Acton finance committee urges narrower, staged approach to DPW facility after cost concerns

The Acton Finance Committee on Tuesday debated how to proceed with plans for a new Department of Public Works facility, with members urging a staged, “needs-first” approach rather than the large-scale building proposal presented earlier this year. Greg, a Finance Committee member, said he did not believe the 43,056-square-foot proposal from April was "cost justified" and recommended pursuing a smaller, phased project that addresses immediate staff health and safety needs while postponing larger storage or vehicle‑housing work.

Committee members said the dispute over scope and cost mattered because voters, town meeting and recent polling signaled support for addressing staff working conditions but resistance to a high price. "Cost is the big, big problem," Greg said, noting that a town appropriation of about $150,000 (revised Article 7) was intended to keep…