Pepperell Public Works Board Reviews Cybersecurity, Adds Shutoff Warnings

Board of Public Works · Meeting of February 19, 2026

Pepperell Public Works Board reviews cybersecurity gaps and overdue water bills. A department staffer identified as Martin detailed safeguards protecting the town's SCADA water and sewer control systems, including geo-blocked remote access and password-free connection devices, while warning the department has no formal backup administrator after a prior IT employee, Jimmy Whitaker, left the job. Staffer Paul reported roughly $635,000 in water and sewer accounts more than 90 days overdue, down from about $705,000 a year earlier, after the department collected $78,000 from a $350,000 list of large delinquent accounts.

"You get a good car repo, they're not calling you up saying, hey, we're coming by to pick up the car," Paul said, explaining the board's move to add firm shutoff dates to future notices. The board also targeted a fall Planning Board hearing for a proposed sewer district expansion and approved its January 15 minutes unanimously.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 946 words

Source: the Board of Public Works meeting of February 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.