Pembroke Select Board Finalizes $78.8 Million Budget, Town Meeting Warrant
Board removes three articles, including veterans tax exemption, from May 13 town meeting agenda
PEMBROKE - April 23 - The Pembroke Select Board approves the fiscal year 2026 operating budget of $78.8 million during its April 23 meeting, setting the stage for its approval at the Annual Town Meeting on May 13 at Pembroke High School.
The board unanimously approved the budget after Town Manager Bill Chenard presented detailed breakdowns of general fund expenditures along with the water and solid waste enterprise funds.
"It is a total cost to the town of $78,805,048," Chenard says. "And you've seen every detailed line item within that budget structure. It's probably 160 pages."
The board also voted to remove three articles from the town meeting warrant, including one that would have increased tax exemptions for veterans.
The veterans exemption article, known as the HERO Act, would have doubled the current tax abatement from $400 to $800 for disabled veterans and from $1,000 to $2,000 for 100% disabled veterans. However, unlike the current exemptions, the state would not reimburse the town for the increases.
"The catch is, on this, is the state would not reimburse us. This would have to be passed by local action," explains Veterans Agent David McPhillips. "And this would be up to the town to pay for this."
Chenard estimates the cost to implement the increased exemptions would be approximately $113,000 annually.
"It's a financial challenge. We don't have that much," Chenard says. "I'm strongly recommending that the board do more research."
The board voted unanimously to remove the article, with members expressing interest in studying the issue further for possible inclusion at a future town meeting.
The capital budget, totaling $16.4 million, includes numerous infrastructure improvements and equipment purchases. Major items include $2.25 million for water treatment plant design and permitting, $8 million for water main upgrades, and $355,000 from the ambulance fund to purchase a new ambulance.
Chenard highlights the street sweeper purchase as a cost-saving measure for the town.
"We did a cost-benefit analysis, and the cost-benefit shows that we actually will save money to do the street sweeping ourselves," Chenard says. "There is no special licensing required for a street sweeper, so I can go drive it, you can go drive it, anybody can go drive it once you learn how."
The water enterprise budget shows a significant increase in debt service, rising from $807,000 last fiscal year to $2.7 million for FY2026. Chenard warns this will result in higher water rates for residents.
"I just want to be clear that this is going to result in a large water rate increase this year," Chenard says. "We are working through those details right now."
He notes that while Pembroke currently has the lowest water rates in the area, residents should expect increases, though "we're not going to go to the highest."
The board also approved three zoning articles for the town meeting warrant, including one to align town bylaws with new state laws on accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Planning Board representative Andy Wandell explains that state law now allows ADUs by right, overriding the town's current special permit requirement.
"Currently in the town of Pembroke, we do have a bylaw on the books that allows accessory dwelling units with special permit, but the state has overruled that and people can get building permits for accessory dwelling units without the approval of the ZBA," Wandell says.
The new regulations allow ADUs up to 900 square feet or half the existing living space, whichever is smaller, and remove requirements that they be occupied by blood relatives or that the main dwelling be owner-occupied.
In other business, the board:
* Approved a special event permit for Soundcheck Studios to hold an outdoor concert on July 19 from noon to 8 p.m.
* Granted a mobile food permit to Jay's Ice Cream Truck, which is taking over routes previously served by Stephen Burt, who is retiring.
* Approved a one-day liquor license for the East Pembroke Community Club for May 4 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* Heard updates from the Pembroke Chamber of Commerce about upcoming events, including a Candidates Forum at the Library on May 8 that will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and YouTube.
The annual town meeting is scheduled for May 13 at 7 p.m. at Pembroke High School. Early voting for the annual town election begins at the end of next week, with details available on the town's website.
"There's some confusion about that," Chenard says about the town meeting location. "The moderator wanted it at the high school, so it's going to be held at the high school."
The Select Board will hold its next meeting on May 7 at 7 p.m., which will include a town meeting preview with the town moderator and advisory committee.