[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6392063,"mediaKeyId","2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769","parentId",2110489,"title","Acton residents urge senior tax relief, sidewalks on Forest Road and resolution of shared-meter dispute","audioSeconds",350,"startMs",220000,"endMs",570000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769&start=220&end=570","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769/thumbnail_220000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392063/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-residents-urge-senior-tax-relief-sidewalks-on-Forest-Road-and-resolution-of-shared-meter-dispute","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392063-ce08377ab910316f81f9e9e8d03dc355/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157882&Signature=MoMyAmq6P2aUgR0lrAaasw0mRPocI3DwOJgle32hkq4awRR83CwwlTOLIReu9gr0IVE0RpkRfjUB7~dEnXQqbEC9TTtMCephMpSQM0ZVK8ipNjXNG4-EHHsvcGD0rclPWQBQyFOnq1nLf3FQXDomWGYcCFbhKuNWT1TG1-~Z6JJ6ZUecDRhEboEh~81mBaLulLFn6JE~xI7EnVrN7Xy8w2DL9WSA7d71Mqw8OXeJB7Yt1ObUOt4RAQJQGH92CHMLv-KzOGYUhehZ2pDE9hk75JQKbiVlVbP2BlRLeUQZZs9AYgE8lUXrFGJwWhqEu8EtyygzUOXbeoGYdUoYgXjcQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Acton, MA","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","Several Acton residents addressed the Select Board during the meeting’s public comment period with concerns about property taxes, sidewalks linked to the proposed DPW project and a water‑meter dispute at a Main Street property.

Carolyn Kiley, a Quail Ridge resident, urged the Select Board to attend a Finance Committee listening session at the Senior Center and to consider \"adding additional exemptions or, tax breaks for seniors to keep them in town.\" Kiley said her assessment rose about 21% and that her quarter‑tax bill \"this quarter is over $96,200\" (as spoken in the meeting). She asked the board to review senior exemption options and to ensure the town hears the senior center attendees’ feedback before finalizing the FY2026 budget and capital plan.

Forest Road resident Eric Hills pressed the board to add a Forest Road sidewalk project to the agenda and asked whether the Select Board would provide assurance the sidewalk request will be considered. Hills said an online petition opposing the DPW plan without sidewalks had gathered signatures and that safety arguments drove support: \"We will be forced to oppose the DPW project without sidewalks,\" he said, citing an on‑line petition he said had 184 signatures when he spoke.

At least one caller raised a property water question: Shloa Stavanka (identifying herself as a condominium association chair) said a business at 268 Main Street shared a water meter with the Redstone Condominium and that historical nonbilling apparently left the condominium subsidizing water. Stavanka said she hired a leak‑detection firm that traced a high summer usage to the 268 Main Street building and that the owner did not reimburse the association for the investigation costs. Town staff said they would follow up offline and that the water department had been contacted about splitting meters, but the water manager informed her the water department would not pay for meter splitting; the town manager said staff would investigate and follow up directly.

Ending

Select Board members thanked residents for speaking and confirmed staff would follow up on the water meter issue and Fernst Road sidewalk routing as part of project planning; the board also encouraged residents to attend Finance Committee listening sessions on the municipal budget and capital plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - January 13th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents used the Select Board public comment period to press for additional senior tax relief, to request that Forest Road sidewalks be added to the DPW agenda and to ask the town to require separate water metering for 268 Main Street after an apparent long-term leak shifted costs to a neighboring condominium association.","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},6392068,"Acton to pilot consolidation of fire staffing into two districts to boost training and safety",1200,11700000,12900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769&start=11700&end=12900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769/thumbnail_11700000.jpg","/articles/6392068/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-to-pilot-consolidation-of-fire-staffing-into-two-districts-to-boost-training-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392068-440643ce4e41fef1661fece3981f194b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157882&Signature=grnTQNmW4152PCXiWeBIFGa-Fl5Unrh~hkm07pFhylg9H2nsIz2ICNHfg5bhFSAVzSCPPBOUovsxW~tK0peMGejpmd5RDfz0PhkWdvL9UsO-GfWaVEneeWAyVfg4yG1J-aZGjcW0JU4e-F8jawkGA0YrCjJdAFXh7kjYp1wicppcPC2bPz9feFQpA7PIclayN9fx2JKGdc5iaiQTYUe2Xn~e71VFUH-iPxDQ2zB6cou4TPq3qP1b~QcguEB-NWMTtAisdVbr1Hvhwf7pGUnM99TuZCmSjCOpvNRQDdbqgwamyBBVtqCSgNwbz21pkXCkUATaRQRgc8xYgp5OzSj~sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acton officials announced a pilot program to change fire and emergency medical services deployment by consolidating staffing and apparatus into two districts for a three‑ to four‑month trial, aimed at increasing on‑shift staffing, training time and operational safety.

Fire Chief Anita Arnhem outlined the department’s rationale: recruiting and retaining firefighter‑paramedics has become difficult regionally, and operating four stations with two personnel each has diluted supervision, limited training opportunities and complicated crew cohesion. Chief Arnhem said consolidation would allow a more consistent 3–4 person engine response, enable implementation of established safety practices (such as OSHA’s \"two‑in/two‑out\" structure for interior firefighting) and reduce time spent redistributing equipment.

Under the pilot, south district staffing would include an engine, ladder and ambulance; north would be staffed with an engine, ambulance and brush truck, with reserve apparatus available as needed. The Collins Center — engaged with a state efficiency grant — will help the town design metrics and evaluate outcomes. Chief Arnhem said the program will be run cooperatively with local union leadership and monitored closely; the pilot is scheduled to begin in February with community notice and signage at stations.

Chief Arnhem described operational impacts: consolidation will enable more in‑house training, reduce cross‑staffing complications and better mentor newer hires who currently may be isolated during shifts. \"Consolidating personnel also allows rotation of individuals amongst different apparatus without having to change stations,\" she said.

Ending

Town officials said they will publish pilot metrics developed with the Collins Center and report results to the Select Board. The program is framed as reversible: if outcome data or operational experience shows negative effects, staff said they will revert to the prior deployment model.

The Select Board expressed support for the pilot and emphasized that public safety is the priority; board members asked staff to return with results and any requested budgetary changes after the trial period.","Acton Fire Department will pilot a three- to four-month re-deployment that consolidates personnel into two districts (north and south) to increase on‑shift staffing levels, training time and simultaneous apparatus response; pilot supported by a state grant and Collins Center evaluation.",{"_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},6392073,"Select Board approves plan for 300,000‑gallon equalization tank at Adams Street wastewater plant to support Powder Mill sewer extension",1620,8280000,9900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769&start=8280&end=9900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769/thumbnail_8280000.jpg","/articles/6392073/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-plan-for-300000gallon-equalization-tank-at-Adams-Street-wastewater-plant-to-support-Powder-Mill-sewer-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392073-a131febd2156387317c4e442aa5dcf3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157882&Signature=NPedX8Irebuy2Twy0onkKEZnjRoOcnW7cWHN~GgBn-tgobX7aLNV2MILfNz4FNXEDFo0nGIIDDDDkjXzG-X4R6~X3sRSii7qkwLmTCHnRRWQpvEgh~mqAogg6CoCImGFGGlJjRGnVijLZhdENO1ic35HbQTjH0EDQ2SmG558vvqsEGeO7xg1W~qaKZVQ0QmNlg5iMmziSgk8v59ENN9vlNru5w15jWEGGqJxUTzsIaVme~nkxH46EJWDevo2gOu~5JwqJHZNU4CrfAg6wLC2Zb5KUzMoup2SJnnHeh~P21ZDDFo3QIHoAMcvwoyqR2x0ndfxccQVai18ElukpQUaog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted unanimously to approve plans to construct a 300,000‑gallon equalization tank at the Adams Street wastewater treatment plant to manage peak flows tied to the Powder Mill sewer extension and new residential development.

Engineer Jack Bridal (Woodard & Curran, on the call) and Town Manager John Manduray summarized the need: the forthcoming apartment project at Powder Mill Place requires a sewer extension and regulators (DEP) conditioned approval on the town providing additional equalization capacity to meet permitted discharge limits. Manduray said the developer will contribute $1,000,000 toward the tank but project cost estimates have risen; the current funding gap puts the project cost at about $2.6 million before pursuing grants.

\"We're proposing a 300,000 gallon tank,\" Bridal said, adding that the structure would sit near the Adams Street plant’s parking area and be roughly the height of the existing building. Town staff said the tank would provide operational flexibility to store flow during storms and release it back to the plant as flows recede, and would also aid maintenance by giving operators buffer capacity when reactors are taken offline.

Manduray said the town will pursue an MBTA-community grant program and other funding avenues to reduce borrowing. If grants do not fully cover costs, the town plans to borrow for the remainder and repay through the Sewer Enterprise Fund (surcharges through sewer rates) over a 20–30 year schedule. The board asked staff to continue the design work and pursue grant funding. The motion to approve the plan was moved by Select Board member David (surname not specified in transcript) and seconded; the vote was recorded as unanimous affirmative.

Ending

Staff will advance design and seek grants; if grant applications fall short, the project will come back to town meeting for a borrowing authorization to be repaid from the Sewer Enterprise Fund. The board approved the plan and asked engineers to continue the permitting and design process.","The Select Board approved construction of a 300,000-gallon equalization tank at the Adams Street wastewater treatment plant to manage peak flows from the Powder Mill sewer extension; the developer will contribute $1 million and the town will pursue grants with remaining costs borne by the Sewer Enterprise Fund.",{"_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},6392078,"Acton DPW facility plan estimated at $43 million; Select Board, Finance Committee disagree over scope and timing",900,4500000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769&start=4500&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769/thumbnail_4500000.jpg","/articles/6392078/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-DPW-facility-plan-estimated-at-43-million-Select-Board-Finance-Committee-disagree-over-scope-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392078-e1b124159b68726f48f19d1f84d54eb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157882&Signature=ijLyDq8mIv85sfZuVkB0QJmlyL4URrz9ZXctj86JMLBD5lFwZP6Jdv6unnZkpSA8E~I9dpAPKOaFdiDC2oj2rf6o60hVIqnrUCKqyNeAVJfzEIM~tFdagds9w17OleZRIoe7SVZU3GfCe4oSJAxXqt4v0ejVqOYZ-BbRXP-QgvEbwc51jq6ZgBcOO3FAPI1dpb8Mpkg7gEJTBfY4uU2Xl3ZyDOryZSqh7HUBtbcIqQkGfGiKccrLMa1bzjAZZnLHr3f43nuWLx3YUSXZNTdBUCrT4ejQky439BEdZ2GgOANljNcSVIA3XKBDeecRFVof~8O2-pPl7akuh78hh0915g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","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 committee is pursuing federal and state incentives and tax rebates to reduce cost and suggested value engineering could also lower the price. \"There are options to reduce the costs in addition to value engineering,\" Manduray said.

The meeting exposed a sharp disagreement between the Select Board and the Finance Committee about timing, scope and affordability. Finance Committee members repeatedly said they preferred an operating increase limit of 3% and are \"unanimously against the DPW building at this size and scope\" in its current form. FINCOM members asked for more targeted scope cuts and said they are not opposed to addressing needs but want a smaller, more focused project plan.

Finance Committee Chair (committee member speaking at the meeting) asked for a moderated dialog involving both bodies. \"I would like to request that the Finance Committee and the Select Board get together and have a potentially moderated discussion because I can tell you we all are talking about completely different things here,\" she said, urging a single forum to reconcile differing priorities.

The town scheduled public engagement events tied to the project. Manduray announced an open house at the DPW facility on Jan. 25 (10 a.m.–noon) and a DPW Building Committee public meeting on Jan. 29; an additional community meeting at the Senior Center is planned for Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. The town’s DPW project webpage (actonma.gov/dpwfacility) includes design documents and a project timeline.

Key financial context and considerations presented:

- Current cost estimate: $43,000,000 (as presented). The manager said the estimate excludes potential value-engineering reductions and assumes federal incentives might be obtained.
- Proposed funding: debt-exclusion ballot question (under Prop 2½) to exempt the borrowing cost from levy limits where voters must approve a debt-exclusion at the ballot and/or town meeting.
- Cost escalation risk: staff warned that delay could increase cost substantially (staff cited an estimated 27% escalation if the project were deferred five years).

Concerns raised by Finance Committee and select board members included whether every piece of equipment needs to be stored indoors, the size of covered vehicle wash facilities, and whether staged renovation or a smaller additive project would meet needs at lower cost. Select Board members urged continued value engineering and noted some residents’ environmental concerns about runoff and noise were addressed in the proposed design. The DPW Building Committee said they will continue refining designs, evaluate rebate programs and publish updated cost estimates.

Ending

With wide disagreement over the current scope and cost, both boards agreed to continue the conversation. Officials encouraged residents to attend the planned open house and public meetings in late January, where design details, cost options and benefit analyses will be explained; the DPW Building Committee will continue value engineering and publish updates before any debt-exclusion ballot question is finalized.","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.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6392083,"Acton manager recommends $40.94 million FY2026 municipal budget, cites override and capital needs",960,3240000,4200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769&start=3240&end=4200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110489-3fba4b4d621d51796198ccd5354f1769/thumbnail_3240000.jpg","/articles/6392083/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-manager-recommends-4094-million-FY2026-municipal-budget-cites-override-and-capital-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392083-00ed3d4626bc6a8859d8915dc9954ae8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157882&Signature=NKuALWUPSau-XVyB~2l73E6M93WQYshOqF4EGA4P8pC2m-fGMAKvo9M7Ip1zG7cct0NOESYIPo0iaY8ttiNAVrjrAaVkF4o0xNkYuWLMRFLXGua5j-bQx3~1f8fzGgcHg4f7sR5YLsytaPizKxXNr-7m~MB8puZzmyJ-fIZwjG7UDqxcuXuQF-MSIF1q9jc5-HvieJQ91eRcsDOkqM4itLpgzJbyaJI6LwoJI3O7yMnWZ~lHPY0p3vEVGD6HB2nuLQirzawNYAroJhm66y5YbzrhWMnZgmvpgbDSqs8YMV5RHNtSbt8agBjalIyaQ1lf8tS9B5DQ90lBaaAQnFtc1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager John Manduray presented the Town of Acton’s recommended fiscal year 2026 municipal operating budget and capital plan on the Select Board’s agenda, proposing a $40,940,000 operating budget — a 4.79% increase from the prior year and a net requested increase of about 4.56% when capital offsets are included.

Manduray said the budget reflects last year’s voter-approved override and that the town withheld about $1.2–$1.3 million of the override levy in year one as a policy choice. \"This is my 7th budget presentation,\" Manduray told the board, noting the presentation is the culmination of a months-long process that started in August and included revenue updates, level-services proposals and a capital plan.

The recommended budget relies heavily on property tax revenue (nearly 90% of operating revenue, the manager said) and preserves a reserve policy the town has been using (roughly 3–5% of the operating budget). Major operating and capital items in the recommendation include:

- Public safety: proposal to add an administrative lieutenant for the police department and two firefighter positions (to complement current staffing and reduce overtime); ongoing radio infrastructure upgrades and a planned new fire engine.
- Building electrification and energy projects: $1.9 million proposed for complete HVAC electrification of the Town Hall; ongoing sustainability investments, including continued work on HVAC replacement and planned electrification studies across town buildings.
- Transportation, sidewalks and stormwater: $1.9 million proposed for complete streets and sidewalks; $850,000 for stormwater investments to repair culverts, bridges and drainage.
- Capital borrowing: five borrowing requests proposed in FY26 (Town Hall HVAC/electrification, complete streets/sidewalks, fire engine, stormwater work and radio system replacement). Manduray said lead times for vehicles and apparatus have grown and the town must authorize projects earlier to replace equipment on schedule.
- New or expanded programs: a transfer-station subsidy program (to respond to a citizen petition), a $40,000 childcare subsidy program transitioned from federal grant funding into a baseline budget item, and continued support for traffic-calming and town events.

Manduray said the capital plan contains 111 identified investments over 10 years but only a fraction can be funded next year; the FY26 capital slate included 30 projects, of which several must be deferred. He also warned that delaying large projects can increase cost: \"If you take a $43,000,000 estimate in 2025 and you decide to just kind of put it on the shelf and revisit it in five years, the number goes up substantially,\" he said, referring to the DPW facility estimate presented later in the meeting.

Manduray noted the town will continue to pursue grants (about $1 million a year in recent practice) and use alternative funding sources where possible (sale proceeds, revolving funds, ARPA). He also urged residents and boards to review the 198-page budget book the town published and asked for feedback during upcoming budget workshops and the ALG (Acton Leadership Group) process.

Finance Committee members in the meeting urged a stricter 3% guideline for operating increases and asked for more lead time to digest the budget materials before workshops; FINCOM members said they remain unconvinced about some new positions and the overall recommended operating increase amid the recent override. Manduray responded that staff will provide written answers to Finance Committee questions ahead of workshop dates.

Manduray said the recommended budget is a starting point at the Select Board’s direction and will be shaped by board input, Finance Committee review and town meeting debate before final appropriations.

Ending

Select Board members scheduled follow-up budget workshops with staff and asked for clarifying materials (FTE changes, funding sources for new positions and options to scale projects). The manager said the town will publish answers to Finance Committee questions ahead of the scheduled workshops and continue to seek resident input ahead of the town’s budgeting deadlines.","Town Manager John Manduray presented a $40.94 million recommended municipal operating budget for fiscal 2026, asking Select Board and Finance Committee to balance level services, new positions and capital borrowing amid an override passed last year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Acton residents urge senior tax relief, sidewalks on Forest Road and resolution of shared-meter dispute

Acton to pilot consolidation of fire staffing into two districts to boost training and safety

Select Board approves plan for 300,000‑gallon equalization tank at Adams Street wastewater plant to support Powder Mill sewer extension

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

Acton manager recommends $40.94 million FY2026 municipal budget, cites override and capital needs