Letters to the Exchange

I am a 20- year member of the Acton Finance Committee but am writing this on my own behalf. The proposed Fiscal 2026 Budget is balanced within the provisions of Proposition 2.5% thanks in large part to the operating override that passed last year

Looking beyond the current year however, the forecast for Fiscal Year 2027-2030, is that our costs are increasing at an average annual rate that is roughly double the rate of growth of the revenue we can expect under Proposition 2 ½. This forecast is being driven by rapidly escalating compensation costs including salaries, health insurance, and pensions.

There are many uncertainties to forecasting the future and the tool that we have used for many years is the Multi Year Plan or Acton Leadership Group Plan (ALG)

Comparing the 2024 Plan to the 2025 Plan the results are very concerning. The graph below compares the plans. The 2024 ALG Plan did not include FY30

The projected deficit for FY27 increases to $5.5 Million an increase of $1.9 million or 51% and the deficit for FY29 has increases to $8.3 million, an increase of $3.6 million or 77%

In past years the forecast has often shown deficits but for the most part those have been in the $2 million range.  The Town and Schools have always been able to close gaps of that magnitude. Often that involves delaying hires, deferring capital expenditure and use of excess reserves

Given the size of these deficits, such steps will be insufficient. Either increased taxes will be needed in the form of another Operating Override or costs will need to be cut. Given that compensation costs represent approximately 80% of the Town and School District Budgets it is likely that staffing will need to be reduced, which could in turn could lead to less services.

The School District has commenced such an effort to reduce costs and the Finance Committee has been holding listening sessions to identify the services most valued by residents.  But more needs to be done!

Stephen R. Noone

I encourage Acton residents to vote for Barry Rosen for Acton Water District Commissioner.  Barry has been a strong advocate for protecting Acton’s water supply for years.

Barry is a valuable town volunteer, readily sharing his scientific expertise on many town boards.  Barry has been a Commissioner of the Acton Water District for the past six years, a member of Acton’s Water Land Management Advisory Committee for the past fourteen years, and a member of Acton’s Water Resources Advisory Committee for the past nine years.

Barry is a proven collaborator. The Acton Water District is a separate legal entity from the Town of Acton. Barry has worked tirelessly with others to ensure that the Town leaders and the Water District work together to ensure that Town decisions that impact water quality, quantity and delivery are reviewed by the Water District, and vice versa. Barry will be the first to tell you that additional work is needed in this area, and he is committed to continuing to encourage joint initiatives between the Town and the Acton Water District.

Barry is also forward-thinking, and he is concerned about ensuring an adequate water supply 20+ years into the future.  He is presently spearheading an intermunicipal agreement with neighboring towns (including Maynard, Concord, Ayer, Westford, Groton, Bedford, and Lincoln) to jointly plan for water delivery into the future. This will ensure that Acton’s present efforts with regard to water protection will serve us into the future.

Barry and the Water District have been constructing treatment systems for PFAS (a forever chemical) in our water supply, as well as working to secure strategic land purchases to protect Acton’s well water supplies from contamination, while seeking grants and other sources of state and federal funding to ensure sound financial decisions being made by the Water District.

Barry Rosen brings many years of experience to the table, and his reelection will serve Acton citizens well into the future.  Barry will continue to work hard for Acton, and I recommend Barry Rosen for Acton Water Commissioner.

Carolyn M. Kiely

Barry Rosen has earned my strong support for re-election as Commissioner of the Acton Water District—here’s why.

Barry brings a rare and essential combination of scientific expertise, technical knowledge, and long-standing community engagement to this role. As a National Science Foundation (NSF) researcher and developer of biological and environmental computer models, he understands water quality and resource management from a policy standpoint and a rigorous scientific one. His professional background includes leadership roles at major technology firms, where he managed large-scale operations with accountability and foresight.

Barry brings deep, hands-on experience with the complex challenges of Acton’s water system —experience that’s been key in safeguarding and managing our town’s vital water resources. He has served 14 years on the District’s Water Land Management Committee, advising Water Commissioners on matters ranging from land conservation to contamination mitigation. For the past 9 years, he has also served on the Town of Acton’s Water Resources Advisory Committee, working closely and cooperatively with the Select Board on stormwater, wastewater, and groundwater protection.

As a Water Commissioner for the past 6 years, Barry has been a steady, informed voice advocating for transparency, sustainability, and public health. He listens carefully, asks the right questions, and brings data and deep experience to every decision.

In a time when communities across the Commonwealth are grappling with PFAS contamination, infrastructure costs, and long-term water security, Barry’s combination of scientific insight, business acumen, and institutional memory is more important than ever.

We’re fortunate to have someone with Barry’s dedication and qualifications who is willing to serve. I urge my fellow Actonians to re-elect Barry Rosen as Water Commissioner.

Bob Sekuler

Acton wants to borrow $35,220,690 for a new DPW facility, with zero dollars budgeted for sidewalks.  I have attended many Acton meetings regarding the proposed DPW project.

I seek a solution that is good for the DPW workers and for my Forest Road neighbors, namely a reasonable budget for sidewalks for the safety of pedestrians and pets.  It remains inherently dangerous for people and pets to traverse Forest Road – without sidewalks – side-by-side with dump trucks, snowplows, fire engines, and other huge vehicles.

I have been a good neighbor to the DPW.  I stored a snowplow on my property for a Venezuelan friend (who plows for the Town of Acton).  I have given directions to lost drivers and dropped off DPW mail delivered to my house by mistake.

The Acton DPW workers deserve better.  I recall the microburst that struck Acton on September 8, 2023, and how quickly the DPW worked to clear trees and other debris from the road (https://www.giantpeople.com/17538.html).  From all of us who live in Robbins Park, thank you to the DPW workers for all that you do to keep all Actonians safe!

Unfortunately, the Acton Select Board is pushing forward with a lose-lose DPW design, one that includes no sidewalks for DPW neighbors, one that includes no workout room for blue-collar DPW workers, and one that costs way too much for overburdened taxpayers.

The Acton Select Board has ignored the recommendation of its own Finance Committee (which is 100% opposed to this DPW project) and has bought in to the "sunk cost" fallacy, namely that since it has already spent (wasted?) $1.2 million on the design, it should plow forward with the project.  A better redesign could more than pay for itself.

Finally, lots of incomplete and misleading information is being spread about this project and about its organized opponents.  Please check the facts and make your own decision.  And please vote on April 29 (https://actonma.gov/598/Elections-Voting).

Best,

Erik Heels

I’m a member of the Acton Finance Committee, which voted to send this letter to the editor representing the committee’s point of view.

The Finance Committee strongly advises voting NO on Question #1, which would  allow the Town of Acton “to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay for the designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing a new public works facility to be located at 14 Forest Road, including all other costs incidental and related thereto.”

We have significant concerns about this debt exclusion request for $35,220,690 to complete this project.

The current Public Works Facility Project would add an estimated $274.55 to the annual tax bill of the average single-family homeowner and $160.41 to the average condominium owner over the next 30 years, assuming a 4.25% bond interest rate. We believe this dedicated long-term debt warrants extreme caution.

We’re also concerned that the current plan proposes utilizing $1,550,000 of the Town’s Capital Stabilization fund, leaving no reserves for addressing other crucial future infrastructure needs within Acton. This puts the town's long-term financial planning at a strategic disadvantage.

We have serious reservations regarding the current allocation of $1,989,591 for construction and soft cost contingencies, which is 5.2% of the total project budget of $37,995,690. This appears inadequate given the current uncertainties over the imposition of sweeping new tariffs, which threaten to inflate the cost of essential building materials by 25%.

Finally, we believe basing decisions on past investments of $1,225,000 for the design of the new facility is succumbing to the sunk-cost fallacy, which could lead to wasted resources and suboptimal outcomes for Acton's residents.

In conclusion, the Acton Finance Committee does not recommend Question #1, which would use debt exclusion for the construction of a new public works facility at the currently proposed cost, time, and scope.

Before making recommendations for any debt exclusion for a scaled-down Public Works Facility Project in the future, we will continue reviewing the fiscal impact of all forms of dedicated borrowing.

Greg Jarboe

On behalf of the Finance Committee

My service as a Select Board member informs my views, but I am writing on my own behalf to urge you to vote yes on Question 1 in the upcoming election and yes on Article 7 at the Annual Town Meeting.

The current DPW facility is 55 years old, and houses Acton’s Highway, Engineering, and Trees & Grounds departments. It is inadequate for a town that has grown from 14K to 24K residents since it was built, and does not meet current codes: building, fire, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), energy, and health. The garage is too small to house the fleet. There are no locker rooms for women, limiting hiring, and no collaborative space for meetings or training. 

The services many of us take for granted are provided by DPW employees: maintaining all town-owned vehicles, 116 miles of roads, municipal parking lots, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries and other properties like the libraries, plowing and deicing in winter, sidewalk construction and maintenance (54 miles), management of the Transfer Station, stormwater infrastructure, sewer connections, street trees, and storm clean up. A right-sized facility will enable increased productivity. Staff can get more work done, and get it done faster!

The original cost, estimated at $47M, was reduced through value engineering and other changes to the current estimated cost of $38M. This cost is proposed to be funded by design monies already spent and $1.55M from Capital Stabilization Funds, leaving about $35M to be borrowed. Since changes always emerge over the course of bidding and constructing large capital projects and recognizing there is particular uncertainty in the current economic climate, the borrowing amount includes a $2M contingency.

Starting the year after next, in FY27, this project will add an estimated tax increase of $275/year to the average single-family home for the life of the bond, and an estimated $160/year tax increase for the average condo. It is critical to act now and get started building as the cost of the project would otherwise increase roughly 5% each year it is delayed due to anticipated inflation.

A new DPW facility will serve Acton for the next 50+ years!

Alissa Nicol

We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for John Petersen as an Acton Water Commissioner.

We have known John for over 15 years. He has been a dedicated member of the AB School Committee, working tirelessly to support the schools, teachers, staff, students, and their families. His commitment to education and community engagement is well known and deeply respected.

In addition to his school committee work, John served for eight years as co-chair of Acton-Boxborough (AB) STEM, now AB STEAM   – (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math), an all-volunteer organization devoted to promoting STEAM education in our community.

John is uniquely qualified for the role of Water Commissioner. With a PhD in Chemistry and a strong background in science and business, John has led and worked with biotech companies throughout the Boston area. John’s expertise makes him exceptionally well-suited to help ensure that our town’s water system delivers safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water.

As Water Commissioner, John will also be committed to preserving and protecting our groundwater aquifers and water quality, helping to oversee the operations, maintenance, and ensuring compliance with all regulations.

Beyond the technical and managerial responsibilities, John also has a passion for community outreach and education—he will help raise awareness and foster appreciation for this essential resource that many of us take for granted every time we simply turn on the tap for good, fresh water.

John has been a deeply engaged member of our community for many years. We believe he would make an outstanding Water Commissioner, and we wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy.

Thank you for supporting John Petersen for Acton Water Commissioner on April 29th at the town elections.

Sincerely,

Gary Kappel

Karen (KJ) Herther

Attracting, hiring, training, and retaining quality employees requires significant time and effort; and it has a monetary value in other staff time. For organizations to see a return on their investment in human resources, it’s essential to create a workplace that values its staff and fosters a positive environment.

Working in outdated, poorly maintained facilities undermines both morale and retention. Employees can easily sense when they’re not truly valued, and it’s hard to stay motivated in a dismal, 1960s-era building--or much older in the case of other town buildings--with antiquated amenities.

I’ve worked for the Town of Acton in various roles, from lunch/recess aide and classroom assistant at McCarthy-Towne Elementary School, to positions in Town Hall. In both cases, the  original buildings were inefficient and uncomfortable. Ten years ago in Town Hall, office spaces were cramped, and accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act was subpar. The lack of modern facilities hindered efficiency. The remodeling of Town Hall’s north wing in 2016 gave us more space. Digitization of files vastly improved workflow, customer service, and our ability to serve the public. Additional updates have greatly benefitted citizens’ experiences as well. While municipal jobs frequently offer lower pay than in the private sector, the benefits of stability, being part of the community, and public service motivate many of us. But, like everyone, town staff deserve a work environment that reflects the value we bring to our community.

I’ve seen the impact of poor facilities firsthand in the Cemetery Department’s once small, outdated office at Woodlawn Cemetery’s Kennedy Building. When it was finally renovated, it made a noticeable difference in staff mood and public interface. The DPW building still lags behind. Modernizing this facility is not just about improving the workspace — it’s about enhancing work efficiency, ensuring staff can properly maintain town equipment, and protecting investments made in both machinery and human resources. A modern DPW building will better serve the needs of both staff and the citizens who rely on their services.

Sincerely,

Bettina Abe

Although I’m a member of the Acton Finance Committee (FinCom) and the Town’s Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC), I’m writing on my own behalf.

On Feb. 10, 2025, President Donald Trump enacted a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, effective March 12. On April 2, President Trump announced "Liberation Day," implementing retaliatory tariffs on imported goods like building materials and automobiles.

According to an article entitled, “The construction materials most at risk for tariffs,” which was published in Construction Dive on March 25, steel prices have already increased 15% to 25% since the beginning of January in anticipation of Trump's tariffs.

At the FinCom meeting on March 11, members expressed concern about making substantial financial evaluations about a new Public Works Facility in such a volatile environment, with one member stating it’s a "really bad time to make huge decisions."

If the 25% broad tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada are stacked on top of the all-country steel and aluminum tariffs of 25%, this could result in a 50% levy. That would intensify concerns about the DPW (Department of Public Works) project’s scope, cost, and timing.

This reminds me of the observation attributed to Sun Tzu's The Art of War, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

Instead of arguing whether the DPWBC should cut the current scope of the 43,056 square foot facility by 15%-25%, or increase the total cost of the $40 million project by 15%-25%, this is an opportunity for the Acton Leadership Group, Select Board, DPWBC, and FinCom to agree to postpone a debt exclusion override at the upcoming town election on April 29, and Article 7, which requires a two-thirds vote to borrow for the construction of a new Public Works Facility, at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5-6.

Instead of a contentious debate over the proposed Public Works Facility Project’s scope and cost over the next month, the current chaos offers the perfect opportunity to work together on a revised DPW facility and present a scaled-back project to voters at the right scope, the right cost, and the right time.

Greg Jarboe

The Acton Select Board has given Actonians few compelling reasons to support the DPW [Department of Public Works] project and MANY to oppose it:

10. FINCOM SAYS NO. Acton's Finance Committee is unanimously opposed to the PROPOSED DPW building project and has been from the very beginning. If the Select Board has been unable to convince even the Finance Committee, then why should Acton voters be convinced?

9. BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. The PROPOSED DPW project excludes a wash bay (a car wash for large vehicles), which was supposed to protect the environment from salt and chemical runoff.

8. NO GYM FOR BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS. The PROPOSED DPW project building is too small for current/future personnel and does not include a gym.

7. TOO SMALL ON DAY ONE. The PROPOSED DPW project building is too small for current/future equipment, which is the exact same mistake that was made in 1969.

6. NO NEW TAXES. The PROPOSED DPW project would require yet another override, the year after an override that only passed by about 44 votes.

5. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. The PROPOSED DPW project building is 20 to 25% more expensive, compared to similar DPW projects in Massachusetts, on a cost per square foot basis.

4. NOT IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY. The existing DPW facility is not falling down.

3. 100s OF VOTERS IGNORED. Acton's Select Board has completely ignored over 500 supporters of a petition, asking for a reasonable budget for sidewalks in conjunction with the PROPOSED DPW project.

2. 100% OF DPW NEIGHBORHOOD IGNORED. The Select Board has completely ignored the concerns of the Robbins Park neighborhood and the DPW neighbors regarding pedestrian SAFETY.

1. FINCOM STILL SAYS NO. Acton's Finance Committee is unanimously opposed to the PROPOSED DPW building project and has been from the very beginning. If the Select Board has been unable to convince even the Finance Committee, then why should Acton voters be convinced? Acton voters should NOT be convinced.

Vote "NO" on Acton's DPW debacle.

Sincerely,
Erik J. Heels

Actonian since 1994

The Books in Bloom photos shown in your last issue are breathtaking.  What talented women in the Garden Club.  I missed last December's Library exhibit of these creative and imaginative arrangements to my chagrin, but I'll make sure not to miss the next one in the fall of this year.

I followed the link provided to all the arrangements in the exhibit and was not disappointed.  The beauty fed my soul.

With appreciation for this article,

Marion Maxwell

I’m Sarah Willard, currently a senior at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School and I am taking a class that requires a yearlong senior project. My project is organizing and hosting a Senior Citizen Prom for the Seniors of Acton at the Acton Council on Aging. 

Swing into Spring at the Senior Prom on April 8th, 5-7pm! This event is open to Acton Seniors ages 60 years old and up. There will be dancing to 50’s, 60’s, and 70's songs, a short performance courtesy of the Acton Boxborough high school jazz quartet, and light refreshments! Each guest will receive a boutonniere or corsage crafted by d’Vine Floral Design. Special thanks to Danny's Place who is providing a grant to make this event possible. And thank you to Roche Brothers and Stop & Shop for their generous donations! Advanced sign-ups are required through the Acton Council on Aging, call 978-929-6652 or sign up in person at the front desk. Space is limited but we hope to see you there!

Sarah Willard

My name is Lisa Adil and I am running to be a member of the Acton Boxborough Regional School Committee. My greatest hope is to provide enough information about my background, values, and what I hope to accomplish- so that you, the voter, will feel compelled to vote for me.

Nearly four years ago, my husband Farhan, myself, and our two children, moved to Acton- from Belmont. My values align with our community and are the result of my formal education; experiences as a former high school science teacher; and my upbringing in the culturally rich and inclusive environment that is Atlanta, Georgia- where I am from.

My formal education includes a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in teaching with dual licensure in secondary and special education. After Simmons University, I went on to teach high school biology, physics, and chemistry. I had the unique benefit of observing the efficiency and functionality of multiple school systems such as my pre-practicum (Billerica), practicum (Newton North), daily subbing (Belmont), long-term subbing (Newton North), and working as a full-time teacher with my own classroom (Curtis Tufts Alternative High School and Chelmsford). The variety of school districts afforded me the ability to directly observe how differences in English language learner and special education program implementation- as well as a variety of teaching methods- impacted learning. This enabled me to think more critically about how my own children are taught and what a quality education looks like.  

After moving to Acton, I decided to switch gears- focusing on planting roots and becoming more involved in this wonderful community. Since then, I have served as a board member for the Acton-Boxborough Family Network and joined the Conant PTO- in which I now serve as vice president. 

Running for this position was motivated by my fierce belief in the value of an accessible high quality public education. My goal is to improve efficiency while preserving excellence. To achieve this, I plan to learn from and lean on the great wisdom in this community- serving as a conduit for the ideas and voices of others.

Lisa Adil

I am writing on behalf of the Acton Commission on Disabilities. The lack of access to Employment, Housing, and Transportation has confined people with disabilities to living in institutions instead of in their communities. Transportation is the lynchpin to maintaining independence. It is simply not practical to have to beg for a ride each time you have a medical appointment or have to run errand.

The pandemic has shown us that all people need to get out and socialize for their mental health. People with disabilities often have a greater need and harder time doing this than others. Acton’s government and services directly benefit from the work of many volunteers some of whom could not contribute if they could not get where they need to. Transportation is key to building a more solid community.

We are asking Actonians to recognize the importance of this vital piece of infrastructure by making it a priority to continue to support and expand transportation in the annual budget. People’s lives are at stake.

Lisa Franklin

The Acton Commission on Disabilities, Chair

We attended the rally held on Sunday afternoon at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School gym, sponsored by Acton Democratic Town Committee.  We heard great music, heard our state legislators and a few others speak. It was a great start to what we anticipate will be four years when we will need to make our voices heard, and gather with our fellow townspeople to protest the illegal activities of the Trump administration.

There was a good-sized crowd, lots of protest signs, all PG rated. We did notice the residents with a few extra years being over-represented, so we hope future rallies might attract more younger people. They have less time in their day but more at stake over the long term. The speakers reminded us that Acton played a big role in the revolt against an autocratic king who did not care about his people back in 1775, and we are being called upon once again to defend our freedom and protect our neighbors. We cannot trust that billionaires will come up with a government that serves the needs of the marginalized and the middle class.

The best reason to go to a rally is that it feels good to get away from a screen filled with bad news and gather together with people who care about our country. We are grateful to our neighbors who have formed the Acton Democratic Town Committee, and we can’t wait for the next rally.

Tom and Sarah Lemaire

This past weekend, I attended a rally organized by members of the Acton Democratic Town Committee, led by Sahana Purohit and State Senator Jamie Eldridge.  I didn’t realize that this is just the thing we needed to feel inspired and connected.  Speakers like State Representative Simon Cataldo reminded us that our government does work for us, and State Rep Dan Sena reminded us that our government protects us and our immigrant neighbors. I want to thank the organizers for this rally and thank our elected representatives for their leadership.

The other speakers were inspiring as well, including a recent Acton-Boxborough grad heading for med school, and Matt Leibman, a recent Environmental Protection Agency retiree who spoke about his dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to keep our health and environment safe, and who are being affected by the current thoughtless and illegitimate dismantling of our government.

It was great to see so many neighbors and friends on Sunday who care about our country and our democracy.  There are many ways to support the Acton Boxborough effort to protect our democracy. Contact your local representatives, take a friend to an Acton Democratic Town Committee meeting, and help improve the results of the next election cycle.

Coleen Phillimore

Although I’m a member of the Acton Finance Committee and the Town’s Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC), I’m writing on my own behalf.

This week’s Finance Committee meeting focused on key questions regarding the proposed Public Works Facility Project’s scope, cost, and necessity. However, few members of the public attended the meeting or watched it on Acton TV. So, I hope this summary helps voters to make an informed decision about this proposal at the upcoming Town election and the Annual Town Meeting.

In November 2024, the Town's design engineering firm, Weston-Sampson. estimated that a 46,884-square-foot facility would cost $46.96 million. However, the DPWBC determined this was too expensive and reduced the project’s size last week to 43,056 square feet by removing a wash bay from the base bid; reducing the square footage of the vehicle garage, office space, and storage area; as well as cutting the number of geothermal wells.

Despite these reductions, the facility remains larger than comparable projects in similar towns, raising concerns about whether the benefits – such as improved service response time, workforce productivity, and staff recruitment – justify the cost. Additionally, the timing of construction is debated, with the Finance Committee recommending no debt exclusions before FY2029 due to financial constraints.

Recent federal policies further complicate cost estimates. On Feb. 10, 2025, President Donald Trump enacted a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, effective March 12. Experts predict these tariffs will raise material costs, potentially increasing the project’s total price. Similar tariffs in 2018 led to a 14% spike in steel prices, raising concerns about affordability.

To address budget challenges, Select Board member David Martin proposed delaying office space construction and using an unheated garage with a canopy for offseason equipment storage. The town must now decide if additional cuts are feasible.

In the next few weeks, the Acton Leadership Group, DPWBC, Finance Committee, and Select Board will make their recommendations. However, voters will have the final say during the town election on April 29, 2025, and Town Meeting May 5-6, 2025.

Greg Jarboe

Right now, residents of Acton can choose which elementary school to send their children to. While this choice seems reasonable, it has its downfalls. When children that live near each other attend different schools, it can diminish the sense of community within a neighborhood. Kids might not even know other kids within their neighborhood. 

Allowing parents to select their children's school also causes self-segregation as parents of certain ethnic groups feel the need to send their kids with kids of the same ethnic group. The choice to choose your school also helps enforce a stigma within kids and their parents of a hierarchy of schools. This hierarchy sticks with the kids through high school and can be the point of ridicule or praise. This hierarchy can make kids ashamed of their elementary school. This hierarchy creates stereotypes of how smart and motivated one is due to the elementary school they go to. 

Geographically, zoning schools is the best solution to all these problems. Under this plan kids from the same neighborhood will be going to the same school creating a sense of community. It helps remove self-segregation because parents no longer get to choose which school their child goes to. This also helps remove the stigma behind schools because people will no longer get to choose their schools and thus removes the stigma behind schools because everyone will understand that one’s school is not based on choice. 

Zoning the schools will also reduce the burden on the budget because people will live closer to schools and bus routes will be shorter. This will greatly reduce the amount of gas and therefore money that will be used. This can also reduce the number of buses and drivers needed by the school district, leading to cost savings. 

Overall, the geographic zoning of schools can be a solution to the town budget problems and a solution to neighborhood identity and the stigma that is inherent when people are given the choice to choose their school.

Thomas Knight

An interesting article on Wright’s success with a McDonald’s franchise, but what was lacking in the extensive piece was what is the future of the McDonald’s building at the corner of the Stop & Shop parking lot in Acton which has stood empty for years. 

Trudi Bruschi

Although my service on the Select Board informs my perspective, the views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire board.

A few residents have recently shared some concerns regarding the pilot program that began last week to assess potential improvements to the town’s fire department by operating out of two stations rather than four. While these residents agree that the pilot program is advisable, some seem to think the town’s credibility has been compromised since the proposal to add a station in North Acton did not, at that time, include the closure of any existing station.

According to the summary in the December 10, 2019, Special Town Meeting Warrant, “the need for a North Acton station has been the topic of recurring discussions since the 1970s and several studies." The population in North Acton had grown significantly since the construction of the 3 stations dating from 1951 - 1961. A fire station located in North Acton was, and is, a necessity. In the year before the construction of Station 4 on Harris Street was approved by voters, 24% of the service calls were from North Acton. Roughly two-thirds of service calls are medical emergencies. At that time, the station in the center of town served North Acton. Response times, which should be no greater than 6 minutes according to recommended standards, sometimes exceeded 11 minutes to this service area.

The operation in place since Station 4 opened in 2022 has been to spread out the existing firefighters and paramedics to staff all four stations. After a few years, it has become clear that several issues with this arrangement could potentially be resolved by closing 1-2 of the stations. If the pilot program is successful, the department will see improvements in efficiency, safety for both staff and residents, recruitment and retention, and morale.

If anyone had been able to gaze into a crystal ball back in 2019 to see that the town might be better served by closing 1-2 stations once the North Acton station opened, I’m sure this would have been the plan presented to voters.

Alissa Nicol