PRESENT: Daniel W. Trabucco (Chairman), Lewis W. Stone (Vice-chairman), Gregory M. Hanley (Clerk), Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Sabrina Chilcott (Executive Assistant), Michael Ohrenberger (Police Chief), Len Rusczcyk, Linda McCollum, Diane Tobin, Victor Pap, Gary Peters, John Mattinson (PMB Cable), Mikaela Slaven (Pembroke Express), WATD reporter, and others.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Staff Acknowledgement: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged the new Executive Assistant, Sabrina Chilcott.

End of Detour at the Recycling Center: The Selectmen announced a statement released from the Recycling Center advising that beginning August 27, 2011, access to the Drop off Recycling Center will be via Hobomock Street. Also August 31, 2011 will be the last Wednesday that the Drop off Recycling Center will be open. Saturday and Sunday will remain unchanged.

Hazardous Waste Collection Day: Will be held on September 17, 2011 at the Recycling Center from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again on March 24, 2012 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with lists of acceptable/unacceptable items posted at Town Hall and on the town website.

Linda McCollum and Diane Tobin attended to present the Board of Selectmen with a painting of the Elmer Street Bogs, the twelfth Becky Haletky watercolor painting in her historic Pembroke series. Prints of these paintings which are hung in the Selectmen’s office are available for sale in the Town Clerks office. The proceeds go to the Pembroke 300^th Anniversary Fundraising Committee.

Chairman Len Rusczcyk was present to update the Board on the following: by Committee vote the meetings will now be monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. They have submitted a grant application to the Mass DEP for forty hours of technical assistance. Mr. Boyle asked what assistance would be provided if the grant is awarded. Mr. Rusczcyk said the Committee will use technical assistance time to clarify future goals for Pembroke recycling program as results to date are very positive. Mr. Stone invited committee members to accompany him Friday, August 26 to Avon to observe Avon’s single stream presentation in progress.

Weymouth Town Councilor Victor Pap and Fore River Bridge Neighborhood Association spokesperson Gary Peters came to request that the Pembroke Board of Selectmen join with the five other towns they have spoken with and authorize the Town Administrator to sign a letter supporting the South Shore Coalition, a chapter of the Mass Area Planning Council. The SSC rejects the Mass DOT and US Coast Guards recommendation of a vertical-lift bridge requiring increased channel width to 200 feet (from 175 feet) with a slower cycle time that will stand 270’ high and allegedly cost $240-310 million. The SSC wants a low impact bascule bridge built with a faster cycle time, unlimited vertical clearance that costs $130-225 million. Mr. Boyle asked about the life span of the current temporary bridge that sits over the Fore River. Mr. Peters answered that there have been different estimates; an average of fifteen years is widely used. Selectman Boyle then asked why, with terrorism a rising concern, would Mass DOT create a situation where tankers are brought into a residential area. Mr. Peters replied that this is yet another support for the bascule bridge. Mr. Boyle inquired about the cost differential and Mr. Pap provided a figure of $85 million minimum based upon different projections and stated that is before the project even gets underway. Selectman Boyle asked what the Mayor of the Town of Weymouth supports; Mr. Pap states that the Mayor of Weymouth and the entire Town Council unanimously voted in Favor of the Bascule Bridge. Mr. Pap stated the time for public comment has passed and Weymouth is waiting for Public Hearing. They seek surrounding community support. Mr. Boyle stated he believes this needs to be viewed as a regional issue. He suggested further review of the materials and subject before a vote is taken. Chairman Trubucco agreed with Mr. Boyle.

The Selectmen voted unanimously in favor to accept the minutes of the meeting of August 8, 2011 as presented.

Police Chief Michael Ohrenberger was present to provide the Board with a staffing update. Officer Joseph McCann retired after twenty-five years on June 30, 2011 and Officer Robert Morgan retired after thirty-seven years on August 6, 2011. Both will continue to serve as Special Police Officers. The Chief advised the Board that the deadline for applicants to respond to their appointment from the Civil Service list was August 18, 2011 and he is beginning background and interviews on the candidates that responded. He would like to hire three to four permanent intermittent officers to cover retirements. He has a transfer candidate from another town he wants to hire. Mr. Boyle made a motion to authorize Chief Ohrenberger to employ a police officer by means of transfer. The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Chairman Trabucco met with Hanson BOS Chairman and determined proposed committee should consist of ten people to maintain manageability (five from each town) and be one member each from: BOS, Town Administrator, BOH, Conservation, general public. Mr. Hanley moved to form study committee; seconded by Mr. Stone and the Board approved it unanimously. Mr. Trabucco instructed any member of the general public interested in being a part of the Study Committee to contact the Selectmen’s Office and their name will be brought before the BOS during the next meeting for consideration.

Mr. Thorne advised that he is in receipt of a letter from the OCPC approving the request submitted by the Affordable Housing Committee to prepare an Affordable Housing Plan for Pembroke using DLTA funds. This “Pembroke Housing Production Plan Proposal” will also include the AHC and include the BOA, the Housing Authority, the BOH and others. Jim Watson from OCPC will supervise.

.ASK THE SELECTMEN

Mr. Stone addressed the following issues:

A resident wrote a letter making many useful suggestions about utilizing the landfill once it has been capped and very thoughtfully gave locations to the BOS to reference as examples of her suggestions.

There has been conversation and correspondence in regards to speeding and traffic issues on both Valley and Birch Streets. Both the DPW and the Police Department have been notified and the situations are being monitored at this time.

People have been contacting the Selectmen’s office in regards to their gift certificates for BoCa Restaurant which has gone out of business. The Selectmen’s office will begin compiling a list of names and contact information along with the amounts of the gift certificates for further review.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Stone moved, seconded by Mr. Boyle, to go into executive session to conduct strategy for negotiations with non-union personnel and with regard to collective bargaining or litigation, and upon conclusion no further votes or public business to be discussed.

Roll call vote: Stone, yes – Hanley, yes – Boyle, yes – Trabucco, yes

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.