BOXBOROUGH: The Acton Boxborough Cultural Council is asking citizens to respond to a community survey to help the council set grant funding priorities for cultural programming in the two towns. The survey information will help the council determine which projects will receive money during the fall grant application season. The Massachusetts Cultural Council requires the survey which is due on August 20, 2023. Answer the questions in the survey HERE.  For more information about the Council, click HERE.

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Conservation Trust will hold a 25th Anniversary Celebration on the lawn at Sargent Memorial Library on June 10 (rain date June 11) from 2-5pm. The celebration will include a performance by singer-songwriter Oen Kennedy, and True West beer will be available for purchase. After the concert, BCTrust board members will lead a nature-based scavenger hunt with prizes that you can plant in your yard. There will be guided trail walks, plenty of kids’ activities, and an ice cream truck. BYO picnicking is encouraged. The event is free and open to all. 

There will also be a series of exhibits inside the library. The community room will showcase nature-based art and science displays, a timeline of BCTrust’s accomplishments, a display by David Barnett about native plants, and a Thankfulness Tree where visitors can add messages of thanks for the BCTrust and the land they protect in town. The exhibits will remain at the library throughout the month of June. 

“We are excited to celebrate 25 years of land conservation with the entire community,” says BCTrust board member and community outreach coordinator Rebecca Harris. “And a huge thanks to Peishan Bartley and the library staff for opening their doors and grounds to us!” 

The Boxborough Conservation Trust was founded in 1997 to “preserve and protect Boxborough’s rural character and natural resources.”

BOXBOROUGH: It’s June, and that means Fifer’s Day is just around the corner. Fifer’s Day 2023 will take place on June 17, at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road. The festivities start at 9:30am with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race, followed by a parade from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows at 11am and the presentation of the Golden Fife Award. 

Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase starting at noon, and a volleyball tournament will start at 1pm. Throughout the afternoon, there will be live music by The Rocky Woods Express and Final Mile, plenty of activities for kids, and more than 50 different booths and exhibits. The event is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minutemen Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. 

The Fifer’s Day tradition goes back to 1967, when the newly-formed Boxborough Minutemen Company celebrated the first “Fifer’s Festival” to commemorate local contributions to the American Revolution. While the town of Boxborough did not exist during the American Revolution, namesake fifer Luther Blanchard lived in the portion of Littleton that later became Boxborough. Fifer’s Day has grown considerably since the 1960s, but it remains true to its roots: a parade, a cookout, activities for the kids… a quintessential small-town party.

Boxborough News spoke with Minuteman Captain Tony Newton about how the Minutemen prepare for Fifer’s Day. 

When do the Minutemen start planning? 
Newton: Planning starts in earnest in February with a kick -off planning meeting. The Fifer’s Day leader (also Boxborough Minuteman Lieutenant) organizes the meetings, assigns/gets volunteer leads for each of the major functions. The lead for 2023 is Lt. Bob Lucas.

How many volunteers are involved? 
Newton: Most of the [Minutemen] Company are involved in some way so at any time there are often 25-30 involved. Many more are engaged in the days ahead of and on the day of Fifer’s Day.

What’s the biggest planning task?
Newton: Major tasks are the kid activities, organizing booths, coordination with town and getting permits, beverage and food, finance, booking music, operations (rentals), promotion, designing the program, getting sponsorships, organizing the t-shirts, organizing the road race, organizing the volleyball tournament. Each has [its] own complexities and timeline. Each of these has a lead or sub-team working on [it].

What is the most fun part of planning?
Newton: Interacting with the local community, including other organizations, sponsors, advertisers, town committees, and many volunteers from outside the Minutemen Company. Fifer’s Day is a great way to meet and work with many different people and really enjoy being part of a small town.

Are you planning anything new this year? 
Newton: Not really new but lots of kid activities at the booths this year. Face painting, balloon animals, a treasure hunt, and others in planning.

And finally, you know we have to ask it… what color are the t-shirts?
Newton: I couldn’t possibly tell you. That is a closely guarded secret until Fifer’s Day!

BOXBOROUGH: In order to replace the town’s antiquated fire station, Boxborough’s Building Committee considered the suitability of a possible building site at 700 Mass. Ave. (Route 111) during the BBC’s virtual meeting on May 24.

Landowner representative Keith Lyons and the owner’s architect Greg Roy stated that the land should provide space and supporting systems for a new 24,000 square feet fire station. Recent BBC studies conclude that a fire station that size will serve the town’s needs for the next 30 years. 

Roy’s drawings of the building site, near the Route 111 construction entry to the Enclave at Boxborough, showed that the land could accommodate five fire-vehicle bays attached to a two-story space for offices, supplies, and living quarters for fire personnel.

The public is welcome to attend the next BBC virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m., when Lyons and Roy will address questions about parking locations, turning radius for fire equipment, the entrance onto Route 111, a traffic study, the cost of a possible need to regrade a portion of Route 111, wastewater systems, wetland setbacks, and a formal document regarding the purchase price for the land. A drawing of how a 24,000 square feet building might fit the property may come at a later date. 

The BBC is also considering building sites at the location of the present fire station and at 70-72 Stow Road, which the Housing Board is also studying for possible low-cost housing or other development options.

The BBC is seeking information about the cost of renovating and enlarging the present police station. If such a plan is feasible and cost-effective, the BBC might propose building a stand-alone fire station, rather than a combined fire and police public safety building.

BOXBOROUGH: At its meeting on May 24, the Select Board unanimously authorized Town Administrator Michael Johns to move forward with regional dispatch service provided by Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch in Devens. Due to dispatch staffing shortages, Nashoba has been handling the 9-1-1 calls for Boxborough for the past 30 days. All calls are dispatched to Boxborough police and fire, so residents will be assisted by local responders. Nashoba currently services Berlin, Bolton, Devens, Harvard, Lancaster and Lunenburg.
 
Representatives from Boxborough Police and Boxborough Fire Departments spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of regional dispatch services. Police Chief John Szewczyk spoke of “minor hiccups,” such as dispatchers’ knowledge of Boxborough properties (e.g. unit numbers, apartment numbers), but said that “the quality of the service was still there from a public safety standpoint.” Fire Chief Paul Fillebrown said, “Dispatch is the most vital part of our job.” He indicated that the 9-1-1 calls were handled very well by Nashoba, but urged the Select Board to slow down and make sure that all parties involved have “buy in.” Executive Director of Nashoba, Anne Camaro attended the meeting and answered questions from the Select Board and also responded to the chiefs’ comments and concerns, stating that joining the regional dispatch service is a long process.

The next steps are for TA Johns to begin working on an intermunicipal agreement to lay out the process for joining Nashoba. There are cost savings associated with joining the regional dispatch, mostly due to a grant from the state. Boxborough missed the deadline for the 2024 fiscal year, but if awarded the grant for fiscal year (FY) 2025, the state will cover 100% of the town’s assessment for FY 2026 and FY 2027. The next two fiscal years (2028 and 2029) are covered at 50% and 25%, respectively.  It is within the town’s budget to cover this year’s (FY 2024) cost of $200,000.

BOXBOROUGH: On June 10 at 10am, Boxborough Democrats will convene in person at the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room, 427 Massachusetts Avenue, to elect 4 delegates and 4 alternates to represent Boxborough at the 2023 State Democratic Convention. Registration opens at 9:30am. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Boxborough who are 16 years old by May 23, 2023 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.

The 2023 Convention will be in person at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on September 23. Delegates and alternates from across the state will gather at the convention to adopt a Party Agenda and/or Platform. Those interested in getting involved with the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee should contact Chairperson, Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com or (978) 490-5343. For additional information, visit boxboroughdems.org or facebook.com/BoxboroughDTC.

BOXBOROUGH: Nomination forms are now available for the 2023 Golden Fife award and Parade Marshal. The Golden Fife is awarded to a Boxborough resident who has demonstrated long-term volunteer service to the town. The Parade Marshal is someone who has done something exceptional for the town, but not necessarily long-term or as a volunteer, and does not have to be a resident. Nominations are unlimited and a detailed reason for nomination is appreciated, as the winner is chosen not by number of nominations but by the Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. Nomination forms are available at Town Hall and the Sargent Memorial Library and must be returned to the boxes at those locations by June 1.

BOXBOROUGH: Acton and Boxborough Veterans Services District Director James R. MacRae has begun to hold office hours in Boxborough. MacRae will be available at United Church of Christ Boxborough at 723 Massachusetts Avenue on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm. As Veterans Services District Director, MacRae provides free services to veterans and their families in Acton and Boxborough, including assistance in obtaining State and Federal benefits. The Veterans Services Newsletter is available at https://tinyurl.com/BoxVets

BOXBOROUGH: On Tuesday, May 16, Boxborough voters elected three new Select Board members: Kristin Hilberg (3-year term), Priya Sundaram (3-year term), and David McKiernan (1-year term). Boxborough News team asked each a few questions about their new role: 

What are you most looking forward to about your new role?
Kristin: Getting to know all of the volunteers on the various boards and commissions and learning about their hopes and dreams for Boxborough, then working together to make them come true.
Priya: Learning about my duties and responsibilities and working collaboratively with all our Town Departments, Boards and Committees.
David: Getting to know, and working with, the amazing Boxborough residents who volunteer their time and efforts on the many committees and boards in the town.

What do you see as our town's biggest challenge right now?
Kristin: Refocusing our energy on the business of running the town.
Priya: Protecting our Water Resources, as many of our valuable aquifers are close to the commercial zoning districts, and being able to ensure clean water supply to all our residents. 
David: Arriving at the best possible solution for the 1414 Mass Ave. development project by Lincoln Properties.

What is one specific goal that you would like to accomplish during your tenure?
Kristin: I’d like to see a formal reevaluation of all properties so that everybody is paying the appropriate and fair amount of property taxes. Many are paying too much, many are paying too little.
Priya: Finalize and bring clean drinking water to residents west of 495 through Inter-Municipal Agreement with Littleton and Littleton Water Department. 
David: Increased communication and satisfaction with the residents and town government. (I’m also hearing that there’s a demand for a local coffee shop.)

BOXBOROUGH: The Town hired Naomi Quansah as the new Treasurer/Collector, replacing Jarred Aponte who resigned to take a position in the private sector. The Treasure/Collector is responsible for the collection of taxes, the recording, expenditure, and custody of municipal funds, the borrowing and investment of funds, and the payment of all financial obligations including employee payroll and benefits programs, accounts payable, and debt obligations. Prior to joining Boxborough on May 1, Quansah worked as the Assistant Treasurer/Collector for four years in West Brookfield (pop. 3,800) and was responsible for the collection of all real estate, personal property, and excise taxes for the community. As a member of the finance team, she also handled all payroll and accounts payable.

BOXBOROUGH: The rain just barely held off for the crowds that arrived for Free Bee Market’s May 20 opening day on the side lawn at UCC Boxborough. Although it was cloudy overhead, the mood of the volunteers and neighbors was sunny and ready for another market season of free food, plants, crafts, books and clothes.   

Barbara Birt rang the opening bell to get the lines started, at exactly 10:30 a.m. The food lines moved quickly, as families and neighbors took home items ranging from potatoes and daikon radishes to mayonnaise and ramen noodles to donuts and artisan bread. 

The food is gleaned, or collected, from a number of places.  Saturday’s market sources included Nashoba Brook Bakery, Roche Bros, Shaws, and Springdale farms in Littleton. As the growing season extends, Boston Gleaners out of Acton will be a donor, along with a variety of local farm stands. Local folks are encouraged to donate extra food items for the pantry, make baked goods, or donate eggs especially if they have chickens. 

“We have less food early in the season, so today I wanted to focus on plants, especially vegetables to share,” said Heather Fleming, one of the market organizers. Her family filled their green house with seedlings, and had hundreds of plants to give away, with husband Cord Awtry at hand to give growing and cooking advice. 

The Free Bee “thrift shop” held in the Community Center was a first for the market and a huge success. It was led by youth volunteers and adult mentors, who collected and sorted items specifically aimed at toddlers to teens. 

Free Bee pop-ups will continue on future Saturdays from 10:30-12 with produce and bread as the primary giveaways. Those who want to help or have something to share should contact Free Bee through freebeecommunity@gmail.com or check out Boxborough’s Free Bee Market Facebook page.

BOXBOROUGH: On May 22, Boxborough’s Planning Board and over 40 citizens held an online public hearing to discuss Lincoln Property’s application for approval of a subdivision which could allow the developer to avoid zoning bylaws passed in Boxborough’s special town meeting last November.

PB acting Chair, Cindy Markowitz called on Lincoln Property lawyer Jared Eigerman, and Lincoln Property engineer Sandra Brock, to explain that the developer has no intention of building on two of the subdivision lots along Mass. Ave. Approval of the subdivision would, however, allow the developer to build elsewhere on the land at a significantly larger scale than the new zoning bylaws would have permitted.

Engineer Sue Carter reviewed the subdivision application for the PB and brought up questions regarding the use and position of wells and the width of the road into the property. PB members emphasized that the subdivision must meet all zoning requirements, whether the developer builds on the property or not.

The PB will continue the public hearing on June 5 at 7:10pm, and again on June 26. By then, Lincoln Property representatives say they will address the concerns of the PB and the Board of Health. The PB has until July 5 to decide whether to approve, deny, or approve with conditions the subdivision application.

BOXBOROUGH: Below is a list of Boxborough’s board and committee meetings scheduled to take place the week of May 29-June 2. Note that the information is gathered a week or more in advance. Meetings can be added to the calendar up to 48 hours before the meeting. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town website up to 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Consult the calendar on the homepage of the Town website  www.boxborough-ma.gov/ for meeting agendas and up-to-date meeting information. For meetings on Zoom, the link to the meeting can be found on the agenda. 
 

BOXBOROUGH: On June 10 at 10am, Boxborough Democrats will convene in person in the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room, 427 Massachusetts Avenue, to elect four delegates and four alternates to represent Boxborough at the 2023 State Democratic Convention. The 2023 Convention will be in-person at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on September 23. Delegates and alternates from across the state will gather at the convention to adopt a party agenda and/or platform. 

Registration opens at 9:30am. Registered and pre-registered Boxborough Democrats who are 16 years old by May 23, 2023 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.

Those interested in getting involved with the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee should contact Chairperson Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com or 978-490-5343. For additional information, visit boxboroughdems.org or facebook.com/BoxboroughDTC.

BOXBOROUGH: There is still plenty of space at Flerra Summer Playground. With fun and creative outdoor activities for boys and girls grades K-7, your kids are sure to have a blast! Activities include dodgeball, tenni-ball, arts and crafts, a talent show, and Water Wednesdays. Sessions begin weekly July 5-28 and run weekdays from 8:30am until noon. To sign up, visit the Recreation Commission link on the town website. Sessions are $125 each ($75 for the short session July 5-7).

The Recreation Commission is sponsoring "Boxborough at Fenway" day on June 27, to see the Red Sox play the Mariners at 7:10pm. The commission has secured 100 tickets at $45 each in Bleacher Section 35 for a chance to experience Fenway with fellow Boxborough residents. Tickets may be ordered online at boxborough-ma.gov/359/Recreation-Commission. Deadline to order is May 23. 

BOXBOROUGH: Nomination forms are now available for the 2023 Golden Fife award and Parade Marshal. The Golden Fife is awarded to a Boxborough resident who has demonstrated long-term volunteer service to the town. The Parade Marshal is someone who has done something exceptional for the town, but not necessarily long-term or as a volunteer, and does not have to be a resident.

Nominations are unlimited and a detailed reason for nomination is appreciated, as the winner is chosen not by number of nominations but by the Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. Nomination forms are available at Town Hall and the Sargent Memorial Library and must be returned to the boxes at those locations by June 1. 

BOXBOROUGH: At their meeting on May 8, the Select Board unanimously selected Town Planner Alec Wade as the Boxborough representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, replacing Les Fox who is retiring from the board after 24 years. 

The Select Board authorized Town Administrator Mike Johns to work with the police and fire chiefs to explore regional dispatch options to help address staffing issues. They discussed the Nashoba Valley Regional, which currently services Berlin, Bolton, Devens, Harvard, Lancaster, and Lunenburg, as a possible partner. 

The Board also authorized Mr. Johns to develop an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Littleton and the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department to provide water to the west side of Boxborough. This project will also need special legislation to allow for a multi-town water district. In addition to providing clean water for residents, the agreement includes water for fire suppression at no cost.

BOXBOROUGH: Below is a list of Boxborough’s board and committee meetings scheduled to take place the week of May 22-26. Note that the information is gathered a week or more in advance. Meetings can be added to the calendar up to 48 hours before the meeting. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town website up to 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Consult the calendar on the homepage of the Town website for meeting agendas and up-to-date meeting information. For meetings on Zoom, the link to the meeting can be found on the agenda. 

Monday, May 22:

• Planning Board, 7:30pm via Zoom
  • Public Hearing on the Definitive Subdivision Plan for 1414 Massachusetts Avenue, submitted on behalf of Lincoln Properties
  • Site Plan Review Waiver Request for 200 Beaver Brook Road to allow the addition of a garage bay to 200 Beaver Brook Road
• Select Board, 7pm via Zoom
  • Board reorganization and vote of new officers

Wednesday, May 24:

• Planning Board and Select Board, 7pm via Zoom
  • Joint executive session of Planning Board and Select Board to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation 

Thursday, May 25:

• BERC-Emergency Reserve Corps Executive Committee, 7pm

BOXBOROUGH: At a spirited community event on May 4, candidates competing for seats on Boxborough’s Select Board, Planning Board, and School Committee answered questions about how they would respond to the challenges of town government.

The Acton Area League of Women Voters organized the forum, which was attended by more than 60 people in Boxborough Town Hall.

Candidate profiles can also be found at boxboroughnews.org. To see a sample ballot for the election, go to the town’s website at www.boxborough-ma.gov/211/Elections-Voting. On May 16, polls at Town Hall will be open from 7am-8pm.

Select Board candidates John Markiewicz (incumbent), Kristin Hilberg, and Priya Sundaram are competing for two three-year terms; Keith Lyons and David McKiernan are competing for a one-year term. They were asked how they would deal with the need for “transparency, communication and accountability,” public safety facilities, and dealing with “conflicting views from constituents and other board members.” 

Three candidates are running for two three-year terms on the Planning Board: Mark Barbadoro (incumbent), Cindy Markowitz (incumbent), and Richard Guzzardi. They were asked how they would define the role of the Planning Board, ensure that developers use Green practices, deal with outdated office parks, and manage the town’s aquifers and water supply.

Four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the School Committee: Richard Barrett (who was unable to appear), Chadwin Childers, Lakshmi Kaja, and Vikram Parikh. After talking about their budget experience, they were asked how they would balance student needs with available revenue and how to promote civil discourse regarding equity and inclusion. 

Voters may watch a recording of the forum by going to tinyurl.com/LWVforum5-4.

BOXBOROUGH: Over 200 voters attended the first night of Boxborough Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 8, at Blanchard Memorial School. It was the first ATM for Moderator Dennis Reip and Town Administrator Michael Johns.

After the moderator’s opening remarks the meeting opened with a switch to a special town meeting to approve five current-year issues, including funding to procure water service from the Town of Littleton to serve the residents in the western part of Boxborough, near Route 495.

When the ATM reconvened, Tessa McKinley gave a report from the Acton Boxborough Regional School Committee, and Cindy Markowitz gave an update on Planning Board activities. Voters then voted to eliminate all salaries for elected officials except for the town clerk and constable.

After a presentation from Personnel Board Chair Lee Slade, voters approved changes to the Personnel Administration Plan and the Plan’s Classification and Compensation Schedule, which included a 2.9% wage adjustment for non-union and non-contract employees. 

Finance Committee chair Maria Neyland explained a reduction in the budget and other changes in figures printed in the ATM warrant. Voters then approved the town’s annual operating budget of $25,849,443 for fiscal year 2024, a 4.8 percent increase from fiscal year 2023.

The meeting then proceeded through 39 articles, approving 38, many by consent agenda, and took no action on one at the request of the Select Board. Key items included a by-law establishing a fall town meeting, adding staff to the Fire Department, expanded funding for road maintenance, replacement of police and fire vehicles, a new Department of Public Works backhoe, replacing underground fuel storage tanks with new above-ground tanks, replacing the roof of the Sargent Memorial Library, authorization to use a grant to acquire a fire department tender, approval of a green community renewable energy trust fund surcharge, acceptance of Joyce Lane, Loring Avenue, and MacLeod Way as public town ways, and Community Preservation Act funds for the preservation of the 1784 Levi Wetherbee/ Steele Farm House.

The Blanchard School chorus opened the ATM with singing of the national anthem; students also led those attending in the pledge of allegiance. Citizens enthusiastically applauded in appreciation for the service of Fire Chief Paul Fillebrown and Select Board member Les Fox both of whom are retiring this spring.

The meeting was continued to May 9, with three articles remaining for deliberation.

BOXBOROUGH: At their meeting May 3, members of the Boxborough Housing Board continued to look at affordable housing needs for Boxborough and the region, and how best to use town-owned land at 70-72 Stow Road.

Metro West Collaborative Development has agreed to gather data about housing needs in Boxborough and nearby Middlesex and Worcester County towns in time for discussion at the board’s next meeting, 7:30 p.m., June 8, in Town Hall.

Housing Board Chair Al Murphy cited recent reports about the unusually high costs of rent and construction in Boston, remarking that the Boxborough region shares similar affordable housing concerns.

The board agreed to look at all the options for sale, development, and use of the Stow Road land, including mixed development (housing, retail, commercial), a town center district, public safety buildings, or an outright sale to the highest bidder.

Because the Stow Road land must be used for affordable housing, the board might sell it and use the proceeds to purchase existing condos, remodeling them as affordable housing units.

The agenda included discussion of housing-related articles being presented at annual Town Meeting, the Boxborough Rental Assistance Program, a possible emergency assistance program, values and taxes at Boxborough Meadows, and a safety-related funding request.