In less than an hour, 364 voters considered five financially significant articles at the Special Town Meeting held at Acton Boxborough Regional High School on November 25. Every article passed by voice vote and Town Moderator Jo-Ann Berry characterized the event as cordial and efficient. “It was nice to see solid attendance despite the unusual time and date as well as the engagement with the legislative process. I appreciated everyone’s relevant questions and comments when needed and willingness to not speak when not needed.”
New Town Clerk Leo Mercado reported that “check in went smoothly from the feedback I have received” and promised additional signage to assist voters in navigating AB’s hallways “to improve the whole Town Meeting experience for our residents.”
In the end, the Meeting authorized the Town to purchase 33 acres of wooded land for conservation, agreed to fund two recently settled collective bargaining agreements, initiated the purchase of an ambulance, and updated and extended benefits for Veterans. Finance Committee Chair Jason Cole announced the resignation of Adam Nolde as he completed six-plus years on the Finance Committee.
Consideration of the land purchase known as Wetherbee Woods highlighted the evening. Proponents of the purchase explained that funding for the $3.68 million purchase would come from a combination of sources including a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, $1.3 million in existing funds designated by the Community Preservation Committee for Open Space purchases, Community Preservation fund supported borrowing of $1.88 million, and a cash gift of $100,000 from the Acton Conservation Trust. Speakers generally supported the conservation-restricted purchase; however, the meeting was reminded that the need for affordable housing in Acton should not be forgotten when land purchases are considered by the Select Board. As required for all borrowing articles, this request passed by a 2/3 voice vote.
Susan Mitchell Hardt, President of the Acton Conservation Trust (ACT), told the Acton Exchange, “This land acquisition is the end of a journey that began some two decades ago with ACT’s first contact with the landowner. Along the way, many others have joined in to help, and a special thanks to the committees and staff that finalized the deal. I also want to thank the landowners for their vision and patience, both of which were vital to making this happen. Lastly, this parcel is important not only because it’s the “Agricultural Gateway to the Town of Acton” but, as Brian Butler, Wetlands Biologist, told us on a walk of the property, it ‘has immeasurable conservation value’. We look forward to removal of the radio towers so we can put in new trails and give everyone the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful property.”
The two collective bargaining contracts, one for the Facilities, Cemetery and Public Works Personnel union (29 employees) and the other for the Public Safety Dispatchers union (10 employees), covered three years, providing cost of living and other wage adjustments. Other contract provisions are intended to keep the Town competitive in the marketplace for both the retention of current employees and attracting new hires, as well as to protect the long-term interests of both the Town and union members. The contracts will both be funded by transfers from Free Cash transfers of $60,000 and $15,000 respectively for the first year. Each contract was voted on separately and each passed unanimously by voice vote.
In Article 4 the Select Board requested authority to initiate the process of procuring a new ambulance for the Town. =The process can take over two years and the heavy ongoing use and deteriorating reliability of the three units currently owned by the Town encouraged the Select Board to present this request outside the typical Annual Town Meeting schedule. Funds from the Ambulance Enterprise Fund will support the cost which is anticipated to be $140,000 in the first year. Town Meeting adopted this article unanimously.
To update the already existing property tax exemptions available to Veterans, the Select Board proposed in Article 5 that the Town accept the provisions of the HERO Act passed by the Massachusetts legislature earlier this year. Titled “An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans”, the legislation provides for increases to property tax exemptions equal to the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for each year. Town Meeting adopted the article unanimously.
In summing up the Meeting, Jason Cole observed, “Generally speaking, the Finance Committee is wary of special town meetings, as it can be difficult to have robust participation for an oddly timed event, but I was pleased to see the turnout, at least for the first article. The land acquisition ended up being non-controversial and we always appreciate being able to leverage outside grants and funds. As for the two collective bargaining agreements, it is beneficial to settle a contract without guaranteeing another override fight–and I believe these contracts fall into that category. While the sticker shock for the cost of a new ambulance is high, the Select Board proved their case for this core town function, and adopting a cost of living adjustment to the HERO Act is absolutely in keeping within our values as reflected in our budgets.”
Gavel-to-gavel video coverage of Special Town Meeting is available from ActonTV.
Pat Clifford is a long-time Acton Town Meeting attendee, and member of the Planning Board and a member of the Acton Exchange Letter Committee.