Subscribe now

The Full Story

The unofficial results from Saturday’s local election revealed a stark disconnect between the residents who attend town meetings and the general voting public.

Vocational Partnership Blocked

At the May 12 Town Meeting, a definitive majority championed the capital and operating investments required to join South Shore Tech. However, at the polls, the financial anxieties raised by fiscal conservatives during the town meeting debate carried the day across all five precincts.

• SSVT Question 1 (the operating override to fund Pembroke’s assessed share of the district budget) failed brutally, with 1,148 votes in favor and 2,290 opposed.

• SSVT Question 2 (the capital override to fund the town’s portion of the new regional high school building in Hanover) met an identical fate, falling 1,161 to 2,249.

Because Town Manager Bill Chenard previously clarified that the initiative required a clean sweep of four distinct approvals—two at Town Meeting and two at the ballot box—the crushing double-defeat effectively kills Pembroke’s bid to join the district for the foreseeable future. The town will continue to face zero guaranteed slots for incoming ninth-graders seeking vocational education.

“If any of the four votes fails, the entire opportunity fails... then the measure is failed and we’re not going to have the opportunity to go to South Shore Vocational Tech.” — Bill Chenard, Town Manager

SSVT Regional Agreement: Member Town Approval Status

[✅] Abington | [✅] Cohasset | [✅] Hanover | [✅] Hanson | [✅] Marshfield [✅] Norwell | [❌] Rockland | [✅] Scituate | [✅] Whitman

Pembroke Admission Progress [❌]

[✅] Member Town Approvals (6/9 Required) | [❌ ] Operational Override ($2m) | [❌] Debt Exclusion (new SSVT High School)

Select Board and Town Clerk Races

While voters pulled the emergency brake on tax overrides, they opted for familiar leadership on the Selectboard. In a four-way race for two open seats, incumbent Chair Tracy A. Marino led the ticket with 2,055 votes, closely followed by former Selectboard member Steven A. Ciciotti, who captured 1,848 votes. Challengers Tara C. Lenaghan (1,141 votes) and Gordon Perry Christopher (872 votes) fell short.

In the race for Town Clerk, Andraea C. McEttrick Cesarini won an uncontested mandate with 2,501 votes to permanently fill the seat, bringing stability to an office that has relied on temporary and acting clerks since the retirement of Peg Struzek.

Why It Matters

The defeat of the South Shore Tech questions underscores a profound taxpayer fatigue in Pembroke. Despite compelling arguments that the town’s youth are missing out on vital trade options, voters drew a hard line against expanding property tax bills, especially on the heels of major funding campaigns for a new community center and public safety headquarters. For local families hoping to send their children into the trades, the search for alternative educational pathways must now begin anew.

Share

Official Election Data

Ballot Questions

• SSVT Question 1 (Operating Override): Failed — 1,148 Yes to 2,290 No

• SSVT Question 2 (Capital Debt Exclusion): Failed — 1,161 Yes to 2,249 No

Candidate Race Tally

Select Board (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for Two)

• Tracy A. Marino: 2,055 votes (Elected)

• Steven A. Ciciotti: 1,848 votes (Elected)

• Tara C. Lenaghan: 1,141 votes

• Gordon Perry Christopher: 872 votes

Town Clerk (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Andraea C. McEttrick Cesarini: 2,501 votes (Elected)

Board of Health (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Adam E. Gedutis: 1,801 votes (Elected)

• Judith George: 1,349 votes

School Committee (2 Seats, 3-Year Term — Vote for Two)

• David R. Boyle: 2,282 votes (Elected)

• Allison Glennon: 2,119 votes (Elected)

• J. Paige Graziano (Write-in): 203 votes

Planning Board (2 Seats, 5-Year Term — Vote for Two)

• Carly Rose Levy: 2,188 votes (Elected)

• Stephan K. Roundtree: 1,951 votes (Elected)

Library Trustees (2 Seats, 3-Year Term — Vote for Two)

• Stephanie M. Ciciotti: 1,913 votes (Elected)

• Kathleen Ann Benvie: 1,679 votes (Elected)

• Willamina Zora Panacy: 1,425 votes

Board of Assessors (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Jeffery Leroy Funk: 2,230 votes (Elected)

Constable (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Adam E. Gedutis: 2,385 votes (Elected)

Water Commissioner (1 Seat, 3-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Richard J. Nicholson: 2,294 votes (Elected)

Housing Authority (1 Seat, 5-Year Term — Vote for One)

• Thomas Albert Berry: 2,295 votes (Elected)

Source: Unofficial Town Election Tally Sheets, Town of Pembroke, May 16, 2026.

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting opened with a sense of urgency as Moderator Stephen Dodge announced that attendance had reached 417, far surpassing the quorum of 150. After a moment of silence for residents and town employees who passed away over the last year, the meeting moved quickly into its most contentious business.

The Vocational Education Debate

The centerpiece of the evening was the discussion surrounding Articles 10 and 11, which proposed joining the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District (South Shore Tech). For the past several years, Pembroke students have been largely shut out of vocational options due to state-mandated changes in admission policies that favor member towns.

Article 10 sought $2 million for the town’s assessed share of the district’s operating budget, while Article 11 requested $117,000 for the first-year debt service on a new regional high school facility in Hanover.

Resident and business owner Patrick McMahon delivered a stirring endorsement, sharing how a vocational education changed his life. “Not all kids fit the same mold,” McMahon said, noting he now employs 15 people in town thanks to the skills he learned at South Shore Tech.

“If this doesn’t pass, we are taking an opportunity away from children—an opportunity that they didn’t get a chance to have a say in. We have to be their voice.” [01:50:41] — Rose Cooper, Vocational Graduate

Opponents, however, questioned the financial burden on seniors and those on fixed incomes. Former Select Board member Bill Cullity asked, “When is enough enough?” citing rising gas prices and the cumulative impact of previous overrides for the community center and public safety buildings.

Superintendent of Schools Erin Obey and South Shore Tech Superintendent Tom Hickey clarified that while the initial enrollment for Pembroke would be limited to 10 students during the first year, it would eventually scale up to approximately 84 seats by 2031. Obey also noted that in the interim years, surplus funds from the $2 million request would be used to address “26-year-old infrastructure” in existing Pembroke schools, specifically HVAC systems.

Article 10 passed with a 262-156 vote, and Article 11 secured the necessary two-thirds majority with a 258-128 vote. Both measures remain contingent on a ballot vote scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

SSVT Regional Agreement: Member Town Approval Status

[✅] Abington | [✅] Cohasset | [✅] Hanover | [✅] Hanson | [✅] Marshfield [✅] Norwell | [❌] Rockland | [✅] Scituate | [✅] Whitman

Pembroke Admission Progress

[✅] Member Town Approvals (6/9 Required) | [❓ ] Operational Override ($2m) | [❓ ] Debt Exclusion (new SSVT High School)

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

During a brief but action-packed meeting, the Pembroke School Committee tackled significant financial and structural decisions for the district’s future. The meeting kicked off with an annual public hearing on “School Choice,” a state program that allows students from other municipalities to enroll in Pembroke schools for a flat $5,000 tuition rate per student [04:36].

Superintendent Erin Obey recommended against opting into the program for the upcoming school year. She noted that while adding high school students could theoretically offset enrollment declines, the $5,000 tuition often falls significantly short of the actual cost to educate a student [06:06]. Obey also emphasized the long-term obligations of the program.

“When you commit to school choice and to a school choice student you’re committing to them through graduation. So if you open up school choice for kindergarteners and decide two years later to cease with school choice, you’re still guaranteeing that student that originally enrolled an education through 12th grade.” — Superintendent Erin Obey [05:38]

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting opened with a procedural preview from Town Moderator Steve Dodge [04:56], who reviewed the 16-article warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting. Much of the discussion centered on Articles 10 and 11, which concern a $2 million operating override and a debt exclusion for the regional school budget. Dodge and Town Manager Bill Chenard engaged in a complex debate over what happens if the articles pass at the ballot box but fail on the Town Meeting floor—or vice-versa [12:23]. Dodge clarified that if the ballot question passes but the appropriation fails at Town Meeting, the authority exists but the “mechanism” to spend is missing, effectively rendering the outcome moot unless a subsequent meeting is called [15:57].

To manage potential friction, Assistant Town Manager Sabrina Chilcott explained that voters would be issued different colored cards—orange for Article 10 and blue for Article 11—to facilitate potential secret ballots [23:38].

The evening’s most volatile moment occurred during a discussion on the Select Board’s Code of Conduct policy [40:21]. Chair Tracy Marino issued a public apology for recent “inappropriate” interactions between a board member and a school committee member, later identified as Dan Trabucco and Allison Glennon [41:17].

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

During a joint session with the Select Board and Advisory Committee, Superintendent Erin Obey detailed the “Maintenance of Effort” (MOE) budget, which aims to sustain current services at next year’s prices. The FY27 request represents a 3.4% increase, driven largely by collective bargaining obligations and rising transportation costs [15:03]. Despite these pressures, the budget is currently balanced thanks to a $644,654 increase in town operating funds and a conservative estimate of $75 per student in Chapter 70 state aid [17:10], [17:36].

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The forum, hosted by WATD and moderated by Christine James, brought together four residents vying for two available seats on the Select Board. With incumbent Richard Flynn opting not to run for re-election, the race guarantees at least one new face on the board. The candidates—incumbent Chair Tracy Marino, former board member Steve Ciciotti, Chris Perry, and Tara Gendreau-Lenaghan—spent an hour addressing the most pressing issues facing the community. [09:22]

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The Tuesday evening meeting opened with a legislative victory lap as State Representatives Kathy LaNatra and Ken Sweezey visited the committee to deliver news of successful funding earmarks for the district. [12:35] The representatives announced they had secured $50,000 for HVAC repairs and replacements, $100,000 for Pembroke schools to assist with capital costs—including potential expenses associated with joining the South Shore Regional Vocational School—and $35,000 for educational programming at the Pembroke Public Library. [14:25]

Despite these wins, Representative Sweezey addressed the “brokenness” of the Chapter 70 state funding formula, which currently provides Pembroke with only $75 per student in minimum aid. [16:52] The committee expressed concern that while the House budget might increase this to $150, it remains far below the inflation-driven needs of the district.

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

What began as a methodical review of departmental budgets and warrant articles quickly shifted into a referendum on the conduct of town leadership. The evening’s primary business included the formal ratification of Town Manager Bill Chenard’s three-year employment contract, a move that Select Board member Dan Trabucco described as “leveling” a previously “untenable” salary. Trabucco noted that the subcommittee had engaged in months-long negotiations to ensure the Town Manager’s compensation was comparable to surrounding communities, after “winning” a previous negotiation that had left Chenard underpaid.

However, the tone shifted dramatically during the public comment period when School Committee Vice Chair Allison Glennon took the podium. Glennon presented a detailed timeline and printed packets of email communications to the board, alleging that she had been subjected to “vulgar, aggressive, and intimidating” messages from Trabucco following a routine public records request for the Town Manager’s contract.

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting opened with a somber tribute from Vice Chair John Brown, who announced the passing of Frank Tobin, an 89-year-old veteran and longtime member of the Duxbury Men’s Club. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Board immediately moved into an executive session to discuss non-union personnel negotiations specifically regarding the Town Manager.

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting opened with a high-stakes informational session focused on Pembroke’s path to joining the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District. Superintendent Erin Obey and South Shore Tech Superintendent Tom Hickey presented the finalized “buy-in” figures for the town, which has been without a dedicated vocational partner since withdrawing from Silver Lake years ago. [03:51]

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The primary focus of Wednesday night’s session was a marathon presentation of departmental budgets by Town Manager Bill Chenard. While most municipal departments saw routine adjustments, the “elephant in the room,” as Chenard described it, was the town’s snow and ice removal account [23:57]. The town currently faces a deficit of nearly $1.1 million for the 2026 fiscal year following a series of devastating winter storms [24:03].

Read more

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting opened with a packed public comment period dominated by the ongoing debate over the MIAA’s gender identity policy. Resident Chrissy Nelson presented the committee with research papers and a list of over 50 schools she claimed were “affected” by biological males competing in female categories [05:15]. Nelson argued that the issue was not one of ideology but of protecting the “integrity of girls’ athletics” and scholarship opportunities [03:34].

Read more

Editors note: South Shore News is going paid in April, subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a story. Reach out for group or organizational pricing.

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The heart of the evening’s deliberations centered on the town’s transition to the South Shore Votech district. The board approved two ballot questions that residents will face in May [26:21]. The first is a $2 million operating override to cover the annual costs associated with the new membership [26:33]. The second is a debt exclusion to fund Pembroke’s share of a major building project at the technical school [27:05].

Town Manager Bill Chenard provided updated figures that showed the estimated tax impact on the average single-family home has actually decreased since previous presentations [21:58]. The total projected impact for both measures is now estimated at $423 per year—$281 for the operating override and $143 for the debt exclusion [21:49]. The town’s share of the Votech building project is roughly 10.17%, which equates to approximately $16.9 million [20:57].

“The numbers are getting tighter, and we’re able to now project these numbers,” Chenard told the board, noting that the $16.9 million figure includes a healthy contingency to avoid underestimating the potential tax burden [21:23].

However, the town’s long-term educational goals are currently clashing with immediate fiscal realities. During his budget presentation, Chenard dropped a “big red flag”: a snow and ice deficit of just under $1.1 million [33:31]. This represents the largest deficit since the historic winter of 2015 [34:20]. To close the gap, Chenard has asked department heads to “restrict spending as much as they possibly can” and is considering deferring some spring capital projects to the fall [34:40, 59:53].

Despite the snow deficit, the town received good news regarding its financial administration. Chenard announced that Pembroke has hired a new, highly qualified Town Accountant who will begin work during the last week of March [05:16]. The position has been upgraded to a full-time role to reflect the needs of a community with a budget exceeding $80 million [06:03].

“We are a big enough community, mid-80 million dollars; we need a full-time accountant.” [06:03] — Bill Chenard, Town Manager

In other business, the board:

• Veterans Memorial Park: Accepted a $7,000 donation from the Pembroke Foundation, presented by Christopher Perry, to be used specifically for the Veterans Memorial Park project [11:35].

• Affordable Housing: Discussed filling vacancies on the newly established Affordable Housing Trust [06:56]. The trust is intended to be a vehicle for using CPC funds and donations to further affordable housing initiatives in town [07:26].

• Infrastructure: Received an update on the new fire and police station projects. While they remain on time and under budget, the town is currently disputing a $60,000 drainage issue with MassDOT involving an abandoned catch basin near Barker and Washington Streets [29:09, 30:33].

  Share

Why It Matters

The vote to put the South Shore Votech questions on the ballot represents a “point of no return” for public decision-making. If residents approve these measures on May 16th, it will trigger a permanent $2 million tax increase (the override) and a 30-year debt obligation for the school building. This comes just as the town must find a way to pay off a $1.1 million snow bill, meaning residents can expect a period of significant “belt-tightening” across all municipal departments to keep the FY27 budget balanced without further overrides.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

• Motion: To place the $2 million operating override question on the ballot for joining South Shore Vocational Technical School.

  • Vote: 5-0 ([26:54])

• Motion: To place the debt exclusion question on the ballot for the South Shore Votech building project.

  • Vote: 5-0 ([27:20])

• Motion: To accept a $7,000 donation from the Pembroke Foundation for Veterans Memorial Park.

  • Vote: 5-0 ([13:27])

• Motion: To approve a one-day liquor license for “Classic Cartoon Bingo” on April 9th.

  • Vote: 5-0 ([16:33])

Public Comment

Resident Judy George questioned the scope of the town’s healthcare budget, which is projected to increase by 10% to $11.1 million next year [40:49, 41:07]. Town Manager Chenard clarified that the budget covers roughly 600 to 800 individuals, including all eligible town and school employees and retirees [41:35, 41:47].

What’s Next

The town will hold a major presentation on the South Shore Votech transition on April 7th at 5:30 p.m. at North Pembroke Elementary School [24:12]. Early voting for the annual town election begins on May 1st [24:54].

Source Video: Pembroke Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel

Editors note: South Shore News is going paid in April, subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a story. Reach out for group or organizational pricing.

Subscribe now

The Full Story

The meeting began with a firm resolution on the 2025-2026 School Calendar. Superintendent Erin Obey addressed community feedback regarding the final day of school, which is currently slated for Monday, June 22, 2026. While some families requested shifting Good Friday to a student day to end the year earlier, Obey advised against it, citing the high number of staff who traditionally take the day for religious observance. The committee ultimately decided not to reopen the calendar, with Chair David Boyle noting that the final day is typically a half-day or exam makeup period.

Arts and Athletics: Success Amidst Lean Funding

Gwynne Chapman, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, presented a “maintenance of effort” budget, requesting no new staff despite high student engagement. Highlights included a first-place finish for the High School Art Club in the Attleboro Art Museum Contest and a music program where 174 elementary students are currently learning instruments. Chapman noted that 80% of AP studio art students earned qualifying scores last year.

Athletic Director Brian Phillips shared a similarly strong report, noting that 28 of the top 30 highest-ranking students in the class of 2026 are student-athletes. Phillips proposed two capital goals: a new athletic press box and a stipend for a dedicated strength and conditioning coach. He emphasized that the weight room has become a “holistic” space used by over 100 students daily across all sports.

Technology: A “Skeleton Crew” Fighting Global Threats

The most striking report came from Technology Director Michael Tinker, who described his department as a “skeleton crew” that has shrunk to just four full-time members. Tinker revealed that the district faces an average of 4,388 cyber attacks per week, totaling roughly 228,000 per year.

To manage the workload, the district has leaned on student innovation. Six high school seniors in a “Help Desk” course have salvaged and repaired 200 Chromebooks, saving the district significant costs. The committee also discussed the need for formal policies regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), with Tinker noting that AI tools arrived in classrooms without a traditional vetting process.

“Technology in schools has quietly become infrastructure... our tenacity is greater than the adversity.”[1:15:03] — Michael Tinker, Director of Technology

Facilities: The 26-Year “Tick”

Superintendent Obey presented the facilities budget, highlighting the strain of aging equipment. Because major renovations occurred around 1999–2000, Obey noted that nearly every toilet, faucet, and fixture in the district is now 26 years old and failing simultaneously. Recent plumbing and HVAC repairs have dominated the maintenance budget. The district is also paying $66,000 annually for contracted wastewater treatment services as the position remains unfilled.

Superintendent Contract and Leadership

In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the committee approved setting Superintendent Obey’s total compensation package for fiscal year 2027 at $265,000. Her previous compensation package totaled just under $238,000. Chair Boyle praised Obey’s dual role as both Superintendent and Business Manager, stating that hiring two individuals for those roles would cost the town far more.

Share

Why It Matters

For residents, the meeting underscores the “critical maintenance” phase of Pembroke Public Schools. While the district celebrates high academic and athletic achievement, the underlying infrastructure — from plumbing to cybersecurity — is operating on a razor’s edge. The setting of the Superintendent’s contract provides leadership stability as the district prepares for a May Town Meeting that will decide the funding for these essential repairs and departmental budgets.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

• Motion: Accept the School Committee meeting minutes for March 3, 2026.

  • Vote: 5-0 (00:15:20).

• Motion: Approve the PHS Music Department overnight field trip to the All-State Music Festival.

  • Vote: 5-0 (01:52:10).

• Motion: Approve MIAA middle level waivers for Lacrosse, Softball, and Boys Tennis.

  • Vote: 5-0 (01:55:45).

• Motion: Approve the Superintendent’s total compensation package for FY26 at $265,000.

  • Vote: 5-0 (02:10:00).

• Motion: Approve second read of revised policies BEDB (Agenda Format), BEDH (Public Comment), and BEE (Public Hearings).

  • Vote: 5-0 (02:35:15).

Public Comment

No residents came forward for public comment. However, Superintendent Obey acknowledged receiving numerous emails regarding the 25-26 school calendar, which informed the evening’s discussion.

What’s Next

The committee added an additional budget meeting for March 31, 2026, to discuss fees, vocational education, and the strategic plan. A joint meeting with the Select Board and Advisory Committee is planned for April 28, 2026.

Source Video: Titan TV - Pembroke School Committee: 3/17/26

Read more

Read more

Read more

Read more

Read more

Read more