[{"_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",6611842,"mediaKeyId","2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd","parentId",2892855,"title","Select Board approves up to two streetlights on Adams Street, focused on intersections/curves","audioSeconds",874,"startMs",4868000,"endMs",5742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd&start=4868&end=5742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd/thumbnail_4868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611842/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-up-to-two-streetlights-on-Adams-Street-focused-on-intersectionscurves","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611842-dac0ede45163974779b7e41cf2cfe340/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164313&Signature=XZYXRLNoOgXDG-5a~7bObDq4YxX4zEa1nbjmHlm3XtwAHlbLFZ6Vo2sbacTeC9JiXdyeC35UHRTT9caiRaEiFgJqagIxj7lj7e~8IdffsQFiI61TzXdpxWFmJ~szGjrM2UTL-uDMYJJf0jQPae-3G8K3s7-oPJfoClHAMq3gF9viEP-E7P-2AzXZTsL96mnX-EZNNSz2atwpoLdxfw~FswxtDxMXFWg8WvXbwrFeFy~il8SlzwUiE8xeuxL3ecyl89uD9MjgxiFPtBvBxSI5v4zvmwAvzRLufLvYd0w9sEh8ZVWV5VxBfYfYWjFtx-13Zn8e6tWgytJ8UU7AXUMG6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-04-08T04:10:19.647Z","article","The Select Board on April 7 considered a resident request for streetlights on Adams Street and voted to allow up to two new lights focused on higher-risk locations such as intersections or abrupt curves.

DPW staff reported there are currently no lights on Adams Street and recommended locations at the Parker Street and High Street intersections plus other spots; an initial estimate suggested as many as eight lights if spaced every other pole. Several Select Board members raised concerns about light pollution, wildlife impacts and ongoing maintenance costs, and suggested alternatives such as motion-activated property lighting and fixing nonworking lights in higher-pedestrian areas first.

After debate the board considered two motions: 1) not to approve new lights (initial motion) and 2) approve up to two lights focused on intersections/abrupt curves (alternate motion). The board approved the alternate motion. The DPW director will meet with residents to select the specific poles and evaluate technical feasibility and existing utility constraints.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a split discussion about light pollution, pedestrian needs and cost, the Select Board approved placing a maximum of two new lights on Adams Street targeted to intersections or abrupt curves; board members asked DPW to prioritize repairs to existing nonworking lights elsewhere first.","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},6611847,"Select Board endorses $35.2 million borrowing for new DPW building; building committee had recommended the plan",4117,10644000,14761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd&start=10644&end=14761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd/thumbnail_10644000.jpg","/articles/6611847/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-endorses-352-million-borrowing-for-new-DPW-building-building-committee-had-recommended-the-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611847-cb1f45b5d2d2dfb89b86cd9256679d13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164313&Signature=PdwzH7sU41iOFOOm7bBCQ~q3MWB2M2yPKLKavDWvjJjQ~PTDMY0BqWaIKM2IJmMZ~ibzdGNU-w2WFxLfwosW2~gbzhbovIZ7XVe8xnovB5WpjktivTPsm-~IXB4HzsfT1LtBRyFJYv8PRcqXjbD1XIrzieImOaarJbjX75pGFSkSgtOX8h0ssv5POeLD2NqucLjjlPbqVB0uHr51lhbEwUMI0N4KsvNbW6i3WQzrAlcFSWSOv3~M9fj1XqYwhxk0z3PowUdvlJGqGYq-9zKBVWHQb~IsOI5-swYOY~9eF3Aq-T1c6aVVpKb3w3wjDbqNiI4zokThGhlPSplZ-cYWaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After receiving a report from the DPW building committee and the town staff, the Select Board on April 7 voted to include $35,200,690 as the borrowing amount for Article 7 on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant for a new Department of Public Works facility.

Town staff and the building committee described design revisions and value engineering that reduced the building footprint and cost from earlier estimates. The owners’ project manager and designer reconciled 40% design cost estimates and submitted a total project cost figure; the building committee later recommended the lowered borrowing amount.

Board members debated several project elements, including the wash bay (which some members preferred to include at least as a shell), landscaping and traffic mitigation, and the possibility of add alternates if bids permit. The committee vote to support the plan was 6–1. Several Select Board members urged robust public information and noted some letters to the local paper challenging the project; members also discussed the timing of bids, potential federal tariffs and market volatility, and the importance of completing a properly functioning facility without repeated renovations.

Select Board member Dean moved to place $35,200,690 on the warrant for the DPW facility borrowing; the motion passed unanimously.","The Select Board voted unanimously to place a $35,200,690 borrowing article for the new Department of Public Works facility on the Town Meeting warrant after the building committee recommended the reduced-size, lower-cost design.",{"_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},6611853,"Select Board backs air-source heat-pump option for Town Hall HVAC, seeks funding on warrant",1328,5981000,7309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd&start=5981&end=7309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd/thumbnail_5981000.jpg","/articles/6611853/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-backs-air-source-heat-pump-option-for-Town-Hall-HVAC-seeks-funding-on-warrant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611853-847751fa846399a0f7518a17bdf9e9c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164313&Signature=S7eFSJ1k8jm2-vdGNJ5SNVXbioBXpadzi2Lo2ZjqXI3vYhQ~R4UEAqz1tXnMNzJ4EN9SZP3HxQYdjBZPLpD5ALQxdI3X14YjdpQ9n1s2x2vqgJMgLto4MaaM4VBqx6c~6dYvgm5GkT11XQS21On6SOyWPof97LU4gx4tNyABiO~aWfOxj7xHEuCfr5wGtiaqyqMQXSVaJyo9brYzsCbRI8lavhh9K6YxUiQt~cINjsVHcys43jihBoIN6ZLPLefxjIVCY4QBePU18Dcrbl6J0JpIioE2qQKog0A9aH2X9tM-1NrXLRWrmHY6YXIv3JJVmDVfmLqqofqO4KCmzkRrkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted on April 7 to recommend the air-source heat pump option (Option 1) for the Town Hall HVAC and emergency power replacement project, following an 86-page consultant report and staff presentation. The board’s recommendation will be reflected in the capital article on the town warrant.

Staff presented two conceptual options and cost estimates at the 40% design level: an air-source heat-pump project estimated at $3,373,631 (construction conceptual estimate) and a hybrid/geothermal approach at $4,426,999. The town intends to request $3,750,000 on the warrant to fund the project; staff explained that the warrant number covers expected costs and contingency and that final design and refined bids will follow appropriation.

Board members and staff focused discussion on total project scope—most of the project cost is not the heat pumps themselves but building upgrades, piping, fan coils, generator replacement, insulation work, and hazardous-material mitigation. Select Board member David said the air-source option offered better capital and operating cost outcomes and estimated long-term savings compared with the geothermal alternative. Staff noted Mass Save incentives and the town’s specialized stretch energy code influenced the analysis.

A motion to recommend Option 1 (air source heat pumps) passed unanimously. The board directed staff to prepare final design documents contingent upon receiving funding at Town Meeting, to proceed with final design if funding is appropriated, and to present refined cost estimates as the project proceeds.","After reviewing costs and operational trade-offs, the Select Board recommended the air-source heat pump option for Town Hall’s HVAC and emergency power replacement and directed staff to reflect that option on the town warrant (capital request $3.75 million).",{"_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},6611857,"Select Board approves 10% ambulance rate increase; new fees to be in place through FY26",802,1411000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd&start=1411&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd/thumbnail_1411000.jpg","/articles/6611857/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-10-ambulance-rate-increase-new-fees-to-be-in-place-through-FY26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611857-c5617e9baf50fa017bcb70f6fe3067f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164313&Signature=mIxxB5i3CrBKk0N5DedJDXCrnoSqIFLsS6md3gKsLrWYkbwfljM-zw0U-LF8~y-5RHCdZEYhpRCOwqgVUFqbSw6m~RWLrCC-q35PxwDxRsyWlG5SWtfIGEyUVGUdZeFRMELClivM6Ga4fEfN-Nj6TQo5BkDoJoYLzbGR1EGTsdnyMPBKDpatRhPGF4C-OX7esXHmeLojS~plliJshodw1JVHKd2lYPY9LL5QNe94F7A-fZohZsTI20F8tgnK9XMKT0EeXk~xQNgQI752p7--J~weX98YGvAjwPkXFV8eP7-aMdbquNqUnDuleToOyCX6t1VmQGZU0PQ4eg3c6fUvmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board on April 7 approved a recommended 10% increase in town ambulance transport fees, a move officials said is needed to support the ambulance enterprise fund amid rising personnel and equipment costs.

Budget staff presented a financial plan and a new rate-setting approach to the board. If approved, the new fees are: Advanced Life Support (ALS) Level 1 — $2,644; ALS Level 2 — $3,828; Basic Life Support (BLS) — $2,226; mileage will increase from $35 to $39. Board members were told the increases represent a 10% bump across ride types and would be in effect through fiscal year 2026, with rates to be revisited annually thereafter.

Staff explained ambulance billing and collections are complex: rides are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers or to patients directly, and collected amounts differ by payer. The presenters said historical collections average roughly 23% of Medicare-billed amounts, 16% of Medicaid-billed amounts, 58% of private insurance billed amounts and 5% of direct patient billing. The town uses a private billing contractor, Pro EMS, which handles claims and collections. The Select Board was also told that the town’s medical oversight and a new labor contract have increased personnel costs.

After discussion of billing practices, uncompensated care and collection rates, Select Board member Jim moved to approve the rates as presented; the motion passed unanimously.

The Select Board also discussed arrangements for patients without insurance and noted the Commonwealth’s uncompensated care programs may apply to some portions of unpaid bills. Staff said they will return to the board annually with a review of the ambulance enterprise fund and will revisit the rates before each new fiscal year.","The Select Board voted unanimously to adopt a 10% increase in ambulance transport rates and a mileage increase to $39, effective immediately and to remain in place through fiscal 2026, citing rising personnel and equipment costs and billing/collection complexity.",{"_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},6611863,"Select Board asks staff to draft formal guidance after first waiver requests under Acton’s fossil-fuel-free bylaw",2322,2230000,4552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd&start=2230&end=4552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892855-1e814a869c51501ecab1f202fe4394fd/thumbnail_2230000.jpg","/articles/6611863/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-asks-staff-to-draft-formal-guidance-after-first-waiver-requests-under-Actons-fossil-fuel-free-bylaw","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611863-d412a85044e3f50bd38fbc797ce7ed54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164313&Signature=L0xclyabMUR33pjRYWahT1lgDfhGMpkFGGGcx-Z~6qtagQRxX5W6e2O8m10F3IjGVpYmgb~ceb47K-MO45n6zkZlq-63oux0AHplY1ND0bLOYfLW~4fQPsfRthOahki2AJbsr-AN28jYP3gfS0grFWuupO0HTqs0MX8JxOBVirQ7d-jlHNXvccptYuLivUWx3amYK8c6a4L2iFUcEY0xv4SHXhYT28H2l41t0nq719E83fsjbzdBqLqgn~XfGvARvrvInmJnHOm59BasqNehlMcBwPU3G7yONR686b4xEWfSZh92uHGD-avF2EQ2NbCspPWFAO~XYSjKePrCqAZtLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board on April 7 discussed how to handle waiver requests under the town’s fossil-fuel-free bylaw after the building commissioner reported the first applicant seeking relief. Board members heard from Building Commissioner Ed Mullen and residents and agreed staff should prepare written guidance and narrow criteria for waivers, with the expectation that most requests would be considered publicly by the Select Board.

Board members and staff framed the problem around two types of waiver requests: commercial (including restaurant kitchens) and residential (new construction and large renovations). Mullen said the first formal request received asked to replace a required induction cooktop in a new home with a gas cooktop because of the homeowner’s “traditional cooking habits” and cookware. He said the bylaw’s waiver language (chapter AC, section AC5) allows the building commissioner to grant waivers if compliance makes a project financially infeasible or impractical, but that the language anticipates narrow, limited waivers rather than blanket exceptions.

Several Select Board members said waivers should be handled publicly. “The act of allowing a waiver should be done in public so people can comment,” said a board member (Select Board member Jim). Members also discussed treating developers differently from individual homeowners and the town’s interest in narrow, site-specific waivers rather than broad exceptions that would undercut the bylaw. Some members said they would prefer written guidelines that would allow the building commissioner to act on routine, noncontroversial requests, with contested or precedent-setting cases brought to the Select Board.

Commercial kitchens were raised repeatedly as a likely category for narrowly tailored waivers, and commissioners asked staff to consider permitting propane rather than natural gas as a compromise where running a gas main would be impractical. Commissioner Mullen said some restaurants had declined to locate in Acton rather than pursue a waiver because of equipment costs and uncertainty.

The board also discussed process elements: how the building commissioner’s initial determinations should be appealed or elevated to the Select Board, what documentation applicants should provide (cost estimates, alternative technologies, and information about subsidies), and the scope of possible conditions on a waiver (e.g., limiting fossil fuel use to a single appliance or requiring future electrification when practical). Board members asked staff to return with draft guidance, and several said they expected that Select Board consideration would be the usual path for waivers in order to ensure public notice and comment.

What the board asked staff to do: draft written, public-facing guidance describing the application process, the documentation required to demonstrate infeasibility or impracticality, and the narrow types of conditions the board might impose. Select Board members said they expected to review a draft guidance document at a future meeting.

The discussion included public commenters, including builders and residents, who urged the board to consider the cost to homeowners and the town’s policy goals. Builder Tim Fenton said the retrofit cost to electrify a recently built house could exceed $50,000. Resident Nijan Datta urged the board not to “micromanage” household choices and questioned the local environmental impact of such rules.

The board did not make a final determination on any pending waiver at the meeting; rather, it instructed staff and invited Select Board members to draft guidance and to return with a proposed application process and criteria.","After receiving its first waiver requests under the Town of Acton’s fossil-fuel-free bylaw, the Select Board directed staff and a board member to draft written guidance clarifying how waivers would be considered and when requests should come before the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board approves up to two streetlights on Adams Street, focused on intersections/curves

Select Board endorses $35.2 million borrowing for new DPW building; building committee had recommended the plan

Select Board backs air-source heat-pump option for Town Hall HVAC, seeks funding on warrant

Select Board approves 10% ambulance rate increase; new fees to be in place through FY26

Select Board asks staff to draft formal guidance after first waiver requests under Acton’s fossil-fuel-free bylaw