Three incumbents and a former selectman are running unopposed for two seats on both Pembroke’s Board of Selectmen and School Board.
On the five-member Board of Selectmen, chair Karen Yeaton is running for re-election along with Peter Gagyi, who last served on the board in 2025. He lost his re-election bid last year.
On the five-member School Board, current members Kerri Dean and Kenneth Nivison are running for re-election.
The Monitor sent questionnaires to all Board of Selectmen and School Board candidates running in towns within our coverage area. Peter Gagyi did not submit a form upon request.
What is your occupation or experience?
Yeaton: I have served on the Pembroke Select Board since 2020 (currently chair for five years), previously on the Budget Committee since 2011. I represent the board on Conservation, Solid Waste and Energy committees. At Autodesk for 26 years (Principal Lead, Mergers & Acquisitions). I am dedicated to our town’s future.
Why are you running and what do you see as the most pressing issues in town?
Yeaton: I’m running for re-election to the Pembroke Select Board because New Hampshire’s strong tradition of local control demands active resident involvement. Civil service is an honor, and my primary goal remains representing taxpayers’ best interests in every decision.
Drawing from 26 years at Autodesk, Inc, where efficiency, doing more with less and continuous improvement are essential, I bring that corporate discipline to town government. Since 2020 (now as chair), we’ve held budget increases at or near inflation rates, controlling spending while delivering quality services affordably.
The most pressing issue is keeping property taxes as low as possible, while providing the quality of services that residents need/want. Inflation in the previous years has been a challenge with escalating costs across the board. Escalating costs in key areas like solid waste and recycling require ongoing assessment through our Solid Waste Committee, where we monitor vendor rates, track disposal trends and explore optimizations to boost recycling savings and curb budget impacts. Similarly, rising health insurance premiums for municipal employees are a major challenge. We’re actively assessing plan options, vendor alternatives and cost-sharing strategies to reduce expenses for both employees and taxpayers without sacrificing coverage quality. I also prioritize a supportive work environment to attract and retain talent in a competitive job market.
Taxpayers ultimately decide our services; my role is to implement them cost-effectively, maintain fiscal responsibility and keep Pembroke a vibrant, affordable community for all, and I look forward to continue to serve Pembroke to help solve these issues.
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
Yeaton: My key goals include: Continuing strong fiscal management — Holding budget increases at or near inflation levels, scrutinizing every expense and prioritizing taxpayer value to keep property taxes as low and predictable as possible.
Managing rising costs proactively — Addressing escalating expenses in solid waste and recycling, including monitoring vendor rates, improving recycling efficiency to generate savings, and optimizing operations. Similarly, tackling significant health insurance premium increases by actively assessing plan designs, vendor options and cost-sharing strategies to reduce burdens on both municipal employees and taxpayers while preserving quality coverage.
Supporting our municipal workforce — In a competitive job market, fostering an attractive, supportive environment with fair compensation and benefits to attract and retain talented employees who deliver reliable, high-quality services.
Delivering essential services efficiently — Maintaining and improving core town services, public works, safety, recreation and more, without unnecessary spending, so Pembroke stays clean, safe, welcoming and affordable for current and future residents.
Ultimately, I aim to keep Pembroke thriving as a community where people want to stay and invest, by balancing fiscal conservatism with practical investments in our town’s future, all while putting taxpayers first in every decision.
On the five-member school board, current members Kerri Dean and Kenneth Nivison are running for re-election.
What is your occupation or experience?
Dean: By day, I work for an accounting and business advisory firm in Concord. Nights and weekends I can usually be found in my office running my small business.
Nivison: College professor.
Why are you running and what do you see as the most pressing issues in town?
Dean: I am running for a second three-year term on the Pembroke School Board because I have more work to do to achieve the goals the school and our district need to accomplish. My fellow school board members and I have seen significant changes over the last three years in Pembroke. We have hired a new superintendent, whom I was on the search committee for, and headmaster of Pembroke Academy. We have negotiated a new bus contract that will save our district money with a more stable fuel surcharge. Pembroke School District became one of a very small handful of towns to adopt Open Enrollment. Our communication with the town and its’ taxpayers has become better, though there is always room for improvement. Special Education costs in the district have come down but we still have some progress to be made. Transportation costs are astronomical and we are hoping with the new contract and hopefully better control on the price gouging we can see in every school district in the state.
Nivison: I am running to ensure that Pembroke schools continue to provide an excellent education to students of all ages and abilities. I hope also to increase awareness and understanding of the budgetary pressures from the general economy that are out of the control of our school district in the hopes that residents can work with our elected representatives to address those spiraling costs.
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
Dean: Foster a more conversational relationship with the town members and taxpayers, and do everything possible to help our school succeed in reaching its goals and aspirations.
Nivison: Beyond ensuring educational excellence and expanding opportunities for our students, I hope to rebuild a civic mindset and dialogue that sees public schools as our best and greatest asset and investment in our town’s future.