MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009

PRESENT: Terry H. Finnegan (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Hilary P. Wilson (Clerk), Arthur P. Boyle, Jr., (Selectmen), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Pembroke Mariner/Reporter), Dan Trabucco, Michael Buckley (Town Accountant), and others.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Census Notification – A notice from the Town Clerk was read to notify residents that the Registrars will be calling homes and sometimes visiting homes in order to establish the town census. The Clerk’s Office telephone is 781-709-1406.

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE: Mark Ames was present to explain the mission and requests of the CPC. He told the Selectmen that the Community Preservation Committee is comprised of nine volunteer members. They make recommendations to the town meeting where CPA money should be appropriated. They accept proposals submitted by town departments or committees. Application forms are available in the Town Clerk’s Office or can be downloaded from the website. The deadline for submission is May 14^th. The CPC studies the proposals, invites proponents in to talk to the CPC about their project. The CPC discusses and responds to the proponent and they bring an article to the Fall town meeting for approval by the residents. The proponent is then notified of how much money they will receive for their project and then a project manager is assigned to the approved project. The proponent’s contractor works with the CPC’s project manager. The CPC votes to allow payment of vouchers.

Mr. Ames explained that the CPC was created to control the use of open space, to preserve historic areas and public housing. A minimum of 10% of the overall money must be allotted to each of these categories. When a matter is urgent and is for the good of the town, then the CPC may present a project request at a Special or Annual Town Meeting.

SCHOOL STREET SURPLUS PROPERTY: The assessed value of the lot shown on Assessors’ Map D3, Parcel 7D, 630 School Street, is $27,000. The property was advertised for sale by sealed bids and only one bid was received. The bid was opened and read by the Chairman. It was submitted by New England Villages in the amount of $4,500. The Selectmen expressed disappointment at receiving only one bid and feel that the amount offered is inadequate.

Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to refuse the offer and to put the bid offer out again with a minimum of $25,000. So voted unanimously in favor.

MINUTES: The minutes of March 2, 2009 were accepted as written.

SURPLUS TOWN-OWNED REAL ESTATE: Mr. Thorne will research the assessed value of buildable lots on the list of parcels to be offered for sale. The board agreed to take Lot B4-28 School St. off the list since it has been used as beachfront property.

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MARCH 9, 2009 – PAGE TWO

Mr. Thorne will prepare new lists of buildable and non-buildable lots with their assessed values for the board’s review next week.

EDWARD DRIVE AND REBECCA ROAD: Members of the Planning Board were present to help the Selectmen address concerns of residents from Edward Drive and Rebecca Road regarding the acceptance of their streets. The developer has not completed work on a broken pipe. The Planning Board needs an as-built plan before they can submit the roads for acceptance. Until then, the developer is responsible for maintenance, sanding and plowing the roads. The Planning Board does hold a bond but it may not be sufficient to complete the work necessary if the developer defaults. The Planning Board engineer will be requested to prepare and estimate for repair of the pipe.

Resident John Wolengevicz stated that it is an unsafe development and the developer has told the residents that they need to form an association because he is going to walk away from it. The residents are pleading for help from the town. The town may not be able to withhold permits for other projects by this developer because each one is in a different LLC. But boards will be more scrutinizing of any future projects. Kevin McQuaid at 43 Edward Drive is concerned about the street plantings that should have been done. Property lines also need to be verified.

An invitation will be extended to the developer, Phil Johnson, to meet with the board anytime to discuss the situation. Legal recourse will be determined, if necessary, i.e. attachments or liens. This item will be kept on the agenda under “old business” in order to keep up with the status.

HEALTH INSURANCE VOTE: Mr. Boyle requested that a motion be made to reconsider the Board’s vote of last week relative to the health insurance benefits for elected officials. He explained that since he was not present last week, he did not have a chance to weigh in on the subject. Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to reconsider. Vote: 4-1 with Mrs. Finnegan opposed.

Mrs. Finnegan told him that she suggested the action because she saw an opportunity to close a gap of potential financial liability to the town. There will be no adverse effect on anyone right now and it will only save future town liability and burden.

Mr. Anderson noted that it is not a personal affront at this time but he sees it as a liability and is not in favor of keeping the benefit in place. Mr. Boulter explained that he did not vote last week but looked into the subject and feels that since the trend is to get health insurance for everyone in the country, he feels that town should continue to offer this benefit. Mr. Wilson feels that he cannot agree to leave the benefit with just a select group.

Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to no longer offer insurance to elected, part-time officials as of tomorrow morning and no new elected, part-time official shall apply for town health benefits. Vote: 3-2 In favor: Wilson, Anderson, Finnegan Opposed: Boyle, Boulter

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MARCH 9, 2009 – PAGE THREE

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Mr. Thorne reported that he has a reduced budget list for FY’09 reductions. He has $42,817 accounted for at present and is waiting for amounts from another two larger departments. Money can be turned back from old articles and can be used to fund Article 2. The Assessors can turn back $100,000 from their overlay account. Mr. Thorne will update the list again next week.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation, potential litigation and contract negotiations.

Roll call vote: Boyle, yes – Wilson, yes – Boulter, yes – Anderson, yes – Finnegan, yes

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.