PEMBROKE - March 4, 2026 - Town Manager Bill Chenard warned residents this week that they will soon face two critical ballot questions to fund Pembroke’s share of the new South Shore Vocational Technical High School project. The Select Board must vote within the next two meetings to place both a debt exclusion and a Proposition 2 1/2 operating override on the May election ballot, a move that will determine the town’s ability to participate in the regional school’s multi-million dollar reconstruction.
The Full Story
The March 4 meeting of the Pembroke Select Board opened with a somber tribute to Linda Osborne, a “fixture” in the Pembroke community for over 60 years who passed away on March 2. [03:14] Chair Tracy Marino led a moment of silence for Osborne, citing her decades of service as the chair of the Memorial Committee and her involvement with the Historical Society, Girl Scouts, and Council on Aging.
Following the remembrance, the board shifted focus to the town’s looming financial obligations regarding the South Shore Vocational Technical (SSVT) High School project. [31:18] Town Manager Bill Chenard clarified the procedural hurdles ahead, noting that the board has a narrow 35-day window before the May election to notify the Town Clerk of any ballot initiatives.
The funding plan for the school project is twofold. First, residents will vote on a debt exclusion, which would temporarily increase property taxes to pay the principal and interest on the town’s share of the construction debt. [32:19] Unlike a permanent override, this tax increase expires once the debt is retired. [32:44] Second, the town will seek a Proposition 2 1/2 operating override to cover the recurring annual costs of sending Pembroke students to the vocational school. [32:58]
While the debt exclusion requires a four-fifths “supermajority” vote from the Select Board (four out of five members), the operating override only requires a simple majority. [33:20] Both measures must then be approved by a simple majority of voters at the polls. [33:29] A formal presentation with specific project numbers is scheduled for March 18. [34:07]
Snow Storm Recap: CDL Shortages and State Intervention
In a detailed after-action report following the recent 30-inch snowstorm, Chenard addressed public frustration over plowing delays. [37:54] He revealed that a chronic shortage of drivers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) has forced the town to downsize its fleet from heavy trucks to one-ton pickups. [38:15]
“What went bad is that... the town of Pembroke, due to some issues with CDL licenses and requirements by the state, has been downsizing our trucks from the big huge trucks to smaller one-ton pickups. When you get that much snow, one-ton pickups don’t move it.” [38:15] — Bill Chenard, Town Manager
To combat the accumulation, the town requested assistance from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to provide state-funded contractors for clearing sidewalks and main arteries. [38:35] The National Guard was also briefly deployed to assist ambulances during the height of the storm. [43:06] Chenard noted that the town is submitting expenses to MEMA in hopes of triggering a 75% reimbursement from FEMA. [42:45]
Community Rebirth: Taste of Pembroke and New Digital Face
The Pembroke Chamber of Commerce brought a wave of positive news, announcing the return of the “Taste of Pembroke” for the first time since 2018. [10:57] The food-centered community event is scheduled for June 6 at the new community center. [11:17] Additionally, the Chamber has officially affiliated with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce to boost marketing and professional resources for local businesses. [06:02]
Simultaneously, the town’s revamped website went live this week, aimed at meeting ADA compliance and decentralizing updates to individual departments. [46:55] Despite the upgrade, resident Judy Ferrante cautioned the board during public comment that critical documents, such as the town’s general bylaws, were difficult to locate during the site’s “burn-in” period. [49:07]
Why It Matters
The upcoming SSVT ballot questions represent a significant fiscal crossroads for Pembroke. Residents must decide if the long-term educational benefits of a joining the regional vocational school district outweigh the immediate tax burden. Furthermore, the town’s struggle with CDL licensing highlights a growing municipal crisis across the South Shore, where labor shortages are directly impacting basic services like snow removal and road safety.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve Article 12 recommendations A through E (Community Preservation Committee projects) [23:54].
Vote: Unanimous ([27:01])
Motion: To approve a one-day liquor license for the Karen Boyle Scholarship Foundation fundraiser at Tiny & Sons on April 2. [17:02]
Vote: Unanimous ([21:32])
Motion: To approve a 90-day door-to-door solicitation permit for Renewal by Anderson. [16:13]
Vote: Unanimous ([16:21])
Public Comment
Resident Judy Ferrante expressed concern regarding the oversight of the new town website, noting that she was unable to find meeting agendas and bylaws on the day of the launch. [49:07] Town Manager Chenard encouraged residents to call his office directly with navigation issues while departments continue to migrate data. [51:13]
What’s Next
SSVT Funding Presentation: A formal breakdown of the school project’s financial impact will be presented on March 18, 2026. [34:07]
Bylaw Committee Review: The board will revisit the mission statement and structure of the Bylaw Review Committee at the next meeting to allow for a rotating chair. [27:46]
Public Forum: The Board of Health will host a forum on tobacco-adjacent items (Kratom) on Monday, March 9, at 6:00 PM at the community center. [35:11]
Source Video: Pembroke Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel