MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 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), and others.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:05 p.m.
BASSBUSTERS TOURNAMENT: Dick Jensen from Weymouth requested permission to hold an 8 boat fishing tournament on Oldham Pond on May 3rd.
Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to allow BassBusters Fishing Club to hold an eight boat fishing tournament on Oldham Pond at the Pembroke Town Landing on Wampatuck Street, on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and further to allow boat trailers to be parked in the parking area at the landing and across the street.
So voted unanimously in favor.
MINUTES: The board voted to approve the minutes of March 9, 2009 as printed. The board voted to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2009 meeting as amended.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to appoint Dan Murphy, 346 High Street, to serve on the Conservation Commission for a term to expire in June 2010. So voted unanimously in favor. Mr. Murphy will fill the seat vacated by Scott Hammond.
DOOR-TO-DOOR/EDWARD JONES: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to approve the request of Mark P. Gomes for a three month extension of his permit to solicit door-to-door in Pembroke to introduce himself as the Edward Jones Investments financial advisor for our area, with the same conditions as previously granted.
Solicitation hours will be from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and a Photo ID must be presented. Three month extension will expire June 30, 2009.
VOTE: 4-1 with Mr. Boulter opposed.
SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS:
Muscleworks, 235 Washington St. – approved a permanent sign as per application and photo submitted.
Pembroke Pop Warner – approved temporary sign on town green from March 26 through April 4, 2008 for football registration.
Bryantville Pizza, 8 Main St. – approved two permanent signs as per application and photos submitted.
Huntington Learning Center, North River Plaza – approved two temporary signs for 30 days at locations indicated on plans and applications.
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MARCH 30, 2009 – PAGE TWO
Turner Antiques, 681 Washington St – approved a temporary 30 day sign as per application and plans submitted.
Pembroke Collision, 192 Mattakeesett St. – The Board tabled the application of Ben Bastienelli for a sign permit at 192 Mattakeesett St because it advertises the sale of vehicles for which this business does not yet have a permit. The Board would like to see the decision of the ZBA for approval to display vehicles before they entertain a request from the applicant for a car dealer license.
EDWARD DRIVE AND REBECCA ROAD: Developer Philip Johnson came before the Selectmen to update the progress and anticipated completion of these roads. He reported that he has been working with the Planning Board Engineer and expects completion of the drainage concern within two weeks. He also reported that as-built plans have been submitted to the Planning Board and the resident’s concern about the lot lines has been corrected. Mr. Johnson told the Selectmen that he tried to get these roads accepted in October of 2007 but Planning Board Member Joe Mulkern raised concerns and the road acceptance was pulled from the warrant.
A number of residents from Edward Dr. and Rebecca Rd. were in attendance and discussion ensued relative to the street acceptance process and the communication of residents’ concerns to town boards and officials. The Town Administrator reported to the Selectmen that Town Counsel advises that you cannot hold up a permit on a project for someone who has a non-compliance issue on another project. Mr. Thorne offered to have the residents come in to talk to him about the issues and processes and to make suggestions on what could be changed or improved.
POLICE CHIEF OHRENBERGER: Chief Ohrenberger reported that the results of the Lieutenant’s Assessment exam have not yet been received but he hopes to have them next week. His hope is that next year he would like to have one lieutenant and two sergeants appointed. This will give oversight supervision and a sergeant promotion would probably have less effect on shift strength. The Sergeant’s exam has already been taken but Pembroke hasn’t called for a list yet. Once the lists are completed they will run through the full exam and assessment process and the Chief’s own assessment and he will make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. He feels it does not make sense to bring candidates before the Selectmen for interviews if the Chief is not recommending them for appointment. It was a consensus of the board that the Chief’s recommendations would be honored.
SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS, continued:
Builders Surplus Consignments, 46 Columbia Rd. – approved sign for temporary display during business hours only as per application and plan submitted.
First Church Nursery School, Center St – approved sign for temporary display as per application and sketch submitted.
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MARCH 30, 2009 – PAGE THREE
Dorchester Awning, 230 Oak St – approved sign for temporary display during business hours only as per application and pictures submitted.
Kitchens, Floors and More, 217 Water St – approved two permanent signs as per application and plans submitted.
Sean Michael’s – A Cut Above the Rest, 31 Schoosett St – approved temporary sign for 14 days as per application and picture submitted.
Pembroke Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Appraisal Day Fundraiser, Approval granted for a temporary sign on the Town Green from March 22 - April 15 for fundraiser to be held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at Community Center.
Reed Hollow Barn, 476 Center St – approved temporary sign for 30 days from April 3 through May 3, 2009, as per application and sketch submitted.
Mr. Boulter noted that he spoke to the company that put up the Silver Lake sign board and they are willing to come to Pembroke about making one community sign for the town. The Chamber of Commerce has been working on this type of community sign and Mr. Thorne will send a note to the Chamber about contacting the Silver Lake sign designers.
TOWN MEETING ARTICLES: The Board discussed the proposed dock bylaw (Art. 13 on the annual warrant) and it was suggested that the fee be set at $25.00 for a permit. The selectmen’s recommendation on this article will be favorable action.
The Selectmen recommend “town meeting floor” on Article 21 regarding the 300th Anniversary Committee request for funding.
PASSPORTS: On the subject of passport revenues, it was agreed that five hours of time for the principal clerk in the Selectmen’s Office should be charged to the net costs and any other related expenses. It was suggested that a revolving account might be set up for the excess funds.
ACTUARY SERVICE: Town Accountant Mike Buckley will have a report in 2 or 3 weeks. He will be on the agenda for April 13th.
SURPLUS PROPERTY: Mr. Thorne presented a new list to the Selectmen. The Selectmen want Mr. Thorne to talk to Conservation about a wetlands question and get back to them.
PEMBROKE COUNTRY CLUB: Mr. Thorne visited the facility last Monday and found the new owners are obviously committed to greatly improving the facility and the course. They plan to open the club for Easter.
300TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Mr. Boulter reported that the meeting on April 24th was well attended and encourages any interested persons to contact him about being part of the committee. They will organize in a couple weeks.
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MARCH 30, 2009 – PAGE FOUR
COMCAST: Mr. Anderson explained that the Town has not implemented any extra fee for cable service. The company is allowed to charge for their mitigation costs to run cable. They break it out now on the bills to show what they payback to the town since they no longer run the local cable studio. The Town does not set the rate for Comcast. They set their own rates.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations and pending litigation, and upon completion the meeting will be recessed to a time certain to meet with the school committee on Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Pembroke Library.
Roll call vote: Wilson, yes – Boyle, yes – Anderson, yes – Boulter, yes – Finnegan, yes
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.