Voters Approve Budgets for Acton Public Schools, A-B

Residents at Day 2 of Annual Town Meeting Tuesday night applauded after it was announced the budgets for both Acton Public Schools and Acton-Boxborough were approved.

Acton Public Schools Committee Chair Kim McOsker presented Article 24 to voters, saying: "The budgets have gone through many revisions to allow level funding. Funding level services allows us to continue with long-range plans."

The budget for Acton Public Schools, Article 25, will be $26,960,275.

Outgoing A-B Chair Xuan Kong praised the school in its efforts both academically and athletically before voters OK'd a budget of $26,459,873.

Other highlights from Tuesday night:

• Voters unanimously approved Article 18 – $33,000 to purchase property at 81 Wood Lane. Acton Conservation Trust made voters aware that the property is available. The owner has ties to trust; the land abuts the Acton Arboretum.
• Voters passed Article 19 which requested funding for collective bargaining agreement with police superior officers. Voters unanimously approved funds for first year of three-year contract.With the funding approved, the Town is now obligated to fund theremaining years of the contract.
• Voters took no action on Article 20 concerning a pact for the firefighters' group. Selectman Janet Adachi said there is a tentative agreement but it wasn't completed in time for all administrative work to be done for a  vote. This item may come up at a special Town Meeting that may take place in June.
• Voters supported Article 21, providing funds for first year of three-year contract for 26 highway, municipal properties and cemetery employees.With the funding approved, the Town is now obligated to fund theremaining years of the contract.
• Voters unanimously approved Article 22 for cost-of-living adjustments for police officers as outlined in the FY12 collective bargaining agreement between the town and Acton Police Patrol Officers Association.With the funding approved, the Town is now obligated to fund theremaining years of the contract.
• Voters unanimously backed Article 23, funds for collective bargaining agreement with the Acton Police Officers Association fiscal 2013, first year of a three-year contract. With the funding approved, the Town is now obligated to fund the remaining years of the contract.
• Voters approved Article 26, $686,979 for the town's assessment for Minuteman High School in Lexington, with $634,000 from free cash and $52,979 from general revenues.
• After a lot of back-and-forth, voters vetoed Article 27 to allow drive through windows at retail businesses. Petitioner Harold Kabakoff argued having drive-through windows is a matter of convenience and safety, including for the elderly, disabled and those with small children. Planning Board voted to oppose the article saying if allowed, there's a risk for more garbage in the parking lots. One resident said it would attract larger chains that don't typically put money back into the community. Others argued businesses should get the chance to choose whether to have drive-through windows and decide if it works for them. The article failed to get the required two-thirds majority vote.
• The Acton and Acton-Boxborough School committees honored Kong, who is stepping down from the school committee after serving the past six years. He did not seek re-election this year.
• The Joseph Lalli Municipal Employee of the Year Award went to Denise Whitney of Acton Nursing Services for home health aide and clerical support. The Public Safety Employee of The Year Award was awarded to K-9 Miso and Patrol Officer Dan Holloway. Miso is a 7-year-old German Sheppard and by far the youngest member of the Acton Police Department.