Pepperell Board Sets FY2017 Tax Rate at $15.89, Declines to Split

PEPPERELL — October 17, 2016 — Pepperell sets FY2017 property tax rate at $15.89 per thousand, maintaining a single uniform rate. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to adopt a split tax rate factor of 1.0 — effectively keeping one rate for all property classes — after Town Assessor Maureen Bulger presented data showing an 8 percent average increase in assessed values and new growth of $173,995, more than double the $80,000 budgeted. The estimated average tax bill for a home assessed at $301,686 will be $4,794, of which $2,763 goes to the North Middlesex Regional School District. The board also appointed Michael Morgan as an alternate to the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Committee, Frances Lamb to the Council on Aging, and Barbara Seeger and Trevor Faralito as Precinct 2 election inspectors. Town Administrator Mark Andrews reported the Green Communities energy program has secured more than $25,000 in additional rebates, enough — combined with existing capital funds — to fund a boiler replacement at the Pepperell Public Library at just over $72,000.