Pembroke Select Board Candidates Debate Town Issues in WATD Forum
Incumbent Steve Ciciotti and challenger Sean Keegan discuss water infrastructure, affordable housing, and public safety building ahead of May 17 election
PEMBROKE - April 29 - Pembroke Select Board candidates Steve Ciciotti and Sean Keegan present contrasting leadership styles while finding common ground on several key town issues during a WATD political forum ahead of the May 17 town election.
Ciciotti, seeking re-election to a second term, emphasizes his experience and business acumen, while challenger Keegan highlights his 28-year military leadership background.
Both candidates identify water infrastructure as a critical issue facing Pembroke residents, with brown water complaints becoming increasingly common.
"Water infrastructure is definitely the biggest thing on everybody's mind right now," Ciciotti says. "The two main causes of discolored water are old pipes in town... and our oldest highest capacity well has the highest manganese and iron content."
Ciciotti points to decades of keeping water rates low as a contributing factor to the current infrastructure problems.
"The focus for decades was on just keeping water rates the lowest in the region," he explains. "The can was kind of kicked down the road."
Keegan acknowledges the water issues while noting the town has plans in place to address them.
"We have a lot of issues with things like water problems with our brown water, which is being addressed in the master plan," Keegan says. "We have a plan to move forward to address that issue."
Both candidates express support for the planned public safety building, which will replace outdated police and fire facilities.
"The public safety building is something that was identified 25 years ago on the old master plan," Ciciotti says. "The current police and fire station, they're not even remotely up to code."
Keegan agrees, noting the current facilities are "woefully inadequate."
"I believe the fire station, if they go out and deal with a hazardous situation, they have to walk through the whole building to get to the place where they clean off," he says. "This new building is going to be state of the art."
On affordable housing, both candidates acknowledge the challenges of meeting the state's 10% minimum requirement for affordable housing units while maintaining the town's character.
Ciciotti notes Pembroke is close to meeting the threshold once already approved 40B developments are completed, which would give the town more control over future development.
"We're just under the 10% minimum affordable housing requirement," he says. "We're likely to meet and exceed this minimum requirement once the already approved 40Bs go in."
When pressed on what price constitutes "affordable" housing, Keegan suggests $350,000 would be affordable, while acknowledging such prices are rare in Pembroke.
"It's crazy how difficult it is," Keegan says. "These kids coming up today, they just can't get their foot in the door on home ownership because the prices are just out of control."
The candidates find common ground on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are now allowed under state law. Both see ADUs as beneficial, particularly for seniors.
"The ADU can make it so they can stay independent, keep them from having to go on into some housing development that they don't want to be in," Keegan says.
Ciciotti agrees, adding that ADUs "empower private property owners without imposing high-density housing."
The candidates differ slightly on their approach to flags in public buildings. Ciciotti advocates for limiting official flagpoles to government flags only.
"When it comes to the platform of the taxpayer, when it comes to public spaces whether you're talking about your schools, your public buildings, et cetera, we cannot be platforming our personal politics," he says.
Ciciotti adds “You have the right to put on your person whatever you want, clothes on your backpack, et cetera, so on and so forth. My issue is with platforming political flags on public spaces, such as on the walls or on the flagpoles, et cetera.”
Keegan agrees that official flagpoles should display only government flags but takes a more permissive stance on other displays within buildings.
"I don't think any flag should be banned from the facilities," Keegan says. "Somebody wants to wear a shirt with a pride flag. Somebody wants to hang a pride flag. I don't have a problem with that."
In their closing statements, the candidates highlight their different approaches to leadership.
"I'm an open book, and I want to make it easy for you to know exactly who I am and what I stand for as your Selectman," Ciciotti says, emphasizing transparency and his track record.
Keegan focuses on his leadership philosophy: "There are only two things you need to do to be a successful leader. Take care of your people and listen to the subject matter experts."
The Pembroke town election takes place on May 17.