MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Select Board · 2021–2022 Board · Regular meeting
July 12, 2021
20 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Dean A. Charter, David D. Martin, Francesca Arsenault, Himaja Nagireddy, Jim Snyder-Grant
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Jim Snyder-Grant took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
2. Chair Update/Town Manager Update/Members Minutes
Approve the multiple transactions for a section 15 beer and wine license at Donelan's Supermarket
Mr. Martin moved to approve the multiple transactions for a section 15 beer and wine license at Donelan's Supermarket, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin moved to approve the multiple transactions for a section 15 beer and wine license at Donelan's Supermarket, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Martin called roll: (all ayes - Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Arsenault)
4. Reorganization of the Board
Nominate Mr. Martin as Chair
Ms. Arsenault moved to nominate Mr. Martin as Chair, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Points of discussion: Ms. Arsenault acknowledged the tradition of having the previous Vice-Chair become Chair. She stated her preference that Mr. Martin become Chair because of his focus and experience with diversity and inclusion issues. Mr. Snyder-Grant noted his experience that Mr. Charter had been listening, learning and growing with these issues, and that he would make a fine chair. Mr. Martin noted his disappointment with Mr. Charter's actions with respect to responding to attacks from the previous Chair on members of the public. Ms. Nagireddy also expressed her sense that the priority work for the Board in the next year needed to focus on inclusion, and that having Mr. Martin as chair would best support that. All members of the Board expressed confidence in the positive intentions and skills of both Mr. Martin and Mr. Charter. Comments from the audience included support for Mr. Charter as Chair, citing his long experience with the Town and his time on the Acton Leadership Group; and support for Mr. Martin expressing the priority of having skilled attention paid to diversity and inclusion issues. Mr. Martin
Yes: Arsenault, Martin, NagireddyNo: Charter, Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Arsenault moved to nominate Mr. Martin as Chair, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Points of discussion: Ms. Arsenault acknowledged the tradition of having the previous Vice-Chair become Chair. She stated her preference that Mr. Martin become Chair because of his focus and experience with diversity and inclusion issues. Mr. Snyder-Grant noted his experience that Mr. Charter had been listening, learning and growing with these issues, and that he would make a fine chair. Mr. Martin noted his disappointment with Mr. Charter's actions with respect to responding to attacks from the previous Chair on members of the public. Ms. Nagireddy also expressed her sense that the priority work for the Board in the next year needed to focus on inclusion, and that having Mr. Martin as chair would best support that. All members of the Board expressed confidence in the positive intentions and skills of both Mr. Martin and Mr. Charter. Comments from the audience included support for Mr. Charter as Chair, citing his long experience with the Town and his time on the Acton Leadership Group; and support for Mr. Martin expressing the priority of having skilled attention paid to diversity and inclusion issues. Mr. Martin called roll: (Ms. Nagireddy - aye, Ms. Arsenault - aye, Mr. Snyder- Grant - nay, Mr. Charter - nay, Mr. Martin - aye) The motion carried.” (Motion: Arsenault, second: Nagireddy)
Nominate Mr. Snyder-Grant as Vice-Chair
Mr. Charter nominates Mr. Snyder-Grant as Vice-Chair, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant said he was honored by the nomination, but that he would prefer that Dean be Vice Chair, and he would prefer to be Clerk. Mr. Martin
Yes: ArsenaultNo: Charter, Martin, NagireddyAbstained: Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter nominates Mr. Snyder-Grant as Vice-Chair, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant said he was honored by the nomination, but that he would prefer that Dean be Vice Chair, and he would prefer to be Clerk. Mr. Martin called roll: (Ms. Nagireddy - nay, Ms. Arsenault - aye, Mr. Snyder- Grant - abstain, Mr. Charter - nay, Mr. Martin - nay). The motion failed.” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
Nominate Mr. Charter as Vice-Chair
Mr. Martin nominated Mr. Charter as Vice-Chair, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin nominated Mr. Charter as Vice-Chair, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Martin called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Snyder- Grant, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Arsenault)
Nominate Mr. Snyder-Grant as Clerk
Mr. Martin nominated Mr. Snyder-Grant as Clerk, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Martin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martin nominated Mr. Snyder-Grant as Clerk, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Martin called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Snyder- Grant, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin).” (Motion: Martin, second: Nagireddy)
6. Discuss Virtual Participation in Public Meetings
Allow the Planning Board and Historic District Commission to meet with remote public participation
Mr. Charter moved to allow the Planning Board and Historic District Commission to meet with remote public participation, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to allow the Planning Board and Historic District Commission to meet with remote public participation, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder- Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
7. Discuss Incident at Annual Town Meeting
Adopt the statement
Mr. Charter moved to adopt the statement, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to adopt the statement, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to adopt the statement, seconded by Mr. Charter. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to adopt the statement, seconded by Mr. Charter. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes; Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Charter)
9. Request to Raise Flag to Commemorate India's Independence Day on Sunday,
Raise the flag to commemorate India's Independence Day on Sunday, August 1, 2021
Ms. Arsenault moved to raise the flag to commemorate India's Independence Day on Sunday, August 1, 2021, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Arsenault moved to raise the flag to commemorate India's Independence Day on Sunday, August 1, 2021, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes; Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Arsenault, second: Nagireddy)
Adopting the proclamation
Ms. Nagireddy moved and Ms. Arsenault seconded adopting the proclamation. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Nagireddy moved and Ms. Arsenault seconded adopting the proclamation. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Nagireddy, second: Arsenault)
10. Board to Vote to Petition General Court for Home Rule Petition Article 14 from
Request the General Court adopt legislation on behalf of the Town in accordance with, and in the form approved by, Article 14 of the 2021 Acton Annual Town Meeting, concerning building with clean...
Mr. Snyder-Grant moved that the Board request the General Court adopt legislation on behalf of the Town in accordance with, and in the form approved by, Article 14 of the 2021 Acton Annual Town Meeting, concerning building with clean energy to regulate fossil fuel infrastructure, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Snyder-Grant moved that the Board request the General Court adopt legislation on behalf of the Town in accordance with, and in the form approved by, Article 14 of the 2021 Acton Annual Town Meeting, concerning building with clean energy to regulate fossil fuel infrastructure, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes; Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Arsenault)
11. Discuss Open Meeting Law Complaint of July 6, 2021 and Delegate Response
Have Lisa Tomyl revise amended minutes for the Board's May 3, 2021 meeting to include the DEIC statement in the list of documents used in the meeting
Mr. Charter moved to have Lisa Tomyl revise amended minutes for the Board's May 3, 2021 meeting to include the DEIC statement in the list of documents used in the meeting, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to have Lisa Tomyl revise amended minutes for the Board's May 3, 2021 meeting to include the DEIC statement in the list of documents used in the meeting, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Nagireddy)
Request that Town Counsel and the Town Manager otherwise respond to Mr. Ballard's Open Meeting Law Complaint by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the Board reviewed the...
Mr. Charter moved to request that Town Counsel and the Town Manager otherwise respond to Mr. Ballard's Open Meeting Law Complaint by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the Board reviewed the Complaint, has voted to revise the May 3 minutes to include the DEIC statement in the list of "documents and exhibits used," and believes that the other minutes properly follow the Open Meeting Law and will take no action on those; Ms. Arsenault seconded. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to request that Town Counsel and the Town Manager otherwise respond to Mr. Ballard's Open Meeting Law Complaint by informing him and the Attorney General's Office that the Board reviewed the Complaint, has voted to revise the May 3 minutes to include the DEIC statement in the list of "documents and exhibits used," and believes that the other minutes properly follow the Open Meeting Law and will take no action on those; Ms. Arsenault seconded. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
12. Discuss and Approve the Regional Housing Services Office Amended Agreement for
Approve the amended agreement with the Regional Housing Services office
Ms. Arsenault moved to approve the amended agreement with the Regional Housing Services office. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Arsenault moved to approve the amended agreement with the Regional Housing Services office. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Arsenault)
13. Approve the Agricultural Preservation Restriction at Stonefield Farm
Approve the Agricultural Preservation Restriction
Ms. Arsenault moved to approve the Agricultural Preservation Restriction, seconded by Mr. Charter. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Arsenault moved to approve the Agricultural Preservation Restriction, seconded by Mr. Charter. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Arsenault, second: Charter)
14. Approve Mass Joinder Agreement for 446 Massachusetts Avenue
Approve the Mass Joinder Agreement
Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to approve the Mass Joinder Agreement, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to approve the Mass Joinder Agreement, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Nagireddy)
15. Announce Receipt of Public Health Excellence Grant Establishing the Middlesex
Support the project
Ms. Nagireddy moved to support the project, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconded. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Nagireddy moved to support the project, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconded. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Nagireddy, second: Snyder-Grant)
Approve consent items 16-24, inclusive, and 26-29, inclusive
Mr. Charter moved to approve consent items 16-24, inclusive, and 26-29, inclusive, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder- Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to approve consent items 16-24, inclusive, and 26-29, inclusive, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder- Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
Approve with the term expiration date updated to 2024
Mr. Charter moved to approve with the term expiration date updated to 2024, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moved to approve with the term expiration date updated to 2024, seconded by Ms. Arsenault. Mr. Snyder-Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Charter, second: Arsenault)
Adjourn
Ms. Arsenault moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder- Grant
From the minutes
“Ms. Arsenault moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Nagireddy. Mr. Snyder- Grant called roll: (all ayes: Ms. Nagireddy, Ms. Arsenault, Mr. Charter, Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Arsenault, second: Nagireddy)
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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