Recreation Commission Pulls Fitness Court Bid, Backs Affordable Housing at CPC

Recreation Commission · Meeting of January 2, 2026

Pepperell Recreation Commission withdraws fitness court CPC bid and endorses $120,000 affordable housing application in back-to-back unanimous votes. Chair David Ganata told the three-member panel at the January 2 meeting that Community Preservation Committee sentiment toward the National Fitness Campaign fitness court application was unfavorable for a second straight year, and that pressing forward would "waste their time." The commission voted 3-0 to pull the application, then immediately voted 3-0 to send a letter urging the CPC to fund the Affordable Housing Trust application "at or above" its $120,000 ask, with member Alan Leo calling the housing situation "a crisis of epic proportions." In a third 3-0 vote, the commission rescinded its earlier letter of support for an Eagle Scout sand volleyball court after applicant Avery shifted his proposed location from McNabb Town Field to the Peter Fitzpatrick property, which CPC legal advisors Stewart and Chase said lacks the Article 97 protections required for CPC-funded improvements.

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Source: the Recreation Commission meeting of January 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.