Opening remarks: A resident whose renovation would trigger an all-electric mandate asked the Board for assistance; and an Ironworks Farm representative asked for the use of an unpaved public way near the Faulkner House to grow flax (the fiber source for linen) for use in Acton 250 events. As in previous Board meetings, a resident called attention to a 27.7% real estate tax increase and asked whether that was equitable. Another call for Forest Road sidewalks was made, mentioning a petition supporting the sidewalks. (Forest [Road] sidewalks are on this Transportation Advisory Committee agenda.)
Police Incident: We report on an incident involving an Acton resident and the Acton Police in a separate article.
Town meeting Warrant: Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin presented a draft schedule for the April 29 Annual Town Election and May 5 Annual Town Meeting; that schedule lists dates for obtaining and submitting nomination papers and for submitting citizen petitions for Warrant articles. The Board voted to open the Warrant for the 2025 Town Meeting on Monday February 10th and close it on Monday March 21st.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Building: The Board discussed past and upcoming meetings concerning design details of the proposed building, and noted the substantial attendance numbers at the recent tour of the existing facility. As in previous meetings, substantial time was devoted to various aspects of the plan, such as concerns over salt-leaching into environmentally sensitive areas around the existing facility, storage space for a variety of town property, and further building and surroundings design details; further planning and publicity meetings are ongoing.
Finance notes: Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted the recent two-evening review of town department budgets, and announced recent news of an increase in the cost of health insurance – another factor to deal with in the ongoing budget preparation. Balancing of budget item details is still in flux, typical of this stage in the budget process; March 6, 2025 is the statutory deadline for transmission of the Town budget to the Finance Committee.
A ban on gas-powered leaf blowers again came before the Board as Board Member David Martin presented the latest draft proposal for a Leaf Blower Control Bylaw. As in prior discussions the Board considered variations in whom the ban would apply to, when and where the designated equipment would be banned, and when the ban would come into effect. Residents made impassioned pleas, some on topics related only tangentially to the draft proposal. The Board agreed to yet further discussions.
Briefly noted:
- Sustainability Policy: With little discussion, the Board approved an Environmental Sustainability Policy. The policy statement is self-described as “…deliberately broad…”, listing aspirational goals and including an index of prior related Town documents.
- Volunteer Coordinating Committee (VCC): The VCC is down to three members, its minimum for a quorum; the Board agreed to further discussion of the meta-goal of attracting volunteers to the VCC.
Hearings: The Board approved a change in hours (10:00 am opening on weekends) for Not Your Average Joe’s (305 Main Street, Acton), and a change in hours for Velvet Vine Cafe at 166 Great Road, Acton. Mr. Travis Minor of Open Door Education appeared before the Board to request a Use Special Permit for a location in the vicinity of Kelly’s Corner; after a discussion of difficulties with water service, the hearing was continued to February 3, 2025.
Tom Beals is the Select Board beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.