by Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — comprise a family of harmful chemicals that is found in tap water and in many consumer and industrial products. This post suggests that a whole-of-government approach — one that enacts collaborative efforts across municipal departments and boards toward a shared… Continue reading →
Green Acton Recommends Passage of Town Meeting Articles
Green Acton directors and (March and April) monthly meeting attendees heard case presentations on, discussed, and decided to endorse the following articles on the Acton 2023 Town Meeting Warrant. NOTE: Town Meeting begins the evening of May 1, at 7pm, in the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School auditorium; it will very likely run for two nights… Continue reading →
Q&A with 2023 Candidate for Acton Water District Commissioner
This year, there is one candidate running for the position of Commissioner of the Acton Water District (AWD): Stephen C. Stuntz. This post contains Mr. Stuntz’s answers to questions prepared by the Green Acton Water Committee; the goal is to inform voters about some current issues and opportunities facing the District, and the candidate’s thoughts on how to address… Continue reading →
UPDATE: Webinar Recording Now Available: Creating Sustainable Lawns
You can now access Green Acton’s March 22 webinar with organic turf management expert Chip Osborne. So whether you couldn’t make the live event, or just need to see this great session once more, you can here: Creating Sustainable Lawns: A Webinar with Chip Osborne
Green Acton Supports Water Rate Study Article for AWD Annual Meeting
The warrant for the Acton Water District (AWD) 2023 annual meeting includes an article asking the district to commission an external expert study of water rates. Green Acton Directors voted to support this article because it has the potential to support Green Acton’s mission by conserving water resources and advancing environmental justice.
Road Salt Threatens Aquatic Ecosystems in Acton
Contributed by Kim Kastens and the Green Acton Water Committee As part of a study by OARS of road salt pollution across the Sudbury/Assabet/Concord (SuAsCo) watershed, the Green Acton Water Committee measured electrical conductivity in brooks and rivers at 29 sites throughout the Fort Pond Brook tributary system. High conductivity is typically, although not always,… Continue reading →
Perspectives: Options for Funding Acton’s Response to PFAS
By Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee The discovery of PFAS in Acton’s groundwater confronts the town with the prospect of many millions of dollars of new capital costs to add PFAS treatment capacity to the Acton Water District’s (AWD’s) local water treatment plants and/or to connect to the Massachusetts Regional Water Authority (MWRA)… Continue reading →
The Challenging Interrelationships among Water Rates, Conservation, and Environmental Justice
Contributed by Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee The cost of delivering clean tap water is rising around the world, including in Acton. Public water suppliers across Massachusetts are seeking ways to balance competing demands to cover the costs of infrastructure and operations, to encourage water conservation, and to provide the essential good of… Continue reading →
Coming January 1, 2023: New Plastics Bylaw Goes into Effect
On New Year’s Day 2023, Acton’s new Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction bylaw goes live. See flyer below, and the QR code, for more information:
Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrapping
Contributed by Carolyn Davis, Green Acton Materials/Plastics Subcommittee Do you want to save money and help the planet this holiday season by reducing trash? Green Pro Tip: make your own wrapping paper! Americans spend about $8 billion a year on wrapping paper. Not only is that a lot of money for something that gets ripped… Continue reading →