Pepperell Board Approves Firefighter Contract, Accepts $152,910 Green Communities Grant

PEPPERELL — March 28, 2016 — Pepperell selectmen ratified a three-year firefighter contract and accepted a $152,910 Green Communities grant at their March 28 meeting. The board voted 3-0 out of executive session to approve the collective bargaining agreement with Pepperell Firefighters Local 5018, International Association of Firefighters, covering March 18, 2016 through March 18, 2019, with an authorized extension through June 30, 2019; Town Administrator Mark Andrews and Selectwoman Michelle Gallagher credited Northern Middlesex Council of Governments for making the grant application possible. Kelly Brown, Green Communities central regional director, noted the state has awarded more than $50 million in designation grants since 2010 and presented a ceremonial check, with more than $83,000 of Pepperell's award earmarked for the Varney Brook and North Middlesex schools. The board also appointed Fran Bergeron and Sheila Jones to the Council on Aging, Francine Crowley to the Historical Commission — filling that body to its full five-member complement for the first time in roughly seven years — and Ron Carr as Precinct 3 Inspector. A liquor license violation hearing for the Depot Grill and Bar at 142 Townsend Street, arising from two incidents on December 14, 2015 and February 27, 2016 documented by Police Chief David Scott, was continued to April 11 after board members cited conflicting accounts of how many drinks were served to an intoxicated patron.