Pepperell Planning Board Advances Fitzpatrick School Adaptive Reuse Permit to June 20

PEPPERELL — June 5, 2023 — Pepperell Planning Board continues Fitzpatrick School adaptive reuse hearing, raises Chamberlain Way bond to $237,115. The board, meeting June 5 with Acting Chair Joan Laddick presiding over a reduced four-member quorum, voted unanimously to continue to June 20 the public hearing on a special permit application by the Fitz Collaborative to expand permitted uses at the former Peter Fitzpatrick School at 45 and 45A Main Street to include co-working spaces, a commercial kitchen, studios, and performance venues. Ron Carr, chairman of the Pepperell Historical Commission, told the board his commission had voted that same evening in support of the application, citing a consultant's finding that the building's 1938 wing is "definitely eligible" for the National Register of Historic Places. On a separate matter, the board approved increasing the performance bond for the 1-4 Chamberlain Way common driveway project from $100,000 to $237,115, with a three-month progress review due September 4, and recommended that Building Commissioner Bentley Hurget release a stalled certificate of occupancy for 4 Chamberlain Way pending a written financing commitment from the applicant's attorney. Town Planner Jennifer Coderre announced her resignation, effective June 30, saying she had accepted a position with another municipality.