TOWN MANAGER REPORT

Annual Town Meeting

The 2024 Annual Town Meeting was held on May 6th and 7th, during which 35 articles were discussed and voted upon. 2,579 residents participated in the May 6th session, setting a new record for Town Meeting participation. Four large spaces at Acton Boxborough Regional High School were utilized to host the May 6th session, ensuring all attendees had space to participate and vote. The May 7th session was attended by 501 residents who participated in the remaining articles. I want to thank the Select Board for all their hard work and guidance leading up to and during the two-day session. I also want to thank the dozens of Town staff who worked tirelessly to prepare for Town Meeting and provide support for both nights ensuring the 2024 Annual Town Meeting was a success. A video of the meeting is available at ActonTV and the results of Town Meeting can be found by visiting www.actonma.gov/townmeeting

Photo of attendees in the High School Auditorium During the May 6th Session

Photo of attendees in the High School Gym During the May 6th Session

Beverly Hutchings and her family with Town Manager John Mangiaratti

Patrick and Jodi Hawthorne with Town Manager John Mangiaratti

Public Safety Communicator Patrick Hawthorne was awarded the Public Safety Employee of the Year. His experience and professionalism has diffused many situations, including during a road rage incident last year. Hawthorne successfully guided a driver through local roads so that he could make his way to the Public Safety Building.

Please join me in congratulating Beverly and Patrick on their well deserved awards!

Colonel Francis Falkner Sr. Exemplary Volunteer of the Year Award

On May 16th, the Acton Memorial Library hosted the annual Colonel Faulkner Award Ceremony. Each year, Select Board members nominate a volunteer who serves on a board or committee they are liaison too in recognition of exceptional volunteer service to the Town. The 2024 nominees are Ellen Feinsand, Franny Osman, Sampada Salunkhe, Janet Adachi, and Terry Maitland. All nominees have dedicated their time, efforts, and knowledge to Acton, helping to make our community a better place to live. Please join me in congratulating the nominees.

Kathy and Miaochen Wu, daughter and husband of Dawn Wang

Dawn's Pond Dedication Event

On May 13th I was happy to attend the ribbon cutting of Dawn’s Pond at the Acton Arboretum. The event was well attended with Senator Jamie Eldridge, Representatives Danillo Sena and Simon Cataldo, and Select Board member Alissa Nicol joining to honor Dawn Wang’s contributions to the Arboretum. I welcome you to visit the Acton Arboretum and visit Dawn’s pond.

Photo of ribbon cutting ceremony

Picture above is the Town Hall Oval Garden dedication ceremony

Annual Election Recount

Shortly after the annual Town election, a petition was submitted requesting a recount of the annual election results, specifically the Question 1 which was the override question proposition 2 ½ ballot question one. This was a unique opportunity to perform an election recount, one that has not occurred in Acton for quite some time. On May 21st, the Town Clerk's office, with support from a number of community volunteers, town staff, and Town Counsel’s office, performed a recount at Town Hall in room 204. The recount lasted most of the day, with the end result confirming the passage for question one 3205 votes for yes, and 3160 votes for no. Thank you to the numerous volunteers, Town Counsel’s office, town staff, and especially the Town Clerk’s department for their support in performing the recount. Pictured below is the Deputy Town Clerk Leo Mercado in the process of transporting sealed ballots into the room for the recount.

May was filled with celebrations, dedications, honoring volunteers and staff, a recount and supporting the largest Town Meeting turnout in Town history. I want to thank all the town staff, volunteers, board and committee members, local state delegation, and the Select Board for helping to make a very busy May highly successful in Acton. I hope you enjoy the beginning of your summer and look forward to seeing you at one of the many Town sponsored events throughout June.

Sincerely,

John S. Mangiaratti

Police Officer, Kristin Gates

Employee Spotlight

Please welcome APD’s newest Police Officer, Kristin Gates. Kristin has prior experience working for the Maynard Police Department as a Patrol Officer and has also worked for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer. During her time at MPD, Kristen received specialized investigator training and was a Life Saving Award recipient.

Kristin holds an Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Massbay Community College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell.

Kristin also serves as a Combat Engineer for the Massachusetts National Guard. We are excited for Kristin to continue her career in Law Enforcement with the Town of Acton.

Welcome Officer Gates!

Community Programs, Events and Surveys

Climate Resilience Festival at Gardner Field

Acton Lion's Town Fair

The Lion's club will be hosting the 2024 Town Fair from Thursday June13th - Sunday June 16th at the School Street Fields. For fair hours, registration and more information, please visit ACTONLIONS.ORG

Summer Movie Night at NARA: Nature Film - Free Admission

Acton Recreation Summer 2024 Flyer Side 1

Acton Recreation Summer 2024 Flyer Side 2

Council on Aging

Acton is so fortunate to have so many resident who are in their 90s! The COA's luncheon held during May for Acton's older adults in their 90's was a special day!

Council on Aging Monthly Highlights

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 with a nominal charge for meals.
We are located in the Human Services building at 30 Sudbury Road Rear; contact us at 978-929-6652 or seniorcenter@actonma.gov
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, Tuesday 8 AM to 7:30 PM, and Friday 8 AM to 12 noon

Visit our website 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 please click HERE

Decluttering and organizing your home before selling event, Tuesday, June 4

Acton Memorial Library

For a full list of our calendar events including recurring monthly events, please visit our program calendar: Acton Memorial Library Calendar

Summer Hours Stating June 16^th

Monday-Thursday: 9AM – 8PM

Friday: 9AM – 5PM

Saturday: 9AM – 1PM

Sunday: CLOSED

West Acton Citizens’ Library Hours

Tuesday – Thursday: 9AM – 5PM

Saturday: 9AM – 1PM

Monday, Friday, Sunday: CLOSED

Summer Concert Series

Music every month on the back library lawn! Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket and snacks! If it rains, the concert will still take place inside on June 13, July 18 and August 29. Funded by the AML Foundation.

Thursday, June 13, 7 PM - 8 PM: Hungrytown

Thursday, July 11, 10 AM-11 AM: Rolie Polie Guacamole

Thursday, July 18, 7 PM - 8 PM: Crowes Pasture

Thursday, August 29, 7 PM - 8 PM: PanNeubean Steel

English at Large Summer Conversation Group

The semester runs from June through August 10 in the AML Meeting Room.
Registration opens May 13. Click here to sign up.

What's the Buzz on Beekeeping?

Join John Hedly from Hedly Honey for an amazing introductory class on beekeeping! Funded by the AML Foundation. Thursday, June 6, 6:30—8:00 PM, AML Meeting Room, Click here to register.

(Virtual) Asian Art Series: Expressions of Gender in Asian Art

Gender-fluid and non-binary depictions have existed for thousands of years in Asian art. Explore works that support this belief in non-duality. Sunday, June 9, 2:30—3:30 PM. On Zoom, click here to register.

An Evening with Mercury Stardust

Join your library for an evening with the TikTok phenomenon and published author, Mercury Stardust! Funded by the AML Foundation. Thursday, June 20, 7:00—8:00 PM. On Zoom, click here to register.

Acton 250 June Events

Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots

The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road, on Monday, June 10 at 7PM. at the Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St Acton, MA 01720. The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt. To register, please visit - https://tinyurl.com/HardtHouse

To view the June Municipal Monthly in PDF, please visit - https://actonma.gov/679/Municipal-Monthly