Tom Beals

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Select Board Notes: June 2, 2025

June 7, 2025
Opening remarks: Acton-Boxborough School Committee members Tori Campbell and Leela Ramachandran referenced a memorandum to the Select Board concerning a budget amendment scheduled for a June 12 School Committee vote, and requested the Board to communicate its response to the School Committee. Board Chair Dean Charter commented on…
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Select Board Notes: May 12, 2025 and May 19, 2025

May 31, 2025
Opening remarks: In opening remarks to the May 12 and May 19, 2025 Acton Select Board meeting following the ICE action on May 10, a resident asked the Board for details regarding the Acton Police duty to respond to requests for assistance from other law enforcement agencies, and…

New economic development director outlines vision for Acton

May 31, 2025
Newly appointed Economic Development Director Patricia Costa introduced herself at the May 19, 2025 Select Board meeting, outlining her background and priorities for fostering the town’s economic and cultural vitality. Ms. Costa, originally from Brazil, brings her experience as a former college professor, where she guided students in…
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Town Meeting Article 7: Select Board proposes, and voters approve, $150K for exploration of alternatives and public outreach on DPW building

May 10, 2025
Acton’s Department of Public Works (DPW), like the Fire and Police Departments, ensures essential but often overlooked services (snowplowing, stormwater management, rapid emergency services) that keep the town running. Operating from a facility on Forest Road behind the transfer station, the DPW maintains a fleet of vehicles and…
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Select Board Notes: April 28, 2025

May 3, 2025
Opening remarks: The first hour-plus of the April 28, 2025 Select Board meeting was a reprise of earlier presentations regarding the proposed replacement of the Department of Public Works (DPW) building, which is Question 1 on the April 29 Town Election Ballot. Outgoing Select Board Chair (continuing to…
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Select Board notes: April 7, 2025

April 19, 2025
Opening remarks: A resident (this reporter) addressed the Board regarding the proposed gas-powered leaf-blower ban. Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted a High School Volunteer Internship Program, and invited responses to a survey regarding the Fire Department two-location staffing experiment that will be ending soon. Ambulance fee increase: Acton…

Select Board Notes: March 17, 2025

March 22, 2025
Opening remarks: Assistant Town Manager Tom Begin called attention to the Recreation Department‘s increased capacity for summer program younger participants (grades K – 6) and a change in focus for older participants (seventh and eighth graders). Select Board member Alissa Nicol highlighted a possible substantial ($500,000 to $800,000)…
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Select Board Notes: Mar. 3, 2025

March 8, 2025
Opening remarks: Opening a mercifully shorter March 3, 2025 Select Board meeting, Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted construction work in the Town Hall lobby where the Isaac Davis plow case is being rebuilt, and demolition work of the 1970s addition at the adjacent 17 Woodbury Lane Asa Parlin…
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Select Board Notes: Feb. 24, 2025

March 1, 2025
Opening remarks: Yet another plea for Forest Road sidewalks was heard at the opening of the February 24, 2025 Select Board meeting. The commenter noted a rise in the number of petition signatures. Two residents noted and praised a “peacemakers network”. Select Board member Jim Snyder-Grant spoke at…
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Select Board Notes: February 3, 2025

February 8, 2025
A diminished Select Board met Monday, February 3 as Board member Dean Charter attended to personal business and recovering Board member Alissa Nicol joined remotely. Opening remarks: A now-familiar plea for Forest Road sidewalks was made. Town Manager John Mangiaratti highlighted last week’s closing on the McManus Manor…
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Select Board Notes: Jan. 27, 2025

February 1, 2025
Opening remarks: A resident whose renovation would trigger an all-electric mandate asked the Board for assistance; and an Ironworks Farm representative asked for the use of an unpaved public way near the Faulkner House to grow flax (the fiber source for linen) for use in Acton 250 events.…
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Select Board Notes: January 13, 2025

January 17, 2025
Opening remarks A resident appreciated the presence of the Finance Committee (FinCom) at the opening of the January 13, 2025 Select Board meeting, and praised the FinCom for their listening session at the Memorial library. She recounted the steep increase in her properties’ appraised value and said that…
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Select Board Notes: 16 December 2024

December 21, 2024
Opening remarks: A resident made detailed comments concerning the proposed Department of Public Works (DPW) building, pursuant to a request for sidewalk construction on Forest Road. Select Board Chair Fran Arsenault noted the pinning and swearing in of three new, and the promotion of four, Acton firefighters. Town…
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Select Board Notes: November 4, 2024

November 9, 2024
Residents were quiescent, offering no concerns to the November 4, 2024 Select Board meeting. Board Chair Fran Arsenault echoed earlier announcements regarding assessors’ inspections and announced a November 13, 7:00 p.m. Housing Production Plan webinar. Board member Alissa Nicol noted higher water bills and recommended the Watersmart monitoring…
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Select Board Notes, October 21, 2024: tidying up, finishing up

October 26, 2024
A plea for regulating chicken-keeping opened the October 21 Select Board meeting. A resident described noise from a neighbors’ rooster and chickens, and he proposed regulations governing chicken numbers, chicken housing, and related issues. Town manager John Mangiaratti noted additional operating hours for the Council on Aging shuttle,…

Select Board Notes: October 7, 2024

October 12, 2024
A resident with concerns for school gun safety opened the October 7, 2024 Select Board meeting, mentioning a petition. Board Chair Fran Arsenault offered her assistance in directing the resident to the appropriate resources. Board Member Dean Charter noted the adoption of the 2025 Community Preservation Plan, saying…
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Select Board Notes: September 23, 2024

September 27, 2024
Select Board Chair Fran Arsenault opened the September 23 Select Board meeting with Board Updates, as there were no residents’ concerns. Ms. Arsenault said that volunteers were needed for several committees, specifically mentioning the Agricultural Commission and the Planning Board. Board member Alissa Nicol added that she and…
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