Residents press town manager on sewer rates, capacity and whether regional projects will help
June 12, 2026 | Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts
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Multiple residents used the Java with John session to press the town on sewer rates, assessor abatement delays and whether regional infrastructure — including a planned Concord/Conquered rotary redesign and redevelopment of a former prison site — could expand Acton’s sewer capacity.
A resident reported a 16.25% rise in property taxes and that an assessor abatement filed in January had not produced a response by June. Manerati said the assessor’s office typically processes abatements in spring and offered to follow up directly through the deputy town manager to check the case.
On sewer policy, Manerati explained that the select board serves as sewer commissioners in Acton and that the board will review a presentation about proposed sewer rate changes, usage, capacity and costs at its upcoming Monday meeting. "We're getting near the end of the capacity that is in it," he said, noting rising costs and limited capacity mean the town must sometimes say no to new connections, particularly for large projects.
Residents asked whether homeowners who paid betterments when the sewer system was built retain a right to future hookups. Manerati said single‑home connections will likely still be possible for some time but large project connections are already limited; he said the town is exploring options to increase capacity but that expanding treatment capacity is difficult and will require time and planning.
Several questions addressed whether redevelopment and state led investments near the rotary could be timed to improve regional infrastructure. Manerati described state plans for a multi‑year rotary redesign (a flyover concept similar to other regional projects) and said Concord/Conquered’s plans for the former prison site could coincide with state work, but he expressed skepticism that sewer capacity could readily be shared across municipal boundaries without significant negotiation and investment.
No formal rate vote occurred at the event; the select board was scheduled to review and act on rates at its next meeting.
A resident reported a 16.25% rise in property taxes and that an assessor abatement filed in January had not produced a response by June. Manerati said the assessor’s office typically processes abatements in spring and offered to follow up directly through the deputy town manager to check the case.
On sewer policy, Manerati explained that the select board serves as sewer commissioners in Acton and that the board will review a presentation about proposed sewer rate changes, usage, capacity and costs at its upcoming Monday meeting. "We're getting near the end of the capacity that is in it," he said, noting rising costs and limited capacity mean the town must sometimes say no to new connections, particularly for large projects.
Residents asked whether homeowners who paid betterments when the sewer system was built retain a right to future hookups. Manerati said single‑home connections will likely still be possible for some time but large project connections are already limited; he said the town is exploring options to increase capacity but that expanding treatment capacity is difficult and will require time and planning.
Several questions addressed whether redevelopment and state led investments near the rotary could be timed to improve regional infrastructure. Manerati described state plans for a multi‑year rotary redesign (a flyover concept similar to other regional projects) and said Concord/Conquered’s plans for the former prison site could coincide with state work, but he expressed skepticism that sewer capacity could readily be shared across municipal boundaries without significant negotiation and investment.
No formal rate vote occurred at the event; the select board was scheduled to review and act on rates at its next meeting.
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