Learning with Purpose Acton Citizens Survey 2013 Report Prepared by Timothy Brunson, Michaela Hyde, Fatmata Kanu & Seyed Sohi With the Introduction to Political Analysis Students Supervised by Jenifer Whitten-Woodring, Ph.D. Department of Political Science In Partnership with The Center for Public Opinion, University of Massachusetts Lowell Supported by a Service-Learning Mini-Grant from an MA Board of Higher Education Vision Grant

Learning with Purpose The Center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit research center at UMass Lowell with the goal of producing and disseminating valuable information of political relevance to people in our surrounding community. We are strongly committed to: Student involvement and participation in the research process Community outreach Rigorous standards About the Center for Public Opinion

Learning with Purpose A survey to examine the attitudes of Acton residents regarding: Community Life Local Government Participation Town Services Surveys as a means of responsiveness and accountability "Polling is merely an instrument for gauging public opinion. When a… leader pays attention to poll results, he is, in effect, paying attention to the views of the people. Any other interpretation is nonsense.“ – George Gallup About the survey What is this for?

Learning with Purpose 1200 randomly selected Acton households Sent pre-notification Sent surveys in September Response rate: 476/1200 = 40% Telephone surveys typically are 10-15% RR MOE of about +/- 5% Data weighted to census counts on age, households with children and education level (gender of survey respondents matched census counts) Methodology By the numbers…

Learning with Purpose Quality of Life By most metrics, a great place to live!

Learning with Purpose Quality of Life Feeling Thermometer

Learning with Purpose Community Characteristics

Learning with Purpose What makes Acton a desirable place to live? Schools, Services, Property Values, Geography

Learning with Purpose Problems in the Town of Acton Acton Residents Rate Problems in the Town

Learning with Purpose Property Use Opinion of Acton’s current mix of property uses Not enoughJust about rightToo much Single-family houses7%79%13% Residential Subdivisions7%64%29% Multi-family housing10%49%41% Rental housing15%47%38% Office buildings20% 70% 10% Large retail stores38%54%8% Small shops & businesses48%49%3% Open space/farmland36%63%2%

Learning with Purpose Civic Participation in Acton High rates of participation

Learning with Purpose Civic Participation in Acton Continued

Learning with Purpose Shopping

Learning with Purpose Rating Town Services and Programs

Learning with Purpose Rating Town Services and Programs

Learning with Purpose How are Town Officials Doing? Town Employees Rated Good/Excellent

Learning with Purpose Town Board/Committees Rated Good/Excellent How are Town Officials Doing?

Learning with Purpose Where Residents Get News

Learning with Purpose Acton is a desirable place to live and its citizens enjoy a high quality of life by almost every metric The town scores highest in its ratings on safety, open space and historic preservation and lowest for public transportation options and walk-ability Citizens move to Acton for its property values and public schools Violent crime is not a problem in Acton, but traffic congestion is Acton enjoys reasonably high rates of participation People are shopping more on Route 2A and Kelly’s Corner than in West Acton Most town services are rated quite highly; satisfaction with Acton town government is quite high Summary of Findings A Snapshot

Learning with Purpose Final report by year end Cross-tabs Thank you Questions and Comments? Post-script

Learning with Purpose