Letters to the Exchange

Please join me in voting YES for the operating override on April 30. While my service as a Select Board member informs my perspective, the views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire board. To safeguard the services residents have come to expect, we must reset the base of the tax levy to catch up on the rising costs. The Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee all endorse the assessment of an additional $6.6 million in taxes to fund the operating budgets of the public schools and municipal government. 

The town’s calculator will show the impact on your household taxes. The recommended budgets rely on a portion of the override amount in FY25, $5.4 million. These budgets represent approximately $5 million in cuts from the level services of FY24 due to dramatic cost increases to health insurance, special education, and transportation. 25 positions have been cut from the school budget and 7 from the town budget. 

If the override fails, 85 positions from the schools and 10 from the town will need to be eliminated. This would mean the loss of classroom sections and the transfer of ~200 elementary students to different schools.  Class sizes and student: teacher ratios would increase above recommended guidelines. The Memorial Library would no longer be open on Sundays. The town would need to eliminate special events like July 4, Hazardous Waste Day, and flu clinics. 2 per diem positions would be eliminated from Nursing Services. There would be reduced funding available for maintenance at the arboretum, rail trails, and parks, as well as for small engineering studies and road repairs. The town would see a full-time clinician in the Police Dept reduced to part-time, and the loss of the impact shift to support the Fire Department. 

Both the town and schools have managed spending responsibly, within the constraints of Prop 2.5, for decades. Staff have brought in millions of competitive grant funding, reorganized departments, shared staff, and more, to creatively resolve budget challenges. It's time to support the work that's done on our behalf.

Alissa Nicol

There are many reasons to reject this override. First and foremost, the inverse correlation between school enrollment and spending is a sign that our money is not being spent wisely. Excess teacher and administrative headcount should have been gradually reduced, principally by attrition. 

Average salary increases through collective bargaining have been running ahead of inflation for a long time. That is not  sustainable and has caused us to deplete our reserves. This is true for both the Town and schools. 

The schools have lost focus. Instead of a basic education combined with a healthy dose of physical fitness, they have instead focused on non-educational, ideological, and activist doctrines and wasted money and resources. The same is true of the Town, but at a smaller dollar amount. A portion of the reduced enrollment is due to parents removing their kids from such toxic educational programs, and instead moving them to private, Catholic, or home schools. 

Note that their scare tactics involve cutting the most important and useful positions, and not the least important and unnecessary. This tells us that fiscal responsibility is not their highest priority. 

The school Superintendent actually identified several structural changes that will need to be made if the override fails. Some of us had suggested those very same changes in emails to the school committee, but wanted those changes made BEFORE consideration of an override. If the override passes, those changes will not be made, and there will be no incentive for fiscal discipline. Public memory is short, and they will come back for more and use the same scare tactics. 

If the schools make those structural changes first, they will gain my trust, especially if inflation remains stubbornly above 3%, and they will need to override Prop 2 1/2 at some point. But since they have not made those changes yet, we should force them by voting NO on April 30.

Nijan Datar

As an Acton-Boxborough educator and member of the Acton Boxborough Education Association (ABEA), I have had many conversations with my colleagues about the override. I will be the first to admit that back in December I, like many members of the community, naively assumed that the catastrophic FY25 budget deficit was due to mismanaged funds or overeager spending.

However, what I quickly came to understand is that the system we have in place in Massachusetts for funding public schools has not shifted with the increased legislation and requirements the state has for schools. As an elementary educator and licensed special educator in the district, I have seen firsthand since 2019 how student needs have increased while our budget has decreased. Teachers have been stretched thin, being asked to do more each year with fewer resources. Students are more aware of these challenges than families may think.

Teacher burnout rates are higher than ever before nationwide, with k-12 educators having the highest burnout rate of any profession currently in the United States. If the override does not pass, I fear for the health and well-being of our educators and subsequently the students in our community.

This override is not asking taxpayers for money for our schools to fund anything “extra.” In fact, the override will still leave the district in a budget deficit and lead to a reduction in essential staff. This is after two consecutive years of budget cuts, which have already led to a reduction of 40 positions district-wide. If the override does not pass, our school district will need to lay off more than 80 staff members, including more than 60 teachers. This would fundamentally change how our schools operate and how students are able to learn.

An override is necessary to keep our schools functional for both students and staff. Our community deserves a public school system where students and educators can be successful, and that is only possible with an override.

If you believe in the importance of public education, please vote YES on the override on April 30 and again on May 6.

A Tippett
Acton-Boxborough Educator
ABEA Member

Many would consider me an energetic optimist. I do believe difficult problems can be solved by studying the issues, thinking through various solutions and mutually collaborating.  Clearly education, and a sheltering and solid community allows us to be able to solve problems in this way. Equally clear is the fact that we are just beginning to see the emerging mountain of challenge that lies ahead.  Climate change, environmental stress, pandemics, and worldwide political chaos will test our skills to find rational solutions more than ever before.   Now is the time to build and strengthen our Schools and Community and not undermine them. Schools and community are the tools that will allow us and our children to work through the difficulties ahead.  In addition to supporting the override there is also a wonderful opportunity to serve on the many town committees, attend public forums, study the issues that are abundantly emerging and, above all, enjoy the privilege your education and shelter is giving to us all, the ability to solve problems and do our part in maintaining a productive life and sustainable community. 

Patrick Hearn

We’re confident that other letters to the editor will provide reasons to vote YES to support the override in the Acton Town Election on April 30, and vote YES on the town and school budgets at Acton Town Meeting on May 6.  

But trust is also on the ballot, and we’d like to address this important issue.

Our friends and neighbors, who serve our community as elected members of the Select Board and School Committee or as appointed members of the Finance Committee, have spent long hours wrestling with the need for Acton’s first override vote in 19 years. And they:  agreed early on that Acton needed an override. And other many other communities in Massachusetts are also in the same financial position and trying to pass an override this spring.

• found that funding the current level of services was not a viable option. So, even if the override passes, there will still be painful cuts to the town and school’s budgets.
• understood that health insurance cost increases were one of the biggest drivers of the need for an override. So, the town and school district signed an agreement with all our local unions to dissolve the Acton Health Insurance Trust (HIT) and join the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) starting on July 1, 2024. 
• recognized that we don’t want to find ourselves in the same position next year. So, they agree that the “A” budget, which goes into effect if the override passes, uses only $5.4 million of the $6.6 million allowed in Fiscal Year 2025. In other words, it’s an authorization, not an appropriation.

Much of this is not widely known because we no longer have a weekly newspaper.  Fortunately, the advent of The Acton Exchange seeks to fill that void and provide us with the local news source.  

We are seniors who lived here for decades, and the schools brought us here. Our children graduated years ago but benefitted from the quality of Acton’s educational system. It’s time to pay it forward and educate the next generation. 

Bob and Deena Ferrara

Like many Acton homeowners, it is difficult to consider voting for an override on the town ballot and at Town Meeting - especially with an already-looming quarterly tax bill. However, it is clear that voting for the override is the right thing to do; the pride we take in the quality of our schools depends on it.

We moved to Acton in 1973, when I was hired as a teacher at ABRHS, and we quickly learned how lucky we were to live in a town that took such pride in its history, town government and schools. The community support for the schools was especially important to me as a new teacher and became even more relevant once our children reached school age. My own work was rewarding because of supportive colleagues, administrators, school committee members and parents; and I was grateful for the dedication and attention I saw from our children’s teachers from kindergarten through high school graduation.

I was fortunate to have retired well before the pandemic, but it is clear that the period presented unique challenges for students, parents and especially schoolteachers and staff. As we’ve come to expect, everyone stepped up to meet the challenges, but it is also clear that the pandemic left gaps. Over the past few years, we’ve leaned heavily on the energy and adaptability of teachers and staff - now they need our town’s help to close the gaps, especially with the end of pandemic era relief grants.

So, in spite of the upcoming tax bill, I will happily vote for the override to provide this town with the finances it needs to maintain an excellent school system. It is my way of saying thank you to a town and school system that supported me and my family - surely the right thing to do.

Sincerely,
Frances Hearn

The new web site design offers clear categories and a clean design.  It is easy to read and visually appealing.  I will be checking for new stories and updates more frequently - especially as we enter town election season and town meetings.   Thank you for your commitment to Acton news.  

Tom Wolf

There has been a considerable amount of discussion regarding the upcoming operational override in conversations between staff members at Acton and Boxborough schools. As the override approaches, there is some anxiety about the 80+ staff members that will be laid off as a result of the budget cut that will displace these educators if we do not achieve a “yes” vote at the end of the month.

Though school employees are worried about their possible career shifts, the primary concern in our schools is still the students we serve. There is no question that the pandemic has done a number on young people’s social and emotional health, and a huge factor in getting kids back to a place where they can feel comfortable in school is having relationships with their teachers and individual classmates. The possible staff reductions across the district and the raising of class sizes they implicate make this even more difficult. It is crucial for the average student to feel comfortable taking academic risks in their classroom spaces. True mastery of the critical thinking skills necessary for this next generation to be successful in their lives going forward is built surrounded by people that students trust.

Not only does there exist this concern regarding classroom environments, but teacher feedback naturally takes a hit as well. With more students in teachers’ classes, there is less time to work on skills with each individual student, and less time to give student work the feedback it deserves. In writing specifically, students receiving high quality feedback from their teacher is a key component in the development of their writer’s voice, higher order thinking skills, and so much more. Because the quality of this feedback simply cannot be sacrificed, students will naturally be afforded less opportunities to work on these crucial developmental steppingstones.

I understand that the tax increase that accompanies this override is not a small ask. But for the sake of investing in the next generation of Acton citizens, I do believe that a “yes” vote on the upcoming override is necessary.

Ryan Morey

English Teacher

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District

I'm a triple threat here in Acton: a taxpayer, a teacher at the high school, and a parent of a kindergartener. 

The override is certainly a difficult amount of money to swallow, and people may well have qualms with what they perceive as bloat in the school district. But voting against the override to send a message to administrators or the School Committee only punishes teachers and students. My child and his peers will have a lower-quality education if class sizes rise. I will not be able to spend as much time as I do on each of my students' work if there are more kids in each of my sections. Our reputation as a community that values schools will be greatly diminished. 

If we cannot pass Acton's first override since the Bush administration, our ability to attract top educators to this district will likewise evaporate. What applicant would look at a district that faces uncertain support from its residents and wants to dwell in the kind of job insecurity faculty in our schools are dealing with right now? 

Many of us moved here because of the great schools. An additional investment in them—albeit a painful one for many—is necessary. Please vote 'yes' at the ballot and Town Meeting.

Josh Fischel

As a resident of Acton, a parent, a veteran, and advocate for our community’s future, I ask you to vote for the override to support the citizens of Acton, particularly our school-aged children.

When my family and I considered Acton as our home, we were drawn to its exceptional school district. Acton represented not just a place to live, but an investment in our children’s future. We envisioned a nurturing environment where our kids could thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. However, the looming threat of a failed override threatens this vision.

Acton also holds a special place in my heart as a veteran. It’s more than just a stopover duty station; it’s our choice of community where families like mine find belonging and support. After my years of service, Acton is, and remains, our deliberate home—a place where we could actively invest in improving our community, especially for our youth.

Supporting the override preserves our excellent school system, but it also symbolizes our commitment to the next generation of learners. It’s about equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed not only academically but in life. It’s about ensuring that every child in Acton has the best chance to realize their full potential and become engaged, proactive citizens.

So, let’s invest in our children’s futures. Let’s help to provide them with the education, skills, and experiences they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world, and become the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow. 

Finally, supporting this override is about safeguarding the future of our entire community. Strong schools are the bedrock of a vibrant, flourishing community. They attract families, drive economic growth, drive home values, and foster a sense of pride and unity among residents.

In backing the override, we send a resounding message: we believe in our children, our schools, and the future of our community. It signifies our willingness to invest in what truly matters. Let’s come together to preserve Acton as a nurturing environment where every child can flourish and succeed. Our children are depending on us.

Thank you,
David J. Cote
USMCR Retired (US Marine Corps Reserves)

The June 20, 2008 edition of the now-defunct Beacon published an article written by Christian Schiavone with the following headline: “Main Street McDonald’s closing”.  That article notes that the fast-food restaurant had been at the 256 Main St. location for 3 decades prior to its closure, and that actor Steve Carell, who grew up in Acton, has fond childhood memories of its opening.  In 2013 Panera Bread submitted a proposal to demolish the building and construct a Panera restaurant, but that proposal was rejected by the Select Board due to inadequate parking.  The abandoned McDonald’s is arguably Acton’s ugliest landmark, and it has been in its current state for over 15 years.  And while the restoration of the Kmart building appears to be nearing completion, the workmen appear to be carefully avoiding any disturbance of the McDonald’s.  While I understand that the Town does not own that property, is there nothing that can be done to remove a decaying structure that will never, and can never, be used again?

Ronald Parenti
Dr. Parenti is a member of the Town of Acton Water Resource Committee and the Acton Water District Finance Committee

Your April 1 article Town override information and a forum to answer voter questions promoting the open forum as a “non-partisan” opportunity to discuss the override was quite misleading, to put it nicely. 

There is no mention of who organized this forum. I have received confirmation that this was not a town-sponsored event, so one can only assume the pro-override committee, Together For Acton, was behind it. Four of the five panelists have been openly advocating for the override from their board seats and are listed as supporters of Together For Acton.

As a member of Keep Acton Affordable, I can attest to the fact that no representation was sought from those of us opposed to this hastily prepared override proposal. And apparently no one from the Acton Exchange sought to confirm who was running this event before claiming it to be "non-partisan". Everything in this town is partisan.

This is not the first instance of bias on the nascent Acton Exchange. If you hope to be taken seriously, you’ll need to do better.

Corinne Hogseth 

As I've been campaigning for the operating override here in town, I've heard a lot of understandable complaining about taxes. There's no doubt that Acton taxes are high, and as a taxpayer myself I don't love the idea of paying more. However, when you actually break down how MUCH more you'll pay as a result of the override, I think most folks would be surprised, despite the rhetoric from the override's opponents. For example, if the override fails, my family's taxes will still go up about $300 per year. If the override passes, my family's taxes will go up about $750 per year. In other words, the difference between adequate funding for our schools and devastating cuts is about $450 per year, or roughly $37 per month. I know we're all struggling with rising costs and inflation, but I'll happily pay an additional $37 every month to invest in the next generation of informed citizens.

And to be clear, the cuts being proposed in the event of a failed override are not "nice to haves" or "extras." Without an operating override, our school district will have to lay off more than 80 staff members, including more than 60 teachers. Those kinds of cuts not only impact class size, but also put even more pressure and stress on educators to meet the myriad needs of students after two straight years of budget reductions. We haven't passed an operating override in close to 20 years, and it's time for our community to re-invest in education and make sure that our students and staff have the resources they need to be successful.

I encourage everyone who believes in public education to vote “yes” on the override on April 30 and again on May 6.

Regards,

Mike Balulescu
President, Acton Boxborough Education Association
Together for Acton campaign volunteer

My name is Dawn Peterson and I live in Acton with my husband and 10-year-old son. We made the eleventh-hour decision on Sunday night to  drive toward Montpelier to try to catch totality. (Our young pup made the trip, too).

As an astronomer, I was hesitant to book anything in advance, given the typical weather in New England in April! But as the date got closer and the forecast was looking fairly clear, I’ll be honest, I was feeling some FOMO hearing how many of my friends (astronomers and non-astronomers) were traveling to see the eclipse. And none of us has ever, experienced a total solar eclipse.

Since Acton is only about 180 miles from the closest spot in the zone of totality, it seemed like a no brainer to just go ahead and try to see it. (I didn't really get any good photos. I wasn’t prepared – and completely forgot my binoculars and DSLR – but I did remember our eclipse glasses!)

We left Acton at 10 a.m. on Monday and were rolling into the zone of totality just as the eclipse was starting in Barre, Vermont, around 2:15 p.m. It wasn't a glamorous spot, but we set up chairs in a muddy parking lot adjacent to their main street and got to experience totality -- after all, we were looking at the sky, not our surroundings.

Experiencing the darkness and how chilly it got was otherworldly, and my favorite was seeing the “diamond ring effect” and the sun's corona. The time of totality was brief since we were just at the edge of the zone, but I'm so glad we decided to make the drive!

The advantage of being on the edge of the zone of totality was that we missed a lot of the traffic we heard about. It “only” took us about 4 hours to get home -- probably leading the pack of cars out of Vermont. We were back in Acton around 8:30 p.m. Monday night, still smiling and grateful for this unique family memory of the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Dawn Peterson

As a ten-year volunteer for the Acton-Boxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council (AB SEPAC), I am deeply concerned about what will happen to our students with disabilities should the Acton override fail. Cuts do not spare this population; we in fact will lose special education staff and administration even if the override passes. Investing in special education saves the district money in the long run. Mandated transportation expenses and state-dictated Out-of-District tuition increases for our students requiring the highest levels of support are major budget drivers. Children who missed Early Intervention from birth to age 3 due to pandemic closures have entered our schools without that critical foundation. To avoid sending more students Out-of-District, the district needs to be able to hire and retain staff to support the creation of in-house special education programs. Failing to pass the override will set back these efforts for years to come. Our community's most vulnerable students need your support on April 30th in the Acton Town Election and again at the Acton Town Meeting on May 6th. Those looking to learn more about special education and the budget can reach out to abrsdsepac@gmail.com or see the FAQ published by the AB SEPAC at absepac.org.

Amanda Bailey
Co-Chair, Acton-Boxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council

I would like to congratulate the members of the Acton Exchange for taking the news gathering of Marion Maxwell and her compatriots to the next level.  This is not an easy undertaking and Acton readers wish them well.  Marion has provided the community with all news Acton as well as arts, entertainment, humor and police.

Marion's news has given links to town meetings etc., which gives readers a chance to hear the issues.  Links provide transparency and allow citizens unable to come to meetings to hear what is being discussed and voted upon in their absence.   Sustaining Marion's online news will achieve an informed citizen and a sustained reader. When all the sides of an issue are presented equally, all readers become educated.   Democracy needs an informed and educated public...It is through the expression of an opposing view, as well as the prevailing view, that allows the reader a chance to understand the underlying thoughts for both positions. Personally, I am hoping that they will continue to present all the news in a way that is balanced.

We look forward to 'just the facts' and no spin to favor a position.  All too often opposing views get little or no ink or air.  Let editorials be the place where your readers can provide input.

Judi Kotanchik

What were Acton Select Board members thinking when they supported a six-million-dollar tax hike for next year? They couldn't be thinking of seniors who live on fixed incomes and are already stretching their Social Security checks so far. "Select Board Members, have you spoken to your parents?" Where are seniors going to get the extra thousands of dollars every year to pay these taxes? 

Acton voters, vote "NO!" on the override. We need to draw the line somewhere. We're already paying increased school taxes every year even though pupil enrollment is decreasing.

Bonnie Lobel

I am opposed to the upcoming override vote. Many seniors will be required to trade payment of essentials for their tax bill. Their resources are already stretched. I do not see the same attitude on the part of our leadership (ALG). The original “ask” for fiscal 2025 was $12M. It was reduced to $6.6M simply because ALG did not think an increase above $1200 per year for the average home would generate a positive vote. Expenses have not been significantly reduced – in fact budgets\assessments of fiscal 25 are up from 24 and increase again in fiscal 26. New capital expenditures for fiscal 25 are over 2X those of fiscal 24.  Union contracts reflect 4+% increases annually. MinuteMan Tech. assessment is up 9% for fiscal 25 and 28% for fiscal 26. ALG continues to deplete reserves.

 ALG points out that their expenses are below the average of Commonwealth communities. True, but Acton made two significant mistakes in past years; they did not add enough commercial mix to the tax rolls, and they touted the outstanding quality of their school, hence drawing families with school-age children, families who tend to vote for every school request when their kids are in school and then often move to lower-tax communities once the kids have graduated. Some look at Acton as a cost/benefit exercise – Acton’s high taxes and free schools of quality compared to lower taxes elsewhere and private schools. A/B continues to see declining enrollment and increasing budgets, and their assessment is twice the town operating budget.  Although Acton spends somewhat less, their tax as a % of income per capita (IPC) is 17+%. This measure of tax to income places Acton among the highest of Massachusetts Communities. Acton’s take, including CPA and auto excise will be about $16K on the average home value, a significant portion of your disposable income.

Unless Acton changes spending, its residents will face overrides in future years. Acton is simply spending over their means. I oppose the override because Acton has not taken adequate steps to reduce expenses. Please vote your conscience in the April 30 Acton election.

Bob Hertz

Since moving to Acton almost three years ago, I have wondered why the school district’s annual report is not posted electronically, or at least printed on inexpensive and lightweight newsprint. Instead, I receive in the mail a sturdy booklet printed in expensive full color and on expensive glossy pages. I feel the heft of that booklet in my hand and I wonder how much the post office charges the school district to mail them to every resident in Acton.

In addition to that experience, I have attended two events at the high school since moving here; both times food was served. I presume that the food was paid for by the school district because no parent or other group was acknowledged and thanked for providing food for the meals. Serving food to visitors and guests was not necessary at either event. Lobster rolls and organic fruit were served at one of those events. In my opinion, the only food purchased through the school district’s budget should be the food served to our students during the school day.

I haven’t lived here very long, but witnessing these unnecessary and wasteful expenditures reveals that Acton taxpayer money is not managed with a sense of thrift. On April 30, I plan to vote NO on the proposed tax override because I prefer that my tax dollars be managed more efficiently.

On a related subject, layoffs are likely if the override is defeated. I am reminded of the time early in my career when I was laid off. Jobs were hard to find at that time and in my field. Today, National Public Radio reports that 48% of public schools in the northeast are understaffed. Some are so desperate to fill positions that they are hiring individuals without required education and certification, including teachers. Any staff laid off from AB schools will have many opportunities for employment in the area.

Joan Milnes

I just read the article about Stop and Shop by Jeff Brown and want to point out an error.  The sentence, “Other grocery stores in the area include a Stop and Shop in West Concord near the Acton line, . . .”  should have read “Other grocery stores in the area include a Stop and Shop in Acton near the West Concord line, . . .“  The store is in Acton, not West Concord.

I'm very glad that we have the Acton Exchange.

Suzanne Fuller

Editors' note: The writer is correct. This error has been corrected and noted in the article, in accordance with the Acton Exchange correction policy.

Thanks lots for publishing the article on the override. This is really a service to the Town, and one that is needed.

David Shoemaker

With respect to your January 3 article on State Approval of Acton's Participation in Fossil Fuel Free Building Construction and Renovation Demonstration Project: Does this apply to single family residences and small condos, or only to commercial or larger multi-family builldings? The article does not specify.

David Boccuti