Pepperell Selectmen Narrow Town Administrator Search to Two Finalists

PEPPERELL — October 14, 2014 — Pepperell selectmen advance two town administrator finalists and grant IAFF union recognition in one meeting. The Board of Selectmen on October 14 voted unanimously to advance candidates Mark Andrews and Michael Bissonette — a former Wenham town administrator and the former eight-year mayor of Chicopee, respectively — for reference and background checks, while eliminating attorney Jack Wilson from consideration after board members found his answers too general. Chairman Mike Green said he was "inclined towards Mark Andrews right now" based on the depth of Andrews's responses, while others raised concern that Andrews's profile suggested a tendency to push his own conclusions over consensus. The board also voted unanimously to voluntarily recognize the International Association of Fire Fighters as exclusive bargaining representative for full-time and regular part-time firefighters — excluding call, per diem, and command employees — after town counsel Sharon P. Siegel of Mirick O'Connell warned that a contested state certification process could cost the town $10,000 or more and produce a bargaining unit neither side favored. The board additionally accepted the resignation of longtime Pepperell Housing Authority member James Trehe, effective October 14, and posted a vacancy for the seat with applications due by noon October 30.