Accomplishments: Pepperell

Representative Scarsdale has been a champion for her hometown of Pepperell.

Local Accomplishments:

  • Long-time volunteer at the Albert Harris Center, former Select Board Chair, and leader in the fights to Stop the Kinder Morgan Pipeline and Toxic Dirt Project

  • Brought the State Auditor and Division of Local Mandates to Pepperell to discuss underfunded mandates and the impact they have on our communities

  • Voted for tax relief for working families and small businesses, which will keep more money in the pockets of Pepperell families

  • Voted to expand benefits for veterans and wrote an amendment to strengthen the benefits of fully disabled veterans

  • Hosting Veterans Affairs Secretary at the Pepperell VFW in October and regular attendee at veterans events across the district

  • Voted for historic investments in economic development and affordable housing, investments which will help keep Pepperell vibrant and affordable

  • Supported a federal grant application for North Middlesex Regional School District for millions of dollars in energy efficiency upgrades

  • Hosted the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses’ Listening Tour with economic development and small business leaders from across the district

  • Leading the effort to resurface the Nashua River Rail Trail

  • Hosted Select Boards, FinComs, School Committees & Superintendents, Town Managers/Administrators, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education experts for a first-of-its-kind meeting on the school funding shortfalls facing Pepperell and communities across the First Middlesex District

  • Holds regular office hours at the Library and the Albert Harris Center

  • Regularly attends community events in Pepperell

Funding Secured:

In partnership with Senator Ed Kennedy, Rep. Scarsdale has helped secure the following funding for Pepperell:

  • $400,000 bond earmark for PFAS mitigation near Pepperell’s wells

  • $250,000 bond earmark for affordable housing projects

  • $75,000 for improvements at municipal buildings

  • $42,500 for new kitchen appliances and upgrades for the Pepperell Council on Aging senior center kitchen

  • $35,000 for an affordable housing study

Legislative Priorities:

  • Funding for North Middlesex Regional School District, in particular for the unfunded mandate for regional school transportation. Rep. Scarsdale is the House champion on this issue and is continuing to organize her colleagues around fully funding this mandate

  • Drive down the cost of living, particularly for seniors and working families. This includes targeted tax relief, investment in economic development and affordable housing, and continuing to fight for Pepperell’s fair share of state resources on Beacon Hill

  • Protect Pepperell’s rural character by preserving our environment, open space, and natural resources. Rep. Scarsdale works closely with local partners like the Nashua River Watershed Association in this work

  • Expand local aid for communities like Pepperell, which have been impacted by rising costs and strained municipal budgets

  • Ensure access to physical and mental health care by organizing against the closure of local hospitals, in particular, Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Local Endorsements:

Mark Mathews, Select Board Chair

Tony Beattie, Select Board Clerk