MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Select Board · 2019–2020 Board · Regular meeting
March 17, 2020
8 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Joan Gardner, Jon Benson, Dean A. Charter, Peter J. Berry, David D. Martin
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
3. Update on COVID-19
Accept a declaration of local emergency as amended
Mr. Benson moves to accept a declaration of local emergency as amended by Mr. Berry, Mr. Berry seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves to accept a declaration of local emergency as amended by Mr. Berry, Mr. Berry seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Benson, second: Berry)
Ratify the decision to close public buildings and public playgrounds until further notice with a notice from the Town Manager after consulting with the Chair and Vice Chair
Mr. Martin moves to ratify the decision to close public buildings and public playgrounds until further notice with a notice from the Town Manager after consulting with the Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. Charter seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves to ratify the decision to close public buildings and public playgrounds until further notice with a notice from the Town Manager after consulting with the Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. Charter seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Martin, second: Charter)
Postpone or cancelling all in-person board and committee meetings other than Board of Selectmen and Board of Health until further decision of the Board of Selectmen unless boards with time...
Mr. Martin moves to postpone or cancelling all in-person board and committee meetings other than Board of Selectmen and Board of Health until further decision of the Board of Selectmen unless boards with time sensitive, statutory, or contractual obligations may consider meeting remotely and virtually, Mr. Benson seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves to postpone or cancelling all in-person board and committee meetings other than Board of Selectmen and Board of Health until further decision of the Board of Selectmen unless boards with time sensitive, statutory, or contractual obligations may consider meeting remotely and virtually, Mr. Benson seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Martin, second: Benson)
Delay posting the warrant for Town Meeting scheduled for April 6, 2020 until further action by the Board of Selectmen to reschedule at a future date, Mr. Benson amended the motion and added...
Mr. Berry moves to delay posting the warrant for Town Meeting scheduled for April 6, 2020 until further action by the Board of Selectmen to reschedule at a future date, Mr. Benson amended the motion and added pursuant to the powers the Board of Selectmen have under Chapter 39, section 9. Mr. Martin seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Berry moves to delay posting the warrant for Town Meeting scheduled for April 6, 2020 until further action by the Board of Selectmen to reschedule at a future date, Mr. Benson amended the motion and added pursuant to the powers the Board of Selectmen have under Chapter 39, section 9. Mr. Martin seconds. The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Berry, second: Martin)
Seek an immediate court order to postpone the March 31, 2020 local and state election to date to be determined and the town post the election warrant to comply with the town charter for the local...
Mr. Benson moves the Board of Selectmen seek an immediate court order to postpone the March 31, 2020 local and state election to date to be determined and the town post the election warrant to comply with the town charter for the local election on March 31, 2020, Mr. Berry seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves the Board of Selectmen seek an immediate court order to postpone the March 31, 2020 local and state election to date to be determined and the town post the election warrant to comply with the town charter for the local election on March 31, 2020, Mr. Berry seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Benson, second: Berry)
6. Housing Choice Designation Application 2020 Discussion
Support the Housing Choice Designation Application
Mr. Martin moved to support the Housing Choice Designation Application, Mr. Charter seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moved to support the Housing Choice Designation Application, Mr. Charter seconds. The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Martin, second: Charter)
10. Accept Tree City Designation, 2020 Arbor Day Proclamation
Approve 2020 Arbor Day Proclamation
Mr. Berry moved to approve 2020 Arbor Day Proclamation, Mr. Martin seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Berry moved to approve 2020 Arbor Day Proclamation, Mr. Martin seconds. The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Berry, second: Martin)
12. Announcement of Colonel Francis Faulkner Volunteer of the Year Awards
Approve consent items 14-17, and take no action on consent items 18-19 (two motions, one vote)
Mr. Berry moved to approve consent items 14- 17, Mr. Benson seconds. Mr. Martin concerned about the gatherings regarding consent items 18-19 and moved to take no action, Mr. Benson seconds.
The minutes record two motions (Peter J. Berry’s to approve consent items 14-17 and David D. Martin’s to take no action on items 18-19) and then one vote: “The Board voted 5-0 the motions carry.”
From the minutes
“Mr. Berry moved to approve consent items 14- 17, Mr. Benson seconds. Mr. Martin concerned about the gatherings regarding consent items 18-19 and moved to take no action, Mr. Benson seconds. The Board voted 5-0 the motions carry.” (Motion: Berry, second: Benson)
From the Acton Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Archive Center (Select Board Minutes). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Acton Exchange candidate profiles (Francesca Arsenault, April 2024, photo courtesy of Barrett Sotheby’s Realty; David D. Martin, April 2025; Alissa Nicol, April 2026; Pam Nourse, April 2026, photo by Maddie Freeman); Dean A. Charter from the Town of Acton’s Select Board group photo (May 11, 2026).
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