Pepperell Selectmen Appoint New Fire Chief After Competitive Nationwide Search

PEPPERELL -- May 22, 2019, Pepperell selectmen appointed a new fire chief and authorized a request for proposals for the future of the Peter Fitzpatrick School at their May 22 meeting. The board voted 2-1 to appoint Brian Borderman as fire chief following a nationwide search that drew 17 applications and included a full-day assessment center run by four retired fire chiefs with more than 100 combined years of experience; the appointment is pending contract negotiations. The board also voted unanimously to direct Town Administrator Andrew Scarsdale to draft an RFP for management of the 80,697-square-foot former school on 19 acres in the town center, targeting a June 24 approval of the scope and a possible management decision by mid-August. HR consultant Mary Beth Bernard presented findings from a payroll audit, telling the board "you didn't have any of the major problems I've seen in payroll audits" while flagging 35 recommendations, including the need to document all procedures in writing and conduct a Fair Labor Standards Act classification review. The board also refined a one-day liquor license policy, setting a $50 fee and a five-event-per-organization annual cap, with a vote scheduled for June 10.