Opening remarks:
Acton Memorial Library Trustee Ann Chang, speaking for the Board of Trustees, recognized and thanked the Town Conservation officer, the Acton Garden Club, and the many individual volunteers who planned, arranged funding and plant donations, and completed the installation work for the recently installed Wilde Garden adjacent to the Memorial Library.
Wastewater:
Budget Manager Ellie Anderson presented the annual review of the wastewater treatment system and the sewer enterprise fund to the Board (acting as sewer commissioners), and recommended sewer charges for the upcoming fiscal year. As they did following the June 2024 presentation, the sewer commissioners approved a 6.5% rate increase; for fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) that would result in an average single family residence increase of $5.27 per month. Ms. Anderson stated that Finance department projections indicate annual 6.5% increases until FY2032 will cover anticipated debt service. Board members noted that compounded 6.5% increases over 6 years means a 46% increase by the end of the sixth year.
Factors affecting those rates include personnel costs (salaries, health insurance), utilities, and materials costs for the Adams Street wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Additionally, WWTF debt service includes construction debt for the WWTF which ends after FY2031, and for the equalization tank approved at the 2025 Town Meeting. A rehabilitation of the WWTF begins in FY2026, and in January 2024 the Sewer Commissioners approved a plan to fund debt service for that rehabilitation project from FY2026 to FY2031. (Sewer Commissioners Workshop presentations from 2022 and 2023 provide extensive descriptions and historical details of the Acton Wastewater System.)
Independent Sewer Commission?: In 2023, Annual Town Meeting approved a citizens’ petition warrant article asking for “… a study … to determine the pros and cons of creating a Sewer Commission independent of the Select Board or an advisory Sewer Committee…”. The Town commissioned the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston to carry out the study. At the present meeting the Board reviewed Municipal Wastewater Governance Review which, in a brief 17-page document, describes a variety of Massachusetts communities’ wastewater governance structure options, recognizing both technical issues and political realities. The document suggests that “… the wastewater governance model which would best align with values and goals of the Town would be the establishment of a separate, independent board with limited autonomy which also advises the Select Board on wastewater issues.”
Board member David Martin emphasized the importance of retaining control over financial and policy matters. Board member Alissa Nicol (who was the citizen petitioner for the cited warrant article before joining the Select Board) favored increased public engagement and operational oversight. Concerns included balancing public input with technical expertise, coordinating with water-related entities, and addressing funding models to benefit the entire town. Mr. Martin volunteered to compile a list of responsibilities to clarify a new governing body’s scope, and the Board agreed to move forward, with further discussion planned for August 2025.
Strategic Economic Development plan:
Town manager John Mangiaratti noted the recent presentation of an Economic Development Plan by consultants RKG Associates, stating that the finalized plan will guide the Economic Development Committee, Select Board, and town staff in planning, goal-setting, and initiatives; and that the plan is a foundational document for the town’s future comprehensive community plan, alongside housing, climate action, and open space components. Given its central importance to the Town’s planning, he requested its formal adoption by the Board. The Board discussed a population demographics issue that was raised by a resident, and the implications of that issue given interest rate uncertainty with likely consequences for the housing market. With minimal further discussion the Board voted to adopt the plan.
In the second Enterprise Fund rates presentation, Budget Manager Ellie Anderson proposed changes to transfer station rates for FY2026, building on last year’s recommendation to increase access sticker fees. Access sticker prices would be unchanged, but Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) bags would see a modest (10 to 15 cent) price increase; compost bin prices, although still discounted, would double (from $25 to $50) and mattress disposal fees would increase (from $20 to $22) to the actual disposal cost. Board members questioned some details before approving the recommended changes.
South Acton Village:
DPW Director Corey York and consultant Project Manager Ms. Nicole Rogers outlined the core proposals of a South Acton Village Complete Streets Plan. The plan aims to enhance safety for all users by adjusting street widths and street configurations, reconfiguring intersections to reduce crossing distances and slow traffic, adding speed feedback signs and flush medians to calm vehicle speeds, adding buffered bike lanes and shared-use paths to enhance cyclist safety, upgrading sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps to improve pedestrian accessibility, and optimizing signal infrastructure to reduce congestion and enhance walkability in South Acton Village. The estimated construction cost for the plan as presented is $6.15 million. Ms. Rogers recommended a phase approach and listed possible funding sources.
The Board expressed appreciation for the study. After questioning some plan details, they voted to approve acceptance, noting that approval did not authorize new funding.
Town Hall Hours and town staffing: In an extended introduction to an announcement of a change to Town Hall staffing hours Town Manager John Mangiaratti said, “We’re going through what I would almost call a crisis with staffing”. He said that responsibility reassignment due to staff turnover is creating organizational stress, and a change in hours is part of an effort to address that issue. Effective July 1, Town Hall hours will be reduced by an hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and Tuesday evening closing would be an hour and a half earlier.
Some Town offices’ hours are posted on their web pages – for example the Town Clerk‘s office.
Briefly noted:
- The Board approved the appointment of Nina Pickering-Cook from Anderson & Kreiger as Town Counsel.
- Board member Alissa Nicol will coordinate with Concord Select Board representatives to discuss senior tax relief programs.
- Each year, after inviting public input, the Select Board updates a list of Select Board goals. After a brief discussion of goal details the Board approved a set of FY2026 goals, then reviewed the goal selection methodology
- The Board approved a Notice of Intent Application by RH Adhesives for 279 High Street; this was a plan approved at Town Meeting and will remediate some areas of non-compliance on public lands in proximity to wetlands.
Following a hearing, the Board voted unanimously to grant an Entertainment License for acoustic and vocal music to Acton Seafood Company, 541 Massachusetts Ave. in the West Acton Villageworks area.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.