Pepperell Board Receives Unanimous Recommendation to Convert Fitzpatrick School to Mixed-Use Center

PEPPERELL -- April 29, 2019, Pepperell selectmen receive unanimous committee recommendation to turn vacant Fitzpatrick school into a mixed-use community center. The Peter Fitzpatrick Feasibility Committee, appointed in July 2018 and chaired by Craig Hanson, presented a 100-plus-page report Monday recommending the board authorize the 81,000-square-foot former elementary school's repurpose as a mixed-use center, engage a nonprofit operator under a public-private partnership for a minimum of 10 years by fiscal year end, and pursue a zoning overlay for light commercial uses within three years. Hanson told the board the nine-member committee "came to the table with nine different opinions and left with one unanimous vote," and warned that the vacant building was already suffering from a fallen tree, elevator failure, and roof and water leaks. The board took no action Monday but is expected to vote on the recommendation at its May 22 meeting. Also Monday, the board endorsed all 20 Town Meeting warrant articles for the May 6 annual meeting, including a bare-bones fiscal year 2020 budget and a $1.4 million supplement to restore 47 budget line items, with both marijuana zoning and a local option excise tax on marijuana sales passing on 2-1 votes.