Plainville Select Board candidates debate spending, development, and public engagement

NORTH ATTLEBORO — March 30, 2022 — Plainville's lone Select Board seat goes to voters April 4 after a televised debate Wednesday between incumbent Chairman Ryan Kelly and challenger Cheryl Sherry-Minch. Kelly, a former Finance Committee member, argued the town's recovery from deep budget cuts depends on expanding commercial revenue — pointing to a $1.5 million federal well-drilling grant and potential expansion of Plainridge Park Casino as models — while Sherry-Minch, also a Finance Committee member, called for a formal spending plan before pursuing large-scale growth. The sharpest exchange came over a $41,000 study into undergrounding downtown utility lines, with projected costs ranging from $3 million to $9 million; Sherry-Minch accused the board of proceeding without any public input session, while Kelly said no final cost or funding source has been determined. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building at 194 South Street, with North TV airing live results beginning at 8:15 p.m.