Notices archive

New Street Numbering Bylaw

Pepperell Planning Board & Emergency Responders

Throughout the next several months the Town of Pepperell will be implementing the Street Numbering Bylaw adopted at the 2009 October Town Meeting. The regulation requires all residents to provide clearly visible numbering of their homes to aid in emergency responses. Residents must insure that the address displayed is the correct address on file with the Assessor's Office.

For additional information follow these links:

• Street Numbering Bylaw, Chapter 152, Article II, Code of the Town of Pepperell
• Common Driveways, Section 6200, Pepperell Zoning Bylaw
  - Section 6227 - Markers
  - Section 6250 - Name and address
• Multi-family Residential Development, Section 7300, Pepperell Zoning Bylaw
  - Section 7329 - Signage and markers

You may need to review this information with your homeowner association.

Please review this information thoroughly before contacting the Town.

If, after reviewing all of the above information, you still have questions, please contact the Assessor's Office or the Planning Board Office.

Pepperell receives eGovernment Award with Distinction for open government

Common Cause

Pepperell was honored on Tuesday, March 16 in a Massachusetts State House ceremony recognizing transparency in government and the use of technology to keep citizens informed. Common Cause Massachusetts honors municipalities that display key governance documents on their websites. Pepperell received the highest honor for its website: the eGovernment Award with Distinction.

Attending the ceremony and pictured (left to right): Pepperell webmaster, Jeff Sauer; Common Cause Executive Director, Pam Wilmot; State Representative, Bob Hargraves; and Legislative Aide to Rep. Hargraves and Pepperell resident, Sara Walkovich.

For more information about the award, visit the www.commoncause.org/egov10.

Thank you to the people of Pepperell who use this Town website, particularly those that offer feedback and those who participate. And thank you to everyone in Town Hall and our Town Departments for their continuing support and the contributions that make this website a resource for the town. - Jeff Sauer

Planning Underway for New Covered Bridge Celebration - date TBA

The Covered Bridge Committee

Excitement is mounting as everyone awaits the building of Pepperell's third covered bridge and the place it will take in the town's history. The community is getting involved and making plans for a scenic, historic area called the Pepperell River Access and Scenic Outlook which will be developed alongside the new covered bridge, by volunteers and through donations, on land owned by the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife. Also planned is: a commemorative brick walkway called the Pepperell Memory Walk, historical monuments, bridge artifacts, natural plants and landscaping, a ceremony dedicating the bridge, events around town and a celebration for all.

Pepperell businesses, residents, and groups are working together to raise money, donate time and supply needed materials to this worthy cause they genuinely support. Pepperell Boy Scout Troop 26 will earn an Eagle Scout badge and provide community services as they learn and work alongside Pepperell landscapers and masons to install areas of the Scenic Outlook.

To celebrate the opening of the bridge, we're planning historic events and activities that families and the public will enjoy. The actual date for the celebration is still to be determined pending the completion of the new bridge.

The Pepperell Memory Walk program is open to the public and anyone can purchase a brick personalized with a name or message to mark their place in time on the walkway. Honor loved ones, family members, groups and businesses on a brick walkway that leads to the historical monuments within the Outlook. Proceeds will benefit the Covered Bridge site and provide funds to help maintain the Outlook in the future. Order forms and information is available online at www.ShopPepperell.com. Paper order forms are also available at the Town Clerk's office and Lawrence Library, or by emailing coveredbridgecommittee@yahoo.com or by calling 978-877-0306.

It's a special occasion to remember in history and a time to celebrate together. Everyone is invited to join in on the activities for this unique celebration that the community will remember long into the future. Contact coveredbridgecommittee@yahoo.com or call 978-877-0306 for further information.

Video update re: proposed parking facility at Ayer Communter Rail station

Ayer and Montachusetts Area Rail Transit

Ayer and Montachusett Area Rail Transit (MART) are continuing to work on a proposed federal/state=funded parking facility for commuters who drive to the Ayer Commuter Rail station in downtown Ayer. An update has been aired by the Ayer Public Access Channel. The video is currently available at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQsdv1qIhM.

Anyone having questions about the plans can call the selectmen's office at Ayer Town Hall, 978 772 8220.

Request for bids for Town Hall Exterior Renovations

Town Administrator

The Town of Pepperell, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from Contractors for the Town Hall Exterior Renovations in Pepperell Massachusetts, in accordance with the documents prepared by HELENE KARL Architects, Inc. dated 4/14/10. The project consists of Scraping, preparing and painting (wood clapboards) the historic Town Hall. The work includes limited carpentry repairs and miscellaneous flashing installation. View the complete advertisement.

General Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on 29 April 2010 and publicly opened, forthwith. Bid Forms and Contract Documents will be available for pick-up at www.BidDocsOnline.com (may be viewed electronically and request hardcopy) or at Nashoba Blue, Inc. at 433 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (978-568-1167)

For more information, contact the Office of the Town Administrator .

Voting Results from the Annual Town Election

Town Clerk

Census Takers now being hired for for 2010 Census

U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities.

For more information, visit the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Jobs website.

Candidates Night to be Re-Broadcast on Local Access Channel 15

Cable TV Advisory Committee

The recording of the April 13 Candidates Night, featuring discussions with candidates for Planning Board, School Committee, and Town Clerk, will be re-broadcast on Channel 15 at the following times:

Replace or Refurbish Town Hall?

Initial planning underway

Planning is currently underway to replace or refurbish Town Hall. A draft of the architect's review of the existing structure is available for review.

A History of Town Hall, including descriptions of the original Town Meeting discussions about buidling it, is available from the Pepperell Historical Commission.

New Transfer Station Car Stickers Now Avaialble - required by April 1

Department of Public Works

New Transfer Station Car Stickers are now available and will be required for use of the Transfer Station on April 1, 2010. The new stickers will be valid through March 31, 2011.

Transfer Station sticker costs and bag tag rates will not increase from last year.

For more information, contact the Pepperell DPW Highway Division.

Scholarships applications now being accept by Pepperell Women’s Club

Pepperell Women's Club

The Pepperell Women’s Club is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors that will be graduating in 2010 who are residents of Pepperell and will be continuing their education in the fall.

Seniors who attend either North Middlesex Regional High School or Nashoba Valley Technical in Westford can contact their respective guidance office to receive a copy of the application package.

All other high school seniors can contact pwc_info1@yahoo.com for further information.

Call for nominations for 2009 Annual Report dedication

Pepperell Board of Selectmen

The Pepperell Board of Selectmen wishes to notify all Pepperell citizens of the call for nominations for the 2009 Annual Town Report dedication. Please make your nominations to the Pepperell Board of Selectmen, One Main Street, Town Hall, Pepperell, MA 01463, in writing by February 12, 2010 at 12:00 noon. Nominations must include a complete text for the printed recognition, as well as a photograph.

Traditionally, the Annual Town Report is dedicated to a worthy Pepperell citizen or organization.

Contact the Office of the Board of Selectmen for further information.

H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Clinic - January 6 and 20 (open to everyone)

Pepperell Board of Health & Nashoba Associated Boards of Health

The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health will be conducting additional H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics from 3:30-6:30pm on January 6 at the Nissitissit Middle School and from 10:00am-12:00 noon on January 20 at the Pepperell Senior Center. These clinics will be open to everyone and no longer just high risk persons.

Please download, read, and complete the H1N1 Vaccine Administration Record and screening forms. Please bring this form with you to the clinic. H1N1 Fact Sheet.

For more information about the location of other clinics, please visit nashoba.org or contact the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health at 978-772-3335.

Winter Parking Ban

Pepperell Police Department

In order to ensure timely plowing and other road maintenance, no motor vehicle may be left on the street overnight during the months of November thru March. Vehicles in violation of this winter parking ban may be ticketed and towed at the owners expense.

Please call the Pepperell Police, if you have any questions.

Please Shovel Out Fire Hydrants After Snow - Save Yourself, Save Your Home

Pepperell Highway Division & Fire Department

Please help the Fire Department and shovel around neighborhood Fire Hydrants immediately after snow storms. Without fast, unhindered access to the hydrants and water the Fire Department would lose valuable seconds, even minutes fighting fires. That could mean the difference between quickly controlling a fire and losing everything.

For more information, please contact the Pepperell Highway Division.

Illegal Hydrant Use could cost rate payers dollars

Pepperell DPW - Water Division

It has come to the attention of the Water Deparment that some contractors, hydro-seeding companies, and pool companies have been using our town fire hydrants to fill their trucks. Please be advised that only town departments (i.e., Fire Dept., Water Division, and Highway Division) are allowed to utilize town fire hydrants - No One Else.

The Water Division would appreciate if townspeople would keep a watchful eye out and report any unauthorized personnel utilizing a fire hydrant. Please report any sightings to the Pepperell Water Division and/or the Police Department.

Not only is this tampering and theft of a public utility; but this could also cause possible water contamination and/or pipe damage. Minimally, it adds to the rate payers' cost of pumping and distributing water through the system, but pipe damage or contamination could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair expenses.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Home Ownership Opportunity - Affordable housing lottery

Emerson Village

Emerson Village, a new 40B development located at 196 Nashua road, Pepperell, has four affordable single family homes that will be available be lottery to eligible homebuyers, as follows:

(1) 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1335 sq. ft. (approx): $174,200
(3) 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1470 sq. ft. (approx): $193,500

Income limits are as follows (other restrictions may apply):
1 person - $44,800
2 persons - 51,200
3 persons - 57,600
4 persons - 64,000
5 persons - 69,100
6 persons - 74,250

Emerson Village will hold a Model Unit Open House on July 15 from 5:00-8:00pm and an informational meeting at Pepperell Town Hall, Conference Room A on July 22 from 6:00-8:00pm. The Lottery will be held on August 26, 2009 in Pepperell Town Hall, Conference Room A at 6:00pm.

Applications for the lottery are available at Office of the Town Administrator in Pepperell Town Hall and at Lawrence Library, or by writing to JTE Realty Associates, P.O. Box 955, North Andover, MA 01845, 978-258-3492, or emerson@jterealtyassociates.com. Mailing Address Must Be Provided.

Applications must be received by August 10, 2009.

Mercury Recovery Program

Pepperell DPW and Board of Health

As of May 2008, it is illegal to dispose of products containing mercury in the trash, either through the use of the Town’s Transfer Station or private collection services. The most common items in which mercury is found are fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, thermometers, and button-cell batteries.

The DPW and the Board of Health together are implementing a plan to keep mercury out of the environment by providing a way to properly recycle these products. You can recycle (at no charge) fluorescent bulbs at the Transfer Station if you have a use sticker or at Lorden’s True Value Hardware on Main Street. Thermostats, thermometers, and button-cell batteries can be recycled at no charge at either the Transfer Station or the Board of Health Office behind Town Hall. For a limited time, if you recycle a mercury thermometer, you can receive a free digital thermometer. If you have larger quantities of mercury that needs disposal, contact the Board of Health and arrangements can be made. Do your part to comply with this new law but more importantly to protect the environment.

For more information, please contact the DPW

Property Tax Work-off program
available for Senior Citizens

The Town of Pepperell is offering, through the Senior Center, a Property Tax Work-off Program that will assist senior citizens with their tax bills and secondly, the work will increase involvement for seniors in municipal government. You must be 60 plus years, own & occupy property that taxes have been paid, for a minimum of ten years. Only one abatement/application allowed per household and there are financial guidelines. $35,000 gross income single and $50,000 married.

Applications are available at the Senior Center, 37 Nashua Road. For further information call 978-433-0326 or email coa@town.pepperell.ma.us.

Fire Department fundraiser - "EZ View" solar-powered illuminated house numbers
$12 each to benefit Pepperell's S.A.F.E. for kids

As a fundraiser to benefit the S.A.F.E program for Pepperell school children, the Fire Department is offering “EZ View” solar-powered illuminated house numbers for $12 per number (regularly $15.99/number). These house numbers can be affixed to a mailbox or directly to a house or both and could speed emergency response during nighttime hours.

• Solar-powered
• Charges all day, glows all night
• Environmentally friendly
• turns on and off automatically
• visible from over 200 ft.
• 1,000 hours reserve power
• weatherproof
• maintenance free
• easy installation
• units snap together
• contemporary design
• attached to any surface
• 2-warranty

Emergency Medical Services, Police, and Firefighters are trained to respond quickly to help save lives. Unfortunately, most house numbers are virtually impossible to see at night. This puts you and your loved ones in danger.

The law requires clear identification of all homes, but because these laws are generally not enforced, many families fail to ensure that their address is visible at night. Many lives are lost each day simply because emergency help was delayed in reaching them. Don't let this happen to you.

EZ View Solar Powered Illuminated House Number are constructed with high quality electronic components, are maintenance free, and install with just two screws.

The EZ View Solar-Powered House Numbers are available at the Fire Department at 59 Main St. during normal business hours (except when out on inspections) and by mail by downloading an order form and mailing a check.

For more information, contact the Pepperell Fire Department.

Pepperell Food Bank/PACH Outreach

Every second Thursday of the month

The Pepperell Food Bank is at the PACH Outreach office, located at the Knights of Columbus, 19 Jersey Street. Food distribution is on the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 - 3:00pm for any Pepperell resident with low income.  Proof of residency is required: utility bill showing name and address, as well as a photo ID. Household size and annual gross income limits for July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 are as follows:
1 person - $19,240, 2 persons - $25,900, 3 persons - $32,560,
4 persons - $39,220, 5 persons - $45,880, 6 persons - $52,540

The largest selection of food is available at the second Thursday distribution; however, food is available to Pepperell residents up to twice a month. For assistance, visit or call (978-925-8052) the PACH Outreach office during office hours: Tuesday, 6:00-8:00pm and Thursday, 1:30-3:00pm.

Fuel Assistance

PACH Outreach

One of several services offered through PACH Outreach is help with completing fuel assistance applications for Pepperell residents with limited incomes. This year, application assistance will be provided by appointment beginning November 3 at the PACH Outreach office within the Knights of Columbus center at 19 Jersey Street in Pepperell. The office is open Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:30 pm, and the third Saturday of each month from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm..

This year’s fuel assistance income eligibility is as follows:
1 person - $29,126
2 persons - $38,087
3 persons - $47,049
4 persons - $56,011

(Higher amounts of household members available upon request)
* Gross income is wages, Social Security, interest, etc., for ALL members of the household, BEFORE any deductions. Any money coming in is considered income.

Bring to your appointment:

• Photo ID for everyone 18+years AND Social Security cards for all members of your household
• Household income for EACH person 18+years
• Renters should bring landlord name, full address, and phone number, as well as a copy of a current rent receipt or lease. Is heat included in the rent? If so, bring a copy of the current lease or a letter from the landlord stating that heat is included. If subsidized housing, bring current verification from housing authority.
• Homeowners should bring a copy of a current mortgage statement and property tax bill.
• visible from over 200 ft.
• Current Gas/fuel/electric bill: Copy of each entire bill to verify name, service address, mailing address, and account number. You may also qualify for discount rates for these services.

Fuel assistance is intended to support paying fuel costs and should not be expected to cover all heating costs for the winter. Call the PACH Outreach office to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions at (978) 925-8052. For more information about PACH Outreach, visit the website, www.pachoutreach.org.

If you would like have a notice posted that would be of interest to Pepperell townspeople, please email the Pepperell webmaster