Pepperell Selectmen Approve FY2017 Budget, Fees, and Town Meeting Warrant

PEPPERELL — April 11, 2016 — Pepperell Selectmen approve FY2017 budget restoring three positions and adopt first fee revisions in more than 20 years. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously April 11 to approve Town Administrator Mark Andrews's FY2017 operating and capital budget, which restores one police officer, one DPW worker, and a fourth EMT, and adopted a revised municipal fee schedule projected to generate just over $94,000 on a $23 million budget. Fire Chief Toby Tyler told the board Pepperell's ambulance fees had been the lowest among comparable communities — ALS-2 service billed at $1,031 against a regional range of $1,400 to $3,600 — while Building Inspector Harry reported the town's residential construction permit fee of 35 cents per square foot was roughly half of what neighboring communities charge. The board also approved an 18-article Annual Town Meeting warrant for May 2, including a local-option meals tax article projected to add $42,000 annually, confirmed Lisa Ferralito as appointed town clerk under Town Charter Article 5-5, and placed the Depot Grill and Bar on a six-month liquor license probation with conditions including on-site TIPS training and 30-day video storage.