MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

PRESENT: Terry H. Finnegan (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Hilary P. Wilson (Clerk), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Selectman), Edwin J. Thorne (Town Administrator), Diane M. Tobin (Executive Assistant), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Pembroke Mariner/Reporter), Dan Trabucco, Michael Buckley, Chris (Agnoli Signs), and others. Selectman Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. was not present this evening.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pembroke Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Foxwoods Casino networking event. Reservations can be made on a luxury coach leaving for Foxwoods at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14^th and returning about 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at Sweet Fordy’s, 290 Center Street.

Hobomock Elementary school children presented a check in the amount of $1,600 to be deposited to the Fuel Assistance Fund. They raised this money during Spirit Week at their school. The Selectmen expressed admiration and thanks for this contribution.

SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

Stop & Shop, 125 Church St – The Board approved the application of Stop & Shop to replace two existing signs with their new logo, as per plans presented.

KoKo Fit Club, 111 Old Church St. – The Board approved a temporary banner for 14 days, as per application and sketch submitted.

MINUTES: Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to accept the minutes of February 23, 2009 as written. So voted.

TREASURER’S BOND: The Selectmen signed the Septic Management Program bond papers prepared by the Treasurer/Collector.

PEMBROKE HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS: Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to approve the request of PHS Athletic Boosters to operate their Bingo games on Thursday evenings, instead of Wednesday, at the Pembroke Community Center beginning March 12, 2009.

SURPLUS TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY: Mr. Thorne prepared a list of properties owned by the Town for possible sale. The Board indicated that they would like two lists, one with only lots that are buildable and the other with non-buildable lots that will be sold with deed restrictions.

Mr. Boulter asked if it would be possible to donate any of these parcels to the Kenneally family. Sgt. Kenneally was seriously injured in Iraq and they will need a home to live in when he is released from the hospital. Mr. Wilson suggested it would require a town meeting vote to donate the land and possibly have Habitat for Humanity assist in getting the home built.

Mr. Thorne will create two separate lists and an atlas showing the location of the lots for the Selectmen’s review at their next meeting. He will ask the Assessors about the value of the lots to help determine a minimum acceptable bid.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANTS: The Selectmen reviewed the articles submitted for the Special Town Meeting to be held during the Annual Town Meeting on April 28, 2009. Relative to the article sponsored by the Community Preservation Committee, Mr. Wilson requested that the committee or a representative come to a Selectmen’s meeting to explain the rules for spending CPC funds.

The Selectmen voted to accept the special warrant as prepared and to include three more articles. One article will be for the appropriation of the MTBE funds to be put into stabilization; one for all cell tower revenue to be deposited to the Capital Fund; and a third to reduce the FY09 budget by $203,000. It was noted that free cash is not an option. Mr. Thorne and Mr. Buckley will work on figuring out where any excess might be that could be applied to the shortfall.

HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION: After some discussion and consultation with Town Counsel it was determined that it was up to the Selectmen, not town meeting, to set policy on health benefit availability to paid elected officials. Full-time, paid elected officials would be exempt.

Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to withdraw the option to take health benefits through the town to part-time, paid elected officials as of June 30, 2009.

Vote: 3-1 In favor: Wilson, Anderson, Finnegan Opposed: None Abstained: Boulter

KEY POLICY: Mr. Thorne will get other quotes on changing door knobs and locks on town hall office doors.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Wilson moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to go into executive session for pending litigation and contract negotiation, and upon conclusion no further public business to be discussed.

Roll call vote: Wilson, yes – Anderson, yes – Boulter, yes – Finnegan, yes

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.