MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
DECEMBER 7, 2009
PRESENT: Arthur P. Boyle, Jr. (Chairman), Donal P. Anderson (Vice-Chairman), Willard J. Boulter, Jr. (Clerk), Lewis W. Stone (Selectman), Daniel W. Trabucco (Selectman), John Mattison (Cable), Becca Manning (Pembroke Express), Steve Annear (Mariner/Reporter), Meaghan Cooney and Family, Carol Mont and sister, Catherine Salmon (Chief Assessor), Mary Quill, Libby Bates, Cindy Long, Paul Whitman, Brian VanRiper, Matt York, Andy Wandell, Marilyn Zechello, Thomas Irving, and others.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairman Boyle expressed sincere sympathy to Tiny Brown on the passing of his wife, Elaine.
Pembroke Community Group is accepting donations at P.O. Box 1387, or at the Pembroke Recreation or the Selectmen’s Office. New toys and clothing may be dropped off at the Fire Dept in the Center or at the North Pembroke Post Office. Persons in need of assistance can contact Linda Porazzo at 781-243-1103 or Sue Roche at 781-293-3249.
RECOGNITION AWARD: The Selectmen presented a certificate to Meaghan Cooney for her commendable actions in getting children out of a burning home while she was babysitting. Meaghan’s prompt action was praised by the Selectmen and Fire Dept.
MINUTES: The Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of Nov. 23 and Nov. 30, 2009 as prepared.
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Selectman Anderson commended Kathleen Keegan and the Chamber of Commerce committee for a spirited and successful event on Sunday, Dec. 6th.
PEMBROKE HOUSING AUTHORITY: The appointment to a vacant seat on an elected board needs to be made by a joint appointment of the remaining members of that board and the Selectmen. In light of this, Mr. Trabucco moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter to revoke the previous appointment of Greg Hanley until next week. Voted unanimously in favor. A joint appointment is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Dec. 14th meeting.
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE: A letter was received from the Pembroke Housing Authority advising that they voted to elect Carolyn Crossley to serve on the Community Preservation Committee as the Housing Authority’s representative.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, to concur with the appointment of Carolyn Crossley as the Housing Authority’s representative to the CPC. Voted unanimously in favor.
MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
DECEMBER 7, 2009 – PAGE TWO
LAND DONATION ON PELHAM STREET/RIDDER PROPERTY:
Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to accept the offer of a land donation from Richard G. Ridder located on Map E3-13 off Pelham Street, totaling 10.060 acres, for conservation use only, subject to the issuance of a clear title from the current owner. Voted unanimously in favor 5/0.
This property abuts town owned land and the Pembroke Conservation Commission has recommended that the Selectmen accept the donation. The Town will do the legal title search on this property.
GRANGE HALL: Stan Carita and Anne Marie Stanton invited the Selectmen to an Open House on Sunday, Dec. 13th at noon for the re-dedication of the newly renovated Grange Hall on School Street. Renovations were accomplished through donations and labor by volunteers.
DOGS IN CEMETERY: Mrs. Carol Mont and her sister were present to express their disappointment in the response from the DPW Commissioners regarding a ban on dog walking in the town cemeteries. The Selectmen all agreed that it was an insensitive response.
Mr. Boyle passed the responsibility of Chairman to the Vice Chair, Donal Anderson, in order to speak on this issue as a resident. Mr. Boyle moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to send a letter to the DPW to request a ban on dogs from all town cemeteries. So voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Thorne suggested that if the Selectmen were not satisfied with the answer from the DPW, an article could be submitted by the Selectmen to the next annual town meeting.
Mr. Anderson relinquished the Chair back to Mr. Boyle.
TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING: An advertised notice of this hearing was published in the Nov. 27, 2009 edition of the Pembroke Express. Catherine Salmon, Chief Assessor gave a presentation to the Selectmen to explain the current status of home values in the town. She noted that the Selectmen are being asked this evening to vote only on whether or not to have a uniform or split rate for residential and commercial property and not the actual rate at this time.
Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Stone, that the Board of Selectmen accept the recommendation of the Board of Assessors to adopt a uniform tax rate and no small business exemption. So voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Anderson moved, seconded by Mr. Boulter, to continue this hearing to a date uncertain until the information from the DPR is received and the tax rate can be certified and to notify the public through the posted agenda. So voted unanimously in favor.
MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING
DECEMBER 7, 2009 – PAGE THREE
TOWN ADMINSITRATOR’S REPORT:
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: Mr. Thorne asked about meetings during the holiday season. The Selectmen will meet on December 14 and December 21. There will be no meeting on Dec. 28, unless the Chairman is advised of a need to meet.
Open Meeting Law Seminar: A seminar will be scheduled in January for Town Counsel to instruct on the Open Meeting Law as a part of the punishment for the DPW’s infraction of those laws.
Traffic Study by OCPC: Additional streets have been included in the traffic study. High Street is one of them. Mr. Trabucco asked if a 4-way stop could be looked into at the intersection of Elm and Spring Streets and Mr. Stone said he would request that if it is not already part of the study.
PLANNING BOARD JOINT APPOINTMENT: Members of the Planning Board were in attendance and a joint vote was taken to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Board as a result of the resignation of Joe Mulkern.
Mr. Paul Whitman moved, seconded by Mr. Willard Boulter, to appoint Thomas Irving to fill the vacant seat on the Pembroke Planning Board until the next annual election. Roll call vote: 9/0 unanimously in favor.
POWER OUTAGES IN NO. PEMBROKE: Mr. Stone noted that he received complaints from a long time resident of North Pembroke who has experienced numerous power outages over the years. He asked that the Selectmen’s office contact National Grid to shed some light on why outages occur so often in that area. Mr. Boulter said that he experiences many outages in his area as well.
BOYS CLUB PHONE NUMBER: Mr. Boulter pointed out that the phone number for the Karate School at the Boys Club listed in the article in last week’s Express is incorrect. The correct number is 781-293-6616.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Boulter moved, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and upon conclusion that no further public business be discussed.
Roll call vote: Boulter, yes – Stone, yes – Anderson, yes – Trabucco, yes – Boyle, yes
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.