Letters to the Exchange

I've received plenty of feedback after my letter last week (Taxation Without Representation) - mostly supportive.  However, a lot of people think I made up the numbers.  So here are the exact figures.

2024 Real Estate tax: 12,117.42
2025 Real Estate tax: 15,534.47
Increase = 28.1%

2022 Real Estate Assessment = $617,700
2025 Real Estate Assessment = $905,800

Brad Milnes

David Manalan’s January 13 letter to The Exchange proposed that Acton follow Concord’s example in petitioning the state to allow remote participation in Town Meetings. I strongly support this idea as a way to make our open Town Meeting truly inclusive, enabling residents who are physically unable to attend in person to participate fully.

This step aligns with the long evolution of Massachusetts town meetings, which have progressively expanded access since their origins, when only male property-owning church members could participate. By addressing the obstacle of in-person attendance, we can ensure that our Town Meeting remains a proud example of direct democracy.

Bob Sekuler

Just read the new issue and wanted to make a comment on an article (Acton celebrates its new EV fast chargers). 

It may be worthwhile to your readers who are electric vehicle (EV) owners that, while the L3 chargers discussed are fast, it may be degrading to the life of the battery depending on which model of EV you have. I own a Nissan Leaf EV and the owner’s manual and online resources all say that battery life is degraded each time the fast charger is used.

There are good reasons to use fast chargers. The most common being a long trip (multi-state) where you have to charge to get where you are going, like on the highway. It's quite convenient to charge for 15-30 minutes while you are getting a coffee and a snack. But if there's no pressing reason to fast-charge, it's better to use an L2 or an L1.

Kind regards,
A. David Boccuti, PE

I am an associate member of the Kelley's Corner Steering Committee (KCSC) but this letter represents only my personal opinion.

Mr. Milnes letter of January 6 on Taxation without Representation raises many important issues which the Select Board has ignored in the past, thus signaling to the Town Manager and the School Committee that they may do as they wish with our monies, and when they need more, simply use "support our schools" to rally people for overrides.

Mr. Milnes also notes, "So, let's continue with the town meeting format that almost intentionally excludes many elderly and incapacitated citizens from participating."

In nearby Concord, they've petitioned the state to allow remote participation at Annual and Special Town Meetings. 

TOWN MEETING: The Purest Form of Democracy 
   Every registered voter has the right to vote
         If, and only if, physically in the meeting room at the time of the vote.
                 Required in-person attendance is an obstacle for many voters.
                     Parents with children at home
                     Elderly voters
                     Unwell voters...and more

The Acton Select Board, and the Acton Town Manager have been challenged.

David Manalan

Once again, the Acton powers that be, have put the screws on its senior citizens. The Town
'fathers' have continued their spend, spend, spend mentality with no concern for people on
limited incomes. It doesn't matter if it's purchasing more conservation land in lieu of additional
housing that would increase the tax base, overriding Proposition 2-1/2 to fund the bloated
school system, building a new fire station and buying new fire trucks, funding a new Public Works facility or spending a small fortune at Kelly's Corner that will not amount to a hill of beans.

But it was alright to cheap out and save a few dollars by locating the Senior Center so far away
from 80% of the population that it takes 15-20 minutes to get there.

I live in a retirement community with no city services (e.g. plowing) and no children in the school
system and my taxes just increased by 25%! And my real estate valuation increased by almost
30%. There is NO WAY I could sell my house for 30% more than I paid 3-1/2 years ago.

So, let's continue with the town meeting format that almost intentionally excludes many elderly
and incapacitated citizens from participating.

Thanks a lot.
Bradford Milnes

Thanks for all the work you do to make the Exchange such an informative newspaper. The online format makes it so easy to read!

Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday season and for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Bernice Baran

Recent deaths of large raptors locally point out the hazards of using second generation
anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). A great horned owl in Belmont died last month after
consuming rodents with SGARs in their systems. Two years ago, a bald eagle in Arlington also
died of SGAR toxins. As residents have witnessed, these magnificent raptors currently live in
Acton. Although private individuals cannot buy poisons with SGARs, licensed pesticide
companies can, and thus they threaten our raptor neighbors. This is short-sighted, as raptors
and other predators are our most effective and cheapest rodent control agents.

Please ask Acton departments not to dispense SGARs in town buildings, either directly or
through contractors. Also, if you live in a house or apartment serviced by a pest control vendor,
please ask that they not use SGARs. Two equally effective measures are far less dangerous
than toxins: keeping barriers to rodent access and food removal. Screening, patching, or closing
off holes and cracks in buildings will exclude rodents from coming indoors. Cleaning up food
from the ground, such as spilled birdseed and accessible compost piles, will also discourage the
rodents from moving in near where you live. If the rodents do come inside, use snap traps that
kill unwanted vermin without threatening wildlife.

We all need to live and work in healthy, rodent-free buildings. Our neighborhood hawks,
owls, foxes, and coyotes will help us as long as we stay away from SGARs.

Yours truly,
Rob Gogan

I have been grateful for a space to read about local stories. I particularly wanted to highlight Tom Beals for his concise and informative coverage of Select Board meetings. It can be tricky to know the happenings in Town Government without having to spend hours attending meetings or parsing the minutes. Thank you to Mr. Beals and the Acton Exchange!

Eric Schlesinger

The Exchange’s November 2024 School Committee Update includes the section Acton-Boxborough student creates immersive scavenger hunt to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. It’s a wonderful project and I am hoping that "the hunt" will be made available to residents and friends to share with their guests to our historically significant area—no tricorn required.

Kathy Peebles

I am an associate member of the Kelley’s Corner Steering Committee (KCSC), but this letter is
my personal opinion.

The proposed purchase of 19 and 35 Wetherbee Street does not make sense to me. The two
parcels are assessed at $385,000. The proposed purchase is for $3,600,000. This almost three-
million-dollar profit requires explanation. Furthermore, these two parcels total 31 flat acres
adjacent to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Great Road (2A), making them ideal for various
low- and middle-income housing. They abut the Wetherbee Conservation Land of 72 acres.

Putting these properties into conservation land does not make sense, so I urge the town
meeting attendees to vote no on Article 1.

David Manalan

The Town of Acton Special Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 25 th at 6:00 PM
offers the citizens of Acton a rare opportunity to preserve the Wetherbee/Moritz property, a
highly visible and environmentally important parcel of land abutting the farmlands and open
space off Wetherbee Street.  I strongly urge all Town residents interested in preserving our
natural environment to attend this Special Town Meeting and vote in favor of permanently
protecting this key 33-acre parcel of woodlands and open space.

The Wetherbee parcel is the forested land backing the farm fields on the northern (right hand)
side of Route 2, just west of the Route 2 rotary.   Preserving this parcel will permanently
preserve the natural beauty of that lovely vista.  But as importantly, it will preserve a diverse
habitat of wooded land and vernal pools.  Located on a ridge upgradient of the Town’s School
Street well field to the south, and Nashoba Brook to the north, protection of the property also
has the potential to protect both the Town’s drinking water, and the water quality of the Nashoba
Brook.  Finally, the parcel also abuts the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, thereby offering recreational
opportunities in the form of connecting pedestrian trail access.

Importantly, funding of the purchase of this parcel will not impact the Town’s budget or taxes. 
Funding of the purchase will be through the use of Community Preservation Act funds dedicated
to land protection and supplemented by a $500,000 state grant and fund-raising by the Acton
Conservation Trust.

I urge you to attend the November 25th Special Town Meeting and join with the Open Space
Committee, the Community Preservation Committee, the Select Board, the Finance Committee,
and the Acton Conservation Trust in voting in favor of this purchase.

Thank you,
Andrew Magee

Entering Acton from the Concord Rotary is a calming experience, leaving the craziness of the traffic circle and entering into a beautiful vista of open space. Many do not realize that the property consisting of a forest at the edge of the agricultural fields, on the right-hand side heading west on Route 2, is private land vulnerable to development.

On Monday, November 25, 2024, Acton will hold a Special Town Meeting to consider the purchase of that land, approximately 33 acres, at 19-35 Wetherbee Street. The purchase price is approximately $3.6 million, largely coming from funds from the Community Preservation Act. There will be no increase in town taxes as a result of this purchase. The Town has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to assist in the purchase, however the grant requires a Town Meeting vote in favor of purchase before the end of year. The grant also requires that a perpetual conservation restriction be placed on the property, protecting the land for future generations.

The land is of high conservation value and has long been a top priority on the Town's Open Space priority list. It is contiguous with both existing conservation land and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. The forest continues a wildlife corridor through town which includes existing conservation lands, Acton Water District property and Morrison Farm, all lining the Nashoba Brook.

Acton Conservation Trust (www.actonconservationtrust.org), your local non-profit land trust, has pledged to raise and contribute $100,000 toward the purchase of this property by the Town. Please show your support of open space in Acton by donating to Acton Conservation Trust's "Campaign for Wetherbee Woods," and by attending the Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 25th to vote in favor of Article 1.

Joe Cooney

Vice President and Trustee

Acton Conservation Trust

I am the Chair of the Acton Open Space Committee and writing on my own behalf. I urge Acton residents to attend Town Meeting on Monday, November 25th, 6 PM sharp! The first and primary topic is to purchase the 33-acre Wetherbee / Moritz property. Funds for this  purchase were raised through Community Preservation Act funds, grants, and donations.  This vote allows Acton to complete the purchase and preserve this land that's identified as "priority" by Acton's Open Space and Recreation Plan and the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation.

The Wetherbee / Moritz property is highly visible as you drive west on Route 2 exiting the Concord Rotary.  Adjacent to the Bruce Freeman Rail trail and the Wetherbee Conservation area, this land is a diverse habitat with forests, wetlands, and vernal pools. This property protects Nashoba Brook and wetlands, supporting clean water and flood resilience. The property is listed as a Special Concern for blue-spotted salamanders and migrating waterfowl.

By approving this purchase, we invest in Acton's future.  A positive Town Meeting vote will preserve our community's natural beauty, protect biodiversity, and ensure access to green spaces. Please come to the November 25th Town Meeting at 6 PM.  We need a 2/3 majority vote so your participation is important.

Karen O'Neill

We all enjoy the peace of mind that comes from seeing the large open fields on the north side of Route 2 as you enter Acton from Concord.   It serves as a magnificent gateway to Acton and is the first open vista on Route 2.   We have succeeded in preserving much of this land, but there remains one critical parcel at 19 and 35 Wetherbee Street that is privately owned.   This is a beautiful and historic parcel with majestic trees forming the backdrop to the open fields.  The owners of this land, longtime Acton residents, are interested in seeing it preserved and have offered it to the Town at a considerable discount.   Thanks to the patient efforts of both the sellers and Town officials, an agreement has been reached to purchase this ~33 acre property for $3.68 million, which is well below the market value. 

At the Special Town Meeting on November 25, Article 1 will propose to purchase this land using a combination of Community Preservation Act funds, a $500,000 LAND grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a donation of $100,000 from the Acton Conservation Trust.  Because of these grants and the use of existing land preservation funds, this acquisition will not increase Acton residents’ tax bills.

The Acton Conservation Trust has been working with the owners for more than a decade to reach this goal, and we thank both the owners and Town officials who have worked hard to make this happen.  The last piece of this puzzle is the Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 25 at the Acton Boxborough Regional High School and I hope you will attend to support this project.

Susan Mitchell-Hardt 

President, Acton Conservation Trust 

I write to urge you to support the Select Board and the Community Preservation Committee in the purchase of 33 acres of Historic Wetherbee Woods at the Special Town Meeting on November 25th. With the support of a generous State grant, Community Preservation funds and the pledge from the Acton Conservation Trust, this purchase will have little or no impact on our town budget. 

We have this opportunity to preserve a very special piece of land. The property is the gateway view of Acton when you enter from Concord on Route 2. It is the hillside to your right, and it provides the soothing green of its forested slope. There are many other reasons to protect this land, including the fact that it is a vital part of the Nashoba Brook watershed, and it borders the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. 

This is exactly the type of project that the Community Preservation Act was designed to enable our communities to use in preserving its unique characteristics. 

Pam Resor

Former State Senator 

Although I’m on the Finance Committee, I’m writing on my own behalf. I'm voting “yes” on Question 1, which would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.

After hearing State Auditor Diana DiZoglio speak about this ballot question at the Acton-Boxborough Annual Democratic Picnic on Sept. 15, 2024, I was convinced that support for this initiative will help the State Auditor’s office shine a bright light on how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

Then, on Oct. 21, 2024, a performance audit by Auditor DiZoglio's Office, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2022, revealed concerns about transparency and accountability in the Massachusetts General Court (the state legislature). The audit, part of a long history of legislative audits dating back to 1849, was hindered by the Legislature's refusal to cooperate. As a result, the Auditor’s Office was unable to assess key areas, such as fund tracking, legislative processes, and the equitable application of policies.

Key findings included a lack of transparency in financial audits and procurement processes, hindering public accountability. The Massachusetts legislative website was also criticized for lacking ease of use and comprehensive content, limiting public engagement. Additionally, Massachusetts remains the only state without a legislative services bureau, which limits the support available to legislators.

The audit highlighted a lack of transparency in how legislative leaders appoint members to committees and leadership roles, further diminishing public oversight. Auditor DiZoglio emphasized the need for transparency, criticizing the Legislature's closed-door approach and calling for greater openness to strengthen democracy.

I agree with Auditor DiZoglio, who said, “Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of our democracy and enable the people to participate in government as intended in our Constitution, in a system of checks and balances. It is beyond past time that we return to the historical practice of this office auditing the Legislature, as has been the case for the vast majority of the history of this office. If there is nothing to hide, open up the doors and let the sunshine in. Sunlight is, after all, the best disinfectant.”

Greg Jarboe

As a veteran public-school teacher, I encourage everyone in our community to vote “yes” on Question 2 this November.

Question 2 asks voters to eliminate the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) graduation requirement for high school students in our state. Currently, over 700 students each year in Massachusetts are denied a high school diploma simply because they cannot pass the 10th grade MCAS test. The vast majority of these students require special education services or are still learning English. A “yes” vote on November 5 would eliminate this punitive requirement and instead allow all deserving students who have successfully completed their high school coursework to earn a diploma.

The purpose of a standardized test like MCAS is to provide policymakers with data and benchmarks to compare one school to another or one district to another. Educational leaders, and not students, should be the ones anxious and worried about MCAS scores. And yet, by requiring all high school students to pass the MCAS, we’ve taken something that should be a diagnostic tool and turned it into a high-stakes test that disproportionately punishes our most vulnerable student population.

Those advocating a “no” vote believe that removing the MCAS graduation requirement will weaken our public schools, but Question 2 makes no changes to our state’s rigorous curriculum standards; high school students seeking a diploma will still have to prove themselves worthy through their coursework and assessments in the classroom and will still be held accountable by the skilled educators who know them best. By eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement, we’re simply removing an arbitrary and unnecessary barrier and making sure that students who have earned the right to graduate may do so without fear or worry about passing a “one size fits all” assessment.

Massachusetts is one of only eight states left in the country that still requires high school students to pass a standardized test to earn a diploma. It’s time for Massachusetts to end this outdated, draconian barrier to student success. Please vote “yes” on Question 2.

Mike Balulescu
President, Acton Boxborough Education Association

I am an associate member of the Kelley’s Corner Steering Committee, but speaking solely on my own behalf.

In the month of October, I’ve received 3 different survey requests from the Town of Acton.

• October 15,  Piper Road Sidewalk Feasibility Study – Public Input Survey
• October 11, Wayfinding Signage Survey
• October 02, Main Street Complete Street Design Public Input Survey

None of these surveys cited any data or priority or compelling reason for its existence. Addressing each one, they fall into the category of “because we can” since there is no data or study establishing why any of these activities should progress.

Recently, homeowners in Acton received their huge real estate tax increases in their bill. If there is a priority needed, it’s a plan to stabilize or reduce the inordinate tax burden. I have seen no surveys giving the Town an opportunity to express their wishes on budget items to reduce or eliminate that might reduce or stabilize their taxes.

If the Select Board wants a new Department of Public Works building, which will require another override, albeit a debt override, then they and the Town Manager should rapidly establish and communicate a clear set of priorities.

David A. Manalan

A Yes vote on Question 2 would eliminate the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) graduation requirement for tenth graders in Massachusetts. My reasons for supporting this question include: 

MCAS was originally intended to hold schools and teachers accountable for implementing state education standards and to measure their success in doing so. Over the years, this has shifted towards holding students accountable for outcomes but not educators, administrators or school committees responsible for implementing standards and curriculum. 

MCAS was originally intended to be given in grades 5, 8 and 10. No Child Left Behind legislation created the unfunded federal mandate to test all students in grades 3 through 8 and 10. The fact is that measuring the success of our schools could be done via sampling.

The vast majority of AB graduates already take standardized tests – the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT). With 95% of our graduates going on to 2- or 4-year colleges, they are clearly "college ready" upon graduation from AB. What do our students gain from taking these tests?

A successful Yes campaign on this question would not eliminate MCAS testing. But I hope it would open the eyes of parents to the impact of MCAS on students at all levels. My observation as a parent was that weeks every spring were spent prepping for MCAS, not actually educating kids, particularly during elementary years. In fact, once I learned that MCAS is not required for anything other than 10th grade graduation, I started opting my kids out of MCAS. Parents should know this: You do NOT need to submit your kids to MCAS testing. 

Standardized testing has become a cottage industry. Companies make vast sums of money writing and scoring these tests. Through these tests, state and federal governments also collect reams of data on our children and families to do with as they please. Regardless of the outcome of this question, this is something you can control -- starve the beast. 

I cannot justify holding students responsible for their educational outcomes while teachers and administrators have no accountability. That’s why I’m voting YES on Question 2. 

Corinne Hogseth
Associate member of the Acton Finance Committee, writing on my own behalf.

A genuine thank you to the Acton Exchange for communicating such important local and timely information to our community. I am humbled that this is a volunteer organization…. thank you for your service.

My hope is that with continued community support, the Acton Exchange can continue to provide all of Acton’s viewpoints. Communication, an exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and fact-based knowledge is key to our community’s sound decision making on policy issues.

These ideals are what will help Acton thrive to continue to be the place we all call home.

Best,
Paulette Farmer