By Don Eriksson
Staff Writer - Pepperell Free Press

PEPPERELL – A vote by the Great and General Court regarding Pepperell’s designation as an Economic Target Area (ETA) has been held up for several weeks by “feuding” between Canton Rep. William Gavin and Westwood Rep. Paul McMurtry, but it could come to a vote after the presidential election, Rep. Robert Hargraves said this week.

The joint petition by Sen. Steven Panagiotakos and Hargraves, filed July 10 has gone through the required three readings and has been engrossed (printed) by both the House and Senate, according to state records.  Senate counsel made an amendment to the bill on Oct. 6 which was sent back to the House on Oct. 14.

“The House had to agree with the amendment, which happened, and it has been engrossed,” Hargraves said.  “But the representative from Westwood wants his bill to come up first.  The feud has resulted in continual requests for quorum which takes each session down.

“I don’t have a dog in this but it’s been going on for three months and we’re now behind,” Hargraves said.

Both Hargraves’ assistant Jeff Wilson and Panagiotakos’ assistant D.J. Corcoran have been working to keep the bill moving, he said.

Hargraves feels House Speaker Salvator DiMasi will have to call for a formal session after the election to break the stalemate.  If he does, House action must move forward once a quorum is determined.

Pursuit of the ETA designation was authorized by annual town meeting in May.  Its acceptance will be followed by designation of Economic Opportunity Areas (EOA) – specifically the paper mill and Lomar Park – and with it, pursuit of a Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) agreement (tax breaks on future investment) by Masy Systems.

The EOA application does not require local action but authorization of the TIF, Pepperell’s first, is before Special Town Meeting voters on Oct. 20.

The warrant article may have to be modified due to the delay in the ETA designation.  Town administrator Robert Hanson said the article could be amended to read the TIF is contingent upon passage of the ETA.

“I will explain at town meeting if the town wants me to.” Hargraves said.  “I will let Hanson know (the ETA status) in time for the meeting.”