Opening remarks: Acton Select Board Chair Dean Charter depicted the overflowing dumpsters and foul odors in the Boston area cities and towns where sanitation workers are on strike. Recalling occasional proposals to eliminate Acton’s transfer station, he noted that the municipal facility reduces the likelihood of such a scene in Acton.
Transitions: Town Manager John Mangiaratti announced that Kristen Guichard, formerly Acton’s Planning Director, will assume the role of Executive Director of the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO). Board members expressed heartfelt gratitude for Ms. Guichard’s years of dedicated service.
Regional Housing Services Office annual update: Ms. Liz Rust presented an overview of the services provided by the RHSO, an intermunicipal service for ten communities including Acton, providing affordable housing services, including local support, monitoring, inventory management, program development, and deed-restricted property valuations. RHSO contracts are renewed annually, and the Board approved the Fiscal Year 2026 contract as a consent agenda item.
Acton for ProAction presentation: Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Penny Funaiole and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director Wanjiku Gachugi presented a collaborative plan funded by state Community Compact grants. A $50,000 DEI grant will fund a town-wide equity audit, split into an organizational audit (examining internal policies, workforce equity, and culture) and a community audit (assessing board composition, engagement, and service delivery). A $40,000 HHS grant will fund a community health equity needs assessment, focusing on medical care access, chronic disease prevalence, behavioral health needs, and social determinants of health (e.g., housing, food security, transportation).
Recognizing considerable overlap between the two projects, Ms. Funaiole and Ms. Gachugi described a collaborative approach to their respective projects, integrating efforts across town departments to examine medical care access, chronic diseases, behavioral health, and social determinants such as housing and transportation. Shared data collection methods will include focus groups, interviews, and listening sessions. The goal is a comprehensive report, due by July 2026, with strategic recommendations tailored to Acton’s needs, toward fair, accessible services and addressing historical injustices.
Acton Power Choice Rate adjustment: The Acton Power Choice program, authorized at the 2016 Town Meeting, allows residents to select electricity suppliers through three options—Basic, Standard, and Green—each deriving varying proportions of power from renewable sources, with an option to opt out entirely. Program fees cover both electricity and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
As intermittent power sources (wind and solar) provide a growing share of the energy mix, the local grid operator ISO New England introduced the Day-Ahead Ancillary Services Initiative (DASI) to address challenges posed by weather-dependent energy. This initiative increased costs for the Power Choice program, which, by law, may be passed on to consumers. The Board faced the question of whether to absorb these costs by reducing REC purchases or increasing residential rates.
Energy consultant Paul Gromer gave a brief presentation, describing DASI and the options for absorbing the rate increase – either to decrease optional REC purchases or to increase residential rates. Initially, some board members and residents favored maintaining REC purchases, citing recommendations from the Green Advisory Board. However, concerns about competitive prices, economic pressures, and hesitancy about mid-contract price changes led the Board to authorize Town Manager Mangiaratti to amend the Acton Power Choice contract, reducing REC purchases to maintain current rates.
457 Mass. Ave, Primrose school update: The Acton Exchange previously reported on an earlier request from daycare operator Primrose Schools regarding a plan for a daycare center at 457 Mass. Ave (next to the RJ Grey Jr. High School). That discussion centered around two topics – wastewater treatment connections, and demolition of the existing house; and authorized Town Manager Mangiaratti to proceed with negotiations. At the present meeting the Board discussed a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) from Primrose, although no Primrose representative attended.
The discussion again centered around sewer connections and preservation of the existing house. The final number of sewer connections was uncertain but those connections would add substantial flow volume and reduce the area’s sewer connection capacity. The MOA identified the house at 457 Mass Ave. is a “preferably-preserved significant building” under Chapter N (“Procedure For The Demolition Of Historically Or Architecturally Significant Buildings”) of the Acton General Bylaws but requested a waiver to permit early demolition. Viewing the MOA as leverage, the Board authorized Town Manager Mangiaratti to renegotiate, removing the demolition waiver and seeking clarification on Primrose’s updated plans.
Briefly noted:
- Historic Sign Marker for 17 Woodbury Lane: The Board viewed and commented on proposed signs for the structure formerly known as the Asa Parlin house.
- The Board approved a proclamation recognizing India day (see the Acton Exchange’s 2024 India day story).
- Discovery Museum easement: the Acton Exchange previously reported that the terms for an easement for Great Hill access were under Town Counsel review; that review was completed and the amended easement was approved by the Board.
Hearings: The Board discussed a Site Plan Special Permit and two separate Use Special Permits for 45 Nagog Park for construction of a clubhouse, pickleball enclosure, and tennis court enclosure. The Board reviewed plans for parking, stormwater runoff, pedestrian access and noise control. Plans for gas heating and a waiver from Acton’s Fossil Fuel Free bylaw and energy code were mentioned. The hearing was continued to the August 25 Select Board meeting.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.