A resident with concerns for school gun safety opened the October 7, 2024 Select Board meeting, mentioning a petition. Board Chair Fran Arsenault offered her assistance in directing the resident to the appropriate resources. Board Member Dean Charter noted the adoption of the 2025 Community Preservation Plan, saying that Community Preservation Committee funding applications would be accepted until November 12. Mr. Charter also mentioned the Acton 250 Colonial Books and Brews (ActonTV video) event .
Board member David Martin noted the School Committee’s cell-tower antenna decision; that committee’s School Resource Officer decision, and a School Committee community input survey question. Board member Alissa Nicol noted the following:
- the Acton-Boxborough cultural council is accepting grant applications until October 16;
- a Habitat for All inclusionary zoning webinar that was scheduled October 10 has been rescheduled to November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
- The third annual Diwali Fest will be held Sunday October 20th at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough (see the Acton Exchange article on the 2023 DiwaliFest here);
- and last but not least, vote for your favorite scarecrow at the Cucurbit Farm Stand Up To Stigma Scarecrow Contest to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Town Manager John Mangiaratti recognized the efforts of town staff and volunteers whose work has resulted in state grants, including energy efficiency, an equity audit, community health assessment, stormwater infrastructure, the Bellows Farm dam, and a “significant grant” for potential land acquisition.
Wayfinding Signage: Planning Director Kristen Guichard described options for wayfinding signage, introduced by Town Manager Mangiaratti as a grant-funded initiative. Described as aimed primarily to drivers, Director Guichard’s presentation showed examples of sign design that were created by the designers of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail signs. After a lengthy discussion the Board agreed to consider final designs at a later date.
Department of Public Works Building replacement proposal: Mr. Charter noted the September 26 presentation by the Public Works Facility Building Committee, briefly summarizing the proposal and noting comments by the public. Mr. Charter relayed a Public Works Facility Project web page, containing a collection of video presentations and other background material. Board members David Martin and Alissa Nicol voiced their support of the project.
Fiscal update: Town Manager Mangiaratti updated the Board on the Town’s financial status. His presentation reviewed details of the funding that was approved at the 2024 Town Meeting, and showed stronger-than-expected local revenue (from motor-vehicle excise taxes and investment income). Mr. Mangiaratti updated the Board on the annual fiscal reconciliation with the State and proposed a schedule for upcoming budget presentations.
McManus Manor: The Town of Acton owns the Main Street property that was the former Kennedy Landscaping and is hoped to be the future site of the senior housing project “McManus Manor”. At the present meeting, an “Assignment, Assumption And Amendment Of Grant Of Option Agreement” was briefly discussed. This marvel of legalese, as explained by the Town Manager and Ms. Kelly Cronin (the former director of the Acton Housing Authority), allows additional investment in the entity “McManus Manor LLC”. Ms. Cronin said that the state created additional tax credits that will support additional funding for the project; ultimately McManus Manor will be owned by the Acton Housing Authority.
Briefly noted:
Flag policy: The Board briefly discussed and unanimously approved a Flag Display Policy that had been discussed earlier.
Town counsel and citizens petitions: The Board returned to the the question of Town Counsel review of citizen petitions. After reviewing Board member David Martin’s draft Policy for Town Counsel Review of Citizen Petition Articles the Board, in general agreement with the draft, may consider the policy as a future consent item.
Hearings:
The Board unanimously approved a change in hours for Eve and Murrays, now open Sundays and Mondays.
In further dining opportunities, the Board heard and approved an All Alcoholic Beverage License and a Common Victualler License for the anticipated Luna Mexican Cuisine at 20 Nagog Park, Acton.
A scheduled hearing for 358 Great Road was deferred to November 18th.
Tom Beals is the Select Board Beat Reporter for the Acton Exchange.