John Mahoney for Select Board

wickedlocal.com

Name, age and address 

John Mahoney, 8 Whiting St. 

Office sought 

Select Board 

Education 

BS in Business Management BSU 

Current employment 

Elevator mechanic, Local 4 

Community involvement 

Eagle Scout, Plymouth Babe Ruth Baseball coach/VP 

Local public service 

Former member of Town Meeting, Finance and Advisory Board and Select Board - 2008 to 2020 

Other credentials 

Current chair, Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel 

John Mahoney

Why are you seeking this office? 

The Saturday, May 21, election is pivotal to Plymouth's future. We are at the crossroads. Decisions we make in the next few years are going to impact the community for decades to come. Decommissioning of Pilgrim Power Station, disposition of a million gallons of contaminated water, county land and a proposed horse track, uncontrolled residential growth, and proper protection of our single sole source aquifer are just some of the challenges facing the community. I'm running because I'm passionate about standing up for what's right for the short- and long-term health of this community. I have the experience to hit the ground running from day one and my experience will be an asset to the board. 

Do you support the early removal of former Town Manager Arrighi? Please explain. 

The Select Board voted last August to amend the town manager’s contract to reflect a new end date of July 2022 with a $115,000 lump sum payment as compensation for walking away from the last year of her contract. Within 90 days of doing so, they saw fit to then send her home from Dec. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, to the tune of $277,000; $35,000 a month to hang around on the back deck and barbecue is a great gig if you can get it. I am not a fan of paying someone to sit and do nothing. The rationale for this action has never been disclosed publicly. Part of the problem is that the public needs to know that government is open and transparent. If elected I will ensure that this occurs.   

Are you satisfied with the current form of municipal government? What specific changes, if any, would you like to see, and why? 

The current form of government might need a few tweaks, but is performing fine. Since we don't deal with social issues at the local level it's all about taxes and what level of services the citizens are getting in return for them. I made a presentation to the Charter Commission that outlined all the fiscal improvements that the community has made since 1998. Three bond upgrades (currently AA+) elimination of double taxation, constructing the new Town Hall without raising property taxes, the best audits in the town’s history over the last decade, creation of the pavement management fund, numerous large infrastructure investments. I have yet to hear one person explain how a change of government will improve the community's fiscal standing.    

Do you support the creation of a horse racing complex of any kind in Plymouth? Please explain your position.  

A horse racing complex in Plymouth? The quickest path to bigger government, higher property taxes and more debt. Just another boondoggle/get rich quick scheme that most politicos are attracted to like a moth to a flame. The last thing the residents of the community need is to subsidize through higher taxes a profit-making venture for a select group of developers. When are we going to learn from the mistakes of the past?  

Name another important issue facing Plymouth. How would you approach it as a board member? 

The single greatest issue facing the community short and long term is our aquifer. A sustainable source of water is the key to public safety, public health and sustainable economic development. During the 1930's the state created the Quabbin Reservoir and took care of Boston and the 128 belt. Twenty-five years later Brockton got complete control of Silver Lake as their primary water source. Plymouth? We're on our own. The 2016 drought exposed a weakness in our current system and it is imperative that we act quickly through land protection, infrastructure investment and conservation measures.