PEMBROKE - July 1, 2026 - The Pembroke Select Board kicked off the new fiscal year with a packed house to celebrate a milestone milestone: the formal swearing-in of Wendy LaPierre as the town’s first female Chief of Police. However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly turned combative later in the evening during a heated clash over board transparency, executive accountability, and the sudden removal of “Old and New Business” from the public agenda.
The Full Story
The evening began on an uplifting note at the community center, where town officials, residents, and dozens of regional public safety dignitaries gathered to witness history. Chief Wendy LaPierre, a 28-year veteran of the Pembroke Police Department, was officially sworn into office by the Town Clerk. Former Chief Rick MacDonald praised LaPierre’s unmatched dedication, stating that the appointment was not about breaking barriers for the sake of it, but about honoring an officer who earned the position through unwavering commitment and character.
The board smoothly executed several organizational cleanups following the swearing-in ceremony. They approved a temporary weekend liquor license for a July event at Oak Street involving Widowmaker Brewing Company, appointed Alysha Siciliano Perry to the Old Colony Planning Council, and approved the transfer of the 615 Washington Street restaurant and liquor licenses from Dish’s Route 53 Tavern to the 67 Coastal Group under manager Erik Daigle.
The board also reshuffled its internal liaison assignments for the upcoming year. Notably, Select Board member Steve Ciciotti took over the Advisory Committee role, while Sean Keegan took the General Bylaw Review Committee seat. To streamline strategic planning, the board voted unanimously to form a unified working group consisting of members Ciciotti and Tracy Marino to update the town’s existing goals, priorities, and values altogether.
The harmony fractured during the “Community Comment” and board discussion periods. After resident resident feedback regarding an ongoing recycling contamination audit—which revealed an initial 34% contamination rate that dropped sharply to 11-13% after removing a single 200-foot garden hose—Member Ciciotti confronted Chair John Brown regarding changes to the meeting format. Ciciotti demanded to know who removed the traditional “Old and New Business” segment from the agenda.
