Who and what are on the ballot for the April 29 election?

Candidates for Town, Schools, and Water District

On April 29, Acton voters will elect fellow citizens for a number of town positions:

• Select board members (2)
• Acton Water District commissioner
• Acton representatives to the Acton-Boxborough School Committee (2)
• Town Moderator
• Acton Memorial Library Trustee
• Acton Housing Authority commissioner

For more information about the candidates, two candidate forums are available from ActonTV or the ActonTV YouTube channel; the Acton Democratic Town Committee forum, and the League of Women Voters forum.

For details about the election, including important dates and a link to a sample ballot, see https://www.acton-ma.gov/598/Elections-Voting.

Ballot questions

In addition, this year’s ballot includes two ballot questions:

1. Shall the Town of Acton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay for the designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing a new public works facility to be located at 14 Forest Road, including all other costs incidental and related thereto.
2. Shall the Town of Acton amend 4-2 of the Town Charter by changing the Number of Members column for the Historic District Commission from six (6) to seven (7), as voted by approval of Article 19 of the Annual Town Meeting held May 6, 2024.

Ballot question 1 asks whether the town is allowed to pay for a new Department of Public Works building outside the normal limits of Proposition 2 1/2. Acton Public Works Facility Project has details about the building, which will replace the 1969 building. Costs are covered in Article 7 of the 2025 Town Warrant.

Ballot question 2 asks the town to increase the number of members in the Historic District Commission from 6 to 7 (the closest odd number).

For changes to occur, the ballot questions must pass at the ballot box and their respective articles (Article 19 and Article 7) must pass at the Annual Town Meeting.

Dean Charter, Select Board, Incumbent

My name is Dean Charter, and I am running for a third term on the Acton Select Board.

I graduated from AB in 1968, hold a Master’s in Public Administration, am a Certified Arborist, and prior to my retirement was a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official.

My wife Marcia and I raised our two sons, Christopher and Andrew, in the home we built on Charter Road.

I was employed by the Town of Acton from 1980 until 2015 as Municipal Properties Director and Tree Warden. Before being elected to the Select Board I served as a Trustee of the West Acton Citizens’ Library and on the Community Preservation Committee.

In my terms on the Board I served as Clerk twice, as Vice Chair three times, and as Chair once.

As a Select Board member you need to be involved in all aspects of the Town, but each of us bring our own interests to the position. I am an advocate for Police, Fire, Public Works, and Senior Services. My achievements have been advancing the Kelley’s Corner Project, the North Acton Fire Station, the Dog Park, and the new Public Works Facility that will be considered at Town Meeting this year.

David Martin, Select Board, Incumbent

I’ve had the honor of being on the Select Board for 2 terms, and I’m running for re-election.

Town projects, including facilities, conservation, historical preservation, recreation, stormwater, streetscapes etc. make Acton a more livable place — for now and for the future. I’ve worked with all points of view in an open and transparent fashion to focus on what’s most important to get the best value for Acton.

During my time on the Board, I’ve become proficient in municipal finance. To manage fiscal challenges in the upcoming years, we must ensure that taxpayers’ money is efficiently and effectively used, while also ensuring that town projects and our schools are properly funded. I’m proud that both Acton government and AB schools are high-achieving and provide excellent value to residents.

Acton has taken a leadership role in a number of areas. To keep our community strong, I emphasize the involvement of all residents. Sustainability efforts that I’m involved in make sure that Acton operations are as green as they can be without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.

My continued goal is having Acton be a great place to live for all residents. I appreciate your support on April 29th.

June Leslie, Select Board

My desire to become a Select Board member is to utilize my professional and personal skills, for helping to improve understanding of how our town works, so that all residents can stay and enjoy affordable lives here.

Honest communication, and providing more transparency in our town business, is my goal.

I grew up in a family with a wide mix of political views in the 1960s; our political discussions enhanced our belief systems and values, while emphasizing the importance of keeping an open mind to others points of view.

Became an RN, raised my family here, volunteered, and joined clubs.

After grad school I worked as a psychotherapist, and became a two term president of the Massachusetts Mental Health Councilors Association; the first Parity bill was passed in the State Senate.

I was a hostage negotiator and forensic psychotherapist for the DOC.

Now a private consultant, focus is on challenging medical and other issues facing clients.

I started Charity Clothes, after volunteering at HGRM, now Household Goods.

I’m a volunteer puppy raiser for NEADS.

I volunteered with the Coast Guard auxiliary in Marblehead, as boat crew, vessel Examiner, board member.

John Petersen, Acton Water District Commissioner

The Acton Water District (AWD) has supplied water to the residents of Acton for more than a century. My wife, Cheryl, and I have been living and working in Acton for almost forty years.

For fifty years, I’ve been a scientist in the field of chemistry earning an undergraduate degree in chemistry from MIT and a PhD from the University of California – Berkeley. In the course of drug development, I’ve acquired expertise in analytical and process chemistry as well as toxicology. I’ve managed global programs with annual budgets of millions of dollars including commercial operations. During my seven years as a school committee member, I’ve presented the school budget to town meeting five times and served as a member of the Acton Leadership Group (ALG) which balances municipal and educational needs. As a member of the AWD finance committee, I’ve delivered the opening presentation for the AWD annual meeting both of the past two years.

The governance roles of Acton’s Boards (AWD, Select Board, School Committee) are challenging. Due to the experience and expertise of the managers (AWD Manager Matt Mosteller) it is easy for boards to support leadership and difficult to provide a thoughtful critique of budgets and capital plans. By background and temperament, as a Commissioner, I will provide a voice that strengthens the AWD.

Barry Rosen, Acton Water District Commissioner Incumbent

I am running for re-election as an Acton Water District Commissioner. With a wealth of experience in water and stormwater management, I have dedicated 14 years to the Water-Land Management Advisory Committee, served 9 years on the Town of Acton’s Water Resources Advisory Committee, and proudly been a commissioner for the AWD for 6 years.

I hold degrees in biology and education, accompanied by postgraduate studies at prestigious institutions, including NYU, the University of Denver, and Harvard Business School. My journey began as an educator and researcher, and led me to management roles at Fortune 100 companies, working with leaders like Microsoft and Apple.

As commissioner, I have worked diligently alongside my colleagues to tackle critical challenges, including PFAS contamination, securing essential funding, protecting our water supply, addressing staffing needs, and ensuring the long-term security of our water resources. I take pride in successfully advocating for senior discounts and facilitating an intermunicipal agreement with neighboring communities to collaboratively explore additional water sources.

I am deeply committed to the AWD and to crafting a visionary strategy to safeguard our precious resources. Your support means the world to me; together, we can ensure a bright future for our community! Thank you!

Lisa Adil, School Committee

My name is Lisa Adil and I am running for School Committee. Beyond having two children in elementary school, next year, and being deeply invested in our education system from that perspective, I feel my background as a former high school science teacher/special educator and experience as a current PTO member will serve as strong contributors to the School Committee team. Additionally, my values mirror that of our community. I am committed to creating policies that help our students thrive; celebrating diversity and working to make our education system more culturally responsive; ensuring equity; and putting forth ideas and supporting policy decisions that contribute to a more inclusive environment.

Recently, our district has sought out the services of a consultant to help us with the analysis portion of our effort to optimize our limited resources- as we survey our options for school district reorganization. While everything is still available for consideration and the process is only just beginning, I feel compelled to use my previous educator experience and critical thinking skills to aid the tremendous effort that lies ahead.

If elected, I will listen to our community and lean on our shared values.

Glen Cote, School Committee

My name is Glen Cote. I’m an advocate and activist, and I’m running to represent Acton on the School Committee.

I went from failing nearly every class in middle school to graduating magna cum laude with a computer science degree from UMass Lowell. That turnaround was made possible by the compassion, support, and mentorship I received from dedicated teachers and staff.

After college, I became deeply civically engaged in Acton, and worked as a special education teaching assistant at Wayland High School to give back. Now, I’m called to serve on the School Committee to help bring our community together in these challenging times.

This is the fourth straight year of painful budget cuts in our schools. Thanks to the efforts of advocates like myself and Together for Acton, we helped pass last year’s override—reducing what would have been 80 devastating staffing cuts to 20.

When public education itself is under attack, we must stay committed to keeping our schools welcoming, supportive, and inclusive – and ensuring our educators have the resources they need to help every student thrive.

As your School Committee representative, I’ll fight to protect that vision. I humbly ask for one of your two votes. Thank you.

Jason Fitzgerald, School Committee

My wife, Holly, and I moved to Acton in 2001, choosing to raise our family here because we understood the impact a school system has on families and their communities. With my son about to graduate and my three girls with many years to go, I see not only how their success is encouraged by the schools and teachers but also how our district provides them each with their own path. Unfortunately, these are fiscally challenging times for ABRSD. But with these challenges come opportunities, and I’m excited to be a part of the future of our awesome educational system. These challenges are forcing us to reevaluate some long-standing tenants and figure out how to improve ABRSD. Not only economically but also in a way that can provide more focused and efficient education and even more opportunities. I am committed to meeting the needs of every student in our wonderfully diverse student body, and we must do so in a way that brings stability and supports the school’s most important resource, our teachers. I offer a fresh perspective that will seek solutions with conviction, honesty, and integrity. I ask for your vote on April 29th.

Jo-Ann Berry, Town Moderator, Incumbent

I treasure Town Meeting. The opportunity to participate in a legislative body that makes decisions that directly affects our lives is rare. Many people think that the time for Town Meeting has passed and that it is unduly cumbersome. However, the power lies directly with the people to determine finances, land use, and other decisions made by elected representatives in other local forms of government. One person can change the minds of enough people to change the outcome of what had seemed to be a done deal. This deliberation and consideration of others’ perspectives is what makes Open Town Meeting arrive at the best decisions and makes meeting in person so valuable.

I am running for another term as Moderator to help ensure that Town Meeting is fair and efficient. This democratic process takes effort and may not be everyone’s idea of the best way to spend one or two evenings, but I will do my best to make it time well spent.

Please vote by April 29. I appreciate your past support and ask for your vote this year. I look forward to seeing many of you soon.

Christina Stoval, Acton Memorial Library Trustee, Incumbent

I am honored to announce my run for re-election to the Acton Memorial Library Board of Trustees. I bring experience from when I served on a library board while living in Illinois. My passion for books, libraries, young readers, and intellectual freedom drive my need to volunteer for Acton’s residents in this capacity. I am a school librarian and as such have a certain empathy for the tireless work our public librarians do for our patrons each day.

During my first term as trustee, I was a member of the nominating committee, the redesign committee, and chair of the policy review committee. As chair of the policy review committee, we spent almost two years updating, creating, or retiring about a dozen policies. Our focus was always on how to make the language and intent more inclusive and accessible to all members of our community. I’m very proud of that work and the committee who helped with that. But I’m most excited about the redesign work the library is just beginning to embark on. Please consider voting for me. Thank you!

Peter Berry, Acton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

PHOTO: 2025_04_12_Candidate_PeterBerry.jpg

When our family first moved to Acton in 1988, I immediately joined the AHA’s Board of Commissioners. I worked with the Board, Director Naomi McManus and staff to provide safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in the 146 apartments the AHA owns and operates, and the 180 privately owned units the AHA leases to very low-income elderly, disabled and family residents.

I have served on the Acton Community Housing Corporation, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Conservation Commission and for 9 years on the Select Board. I was elected Chair of the initial Community Preservation Committee in 2002 and led the initiative to write the Community Preservation Plan.

I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the AHA’s Board in 2021. I worked as General Counsel for the Boston and Cambridge Housing Authorities and for a private firm representing public sector management interests. I thus have the experience, skills, and interest to assist the AHA in fulfilling its mission.

The AHA Board, with financial support from the Town, recently broke ground on construction of McManus Manor, a new 41 unit apartment building for very low income elderly and disabled.

Let your voice be heard

Town Election Day is April 29. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. All precincts vote at R.J. Grey Junior High School, located at 16 Charter Road. There is no scheduled in-person early voting for this Town election. However, it is still possible to vote by mail.

The Town website reminds us that April 19, 2025 is the deadline for registering to vote–online, in person, or by mail. Applications to vote by mail must be returned to Town Hall by April 22, 2025. The in-person absentee voting deadline is April 28, 2025 at noon. You can deliver mail-in ballots by hand to the ballot box outside Town Hall until 8 p.m. on April 29, 2025. Mail-in ballots are not accepted at the polls at any time; they must go to Town Hall.

The Acton Exchange Letters Committee will consider election-related Letters to the Exchange received up to one week before the election, in other words prior to 7am on April 22. Please consult the Letters Policy, including the section on Town Elections, before composing your letter.

Another chance to be heard will be Acton Town Meeting is May 5 and 6, 7 p.m., at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. Contact the town clerk with any questions, at (978) 929-6620 or clerk@actonma.gov.