MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

PRESENT: Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Clerk), Lewis W. Stone (Selectman), Daniel W. Trabucco (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Mariner/Reporter), and others.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Veterans Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pembroke Youth Football Mites will play Norwell in their first Superbowl game on Sunday, Nov. 15 at the Pembroke High School field.

MINUTES: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter to accept the minutes of November 2, 2009 as amended to reflect the comments of Mr. Stone. So voted.

NON-UNION INSURANCE INCREASE: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to increase the non-union employee’s health contribution by 1%. So voted unanimously in favor.

DIALWORKS AUTO: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to approve the application for a Class II Used Car Dealer License for Dialworks at 149 Queensbrook Road with the restriction that there will be no storage and no display of vehicles for sale on the premises. This is a wholesale license only. So voted unanimously in favor.

SURPLUS REAL ESTATE: Mr. Anderson suggested that the 5 acre lot on Pelham Street, which is owned by the town, could be of decent value and would like to see it offered at auction. He also suggested that the parcel of land on School Street beside the New England Villages should be put up for auction. This parcel was auctioned before but we only received one bid that was exceedingly low and unacceptable. He suggested that the town might even consider it for the Habitat for Humanity but it needs to be determined if it is buildable. The Town has already given a right of way across this parcel to the N.E. Villages.

Mr. Anderson moved to put the School Street parcel up for auction with a pre-determined minimum bid that the town would accept. Mr. Stone seconded for discussion. Mr. Anderson noted that the parcel is not generating any tax revenue right now. Mr. Stone asked about talking to the Affordable Housing Committee about this lot. Mr. Trabucco feels it is short-sighted to sell town owned property just to put a couple dollars in the coffers at this time. He feels we should at least hold out on selling until the market is better and we could make more money on it if we truly have to sell valuable land. He stated that if there was a special purpose to sell the property, then he would be in agreement. Mr. Anderson moved, to table the School Street discussion. Mr. Stone seconded and it was so voted.

MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

NOVEMBER 2, 2009 – PAGE TWO

Mr. Anderson moved that the Board of Selectmen put the 5 acre parcel of land on Pelham Street up for auction with a pre-determined minimum bid. Mr. Boulter seconded the motion for discussion. Mr. Boulter reminded that the Town is still waiting to hear the status of the box turtle habitat on that parcel. Mr. Anderson suggested that the neighbors seem genuinely interested in keeping this parcel as open space and may be willing to bid on it. He noted the people are worried about giving away land of value but there are 15 more adjoining acres of town-owned land at this location. Mr. Trabucco urged that the Board vote this down. Mr. Anderson moved to table this motion, seconded by Mr. Trabucco and so voted. Mr. Trabucco noted that he would be okay with selling a single lot but not large parcels.

TOWN MEMORIAL COMMITTEE: Members of the Town Memorial Committee, Linda Osborne, Michael Hurney, Andy Pongrantz, and Neil Chapman invited the Selectmen and townspeople to join them on November 11, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Veterans Memorial Forest for a dedication ceremony, together with the Conservation Commission/Town Forest Committee. Mr. Chapman read the Veterans Day Proclamation from the Governor’s Office.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Mr. Thorne advised the Selectmen that the DPW Commissioners have proposed to move their offices to Windswept Bogs off Glenwood Road. They were expected to be present this evening to respond to questions from the Town Administrator and the Board regarding this move but they were not prepared to respond yet. They will be scheduled on the Selectmen’s next agenda.

Mr. Thorne advised that there is still a potential for 9C cuts. He will conduct a department head meeting on November 20^th to make contingency plans.

OLD BUSINESS: Information is anticipated from Town Counsel relative to the issue of permitting docks and rafts and there may be an informational meeting in January. DEP is expected to send in someone to assist.

Mr. Stone stated that he has reviewed the files from 2005 on traffic studies that have been performed on streets in the North Pembroke area. He noted that some of the streets did not qualify within the state guidelines and the state does not agree with the signs prohibiting truck traffic on Oak Street. He would like to pursue new studies.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to go into executive session to discuss the reputation, character or physical condition of an individual and contract negotiations, and upon conclusion no further public business will be discussed. Seconded by Mr. Boulter.

Roll call vote: Stone, yes – Trabucco, yes – Anderson, yes – Boulter, yes – Boyle, yes

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.