On July 16, the Boxborough Planning Board held a “working session” to tackle a potential zoning bylaw amendment regarding municipal use.
  The three-hour session did not result in a decision or vote, but allowed the five Planning Board members to discuss possible approaches to a bylaw amendment in advance of a public hearing scheduled for Monday, August 4.
  In January, the Town’s Fire Station Building Committee received a letter from Building Inspector Ed Cataldo expressing his opinion that Boxborough’s zoning bylaws do not specifically allow a firehouse to be built anywhere in town and that a zoning bylaw amendment would be required to correct this apparent error.
  This continues to be disputed by some, who believe that building in the current location of the fire station would be allowed as a pre-existing non-conforming use.
  At the May 2025 Town Meeting, the Select Board attempted to solve the problem identified by the Building Inspector by bringing a warrant article to amend the zoning bylaw to allow municipal governmental use in every zoning district throughout town. The article failed to pass, as did a warrant article to fund the next stage of the fire station building process.
  In June, the Select Board, Planning Board, and Fire Station Building Committee convened to figure out how to move forward in a way that would allow the town to build a fire station. At that meeting, the Planning Board expressed its intent to take up the issue and propose a zoning amendment.
  At their July 16 meeting, Planning Board members first discussed the threshold question of whether a proposed bylaw change should address all municipal uses or simply focus on “public safety” (the municipal use relevant to the fire station project). Some members indicated a preference for addressing the broader issue of all municipal uses, while others cautioned that a broader approach might make it more difficult to complete the task by the planned October Special Town Meeting.
  A second question is whether to (1) allow the use “by right” in all districts, (2) allow the use only by special permit in agricultural and residential districts, or (3) disallow the use in agricultural and residential districts. A fourth option, if the Board chooses to address all municipal uses, could be to distinguish between different types of municipal use and determine which are allowable in which type of zoning district.
  The Board acknowledged that the town has already rejected an approach that would allow all municipal uses “by right everywhere.” Three members - Mark White, Rich Guzzardi and Chris Dowdy - expressed that they are in favor of an amendment allowing the narrower public safety use “by right everywhere.” Alternatively, if the town doesn’t have the appetite for allowing public safety use in all districts, including agricultural and residential districts, they indicated they would favor allowing public safety use in those districts by special permit. Chair Rebecca Verner and member Cindy Markowitz indicated that they wanted to hear from the public before taking a position.  
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 
 

 

 Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• Planning Board Begins Conversation on Municipal Zoning Issue, Will Hold Public Hearing August 4
• Conservation Commission Recommends Rodenticide Ban
• Water Resources Committee Discusses Gathering Data on Private Wells
• Another Season of Flerra Summer Playground Winds Down, Registration for Final Week Closes July 27
• Finance Committee Proposes Reestablishing a Board of Assessors, Questions Overlay Reserve Amount
• Community Members Share Their Stories and Experiences at Annual "Ask Me Fair"
• SPCP Regroups Around Workshop Findings and Discusses School Resource Officer Program
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: Time to Give Up on Perfection

On May 8 and June 12, the Boxborough Sustainability Committee (BSC) discussed swap shed planning, options for PAYT models, and the Specialized Stretch Code.
  With the swap shed article approved at the May 12 Annual Town Meeting, the committee began discussions on construction options, taking budget, materials, size, and timing into consideration. Electrification would require additional cost and time. Committee member Jay Krishnasamy suggested providing a digital platform in addition to the physical swap shed to allow residents to better coordinate items to adopt.
  Ian Gilson, the new Associate Town Planner, joined the meeting and conveyed active interest in supporting the committee’s waste reduction efforts, including participation in the waste reduction working group. The waste reduction working group has outlined two potential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) models. The first is a hybrid model that maintains use of the transfer station requiring a vehicle sticker and adds the option of purchasing special PAYT bags for excess waste at residential homes. The second is a full PAYT model wherein solid waste collection would take place only at residential homes on a per unit basis, and the transfer station would be reserved only for the swap shed, composting, and disposal of special materials.
  Committee Chair Kate Davies noted that the full PAYT model would receive the majority of financial incentives provided by MassDEP compared to the hybrid model. The working group will continue to explore the financial framework for both models.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

 Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• Boxborough Celebrates Fifer’s Day
• Hongbing Tang and Students Exhibit Artwork at Sargent Memorial Library
• Meditations with Ann: Tree Pose to Chair Pose
• Sustainability Committee Evaluates Plans for Waste Reduction Projects
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: “I Believe in Climate Change”
• FSBC Debriefs After First “Listening Session”

Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• MBTA Communities 3A Advisory Group Reaches Consensus on Multifamily Housing Site Recommendation
• What Does “A-B Forward” Mean for Blanchard? 
• Water Resources Committee Consultant Reports Boxborough Has Adequate Water Supply
• FSBC Continues to Look for a Path Forward on Fire Station Project
• Select Board Revisits Town Response to Local ICE Activity
• Finance Committee Hears Report on Unspent Funds, Suggests Potential Improvements to Town Finance and Budget Processes
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: Are You a Deadheader?

  Happy Summer, Boxborough News readers! Through July and August, Boxborough News will publish our email newsletter on a biweekly schedule instead of weekly. We will publish on the following Fridays:  July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22. We will be back to our regular weekly publication schedule on September 5.
  We will continue to update our website and social media accounts with new stories on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Check out www.BoxboroughNews.org and follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  Comments, questions, or suggestions for Boxborough News? Curious about how to get involved? Don’t hesitate to reach out to boxboroughnews@gmail.com. We’re always looking for new ideas and volunteers.
  As always, thank you to the Boxborough community for supporting the Boxborough News project. 

On Monday, June 23, Boxborough’s “3A Advisory Group,” the committee charged with recommending locations that meet the multi-family zoning requirements of the MBTA Communities Act, met virtually to review the potential districts and discuss their recommendations which they will present to the Planning Board on June 30.
 After a brief introduction, Town Planner Alec Wade reviewed the three sites visited by the group on June 18: Leonard Road (District 1); Element (site of a commercial entity at 1146 Mass Ave - District 5); and 72 Stow Road (District 6). These sites were selected by the group based on their suitability for compliance with the law.
  The group discussed each site’s merits and drawbacks and decided that District 1 offers the best option for meeting the MBTA Communities zoning requirements. District 1 would include Leonard Road (Meenmore Condominiums) and abutting properties along Hill Road. This district is favored not only because of its proximity to the Littleton MBTA station and Route 2, but also because it includes both existing multifamily housing (that will partially satisfy the number and density of units required by the law) and land that can be developed, which would be zoned to allow additional multifamily housing to be built.
  On behalf of the 3A Advisory Group, Planner Wade will present District 1 for the Planning Board’s consideration at the Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 30. The 3A Advisory Group agreed to continue their discussion of 72 Stow Road as a potential alternate site and make additional visits to other alternate sites.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

By now, many Boxborough families have heard that the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD) has recently launched a strategic planning and reorganization project, dubbed “A-B Forward.”
 The goal of A-B Forward, which was initiated in response to the District’s ongoing budget challenges, is to “create an updated strategic plan as well as a set of 3-5 actionable options for district reorganization that could guide district operations for the next 5-10 years.”
  A steering committee of administrators, school committee members, educators, and parents is expected to meet monthly to support and guide the District’s work with consultant District Management Group.
 There are two phases to the A-B Forward project. The first phase is the development of a strategic plan. The second phase, which will begin in the fall, will focus on “possible concepts for reorganization.”
  As the news of A-B Forward spreads around Boxborough, families with students at Blanchard Memorial School have raised questions about what this all means for Blanchard.
  Boxborough News posed five commonly-asked questions to the ABRSD School Committee Chair Tori Campbell and the Vice Chair (and Boxborough resident) Adam Klein.
    Q: Is it possible that the reorganization process might result in Boxborough residents no longer being guaranteed a spot at Blanchard?
  A: The “hometown guarantee” that was written into the regional agreement expired in 2019. The regional agreement allows the superintendent to make exceptions to this, and the school committee would have to formally take action to make a change. However, there is already a possibility that in a few more years, Blanchard would not have enough room for all of the Boxborough students to attend Blanchard if they chose.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

At their June 12 meeting, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee voted to amend the FY2026 budget to reflect additional anticipated revenue from the state.
  The state revenue will be used to reduce the assessments to Acton and Boxborough by a total of $150,000 and the remaining $237,890 will increase the budget to restore or add student-facing positions that were not funded in the original budget. School Committee Chair Adam Klein thanked the Committee members, teacher and staff members, and community members who advocated at the state level for additional funding to increase the budget this year.
  Superintendent Peter Light gave the Committee an update about the district’s strategic planning and reorganization process, which has been renamed “A-B Forward” to make sure “the name we give to the group actually is reflective of the work the group is doing.”
  There are two phases to the A-B Forward project. The first phase is the development of a strategic plan. The second phase, which will begin in the fall, will focus on “possible concepts for reorganization.” A community survey regarding phase one, the strategic plan, will be open through mid-July.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

At their June 12 meeting, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee voted to amend the FY2026 budget to reflect additional anticipated revenue from the state.
  The state revenue will be used to reduce the assessments to Acton and Boxborough by a total of $150,000 and the remaining $237,890 will increase the budget to restore or add student-facing positions that were not funded in the original budget. School Committee Chair Adam Klein thanked the Committee members, teacher and staff members, and community members who advocated at the state level for additional funding to increase the budget this year.
  Superintendent Peter Light gave the Committee an update about the district’s strategic planning and reorganization process, which has been renamed “A-B Forward” to make sure “the name we give to the group actually is reflective of the work the group is doing.”
  There are two phases to the A-B Forward project. The first phase is the development of a strategic plan. The second phase, which will begin in the fall, will focus on “possible concepts for reorganization.” A community survey regarding phase one, the strategic plan, will be open through mid-July.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

After 12 ½ years with LCTV, Kirby Dolak, Video Production Supervisor, retires from a career of service to the residents of Littleton and Boxborough. 
 The journey started in 1976. Having graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation, Dolak set out to make a difference in the administration of park systems, environmental centers, and commercial recreation. Soon after graduating, Dolak secured a position as an Education Assistant at the New England Aquarium. His real goal was a position with the National Park Service, but at the time, they weren’t hiring; so, Dolak pivoted and started to explore the computer industry.  
  Purely by chance, he took a workshop in 2012 at LCTV and found himself in video production. He started out on a part-time basis, covering meetings for Littleton. That evolved into a full-time position as a video production supervisor when Boxborough approached LCTV in 2013/2014 to record Select Board meetings and Annual Town Meetings.
    Never satisfied with the status-quo, Dolak pushed the Boxborough Planning Board, Finance Committee and, most recently, the Fire Station Building Committee, to record their meetings. To expand virtual meetings to more boards and committees, Dolak recommended a cloud-based system called “OWL,” used in conjunction with the Town’s Zoom accounts. The OWL technology further improved transparency by and between town committees and Boxborough residents. 
  Sometimes, it seems like Dolak is everywhere all at once; whether it’s Winterfest, the Memorial Day Parade or Fifer’s Day, Dolak is ever present with his video equipment and camera, capturing special moments in the lives of Boxborough residents.
   At Annual Town Meeting in May 2025, Boxborough Town Administrator Michael Johns presented Dolak with a “Lifetime Achievement Award,” which reads in part, “We are so thankful for all that you have done, given of your heart and total dedication to the Town of Boxborough. The level of coverage and media engagement in Town would not be where it is without you.” 
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

On Tuesday, June 17, members of the Select Board, Planning Board, and Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) took their seats at a large U-shaped table in the Grange room at Town Hall to discuss potential zoning changes that would allow for the building of a new fire station in Boxborough.
  By the end of the 90-minute meeting, the Planning Board agreed to take on the task of finding a zoning solution that would allow a fire station to be built and conduct public hearings accordingly.
  The meeting was called by the FSBC in order to regroup and move forward after Town Meeting in May, where the town failed to pass two articles related to the fire station project: (1) a zoning amendment that would allow municipal governmental zoning across all zoning districts and (2) design funding for the fire station at 72 Stow Road.
  FSBC Chair Mary Brolin began the meeting by explaining that the FSBC is looking again at multiple locations for the fire station and that the town’s current understanding is that it cannot build a fire station at any location without a zoning amendment. Brolin said that in order to find a path forward for the fire station, the FSBC needs the Planning Board to put forward a zoning solution that will allow a fire station to be built at the potential locations. She asked Planning Board members to share what kind of zoning changes they might be willing to put forward and on what timeline.
  Planning Board Chair Rebecca Verner and other members of the Planning Board shared thoughts on several potential solutions, including special permits, a “public safety overlay,” and different ways to structure a zoning amendment.
  However, they emphasized that they cannot commit to having a solution ready for an October town meeting, as they need to allow sufficient time for the town to participate in public hearings. The Planning Board also noted that they have competing projects that are also time-sensitive, like MBTA Communities Act compliance.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

  On June 10, the Boxborough Leadership Forum (BLF) held its third meeting since its reinstatement earlier this year. A group of eight participants discussed takeaways from Annual Town Meeting in May, including what went well, what could be improved, and what to consider  for upcoming Special Town Meetings this fall.
  Town Moderator Dennis Reip led the discussion, which included input from participants Kristin Hilberg (Select Board Chair), Bob Stemple (Select Board), Maria Neyland (Finance Committee, Fire Station Building Committee), Becky Neville (Finance Committee), Rebecca Verner (Planning Board Chair), Cindy Markowitz (Planning Board), Liz Fowlks (School Committee) and Mary Brolin (Library Trustees Chair, Fire Station Building Committee Chair). 
  The group discussed strategies for increasing Town Meeting attendance; alternative voting methods - like electronic “clickers” - and their downsides; increasing the amount of time for presentations on certain types of warrant articles; and childcare during Town Meeting.
  The group also discussed the votes on Article 1 (Municipal Governmental Zoning Allowed Across All Zoning Districts) and Article 2 (72 Stow Road Firehouse Design & Bid Funding), with members expressing different takeaways about the vote margins and differing conclusions about what the town wants in terms of a new fire station.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

 At its meeting on Wednesday, June 11, the Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee (PCCC) met to review the many nominations that were received for the Golden Fife and Parade Marshal awards. The Golden Fife Award is presented annually to a Boxborough resident who has demonstrated long-term volunteer service to the town. The parade marshal is awarded to a resident or non-resident who has done something exceptional for the town.
  After reviewing the numerous nominations and engaging in discussion, the Committee selected the winners. Town tradition holds that the recipients’ names are kept secret until the Fifer’s Day Parade, which steps off from Blanchard School at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. Both recipients will ride in the parade and will be formally recognized at Flerra Field.
  PCCC Chair Jennette Kollman shared her sentiments on the Fifer’s Day parade. “The Fifer’s Day Parade is more than just a walk through Boxborough; it’s a celebration of our community spirit and local pride. I encourage everyone to join the parade whether it is cheering from the sidelines and catching candy or marching along or riding bikes. Come join us and be a part of our annual tradition.”
  Boxborough will gather to celebrate the 57th Annual Fifer’s Day at Flerra Meadows next Saturday, June 21. The festivities include a road race, a parade, a volleyball tournament, and an old-fashioned fair with food, music, and booths. The event is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minutemen Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee.
      This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

At their meeting on June 9, the Boxborough Select Board discussed local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in recent weeks, including alleged ICE activity on Massachusetts Avenue in Boxborough on May 30.
  After hearing from Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk and Well-Being Committee Chair Mary Pavlik, the Select Board requested that Town Administrator Michael Johns organize a working group to create protocols and compile resources regarding ICE operations for the Town of Boxborough and its residents.
  Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg indicated that a Boxborough resident notified her that ICE agents appeared to detain two individuals at a residence on Massachusetts Avenue in Boxborough on May 30. Chief Szewczyk reported to the Board that ICE did not notify the Boxborough Police Department about any operation in Boxborough on May 30, and the Department has not received any information from ICE since that date.
  The Chief reiterated that the Boxborough Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws and does not aid federal agents in immigration enforcement activities, in accordance with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in Lunn v. Commonwealth.
  Well-Being Committee Chair Pavlik presented to the Board about potential town actions, including outreach to individuals affected by ICE operations and community awareness/education. The Board and residents in attendance discussed other resources that the town could potentially consult and incorporate, like Acton-Boxborough Regional School District protocols, the Town of Acton’s protocols, and Acton-Boxborough United Way resources. 
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• Select Board Discusses Town Response to Local ICE Activity
• Finance Committee Seeks Answers from Town Assessor on Property Inspections and Overlay Reserve Funding
• Public Celebrations Committee Selects Golden Fife and Parade Marshal for Fifer’s Day
• ABRSD School Committee Hears “Vision of a Graduate” and School Resource Officer Presentations
• Boxborough Leadership Forum Debriefs Annual Town Meeting
• RJ Grey 7th Graders Tackle Important Issues at Civics Engagement Fair
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: How to Deal with Deer in the Garden
• Countdown to Fifer’s Day 2025
• Zoning Board of Appeals Hears Special Permit Application for 975 Mass Ave.

In late May, Boxborough resident and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School junior Prakhar “PK” Shukla installed wooden picnic tables and benches at Boxborough’s Liberty Fields, the culmination of a nine-month project undertaken as part of his journey to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
  Shukla designed, led, and completed the building and installation of three tables and three benches to “provide comfortable spots for spectators to watch games, families to gather for picnics, and people playing pickleball, basketball, or exercising in general to relax and enjoy the surroundings.”
  Shukla added, “Benches and picnic tables foster a sense of community by encouraging people to stay longer, interact more, and fully appreciate the outdoor environment. They create opportunities for people to come together, meet someone new, and relax without having to sit on the ground and worry about getting their belongings dirty.”
  Shukla worked with “Eagle Mentor” Mark Matson to complete his project. Matson supplied Shukla with tools and equipment for the building process and taught him about carpentry. “I learned a lot about wood and its properties like how it is structured, where to cut, and how to use certain aspects to your advantage,” said Shukla. Shukla also enjoyed working with younger scouts throughout the process and teaching them how to use carpentry tools.  
  Shukla chose Liberty Field improvements for his Eagle Scout project because of all the time he spent there when he first moved to Boxborough in sixth grade.
      This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

 

On Monday, June 2, the Boxborough Planning Board held their first meeting after the town election, welcoming new member, Chris Dowdy, and opened its first public hearing for the renewal of a Special Permit Application received from Campanelli-Trigate LLC for the buildout of The Park at Beaver Brook, the former Cisco campus.
  Cisco had originally permitted 1,400,000 square feet of commercial development under a previously granted special permit, but that permit has lapsed, and the property was not fully developed.
  Campanelli’s application includes plans to develop all of the parcels on the property, except for 100 and 900 Beaver Brook Road.
  Campanelli team members walked the board through the application, reviewing the history of the property, previous permits, and the proposed plan. They are seeking to reinstate the lapsed Open Space Commercial Development (OSCD) Special Permit with “minor modifications to parking,” and as part of the application, they are proposing to put an additional 94 acres into conservation/open space restriction in return for 667,500 square feet of new development, which translates to the construction of five new buildings.
  The application states that “all uses intend to be compliant with the bylaw and will consist of Research & Development / Light Manufacturing/ Office uses.” The property is in the Office Park (OP) zone, and all of the proposed uses are permitted by right. If the OSCD Special Permit is approved, the applicant will need to seek site plan approval for each of the buildings they plan to construct.
        This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

It’s June, and that means Fifer’s Day is just around the corner. Fifer’s Day 2025 will take place on Saturday, June 21, at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road.
  The festivities start at 9:30 a.m. with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race, followed by a parade kicking off at 11 a.m. from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows, where the Golden Fife Award will be presented at noon.
  Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausages, soft drinks, beer, and hard cider will be available for purchase starting at noon, and a volleyball tournament will start at 1 p.m.
  Throughout the afternoon, there will be live music by 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 District 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 Chad Childers about how the Minutemen prepare for Fifer’s Day.
      This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

On Friday, May 30th, Assistant Town Administrator (ATA) Rajon Hudson and Community Services Coordinator (CSC) Wendy Trinks received a call from Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg about a possible but unconfirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a Boxborough residence that morning.
  Trinks, who assists many Boxborough residents with Town social services, recognized the address provided by Hilberg and became concerned that a child or other family members at that residence may need assistance. With Hilberg’s input, Trinks and Hudson quickly created a flyer that included “know your rights” information; a list of resources available from the town and the United Church of Christ (UCC) Boxborough; contact information for Trinks and the UCC Boxborough, and a message from the town: “We care about you.” Trinks and Hudson left the flyer at the residence later that day.
  According to Hudson, the town does not currently have a policy or protocol to follow for this situation. When asked about Friday’s events, Hudson expressed that the town would be well-served to have a process to help people who need support in emergency situations like this, where an ICE operation may leave individuals in need of assistance. 
  The Boxborough Well-Being Committee discussed Friday’s incident and the town’s response at their meeting on Monday, June 2. Committee members were joined by Reverend Fran Graveson from UCC Boxborough, Police Chief John Szewczyk, ATA Hudson, Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg, and Select Board Clerk Bob Stemple.
  The committee agreed that the town should invoke a policy and process to support Boxborough residents affected by ICE operations and to define Trinks’ role, as she is the primary resource for residents who need social services.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

 Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• Town Officials, Well-Being Committee Respond After Alleged ICE Operation in Boxborough
• Planning Board Opens Public Hearing for Continued Development at The Park at Beaver Brook, Opines on MBTA Communities Zoning Compliance
• Economic Development Committee Discusses Business Grant Program Updates and Village Center “Tactical Urbanism”
• Boxborough Minutemen Prepare for Fifer’s Day 2025
• Boxborough Teen Completes Eagle Scout Project at Liberty Fields
• Meditations with Ann: Tree Pose in Yoga
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: Doin’ the Chelsea Chop

At its meeting on Wednesday, May 27, the Boxborough Agricultural Commission (Ag Com) discussed the status of the community garden plots at Flerra Meadows and on Middle Road (at the intersection of Depot Road). The Ag Com oversees both gardens.  
  Plots at both gardens are still available. Gardeners can request a 10 x 20 foot plot ($20) or a 20 x 20 foot plot ($30). To request a plot at the Flerra Garden, fill out the application on the Town website. To request a plot at the Middle Road Garden, send an email to middleroadgarden@gmail.com.
  The two gardens differ slightly from each other in a few ways. The Flerra Garden is one of the many uses at Flerra Meadow Conservation Land, which is under the Conservation Commission’s purview. The Conservation Commission has given the Ag Com the ability to run the garden, but since the garden is on conservation land, gardeners are required to use organic practices and must comply with rules and regulations regarding the use of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

  Almost 400 people gathered in the Acton-Boxborough High School (ABRHS) auditorium on Wednesday, May 21, for Scholarship Night, an annual ceremony where members of the ABRHS senior class are awarded scholarships sponsored by local organizations. More than 80 scholarships from 67 different organizations were awarded.
  Graduating seniors complete their applications in February, and the scholarship committee composed of administrators, teachers, and counselors determine which students have met the criteria for each scholarship. Students are formally invited to the ceremony, but they do not know which scholarship they are receiving. It is a well-kept secret until the student’s name is called!
  The evening began with a welcome from ABRHS Principal Joanie Dean, who acknowledged all of the students’ hard work, parental support, and the generosity of the community for establishing and funding the scholarships, which totaled approximately $150,000.
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

  At its meeting on May 22, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee voted to establish a steering committee for the district’s Strategic Planning and Reorganization project, initiated in response to ongoing budget challenges.
  The steering committee of 19 administrators, school committee members, educators, and parents is expected to meet monthly to support and guide the district’s work with consultant District Management Group “to create an updated strategic plan as well as a set of three to five actionable options for district reorganization.”
  The steering committee meetings will be open to the public. Superintendent Light noted that the steering committee is not as representative of the community as he had hoped, but that there are plans to get a more diverse group of community members involved. Light also stressed the importance of communication throughout the project and outlined his plan to keep educators and families updated.
  Community members are encouraged to visit a new website dedicated to this initiative, at https://www.abschools.org/district/strategic_planning___reorganization_-_2025. The site includes news and updates about the project, a calendar of the steering committee meetings, and a mechanism to submit public comments.
  The School Committee also heard from ABRSD High School Principal Joanie Dean about proposed changes to the 2025-26 ABRHS Student Handbook, including a new cell phone storage policy.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

At its meeting on May 28, the Boxborough Select Board debriefed on the defeat of Article 1 (to allow municipal governmental zoning across all zoning districts) and Article 2 (to borrow $2.6 million for the design and bidding of a firehouse at 72 Stow Road) at the Special Town Meeting within Annual Town Meeting earlier this month.
  The Board heard from Priya Sundaram, Select Board member and Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) member, who relayed the FSBC’s request for the Select Board to call a joint meeting between the Select Board, Planning Board, and FSBC to determine a path forward on the fire station project, particularly with respect to the municipal zoning changes needed to build a fire station. Board members agreed that such a meeting would be a good next step and tentatively scheduled it for June 17 or 18.
  The Board also discussed the dates and locations of this year’s Special Town Meetings (STMs). Expected STM topics include a proposal for Boxborough’s compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act requirements, another attempt at a zoning bylaw change to address municipal government zoning, and another proposal regarding the fire station project.
  The Board decided, in consultation with Town Planner Alec Wade, that mid-October is the best time for an MBTA Communities vote, with a contingency plan for a second STM in December, if needed. The deadline for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is December 30, 2025.
  The December STM may also be used for the other two topics – municipal zoning and the fire station – if those proposals are not ready in time for the October STM. The tentative dates for the two STMs are October 21 and December 8. 
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:

• Select Board Considers Next Steps on Fire Station and Municipal Zoning, Schedules Joint Board Meeting and Two Special Town Meetings
• Newly Elected Volunteers Take Their Seats on Town Boards
• Community Garden Plots at Flerra Meadows and Middle Road Still Available
• ABRSD School Committee Discusses Strategic Planning and High School Cell Phone Policies
• Acton-Boxborough Seniors Awarded $150,000 in Local Scholarships
• Recreation Commission Updates: Flerra Summer Playground and Damage to Pickleball Nets
• Sustainability Matters: Food Waste 
• Boxborough Celebrates Memorial Day with Annual Parade
• Pam’s Gardening Tips: Native vs. Non-Native Plants

Let’s explore how to trust Jesus together during True North Vacation Bible School! Mt. Calvary Church, Acton, MA is offering a fun one-week Vacation Bible School (VBS) program August 4–8, 9 AM–12 Noon daily. Children age 3 through entering Grade 5 in the fall of 2025 are invited to participate. We will play games, make crafts, laugh together, have fun singing and dancing, and more! VBS gives kids the unique opportunity to encounter Jesus’ love for everyone alongside friends and adult mentors in an exciting setting. This free program is especially for kids to discover who God is, grow their own Christian faith, and experience Christ’s love with friends and neighbors. Sign up with a friend and get ready to learn to trust Jesus in a wild world!

Sign up soon, space is limited! Registration details along with more information can be found at www.mtcalvaryacton.org/vbs. Questions – call the church at 978-263-5156 or email our VBS Director, Virginia Vestigo at vbs@mtcalvaryacton.org. Mt. Calvary Church is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street.

Navigating the 4th Trimester is a free in-person workshop that offers a supportive place for expecting parents to explore the physical, emotional, and relational challenges that accompany the first 3 months after birth. In this program you will learn evidence-based strategies to support a personal postpartum plan that includes practical strategies for adjusting to life with a newborn, coping with challenges related to sleep and feeding, managing changes in your relationships, and nurturing your own wellbeing during this transformative time. Join First Connections for this interactive session facilitated by lactation counselor and infant sleep consultant, Mary Beilman, who draws from over 20 years supporting new parents; and mental health counselor Emily Fiorini, who specializes in infant and parent mental health and is First Connections' program director. Helpful postpartum community resources are included. Birthing person and a support person are welcome to attend free of charge. This program will take place in Concord on Wednesday, June 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Register through Steinberg Wellness Center for Mind and Body by calling 978-287-3777 or going to the http://emersonhealth.org website.

Boxborough Police Officer Erica Abro says she is “passionate” about the RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) classes that she teaches. RAD is a self-defense class for women that offers “realistic self-defense tactics and techniques.” 
  Abro, a sexual assault investigator, has been a RAD instructor for seven years and recently taught Boxborough’s first-ever RAD class, which graduated seven students in April. The free, four-week (12 hour total) class was hosted by the Boxborough Police in conjunction with Boxborough Community Services and the Council on Aging.
  Abro described the class as a mix of strategies that focus on reducing the risk of assault as well as learning actual self-defense tactics. The class addresses various scenarios and what to do in each case. Abro stresses that no background in self-defense or martial arts is needed. According to Abro, “any skill set, any age” can learn how to protect themselves using the information and techniques taught in the class. Her Boxborough students ranged in age from 17 to 80 years old.
  The first session of the class is discussion-based and teaches students about home safety as well as how to recognize and avoid subtle signs of danger outside the home. Abro says that her goal isn’t to scare students–it’s to prepare them by setting “them up to have…tools and (be able) to use them if they need to…and hope they never have to.”
  After learning a series of physical techniques in the next two sessions, the final class allows students to practice those skills on “aggressors,” who are volunteers who play the part of the attacker. Abro expressed pride in her Boxborough students. “By the end of class, I was like, wow…they really…improved…all were able to find within themselves that power and confidence to know their ability and how they can protect themselves.”
  Abro plans to offer another RAD class in Boxborough in September. For more information, reach out to Officer Abro at eabro@boxborough-ma.gov
    This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe. 

At its meeting on May 22, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) considered its next steps after Article 2, a proposal to borrow $2.6 million for the design and bidding of a firehouse at 72 Stow Road, was defeated at Town Meeting on May 12. 
  By the end of the three-hour meeting, its first since Town Meeting, the Committee agreed that it should reexamine the “programming” for the fire station in an effort to decrease the size and cost of the project; reconsider two alternative locations for the fire station, 502 Mass Ave and 700 Mass Ave; and request a joint meeting with the Select Board and Planning Board regarding the zoning changes needed to build a fire station.
  The meeting began with FSBC members debriefing on the feedback they received from residents during and after Town Meeting, primarily that the proposed fire station building is too large, the cost of the project is too high, and 72 Stow Road is not the right location.
  Some members voiced frustration that the FSBC’s outreach efforts did not reach and/or convince enough of the Town Meeting voters to secure the needed funding.
  On the other hand, some FSBC members were encouraged by perceived support for the 72 Stow Road location despite the defeat, observing that although Article 2 did not pass by the required supermajority, a simple majority of Town Meeting participants voted in favor of it.
  After the Committee's initial discussion, FSBC Chair Mary Brolin then opened the floor for public comment about how to move the fire station project forward.
  The FSBC’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12. Chair Brolin noted that this meeting will include extra time for public comment.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article at www.BoxboroughNews.org. Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter from Boxborough News to read all of our articles:  https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.  

  Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for the latest news stories and community features, as well as calendars and notices about local events in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Subscribe to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include: