Opening remarks: Resident Derek Price again appealed to the Board regarding traffic at the intersection of Chadwick and River Street. He noted the ongoing absence of official response to concerns expressed by his neighbors and himself, and raised broader questions regarding the advancement of projects past the initial design phase, as well as project funding, stating his intention to raise those questions with the Finance Committee.
Select Board Chair Dean Charter recalled memories of Robert Rhodes, a Korean war veteran and longtime employee of the Acton Police Department, saying “Bob was a great individual, a good mentor for members of the police department, someone that I served with and always enjoyed my time with him.”
Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted that the Town Hall bell would be silent pending structural reinforcement of the bell housing.
Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol appreciated Acton police and others for their support of the Saturday “No Kings” rally, especially appreciating “the unicorn, the giraffe, the panda, the chicken, and the narwhal.”
DPW Building: The Department of Public Works (DPW) building on Forest Road has been a recurring topic at recent Select Board meetings. After the original replacement plan, developed by Weston & Sampson, was rejected by voters at the April 29, 2025, Town Election, Town Meeting voters approved funds to explore more affordable alternatives. The Town’s Public Works Facility Project webpage details work by Arrowstreet consultants who developed less-costly alternatives to the original plan. At the present meeting the Board discussed the DPWBuilding Committee Recommendation and the Arrowstreet Final Report, subtitled “Concept Options”.
The Arrowstreet report contains detailed graphics and descriptions of various options numbered 1-4 with 4A and 4B alternatives. The DPW Building Committee (DPWBC) text document reads in part, “The DPWBC members present reached a unanimous decision in support of Option 4B…” and describes three criteria: “Affordability, Functionality, and Longevity”.
Option 4B calls for renovating the existing approximately 60-year-old DPW building, currently housing both vehicle storage and offices, exclusively for fleet storage (essentially “turning it into a barn”). This would involve a complete interior rebuild and repairs to the exterior concrete masonry unit (CMU, “cinder block”) walls. A new office space and maintenance building would be built between the existing building and Forest Road, providing some noise shielding (much discussed earlier), and avoiding temporary relocation of staff and office functions. The current project cost estimate of option 4B is $29.7 million.
Following in-depth discussion among the Board, DPW Building Committee members, Finance Committee Chair Scott Sullivan, DPW Director Corey York, and Arrowstreet representatives, the Board voted to endorse the recommendation of the building committee for option 4B. The Finance Committee is expected to review the proposal at its next meeting. Anticipated next steps include requesting additional design funds at the May 2026 Town Meeting and seeking construction funding approval at a December 2026 Special Town Meeting.
Volunteers: The Board discussed one of its long-term goals: planning for volunteer recruitment. The Acton Exchange last reported on this topic on October 8, 2023, noting then that a listing of Acton’s Boards and Committees was dated from April 2011. As of this writing, that document — Town Board and Committee Descriptions — is still the only such listing on the Town Volunteer Coordinating Committee (VCC) web page.
The volunteer recruitment link goes to a “brainstorming” document that lists problems to be solved, criteria for success, scope of the goal, and initial steps and thoughts. A Draft message about VCC notes that the VCC “… is missing two full members and two associate members.” Discussion by the Board included streamlined application procedures, social networking by current committee members, and contacting appropriate consultants.
Town Meeting: In June, 2024 the Select Board discussed a report entitled “What Can We Do to Make Town Meeting More Effective and Accessible?” from the Acton area League of Women Voters. At the present meeting, Town Moderator Jo-Ann Berry joined the Board to discuss the Select Board goal: “Advance Town Meeting participation/access/education improvements, including early communication of warrant items to the public.” An introductory document from Ms. Berry and Mr. Martin noted that “…Town Meeting is a session of Acton’s legislature. As such, only Town Meeting can appropriate money and enact bylaws.” The document continues with topics “Meeting Outreach”, “Making Attendance More Inclusive”, “Lessen the Time Required”, and “Alternatives”.
Outreach methods that were mentioned included social media; several modes of accessing pre-meeting information included in-person informal sessions, as was past practice in Acton; and a recent example from Boxborough. Remote participation, for example from the Senior Center, and a “wiggle room” where parents could participate while caring for children, were also suggested. Suggestions for early communication of warrant article content included shorter videos explaining meeting procedures. The discussion closed with an agreement to form a working group.
Briefly noted
- The annual Tax Classification Hearing was continued to November 3 at 6:30 p.m.
- The Board approved a draft Traffic Calming Policy that was held from the Consent items and briefly discussed.
Hearings: A Use Special Permit for an event venue at 77 Powder Mill Rd., Unit 2B, was withdrawn without prejudice (meaning the application may be made again). A Site Plan Special Permit regarding the properties at 471 Great Rd. and 465-469 Great Rd. was continued to November 3 at 7:10 p.m.
Tom Beals is the Acton Exchange Select Board beat reporter.
