The first significant business on Monday night was consideration of a suite of financial articles (3,4,5, and 6) authorizing expenditures for municipal operations and the capital program. In all, voters agreed to spend approximately 50 million dollars using a variety of funding sources, to provide services to residents and maintain facilities and equipment.
As is typically the case, Article 3, which provides for a transfer of funds to cover expenses in the current fiscal year only if needed, was not moved.
Two motions were made under Article 4 by Select Board member David Martin to fund the Municipal Operating Budget. The larger appropriation was to raise $40,510,464 using a combination of $40,460,464 in general revenues and $50,000 from the cemetery trust funds. Additionally, voters were asked to support a motion to transfer $300,000 from the Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) trust fund for the payment of retiree health insurance costs. The Finance Committee recommended the article by a 6-2 vote, and the Select Board recommendation was unanimous.
Following Mr. Martin’s presentation describing revenue sources and expenses for the budget, Town Meeting members had no questions. The Moderator called for votes on the two motions. The OPEB transfer required a 2/3 majority vote, and the budget appropriation needed a simple majority vote; both passed by voice vote.
Article 5 focused on appropriations for capital expenses, both equipment and projects, that would be paid for using available revenues, specifically Free Cash and proceeds from the sale of property. Presented by Select Board member Dean Charter, the motion called for total appropriations of $1,785,000: $1,000,000 from the sale of property on Main Street and $785,000 from Free Cash.
Direct building improvements to the Public Safety Facility, the Acton Memorial Library, and the Town Hall for a variety of renovations and adaptations came from the Sale proceeds. Free Cash covered police cruiser replacements, a new fire command vehicle, traffic signal upgrades in South Acton, and handheld radio replacements for public safety agencies.
Other Free Cash expenditures included designs for roof replacements on town facilities, development of a five-year Vegetation Management Program, establishment of a Fire Department Turnout Gear replacement fund to cover PFAS-free gear when available, Fireworks for July 2026 and, lastly, programs designed to subsidize transfer station stickers and childcare for low income residents.
The Select Board recommended all of the projects; the Finance Committee did not support the Memorial Library renovations and the child care subsidies. Following these recommendations, Tina Stoval, Vice President of the Acton Memorial Library Trustees, explained the need for bathroom renovations to meet American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements as well as the replacement of carpeting installed over 25 years ago. Also speaking on behalf of the library, Ann Chang explained that a large-scale redesign of the Memorial Library space was in progress but separate from this immediate and urgent request; she said that the Trustees anticipated seeking funding from a variety of sources but would not duplicate work done under this appropriation. On behalf of the Commission on Disabilities, Lisa Franklin expressed strong support for improved bathrooms.
Several voters agreed with the Finance Committee that the childcare subsidies were incongruent with capital expenses. The Town Manager explained that the program, which was funded previously with American Rescues Plan Act (ARPA) funds, was included in the capital list for transparency, rather than embedding it inside the operating budget where voters would not necessarily see it as a line item.
A number of voters raised questions about funding July 4 fireworks for 2026, suggesting drone displays or laser shows as alternatives. As the fireworks are funded a year in advance, Mr. Charter indicated there would be opportunities to discuss the program elements after the Town Meeting.
All sections of Article 5 passed by voice votes.
Article 6 authorized borrowing for Capital Equipment and Projects, which required a two-thirds vote for passage. The article offered six projects to be funded through borrowing on multiple-year schedules, with some incidental transfers from Free Cash and the unexpended Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation project funds. Because the article covered borrowing of funds, passage required a 2/3 majority of the voters present.
The six projects included replacement and electrification of the Town Hall HVAC system, a commitment to ongoing Complete Streets work, replacement of a Fire Engine, a commitment to the Stormwater Program for bridge and culvert work, replacement of the Public Safety Radio system, and an equalization tank for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Select Board recommended all of the projects; the Finance Committee supported all except the Town Hall HVAC system replacement (Item A). A lengthy discussion of the HVAC project included voters who questioned the efficacy of the planned work, advocated for non-fossil fuel equipment, and asked about the terms of the borrowing.
The Moderator began the Article 6 voting with a voice vote on Item A. The close-sounding vote was challenged from the floor. On a subsequent clicker vote, the project failed to receive the 2/3 majority, garnering 255 yes to 131 no votes. To exceed ⅔ of the 386 voters would have required 258 yes votes.
Mr. Charter presented all of the other Article 6 projects and, after scattered voter questions, all of the other projects passed by voice vote. The Moderator continued to consider Article 7. In an interesting and infrequently used maneuver, following the disposition of Article 7, Select Board member David Martin moved Reconsideration of the vote on Item A from Article 6. The motion to Reconsider — or reopen debate –- was put immediately to the Town Meeting for a vote. A 2/3 majority was again required and the reconsideration motion failed 190 yes to 167 no.
Pat Clifford is a former member of the Finance Committee, a current member of the Planning Board, and a longtime attendee of Acton Town Meeting.
