Pepperell meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Pepperell boards hold busy week, but no decisions published; upcoming votes on financial policy, ADA project

Pepperell's boards held a full slate of meetings last week, but none of the agendas have been followed by published minutes, so no decisions are yet on the record. The most consequential items are scheduled for the coming days, including a vote on the town's financial policy and a low-bid award for an ADA modernization project.

Recent meetings: discussion only

The Capital Program Committee met Aug. 10 for a working session on capital outlay requests, including a meeting with safety departments. No votes were reported.

The Agricultural Commission met twice (Aug. 11 and Aug. 18) to plan Open Farm Day, review cold storage updates, and discuss Planning Board revisions to the Zoning Bylaw on agricultural use exemptions and riding academies. The second meeting also covered a trail sign for Duke Woodland Reserve and a letter to House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz.

The Select Board held a public hearing Aug. 12 on National Grid pole petitions, discussed an easement license for Boynton Street, and took up a draft financial policy and flag policy. A state legislature update was provided by Rep. Margaret Scarsdale.

The Community Preservation Committee (Aug. 13) reviewed application updates, set the FY2027 calendar, and voted on board positions, but the outcome is not yet published.

The Planning Board (Aug. 17) discussed a draft warrant article on the Table of Uses and, time permitting, subdivision regulations. No final action was scheduled.

The Affordable Housing Trust (Aug. 20) discussed proposed zoning changes, prepared a response, and prioritized resubmitting a revised RFP for the Nashua Rd project.

The Recreation Commission (Aug. 21) discussed and likely voted on softball field exclusivity, football storage, town field lighting (including blinking lights near the skatepark), and the location of the Prescott statue at 4 Main Street. No results are published.

Upcoming votes and decisions

Housing Authority (Aug. 24) will vote on the low bid for the Vacant ADA Modernization project (#232072) and review the Railing Project (#232069). Financial reports for May 2026 and payments/payroll for July 2026 are also on the agenda.

Council on Aging (Aug. 25) will vote on a proposed mission statement for the Albert Harris Senior Center and on hiring King Design at $50/hour for an estimated 3–6 hours of logo work. The board will also review June minutes and discuss a regional COA conference in Groton on Oct. 1.

Select Board (Aug. 26) will vote on the Town of Pepperell Financial Policy, hear a presentation on the Col. William Prescott Memorial Project, and make an appointment to the Pepperell Celebrates Committee.

Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee (Aug. 27) will review minutes, discuss Fall Fest, the town website, and the Rotary Cleanup, and set its next meeting date.

Coming up

• **Housing Authority** – Aug. 24, vote on ADA modernization bid
• **Council on Aging** – Aug. 25, mission statement and logo designer vote
• **Select Board** – Aug. 26, financial policy vote and Prescott memorial presentation
• **Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee** – Aug. 27, procedural items

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the town's website.

Pepperell boards take up 180-unit housing proposal, budget, and library staffing

Over the past two weeks, Pepperell town boards met for a series of discussions and public hearings, but no final votes were recorded. The most consequential item on the agenda was a proposed 180-unit rental development under the state's 40B law, which continued through multiple board reviews.

40B housing project at 59 Leighton Street

The Zoning Board of Appeals continued its public hearing on a Comprehensive Permit application for a 180-unit multi-family rental development at 59 Leighton Street, 59A and 41A Lowell Road. The project includes 45 affordable units for households at or below 80% of area median income. The properties total 14.8 acres and are owned by Mass Ave Rentals, LLC. The Conservation Commission also held a continuation of its public hearing on the same project, which would include five apartment buildings (MassDEP 259-0845). No decisions were made at either hearing.

Select Board: budget, licenses, and appointments

The Select Board met on July 30 to discuss a liquor license hours extension for 170 Main Street, a fortune teller license, and acceptance of a gift of benches for the Albert Harris Center. The board also received a FY2027 budget update, reviewed financial policies, and discussed solar energy and police union collective bargaining agreements. In a separate joint meeting with the Planning Board, the Select Board considered appointing a full member to the Planning Board. All items were discussion or potential action items; no votes were reported.

Planning Board: regulations and warrant articles

The Planning Board held two meetings. On July 28, it discussed Subdivision Regulations. On August 3, it discussed draft warrant articles 1 through 4 and again took up subdivision regulations. No votes were taken.

Recreation, library, and other boards

The Recreation Commission met remotely on July 29 to discuss renaming a gazebo (requested by Don Shattuck), softball use of Lower Varnum Fields, skate park progress, Bartelson Field updates, and lighting at the community center. The Lawrence Library Board of Trustees discussed creating a Substitute Circulation Library Assistant position, reviewed June statistics (circulation 5,704, foot traffic 4,574, 31 programs with 425 attendees), and heard updates on building repairs including gutter work, AC repairs, and a cable wiring upgrade. The Cultural Council discussed mural damage repair and fundraising. The Capital Program Committee met with Bob Cataldo of the Climate Change Committee for a working session on capital outlay requests. The Conservation Commission also held hearings on the completed Burke's Pond Emergency Dam Removal at 2 Blood Street, a proposed 4-story mixed-use building at 81 Main Street, and an ADU request at 9 Chace Avenue. The Pepperell Celebrates Committee reviewed its charge and elected officers.

Coming up

The Community Preservation Committee will meet on August 13 to set its FY2027 calendar, review application updates, discuss the CPC Plan, and vote on board positions for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting is open to the public.

Pepperell roundup: Assessors sign FY2027 warrants; ZBA continues hearing on 180-unit 40B project

The Pepperell Board of Assessors approved a set of FY2027 tax warrants and abatement reports at its July 21 meeting — the only body in the past two weeks with published minutes confirming decisions. Several other boards held hearings and discussions on major items, including a 180-unit rental development at 59 Leighton Street, but outcomes are not yet available because minutes have not been published.

Board of Assessors signs FY2027 warrants

The Board of Assessors met July 21 and handled procedural items only. Members approved June meeting minutes and timecards through the current payroll period. The board signed FY2027 Preliminary Real Estate, CPA, and Personal Property warrants, as well as Motor Vehicle Excise Commitment 4 of 2026. Posting reports for the preliminary real estate, CPA, and personal property commitments were also signed. The board approved Motor Vehicle Abatement reports for May and June and approved Senior Work Off applications for FY2026. No policy discussions occurred.

ZBA continues hearing on 180-unit 40B rental project

The Zoning Board of Appeals continued its public hearing July 29 on a Comprehensive Permit application for a 180-unit multi-family rental development at 59 Leighton Street, 59A and 41A Lowell Road. The properties total 14.8 acres and are owned by Mass Ave Rentals, LLC. Of the 180 units, 45 are designated as affordable for households at or below 80% of area median income. The board also planned to review minutes from its May 6 meeting. No decisions were listed on the agenda.

Select Board discusses FY2027 budget, liquor license extension

The Select Board met July 30 to discuss and potentially act on a liquor license hours extension for 170 Main Street, a fortune teller license, and acceptance of a gift of benches for the Albert Harris Center. The board also received a FY2027 budget update, reviewed financial policies, and discussed police union collective bargaining agreements. In a separate joint meeting with the Planning Board that same day, the Select Board was scheduled to appoint a full member to the Planning Board. Outcomes are not yet published.

Housing Authority holds FY2027 Annual Plan hearing

The Pepperell Housing Authority met July 20 at 4 Foster Street, voting on approval of previous minutes, financial reports, and payments for May and June 2026. The board also voted on election of officers — Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Vice Treasurer — and on Positive Pay participation. A public hearing on the proposed FY2027 Annual Plan covered the Capital Improvement Plan, Maintenance and Repair Plan, current operating budget, responses to Performance Management Review findings, and a list of waivers from EOHLC regulations.

Planning Board discusses Fall Town Meeting articles, subdivision rules

The Planning Board met July 20 and July 28 to discuss potential warrant articles for the Fall Town Meeting and subdivision regulations. The board also considered a nomination for the NMCOG replacement on July 20. No votes or decisions were listed on either agenda.

Recreation Commission considers gazebo renaming

The Recreation Commission met remotely July 29 to discuss and potentially vote on renaming a gazebo at the request of Don Shattuck. Other items included softball use of Lower Varnum Fields, an update on the Skate Park, a Bartelson Field update, and lights at the Community Center. No outcomes are published.

Other meetings

The Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee met July 23 to review July 9 minutes and discuss projects and action items. The Pepperell Celebrates Committee met July 31 to review its charge and elect a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Cultural Council met August 1 to discuss mural damage repair, fundraising, and a Fall fest booth. None of these agendas listed specific dollar amounts or decisions.

Coming up

• **Planning Board** — August 3, to discuss draft warrant articles 1 through 4 and subdivision regulations.
• **Conservation Commission** — August 4, with public hearings on the 40B complex at 59 Leighton Street, the completed Burke's Pond Emergency Dam Removal at 2 Blood Street, a 4-story mixed-use building at 81 Main Street, and an ADU at 9 Chace Avenue. The commission will also review proposed zoning changes for the Fall Town Meeting on November 3.