Pepperell Board Appoints Outreach Coordinator, Waives Hiring Freeze for Treasurer's Office

PEPPERELL — July 25, 2011 — Pepperell selectmen approved a new Council on Aging outreach hire, a treasurer's office hiring freeze waiver, and a Vietnam Memorial flagpole fundraising effort at their July 25 meeting. The board unanimously appointed Elizabeth Selinger-Katabowski as community outreach coordinator at grade 4, step 3 — a 19-hour-per-week post estimated at roughly $18,000 annually — conditioned on a formal Council on Aging vote set for August 2. Town Treasurer Michael won a unanimous waiver of the hiring freeze to replace Debbie Nutter, a departing assistant with eight or nine years of town service, advertising through the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association and the town website. Town Accountant Gene, about four months into the role, reported that cash reconciliations were complete only through December 31, 2010, prompting one selectman to call the gap "a red flag"; the board directed Gene to return with a written account-status summary at the next meeting. Town Administrator John reported that Administration and Finance Secretary Gonzalez had committed to restoring $91,000 in one-time state aid for fiscal year 2012, and outlined an intensive fall schedule for municipal health insurance reform under Chapter 32B, Section 21.