Town Manager's Update

We had 6,390 voters participate in the Annual Town Election held on April 30th. A majority voted to support the proposition 2 ½ override ballot question. The official election results are posted at www.actonma.gov. In supporting this ballot question, the voters authorized the Town to assess an additional $6.6M in taxes to fund town and school operations in Fiscal Year 2025. The next step for the budget process is a required approval at Town Meeting. At the Annual Town Meeting next week voters will be asked to consider town and school budgets that appropriate $5.4M of this additional revenue with $1.2M remaining as untaxed levy capacity for potential use in future years.

We are finalizing preparations for Annual Town Meeting which is scheduled for 7:00 pm on May 6th and 7th at Acton Boxborough Regional High School. We are anticipating larger than normal attendance and have worked with the AB School District to provide space for all attendees. Additionally, the Moderator has compiled information on site access and parking to help navigate your way to Town Meeting. On site parking, overflow parking, and Town Meeting facts and information can be found here - Town Meeting | Acton, MA - Official Website (actonma.gov)

The Town has created a number of informational videos, documents and presentations to prepare and educate you on what will be discussed. To view the video presentations by members of the Select Board, Planning Board and Town staff, please visit - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3CTQGPcDvTGyx2mNtz2A6hPmIoNaWv7f&feature=shared

The Annual Town Meeting Warrant can be found here - warrant (actonma.gov). There is helpful information for alternative transportation and shuttle buses within the warrant as well. We encourage you to arrive early to ensure you are fully checked in and seated prior to the start of Town Meeting. I look forward to seeing you there next week.

Thank you to Director of Public Works Corey York, Tree Warden Ryan Hunt and several others who helped coordinate a celebration of Arbor Day on April 26th. This event pictured above at NARA Park was the final in a week-long series of events to celebrate Earth Week. The full calendar of events were coordinated by Sustainability Director Andrea Becerra and included collaborations with several other departments and local organizations. More information about Acton’s Earth Week is available here: https://mailchi.mp/b6f2e48f467d/actonsustain-9435866

Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

During the April 1st Select Board meeting, Town Planner Nora Masler presented the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) to the Select Board. The Planning Department recently submitted the draft OSRP to the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, which received draft approval. As a result, Acton is now eligible for additional state grant programs. The draft plan may be viewed at the following link: https://www.acton-ma.gov/741/Open-Space-and-Recreation-Plan-OSRP.

Eclipse Viewing at Acton Memorial Library

On April 8th, the Acton Memorial Library hosted an eclipse viewing. Robert Carter, the Children’s Librarian, provided a Newtonian Telescope for people to see the eclipse safely and clearly. The photo to the left shows Robert operating the telescope during the portion of the day where the eclipse was at its highest percentage of coverage. A big thank you to Robert and the team at Acton Memorial Library for helping residents view the eclipse safely.

Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR)

The Town of Acton is pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). This document presents a summary of financial information aimed to give readers a clear understanding of the Town’s financial health, as well as how Acton compares to comparable communities on a number of benchmarks.

The FY2023 PAFR can be accessed through the Town’s website in the Financial Documents section located at actonma.gov/budgets.

Java With John With Chief Arnum

On April 12th, the Acton Senior Center hosted the monthly Java with John. I was happy to be joined by surprise guest Fire Chief Anita Arnum. Chief Arnum discussed the important services the Fire Department provides residents and answered questions from attendees. There were great questions about the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and Town Elections. Thank you to Acton TV who once again broadcast the event over YouTube and on ActonTV. To watch the April 12th recording go to https://youtu.be/psWTZ10ga98?feature=shared.

In closing, I want to thank the volunteers, elected officials, residents and staff for all their hard work and dedication over the last 8 months to prepare for the Annual Town Meeting. I hope to see you on May 6th and 7th.

Sincerely,

John S. Mangiaratti

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

The Town of Acton is thrilled to introduce Shannon Kilbride, who was recently hired as a full-time dispatcher for the Acton Public Safety Communications Center. Shannon is currently a student at Middlesex Community College where she is pursuing a degree in Communications. With family in both the police and fire services, Shannon joins the Town with a familiarity of emergency services. Please join us in welcoming Shannon!

Acton 250 Committee presents: Acton Center Walking Tour with Amy Cole - Friday, May 24^th at 1:50 PM (Rain date, Saturday, May 25^th)

Please meet Amy at the Acton Memorial Library parking lot at 1:50 PM. The walk is free, but registration is needed and capped at 20 attendees per walk. Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/ACWTMAY24.

Please see https://www.actonma.gov/250 for more programming information and don’t forget our Acton250 store at https://tinyurl.com/ACTON250STORE.

Prof. Robert Allison returns to the Acton 250 Lecture Series to present:

The Empire Strikes Back, and Resistance Becomes Revolution

Last September Professor Bob Allison inaugurated the Acton 250 Lectures Series with an account of the Boston Tea Party of 1773 and the pivotal events that sparked the American Revolution. He returns to explain the critical changes occurring in the year 1774 when the Crown’s response solidified the colonial opposition. Register at https://tinyurl.com/AllisonMay29. Remote Participation: You can participate in the Q&A using ZOOM http://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOM or watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. This is the fifth lecture in the Acton 250 Series.

Please see https://www.actonma.gov/250 for more programming information and don’t forget our Acton250 store at https://tinyurl.com/ACTON250STORE. Recordings will be on our website and ActonTV (http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV) shortly after.

Sponsored by the Acton 250 Committee and the Acton Memorial Library. Generously supported by the Acton Lions Club.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

SPRING PAVING

The following roads are scheduled to be paved this spring:

Flintlock Drive
Powder Horn Lane
Monroe Drive
Jackson Drive (from Washington Drive to the roundabout)
Revolutionary Road
Fife & Drum Road
Bromfield Road
Whittier Drive

Residents will be notified via message boards and a posting on the Town of Acton website when a start date has been determined. Please note, the duration and schedule can change depending on weather or other conditions that may arise. We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time.

Spring Repairs

Sometimes the grass strips and curbs along the roads are damaged while plowing. The Highway Division works to repair these areas as soon as possible after the snow has melted and the ground has thawed; however other work that involves the safety of the public takes priority. It may take until mid-summer to repair these areas. The repair of grass surfaces generally consists of raking out the ruts and seeding with a standard highway grass seed. If your landscaping needs are such that this is unacceptable, you may choose to repair these areas on your own earlier in the spring.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Click here to read the latest as well as previous issues of Acton's Business Boost Newsletter.

The Paper Store in Acton hosts MA Small Business Site Visit

"Untold Stories of Our Region" hosted by the Economic Development office and made possible by grants awarded on behalf of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and local Massachusetts Cultural Councils (MCC) including: Acton-Boxborough, Littleton, Concord, Stow and Westford. In addition to the interactive audience and performer portion of the event (7-8:30 p.m.) an art show featuring local high school students will be held from 5-7 p.m.

Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction Bylaw Flyer

RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Programs, NARA Beach, NARA Camp, Fields & Facilities, upcoming summer events.

CAMP HILL TOP FOR AGES PRE-K TO GRADE 3

9 Sessions from June 24 - August 23

at the Acton Rec. Center, 50 Audubon Drive

Click here for details and/or sign up. CIT opportunities for ages 14-15.

NARA SUMMER CAMP FOR AGES 4-13

9 Sessions from June 24 - August 23

at NARA, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton.

Click here for details and/or sign up. CIT opportunities for ages 14-15.

CURRENT PROGRAM OFFERINGS

(Click here for details on program offerings and/or register online)

To secure/inquire about a field or facility rental, please click here for FAQ and application for use.

COUNCIL ON AGING

Photo: Every May the COA hosts a luncheon for Acton residents in their 90s--a number that grows annually!

The Council on Aging at the Senior Center offers services, meals and activities for residents age 60 and up; most activities are free of charge. We are located in the Human Services building at 30 Sudbury Road Rear; contact us at (978) 929-6652 or seniorcenter@actonma.gov . The hours for operations are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For seniors and their family members seeking information on area social services, please contact Senior Services Coordinator Beverly Hutchings at (978) 929-6652. She provides information on home care agencies, elder day programs, housing options, food and fuel assistance, and a variety of other services.

May Special Events: A luncheon for older adults in their 90s, an ice cream outing to Kimball Farm, a CarFit event offered in conjunction with the Acton Police Department and Acton Nursing Services, and ALICE training by the Acton Police Department on ways to respond to a threat of violence. Mark your calendars for June 3 to have your documents shredded and a caregiver resource fair on June 4.

May Classes: making vegetable sushi, Exploring the Hidden Treasures of Mesoamerica, wool needle felting, Words Galore, Poet of the Month, Creative Exploration with Story Archetypes, and Exercising Your Brain, and more.

Entertainment: Music of Johnny Cash live performance, ABRHS student classical music performance, and Acton Songsters performing some of The Beatles’ hits.

Lifelong Learning and Other Lectures: Mr. Madison’s War/The War of 1812, a discussion on decluttering/organizing your home before selling, hearing discussion and hearing screenings, Asking for Help and Accepting Care, and the History of Mother’s Day.

Special Lunches: Chicken parmesan dinner, and our lunch café Bistro30 is open every Wednesday and Thursday featuring a Cinco de Mayo special on May 2. Play a variety of games including bridge and pool. Check out the Hot Topics discussion group, caregiver support group via Zoom, or book club.

Visit our website www.actoncoa.com to view our newsletter for more information on services and activities. Follow us on Facebook @actoncoa. To sign up for newsletter or news flash notifications from the COA visit: www.actoncoa.com/list.aspx