HQ hunters: Panel to pair properties with town agencies
Properties under review include the Peabody School, MCI-Acton, and the Superfund site at 2229 Main Street.
From the Peabody School to MCI-Acton’s campus, several major buildings in town sit mostly empty after recent closures.
While police watch for vandalism, and while town departments strain to make do with their current homes, officials are putting the final touches on a panel to pair Acton’s needs with available parcels.
“Hopefully, we’ll hit the ground [running] after Town Meeting,” Select Board chair Mary Hartman said of the town’s new Land Use Working Group.
Officials announced the group in December to review properties, including Peabody, the former prison, and the Superfund site at 2229 Main Street.
Experts say Acton’s police, fire, and public works departments need new buildings as their headquarters deteriorate. Town leaders have also floated consolidating scattered administrative operations to save money.
Once it tackles town needs, the working group’s charge asks members to consider other reuses for available land, including new businesses, housing, recreation, and open space. The group will make recommendations to the Select Board, which will consider how to proceed.
“It’s a complex exercise, but we need to get started,” Hartman said during a meeting of housing leaders on Monday.
Who’s who
The Select Board appointed the working group’s first members this week.
Keith Bergman will represent the Acton Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Mark Martines will represent the Economic Vitality Committee, and Scott Bates will represent the MCI-Acton Advisory Board.
The Public Works Commission nominated Sven Weber. The Recreation Commission picked Phil Griffiths. Select Board member-elect Paul Boehm will represent the 2229 Main Street Advisory Task Force in a non-voting role.
Hartman will represent the Select Board following a 4-0-1 vote. Cameron McKennitt abstained after also seeking the nomination.
The Select Board was still awaiting the nominees from the School Committee and the Planning Board as of Monday.
One at-large member will round out the group. The Select Board is weighing four choices: Jennifer Braceras, Todd Benjamin, Susan Myers, and outgoing colleague Terri Ackerman.
Ackerman acknowledged “concern” about newcomers being left off town committees. She said there are some new names already on the working group and she will bring experience.
Peabody costs
The Acton Public Schools moved middle school operations out of Peabody in February when the new Ellen Garrison Building opened. By mid-April, Town Manager Kerry Lafleur said, officials had documented “minor vandalism.”
At the time, Capt. Brian Goldman said police increased patrols. In an update after the print version of this article went to press, Goldman confirmed juveniles were involved and said authorities sought charges. Goldman said he couldn’t provide additional information, including a description of the vandalism itself.
Lafleur said CPS has continued paying for upkeep since Peabody closed. Town Meeting voters will soon consider whether to formally transfer control of Peabody to the Select Board. Officials are seeking $100,000 for utilities, insurance, and other costs.
At an April 10 public hearing, Lafleur said insurance costs for an empty building “go sky high.” Officials may move some town operations into Peabody to lower the bill, but had not made a decision as of last month.
Lafleur said the town could also rent the building to a tenant.
“We have lots of ideas for that building,” she said, “but they’re really all over the place right now.”
‘A fast-moving group’
The Land Use Working Group’s assignment grants it 12 months from its first meeting to complete its work.
“It’s going to be a fast-moving group, I hope,” Hartman said during Monday’s housing meeting.
The Select Board met after the discussion. As the members finalized some details but left others unresolved, Hartman pushed to maintain momentum.
“We’ve already delayed it a lot,” she said.
