[{"_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",6612737,"mediaKeyId","2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3","parentId",2888788,"title","School committee candidates debate overrides, staffing cuts and building reorganization","audioSeconds",327,"startMs",600000,"endMs",927000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3&start=600&end=927","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3/thumbnail_600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612737/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/School-committee-candidates-debate-overrides-staffing-cuts-and-building-reorganization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612737-ffdfccbaef2e4607e92703d2a0b2b163/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192868&Signature=Di6vGZpbb5FnBCryeeEQad1Acwq4c52z38bf~nMRevT2U7q2Mn07HDIQ2SvuzyYhAQn1-5d7C69L4g52mAx2iOEn~BGxM3DB98qwiK8L7xPG27l9a4ymdOJwDP-AWogkYcGwoQl4B0o-434fawOZ1wVUn-YO5FXWkAEXx~3KAikbZsHaHFmluHrg4vYcU~a6jfkmPkauiDra60aRXoY0dWI~VtqxOFC0oddtoUSqDCw8CfSw67vYs3dqDj7Du3QTVNKt94KJhsPmmbCElYGmSlsyofNWUys--mlVszfWhylVagrr1ryYqd5LZ1ydqKd1Iwa7XIiLdjM9QsU7tATW6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-04-06T22:48:11.883Z","article","School committee candidates at the forum described a multi-year pattern of budget cuts and disagreed about next steps to stabilize school funding, with proposals ranging from reorganization of buildings to continued advocacy for state funding reform.

Jason Fitzgerald, a candidate who said he has run twice previously, described a tight override campaign and said Acton will likely need another override in the near term to maintain services. He criticized recent overrides as not addressing structural funding shortfalls and said state funding increases ultimately come with trade-offs.

Several candidates urged reorganization and operational changes before seeking a new override. Lisa Audill, a former teacher and Kona PTO vice president, said she opposes another override in the near term and supports exploring reorganization to use existing staff and space more efficiently. “One of the initiatives… is the idea of doing a reorganization… how can we shuffle people around and… possibly eliminate a building or be more efficient,” she said.

Glenn Cody, who emphasized advocacy for state funding reform, said the override that passed prevented more severe staffing cuts; he noted the community’s work reduced a potential 80-staff loss to roughly 20 positions. “We were able to work our way from what would have been a disastrous 80 staffing cuts to 20 instead,” he said.

Candidates also raised operational issues such as enrollment declines, consultant spending, and the cost of regional programs. Multiple candidates said any decisions about consolidating buildings or redistricting should involve community engagement and clear communication. No formal school-committee votes occurred at the forum.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - April 7th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","School committee candidates spoke about multi-year budget cuts, recent override outcomes, and proposals to reorganize buildings and staffing to avoid future cuts; candidates differed on whether to seek another override or prioritize internal reorganization and reduced consultant spending.","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},6612745,"'Habitat for All' zoning proposal wins support from candidates but water commissioners warn of quality safeguards",503,3385000,3888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3&start=3385&end=3888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3/thumbnail_3385000.jpg","/articles/6612745/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Habitat-for-All-zoning-proposal-wins-support-from-candidates-but-water-commissioners-warn-of-quality-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612745-c8af21641ccf6677b3bfeab5f7d0d0f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192868&Signature=YJjm7jlqneynSUC5qB-288SFjwLQ79fJ7RKIxy5Wm5BnjRUEeIj2gomDn63xCpQ1mA5Ez5aeJzBsW9gw2SYFkgXk0Ie4whjIqkpCJ62dy-RZn1i4XOhcN~HYFLPze2NHOXrY420eul71qQkvUjeeGWIynmFIy~DzAW77oEzwPKKXixIkLJ88LA5~wyJ0OwDuu5gJr2Sug1b45qvwuAShqz3K~OFf3oRNYsPcFR4NdGvqx7ieqOQwnudKJjUYuXD9H-bMQykNoDmB5-DDWOns7KV2sPLCwrowxWfDjlK9m~BXuFfT-m8OpuPQC0tGvFfaiL2rBfNEkSSkk1IppI1-hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A zoning article informally called “Habitat for All” — intended to encourage smaller, clustered homes and provide incentives for affordable units — drew broad support from candidates at the forum, while water commissioners said they want safeguards for water quality before the article reaches town meeting.

Peter Berry, a candidate for the Acton Housing Authority, said the proposal emphasizes compact housing and incentives for smaller units and for affordable units within a clustered development. “I support it,” Berry said, describing incentives in the draft that aim to produce smaller homes and create options for lower-cost housing.

Select Board candidates including Dean Shatter and David voiced support for the concept as a way to provide more workforce housing and to avoid building larger, high-cost single-family homes. “Whatever we can do… to encourage smaller, more affordable homes is a great way to go,” Shatter said.

The Acton Water District commissioners raised concerns about possible impacts on water quality and septic siting. A commissioner at the forum said changes in the warrant language may be less protective of water resources than prior language and that the water district has submitted questions to the planning board; the commissioners requested a mechanism to be able to review proposals that use subsurface wastewater disposal in potentially sensitive areas before final approval.

At least one resident asked about tree clearing and septic constraints associated with clustered housing options; the planning and engineering details were described as subject to further study. The article is expected to appear on the town meeting warrant; water commissioners said they will seek clarifications in the planning-board review process before voters take up the article.","Candidates and officials expressed support for a proposed 'Habitat for All' zoning bylaw aimed at smaller clustered housing and incentives for affordable units; water commissioners flagged potential water-quality and septic siting concerns and plan to ask planning board clarifying questions before town meeting.",{"_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},6612750,"Acton Water District explores long-term water supply options, including regional consortium with MWRA",117,3100000,3217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3&start=3100&end=3217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3/thumbnail_3100000.jpg","/articles/6612750/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-Water-District-explores-long-term-water-supply-options-including-regional-consortium-with-MWRA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612750-1bca7c66e9add3b8e07fe99e60d147ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192868&Signature=DkL9vts0DH5xhrMFV1Tq2gukKTlslgVTzdEpJvudIF1SzezaSWdYFEdGCMEsSe7odaaVfmn-kUY-OZHaxHv81rbInmPPhMJ--DkH5ztZ3aJQQupETq1qyyjGSLwBONsoLeyMoUqF9fJJNpks8oelUP5elFw6-fv~PTXvzgCywcnxF14MQiUux2cqhpLu~vIbW~tVZe2hp3ePWvmt3QZV86F2qrvV6VH-S2U9xU4uK1LQtB8ouQXQOKV59gZwtT746zhaJuQOG1WrWuEoP9rjRuSb5Whr8iD~NRYC6WtZt~~GCun2elUdFFtHRTWETCOhRbgJNSdY9JgskhovRx00zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Water District is in early-stage planning to secure long-term water supplies, commissioners and candidates said at the forum, including an exploratory consortium and consultant study to evaluate options through 2050.

Barry Rosen, a candidate and long-time water-district volunteer, said the district is investigating both in-town and out-of-town properties and has organized a multi-municipal consortium to share study costs. “We actually organized a consortium… and we are hiring a consultant that is going to help us look at some of these issues,” Rosen said, naming towns that have joined the consortium during discussion (including Concord, Westford and Bedford) and noting legal or site-specific alternatives remain confidential in executive sessions.

Commissioners emphasized source-protection and demand-reduction measures as immediate priorities. John Peterson, a candidate with a science background, said protecting local sources and reducing salt and demand are “job one” for the district even as long-term supply options are explored.

Rosen said no decision has been made about a future source and that any major change would involve public outreach and ultimately public approval: “We are absolutely not going to do anything that the public doesn't want us to engage in.” He added the consortium study will examine logistics, costs, funding sources and potential hybrid supply scenarios.

Water district speakers acknowledged uncertainties and executive-session discussions about possible sites. The district said it would present study results to the community and that any recommended supply change would require further review and public input.","Water district candidates and commissioners described an exploratory effort to study long-term water supply options for 2050, including a consultant-backed consortium with nearby towns to examine a possible connection or partial supply from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA).",{"_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},6612754,"Debate over West Acton Citizens Library consolidation surfaces at forum; some residents oppose change",303,1605000,1908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3&start=1605&end=1908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3/thumbnail_1605000.jpg","/articles/6612754/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Debate-over-West-Acton-Citizens-Library-consolidation-surfaces-at-forum-some-residents-oppose-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612754-7987f5a69f72d89352c61de5aaf61c2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192868&Signature=Iu05nC4cKcvqPmfJfsgVx-zsvYCGnY1TgnUockgT34npjvnsSTL6gMh1rDnKzfDWHzz6pM5ehlBxt9499lbSXhLbzEo3worAqSv2fZofzd07gVO~QEJgXCud-dIKpt5jEnTzQMNJYCGhKLpCvtbTNXg8LR6HTh~JYDBKosS14Ymu4tHCWtCMCuUS7aXV~DByHWOpMyDUL6gYrICX0M~nn0PkRX-4vy7Mxt-3H681jK826q14kVeQulP51iyXapOQbBujQtUsCCw3AWL90ze8VZn78avYCkvCtnjlvsrUK1zAHTK~3ZfGCFmjM96wxZCC2E4H1j3KmbZjpz87rvqcNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select board candidates and other speakers described a plan to increase collaboration — and possibly legal consolidation of trustees — between Acton Memorial Library and the West Acton Citizens Library, prompting mixed reactions from residents at the forum.

Dean Shatter, who said he previously served as a trustee of the West Acton Citizens Library, said the small facility “does not have enough critical mass to be able to have the proper staffing” and that closer collaboration with the memorial library would provide more reliable staffing and program support. “I think the closer collaboration… is probably the best route for all,” he said.

Several speakers said the trustees of both libraries have already increased coordination of hours and programming. Select Board member David agreed, saying rotations and staff support from the memorial library have improved operations and that an integration plan for the two sets of trustees may soon come before voters.

Not all residents supported the change. June Leslie, who identified herself as the petitioner challenging the proposed conjoining of trustees, said the West Acton library has been “self-supporting with some assistance by the town” and that volunteers have historically staffed it. Leslie urged voters to oppose changes at town meeting and noted that municipal legal fees are being spent to advance the consolidation effort, which she said could cost “thousands of dollars.”

Forum leaders said the select board and library trustees plan to bring a proposal to town meeting; no formal town meeting action occurred at the forum. Speakers recommended voters review the integration plan and its financial and operational details ahead of any vote.","Select board and library candidates described a coordination plan between Acton Memorial Library and West Acton Citizens Library and an upcoming vote on integration of trustees; at least one longtime West Acton volunteer urged voters to oppose consolidation citing local control and legal costs.",{"_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},6612758,"Acton candidates debate $35 million public works building, finance committee concern cited",218,1945000,2163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3&start=1945&end=2163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888788-76d0a51bcd3cf1550889f4c8e18301c3/thumbnail_1945000.jpg","/articles/6612758/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-candidates-debate-35-million-public-works-building-finance-committee-concern-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612758-4572d29ca532774366972905bef255bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192868&Signature=CrhSRHlf1c0pYxaNh1GKGyeuhlUstaCqHOxLnyZXOiUVfitS8p1Aw389OOFGZCEkKTYRp16jmRyZoGtHo6OxdnsDNZGyC7o1KQLKxyhl-ftwpMTfyB3KXxb0PGiMBDWhvghbHj4JAZEAWEHc8AJfH7XiP6hpFRNZIKa4MOHfb3Ersq1CGrx9En-3W1tt2GD7Z4yU~KyHb3v~Z3JdIKPcyoYWr~lINeiOuTEghk~Xbh1L2wdQcbvmlRHS~9u7nT9sr7ksyv2MGxhFIP8Cp7fEnWjv6dsSxZaN~IGVFy0M4Yi~h43-VjCUneOFN7D41-Ea9knCZ6Ph3KniQjbJJlk3jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to replace Acton’s aging Department of Public Works building and finance it with a debt-exclusion override drew sharp discussion at the candidate forum, with select board candidates saying the current facility is undersized and unsafe and that delaying construction would raise long-term costs.

Proponents said the town has already reduced the project through value engineering but still needs roughly $35,000,000 in bonding to build a right-sized facility. “The building was undersized when it was built in 1969… It currently has so many problems with it as far as [code] compliance, air quality issues,” said Dean Shatter, a Select Board member and candidate. He said the existing building’s layout causes wasted time moving equipment, and lacks facilities needed to recruit and retain certain staff.

Why it matters: Town officials said the project would be financed with a 30-year debt-exclusion note that would add roughly $250 a year to an average household’s tax bill. Supporters argue construction inflation and sunk design costs mean postponing the project would be more expensive over time; critics and some finance committee members worry about stacking a large new tax increase so soon after last year’s override.

Select Board candidate David (identified in forum remarks as a board liaison to the finance committee) said the project has been reduced in size and scope through multiple rounds of design cuts and that the town has spent more than $1.25 million on design to date. “If we don't move forward, we will have lost that million and a quarter dollars,” he said, adding construction inflation could push costs higher if voters delay.

Opponents and skeptical voters at the forum questioned whether alternatives to a new building were fully explored. Select Board candidate June Leslie said she favors reuse and repurposing where feasible and asked what additional studies were done to show a new building was the only option.

Candidates and supporting officials characterized the disagreement with the finance committee as an honest policy difference: select board members emphasized the operational impacts on town services and employee safety; finance-committee-aligned voices emphasized taxpayer costs and timing following a narrow override last year.

No formal vote occurred at the forum. The speakers urged voters to weigh the finance committee’s caution against the town’s stated operational needs before town meeting and the anticipated debt-exclusion ballot question.","Select board candidates and other speakers described a proposed new $35 million Department of Public Works building, saying it addresses safety, ADA and operational problems; opponents and the finance committee have raised cost concerns ahead of a likely debt-exclusion vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee candidates debate overrides, staffing cuts and building reorganization

'Habitat for All' zoning proposal wins support from candidates but water commissioners warn of quality safeguards

Acton Water District explores long-term water supply options, including regional consortium with MWRA

Debate over West Acton Citizens Library consolidation surfaces at forum; some residents oppose change

Acton candidates debate $35 million public works building, finance committee concern cited