Residents’ concerns with pedestrian safety and traffic issues led off the April 1, 2024 Select Board meeting. Mr. James Walter, Board Chair of the Infant Toddler Children’s Center on Central Street, described potentially hazardous conditions at pedestrian crosswalks adjacent to the Center, detailing those conditions in a handout. Mr. Ramachandran Balakrishna, Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, joined the meeting remotely to support Mr. Walter’s request. Mr. Brian Brady of Main Street spoke of his concerns about misdirected traffic on a potentially dangerous driveway, and Mr. Rob Hamilton asked for the Board’s assistance with a potentially dangerous dog.
In Members’ and Managers’ Minutes, Board Chair Jim Snyder-Grant noted the legal requirement of inspection and renewal of boundary markings (known colloquially as perambulation) by the Select Board or its designees; noted the penalty for failure; and invited residents – potential perambulation participants – to contact the Select Board if interested in joining in that exercise. Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin announced that as of April 1, 2024 there will be no limitations on Acton Rides Taxi service. Board member Alissa Nicol noted upcoming Acton Minutemen Patriots Day events. Board Member David noted unanimous Finance Committee approval of the ‘A’ budget. Mr. Martin later briefly described Acton Leadership Group (ALG) work and noted that, given the recent fiscal challenges, the ALGwill continue to meet regularly.
The Board, in its executive role, conducted its annual performance review of Town Manager John Mangiaratti. Mr. Mangiaratti was highly praised by the Board. The review will be continued in executive session.
Mr. Mangiaratti updated the Board on the status of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded projects, describing how funds were being managed as projects were updated.
A Public Hearing for McGovern Auto group to conduct internet sales and park vehicles at 1 Nagog Park was held. The Board briefly discussed the current state of the Nagog Park property and businesses; the discussion was brief and the Board unanimously approved the proposal.
Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) update: To be eligiblefor various state funding the town is required to maintain a current OSRP. (The following is a link to the expired Open Space and Recreation Plan 2014-2021). Assistant Planner Ms. Nora Masler presented to the Board the process of assembling a draft version of the 2024 – 2031 OSRP. She said a version of the plan would be submitted to various town groups for comment and that she would be requesting a letter of comment from the Board to be submitted with the final document.
Main Street land update. In 2016 the town purchased several land parcels, including the former site of Kennedy Landscaping on Main Street. Various projects had been proposed for the site, but an Acton Housing Authority (AHA) project, “McManus Manor”, and a dog park were chosen for construction after years of planning. However, at the April 1st meeting Town Manager John Mangiaratti said that contractor bids to connect the AHA project to the town sewer system came in at $1.2 million over available funds. That funding shortfall makes compliance with funding application deadlines difficult, both for McManus Manor and the dog park. Alternative plans for an AHA project septic system may be implemented, but landscape alterations for a septic system would impact the plans for the dog park. The disappointment of members of the dog park committee was apparent.
Briefly noted: The Board approved the use of the “Red House” at 468 Main Street for the Acton Garden Club plant sale on Saturday May 18, and Board member Alissa Nicol noted that there will be a spring bake sale at the Acton Woman’s Club on the same date, within walking distance, at 504 Main Street. Ms. Nicol noted a productive first meeting of the Citizens Library Governance Advisory Committee and the upcoming vacancy of a Trustee seat.
Town Meetings administrative work: The Board voted 4:1 not to recommend the single, non-binding Warrant article for the upcoming citizen-petition-initiated Special Town Meeting. The Board discussed and began assigning board members as representatives for the various Warrant Articles for the upcoming regular Town Meeting.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.