MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
PRESENT: Terry H. Finnegan (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Hilary P. Wilson (Clerk), Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Selectman), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Mariner/Reporter), Fire Chief James Neenan, Police Chief Michael Ohrenberger, Julie Caruso, Peg Struzik, Mary Ann Flynn, Mark Ames, Jim Stone, Claire Walsh, Rose Egerton, Dan Trabucco, Lewis Stone and others.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 p.m. in the Veteran’s Hall.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAVE A HEART, BUY A HEART: The Pembroke Military Support Group is sponsoring a fundraising campaign to help the family of an injured soldier. Sgt. Alan Keneally and his family will be making their home in Pembroke when he is released from the Walter Reed Hospital. His wife Sarah grew up in Pembroke. The fundraiser is called “Have A Heart, Buy A Heart” and they are being sold for a $1.00 donation. The Support Group hopes to collect $1.00 from every resident in Pembroke to assist this young family in their time of need.
HOBOMOCK POND: Mark Ames from the Pembroke Watershed Association reminded residents that Hobomock Pond remains closed to all activities because of the severe invasive nature of the hydrilla weed.
REGIONALIZATION OF DISPATCH: Chief Neenan and Chief Ohrenberger were present to discuss the county’s proposal for a regionalized dispatcher. Mr. Anderson questioned Chief Ohrenberger several months ago about trying to save money and putting more officers on the street by engaging in a regionalized dispatch program. Chief Ohrenberger discussed it with other area departments. Plymouth County is promoting this effort because of money concerns. There are presently four towns who are preparing to regionalize and use civilian dispatchers. They originally received state grant money to do a feasibility study and they will not begin to actually operate the program until July 2010. They need to decide on a dispatch center.
Chief Neenan says the Fire Dept. fills the dispatcher position with light duty personnel but with regionalization that could not be done. He also noted that his personnel can often triage a call by listening to the caller’s voice and asking pertinent questions to react and respond more appropriately. Regionalization would take away the personalization and control over how many responders to send.
Mrs. Finnegan stated that she is not in favor of regionalization because she feels there is a delay in service and some communication problems relative to knowledge of the area of town where the incident is occurring. Mr. Boyle feels we need more information on the program. Mr. Wilson asked about how large a share of the expenses would be borne by Pembroke.
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The Police and Fire Chief agree that they would like to see the results of other town’s experiences with this regionalized system before taking any action. Chief Ohrenberger will continue to work with Jim Muscato from the Sheriff’s department to see if regionalization is feasible for the Town of Pembroke. Both chiefs will stay on top of the subject and will keep the board informed.
300TH ANNIVERSARY: Claire Walsh, Rose Egerton, Kathy McIver and Margie Neil were present to express their interest in serving on a celebration committee for the 300th anniversary of the town. Mrs. Walsh told the Selectmen that the First Church would like to work with the town on planning events and activities for the celebration. Church events would be self-funded but would collaborate on certain events with the town. She mentioned that the book entitled “Pembroke Re-Visited” shows pictures of previous celebration events and balls. Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Egerton would like to head up a Ball Committee for 2012.
Mrs. Walsh suggested that if a town committee is formed then they may need some seed money and that would have to be done by a town meeting vote. Then fundraising efforts could begin to bolster that account to help pay for expenses. Ms. McIver and Ms. Neil will prepare a petition article for the town meeting.
Mrs. Finnegan was hoping to establish a point person to head up the celebration committee. Mrs. Walsh said the Ball Committee would be separate from the Anniversary Celebration Committee but she and others from the First Church will organize and run the Anniversary Ball. She offered to be the liaison between the church and the town on mutual events. Mr. Boulter would like to have a general meeting for the public to attend and get people interested to form the committee and plan events. He suggested the meeting could be held at the library and he is willing to help with whatever he can do. This item will be on the Selectmen’s agenda again on February 9th to set a date for the general public meeting.
KELLY MILLER CIRCUS: Mr. Wilson noted that issues were raised before 2005 relative to the care of the circus animals and an incident of rape by a circus worker a few years ago. Mr. Wilson received information and feels these past errors have been corrected. Mr. Boulter also feels confident that our Pembroke Police Dept. will keep everything in check. Mr. Boyle admitted that despite his opposition to the other circus that came to town last year, he was pleasantly surprised by its success. He would therefore be inclined to give Recreation his support for this event. Mr. Thorne informed the Board that he spoke to other towns that hosted this circus and received good reports.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to allow the Pembroke Recreation Committee to bring the Kelly Miller Circus to town on June 26, 2009. Voted unanimously in favor.
MINUTES: The board voted to accept the minutes of Jan. 12, 2009 as written.
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TREASURER/COLLECTOR: Deborah Mulrain, Treasurer/Collector has requested permission from the Board of Selectmen to advertise and hire a replacement for the Assistant Treasurer/Collector position which will be vacant as of Feb. 17th when the current Assistant moves to the Assistant Town Clerk’s position.
Mr. Anderson feels the board needs to observe the hiring freeze previously voted by the Selectmen. Mr. Wilson inquired if the office could continue to operate if someone from that office was promoted leaving that position empty, but the Treasurer/Collector feels the office would not function efficiently and she would prefer to keep the two positions filled. Mr. Boulter feels the position is important and money is already budgeted for it for this year. He also feels it should be the Treasurer/Collector’s choice whether or not to hire from within the department or from outside. Mrs. Finnegan agrees that this is an important position and the reality is that all departments need to learn to do with less.
Mr. Thorne suggested that the matter be tabled for one week to give him an opportunity to help the Treasurer/Collector to put a financial plan together for the year.
Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to table for one week. Voted: 4-1 with Mr. Boulter opposed.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE: A letter was received from the Inspector of Buildings/Zoning Enforcement Officer George Verry disclosing his relationship with a law firm that is requesting enforcement on property in Pembroke.
Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to accept the notification from George Verry and accept his statement of disclosure to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. So voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Town Administrator Thorne presented the Selectmen his recommended departmental budget cuts for fiscal 2009. These reductions represent the Lottery Aid cuts announced by the Governor last week.
Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Boyle, to send out these recommendations to the departments on Tuesday morning. So voted.
ACTUARY SERVICES: This item will be placed on an agenda for March.
KEY POLICY: This item will be kept on the agenda under Old Business for further report.
SURPLUS PROEPRTY: Town Administrator Thorne will look at the old surplus property lists and prepare a new one for future sale.
TOWN HALL THIRD FLOOR: This item has been submitted for funding under the Governor’s “shovel ready” projects.
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HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS: Mr. Anderson would like to review the policy of offering health insurance benefits to elected officials. Mr. Thorne will gather information about this subject for future discussion. An article for the annual town meeting warrant will be submitted by the Board of Selectmen.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Boyle, to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and contract negotiations and upon conclusion no further public business to be discussed.
Roll Call Vote: Wilson, yes – Boyle, yes – Anderson, yes – Boulter, yes – Finnegan, yes
The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.