Pepperell Selectmen Reappoint Four Fire Engineers, Decline to Add Fifth Seat

PEPPERELL — April 30, 2012 — Pepperell selectmen reappoint four fire engineers and pass on a fifth applicant. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its April 30 meeting to reappoint Milton Blood, John Rose, Peter Shattuck, and Toby Tyler to the Board of Fire Engineers for terms expiring April 30, 2013, while declining to add career firefighter paramedic David Hargraves of Mason Street to a new fifth seat. Selectmen cited an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 equipment cost and the board's current effectiveness; Shattuck told the board "right now, no" when asked directly whether a fifth member would benefit the department. The strong-chief governance question dominated discussion, with at least one selectman urging the fire department to bring a transition proposal to fall Town Meeting rather than wait for the 18-month charter commission process. Town Administrator John Moak reported a $50,889 FEMA-MEMA grant from the October storm and described early-stage discussions about a 600,000 kilowatt-hour solar farm on the town landfill that could offset 40 to 45 percent of the town's annual electricity use. The board also reorganized, electing Lachlan Surgi as chair and Steve Demelis as clerk.