Pembroke Town Meeting Rejects Fluoride Removal, Upholds Plastic Bag Ban
Residents debate water safety, environmental concerns, and marijuana sales during annual meeting
PEMBROKE - May 13 - Pembroke residents vote to maintain fluoride in the town's water supply and uphold the plastic bag ban during Tuesday's Annual Town Meeting, where they also approved a $78.8 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026.
The meeting at Pembroke High School addressed 30 articles covering topics from budget appropriations to zoning changes, with several citizen-led petitions generating significant debate.
A petition to discontinue water fluoridation sparked passionate discussion about health impacts and personal choice. Maureen Jasie, who introduced the article, argued that fluoridation represents outdated science.
"What we're putting in our water is hydrofluorosilic acid, typically sourced from phosphate fertilizer production," Jasie says. "This practice may have made sense in the 1960s, but today we know better."
Opponents of fluoride cited concerns about potential neurological effects, particularly in children, while supporters defended its role in public health.
"Water fluoridation is a proven and cost-effective public health measure that prevents tooth decay in children and adults," says Melissa Killham, who opposed the petition. "The CDC has even named it as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century."
Town Counsel Carolyn Murray clarified that the vote would be non-binding, as town meeting lacks authority to remove fluoride from water. Ultimately, residents rejected the petition by majority vote.
Another contentious issue was a petition to revoke the town's plastic bag ban. Selectman Rich Flynn, who spoke in favor of the article, argued for consumer convenience.
"It just seems unreasonable that everything in the supermarket is either wrapped in plastic, filled with plastic, shipped in plastic, and there's a lot of people that find this very inconvenient to walk out of there with a paper bag and not have handles," Flynn says.
Environmental advocates countered with concerns about pollution and recycling contamination.
"Single-use plastic bags are a major source of PFAs, forever chemicals, which contaminate our drinking water," says Melissa Killham. "The ban has also reduced roadside litter and storm drainage blockages."
Nicole Lydic from the town's Recycling and Sustainability Committee adds that plastic bags create significant problems in recycling facilities.
"Every time these plastics, these thin plastic bags end up in our recycling, not our center, but the South Shore Recycling Cooperative at waste management, they clog the machines. It stops production. It costs everyone money," Lydic says.
Residents voted to maintain the plastic bag ban.
The meeting also approved changes to zoning bylaws allowing recreational marijuana sales in the town's existing medical marijuana district, along with a 3% excise tax on retail marijuana sales.
Town Manager Bill Chenard provided an update on the public safety building project, reporting that construction will begin in early summer with the headquarters expected to take 21 months to complete and the substation 11 months.
"I'm very, very encouraged," Chenard says. "There's been several projects in other cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that have come in, and it's really good. I'm super pleased."
The $78.8 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026 includes $40 million for schools. Residents also approved $16.5 million in capital projects, including $13.5 million for water infrastructure improvements.
The Community Preservation Committee received approval for several projects, including $500,000 for the Hobomock Elementary School playground, $110,000 for a new playground at the community center, and $50,000 for Magoun Park improvements.
Other significant votes included:
- Approval of a bylaw eliminating black plastic in restaurant carryout packaging
- Authorization for school bus violation detection monitoring systems
- Acceptance of Bristol Road as a town way
- Amendments to zoning bylaws regarding accessory dwelling units
- Elimination of committees made redundant by the Town Manager Act
The meeting also approved a new bylaw allowing alcohol at events held at the town's new Community Center with proper licensing.
Town Clerk Andraea McEttrick reminded residents that the annual town election will be held Saturday, May 17, at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The meeting, which began at 7 p.m., concluded with all 30 articles addressed in a single session, with Moderator Stephen Dodge thanking residents for their participation.
"The chair just wants to thank you for your attendance, for sticking to it, a lot of awesome debate and a lot of accomplishments tonight and we got it all done," Dodge says.