Town Meeting is a uniquely New England form of government where Town Meeting serves as the legislative branch of town government. It’s where the town’s voters appropriate money and make changes to bylaws. The Town of Acton wants you to save the dates (Monday, May 4 and Tuesday May 5) and come to Town Meeting. .
Town Meeting is open to all registered voters in Acton. Non-voters (including students) can also attend, but must sit in a reserved section and cannot speak to the meeting without permission from the voters.
A slightly outdated overview of Acton’s Town Meeting process is available here.
What do we vote on?
Everything that will be voted on at Town Meeting this year is described in the Town Meeting Warrant, which was mailed to all households in Acton. If you didn’t get one, you can pick one up at either of the Acton libraries or at the clerk’s office in Town Hall.
The Warrant contains the agenda for Town Meeting, along with an overview of FY27 (the fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) by Town Manager John Mangiaratti, and detailed overviews from the Finance Committee and School Committee, and a one page multi-year financial model.
In addition to the front matter, there are 40 articles this year, but don’t panic! More than half of the articles are on the Consent Calendar, described by former moderator Peter Ashton as “various articles on the warrant that are legally required, but are generally routine and non-controversial. These include road acceptances, annual reauthorization of revolving and enterprise accounts, and appropriation of recurring funds such as state highway funding and insurance proceeds.”
The remaining articles cover, amongst other things:
- Choose certain town officers (Article 1)
- Appropriate funds for the Town, for Acton’s portion of the Regional School District, and for Acton’s portion of the Minuteman School District (Minuteman Tech) (Articles 4, 5, 8, and 9)
- Authorize borrowing for two major projects (Town Hall HVAC replacement and Department of Public Works facility design) (Articles 6 and 7)
- Appropriate funds from the Community Preservation Act (Article 10)
- Authorize acquisition of the 46 Taylor Road property (adjacent to the Arboretum) (Article 13)
- Amend several zoning bylaws (Articles 17 – 20).
For more information about the Warrant articles, see the ActonTV Government Channel, where you can find videos by Select Board members that discuss most of the articles in detail.
In addition, you can find posters about the zoning bylaw changes in the solarium of Acton Memorial Library.
How long does Town Meeting last?
Town Meeting is scheduled to run for two nights. The first night generally covers the articles that appropriate funds for the Town and the Schools, along with choosing Town officers and the Consent Calendar. Other articles may also be covered on the first night, depending on the time. However, Articles 10 and 13, along with the changes to zoning bylaws, are currently slated for Tuesday night.
Get a ride! Bring the kids!
Town Meeting is held in the Acton Boxborough Regional High School auditorium, with overflow rooms as needed (and a new wiggle room – see below). The Town of Acton wants to make it as easy as possible for you to attend the first night of Town Meeting by providing options for folks who don’t drive and for parents.
Parking and check in:
- Enter on the main (south side) entrance of the high school, follow the signs to check in, pick up a clicker and head to the auditorium.
- If you have mobility issues, park and enter on the Hayward-side (north side) entrance. From there it’s possible to check in without climbing stairs and without much walking.
Reserving a ride: If you need a ride on either day, the Town of Acton is offering free door-to-door van transportation via CrossTown Connect. You must call (978-844-6809 [option 3]) to reserve a ride no later than noon on Friday, May 1.
Bringing the kids:
- For kids age 4 and up, school district employees are hosting a kid-friendly movie night on Monday in the high school chorus room, starting at 6:30. To sign up or for more information, contact Acton Boxborough educator Shelagh Conway.
- New this year, the town is providing a Wiggle room for younger children (and their parents). The Field House will be open for parents and their littles to spread out while still allowing parents full access to the meeting.
New to Town Meeting? A quick overview
If you’ve never been to a Town Meeting, it may sound intimidating. Remember that everyone was once a newbie. After everyone files into the auditorium (or spreads blankets in the Field House wiggle room), here’s what you’ll see:
- The Moderator is in control of Town Meeting. The Select Board and Finance Committee are up on the stage. Longtime FinCom member Steve Noone will be greatly missed, following his sudden passing this week.
- During Town Meeting, each item of business (called an “article”) is presented and there is a motion for action on each article. The exceptions are the Consent Calendar articles, which are voted on together (but individual articles can be held out for debate).
- Then, the moderator will allow debate on each article. Voters who would like to ask a question or make a point go to microphones to speak. Each speaker is allowed 2 minutes to speak.
- After some discussion, the moderator will ask folks to vote. Or, someone may move to cut off debate.
- Voting is done by voice or using an electronic “clicker”. The moderator will instruct what buttons to press on an article for Yes (aye) or No (nay).
- You don’t have to speak. You can just listen and vote. Also, you will notice that a number of people bring their knitting or other handwork. Acton has some very talented crafters!
Miriam Lezak is an Associate Editor for the Acton Exchange and writes occasionally about civic affairs.
