MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 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 Mattinson (Pembroke Media Broadcast), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Pembroke Mariner/Reporter), Ben Bastianelli, Linda Peterson, Matt McNeilly, Kathy Hassey, Stan Carita, Miriam McInnis, Stephen Dodge, Michael Buckley, Pragnesh Patel, John Doherty, and others.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Declaration of State of Emergency: Chairman Boyle declared Pembroke in a State of Emergency as of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2010 due to the severe rain storms and flooding.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Recreation Dept. reminds us that there will be an Easter Egg Hunt on the Town Green on Thursday, April 1st at 4:00 p.m. for children ages 6 and under. Children ages 7-9 will collect eggs in front of the bingo hall.
LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE: A public hearing was held on the application of Longhorn Steakhouse for a change in corporate officers. Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to approve the application as presented. So voted unanimously in favor.
MINUTES: The Selectmen voted unanimously to accept the minutes of March 15, 2010 as prepared.
PILGRIM MONUMENT CELEBRATION PARADE: A letter was received from the 100 Anniversary Committee for the dedication of the Pilgrim Monument in Plymouth, inviting the town of Pembroke to participate in the parade in Plymouth on August 5th.
The Selectmen would like to refer this invitation to the Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce. It was also suggested that the Pembroke 300th Anniversary Committee might be interested in this.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Stimulus Fund Applications: Mr. Thorne gave the Selectmen copies of the applications of the projects for the stimulus bond funding. He said approximately $330,000 would have to be put in the budget to do the three projects. Mr. Anderson referred to the 5 year capital plan and noted that nothing has been set aside for FY’10. He noted that we are already behind with the projected schedule for capital plan items and he feels it would be a disservice to put these stimulus projects ahead of the already proposed jobs and needs. He said the Energy Committee made a point of not interfering with the municipal needs study plan that would cost $33 million to complete. He is afraid the needs are being taken out of order. He also noted that other teams have paid for improvements to their fields with activity funds and fundraisers.
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MARCH 29, 2010 - PAGE TWO
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLE RECOMMENDATIONS: The Selectmen reviewed the articles for the Special Town Meeting Warrant. On Article 4 regarding the replacement and repair to water mains in Oldham Pines, Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone to remove this article from the warrant. After some discussion regarding the capital plan procedure and the merits and timelines of the stimulus project funding, the vote was 2-3 with Mr. Stone and Mr. Anderson in favor of removal and Mr. Boulter, Mr. Trabucco and Mr. Boyle opposed to removing it.
Mr. Trabucco moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter to recommend Town Meeting Floor for Article #4.
Vote: 3-2 In Favor: Boulter, Trabucco, Boyle Opposed: Anderson, Stone
Mr. Anderson motioned to open the Special Town Meeting Warrant to consider any article for the Special Town Meeting. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone for discussion to remove Article 6 regarding the borrowing of $850,000 for the community center repairs. Mr. Anderson suggested this should be moved to the capital plan in the fall. Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Matt McNeilly, expressed his concern that this would only slow down the project while the building continued to require band aids and he feels it would be worth it to get the building sealed. Vote: 4-1 in opposition to removing this article. Mr. Anderson was the one vote in favor of removal.
Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Trabucco, to recommend Favorable Action on Article 6. Voted 4-1 In Favor: Boulter, Trabucco, Stone, Boyle Opposed: Anderson
Mr. Anderson moved to remove Article 8 from the Special Warrant but the motion failed for lack of a second. This article is for the construction of the parking lot at Mattakeesett Ballfields. Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Trabucco, to recommend Favorable Action on this article. Vote: 3-2 In Favor: Boulter, Trabucco, Boyle Opposed: Anderson, Stone
Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 were recommended for Favorable Action. Articles 4, and 5 were left to Town Meeting Floor without the recommendation of the Selectmen.
PUDDING BROOK PANTRY: Chairman Boyle read the advertised notice of public hearing held at 7:00 p.m. on the application of Pudding Pantry, Inc. d/b/a Pudding Brook Pantry for a change of manager and transfer of stock. The applicant, Pragnesh Patel, was in attendance to explain his request and there was no one in opposition present.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to approve the request of Pudding Pantry Inc. per application and documentation submitted the change the manager from Mitesh Patel to Pragnesh Patel and to transfer stock as requested. Voted unanimously in favor.
POLE HEARING: John Doherty from National Grid was in attendance to respond to the Selectmen’s questions at this public hearing to install a new pole 33A at the corner of Elliott Ave. New Pole 33A will be installed in the sidewalk as required for road widening due to plaza construction. Pole is necessary as a riser pole to feed underground
MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MARCH 29, 2010 – PAGE THREE
facilities on Elliot Ave. New underground facilities to include 260’ of 2-3” conduits in the sidewalk to a heavy duty pullbox on Elliott Ave.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to grant permission to National Grid and Verizon to set new Pole 33A as per application presented. Mr. Anderson also moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to grant permission to National Grid and Verizon to install the necessary conduit and pullbox as per application submitted. Both motions were voted unanimously in favor.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Town Moderator Steven Dodge was present to hear the Selectmen’s recommendations and he suggested that he would like to meet with the Selectmen and the Advisory Committee again just before town meeting to review the articles and town meeting procedures. Mr. Dodge urged the Selectmen and Advisory to stay away from motioning for Indefinite Postponement whenever possible. He also requested that a motion be made to take the zoning amendment articles, numbers 25-28, all at the same time.
The Selectmen voted to recommend Favorable Action on Articles 1,2,4-10, 12-14, 16-22, 24 and 30. Article 15 regarding docks and rafts was voted to be “Town Meeting Floor” with no recommendation from the Board of Selectmen. Article 3 regarding the budget was voted “Town Meeting Floor” since the accurate figures for the budget are not known yet. All zoning articles were voted “Town Meeting Floor”. Article 5 could be Withdrawn or Indefinitely Postponed if there are no union agreements to vote on.
SCHOOL STREET SURPLUS PROPERTY: Mr. Anderson requested that this item be placed back on the agenda for discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.