Government - Page 8

Voters narrowly reject Water District budget, twice

March 21, 2026

by Kim Kastens

Voters packed the meeting room at the Public Safety Facility on March 18 for the Annual District Meeting for the Water Supply District of Acton (AWD, “District”). After praise for long-serving AWD official Ron Parenti and the recent completion of PFAS treatment facilities, the meeting took up an abbreviated version of the published warrant. Nine of the 18 articles passed unanimously. Eight articles were passed over, as expected. Article 4, the fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget, evoked extended discussion, including a proposed amendment that was not allowed to go forward to a vote. Voters voted against Budget Article 4: 21…

A woman with black hair, big pink glasses, and wearing a purple dress holds an award (the Black Excellence on the Hill Award).

Julie Pierce promotes a vibrant Acton

April 30, 2024

by Nancy Knoblock Hunton

Julie Pierce, Acton’s Economic and Community Development Director, was completely surprised and honored when she recently won a “Black Excellence on the Hill” award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Unbeknownst to her, State Representative Simon Cataldo, who represents parts of Acton, had nominated her for…

Graph of spending projects from FinCom for the next several years. The projected shortfall goes from 0 in the FY 2025 to $3.38M in FY 2029 (projected).

April 29, 2024 Select Board meeting: Longer than a marathon

April 30, 2024

by Tom Beals

At the November 6, 2023 Select Board meeting, the Board approved a reorganization that created a Health and Human Services Department. At the April 29, 2024 Board meeting, Town Manager John Mangiaratti introduced Penny (Penelope) Funaiole, Director of Health and Human Services. Ms. Funaiole, who assumed her role…

Woman with blond hair and glasses.

Interview with Acton’s new Health Director

April 30, 2024

by D.K. Halley

Penelope (Penny) Funaiole has been appointed as Acton’s new Health and Family Services Director, replacing the recently retired Sheryl Ball. Her most recent experience was as the Prevention and Outreach Manager for the City of Medford for eight plus years. Prior to that position, she held the position…

Man wearing gray suit stands in front of a door labeled House of Representatives. He is smiling and holding a copy of the MA 2025 budget in his hands.

Massachusetts House of Representatives passes 2025 budget, including several items for the Middlesex 37th

April 30, 2024

by The Acton Exchange Team

This article was adapted from a press release from the office of State Representative Dan Sena. Representative Danillo Sena (37th Middlesex- Acton)announced this week the passage of three amendments filed to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, bringing specific funding to the communities of Acton,…

Red, white, and blue Vote Tuesday sign to remind people to vote.

Updated Again, Important Dates for Town Election and Town Meetings

April 27, 2024

Miriam LezakandFranny Osman

The town election is coming up on April 30, followed by the Annual Town Meeting, which begins on Monday, May 6 and continues on Tuesday, May 7. At the Annual Town Meeting, the town will vote on town and school budgets, zoning changes, and other important issues. If…

Concord Town Meeting Warrant Requests Funding for Nagog Pond Treatment Plant

April 27, 2024

by Kim Kastens

Concord Town Meeting Warrant Article 17 requests $50 million debt authorization for “Nagog Pond Improvements and PFAS Mitigation.” This article has three potential impacts for Acton: the possibility that a new water main would be installed under Great Road across the full width of Acton, the possibility that…

Erika Amir-Lin

Q&A with candidate for Acton Water District Commissioner

April 19, 2024

by Kim Kastens

This article is adapted from the website of Green Acton. This year, there is one candidate running for the position of Commissioner of the Acton Water District (AWD): Erika Amir-Lin. This post contains Ms. Amir-Lin’s answers to questions prepared by the Green Acton Water Committee, with the goal…

photo of town moderator Jo-Ann Berry

April 17 Special Town Meeting Rejects Call for Impact Studies

April 19, 2024

by Tom Beals

A special town meeting, called in response to a citizen petition, was held on April 17, 2024, to discuss and vote on a single non-binding resolution: “We urge Town leaders, before recommending any major zoning proposal, to perform [and release for public review] detailed impact studies, which examine…

Ballot boxes at Acton Town Hall.

Updated, Important Dates for Town Election and Town Meetings

April 19, 2024

Franny OsmanandMiriam Lezak

This year, in addition to the town election at the end of April, there are two Town Meetings. The first meeting, on Wednesday, April 17, was a Special Town Meeting called by a citizen petition. The second is the Annual Town Meeting. It begins on Monday, May 6…

Ballot boxes at Acton Town Hall.

Acton Will Vote on a $6.6M Tax Override at Local Election on April 30

April 12, 2024

Diane BaumandMarion Maxwell

On April 30, Acton voters will go to the polls to decide if the town will move forward with a $6.6M permanent increase in taxation over and above the 2 ½ percent plus new growth of about ½%, currently permitted under state law. The last time Acton voters…

Acton-Boxborough School Committee Meeting

School Committee April 4 Meeting Update

April 12, 2024

by Diane Baum

Minimal disruption to school day despite two power outages The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School briefly lost power just prior to the start of the school day on April 4 due to a transformer failure. The power failure occurred just as high school students were stepping off the bus.…

Photo of an Acton Select Board meeting.

Select Board Notes, April 1, 2024: Sewer Setback Distresses Dog Park

April 12, 2024

by Tom Beals

Residents’ concerns with pedestrian safety and traffic issues led off the April 1, 2024 Select Board meeting. Mr. James Walter, Board Chair of the Infant Toddler Children’s Center on Central Street, described potentially hazardous conditions at pedestrian crosswalks adjacent to the Center, detailing those conditions in a handout.…

Man wearing gray suit stands in front of a door labeled House of Representatives. He is smiling and holding a copy of the MA 2025 budget in his hands.

Massachusetts House of Representatives passes 2025 budget, including several items for the Middlesex 37th

April 3, 2024

by The Acton Exchange Team

This article was adapted from a press release from the office of State Representative Dan Sena. Representative Danillo Sena (37th Middlesex- Acton)announced this week the passage of three amendments filed to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, bringing specific funding to the communities of Acton,…

Ballot boxes at Acton Town Hall.

Important Dates for Town Election and Town Meetings

April 1, 2024

Miriam LezakandFranny Osman

This year, in addition to the town election at the end of April, there are two Town Meetings. The first meeting, on Wednesday, April 17 is Special Town Meeting. More details are below. The second is the Annual Town Meeting. It begins on Monday, May 6 and will…

Planning Board members James Fuccione, Michaela Moran, Jon Cappetta, and Pat Clifford at March 19 meeting.

March 19, 2024 Planning Board Hearing

April 1, 2024

by Franny Osman

The Acton Planning Board met on March 19 in the Faulkner Hearing Room in Town Hall. Four members of the Planning Board attended: James Fuccione, Michaela Moran, Jon Cappetta, and Sam Bajwa (remote). Planning Director Kristen Guichard, Senior Planner Kaila Sauer, and Assistant Planner Nora Masler presented to…

graphic for Acton Override Open Forum

Town override information and a forum to answer voter questions

April 1, 2024

by The Acton Exchange Team

In addition to electing town officials at the April 30 election, the ballot will include the following “override” question as to whether the town will be allowed to increase taxes beyond the limits of proposition 2 1/2. Shall the Town of Acton be allowed to assess an additional…

Photo of an Acton Select Board meeting.

March 18, 2024 Select Board Notes: Another year, another dam

April 1, 2024

by Tom Beals

In opening remarks at the March 18, 2024 Select Board meeting, Town Manager John Mangiaratti announced the appointment of Detective Ana Dapkas as school resource officer (SRO), and mentioned that the Police Academy will be offered again this year. (This reporter attended last year’s Police Academy and highly…

A Dover Heights building entrance framed by evergreen trees.

Board of Health Considers Dover Heights Apartments Waiver of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Standard

April 1, 2024

by D.K. Halley

Dave Formato from OnSite Engineering appeared before the Board of Health on March 5 requesting a variance to Article 16 of Acton’s Health Department Rules and Regulations, which deals with Minimum Requirements for Resource Protection, Waste Materials Management and Activities Within Surface and Groundwater Protection Zones. The proposed…

School District Energy Manager Kate Crosby leads visitors on a tour of the Boardwalk School.

School Committee March 2024 Meetings

March 29, 2024

by Diane Baum

New Boardwalk Campus Wins Award for Excellence in Energy Design Boston-based architecture and design firm, Arrowstreet, was recently awarded the 2023 New Construction Design of the Year Energy Excellence Award by Eversource for the design of the Boardwalk Campus building, which houses the Gates and Douglas Elementary Schools…

The 2024 Annual Water District Meeting; Alexandra Wahlstrom, Environmental Manager; Barry Rosen, Commissioner; Stephen Stuntz, Commissioner; Erika Amir-Lin, Chair of the Board of Commissioners; Mary Basset, retiring District Counsel.

2024 Acton Water District Annual Meeting

March 28, 2024

by Kim Kastens

A sparse group of about a dozen Acton voters gathered on Wednesday, March 20, for the Annual Meeting of the Acton Water District (AWD). The AWD is a separate municipal entity from the Town of Acton, with its own governance structure. AWD Annual Meeting is analogous to Acton…

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