Results
Thirteen percent of Acton’s 16,243 registered voters (2164 people) cast a ballot in Tuesday’s Town elections, according to the preliminary results published at the Town’s website. In comparison, last November, 80% showed up for the presidential elections.
In her uncontested race for Town Moderator, Jo-Ann Berry received 82% of the vote (1764); 17% left the ballot blank and 1% wrote in a name. In other uncontested races, Christina Stoval was elected as Memorial Library Trustee with 78% of the vote (1680), and Peter Berry was re-elected to the Acton Housing Authority with 79% of the vote (1671).
Three candidates vied for two spots on the Select Board. Incumbents Dean Charter and David Martin will return, with 33% and 30% of the vote, respectively. June Leslie received 21% of the vote.
Lisa Adil and Glen Cote won the two Acton spots on the Acton Boxborough Regional School Committee, with 33% (1422 votes) and 25% (1071 votes) respectively. Jason Fitzgerald received 22% of the vote (971).
In another contested race, incumbent Barry Rosen will return as Water District Commissioner, receiving 48% of the vote (1031). John Petersen followed with 42% (900).
Question 1 on the ballot asked voters if Acton should be exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 ½ in 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. Fifty-six percent of voters (1214) said no, while 40% (863) said yes. Only four percent of voters left this question blank.
Question 2 passed, 78% (1691) yes to 15% (329) no, thus amending the Town Charter by changing the number of members for the Historic District Commission from 6 to 7, as voted by application of Article 19 of last year’s Annual Town Meeting. Seven percent of voters left this question blank.
Ballot question reflections
The Acton Exchange invited comments on Ballot Questions 1 and 2 from the chairs of the Town committees that were most tightly aligned with the ballot questions.
Question 1 – Dean Charter
Dean A. Charter, vice chair of the Select Board and chair of the Department of Public Works Building Committee wrote: “I am sure that my colleagues on the Select Board are as deeply disappointed as I am with the recent defeat in the election of Question One, which would have been the first step in securing funding for the badly needed and justified new Public Works Facility. For over five years the Select Board has made the new facility a priority by listing it as a goal in our annual goal setting process. This vote was even more disappointing after the Town Meeting in 2023 approved design funds for the building by a 77% vote. Moving ahead, I will be presenting an abbreviated presentation of the project at Town Meeting on Monday, and asking for constructive input from the voters. The project will be discussed at Goal Setting in June, and the Board will work with all interests to bring the project back to the voters.”
Question 2 – David Honn
David Honn, chair of the Historic District Commission (HDC), wrote: “The requested increase in the HDC’s membership is a matter of practicality and legacy. Although the HDC is chartered for six members, currently the HDC has five members, with four members constituting a voting quorum. Due to members’ professional obligations and due to three of the members residing often within 300 feet of an applicant’s property and thus having to recuse themselves from voting, the Commission has had repeated difficulties assembling a quorum. The lack of a quorum has resulted in inefficiencies and delays in issuing decisions on HDC applications, inconveniencing the property owners that the HDC endeavors to serve. By increasing the membership, the Commission hopes to alleviate any quorum issues. Additionally, administering the HDC’s Bylaw Chapter P has a steep learning curve. Several of the long-serving (some since 2007) members are hopeful of passing on their knowledge to a new, expanded generation of members who will carry on the important work of preserving and enhancing Acton’s architectural heritage.”
Reflections from candidates
The Acton Exchange invited post-election comments from all candidates: winners and losers, in both contested and uncontested races. Reflections are printed verbatim as received from the candidates.
Select Board:
David Martin
Thanks to voters, who re-elected me to the Select Board on Tuesday. There’ll be challenges in the upcoming years. I’ll continue to work hard to keep Acton a great place to live.
If you would like to provide your input on issues concerning the Town, please feel free to contact me at davidmartin@actonma.gov. If you’d prefer, we can arrange to have a conversation.
Remember to attend Town Meeting at the High School this Monday and Tuesday 5-6 May at 7:00pm. 2025 Town Meeting Warrant is the warrant. Generally, budgets and financial issues will be discussed the first night; zoning, Bylaws, and other issues the second night. However, the order can change during the meeting.
Finally, you are always welcome at Town Hall for Select Board meetings. They are usually the first and third Mondays of each month, though it can vary with holidays. Consult the agenda the Friday before at the Acton Town Calendar.
See you around Town!
David Martin
Dean Charter
I want to thank my supporters and the voters of Acton for their confidence in me in the recent election. I have run for Select Board three times, and I have topped the ticket all three times. This shows that the voters are always willing to support an experienced, responsive, and moderate candidate.
I look forward to another three years of serving the people of Acton. There are many challenges ahead in providing the services the residents require while keeping our town affordable, and I look forward to working towards those goals, through listening to the residents, deeply understanding the complexities of local government, and continuing to collaborate with my colleagues on the Board.
None of my successes at the ballot box or in life would have been possible were it not for the unwavering support and understanding of my wife Marcia.
Dean Charter
June Leslie
First, I would like to congratulate all the elected winners this past Tuesday!
It was an exciting day, and so much fun to be with everyone, voters and candidates alike. Seeing friends and neighbors, people from all over Acton, coming to vote and having many thanking the candidates for their efforts, was wonderful.
I’d also like to say that without everyone who has helped me run for the select board seat, their time and efforts towards educating me about town government and all that’s required to run a great campaign, well, it couldn’t have happened. The support and training by two highly skilled advisors who had previously held town positions, was amazing. I am so grateful to them. There were also others ready to jump in and also assist in many ways who I’m also grateful to.
To those who helped support me in other ways, Bless you!
Acton has been my home town for many decades. I’ve enjoyed living here and watching it grow. So now I plan to continue finding more ways to be involved, to help keep it a beautiful town with such wonderful caring, kind, and supportive people.
I urge everyone to get involved too, in ways that they might share their own energy and ideas. Help in doing so is available, and really will come to you, if you express an interest! Our town needs more new people to bring their skills and volunteer some time. Thank you!
June Leslie
School Committee:
Glen Cote
Thank you Acton, sincerely. This community’s support means the absolute world to me, and I will not let you down.
Our schools are what make us Acton. Together, we can and we will ensure that every student has the support they need to do well and thrive. We will not back down from supporting our LGBTQ+ community members, our immigrant friends and neighbors, our students with special needs, and everyone in town that calls Acton home – no matter who they are or where they are from.
No one gets to mess with that.
It is an honor to serve you.
Acton Water District Board of Commissioners
Barry Rosen
Thank you for voting in our April 29 town election. Your vote is tremendously important to reaffirm our community’s dedication to democracy by exercising our right to vote. By voting, we make our choices clear; most importantly, we communicate to those who govern that our democracy is the form of government we choose.
If you voted to re-elect me as your Acton Water District Commissioner, I feel honored to have your confidence. I look forward to continuing working with my fellow commissioners, elected and appointed officials, and the staff at the Acton Water District. We work together as a team that understands what needs to be done and how best to get it done, prioritizing a safe and sustainable water supply and sound financial management.
I hope to see you at the Commissioners’ Meetings or at events throughout Acton. Please avail yourselves of the wealth of information on the district’s website which includes information on meetings, important water quality updates, as well as other resources to help you understand your community water system. [Home — Acton Water District].
Best wishes,
Barry R. Rosen
John Petersen
I congratulate Barry Rosen on his re-election to the Acton Water District (AWD) Board of Commissioners. Barry’s experience and historical knowledge of Acton, the protection of our water supply and management of water distribution will continue to add value to the work of the AWD. I will continue my term as a member of the Acton Water District Finance Committee. My campaign discussions with residents about the Water District will inform this work.
Contested elections are fundamental to a healthy town government, my thanks to Barry for running a strong campaign and engaging in public forums (Green Acton/The Acton Exchange, LWV and Acton Democrats), online, and with signs and conversations around town. I thank everyone who participated in the town election campaigns and, in particular, the voters who cast their ballots in the Town election. I also thank all the candidates, their supporters, and audience members.
John Petersen
