% of Register of Deeds fees but the state allows us only 10%, we must do better sooner.
Mostly from complaints by town, state, and regional leaders and residents:
More review of the Wood Lot problem in closer collaboration with town officials especially Plymouth town officials. More review of Public Safety training facilities opportunities with state and town officials.
More advocacy of issues with more collaboration with state and federal officials for more cost of living and quality of life solutions to problems impacting the county, region, and our towns.
More review and improvements to the County budget and assessments from our towns.
More review of improvements to basic transparency of information and processes including human resources issues like Board salaries and possible nepotism hiring practices.
Campaign Phone
6178273457
Of course I consider all of our services to be vital to the well being of the residents of Plymouth County. I'm proud of the hard work all of our staff does each and every day, and to single one out would be a disservice to the other departments and workers in the County. I'm proud of the hard work our 4-H Extension, Registry, parking, and maintenance departments do day in and day out. We continue to work hard to provide these services in spite of difficult economic conditions. We continue to provide streamlined, cost-effective services to the residents and municipalities of Plymouth County and that I consider to be the most important service the County provides.
All of our programs are available and utilized by any and all residents of Plymouth County, and regularly are.
Through my leadership, the County recently bought Community Rating System credits to help address coastal issues and flood insurance premiums. The County continues to look for ways to advocate and seek out grants that can help address coastal and climate issues.
Plymouth County's enabling statute restricts it's ability to play a role in housing.
The key issues facing Plymouth County is our continued collaboration and support for the member communities. We continue to strive to be a vehicle of regionalization and collaboration amongst the member communities so we can save municipalities and taxpayers money
