ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

Kathleen Comeau 2005

Christopher Comeau, Assistant 2005

Wayne Comeau, Assistant 2005

Christopher Cordio, Assistant 2005

CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Brian Church 2004

Den Connors 2005

Stephen R. Phipps 2005

Randolph P. Sanford 2005

Charles Smith 2005

CAPITAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Andrew Ferris 2005

James Friend 2005

Diane Gaspar 2005

Robert Hanson 2005

Michael Hartnett 2005

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Frank Quattrochi, Director 2005

David Stairs, Assistant Director 2005

Dispatchers

Kristine M. Crooker 2005

Michelle Kettner 2005

Earl F. Merrill 2005

Matthew Power 2005

Spare Dispatchers

Rosemarie Page 2005

Eileen Lundstrom 2005

Nick Pentedemos 2005

Joshua Yenetchi 2005

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Steven D. Bezanson* 2004

James Casserly 2007

Robert Elliott 2006

Richard W. England 2006

Linda Moody 2007

Robert Rand 2006

Patricia Swain Rice 2006

Jeffrey Sauer 2005

CONSTABLES

Roger Beauchamp 2005

Joseph Connell 2005

Neil McGorty 2005

David H. Muscovitz 2005

Clarke Paige, Jr. 2005

Frank Quattrochi 2005

Robert Russell 2005

COUNCIL ON AGING

Jerrilyn T. Bozicas 2006

Cathy Forrest 2006

Barry R. Fuller** 2006

Merle Green, Jr. 2005

Katherine Harris 2007

Patricia Liberis* 2006

Virginia Malouin 2007

M. Pauline Mahony 2005

CULTURAL COUNCIL

Alexandra C. Bodnar 2007

Donna Fallabella 2006

Rebecca Jeffreys 2005

Bobbye L. Kopec* 2004

Brandon Liberis 2006

Monique Paturel* 2004

Margaret Scarsdale 2006

Norma Wilton 2006

DISABILITIES COMMISSION

Robert Call 2007

William O’Brien 2005

Robert Plet 2006

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

George Ux, Director 2005

Nicholas Livadas, Deputy Director 2005

Edward Passerello, Deputy Director 2005

Paul Surette, Deputy Director 2005

David Peabody, Communications Officer 2005

Ronald Winch, Asst. Communications

Officer 2005

Izzy Santiago, Communications Unit 2005

Auxiliary Police

David Querze, Captain 2005

Paul Nelson, Lieutenant 2005

Richard Timpani, Lieutenant 2005

Mary Femino, Sergeant 2005

Edward Lane, Sergeant 2005

Lawrence J. McNamara, Sergeant 2005

Glenn Caswell 2005

Michael P. Doherty 2005

Michael Duprey 2005

Joseph Hauptman 2005

Eileen Lundstrom 2005

Anthony J. Mazzola 2005

Matthew Power 2005

David J. Richardson 2005

Michelle Y. Roop 2005

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Auxiliary Police (cont.)

Leslie Spoth 2005

Brian E. Trickett 2005

Daniel C. Tyo 2005

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)

Dennis Connors 2005

Mark Giubardo 2005

James Hein 2005

Peter Nordberg 2005

David Peabody 2005

Lynda Pozerski 2005

Stanley Pozerski 2005

Scott Pyles 2005

Erik Stromsted 2005

Kenneth E. Young 2005

EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Holly Bradman 2005

Costa Bozicas 2005

Den Connors 2005

Alan Davis 2005

Ann O’Donnell 2005

Frank Quattrochi 2005

Peter Shattuck 2005

George Ux 2005

FENCE VIEWER

Richard Aubin 2005

FINANCE COMMITTEE

George Aggott* 2004

W. Burke Bero 2005

Stephanie Cronin 2005

John E. Croteau 2006

Shaun Cummings** 2006

Chris DeSimone 2005

Diane Gaspar 2005

Bill Green** 2006

David Young* 2004

FIRE ENGINEERS, BOARD OF

Costa Bozicas, Chief 2005

James H. Straitiff 2005

Toby Tyler 2005

Firefighters

Joshua Alix 2005

Robert Archer 2005

Michael Blood 2005

Milton Blood, Jr. 2005

William Butts 2005

Brad Desrochers 2005

Michael Doherty 2005

Seth Durno 2005

Kenneth English 2005

Derek Flanders 2005

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Firefighters (cont.)

Dana Franzek 2005

Albert Harris 2005

Wayne Keefner 2005

Jonathan Kinney 2005

Leo Lamy, Lieutenant 2005

Robert Manley 2005

John Marriner 2005

Paul McBrearty, Jr. 2005

Earl Merrill 2005

Vincent Messina, Jr. 2005

Edward Michaud, Lieutenant 2005

Timothy Morine 2005

Mark Newell 2005

Raul Pena 2005

Charles Pentedemos 2005

Peter Quintin 2005

Garry Ricard 2005

John Rose, Captain 2005

Greg Ross 2005

Mike Schrader 2005

Peter Shattuck, Captain 2005

Thomas Shattuck 2005

Terry Spaulding 2005

Steve Symonds 2005

James Taplin, Jr., Captain 2005

Christopher Thielbar 2005

Michael Tierney 2005

Timothy Tierney, Lieutenant 2005

Kurtis Triehy 2005

Jeffrey Winch 2005

Kyle Winch 2005

Joshua Yenetchi 2005

Ambulance Personnel

James Casserly, Captain 2005

David Hargraves, Lieutenant 2005

Mary Archer 2005

Costa Bozicas 2005

Mike Derderian 2005

Michael Doherty 2005

Edward Foss 2005

Jim Friend 2005

Donna Galotta 2005

Rachel Jamieson 2005

Wayne Keefner 2005

Robert Manley 2005

Paul McBrearty, Jr. 2005

Frank Melendy 2005

Greg Rich 2005

Christopher Rynne 2005

Kathy Santos 2005

Suzanne Schmidt 2005

Jodi Shaffer 2005

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Ambulance Personnel (cont.)

James Taplin 2005

Jean Taubert 2005

Jill Taubert 2005

Michael Tierney 2005

Toby Tyler 2005

Ronald Winch 2005

Joshua Yenetchi 2005

FOREST WARDEN

Peter Shattuck 2005

GIS COMMITTEE

Martin Beck 2005

Inez Gove 2005

Robert B. Hanson 2005

Robert E. Lee, Jr. 2005

Susan Smith 2005

HANDICAPPED COORDINATOR

William O’Brien 2005

HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Michael Coffey 2006

Ronald Karr 2005

Hillary Pember 2007

Susan J. Smith 2006

Peter L. Uhlendorf 2005

INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Marcel Kates 2005

Margaret Lowry 2005

Peggy Pomeroy 2005

Stanley Pozerski 2005

Den Connors, Systems Administrator 2005

Jeff Sauer, Webmaster 2005

Theresa Walsh, Coordinator

INSPECTORS

Kenneth West, Building Inspector/

Assistant Zoning Offficer 2005

Rudolph Schultz, Assistant Building Inspector/

Zoning Officer 2005

Louis Shattuck, Electrical Inspector 2005

John Dee III, Asst. Electrical Inspector 2005

Eugene Douglas, Gas Inspector 2007

Ralph Gilmore, 2^nd Asst. Elec. Insp. 2005

Robert Russell, Asst. Gas Inspector 2005

Frank Cotter, Plumbing Inspector 2005

John Cryan, Asst. Plumbing Inspector 2005

LOCAL LICENSING AUTHORITY

Alan Davis 2005

William Greathead 2005

Armando Herrera 2005

Alan Lessieur 2005

James Peters 2005

David Scott 2005

MOTH SUPERINTENDENT

Peter Shattuck 2005

NASHOBA VALLEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Jerrilyn Bozicas 2005

Albert Buckley 2007

Joy Dalrymple 2006

Sandra M. Proctor, Alt. 2007

PARKING CLERK

Cathy Forrest 2005

PERSONNEL BOARD

John Lynch, Selectmen’s Rep. 2005

Judith Dalton, At-large Representative 2006

Peter Shattuck, Employee Rep. 2005

Charleyne Stumpf, At-large Representative 2005

Burke Bero, Finance Comm. Rep. 2005

PEPPERELL CRANK-UP COMMITTEE

James Dunn 2005

Kim C. Spaulding 2005

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Alan Davis, Chief 2007

William Greathead, Detective 2005

Armando Herrera, Sergeant 2005

Alan Lessieur, Sergeant 2005

James Peters, Sergeant 2005

David Scott, Sergeant 2005

Cathy Forrest, Administrative Assistant 2005

Officers

Steven Bezanson 2005

Todd Blain 2005

Steven A. Burke 2005

Edmond D. Bussiere 2005

Gordon A. Candow 2005

Jared J. Carrubba 2005

Bruce Haskins 2005

Stephen Mulkerin 2005

Nick Parker 2005

Richard Smith 2005

Fabrizio Vestri 2005

Part-time Officers

Kenneth Beers 2005

Cathy Forrest 2005

Nikolaos Lividas 2005

Benjamin McDonald 2005

Paul Nelson 2005

Edward Passerello 2005

David Querze 2005

Paul Surette 2005

Richard Timpani 2005

Eileen Lundstrom, Special Police Officer 2005

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Detention Room Supervisors

Mary Femino 2005

Cathy Forrest 2005

Edward Lane 2005

Stuart List 2005

Nikolaos Livadas 2005

Eileen Lundstrom 2005

Paul Nelson 2005

Rosemarie Page 2005

Nicholas Pentedemos 2005

Leslie Jean Spoth 2005

Joshua R. Yenetchi 2005

Special Police - Dunstable

George Aggott 2005

James Dow 2005

James Downes, Jr. 2005

James Downes III 2005

Eric Hoar 2005

Daniel Kowalski 2005

John J. Koyutis 2005

Michael Lynn 2005

Nicholas Papageorgiou 2005

Sean Ready 2005

Benjamin Sargent 2005

Cory Waite 2005

Special Police – Groton

Paul Connell 2005

Elizabeth Crowley 2005

Michael Crowley 2005

James Cullen 2005

Arthur Darviris 2005

Donald Delorey 2005

Richard Elie 2005

Jeffrey Frates-Fox 2005

Derrick J. Gemos 2005

Jeffrey Gigliotti 2005

Catherine Glejzer 2005

Jason Goodwin 2005

Ryan Griffin 2005

Keith Keady 2005

Sean Lando 2005

Robert Mulhern 2005

Irmin Pierce, III 2005

John Rooney 2005

Edward Sheridan 2005

Eric M. Watkins 2005

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Special Police - Hollis

Richard Bergeron 2005

Christopher Bonin 2005

Richard Darling 2005

Tracy A. Dunne 2005

Kevin Irwin 2005

Brendan LaFlamme 2005

Richard Mello 2005

Barry Palmer 2005

James Sartelle 2005

Kris Thibault 2005

David Turgeon 2005

Russell Ux 2005

Special Police - Townsend

Barbara Ammendolia 2005

Robert Breault 2005

Tony Brennan 2005

James Capsalis 2005

Austin Cote 2005

Mark Francis 2005

Mark Giancotti 2005

Randy Girard 2005

Andrew Gomes 2005

James Johnson 2005

John Johnson 2005

Mary Ann Kinirey 2005

James Marchand 2005

Erving Marshall 2005

Cheryl Mattson 2005

Daniel Morrison 2005

Thomas Pearson 2005

David Profit 2005

Kimberly Rebovich 2005

Robert Rebovich 2005

George Reidy 2005

Travis Rixford 2005

Thaddeus Rochette 2005

Jeffrey Thibodeau 2005

Christopher VanVoorhis 2005

REGISTRARS

Deborah Cicchetti 2007

Jane Eshleman 2006

Patricia A. Osten 2005

Barbara A. Smith, Assistant 2005

SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES

Eric Aaltonen 2005

SURVEYOR OF LUMBER

David I. Walsh 2005

SURVEYOR OF WOOD & BARK

David I. Walsh 2005

TOWN COUNSEL

Edward J. Richardson, Esq. 2005

TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE

James Dunn 2005

O. Bernhard Olsen 2005

Peter Shattuck 2005

VETERANS’ SERVICE OFFICER

Myron B. Harmon 2005

VETERAN’S GRAVE OFFICER

Stuart List 2005

VIETNAM MEMORIAL & HONOR ROLL COMMITTEE

Michael Flaminio 2005

Joseph M. Moore 2005

WEIGHER OF COAL

David I. Walsh 2005

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Christine Morrissey 2006

Vince Premus* 2004

Thomas McGrath 2005

Sherrill Rosoff** 2006

Paul Harris, Associate Member* 2005

Susan Whittemore, Associate Member 2006

ELECTION WORKERS

Judith Azarowski 2005

Judith Nolan 2005

Donna Shea 2005

Precinct 1

Craig R. Williams Warden

Mary A. Duprey Deputy Warden

Adele B. Spoth Clerk

Robert E. Evensen Deputy Inspector

Geraldine T. Forrest * Deputy Inspector

Mark A. Forrest Deputy Inspector

Elfriede K. Parker Deputy Inspector

Judith M. Pentedemos Deputy Inspector

Elizabeth N. Rossi Deputy Inspector

Paul Spoth Deputy Inspector

T. Marilyn Tremblay Deputy Inspector

Jacqueline L. West Deputy Inspector

Robin VanAmburg Inspector

Virginia G. Stakun Inspector

Jerrilyn T. Bozicas Inspector

Janet M. Labelle Inspector

Kathleen M. McGuire Inspector

Mary L. Williams Inspector

ELECTION WORKERS

Precinct 2

Bernard St. Laurent Warden

Mary Theall Deputy Warden

Marie M. St. Laurent Clerk

Barbara Z. Stromsted Deputy Clerk

Michael Coffey Inspector

Barbara Cronin Inspector

Chester Johnson Inspector

Lorna R. Levi Inspector

Mary Lynch Inspector

Paul R. Maynard Inspector

Thomas McGrath Inspector

David Theall Inspector

Winifred M. Wheeler Inspector

Gertrude T. Dapcic Deputy Inspector

Margaret M. Judge Deputy Inspector

Joan M. Katsines Deputy Inspector

Joan P. Ladik Deputy Inspector

Rose M. Landry Deputy Inspector

Suzanne C. Marchand Deputy Inspector

Sue Ann Maynes Deputy Inspector

Precinct 3

Carole M. Babineau Warden

Barbara A. Smith Deputy Warden

Diane B. Karr Clerk

Elizabeth B. Hunt Deputy Clerk

Susan Buckley Inspector

Rita Cleveland Inspector

Amos J. Mahony Inspector

Virginia Malouin Inspector

Ruth Moses Inspector

Marjorie Nickerson Inspector

Marylou Nordberg Inspector

Ann O’Donnell Inspector

Dorothy Prozeller Inspector

Jennifer Putnam Inspector

Suzanne Rowse Inspector

Gwendolyn Spitale* Inspector

Peggy W. Huntington Inspector

Irene F. Campbell Deputy Inspector

Doris E. Livadas Deputy Inspector

Madge A. Meehan Deputy Inspector

Joan Paden Deputy Inspector

Leonard Spitale* Deputy Inspector

George T. Ux Deputy Inspector

Joan E. Ux Deputy Inspector

Grace H. Williams Deputy Inspector

* Resigned/retired/appointment expired

** Appointed to fill unexpired term

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

The Pepperell Board of Selectmen respectfully submits its report to the citizens of Pepperell, regarding activities conducted in 2004 The Board met on 14 occasions during the year, and continues its general practice of meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. In synchrony with the volume of work before the Board, the Board reserves the option to meet more or less frequently, or, occasionally, informally to deal with minor or administrative issues. All meetings are posted and public, and al citizens are invited to attend. Formal meetings are televised on Cable TV, Channel 15.

Board Membership/Reorganization:

John Lynch was re-elected to a three-year term. Upon re-organization, Darrell Gilmore was elected Chairman, and Lyndon Johnson, Clerk.

Resignations Accepted:

Paul Harris – Affordable Housing Committee

Darrell Lehman – Information Services Technology Committee

Patricia Liberis – Council on Aging

Kathy Newell – Dog Leash Law Study Committee

Lynda Pozerski – Associate Member, Zoning Board of Appeals

Laurie Toupin – Conservation Commission

New Appointments Made:

Dirk Bakker – Planning Board Associate Member (joint appointment)

Burke Bero – Finance Committee Representative to the Personnel Board

Costa Bozicas – Board of Fire Engineers

Jim Casserly – ACEC Great Ponds Steering Committee

Christopher Cordio – Assistant Animal Control Officer

Shaun K. Cummings – Finance Committee

Michael Doherty – Auxiliary Police Officer

Richard England – Conservation Commission

Ellen Fisher – ACEC Great Ponds Steering Committee

Barry Fuller – Council on Aging

Diane Gaspar – Finance Committee Representative to the Capital Expenditure Committee

Joan Goddard – Outreach Coordinator, Council On Aging

Paul Harris – Associate Member, Zoning Board of Appeals

Michelle Ketner – Dispatcher

Margaret Lowry – IST Committee

Matthew Marotta – IST Committee

Anthony Mazzola – Auxiliary Police Officer

Sharon Mercurio – Director, Council on Aging; Emergency Management Committee

Stephen Mulkerin – Police Patrolman

Ann O’Donnell – Receptionist, Senior Center

Peggy Pomeroy – IST Committee

Matthew Power – Auxiliary Police Officer

Sherrill Rosoff – Zoning Board of Appeals

Rudolph Schultz – Assistant Building Inspector

Peter Shattuck – Employee Representative to Personnel Board

Lynette Sharp – Assistant Town Accountant

James Straitiff – Board of Fire engineers

Toby Tyler – Board of Fire Engineers

R. Braybrook Walsh III – Board of Assessors (joint appointment to Election of April 2004)

Kenneth West – Building Inspector

Susan Whittemore – Associate Member, Zoning Board of Appeals

Kerri A. Williams – Detention Room Monitor

Selectmen’s Special Permit Applications

ER02-04 earth removal – Daniel Locapo - Lomar Park – earth removal incidental to construction

Miscellaneous Highlights:

In the course of 2004:

Legal authority having been granted by the State Legislature and approved by local referendum, the Board of Selectmen issued “Beer and Wine” licenses for Crumpet’s and Pizza Depot. These are the first on-premises “restaurant” licenses issued in Pepperell in several decades.
After several years of discussion and negotiation, the Town, with invaluable assistance from the Trust for Public Land (as well as the Nashua River Watershed Association, the Nashoba Conservation Trust, the Nissitissit River Land Trust, and a hard-working, dedicated group of interested citizens), secured the 265-acre “Pepperell Springs” property for permanent preservation as conservation land. On a unanimous vote of a packed Special Town Meeting on September 20^th, the Town’s share of the necessary funding was approved, and, following further negotiation by the Trust for Public Land (which executed an up-front purchase of the property), a Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed by the Board of Selectmen on December 20^th. Upon receipt of Federal grant monies awarded under the Forest Legacy program, the Trust will make a final transfer of title to the Town, and the property will be protected in perpetuity.

The Board extends its appreciation and gratitude to the many volunteers and employees who have invested countless hours and enormous energy to make our Town function. We appreciate your efforts, and your dedication to the Town of Pepperell.

PERSONNEL BOARD

The Personnel Board is a five-person board appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Personnel Board is charged with the interpretation of questions of policy, and the resolution of issues related to the Town’s personnel, classification, compensation, and benefits policies, as they affect Town Employees covered by the personnel By-law.

In 2004, the Board met on four occasions, to address various issues:

· COLA for FY 2005

· FY05 Compensation for elected officials

· Re-alignment of job titles within the Fire Department

· Re-consideration of the grading of the position of COA Director

· Re-grading of the EMT I-Administrative position

· Re-grading of the position of Systems Administrator

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

The Board of Assessors submits herewith its annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005

FY 02 FY 03 FY 04 FY 05

Gross to be Raised 17,684,417 17,425,568 18,360,849 19,775,605

Estimated Receipts

Available Funds 7,349,791 6,651871 7,223,689 8,127,454

Property Valuations 817,612,803 828,108,931 841,153,994 1,151,003,077

Tax Rate 12.64 13.01 13.24 10.12

The reader will note that FY 05 saw a revaluation of all real property as required by the Department of Revenue. Previously, municipal assessors were required to update real property values every three years. Now value must be reviewed each year for compliance with standards put forth by the DOR. Property owners should be aware that real estate assessed values may change annually, increased or decreased, depending upon the strength or weakness of real estate values as evidenced by sales.

REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER

FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2004
			Pooled	Money Market	Oper. Accounts		Total
			Investments	Fund Accounts	Vendor/Payroll		Funds
Fund Balances:
	General Fund		$ 131,171.73	$ 2,485,779.29	$ (60,597.04)	**	$ 2,556,353.98
	Highway Improvement Fund			-			-
	Special Revenue Fund			456,838.12			456,838.12
	Ambulance Fund			73,884.98			73,884.98
	Capital Project Fund			358,283.10			358,283.10
	Sewer Enterprise Fund			1,054,604.46			1,054,604.46
	Water Enterprise Fund			156,294.96			156,294.96
	Transfer Station Enterprise Fund			289,702.41			289,702.41
	Agency Funds			368,448.34			368,448.34
Unexpendable Trust Funds:
	Cemetery Perpetual Fund		121,699.38				121,699.38
	Brooks Fund		45,000.00				45,000.00
	Farrar Flag Pole Fund		150.00				150.00
	Lawrence Library Perpetual Fund		62,435.95				62,435.95
	Lawrence Library Carter Fund		13,834.48				13,834.48
	Lawrence Library Thurston Fund		500.00				500.00
Expendable Trust Funds:
	Cemetery Perpetual Income Fund		38,225.15				38,225.15
	Brooks Income Fund		22,436.83				22,436.83
	Farrar Flag Pole Income Fund		556.37				556.37
	Lawrence Library Income Fund		44,475.98				44,475.98
	Lawrence Library Carter Income Fund		259.63				259.63
	Lawrence Library Thurston Income Fund		242.33				242.33
	Lawrence Library Heald Income Fund		12,266.65				12,266.65
	Lawrence Library Smith Income Fund		7,558.12				7,558.12
Other Trust Funds:
	Stabilization Fund		2,036,403.25				2,036,403.25
	Retirement Fund		1,437,142.43				1,437,142.43
	Conservation Fund		23,158.47				23,158.47
	Land Fund		400,010.74				400,010.74
Total Funds, June 30, 2003- Cash Basis			4,397,527.49	5,243,835.66	(60,597.04)		9,580,766.11
		(GASB 31 FMV Adjustment) *	122,398.86	-	-		122,398.86
Total Funds, June 30, 2004			$4,519,926.35	$ 5,243,835.66	$ (60,597.04)		$ 9,703,164.97
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Hartnett, CPA
Treasurer/Collector
	* Required GASB 31 disclosure representing FMV year-end adjustment of trust fund investments.
	** Normal periodic timing difference due to correlation of weekly warrants & transfer of funds.

REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES

For the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2004
____	________________	___________	___________	___________		___________	___________
			Levy			Abatements
Levy		Balance	Commitment/	Collections		Exemptions	Balance
Year	Tax / Fee / Lien	1/1/2004	Transfer	Net of Refunds		Adjustments	12/31/2004
_____	___________________	______________	______________	______________		______________	______________

2005	Real Estate *	$0.00	11,491,614.60	5,340,092.98		1,028.08	$6,150,493.54
2005	Personal Property *	$0.00	156,536.64	159,388.20		790.78	-$3,642.34
2005	Util.Liens/Com Int.	$0.00	85,198.71	0.00		-	$85,198.71
2005	Appor.Bett./Com Int.	$0.00	117,748.34	453.56		-	$117,294.78

2004	Real Estate	$5,524,212.61	0.00	5,361,887.55		59,289.59	$103,035.47
2004	Personal Property	$174,029.61	0.00	173,283.14		28.07	$718.40
2004	Util.Liens/Com Int.	$64,480.44	0.00	57,437.17		1,593.13	$5,450.14
2004	Appor.Bett./Com Int.	$335,119.85	0.00	167,744.82		654.96	$166,720.07

2003	Real Estate	$106,020.15	-	70,018.36		9,788.74	$26,213.05
2003	Personal Property	$978.82	-	30.65		0.00	$948.17
2003	Util.Liens/Com Int.	$6,788.53	-	3,394.57		3,393.96	$0.00

2002	Real Estate	$12,754.72	-	3,502.90		8,072.01	$1,179.81
2002	Personal Property	$391.07	-	0.00		-	$391.07

2001	Real Estate	$2,258.70	-	64.87		2,193.83	$0.00

2004	Motor Vehicle Excise	$0.00	1,318,890.34	1,209,207.62		56,687.57	$52,995.15
2003	Motor Vehicle Excise	$51,713.38	27,095.67	61,537.44		5,121.13	$12,150.48
2002	Motor Vehicle Excise	$1,570.45	0.00	1,031.38		0.00	$539.07
2001	Motor Vehicle Excise	$276.35	0.00	0.00		0.00	$276.35
PRIOR	Motor Vehicle Excise	-$1,135.34	3,456.36	3,240.62		-	-$919.60

	Taxes In Litigation	$0.00	-	-		-	$0.00
	Tax Possessions	$27,182.35	1,505.53	-		-	$28,687.88
	Tax Title Lien	$39,338.15	41,728.19	17,945.46		-	$63,120.88
	Tax Title Util. Lien	$13,334.41	5,376.16	0.00		-	$18,710.57
	Deferred Taxes	$4,945.32	2,552.67	0.00		-	$7,497.99
	Farmland Rollback	$0.00	0.00	0.00		-	$0.00
	Unapport. Sewer Bett.	$543,623.95	254,059.36	138,878.03		83,971.75	$574,833.53

	Mobile Home Fees			20,280.00
	Interest Collected			46,050.92
	Municipal Lien Cert.			13,525.00
	Collection Fees			21,520.00

TOTAL COLLECTIONS				$12,870,515.24

					Respectfully submitted,
* Note- Real Estate and Personal Property Reflect FY 2005					Michael Hartnett
Revaluation (last revalue FY 2001)					Treasurer-Collector, CPA

INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

ATTENTION VOTERS

I would like to take the opportunity to remind registered voters when you sign a nomination paper or a petition, please do the following: 1. Only sign if you are a registered voter. 2. Sign your name and your residential address (no post office boxes allowed). 3. If you have normally bad penmanship, print your name under your signature (if the registrars can’t read it – we can’t verify it). And, most important, 4. Do not sign your husband’s or wife’s name or any other than your own. If you move, please inform the Town Clerk so that we will change our records and you will be notified of any change in your voting precinct.

Please encourage any of your family members who are not registered voters to register. Anyone who attains the age of 18 may register of if you are 18 by the date of the next election you may register (you still must register 20 days prior to the election to be eligible).

ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR 2005

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION – MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2005

Last day to register –April 5^th

Registration sessions run from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the above day.

VITAL RECORDS

BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES RECORDED IN 2004

BIRTHS: 78

DEATHS: 63

MARRIAGES: 33

Due to the late returns of 2004 births for Pepperell, the above figure is not accurate. Records of births will eventually be sent to Pepperell and figures will be listed in next year’s annual report. Late returns for 2003 were 8 births and 3 deaths. Pepperell residents who gave birth to their children in New Hampshire were not recorded in Pepperell.

2004 LICENSES

1,659 Dog Licenses

19 Kennel Licenses (4 dogs)

2 Kennel Licenses (10 dogs)

4 Kennel License (20 dogs)

38 Late Fees

2004 dog licenses will expire March 31, 2005. A rabies certificate must be shown before a license may be issued. If you are renewing a 2004 license, a record of our dog's most recent rabies shot should be on file in this office.

A grace period is given until May 31st to allow residents to obtain rabies vaccinations for their dog(s). The Board of Health will hold a rabies clinic on the first Saturday in April each year. The next clinic is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2005.

The Town of Pepperell by-laws require in addition to the license fee, a late fee of $25.00 if the dog is licensed after May 31, 2005. Section 81-12 states that failure to license your dog will result in a $25.00 violation fee. This fine will be added to the late fee of $25.00, plus the licensing fee.

LICENSING FEES

Male or Female $10.00

Spayed or Neutered $6.00

BUSINESS CERTIFICATES

Businesses in Pepperell must file for a Business Certificate, which is required under Massachusetts General laws, Chapter 110, Section 5.

FILING A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE

WHO MUST FILE?

Any person or persons conducting a business under any title other than the complete real name of the owner.

Any corporation doing business in a name other than the corporate name.

WHERE DOES ONE FILE?

With the City or Town Clerk in every city or town where an office of any such business is located.

WHAT ABOUT CHANGE?

Upon discontinuing, retiring or withdrawing from such business or in the case of a change of residence or location of such business, such change must be filed with the clerk’s office.

DOES A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE EXPIRE?

Yes, a business certificate is in effect for four (4) years from the date of issue whereupon it must be renewed if the business continues to operate.

DO I HAVE TO DISPLAY THE CERTIFICATE?

No, however, a copy must be provided upon request during regular business hours to any person purchasing goods or services from such business.

FEES

Business Certificate Filing $20.00 (includes one certified copy)

Withdrawals, Discontinuance, Changes $10.00 (includes one certified copy)

PENALTIES

Violation of these provisions shall be subject to a fine of not more than three hundred ($300.00) for each month during which such violation continues.

HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE

Contact the Town Clerk’s office at 433-0339 to make an appointment. All persons to be named on the certificate must be present to sign the certificate, which is then notarized or certified by the Town Clerk. If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk’s Office.

OFFICE HOURS

Mondays 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fridays 8:00 a.m. – Noon

Appointments can be made in the evening for Marriage Intentions

(978) 433-0339

Lois A. Libby

Town Clerk

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH

MIDDLESEX, SS.

To either of the Constables of the Town of Pepperell

GREETING:

In the name of the Commonwealth, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town who are qualified to vote in Primaries to vote at:

PRECINCTS 1, 2 & 3

VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL

HOLLIS STREET

PEPPERELL, MASSACHUSETTS

On TUESDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF MARCH, 2004, from 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. for the following purpose:

To cast their votes in the Presidential Primary for the candidates of political parties for the following offices.

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

STATE COMMITTEE MAN FIRST MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN FIRST MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

TOWN COMMITTEE FOR THE TOWN OF PEPPERELL

Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place of said voting.

Given under our hands this 9th day of February, 2004.

Darrell Gilmore

Lyndon B. Johnson

Selectmen of the Town of Pepperell

Posted five places within the Town of Pepperell

Frank Quattrochi

Constable

February 13, 2004

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

MARCH 2, 2004

VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

7:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

RICHARD GEPHARDT 1 0 1 2

JOSEPH LIEBERMAN 4 2 1 7

WESLEY K. CLARK 1 1 8 10

HOWARD DEAN 13 14 12 39

CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN 0 1 0 1

JOHN EDWARDS 70 82 68 220

DENNIS J. KUCINICH 2 7 8 17

JOHN F. KERRY 185 224 196 605

LYNDON H. LAROUCHE, JR. 0 0 0 0

AL SHARPTON 4 0 0 4

NO PREFERENCE 2 0 1 3

WRITE-INS

RALPH NADER 1 0 1 2

GEORGE BUSH 1 0 0 1

HILARY CLINTON 0 1 0 1

SCATTERED 0 1 0 1

BLANKS 4 1 0 5

TOTALS 288 334 296 918

STATE COMMITTEE MAN

CURTIS J. LEMAY 185 219 193 597

WRITE-INS

JEFFREY WILSON 3 0 0 3

SCATTERED 2 0 1 3

BLANKS 98 115 102 315

TOTALS 288 334 296 918

STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN

PATRICIA KIRWIN-KEILTY 186 218 191 595

WRITE-INS

SCATTERED 1 1 1 3

BLANKS 101 115 104 320

TOTALS 288 334 296 918

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

TOWN COMMITTEE (NOT MORE THAN 19)

GROUP

THOMAS J. MCGRATH 166 197 169 532

CHRISTINE E. MORRISSEY 141 184 162 487

ELLEN J. MCDERMOTT 138 182 148 468

CATHERINE W. MCDERMOTT 133 182 145 460

RITA A. MCGRATH 149 190 161 500

MARY J. THEALL 134 181 155 470

SUSAN S. BOKLAGA 135 185 154 474

ALMA G. HASKELL 129 179 146 454

BARBARA Z. STROMSTED 131 196 156 483

MICHAEL J. RECCO 135 184 149 468

DAVID E. THEALL 131 182 151 464

RAUL A. PENA 143 186 160 489

M. PAULINE MAHONY 146 202 166 514

AMOS J. MAHONY 152 207 168 527

ADELINE P. SCHOLEFIELD 131 181 154 466

SCOTT P. SCHOLEFIELD 128 176 150 454

JAMES J. GALLAGHER III 126 181 148 455

DEBORAH K. COHEN 126 175 160 461

SUSAN A. EDWARDS 131 179 154 464

JAMES J. MORRISSEY 129 179 143 451

JOHN J. VEYSEY 145 193 175 513

HAROLD COHEN 125 177 152 454

MARGARET L. LOWRY 123 174 151 448

CHARLOTTE C. BENNETT 135 189 155 479

TARYN G. RECCO 133 185 146 464

MICHAEL J. RECCO, JR. 139 186 151 476

HOLLY STIFFLEMIRE 1 1

MICHAEL DOHERTY 1 1

JEFFREY CRONIN 1 1

STEPHANIE DEMARCO 1 1

DAVID WALSH 2 2

GARY LEMAY 1 1

T. MARILYN TREMBLAY 1 1

SCATTERED 4 2 6

BLANKS 6,536 8,424 6,328 21,288

TOTALS 10,080 13,237 10,360 33,677

REPUBLICAN PARTY

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

GEORGE W. BUSH 66 62 58 186

NO PREFERENCE 4 11 3 18

WRITE-INS

JOHN KERRY 2 2

JEFFREY WILSON 1 1

SCATTERED

BLANKS 1 3 1 5

TOTALS 71 76 65 212

STATE COMMITTEE MAN

WRITE-INS

ALAN RUBIN 6 7 6 19

JEFFREY W. WILSON 19 33 32 84

SCATTERED 7 1 8

BLANKS 39 36 26 101

TOTALS 71 76 65 212

STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN

SUSAN S. SLADE 49 57 50 156

WRITE-INS

SCATTERED

BLANKS 22 19 15 56

TOTALS 71 76 65 212

TOWN COMMITTEE (NOT MORE THAN 35)

WRITE-INS

PATRICIA OSTEN 9 6 5 20

THOMAS OSTEN 9 7 5 21

WALTER PETREIKO 9 5 5 19

THEODORE GENTILE 8 5 4 17

LUCY KEYES 9 7 4 20

BRUCE CAMPBELL 8 6 4 18

DOROTHY MARRINER 8 8 4 20

DEBRA BUTCHER 9 4 4 17

SCOTT BUTCHER 9 4 3 16

ROBERT RUSSELL 8 4 5 17

LINDA WHITMORE 8 4 5 17

RANDY LAAKSO 8 4 5 17

RICHARD BROUGH 1 0 0 1

KYLE BRADLEY 1 0 0 1

WENDELL PACKARD 0 0 1 1

SCATTERED 13 1 3 17

BLANKS 2368 1685 2218 6271

TOTALS 2485 1750 2275 6510

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

JEFFREY DIKET 1 0 0 1

RUBEN PEREZ 0 0 0 0

AARON RUSSO 0 0 1 1

MICHAEL BADNARIK 0 0 0 0

GARY NOLAN 0 0 0 0

NO PREFERENCE 0 0 0 0

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

JOHN KERRY 0 0 2 2

SCATTERED 0 1 0 1

BLANKS 0 0 1 1

TOTALS 1 1 4 6

STATE COMMITTEE MAN

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

TOWN COMMITTEE (NOT MORE THAN 35)

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

GREEN-RAINBOW

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

KENT MESPLAY 0 0 0 0

LORNA SALZMAN 0 0 0 0

PAUL GLOVER 0 0 0 0

DAVID COBB 0 0 0 0

NO PREFERENCE 0 0 0 0

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

STATE COMMITTEE MAN

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

TOWN COMMITTEE

WRITE-INS 0 0 0 0

SCATTERED 0 0 0 0

BLANKS 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0 0

COUNTING COMPLETED AT 12:00 PM

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 7249

TOTAL VOTES CAST: 1136

DEMOCRATIC: 918 (Prec. 1: 288, Prec. 2: 334, Prec. 3: 296)

REPUBLICAN: 212 (Prec. 1: 71, Prec. 2: 76, Prec. 3: 65)

LIBERTARIAN: 6 (Prec. 1: 1, Prec. 2: 1, Prec. 3: 4)

GREEN-RAINBOW: 0

True copy attest:

Lois A. Libby

Town Clerk

TOWN OF PEPPERELL

MIDDLESEX SS:

TO EITHER OF THE CONSTABLES OF THE TOWN OF PEPPERELL

GREETING:

IN THE NAME OF THE COMMONWEALTH YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED TO NOTIFY AND WARN THE INHABITANTS OF SAID TOWN WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO VOTE IN THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION TO VOTE AT:

PRECINCT 1 – VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL

PRECINCT 2 – VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL

PRECINCT 3 – VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL

ON MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2004 FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE:

TO CAST THEIR VOTE IN THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

ONE ASSESSOR FOR THREE YEARS

ONE ASSESSOR FOR ONE YEAR

ONE BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBER FOR THREE YEARS

TWO LIBRARY TRUSTEES FOR THREE YEARS

ONE NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THREE YEARS

ONE PLANNING BOARD FOR FIVE YEARS

ONE PLANNING BOARD FOR TWO YEARS

ONE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMBER FOR THREE YEARS

ONE RECREATION COMMISSIONER FOR THREE YEARS

ONE SELECTMAN FOR THREE YEARS

ONE TOWN CLERK FOR THREE YEARS

QUESTION #1

SHALL LICENSES BE GRANTED IN THE TOWN OF PEPPERELL FOR THE SALE OF WINES AND MALT BEVERAGES (WINES, BEER, ALE AND OTHER MALT BEVERAGES) TO BE DRUNK ON THE PREMISES?

YES NO

HEREOF FAIL NOT AND MAKE RETURN OF THIS WARRANT WITH YOUR DOINGS THEREON AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF SAID MEETING.

GIVEN UNDER OUR HANDS THIS 29th DAY OF MARCH 2004.

ROBERT C. RUSSELL JOHN W. LYNCH, JR.

CONSTABLE DARRELL W. GILMORE

MARCH 30, 2004 LYNDON B. JOHNSON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

PEPPERELL, MASSACHUSETTS

VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

APRIL 26, 2004

ASSESSOR

Three Years Vote for ONE

	Prec. 1	Prec. 2	Prec. 3	Totals
MICHAEL T. COFFEY Candidate for Re-election	137	193	191	521
Write-ins
Thomas McGrath	1			1
Rocco Giambrocco			1	1
Scattered	1			1
Blanks	43	43	53	139
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

ASSESSOR

One Year Vote for ONE

R. BRABROOK WALSH,III	130	169	181	480
Write-ins
Mr. Hartnett	1			1
Scattered	1			1
Blanks	50	67	64	181
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

BOARD OF HEALTH

Three Years Vote for ONE

HOLLY J. BRADMAN Candidate for Re-election	135	187	179	501
Write-ins
Scattered	1	1		2
Blanks	46	48	66	160
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

LIBRARY TRUSTEES

Three Years Vote for TWO

CHARLES P. BURNHAM Candidate for Re-election	139	193	186	518
JOAN M. WRIGHT Candidate for Re-elction	134	183	170	487
Write-ins
David I. Walsh	1			1
Scattered	1			1
Blanks	89	96	134	319
TOTALS	364	472	490	1326

NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE

Three Years Vote for ONE

	Prec. 1	Prec. 2	Prec. 3	Totals
LISA M. FEROLIT0	63	77	68	208
ARNOLD SILVA, JR.	110	147	158	415
Write-ins
Scattered
Blanks	9	12	19	40
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

PLANNING BOARD

Five Years Vote for ONE

Write-ins
Frank Bottino	3			3
David Patnuade	8	7	9	24
Stephen Themelis	1	6	3	10
Ron Karr	1	1		2
Tim Butler	1			1
Michael Rielly		1		1
Hallie Sartelle		1		1
George Clark		1		1
Rocco Giambrocco		1	2	3
Louis Shattuck		1		1
Paul Knox			1	1
Bill Graves			1	1
John Veysey			2	2
George Ux			1	1
Dana Parker			1	1
Thomas McGrath			1	1
Holly Stifflemire			1	1
Scattered	4	1	3	8
Blanks	164	216	220	600
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

PLANNING BOARD

Two Years Vote for ONE

DAVID E. PATNAUDE	76	77	88	241
STEPHEN C. THEMELIS	95	133	126	354
Write-ins
Tom Schulz		1		1
George Gonnella			1	1
Scattered
Blanks	11	25	30	66
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

Three Years Vote for ONE

	Prec. 1	Prec. 2	Prec. 3	Totals
GEORGE E. CLARK Candidate for Re-election	129	182	183	494
Write-ins
Kim Spaulding	1	1		2
Scattered	2			2
Blanks	50	53	62	165
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

RECREATION COMMISSIONER

Three Years Vote for ONE

DAVID T. PRIDDLE Candidate for Re-election	147	193	186	526
Write-ins
Kevin Buckley			1	1
Scattered	2			2
Blanks	33	43	58	134
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

SELECTMAN

Three Years Vote for ONE

JOHN W. LYNCH, JR. Candidate for Re-election	150	180	186	516
Write-ins
Joseph Sergi			1	1
Stephen Themelis			1	1
Jim Whitcomb			1	1
Scattered	3		2	5
Blanks	29	56	54	139
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

TOWN CLERK

Three Years Vote for ONE

LOIS A. LIBBY Candidate for Re-election	164	209	209	582
Write-ins
Blanks	18	27	36	81
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

QUESTION NO. 1

Shall licenses be granted in the town of Pepperell for sale of wines and malt beverages (wines, bee, ale and other malt beverages) to be drunk on the premises?

	Prec. 1	Prec. 2	Prec. 3	Totals
YES	107	148	153	408
NO	59	62	69	190
Blanks	16	26	23	65
TOTALS	182	236	245	663

COUNTING COMPLETED AT 10:05 P.M.

TOTAL VOTERS 7314

NUMBER VOTED 664 (9%)

TRUE COPY ATTEST:

LOIS A. LIBBY

TOWN CLERK

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex, ss:

To either of the constables of the Town of Pepperell, in said county,

GREETINGS:

In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified according to law to vote in state, county, district and town affairs to assemble at the NISSITISSIT MIDDLE SCHOOL, in said Town, on Monday, the 3^rd of May, A.D. 2004 at 7:30 PM to act on the following articles:

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

MAY 3, 2004

The Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the Moderator, Scott N. Blackburn. A quorum was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The opening and closing of the warrant were read by the Town Clerk, Lois A. Libby.

The Moderator asked if a motion would be accepted to dispense the reading of each article. Motion seconded and a vote was taken with a unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

Traditionally done, the Annual Town Meeting would adjourn at 8:00 p.m. to the Special Town Meeting, when the articles are completed, we would return to the Annual Town Meeting.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex, ss:

To either of the constables of the Town of Pepperell, in said county,

GREETINGS:

In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are herby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified according to law to vote in state, county, district and town affairs to assemble at the NISSITISSIT MIDDLE SCHOOL, in said Town, on Monday, the 3rd of May, A.D. 2004 at 7:30 PM to act on the following articles:

ARTICLE 1

TOWN OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

To choose all Town Officers and Committees for the ensuing year (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005) not required to be elected by ballot.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that all Town Officers and Committees for the ensuing year (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005) not required to be elected by ballot be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 2

ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION

To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of Elected Officers of the Town for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004- June 30, 2005, as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended; or take any other action relative thereto.

Salaries of the Elected Officers are included in the Departmental Appropriations.

Elected Official	Voted Salaries 7/1/03-6/30/04	Requested Salaries 7/1/04-6/30/05	Recommended Salaries 7/1/04-6/30/05
Town Clerk Range $41,100* -- $54,936	$ 51,703	$54,936	$54,936
Treasurer/Tax Collector Range $46,237.50* -- $59,676	$ 56,048	$59,676	$59,676
Assessors
Chairman of the Board	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Each Member (2)	$ 750	$ 750	$ 750
Board of Health
Chairman of the Board	$ 750	$ 750	$ 750
Each Member (2)	$ 500	$ 500	$ 500
Board of Public Works
Chairman of the Board	$ 600	$ 600	$ 600
Each Elected Member (2)	$ 500	$ 500	$ 500
Lawrence Library Trustees	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Moderator	$ 150	$ 150	$ 150
NMRSD Committee	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Planning Board
Chairman of the Board	$ 750	$ 750	$ 750
Each Member (4)	$ 500	$ 500	$ 500
Recreation Commission
Chairman of the Board	$ 300	$ 300	$ 300
Each Member (2)	$ 250	$ 250	$ 250
Selectmen
Chairman of the Board	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Each Member (2)	$1,250	$1,250	$1,250

* Shall be the pay for anyone who is not the incumbent officeholder as of 7/1/04 and who is appointed or elected during the fiscal year. The above salary recommendations to become effective under the dates specified above.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to fix the salary and compensation of Elected Officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005 as set forth in the official Town Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting and published in the Finance Committee Report.

Majority vote requires

Voice vote – Majority voted favor of motion MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 3

COMPENSATION PLAN

To see if the Town will vote to amend its Compensation Plan established pursuant to Chapter 41, Section 108A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, and Pursuant to Chapter 31 of the Code of the Town of Pepperell, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, by deleting Appendices B, C and D of the Compensation Plan, and by inserting the text of said Appendices as follows:

APPENDIX B
COMPENSATION PLAN
FISCAL 2005 (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004)
REGULAR FULL-TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME HOURLY
EMPLOYEES
GRADE		STEP 1		STEP 2		STEP 3		STEP 4			STEP 5		STEP 6
1		11.69		12.16		12.65		13.14			13.68		14.23
2		12.40		12.89		13.41		13.93			14.49		15.08
3		13.64		14.19		14.74		15.33			15.95		16.59
4		15.00		15.60		16.22		16.87			17.55		18.24
5		16.49		17.16		17.84		18.56			19.29		20.06
6		18.15		18.86		19.62		20.41			21.23		22.07
7		19.96		20.76		21.59		22.44			23.36		24.29
8		21.96		22.83		23.75		24.69			25.68		26.72
9		24.16		25.12		26.12		27.17			28.25		29.38
10		26.56		27.64		28.74		29.89			31.07		32.32
APPENDIX C
COMPENSATION PLAN
FISCAL 2005 (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004)
REGULAR FULL-TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME SALARIED
EMPLOYEES
GRADE		STEP 1		STEP 2		STEP 3		STEP 4			STEP 5		STEP 6
1		11.69		12.16		12.65		13.14			13.68		14.23
2		12.40		12.89		13.41		13.93			14.49		15.08
3		13.64		14.19		14.74		15.33			15.95		16.59
4		15.00		15.60		16.22		16.87			17.55		18.24
5		16.80		17.47		18.17		18.89			19.64		20.43
6		18.81		19.57		20.35		21.16			22.00		22.89
7		21.06		21.92		22.78		23.71			24.64		25.63
8		23.60		24.54		25.52		26.54			27.60		28.71
9		26.42		27.48		28.58		29.72			30.92		32.15
10		29.59		30.78		32.02		33.29			34.63		36.02
	APPENDIX D
	COMPENSATION PLAN
	FISCAL 2005 (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004)
	SEASONAL, TEMPORARY & NON-REGULARLY SCHEDULED
	EMPLOYEES
	GRADE		MINIMUM		STEP 1		STEP 2		STEP 3	STEP 4		STEP 5		STEP 6

	0		6.75		7.75		8.06		8.38	8.72		9.07		9.43
	1				11.69		12.16		12.65	13.14		13.68		14.23
	2				12.40		12.89		13.41	13.93		14.49		15.08
	3				13.64		14.18		14.75	15.34		15.96		16.59
	4				15.00									18.24
	5				16.49									20.06
	6				18.15									22.07
	7				19.96									24.29
	8				21.96									26.72

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Personnel Board, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend its Compensation Plan established pursuant to Chapter 41, Section 108A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, and Pursuant to Chapter 31 of the Code of the Town of Pepperell, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, by deleting Appendices B, C and D of the Compensation Plan, and by inserting the text of said Appendices as set forth in the official Town Warrant of this Annual Town Meeting and published in the Finance Committee Report.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

To determine the specific sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds, to defray the regular expenses of the Town for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005 for General Government; Public Safety; Education; Public Works and Facilities; Human Services; Culture and Recreation; Debt Service; Employee Benefits and Insurance; Ambulance Fund; Sewer Enterprise Fund; Water Enterprise Fund; and Transfer Station Fund, or take any other action relative thereto. The following budgets are for the fiscal year covering the twelve-month period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005:

Preliminary Motion:

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Selectman, and seconded.

I move that Article 4 be divided into separate parts One through Thirteen, excluding Part Three, for the purpose of voting on motions under this article.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor of the motion MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART I: GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part I of Article 4 totaling $1,057,023 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be appropriated for “General Government” as follows:

$ 1,034,363 Raise and appropriate

$ 11,330 Appropriate from Sewer Enterprise Revenue

$ 11,330 Appropriate from Water Surplus Revenue

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART II: PUBLIC SAFETY

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part II of Article 4 totaling $1,861,252 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Public Safety” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART IV: PUBLIC WORKS

Motion made by Frederick Farmer, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part IV of Article 4 totaling $863,056 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Public Works” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART V: HUMAN SERVICES

Motion made by Lynda Pozerski, Board of Health Secretary, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part V of Article 4 totaling $324,409 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Human Services” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART VI: CULTURE AND RECREATION

Motion made by Amos Mahony, Library Trustee, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part VI of Article 4 totaling $494,994 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Culture and Recreation” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART VII: DEBT SERVICE

Motion made by Michael Hartnett, Tax Collector/Treasurer, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part VII of Article 4 totaling $377,413 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Debt Service” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART VIII: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & INS.

Motion made by Michael Hartnett, Tax Collector/Treasurer

I move that all items in Part VIII of Article 4 totaling $1,112,325 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be appropriated for “Employee Benefits and Insurance” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee as follows:

$ 953,973 Raise and appropriate

$ 102,376 Appropriate from Sewer Enterprise Revenue

$ 55,976 Appropriate from Water Enterprise Revenue

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART IX: AMBULANCE

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part IX of Article 4 totaling $173,060 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be raised and appropriated for “Ambulance Fund” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART X: SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND

Motion made by George Clark, Board of Public Works, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part X of Article 4 totaling $1,457,412 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be appropriated for “Sewer Enterprise Fund” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee as follows:

$ 1,123,156 Appropriate from Sewer Enterprise Revenue

$ 110,000 Appropriate from Sewer Betterment Fund

$ 110,550 Appropriate from Special Revenue, Sewer Surplus Inventory Account

$ 113,706 Included in other budgets as appropriated in Article 4, Parts I and VIII

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART XI: WATER ENTERPRISE FUND

Motion made by Lewis Lunn, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part XI of Article 4 totaling $819,143 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be appropriated for “Water Enterprise Fund” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee as follows:

$751,837 Appropriate from Water Enterprise Revenue

$ 67,306 Included in other budgets as appropriated in Article 4, Parts I and VIII

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

Motion made to adjourn to the Special Town Meeting, and when completed return to the Annual Town Meeting and seconded.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

At 8:08 p.m. the Annual continued.

ARTICLE 4

BUDGETS

PART XII: TRANSFER STATION ENTERPRISE FUND

Motion made by Gregory Rice, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that all items in Part XII of Article 4 totaling $308,056 providing funds for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 be appropriated for “Transfer Station Enterprise Fund” in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee as follows:

$ 51,945 Raise and appropriate

$ 238,867 Appropriate from Transfer Station Revenue

$ 17,244 Appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 5

NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSESSMENT

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $7,595,121.90, for the purpose of funding the Town’s apportioned share of the North Middlesex Regional School District operating budget and debt service for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, as most recently certified to the Town by the District Treasurer, and, by virtue of appropriating this sum, approve the certified budget for the said fiscal year, or, by not appropriating this sum, explicitly disapprove the certified budget; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommendation to be given at Town Meeting. (4 for the budget and 2 against)

Some of the members of the Finance Committee gave an explanation of why they voted for and against this article. The main reason why some members did not recommend this article was due to late budget information and an increase of $514,000 over last years budget was asked to be appropriated.

Motion made by Sharon Santy, North Middlesex Regional School Committee Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $7,595,121.90 for the purpose of funding the Town’s apportioned share of the North Middlesex Regional School District operating budget and debt service for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, as most recently certified to the Town by the District Treasurer, and, by virtue of appropriating this sum, approve the certified budget for the said fiscal year.

Phillip Durno made a motion to move the question and seconded.

Majority vote required

Voice Vote

Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 6

NASHOBA VALLEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds, the sum of $985,183, for the purpose of providing funds for the Town’s apportioned share of the Nashoba Valley Technical High School operating budget and debt service for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, as most recently certified to the Town by the District Treasurer, and by virtue of appropriating this sum, approve the certified budget for the said fiscal year, or by not voting to appropriate the sum, explicitly disapprove the certified budget; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Sandra Proctor, Nashoba Valley Technical High school Committee Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $985,183 for the purpose of providing funds for the Town’s apportioned share of the Nashoba Valley Technical High School operating budget and debt service for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005, as most recently certified to the Town by the District Treasurer, and by virtue of appropriating this sum, approve the certified budget for the said fiscal year.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 7

By: Police Department

POLICE CRUISERS

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow a sum not to exceed $60,000 for the purpose of purchasing and equipping two (2) police cruisers, along with any related expenses, this appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police, and to allow for the disposal of used police vehicles by trade, transfer or sale; or take any other action relative thereto.

Funding from this article will be used to purchase two marked police cruisers. The Finance Committee recommends this article as it is a necessary capital purchase made on a yearly basis to maintain the police fleet.

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,000 for the purpose of purchasing and equipping two (2) police cruisers, along with any related expenses, this appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police; and to allow for the disposal of used police vehicles by trade, transfer or sale.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 8

By: Board of Selectmen

AMENDMENT – PERSONNEL BY-LAW

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Personnel By-law of the Town of Pepperell by adding, at the end of Section 1a, the following new paragraph:

The Board of Selectmen shall annually set the amounts of all stipends to be paid to incumbents in positions not included in the classification schedule of this Personnel By-law, but who are compensated for services by flat fees or independent payment schedules.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend the Personnel By-law of the Town of Pepperell by adding, at the end of Section 1a, the following new paragraph:

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 9

By: Conservation Commission

CONSERVATION FUND

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or appropriate from available funds, the sum of $3,450 to the Conservation Fund, which was established on February 15, 1965 by Article 21 of the Annual Town Meeting, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, §5 (51); or take any other action relative thereto

Recommended by Finance Committee. Passage of this article allows monies collected from the Wetlands By-law Filling Fees to be transferred to the Conservation Fund. With the exception of the Commission’s single staff person who is a municipal employee, the use of this funding directly supports the Conservation Commission without further taxpayer support.

Motion made by James Casserly, Conservation Commission Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,450 to the Conservation Fund, which was established on February 15, 1965 by Article 21 of the Annual Town Meeting, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, §5 (51).

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 10

By: Board of Fire Engineers

NEW AMBULANCE

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow the sum of $145,000, for the purchase of a new Class 1 Ambulance, said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers; or take any other action relative thereto.

The Finance Committee recommends passage of this article, which is also supported by the Capital Program Committee. The older of our two ambulances (which had been scheduled for replacement in FY ’06), is in need of significant repairs before it faces the next State Inspection. Purchasing the new vehicles now, and selling or trading in the old vehicle, will save money on repair costs and lost value for the old vehicle, as well as limiting the “down time” for repairs, when the Town would be dependent on a single vehicle in on-duty status.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $145,000, for the purchase of a new Class 1 Ambulance and any related expenses; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 11

By: Board of Fire Engineers

AIR BOTTLES

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $10,000, for the purchase of air bottles, to be used with self-contained breathing apparatus, said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee. State regulations establish time limits for the useful life of the air bottles, and this appropriation will begin the process of replacing the Department’s existing stock of bottles, prior to their expiration date.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000, for the purchase of air bottles, to be used with self-contained breathing apparatus; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 12

By: Treasurer-Collector

ERI RETIREMENT CHARGES

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Retirement Fund the sum of $338,900, to be paid to the Middlesex Retirement System as a lump-sum settlement of all extra charges resulting from retirements effected under the Early Retirement Incentive in 2002, said appropriation to be under the control of the Town Treasurer; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee. Passage of this Article completes the funding phase of the Town's July 1, 2002 acceptance of the provisions of Chapter 116 of the Acts of 2002, the 'Early Retirement Incentive Bill', which made eligible several senior town employees for early retirement within the Middlesex Retirement System. This Article authorizes an up front, one-time payment, in lieu of annual installments of $37,900 over 15 years, thereby saving the Town approximately $230,000 in interest costs. Funding for this Article will come from the Retirement Fund.

Motion made by Michael Hartnett, Treasurer/Collector, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from the Retirement Fund the sum of $334,300, to be paid to the Middlesex Retirement System as a lump-sum settlement of all extra charges resulting from retirements effected under the Early Retirement Incentive in 2002; said appropriation to be under the control of the Town Treasurer.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 13

By: Planning Board

ROAD DISCONTINUANCE

To see if the Town will vote to discontinue and abandon the layout of those portions of the “Road over the Throne” that lie within the boundaries of the Town of Pepperell, as shown on Assessors Maps 36, 37, and 39 - said action being consistent with the vote of the Groton Town Meeting of April 3, 1871, to discontinue those portions of the same road which lie within the Town of Groton - the foregoing action being in no way intended to nullify, in whole or in part, the acceptance by the Pepperell Town Meeting of April 19, 1884 of the layout of that portion of Townsend St. which was, by action of the Town on March 7, 1979, re-named as Lakin St.; or take any other action relative thereto.

(See Appendix A for a History of “The Road over the Throne”)

Motion made by Joseph Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to discontinue and abandon the layout of those portions of the “Road over the Throne” that lie within the boundaries of the Town of Pepperell, as shown on Assessors Maps 36, 37, and 39 - said action being consistent with the vote of the Groton Town Meeting of April 3, 1871, to discontinue those portions of the same road which lie within the Town of Groton - the foregoing action being in no way intended to nullify, in whole or in part, the acceptance by the Pepperell Town Meeting of April 19, 1884 of the layout of that portion of Townsend St. which was, by action of the Town on March 7, 1979, re-named as Lakin St.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor of this motion. MOTION CARRIED

Appendix A – Article 13

History of “The Road over the Throne”

Pepperell MA

Martin R. Beck

During the reign of King Charles I of England, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, under his authority, in 1632 created a district named Petapawag Plantation which in 1655, during the reign of the then uncrowned (during the Cromwell period) Charles II, became known as the Town of Groton. As is the case today, the center of the town was located east of the Nashua River, known at that time as the Lancaster River. Beginning about 1655, farmers crossed that river westward to fields they were tending. This first crossing was at the “stony wading place” near the end of what is now Mt. Lebanon St. in Pepperell. Once on the west side of the river, they generally followed the flow of the river to the north to what became known as Lakin’s Side Hill, and now known as Mt. Lebanon, in order to view the surrounding countryside, thus making Mt. Lebanon St. most probably the oldest street in Pepperell. This well traveled entry to the land west of the Nashua River is also probably the reason for the location of the murder of the last white man, Jacob Ames, by Indians in the general area in 1744. His son subsequently murdered the Indian during the encounter. Several homes dating from the mid 1700’s remain on this street, and for a long time, until its demolition in about 1980, the oldest building in Pepperell was a shed on lower Mt. Lebanon St.

Although the emphasis on road layout in Groton in these early years was to roads leading to Chelmsford and thence onward to Boston, other crossings of the Lancaster, now Nashua, River were established following this original fording of the river at Mt. Lebanon St. Mentions were made in Groton town records of a crossing at Walnut Run as early as 1717, to the road already laid out by the Selectmen of Groton to the west. The Groton Town Meeting of May 19, 1726 authorized the funding of a cart bridge over the Lancaster River to be erected within the following two years at Walnut Run to connect with this same road laid out from Groton center to Townsend. This road was known as “The Road to Townshend” and is what is now known as “The Road over the Throne”. The lay out of this road is also confirmed by the Groton Town Meeting of 1750 which attempted to have the Town of Townsend contribute to the maintenance of the road since its existence was primarily for the benefit of the citizens of Townsend, which town was established on June 29, 1732. At the time of the vote it was clearly the main road between the two towns.

On April 12, 1753, the Massachusetts General Court voted to establish the “Second, or West” Precinct of Groton as a separate district to be called Pepperell; King George II having prohibited the creation of any new towns in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The King did allow the creation of new districts of existing towns but they were not to be allowed to have representation in the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony other than through the representatives of the existing towns. The boundary between the Town of Groton and the District of Pepperell was established, in part, along the northerly edge of “The Road over the Throne” or “The Road to Townshend”.

The initial petition of the 42 families of this “Second or West” Precinct of Groton to the Massachusetts General Court for separate status as a town, was made in November 1742. A limited separation status of a separate precinct rather than a town was granted in 1742 because, among other reasons, no name had been chosen. No documentation of boundaries between Groton and this separate precinct have been found. The most important first act of the new precinct however, was to choose a minister. Joseph Emerson was selected on September 24, 1746, and arrived later in 1746. He was related to William Pepperell and the chaplain for the forces of this victorious hero of the 1^st siege of Louisburg on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia in 1745, which seized this fortress from the French on behalf of the British. Upon his arrival in the “Second or West” Precinct of Groton, Emerson almost immediately successfully argued strongly for the new precinct to be named Pepperell in his honor. The British ceded the fortress of Louisburg back to the French in the treaty of Aix la Chappelle in 1748, at which time the New England fervor for its local hero, by then “Sir” William Pepperell (a Baronet), rapidly waned. By 1748 Sir William Pepperell had retired to his estate in Kittery Maine (Massachusetts at the time) and did not have any further known notable accomplishments. The British successfully recaptured the fortress again in the 2^nd battle of Louisburg in 1758, thus making all of Canada British. The next most important task befalling the Selectmen of this separate precinct was to arrange for the ordination of Joseph Emerson as a minister in 1748. A petition was voted by the precinct to be submitted to the Massachusetts General Court for establishment of a town to be called Pepperell on July 1, 1750 with its border in part along “the road to Townshend”. This petition failed and a second vote was held by the precinct to petition the Massachusetts General Court for establishment as a district to be called Pepperell on March 4, 1752. This petition succeeded. The family preference at that time, as well as the acts of the Massachusetts General Court of 1753, used the spelling “Pepperrell”; not “Pepperell”. This 1753 Massachusetts General Court vote merely enforced the separation of Pepperell from Groton. The assumption was obvious that the intent was to have the road remain entirely in the Town of Groton. In fact, the March 5, 1791 Groton Town Meeting voted to continue to maintain this way in its entirety all the way to Townsend.

The first documented appearance of the 9 granite monuments along the road seems to be in the 1830 map of Pepperell, but it is clear that they were put in place some time previous to that, and perhaps as early as 1747. No record has been located documenting when these stones were put in place, although clearly it was after the name Pepperell was chosen. There is evidence to suggest that it is more likely that they were put in place during the period 1803 to 1830. In 1907, the Massachusetts Harbor and Land Commission, in meeting its mandate to officially define more accurately the boundaries between towns in Massachusetts, used the 9 granite monuments along “The Road to Townshend” as boundary corners between Pepperell and Groton, having traced them back to at least the 1830 map. In spite of there being no specific legislation designating these bounds and the straight lines connecting them as the boundary between the two towns, both towns and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts now accept them as marking the boundary between Groton and Pepperell in preference to the inexact boundary description of the 1753 legislation.

Not only did the Selectmen of the District of Pepperell assume the responsibility for the roads within its borders that were previously laid out by the Selectmen of Groton when the district was established, but they also clearly had that responsibility when the status of Pepperell was changed by the Massachusetts General Court from a district to a separate town having the same borders as the district, on August 23, 1775. By that time the Massachusetts General Court had voted to sever all ties with King George III. In fact, the Selectmen of the District of Pepperell were laying out and discontinuing roads on their own, prior to the creation of the Town of Pepperell.

With independence from England, the Massachusetts General Court, like the Legislatures in other New England States, encouraged the building of roads connecting towns, by private turnpike authorities chartered by the Legislature, and if appropriate, by the Legislatures of the several States through which the turnpikes were to be built. Several hundred of these private turnpike authorities were created, but only a small percentage actually succeeded in raising the necessary funds to implement the rights of their charters and to actually construct the roads. Interestingly enough, there was actually a Groton Pepperell Turnpike Authority which was authorized to build a road from Westford Massachusetts to Milford New Hampshire. It was unsuccessful in raising enough money and that road was never constructed. There were two local turnpikes that were constructed however. One was the Ashby Turnpike which went from Ashburnham at the New Hampshire State Line to Townsend center at Goss’ bridge over the Squannacook River. It was part of a network that essentially ended in Keene New Hampshire. Construction was completed in 1810, tolls were collected in Ashby, and the turnpike became free in 1833. It is the basis for what is now route 119 in that area. The other local turnpike that was constructed was the Third New Hampshire Turnpike that went from Milford New Hampshire to the same point in Townsend as the end of the Ashby Turnpike, namely Goss’ bridge, beginning in 1801. This turnpike became free in New Hampshire in 1824 and free in Massachusetts in 1826. It is the basis for what is now route 13 between these 2 points.

It became quickly obvious in the planning of these turnpikes that there would be no turnpike built between Townsend center and the maze of turnpikes leading from Boston that ended in Concord. This break in the turnpike planning became known as the “Westford Gap”. The Middlesex County Commissioners assumed responsibility for constructing a road to fill this gap and in fact completed it considerably sooner than the private turnpike authorities were able to construct their projects. It is the basis for route 119 in this area. The map of Groton, Shirley, and Pepperell of 1794, shows this county road as the only road in Pepperell, although clearly on that date, other roads did exist in Pepperell, such as Mt Lebanon St. The creation of this county road sounded the death knell for “The Road over the Throne” as the main road from Groton to Townsend.

The “Road over the Throne” fell into disuse as the few dwellings along the road were abandoned. What was thought to be the final blow was to be dealt at the Groton Town Meeting of March 6, 1871, when an article was presented to discontinue the road. The article did not pass and was referred to the Selectmen for further review with a report to be generated for action by a subsequent Town Meeting. The Selectmen subsequently reported and recommended that the road should be discontinued, and on April 3, 1871 Groton Town Meeting voted to discontinue the road.

Unfortunately “the Road over the Throne” did not end with the 1871 vote of Groton Town Meeting. When the straight lines are drawn between the 9 granite bounds marking the boundary between Groton and Pepperell, which are still in their original location and can be seen today, modern surveying finds that three loops of the road lie entirely within the Town of Pepperell. Because the date of the discontinuance by Groton Town Meeting is after the establishment of the Town of Pepperell, the loops within the Town of Pepperell were not discontinued by the vote of Groton Town Meeting of April 3, 1871.

The westernmost loop can be reached from Lakin St. in Pepperell and in fact the end of that loop is actually the end of Lakin St. at the Groton Pepperell town line. The other end of that loop traverses through the fairly well developed (with swing sets and stone walled terraces etc.) back yards of private dwellings facing on a common drive off Lakin St. The other two loops that are in Pepperell however, can only be reached by traveling on the discontinued portion of the road within the Town of Groton in the stretch from Lakin St. to Shirley St. Pepperell/ Pepperell Rd. Groton. Driving on this road with a motor vehicle, while difficult, is in fact, possible today. It is occasionally used by fire wardens and others to reach the large undeveloped area of the hill known as “The Throne”.

As no town has the right under Massachusetts law to discontinue and/or abandon a public way which provides the only access to a public way in another town, it will be necessary to either discontinue and abandon these three loops in Pepperell, to the extent they do not coincide with the existing layout of Lakin St., or require the Town of Groton to maintain “the Road over the Throne” to provide access to the loops within the boundaries of the Town of Pepperell.

It makes sense, although it is 133 years after the Town of Groton vote; that the Pepperell Town Meeting finally votes to discontinue and abandon the appropriate portions of “The Road over the Throne” in 2004.

ARTICLE 14

By: Planning Board

ROAD DISCONTINUANCE

To see if the Town will vote to discontinue and abandon the layout adopted by the April 19, 1884 Town Meeting, of that 33-foot way subsequently named by the March 25, 1907 Town Meeting as “Shipley St.” – said action being in no way intended to nullify, in whole or in part, the acceptance of Hog Hill Road by the April 22, 1975 Town Meeting, as shown on a plan by Charles Perkins Co., Inc., dated October 1974, and entitled “Proposed layout of Hog Hill Road, Pepperell, Mass”; or take any other action relative thereto.

Motion made by Joseph Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to discontinue and abandon the layout adopted by the April 19, 1884 Town Meeting, of that 33-foot way subsequently named by the March 25, 1907 Town Meeting as “Shipley St.” – said action being in no way intended to nullify, in whole or in part, the acceptance of Hog Hill Road by the April 22, 1975 Town Meeting, as shown on a plan by Charles Perkins Co., Inc., dated October 1974, and entitled “Proposed layout of Hog Hill Road, Pepperell, Mass.”

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 15

By: Planning Board

ROAD DISCONTINUANCE

To see if the Town will vote to discontinue and abandon that portion of the prior layout of River St. not included in the relocated layout of River St., as voted by the Middlesex County Commissioners on May 13, 1938, both prior and revised layouts being shown on the plan entitled “A plan of a portion of River St. Pepperell as ordered by the County Commissioners 1938,” and referenced in County Commissioners Order 2264, dated November 15, 1938; or take any other action relative thereto.

Motion made by Joseph Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to discontinue and abandon that portion of the prior layout of River St. not included in the relocated layout of River St., as voted by the Middlesex County Commissioners on May 13, 1938, both prior and revised layouts being shown on the plan entitled “A plan of a portion of River St. Pepperell as ordered by the County Commissioners 1938,” and referenced in County Commissioners Order 2264, dated November 15, 1938.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 16

By: Board of Selectmen

ACCEPTANCE OF LAYOUT: ADAMS STREET

To see if the Town will vote to accept and maintain as a public way the layout of Adams Street, as shown on a plan entitled, “Street Acceptance Plan, Adams St.,” dated October 10, 2003 (with revisions of 2/10/04 and 3/10/04), prepared by Landtech Consultants, Inc., and on file with the Town Clerk; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by donation, purchase, or eminent domain, the right of way to implement said layout, or to discontinue portions of the former layout as shown on the above referenced plan; or take any other action relative thereto as shown on the above-referenced plan.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Board of Selectmen Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to accept and maintain as a public way the layout of Adams Street, as shown on a plan entitled, “Street Acceptance Plan, Adams St.,” dated October 10, 2003 (with revisions of 2/10/04 and 3/10/04), prepared by Landtech Consultants, Inc., and on file with the Town Clerk; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by donation, purchase, or eminent domain, the right of way to implement said layout, or to discontinue portions of the former layout as shown on the above referenced plan.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor of this motion. MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 17

By: Board of Selectmen

CONTRACT – POLICE PATROLMEN

To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds to implement the terms of a contract entered into between the Town and the Pepperell Police Officers’ Association, MASSCOP Local 288, said monies to be distributed into the proper accounts by the Town Accountant and expended at the direction of the Chief of Police; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommendation to be given at Town Meeting.

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to take no action on Article 17.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous vote to take no action

ARTICLE 18

By: Board OF Selectmen

CONTRACT – SUPERIOR OFFICERS

To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds to implement the terms of a contract entered into between the Town and the Pepperell Police Department Superior Officers’ Association, MASSCOP Local 288A, said monies to be distributed into the proper accounts by the Town Accountant and expended at the direction of the Chief of Police; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommendation to be given at Town Meeting.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to take no action on Article 18.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous vote to take no action

ARTICLE 19

By: Board of Public Works

TRANSFER STATION SCALES

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $30,000 for the procurement and installation of a vehicle scale at the Transfer Station, along with any other related charges and expenses, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent; or take any other action relative thereto.

The Finance Committee recommend this article, which will provide the means for the staff at the Transfer Station to accurately and uniformly charge for disposal of materials that are assessed by weight. The cost will be paid from the Transfer Station free cash account, and will have no effect on the tax rate.

Motion made by Louis Shattuck, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $30,000 for the procurement and installation of a vehicle scale at the Transfer Station, along with any other related charges and expenses, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 20

By: Board of Public Works

RECYCLING CONTAINERS

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $9,500 for purchase of replacement recycling containers at the Transfer Station, including any related charges or expenses, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent; or take any other action relative thereto.

The Finance Committee recommends this article. The existing recycling containers are deteriorated, and well past their useful life. The cost will be paid from the Transfer Station free cash account, and will have no effect on the tax rate.

Motion made by Frederick Farmer, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $9,500 for purchase of replacement recycling containers at the Transfer Station, including any related charges or expenses, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 21

By: Board of Public Works

TRACTOR TRAILER PURCHASE

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $49,000, to be deposited in the Sewer Division Surplus Equipment Account, for the purchase of a tractor, trailer, and related equipment from the Sewer Division, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent; or take any other action relative thereto.

This article transfers ownership of a tractor and trailer from the Sewer Division to the Transfer Station. This article also helps reduce the Sewer Division debt. The cost will be paid from the Transfer Station free cash account, and will have no effect on the tax rate. The Finance Committee recommends this article.

Motion made by George Clark, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from Transfer Station Free Cash the sum of $49,000, to be deposited in the Sewer Division Surplus Equipment Account, for the purchase of a tractor, trailer, and related equipment from the Sewer Division, said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 22

By: Board of Public Works

WATER TANK INSPECTION, CLEANING, REPAIR

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow the sum of $150,000 for the purpose of procuring services necessary for rehabilitation and/or renovation of the Mason Street Water Tank, Townsend Street Water Tank, and Heald St. Water Tank, said appropriation to be under the control of the Director of Public Works; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by George Clark, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to borrow the sum of $150,000 for the purpose of procuring services necessary for rehabilitation and/or renovation of the Mason Street Water Tank, Townsend Street Water Tank, and Heald St. Water Tank; said appropriation to be under the control of the Director of Public Works.

2/3 vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 23

By: Board of Public Works

NON-BINDING RESOLUTION

To see if it be the sense of the Town to approve the concept underlying the current, ongoing negotiation between the Town of Pepperell and the Town of Dunstable, relative to provision, by Pepperell, of capital improvements to the Dunstable water system, in exchange for access by Pepperell to a dependable public water supply in the Town of Dunstable; or take any other action relative thereto

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lewis Lunn, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to approve the concept underlying the current, ongoing negotiation between the Town of Pepperell and the Town of Dunstable, relative to provision, by Pepperell, of capital improvements to the Dunstable water system, in exchange for access by Pepperell to a dependable public water supply in the Town of Dunstable.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 24

By: Board of Public Works

LOWELL ROAD WATER LINE REPLACEMENT

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow the sum of $520,000 for the purpose of replacing the antiquated and under-sized water line in Lowell Road, from East Street to the Dunstable Town Line, with a new, eight-inch (8”) water line, with connections and appurtenant works (including hydrants), said appropriation to be under the control of the Director of Public Works; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Gregory Rice, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to borrow the sum of $520,000 for the purpose of replacing the antiquated and under-sized water line in Lowell Road, from East Street to the Dunstable Town Line, with a new, eight-inch (8”) water line, with connections and appurtenant works (including hydrants); said appropriation to be under the control of the Director of Public Works.

2/3 Vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 25

By: Board of Selectmen, by request

DEDICATED USE OF TOWN PROPERTY

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the exclusive, dedicated use of a portion of Town property in Railroad Square for the erection of a free-standing clock; to authorize the Pepperell Businessmen’s Association to install said clock (with the intent of having the Town ultimately assume ownership of and responsibility for same), at a specific location approved by the DPW Director and Highway Superintendent; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to authorize the exclusive, dedicated use of a portion of Town property in Railroad Square for the erection of a free-standing clock; and to authorize the Pepperell Businessmen’s Association to install said clock (with the intent of having the Town ultimately assume ownership of and responsibility for same), at a specific location approved by the DPW Director and Highway Superintendent.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 26

By: Recreation Commission

DEDICATED USE OF TOWN PROPERTY

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the exclusive, dedicated use of a portion of Town Field, so-called, for a skateboard park, as shown on a plan dated March 24, 2004, entitled “Sketch of Town Field,” on file in the office of the Town Clerk; to authorize a citizen’s group to construct said skateboard park (subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works as to materials and layout of the structural elements thereof), with the intention of having the Town ultimately accept ownership of and responsibility for same; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Derek TenBroeck, Recreation Commissioner, and seconded

I move that the Town vote to authorize the exclusive, dedicated use of a portion of Town Field, so-called, for a skateboard park, as shown on a plan dated March 24, 2004, entitled “Sketch of Town Field,” on file in the office of the Town Clerk; to authorize a citizen’s group to construct said skateboard park (subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works as to materials and layout of the structural elements thereof), with the intention of having the Town ultimately accept ownership of and responsibility for same.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 27

By: Board of Selectmen, by request

DEDICATED USE OF TOWN PROPERTY

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Pepperell Little League to erect a storage shed on Town property at the Jersey St. ball fields (subject to the approval of the Parks Superintendent and the Board of Public Works as to location, size, design, appearance, materials, and structural composition), with the intention of having the Town ultimately accept ownership of and responsibility for same, at which time the tenancy of the building will fall under the statutory provisions regarding disposition of real property; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Tom Bartelson, Pepperell Little League, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to authorize the Pepperell Little League to erect a storage shed on Town property at the Jersey St. ball fields (subject to the approval of the Parks Superintendent and the Board of Public Works as to location, size, design, appearance, materials, and structural composition), with the intention of having the Town ultimately accept ownership of and responsibility for same, at which time the tenancy of the building will fall under the statutory provisions regarding disposition of real property.

Majority vote required

Voice vote - Majority voted in favor of the motion MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE 28

By: Board of Public Works – Water Department

Water Department Loan Payment

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $60,000 from Water Enterprise Revenue, as the fourth payment against a 5-year loan made to the Water Department from the General Fund; or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Louis Shattuck, Board of Public Works, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $60,000 from Water Enterprise Revenue, as the fourth payment against a 5-year loan made to the Water Department from the General Fund.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

Motion made to adjourn the Annual Town Meeting and seconded. Voice vote – Unanimous

Town Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Checkers were: Jane Eshleman, Patricia Osten and Deborah Cicchetti.

Counters were: Amos Mahony and George Clark.

There were 201 registered voters and 21 non-voters in attendance.

And you will serve this warrant by posting a true and attested copy of same, in said Town, seven days prior to the time of said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of your doings herein to the Town Clerk on or before the time appointed for said meeting. Given under our hands this 16^th day of April, A.D. 2004.

STATE PRIMARY

SEPTEMBER 14, 2004

Varnum Brook School Gymnasium

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

John W. Olver 47 45 58 150

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks 6 7 12 25

TOTALS 53 52 70 175

COUNCILLOR

Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney 46 44 51 141

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks 7 8 19 34

TOTALS 53 52 70 175

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

Steven C. Panagiotakos 48 46 60 154

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks 5 6 10 21

TOTALS 53 52 70 175

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

Write-ins

Scattered 10 3 13

Blanks 53 42 67 162

TOTALS 53 52 70 175

SHERIFF

James V. Dipaola 26 26 40 92

Robert A. DeMoura 23 20 26 69

Brian M. Gillis 2 5 2 9

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks 2 1 2 5

TOTALS 53 52 70 175

REPUBLICAN PARTY

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

Write-ins

Scattered 2 5 3 10

Blanks 45 19 24 88

TOTALS 47 24 27 98

COUNCILLOR

Write-ins

Scattered 4 2 6

Blanks 47 20 25 92

TOTALS 47 24 27 98

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

Brooks T. Lyman 43 21 25 89

Write-ins

Scattered 1 1 2

Blanks 3 2 2 7

TOTALS 47 24 27 98

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

Robert S. Hargraves 46 24 26 96

Write-ins

Scattered 1 1

Blanks 1 1

TOTALS 47 24 27 98

SHERIFF

Write-ins

Diapola 2 2 4

Demora 1 2 1 4

Scattered 4 1 5

Blanks 44 18 23 85

TOTALS 47 24 27 98

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

COUNCILLOR

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

SHERIFF

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

GREEN-RAINBOW PARTY

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

COUNCILLOR

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

SHERIFF

Write-ins

Scattered

Blanks

TOTALS NO VOTES CAST

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 7373 Unenrolled 4124

Republicans 1406

Democrats 1747

Green Party USA 1

Green-Rainbow 12

Unter. 3rd Party 7

Libertarian 72

Reform 4

TOTAL VOTES CAST: 273

PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS: 4%

Democrats 175

Republican 98

VOTING COMPLETED AT: 9:00 P.M.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

September 20, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 8:20 P.M. by the Moderator, Scott N. Blackburn. A quorum was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The opening and closing of the warrant was read by the Town Clerk, Lois A. Libby.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex, ss:

To either of the constables of the Town of Pepperell, in said county,

GREETINGS:

In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified according to law to vote in state, county, district and town affairs to assemble at the NISSITISSIT MIDDLE SCHOOL, in said Town, on Monday, the 20^th of September, A.D. 2004 at 7:30 PM to act on the following articles:

ARTICLE ONE

By: Board of Selectmen

BELMONT SPRINGS PROPERTY

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise, parcels of land totaling 265 +/- acres, known as the “Belmont Springs Property,” located at 74-80 Chestnut Street, 43-53 Bayberry St., 55-57 Chestnut St., 114-116 Oak Hill St., 66-72 Chestnut St., 50-64 Chestnut St., 29-41 Bayberry St., 44A Chestnut St., 42-48 Chestnut St., 33 Chestnut St., 26 Maple St., and 26-40 Chestnut St., in the Town of Pepperell, MA, now or formerly owned by the DS Waters of America LP/dba Belmont Springs and/or the Trust for Public Land. Said property is shown on the Pepperell Assessors’ Maps as Map 7, Lots 33 and 34; Map 8, Lots 45, 46, 47, and 48; Map 12, Lot 10; and Map 13, Lots 1,2,3,12, and 17 – being more fully described in Book 14117, Page 482 in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds. Not less than 235 acres of the said property shall be acquired for conservation purposes, to be held in the care and custody of the Pepperell Conservation Commission, pursuant to MGL, Ch. 40, s. 8C or any other enabling authority; the balance of the property (if any) is to be acquired for any municipal purpose. All portions of the subject property dedicated to conservation purposes shall be subject to a conservation restriction, to be held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any other organization qualified and willing to hold such a restriction.

And, further, in order to fund such acquisition, to appropriate a sum not to exceed $1,500,000, and to authorize the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to provide for such appropriation by issuing, pursuant to MGL Ch. 44, sections 7 and 8C, as well as Ch. 40, s. 8C (if applicable) and any other enabling authority, bonds or notes of the Town therefore, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.

And, further, to authorize the Conservation Commission to file, on behalf of the Town, applications for grants and/or reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Ch. 132A, s. 11 (the “Self Help” Act) and/or any other source(s) which might provide funding for activities falling within the scope and intent of this article; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission to enter into all such contracts, and execute all such agreements as may be necessary on the part of the Town to effect such acquisition and/or such reimbursement, and to grant a perpetual conservation easement over the property in accordance with MGL Ch. 184.

Or take any other action relative thereto.

This article is supported by the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Finance Committee. Passage of this article will allow the Town of Pepperell to have its share of the funding in place for the purchase of a 265 acre parcel of undeveloped real estate. The funding for the balance of the purchase price will come from Federal Forest Legacy Program; State Self-Help Program; and private grants, gifts and fund-raising. The Town of Pepperell’s funding will come from several sources, to include the Stabilization Fund, Land Fund, transfer from existing articles, Conservation Fund and bonds or notes not to exceed $800,000. All funding sources are within the town's operating budget. No funding for this article will require debt exclusion or override from proposition 2 1/2 regulations. The Finance Committee recommends this article.

Motion by: Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Finance Committee – Lyndon Johnson, Selectman, presenter.

Motion made by Lyndon Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise, parcels of land totaling 265 +/- acres, known as the “Belmont Springs Property,” located at 74-80 Chestnut Street, 43-53 Bayberry St., 55-57 Chestnut St., 114-116 Oak Hill St., 66-72 Chestnut St., 50-64 Chestnut St., 29-41 Bayberry St., 44A Chestnut St., 42-48 Chestnut St., 33 Chestnut St., 26 Maple St., and 26-40 Chestnut St., in the Town of Pepperell, MA, now or formerly owned by DS Waters of America LP/dba Belmont Springs, and/or the Trust for Public Land. Said property is shown on the Pepperell Assessors’ Maps as Map 7, Lots 33 and 34; Map 8, Lots 45, 46, 47, and 48; Map 12, Lot 10; and Map 13, Lots 1,2,3,12, and 17 – being more fully described in Book 14117, Page 482 in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds. The parcel designated as Map 13, Lot 2, consisting of approximately 10.7 acres, shall be acquired for any municipal purpose; the remainder of said property shall be acquired for conservation purposes, to be held in the care and custody of the Pepperell Conservation Commission, pursuant to MGL, Ch. 40, s. 8C or any other enabling authority. All portions of the subject property dedicated to conservation purposes shall be subject to a conservation restriction, to be held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any other organization qualified and willing to hold such a restriction.

And, further, in order to fund said acquisition, to appropriate a sum not to exceed $1,500,000, by appropriating:

· $123,131 from monies remaining under Article 11 of the 1992 Annual Town Meeting;

· $200,000 from the Land Fund;

· $370,000 from the Stabilization Fund;

· $6,869 from the Conservation Fund;

and to authorize the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to provide for the balance of said appropriation by issuing, pursuant to MGL Ch. 44, sections 7 and 8C, as well as Ch. 40, s. 8C (if applicable) and any other enabling authority, bonds or notes of the Town therefore, in an amount not to exceed $800,000.

And, further, to authorize the Conservation Commission to file, on behalf of the Town, applications for grants and/or reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Ch. 132A, s. 11 (the “Self Help Act”) and/or any other source(s) which might provide funding for activities falling within the scope and intent of this article; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission to enter into all such contracts, and execute all such agreements as may be necessary on the part of the Town to effect such acquisition and/or such reimbursement, and to grant a perpetual conservation easement over the property in accordance with MGL Ch. 184.

2/3 Vote Required

Voice Vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

There were 429 registered voters in attendance.

Checkers were: Jane Eshleman, Patricia Osten and Deborah Cicchetti.

And you will serve this warrant by posting a true and attested copy of same, in said Town, fourteen days prior to the time of said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of your doings herein to the Town Clerk on or before the time appointed for said meting. Given under our hands this 3rd day of September, A.D. 2004.

s/Darrell Gilmore, Chairman

s/Lyndon B. Johnson, Clerk

s/John W. Lynch, Jr.

PEPPERELL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

s/Robert C. Russell

Constable

Posted September 3, 2004

True copy attest:

Lois A. Libby

Town Clerk

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH

MIDDLESEX, SS.

To either of the Constable of the Town of Pepperell

GREETING:

In the name of the Commonwealth, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town who are qualified to vote in the State Election to vote at:

PRECINCTS 1, 2 & 3

VARNUM BROOK SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

HOLLIS STREET

PEPPERELL, MASSACHUSETTS

On TUESDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2004, from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 p.m. for the following offices:

ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT STATEWIDE

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FIRST DISTRICT

COUNCILLOR THIRD DISTRICT

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT FIRST MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT FIRST MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

SHERIFF MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place of said voting.

Given under our hands this 4th day of October, 2004.

s/Darrell W. Gilmore

s/Lyndon B. Johnson

s/John W. Lynch, Jr.

Selectmen of the Town of Pepperell

Posted five places within the Town of Pepperell

Robert C. Russell

Constable

Posted October 6, 2004

STATE ELECTION

NOVEMBER 2, 2004

Varnum Brook School Gymnasium

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Badnarik and Campagna 10 23 7 40

Bush and Cheney 1037 917 977 2931

Cobb and LaMarche 3 9 9 21

Kerry and Edwards 937 1003 947 2887

Write-ins 4 5 16 25

Scattered

Blanks 2 9 2 13

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

John W. Olver 1358 1329 1313 4000

Write-ins 12 17 21 50

Scattered 21 11 32

Blanks 602 620 613 1835

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

COUNCILLOR

Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney 1301 1267 1250 3818

Write-ins 4 7 21 32

Scattered 21 5 26

Blanks 667 692 682 2041

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

Steven C. Panagiotakos 1186 1102 1150 3438

Brooks T. Lyman 691 727 667 2085

Write-ins 1 1

Scattered

Blanks 116 137 140 393

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

Robert S. Hargraves 1517 1469 1431 4417

Write-ins 10 15 34 59

Scattered 23 0 10 33

Blanks 443 482 483 1408

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

SHERIFF

James V. DiPaola 1372 1330 1352 4054

Write-ins 6 13 16 35

Scattered 21 5 26

Blanks 594 623 585 1802

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

QUESTION 1

THIS QUESTION IS NOT BINDING

Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation requiring that in all separation and divorce proceedings involving minor children, the court shall uphold the fundamental rights of both parents to the shared physical and legal custody of their children and the children’s right to maximize their time with each parent, so far as is practical, unless one parent is found unfit or the parents agree otherwise, subject to the requirements of existing child support and abuse prevention laws.

PREC. 1 PREC. 2 PREC. 3 TOTALS

YES 1551 1515 1555 4621

NO 193 192 158 543

Blanks 249 259 245 753

TOTALS 1993 1966 1958 5917

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 7692

TOTAL VOTES CAST: 5917

PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS: 77%

VOTING COMPLETED AT: 10:00 P.M.

True copy attest:

Lois A. Libby

Town Clerk

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

NOVEMBER 8, 2004

The Special Town meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m. by the Moderator, Scott N. Blackburn. A quorum was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The opening and closing of the warrant was read by the Town Clerk, Lois A. Libby. Checkers were Jane Eshleman, Deborah Cicchetti, Patricia Osten and Counters were Thomas Hamilton, George Clark and Amos Mahony.

The Moderator asked if a motion would be accepted to dispense the reading of each article. Motion seconded and a vote was taken with a unanimous vote in favor.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex, ss:

To either of the constables of the Town of Pepperell, in said county,

GREETINGS:

In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified according to law to vote in state, county, district and town affairs to assemble at the NISSITISSIT MIDDLE SCHOOL, in said Town, on Monday, the 8th of November, A.D. 2004 at 7:30 PM to act on the following articles:

ARTICLE ONE

By: Board of Fire Engineers

Lock Box By-law

To see if the Town will vote adopt the following new By-law:

Effective January 1, 2005, any new business located in a commercially or industrially zoned district, must, within thirty (30) days of recording said business in the Office of the Town Clerk, have a high security key control lockbox installed in a conveniently accessible location on the exterior of the business premises. This box must meet acceptable specifications, as determined by the Fire Department.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to adopt the Lock Box By-law as printed in Article One of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Majority vote in favor MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWO

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend Sec. 5110 (“Parking Requirements – General”), Appendix B, line 5 (“Single, multiple family and other dwellings”), column B of the Zoning By-law, by deleting the existing language in its entirety and replacing it with the following language:

2 spaces per dwelling unit, plus 1 space for each nonresident employee in cases where there is a permitted home occupation. In addition, for multiple-family dwellings, 1 space for every 4 units shall be reserved for visitor parking.

and

to amend Sec. 7324 (“Multifamily Residential Development – Design Requirements – On-site drained parking areas”) by inserting the following language between the first and second sentences:

Visitor parking spaces shall be clustered and distributed throughout the site to complement the design and layout of the site and to ensure safe vehicular and pedestrian flow.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: This will address the need for visitor parking areas and their distribution more clearly than is accomplished under the existing language of the Zoning By-law.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend section 5110 and section 7324 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Two of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, read the report of the Planning Board.

2/3 Vote required

Counted vote 111 YES 2 NO MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THREE

By: Board of Selectmen

Collective Bargaining Agreement

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $28,292 to implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the Town and The Pepperell Police Department Superior Officers’ Association, and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies into the appropriate accounts; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,292 to implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the Town and The Pepperell Police Department Superior Officers’ Association, and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies into the appropriate accounts; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE FOUR

By: Board of Selectmen

Collective Bargaining Agreement

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $60,250 to implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the Town and The Pepperell Police Officers’ Association, Masscop Local 288; and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies into the appropriate accounts; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,250 to implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement entered into by the Town and The Pepperell Police Officers’ Association, Masscop Local 288; and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies into the appropriate accounts; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE FIVE

By: Board of Selectmen

Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Adjustment

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $26,770.75 to provide for retroactive payment of overtime monies in the Police Department, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act in the context of recent court judgments; and to authorize the Town Accountant to allocate said monies among the affected individuals; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $26,770.75 to provide for retroactive payment of overtime monies in the Police Department, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act in the context of recent court judgments; and to authorize the Town Accountant to allocate said monies among the affected individuals; said appropriation to be under the control of the Chief of Police.

Majority vote required

Voice vote – Majority voted in favor MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE SIX

By: Planning Board

Zoning Map

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw by striking Section 2300 in its entirety, and replacing same with a new Section 2300, as follows:

The location and boundaries of the zoning districts are established as shown on a map entitled “Town of Pepperell / Zoning Map” dated 3/29/04, produced by the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG); they are, additionally, defined and delineated verbally in a written addendum to the map. Both the map and the addendum to the map are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk and the Office of the Board of Selectmen. The map, including all explanatory legend and memoranda thereupon or attached thereto (i.e. the addendum) is hereby declared to constitute the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Pepperell. Any alteration in the location of the boundaries of a zoning district hereafter approved by Town Meeting and the Attorney General shall be reflected in a corresponding alteration of the Map (including the addendum), and the Map, thus altered, is declared to be part of the By-law thus amended. Direct photographic reproductions of this Zoning Map may serve as copies of the Zoning Map.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: The GIS unit of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) acted as the Planning Board’s Consultant in updating the base map (i.e. parcel lines and new subdivision roadways; re-defining the color-coding scheme; etc.) It is most important to recognize that there has been no change to the zoning layers, other than those changes that have been authorized by prior Town Meeting votes. Although the zoning layers may look different in terms of colors or visual appearance, the zoning district boundaries have not changed. The Town has been provided with electronic copies of the map in several sizes for distribution, and the capability to make the map available on the Town’s website. Also, a written description of the zoning districts was painstakingly prepared, and is added to the map itself as an addendum. This will facilitate future mapping, and serve as a helpful reference.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 2300 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Six of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, read the report of the Planning Board.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote - Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE SEVEN

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 10000 of the Zoning By-law (“Definitions”) by adding the following definitions:

LOT, CORNER – A lot or parcel of land abutting upon two (2) or more streets at their intersection or upon two (2) parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less than 135 degrees.

LOT, THROUGH – A lot that fronts upon two (2) parallel streets or that fronts upon two (2) streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: The subject terms are referenced in the definitions of rear yard and side yard, but are not otherwise specifically defined within the By-law.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 10000 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Seven of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE EIGHT

By: Board of Selectmen

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $12,000 to supplement the General Insurance Account;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This appropriation will address the increased costs of insurance premiums. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000 to supplement the General Insurance Account.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE NINE

By: Board of Selectmen

Unpaid Bill of Prior Year

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $114.80 to pay an FY 04 bill to Ikon Office Solutions; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Selectmen;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $114.80 to pay an FY 04 bill to Ikon Office Solutions; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Selectmen.

9/10 Vote required

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TEN

By: Board of Selectmen, at the request of the Affordable Housing Study Committee

Consultant Services – Affordable Housing

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $15,000, to pay for consulting services and any allied costs relative to the development of an Affordable Housing Plan for the Town of Pepperell; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Selectmen;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The Town is faced with the near-time necessity of creating an Affordable Housing Plan, which will, among other things, provide an important tool for dealing with future40B applications. The purpose of this appropriation is to provide professional assistance in expeditiously developing a plan, tailored to the particular circumstances of Pepperell, yet acceptable to the State. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000, to pay for consulting services and any allied costs relative to the development of an Affordable Housing Plan for the Town of Pepperell; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Selectmen.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE ELEVEN

By: Board of Selectmen

Supplemental Appropriation - Revised Stipends

To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds to implement stipend adjustments, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies among the appropriate accounts;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The 2004 ATM revised the Personnel By-law, placing the responsibility for recommending stipend compensation for various positions with the Board of Selectmen. This article funds the changes for the subject positions for FY 05. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Darrell Gilmore, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $13,300 to implement stipend adjustments, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize the Town Accountant to distribute said monies among the appropriate accounts.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWELVE

By: Board of Selectmen

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $2,500 from Animal Control – Salaries, and, further, to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $2,000; said monies to be used to fund the Animal Control - Wages Hourly account for FY 05;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The Assistant Animal Control Officer has previously been compensated on a stipend basis, without regard to whether any work was actually performed. This article reflects a change to “hours actually worked” compensation, as well as a more realistic appropriation for the AACO’s time in covering the ACO’s sick leave, vacation, personal days, etc. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Lyndon B. Johnson, Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to transfer the sum of $2,500 from Animal Control – Salaries, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 to the Animal Control - Wages Hourly account for FY 05.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

By: Board of Selectmen

Fourth of July Fireworks

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $10,000, for the purpose of providing fireworks for the Town’s 2005 Fourth of July celebration; said appropriation to be under the control of the Town Administrator;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by John W. Lynch, Jr., Selectman, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000, for the purpose of providing fireworks for the Town’s 2005 Fourth of July celebration; said appropriation to be under the control of the Town Administrator.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

By: Treasurer/Collector

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $11,527, to supplement the FY05 Unemployment Insurance budget (“Unemployment Claims”);

or take any other action relative thereto.

This appropriation is necessary due to an unanticipated volume of claims for Unemployment Compensation. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Michael Hartnett, Treasurer/Collector, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,527, to supplement the FY05 Unemployment Insurance budget (“Unemployment Claims”).

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

By: Treasurer/Collector

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,200 to supplement the “Purchase of Services” Account in the FY05 Treasurer/Collector’s budget, to cover an increase in data processing fees charged for the annual maintenance of tax collection software;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Michael Hartnett, Treasurer/Collector, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200 to supplement the “Purchase of Services” Account in the FY05 Treasurer/Collector’s budget, to cover an increase in data processing fees charged for the annual maintenance of tax collection software.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

By: Board of Fire Engineers

Reel Truck

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow the sum of $280,000 for the purpose of procuring and equipping a new reel truck for the Fire Department, including any additional costs or charges associated therewith; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The new vehicle will replace a 1957 truck which is marginally functional and mechanically tenuous, and which has long since lost its function as a tank truck/pumper. Previously approved by CAP Program. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from the Stabilization Fund the sum of $280,000 for the purpose of procuring and equipping a new reel truck for the Fire Department, including any additional costs or charges associated therewith; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Fire Engineers.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – 1 Nay MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN

By: Board of Public Works

Purchase of Used Trucks

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds, the sum of $85,000 to procure used trucks as replacements for existing vehicles; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The purchase of good-quality used vehicles as replacements for aging elements of the fleet has been a long-standing practice of the Highway Department, and, given the Department’s high standards for repair and maintenance, has been demonstrated to be a financial and practical benefit for the Town. Previously approved by CAP Program. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Louis Shattuck, Board of Public Works, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from the Stabilization Fund the sum of $85,000 to procure used trucks as replacements for existing vehicles; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN

By: Board of Public Works

Well Repairs and Improvements

To see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds or borrow for the purpose of making upgrades, improvements, or repairs to Town wells; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Public Works;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This article addresses the need for work to be performed on various wells in our water system. Since the Water Division is an Enterprise Fund, monies approved will come from Water Revenue Surplus, and not from the tax levy. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Fred Farmer, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to authorize the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow the sum of $694,100 for the purpose of making upgrades, improvements, or repairs to Town wells; said appropriation to be under the control of the Board of Public Works.

There was much discussion on this article, due to no information in advance on what upgrades, improvements and repairs were being done.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Inconclusive Standing vote taken YES 65 NO 48 MOTION DID NOT CARRY

ARTICLE NINETEEN

By: Board of Public Works

Multi-task Machine

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $80,000 for purchase of a multi-task machine, including attachments, appurtenances, and any related costs, to be used, among other things, as a sidewalk plow, sweeper, and trimmer; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The Highway Division is in dire need of a new sidewalk plow. Rather than invest in a machine which would have no function outside of the winter months, it is the intent of this article to provide for a machine which, besides plowing snow, would have attachments or capabilities for serving in a number of other capacities. Previously approved by CAP Program. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by George Clark, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate from the Stabilization Fund the sum of $80,000 for purchase of a multi-task machine, including attachments, appurtenances, and any related costs, to be used, among other things, as a sidewalk plow, sweeper, and trimmer; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – 1 Nay MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY

By: IST Committee

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $14,613 from Information Systems Technology – Wages Hourly, and, further, to raise and appropriate the sum of $16,275; said monies to be used to supplement the FY 05 budget for Information Systems Technology - Salaried Wages;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The workload and span of responsibilities which have devolved upon the Systems Administrator have increased exponentially, to the point that the existing part-time position has been swallowed up by triage missions, or addressing “brush-fire” issues, to the exclusion of work that needs to be done on major systems. This appropriation will fund a shift, already approved by the Personnel Board, to an upgraded, full-time position for the balance of FY ’05. Revised job particulars have been approved by the Personnel Board. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Stanley Pozerski, IST Committee Member and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to transfer the sum of $14,613 from Information Systems Technology – Wages Hourly, and, further, to raise and appropriate the sum of $16,275; said monies to be used to supplement the FY 05 budget for Information Systems Technology - Salaried Wages.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE

By: Board of Fire Engineers

Supplemental Appropriation

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $37,000, to provide for personnel adjustments relative to the Ambulance service, in the FY 05 Fire Department – Wages Hourly Account;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This appropriation will address FY ’05 funding for a grade change, approved by the Personnel Board, for two existing EMTI/Administrative positions; as well as the creation of a new EMTI position to help with shift coverage issues. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,500, to provide for personnel adjustments relative to the Ambulance service, in the FY 05 Fire Department – Wages Hourly Account.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO

By: Board of Public Works

Vehicle Diagnostic Equipment

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,500, for the purchase of diagnostic equipment to be used at the Town vehicle repair facility; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent;

or take any other action relative thereto.

The Town vehicle repair facility at the Highway Garage is currently dependent on the good will of outside entities that allow us to transport vehicles to their locations for electronic diagnosis services. This appropriation will allow the purchase of the electronic equipment to do the job in-house. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Gregory Rice, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500, for the purchase of diagnostic equipment to be used at the Town vehicle repair facility; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE

By: Planning Board

Supplemental Appropriation - Zoning Map Maintenance

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,000, to be placed in the “Zoning Map Maintenance” account in the Planning Board’s FY 05 budget;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This addition to the Planning Board budget will allow for intermittent, but necessary expenditures regarding the upkeep or printing of the Town’s Zoning Map. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000, to be placed in the “Zoning Map Maintenance” account in the Planning Board’s FY 05 budget.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR

By: Board of Public Works

Wheeler Street Improvements

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $15,000 for tree removal, ledge removal, and any other activity related to the repair or reconstruction of Wheeler Street; said appropriation to be under the control of the Highway Superintendent;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This appropriation will cover the cost of securing leased, specialized equipment or outside services to perform various functions (notably ledge removal and tree removal) relative to the improvement of Wheeler Street. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Gregory Rice, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to take no action on Article Twenty-four of this Special Town Meeting.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous PASSED OVER

ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE

By: Finance Committee

Tax Levy Offset

To see if the Town will vote to determine the specific amount which the Town will direct the Assessors to take from available funds to reduce the net amount to be raised for FY 05;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This article uses free cash to balance the FY ’05 budget. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Chris DeSimone, Finance Committee Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to direct the Assessors to appropriate from Free Cash the sum of $770,397.45 to reduce the net amount to be raised for FY 05.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX

By: Board of Public Works

Road Discontinuance

To see if the town will vote to discontinue a portion of the accepted layout of Bemis Road, beginning at the point where Bemis Road intersects the lot line of the Town-owned property shown on Assessors map 3 as parcel 3, and continuing approximately 700 feet to the end of said layout at the water pumping station;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Motion made by Louis Shattuck, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to discontinue a portion of the accepted layout of Bemis Road, beginning at the point where Bemis Road intersects the lot line of the Town-owned property shown on Assessors map 3 as parcel 3, and continuing approximately 700 feet to the end of said layout at the water pumping station.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN

By: Board of Public Works

Revision to Zoning Map

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Pepperell by deleting the Water Resources Overlay Protection District (WRPOD) related to land located off Nashua Road that was adopted under Article 23 of the November 2003 STM;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: The Department of Public Works is not pursuing the proposed Nashua Road well site, so there is no need to have said WRPOD zone in place.

Motion made by Fred Farmer, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the town vote to amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Pepperell by deleting the Water Resources Overlay Protection District (WRPOD) related to land located off Nashua Road that was adopted under Article 23 of the November 2003 STM.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Inconclusive

Standing vote - YES 24 NO 82 MOTION DID NOT CARRY

ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT

By: Board of Fire Engineers

Funeral Benefit

To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of MGL, Chapter 41, s. 100G ¼, relative to a Town payment of up to $5,000 (subject to Town Meeting vote in each instance) toward the burial expenses of any Pepperell Police Officer or Firefighter killed in the line of duty;

or take any other action relative thereto.

This article relates to the acceptance of an authorizing statute; in the event of a qualifying circumstance, the Town will henceforth be authorized to make an appropriation, not to exceed $5,000, toward burial expenses. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to accept the provisions of MGL, Chapter 41, s. 100G ¼, relative to a Town payment of up to $5,000 (subject to Town Meeting vote in each instance) toward the burial expenses of any Pepperell Police Officer or Firefighter killed in the line of duty.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE

By: Board of Fire Engineers

Residential Garage Fire Protection

To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following new By-law:

All new residential structures that include an integral or attached garage, if construction is based upon a building permit issued by the Town on or after January 1, 2005, must have a rate compensated heat detector above each garage bay. Said detectors must be tied into the already-mandated smoke detector system for the house, to provide whole-house alarm response for an alarm originating in the garage.

A “rate compensated detector” shall be defined as a device that triggers an alarm when the temperature of the air surrounding the device reaches a pre-determined level, regardless of the rate of temperature rise.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Motion made by Costa Bozicas, Fire Chief, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to adopt the Residential Garage Fire Protection By-law as printed in Article Twenty-nine of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 10000 (“Definitions”) of the Zoning By-law by deleting the existing definition of a “Bed and Breakfast Establishment” in its entirety, and replacing it with the following:

BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT: Accommodations with not more than five bedrooms occupied by bed and breakfast guests, in which the owner of the establishment also resides. Bed and breakfasts are intended for guests on intermittent visits, and shall not be used as long-term rental units or apartments; any meals served shall be for guests only. All parking for residents and guests shall be off-street. A bed and breakfast may be allowed as a home occupation by special permit under Section 3320 of the zoning by-law.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: To tighten up the definition: questions frequently arise regarding how one can establish a bed and breakfast operation.

Motion made by Nicholas Cate, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 10000 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Thirty of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Report was read by the Planning Board Member.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 10000 (“Definitions”) of the Zoning By-law by deleting, under the definition of “BUILDING HEIGHT,” the phrase “two and one-half (2½) stories, but not more than”, so the new definition will read:

BUILDING HEIGHT: The vertical distance as measured from the average finished grade at the intersection with the front wall of the building to the top of the roof structure. The maximum building height for any building shall be thirty-five (35) feet, except in the Urban Residence or Commercial Districts, as provided in section 4300 of this By-law.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: Clarification. Proposed amendment resulted from discussion between Town Counsel and Building Inspector/Zoning Officer.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 10000 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Thirty-one of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Report read by the Planning Member.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 3231 (“Boarders in Single Family Dwelling”) of the Zoning By-law by replacing, in the last sentence, the word “five” with the word “four,” so that the revised section shall read:

3231. Boarders in Single-Family Dwelling. The renting of rooms and/or furnishing of board to not more than two persons in a single-family dwelling by the owner/occupant thereof shall be a permitted accessory use. The renting of rooms and/or furnishing of board to three or four persons in a single-family dwelling by the owner/occupant thereof shall be allowed as an accessory use upon the grant of a special permit. The renting of rooms and/or furnishing of board to four or more persons shall be deemed a boarding house subject to the provisions of the Table of Use Regulations.

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: To parallel the requirements for a “Boarding House,” as defined in Section 10000.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 3231 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Thirty-two of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

2/3 Vote required.

Counted vote 111 YES 2 NO MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE

By: Planning Board

Amendment to Zoning By-law

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-law by replacing, in Section 8130, Line 13, under the heading “Well Protection Zone and Aquifer-Watershed Protection Zone,” the existing notation “SP” with the new notation of “Y;”

and

to amend Section 8151 by deleting the words “In the event of an application for a Special Permit for a swimming pool in the WRPOD, the Special Permit Granting Authority shall impose as a condition that” so the revised section will read:

“8151. Swimming Pools. Should it be necessary at any time to empty the water from the pool, the water shall be left untreated and exposed to sunlight for a period of three days prior to its being released into the soils at the site”

or take any other action relative thereto.

Purpose: The intent of these amendments is to eliminate the requirement for a special permit for a swimming pool in the WRPOD, while leaving the general performance standards of Sec. 8150 intact.

Motion made by Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to amend Section 8130 and Section 8151 of the Zoning By-law as printed in Article Thirty-three of the warrant of this Special Town Meeting.

Joe Sergi, Planning Board Member, read the report of the Planning Board.

2/3 Vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-FOUR

By: Cable TV Advisory Committee

Expansion of Scope of Article

To see if the Town will vote to expand the scope of Article 25 of the November 1, 1999 STM (“Consultant Services”), to include expenditure of said funds for purchase, repair, and maintenance of equipment and supplies related to public access cable TV activities;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Den Connors, TV Advisory Committee Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to expand the scope of Article 25 of the November 1, 1999 STM (“Consultant Services”), to include expenditure of said funds for purchase, repair, and maintenance of equipment and supplies related to public access cable TV activities.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-FIVE

By: Cable TV Advisory Committee

Expansion of Scope of Article

To see if the Town will vote to expand the scope of Article 24 of the May, 2000 ATM (“Hourly Cable TV Assistance”) to include expenditure of said funds for purchase, repair, and maintenance of equipment and supplies related to public access cable TV activities;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by Den Connors, TV Advisory Committee Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to expand the scope of Article 24 of the May, 2000 ATM (“Hourly Cable TV Assistance”) to include expenditure of said funds for purchase, repair, and maintenance of equipment and supplies related to public access cable TV activities.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

ARTICLE THIRTY-SIX

By: Board of Public Works

Re-allocation of funds

To see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate from the balance remaining in the Lowell Road Sewer project account, approved under Article 10 of the 1995 Annual Town Meeting, to be transferred to the account established under Article 9 of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting, and applied against the cost of borrowing on the SRF Loan for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Sewer Treatment Plant;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Once the few outstanding bills have been paid, the Lowell Road Sewer Project will have been completed. Monies remaining in the account were derived from a bond issue, and can only be expended for purposes related to a similarly bonded project. Transferring some of the remaining balance, to be applied against bonding costs related to the Sewer Treatment Plant, benefits the Sewer Division by application of the funds to another eligible project. Recommended by Finance Committee.

Motion made by George Clark, Board of Public Works Member, and seconded.

I move that the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $35,700 from the balance remaining in the Lowell Road Sewer project account, approved under Article 10 of the 1995 Annual Town Meeting, to be transferred to the account established under Article 9 of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting, and applied against the cost of borrowing on the SRF Loan for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Sewer Treatment Plant.

Majority vote required.

Voice vote – Unanimous MOTION CARRIED

Motion made to adjourn the Special Town Meeting and seconded.

Voice vote – Unanimous TOWN MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:10 P.M.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Conservation Commission’s job is to work to protect Pepperell's natural resources. We do this in several ways. For examples, we are the local administrators of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Pepperell Wetlands Protection By-Law; we plan for and manage the Town's Conservation Land; we work with and advise other Town bodies such as the Planning Board, the Board of Health, and the Building Inspector's Office on natural resources issues, and we provide information to Town residents.

The Wetlands Protection Act and the Pepperell Wetlands Protection By-Law are designed to provide a review process for projects that could affect our valuable wetlands. In simplified form, the Act says that no one may remove, fill, dredge, or alter a wetland without a permit. Under the Wetlands Protection Act, the Commission’s job, which we do with the help of our administrator, is to review applications and decide about wetland permits. Our By-Law provides further protection for some types of wetlands. This is time-consuming, but vital work. Healthy, functioning wetlands protect our water supply, provide flood control, prevent some types of pollution, and enrich our community's wildlife habitat. The Wetlands Protection Act usually applies to any project, such as new buildings and driveways, changes to existing buildings, and improvements to roads and utilities, if the project occurs in or near wetlands.

Our records of Wetlands Protection Act applications for the past 5 years are shown in the table below.

Wetlands Protection Act Applications	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Notices of Intent	42	19	23	26	31
Requests for Determination of Applicability	17	25	20	23	20
Extended/Amended Orders of Conditions	3	6	4	3	3
Abbreviated Notices of Resource Area Delineation	2	3	4	7	3
Requests for Certificates of Compliance	31	11	34	22	19
TOTALS	95	64	86	81	76

Building Permit Applications reviewed	167	145	165	169	115

The successful protection of the 265-acre property known as Pepperell Springs (formerly Belmont Springs), essentially accomplished in 2004, is the largest conservation story in many years. The Conservation Commission, along with the Selectmen, represented the Town as a part of the Pepperell Springs Preservation Coalition. The members of the coalition were the Trust for Public Land, the Nashoba Conservation Trust, the Nissitissit River Land Trust, the Nashua River Watershed Association, and the Town. During this year the Coalition planned and ran a large-scale campaign to build support for the Pepperell Springs Preservation Project. The Coalition developed and distributed a 4-page, color “case statement” for the project, created a professionally-produced video, put up a web site, provided speakers for numerous public events, sponsored neighborhood meetings, provided articles and information to the local newspapers, and held many public walks and tours of the property. The success of the campaign was demonstrated by the Special Town Meeting, held September 20, 2004 with record attendance, which unanimously approved the largest appropriation the Town has ever made for a conservation project.

The Coalition members also worked tirelessly to raise the money necessary to purchase the Pepperell Springs property. A federal Forest Legacy grant, a Massachusetts Self-Help grant, the Town Meeting appropriation, several grants from private foundations, and contributions from many generous individuals combined to make the protection of Pepperell Springs possible.

The Trust for Public Land took the lead in negotiations with the land owners, and after a complex and lengthy process finally purchased the property on December 29, 2004. When all the details are complete, the Town will own the land and with a Conservation Restriction held by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation over about 253 acres of Conservation Land and a Conservation Restriction over the remaining about 12 acres of Municipal Land (containing the buildings) held by the Nashoba Conservation Trust. At the time of this report, the Trust for Public Land is temporarily holding title to the property until all the committed grant moneys can be released.

We invite you to visit our page on the Town’s web site by going to www.town.pepperell.ma.us and clicking on “Town Hall.” From there, go to “Boards, Depts, Committees.” Finally, click on “Conservation” to find us. Our page details the workings of the Commission, including upcoming meeting dates and agendas, access to permit applications, and information about Pepperell’s conservation lands.

Please call the Conservation Commission office, 978-433-0325, if you would like to ask questions or give comments about wetlands permit applications, conservation land, or other natural resources issues. We also welcome reports of unusual wildlife or plant sightings. Our Conservation Administrator, Ellen Fisher, staffs our office in the Trailer behind Town Hall Monday through Thursday.

Bob Elliott, Chairman Jim Casserly Rick England Linda Moody

Rob Rand Patricia Swain Rice Jeff Sauer

INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

Appointed Positions:

Rudolph F. Schultz, Building Inspector/Zoning Officer

Kenneth A. West, Assistant Building Inspector/Zoning Officer

Vocational-Technical Programs

Auto Body Repair	Graphic Communications
Automotive Technology	Horticulture/Landscape Design
Banking, Marketing & Retail	Hotel/Restaurant Management
Construction/Cabinet Making	Machine Tool Technology
Cosmetology	Medical Occupations
Culinary Arts	Office Technology/Telecommunications
Dental Assistant	Painting & Decorating/Interior Design
Early Childhood Education	Plumbing/Heating
Electrical Technology	Pre-Engineering
Electronics/Robotics	Theatre Arts/TV Media (1/05)

MCAS INTENSIVE PROGRAMS

Nashoba has had an MCAS Summer Program for the last three years for incoming students and current students free of charge.

MCAS Academies in English and Math are provided for freshmen and sophomores during the school day.

Academic Success Center is an after school program for ninth through twelfth grade students focusing on individualized assistance in areas of weakness.

Individual Student Success Plans assigns students with a mentor who will identify areas of weakness and work with Academy Teachers, Success Center Tutors, and the student’s regular academic teachers to help the student improve on these targeted areas. Tutoring sessions focus on improving students’ achievement.

Eleventh Grade Academies allows any student needing to retake the MCAS exam the opportunity to attend an upper class English and Math Academy.

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

College preparatory courses are available in all core subjects

Foreign language is offered all four years for interested students.

Dual Enrollment

Juniors who are eligible may elect to enter the Dual Enrollment Program and take their junior and senior year at a community or state college facility in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. Upon completion, they receive their high school diploma from Nashoba and one or two years of credit from the college.

Nine students in recent years have graduated with an Associates degree from college and their high school diploma at the same time. Also, individual study programs for talented students are directed to their area of excellence and higher pace for those students desiring it. In the 2003/04 school year our first student was granted early acceptance to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Tech Prep

Students enrolled in specific technical areas receive college credits while at Nashoba.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Nashoba sponsors an extensive program in intra-scholastic sports including varsity teams in ten high school sports with equal opportunities for both male and female students. Other extracurricular activities may include Student Council, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Skills USA, Student Leadership, peer mediation, and many special interest clubs. Nashoba does not charge user fees.

Continuing & Community Education

Approximately 1500 adult students a year attend the Continuing Community Education Program in late afternoon and evenings at Nashoba.

The Kids Career Exploration Program

A free after school program offering students in grades five, six, and seven an opportunity to explore career opportunities. Availability and programs are subject to change from year to year.

Summer Programs

Nashoba Valley’s Allstérs Summer Program is offered to 5th, 6th, and 7th graders in the area. Students enjoy outdoor adventures, sports programs, computer applications, graphics and academic enrichment.

Also “Jump Start” a program for incoming freshman students is offered to acquaint the new students with the school, programs, facility and staff.Community Service Projects

Nashoba is unique in its construction programs. Students go out to district towns to work on community service projects. Rather than building one house a year, the students perform needed projects for the district towns. This program educates students in a real world setting, allows the towns the benefit of viewing Nashoba students at work and having a major work project completed without expending extra town tax dollars for capital improvement.

There are a variety of opportunities offered at Nashoba Valley Technical High School for every student.

NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

This is my 14^th greeting as Superintendent of Schools of the North Middlesex Regional School District and my 26^th year as an administrator in the District.

The North Middlesex Regional School District has a student population with a total enrollment of 4,743. This year we will be losing Paul Sweet, Principal of Ashby Elementary School who has served as Principal for the past 8 years. Prior to serving as Principal, Paul was Assistant Principal at Hawthorne Brook Middle School for 8 years. Paul will be retiring in June and we all wish him a healthy and relaxing retirement. In addition to Mr. Sweet’s retirement, 8 teachers will be retiring from our District in June, many after teaching in our District for over 25 years.

This past year we have continued our excellent level of academic standards. With our most recent MCAS results we have passed all levels of the exam. All of our seniors again were able to graduate. Recently our District made the front page of The Wall Street Journal in an article that addressed our success with the Singapore Math Program. Stanford University conducted an independent study, which validated the enormously successful test results. Currently we have 106 classes involved in this accelerated math program. Special thanks goes out to the numerous teachers and Dr. Mary Waight, Associate Superintendent, for spearheading this effort.

We continue to implement Year II of our Strategic Plan with the exception of our capital projects improvement program, which has slowed due to the tight fiscal times in which we find ourselves

Through the efforts of many outside groups Pop Warner, TAP, Little League, Youth Soccer, Athletic & Music Boosters to name a few we were able to continue to offer no user fees for extra curricular after school programs. In fact, we were able to add Junior Varsity Lacrosse to our High School program due to the fundraising efforts of the lacrosse parents.

Approximately 84% of our seniors continue to go on to college or universities. This year also brought about the final completion of the Townsend Harbor Bridge. A year and a half of patience by our parents and bus drivers was rewarded with the re-opening of the bridge.

Our School Committee has discussed the Mason, NH proposal and will be sitting down with the Mason, New Hampshire representatives when and if they receive approval from the State of New Hampshire to send their students to North Middlesex in 2006.

The Nissitissit Middle School building project continues to be incomplete due to the numerous punch list items that need to be completed by the General Contractor. We hope to see this fully completed by the end of the school year.

North Middlesex is an extremely busy and positive educational environment. The many achievements by our students would fill pages.

The support that the community, parents, and area businesses has given us is tremendous. Despite the continuation of difficult fiscal times, I am confident that we will continue to offer the same quality programs afforded to all of our students in the past.

To the dedicated staff, students and citizens of Ashby, Pepperell and Townsend, I want to thank you for the opportunity and privilege to lead you.

Respectfully submitted,

James W. McCormick

Superintendent of Schools

NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

In June of 2004, North Middlesex Regional High School graduated a class of 256. We are proud of all of their accomplishments both academically and in their contributions to our school and community. A survey of this graduating class shows that 84% continued on to post secondary education; 11% went directly out into the work force, and 3% joined the armed services.

This fall, NMRHS welcomed a freshman class of over 340 students. The current enrollment at NMRHS is 1226 students in grades 9 – 12.

All academic and enrichment classes continue to be updated and align with state frameworks. Interdisciplinary course offerings have expanded and continue to be taught in English and Social Studies; a strong Advanced Placement program continues to be offered; and the inclusion process, which is assisting students with special needs, continues to expand. Current 11^th grade students who participated in the state mandated testing (MCAS) last spring scored higher than the state average in all subtests. Students at the high school who took the tests in grade 10 did exceptionally well increasing the percentage of students performing in the Advanced and Proficient ranges in both English and Mathematics. We are currently making every effort to develop new strategies to continue to increase scores on these assessments. Again, I am happy to report that no student in the Class of 2004 failed to receives their high school diploma as a result of not passing the MCAS.

The 2004 – 2005 year marks the second year since NMRHS underwent a reaccredidation visit from the NEASC. The results of this visit were quite positive and NMRHS was reaccredited fully. During these two years, the faculty, staff, and administration have worked diligently to address those recommendations made by the visiting committee and to prepare the two year follow-up report which is due in October 2005. I believe these efforts and this process will allow our schools to more successfully achieve our mission.

NMRHS students continue to achieve excellence in various academics and extra curricular areas, receiving top honors in the NE Math League, voice, band, drama, art competition, and athletic events. Students have also been active in school organizations including the National Honor Society (NHS), Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), The Gay/Lesbian Alliance, Yearbook, Junior States of America, Debate Team, Flight Literary Magazine, and Relay for Life.

I am very happy to serve as Principal of North Middlesex Regional High School. The sense of community that exists within our building and our district plays a major role in the success of our students and our school. This sense of community, along with the commitment and hard work of our dedicated teachers and administration, will continue to make NMRHS a school we can all be proud of.

James F. O’Shea

Principal

NISSITISSIT MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Nissitissit Middle School opened its doors for a third year to 586 children and staff on August 31, 2004. This beautiful facility, constructed on a 22 acre site, was designed to serve the middle school age population of Pepperell. Students in grades 6-8 experience a state of the art facility which has the capacity to serve nearly 800 children. The school has a 504 seat auditorium with a full stage that is equipped for professional productions.

The Nissitissit Middle School core values are direct, powerful, and simple. These core values are intended to carry improvement objectives into the future. By being both provocative and far reaching, the core values can be integrated into many facets of Nissitissit Middle School life for students, parents, and faculty. Courage, Leadership, Integrity, Curiosity, and Kindness are values appreciated by most individuals and are universally understood. They have keen relevance in an educational environment. Together, the first letters of the core values form the acronym CLICK, a contemporary, direct, and to-the-point summary of these values. All members of the school community can carry these values with them. The CLICK concept serves as a basis for a variety of future initiatives. Each of our five school improvement goals represents one of these core values.

The middle school is designed to support the arts and has a band rehearsal room, general music classroom, choral rehearsal room, two art rooms with kilns, and a photography darkroom. A health classroom and large gymnasium help support our commitment to developing healthy activities for our students. A modern well equipped fitness room is also part of our health/physical education program. Technology and literacy resources are notably evident in our (2) computer labs and state of the art library media center. Each classroom at Nissitissit Middle School is equipped with three computers, cable television, a 36 inch TV/monitor, dvd/vcr, and power point presentation capabilities. Several smart boards are used throughout the school. Each of our (9) science labs is equipped with advanced materials which support the curriculum. Each science classroom has (6) lab stations which are equipped with water, electricity, and natural gas. The science lab experience for Nissitissit children is outstanding.

The Nissitissit Middle School is pleased with its ability to offer a varied educational setting that meets the needs of all its children. A continued effort in maintaining a strong middle school model is a powerful school goal. Students are organized into instructional teams. It is a goal of the middle school to create smaller challenging learning environments for the adolescent. Teachers currently utilize common planning time and team meeting time to develop curriculum, communicate with school staff, parents, and students, and plan team activities. Teaming allows teachers and students to develop positive relationships, which will increase learning opportunities for all.

The curriculum at Nissitissit reflects the standards written within the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. We are committed to offering a challenging and accelerated curriculum to our students. Many revisions have been made in our math, science, language arts, social studies, world language, and unified arts curriculum through the efforts of district curriculum groups. In math, we offer an accelerated curriculum which replicates math programming from Singapore. Students from Singapore have scored amongst the highest in international math testing. In addition, all grade 7 and 8 students follow a pre-algebra to algebra sequence over two years of study. Our Spring 2004 MCAS scores reflect a strong growth in the overall performance of our students in math and language arts.

Nissitissit has powerful technology resources in all classrooms. Each teacher has appropriate and safe access to the Internet. The use of the Homework Zone allows parents the opportunity to use the Internet as a strong communication tool with the school. They can view homework assignments, the school calendar, their child’s schedule, and more. School newsletters are emailed to a parent distribution list. Our library and two computer labs have been equipped with outstanding resources. The media center is equipped with many computers which allows it to serve as a third lab for any classroom to visit. The NMS staff is involved in a student support program called Winter Academy. These programs were created to support students in language arts & math as they prepare for the MCAS exams.

The faculty at Nissitissit is involved in many professional development activities. They have focused their attention on a variety of educational topics to improve learning at Nissitissit. The following is a list of topics being studied: Middle School Organization, State Curriculum Frameworks, Reading Instruction, Bullying and Harassment training, Differentiating Instruction, Classroom Technology Applications, and Looking at Student Work. Our teachers are both members and leaders of district curriculum review committees.

Nissitissit offers its students a comprehensive educational experience through a variety of opportunities: Student Council, Women In Science Education, Destination Imagination, Concert Band, Chorus, Math League, Yearbook, Newspaper, Jazz Band, PEP Squad, Geography Bee, Interscholastic Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Interscholastic Cross Country Track, Interscholastic Girls’ Field Hockey, Spring Track, Intramural Programs, and a Project Adventure Physical Education Program.

There is a powerful Unified Arts program at Nissitissit Middle School. Courses in Art, Library, Guidance, Music, Computer Technologies, World Languages (7-8), Health, and Physical Education provide vital learning opportunities for children in all grades. Our band and choral programs have received many accolades and awards for their efforts. Nissitissit Middle School has been selected to host the 2005 Central District Junior Auditions. Over 1,000 instrumental and choral musicians will audition for the Central District Festival performing groups. Each year the staff organizes a highly successful “Celebration of the Arts” event at the school. The community has shown tremendous support for this initiative.

Nissitissit Middle School also promotes powerful interactions with its parents. The Parent Teacher Support Group (PTSG) supports many activities at the school. This organization has created meaningful activities for NMS students in its after school program. C.L.A.S.P. (Children Learning After School Program) organizes high interest activities for children. The PTSG also supports the children and staff at NMS by sponsoring contests, funding enrichment assemblies, and by providing field trip scholarships and other special projects within the school. The entire organization is a very positive part of the school community. An active Pepperell Parent Pro-Musica group contributes greatly to our award winning jazz and concert bands. Our Choral Parent Association has also contributed to our award winning choral program. Many of our musical students have earned district honors at the state level. The Nissitissit School Council continues to develop and implement a yearly school improvement plan. Copies of the plan are available for the public at the school’s office. Nissitissit Middle School is always striving for excellence in education with its active parents, dedicated staff, and supportive community leading the way. We are a middle school that is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and challenging learning environment for all of our children.

The staff at NMS would like to thank the North Middlesex Regional School Committee and the entire Pepperell community for their continued support. We recognize the exceptional work that is done within this school district which enables Nissitissit Middle School to serve its children at a very high level.

VARNUM BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The 2004-2005 school year marks the third year of Varnum Brook Elementary School’s existence as an upper elementary school. This year, over seventy-five dedicated staff members are committed to supporting and educating 512 children in Grades 3-5. Several new staff members joined the Varnum Brook School Community during the year. Ms. Jennifer Blauvelt joined the Third Grade teaching team and Mrs. Jeanette Mihill and Mrs. Jean Greelis became Fourth Grade teachers. Ms. Kim Brooks and Ms. Kelly McMullen formed the Title I team. In the area of Unified Arts, Mrs. Celeste Falcone is the Varnum Brook librarian; Mrs. Jennifer Ellars teaches music and choral instruction and Mr. Andrew Tetreault is the Physical Education instructor. Support personnel new to Varnum Brook include Mrs. Lynn LaGasse and Mrs. Linda Kauppi as instructional aides; Ms. Sharon Carr joined Food Services; Mrs. Kathy Michelin and Mrs. Doris Casey provide supervision in the lunchroom.

This year, the PTSG implemented and hosted various activities and events that supported and enriched the curricula as well as the whole educational experience for each child: a Library Donation Program, a School/Community-wide Talent Show, Singapore Math Night for Parents, installation of the WeatherBug Achieve program including a parent informational night, Community Reading Day, and an International Dinner for the VBES school community. The PTSG also organized an extensive parent volunteer program of over 100 volunteers. These volunteers help in many capacities throughout the school such as monitoring the student absence line, helping with duplication and distribution of the bi-monthly newsletter as well as individual classroom duplication needs, and working with staff members to enrich and support the high quality curriculum that has come to be expected in the North Middlesex Regional School District.

The Varnum Brook Elementary School Council consisting of parents, teachers, and administrators includes Mrs. Evelyn Herrick, Mrs. Linda Boden, Mrs. Susan Dagle, Mrs. Patricia Urbanowski, Mrs. Jennifer Koulopoulos and Mr. William Vasel. This advisory council meets monthly and each meeting is open to all who are interested in attending. The School Council reviews the current two-year School Improvement Plan, notes achievements made, and makes recommendations for further school improvement based on a parent survey. This year, the Council developed an Internet accessible version of the school survey, hoping to make it more accessible for parents and more easily tallied by volunteers.

All staff members continue to participate in the many professional development opportunities provided by the North Middlesex Regional School District as well as in graduate level programs and workshops. Along with these educational experiences, all staff members attend weekly professional development meetings. For instance, this year staff development includes discussion and sharing of best practices and further development in the use of writing/reading/math rubrics. Staff also focus on developing further expertise of students in answering open response questions in both math and reading as they appear on the MCAS.

The Varnum Brook Elementary School Community continually seeks to foster and support attitudes and behaviors that communicate confidence in and promote the success of every child. In addition to our comprehensive academic program, Varnum Brook Elementary School offers every child the opportunity to participate in programs such as the Student Council, S.A.F.E, DARE, the “Officer Phil” program, band instruction, chorus at each grade level, Destination Imagination, the Young Inventors’ Program, Citizen of the Month, CIA (Caught In the Act of Being Kind) and the after school enrichment program, CLASP. In addition, Mrs. Jhum Sarcar, Varnum Brook’s guidance counselor, and Mrs. Linda Charron, Varnum Brook’s Health teacher, have implemented the Kelso Program, a conflict management program that teaches children to take responsibility for minor conflicts as well as learning when to seek help from an adult.

On behalf of the children, staff, and administration, I would like to thank the Pepperell community, Mr. James McCormick, Superintendent of Schools, and the North Middlesex Regional School Committee for their continued support. My pledge to you: The Varnum Brook Elementary School Community is and always will be a learning community where administrators, staff, parents, and children learn and grow together. The Varnum Brook Elementary School is where children learn to care and care about learning.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Evelyn H. Herrick

Principal

PETER FITZPATRICK SCHOOL

Peter Fitzpatrick School began the 2004/2005 school year on August 31^st and ended the calendar year with a total of 601 Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2 students. Due to the retirement of two longtime district teachers, Marilyn McMahon and Randy LaRosa, and the resignations of Susan Farr, Christine Joseph, and Nicole LaPietra, five teachers have joined the PFS faculty. They are Jeffrey Maider, Carolyn Berg, Pamela Mark, Jessica Sheridan, and Lisa Fuller.

The mission of Peter Fitzpatrick School is to maintain a safe and nurturing environment where children, parents, and the community work together to foster academic success and social growth. The staff at Peter Fitzpatrick School is dedicated and committed to fulfilling this mission and providing a quality education for all children. We are joined in this effort by the following:

PTA and Parent Volunteer Program Our strong parent/teacher organization works cooperatively with the school and provides many opportunities for parent involvement. We are fortunate to have this type of partnership in Pepperell.

Crisis Response Team Members of the school staff, community, and police and fire departments meet to develop and review school safety guidelines, procedures, and protocol that must be in place in case of an emergency. Fire, bus evacuation, and intruder drills are held during the year.

School Council Teachers, parents, and a community member join the principal in the formation of the Peter Fitzpatrick School Council. Members of this year’s council are JoAnn Northrop, Alice Riportella, Jeanne Wholey, Julie Daly, Jennifer Hardy, Eileen Lundstrom, Angela Kimble, and Sergeant David Scott. Plans are presently underway to help us to meet three school improvement goals:

Improve the Implementation of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks through the use of best practices, current research, and data. Actions include integrating Singapore Math into the instructional program for grades one and two; reviewing and analyzing test results; and improving our balanced literacy program.

Develop and Promote a Safe Learning Environment. Actions include providing classroom safety kits; monitoring outside traffic flow; changing classroom locations; and addressing safety and social issues during grade level and classroom meetings.

Improve Communication Within the School Community. Actions include purchasing and maintaining a school sign; scheduling a step-up day in June; sending summer welcoming notes to all students; updating the student/parent handbook; and using student home/school folders.

Curriculum Committees Staff members serve on district committees under the direction of the Associate Superintendent. Curriculum guides for individual subject areas are developed, reviewed, and revised on a regular basis to meet the standards that are set by the state frameworks.

The Peter Fitzpatrick School Community will work to maintain its strong advocacy for all children. We know that children have been entrusted to us, and we make their safety, welfare, and education our primary concern.

Respectfully submitted,

Pauline A. Cormier, Ed.D.

Principal, Peter Fitzpatrick School

DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TOWN ENGINEER

2004 was another extremely busy and productive year for the Department of Public Works and the Town Engineer, with over a dozen major projects completed (or near completion by the end of the year) to the benefit of the Town. In a slightly different format, I’ll summarize the major projects, then the other work done by the DPW Divisions. A major point of emphasis is that I’m certainly not taking credit for the projects I’ll be describing – that will go to the superb group that makes up the DPW management and their staff. My job is to put plans into action, coordinate and stay on top of these DPW project, and keep the DPW Board fully apprised of our activities so they can make the proper necessary decisions.

· The $5.1M wastewater treatment plant upgrade was substantially completed (short of punch list work) by the end of the year. I believe this is the largest public works project in Pepperell’s history. Mark Richardson and Carmen DeFillipo had the dubious task of upgrading and expanding an existing plant while keeping it in operation. They accomplished this task, with the help of our consultant engineers SEA. This facility will serve the Town for the next 20 years as well as accommodate its growth.

· The Lowell Road waterline was upgraded from East Street to the Dunstable Town line. This old line was the scene of more water breaks that any other section of Town because of its age. More importantly, the existing 4” line was upgraded to an 8” line which is the minimum size to provide adequate fire protection for the residents of Lowell Street and connecting roads. The design of this project, including the preparation of all plans, specs, and bid documents, was done by the Town Engineer using existing information, the input of all DPW Divisions, and a minor review by our consultant engineers at a tremendous savings to the ratepayers. The work was done as a public bid by a private contractor. The completion of this project will now allow this section of roadway to have its final course of pavement installed in 2005, something that the Highway Division has wanted to complete since the completion of sewer installations here in the late 90s. With new sidewalks, new utilities, and a new travel surface, this main thoroughfare will have been completely reconstructed, with credit going to the coordinated effort of three DPW Divisions.

· The final aspects of the Lowell Road Sewer Project were completed, work that included new sewers on Yvonne Drive, Hyacinth Drive, and James Circle. A small portion of this work was done at the expense of an abutter and another section was done by DPW forces at half the usual cost. The design was modified by the Town Engineer to further reduce costs. The work was publicly bid and an excellent job was done by a private contractor. Many residents had requested that this work be completed over the last couple of years so its completion is appreciated. The project also included a small section of Bennett Street, completing that area of Town as well.

· I’m very happy to have worked with private concerns on projects that benefit both the Town’s interests as well as theirs since the creation of the DPW. This happened again with the installation of new sewer and water lines in Lowell Street, from Lowell Road to Railroad Street. The new sewer line was built at the cost of the Tarbell Street developer to accommodate that project but it will also serve many properties on Lowell Street. The waterline was replaced, also at the cost to the developer, to provide a new, properly sized line that replaced a line nearly 100 years old. The new travel surface was paid for by the developer, coordinated by the Highway Division. Another classic “win-win” situation.

· In 2004, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a Consent Order to the Water Division, which had fallen behind on many requirements of a municipal water supply system. In May, DEP issued the Order which consisted of eight issues that had to be addressed within a time frame detailed in the Order. By the end of the year, all items had been taken care of to the satisfaction of DEP. This includes inspections and cleaning of Town storage tanks and improvements to the treatment system. New Chief Operator Matt Walsh had this issue dropped on his lap in September but we were able to continue in our efforts to be compliant. We now plan to be more proactive in our maintenance and operations responsibilities in the Water Division so as to provide a safe and reliable public water supply.

· Three major roadway improvement projects were completed by the Highway Division in 2004 as Superintendent Peter Shattuck continues his aggressive pursuit of improving roads in the Town. Shirley Street between South Road and Mt. Lebanon Street has long felt the effects of poor drainage, with potholes every spring causing an uneven and unsafe traveled surface. With the cooperation of an abutter who provided the Town with drainage easements, Highway was able to install two new drainage systems as well as replace an old culvert, prior to a full depth, full width reconstruction of the roadway. On Brookline Street, a very old culvert was actually in danger of collapsing and it was replaced by a new concrete box culvert. This work was done in an amazingly short period of time because of the importance of the main road, resulting in a very limited shut down period. Pierce Street, the widening of which has been planned for five years, was completed up to the base course and will be completed in 2005. The cooperation of abutters was also necessary for this work to move forward as the right-of-way had to be widened from 20’ (the narrowest right-of-way in Town) to a full 40’. The Town Engineer provided field layout, project management, and coordination with the Conservation Commission on all three of these projects.

· The Parks maintenance garage has been in the planning stage for over five years and many times looked like it would never move forward. Even over this past year we attempted to work with a pre-engineered building, then even doing the project in-house with a “barn-raising” done by volunteers. Fortunately, with the help of former School Building Committee member Bill Kenison and Jerry Martin of the School District, funding was made available for the joint Parks/Schools maintenance garage that was recently completed at the end of Tucker Avenue. Constructed to resemble the adjacent new Nissitissit Middle School, this attractive and solid structure is centrally located for both the School’s fields as well as for the growing list of fields maintained by Superintendent Seth Durno and the Parks and Cemetery Division. I would also add that the construction of the Glow soccer fields adjacent to the new garage, a joint project of the Town and the youth soccer group, was completed this year with the irrigation system, fencing, and an improved drainage system finished and will be ready for use in 2005.

· If there was a disappointment in 2005 it was in our search for a new municipal well location. The Town of Dunstable decided they did not want to enter into an agreement with Pepperell in a capital improvements-for-water deal, and then an agreement could not be reached with the owners of land off Nashua Road for an approved site at that location. In 2005 we will begin testing at other locations in Town which appear promising.

In addition to the above major projects and issues, the Department of Public Works also accomplished the following;

· Highway Division: In addition to the major Highway projects detailed above, Superintendent Peter Shattuck and I determined the best case for a realigned “Dirt Jewett Street”, from West Street to Shattuck Street, which will be presented at Town Meeting in 2005 for approval. Once all the necessary deeds are executed and approval received from the Conservation Commission, the construction work can begin. Highway assisted in the repair of the railroad embankment adjacent to Shirley Street, which had collapsed – further collapse would have resulted in possible flooding of the street. The land is owned by Nashoba Conservation Trust, with whom the project was coordinated, and a safe walking trail has now been restored. The Chestnut Street reconstruction project was finally 100% completed with the construction of a wetlands replication area. Highway continues to add to the list of streets that receive striping each year. The Transfer Station, which is under the control of the Highway Division, instituted positive changes in 2004, ranging from better financial controls and onsite signage to the installation of a scale, which will be completed in 2005. Illegal dumping continues to be a Town-wide problem that Highway tries to stay on top of, but it is a major problem. Once again, the Highway Superintendent, the Police Chief, and the Town Engineer met twice a year to discuss traffic signs and markings as well as other traffic safety issues. Although we were unable to implement a realignment plan, all necessary approvals were obtained for the south end of Wheeler Street and this section of road, from Cranberry Street to a point 900’ to the north, will be reconstructed in 2005. Discussions were held with the owners and developers of land adjacent to the Highway Garage with the hope of obtaining slightly more land for the future use of a growing Highway Division. Although not successful to date, we remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached that would have minimal impact on the proposed subdivision while being extremely beneficial to the Town. Peter also served with the Street Depiction Committee, along with the Town Engineer and others, to determine and finalize the legal status of every street in Town prior to the implementation of the GIS system. Peter’s input on all utility projects in Town roads was also invaluable in assuring that, when complete, the road will be in the best condition possible. We are also looking into improvements to the intersections at Tarbell Street and Lowell Road, Park Street at Oak Hill Street, and a possible turnaround at the end of Elliott Street, now one of the longest dead end roads in Town.

· Sewer Division: In addition to the major projects involving the treatment plant and the completion of all designed-but-not-installed sewers, the DPW Board approved a sewer connection for the Suburban Mobile Home Park on Chestnut Street. This took much negotiation and discussion and, once finalized and constructed, will allow abutters the chance to connect to the sewer system which otherwise would not be available. This major project is expected to be completed in 2005. A possible extension of the system up Townsend Street will be evaluated again next year. As the treatment plant upgrade work nears completion, the Sewer Division is also looking at a possible expansion of the onsite lab facility, a project that can only be considered because the overall project came in on budget and on time. Sewer is also looking to obtain a parcel of land directly adjacent to the current property which would allow continued onsite composting operations as well as allow further expansion in another 20 years, should that be necessary. Again, congratulations to Carmen and Mark for their success in the monumental task of maintaining operations at a functioning treatment plant during a significant upgrade project. Finally, Sewer and Water revised their billing systems in 2004 to begin staggered billings, where semi-annual bills continue to be sent to customers but not all in April and October. This system will be more efficient.

· Water Division: We once again had a turn-over in personnel at the Water Division with Pepperell resident Matt Walsh assuming the duties of Chief Operator by the end of the year. Another licensed operator also began work in the Division in December. As stated above, the Division plans to be proactive in making improvements to the water system in 2005, first bringing back to Town Meeting a funding article to upgrade our wells, pumps, stations, and treatment facilities. The Water Division had two studies finalized in 2004, one a wellhead protection study funded by the State and another a final report on possible bedrock well locations in Town, should locations for possible gravel-packed wells be found not to exist. The Division also participated in a Water Assets study done by DEP in which all Towns in the Interstate Route 495 corridor evaluated their available water supplies as part of an overall regional study. Water also had an evaluation done of the possibility of citing a municipal well at the Pepperell Springs parcel, which concluded that both bedrock and gravel wells were possibilities but it was determined not to pursue these at this time.

My regular duties as DPW Director include reviewing all bills payable, holding regular meeting with all Division Superintendents, preparation of all DPW articles for the Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting, discussing the concerns of residents, and personnel issues. I was also privileged to have spoken to the Rotary Club last June.

I continue to serve in the dual position of DPW Director and Town Engineer, to the financial benefit of the Town and hopefully to the overall benefit of the Town as well. Although it was not as busy a year as expected for my work with the Planning Board, it was not uneventful. Common driveways were completed off Pierce Street, Chestnut Street, Groton Street, and Sheffield Street; plans for new common driveways were submitted for two off Prescott Street; and inspections were required for an ongoing common driveway off Mt. Lebanon Street. Bond reviews were also done for a number of ongoing projects. I worked with the DPW to revise and update the Planning Board’s subdivision regulations. Inspections were done at Julia Lane and Heritage Estates, two approved subdivisions now in the preliminary construction stage. Aside from the short stretch of Adams Street located at the Dunstable Town Line, there were no accepted streets, although two or three new subdivisions may be at the acceptance stage in 2005. I also reviewed plans submitted to the Board for other special permits. I continued to work with the Board of Health on aspects of the post-closure testing required of the Boynton Street landfill as well as coordinating the status of the sewer connection at Suburban Mobile Home Park. For the Board of Selectmen I reviewed two earth removal permit applications and did a review of the existing layout for Lawrence Street. I reviewed plans for the Zoning Board of Appeals, most recently for a 40B multi-housing project proposed for Lowell Road. Finally, as Town Engineer I continued to watch the progress of the construction of the new Covered Bridge, which I been working on since 1998 and is scheduled to begin in 2005; I worked on the GIS Street Depiction Committee which served to finalize the status of all accepted public streets in Town for the development of the GIS system; I attended three educational seminars dealing with better road construction, traffic signal warrants, and traffic calming (I used the signal warrant seminar to analyze the intersection in front of Town Hall); I testified in Land Court relative to the MCGI case; I did survey for drainage improvements at Jersey and East Streets and for the new scales that will be installed at the Transfer Station; and the everyday tasks such as miscellaneous drainage issues, beaver control, and keeping our filing system up to date.

I look forward to 2005 – if it turns out to be anywhere near as productive as 2004 it will be considered a success.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT, TREE WARDEN,

MOTH SUPERINTENDENT AND TOWN FOREST WARDEN

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the residents of Pepperell:

The following is the daily activity of the Highway Department, Transfer Station, Tree Warden and Moth Departments calendar year 2004:

Our first snow of the season fell on November 13th; we had 2” of snow and a total of 41” of snow this winter with three ice storms in between. In December we had a little of everything. Heavy rain on December l0th, 2” of snow and ice on December 7th, 4” on December 21st, 6” on December 27th. All were plowable storms, the rest of the winter followed suit. The Highway Dept. crew was busy with winter operations all the way through March 17th with 8” of snow followed by the most rain fall I have ever seen having 6” fall on April 1st. The department was very busy with shoulder work from wash outs for a few days and with rain and road thawing patching potholes is always on our work schedule.

The Highway Department assisted the Sewer Department with a sewer main extension on Yvonne Drive.

With spring time in full swing the crew was sweeping sidewalks and streets.

We have only a few dirt roads in town now, but we still need to run the road grader over them. This was done in April and is done 3-4 times a year as needed.

At least once sometimes twice during the week our tractor trailer hauls a load of trash to Saugus. I will mention that the purchase of this truck transferring from Sewer to Highway has been a great help to the department with the respect to road rebuilding. Having a larger truck helps. On April l3th we started hauling ledge to Pierce Street, this was one of our projects this year. The material I have been stockpiling for a couple of years will be the foundation for this street ending up with a huge savings to the residents. We also installed new culverts in Pierce Street and built a new turn around at the end. Paving will be done in 2005.

Catch basins in the town were cleaned some 900 of them. On April 20th we as we do many times through out the year helped the Water Department at #72 Lowell Road with yet another water break. Again this year the department helped with the cleanup of Pepperell, we covered the town picking up all the orange trash bags.

This year we have had many beaver problems at our cross culverts, this is always a problem and a large cost to the tax payers.

May 3rd, the culvert on Brookline Street was replaced. Two 42” round culverts were replaced with a box type culvert. This will last the town for many years. A job well done by the department.

May 13th, we replaced a replication area for the Conservation Commission on Chestnut St. this puts the reconstruction of Chestnut Street completed.

May 24th we started a complete drainage system on Shirley Street installing a total of 9 catch basins. This street was reclaimed in place by a private contractor. A geotextile mat was installed by the Highway Department and a course of recycled hot top 6-8” deep to provide for a good foundation, then a binder course of hot top. The job was finished in mid July. This project was done by the department that resulted in a large savings to the town.

The Tree Department has had many hazardous trees removed and we also took some down for the Water Department. Twenty–two trees were planted as replacements.

Street signs were on our list of things to do. Many signs were replaced and we also added a few more yellow and red reflectors to help the motoring public.

This year I hired private contractors to help with controlling roadside vegetation. We painted all the crosswalks and repainted the center and fog lines on our main roads. This is done at night to avoid daytime traffic.

This year we resurfaced the following streets: Lawrence, Park, Countryside and a short part of Prescott, some of Oak hill from Sewer extensions. We also put some drainage in East and Jersey Streets, and then put a course of hot top on.

July 27^th we started the two sidewalk projects, Prospect Hill and Pleasant Street, using existing curbs that were reset. With a new sidewalk foundation and binder course of the hot top installed. A few fire hydrants were moved to better locations on both of these projects.

A new water main on Lowell Road and sewer main on Yvonne, Hyacinth, James Circle, even though a private contractor installed them the Highway was needed to assist from time to time. A new water main and sewer installed on Lowell Street with a new section of sidewalk was also completed.

This year we assisted the School Department with some brush mowing with our side arm mower and we also made an attempt to make it around town with our road side mowing, always a long trip.

The Highway Department put up the voting booths for the residents.

We assisted the Fire Department with truck repairs to their fleet at our maintenance facility.

Our employees also work at the Transfer Station assisting them from time to time. We hauled l, l7l.3 tons of trash to Saugus this year.

In October we made a trip around town for hot top patching. Many water break areas and spots that needed attention before winter. Graded the dirt roads, fixed signs and cold patched potholes. With winter on its way we were filling sand and salt sheds checking our plows and sanders.

November l0th we had our brush pile ground up and hauled some of the chips to the Sewer Department to be used as a drying material for their operation.

In December we purchased one of our used trucks and the crew is getting it into shape for our use when time allows. I am on the look out for the second truck.

As you can see it’s been a very busy year for my Department.

I would like to thank all departments for their help through out the year. We have completed many projects and made many improvements to our infrastructure. As always the Highway Department stands ready to help when we can to any department in need.

Respectfully Submitted,

Peter J. Shattuck, Sr.

Highway Department Superintendent

Tree Warden/Moth Superintendent

Town Forest Warden

WATER DEPARTMENT

The year 2004 was a very challenging and productive year for the Pepperell Water Division. This past summer we upgraded the Lowell Road and Lowell Street water mains; replacing old and outdated mains, hydrants and water services. This major undertaking contributes to the improvement of the water quality and fire protection provided to our residents.

The Pepperell Water Division has also worked diligently to comply with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Administrative Consent Order. Many improvements have been made throughout our system, including installing security fencing around our facilities, the cleaning and upgrading of our water storage tanks, improvements to our existing wells and the calibration of our flow meters.

The Water Division was extremely busy with day-to-day operations and maintenance for the overall system. We replaced 20 fire hydrants and installed or replaced approximately 90 house service lines. We flushed the entire distribution system and will continue to do so every spring and fall. We believe that by instituting an aggressive flushing program, our water quality in the Town of Pepperell will continue to improve. In the past year, we have replaced 200 old style water meters. We will continue with this effort in hopes to replace the last 300 water meters that need to be replaced over the next several months.

We are pleased to report that December’s Lead and Copper samples did not exceed the Massachusetts D.E.P. and E.P.A. standards for the first time in two years. This good news reflects the overall improvements being made to our system.

The Pepperell Water Division would like to thank all of our customers for their continued patience while we work to improve the quality of water at the lowest possible cost. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the other divisions in the Department of Public Works, the Police and Fire Departments, the Library and Schools, and everyone in the Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted by the Water Division of the Department of Public Works,

Matthew J. Walsh,

Chief Treatment Operator

SEWER DEPARTMENT

We are pleased to submit the twenty-fifth annual report of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 2004 had a variety of activities added to the regular operational functions of the division.

The DPW Sewer & Wastewater Division started the year with the wastewater treatment plant upgrade in full swing. The aeration tanks were being enlarged; two new clarifiers were also being added. During the summer and fall the headworks area of the plant was upgraded along with the replacement of many pumps and controls. By year’s end the plant had reached the 90 percent completion point and continued to make progress.

In April, N. Cibotti began the final phase of the Lowell Road Sewer Project; Yvonne Drive, Hyacinth Drive and James Circle. These streets were included in the project that was initiated in 1995. In addition to the Lowell Road Project, N. Cibotti also finished the last section of the Bennett Street Sewer Project. The completion of these two projects added another 3,115 feet of sewer and made sewer available to 38 homes.

In June, R.M. Hicks installed 885 feet of gravity sewer on Lowell Street as part of the Tarbell Townhouse project. This completed a section of sewer installation that had been designed but not approved as part of the Lowell Road Construction Project. This installation had a positive benefit to those residents that are now served by this installation. In addition to the 32 condominium units, this project provided sewer availability for 4 additional residential connections and one commercial building.

The Sewer & Wastewater Division spent the fall inspecting the installation of sewer mains on Julia Lane which is an extension to the Hadley Estates Development. When completed this extension will add another 1,526 feet of sewer main and 25 new connections.

At year’s end the Sewer & Wastewater Division inspected 50 new connections and over 5,788 of sewer main installed by private drain layers licensed in the Town of Pepperell. The Sewer Division also cleaned over 3,500 feet of sewer main and repaired numerous manhole structures throughout the collection system.

In December, the Board of Public Works voted to increase the sewer rates by five percent effective January 1, 2005. The rate increase was necessary to meet the financial needs of the Sewer Division. Sewer rates in Pepperell still remain within the State Average for sewer use charges. The use of deduct meters is allowed after inspection by the Water Division. A significant number of residents have opted for these meters and are now benefiting from the deduction.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant and pumping stations continue to perform well. Throughout the construction the treatment plant has averaged greater than 92% removal efficiency of all major pollutants for the year. The total wastewater flow for 2004 decreased by 9.0% to just over 162.72 million gallons of wastewater. The average wastewater flow from Pepperell was 330,000 gallons daily, and Groton flows averaged 116,700 gallons per day. The reduction in flows may be attributed to several projects that helped remove infiltration from the system.

The composting operation at the Wastewater Treatment Plant processed 132.17 dry tons of wastewater sludge which equates to approximately 4,000 cubic yards of compost. We continue to actively market our compost as a useful soil conditioner.

Throughout the year, the Sewer Division continued to remove the beaver dams in the area of Shawnee Road and Herget Drive as part of its annual beaver maintenance program. By maintaining these areas and preventing beavers from building dams we are able to reduce water infiltration into the sewer system.

We have been pleased to work with other Divisions and Departments throughout the year and called upon their services as well. We continue to work with other Town Departments sharing equipment and personnel during times of need.

We would like to thank the Townspeople, and particularly our ratepayers, for their support and understanding over the past year. The staff of the Wastewater Treatment Plant & Sewer Division along with the other Departments have been very helpful and we extend our appreciation for their efforts.

Respectfully submitted for the Board of Public Works,

Mark A. Richardson, Superintendent

CEMETERY/PARKS DEPARTMENT

During the year 2004 we continued to operate the cemetery on a twelve-month basis. There were a total of 27 burials at the Woodlawn Cemetery. The total revenue generated from these burials was $8,150.00. Out of the 29 burials, nine were cremations and 20 were full burials in vaults.

This year we also had 28 lots sold – 20 full burial lots and eight cremation lots. The revenue generated from the lot sales was $8,400.00.

The Parks Department continues to maintain an approximate 50 acres of residential land. The goal for the year of 2004 was to complete the Glow field irrigation. I am pleased to say it is now complete. The field will be on line for the year 2005.

The Parks Department is also happy to report that the new garage located on Tucker Avenue near the Nissitissit School is well underway. It will be in working use for the recreational season of 2005. I would like to thank everyone that has been involved in this garage project.

I would also like to thank the entire staff at the Town Hall and the other Town departments for their continued support, guidance and help throughout this very busy and changing year of 2004.

Respectfully submitted,

Seth E. Durno

Cemetery & Parks Department Superintendent

BOARD OF HEALTH

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TERMS

Robert Lambert, Chairperson April 2006

Conrad F. Eaton April 2005

Holly J. Bradman April 2007

APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND TITLES

Edward F. Wirtanen, R.S., C.H.O. Health Agent

Kenneth West Animal Inspector

Kathleen Comeau Assistant Animal Inspector

Lynda Pozerski Board Secretary

RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES: To administer and enforce State and local regulations and Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to the Public Health and the environment.

AUTHORITY: Massachusetts Generals Laws, State Regulations and the Code of the Town of Pepperell.

During 2004 the Board of Health issued the following permits/licenses:

	Granted	Denied	Pending	Withdrawn
Variance (9)	6	1	1	1
40B Comprehensive Permits (1)	0	0	1	0
Administrative Appeals (2)	1	1	0	0
Special Permits (11)	9	2	0	0
Amendments to Decisions (1)	1	0	0	0

Dr. Judith L. Klimkiewicz	Superintendent
Mr. Victor Kiloski	Assistant Superintendent/Principal
Ms Carol Heidenrich	Director of Technology
Ms Melissa LeRay	Special Education/Testing Administrator
Ms Danya Sclar	Guidance/Admissions Administrator
Ms Diane Paradis	Director of Curriculum
Mr. Richard Coyle	Dean of Students
Mr. George Kalarites	Facilities Manager

	2002	2003	2004
Items Borrowed	151,749	160,372	166,140
Special Events	263	294	300
Special Event Attendance	8,244	8,039	6,587
Volunteer Hours	739	580	332
Items sent to us from other libraries to fill requests	2,913	3,277 (July ’02-June’03)	4,936 (July ’03-June ’04)
Items loaned to other libraries to fill their requests	1,001	2,059 (July ’02-June’03)	3,686 (July ’03-June ’04)

ELECTED OFFICIALS

STAFF POSITIONS

APPOINTED BOARDS/COMMITTEES

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

ARTICLE 4

ARTICLE 4

ARTICLE 4

ARTICLE 5

ARTICLE 9

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

September 20, 2004

Nicholas Cate............. Term Expires 2005....................... Clerk as of 5/04

Joseph Sergi............... Term Expires 2007....................... Chairman as of 5/04

James Daddona.......... Term Ended 4/04

Dirk Bakker......... Associate Member........... Appointed 6/04.......... Term Expires 6/05

Superintendent

Alternates:

Weekly

Samuel Poulten - Secretary	Chelmsford	Irene Machemer	Townsend
Robert Joyce	Chelmsford	Hajo Koester – Chairman	Westford
Ralph Hulslander	Chelmsford	Joan O’Brien	Westford
Kevin McKenzie	Groton	Alternates:
Augustine Kish – Vice Chair	Littleton	Donald Ayer	Chelmsford
Joy Dalrymple	Pepperell	Sandra Proctor	Pepperell
Jerrilyn Bozicas	Pepperell	William Foster	Littleton
Al Buckley	Pepperell	Joshua Negrich	Townsend
Dolores Guercio	Shirley	Diana Greenwood	Westford
Barbara Sherritt	Townsend

Townsend	79
Westford	43
Ayer	33
School Choice	79
Total Enrollment	548

	Walton	Woodlawn	Pepperell Assoc.	St. Joseph’s	Total
Revolutionary	27				27
War of 1812		1			1
Civil War	13	9	10	5	37
Spanish-American		2	1	7	10
World War I	1	44	33	38	116
World War II	7	133	46	79	265
Korean War	2	18	4	7	31
Vietnam	1	9	1	5	16
TOTALS	51	216	95	141	503