MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
June 7, 2021
17 recorded votes, 0 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
3. COVID-19 Response Update
Withdraw application without prejudice
Ms. Gardner moved, seconded by Mr. Martin to withdraw application without prejudice
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved, seconded by Mr. Martin to withdraw application without prejudice and unanimously voted by roll call: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder- Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Close the hearing
Ms. Gardner moved to close the hearing seconded by Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to close the hearing seconded by Mr. Martin with a unanimous vote by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Approve the pole petition
Ms. Gardner moved to approve the pole petition seconded by Mr. Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve the pole petition seconded by Mr. Charter and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
6. Approve Sewer Operations and Maintenance Rate for Fiscal Year 2022
Approve the proposed 2.5% rate increase
Ms. Gardner moved to approve the proposed 2.5% rate increase, seconded by Mr. Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve the proposed 2.5% rate increase, seconded by Mr. Charter and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
7. Approve Letter of Support for MassWorks Grant Proposal
Approve the MassWorks Grant Letter of Support and have the Town Manager sign the letter
Mr. Martin moved to approve the MassWorks Grant Letter of Support and have the Town Manager sign the letter seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moved to approve the MassWorks Grant Letter of Support and have the Town Manager sign the letter seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Gardner)
9. Discuss Open Meeting Law Complaint May 28, 2021 and Delegate Response
Instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's three open meeting law complaints from May 18 and May 19, 2021 by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the...
Mr. Benson moved to instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's three open meeting law complaints from May 18 and May 19, 2021 by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the minutes of April 12, 26, and May 3, 2021 have been revised and approved by the Board to reflect additional detail and the initial approval of the inaccurate minutes was not an intention to violate the open meeting law, seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moved to instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's three open meeting law complaints from May 18 and May 19, 2021 by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the minutes of April 12, 26, and May 3, 2021 have been revised and approved by the Board to reflect additional detail and the initial approval of the inaccurate minutes was not an intention to violate the open meeting law, seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Benson, second: Gardner)
Instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's May 28, 2021 open meeting law complaint by acknowledging the Board's error in not providing a timely notice of response to...
Mr. Benson moved to instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's May 28, 2021 open meeting law complaint by acknowledging the Board's error in not providing a timely notice of response to Mr. Ballard and the Attorney General's Office, seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moved to instruct Town Counsel and the Town Manager to respond to Mr. Ballard's May 28, 2021 open meeting law complaint by acknowledging the Board's error in not providing a timely notice of response to Mr. Ballard and the Attorney General's Office, seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Benson, second: Gardner)
10. Consider Voting to End the Local State of Emergency Related to the COVID
Approve ending the local state of emergency effective June 15, 2021
Ms. Gardner moved to approve ending the local state of emergency effective June 15, 2021, seconded by Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve ending the local state of emergency effective June 15, 2021, seconded by Mr. Martin and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder- Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
11. Discuss Transition to In-Person Meetings
Within the bounds of state law, as of 23 June 2021, Boards and Committees may choose for meetings to be held remote or all in-person and permission for remote public participation for local...
Mr. Martin moved within the bounds of state law, as of 23 June 2021, Boards and Committees may choose for meetings to be held remote or all in-person and permission for remote public participation for local meetings may be granted by the Select Board on a case-by-case basis, seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moved within the bounds of state law, as of 23 June 2021, Boards and Committees may choose for meetings to be held remote or all in-person and permission for remote public participation for local meetings may be granted by the Select Board on a case-by-case basis, seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Gardner)
12. Discuss Request for Use of Space in Front of the Memorial Library for Pride
Approve the request for a tree wrap on the Memorial Library lawn in observance of Gay Pride Month
Ms. Gardner moved to approve the request for a tree wrap on the Memorial Library lawn in observance of Gay Pride Month, seconded by Mr. Snyder- Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve the request for a tree wrap on the Memorial Library lawn in observance of Gay Pride Month, seconded by Mr. Snyder- Grant and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)
13. Review 2021 Annual Town Meeting Articles and Consider Recommendations
Pass over article 4A
Mr. Charter moved to pass over article 4A, seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to pass over article 4A, seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Charter, second: Gardner)
Recommend Article 10
Ms. Gardner moved to recommend Article 10, seconded by Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to recommend Article 10, seconded by Mr. Martin and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Recommend Article 28
Ms. Gardner moved to recommend Article 28, seconded by Mr. Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to recommend Article 28, seconded by Mr. Charter and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
14. Approve Amended Town Manager Contract
Approve the Town Manager's contract
Ms. Gardner moved to approve the Town Manager's contract and seconded by Mr. Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve the Town Manager's contract and seconded by Mr. Charter and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
V. Consent Items
Approve consent items 17-25
Ms. Gardner moved to approve consent items 17-25, seconded by Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to approve consent items 17-25, seconded by Mr. Martin and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Approve May 3, 2021 minutes as amended
Mr. Martin moved to approve May 3, 2021 minutes as amended, seconded by Ms. Gardner
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moved to approve May 3, 2021 minutes as amended, seconded by Ms. Gardner and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Gardner)
Adjourn
Ms. Gardner moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Charter
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Charter and voted unanimously by roll: (Ayes: Mr. Snyder-Grant, Ms. Gardner, Mr. Charter, Mr. Benson, and Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
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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