Todd Blain

The emergency meeting was convened to discuss sending a letter to the School Committee regarding the Finance Sub-Committee and School Committee's intention to vote on an operational increase to the school budget, specifically concerning the potential reopening of the Ashby Elementary School at an estimated cost of $1,600,000.00. The Select Board reviewed and debated two draft letters expressing opposition to reopening the school without proper vetting, which was characterized as a last-minute tactic. The decision was made to send the approved letter, indicating Pepperell's opposition to reopening the Ashby School, to the North Middlesex Regional School Committee, their finance committee, and the Select Boards of Townsend and Ashby.

The agenda for the Conservation Commission meeting included several scheduled public hearings and public meetings. Public hearings regarding a Notice of Intent filed by Mass Ave Rentals, LLC for a 40B Complex at 59 Leighton Street and related parcels, and a Notice of Intent filed by Ron Koivu for construction at 14 Cranberry Street, were both continued to March 17, 2026. The agenda also included a Public Meeting to consider a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by John Morin for a 3-Car Garage with ADU above at 72 Nashua Rd, and a continuation of a Public Hearing regarding filling Isolated Land Subject to Flooding (ILSF) at 179 Brookline Street. Operational items included the review of draft minutes from January 6, 2026, scheduling of bills payable, the Conservation Administrator's report, and discussion of the draft 2025 Annual Report, as well as coordination efforts with NMCOG regarding Merrimack Revive.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the consent agenda, which involved reviewing bill warrants and payroll warrants, and addressing an error in previous AI-generated minutes. Key discussions focused on volunteer and employment opportunities, including openings for Fire Chief and various municipal positions. The Invasive and Native Advisory Committee provided a detailed annual update, highlighting successes in public programming, native plant advocacy, sponsorship of the Garlic Mustard Challenge, and collaboration on new construction regulations requiring 60% native landscaping. Grant funding for an art show and invasive phragmites treatment in a bog was secured. The Climate Change Committee updated the Board on community presentations, school outreach efforts regarding composting and idling, and ongoing site work for a new community garden, while seeking guidance on EV charger locations. A major agenda item was the Fire Chief hiring process, involving input from staff and regional chiefs, with an anticipated appointment date of February 11. The Board also reviewed strategies for managing rising health insurance costs, including exploring Smart Shopper and Opt-Out programs and higher deductible plans. Scheduling for future budget meetings, a joint meeting with the Planning Board concerning zoning, and the timeline for a potential tax override were established. Updates were also provided on the successful launch of the new town website, the status of solar projects, and the North Middlesex school budget, which showed a 3.06% increase with concerns about funding structural deficits and the pending Ashby Elementary School closure vote. A request to discuss an ICE policy was noted for a future agenda.

The key discussions during the meeting involved administrative tasks such as signing state reports and reviewing/signing timecards and accounts payable, including mileage and Patriot Properties expenses. The committee reviewed and signed the Motor Vehicle Excise abatements for December across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Financial approvals included reviewing and approving one exemption application and two abatement applications, both contingent upon required condition changes. Seven Chapter 61/61A/61B applications were reviewed and subsequently denied because they were submitted after the December 1, 2025, deadline. There were no parcel changes to discuss.

The agenda for the meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, indicated that all public hearings originally scheduled for that date were continued to February 17, 2026, due to a Special State Primary. These continued hearings include consideration of a Notice of Intent filed by Mass Ave Rentals, LLC regarding a 40B Complex construction near wetlands and riverfront areas, a Notice of Intent by Ron Koivu for constructing a single-family house near wetlands and endangered species habitats, a Notice of Intent by Jamie Baker to fill Isolated Land Subject to Flooding (ILSF), and a Notice of Intent by Terri Reese to upgrade a sewage disposal system and construct a new single-family house within a 100 ft. Buffer Zone. The document also noted upcoming submission deadlines for the March 17, 2026, and April 7, 2026, meetings.