Opening remarks
- Select Board Chair Dean Charter opened the online-only meeting, held virtually due to a state of emergency caused by a severe snowstorm.
- School Committee member Glen Cote reviewed a recent presentation on geography-based enrollment, and noted preliminary budget figures.
- Town Manager John Mangiaratti provided a brief update on the state of the town during the storm, and appreciated the Department of Public Works (DPW) staff working through the night.
- Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol called attention to the Acton Water District Annual Meeting at the Public Safety Facility March 18, 6 p.m.
Revised Fiscal Year 2027 Recommended Budget
Mr. Mangiaratti, noting the requirement for the Town Manager to transmit a budget to the Finance Committee before Annual Town Meeting, presented a revised Fiscal Year 2027 Recommended Budget and Capital Plan. In a Memo, and in remarks to the Board, Mr. Mangiaratti described reductions to the health insurance budget that would allow the creation of a part-time staffing position to assist with upkeep at the Acton Arboretum. The Board unanimously approved the transmission of the revised budget to the Finance Committee.
Department of Public Works (DPW) facility updated plan
On October 20, 2025 the Board supported a revised plan for the long-discussed DPW facility. Plan “4B” would restructure the current building for fleet storage and construct a new office and maintenance building. At the present meeting, Mr. Mangiaratti and Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin proposed a phased implementation of the current plan that would construct the new building first. Only critical safety fixes to the existing DPW building are proposed, deferring major renovation of that structure. The Board then voted unanimously to support a motion to advance this phased concept to Town Meeting.
Board members generally endorsed the plan as a practical compromise that reduces immediate costs, addresses urgent workspace needs, and avoids significant investment in an aging building that might later be replaced. They noted the proposal could provide flexibility to reconsider future options for vehicle storage, such as renovation or new construction, and could allow later additions such as equipment storage or a wash bay. Questions focused on communicating financial implications to voters, including how design funding would be presented, when reliable cost and tax impact estimates would be available, and the need to explain cost comparisons with earlier proposals. Overall, comments expressed strong support for prioritizing staff and operational space now, with only minor concerns about cost transparency and future planning details.
Great Road Roundabout
DPW Director Corey York conveyed a request from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for a decision regarding a roundabout (also known as a rotary or traffic circle) at the intersection of Great Road and Main Street. The issue arose in the context of the Great Road Complete Streets plan, and Director York described further funding details contingent on the decision. The question before the Board was whether or not to pursue the roundabout proposal.
The Board’s discussion reiterated issues raised in Mr. York’s letter concerning impacts on adjacent properties and businesses, including loss of landscaping and signage, loss of parking spaces at Veterans Field, and relocation of the recently installed electric vehicle (EV) chargers. A roundabout would require more land area and paving than the current signalized intersection. Public safety concerns were also raised, including pedestrian and bicycle safety. The suitability of a roundabout at that intersection was questioned; participants noted that roundabouts are better suited to lighter traffic rather than the periodic heavy traffic at that location, and a resident noted that the responsive traffic signals appeared to address current needs. A motion to reject the roundabout concept was unanimously approved.
Primrose Schools Update
On August 25, 2025, after earlier discussions, the Board authorized Mr. Mangiaratti to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Primrose Schools, a nationwide private childcare provider. Primrose has proposed purchasing the lot at 457 Massachusetts Avenue, the location of a historic home listed on the Acton Historical Commission Cultural Resource List. The lot is directly across Massachusetts Avenue from Prospect Street, and adjacent to the R.J. Grey Jr. High school.
At the present meeting, Primrose representatives joined the Board virtually for discussion of a Site Plan Special Permit. In preliminary remarks, Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol mentioned that the Board had received requests to reject the Permit outright. She cited guidance from the Attorney General’s office and from Town counsel, stating that “the town cannot deny the use outright, or impose conditions that would effectively deny it.” Ms. Nicol described proposed alterations to the lot: demolition of the historic home and barn; removal of almost all trees on the site; earthmoving to level the site; and installation of retaining walls. She then described the types of requirements that the Board may request of the applicant, and noted such requirements must be reasonable, clearly justified, and related to specific municipal concerns.
The applicant presented the proposed project, a two-story childcare facility with associated parking, outdoor play areas, and supporting infrastructure, and described the site layout, traffic access, and operational features. Board members raised questions regarding traffic circulation, site access, parking, and pedestrian safety. An abutting property owner commented on potential impacts along the property line. The Board concluded that further review and revised materials would be required and continued the hearing to March 16.
Annual Town Meeting
In an effort to publicize the warrant articles that will appear on the Town Meeting agenda, the Town Manager and the Board discussed a set of draft articles. Most of the articles reviewed were routine annual or “consent” items, including authorization for utility easements, acceptance of state highway and federal reimbursements, appropriation of insurance proceeds, handling of performance bonds, and authorization to sell foreclosed properties.
Three articles were identified as new or changed:
- Long-term agreement with Acton TV: seeks town meeting authorization for a 10-year operating agreement rather than a temporary three-year agreement, due to legal requirements for longer contracts.
- Municipal employee indemnification (state law adoption): would allow the town to indemnify municipal employees (and possibly volunteers) against personal financial liability arising from legal actions related to official duties, intended to support recruitment and retention.
- Uncashed check (“tailings”) process: establishes a formal process to notify recipients and reclaim funds from uncashed town checks after a specified period, potentially returning about $26,000 to free cash.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the accuracy of packet materials, details of indemnification protections, and public notification requirements for reclaiming uncashed funds. No major objections were raised, and the Board voted unanimously to recommend this package of articles to Town Meeting. Additional warrant articles are on the Select Board agenda for discussion at the March 2 meeting.
Briefly noted
- The Board approved a motion to limit building permit fees to $6,000 in response to a Boston Area Gleaners request for a Building Permit Fee waiver.
- A memo from Ms. Nicol, in her capacity as chair of the Citizens’ Library Governance Advisory Committee, communicated the Committee’s unanimous decision to disband, its mission having been completed. The Board noted the long history of discussion of the library’s governance, and approved the disbanding of the Committee.
- The Board briefly discussed the mechanics of the Town Manager Annual Performance Evaluation.
- The Board approved the renewal of the Intermunicipal Agreement between Acton and Boxborough to fund and share Mr. James MacRae as the Veterans’ Services provider.
Hearings
A Common Victualler License for Orange Door Hospitality LLC, doing business as Acton Coffee, was approved unanimously after a brief discussion, and a promise to continue serving its scones.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.
