Plympton Select Board Seeks More Quotes on $60,000-a-Year Permitting Software

PLYMPTON — October 6, 2025 — Plympton Select Board pumps the brakes on permitting software carrying a $60,000 annual price tag. The board voted unanimously to declare a shed at the Old Townhouse surplus and authorized the Plympton Garden Club to arrange its donation or disposal, then spent its longest discussion weighing whether to proceed with an OpenGov permitting platform funded by a $74,000 Community Compact grant — but costing an estimated $60,000 per year after the startup period ends June 30. Resident John Wallace urged the board to bring the recurring cost to town meeting before committing, noting "everybody keeps saying how much taxes are going up." Resident Russell Traynor countered that uncoordinated permitting already shows up in town court cases. The board also announced a $200,000 state rural development grant, requiring no town match, for a water security study to be led by Conservation Agent Brian Vesa in partnership with the Taunton River Stewardship Council. Free cash was certified at $190,829, and four appointments were approved, including Pierre Boyer and Kaitlyn Johnson to the Town Properties Committee.