MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
DECEMBER 7, 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), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Mariner/Reporter), Zack Johnston (scout working on merit badge), and others.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Board of Health – Notice was read that the Town’s website will be posting “green” tips weekly. Click on
www.pemroke-ma.gov and scroll down to “It’s Easy Being Green”.TAX CERTIFICATION: The Chief Assessor has advised that the tax rate has been certified by the state at $12.89 per thousand. Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to accept the Chief Assessor’s report and to close the public hearing. So voted.
MINUTES: Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to accept the minutes of the Selectmen’s meeting of December 7, 2009 as presented. So voted.
BARKER SQUARE AFFORDABLE CONDO UNIT: The Town has been notified of the intent of an owner to sell an affordable unit at 16 Barker Square. This complex is monitored by CHAPA and they are notifying the town of its right to exercise the Town’s right of first refusal. If the Town does not wish to purchase or seek a qualified buyer, CHAPA will assist the owner in locating an eligible buyer at the resale price of $174,600. The Selectmen discussed the status of affordable housing with the Pembroke Housing Authority.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to not exercise the Town’s right of first refusal on 16 Barker Square. Voted unanimously in favor 5/0.
PELHAM STREET PROPERTY: Regarding the property at 188 Pelham St., Assessors Map F3, Lot 1, a letter was received from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife noting that turtle habitation has been documented in the immediate vicinity of this property and they anticipate that the next fall/winter release of the Natural Heritage Atlas will map it as Priority Habitat. Town Administrator Thorne advised the Board that the Town would be required to go through a MESA review if there were any plans to develop this property. Discussion may resume on this subject in the Spring if there is any intention to pursue development.
PEMBROKE HOUSING AUTHORITY: Housing Authority Members Valerie Kroon, Hank Daggett, Carolyn Crossley and Jim Muscato were present along with director Kathy Pagliuca. A joint vote needed to be taken to appoint someone to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of Joseph Mulkern. This is an elected board so the appointee would serve only until the town elections in May and then run for the remainder of Mr. Mulkern’s term.
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DECEMBER 7, 2009 – PAGE TWO
Valerie Kroon moved, seconded by Carolyn Crossley, to recommend Mary Salters for appointment to the vacant seat on the Pembroke Housing Authority Board of Commissioners until the next town election.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to recommend Gregory Hanley for appointment to the vacant seat on the Pembroke Housing Authority Board of Commissioners until the next town election.
Mr. Boulter noted that the Selectmen made an honest error by prematurely appointing Mr. Hanley to fill the seat on Nov. 30th and it was publicly acknowledged. Mrs. Salters told the Selectmen that the PHA asked her if she would be interested in serving for just the four months until the election and she said she would be honored, but she is not interested in running for election in May. Mr. Hanley intends to run for the seat in the town election.
Roll call vote: Boyle, Hanley – Anderson, Hanley – Boulter, Hanley, - Stone, Hanley – Trabucco, Hanley – Kroon, Salters – Daggett, Hanley – Crossley, Hanley – Muscato, Hanley. Voted by a roll call of 8-1 to appoint Gregory Hanley. Mr. Hanley accepted the appointment.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE: Mr. Stone invited anyone interested in joining the Affordable Housing Committee to come to a meeting of that group or to call Mr. Stone or Hilary Wilson.
At 7:30 - Mr. Boyle turned the chair over to Mr. Anderson in order to attend a DPW meeting.
BOARD OF HEALTH/TRASH & RECYCLING DISCUSSION: Lisa Cullity, Chairman of the Board of Health, and Board of Health Member Scott MacInnes were present to discuss the reasons for the recent trash fee increase and to respond to the news article about the low participation of recycling in Pembroke. Ms. Cullity explained that the Board of Health is already running at a deficit in this year’s budget because of unpaid bills. There are uncontrollable cost increases anticipated and without an increase in the trash fees, the town would be further behind. The increase will help to fill this year’s gap and to hold the Board’s budget steady with the Seamass Disposal Contract. They anticipate a 20% increase per ton.
Ms. Cullity suggested a trash study could help review the recycling issue and help to determine the most effective way to deal with our trash. By imposing a limit on the number of barrels per home, the Board hopes to encourage more recycling. She responded to Mr. Stone’s question about the town being part of the South Shore Cooperative by explaining that they charge for membership and they could not offer us any better contract than was negotiated on their own. She also noted that most of the funds collected by So. Shore Coop goes to pay someone’s salary. Pembroke still has one of the lowest rates in the town. The profit on recycling cardboard, paper and metal is low and plastic and glass recycling is at a loss, but by encouraging more recycling it would
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DECEMBER 7, 2009 – PAGE THREE
reduce costs on the solid waste disposal at Seamas. Mr. Boulter suggested recycling receptacles in additional places around town and Ms. Cullity said the Board of Health has been discussion this practice. The bins would need to be monitored and be able to be hauled away.
A “pay as you throw” option would not change the current contract but it needs to cover all costs associated with pick up and disposal. Ms. Cullity is researching this option. She says that the town needs to look at the whole issue and if curbside pickup is to continue she feels we may need to get a 2 ½ override and we should have the fees rolled back into the tax rate.
Residents present included Mario Thumudo, Barabara Hughes, John Tinker and Doc Iacobucci. There was much discussion about residents frustrations with the recycling center and the inequity of putting out only one barrel for pick up as opposed to a neighbor who puts out four barrels for the same price.
Mike DelPrete was present and spoke about the fact that curbside recycling could yield a $225,000 savings on the trash bill for the town. He advised that recycling education needs to start with the young school children.
The Board of Health will develop a plan to be brought to the Town Meeting in April. Public input will be encouraged at public hearings before an article is submitted. Mr. Stone encouraged the Board of Health to set up a committee to look at the contracts and the recycling center and compare them to other towns.
At 8:45 p.m., Mr. Anderson turned the chair back over to Mr. Boyle.
GRANGE GANG: The Selectmen expressed congratulations to the Grange Gang and the Lions Club on the successful renovation and reconstruction of the Grange Hall. The project started in 1999. Mr. Trabucco suggested that the Selectmen should hold a meeting at the Grange to give the building some exposure to the public.
300TH ANNIVERSARY: The next meeting will be at the Pembroke Country Club on January 3rd. One of the ideas the committee is exploring is to develope a Pembroke Wine for sale. A wine made from local cranberries was suggested.
TRAFFIC STUDY: Mr. Stone advised that the study for No. Pembroke is completed and results are expected about the first week of January. Part II of the project will include High St., Mill St., Mountain Ave, and West Street. They will also look at the 4 way stop at the intersection of Spring and Elm Streets.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Mr. Boyle said that he has been contacted by Ginny Wandell of the Pembroke School Committee regarding the review of finances in January. A meeting will be scheduled for January 13th at the school committee meeting room in North Pembroke Elementary.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.