Acton DPW facility plan estimated at $43 million; Select Board, Finance Committee disagree over scope and timing

Summary

Town staff presented a proposed new Department of Public Works facility estimated at $43 million and outlined financing options including a debt-exclusion vote; Finance Committee expressed unanimous opposition to the current size and scope and asked for a moderated joint session with the Select Board.

The Town of Acton moved forward in the public discussion about a replacement Department of Public Works facility, with town staff presenting a $43 million project estimate and a timeline that could begin construction about a year after a favorable vote and finish in an expedited multi-year schedule.

Town Manager John Manduray and the DPW Building Committee described operational and safety shortfalls at the current Forest Road site, including vehicle-storage constraints, lack of proper vehicle exhaust controls, inadequate locker rooms and insufficient training and meeting spaces. Manduray said the existing building requires "extensive and expensive structural upgrades" and that renovation would not meet operational needs.

The proposed project would move and realign vehicle operations to reduce neighborhood impacts on Forest Road; included features are indoor vehicle washing with containment to reduce runoff, code-compliant locker rooms, larger vehicle bays and room for training and mechanics work. The…

Acton DPW facility plan estimated at $43 million; Select Board, Finance Committee disagree over scope and timing

Summary

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