MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

PRESENT: Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Clerk), Lewis W. Stone (Selectmen), Daniel W. Trabucco (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne, Town Administrator, Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Reporter/Mariner), John Mattinson (Cable), Chief Michael Ohrenberger, Heather Flynn, Nadine Doucette, Donna Cannone, Katie DiNardo, Matt Rivers, Pam Rowell, Dan Vasconsalves, Stephen Smith, Deborah Wall, and others.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman at 6:30 p.m. in the Veterans Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

CANCER WALK: Heather Flynn and Nadine Doucette requested permission for the Pembroke Lunch Bunch to host a fundraiser event to help fund their walk. They are proposing a Family Movie Night on the Town Green on Friday, Sept. 18^th with a rain date of Friday, October 2^nd, from 7 – 9 p.m.

Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to grant permission as requested.

Voted unanimously in favor.

POLICE PROMOTIONAL APPOINTMENTS: Chief Ohrenberger recommended the promotion of Sgt. Russell A. Jenness to the position of Police Lieutenant and Officer Paul E. Ridley to the position of Sergeant.

Sgt. Jenness has been on the Pembroke Police force for 23 years and has a Master’s Degree in criminal justice. He is also a Special Operations Commander and is a trained hostage and crisis negotiator.

Officer Ridley has also been with the Pembroke Police Dept. for 23 years and holds a Master’s Degree in criminal justice and public administration. He also has specialized training in technical systems and records management.

Selectman Boulter reminded the Chief that he was going to give the Selectmen more information on all of the candidates before asked for their appointments to be certified by the Selectmen. He feels there was a shortfall in not giving the Board more time to understand the process he followed and the reasons he had for his decisions.

The Chief told the Selectmen that he made certain that the process was thorough and all other officers were included and were aware of all information. Mr. Boulter still feels that the Selectmen should have also been more informed through the process. It was suggested that the Selectmen should possibly discuss giving the Chief full power as appointing authority.

Selectman Trabucco agreed that the Selectmen should defer to the Chief to make the right decision, but he inquired as to why we need these two positions filled at this time. Chief Ohrenberger responded that there were two lieutenants but it was decided that only one position should be filled to assist the Chief in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department. The officer chosen to be promoted to this position left a vacant

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sergeant’s position on the night shift. The Chief expects there may be more budget cuts in the future but there is money in the budget now for these two positions.

Selectman Anderson feels that the Chief has exercised due diligence and there should be no reason for concern. He feels comfortable about backing the Chief’s recommendation especially since the two officer’s names were first on the civil service lists.

Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to appoint Russell A. Jenness to the Lieutenant’s position effective August 30, 2009. Voted 5/0 in favor.

Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to appoint Paul E. Ridley to the Sergeant’s position effective August 30, 2009. Voted 5/0 in favor.

TRUCK TRAFFIC: The Selectmen asked the Police Chief about his response to the many calls and letters regarding truck traffic on Water, Oak, Pleasant, Taylor and Elm Streets. Chief Ohrenberger said that a number of surveys have been done. DPW Director Gene Fulmine has contacted the Mass. Highway Dept. regarding signs on Winter Street and Pembroke Woods Drive. The Police Dept. will step up enforcement on Water and Oak Streets.

SKATE PARK COMMITTEE: Members of the Skate Park Committee addressed the Selectmen with their concerns about establishing a site for a park. Katie DiNardo and Matt Rivers expressed frustration about the town getting behind all other organized sports facilities but not for skaters. Town Administrator Thorne explained that the two sites behind the Community Center proved problematic with abutters.

Donna Cannone said that despite funding from the state having been cut down to only $25,000, they have raised almost $9,000 on their own. She would like to try to secure grant money but a site needs to be established in order to submit the paperwork. Mrs. DiNardo suggested the area in front of the recycling center. Mr. Boulter suggested that the Bryantville ballfield area should be considered and suggested that a design and cost estimate should be established to determine how big the site should be. He noted that skate parks could be good stress relievers for kids.

Pam Rowell, Recreation Director, said that the Recreation Commissioners talked about a site on Mattakeesett Street but they feel it would be too dangerous because of the curve and no sidewalks. They voted against the Mattakeesett Street site. She has attended many skate park workshops and one of the ideas was for portable equipment. Dan Vasconsalves has a daughter who skates competitively and is extremely interested in establishing a site in town. He suggests that the opposite of Mr. Boulter’s suggestion should be considered and to establish the site and then design the park to fit.

Mr. Anderson recalled that at a previous Selectmen’s meeting it was left that the Selectmen were looking to the Recreation Commission to work with parents to make this happen. He also noted that there were still plans for future renovations to the Community Center. Library Director Deborah Wall also noted that there were plans for future growth and expansion of the library whenever funding becomes available. She noted that they

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currently have issues with gatherings behind the library and she noted that there are wetlands in the area. Mr. Rivers suggested that we need more community policing for this current activity behind the library.

Mr. Smith suggested that a park could be set up like an amphitheater and could be moveable with a concrete floor that could become a skating rink in the winter. He suggests moving the basketball courts over by the playground.

Mrs. Cannone asked if a deadline for a site decision could be set. The expected cost to construct a skate park is about $75,000 - $100,000. She cannot apply for grants until the location is established. The Town Administrator will work with the Recreation Commission and the Recreation Director. He will also talk to the Recycling Director about a possible location at the Recycling Center. The goal date to find a location will be the last Selectmen’s meeting in September which is Sept. 28^th.

TWITTER: Deborah Wall suggested that the Selectmen consider using Twitter as another means of communication. She explained that it is a social, accessible website where messages can be posted and received immediately. It is a free computer site and it is potentially faster than emailing a posting for the town website. A “tweet” feeds directly to your cell phone or blackberry or to your computer without having to go onto the town website for the information. Ms. Wall says it is user friendly and easy to learn. Dept. heads can have their own passwords. The town already has an account and the name is “pembrokema”.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE: The Selectmen accepted a letter from Patrick Chilcott that rescinded his letter of resignation due to a change of circumstances.

GRANGE RESTORATION: The Grange Gang received permission from the Selectmen to hold their annual Mums Sale on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sales will be conducted at the Hatch Building on Center Street and at the Grange Hall on Rte. 27. They will open the Grange Hall for viewing during these hours so that people can see the progress that has been made on the renovation project.

SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION: The Selectmen voted unanimously in favor to permit the Pembroke Historical Society to place lawn signs at various locations from August 31^st through Sept. 12^th to advertise their second annual Country Hoedown. It will be held on the Town Green on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.

DOCK AND RAFT BYLAW: Mr. Boyle will host a public hearing on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Hall on the proposed Dock and Raft Permit Bylaw. Mr. Anderson will also plan to be in attendance.

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300^TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE: Mr. Boulter reported that the committee is continuing to meet monthly on the 3^rd Tuesday at the Pembroke Country Club to plan events for the 2012 anniversary celebration. Copies of the minutes are available from him or from Janet Fahey.

OLD BUSINESS:

TOWN HALL THIRD FLOOR: Mr. Anderson suggested that this item be removed from the list as it is unlikely to have any progress for quite some time.

KEY POLICY: The locks on the interior office doors of the town hall will be changed within the next two weeks and all employees will have new keys. Old master keys will no longer work on all doors.

EDWARD RD AND REBECCA RD: The Planning Board has approved the as-built plans for these streets and they will be submitted for acceptance at the Fall Town Meeting.

SURPLUS REAL ESTATE: The Town Administrator will update the Board on the Elmer Ave property at next week’s meeting.

SIGN PERMIT GUIDELINES: This topic will be visited again with the Building Inspector after Labor Day.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT: This item will be added to the agenda under Old Business. Mr. Anderson reminded that the Selectmen were looking for a written post water crisis briefing.

REGIONALIZATION MEETING: Mr. Boyle attended the recent regionalization meeting and he reported that there was a discussion about creating a more formal organization, similar to the former Plymouth County Selectmen’s Association. They also discussed sharing equipment, rubbish collection and possibly some positions, such as the Veterans’ Officers. Mr. Thorne will be discussing regionalization with the South Shore Managers this week. Mr. Anderson expressed his feelings that regionalization does not need to be a goal of Pembroke but we should be willing to share some things, not all. He suggested that not all towns would benefit from regionalized services. He is also against the proposed formalized meeting group and does not recommend that Pembroke be part of it. Mr. Trabucco also noted that Pembroke should not want to surrender it’s autonomy. The next regionalization meeting is Thursday in Abington.

TREASURER/COLLECTOR VACANCIES: Mr. Anderson questioned if the Board had previously voted on the positions in the Treasurer’s Office that were advertised as vacancies.

ASK THE SELECTMEN:

A letter was received relative to the school offering music lessons. This will be forwarded to the School Committee for their response.

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Mr. Stone reported that the Old Washington Street bridge project over the North River was on hold due to the discovery of an endangered fern. Bids have now gone out and the work should begin in October.

He also reported that the repair of unaccepted streets is on hold due to lack of funding. It will remain on the active list of Capital Projects until funding is available.

Regarding the truck traffic issue in North Pembroke, Mr. Stone suggests that limiting truck traffic to Rte. 139 and Rte. 53 should be the goal. The DPW Director and the State Highway Dept. will review the placement of signs at appropriate places and missing signs at Water and Rte. 139 will be installed, as well as signs at Winter Street and Pembroke Woods Drive. Mr. Boulter commented that the signs need to be a little more specific and not misleading to truck drivers.

It was suggested that correspondence received in the Selectmen’s office should be acknowledged and forwarded to the appropriate department for their response within a reasonable amount of time. It was also suggested that questions could be asked on the town website and the answers posted there as well.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to go into executive session for strategy of a pending litigation and to come out of executive session simply to adjourn the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.