PEMBROKE - December 3 - The Pembroke Select Board reviewed but tabled action on a proposed outdoor live entertainment policy on December 3, with members expressing concerns about noise levels and requesting time to submit individual revisions before voting in January. The policy, which would establish guidelines for businesses seeking to host outdoor concerts and performances, comes as multiple establishments have recently applied for live entertainment licenses.
The Full Story
The outdoor entertainment policy has been drafted by Town Manager Bill Chenard and Executive Assistant Angela Sestito in response to recent applications for outdoor live entertainment licenses. The document draws from policies implemented by six or seven other municipalities, according to Chenard, who emphasized that “not everything fits Pembroke” when adapting regulations from other communities.
The draft policy sets a maximum noise level of 70 decibels, a provision that immediately drew objections from board members. Member Sean Keegan raised concerns about the decibel measurement, noting that “70 is a little high.” He explained to the public that decibel increases are exponential rather than linear, stating, “If you have 60 decibels and you go to 70, it’s not like just turning the dial up 10 more. It’s a factor of 10. 60 to 70 to the human ear is actually double the volume.”
Another contentious issue emerged regarding where noise levels should be measured. The policy as drafted specifies measurement at property lines, but board members questioned whether this should be the nearest property line, the furthest point, or a specific distance from amplified speakers. Select Board member Rich Flynn asked, “Should it be so many feet away from the amplified speaker?”
Dan Trabucco advocated for property line measurements, arguing, “It really should be at the property line because that’s where they create a nuisance for abutters. If the music, if you take it next to the stage, it’s only creating a nuisance for themselves.” He added, “Where does their offense happen? At the property line.”
Chenard suggested adding flexible language to the policy that would allow the board to determine measurement locations on a case-by-case basis depending on venue layout and neighboring properties. He noted that “not every property is the same,” making rigid standards difficult to apply uniformly.
The draft policy includes provisions for public hearings, inspection requirements by the building inspector, police department, fire chief, and board of health, as well as license terms and conditions. However, board members identified gaps in the document, particularly regarding enforcement mechanisms. Trabucco said, “What happens if one of these are violated that should be spelled out specifically? Who’s the enforcement officer? Is it the police department? Is it municipal inspections?”
Chair Tracy Marino suggested that the board members could review the document individually and submit written comments to the town manager’s office, which would then compile and distribute all feedback to the full board. Trabucco supported this approach, stating, “I think it’d be a good idea, since we’re seeing this for the first time in a meeting, that we all take it home and mark it up and then bring our markups in.”
A resident from School Street attended the meeting and suggested the board consider measuring noise levels at the two nearest abutting properties rather than just along the road frontage. The board thanked the resident for the input.
The Select Board unanimously voted to table the policy discussion until their January 7, 2026 meeting to allow members time to submit individual revisions and ensure a full board is present for the vote following the holiday season.
In other business, the board approved renewal of all annual liquor licenses, live entertainment licenses, and Sunday entertainment licenses for 2026. The renewals are subject to approval by the Department of Municipal Inspections, town manager, and treasurer as required by the Alcohol Beverages Control Commission. The board also approved a one-day liquor license for New England Village to serve beer and wine on December 16, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Chenard provided updates on major town construction projects. The historic Turner House relocation project is beginning site work and foundation preparation this month, but the actual house move has been delayed until February when the ground freezes. The move requires extensive structural planning and will proceed at just a few feet per day to preserve the building’s integrity and its three chimneys. Chenard noted that the plans are “so dense from a standpoint of technology that you couldn’t email it.”
Both the police and fire headquarters construction projects remain on budget, with Chenard reporting they are “actually slightly under, actually significantly under budget.” However, cold weather may cause delays of a few weeks as masonry work cannot proceed in freezing temperatures. Contractors may need to set up heated shelters to complete exterior brick work. Chenard will meet with contractors and provide the board an email update before their January meeting.
The town manager also reported that lead times on furniture and equipment for the new buildings require purchase orders to be placed by March to ensure availability when construction is complete. Planning has already begun on furniture, fixtures, and equipment procurement.
Chenard announced that the Pleasant Street well project is progressing well, with the building structure erected and siding installation underway. Wells and piping connections are nearly complete, though the emergency generator has been ordered but not yet delivered. All underground conduit for the generator is already in place.
Trabucco raised a question about the Shepard’s Funeral Home and golf course development projects, specifically addressing community concerns about affordable housing units. All low-income housing units originally planned for the golf course property have been transferred to the Shepard’s site, a provision allowed under Chapter 40B regulations. Chenard confirmed the town will still receive full credit toward its affordable housing quota and is closely monitoring the projects. The funeral home building has been demolished, and permits for both sites are moving forward.
The board learned that the town is close to hiring a full-time town accountant, with Chenard scheduled to speak with a preferred candidate. The position for an assistant town accountant, likely part-time, will be discussed with the new accountant before being posted.
Board members also announced that the town website will undergo a complete upgrade in the coming weeks, with department training beginning the following week. The new site should launch within approximately two months.
Marino requested that Chenard prepare an annual grant report detailing all grants the town applied for during the year and their outcomes. Trabucco suggested including the report in the annual town report rather than presenting it separately, which would provide more time for preparation and greater public visibility. Chenard agreed to the approach.
The board announced several upcoming community events for Saturday, December 7, including the annual Toys for Tots drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hatch Building, the town tree lighting ceremony from 2 to 6 p.m. at the community center, and the second annual Winter Lights race at 6:30 p.m. starting from the community center.
Flynn announced the passing of Paul Norse, a veteran whom he described as “one of my dull men.” Services will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sullivan’s Funeral Home in Hanover, followed by interment at Center Cemetery from 11 a.m. to noon.
Town hall holiday hours were announced: the building will close at noon on December 24 and reopen at 8 a.m. on December 29. On December 31, town hall will close at 1 p.m. but reopen Friday morning, January 2, at 8 a.m.
Why It Matters
The outdoor entertainment policy will directly affect residents living near commercial establishments and businesses seeking to diversify their offerings with live music and performances. The regulations will establish noise limits, operating hours, and inspection requirements that balance economic development opportunities for local businesses with quality of life protections for neighboring properties. With multiple venues already expressing interest in outdoor entertainment, the policy provides a framework for consistent decision-making by the Select Board while allowing flexibility for case-by-case considerations based on venue location and surrounding neighborhoods.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To renew eligible Pembroke liquor licenses as listed on the public agenda for the year 2026, subject to the approval of DMI, town manager, and treasurer, as required by Alcohol Beverages Control Commission. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:05:43)
Motion: To approve renewal of the list of 2026 live entertainment licenses as listed on the public agenda, subject to the approval of DMI, town manager, and treasurer. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:06:06)
Motion: To approve the renewal of the list of 2026 Sunday entertainment licenses as listed in the public agenda, subject to the approval of DMI, town manager, and treasurer. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:06:20)
Motion: To approve the request of Sharon Bohan of New England Village Incorporated for a one-day liquor license under Mass General Law Section 138, subsection 14 to serve beer and wine from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 664 School Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:06:56)
Motion: To accept the minutes of the Select Board meeting November 19 and November 5, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:07:46)
Motion: To table discussion and vote on outdoor live entertainment policy until January 7, 2026 meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:18:07)
Motion: To adjourn. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:33:48)
Public Comment
One resident from School Street attended the meeting and provided input on the outdoor entertainment policy discussion, suggesting that noise measurements should be taken at the two nearest abutting properties rather than solely at road frontage to better protect residential neighbors from noise impacts.
What’s Next
Select Board members will submit individual written revisions and comments on the outdoor live entertainment policy to the town manager’s office, which will compile and distribute all feedback before the January 7, 2026 meeting. The board will vote on a Class 2 public hearing for Fatty Maddy’s custom LLC on January 7. The board will vote to open the annual town warrant on January 20, with all warrants closing January 30. The Affordable Housing Committee will present a request for land donation to Habitat for Humanity on Chapel Street at the February 4 meeting, followed by the town manager’s FY27 budget update at 7:30 p.m. Town Manager Chenard will provide an email update on construction project timelines following meetings with contractors. The town will continue training on the new website platform with an anticipated launch in approximately two months.
Full meeting available via Comcast Government Access Channel 9 and PembrokeMeetingsLS on YouTube.
Solid example of deliberative governance where a board actually requests time to review policy before voting. The debate over decibel measurement locations shows how operational details matter more than most people realize. Had a simillar situation in my town where noise ordinances got tricky becuase no one initially thought about how exponential decibels work versus linear perception. Tabling until January with individual written comments sounds way more productive than rushing through it.