Pepperell, MA

Lawrence Library Board of Trustees

The Lawrence Library Board of Trustees will meet to review minutes, accounting, and library statistics, and discuss personnel, building updates, and upcoming programs. Notable items include a $10,000 rebate for AC repairs, facade work funded by a CPC grant, and a new book drop.

• $10,000 Mass Saves rebate for AC repairs in non-fiction section
• Facade repair work on lettering, columns, street side funded by CPC grant
• New book drop in service
• Hygrometers installed in History room for humidity control
• Vendor selected for phone system upgrade to VOIP (Ring Central)

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee is meeting to prepare for a public hearing on September 17, finalize application updates, review 2027 plans, and vote on committee positions for 2027. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific project or funding decisions listed.

• Prep for Public Hearing on 9/17
• Finalize updates to Initial and Comprehensive applications
• Review 2027 CPC Plans
• Vote on Committee positions for 2027

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public continuation hearing on a 40B Comprehensive Permit application for Woodland Ridge, a 40-home subdivision on 45.5 acres at 24 Bancroft Street. The proposal includes 10 affordable units. The board will also vote on minutes from four prior meetings.

• Public continuation hearing for Woodland Ridge 40B Comprehensive Permit (COMP-25-2)
• Proposed 40 single-family homes (32 two-bedroom, 8 three-bedroom) on 45.5 acres between Bancroft Street and Orion Road
• 10 homes (25%) designated affordable for households at or below 80% of area median income
• Consent agenda: approval of draft minutes from March 25, April 29, May 27, and July 15, 2026

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee is holding its annual public hearing to gather input on funding priorities for CPA projects. The committee will also review and approve the minutes from the September 10 meeting and address any new or outstanding issues.

• Public hearing on CPA project funding priorities
• Review and approval of September 10, 2026 meeting minutes

Zoning Board of Appeals

Pepperell Celebrates Committee

Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee

The Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee is meeting to review and accept the July 23, 2026 minutes, discuss new business, and review ongoing projects including Fall Fest, the town website, and the Rotary Cleanup. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific decisions or dollar amounts listed.

• Review/acceptance of July 23, 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussion of Fall Fest event
• Update on town website content
• Review of Rotary Cleanup project
• Setting date for next meeting

Capital Program Committee

Board of Public Works

The Pepperell Board of Public Works is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several items, including sewer district policies, a cemetery bylaw update, and a roadside trash policy. They will also review capital projects such as the 2026 Roads Program, Dirt Jewett Street, and the 40 Bemis Solar Stormwater project, along with DPW staffing and organizational matters. The agenda includes routine items like meeting minutes, financials, and public comment.

• Sewer District policy discussion
• Cemetery Bylaw Update
• Roadside Trash Policy
• 2026 Roads Program - Brookline Deferred
• 40 Bemis Solar Stormwater project

Select Board

The Pepperell Select Board will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda for routine items, an appointment to the Pepperell Celebrates Committee, a presentation on the Col. William Prescott Memorial Project, and a vote on the Town of Pepperell Financial Policy. The board will also receive updates on town topics, the Town Administrator's report, and liaison updates.

• Vote on Town of Pepperell Financial Policy
• Presentation on Col. William Prescott Memorial Project
• Appointment to Pepperell Celebrates Committee
• Consent agenda: minutes, financial warrants, correspondence

Historical Commission

The Pepperell Historical Commission is holding a regular meeting to discuss ongoing projects and new business. The agenda includes updates on Community Preservation Act funds, Walton Cemetery projects, a historic preservation opinion survey, and other items. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Community Preservation Act funds/projects
• Walton Cemetery projects
• Historic Preservation Opinion Survey
• Prudence Wright Overlook
• Pepperell Liberty Flag projects

Council on Aging

The Pepperell Council on Aging Board will vote on a proposed mission statement for the Albert Harris Senior Center and on hiring a designer to finalize logo options. The board will also review June minutes, hear public comment, and discuss an upcoming regional COA board conference in Groton.

• Vote on proposed mission statement for Albert Harris Senior Center
• Vote on hiring King Design at $50/hour, estimated 3-6 hours for logo work
• Review of June 23, 2026 meeting minutes
• COA Board Member Conference Oct 1, 2026 in Groton at 163 West Main Street
• Public comment period

Agricultural Commission

The Pepperell Agricultural Commission is meeting remotely to approve past minutes and continue planning for Open Farm Day. They will also continue discussions on a shared use farm venture and receive updates on cold storage, agricultural use exemption language, and communication to the Board of Health regarding Best Management Practices.

• Approval of minutes from 7/15/2026 and 8/11/2026
• Open Farm Day planning
• Shared use farm venture discussion continued
• Updates on cold storage, agricultural use exemption language, and Best Management Practices communication

Housing Authority

The Pepperell Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting to review financial reports, approve year-end certifications, and vote on the low bid for the Vacant ADA Modernization project (#232072). The board will also discuss the Railing Project (#232069), review vacancy and work order reports, and address any other business.

• Low bid approval #232072 for Vacant ADA Modernization
• Financial reports for May 2026 and Payments/Payroll for July 2026
• Year End Certifications
• Railing Project #232069 update
• Public Housing Notices 2026-07 and 2026-08

Recreation Commission

The Pepperell Recreation Commission will meet remotely to discuss and potentially vote on several recreation facility matters. Key items include a request for exclusive use of the softball field, an extra storage request for football, and a discussion on town field lighting, including blinking lights and aiming near the skatepark. The commission will also discuss the location of the Prescott statue at 4 Main Street and exterior maintenance of the Community Center, including lighting, cleaning, painting, and stump removal.

• Softball field exclusivity request (vote likely)
• Football extra storage request
• Town field lighting: blinking lights and aiming near skatepark
• Prescott statue location discussion at 4 Main Street (vote likely)
• Community Center exterior lighting, cleaning, painting, and stump removal

Affordable Housing Trust

The Pepperell Affordable Housing Trust will meet to approve prior minutes, discuss proposed zoning changes, and prepare a response. They will also prioritize resubmitting a revised RFP for the Nashua Rd project and review an impact analysis.

• Discuss proposed zoning changes and prepare response
• Resubmit revised RFP for Nashua Rd project
• Review impact analysis
• Approve last meeting's minutes

Agricultural Commission

The Pepperell Agricultural Commission is meeting remotely to approve minutes, plan Open Farm Day including its budget, and receive updates on cold storage, a trail sign for Duke Woodland Reserve, and a letter to Chair Aaron Michlewitz regarding House Ways and Means. The agenda is routine and includes time for unanticipated matters.

• Open Farm Day planning and budget
• Cold storage update
• Trail sign for Duke Woodland Reserve
• Letter to Chair Aaron Michlewitz, House Ways and Means

Planning Board

The Pepperell Planning Board is meeting to discuss a draft warrant article concerning the Table of Uses, which likely affects zoning regulations. The board will also review meeting minutes and, if time permits, discuss subdivision regulations. No final decisions are scheduled; the discussion is preliminary.

• Discussion of Draft Warrant Article 3: Table of Uses
• Discussion of Subdivision Regulations (time permitting)
• Review of draft minutes from April 21, May 18, June 1, July 28, and August 3, 2026

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee will review application updates, set the calendar for FY2027, discuss updates to the CPC Plan, and vote on board positions for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting also includes approval of minutes from three prior meetings and discussion of any new or outstanding issues.

• Approve minutes from 3/5/2026, 4/30/2026, and 6/25/2026 meetings
• Review updates to the application
• Set calendar for FY 2027 year
• Discuss updates to the CPC Plan
• Vote on Board positions for FY 2027

Select Board

The Pepperell Select Board is meeting to discuss and act on several items, including a public hearing on National Grid pole petitions, an easement license for Boynton Street, and adoption of a financial policy. They will also receive updates from the state legislature and town administrator, and discuss a flag policy.

• Public Hearing - National Grid Pole Petitions
• National Grid Easement License / Boynton Street
• Financial Policy Adoption
• Flag Policy Discussion
• Representative Margaret Scarsdale Legislature Update

Agricultural Commission

The Pepperell Agricultural Commission is meeting remotely to approve minutes, plan Open Farm Day, and discuss Planning Board revisions to the Zoning Bylaw concerning agricultural use exemptions and riding academies. The agenda is mostly routine, with the zoning discussion being the only substantive item.

• Planning Board revisions to Zoning Bylaw on agricultural use exemption and riding academies
• Open Farm Day planning
• Approval of minutes

Capital Program Committee

The Capital Program Committee is holding a working session to discuss capital outlay expenditure requests, including a meeting with safety departments. The agenda includes roll call, the working session, and other business, with votes likely to be taken. This is a regular meeting to review and plan capital expenditures.

• Meeting with Safety Departments
• Capital Outlay Expenditure Request Working Session
• Votes likely to be taken

Lawrence Library Board of Trustees

The Lawrence Library Board of Trustees will discuss creating a Substitute Circulation Library Assistant position and review June library statistics. They will also hear updates on building repairs, including gutter work and AC repairs, and a cable wiring upgrade. The meeting includes a review of minutes and accounting.

• Personnel: Create a Substitute Circulation Library Assistant Position
• Building: AW Therrien Roofing contacted for gutter repair/replacement and estimate for back of building gutter installation
• Building: AC repairs made in non-fiction section
• Building: First site visit for building cable wiring upgrade performed 7/21/26
• Library Statistics - June: Circulation 5704, Foot traffic 4574, Programs 31, Program Attendance 425

Conservation Commission

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on several projects, including a proposed 40B apartment complex at 59 Leighton Street and the recently completed emergency removal of Burke's Pond Dam at 2 Blood Street. The commission will also consider a septic replacement, a new house construction, an accessory dwelling unit, and a mixed-use building. Additionally, they will review draft minutes, bills, and other administrative matters.

• Continuation of public hearing for a 40B complex with five apartment buildings at 59 Leighton Street, 59A Lowell Road, and 41A Lowell Road (MassDEP 259-0845)
• Continuation of public hearing for the completed Burke's Pond Emergency Dam Removal Project at 2 Blood Street, which restored stream habitat on Sucker Brook
• Public hearing for a Notice of Intent to demolish and construct a 4-story mixed-use building at 81 Main Street
• Public meeting to consider a Request for Determination of Applicability for an ADU and driveway at 9 Chace Avenue
• Review of proposed zoning changes from the Planning Board for Fall Town Meeting on November 3

Capital Program Committee

The Capital Program Committee will meet with Bob Cataldo from the Climate Change Committee and hold a working session on capital outlay expenditure requests. The meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Conference Room A.

• Meeting with Bob Cataldo – Climate Change Committee
• Capital Outlay Expenditure Request Working Session

Planning Board

The Planning Board will meet to discuss draft warrant articles 1 through 4. The board will also hold a discussion regarding subdivision regulations.

• Discussion of Draft Warrant Articles (1-4)
• Discussion of Subdivision Regulations

The Pepperell Planning Board reviewed draft warrant articles for the upcoming town meeting, providing detailed direction on zoning definitions and dimensional standards. The Board agreed to revise the Urban Residential (UR) district dimensional standards, proposing an alternative option with larger setbacks, and deferred the Table of Uses review to a future meeting. No final votes were taken; all items remain in draft form for further discussion and a public hearing.

• Directed removal of 2-acre minimum from Accessory Pet Day Care definition
• Removed 5-bedroom limit from Bed and Breakfast definition
• Removed 35-foot height limit from Building Height definition
• Revised UR district setbacks to Option B: front 15 ft, side 18 ft total, rear 20 ft
• Deferred Table of Uses review to August 17, 2026 meeting
• Tabled Subdivision Regulations discussion to a future meeting

Cultural Council

The Cultural Council will meet to discuss priorities, guidelines, and the repair of mural damage. The body will also brainstorm fundraising ideas and plan for a Fall fest booth.

• Discussion of mural damage, repair, and future prevention
• Fundraising brainstorming
• Fall fest booth planning

Pepperell Celebrates Committee

The Pepperell Celebrates Committee will meet to review its committee charge and elect a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The agenda includes general discussion and adjournment. No specific projects, contracts, or dollar amounts are listed.

• Review of committee charge
• Discussion and selection of Chair
• Discussion and selection of Treasurer
• Discussion and selection of Secretary

Select Board

The Select Board and Planning Board will meet jointly to appoint a full member to the Planning Board. The agenda contains only this one substantive item along with procedural formalities.

• Joint appointment of a full member to the Planning Board

Select Board

The Select Board will discuss and potentially act on a liquor license hours extension for 170 Main Street, a fortune teller license, and a gift of benches for the Albert Harris Center. The board will also receive a FY2027 budget update, review financial policies, and discuss solar energy and police union collective bargaining agreements.

• Liquor License Hours Extension - 170 Main Street
• Fortune Teller License
• Gift Acceptance Of Albert Harris Center Benches
• FY2027 Budget Update
• Police Union CBAs

Recreation Commission

The Pepperell Recreation Commission will meet remotely on July 29, 2026, at 7:30 PM to discuss and potentially vote on items including the renaming of a gazebo, softball field usage, skate park progress, field updates, and lighting at the community center. The meeting will also cover regional recreation discussions, financial updates, and a calendar review.

• Gazebo renaming request (Don Shattuck)
• Softball use of Lower Varnum Fields
• Update on Skate Park
• Bartelson Field Update
• Lights at Community Center

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will continue a public hearing on a Comprehensive Permit application for a 180-unit rental development at 59 Leighton Street, 59A and 41A Lowell Road. The project includes 45 affordable units. The board will also review minutes from its May 6 meeting.

• Public hearing continuation for 40B comprehensive permit: 180 multi-family rental units at 59 Leighton Street, 59A and 41A Lowell Road
• 45 of 180 units designated as affordable for households at or below 80% of area median income
• Properties total 14.8 acres, owned by Mass Ave Rentals, LLC

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold a discussion on Subdivision Regulations. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the agenda consists only of procedural items and a discussion.

• Discussion: Subdivision Regulations

The Planning Board held a working session to continue its review of the Subdivision Regulations, covering Sections 6 through 8.6.1. No formal votes were taken; the board instead reached consensus on several proposed changes, including reducing the construction completion notification window from 45 to 30 days, requiring conveyance of open space to a defined entity, and updating tree preservation thresholds. Several items were referred to the Town Planner, DPW, or other committees for further research, and the review was deferred at Section 8.6.2 to the next meeting.

• Agreed to research legal authority to extend performance guarantees to private ways and shared driveways
• Consensus to reduce construction completion notification window from 45 to 30 days, pending legal confirmation
• Agreed to modify open space provision to require conveyance to conservation, recreation, or agricultural entity
• Agreed to strike curbs, catch basins, and closed drainage references from LID techniques section
• Agreed to update tree preservation threshold from 10-inch to 18-inch diameter
• Referred street tree provision to ACT committee, Tree Warden, and Climate Change Committee
• Referred 50-foot right-of-way strip requirement to Town Planner for research
• Referred 150-foot minimum centerline radius to DPW for review

Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee

The Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee (INPAC) will review and accept minutes from the July 9, 2026 meeting, discuss new business, review projects, events, and action items, address any unanticipated matters, and set a date for the next meeting.

• Review and acceptance of July 9, 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussion of new business
• Review of projects, events, and action items
• Matters not reasonably anticipated

Assessors, Board of

This is a routine procedural meeting of the Pepperell Board of Assessors. The board will review minutes, time cards, warrants, posting reports, and abatement reports. No major decisions or public hearings are scheduled.

The Pepperell Board of Assessors met briefly on July 21, 2026, and handled only procedural items: minutes from June were signed, timecards were approved, warrants for FY2027 real estate, CPA, personal property, and motor vehicle excise commitment were signed, and abatement reports for May and June were approved. No substantive decisions or policy discussions occurred.

• Approved June meeting minutes
• Approved timecards through current payroll
• Signed FY2027 Preliminary Real Estate, CPA, Personal Property warrants
• Signed Motor Vehicle Excise Commitment 4 of 2026
• Signed posting reports for Preliminary Real Estate, CPA, and Personal Property
• Approved Motor Vehicle Abatement reports for May and June
• Approved Senior Work Off applications for FY2026