MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010

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 (Pembroke Media Broadcast), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Pembroke Mariner/Reporter), Jim McCollum, Mr. & Mrs. Domaszewicz, Steve Savoie, Ben Bastianelli, Vincent Flaherty, and others.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 6:30 p.m. in the Veteran’s Memorial Hall, Town Hall, 100 Center Street, Pembroke, MA. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: A message was read from the co-chairman of the Commission on Disabilities advising the Board of the 20^th anniversary of the Commission which will be on July 25, 2010. Thomas Weinreich expressed great pride in the accomplishments of this Commission on behalf of the disabled residents of our town.

The Planning Board has requested that any changes to the zoning bylaws to be proposed at the Annual Town Meeting should be submitted to the Planning Board for their review by January 21.

The Selectmen acknowledged the contributions of the Mattakeesett Garden Club, the Pembroke Watershed Association, the Boy Scouts from Troop 43 and the many volunteers who helped to make Pembroke the recipient of the Blue Community Award.

MINUTES: The Board accepted the minutes of their meeting of January 4, 2010 as prepared.

ABINGTON/ROCKLAND WATER WORKS: Mr. Boulter submitted a copy of the letter he sent to the Abington Rockland Joint Water Works regarding his concern for public safety on the roads around Big Sandy Pond. Abington/Rockland has banned the use of salt or chemical treatment on those roads and Mr. Boulter would like to know what authority they have to tell the Pembroke DPW how to maintain the roads. He has contacted Town Counsel and is waiting for their response.

PEMBROKE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET: Chairman Boyle advised that the School Committee will be discussing the school department budget at their meeting of Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at North Pembroke Elementary School. Mr. Boyle plans to attend and he encouraged other Selectmen and the Advisory Committee to attend as well.

INTERIM TOWN TREASURER/COLLECTOR: Selectman Anderson moved, seconded by Selectman Boulter, to appoint Edwin J. Thorne to serve as the Interim Town Treasurer/Collector for a period of two weeks. Voted unanimously in favor.

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JANUARY 11, 2010 – PAGE TWO

PELHAM STREET PROPERTY: Mr. Anderson moved, to put the four acres of town owned property on Map F3-4 & 5 off Pelham St., reserving the one acre that has been carved out in an ANR plan. Seconded for discussion by Mr. Boulter. Jim McCollum pointed out that the annual town meeting article in April of 2001 showed F3-4 as having 19.22 acres and F3-5 as having 5 acres. Mr. Anderson made it clear that his motion is to put the acreage surrounding the ANR lot into Conservation but to keep the ANR lot available for determination of whether it could be used for a worthwhile project. Abutter Steve Savoie expressed his opinion that this is the worst possible location on this large parcel to section off one lot. Mr. McCollum stated that he is a member of the Affordable Housing Committee and noted that they brought the idea of sectioning off this one lot to be surveyed and the Selectmen were agreeable to that.

Conservation member Mark Ames noted that the cost to build a home on the one acre lot that was carved out of the larger parcel would cost more than to buy an already existing home today. He says the townspeople do not want to give away property for affordable housing construction when Pembroke has already met its 10%. He would like to see the Selectmen put at least four of the five acres into Conservation.

Conservation member Carey Day suggested that since the one-acre lot hasn’t been recorded yet, the motion may be illegal.

Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter to table the matter for two weeks. So voted unanimously in favor.

SURPLUS REAL ESTATE LIST: Town Administrator Thorne prepared a list of 21 lots for the Selectmen’s review and determination of whether or not to offer them for auction. This item will be on the agenda in two weeks to give the Selectmen time to look at the parcels.

DOCKS AND RAFTS: Mr. Boyle said he has not yet received any report back from

Mr. Hill.

BOARDWALK OFF BARKER ST.: The DPW Director explained that a letter was received from the Mass. Dept. of Transportation that the state wants the boardwalk to be 9’ wide for more than just pedestrian traffic but the Wildlands Trust does not want it that wide. The DPW is staying on top of the project and the grant money is still available.

MUNICIPAL USER FEE: Mr. Anderson proposes to put the municipal user fee into the property tax bill to provide relief to taxpayers. He understands this would prompt the need to propose a Prop 2 ½ override vote. Mr. Stone expressed concern that this might only benefit those who itemize their taxes. Mr. Mattison suggested that the number of people who never use trash pickup services in town would be bearing more of a burden to supplement others. He feels the Board should focus more on educating residents to recycle and he advocates a pay-as-you throw system. Mr. Anderson suggested a call for action and response from other boards.

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JANUARY 11, 2010 – PAGE THREE

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP: DelPrete will be picking up old Christmas Trees on Saturday, January 16^th for Pembroke residents only.

OPEN MEETING LAW SEMINAR: Mr. Thorne is trying to arrange for a seminar on an evening in early February by Kopelman & Paige.

REGIONAL SELECTMEN’S MEETING: The next regional Selectmen’s meeting will be in Kingston on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Stone and Mr. Boyle are registered to attend. The topic is trash/recycling and solid waste removal.

ASK THE SELECTMEN:

Traffic Studies: Mr. Stone reported that the studies have been completed and the data will be compiled into a summary report. He will share it with the Board when he receives it.

Power Outages: National Grid checked out the numerous power outages in the North Pembroke section of town and gave us a detailed letter regarding the maintenance updates of service along Pleasant Street.

Trash Fee Increase: A letter was received inquiring why the Board of Health did not have to hold any public hearings when they decided to increase the trash fees and limit the number of barrels per household. They also questioned why the Selectmen do not have any authority over this. Mr. Stone explained that the Mass. General Laws give the authority to the Board of Health. But he does agree that the Board of Health should have held a public hearing before raising the trash fees.

DRUG PROBLEM: Mr. Anderson asked the have the Chief of Police or a representative from the Police Dept. in to talk to the Selectmen about the drug problem in town. He is especially concerned about reports of heroin on our streets and in our schools.

There will be no meeting on Monday, Jan. 15^th due to the Martin Luther King holiday.

The next Selectmen’s meeting will be on January 25, 2010.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.