Pepperell Select Board Approves Farm Lease, Hall Upgrade, and Rezoning Article in One Night

PEPPERELL — August 6, 2012 — Pepperell Select Board approves Dragonfly Farms lease, Town Hall media upgrade, and school rezoning article at August 6 meeting. The board unanimously awarded a five-year agricultural lease to Susan and Frank Ventura of Dragonfly Farms for the town-owned Adamovich and Homoleski properties, at annual rents of $4,200 and $900 respectively, a 12 percent increase on the larger parcel; the Venturas, who operate a 166-member community-supported agriculture program, said the longer term is essential to pursue organic certification. The board accepted a zero-cost gift from Pepperell Community Media Inc. to renovate Conference Room A with three robotic cameras, a ceiling projector, and new audio equipment under MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A. It also endorsed a $107.58 flagpole restoration on Prescott Street using a 1919 trust fund, approved a backup paramedic agreement with Townsend Fire EMS, and voted to submit a rezoning article to the Planning Board that would reclassify five Peter Fitzpatrick School parcels from residential to commercial — with MassDevelopment agreeing to provide development analysis at a deferred cost of $15,000 to $20,000 payable only if a sale proceeds.