MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Select Board · 2019–2020 Board · Regular meeting
March 24, 2020
6 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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. Continue Discussion on COVI-19 and Updates
Of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to Governor Baker's Executive Order of March 23, 2020, entitled "Order Assuring Continued Operations of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing...
Mr. Berry moves that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to Governor Baker's Executive Order of March 23, 2020, entitled "Order Assuring Continued Operations of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting Gatherings of More than Ten People, " (the "March 23 Order"), Exhibit A to the March 23 Order, Section 4-1(b) of the Acton Town Charter, and the recent public health emergency declarations by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health, and consistent with sound continuity of operation plans, moves (a) to designate as critical government workers of the Town of Acton the public employees and personnel listed in Exhibit 1 to this motion, and (b) to authorize and direct the Town Manager to take all actions necessary and proper to implement the vote on this motion. Mr. Martin seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Berry moves that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to Governor Baker's Executive Order of March 23, 2020, entitled "Order Assuring Continued Operations of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting Gatherings of More than Ten People, " (the "March 23 Order"), Exhibit A to the March 23 Order, Section 4-1(b) of the Acton Town Charter, and the recent public health emergency declarations by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health, and consistent with sound continuity of operation plans, moves (a) to designate as critical government workers of the Town of Acton the public employees and personnel listed in Exhibit 1 to this motion, and (b) to authorize and direct the Town Manager to take all actions necessary and proper to implement the vote on this motion. Mr. Martin seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Berry, second: Martin)
Pursuant to number 2, general guidelines for public meetings, paragraph 5, of the temporary emergency policy directive and guidelines that we authorize the Cable Advisory Committee and the Finance...
Mr. Benson moves pursuant to number 2, general guidelines for public meetings, paragraph 5, of the temporary emergency policy directive and guidelines that we authorize the Cable Advisory Committee and the Finance Committee to meet remotely and virtually. Mr. Berry seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves pursuant to number 2, general guidelines for public meetings, paragraph 5, of the temporary emergency policy directive and guidelines that we authorize the Cable Advisory Committee and the Finance Committee to meet remotely and virtually. Mr. Berry seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Benson, second: Berry)
Under the authority of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health under the emergency declaration to suspend the plastic bag bylaw until July 1, 2020 while encouraging merchants to continue...
Mr. Martin moves under the authority of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health under the emergency declaration to suspend the plastic bag bylaw until July 1, 2020 while encouraging merchants to continue using paper bags when possible. Mr. Berry seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves under the authority of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health under the emergency declaration to suspend the plastic bag bylaw until July 1, 2020 while encouraging merchants to continue using paper bags when possible. Mr. Berry seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Martin, second: Berry)
4. Discuss Update on Town Meeting and Town/State Elections
Of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to the "Act ranting Authority to Postpone 2020 Municipal Elections in the Commonwealth and Increase Voting options in Response to the Declaration of Emergency...
Mr. Benson moves that Board of Selectmen of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to the "Act ranting Authority to Postpone 2020 Municipal Elections in the Commonwealth and Increase Voting options in Response to the Declaration of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19" enacted on March 23, 2020, and following consultation with the local election official and the Town Manager as to logistics and feasibility, moves (1) to postpone the annual municipal election from March 31, 2020, to June 2, 2020, and (2) to authorize and direct the Town Manager to take all actions required by the Act to implement the vote on this motion. Mr. Martin seconds.
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves that Board of Selectmen of the Town of Acton, acting pursuant to the "Act ranting Authority to Postpone 2020 Municipal Elections in the Commonwealth and Increase Voting options in Response to the Declaration of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19" enacted on March 23, 2020, and following consultation with the local election official and the Town Manager as to logistics and feasibility, moves (1) to postpone the annual municipal election from March 31, 2020, to June 2, 2020, and (2) to authorize and direct the Town Manager to take all actions required by the Act to implement the vote on this motion. Mr. Martin seconds. The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Benson, second: Martin)
6. Consider Request from SANA to Engage an Expert on the Environmental Issues Raised
Consider Request from SANA to Engage an Expert on the Environmental Issues Raised
Consider Request from SANA to Engage an Expert on the Environmental Issues Raised
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
Adjourn
Mr. Martin moves to adjourn. Mr. Berry seconded. Motion
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves to adjourn. Mr. Berry seconded. Motion approved unanimously.” (Motion: Martin, second: Berry)
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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