Rep. Sena, Rep. Cataldo, and Sen. Eldridge announce signing of Acton Public Safety residency legislation by Gov. Healey
The Acton Delegation filed H.4168 after the matter passed at Town Meeting to assist in hiring public safety officials
BOSTON – 12/11/2025 – Rep. Danillo Sena (D – Acton), Rep. Simon Cataldo (D – Concord) and Senator Jamie Eldridge (D – Marlborough) announced that H4168, An Act authorizing the town of Acton to increase the residency limit for members of its police and fire departments, was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey.
The Home Rule petition was filed on behalf of the Town of Acton to allow for hiring public safety officials from a greater radius, subject to collective bargaining. This strengthens the recruiting of police and fire officials, ensuring that qualified candidates can be hired from a wider base of communities. The matter passed by a majority vote at Acton’s May 2025 Town Meeting.
“This home rule petition is essential to the Town of Acton, as it ensures that police officers and firefighters can be hired from a much broader base. It’s a key measure to assist with public safety in our district,” said Rep. Danillo Sena. “I’m thankful for the work of town leadership, including the Acton Select Board, Town Manager John Mangiratti, Fire Chief Anita Arnum, Police Chief Jim Cogan, and my colleagues in the legislature for their work and advocacy on this legislation.”
“I am pleased that Acton’s Home Rule petition increasing the residency distance limit for police and fire personnel is now law,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “This change will help Acton better recruit and retain public safety professionals at a time when the Acton-Boxborough region has become increasingly unaffordable for many working families.”
"I'm thrilled that this Home Rule Petition has been signed into law. It's crucial that Acton's police and fire departments are well-staffed with excellent public safety officials, and that we give these officials more flexibility over where they live," said Rep. Simon Cataldo. "I'm grateful for my partners in the Acton legislative delegation, our colleagues in the legislature, Governor Healey, and the many town officials who advocated for this important legislation."
“Passage of this home rule petition expands the fire department’s hiring pool, allowing us to recruit much-needed firefighter/paramedics. We are grateful for the work of our representatives, town staff, and their teams in bringing this effort to fruition,” said Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnum.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Acton Police Department, I extend my sincere appreciation to all those who worked collaboratively to get this passed. We are all very grateful for the support we received from our Legislators,” said Acton Police Chief Jim Cogan.
Prior to the passage of this legislation, the Town of Acton was limited to hiring public safety officials to a 15-mile radius. Acton can now hire public safety officials from outside this radius, subject to collective bargaining agreements.
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