Pepperell Promotes Three Police Officers, Appoints New Patrol Officer at November Meeting

PEPPERELL — November 28, 2011 — Pepperell Board of Selectmen unanimously overhauled its police command structure and continued a divisive dog daycare special permit hearing at its November 28 meeting. Police Chief Scott recommended the appointment of Ryan Fogarty as a patrol officer, effective November 29, and the promotions of Sergeant Todd Blaine to lieutenant and Officer Nick Parker and Detective Bill Greathead to sergeant, all effective January 1, 2012; the board approved all four actions without dissent. The chief noted that 10 of the department's 16 full-time officers began as Pepperell auxiliary officers, reading a formal letter of thanks to Auxiliary Captain David Curzio for "30-plus years of service." Treasurer-Collector Michael Hartnett reported a roughly 1 percent annual downtick in tax collections over the past three to four fiscal years — approximately $150,000 per year on a $15 million levy — and a tax title balance of $350,000, proposing new tools including credit bureau reporting under MGL Chapter 93. The special permit hearing for Maureen Allen's proposed 45-dog daycare at 80 South Road was continued to January 9, 2012, after abutters challenged the applicant's noise and property value data and the board demanded a professional noise study.