Welcome to Pepperell, MA

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.

Election to Fill the Vacant US Senate Seat from Massachusetts - January 19

Pepperell Town Clerk

The State of Massachusetts will hold a special election to fill the United States Senate seat left vacate by the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. The general election to be held January 19, 2010. The polling place in Pepperell will be the Varnum Brook Middle School gymnasium. The polls will be open from 7:00am-8:00pm.

Absentee Ballots are now available at the Town Clerk's office. Voters who are disabled or know that they will be away on January 19 may apply for an Absentee Ballot and simultaneously vote during normal business hours up until noon on Friday, January 15. If you have already applied for an Absentee ballot, it will be mailed to you and must arrive back at the Town Clerk's office on Friday, January 15 by 12:00 noon or the Pepperell Post Office by 5:00pm on Election Day, January 19.

Public Hearing & Public Meeting Notices

Pepperell Conservation Commission

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Forum to receive input on an update to the “Action Plan” (Chapter 9, page 80) in the current Open Space and Recreation Plan . Members of the public with comments about the priorities for the Conservation Commission and/or the Recreation Commission in the next 2 years are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held in the Lawrence Library meeting room at 7:00 p.m. on January 5, 2010. After the Public Forum the Conservation Commission will be discussing plans for implementing a volunteer trail monitor program on Town-owned Conservation Lands. People interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re Notice of Intent filed by Brian Doak for construction of a garage at 8 Powhatan Road. The hearing will take place in Lawrence Library meeting room on January 5, 2010 at 7:35pm .

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re ANRAD filed by Laurie & Jon Blagdon for review of the wetland resource boundaries at 25 Heald St. The hearing will take place in Lawrence Library meeting room on January 5, 2010 at 7:45pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Meeting re RDA filed by Jayron Realty, Inc. for landscaping associated with a single family house at 18 Emerson Circle. The hearing will take place in Lawrence Library meeting room on January 5, 2010 at 8:00pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Continued Public Hearing re Notice of Intent filed by Robert Lee, Pepperell DPW, for construction of a new municipal well with pump station, access road and associated infrastructure west of Nashua Road near the NH state line. The hearing will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on January 19, 2010 at 7:10pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Continued Public Hearing re Notice of Intent filed by Brian Doak for construction of a garage at 8 Powhatan Road. The hearing will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on January 19, 2010 at 7:30pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re NOI filed by the Pepperell DPW for installation of sewers on Brookline, Park & Prescott Streets, Paiute Place and Cheyenne Road, including a pump station at 112 Brookline Street. The hearing will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on February 16, 2010 at 7:30pm. Postponed due to weather.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re NOI filed by Scott Morrison for upgrade of the septic system at 48 Harbor Street. The hearing will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on March 2, 2010 at 7:10pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re NOI filed by Laurie and John Blagdon for construction of a new single family house at 25 Heald Street. The hearing will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on March 2, 2010 at 7:20pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Meeting re RDA filed by Jayron Realty for construction of ten single family houses on Lots 12-14, 16-20, 26 & 27. The meeting will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on March 2, 2010 at 7:30pm.

The Pepperell Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing re four NOIs filed by Jayron Realty for construction of four single family houses at 10, 12, 14 & 16 Emerson Circle (Lots 22-25). The meeting will take place in Pepperell Town hall, Conference Room B, on March 2, 2010 at 7:35pm.

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.

Notice of Public Hearings

Pepperell Planning Board

In accordance with the provisions of MGL, Ch. 40A, Sec. 5, the Pepperell Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Main St., Pepperell, MA, to review amended Planning Board Rules and Regulations and the Planning Board Fee Schedule. Any person interested in the subject may appear at the time and place designated or may review a copy of the complete text at the office of the Town Clerk or the Planning Board during regular business hours or on the Town’s website at www.town.pepperell.ma.us/planning. If special services, assistance or accommodations are required to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Board office within sufficient time prior to the scheduled meeting time.

In accordance with the provisions of MGL, Ch. 40A, Sec. 5, the Pepperell Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Main St., Pepperell, MA, to review proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. Proposed amendments to include (1) adoption of Section 6300 Wind Energy Conversion Facilities (2) amendment to Appendix A Table of Principle Uses (3) amendment to Section 8100 Water Resource Protection Overlay District (WRPOD) Subsection 8120 WRPOD Zones. Complete text of the proposed amendments and any associated maps, if applicable, may be reviewed at the office of the Town Clerk or the Planning Board or on the Town’s website at www.town.pepperell.ma.us. If special services, assistance or accommodations are required to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Board office prior to the scheduled meeting time.

Notice of Public Hearings

Pepperell Zoning Board of Appeals

The Pepperell Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on January 13 at 7:00pm in Pepperell Town Hall, Conference room A regarding an application that has been submitted by William Blood requesting an ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL of the action of the Building Inspector per Section 9223 of the Town of Pepperell Zoning-By-Law, to determine relief appropriate to allow the accessibility of the premises for handicapped foster care adult residing at the premises; including a VARIANCE, if necessary per Section 9222 of the Zoning-By-Law. Applicant is also requesting a SPECIAL PERMIT per Section 3560 of the Zoning-By-Law to increase the non-conforming nature of the existing principal structure on the premises. Subject property is located at 29 Groton Street, Pepperell, MA, as shown on Assessor's Map 25 as Parcel 47-0.

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

Fuel Assistance applications have been extended to May 15 th this year. Call the PACH Outreach office at 978-925-8052 to set up an appointment .

Household Income Guidelines:
1 person - $27,876, 2 persons - $36,454, 3 persons - $45,031,
4 persons - $53,608, 5 persons - $62,186, 6 persons - $70,763

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