Pepperell Selectmen Approve Search for Temporary Treasurer After 13-Year Incumbent Resigns

PEPPERELL — March 27, 2013 — Pepperell selectmen voted unanimously to launch a search for a temporary town treasurer-collector after 13-year incumbent Michael Hartnett resigned to become treasurer of neighboring Groton. The board approved a job description and authorized the town administrator to advertise the position, setting an April 15 application deadline and targeting a candidate for the board's April 22 meeting — before Hartnett's May 10 departure. Town Administrator John noted that the Secretary of State's elections division has ruled that even a temporary appointee to the elected post must be a registered Pepperell voter, a requirement he said narrows the candidate pool. Screening will be handled by the town's finance team, which includes the assessor, accountant, treasurer, DPW director, and administrative assistant. The board also discussed the possibility of extending Hartnett's service by a week or two if the process runs long, and noted that an unresolved question — whether the board could remove a temporary appointee for cause — had been referred to the town's labor attorney.