Select Board OKs $2.5M Water Project Bond

Select Board · Meeting of September 23, 2026

Pepperell Select Board adopts financing for $30 million water treatment project, splits over charter school. The board voted unanimously to adopt a zero-interest Massachusetts Clean Water Trust loan and a $2,500,000 bond anticipation note at 4.5 percent for engineering and early construction on the town's wastewater upgrade. Members also approved two National Grid pole petitions tied to a Boynton Street solar installation and adopted fiscal 2027 priorities.

Town Administrator Andrew MacLean outlined a proposed capital exclusion of roughly $700,000 to $800,000 for town hall, police department and generator repairs, with a ballot vote set for December 15 clashing with the deadline to set the tax rate. Clerk Anthony Beattie sought board backing to formally oppose a proposed Ashby charter school over an estimated $180,000 transportation cost hit to North Middlesex Regional; member Charles Walkovich objected, saying "we have a $400,000 deficit this year" and the board lacked enough information to take a position. No vote was taken on the charter school question.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,488 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.