As a newly elected Town Meeting member and a longtime volunteer involved in conservation efforts, I support thoughtful growth in Plymouth.  However, I am increasingly concerned about the scale and character of some recent developments and what they may mean for our town’s future.

One issue that troubles me is the widespread clear-cutting of trees before construction.  Many of Plymouth’s older neighborhoods were built while preserving significant numbers of mature trees, helping maintain the character of our town and providing shade, wildlife habitat, stormwater absorption, and natural beauty.  In contrast, some newer developments appear to remove nearly all existing vegetation before building begins.

I am also concerned about the extensive sand and gravel removal associated with development projects.  Plymouth sits atop a sole-source aquifer that provides drinking water for much of our community.  The sandy soil beneath our feet are not simply empty ground waiting to be built upon.  They are part of a natural system that allows rainwater to filter through the soil and recharge the aquifer that supplies our drinking water.

While earth removal and development activities are regulated, residents should be asking whether we are adequately protecting the natural systems that safeguard our water supply.  What are the long-term effects of removing large quantities of sand and gravel?  What happens when forests are cleared, natural landscapes are altered and truck traffic increases?  Are we fully considering the cumulative impacts on groundwater recharge, water quality, wildlife habitat, and the character of our community?

Trees and sandy soils are valuable natural assets.  Trees help absorb stormwater, reduce erosion, store carbon, cool our neighborhoods and support wildlife.  Sandy soil helps filter and replenish groundwater.  Once these resources are removed, they cannot easily be replaced.

My concern is not about stopping all development.  Plymouth is a growing community, and growth is inevitable. The question is whether we are growing in a way that protects the resources that make Plymouth special in the first place.

If every future development removes large areas of forest and extracts significant amounts of sand, what will Plymouth look like in 20, 50, or 100 years?  Will future generations inherit the same wooded landscapes, clean drinking water, and natural beauty that many of us value today?

Growth and conservation do not have to be opposing goals.  With thoughtful planning, responsible development, and strong environmental protection, we can preserve the character and natural resources of Plymouth while still accommodating growth.

The decisions we make today will shape Plymouth for generations.  We owe it to ourselves – and to those who come after us – to ensure that Plymouth remains a community defined not only by growth, but by stewardship of the land and water that sustain us.  

– Debra Ann Leavitt

Leavitt is a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 6