Government - Page 4

Java with John: Town manager lays out a balancing act

March 7, 2026
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At the Acton Senior Center, Town Manager John S. Mangiaratti poured the coffee and got to the point on Friday morning, Feb. 27, 2026. His monthly “Java with John” session — one of his regular informal conversations with residents — covered a lot of ground: a tightly constrained FY27 (Fiscal Year 2027) municipal budget, a rethought plan for the Public Works facility on Forest Road, upgrades to Town Hall, and a piece of open land near the Acton Arboretum. The throughline, Mangiaratti told the seniors gathered around him, is sequencing — doing things in the right order so that Acton…
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Town Meeting Articles 37-41: Citizens Petitions

May 10, 2025
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Acton’s Town Charter contains a provision for “Petitioner’s Warrant Articles.” These are articles brought forward by ordinary citizens, rather than by the Select Board or a department of Town government. The Charter requires ten signatures to place a petition on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting. Articles 37,…
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Results and reflections on Town elections

May 3, 2025
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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…
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Select Board notes: April 7, 2025

April 19, 2025
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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…
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A composite photo of two men. The man on the left wears a sport jacket and is perched on a table. The man on the right is just a headshot of a smiling man wearing a tie.

Q&A with candidates for AWD Commissioner

April 12, 2025
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This year, there are two candidates running for the position of Commissioner of the Acton Water District (AWD): John Petersen and Barry Rosen. This post contains the candidates’ answers to questions prepared by the Green Acton Water Committee. The Acton Water District is an independent government entity, separate…
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Tax filing tools for low-income residents

April 12, 2025
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Tax Day, April 15, is coming up and many low-income families who aren’t required to file taxes could be leaving thousands of dollars in unclaimed refunds on the table. This year, new and expanded tax credits—combined with free, easy-to-use filing tools—could provide a life-changing financial boost for those…
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SuAsCo Legislative Breakfast addresses bills that may impact Acton

April 5, 2025
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“SuAsCo,” the watershed drained by the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers, was the subject for representatives of environmental organizations from throughout the region. Attendees gathered with Massachusetts state legislators at Goodnow Library in Sudbury on Friday March 29, for a discussion of pending environmental and conservation legislation. Acton-relevant…
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2025 Acton Water District Annual Meeting

March 22, 2025
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Approximately a dozen voters passed judgement on a dozen warrant articles, overseen by about a dozen staff and officials, at the Annual District Meeting of the Acton Water District (AWD) on March 19 at Acton Memorial Library. Voters approved a total budget of $8,030,202 for fiscal year 2026,…
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Select Board Notes: March 17, 2025

March 22, 2025
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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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Town and Economic Development Committee seek your input

March 8, 2025
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Here’s your opportunity to help define what Acton will look like in the coming decades. At their final Public Workshop at the Acton Memorial Library and online on February 26, RKG Associates, working for the Town of Acton Economic Development Department and Planning Department, alongside the Economic Development…
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Run for something!

March 1, 2025
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It’s that time of year when we might look inward and ponder, “Is it my time to step up? Shall I run for local office?” According to Acton Town Clerk Leo Mercado, there are eight positions on the town election ballot this year: “Remember, there is no requirement…
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Select Board Notes: Feb. 24, 2025

March 1, 2025
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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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