Plymouth County Commissioners Prepare for Transatlantic Climate Alliance Conference
County to host delegation from Donegal, Ireland for climate discussions and cultural exchange events
PLYMOUTH - May 8 - Plymouth County is gearing up to host a delegation from County Donegal, Ireland, as part of the Transatlantic Climate Alliance Conference, with events scheduled for May 21-22.
Commissioner Gregory Hanley provided details about the upcoming sister county program during the Plymouth County Commissioners meeting on May 8.
"The shire town of Brockton is hosting a welcome dinner on the 21st of May beginning at 5 p.m. to honor our agreement with County Donegal," Hanley says.
The welcome dinner will feature several notable recognitions, including a new award. the inaugural Ambassador Claire Cronin Award, which will be presented to Neve Kennedy, the Mayor of Donegal.
"We are working closely with retired Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, and she is recognizing Neve Kennedy, who is the Mayor of Donegal, with an inaugural, first-time ever awarded Claire Cronin Award," Hanley explains.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians will also present awards during the dinner, naming the Clerk of the Superior Court, Mr. (Robert) Creedon, as Irishman of the Year, while former Ambassador Claire Cronin will receive the Woman of the Year honor.
The dinner will include a live charity auction benefiting the Charity Guild of Brockton, kicking off the conference activities.
The main conference takes place the following day at Bridgewater State University, featuring three panel discussions. The county has partnered with retired state Senator Marc Pacheco for the Transatlantic Climate Alliance initiative.
"We have worked closely with the state who's providing the Department of Energy Resources as a panelist in the conference. We have representation from the City of Brockton as a second panel and the county of Donegal as the third panel," Hanley says.
Following the conference, activities will continue with a flag hoisting ceremony at Brockton City Hall, followed by a visit to the Marciano family home and a photo opportunity at the Rocky Marciano statue.
The day concludes with "Celtic Night" at a Brockton Rox baseball game, sponsored by HarborOne and the Brockton Rox organization. The Mayor of Donegal will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
Hanley noted the events fulfill multiple aspects of the county's agreement with Donegal: "Under economic development, we have the conference. Under culture, we have the welcome dinner, and under tourism we have the Rox and the Marciano family home. So we checked all the boxes per our agreement."
In other business, the commissioners received updates on county operations and facilities.
The 4-H program remains active throughout the county, with Director Molly Vollmer reporting that Extension Educator Lindell Tucker of Duxbury recently represented the program at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
"I would recommend if anyone needs a speaker at any upcoming county events or meetings that Lindell would make a great representation and has a lot to share," Vollmer says.
The commissioners expressed interest in recognizing Tucker at their June 5 advisory board meeting.
Frank Basler, county administrator, provided an update on the renovation project at 32 Belmont Street in Brockton, which is being prepared as a potential revenue source for the county.
"We still have about three weeks left of the project and it'll be completed, at which time we'll give you an update and we'll look for next steps with guidance from the commissioners," Basler says.
The commissioners also discussed a request from the United States Department of Commerce to provide office space for one of their team members during the summer months. After consideration of the Inspector General's report regarding county property leasing practices, the commissioners declined the request.
"If we offer it gratis then my understanding would be, technically speaking, we would have to offer it gratis to anybody else who requested," Commissioner Jared Valanzola notes.
Commissioner Hanley added concerns about potential liability issues, concluding that providing free space "is just probably not worth our while."
The Register of Deeds reported that despite the Federal Reserve making no changes to interest rates, the office continues to perform above revenue estimates through the first 10 months of the fiscal year.
The meeting concluded with routine approvals of minutes, vendor vouchers, payroll vouchers, and contract extensions for vehicle procurement with Liberty Chevrolet and Colonial Municipal Group.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Plymouth County YouTube.
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