Town Meeting approves purchase of 5.8 acres at 46 Taylor Road to expand Acton Arboretum

The Town Meeting approved Article 13 to exercise the town’s right of first refusal to purchase 5.8 acres at 46 Taylor Road, a parcel enrolled in Chapter 61B where the owner had a pending sale. Presenter Dean Charter (select board representative) said the purchase-and-sale price in the verified agreement was $1,400,000 and the town’s appraisal found land value slightly higher. The financing plan, as presented, uses $1,000,000 from the CPA open-space set-aside and bonds up to $445,000 over a period not to exceed 20 years (most likely a 10-year note). The plan also includes a proposed $45,000 expenditure for a permanent conservation restriction.

Charter described the parcel as the last practical opportunity to expand the Acton Arboretum and noted broad endorsements by the select board, finance committee, conservation commission, open-space committee and local land trusts; the Acton Conservation Trust had raised roughly $100,000 in pledges to help subsidize the acquisition. Supporters at town meeting, including Carla Heiler, urged voters to preserve trees and the trail experience, warning that development would strain local services and schools. A member of the public cited state-level housing statistics and argued that communities need affordable housing, but the meeting’s discussion focused on the land’s open-space and recreation value.

The moderator closed debate and reported Article 13 passed by the two-thirds majority required for this acquisition.