Pepperell Selectmen Renew Town Administrator Contract, Accept $138,012 Federal Fire Grant

PEPPERELL — January 14, 2013 — Pepperell selectmen approved a one-year contract renewal for Town Administrator John Francis Moke and accepted a $138,012 federal SAFER grant to fund a firefighter-paramedic position at a wide-ranging January 14 meeting. The board voted unanimously on ten separate items, including the appointment of four auxiliary police officers — Jacob Lachance, George Salinas, Thomas McEachern, and Steven Skazillo — and reserve officer Steven Bezanson, bringing the auxiliary force from 13 to 17 members. Martin Kadic was appointed IT systems administrator after a search drawing 45 to 50 applicants, with a start date no later than February 4. The SAFER grant, administered by FEMA, covers wages and benefits for one firefighter-paramedic for two years at no cost to the town beyond roughly $1,900 in equipment; Fire Chief Toby Tyler noted the department has moved from a $28,000 deficit to $12,192 in net new revenue in the past year and that the position would support a planned shift to 24-hour paramedic coverage. A long-serving selectman, identified as Joe, announced he would not seek re-election after 16 years, saying family and work commitments made it "probably in my best interest and the town's best interest" to step aside.