Government

School Committee approves FY26 recommended budget, launches plans for school reorganization

March 29, 2025

by Diane Baum

School budget The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee voted unanimously at its March 20 business meeting to set the 2025-26 recommended school district budget at $116.8 million. Acton’s share is $80 million , a 2.1 percent increase that consists of an operating assessment of $76 million and a capital assessment of $4 million. Boxborough’s share is $16.8 million, a 5.4 percent increase that consists of an operating assessment of $16 million and a capital assessment of $900 thousand. Each town’s share is determined proportionally using a three-year rolling average of enrollment by town as required by the regional agreement. The vote…

2025 Acton Water District Annual Meeting

March 22, 2025

by Kim Kastens

Approximately a dozen voters passed judgement on a dozen warrant articles, overseen by about a dozen staff and officials, at the Annual District Meeting of the Acton Water District (AWD) on March 19 at Acton Memorial Library. Voters approved a total budget of $8,030,202 for fiscal year 2026,…

Select Board Notes: March 17, 2025

March 22, 2025

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks: Assistant Town Manager Tom Begin called attention to the Recreation Department‘s increased capacity for summer program younger participants (grades K – 6) and a change in focus for older participants (seventh and eighth graders). Select Board member Alissa Nicol highlighted a possible substantial ($500,000 to $800,000)…

Town and Economic Development Committee seek your input

March 8, 2025

by Adrian Hancock

Here’s your opportunity to help define what Acton will look like in the coming decades. At their final Public Workshop at the Acton Memorial Library and online on February 26, RKG Associates, working for the Town of Acton Economic Development Department and Planning Department, alongside the Economic Development…

A League of Women Voters Vote Tuesday sign in the grass.

Run for something!

March 1, 2025

by Franny Osman

It’s that time of year when we might look inward and ponder, “Is it my time to step up? Shall I run for local office?” According to Acton Town Clerk Leo Mercado, there are eight positions on the town election ballot this year: “Remember, there is no requirement…

Select Board Notes: Feb. 24, 2025

March 1, 2025

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks: Yet another plea for Forest Road sidewalks was heard at the opening of the February 24, 2025 Select Board meeting. The commenter noted a rise in the number of petition signatures. Two residents noted and praised a “peacemakers network”. Select Board member Jim Snyder-Grant spoke at…

Representatives Cataldo and Sena share legislative priorities

February 15, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

Acton has two state reps. State Rep. Simon Cataldo (14th Middlesex) represents Precincts 1, 2, 6, and 7 of Acton, while State Rep. Danillo Sena (37th Middlesex) represents 3, 4, 5, and 6A of the town. So, some voters think our community’s political clout is split in half,…

Consultants present preliminary findings on Acton’s economic development

February 8, 2025

by Adrian Hancock

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, consultants working for the Town of Acton Economic Development Department alongside the Economic Development Committee, shared their Preliminary Findings and Draft Recommendations in a public workshop at the Recreation Department offices at Audubon Hill. The final presentation and public workshop is scheduled for Wednesday,…

Select Board Notes: February 3, 2025

February 8, 2025

by Tom Beals

A diminished Select Board met Monday, February 3 as Board member Dean Charter attended to personal business and recovering Board member Alissa Nicol joined remotely. Opening remarks: A now-familiar plea for Forest Road sidewalks was made. Town Manager John Mangiaratti highlighted last week’s closing on the McManus Manor…

Town of Acton, Acton Fire remind residents of start of new pilot program

February 8, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Fire Chief Anita Arnum would like to remind residents that the fire department and ambulance services pilot program will begin in February. As part of this pilot program, Station 1 and Station 3 will be temporarily unstaffed starting Feb. 10 and may remain…

Acton staff and electeds learn and win an award at Connect 351

February 1, 2025

by Alissa Nicol

This past weekend, several elected and appointed leaders of Acton’s government attended the annual conference, newly named “Connect 351” and in a new venue, hosted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). The number 351 is a reference to the 351 towns and cities in the Commonwealth. The MMA…

Select Board discusses West Acton incident involving police and pedestrian during January 20 snowstorm

February 1, 2025

by Tom Beals

The Jan. 27, 2025 Acton Select Board meeting included an extended discussion of a Jan. 20 incident during a snowstorm, involving the Acton police and an Acton resident. This report is in addition to the regular Select Board Notes column. This reporter attended the board meeting and viewed…

Open house at DPW draws curious crowds

February 1, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On Saturday, January 25, the Acton Department of Public Works (DPW) opened its doors and driveways to the public for a series of tours. The tours, led by several DPW employees, allowed Acton residents to get a peek at what goes on behind the scenes to keep the…

Select Board Notes: January 13, 2025

January 17, 2025

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks A resident appreciated the presence of the Finance Committee (FinCom) at the opening of the January 13, 2025 Select Board meeting, and praised the FinCom for their listening session at the Memorial library. She recounted the steep increase in her properties’ appraised value and said that…

Fire Station Deployment Pilot Program to Start in February

January 17, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Fire Chief Anita Arnum report that the Acton Fire Department will be launching a fire station deployment pilot program starting in February. The Town of Acton used state grant funds to contract with the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at…

Acton Fire Holds Ceremony to Swear In and Promote Several Department Members

December 21, 2024

by The Acton Exchange Team

Several members of the Acton Fire Department were sworn in and promoted during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13. Firefighter/EMT-Paramedic Selena Gonzales, Firefighter/EMT-Paramedic Jonathan Chan and Firefighter/EMT Benjamin Kendrick were each formally sworn in to the Acton Fire Department by Town Clerk Leo Mercado. Firefighter/EMTs Brent Carter and…

A double shot of espresso at Java with John

December 21, 2024

by Greg Jarboe

The monthly Java with John event at the Acton Senior Center featured a double shot of espresso. Both John Mangiaratti, Acton’s Town Manager, and Peter Light, the Superintendent of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, shared updates and expressed gratitude to the community. Mangiaratti opened the meeting with thanks…

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Government

School Committee approves FY26 recommended budget, launches plans for school reorganization

2025 Acton Water District Annual Meeting

Select Board Notes: March 17, 2025

Town and Economic Development Committee seek your input

Run for something!

Select Board Notes: Feb. 24, 2025

Representatives Cataldo and Sena share legislative priorities

Consultants present preliminary findings on Acton’s economic development

Select Board Notes: February 3, 2025

Town of Acton, Acton Fire remind residents of start of new pilot program

Acton staff and electeds learn and win an award at Connect 351

Select Board discusses West Acton incident involving police and pedestrian during January 20 snowstorm

Open house at DPW draws curious crowds

Select Board Notes: January 13, 2025

Fire Station Deployment Pilot Program to Start in February

Acton Fire Holds Ceremony to Swear In and Promote Several Department Members

A double shot of espresso at Java with John

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