Town Meeting’s hybrid future?

Elizabeth More approached the microphone near 9:45 p.m. on the second night of Town Meeting with a sleeping child cradled in her arms. 

“It’s pretty late,” she said before asking her fellow voters to end their debate. 

Discussion wrapped up a few moments later, and by a tally of 195 to 100, voters approved a measure that could someday help parents like More attend Town Meetings from home. 

On Monday, participation was one of the most hotly debated proposals on a warrant that also included major spending, new zoning, and more. The change needs state approval.

Backers acknowledge lingering unknowns. But on a night when only 403 of Acton’s roughly 14,000 registered voters showed up, supporters hailed a step toward improved access. 

“This Town Meeting is not democratic,” former state Rep. Cory Atkins said of the current system. “… Just in terms of demographics, we’re totally off.”

Pros and cons 

Article 27 on remote voting emerged from the Town Meeting Study Committee among recommended reforms to Acton’s annual legislative gathering. Immediate changes included renting electronic voting “clickers.”

Supporters said hybrid meetings would encourage participation among parents, people with disabilities, and others who face barriers. 

But critics worried the option would weaken Town Meeting’s deliberative nature — or open the door to fraud. Abe Fisher said Acton should normalize meeting attendance for more residents “rather than allow people to sit on their couch and watch ‘CSI’ on one screen and Town Meeting on the other.”

With this week’s “yes” vote, Acton’s request should head to Beacon Hill for consideration by the legislature and governor. The process takes time, and Study Committee chair Eric Moore said he doesn’t expect a hybrid Town Meeting next year. 

Lower attendance

Town Meeting kicked off at Acton-Carlisle High School on Monday with 494 voters, down from 2024’s first-day peak of 1,131. Beyond remote participation, sessions yielded “yes” votes on town and school budgets, a multimillion-dollar road maintenance plan, and a new stormwater management fee for property owners. 

Residents narrowly approved funding for a permanent bathroom building at CCHS’ Memorial Field stadium. Also squeaking through: A change that will let the town lease land to third parties for 30 years instead of 10. 

Town and school budgets

The fiscal year 2026 town budget clocks in at $63.63 million. While it includes some cuts, Finance Committee chair Eric Dahlberg said Acton remains in a “precarious” position as it juggles high taxes, debt, and low savings. 

The schools also made cuts to meet FinCom guidelines and achieve promised savings while consolidating two middle schools into the new Ellen Garrison Building.

Among the reductions, CMS will have 5.4 fewer full-time positions. 

Article 19 put the Select Board and FinCom at odds over a plan to move roughly $1 million from free cash into a nearly empty general stabilization fund. Voters sided with FinCom’s argument that this is good financial practice that would better position Acton to deal with an emergency budget shortfall.

Happy tires?

A five-year, $27.5 million surge of spending for roads was 2025’s most expensive item outside of the town and school budgets. 

Opposition was scant as Public Works Commission chair Sven Weber said Acton would save in the long run by making repairs before roads require more extensive overhaul.

The spending must still pass at the ballot box, but longtime resident Mari Weinberg cheered the vote, saying she’s never seen Acton’s streets in worse shape than they are today. 

“My tires will be happy,” Weinberg told The Acton Bridge. 

Longer leases

Town Meeting’s closest vote through Tuesday came on Article 26 when voters approved extending the maximum lease for town land from 10 to 30 years. 

Deputy Town Manager Megan Zammuto has been leading efforts to improve Acton’s cell coverage and said the move could entice carriers with a better possible return on investment.

Critics sounded an alarm about giving town leaders, versus Town Meeting, more power to shape land use, but the “yes” votes won 156-145. 

Special election

In addition to road spending, the amenities building requires approval in a townwide vote.

While the Select Board still needs to formally call the special election, the panel adopted a schedule on Tuesday that sets the date for August 19. 

See expanded Bridge coverage of this year’s Town Meeting, including live results from Wednesday night, here.

Christine M. Quirk contributed reporting.