The Pembroke Select Board meeting took a historic turn Wednesday night as the Pembroke Library Foundation announced the largest private gift in the town’s history, even as the board grappled with a contentious 3-1 decision regarding a retention stipend for the Town Manager. Bob Demarzo, President of the Pembroke Library Foundation, revealed that Alan and Linda Peterson have donated $1 million toward the library’s 2,700-square-foot expansion project. Demarzo noted that the expansion, which will feature a new children's room, a local history room, and a podcast studio, is now 82% funded by private donations. Demarzo praised the Peterson family’s legacy, stating, I believe their donation is by far the largest donation in Pembroke's history.

The celebratory atmosphere shifted when the board moved to ratify a $20,000 retention stipend for Town Manager Bill Chenard, a decision originally made during an executive session in June. Board member D. Trabucco defended the additional pay, noting that Chenard often covers responsibilities that would fall to HR or IT directors in other municipalities. This board felt as a majority that the town manager was not being paid commensurate with the duties that he has and with the comparables of surrounding towns, D. Trabucco said, adding that the stipend brings Chenard closer to the pay scale of managers in 38 peer communities.

Chair T. Marino cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing a desire to see more tangible results before granting the increase. I was and am still a no vote. I would have liked to have seen some issues addressed and improved before I would have been comfortable supporting this, T. Marino stated. The decision drew sharp criticism from residents in attendance. Trish Hansen questioned the scale of the increase during a difficult economy, noting, I would never get $36,000 in a three-year period unless I moved to another company. Alen Flashman raised procedural concerns regarding the delay in bringing the vote to a public forum, asking if the board had committed an Open Meeting Law violation. Chenard countered that the discussions were legal negotiations held in executive session, while board members characterized the delayed public vote as a housekeeping error. Motion Made by D. Trabucco to issue a stipend to the Town Manager as presented in executive session on June 11th, 2025. Motion Passed (3-1).

Financial matters dominated the remainder of the evening as the board addressed several warrant articles for the upcoming Special Town Meeting. Article 1 allocates $15,000 from free cash for an assessment center to help find a successor for the retiring police chief, along with $452,000 from the tax levy for Pembroke Public Schools. Chenard explained that the school funding was necessitated by state Chapter 70 aid arriving at higher levels than estimated back in May. Motion Made by D. Trabucco for favorable action on Article 1. Motion Passed (4-0).

The board also reviewed a substantial list of capital projects under Article 2, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Notable items include $160,000 in town matching funds to secure a $250,000 grant for fiber connection upgrades and $110,000 in supplemental funding for the library roof due to high construction bids. Chenard emphasized the importance of the fiber project, warning, If we don't fund this, we lose the grant. D. Trabucco questioned the schools' reliance on free cash for capital needs following their operating budget boost, to which Chenard responded that he has been encouraging the schools to participate in the town's unified capital process rather than embedding those costs in their daily operating budgets. Motion Made by D. Trabucco for favorable action on Article 2. Motion Passed (4-0).

Historic preservation also took center stage with Article 8, which proposes Community Preservation Committee funding for four local landmarks. The projects include $11,000 for the First Church sewing circle roof, $20,000 for the Quaker Meeting House, $6,000 for the Historical Society, and $30,000 for Bethel Chapel painting. While the board supported the requests, D. Trabucco noted the importance of the Historical Society recognizing the town’s assistance. I just want to make sure the Historic Society understands they have to thank us for basically helping them out because they are private entities and we are trying to help ourselves out too, especially when we worry about next year's budget, he said. Motion Made by D. Trabucco for favorable action on Article 8. Motion Passed (4-0).

In other business, the board paved the way for a new local venture by approving a farm stand permit for Nathan Paploski at 296 Elm Street. Assistant Town Manager Sabrina Chilcott explained that Paploski is assisting a senior resident who has long dreamed of operating the stand. It's a young person at a home where an older gentleman has always wanted to do this. He's been calling our office since May, Chilcott said. The stand will sell fall vegetables and firewood from dawn to dusk. Motion Made by D. Trabucco to approve the farm stand permit for N. Paploski. Motion Passed (4-0).

Before concluding, the board authorized the town to move forward with a purchase and sale agreement for 660 Washington Street and formally backed Article 6, which allows the town to negotiate joining the South Shore Vocational Technical School district. Chenard reminded residents that any final move to join the district remains contingent on passing both a debt exclusion and an operating override in the spring of 2026. Motion Made by D. Trabucco to accept the Purchase and Sale for 660 Washington Street. Motion Passed (4-0).