Opening remarks: Acton-Boxborough School Committee liaison to the Acton Select Board Glen Cote updated the board on the Committee’s plan to address financial challenges, described in detail in a Strategic Planning and District Reorganization document. Mr. Derek Pinto reported hazardous traffic at the intersection of Chadwick and River Streets following River Street’s conversion to one-way, noting no response to his repeated attempts to raise the issue with officials. Town Manager John Mangiaratti highlighted various newsletters from the Council on Aging, the Office of Economic Development, and the Acton Memorial Library. Select Board Vice-Chair Alissa Nicol noted the Acton Water District’s upcoming public opening of the 549 Main Street property.
Acton Water District – PFAS mitigation and infrastructure: Acton Water District (AWD) Commissioner Erika Amir-Lin and AWD Manager Matthew (Matt) Mostoller updated the Board on PFAS mitigation efforts. The AWD is finalizing upgrades to water treatment facilities in South and Central Acton, set to come online in the coming months. Granular activated carbon filtration media is being conditioned with large volumes of well water, to be followed by testing and certification. To manage water demand the AWD will skip its fall water main flushing and implement a Level 4 water use restriction. If needed, the AWD may source water from Concord and Littleton via emergency interconnects. Delays in filtration media delivery and testing timelines have created uncertainty, but the goal is to have both facilities operational by the end of 2025. Residents may notice water quality changes, such as discoloration or taste differences, during the transition.
Update from Police Chief Cogan about Enforcement Activities: Chief Cogan opened with a statement: “We’re here to protect public safety and uphold the law. We also want to make sure every person, no matter what their background is, feels safe turning to us when they need help. We seek to build trust with every member of our community. Immigration enforcement presents a unique challenge because federal agencies may ask for our cooperation while state and local law limits what we can do.” Chief Cogan cited guidance from the Attorney General’s office, and during the discussion the Acton BOS Immigration Policy was mentioned.
Chief Cogan described typical interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Acton police, stating that ICE notifies the Department when they will be conducting an operation in Acton, sometimes specifying a particular location, but providing minimal details. He described an example of a person arrested for a motor vehicle violation going through the booking process including fingerprinting. Fingerprints are entered into shared law enforcement system, and ICE may then notify the Acton police of a detainer or warrant for that person. However, the Acton police do not change their procedures based on that notification.
A key point of discussion focused on ICE’s use of the public safety facility parking lot, particularly the rear “employees only” area. Board member David Martin proposed designating this area strictly for employees to prevent ICE from using it as a staging ground, arguing that secrecy undermines public trust. Board Chair Dean Charter countered that this area is critical for safe prisoner transfers, including to courts, and that restricting it could create safety risks. Existing signage (“authorized personnel only”) was deemed sufficient, with Acton police retaining the ability to invite other agencies as needed. Mr. Martin further suggested that a person being discharged should be told if ICE is present and advised of their rights. He also proposed that Acton police should intervene if they witness unlawful use of force by any jurisdiction’s officers.
Residents’ comments were strongly critical of ICE, describing their actions as resembling “kidnapping” or “hostage-taking” due to perceived lack of transparency, excessive force, or violations of due process, and highlighting the impact of ICE detentions on families, particularly children left without support when a parent is detained.
The discussion closed with an agreement to reexamine and perhaps amend the current Acton immigration policy.
Briefly noted
- The Board approved a sign (scroll down in the linked document) for the 17 Woodbury Lane restoration project.
- From the Acton Town website, DPW updates: The Arrowstreet consultants’ review of, and recommendations for, the Department of Public Works (DPW) building presentation to the Finance Committee will be held on Oct. 14, Town Hall in Room 204; The DPW Building Committee will review those recommendations on Oct. 15, Town Hall Room 9; and Arrowstreet and the Building Committee will meet with the Select Board on Oct. 20, Town Hall in Room 204.
- The Board approved their 2026 meeting schedule.
- The Board approved a motion to declare Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 as Indigenous People’s Day in the town of Acton.
- A Purchase and Sale agreement for 3 and 13 School Street was signed.
Hearings: A Use Special Permit for 60 Powder Mill Road was deferred to Nov. 3, 2025. A Site Plan Special Permit to combine the properties at 471 and 465-469 Great Road was continued to Oct. 20, 2025 after discussion of a variety of details of the plan.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange. He is also the volunteer who publishes the news to the website every week.
