Opening remarks: Select Board Chair Dean Charter noted the passing of Ms. Carol Lake, recalling her role as the first director of the Acton Senior Center. Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin displayed two celebratory over-sized $25,000 checks, “earmarks” from the state legislature, for Fire Department turnout gear and radio equipment. Board member Jim Snyder-Grant called attention to focus groups sponsored by the Acton for Pro-action project (described previously in these pages and in an article in today’s issue).
Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) on Stormwater
“Approve the final Stormwater Infrastructure Plan and begin implementation” is among the Select Board’s 2025 long term goals. At recent Select Board meetings, the WRAC and the Board have been working toward that final plan. In February 2024, the WRAC and the Board evaluated a comprehensive list of Potential WRAC Priority Areas and chose to emphasize stormwater management. At a Sep. 2024 meeting the WRAC responded to the rhetorical question “Why Fund Stormwater Management?” and at a Nov. 2024 meeting the WRAC presented a planning document that outlined the updated regulatory environment. In brief, Acton has a stormwater problem; how should it be handled, and how would that management be funded?
At the present meeting, Mr. Joe Robb and the WRAC presented a comprehensive 68-page, 8-chapter report containing 57 hyperlinked citations; detailing, in successive chapters, the existing stormwater infrastructure; the Federal, State, and local regulatory environment; why a funding plan is needed, and proposals for that funding; results from public outreach, and summary and recommendations. The report concludes, “WRAC does not believe that the stormwater funding and management approaches currently in use by the Town are optimal, and we recommend the above-outlined changes be implemented expeditiously to prevent disruptive failures (e.g., culvert collapse, road flooding, erosion) and to ensure that the quality and quantity of stormwater that flows into our streams and rivers is maintained in accordance with Federal, State and Town regulations. The Committee is eager to assist Town leadership with this process.”
A graphic flowchart (page 59) categorizes the decisions to be made, with the final step being, “Present to Town Meeting”.
The Board and residents were uniformly appreciative of the report, praising both its clarity and level of detail. Questions for the WRAC included details of anticipated costs and maintenance of stormwater utilities in private developments. Residents noted that older infrastructure might not meet current legal requirements for wildlife crossing and suggested involvement of the Conservation Commission in further discussions; as well as considering the effects of winter road treatment chemicals on stormwater runoff. In final remarks, Mr. Charter anticipated further discussion at the January 26, 2026 Select Board meeting.
July 4, 2026 fireworks
Earlier Board discussions of fireworks as a budget item have prompted objections to the displays, citing expenses due to involvement of nearly all firefighters, police officers, DPW staff, and Parks and Recreation personnel. An assertion repeated at the present meeting is that the fireworks draw approximately 15,000 people but include smaller numbers of actual Acton residents and taxpayers, and the Board noted that regional visitors may not patronize local businesses. No contract for the 2026 fireworks has been signed, and the Board voted unanimously to replace the fireworks with a concert and community activities to be held either July 3rd or 5th, allowing town staff to spend the actual July 4th holiday with their families, and reducing public safety concerns about regional mutual aid capacity when multiple communities hold simultaneous events. The possible activities mentioned included live music, food trucks, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Board chair Dean Charter agreed to bring the proposal to the next meeting of the Acton 250 committee for further discussion.
Traffic flow at River and Chadwick streets
A resident of Chadwick Street has made several appearances before the Board to request assistance with area traffic patterns that have changed as the River Street dam was removed. Town Engineer and Assistant DPW Director Evan White (on the job since Sep. 12) presented a proposal for a stop sign at the River and Chadwick intersection. A stop sign overlaid on a photograph of the intersection was prominently displayed, as the Board and residents of the area debated the issue. Some residents identified their homes on, and adjacent to, the photo as they described increased traffic, horn noise, and hazardous pedestrian conditions. After much discussion the Board unanimously approved installation of the stop sign.
Briefly noted
The Board discussed and approved wayfinding signs and locations on Main Street and Quarry Road, approved utility pole relocations on Powder Mill Road, and authorized the Town Manager to sign a Utility Easement at 433 Massachusetts Ave for a proposed telecommunications facility at 9 Charter Road.
The Board approved a list of 2026 License Renewals, including:
- common victualler licenses; alcoholic beverages, package goods store license, wines and malts to be drunk on premise, carry-in intoxicating beverage license;
- Livery/Taxi licenses, Class I Auto Dealer License, Class II auto dealer license, and
- Entertainment License, Bowling Alley and Billiard Table License, automated amusement devices.
The Board authorized the Town Manager to sign a Habitat for Humanity local initiative petition that will allow the conversion of 416 Great Road into housing and Habitat offices.
The Board reviewed requests for FY27 Community Preservation Grants; as usual, the requests exceed available funds. After much discussion, Mr. Charter will convey the sense of the Board to the Community Preservation Committee.
The Board approved Updated Changes to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Policy that will give the Town Manager more flexibility with OPEB funds while continuing to fund the account.
Hearings: A Site Plan Special Permit for Hawthorn Realty Company to combine the properties at 471, 465-469 Great Road to Construct Two Buildings to be used as Building Trade Shops was continued to January 12, 2026.
Tom Beals is the Acton Exchange beat reporter for the Select Board.
