Letters to the Exchange

A genuine thank you to the Acton Exchange for communicating such important local and timely information to our community. I am humbled that this is a volunteer organization…. thank you for your service.

My hope is that with continued community support, the Acton Exchange can continue to provide all of Acton’s viewpoints. Communication, an exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and fact-based knowledge is key to our community’s sound decision making on policy issues.

These ideals are what will help Acton thrive to continue to be the place we all call home.

Best,
Paulette Farmer

I am 58 years old, an Air Force veteran, a small business owner, and a longtime Acton resident.  In 1975, I first visited Acton when helping family friends move, and in 1995, I first moved to Acton.  Divorce and remarriage resulted in several moves, and since 2013, Rebecca and I have called 17 Forest Road home.  It's the yellow house with the chainsaw bear out front.

I have been a good neighbor.  A friend who plows for Acton stores his plow in my driveway.  Many vehicles have pulled into my driveway looking for directions to the DPW.  I have only been to the DPW to deliver mail dropped off at my house by mistake.  When my son's large salsa band practices or performs at our house, we inform and invite the neighbors.

The DPW, on the other hand, has not been a good neighbor.  On Forest Road, vehicles speed and fail to move over for pedestrians and pets, and some of the worst offenders are those who work at or fuel up at the DPW.  On hazardous waste day, I was almost struck twice while simply trying to walk our dog.

Robbins Park families, in general, and residents of Hosmer Street and Forest Road, in particular, already bear a disproportionate amount of traffic (especially on "dump day") often speeding at close to twice the posted speed limit.  

The proposed DPW construction project will add additional noise, traffic, and danger for already overburdened Robbins Park families.  So, I believe that much more needs to be done for the residents of Robbins Park before this $1.2M construction project starts.  Such as plans for stop signs, sidewalks, a much shorter than 2-year construction period, and a "vegetative buffer" that actually buffers light and sound.

I have been a good steward of every property that I've ever owned, and I have been a good neighbor everywhere I have lived.  The Town of Acton can - and should - do better.

Erik J. Heels

Although I’m on the Finance Committee, I’m writing on my own behalf.

I attended the Department of Public Works (DPW) Building Committee meeting on Sept. 26, 2024. And I asked a question: How many filed sub bids would be required to build the new DPW building?

The answer was 11 ... or more.

In 1980, I was a legislative aide to then State Senator Sharon Pollard (D-Methuen). She was the Senate Chair of the State Administration Committee, which considered the Ward Commission Report, also known as the Special Commission Concerning State and County Buildings, which issued a report on the state of contracting and oversight practices in the Commonwealth.

The Ward Commission Report found that the reason why public construction was more expensive than construction in the private sector wasn't driven just by waste, fraud, and abuse.

Another contributing factor was the filed sub-bids process, which is used for public building contracts in Massachusetts that are estimated to cost $150,000 or more.

The process involves selecting multiple sub-bidders. Prequalified general contractors choose one sub-bidder for each category of work. Categories include plumbing, electrical, masonry, and elevators.

This means that the DPW facility project in Acton will involve 11 or more different sub-bidders. If they aren’t tightly scheduled and closely supervised by the project manager, then the plumbers sit around waiting for the electricians, who are sitting around waiting for the masons, who are sitting around waiting for the elevator sub-bidder to complete their part of the project.

And time is money.

At the meeting, we were told that Acton's DPW facility project would extend over two years, which would make it harder to keep 11 or more different sub-bidders on schedule. The State has figured this out, which is why big construction projects are compressed into abbreviated time frames to prevent cost over-runs.

Personally, I’m in favor of delaying the DPW facility project for another year or more to avoid the need for a debt exclusion override. But, if it were done, then it is best done quickly.

Greg Jarboe

As a local historian and Thoreau scholar, I have noticed that there is some misinformation Exchange Hall that has been making the rounds for years and I'd like to put it to rest once and for all. It is the idea that Henry David Thoreau once lectured there.

Exchange Hall was built in 1860. Thoreau lectured only seven times that year; three times in Concord, twice in Bedford, once in Lowell and once in Waterbury, Connecticut. The lecture in Waterbury, on December 11, 1860, was actually the last lecture that Thoreau ever delivered; he died less than two years later on May 6, 1862, of tuberculosis.

All of Thoreau's lectures are well documented by the places where he did lecture, usually by town minutes, local newspapers and reviews or personal recollections by people who were in attendance. Sometimes Thoreau himself commented on his lectures, especially if it seemed to go off particularly well, or if it bombed! He never mentioned an Acton lecture in his journal, nor are there any other records indicating that he ever spoke in Acton.

So, the historical record shows that Thoreau never spoke at Exchange Hall. In fact, he only gave 75 lectures in his lifetime, and he never spoke in Acton once! He surveyed in Acton, as well as the Concord/Acton town lines. He walked through the town on his way to Boxboro. He rode the train through Acton on many occasions. And he secretly took one of John Brown's compatriots to the South Acton train station in 1859. But he never lectured in Acton.

I hope that this will set the record straight once and for all. Exchange Hall because it is a wonderful piece of Acton history. The fact that Thoreau never spoke there does not, I hope, diminish its historical value.Richard Smith 

Hello! Thanks for asking the question of what Exchange Hall means to people. I have lived on School Street for 28 years. For the first 10-15 years the paint on that historic building, Exchange Hall, was peeling and it was terribly unsightly. We purchased an antique home that was built in 1854, and were doing our best to renovate it so it could live another 150 years. We love antique buildings and like to see them looking spiffy. Of course, it is expensive and labor intensive to maintain any building. When Exchange Hall received Community Preservation Act funds to re-paint, we were really happy. Now that the building has been sold, our greatest hope is that it will continue to be loved, appreciated and used to its fullest potential. Parking in South Acton Village is not plentiful, unless the commuter lot can be utilized. I hope the new owners thrive in the building and bring joy to the community! Welcome!

Sincerely,
Bettina Abe

I am a lifelong Actonite.  Went to elementary school in South Acton (now fire house) so I walked past the Exchange Hall every school day.  I thought it was huge, but the real history goes back to my Mother’s day.  She also was a lifelong resident and in her early years went dancing there every Saturday night.  Had such fun but had to be home exactly at 10 p.m.!!  Lots of great memories.

Peggy Hebert

October 5th is a special day for our family as we observe Pause for The GFPD, an annual awareness day dedicated to The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (GFPD). We invite readers of The Acton Exchange to join a fellow A-B family and PAUSE for our son and others affected by peroxisomal disorders across more than 40 countries.

We lost our son, Lincoln Ray Usher, on June 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with PBD-ZSD (peroxisomal biogenesis disorder in the Zellweger spectrum). He was just two years old, one of fewer than 1,000 children worldwide with this rare, terminal disease. Lincoln brought so much love to our lives. His infectious smile and beautiful blue eyes could brighten any room. His laughter was contagious, and his spirit, unbreakable. Though his life was tragically brief, Lincoln taught us to slow down, cherish the small moments, and find joy in each day.

Pause for The GFPD gives our family hope for the future. Founded in 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports families affected by peroxisomal disorders and funds crucial medical research. On October 5th, we celebrate the GFPD’s achievements over the past 14 years in advancing research and awareness, while honoring the beautiful children impacted by this rare condition.

This day is not just about raising awareness; it’s a call to action. Together, we can help the GFPD amplify the voices of patients, families, caregivers, scientists, and medical professionals advocating for treatments and cures. Raising public awareness can be transformative—it provides hope and paves the way for groundbreaking research that may lead to new, lifesaving treatments.

Participating in Pause for The GFPD also serves as a comforting reminder that our loved ones are still cherished and remembered. We urge everyone reading this to get involved. Visit the GFPD website at http://www.thegfpd.org or find us on social media @thegfpd to learn how you can help make a difference and discover the vital work being done to support those affected by peroxisomal disorders.

With gratitude,

Jamie & Chris Usher 

I am confused and concerned by the media coverage of EEE [Eastern equine encephalitis] risk from mosquitos in our area. The implication is that we have swarms of mosquitoes locally that are possibly carrying EEE. In fact, this has been a remarkable year for the low incidence of mosquitos. My wife suffers badly from bites and in a normal year cannot venture outside in the evenings while I spend hours chasing errant mosquitos around the house. Not so this year. My observations are not limited to Acton. I travel west to fish and have experienced little mosquito activity as far out as Royalston and Petersham. I have never needed to use repellent while fishing this year. Yet at least one Acton resident has been infected with EEE! Does this mean that the few mosquitos that are around are heavy carriers of the disease? I am interested to know of other observations on this topic. 

Paul White

I'd like to throw a kudo to Christine Lawton for helping me out at Roche Brothers last week by buying my groceries for me when I lost my Debit card. Such a kind and thoughtful thing to do. And then bringing the groceries to my car and loading them and my walker into the back seat. May you thoroughly enjoy that first grandchild, Christine! He/she is lucky to have a grandmother like you.

Marion Maxwell

Two candidates for the Democratic party nomination for Third District Governor’s Councilor appear on the Democratic Ballot for the September 3^rd State Primary Election.  To learn more about these candidates and hear their views and opinions, a coalition of local League of Women Voters chapters throughout the district co-sponsored a forum with the two candidates that was recorded by the Newton Public Access station NewTV.  There is a link to the forum recording on the website of the League of Women Voters Acton Area website, under the heading "Get Ready for 2024 Elections."

Ballots are currently available for voters who choose to vote by mail.  Contact the Town Clerk’s office for assistance in requesting a ballot before the August deadline. For in person voting, polls are open on election day, September 3 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Marilyn Peterson and Lori Cooney, LWV Acton Area Executive Committee

I live close to NARA park.  Every day that I walk there, I am reminded how things change season to season, day to day, and minute to minute.  The sounds of nature, children splashing in the pond, a jogger passing, the whirl of a bike spinning by, and the chatter of a person on their cellphone catching up on business. (I hope they smell the roses between calls.) All celebrate life. 

What does this have to do with ‘On your left’?  Well, about half of the walk path around NARA pond is shared with the Bruce Freeman Rail trail. This means the path is shared with bikes (I love to bike), some skaters, and the occasional skateboarders. A few of the rules for rail trails go something like:

• Bicyclists and skaters yield to pedestrians
• Keep right and pass on the left, using an audible signal and looking before passing

As I ride and walk the trails, I hear bikers using bells, and also hear them loudly proclaim “On your left”.  I love this idea.  If I am walking and someone yells ‘on your left’, I know a bike is coming thus avoiding that sudden nasty adrenalin rush that happens when a bike zooms by without warning.  The biker is safe, I am safe. Ahh a good day.

Unfortunately, I have observed bikers not giving any notification as they pass within feet of a walker, risking the safety of both.  I recently saw skateboarders riding three abreast on the left-hand side of the trail (wrong side). It took my breath away as a bike suddenly appeared (heading toward them) and a collision was barely avoided.  The skateboarder frantically leaped from his board kicking it off to the side.   

If you know someone who walks or rides near NARA pond, can you share the rules with them? Please mention bikers say ‘on your left’ to help keep everyone safe and how simple words (or sounds) can help walkers and riders both enjoy the day.

Be kind to your fellow travelers. 

Deb Jeffries

I’d like to thank Sarah Peng for her July 5^th report about Alison Mammola who was honored at Acton Town Hall for saving 5-year-old kid from drowning.

Alison is one of lifeguards at our community pool this summer. I am a frequent swimmer at the pool, so I have had several interactions with her. 

One day, my husband and I went to the pool to swim. I saw Alison sitting under an umbrella and reading a book before we entered the pool area. We were the only people at the pool. When we walked into the water, she immediately climbed up the lifeguard chair. It was a very hot sunny day. There was no umbrella over the lifeguard chair. I told her that we are good swimmers and that she doesn’t have to watch us. She thanked me and said “I am a lifeguard and I am on duty.”  She sat in the chair under the sun and watched us swim until we left the pool.

After this interaction with Alison, I was very impressed by her dedication, self-discipline and seriousness to her responsibility. Her action showed her characters and hard-working spirit! She deserves the recognition and honor for her dedication and her courageous act. 

Susan Yan

With reference to Lifeguard saves five-year old, wins honors:

Congratulations to Alison Mammola for putting her Red Cross lifeguard training into action and saving a drowning and not breathing 5-year-old Acton boy.  

The Red Cross teaches lifeguards to act selflessly to save lives.  Upon recognizing the emergency, Alison immediately entered the water, performed the appropriate rescue, removed the child from the water, performed CPR until signs of life were visible, and stayed with the child through EMS actions.  Postcard-perfect actions in accordance with her Red Cross training.  Equally as important was that Alison maintained her composure throughout the emergency, only pausing to reflect on the magnitude of her efforts after EMS arrived and took over for Alison.  

Red Cross lifeguard training is vigorous, and as Alison states in the Acton Exchange article, she is due for recertification later this summer.  Recertification classes are equally as important as initial lifeguard classes to keep lifeguards sharp and able to act instinctively each time that they are called into Acton.  Congratulations, Alison.

Carolyn Kiely and Wendy Hammond-Wildes, Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors with The Thoreau Club

Editors' Note: Carolyn Kiely contributed to the editing of this article.

Various town functions address pieces of the affordable housing issue, but almost all of the proposals require a major development effort, hard to obtain at today's interest rates. The state’s strategies to drive down prices and increase supply fall broadly into two categories: reduce the local zoning barriers to multifamily housing that created the shortage in the first place and subsidize housing that’s restricted to low-income people.

A third strategy would be using mobile homes and pre-manufactured homes. We would need zoning changes and a plan, but the town could be the developer. The following information comes from a Boston Globe editorial of December 30, 2023, A manufactured solution to a manufactured problem (link provides access for subscribers only.)

Trailer parks have a bad reputation. But they could help the state overcome the housing shortage that has resulted from the Commonwealth’s long history of exclusionary local zoning. Mike Zupkofska, a former Rockland selectman, is very much aware of the stigma associated with mobile or manufactured homes. Most people would imagine a shady, dirty trailer park. In reality, his mobile home in Leisurewoods in Rockland, MA, is one of the roughly 250 mobile home parks in the state is nothing like that. It’s an age 55-and-older community that looks like a regular suburban gated development. Massachusetts could use more of those communities. The state needs housing — a lot more housing, traditional and nontraditional. And it needs housing that people can afford.

The prices for homes in mobile home communities in Massachusetts are breathtaking — in a good way. At Leisurewoods, a 980-square-foot, 2-bed, 1-bath home is on the market for $249,900. Maybe Acton can have timely appealing, accessible, and affordable housing by creating a mobile home park like Leisurewoods.

David A. Manalan

Although I’m on the Finance Committee, I’m writing on my own behalf.

Acton voters narrowly approved an “override” of the tax levy limit. Out of 6,406 votes cast in the Annual Town Election, 3,205 were “Yes” (50.03%), 3,160 were “No” (49.33%), and 41 were blank.

So, the Town of Acton and the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District both presented an "A" budget (painful cuts even with an override) at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting, but we came within 45 votes of presenting a "B" budget (harmful cuts without an override).

To avoid “the road not taken” next year, we’re taking four important steps.

Goal setting: The Select Board will begin the goal setting process at their next meeting on June 17. Asking the public for input is the right place to start. You can participate by sending your comments via email to sb@actonma.gov or attending the public listening session in person or virtually.

Managing expenses: The School Committee will be examining the district's elementary structures and spending to cost effectively run and manage all six existing elementary schools, even as dollars get tight and enrollment declines.  The goal is to ensure that each dollar has the maximum impact on student outcomes, that staff have fair and equitable workloads, and that investments are in line with district priorities and best practices.

Cost cutting: The Finance Committee is discussing ideas for Cost Cutting. I’ve recommended tackling a different question first: Which metrics should we use to measure the cost-effectiveness of different types of budgets? Defining our key performance indicators (KPIs) will enable us to make judgements that don’t seem arbitrary or capricious.

Economic development: To help alleviate the residential property tax burden, we can’t just sit and wait for businesses to come here. That’s why the town’s Economic Development Office applied for and has received a Community Planning Grant of $90,000 from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create Acton’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan.

These four steps will help us stay on the right path going forward, but we need your help.

Greg Jarboe

Please consider attending the Boston Asian International Music Festival, which will be coming to the NARA Park Amphitheater in Acton on June 8, from 5-8pm.   Admission is free.  Many local performers and professional musicians will participate in the festival, demonstrating a variety of Asian cultural music forms.  For a preview of the performers, see this video, or the photo enclosed. 

Kaiping Fu

Board Member of the Acton Chinese American Civic Association, event organizer

In the month since Acton’s Annual Town Meeting, I have heard from voters directly and seen comments, including in this publication, about the experience and reflected on those and the meeting itself.  I am proud and grateful that the voters came together to express their thoughts and desires calmly and respectfully.  Despite the challenges of such a large turnout, the prevailing attitude was patience and understanding that people were doing their best. 

I am proud and grateful that our town and school staff organized the logistics to allow the meeting to run smoothly and efficiently.  I am thankful that ActonTV supports our democratic process by assisting article presenters with videos that voters can view before the meeting, and then streaming the meeting for viewers at home or to review later. 

Access to the meeting is not universal, but it has improved.  Rides are available to and from the meeting; seating is reserved for those with mobility issues; the Zoom option is available for those unable to participate due to physical disability (a recent innovation); real-time captioning helps those unable to hear and anyone who processes information better visually; the clickers enable those who can’t raise their hands or their voices, as well as those who want to vote privately. The meeting time is an obstacle for some, but based on surveys taken over the years, a weekend-day meeting would result in a similar number of participants. No time is the best time for everyone.

Our town government works because of the efforts of volunteers, including the Finance Committee.  Part of the job of the Moderator is to appoint FinCom.  At this time there are openings for associate and full members.  If you want to learn more about serving on this committee, please contact me at Moderator@acton-ma.gov.

Jo-Ann Berry

Town Moderator

The Friends of the Council on Aging is currently accepting donations for our jewelry sale, to be held on Wednesday, October 16th at the Acton Senior Center.  All types of jewelry are welcome (new, old, vintage, you name it!). Please leave your donations at the front desk of the Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton MA. The jewelry we collect will be sold at the jewelry sale, with proceeds used to fund programs and events at the Acton Senior Center.

Susan Tripathy

My thanks to the Town workers and volunteers for ensuring a smooth and accurate election and recount.

The recount of the budget override vote, demanded by the opposition, confirmed our election's integrity. The override passed with a plurality, a 37-vote margin with 45 blank ballots. After the recount, we now have an outright majority: 50.03% Yes to 49.33% No, a 45-vote margin with only 41 blanks. The decisive 72% vote for the School Budget at Town Meeting the following week solidified the mandate to properly fund the needs of our town and schools after the slim majority on the override.

Though it sounds close, 37 votes is too large a margin for a recount. By 2004, scanners like ours were already 99.05% accurate. That increased to 99.85% by 2011 and 99.87% by 2016. In 2024, Acton's machines reached 99.94% accuracy. Of the 6,390 votes scanned on election night, four marked blank by the machine were discernible by human counters, with only one of those disputed.

Rather than scanners, human errors always account for most discrepancies. Seventeen ballots from Precinct 6A skipped the scanner. I speculate that they were mail-in votes meant to be scanned but placed directly into the box unscanned by mistake. The Clerk’s Office is investigating. An error in the Precinct 1 hand recount shorted the “No” count by one, resulting in the discrepancy between the 44-vote margin posted on social media on Tuesday and the official 45-vote margin. Both errors were far too small to alter the result.

Including the 17 found ballots, the one lost ballot, and the four changed ballots, 22 ballots were impacted by the recount, with a net increase of eight votes in favor of the override. Including human error, the election was 99.66% accurate. Despite a close margin, a recount was unnecessary. A machine recount, hand-counting only the 45 votes marked blank, would have been cheaper and equally effective, though still unneeded. Instead, at a time when we are all concerned about the Town budget, we wasted $10,000 recounting by hand.

Samuel Sullivan-Fieldman
Volunteer, Together for Acton. Served as Representative for the pro side at the recount. Writing in my personal capacity, not on behalf of Together for Acton.

I was so happy that the Middlesex and Worcester Senior Conference returned on April 18th at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, with 300+ seniors from across the district in attendance. Seniors who attended the conference had access to a multitude of workshops, health screenings, information tables, yoga, Zumba, an art workshop, and of course, our raffle prizes! They also enjoyed a complimentary breakfast and lunch and performances by local Marlborough band ‘The Romeos Duo’, and my friends, pianists April Feng and Fumika Mizuno.

I am deeply grateful to the Assabet Valley Superintendent, principal, and students for their warm welcome and support to the seniors at the conference. I also want to thank our corporate sponsors: Point32Health, Ken’s Dressings and Sauces, Christopher Heights, Walmart, MetroWest Medical Center, New Horizons, Fallon Health, Cooperative Credit Unions, Boston Scientific, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, Avidia Bank, Durand Anastas Environmental Strategies, and Whittier Rehab. I appreciate the incredible vendors who offered valuable information to the attending seniors and the companies and agencies who provided raffle prizes.

Thank you once again for attending this wonderful event. I hope you can join us next year for the 44th Annual Senior Conference. If you have ideas for new sessions, programming, or entertainment, please be in touch with my office at James.Eldridge@MaSenate.Gov

James B. Eldridge
State Senator for Middlesex & Worcester District, representing Acton and nearby towns