Pepperell Board Welcomes New Town Administrator, Confirms Two Appointments

PEPPERELL — December 1, 2014 — Pepperell's Board of Selectmen welcomed new Town Administrator Mark Andrews at its December 1 meeting, with Andrews presenting a three-part financial initiative on his first day in the role. Andrews outlined a plan to pursue more than $346,000 in outstanding back taxes across approximately 39 properties through a municipal tax-lien collection program modeled on programs in Haverhill, Lowell, Lawrence, and other communities, saying the town expected to recover "about 25 percent right out of the box" simply by publicizing the effort. He also flagged Governor Patrick's 9C budget cuts as a potential threat to regional school transportation funding and announced a utility cost-reduction review that could save the town $10,000 or more annually. The board confirmed Susan McCarthy as Council on Aging director for a three-year term and appointed 18-year resident Brian Dunnegan to the Cable TV Advisory Committee through June 30, 2015. The board also authorized Andrews to accept a $39,703.56 federal aid reimbursement from MassDOT tied to 2011 storm damage — funds that had been sought for three years — and approved a Sunday-hours change for Tariff and Station Beverage LLC in conformance with new state law.