Opening remarks:
- Select Board Chair Dean Charter reflected on the recent Town Meeting, saying “I’ve been involved in town meeting preparations and presentations for about 45 years …. this was the best meeting in my memory”, and credited the Town Managers, Town staff, and Public Safety officials for their efforts. The sentiment was echoed by other Board members and the Town Manager.
- Board member David Martin called attention to a Community Survey for Naming of the new park at 53 River Street.
- Board member Alissa Nicol noted a stroke awareness workshop scheduled for May 21 at the Senior Center (registration required).
- Mr. Charter and Town Manager John Mangiaratti mentioned discussion at a Concord meeting concerning a possible re-design of the Route 2 rotary, with public involvement anticipated later this summer. (See related article.)
- Mr. Mangiaratti announced that Mr. John Garside had been sworn in as Acton’s Building Commisioner.
Select Board reorganization: Following the recent election, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Alissa Nicol as Chair; David Martin as Vice-chair; and Fran Arsenault as Clerk.
Buy Recycled Policy update: Director of Public Works Cory York presented a proposed Environmentally Preferred Procurement Policy to replace the Town’s existing 2007 Buy Recycled Policy, explaining that the update is required in order for the Town to remain eligible for annual Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grants. Mr. York said the Town has received approximately $10,000 annually through the program to support transfer station initiatives, and that MassDEP now requires municipalities to adopt a broader sustainable purchasing policy before a June 1 deadline.
The proposed policy expands the earlier recycling-focused language into a wider framework encouraging environmentally preferable purchasing, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting across municipal operations. Mr. York said the draft was developed using MassDEP guidance, examples from other communities, and review by a regional municipal coordinator. The policy encourages departments to use products with recycled content where practicable and reasonably priced, reduce paper use through electronic communication and double-sided printing, purchase energy-efficient office equipment, and make use of Massachusetts Operational Services Division contracts for environmentally preferable products. It also formalizes practices such as reusing surplus furniture and equipment before disposal and incorporates references to the Town’s PFAS-free purchasing policy.
Board members discussed how broadly the policy would apply and whether it would affect both routine departmental purchasing and outsourced construction or renovation projects. Mr. York said the policy was intended as an “overarching vision” applying to all municipal procurement activities and that, where appropriate, specific environmental purchasing requirements could be written directly into project bid and contract documents. Questions were also raised about possible operational impacts on departments. Mr. York acknowledged that some product categories, particularly janitorial supplies and information technology equipment, could require adjustments to meet new standards, but said department staff did not anticipate major difficulties and that additional guidance and outreach could help employees identify compliant products and purchasing resources.
Mr. Martin expressed support for the policy’s emphasis on reuse and for the use of Massachusetts uniform procurement standards to simplify environmentally preferable purchasing decisions. During discussion of the policy language itself, Ms. Nicol suggested adding a definition of “environmentally preferred” products drawn from state guidance so that the term would be clearer to staff and the public. York agreed to incorporate the definition and include it in the document’s definitions section. The Board subsequently voted unanimously to approve the policy with the added definition.
Transfer station rates: Budget Director Ellie Anderson made her (roughly) annual appearance before the Board for approval of Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Transfer Station Rates. Her presentation continued the recent price increase trend; for a (non-senior) first sticker, from $115 to $127, and a Senior first sticker from $12 to $15. Non-residents may consider the Acton Transfer station a bargain; Ms. Anderson’s presentation showed a greater than 6-fold increase in non-resident usage from 2019 to 2025. The Board unanimously approved the proposed rates after a relatively brief but thorough discussion.
Purchase of a battery-electric police cruiser: Town Manager Mangiaratti introduced this proposal by reference to a EV Patrol Vehicle Pilot Program, requesting $45,000 for the $61,000 purchase of a used (6,000 miles) vehicle. By contrast to the police cruiser replacement authorized in Article 5 at the 2026 Town Meeting, this purchase is to be made from the Energy Efficiency Fund, which requires only a Select Board majority vote. The memo also requests funding for municipal EV charger maintenance and network fees, and was approved unanimously with minimal discussion.
Hearing: The Board continued its Site Plan Special Permit hearing on the proposed redevelopment of 13 School Street in South Acton, which would replace the former municipal parking lot with a mixed-use residential and commercial property. Select Board clerk Fran Arsenault introduced the hearing, saying that the project “represents a significant step… [and] utilizes the … South Acton village zoning to increase density near transit.” The site is adjacent to Fort Pond Brook and will require Conservation Commission review; it may come before the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Much of the discussion focused on parking and stormwater management. The applicant described plans to place most parking beneath and behind the building, accessed through an existing curb cut shared with the neighboring property at 25–27 School Street. Planning staff and Board members questioned whether the limited number of parking spaces would adequately support the commercial units, especially given ongoing discussions about possible future bike lanes and the potential loss of on-street parking along School Street. Members also raised concerns about vehicle access and the viability of parallel parking behind the building adjacent to the railroad tracks.
Stormwater management issues centered on the increase in impervious surface and the handling of runoff water near Fort Pond Brook. The applicant’s engineer explained that the new drainage system would infiltrate more water into the ground than the current paved lot and would reduce runoff leaving the site, while continuing to use an existing overflow connection beneath the MBTA right-of-way. The hearing was continued to June 15 for further review.
Briefly noted: A $25,000 Restricted Rail Trail Gift was among the consent agenda items that were approved without discussion. The above-cited letter from the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (FBFRT) announces a restricted earmark, via State Senator Eldridge, for capital equipment related to maintenance of the Assabet River and Bruce Freeman trails.
Tom Beals is the Acton Exchange Select Board beat reporter.
