Opening remarks
- A resident referred to the February 2 discussion of the Town Hall HVAC and Emergency Power energy options and their associated costs, asking to know the “penalty” costs for the project due to the fossil-fuel-free by-law.
- Select Board Chair Dean Charter recognized the passing of Robert (Bob) Guba, a long-time member of the Land Stewardship Committee.
- Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol announced her candidacy for re-election to the Board; and noted an upcoming “Books and Brews” event; March 10, 6:00 p.m. at the Acton Memorial Library.
License plate readers and surveillance technology
At the Dec. 1, 2025 Select Board (Board) meeting a resident had asked about use of automated license plate readers in Acton. At the present meeting, Ms. Nicol related residents’ requests for the Board to provide guidance for the use of surveillance technology in Acton, and presented a policy proposal for discussion. The proposal would require Select Board approval before adoption of new technologies, and would regulate data sharing.
Several Board members supported Board review and public input before the Town adopts new surveillance technologies, suggesting a Select Board policy as a first step, with a bylaw considered later. Members also noted that questions about data retention, vendor access, and the legal authority of municipalities would require further analysis, including consultation with Town Counsel and the Police Department. One member recommended considering the issue as part of the Board’s upcoming annual goal-setting process, noting the limited time before Town Meeting and Board reorganization after Town elections.
Concerns raised during the discussion focused on privacy risks, the potential misuse or sharing of collected data, the expanding capabilities of AI to analyze surveillance information, and uncertainty about how effectively policies could protect stored data. Some residents urged strict limits or even an outright ban on certain technologies. Other comments emphasized the potential public-safety benefits of surveillance tools, citing examples in which camera networks helped solve crimes or locate suspects, and suggesting that policies should balance privacy protections with legitimate law-enforcement needs. The Board anticipated further discussion at a future meeting.
Continued discussion of 46 Taylor Rd
At the present meeting the Board continued discussion of a Feb. 11 hearing dedicated to consider whether to exercise an option to purchase land at 46 Taylor Road, abutting the Acton Arboretum. Consistent with comments at the Feb. 11 meeting, public comments were uniformly in favor of the town acquiring the land. Speakers emphasized the parcel’s proximity to the Arboretum, the opportunity to preserve open space in the center of town, and the possibility that development could alter the character of, and access to, the existing conservation area.
Board members then discussed the issue at length. Board member Jim Snyder-Grant expressed a view he acknowledged was unusual for him, stating that he was inclined not to exercise the right of first refusal. While describing the Arboretum as an important and well-loved place, he argued that it was already adequate in size and that the additional parcel offered limited benefit beyond a short section of connecting trail. He suggested that trail access might instead be obtained through an easement from a future owner. Mr. Snyder-Grant also characterized the land as ecologically degraded and dominated by invasive species, arguing that adding several acres of such land would create additional management burdens for volunteers already working to restore the Arboretum. Finally, he noted the $1.4 million purchase price and the competing demands on municipal finances, while observing that development of the parcel might provide additional housing, including smaller units allowed under recent zoning changes.
Board Chair Dean Charter took the opposite position, stating, “I’m very much in favor of the town purchasing the entire property, exercising our right of first refusal.” He acknowledged that the purchase would likely require bonding, since existing open space or Community Preservation Act funds would probably be insufficient to acquire the parcel outright. Nevertheless, he argued that the town would have only one opportunity to secure the property for public use, whereas development rights would be permanently lost if the option were not exercised. Drawing a comparison with the Arboretum’s condition decades ago, he suggested that the current state of the land should not discourage acquisition, noting that restoration could occur gradually over time. Mr. Charter also cautioned that developers have engaged in lengthy legal efforts to build on desirable lots, even for parcels with wetlands.
Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol responded directly to Mr. Snyder-Grant’s characterization of the property, agreeing that the land currently contains invasive vegetation but emphasizing its broader context. She argued that the parcel’s importance lies less in its present condition than in its location adjoining the Arboretum, and that development there could negatively affect the experience and value of the conservation area. As with other open-space decisions the town has faced, she said, the long-term impact of surrounding development must be considered alongside the property’s current state. Ms. Nicol concluded that the opportunity to preserve land adjoining the Arboretum justified exercising the option.
Other members also voiced support for acquisition. Board Clerk David Martin agreed the town should purchase the parcel, while suggesting that because of its street access, future generations might consider recreational uses there in addition to conservation. He also discussed financing options, including the possibility of bonding or using Community Preservation Act funds if recommended by the Community Preservation Committee.
In response to a caller’s question about who exercises the right of first refusal, the consensus was that the decision rests with a majority of the Select Board. The Board ultimately voted to continue the public hearing until March 23 in order to gather additional information before deciding whether to exercise the option.
Volunteer Coordinating Committee process review
Departing Board member Jim Snyder-Grant, liaison to the Volunteer Coordinating Committee (VCC), summarized suggested process improvements for the VCC. In a memo, Mr. Snyder-Grant described and proposed changes and improvements to record-keeping of committee membership; committee member turnover (“term limits”); and methods for handling personnel issues that arise. Record-keeping improvements include a database now maintained at the Town Clerk’s office that replaces error-prone manual records.
Board members generally supported the proposed process improvements, and discussed several refinements intended to strengthen oversight and communication. Members emphasized that, while the VCC gathers information and makes recommendations, the Select Board remains the appointing authority and should have an opportunity to review potential reappointments earlier in the process. Several Board members suggested that committee liaisons receive advance notice of expiring terms and proposed reappointments before VCC outreach or before the information appears in a public meeting packet, allowing concerns about performance, policy alignment, or term limits to be addressed privately. Additional suggestions included more direct communication to committee liaisons, adjustments to the reappointment list to make review easier, and ensuring that final reappointments occur before terms expire in order to avoid gaps in committee authority. Overall, members appreciated the effort to clarify the procedure, and supported moving forward with the revised approach.
Continued review of 2026 Annual Town Meeting articles
The Select Board continued its review of draft versions of Town Meeting Warrant articles that it began at its Feb. 23 meeting. As at the earlier meeting, many of the articles are routine annual authorizations — such as approval of enterprise fund budgets, revolving fund budgets, and other recurring financial measures — and the Board moved through most of them quickly, voting unanimously to recommend them to Town Meeting.
Among the capital items, the Board recommended Article 5, appropriating funds for a series of capital equipment and project needs, including sidewalks and Complete Streets work, police cruiser replacement, facility improvements, information-technology infrastructure, stormwater planning, and a planning study for the future reuse of the Morrison Farm property. Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted that several requests, particularly for sidewalks and stormwater work, had been scaled back from departmental proposals in order to limit the overall budget request to Town Meeting. The Board also unanimously recommended Article 6, authorizing borrowing for the $3.75 million Town Hall HVAC and emergency power replacement project (offset by a $1 million grant), and Article 7, authorizing borrowing for the design phase of a new Department of Public Works facility at 14 Forest Road.
The Board further recommended establishment of an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund (Article 11) to manage funds received from national opioid litigation settlements and ensure they are used for approved public-health purposes. It also unanimously recommended Article 12, appropriating funds to several stabilization and trust funds, including $300,000 for the town’s OPEB trust, $400,000 to the capital stabilization fund, $167,000 to the proposed opioid stabilization fund, and proceeds from the sale of a formerly affordable housing unit to the Acton Community Housing Corporation trust.
Several routine financial authorization articles were also recommended unanimously, including Article 22 authorizing revolving-fund budgets and a series of enterprise-fund budget articles for commuter parking, septage disposal, sewer operations, ambulance services, and transportation programs. During discussion of the revolving-fund budgets, a Board member asked about differing projected fund balances among programs; town staff explained that retained earnings in some funds are maintained to support future capital needs within those programs.
Two items were held for later consideration. The Board deferred action on Article 2, which asks Town Meeting to accept the annual Town Report, with one member noting discomfort recommending acceptance before the report is completed and available for review. The Board also postponed Article 25, the transfer station and recycling enterprise budget, because certain figures in the draft article remain incomplete. The remaining reviewed articles were recommended unanimously.
Hearings
The application of Hawthorn Realty Company for a Site Plan Special Permit was continued, yet again, to April 6.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.
