MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

PRESENT: Terry H. Finnegan (Chairman), Donal P. Wilson (Vice-Chairman), Hilary P. Wilson (Clerk), Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Selectman), , Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), John Mattson (Comcast), Steve Annear (Mariner/Reporter), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Ned Colby (Patriot Ledger), and others. Selectman Bill Boulter was out of town this evening.

The meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m. in the Veterans’ Hall.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pembroke Cultural Council announces the opening of the Fiscal 2009 Grant Cycle. Applications for grants are available at the library and the Town Clerk’s office and on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org.

All grant applications must be submitted by October 15, 2008.

The Lions Club of Marshfield has changed its name to North River Community Lions Club and serves the towns of Marshfield, Pembroke, Norwell and Scituate. They extended an invitation to the New Name Unveiling Night on Sept. 17, 2008.

Water Emergency Volunteers and Donation: The Chairman and members of the board extended sincere thanks to the many volunteers who donated time to help during the water emergency crisis. They also thanked all of the people and businesses who made donations and contributions during this time. Members of the media, legislative officials, and town employees were also noted for their assistance. Mrs. Finnegan also expressed gratitude to the residents of the town for their patience.

LEGAL COUNSEL INTERVIEW: Attorney Joel Bard and Attorney Leonard Kopelman were present to interview with the Board for the privilege of continuing as town counsel for the Town of Pembroke. Mr. Kopelman told the Board that 98% of their firm’s business is representing towns. They practice a small team approach to get the benefit of economies of scale. The only field not covered on their teams is Special Education. Joel Bard is a managing partner in the firm and they remain focused on containing costs for the towns they serve. They reminded the Board that Kopelman & Paige sends informational memorandums to all their client towns regarding current issues. They also offer preventative law by conducting free seminars upon request of the town.

Selectman Anderson expressed concern that sometimes counsel’s advise seems to be “middle of the road safe” for some litigation cases. He feels the Board was not told the consequences of other solutions. Mr. Kopelman explained that the Board could ask counsel to discuss a letter or a course of action or any other major concern with counsel at no extra charge.

Chairman Finnegan told counsel that she was unsure that counsel really understands what the Pembroke Board of Selectmen really want or need and that maybe counsel doesn’t always put the same value on the board’s views. Mr. Bard explained that the board can always ask for them to come back if the board is concerned that Kopelman & Paige did not get the right message. Mrs. Finnegan also feels that as the boards change their membership, they should be kept aware of the services available to them. She would like to see a little more one-on-one and would like to have counsel on-site on a more regular basis. Mr. Bard said he will let the Town Administrator know when any of the firm’s attorneys will be coming to Pembroke for meetings with any of the other town boards and will make a point of seeing the Selectmen as well.

Selectman Boyle asked about a review of all cases on a yearly basis and Mr. Kopelman suggested that it could be done semi-annually at no charge to the town.

MINUTES: The Board approved the minutes of August 4 and August 18, 2008 as written.

MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 – PAGE TWO

MATTAKEESETT GARDEN CLUB: The Board voted unanimously in favor to approve the request of the Mattakeesett Garden Club to hold their annual plant sale next fall at the bandstand on the town green on September 8, 2009.

GRANGE GANG: The Board voted unanimously in favor to grant permission to the Grange Gang to hold a fundraiser plant sale on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beside the bandstand on the town green.

ENERGY COMMITTEE: Mr. Anderson noted that the meeting of the Energy Committee has been changed to Wednesday, Sept. 17^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Pembroke Public Library.

RESIGNATION/ZONING BOARD: The Board voted unanimously to accept with regret the resignation of Tanya Trevison from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

RESIGNATION/RECREATION COMMISSION: The Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Brian Leaghan from the Pembroke Recreation Commission.

CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to appoint Joseph Quaresimo to serve as a member of the Cable Advisory Committee. So voted.

SPECIAL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE DESIGNATION: The Board voted unanimously to designate the following positions and boards as have the status of Special Municipal Employees:

COUNTY FARM: Mrs. Finnegan explained that the Plymouth County Commissioners would like to sell a parcel of land to the town of Plymouth, on which the County Correctional Facility is located, for the sum of $300,000. The sale would be with a Conservation restriction and the money from the sale would be used to re-furbish buildings on the property. The county land would still be open to the public.

Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to fax a letter to the County Commissioners and to Dan Palotta of Hanover expressing the Pembroke Selectmen’s endorsement of the County Commissioners’ plan to put a deed restriction on the property and accept $300,000 for the sale of this property. Voted unanimously in favor.

SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

The Board approved the following sign permit applications as per applications and plans submitted:

Reed Hollow Barn, 476 Center Street – Standing sign, back-to-back - temporary

Grange Restoration, 31 School St. and on Town Green – standing signs – temporary

ItzAParty, 10 Schoosett St - wall banner, - temporary

Cub Scout Pack 105, various locations – standing plastic & metal signs – temporary

St. Thecla’s Church, 145 Washington St. – wall sign – temporary

Pembroke Radiator, 19 Church St – standing – temporary

Circle Furniture, 85 Washington St. – standing and flat on wall – permanent – needs Historic District approval

Circle Furniture, 85 Washington – temporary standing

MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 – PAGE THREE

TOWN MEETING ARTICLES: The Board voted unanimously to open the warrant to include one more article for the stabilization account, and to immediately close the warrant.

The Selectmen reviewed the draft articles for the fall special town meeting. The Assessors office advised the Selectmen that there would be a shortfall in the expected revenues. The Town Accountant was available for consultation on some of the articles.

There will be a Capital Plan discussion meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 24^th. Mr. Thorne will call Advisory Chairman Steve Curley about arranging a Cash Management meeting preferably before the 24^th.

CABLE: There will be a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 15^th and another on Wednesday, Sept. 17^th to hear comments and concerns from the public regarding the town’s interest in renewing the cable contract with Comcast. Jim Hayden explained that the Cable Advisory Committee will be meeting with Arthur Boyle and the Cable Studio Committee, and with the school department personnel before their next negotiation meeting with Comcast. The Board of Selectmen must vote on the contract proposal by October 25^th and if it’s not ready at that time, an extension would have to be requested.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boyle, to go into executive session to discuss litigation and upon conclusion to adjourn with no further public business to be discussed.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.