Pembroke Select Board Reviews Public Safety Budgets, Zoning Changes
Board discusses police and fire department funding, utility substation regulations, and accessory dwelling units
PEMBROKE - April 9 - The Pembroke Select Board reviews departmental budgets and discusses zoning bylaw amendments during its April 9 meeting, focusing on public safety funding and proposed changes to town regulations.
Town Manager Bill Chenard presents the police department budget of $4.3 million for wages and salaries, plus $346,000 for operational expenses. The budget includes funding for cruiser maintenance and fueling within the operating budget.
*editor’s note: audio quality issues in this recording make speaker identification less reliable. Please reach out if you see any errors
"Since 2023, considering inflation, I just have to add this hats to the police department for managing their costs," notes one board member during the discussion.
The fire department budget follows a similar pattern, with wages and salaries dictated by contractual obligations. The budget includes overtime for training, drills, and fire prevention, along with standard operational expenses such as fueling, telephone service, supplies, vehicle maintenance, and general maintenance.
Board members express interest in understanding future budget implications as the town prepares to move to a new public safety station. Chenard acknowledges they don't have complete details on the restructuring yet.
"We won't have 100% of the details of the restructuring that we did," Chenard says. "We'll be prepared to answer those questions."
The board also discusses animal control services, which Pembroke shares with the town of Hanover. Chenard notes they've made some cuts due to interoperability issues with electrical systems.
In a significant staffing update, Chenard informs the board that the Veterans' Agent position will need to be posted following a safety issue notification he received earlier that day.
The Veterans' Agent position has been held by David McPhillips, who board members note has gone "above and beyond" in his service, helping veterans from throughout the South Shore region.
"When people come into our town hall to talk to Dave about veterans' issues, it didn't matter where they were from, from the South Shore. We made sure we still took care of them as a veteran's issue. They needed help," a board member comments.
The board discusses whether the position is required and if it could potentially be shared with another community. Chenard confirms the town needs a Veterans' Agent, though it could be a part-time position.
A representative from National Grid, Robert Reese, addresses the board regarding Article 25, which proposes amending zoning bylaws to define and regulate utility substations through special permits issued by the planning board.
"When we reviewed the bylaws, there was no specific substation case used," Reese explains. "Without that, we would have to apply to the DPU for substation use if we chose to do so on any parcel in Pembroke."
The proposed bylaw would give the town more control over utility substations by requiring special permits through the planning board rather than state approval.
"It gives the planning board more control," a board member notes. "And it still works."
The board decides to vote on this article at their next meeting on April 23.
Other items discussed during the meeting include:
- Acceptance of the in-person early voting schedule for the May 17 election
- Approval of a one-day wine license for New England Village for May 6
- Acceptance of Personal Road as a public way
- Discussion of Article 19 regarding the elimination of black plastic in restaurant carry-out packaging
- Review of Article 20 concerning roofs in historical districts
- Discussion of Article 23 on accessory dwelling units
The board also reviews upcoming meeting dates, including the April 23 meeting for final article recommendations, the May 7 meeting with various presentations, and the annual town meeting scheduled for May 13 at 7 p.m.
Chair Tracy Marino reminds residents about the community cleanup day on April 26, with participants meeting at the community center, and the fish fry scheduled for May 4.
Chenard emphasizes the importance of returning census forms, noting the cost to the town when residents don't respond.
"If people don't do that, we have to renew, so it's an element of staff time that's close to $3 a year," Chenard explains. With over 3,000 forms still outstanding, the cost could approach $9,000 or more.
Chenard also encourages residents to attend the Town Meeting on May 13 at 7 p.m., particularly to discuss budget issues.
"It's important that we engage, and there's a lot of things going on this year," he says.
The board concludes the public portion of the meeting before entering executive session to discuss collective bargaining and litigation strategy.