1978 ANNUAL REPORTS f74 # AC ON'- TOWN of ACTON MASSACHUSETTS TWO HUNDRED and FORTY-THIRD MUNICIPAL YEAR the With the Minntemen in the lead, Acton residents begin their For year ending irch down Main st. towards Concord early on Patriot's '"'Morning, April 17. December Thirty-First 2 National, State and County Officials For 1979 President Vice-President JAMES E. CARTER WALTER F. MONDALE Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts EDWARD J. KING Lieutenant Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly Treasurer and Receiver General Robert Q. Crane Auditor of the Commonwealth Thaddeus Buczko Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti Senators in Congress Paul E. Tsongas Edward M. Kennedy Representative in Congress 5th Congressional District James M. Shannon Councillor, 3rd Councillor District Herbert L. Connolly Senator, Middlesex-Worcester District Chester G. Atkins Representative in General Court 140th Middlesex District John H. Loring County Commissioners John L. Danehy S. Lester Ralph Michael McLaughlin Clerks of Courts, Middlesex County Edward J. Sullivan Register of Deeds, Middlesex South District John F. Zamparelli County Treasurer Rocco J. Antonelli Register of Probate and Insolvency Paul J. Cavanaugh District Attorney John J. Droney County Sheriff John J. Buckley CITIZEN INFORMATION SERVICE TOLL FREE: 1-800-392-6090 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS 2 ADMINISTRATION Town Manager 6 Board of Selectmen 8 Town Officials and Appointments 10 TOWN SERVICES Cemetary Commission 16 Elizabeth White Fund 16 Council on Aging 18 Conservation Commission 17 Permanent Building Committee 19 Goodnow Fund 19 Highway Department 20 Advisory Committee on Transportation 22 Acton Housing Authority 23 Library Reports 23 Middlesex County Advisory Board 25 Planning Board 25 Wastewater Management Committee 26 Board of Appeals 27 Fireman's Relief Fund 27 Recreation Commission 28 Bikeways Committee 31 Town Engineer 33 Tree Department 34 Town Forest Committee 35 Acton Youth Commission 35 PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY Fire Department 38 Police Department 41 Board of Health 42 Building Department 46 Civil Defense 48 Inspector of Wires 50 Sealer of Weights and Measures 50 Street Light Committee 50 Dog Officer 51 Animal Inspector 51 Insect Pest Control 52 Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project 52 Workmen's Compensation Agent 52 OUR HERITAGE Archives Committee 54 Historical Commission 54 Veteran's Graves 56 OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK Births 58 Voter Registration 62 Elections 62 Jury Selection Report 67 Dog Licenses 67 I I MacRae Retires 68 4 TOWN MEETING Town Moderator 70 Proceedings of Town Meetings 70 Town Meeting Attendance Study 89 EDUCATIONAL REPORTS Acton Public Schools and Regional School District Superintendent's Report 96 Acton, Boxborough Regional School District 97 Minuteman Regional Vocational School 109 FINANCIAL REPORTS Board of Assessors 114 Town Treasurer & Town Collector 115 Town Accountant 119 MAPS OF ACTON Street Precinct Index 138 Precinct Maps 141 Town Map 147 TOWN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION CHART 149 INDEX 150 CREDITS In preparing the 1978 Acton Town Report, the Town The Town Report Committee asked each board and Report Committee has attempted to create a document committee to include an explanation of its duties in this that is both readable and informative. At the same time, years reports as well as a list of the accomplishments the committee has also sought to compile a report that in 1978. could serve as a reference tool in future years as well as Finally, we have included a reprint of an article by an introduction to the Town Meeting form of government Mary Poole which appeared in the Acton Minute-Man on for newcomers. Town Cierk Charles MacRae's retirement. Our deadline, To begin with, the Town Report Committee decided however, prevented us from including more than this to follow the award-winning format and design of last comment on former Assessor Ralph Dodge's untimely year's Town Report, although we have made a number of passing. Dodge was known around Town Hall as "the additions and improvements. assessors' assessor" and was deeply involved in the There are several new reports this year, including Town's revaluation process up until his retirement last ones from the Middlesex County Advisory Board, the year for health reasons. Wastewater Management Advisory Committee, the We would also like to thank Marilyn Stowe for the Fireman's Relief Committee, the Bikeways Committee cover cartoon of the Great Blizzard of 1978 and and the Town Moderator. Katherine Kolowich, The Acton Minute-Man, The Also included is an explanation of the new jury Assabet Valley Beacon, Minuteman Regional Vocational section system being used in Middlesex County, maps of Technical School, and the Acton Police Department for the six new precincts, a copy of the Town Meeting the photographs in this year's Town Report. Attendence Study Committee Report, and a Citizens Gregory M. Jarboe, Chairman Resource Card for those interested in volunteering to For The Town Report Committee become members of Town boards and committees. Administration Christine Joyce is the first person yon see when yon open the door to Town Hall. 6 Town Manager Christopher Farrell (left) and his assistant, Joseph Nevlns, pause for a portrait on a typically busy day at Town Hall. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The process of preparation and review of the Town on a contractual basis whenever possible. No new Budget is one of the most important functions of the programs have been funded unless existing programs Town Manager's Office. The Fiscal 1980 budget review were discontinued and every effort has been make to hold process began early in September when the Town appropriations for services, supplies and capital Manager met with all of the department heads to review equipment at last year's levels despite an annual inflation the objectives and guidelines that would determine the rate of over 7% and an estimated 10% increase in energy Town's fiscal operating policy for the coming year. The related expenses. primary objective was to continue to improve productivity During the budget review process I felt that the public in all municipal functions while maintaining stable level should be aware of each hearing, through the funded services to our citizens. newspapers, so that the citizens of Acton could provide In spite of a conservative approach taken the year input toward the formation of the budget prior to Town before, the town budget had increased by 9%, including Meeting. Each hearing was advertised yet no one salaries, in 1978-79. This level of increase, due mainly attended to speak for or against any budget, program to inflation, was intolerable to the Board of Selectmen or particular service. We will continue to take a hard line and myself, despite the fact that increased state revenues approach in our budget and decision making. But it is allowed us to reduce the tax rate by slighty over one difficult to deal in a vacuum. It is essential that we dollar. receive continued citizen participation throughout the Again this year we set a general goal of holding the entire process so that a budget will be created that will line on the tax rate. At this time, prior to town meeting, service the needs of every taxpayer. we have a 3.7% overall town increase including collective Part of the credit for limiting the increase of the bargaining settlements. This increase is based on higher budget must go to the cooperative efforts of the costs for snow and ice control, pensions, insurance, department heads who strive to provide increasingly highway maintenance, and fuel for town vehicles and expensive services at a minimum cost. buildings. We have tried to control costs in several ways. This year we have initiated a complete review of the Serious consideration has been given to placing services Personnel Bylaw as it applies to non-union personnel. 7 The has contracted with Town Charles M. Evans enough the need for citizen participation to determine Associates to prepare updated job descriptions and salary town policy. If you want to change the course or scope classifications for the town employees in this category, of local government it is only through citizen effort that such as clerical staff, department heads, and the it can be accomplished. If anyone is interested in serving Cemetery Department. This work is scheduled for on a board or committee citizen resource cards are completion in early April. available at Town Meeting and Town Hall and can be During the course of the year I have continued to submitted to my office. I would like to thank the many place my office and staff at the disposal of the public. citizens who have worked so diligently in the past in Should any person have difficulty any or believe that a promoting the interests of their board to the citizenry. particular service or function of the Town Government is I would also like to thank the members of the Board not performing adequately please not do hesitate to of Selectmen who have guided and advised me during the contact office. Should arise my a question concerning a year. A special thanks to secretaries Christine Joyce and board or committee we will attempt to answer that Ruth Bailey for their assistance during 1978. question to your satisfaction. Finally I would like to say that the taxpayers of Acton Acton's local government relies heavily on volunteers can be proud of the employees of all departments who to serve on boards, committees and It commissions. is have worked to make our town the best-served through these boards that town policy is determined. community in the Commonwealth. The availability of volunteers as a resource for these boards has been declining in recent years.