Select Board Advances Reduced DPW Building Plan

Select Board · Meeting of August 24, 2026

Acton weighed a slimmed-down $23 million DPW building and a sewer fee dispute. Engineer John Camo of Weston & Sampson told the Select Board a value-engineering review cut the DPW project from $29 million to just under $23 million by deferring a $6 million renovation phase, with a special Town Meeting targeted for December. Select Board member Dean Charter called the design "modest but adequate," while a DPW Building Committee member warned deferred work "doesn't get done." The board voted unanimously to send Congress a letter backing an antitrust probe of fire apparatus makers, approved removing a pin oak tree Charter planted in 1974 to make room for new HVAC equipment, and joined the Central Middlesex Regional Stormwater Coalition at no cost.

Vice Chair David Martin forced a do-over on a proposed sewer privilege-fee formula for mixed-use buildings, arguing a $246,000 fee quoted for 13 School Street unfairly undercharged the commercial portion.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 4,611 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.