MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
August 24, 2020
18 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Jon Benson, Dean A. Charter, David D. Martin, Joan Gardner, Jim Snyder-Grant
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
4. Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles for September 8, 2020 Special Town
Recommend (Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles for September 8, 2020 Special Town)
Mr. Martin moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called the roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0.” (Motion: Martin, second: Gardner)
Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
Yes: Benson, Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Charter, Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll: MR. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - nay Mr. Charter - nay Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 3-2, to motion carries.” (Motion: Charter, second: Snyder-Grant)
Article 3 - Authorize Payment in Lieu of Taxes - Mr
Recommend (Article 3 - Authorize Payment in Lieu of Taxes - Mr)
Mr. Snyder-Grant moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Snyder-Grant moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Gardner)
Article 4, Small Business Grant Program - Ms
Recommend (Article 4, Small Business Grant Program - Ms)
Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, MR. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
Yes: Benson, Charter, Gardner, MartinNo: Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, MR. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - nay Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 4-1, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Article 5, Non-Binding Resolution Declaring a Climate Emergency - Ms
Recommend (Article 5, Non-Binding Resolution Declaring a Climate Emergency - Ms)
Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
Yes: Benson, Gardner, Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - nay Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 4-1, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
Article 6, Accept Legislation - Statutory Speed Limits and Regulatory Safety Zones
Recommend (Article 6, Accept Legislation - Statutory Speed Limits and Regulatory Safety Zones)
Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called role; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
Article 7, Accept Legislation - Saturday Office Hours - Ms
Recommend (Article 7, Accept Legislation - Saturday Office Hours - Ms)
Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called role; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
Article 8, Release of Restriction - 127 Strawberry Hill Road - Ms
Recommend (Article 8, Release of Restriction - 127 Strawberry Hill Road - Ms)
Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called role; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
Article 9, Amend Zoning Bylaw - Housekeeping Corrections, Personal Wireless Facility
Recommend (Article 9, Amend Zoning Bylaw - Housekeeping Corrections, Personal Wireless Facility)
Mr. Martin moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moves to recommend, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Martin, second: Gardner)
6. Discuss COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Consider Next Steps
Approve an additional $50,000 allocation from CARES funds to extend the Emergency Rental Assistance Program grants for the current 19 recipients and provide funding for 15- 20 new applicants...
Mr. Benson moves to approve an additional $50,000 allocation from CARES funds to extend the Emergency Rental Assistance Program grants for the current 19 recipients and provide funding for 15- 20 new applicants through December 31, 2020, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves to approve an additional $50,000 allocation from CARES funds to extend the Emergency Rental Assistance Program grants for the current 19 recipients and provide funding for 15- 20 new applicants through December 31, 2020, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Benson, second: Snyder-Grant)
7. Board to Approve Fee Structure and Parking Restrictions for Electric Charging Stations
Approve the fee structure for electric charging stations
Ms. Gardner moves to approve the fee structure for electric charging stations, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve the fee structure for electric charging stations, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
8. Board to Approve Updated Fee Schedule for Transfer Station
Approve updated fee schedule for the transfer Station
Ms. Gardner moves to approve updated fee schedule for the transfer Station, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve updated fee schedule for the transfer Station, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
9. Review Project Concepts for MassDOT Shared Streets Program
Support the application
Ms. Gardner moves to support the application, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to support the application, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
10. Review and Approve Concept for MassWorks Grant Program Application
Approve the 2020 MassWorks Infrasturcture program Acton grant application
Ms. Gardner moves to approve the 2020 MassWorks Infrasturcture program Acton grant application, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve the 2020 MassWorks Infrasturcture program Acton grant application, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
11. Approve Proclamation Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage
Approve (Approve Proclamation Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage)
Ms. Gardner moves to approve, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
12. Consider Sewer Privilege Fee Request from John Perkins for 9 School Street
Approve (Consider Sewer Privilege Fee Request from John Perkins for 9 School Street)
Ms. Gardner moves to approve, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
Approve consent items 13-15, 17-20
Ms. Gardner moves to approve consent items 13-15, 17-20, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve consent items 13-15, 17-20, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Adjourn
Ms. Gardner motioned to adjourn, Mr. Benson seconded. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner motioned to adjourn, Mr. Benson seconded. Mr. Martin called the roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, 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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