Pembroke’s Select Board is moving to overhaul its formal Code of Conduct following a public apology from Chair Tracy Marino regarding an aggressive email exchange between a board member and a School Committee official. The conflict, which dominated the board’s May 6 meeting, centers on messages sent by Member Daniel Trabucco to School Committee member Allison Glennon. Marino addressed the incident directly, stating the response and tone were inappropriate and do not reflect the level of professionalism or respect that I believe residents should expect from elected officials. While Marino proposed that Town Manager Bill Chenard research updated conduct policies from other municipalities, some residents argued the board should have gone further.

Resident Judy Ferrante expressed deep disappointment that the board opted for a policy review rather than a formal reprimand. I worry that tonight's outcome risks leaving the impression that standards are discussed more easily than they are enforced, Ferrante said. I believe a formal censure would have been the appropriate response. She urged the town’s elected leaders to play nice in the sandbox, noting that the original dispute stemmed from a routine request for public information regarding the Town Manager’s contract. Trabucco, however, remained firm in his defense of the emails, alleging that the School Committee has engaged in a two-year pattern of undermining and harassment toward the Town Manager through constant records requests. Allison Glennon took it upon herself to undermine the town manager and essentially threatening his job, Trabucco said. I found that to be so despicable of an act that it deserved a harsh response and I gave it. The board reached a consensus to have Chenard present proposed policy edits to the newly seated board following the upcoming election.

The tension over governance extended to a procedural preview of the May 12 Town Meeting. Town Moderator Steve Silva detailed the process for the 16 articles on the warrant, focusing heavily on Articles 10 and 11, which concern the regional school budget and a debt exclusion for vocational school expansion. Silva explained that because of the high stakes and potential tax impact, voters would use a secret ballot system. Chair Tracy Marino suggested color-coding the votes to prevent confusion on the floor. If these get taken up by secret ballot, they have to get taken up by their own respective secret ballots, Marino noted, Article 10 would be one color. Article 11 would be the other color. The board ultimately decided on orange cards for the budget and blue cards for the debt exclusion. Town Manager Bill Chenard issued a stark warning regarding the legal requirements of these votes, noting that a ballot victory for a debt exclusion means nothing without an accompanying appropriation at Town Meeting. If you're up against prop 2 and a half levy limit, it is very dangerous to increase amounts, Chenard warned, you do not fund the town until you hold a town meeting and decrease that number.

Financial concerns also surfaced regarding town operations, specifically a town-wide recycling audit scheduled from June 22nd to July 3rd. Chenard informed the board that the audit is a necessary step to curb rising disposal costs. It's very important that we pay attention to what we're throwing in our recycling bins, Chenard said. It costs us money because that's contamination that must be removed from the recycling stream. On the infrastructure front, Chenard addressed ongoing resident complaints regarding brown water flowing from taps. He explained that while hydrant flushing is the current culprit, the town is roughly three years away from completing filtration plants that will permanently solve the iron and manganese issues. Short-lived could be a few days, but it is best practice, he said of the current flushing, promising that the new plants will eventually provide a long-term solution.

The meeting also served as a farewell for Member Richard Flynn, who received thanks from Advisory Committee member Linda Gallivan for his three years of service. You've been very easy to work with, always responsive, and a real treasure for this town, Gallivan said. Flynn used his final regular meeting to express frustration with the board’s leadership, specifically Chair Marino’s refusal to place a letter to the MIAA regarding the protection of female athletics on the agenda. By refusing to agender this item, the chair has chosen silence, Flynn argued. The choice sends a discouraging message to Pembroke families that a fair, safe, competitive environment for our female athletes is not a priority. Marino stood by her decision, maintaining that the MIAA policy is strictly a School Committee matter.

In addition to policy debates, the board processed several community requests. They approved the annual summer concert series on the town green, which Flynn described as a wonderful way to get together. Motion Made by J. Brown to grant the request of the recreation commission and community services director for their summer concert on the green series as presented. Motion Passed (4-0). The board also authorized a special one-day liquor license for a brewing event. Motion Made by R. Flynn to grant the one-day liquor license request for Widowmaker Brewery Company for the sale of beer and wine on May 16th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 296 Old Oak Street. Motion Passed (4-0).

New blood will be joining the town’s volunteer ranks following two unanimous appointments. Motion Made by R. Flynn to appoint Dave Bole to the recreation commission term to expire 2028. Motion Passed (4-0). Similarly, the board acted to fill a gap on the environmental oversight side. Motion Made by R. Flynn to appoint Laura Campbell to the Conservation Commission. Motion Passed (4-0). The board concluded by noting that residents can vote early at the Community Center before the May 16th election, where poppies will be distributed by the American Legion to support veteran programs.