[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653715,"mediaKeyId","2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7","parentId",2477890,"title","Votes at a glance: Select Board approves RFP for 3 & 13 School Street, confirms appointments and acts on consent items","audioSeconds",265,"startMs",8964000,"endMs",9229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7&start=8964&end=9229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7/thumbnail_8964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653715/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-approves-RFP-for-3-13-School-Street-confirms-appointments-and-acts-on-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653715-a14ddadb9f1ae2b25add0b862cc1baaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196914&Signature=K2p9okhk2kLeIpxprYeoTmKJPrUTP3Yh8I69nT4ltCfMMqRN1GXQxIthDBQuPZ-XCnsbsonSv8VyNKYUAUtiEX53ym5IRTpvJ~vNk5-OI7iMWDZSbJPjBuesw3bhg8hpBhRMG63ckJpvlhqItSAEkPGI-C~MaKrMkP4Rrt1i30v5Pd8y0Ic5X8AvFaqsnx~P6DdptvRQY8vYUcF0kk36utDo~WfkgnddClyXxi3C3W6-c3g~d9AJm2YPWQGyyPurjLdxQYpNAOIYF39TwcSGBD9Bx-5dAGnAYRNtxFnXZYFhNSvO8c4VrLa4s~LcvC7o8pBbiL1F~CTDzqCegpgUSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-03-04T03:09:30.217Z","article","The Acton Select Board took multiple formal actions at its meeting, including motions to appoint staff, approve a request-for-proposals and act on consent items.

Key actions and outcomes

- Appointment: The board moved to appoint Kristen Coit as Town Accountant, effective March 10, 2025. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; the appointment was announced and the appointee addressed the board.

- Real property disposition RFP: The board approved release of the Request for Proposals for disposition of real property at 3 and 13 School Street (the RFP will be posted for the 30-day statutory period under Massachusetts General Laws). The motion passed unanimously.

- Intermunicipal bike-share agreement: The board approved an intermunicipal agreement among Acton, Concord, Lincoln and Maynard to establish a coordinated automated, on-demand bike-share system; the board discussed station siting along the rail trail and membership options before voting to approve the agreement.

- One-day malt and wine license: The board approved a one-day malt and wine license for Nexstar Entertainment for an event at Narrow Park; the license included a police detail as recommended by the police chief.

- Consent items: The board voted to approve a set of consent items (items 13 and 15 through 21 inclusive) and subsequently handled additional consent agenda items, including acceptance of gifts, and multiple appointments to local boards and committees.

- Procedural holds/non-action: The board voted to \"take no action\" on one request for waiver of facility rental fees (Emerson Health 5K run) after members expressed concerns about precedent and the recreation department's self‑funding model. The board also voted to take no action on a proposed letter of support for legislation identified as the Safe Communities Act and said it would bring the issue back for public discussion at a future meeting.

- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

For transparency, the transcript contains the original motions and the points in the meeting where each vote occurred (provenance for each action is below).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - March 3rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March meeting the Select Board approved an RFP for the disposition of 3 and 13 School Street, appointed a town accountant, approved an intermunicipal bike-share agreement, granted a one-day alcohol license and took procedural actions on several consent items.","taxTitle","Town of Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",56888,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653722,"Select Board finalizes Town Meeting assignments and readies budget message for ALG",2213,2617000,4830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7&start=2617&end=4830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7/thumbnail_2617000.jpg","/articles/6653722/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-finalizes-Town-Meeting-assignments-and-readies-budget-message-for-ALG","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653722-ebb3435be281ecc9044fae1fa07c8f16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196914&Signature=VChoSdYSCQcS~hXr~Px4tAUIlfkVQ8qXd-Qn1YDxJXy6uwewi~huQNRPIiLNG6O9yaH-4q6yi8RSUoirSq9O13tdYdh9~F3MqRWFOfc4he5AD5YJhgop1gw3FrA79edYItdc6VcqtvqJSnesOs8iE5HCYt0i9emR5JJDDUuiIgrfOb~Zwav3rIflE1tfJovBK4wRgjUCeDc4NjCwFestUo9Ww0wNyTsZmkfr4sMwfHQ0DDKMCvgjCrE6-ZW8bXzFeW00XuqjHcCt4r0VxlqtxpJW1uYkk~Ni2XehWIM0j6ZicdSXibRcHmbvr3N1o4sNcI0bjPj6-meaKS-jOIYf8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board reviewed and assigned Select Board members to present individual warrant articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and discussed the order of articles and timing of contentious items.

Town staff presented a working draft of the warrant and noted roughly 30–40 articles are expected; the warrant will be finalized for distribution to the Finance Committee. The board assigned members to present articles including the operating budget, capital projects, collective bargaining agreements and other annual items. Staff reminded the board that some articles are placed on the consent calendar and that those items are typically handled early in the meeting.

The board discussed schedule and sequencing for the two-night Town Meeting. Several members suggested placing zoning articles near the start of night two and the leaf blower bylaw early on the second night to avoid late-night debate. Staff said the warrant will be numbered and motions finalized prior to Finance Committee deadlines so finance committee members can do timely review.

Separately the board reviewed recommendations being taken to the Acton Leadership Group (ALG). Town staff described a balanced plan in which the manager's recommended municipal budget would result in a town spending increase of about 3.81 percent, a school budget increase slightly above 3 percent and projected net levy and total-spending changes of roughly 2 percent. Board members debated optics and strategy for ALG: Select Board member David emphasized the town had absorbed years of fiscal adjustments and described the current year as less challenging compared with recent years; other members said messaging about services and staffing levels should accompany the budget presentation.

Staff noted closing dates for warrant submission and citizen petitions; the calendar entry listed March 21 at 5 p.m. but staff said the intended deadline is a Friday and asked that the calendar be corrected. The board asked staff to continue refining the warrant language and to circulate numbered articles and final motions to the Finance Committee as they become fixed so the committee can complete its work in stages.

Why it matters: the warrant structure and the ALG numbers shape what voters will see at Town Meeting and on the ballot, and they set the town's operating and capital spending plan for the year.","The Select Board assigned members to present warrant articles, discussed the order of business for Town Meeting, and reviewed the Acton Leadership Group (ALG) budget recommendation with a proposed town budget increase of about 3.81 percent.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653726,"Select Board to seek public input on 53 River Street park name after committee recommends 'Textile Mill Park'",665,863000,1528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7&start=863&end=1528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6653726/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-to-seek-public-input-on-53-River-Street-park-name-after-committee-recommends-Textile-Mill-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653726-5e411dfa5492ad43483233d08da710b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196914&Signature=YgVjD3gdL3wcjCTwU3ZshM-zAcn4~BF52vm4Tp2HS2eU9UDKADVzT18Ib1RCiRWz~-mJFs7BvayZMyQtqKztGn69gQSdnOhJnUkCob4vkgTDlNdYdRmf42BUOCGbNRtBq-CH~QqM4lR3I1hXXbF9R3YMz7l79z~~XtAdEu9azdwPAFW1PZHnqoFWnAty~mjxKru1YOgAvL-oc957x-hVNSIVFinxvMQqBog9yJWzt54q-HdJ-iBYltJP6jAe9yE62iIEatY4v2tMqWeO-ukmhyXb0jrknaMvhMuREbAhLjRGHw-oFdXFj3U9y1fbWRrxfY2wkwGhlFSgMiEKY4tNqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board reviewed a recommendation from the 53 River Street committee to name the new park \"Textile Mill Park\" and directed staff and volunteers to pursue broader public engagement before the board makes a final naming decision.

Select Board member David told the board the committee — which includes residents who have studied the site's industrial history — voted nearly unanimously for \"Textile Mill Park\" because multiple kinds of textile operations historically occupied the parcel. He said the project was delayed by higher-than-expected construction costs and contaminated soil but that construction should proceed this year.

Select Board member Alyssa urged a formal public process, including outreach to the Historical Commission, Iron Work Farm and the Acton Historical Society. \"There should be a public process to get some more community input,\" she said, noting that the committee's charge does not specifically require naming the parcel.

Resident Anne Forbes, who prepared the site's historic inventory form, supported the use of the term shoddy mill and said the name \"Shoddy Mill Park\" would spark public interest and serve as an educational device about the site's very long use as a shoddy mill for clothing and blanket fabrication. An online caller, Tara, also supported a survey and said she preferred historically based names rather than naming infrastructure after living people.

Staff said existing grant applications and project documents continue to use the address \"53 River Street\" and that grant awards do not require a formal name. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) consideration of signage funding is expected in the next two weeks and any sign fabrication would wait until after Town Meeting in May, staff said.

The board asked a volunteer to draft a short survey and to consult with the Historical Commission and other organizations about proposed names. Board members suggested presenting a short list (three to five names) plus an \"other\" field that allows respondents to offer different suggestions. No final vote on the park name was taken.

Why it matters: a park name will guide interpretive signage, educational panels and signage design; it also shapes how residents and visitors understand the site's industrial history and the town's approach to public commemoration.","The Select Board discussed a committee recommendation to name 53 River Street 'Textile Mill Park' but agreed to broader community outreach and a survey before making a final decision.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653730,"Select Board and finance committee remain divided over proposed Acton DPW facility",3118,6465000,9583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7&start=6465&end=9583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477890-89678d6abf3352af8522ae233a04c9e7/thumbnail_6465000.jpg","/articles/6653730/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-and-finance-committee-remain-divided-over-proposed-Acton-DPW-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653730-84b74638814c5e5d038389713dd9c67f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196914&Signature=SXZ9sLwiUNi3c-pXH5M74H4ch4hWUex4HirxTFCNaMlGXCNMWAhnxtnTvdQZsE~b1QFg1F149EyOA7z7f0zctLbmDiaHG1xb29nvrzOgkWAz8-nPfega3mNM2amsGrk~FCfKb~LwlhJabwYenb7nF3akUYP7~oQf5b3St3WQO37aSfvc-hMg17EuNpdNztu7YfFdiNeE0yWFQtGSslatfqJTQKcX3IvvZdjhWB6nG-s2lVVWexKINSwqI7pyuEwjCryO36duWwrboQRMmcFAQRT8~OhokJHHCz43ZM8golT8qo5E2wgBt~BIQ7qKRpS3tE4CM1-sykjBM~Y0S4z5lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board spent substantial time discussing the proposed Department of Public Works facility, including whether to proceed with a debt-exclusion vote this spring or delay for further study.

The Select Board and project staff described a consolidated facility design developed through a feasibility study and later reduced in cost by roughly $4 million. Select Board member Dean said the feasibility work had already evaluated alternative approaches and supported the consolidated plan as the most cost-effective solution. \"The feasibility study did the analysis\" he said, adding that renovating the existing facility or splitting functions into separate buildings would not be cheaper in the long run.

Why it matters: the DPW building is one of the largest capital requests before voters, will be funded by borrowing subject to a Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion ballot question if the board puts it forward, and directly affects municipal operations, staff safety and long-term maintenance costs.

Board members and staff described efforts to pare costs and seek grant and incentive funding. Select Board member David said the design team had cut about $4 million from earlier estimates and noted that waiting longer raises the risk of higher construction prices. \"The one thing we know is going to happen is the cost of the project will go up by 20% regardless of who's in the White House,\" he said, adding that delaying would likely increase the total cost and require redoing site planning and design work.

Finance Committee members who reviewed the project voiced opposition or skepticism at a joint meeting, prompting Select Board members to describe that meeting as unproductive. Select Board members said they had reduced the project size and scope in response to prior concerns and that remaining cuts would risk undermining the building's functionality. \"We've cut this building so much that we can't make any more cuts to the building,\" Dean said.

Staff described practical consequences if voters do not approve the borrowing. Town project staff said design money already spent would leave the town with design documents and estimates but without construction funding; completing a substantially different scheme later would require additional design funds and another round of community review.

Board members debated timing. Some argued for moving forward now so voters see a full proposal and costs at the ballot; others said additional outreach and education could improve the proposal's chances. Select Board member Jim said he preferred to take the vote now and hear voters' views rather than delay. Select Board member Alyssa and others discussed whether extra time would improve public understanding, but several board members said they did not expect a meaningful change in external conditions by postponing.

The Select Board did not take a final vote on the project at this meeting. Officials said the next steps remain to present the proposal at Town Meeting and the associated ballot question if the board approves the debt exclusion. Staff emphasized that if the board delays, design work already completed will remain an expense and the town would need to return to the design phase to alter scope or build separate structures.

Community response at the joint meeting with the Finance Committee was mixed. Board members said some residents remain unconvinced about the building's scope; that debate is expected to continue through the warrant, the ballot process for the debt-exclusion question and Town Meeting.","Acton Select Board continued a months-long debate over a proposed Department of Public Works facility, with the Select Board pressing to present the project at town meeting and the Finance Committee withholding support over cost and timing concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Select Board approves RFP for 3 & 13 School Street, confirms appointments and acts on consent items

Select Board finalizes Town Meeting assignments and readies budget message for ALG

Select Board to seek public input on 53 River Street park name after committee recommends 'Textile Mill Park'

Select Board and finance committee remain divided over proposed Acton DPW facility