The Pepperell Building Committee invites all registered voters to cast ballots in a special June 12 referendum to decide whether the town will build a new public safety complex.
Town Meeting approved a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion to fund the project, estimated to cost $37.235 million. State law requires approval by both Town Meeting and in a ballot referendum. Approval will allow the town to temporarily increase taxes to cover the debt it would incur as a result of the project. It is projected that the tax rate will increase by $1.16 per $1,000 of valuation.
The Pepperell Building Committee was formed in early 2020. Following a comprehensive review, the Committee identified that the Police and Fire Departments and Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center work out of facilities that have numerous structural and functional deficiencies. Pepperell Police and Patriot RECC are headquartered at the former Shattuck School, which was built in 1895.
Committee members set goals of developing a cost-effective proposal that met established community needs, improves service levels, and is environmentally sustainable.
The Committee worked with its consultants, Tecton Architects and Vertex, to review all options, and held several listening sessions to obtain valuable community feedback.
The Committee agreed to bring forward a proposal for a single building that will house police, fire, emergency services, and communications. The Committee identified town-owned land at 47 Jersey St., near the Department of Public Works, as the preferred site.
The Town Meeting presentation on the proposed public safety complex may be viewed here.
The Committee expects ground to be broken in early July should votes approve the referendum.
Polls for the special referendum on Monday, June 12, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Nissitissit Middle School, 33 Chace Ave. The last day to register to vote in the referendum is Friday, June 2.
The Town Clerk’s Office is offering early in-person voting at the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, May 31, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 1, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 2, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Monday, June 5, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 6, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 8, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Those interested in voting by mail are encouraged to submit a Vote by Mail Application as soon as possible.
Residents with questions about voting in the referendum are encouraged to contact Town Clerk Brynn Durno at 978-433-0339 or at bdurno@town.pepperell.ma.us.