Author: Tom Zuppa

Pepperell Building Committee Urges Voters To Participate in Townwide Referendum for New Public Safety Facility

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project
Pepperell Building Committee Urges Voters To Participate in Townwide Referendum for New Public Safety Facility

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.

Pepperell Building Committee Invites Community to Jan. 18 Forum on Public Safety Complex Proposal

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project
Renderings of the proposed Public Safety Complex.

The Pepperell Building Committee invites the community to an upcoming forum on the proposed Public Safety Complex, where it can provide vital feedback to the process.

The second forum will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the Lawrence Library, 15 Main St. Committee members and representatives from the town’s project manager, The Vertex Companies, and architect, Tecton Architects, will share updates on the project. The presentation is open to the public and will be telecast live by Pepperell Community Media.

The Pepperell Building Committee was formed in early 2020. The police and fire departments and Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center work out of facilities that have been identified as having numerous structural and functional deficiencies. Pepperell Police and Patriot RECC are headquartered at the former Shattuck School, which was built in 1895.

The Jan. 18 presentation will include an overview of the Committee’s work to date. Time will be allotted for questions following the presentation. Topics will include final design, including sustainable materials inside and out, and energy-efficient systems; initial permitting approvals; interior design; budget; ongoing working sessions; and a potential timeline for groundbreaking and completion.

“The feedback we have received so far has been important as we refine this plan, with the intention of presenting the best and most cost-efficient proposal possible to Town Meeting,” Committee Chair Catherine Lundeen said.

The Committee also has scheduled a public session on April 22 at the Jersey Street fire station during the Earth Day celebration. The Committee will announce times and locations for forums in February and March at a later date.

Those interested in more information about the Public Safety Complex Project may visit pepperellproject.com. Videos of Committee meetings may be found at Pepperell Community Media.

Building Committee Invites Community to Informational Meetings on Public Safety Project

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project
Renderings of the proposed Public Safety Complex.

The Pepperell Building Committee announces that it has scheduled monthly community forums on the proposed Public Safety Complex and invites the public to attend its first session later this month.

The first forum will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Albert Harris Center, 37 Nashua Road. Committee members and representatives from the town’s project manager, The Vertex Companies, and architect, Tecton Architects, will share updates on the project. The presentation is open to the public, and will be telecast live by Pepperell Community Media.

The Pepperell Building Committee began its work in early 2021. The police and fire departments and Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center work out of facilities that have been identified as having numerous structural and functional deficiencies. Pepperell Police and Patriot RECC are headquartered at the former Shattuck School, which was built in 1895.

The Dec. 13 presentation will include an overview of the Committee’s work to date:

Final design, including sustainable materials inside and out, and energy-efficient systems; initial permitting approvals; interior design; budget; ongoing working sessions; and a potential timeline for groundbreaking and completion.

Time will be allotted for questions following the presentation.

“We encourage anyone interested in this project to attend and get answers to any questions they may have,” Committee Chair Catherine Lundeen said. “This is an extremely important project for Pepperell, and public feedback is crucial to presenting the best plan possible to Town Meeting next year.”

The Committee also has scheduled a public session for April 22, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Jersey Street fire station during the Earth Day celebration. The Committee will announce times and locations for forums in January, February, and March at a later date.

Those interested in more information about the Public Safety Complex Project may visit pepperellproject.com. Videos of Committee meetings may be found at Pepperell Community Media.

Civic Engagement Night and Planning Board Review

Tom Zuppa Meeting VIdeo, Pepperell Building Project

Video of the Nov. 7 Planning Board meeting may be found here: https://pepperell.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=9b783e3c-c4f1-4211-b11b-bdaf68424c14&nav=search%2Fplanning%20board&volume=.65

Video of the Oct. 27 Civic Engagement Night may be found here: https://pepperell.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=a5c0e208-d276-434a-94f9-79c4575e7102&nav=search%2FEngagement&volume=.65

Artist’s renderings of the proposed Pepperell Public Safety Building

Pepperell Building Committee Invites Community to Informational Meetings on Public Safety Project

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project
Pepperell Building Committee Invites Community to Informational Meetings on Public Safety Project

The Pepperell Building Committee invites the public to attend two public meetings scheduled to update the community about the Pepperell Public Safety Building Project.

Architects will present updated plans for the building during a virtual meeting set for Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. The Building Committee also will hold an in-person public forum on Wednesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at the Albert Harris Center, 37 Nashua Road.

Both meetings will feature presentations from the project manager and architect.

The police and fire departments and Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center work out of facilities that have been identified as having numerous structural and functional deficiencies. Pepperell Police and Patriot RECC are headquartered at the former Shattuck School, which was built in 1895.

The Pepperell Building Committee began its work in early 2021 to determine the town’s best path forward. In June 2021, Town Meeting authorized a free-cash expenditure of $180,000 to hire an Owner’s Project Manager.

Vertex, the project manager, and Tecton Architects considered several sites and weighed numerous renovation and construction options. Based on that information, the Building Committee selected a parcel on Jersey Street next to a fire substation as the most viable site for a shared facility.

Tecton and Vertex representatives will present updates on the project during the April 6 virtual meeting, including an explanation of changes from earlier public sessions, new schematics, and an overview of current market conditions.

Residents interested in attending the April 6 virtual meeting can do so by clicking here.

Tecton representatives and the Building Committee hope to present a cost estimate during the April 20 meeting.

“Public input has been extremely important to guiding the Building Committee’s work,” Chairman Catherine Lundeen said. “We invite the public to attend these meetings to hear more about the project’s progress, and receive answers to any questions they may have.”

The Building Committee intends to request voters approve spending for the next phase of the project — schematic design — at this year’s Annual Town Meeting. Town Meeting begins on Monday, May 9, at 7 p.m. at Nissitissit Middle School.

Residents interested in updates about this effort may follow Pepperellproject.com. Visitors are encouraged to subscribe via email to receive notifications for new posts. Visitors also will be able to email the Committee directly through the site.

Meeting Agenda: June 29

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project

Building Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
REMOTE PARTICIPATION ONLY
Instructions for residents to participate remotely can be found on the home page of the Town website. https://town.pepperell.ma.us/remote
1. Acceptance of Minutes
2. OPM Contracts
3. Action Item
1. Ongoing public Updates
4. Discussion

The Town of Pepperell strives to assure that no individual with a disability shall, by no reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities of the Town of Pepperell. Towards that end, persons with special needs are asked to contact the Selectmen’s Office in advance of any meeting assure that prior arrangements are made to assure full participation in the meeting

Pepperell Building Committee Thanks Voters for Support of Town Meeting Warrant Article

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project
Pepperell Building Committee Thanks Voters for Support of Town Meeting Warrant Article

The Pepperell Building Committee wishes to thank the community for its approval of a Town Meeting warrant article to begin the process of exploring options for future public safety facilities.

Annual Town Meeting, which convened on Saturday, June 12 at Nissitissit Middle School, voted in favor of a warrant article to use $180,000 in free cash to hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM). The measure, which required a simple majority for approval, was supported by an overwhelming voice vote.

The OPM will provide services to the Town, including advice and consultation on a wide range of construction processes; pre-qualification of contractors and subcontractors; selection and oversight of the designer and general contractor; scheduling; and project evaluations.

“We are grateful to the voters for supporting our request and appreciate the interest and questions on the Town Meeting floor,” Committee Chair Catherine Lundeen said. “The Building Committee worked diligently to evaluate our current public safety facilities. The Owner’s Project Manager will bring a high level of expertise to the next steps.”

The Building Committee will work with the OPM to review the Town’s options, and return at a future Town Meeting with a facilities proposal that will meet the needs of the Pepperell Police and Fire Departments well into the future.

Residents interested in updates about this effort may follow Pepperellproject.com. Visitors are encouraged to subscribe via email to receive notifications for new posts. Visitors also will be able to email the Committee directly through the site.

Meeting Agenda: June 10

Tom Zuppa Pepperell Building Project

Building Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date: June 10, 2021
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Remote
REMOTE PARTICIPATION ONLY
Instructions for residents to participate remotely can be found on the home page of the Town
website.
https://town.pepperell.ma.us/remote

1. Acceptance of Minutes
2. OPM Update
3. Action Items
A. Review Civic Engagement Night
B. Town Meeting Strategy
C. Discussion
4. Adjournment

The Town of Pepperell strives to assure that no individual with a disability shall, by no reason of such
disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or
activities of the Town of Pepperell. Towards that end, persons with special needs are asked to contact the
Selectmen’s Office in advance of any meeting assure that prior arrangements are made to assure full
participation in the meeting.