Observer Corps

The League of Women Voters has been an active champion of openness in government throughout its history. The organization’s principles include the requisite that “government bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.”

Observer Corps programs are only one way for Leagues to ensure that “sunshine” or government transparency regulations are followed in their communities.

The LWV of the Plymouth Area has actively engaged its members in observer corps for decades. We currently have the following members who will be attending and reporting on:

Committee/Board

Observers

Affordable Housing Trust Phoebe Flynn
Charter Review Committee Lyle Lawrence
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Susan Ferrari-Dwyer and Ginny Davis
Plymouth County Executive Committee Pat Adelmann
School Committee Donna Eddy

Archived: Charter Commission Observer Corps. Reports are available on the are on our Charter Commission Notes and Resources Page.

Affordable Housing Trust Observer Corps

The Affordable Housing Trust assists in identifying housing needs and housing opportunities for all income levels, while at the same time preserving our Town’s character and resources.

LWV member Phoebe Flynn has been attending meetings beginning September, 2023. More information is available on our advocacy webpage on Affordable Housing.

Reports:

  1. September 20, 2023
  2. October 18, 2023
  3. November 15, 2023
  4. December 19,2023
  5. January 17, 2024
  6. February 21. 2024
  7. March 20, 2024
  8. April 17, 2024
  9. May 15, 2024
  10. June 26, 2024
  11. July 17, 2024
  12. August 21, 2024

Charter Review Committee Observer Corps

The Charter Review Committee, Per Ch. 7 Sec 6 of the Town Charter, is reviewing the Charter and will make a report, with recommendations, to the Town Meeting concerning any proposed amendments which the Committee may determine to be necessary or desirable.

LWV member Lyle Lawrence has been attending meetings beginning August, 2023.

Reports:

  1. August 9, 2023
  2. September 5, 2023
  3. September 19, 2023
  4. October 3, 2023
  5. November 7, 2023
  6. November 21, 2023
  7. December 5, 2023
  8. December 19, 2023
  9. January 2, 2024
  10. January 16, 2024
  11. January 23, 2024
  12. February 6, 2024
  13. February 20, 2024
  14. March 5, 12, and 19
  15. March 26
  16. April 2
  17. May 14, 2024
  18. May 21, 2024

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Observer Corps

The Plymouth CPC is responsible for proposing allocation of the Community Preservation Fund to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and land conservation projects. The League’s position on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) which enabled this committee is available here. Our position is in support of the CPA.

LWV member Ginny Davis attended meetings from December 22, 2022 through March 2024. Susan Dwyer has been observer since May, 2023.

The reports below include articles for discussion prior to Town Meeting in 2023.

Reports:

  1. December 22, 2022 through January 12, 2023. (This includes additional background about the CPC and the Articles under discussion for Spring Town Meeting.
  2. January 26 through Februrary 2, 2023.
  3. February 9, 2023. (Minutes)
  4. February 23, 2023
  5. March 9, 2023
  6. March 14 (Open comment session at Select Board Meeting)
  7. April 13, 2023
  8. May 11, 2023
  9. May 25, 2023
  10. June 8, 2023
  11. June 20, 2023 (Select Board Meeting Appointment of CPC Member)
  12. June 29, 2023 (Open Meeting to Discuss the CPC Application Process)
  13. July 13, 2023
  14. July 18, 2023
  15. July 27, 2023
  16. August 3, 2023
  17. August 24, 2023
  18. September 21, 2023
  19. November 9, 2023
  20. November 30, 2023
  21. December 7, 2023
  22. January 11, 2024
  23. January 25, 2024
  24. February 15, 2024
  25. March 28, 2024
  26. April 25, 2024
  27. June 13, 2024

School Committee Observer Corps

The primary responsibilities of the School Committee are to oversee the annual school budget; develop school system policies; hire and review the performance of the Superintendent of Schools; and advocate for the school system with citizens and Town Government.

LWV member Donna Eddy attended meetings from October, 2023 through January, 2024.

Reports:

  1. October 2, 2023
  2. October 16, 2023
  3. October 30, 2023
  4. November 13, 2023
  5. November 27, 2023
  6. January 8, 2024
  7. January 16, 2024
  8. January 22, 2024