My Select Board Goals for 2025

With  a year and a half left to  my term as Select Board member, I offer a list of my goals in serving the best interests of Pepperell voters. Please take a look.  I welcome feedback.

I have been dedicated to protecting the Master Plan goal of retaining Pepperell's rural qualities.  I have opposed leadership voices that assert that Pepperell is no longer a rural community and farmlands are better converted into housing assets.  I contend that single family housing raises everyone's property values and increases the tax burden on existing properties, which Pepperell voters wish to avoid.  To reach  zero carbon by 2050 Pepperell needs to limit housing growth to concentrated, downtown locations, preferably affordable housing units.  I currently serve on the Affordable Housing Trust and anticipated being able to increase our affordable housing inventory soon.

My second goal is to continue identifying climate change actions and implementing actions that will reduce our carbon footprint and make our housing and transportation more affordable, with protection of our natural assets as a means to generate "destination town" income.  I serve on an EEA committeee to advise on equity metrics to resolve urban/ rural inequities in access to climate change dollars.  I also collaborate with the Federal Funds Infrastructure office, helping to resolve financial inequities between rural and urban communities and regions.

My third goal is to improve the best practices of our municipal government.  I have been witness to and a target of unethical actions by our town administrator and my co-Select Board members, involving the political misuse of the "Pepperell Code of Conduct for elected and volunteer personnel."  I contend that there has been a consistent effort to use lies of omission and denial of access to documents and manipulation of agenda items to meet political goals that are unethical and an abuse of powers in serving the public.  I have initiated a group "Pepperell Citizens for Better Government" with the intent to share first hand stories of unethical leadership behavior.  The public deserves better eyes on their leaders.

My fourth goal is to advocate for reduction in unnecessary municipal staffing in order to reduce budget costs and achieve balance in the debate for Pepperell development and opposing conservation parties.  

My fifth goal, through the "Pepperell Affordable Trust". is to identify friendly affordable housing developers and collaborate with them on finding appropriate lot locations and providing services that are needed to support  developers needs as well as building with "Green" policies to ensure lower carbon footprints.

My sixth goal is to support Pepperell's and the regions agricultural needs, relying on the Pepperell Agricultural Commission to be leaders in ensuring a healthy local food supply that also improves our carbon footprint through soil management practices.  

My 7th goal, collaborating with Rep. Margaret Scarsdale, Senator Kennedy, Rep. Lori Trahan as well as NC4, is to submit legislation to establish a farmer/ land match policy that will create a program to allow immigrant and young farmers to have access to current idle farmlands in the Commonwealth, with supports for housing, food, healthcare, and technical assistance to increase both the number of farmers we need and the lands required to increase local food production.

My 8th goal is to continue advocating in State and Federal offices for funding equity for rural and small town communities, including climate dollars, school dollars and road funding.

Lastly, to improve local government operations we need to improve transparency, a challenge in the on-line world we depend on for information.  As a trained journalist I understand the ethics of accurate reporting.  We currently don't have the advantage of such a source.  In my Select Board position, I can't be an unbiased reporter, but we need that person or persons.  Volunteers?

While challenging, I have fully embraced and enjoyed my time as a Select Board member.  It's a position, that at its very core, is a vital role in our countrie's democracy.  I am both proud and humble to meet the challenges I have chosen to meet.  

Thank you for your support.  Please give me some feedback!  Enjoy the holiday season ahead and celebrate our work in finding ways to live in peace together.

Tony Beattie, Pepperell Select Board Clerk