Terra Friedrichs

& her local work in
Acton, Massachusetts

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Here are some links that I have found useful...
Enjoy!

* Acton TOWN Bylaws (also see "Zoning Bylaws" under Planning, below: 
http://www.acton-ma.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=346

* Finance:

Primer on what the heck Propsition 2 1/2 is:  http://www.acton-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=257

Acton Financial Basics:  http://www.acton-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=73

Budget-specific Docs:  http://www.acton-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=255

In particular, check this out.  It's the "Indicator Analysis" that provides an "executive level" dashboard like overview of the Town's financial situation. It's missing a number of what I'd call "unfunded liabilties".  But I think it's pretty darned good.  You might enjoy pages 1.8 to 1.13.  Pretty telling:

http://www.acton-ma.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=218

* Admin:

See link below for the Committee and Volunteer "Rules".  This, mind you, is "guidance" and "policy".  It is NOT law.  There's no crime in ignoring it, except that you may not be reappointed. Also note that even if someone threatens you, it's VERY difficult for anyone to "unappoint" you unless you do something illegal. Further, "elected" officials have even more freedom.  It's basically designed to keep folks from disagreeing with the party line too much.  Not sure why people are afraid of a minority position.  Alas...

By the way, if you don't like something in it, it's pretty easy to change, if the other Selectmen agree.  It may be worth noting that it actually didn't get much public scrutiny...

The bottom line is that it doesn't seem to be taken very seriously.  It's used "by convenience".  Like if a Chair wants to "invoke it", it can be useful. But then the same Chair can be seen breaking the same rules in another meeting a month later.  So...take it as "guidance"...and with a grain of salt.

https://doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-26668/4lm98qx6.pdf

* Planning:

Master Plan/zoning laws, and other useful planning info:  http://www.acton-ma.gov/DocumentCenterii.aspx?FID=52
Choose "Planning"

* Strategic Planning/Surveys:

Here are the "market surveys" that we did to see what residents and businesses want.  Be aware that the raw survey results may or may not be reflected in the text, depending on your views.  But I think it's useful for one to actually look AT the raw results, so that one can make their own conclusions:

http://www.acton2020.com/phase1_reports.shtml

Note the surveys are on a separate page:

http://actonoutreach.com/pdfs/Acton%20Volume%20II%20Appendices%20-%20Section4.pdf

Further note that these results do NOT include the revised results that incorporated "coding" of answers provided in "other" for several questions.  One of them included "what do you want less of" and we eventually combined the answers in "other" that were like "construction", "building", "new growth" and the like in with "development".  And while the text reflects this, the raw survey results do not.  I don't have a method "yet" for posting these raw results.  But have them in Excel, if you want them.

Open Space and Recreation Survey:  https://doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-29332/2008%20Open%20Space%20and%20Recreation%20Survey%20-%2005-11-09.pdf

There's a transportation survey that's pretty interesting, but I can't find it on Docushare.  Franny probably has it.

Sewer Expansion Survey (note: some thought this was flawed because of the collection method.  others thought it was fine):  https://doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-25359/484mk_hz.pdf

Other:

Acton Forum (videos, links to Town-employee salary info, etc etc):  http://www.actonforum.com/links-and-documents

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