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Plymouth to replace airport well and fund terminal repairs after debate over public use and costs
Summary
Voters approved airport funding in the capital articles and separate capital projects to replace a failing dug well at the municipal airport; town officials said American Rescue Plan funds will pay much of the cost and there will be minimal tax impact, while residents debated the need for a public restroom and long‑term maintenance.
Voters approved funding for the Plymouth Municipal Airport in Article 12 and included a $20,000 appropriation for airport well replacement within the capital projects article. The airport discussion drew sustained public comment about the facility’s public‑use role, restroom conditions and the cost of maintaining municipal airport infrastructure.
Airport manager Colin MacGyver described the existing well as a shallow, dug well in a wetland area with poor water quality; he told the meeting the town has remaining funds from American Rescue Plan allocations that the airport can use toward a new well and that using those funds would not increase the tax burden. “The water is very foul,” Colin MacGyver said when explaining the need for replacement; he added that the airport well replacement would be paid from remaining ARPA funds rather than directly from current taxpayers.
Supporters emphasized public‑safety and community uses for the airport. Brendan Hillcomb, who described his work with the university’s meteorology program and airport projects, said the airport supports events, school activities and emergency operations. A resident pointed out the airport is used by medevac services, the National Guard and fish‑and‑game operations for rescues, and one commenter said losing an operational municipal airport would be difficult to replace.
Opponents and skeptics questioned whether the town should fund a public restroom at the airport or whether a portable restroom could suffice. Officials responded that a permanent well and building repairs better support public safety uses and planned community events, and that available ARPA funds are already allocated to some airport needs.
Ending: The airport project was approved as part of capital appropriations; the airport manager and the select board will proceed with scheduling and procurement using the ARPA allocation where eligible and will report on construction and operational plans.
