[{"_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",6633179,"mediaKeyId","2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8","parentId",2665908,"title","Select Board reviews May warrant, recommends FY26 budget and capital items; sets ballot questions","audioSeconds",6307,"startMs",8462000,"endMs",14769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8&start=8462&end=14769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8/thumbnail_8462000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633179/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-reviews-May-warrant-recommends-FY26-budget-and-capital-items-sets-ballot-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633179-48b4118f2ce53bb42fae1b1ad4f7ba41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213486&Signature=DpgIczZRa0flN40UIQFYAKydjZR5zjq7p~Fe5AtpvJjrrJvbHtz3QVUzhuSwsamyWYCWFGIL32QhHvcyWwrQa1ik90ryDakADVZz6UCgeM0pXtSyICo0n3jAlrv8f4hus9H2AMikJ8FPWQAt5f2rHAktp43cUjr28tX6IIjmwHjRMdcDLNa3cx6FpAEiLfuGuH5Ior9sBjhC2biSbDrBFq4f05UsC~3abmv--gyR0lCUSIpBXHzJNNAG~n5gMtbWPg9~yG6q6DT5CKHm4od-HcFu4jicX6Rlhb5lt0aHE1GBaW8aX1if8ZPI8lVjV1n-B4tgjtk35hxYIDE1bt9p2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-03-18T04:09:23.757Z","article","At its March 17 meeting the Acton Select Board reviewed a near-final draft of the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant and acted on a series of recommendations.

The board voted to recommend the municipal operating budget transmitted to the Finance Committee: $40,810,464. It also recommended the capital appropriations and associated borrowing articles in the warrant and voted to recommend the capital equipment and project lists (numerical details were presented in the motions document to be finalized before the warrant is printed). The board approved placing the Public Works facility debt-exclusion article on the warrant (the Select Board recommended the article in principle; staff said the final debt figure will be included in the motion once reconciled cost estimates are available).

The board also approved the townâ€™s Title VI program needed for continued federal transportation funding and took a motion placing two ballot questions on the April 29 municipal ballot: (1) a debt-exclusion question authorizing borrowing to finance the Public Works facility and (2) a charter-related home-rule question about the Historic District Commission membership (language reviewed by town counsel). The board discussed the order of questions on the ballot and agreed on the motion language; staff said the ballots must be prepared soon to meet printing deadlines.

On a range of warrant items staff said several articles would be placed on the consent calendar; the board approved consenting to many routine matters and asked staff for wording improvements to some summaries. The board also agreed to return certain labor contracts and other items to the April 7 or future meetings after additional negotiations or clarifications.

Select Board members asked staff to add clearer summaries to the warrant where petition or home-rule materials had been previously considered (for example, the Memorial Library Home Rule petition) and to provide the committee recommendations and funding breakdowns for the Community Preservation Act and other capital items prior to the printed warrant.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - March 17th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board reviewed the draft May town-meeting warrant, recommended the municipal operating budget and several capital articles including a Public Works debt-exclusion article (final borrowing amount pending), and approved placement of two ballot questions for the April 29 election.","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},6633184,"DPW facility geothermal tests favorable; Select Board scheduled follow-ups with boards and committees",437,5550000,5987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8&start=5550&end=5987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8/thumbnail_5550000.jpg","/articles/6633184/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/DPW-facility-geothermal-tests-favorable-Select-Board-scheduled-follow-ups-with-boards-and-committees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633184-5fce7c2ed38d7e8fc1cb027f054c93b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213486&Signature=KmRzFekMg6ujCYBAuIiLjUgEYOBtXNGKOKCxKCiUME2UiUT6Ff1XfABr3DyAQMgtFTZc-13YfgZudcsUahp5zzhlMvwaqhp3Do0H6r6UGDRX93vX6xiU3zH6bVTbBdKJ8YoZDJt4YE6s0sCke1R-lgW7qVQie8X~E2hEZL0yMEgYw7aJSoIYiW9Nx63Vz3l3dPhCnFh4Z~wLdXcvOLqRv8C-hB8ejg5duZFBOzfTm-3hxremDEfXtzA5gcoZChAfwJJlpFVZIetVuAy5sM-3QbjwD9PePOLTJdqG0FT0FPr8M1l046dZxcA20xICDQ3palPw-a-y1VOoMuH5eQDrNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acton staff reported to the Select Board on March 17 that initial feasibility work for a proposed Public Works facility at 14 Forest Road yielded encouraging geothermal test results.

Select Board member Dean said preliminary reports from the test wells indicate limited near-surface ledge and outwash deposits, and that bedrock favorable for well installation was encountered at approximately 40 feet. Consultants are analyzing bedrock conductivity and groundwater flow to determine well placement and isolation so wells will not affect one another, officials said. Staff said deeper wells (hundreds of feet) would likely be drilled and that bedrock conditions reduce the need for deep casing in the upper 40 to 60 feet.

Board members discussed groundwater monitoring and noted monitoring wells around the townâ€™s capped landfill. Town staff said the engineering department maintains monitoring for landfill-related wells and that consultants have worked on groundwater monitoring and reporting to state agencies. The town also noted that any wells drilled will use a closed geothermal loop carrying antifreeze solution and will not mix drilling fluids with groundwater; the Board of Health will have jurisdiction over well permitting.

Staff announced upcoming presentations to the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Council on Aging to review the project, and said the project remains in a holding pattern pending reconciled cost estimates and further engineering work. The Select Board scheduled additional outreach sessions in April.","Town staff reported that preliminary geothermal test-well results at the proposed Public Works site showed limited shallow ledge and suitable bedrock below ~40 feet, a finding that supports feasibility; the Select Board and staff scheduled further outreach to several boards and noted Board of Health oversight for any well drilling.",{"_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},6633188,"Select Board backs continued remote/hybrid meeting options; will refine letter to state lawmakers",506,5016000,5522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8&start=5016&end=5522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8/thumbnail_5016000.jpg","/articles/6633188/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-backs-continued-remotehybrid-meeting-options-will-refine-letter-to-state-lawmakers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633188-1d9f88ae59bae1e35d97a919a7804fab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213486&Signature=W9ASm-TLeJGtXo2rvyhzEtWz9f5IL6PbCB25Uaw8S4qqV9nn8dnRuNITtYncPyIK3cXAvFMgImflyX9WkgE9vn-p1XYb0zLTQgpbU7wLl3ErRbhWlVRYbOcjFcSlzsknS~kSDbqgy4FfxK4zfsk-8mMjcATsaWfiqjV1hGvoBg5qWzKM1CHg9UI-wgkGcgzHCeRfL23WIttkQXZKdbuxJ0jcI9p1qLAVJ9zePmTc2-bTOEP9-xChY4VeGMT~m6JgBAKrT7YsOq1XGovlC2XlX1zILWkIO4xlLhA-FDjx-eVazofulAMRcbilIcRt~uVF7e~f-5AX~1XEgxCVqr-zWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board discussed pending state legislation that would extend or make permanent provisions allowing remote and hybrid municipal meetings. Staff noted the Massachusetts House had approved a bill extending current rules through March 2027 and that the Select Board had before it a draft letter urging lawmakers to make the authority permanent.

Board members expressed support for keeping remote options available for residents and some committees, citing increased civic participation by people who cannot attend in person (seniors, people with mobility or transportation limits, parents with small children). Some board members asked staff to revise wording from first-person language to represent the board collectively and to add examples of how remote participation had increased access for residents and committees (Council on Aging, Commission on Disabilities, nursing services advisory committee).

The board asked staff to update the draft with a short paragraph of examples and to circulate a revised draft before placing the letter on a consent agenda. The board also discussed the procedural and technical challenges of fully remote open town meeting and agreed the two-year House extension provides time for further work on that issue.","The board discussed and supported sending a letter urging the state to make current temporary allowances for remote and hybrid municipal meetings permanent; staff will edit language and return the letter for consent approval.",{"_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},6633192,"Acton Select Board approves letter supporting ‘Safe Communities’ law; one member objects",724,4222000,4946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8&start=4222&end=4946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8/thumbnail_4222000.jpg","/articles/6633192/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-Select-Board-approves-letter-supporting-Safe-Communities-law-one-member-objects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633192-d004e6da8d3a561d64cd91681bfd1588/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213486&Signature=aWHVglVGsvcGf5WP8l2DIeXZUyLlWF7GuSZ2jBpO5tK5LAkE54Yo7Fc2InYsDSxr4y7pbVL2~SUPtj8q2ZtFrqitcexRTqUBNIPTc1wJE3T3s59Z1z1r~EtDiJzPp1k4rWHvP790gdU9vegdMIXvyYQ1XH8avUbntzNjhHUlia2ExuxbvRKLfYXDZcKp84gJF2MjmAjVPlr5GHe5sWpaG5~u7tJh~9309b4~XOI9uXX1ZBAM3951EAHUC20mS4zN9FAWwGzcc~lLQy9dRwZF2bUX4UhbyiMl7la1GCDqG9W97qjqB8kFXq~Oxi5AY85I5e~3y8rZZLDT4wVQtRiNQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board voted March 17 to send a letter to the Massachusetts Legislature expressing support for a state-level Safe Communities Act, a bill that would restrict local cooperation with certain federal immigration enforcement actions.

During discussion, board members and members of the public described the proposal as a measure to protect community trust in local services and avoid situations in which individuals might be detained or deported without adequate due process. Supporters cited court precedent and the need to preserve residentsâ€™ access to police, health care and other services. Opponents said existing court decisions already limit local civil immigration enforcement and said they were concerned about sending the townâ€™s name in support of state legislation.

After debate, Select Board member Alyssa moved to approve a letter of support; part of the motion included removing Select Board member Deanâ€™s name from the list of board signatories after Dean said he would not consent to being listed. The motion passed on the board floor. During the vote Dean registered his opposition; other board members voted in favor. Several residents spoke in favor of the board sending a supportive letter before the vote.

The board directed staff to finalize the letter and forward it to the townâ€™s state legislative delegation.","The Select Board voted to send a letter to state legislators expressing support for the Safe Communities Act. The vote passed after the board agreed to remove one member's signature; Select Board member Dean registered opposition.",{"_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},6633196,"Acton Select Board backs townwide traffic-calming policy; staff to return final draft on consent",1183,874000,2057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8&start=874&end=2057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665908-18f8c523cc8fe62b7b053ba250cf6fd8/thumbnail_874000.jpg","/articles/6633196/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-Select-Board-backs-townwide-traffic-calming-policy-staff-to-return-final-draft-on-consent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633196-bec572aea09d4bd5065d7670e3412b06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213486&Signature=GfTA7wsFBlY6N9XasjrAtS6FdfK~vN9DA6aUm24uR4Q4hNl5Efld0iDdutY2bA7eT0SD5ImnCEqBcq2NfJ2ibEvtEQVtoysb~kRIsBiCRh52l53NFpTa9y7E5boJexWkPXyC0z9F~A5flg9Ef2a9FOdrbIxz359BTY3GfkaXnvbs-E2uaFwccOZfrQl-qwaVRYaE7QH8lWqK22roL9vKURCQyCIDwBakefP7rZvwyxDBwugYwBoCealm6tNgJHcsLpC36l8~7hhE-tXxCuCf7tTeugkQ21bEoB0yn05HuJfos24WxNVZUWdHabf7rxBa6z8Yvm~NWlkOx17-goZVLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chinray Peng, the town engineer, presented a draft traffic-calming policy to the Acton Select Board on March 17, describing a multi-step, data-driven process for handling resident requests and staged interventions.

Peng told the board the policy defines traffic calming as physical measures that alter driver behavior and improve conditions for nonmotorized users and sets minimum eligibility criteria (town-owned residential roadway, minimum roadway length or demonstrated routine speeding, majority residential frontage, posted speed limit 40 mph or less). She said the policy would use a scoring sheet and a two-stage approach: low-cost, easily deployed measures (stage 1) such as speed-monitoring trailers, signage or enforcement; more physical street changes (stage 2) such as chicanes, curb extensions or mini roundabouts if stage 1 is ineffective.

The draft requires neighborhood petition support (Peng said staff would generally seek signatures from 75% of property owners in the subject area before advancing a petition) and sets a six-month follow-up evaluation period after each implementation stage. Peng also described a proposed PACE CAR sticker program for voluntary resident participation to promote safer driving behavior.

Board members asked about Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) involvement, cost and staffing for traffic studies, and how the policy would interface with sidewalk and Complete Streets prioritization. Peng and staff said most technical screening and data collection would be done by town engineering and Public Works staff using in-house equipment (traffic counters), but that outside consultants could be hired if workload required it. Staff also said sidewalk requests would continue to follow the existing sidewalk/Complete Streets prioritization processes and could be coordinated with traffic-calming projects when a broader project makes sense.

Select Board members generally supported the policy in principle and asked staff to refine language and scoring details. The board agreed the policy should be returned with minor edits and placed on a future consent agenda for formal action. Staff also said they plan outreach and initial implementation steps this year, and that they expect to begin accepting requests after finalization and public posting of the application materials.","After a presentation by Town Engineer Chinray Peng, the Acton Select Board signaled support for a formal traffic-calming policy establishing submission, evaluation and staging procedures for resident requests and a new PACE CAR program; staff will finalize wording and return the policy on a future consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board reviews May warrant, recommends FY26 budget and capital items; sets ballot questions

DPW facility geothermal tests favorable; Select Board scheduled follow-ups with boards and committees

Select Board backs continued remote/hybrid meeting options; will refine letter to state lawmakers

Acton Select Board approves letter supporting ‘Safe Communities’ law; one member objects

Acton Select Board backs townwide traffic-calming policy; staff to return final draft on consent