Plymouth Select Board appoints two full planning-board members and outlines election-driven transition

The Plymouth Select Board on March 24 appointed two current alternates — Molly McCann and Neil Maciver — to full seats on the town Planning Board and reappointed Susan Wood to a new three-year term, actions the board said will help the town transition the Planning Board from appointed to elected membership.

Town manager Scott Wheaton told the board he had sought legal guidance on how to stagger Planning Board terms as members shift from appointed to elected status. The memo from Town Attorney Warren, read at the meeting, recommended appointing interim members for one-year terms and then filling staggered terms at the 2026 election so the board can move to a 2-2-2 election cycle for continuity.

Board members said the appointments will preserve continuity on land-use matters while the town implements the multi-year schedule to convert appointed seats into elected seats. The Select Board also recorded that Mike Ahern has rescinded his request for reappointment, which left two open full seats and the pool of alternates constrained.

In a brief discussion before the votes, Molly McCann — an existing alternate who applied to move to a full seat — described her preparation for the role. "I can only emphasize the work that I have put in to learning what I need to learn to be an effective planner and planning board member," McCann said. The board and several public commenters praised McCann's videos and meeting preparation.

Neil Maciver, who asked to fill the remaining full seat, was described by board members as having relevant professional and legislative experience; the Conservation Commission had earlier recommended his appointment as an alternate. The board approved motions to appoint McCann and Maciver to terms that will run to the dates required under the attorney's transition plan (motions included specific term end dates: one appointment to run through March 10, 2026, and the other to cover the seat vacated by Phil Lemireux for the same period).

Bradford (Brad) Puffer will remain in an alternate position; the board said the planning board itself will continue to appoint alternates until all regular members are elected, per Attorney Warren's guidance and state statute discussion during the meeting. The board also reappointed Susan (Sue) Wood to a three-year regular seat; the Planning Board had unanimously recommended her reappointment.

The Select Board flagged that enforcing the statutory transition will produce some short-term complexity at elections (different-length terms on the ballot) but will move the Planning Board into a stable staggered schedule thereafter. Board members said they preferred the temporary awkwardness in order to reach the 2-2-2 rotation recommended by counsel.

The formal appointments were made by motion and approved by voice vote at the March 24 meeting.

Looking ahead, the Select Board and planning staff will coordinate paperwork and clarify which seats appear on which upcoming ballots so candidates and voters know whether a given seat is for one, two or three years under the transition plan.