PEMBROKE - October 16, 21 - Pembroke voters overwhelmingly approved joining the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District Monday night, ending years of limited vocational education access for local students. In a second major decision, residents decisively rejected converting the Town Clerk from an elected to an appointed position, choosing to preserve direct voter control over the office that manages elections.
The Full Story
The October 21 Special Town Meeting drew a substantial turnout, with residents grappling with questions about educational access, local democracy, and the future of town governance. After debate across nine articles, voters approved eight measures—including the landmark vocational education initiative—while rejecting only the controversial town clerk proposal.
Vocational Education Access Approved
The evening’s headline decision came on Article 6, which authorizes Pembroke to join the South Shore Vocational Technical High School district. The vote drew such intense interest that many attendees began leaving immediately after the result, prompting Moderator Steve Dodge to remind residents to stay for remaining business. The article passed by an overwhelming margin that Dodge described as “not even close.”
At the Select Board’s October 16 preview meeting, Town Manager Bill Chenard explained a critical distinction about the article: “This vote is based on a motion written by town council. It’s exclusively to allow us to negotiate to join South Shore Vo-Tech. The reason that other language is there is because joining South Shore Vo-Tech needs to be contingent upon the passage of a Prop 2-and-a-half override and a debt exclusion override. This does nothing with either of those other than make this vote contingent upon the passage of those two at a future town meeting and election.”
Chenard’s clarification addressed concerns that residents might think they were voting on tax overrides at the special town meeting. Monday’s vote authorized joining the district, but funding decisions will come at the Spring 2026 Annual Town Meeting, followed by override elections in May 2026.
School Committee member Sue Bollinger explained that a state regulation requiring regional districts to serve member towns first has left Pembroke students with no access to vocational education. “Right now we have no kids going to VoTech,” Bollinger said. By joining the district and contributing to new building construction, Pembroke would secure 20 seats annually allocated through a town-specific lottery.
When asked why Pembroke couldn’t join the existing South Shore Vocational Technical High School in Hanover, Bollinger explained: “We don’t belong to the district. All those are member towns that do belong to that regional district.” A few years ago, a regulation change mandated that regional districts prioritize member towns, which blocked Pembroke’s access to previously available seats. “That left Pembroke with no available seats and no available VoTech options,” Bollinger said. The district is building a new facility, and Pembroke’s joining would be contingent on contributing to that construction through the override process.
Multiple speakers emphasized that Monday’s vote did not approve spending. Melissa Hooley from the Vocational Exploratory Committee urged: “Tonight is not the financial impact vote. Tonight is the vote to see if we want to join and continue the conversation. Even if you’re someone that is worried about the numbers, please vote yes so that we can fine tune the numbers and you’ll know what you’re saying no to.” Tara from Furnace Colony Drive added: “Tonight’s vote is to see if we can continue this process. We haven’t voted on money tonight. It’s to talk about voting on money next time.”
Recent graduate Liberty Pongratz, now owner of Woodland Farm Farrier, shared her unsuccessful attempts to access vocational programs. “My freshman year, it was my sophomore year, I was trying to get into a vocational high school so that I would be able to get experience working with livestock and animals. I applied to South Shore. I applied to Silver Lake and I applied to Norfolk Aggie, none of which were able to let me in because of the restrictions that we have as a town,” Pongratz said. She eventually left Pembroke High School for a dual enrollment program at Bridgewater State, graduating early to attend trade school in Virginia where she learned horseshoeing and small animal care. “Because of that, I ended up here at Pembroke High School for one year and after that year, I ended up leaving Pembroke High School.”
Union representative John Cody from Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 advocated for trades education: “The kids that come through the voc aren’t necessarily cut out for college. I was one of them. I feel that this is something that we need to open up to our kids and give them the opportunity if they’re not on that pathway to college.” Michael Pickup, a third-generation glazier with 20 years’ experience, noted the shortage of skilled tradespeople: “There’s nobody coming behind me. I have 20 years in my field. There isn’t anybody, unfortunately, that has quite the story that I have. We have to train our way out of this. All I’m asking for is the same opportunity that was presented to me.”
Nicole MacDonald, a former school adjustment counselor, explained how high school curricula have evolved: “If you didn’t work in the schools or you haven’t worked in the schools or you haven’t been to high school for 20 or 30 years like me, you might not realize how much the current high school curriculums, the public high school curriculums have changed.” She emphasized that vocational education provides essential pathways for students who learn differently.
Some residents expressed fiscal concerns. Deb VanRiper, a senior on fixed income, urged a no vote: “As a senior citizen on a fixed income, I cannot afford an increase in taxes. In the current uncertain economic future, I don’t think this is a good time to incur any future debt.” When Martin suggested establishing an in-town vocational program by retrofitting Hobomock Elementary, Bollinger explained that would be prohibitively expensive: “We actually did explore that idea. We explored ways of maybe adding a shop or two, but the Hobomock elementary school is quite old and we would have to basically start over. And if you think about the fact that South Shore Technical is building a new school and our portion would be $20 million, you can only imagine what it costs Pembroke if we were to build our own.”
Concerns about impact on Pembroke High School enrollment were addressed by Superintendent Erin Obey, who explained that 84 students over four grades (about 21 per grade) would not require “sweeping reductions.” “The full projected enrollment after having students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 at South Shore Tech would be 84 students. That’s about 21 students per grade. That’s not even one section of ninth grade English or one section of US history,” Obey said. “It is possible that there could be one less section of computer programming or maybe one less section of Spanish at full enrollment at South Shore Tech, but not decimating any of the programs that we currently offer here at the high school or sweeping enrollment driven reductions either.”
The article passed overwhelmingly after School Committee Chair David Boyle successfully moved to end debate, stating: “We’re talking about our kids, we’re a community, it’s our future. Whether it’s the Council on Aging, police buildings, fire buildings. If you want to live here, you want to be part of the community, you have to take on the responsibility.”
Democracy Versus Professionalism: Town Clerk Vote
After disposing of most routine business, the meeting’s final and most contentious article addressed whether to convert the Town Clerk position from elected to appointed. The measure failed by a clear margin, with opponents significantly outnumbering supporters.
The Select Board submitted the article as part of what Select Board Member Dan Trabucco characterized as a broader effort to modernize town government. At town meeting, Trabucco explained: “Over the last several years, we’ve been trying to modernize the Town. Make it more of a professional office within Town Hall offices,” citing the creation of the Town Manager position and implementation of a Capital Fund Plan as examples of successful reforms.
Trabucco argued that the position requires professional qualifications beyond what an election can guarantee. “The Town Clerk needs to be a professional position that is selected for your clerical attributes. Not necessarily a popularity contest at Town election,” he said. He emphasized that voters would maintain indirect control through their election of the Select Board, which oversees the Town Manager who would make the appointment.
Former Select Board member Bob DeMarzo delivered the sharpest counterargument, warning that removing voter control could threaten election integrity. “A free and fair election is one of our most important rights, and you will be giving it up,” DeMarzo said. “You see what happens in other towns, other states, other countries, and so on, where all of a sudden, somebody is choosing their person. Somebody that will help with their election. Put the little sway or a little something this way or that way. We’ve done well with the Town Clerk. We have a great former Town Clerk. Before that, I would encourage you to keep the right to decide who’s going to run your free and fair elections. And if you don’t like it, you vote them out.”
Former Town Clerk Peg Struzik, serving as temporary clerk for the meeting after state statute prohibited interim Town Clerk Andy Cesarini from serving in that role, spoke about preserving electoral accountability while praising Cesarini’s performance. “As a former Town Clerk, I can tell you she’s the most professional person you’ll ever get in that seat. And I don’t worry about, I thought, I don’t worry about this board here. I know they know her worth and they know her value, but they’re not always going to be there,” Struzik said. “And I will guarantee you that when it came time for Mary Ann, when it came time for to fill Mary Ann’s election and my election, if they were appointed, we never would have been made. We never would have been appointed to those positions. We know who would have been appointed. It’s the future. And it’s the one vote that you guys have.”
Struzik recounted Cesarini’s dedication to voters, including tracking down residents who submitted unsigned absentee ballots to ensure their votes counted. “Now, if we get 5,000, that means her office produces 25,000 labels to put on those 5,000 ballots. And when you send it back, if you didn’t sign it, we have the right to throw it out. We don’t have to accept it. But she doesn’t do that. She gets on the phone and she hunts her dog like a dog to come in and sign your ballot because she’s not destroying the ballot.” She concluded: “She was born to be a town clerk. And I urge you to vote no.”
School Committee Chair Dave Boyle reinforced the democratic principle: “Certainly no disrespect to the town manager, the board or anyone sitting in front of me. But I think Mr. DeMarzo said it best. We elect the people. I’ve been blessed to be reelected three times. I hope to be reelected a fourth time in May. If you don’t like the job I’m doing, you can get rid of me. If we get someone who’s appointed, I don’t know the process of how to get rid of them.”
Supporters of the appointed model emphasized professional considerations. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Shea argued: “This is not 1920s Pembroke anymore. This is a multi-million dollar corporation that we call a town. The town clerk is responsible for a heck of a lot more than dog licenses and elections. Like Sabrina Chilcott had said, elections are more intense now. There are more regulations. Just to have an election and I become town clerk, the catch-up game is not fair to you as a resident. If you have a professional person in there who’s been in there for several years now, who’s been flawless, why not convert that said person to an appointed position?”
Advisory Committee member Sandy Beaton noted that obtaining all necessary certifications takes nearly three years, which could create continuous transitions with elected clerks serving three-year terms. Alan Peterson, with 25 years of public service across five towns, shared a cautionary story about an elected clerk in another community who “chose to write her own rules” without recourse. “Having a appointee that is accountable and can be fired because they don’t follow the rules without having to go through a public process might have merit,” Peterson said.
Jonathan Mueller, supporting the change, argued: “I believe the clerk should be a professional position. I’ve lived in towns where the clerk or equivalent has been a professional position and it’s been a very, I believe it’s the optimum way to go. This is a very important position and should be a professional position. The ultimate authority, the Select Board, will remain elected. So I don’t believe we are losing any power as a town.”
When residents learned that an appointed clerk would not be required to live in Pembroke, concerns deepened. Town Counsel Carolyn Murray clarified that Pembroke does have recall petition capability for elected officials, providing another accountability layer. The article ultimately failed by a clear margin.
Budget, Capital Projects, and Historic Preservation
The meeting approved several financial articles with minimal debate. A $467,000 budget supplement for fiscal year 2026 passed, allocating $15,000 from free cash for police assessment centers (one for police chief and one for deputy chief/lieutenant) and raising $452,000 through taxation for the school department.
Voters also approved a $679,000 capital projects appropriation funded from free cash, including $300,000 for a library addition project. Former Select Board member Bob DeMarzo recognized Linda and Alan Peterson for their unprecedented $1 million donation to the Pembroke Public Library Foundation for the Children’s Wing addition—”the largest donation in Pembroke’s history.” The Peterson family, whose involvement in town government dates to the 1930s when their parents Shirley and Annie served on various committees, has also funded annual scholarships worth up to $40,000 each for a boy and girl from both Pembroke High and Silver Lake High schools. Construction on the Children’s Wing addition will begin in spring 2026 without borrowing or overrides.
The Community Preservation Committee received unanimous approval for four historic preservation grants totaling $67,000: $11,000 for the First Church Sewing Circle roof and door replacement, $20,000 for additional exterior repairs to the Historic Friends Quaker Meeting House (supplementing funds previously voted), $6,000 for Historical Society Museum gutter replacement, and $30,000 for Bethel Chapel painting and exterior repairs.
A zoning bylaw amendment regarding kennels, which more narrowly defines kennels to align with state standards and the animal control officer’s authority, passed without debate. The meeting also approved $197,922 in funding for the first year of collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Council 93 Local 1700 representing water, public works, and town hall employees, with $28,562 from Water Retained Earnings and $169,360 from free cash.
Lottery System Survives Challenge
In a procedural matter, residents rejected an amendment to eliminate the lottery system that determines the order articles are considered at town meetings. John Stiles characterized the lottery as “a ridiculous bingo basket here, which is a waste of everybody’s time and an insult to sit here and listen to it.” He argued the system “accomplishes nothing” because interested parties will stay to the end regardless of article order.
Former Advisory Committee Chair Steve Curley defended the system, noting that in his experience serving on a finance committee in another town without a lottery, people would arrive only when their article of interest was scheduled. “The primary item here was number six, which probably would mean that we would not have gotten a quorum at seven because people would have sat there and said that’s not going to come up until 730.”
Ian Murphy raised concerns about vote integrity without the lottery, noting “a little over a third of the room is gone” after the vocational education vote. “If you so chose to align something like the VoTech vote as item number one and bury something like wages as item number seven and a third of your town voters leave when the employees stay to the bitter end, you don’t get an accurate vote.”
The amendment to eliminate the lottery failed. The original bylaw amendment passed, which removes consent articles from the lottery, allowing them to be taken up after budget articles in order, saving time by avoiding the need for a four-fifths vote to remove balls from the lottery basket.
New Newspaper Initiative
Before the meeting began, former Advisory Committee member Ann Stanton announced plans for the Pembroke Citizen Journal, a free online newspaper launching after the first of the year. “We haven’t had a newspaper that focuses on Pembroke in a very long time,” Stanton said. Moderator Dodge had expressed frustration at the October 16 Select Board meeting about the lack of local press coverage. The new publication will cover town hall news, schools, sports, police activity, obituaries, and other local content.
Why It Matters
Monday’s overwhelming approval of vocational education access represents a watershed moment for Pembroke students, ending years of limited career pathway options. For the first time in recent memory, Pembroke students will have guaranteed access to vocational training in fields ranging from construction trades to veterinary technology. However, the financial commitments remain ahead—voters will face decisions on both a Proposition 2½ override and a debt exclusion at the Spring 2026 Annual Town Meeting and subsequent election. Those votes will determine whether Pembroke’s participation actually moves forward.
The rejection of the appointed Town Clerk proposal represents a clear choice by Pembroke voters to preserve a fundamental element of local democracy over arguments for increased professionalism. Residents chose to maintain direct control over the official who manages their elections, even with acknowledgment that an appointed position might ensure more consistent professional qualifications. With the Town Clerk position remaining elected, voters will have their say at the ballot box in May 2026.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To elect Margaret Struzik as temporary Town Clerk for the Special Town Meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 7:45)
Motion (Article 6): To authorize the Town to join the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District, contingent upon passage of overrides at Spring 2026 Annual Town Meeting and election. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands (”not even close”). (Timestamp: 1:02:18)
Motion (Article 1): To increase fiscal year 2026 operating budget by $467,000 ($15,000 from free cash for police assessment centers, $452,000 raised from taxation for school department). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:03:36)
Motion (Article 7): To amend zoning bylaws regarding kennel definitions to align with state standards. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:04:43)
Motion (Article 4 - Amendment): To eliminate lottery system for warrant article order, requiring numerical order instead. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: Majority opposed by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:11:16)
Motion (Article 4 - Main Motion): To amend Town Meeting bylaws to remove consent articles from lottery system. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:11:16)
Motion (Article 2): To appropriate $679,000 from free cash for capital projects including $300,000 for library Children’s Wing addition. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:12:44)
Motion (Article 8, Recommendation A): To appropriate $11,000 from Community Preservation Fund for First Church Sewing Circle roof and door replacement. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:19:28)
Motion (Article 8, Recommendation B): To appropriate $20,000 from Community Preservation Fund to supplement previous appropriation for Historic Friends Quaker Meeting House exterior repairs. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:20:35)
Motion (Article 8, Recommendation C): To appropriate $6,000 from Community Preservation Fund for Pembroke Historical Society Museum gutter system replacement. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:21:12)
Motion (Article 8, Recommendation D): To appropriate $30,000 from Community Preservation Fund for Bethel Chapel painting and exterior repairs. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:21:46)
Motion (Article 9): To transfer $28,562 from Water Retained Earnings and $169,360 from Free Cash to fund first year of collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Council 93 Local 1700. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Overwhelming majority by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:23:14)
Motion (Article 3): To authorize Select Board to petition the General Court for special legislation to convert elected Town Clerk to appointed Town Clerk. Outcome: Defeated. Vote: Clear majority opposed by show of hands. (Timestamp: 1:45:37)
Public Comment
The meeting featured extensive public comment on two articles. On vocational education, approximately 15 speakers addressed the article, including parents advocating for expanded educational opportunities, recent graduate Liberty Pongratz who shared her experience being unable to access vocational programs, union representatives John Cody and Michael Pickup supporting trades education, school adjustment counselor Nicole MacDonald explaining curriculum changes, and seniors including Deb VanRiper concerned about tax increases. Multiple speakers emphasized alternatives to traditional college pathways and the need for skilled tradespeople. Speakers also clarified repeatedly that the vote was not on spending or overrides.
On the town clerk article, approximately 12 speakers debated the measure, with roughly two-thirds opposing the change. Speakers included former Town Clerk Peg Struzik, former Select Board member Bob DeMarzo, School Committee Chair Dave Boyle, Deputy Chief Jim Shea, Alan Peterson, and Jonathan Mueller. Discussion centered on democratic accountability versus professional qualifications, local control, election integrity, professional certification requirements, and the broader question of elected versus appointed positions. Several speakers noted Pembroke’s recall petition capability for elected officials.
What’s Next
Pembroke will proceed with joining the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School District. The town will work with the district over the coming months to finalize specific cost estimates and enrollment procedures. Voters will face critical financial decisions at the Spring 2026 Annual Town Meeting on the specific funding amounts for both a Proposition 2½ override and a debt exclusion to cover Pembroke’s share of the new regional building construction. These financial questions will then go before voters at the annual election in May 2026. Without approval of both overrides, Pembroke’s participation in the vocational district will not move forward.
Approved budget supplements and capital projects will be implemented immediately for the current fiscal year. Construction on the library Children’s Wing addition, fully funded by the Peterson family donation and approved capital allocation, is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
The Town Clerk position will remain elected. Interim Town Clerk Cesarini will continue serving in the appointed capacity until the next regular election in May 2026, when voters will directly elect the next Town Clerk.
The Select Board will hold its next regular meeting on November 5, 2025, featuring a tax classification hearing and budget overview for the upcoming fiscal year.
Full meeting available via The Local Scene (formerly PAC-TV) on Comcast Channel 9 and online at youtube.com/PembrokeMeetings. Select Board meeting link here.