TOWN of ACTON 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT Town of Acton
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TOWN TOWN ACTON OF 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT TOWN ANNUAL 2020 TOWN OF ACTON 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT Town of Acton Incorporated as a Town: July 3, 1735 Type of Government: Town Meetings ~ Board of Selectmen/Town Manager Location: Eastern Massachusetts, Middlesex County, bordered on the east by Carlisle and Concord, on the west by Boxborough, on the north by Westford and Littleton, on the south by Sudbury, and on the southwest by Stow and Maynard. Elevation at Town Hall: 268’ above mean sea level Land Area: Approximately 20 square miles Population: Year Persons 1950 3,510 1960 7.238 1970 14,770 1980 19,000 1990 18,144 2000 20,331 2010 21,936 2020 22,170 Report Cover: (Top and Bottom Left) Groundbreaking at the North Acton Fire Station; (Top and Bottom Right) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Miracle Field Sports Pavilion Photos courtesy of Town Staff 2020 Annual Reports Town of Acton, Massachusetts Two Hundred and Eighty Fifth Municipal Year For the year ending December 31, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Administrative Services 8. Public Works Board of Selectmen 4 DPW/Highway 96 Town Manager 5 Green Advisory Board 97 Public Facilities 99 2. Financial Management Services Board of Assessors 8 9. Community Safety House Sales 9 Animal Control Officer 101 Finance Committee 18 Animal Inspector 101 Town Accountant 18 Emergency Management Agency 101 Fire Department 101 3. Human Services Auxiliary Fire Department 109 Acton Housing Authority 28 Police Department 109 Acton Nursing Services 29 Commission on Disabilities 31 10. Legislative Community Housing Corporation 32 Annual Town Meeting, June 29, 2020 116 Community Services Coordinator 35 Special Town Meeting, September 8, 2020 127 Council on Aging 35 Health Insurance Trust 37 11. Town Elections and Statistics Veterans’ Services 38 Annual Town Election, June 2, 2020 131 Volunteer Coordinating Committee 39 Special State Election, June 2, 2020 132 Presidential Primary Election, March 3, 2020 133 4. Education and Libraries State Primary Election, September 1, 2020 138 Acton Boxborough Regional Schools Report 40 State Election, November 3, 2020 142 Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School 59 Acton Memorial Library 60 12. Other Information West Acton Citizens’ Library 66 Registered Voter Statistics 144 Dog Statistics 144 5. Cultural and Historical Activities Vital Statistics 144 Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council 67 Historic District Commission 68 13. Acton Information Historical Commission 69 National, State, and County Officials 149 Elected Town Officials 149 6. Community Development Board by Selectmen Appointments 150 Cable Advisory Committee 70 Official Appointments by Moderator 155 Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee 71 Appointments by Town Manager 155 Transportation Advisory Committee 71 Street/Precinct List 159 Map of Acton 162 7. Land Use and Economic Development E-mail Distribution Groups 164 Agricultural Commission 73 Volunteer Application 166 Board of Health 74 Town of Acton Official Website 168 Building Division 77 Cemetery Commission 77 At Your Service 169 Community Preservation Committee 79 Design Review Board 80 Dog Park Committee 81 Economic Development Committee 82 Kelley’s Corner Committee 84 Land Stewardship Committee 85 Natural Resources Division 86 Open Space Committee 88 Planning Division 88 Recreation Department 89 River Street Master Plan Committee 92 Sealer of Weights and Measures 95 THE 2020 TOWN REPORT IS DEDICATED TO: DEPUTY CHIEF BOB VANDERHOOF Deputy Chief Bob Vanderhoof on his Retirement Day Photo courtesy of Chief Robert Hart Deputy Fire Chief Bob Vanderhoof started with the Acton Fire Department at a young age, joining the Acton Fire Auxiliary in 1972. It was a short time later in February of 1976 that he became a permanent member of Acton’s career Fire Department. In 1994 Bob was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 1998 he attained the rank of Captain and the rank of Deputy Fire Chief in February 2017. Deputy Vanderhoof retired on March 31, 2020. Deputy Vanderhoof has offered a variety of contributions to the Town of Acton over the course of his 44 years of service to the Acton Fire Department. The many tasks and responsibilities of a fire department can only be accomplished through the shared effort of its members. There may not be another member who has been more involved or influenced as many as Bob. Deputy Vanderhoof was engaged in the training of new and experienced firefighters, developing and overseeing emergency dispatching, the purchase, and repair of communication equipment, and held many key positions in the union including President, and the introduction of computer-based technology in our emergency services. It was Bob that established the annual Open House held in October, which introduces the public to fire operations and emergency medical services as well as live demonstrations in conjunction with Octoberfest held in West Acton. There was a time when Bob helped organize the collection of lightly used toys for the less fortunate. His sense of duty to the Fire Department was and is equally matched to his sense of community. Along with being a member of the Fire Department, he is also a father, husband, and an Acton resident. Beyond his career, he has raised three children in Acton; Lisa, Laura, and Thomas they have made him a proud grandfather three times. He is happily married to his wife Linda, meticulously maintains a beautiful home in Acton, and enjoys time in New Hampshire and Florida. Deputy Vanderhoof offers a professional example to his subordinates, both in appearance and behavior. He has always been a man of the community and a positive example for this Department. He has made the Acton Fire Department and the Town proud of his character and ability to lead exceptional firefighters/EMT-P. We wish Bob well in his retirement! 3 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BOARD OF SELECTMEN building, renovation, and/or expansion. • Determine a preferred use for the Morrison Every year brings a new challenge for the Board of Farmhouse. Selectmen, and in 2020 it was the COVID-19 pandemic, • Increase availability of electric charging stations in which has disrupted life as usual here in Acton and public spaces and pursue a local bylaw or code everywhere else in the world. From mid-March through change to require electric charging outlets (240V) July, the Board met weekly, some weeks two or three in new residential garages. times via Zoom. The March 31, 2020, Annual Town Election was postponed and held on June 2, 2020, with Long term goals included: a vote by mail option added by the state legislature. • Improve intersections along Main Street at Acton The April 6, 2020, Annual Town Meeting was delayed Center, Hayward Road, and Central Street. and held on June 29, 2020, with indoor seating in the • Review the status of the WR Grace property for high school field house and outdoor seating in the zoning and potential reuse. adjoining parking lot. • Rehabilitate existing buildings for low-income housing. • Establish a complete streets plan. • Develop a memorial for Carroll Spinney. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING A Special Town Meeting was held on September 8, 2020. The meeting followed the hybrid logistics employed at the Annual Town Meeting on June 29, 2020. Among the articles adopted was an Amendment to the Town Charter changing the name of the “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board” (a ballot vote is also required at the 2021 Town Election), the acquisition of Pictured L to R: Dean Charter, Joan Gardner, Jim Snyder-Grant, eight acres of land along PiperLane to connect portions David Martin, Jon Benson of the Great Hill Conservation and Recreation Lands and the funding of a Small Business Grant Program to BOARD MEMBERSHIP CHANGES provide up to $4,000 each in badly needed funds to 43 Joan Gardner was re-elected and Jim Snyder-Grant local businesses due to the pandemic. captured the seat of three-term Selectman Peter Berry, who did not seek re-election. On July 6, the Board COLONEL FRANCIS FAULKNER AWARD FOR reorganized and welcomed Jim Snyder-Grant. Jon VOLUNTEER SERVICE Benson was elected chair, Dean Charter vice-chair, The third annual Faulkner Award recipients were and David Martin Clerk. announced in June. Each Selectmen chooses one recipient from one of the Town Boards and Committees ANNUAL GOAL SETTING to recognize for their service to the Town. The 2020 Later in July, the newly constituted Board met for the award recipients were:The 2019 awardees included: annual goal setting. Both long and short-term goals • Derrick Chin - Planning Board, Economic were set. Short term goals included: Development Committee, and Kelley’s Corner • Establish an Equity (Inclusivity) and Diversity Steering Committee Advisory Commission chaired by a member of • Michael Majors - Finance Committee and the Board to focus on under-represented ethnic, Economic Development Committee religious, and racial groups, especially Black • Robert Whittlesey – Acton Housing Authority Americans and listen to community members • Carolyn Kilpatrick – Community Preservation about experiences (both positive and negative) Committee and recommend actions to the Board of Selectmen. • Dr. William McInnis – Board of Health • Support the Department of Public Works Facility Building feasibility study and identify a preferred The Board of Selectmen wishes to thank Town Manager option for next steps which may include a new John Mangiaratti for his leadership and support as well 4 as Executive Assistant Lisa Tomyl for her daily support. Acton further adapted to the distancing requirements We also wish to thank Town staff, our first responders, instituted by the State government by offering curbside and the members of the community who serve on our service at the Library and Council on Aging. We also nearly fifty boards and committees. provided outdoor meeting spaces for the public to meet with Town staff, and opened the lobby windows Respectfully submitted, to transact business. Jon Benson, Chair Shown below are voters waiting outside Town Hall TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT to cast ballots during early voting for the November election.