Plymouth Election: Quintal Reelected, Canty Elected to Select Board; Badger and Morgan Reelected to School Committee; Donaldson and Peck Elected to Planning Board; Town Votes ‘No’ on Proposed Charter
(PLYMOUTH) – Plymouth voters went to the polls on Saturday, reelecting Richard J. Quintal, Jr. and electing Kevin B. Canty to the Select Board. Michelle Badger and Robert Morgan were reelected to the School Committee, while the proposed Town Charter on the ballot did not pass.
( The view from Town Hall, looking seaward; photo credit — J. Benjamin Cronin. )
Based upon unofficial results from the Plymouth Town Clerk’s Office, Mr. Quintal received 3,362 votes, or 22.43% of the vote; Mr. Canty received 2,971 votes, or 19.82% of the total ballots cast. Both were elected to the Select Board.
School Committee Member Vedna K. Heywood received 2,756 votes, or 18.39% of the vote; Planning Board Member Francis F. Mand, with 2,031 votes, or 13.55% of the total; Precinct 15 Town Meeting Member W. Wrestling Brewster received 1,508 votes, or 10.06% of the vote; and Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Everett J. Malaguti III received 903 votes, or 6.02% of the ballots cast. They were not elected.
In the election for School Committee, incumbents Michelle L. Badger received 4,247 votes, or 28.34% of the total. Robert P. Morgan received 3,246, or 21.66% of the vote. Both were returned to office.
Dan Sullivan received 2,709, or 18.07% of ballots cast. Michael J. Spellman received 2,070 votes, or 13.81% of the total. They were not elected.
Carl A. Donaldson was elected to a five-year seat on the Planning Board, with 4,707 votes, or 62.81% of the total. Longtime Zoning Board of Appeals member David B. Peck was likewise elected to the Planning Board, to a one-year seat, with 4,990 votes, or 66.59% of ballots cast. Both men were running unopposed. Mr. Donaldson is, to this observer’s knowledge, the first African American individual elected to Plymouth Town Government.
The proposed new Town Charter was on the ballot as Question 1. On that Question, 4,989, or 66.57% of the total, voted “No”; for “Yes,” there were 2,369 votes cast, or 31.61% of the total. The proposed Charter was not approved.
In total, 7,494 ballots were cast, for a turnout rate of 15.42%.
The results in Town Meeting Member races, and the unofficial results as a whole, are available via the Town Clerk’s office, here.
Congratulations to those who were elected, and my deep and sincere appreciation to all the candidates, as well as to all of their family and friends, to their supporters and advocates, and indeed, to the entire Town. Democracy isn’t an easy system, requiring great effort and continual vigilance, and often impelling us to debate difficult questions, in which real interests, passionately considered, are at stake; and it is surely imperfect and flawed — but it is the surest guaranty of our safety and happiness. To all who participate: we owe you a debt of gratitude.