Letters to the Exchange

I would like to congratulate the members of the Acton Exchange for taking the news gathering of Marion Maxwell and her compatriots to the next level.  This is not an easy undertaking and Acton readers wish them well.  Marion has provided the community with all news Acton as well as arts, entertainment, humor and police.

Marion's news has given links to town meetings etc., which gives readers a chance to hear the issues.  Links provide transparency and allow citizens unable to come to meetings to hear what is being discussed and voted upon in their absence.   Sustaining Marion's online news will achieve an informed citizen and a sustained reader. When all the sides of an issue are presented equally, all readers become educated.   Democracy needs an informed and educated public...It is through the expression of an opposing view, as well as the prevailing view, that allows the reader a chance to understand the underlying thoughts for both positions. Personally, I am hoping that they will continue to present all the news in a way that is balanced.

We look forward to 'just the facts' and no spin to favor a position.  All too often opposing views get little or no ink or air.  Let editorials be the place where your readers can provide input.

Judi Kotanchik

What were Acton Select Board members thinking when they supported a six-million-dollar tax hike for next year? They couldn't be thinking of seniors who live on fixed incomes and are already stretching their Social Security checks so far. "Select Board Members, have you spoken to your parents?" Where are seniors going to get the extra thousands of dollars every year to pay these taxes? 

Acton voters, vote "NO!" on the override. We need to draw the line somewhere. We're already paying increased school taxes every year even though pupil enrollment is decreasing.

Bonnie Lobel

I am opposed to the upcoming override vote. Many seniors will be required to trade payment of essentials for their tax bill. Their resources are already stretched. I do not see the same attitude on the part of our leadership (ALG). The original “ask” for fiscal 2025 was $12M. It was reduced to $6.6M simply because ALG did not think an increase above $1200 per year for the average home would generate a positive vote. Expenses have not been significantly reduced – in fact budgets\assessments of fiscal 25 are up from 24 and increase again in fiscal 26. New capital expenditures for fiscal 25 are over 2X those of fiscal 24.  Union contracts reflect 4+% increases annually. MinuteMan Tech. assessment is up 9% for fiscal 25 and 28% for fiscal 26. ALG continues to deplete reserves.

 ALG points out that their expenses are below the average of Commonwealth communities. True, but Acton made two significant mistakes in past years; they did not add enough commercial mix to the tax rolls, and they touted the outstanding quality of their school, hence drawing families with school-age children, families who tend to vote for every school request when their kids are in school and then often move to lower-tax communities once the kids have graduated. Some look at Acton as a cost/benefit exercise – Acton’s high taxes and free schools of quality compared to lower taxes elsewhere and private schools. A/B continues to see declining enrollment and increasing budgets, and their assessment is twice the town operating budget.  Although Acton spends somewhat less, their tax as a % of income per capita (IPC) is 17+%. This measure of tax to income places Acton among the highest of Massachusetts Communities. Acton’s take, including CPA and auto excise will be about $16K on the average home value, a significant portion of your disposable income.

Unless Acton changes spending, its residents will face overrides in future years. Acton is simply spending over their means. I oppose the override because Acton has not taken adequate steps to reduce expenses. Please vote your conscience in the April 30 Acton election.

Bob Hertz

Since moving to Acton almost three years ago, I have wondered why the school district’s annual report is not posted electronically, or at least printed on inexpensive and lightweight newsprint. Instead, I receive in the mail a sturdy booklet printed in expensive full color and on expensive glossy pages. I feel the heft of that booklet in my hand and I wonder how much the post office charges the school district to mail them to every resident in Acton.

In addition to that experience, I have attended two events at the high school since moving here; both times food was served. I presume that the food was paid for by the school district because no parent or other group was acknowledged and thanked for providing food for the meals. Serving food to visitors and guests was not necessary at either event. Lobster rolls and organic fruit were served at one of those events. In my opinion, the only food purchased through the school district’s budget should be the food served to our students during the school day.

I haven’t lived here very long, but witnessing these unnecessary and wasteful expenditures reveals that Acton taxpayer money is not managed with a sense of thrift. On April 30, I plan to vote NO on the proposed tax override because I prefer that my tax dollars be managed more efficiently.

On a related subject, layoffs are likely if the override is defeated. I am reminded of the time early in my career when I was laid off. Jobs were hard to find at that time and in my field. Today, National Public Radio reports that 48% of public schools in the northeast are understaffed. Some are so desperate to fill positions that they are hiring individuals without required education and certification, including teachers. Any staff laid off from AB schools will have many opportunities for employment in the area.

Joan Milnes

I just read the article about Stop and Shop by Jeff Brown and want to point out an error.  The sentence, “Other grocery stores in the area include a Stop and Shop in West Concord near the Acton line, . . .”  should have read “Other grocery stores in the area include a Stop and Shop in Acton near the West Concord line, . . .“  The store is in Acton, not West Concord.

I'm very glad that we have the Acton Exchange.

Suzanne Fuller

Editors' note: The writer is correct. This error has been corrected and noted in the article, in accordance with the Acton Exchange correction policy.

Thanks lots for publishing the article on the override. This is really a service to the Town, and one that is needed.

David Shoemaker

With respect to your January 3 article on State Approval of Acton's Participation in Fossil Fuel Free Building Construction and Renovation Demonstration Project: Does this apply to single family residences and small condos, or only to commercial or larger multi-family builldings? The article does not specify.

David Boccuti