Government

Java with John: Budgets, buildings, and the everyday work of running Acton

December 20, 2025
On a cold December morning at the Senior Center, Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti did what he has been doing since 2018: shared coffee, invited questions, and offered residents a candid look at how their town is being run. The December 12 edition of Java with John featured a wide-ranging discussion of budgets, construction projects, housing, traffic, energy, and public safety, grounded, not in abstractions, but in the practical realities of municipal governance. Mangiaratti opened with a reminder that while most residents are thinking about the end of calendar year 2025, town officials are already halfway through Fiscal Year 2026.…
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Planning Board notes: December 16, 2025

December 20, 2025
Habitat for All: Updates to Subdivision Rules and Regulations The Planning Board met in a hybrid meeting on Dec. 16, some members at Town Hall and others on zoom. They reviewed the Subdivision Rules and Regulations informed by the vote at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting to make…
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Select Board Notes: December 15, 2025

December 20, 2025
Opening remarks: Select Board Chair Dean Charter noted the passing of Ms. Carol Lake, recalling her role as the first director of the Acton Senior Center. Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin displayed two celebratory over-sized $25,000 checks, “earmarks” from the state legislature, for…
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Select Board Notes: December 1, 2025

December 6, 2025
Opening remarks Zoning and housing MBTA Inclusionary Zoning: The Planning Board and the Acton Community Housing Corporation (ACHC) joined the Select Board to discuss possible next steps in the MBTA overlay zone that was adopted at the May 2024 Town Meeting. Planning Director Kaila Sauer opened the discussion…
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Board of Health Notes: November 5, 2025

December 6, 2025
Environmental health At the November 5 meeting of the Board of Health (the Board), Acton Environmental Health Director Matthew Dow provided updates to the Board. With the end of year fast approaching, the Health Department (the Department) was trying its best to get all inspections completed, as well…
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Select Board Notes – November 17, 2025

November 22, 2025
Opening remarks Hearing: Marcus Lewis Racquet Club permits It was standing room only in Town Hall’s Faulkner Room as the Board returned to the application of Marcus Lewis for permits to build racquet sports facilities at 45 Nagog Park and 62 Nonset Path. The Acton Exchange previously reported…
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Board of Health meeting recap, October 28, 2025

November 8, 2025
The Acton Board of Health met on October 28, discussing a range of new and ongoing issues. Boardwalk School: hazardous materials control permit and wastewater monitoring As reported earlier, the Board voted on September 30 to deny a hazardous materials control permit for the Boardwalk School’s battery energy…
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Select Board Notes: October 20, 2025

October 25, 2025
Opening remarks: Resident Derek Price again appealed to the Board regarding traffic at the intersection of Chadwick and River Street. He noted the ongoing absence of official response to concerns expressed by his neighbors and himself, and raised broader questions regarding the advancement of projects past the initial…

State grant brings high school closer to clean energy goals

October 18, 2025
In another step toward cost efficiency and clean energy goals, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) is on track to replace eleven 1998-vintage gas-fired roof top air conditioning/heating units with new all-electric heat pump units. Superintendent Peter Light responded to the grant award of $500,000 from the Massachusetts Department…
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Select Board Notes: October 6, 2025

October 11, 2025
Opening remarks: Acton-Boxborough School Committee liaison to the Acton Select Board Glen Cote updated the board on the Committee’s plan to address financial challenges, described in detail in a Strategic Planning and District Reorganization document. Mr. Derek Pinto reported hazardous traffic at the intersection of Chadwick and River…
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Select Board Notes: September 15, 2025

September 20, 2025
Opening remarks: Acton-Boxborough School Committee member Glen Cote introduced himself as the School Committee liaison to the Acton Select Board, and mentioned results from consultants District Management Group’s presentation at the Sept. 4 School Committee meeting. Town manager John Mangiaratti recommended an Office of Economic Development newsletter. Transitions:…
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Select Board Notes: September 8, 2025

September 13, 2025
Opening remarks Passings: Select Board Chair Dean Charter recognized the passing of Barbara Willson, and Board Member Fran Arsenault mourned the passing of Margaret Miley. New Board Business Town Assessor’s Exemption presentation: Acton Principal Assessor CJ Carroll reviewed Acton’s tax relief programs, and detailed qualifying conditions for current…
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Select Board Notes: August 25, 2025

August 30, 2025
Opening remarks: Select Board vice-chair Alissa Nicol provided an update from the Acton Water District, stating that two new bedrock wells on the recently acquired 549 Main Street parcel are operational and will come online pending Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approval. Transitions: Town Manager John Mangiaratti announced…
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Select Board Notes: July 21, 2025

July 26, 2025
Opening remarks: Acton Select Board Chair Dean Charter depicted the overflowing dumpsters and foul odors in the Boston area cities and towns where sanitation workers are on strike. Recalling occasional proposals to eliminate Acton’s transfer station, he noted that the municipal facility reduces the likelihood of such a…
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