On Tuesday, May 20, Boxborough voters went to the polls to fill eleven town positions. There were three contested races, for Select Board, Planning Board, and Library Trustees. Of 4,006 total registered voters, 739 voters (18.4%) cast ballots.
  According to the Town Clerk’s results after the polls closed on Tuesday, incumbent Wes Fowlks won the contested Select Board seat with 394 votes against Jennifer Barrett, who received 315 votes.
  Incumbent Mark White (422 votes) and Christopher Dowdy (416 votes) won the Planning Board seats against Mark Barbadoro (320 votes) and Andrew Tavolacci (231 votes).
  Incumbent Robert McNeece (484 votes) and Mikki Macdonald (360 votes) won the Library Trustees seats against John Markiewicz (309 votes).
  Results of the uncontested races are as follows:
• Select Board (2-year seat): Samuel Anderson (595 votes)
• School Committee: Elizabeth Fowlks (554 votes)
• Town Clerk: Rebecca Harris (640 votes)
• Town Moderator: Dennis Reip (601 votes)
• Constable: Andrew Weiner (565 votes)
• Board of Health: Bryan Lynch (66 votes)
 “I’m grateful to live in a town where there are several contested races on the ballot, because that means there are multiple volunteers willing to serve,” said Town Clerk Rebecca Harris. “It’s an honor to be a part of the election process and to continue to work at the heart of this community.”
  The Town Clerk’s Preliminary Election Results can be found at https://bit.ly/3H1t7RG. 

Nomination forms are now available at Town Hall and Sargent Memorial Library for Boxborough’s 2025 Golden Fife Award and Parade Marshal for Fifer’s Day. Completed nomination forms must be returned to boxes at Town Hall or the Library by noon on Thursday, June 5.
  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. Fifer’s Day will take place on Saturday, June 21.
  The number of nominations is unlimited, and a detailed reason for each nomination is appreciated. The number of nominations does not determine the winner. The Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee selects the winners from all those nominated.
  Read 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

  Boxborough will, once again, have an annual Memorial Day Parade to honor fallen soldiers. The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26 at the corner of Hill Road and Wetherbee Lane. As participants march, they will pause for reflections at North Cemetery, Town Hall, and South Cemetery.
  All town veterans are invited to join the parade as Grand Marshals by either marching or riding in a car available for veterans. The Boxborough Minutemen will conduct a musket salute at both cemeteries as the names of fallen soldiers are read.
  Parking for the parade is available across from Town Hall on Middle Road and near South Cemetery on Burroughs and Stow Roads.
  The parade steps off at Wetherbee Lane and Hill Road, proceed on Hill Road to North Cemetery, turn left down Middle Road to Town Hall, proceed from Town Hall across Rte 111, and continue down Stow Road to South Cemetery.
  Ceremonies take place at North Cemetery, Town Hall, and South Cemetery. There is no parking at North Cemetery, so those not in the parade who want to watch North Cemetery ceremonies should park at Town Hall, the church, or on Burroughs Road, east of South Cemetery.
  People are welcome to follow the parade or stay in one place to watch. Those who are not official marchers may walk only at the end of the parade; walking along the side of band members and official marching groups obstructs the view for parade attendees and creates safety concerns.
  Read 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:
2025 Boxborough Annual Town Meeting, Night One: Municipal Zoning and Fire Station Design Funding Defeated
2025 Boxborough Annual Town Meeting, Night Two: Budget and 27 Warrant Articles Passed
2025 Boxborough Annual Town Meeting, Night Three: 24 Warrant Articles Passed
Housing Board Votes to Continue Funding Contaminated Well Remediation at Boxborough Meadows
Blanchard BrassWind Ensemble Earns Gold Medal at MICCA
Golden Fife and Parade Marshal Nominations Due June 5
Pam’s Gardening Tips: The War Against Weeds
Boxborough Memorial Day Parade To Be Held May 26

On Tuesday, May 20, Boxborough voters will go to the polls to fill eleven town positions. Offices on this year’s town ballot are Select Board (a two-year seat and a three-year seat), School Committee (one seat), Planning Board (two seats), Library Trustees (two seats), Board of Health (one seat), Town Clerk (one seat), Town Moderator (one seat), and Constable (one seat).
  Boxborough News reached out to all fourteen candidates and asked them to answer the question “Why are you running?” Read the responses that we received from the candidates at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/2025-election.

On Thursday, May 1, the Acton-Area League of Women Voters (LWV) hosted a Candidate Forum for Boxborough residents to hear from the candidates in the town’s three contested races for Select Board, Planning Board, and Library Trustees.
  The evening began with the Select Board candidates. Incumbent Wes Fowlks and challenger Jennifer Barrett are both running for one three-year Select Board seat. Sam Anderson is running unopposed for a two-year Select Board seat – the remainder of Dave McKiernan’s term; McKiernan resigned because he is moving out of Boxborough.
  Fowlks, Barrett, and Anderson offered differing perspectives on several issues, including Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting warrant (to allow municipal governmental zoning across all zoning districts), a potential Proposition 2 ½ override, whether Boxborough should be a “sanctuary town,” and whether they would hold office hours if elected.
  Planning Board candidates were up next; there are four candidates running for two open seats. First, the forum moderator read a prepared statement from incumbent Mark White, who could not be present because he was out of the country.
  The other three candidates, Mark Barbadoro, Chris Dowdy, and Andrew Tavolacci, offered different views on issues such as Special Town Meeting Articles 1 and 2; compliance with the MBTA Communities Act; affordable housing; and creating a “village center” for Boxborough.
  Finally, the audience heard from the three candidates for Library Trustees who are running for two open seats. Incumbent Rob McNeece, John Markiewicz, and Mikki MacDonald all responded to questions about book banning, the library’s interior redesign project, and the future of the library.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version of this article - with a link to the recording of the Candidate Forum - at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

The 243rd Boxborough Annual Town Meeting was called to order by Town Moderator Dennis Reip at 7:19 p.m. on Monday May 12 at the Blanchard Memorial School gymnasium with almost 450 voters in attendance.
  The first order of business was for the town administrator Michael Johns to award a Certificate of Excellence in Public Service to Kirby Dolak of Littleton Cable TV for the work Kirby had done to establish BXB TV and to foster communication between the Town of Boxborough and its residents. Kirby received a standing ovation.
  After opening remarks by the moderator, a six-article special town meeting was called to order. The meeting began with a motion by Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg to immediately take up Article 2 (72 Stow Road Firehouse Design & Bid Funding) as the first item of business, before taking up Article 1 (Municipal Governmental Zoning Allowed Across All Zoning Districts). After debate on the motion, the proposal to take Article 2 out of order was defeated by a counted standing vote.
  A counted standing vote occurs when the moderator declines to announce the outcome of a vote based only on viewing the voters’ bright green voting cards, often because the vote appears to be very close. When the moderator calls for a counted standing vote, tellers walk through the room, counting the votes for and against the motion.
  The meeting then proceeded with Article 1 of the special town meeting, a proposal to amend Boxborough’s zoning bylaw to allow construction of municipal governmental buildings anywhere in town. The article required a two-thirds vote to pass, instead of a simple majority. After an hour of debate, Article 1 was defeated by a counted standing vote of 205 in favor and 223 against, or 48%.
  Voters next considered Article 2 of the special town meeting, a proposal to borrow $2.6 million for the design and bidding of a firehouse at 72 Stow Road. In about an hour of debate, voters grappled with the implications of Article 1 failing and its impact on Article 2.
  Article 2, which required a two-thirds vote to pass instead of a simple majority, was defeated by a counted standing vote of 204 in favor and 133 against, or 61%. The meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m. after the defeat of this article.
   Deliberation on Tuesday May 13 at 7 p.m. will start with article 3 of the special town meeting and then segue into the annual town meeting.
  Visit www.BoxboroughNews.org for more coverage of Boxborough Town Meeting.

  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:
• Candidates in Contested Boxborough Races Participate
     in League of Women Voters Forum
• Boxborough’s FreeBee Market Opens Saturday May 17
• New Hiking Trail in Perkins Woods Conservation Area
      Now Open
• Zoning Board of Appeals Approves Two Residential
      Special Permits
• Blanchard Elementary School Student Wins Best of
      Show in State Junior Duck Stamp Contest
• Sustainability Matters: Spring Gardening

On Tuesday, May 20, Boxborough voters will go to the polls to fill eleven town positions. Offices on this year’s town ballot are Select Board (a two-year seat and a three-year seat), School Committee (one seat), Planning Board (two seats), Library Trustees (two seats), Board of Health (one seat), Town Clerk (one seat), Town Moderator (one seat), and Constable (one seat).
  Boxborough News reached out to all fourteen candidates and asked them to answer the question “Why are you running?” The responses that we received from the candidates are available at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/2025-election. The candidate’s responses have been published as received; they have not been edited by Boxborough News.
  For more information about the candidates running in the contested races – for the three-year Select Board seat, the two Planning Board seats, and the two Library Trustees seats – watch a BXB-TV recording of the Boxborough Candidate Forum hosted by the Acton Area League of Women Voters on May 1 at https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/boxborough/?page=HOME.
Jennifer Barrett (Select Board, 3-year seat): I am running for a three-year seat on the Select Board because I feel the Board would benefit from my municipal finance experience and longevity with the Town of Boxborough. I worked for Boxborough for over seven years and am currently a Certified Governmental Accountant as well as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer. Our current Board is making strides to get Boxborough in a better financial position and has asked for my help. I’ve watched my own taxes increase year over year and with my background I know why and how that happens. I would appreciate the opportunity to help my fellow residents understand how their actions impact their Town as well. My family has been Boxborough residents for centuries (yes, you read that right), and I am looking forward to serving Boxborough as my ancestors have done.
  Wesley Fowlks (Select Board, 3-year seat): My name is Wesley Fowlks, and I am running for re-election to the Select Board. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my seven years of service. As a resident since 2000 and parent of two young children, I bring a long-term perspective to town decisions. I strongly believe in funding our schools and senior programs for residents of all ages. I’m passionate about completing the Employer of Choice initiative to attract and retain talented staff. I remain committed to being accessible and providing voters complete information about financial decisions, including potential overrides and their impact. I understand increased taxes aren’t easy for many families and am committed to transparent communication about these important choices. I deeply appreciate your support and votes in the annual town election.
  Sam Anderson (Select Board, 2-year seat): I’ve had a 13-year career working with state government, which has instilled in me the belief that an open, honest, and community-oriented Select Board is key for Boxborough to address its challenges and improve the lives of its residents. As a parent of school-age children, I am focused on supporting our educators and maintaining our schools’ excellence, and making housing more affordable. As Chair of the Conservation Commission, my charge is to encourage development that protects the land and water that we all enjoy. My experience navigating that fundamental tension will help in my goal to find opportunities for development that strengthen the tax base while protecting our residents and valuable open space. As a Select Board member, I’ll use this experience and perspective to engage the community, and build an inclusive and sustainable future for Boxborough.
  Mark Barbadoro (Planning Board): Hello my name Mark Barbadoro, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the Planning Board. In my career as a Building Commissioner, I’ve had the pleasure of working in the Community Development Departments of six communities across the Commonwealth. I’m eager to put my experience to work in a way that benefits both developers and our community. My goal is to create a positive atmosphere during meetings, making sure they run efficiently while giving all sides a fair chance to be heard. I believe it’s essential for residents to have a voice in the development process. If elected, I’ll work with permit applicants to steer projects towards a mutually beneficial outcome. Ultimately, I want to help protect the quality of life for all of my neighbors and guide development that enhances our wonderful community. With careful planning we can make our town an even better place to live!
  Chris Dowdy (Planning Board): We moved to Boxborough 19 years ago, and always try to be involved in the community. Realizing there was a vacancy on the Planning Board, I decided to volunteer where I could help. Professionally, I am a molecular biologist and oversee a team of project managers. Every day I am brought into situations where the original plan has gone sideways. Assigning blame isn’t helpful. I work with everyone involved, study what happened, and help the team move forward with the best solution. No need to be perfect. We work toward the best fit. This is exactly the approach I would bring to the planning board: balancing the wants of applicants and the needs of the town to find the best fit. I want to see smart development in Boxborough. We can balance conservation of our resources and spaces, with development that will help ease the residential tax burden.
  Andrew Tavolacci (Planning Board): I am running for the Boxborough Planning Board to preserve the quality of life for the residents of Boxborough.   “Quality of life” is determined by many aspects, some emotional and psychological, and some financial and monetary.  To have a good quality of life, it is important that your home is your refuge, calming and relaxing you, and helping you recharge from the struggles of daily life.  But quality of life is also supported by the value of that home, now and in the future when it is time to sell.  As a member of the Planning Board I will do my best to maintain or increase that quality of life we enjoy in our town, while simultaneously being cognizant of the fact that purposeful, well-thought-out development is also necessary to maintain or increase the value of our biggest assets, our homes.
  Mark White (Planning Board): I’m running for Planning Board because I care deeply about Boxborough and want to help shape its future in a way that respects our rural character while addressing real needs. As a longtime resident and local business owner, I’ve seen what makes this town special — and what’s at stake as we grow. We face pressures to develop, but we also have the opportunity to do it right. With thoughtful, practical planning, we can support the kind of growth that fits Boxborough, strengthens our tax base, and ensures people of all ages — including seniors and young families — can afford to stay here. Over two terms on the Planning Board, I’ve worked to protect open space and our rural character while supporting projects that make sense. I bring experience, common sense, and a collaborative approach — and I’d be honored to continue serving this community.
  Mikki MacDonald (Library Trustee): I am running for the Library Board of Trustees because I care deeply about the health and vitality of our public library. My family and I have lived in Boxborough for over 12 years, and the Sargent Memorial Library has become a consistent part of our life. Whether it’s downloading audiobooks, browsing the shelves, or my children (11 and 15) attending events, the library is part of our routine. As an archivist with more than 17 years of academic library experience, my focus has been on collection development, relationship building, and strategic planning. I’m excited to get more involved and to use my knowledge and background to support the services, staff, and programming that make the library such an important part of our community.
  John Markiewicz (Library Trustee): I moved to Boxborough with my wife, Liz, and our two children in 1994. We came here for the great school system and the rural, small town atmosphere. I have served 23 years on the Planning Board, 3 years on the Select Board, and am currently on the Water Resources Committee. As an elected member of the Library Board of Trustees I will: Support the Director and the staff in fulfilling and enhancing the role of the Library as a vital Community asset. Advocate for proper financial support for the Library to accomplish its vital mission. Utilize my public and professional knowledge to assist in the development of the five year strategic plan. I have a strong record of SERVICE, EXPERIENCE, and DELIVERING RESULTS. I would appreciate YOUR VOTE on TUESDAY, MAY 20th.
  Rob McNeece (Library Trustee): I am running again for the position of library Trustee because of my love of our library and the town of Boxborough. I first became a trustee in 1995 when the town was again considering building a new library. I stayed on as that dream came through in 2005. With this experience has come familiarity with all the library systems as well as the utilities and facility systems that make the library work. Also, having worked in the computer field, I understand the technology that connects the library to the outside world. Our library has served our community very well and has grown and changed with the times. We are now looking at a modest redesign of the center of the library. I have been a trustee through a variety of situations and want to continue during what appears to be a challenging future.
  Liz Fowlks (School Committee): I am running for re-election to the school committee because I feel my work is incomplete. Our district is at the precipice of potential change and I am invested in improving opportunities for our students, teachers, administrators, and community. I hope to serve our district well for the next three years.
  Andrew Weiner (Constable): I originally ran 3 years ago because I wanted to serve and support the community that accepted my family when we moved here. I am now up for reelection and I want to keep serving the community that I love.
  Rebecca Harris (Town Clerk): I have been the Boxborough Town Clerk since 2021, and feel very fortunate to have landed in this position. It is extremely fulfilling and always interesting, with a myriad of responsibilities and tasks, and I am always learning new things. With the help of wonderful colleagues, I strive to be available to town residents to answer questions and manage vital records, various licenses, and public and historical records. I thoroughly enjoy my part in keeping the town democratic process running smoothly with my role in elections and town meetings. I hope to be at the heart of this wonderful community for many years to come.
  Dennis Reip (Moderator): I am running for reelection to the one-year term for Town Moderator so that I can continue to serve the Town in this essential role. I offer the voters the right combination of experience, ability, and interest to perform as their Moderator. I have presided over 4 Town Meetings in my 3 terms of service and have demonstrated my commitment to providing a fair and productive meeting experience for all. I understand how Town Meeting is supposed to work and will continue to seek ways to improve the meeting process and voter experience by working in partnership with the Select Board, Town Clerk, and Town Administrator. As the appointing authority over the Finance Committee, I will continue to seek qualified volunteers to serve on the Finance Committee. I welcome the opportunity to continue my service to the Town as its Moderator and respectfully ask for your vote on May 20th.

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 Votes to Accept Fire Station Building Committee’s Recommendation for Stow Road Location
Statements from the Boxborough Election Candidates
Boxborough Leadership Forum Focuses Discussion on Town Meeting Articles and Logistics
Fire Station Building Committee Prepares to Present Article 2 at Annual Town Meeting
Town Employees and Volunteers Gather for 3rd Annual Recognition Luncheon
Town Releases Two Videos To Prepare Residents for Annual Town Meeting
Meditations with Ann: The Importance of Trees
Pam’s Gardening Tips: The Joy of Growing Perennials

 

The following article has been condensed for print. To read the full article, visit BoxboroughNews.org/news
   Saturday, April 19, started out as most mornings do for Joel Richman, a long time Boxborough resident. It was just after 8 a.m. when Richman headed outside with his two dogs for their morning walk in the woods behind his house.
  After about five minutes, Richman told Boxborough News, the dogs emerged from the woods and started barking and running toward his driveway; Richman ran after them to the front of his house. When he reached the front of his house, Richman said, he saw that at least six plain clothes officers “had surrounded his house” and “one was banging on his front door.” At least six unmarked vehicles lined the street in front of his home, Richman recalled.
  The officers identified themselves as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, Richman said. They informed him that they were looking for someone who was using his address, but they did not give any specifics.
  Richman told Boxborough News that the first 30 seconds after he came back to his house were “terrifying…It happened so fast…these guys were not there five minutes ago. Within minutes, they had the house surrounded.”
  When asked to comment, Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk provided the following statement to Boxborough News: “US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contacted Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District (NVRDD) who in turn contacted the Boxborough Police Department to make us aware that they were in Boxborough and would be conducting an investigation. Boxborough Police was not on scene and did not provide assistance to ICE.” Boxborough Police has received no further communication from ICE regarding the case.
    When asked about Boxborough Police policy “not to voluntarily comply with ICE detainer requests absent a judicial warrant,” Chief Szewczyk indicated that the policy is rooted in state law.
  In 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held in Commonwealth v. Lunn that Massachusetts law does not provide law enforcement the authority to hold individuals based solely on a federal civil immigration detainer. An ICE detainer is not a judicial warrant; it is an administrative request from a federal agency. Accordingly, holding an individual beyond their lawful release time solely based on an ICE detainer is considered an unlawful arrest under Massachusetts law.
  If police or ICE are at your home, you have rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of your immigration status. For “know your rights” information, you can visit the American Civil Liberties Union page: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights#police-or-ice-are-at-my-home

 

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since we launched Boxborough News.
In that time, we’ve published more than 1,000 stories, sent almost 100 weekly email newsletters to our ever-growing list of subscribers, and posted countless stories and photos on social media.
We started this project with a small group of volunteers dedicated to creating a resource for unbiased news and information about town government and community events.
Over the past two years, we’ve been able to increase our coverage of town boards and committees and add lifestyle columns such as Pam’s Gardening Tips, Mediations with Ann, and Sustainability Matters.
Each week, we are amazed by how much is happening in our town. We know that there are many more stories than our small team can cover. We’re looking for volunteers to report on town issues, write special features, cover high school sports and performing arts, and help us with social media.
If you would like to contribute to Boxborough News in any way, we would like to hear from you. Please reach out to us at boxboroughnews@gmail.com.
As always, we are grateful to the publisher of Action Unlimited for providing print space for Boxborough News and helping us grow our audience.
We are also grateful for the hard work and dedication of our team members: Al Murphy, Ann Seymour, Anne McNeece, Barbara Birt, Brittany Zorn, Ellen Hickey, Isabella Hill, James Rober, John Fallon, Joy Mendonez, Mary Pavlik, Nathaniel Kim, Pam Collins, Sharon Garde, Sunitha Paravasthu, and Susan Bak.
Lastly, we thank you, our readers, for the encouragement and positive feedback you’ve given us. It keeps us going!
Abby Reip & Cassie LaRussa
Editors
Boxborough News
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.
  

 

At its meeting on Thursday, April 10, the Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) reviewed and discussed a presentation that focused on the space requirements for Boxborough’s new fire station.     
  FSBC Chair Mary Brolin walked the committee through a presentation that outlined the categories of space needed (e.g. apparatus, administration, etc.) and a square footage estimate for each category. Brolin indicated that during previous FSBC public forums, a frequently asked question was ‘why does it (the fire station) need to be as big as it’s planned to be?’ 
  “Designing a new fire station includes an assessment of program needs and requirements,” Brolin began. She then clarified what is meant by the term “program needs.” Program needs refer to “everything that the fire department needs to run smoothly and efficiently.”  This includes spaces for fire and emergency vehicles and equipment, decontamination after an incident, administrative functions for day-to-day operations, training, emergency operations, and dormitory and living quarters.
  “We assessed our program requirements and size three different times under three different (fire) chiefs with two different architects…and the size estimates all came within two percent of each other,” Brolin said. The needs assessment suggested 24,000 square feet, but the conceptual design work has shown a need for only 20,800 square feet, which is a 13% reduction. Brolin indicated that the “next design phase could reduce the size even further.”
  The committee also addressed the topic of what would happen to the Mass Ave fire station building once the new fire station is built. They agreed that the decision whether or not to demolish the building is up to the Select Board, and Town Administrator Michael Johns indicated that the Select Board will address this topic at their next meeting. If the Select Board decides that the building should be demolished, that cost will impact the FSBC’s budget.
  In an effort to educate residents on the schedule, costs, and space needs, the FSBC has issued a series of FAQ videos that can be viewed on the Town’s website: https://tinyurl.com/FSBCvideos.
The committee has also scheduled outreach forums as outlined below:
• Monday, April 28, 10 a.m.,  Sargent Memorial Library in
     person
• Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m., Sargent Memorial Library
     in person
• Monday, May 5, 10 a.m., Town Hall (Hybrid)
     https://tinyurl.com/FSBCMay5AM
• Monday, May 5, 7 p.m., Town Hall (Hybrid)
     https://tinyurl.com/FSBCMay5PM

Read 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:

Finance Committee Discusses Future Options for Anticipated Debt Service for Proposed Fire Station
Planning Board Finalizes Report and Recommendations on Special Town Meeting Article 1: Municipal Governmental Zoning
Sustainability Committee Reviews Data for Waste Disposal
Fire Station Building Committee Reviews Space Needs, Schedules Outreach Forums
Pam’s Gardening Tips: Gardening Safely
Boxborough Police Lieutenant Patriarca Discusses Domestic Violenc

At its meeting on Monday, April 7, the Boxborough Planning Board conducted a public hearing to consider a zoning bylaw amendment for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that would update the town’s existing bylaw language and bring it into compliance with a new state law, the Affordable Homes Act, which was signed into law in August 2024.
  Voters at Annual Town Meeting (ATM) in May will decide whether or not to approve the proposed amendments with a majority vote.
  This will be the third time in as many years that an ADU bylaw has come before Boxborough voters at ATM. In 2023, voters passed revisions that increased the number of accessory apartments that can be constructed and permitted each year from five to ten, and they also approved an increase in the maximum size of an ADU from 600 to 1300 square feet. Other changes included eliminating restrictions on the number of rooms allowed, who is allowed to live in the unit, and parking requirements.
  After a subsequent review by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the Town was notified that the limitation of ten permits per year for accessory apartments was not allowed. At ATM 2024, voters approved amendments that removed the ten unit limit and “cleaned up” conflicting language in the bylaw that would have prevented ADUs in accessory structures (as opposed to only within the principal dwelling).
  The Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act of 2024 requires that towns allow accessory dwelling units in all districts that allow single family homes. The purpose of the legislation is to address the housing shortage in Massachusetts by relaxing the many restrictions that cities and towns have placed on accessory units.
  Boxborough’s ADU bylaw, as approved by Town Meeting in 2024, is now considered by the State to be “overly restrictive” and does not meet the requirements of the Affordable Homes Act. Article 52 on the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant is an amendment to change sections of the Zoning Bylaw for ADUs and bring it into compliance with current state law.
  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.
  Sign up 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 Proposes Zoning Bylaw Amendment for Accessory Dwelling Units
Housing Board Discusses MBTA Communities, Future of HOPE Program
Rec Commission Discusses RunBXB, Flerra Summer Playground, and a “Pump Track”
Pam’s Gardening Tips: Growing Bulbs is Easy
From Stones to Walls: Boxborough Resident Brian Dempsey Shares His Craft
Acton-Boxborough Bands Receive Medals at Music Festival

  In a virtual public hearing on March 31, with 60 people in attendance, the Boxborough Planning Board took comments and questions regarding a proposed zoning bylaw amendment article (Article 1 in the Special Town Meeting warrant) that would include “Municipal Governmental” uses across all zoning districts in Boxborough. The Board voted 3-2 to recommend the article as written.
  During the previous public hearing on March 17, Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg presented the article and gave a brief history of the Boxborough Zoning Bylaw. She explained that during a recodification of the Bylaw in 1991, the Municipal Governmental definition was omitted. As a result, Hilberg opined, “without passing this article, we literally have no zoning mechanism to build any municipal facility anywhere in Boxborough.”
  Select Board members and a majority of the Planning Board assert that the omission was an error and that this zoning bylaw warrant article is needed in order to fix the error and move forward with plans to build a new fire station.
  Hilberg stated that the town has researched all of the Planning Board records from 1991 through 1993 and that there is no record of discussion or hearings by the Planning Board that would indicate that the change to remove “Municipal Governmental” use was deliberate.
  Members of the Planning Board who voted not to recommend Article 1 expressed the view that they have “not had enough time to conduct the necessary review of the proposed regulation to ensure that it aligns with the current bylaws and does not conflict with other sections of the bylaw.”
  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 at 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.
  Sign up 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 Recommends Municipal Zoning Article in a Split Vote
Town Election Update: All Individuals That Pulled Papers Have Filed
Pam’s Gardening Tips: Do You Have Shrub Damage in Your Yard?
Finance Committee Continues to Discuss Town Budget
Meditations with Ann: Breathing for Wellbeing
Zoning Board of Appeals Votes on Special Permit for 1146 Mass Ave Signage
Sustainability Matters: Composting Food and Yard Waste

At its meeting on Thursday, March 20, the Acton-Boxborough School Committee unanimously voted the final ABRSD FY26 school budget. The budget is set at $116.8 million, with a $16.8 million assessment to the town of Boxborough, which is a 5.41% increase from last year’s assessment.
  The committee then turned its attention to the future. The district is currently initiating a strategic planning process to consider how the schools can potentially be reorganized to better serve the community.
  In the course of this year’s budget process, Superintendent Peter Light and the School Committee have repeatedly expressed that declining student enrollment and ongoing financial challenges mean that “there are not enough resources to keep doing what we’re doing,” and the district must reevaluate its overall structure.
  The first step in that process is hiring a consultant for a “Strategic Planning & District Reorganization” exercise, which is intended to result in “a set of reorganization and/or consolidation options of the district’s educational programs.”
  This reorganization may include changes to the elementary school “open enrollment” system. Superintendent Light described this exercise as a “once every fifty year type of discussion that we’re about to have with the community” and emphasized the need for community engagement.
  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 at 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.
  Sign up to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:
ABRSD School Committee Votes FY26 Budget, Turns to “Once Every Fifty Year” District Reorganization Project
Town Election Update: All Individuals That Pulled Papers Have Filed
Water Resources Committee Reviews Availability of Water for Firefighting
Select Board Approves Warrant for Annual and Special Town Meeting
Pam’s Gardening Tips: Spring Is Trying to Spring!
Finance Committee Votes Final FY26 Budget, Recommends Fire Station Warrant Article

At its meeting on March 11, the Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) continued to vote warrant articles for Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for May 12, 2025.
  Among the larger items previously voted and recommended for bonding by FinCom are a fire department pumper truck at a cost of $1,200,000; road maintenance at a cost of $300,000; and the refurbishment of a Department of Public Works (DPW) truck at a cost of $160,000. 
  FinCom also recommended and voted the use of “Free Cash” for several other warrant articles, including Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) at a cost of $300,000; town hall roof replacement at a cost of $150,000; an emergency response vehicle for the fire department at a cost of $80,000; a utility terrain vehicle for the fire department at a cost of $80,000; a new pick-up truck for DPW at a cost of $70,000; staff replacement coverage for the fire department while new hires attend the Massachusetts Firefighter Academy program at a cost of $60,000; and the interior redesign of the Library at a cost of $50,000. 
  Excluding employment contracts for the town administrator, assessor, and planner, which are still being negotiated, and warrant articles, which are calculated outside of the operating budget, the increase in the operating budget currently stands at 4.64% over last year. The operating budget is funded through taxation.
  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 at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

   At their meeting on March 20, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) voted unanimously to recommend to the Select Board that the town’s new fire station be built at 72 Stow Road.
  Accordingly, the FSBC also voted unanimously to recommend Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 2, “New Firehouse Design Funding,” as revised to reflect the chosen site location and the updated dollar amount ($2,622,445) for the next phase of the fire station project.
  Before conducting the site selection vote, FSBC members acknowledged that there is opposition to the Stow Road site from abutters and other members of the public.
  However, FSBC members expressed they could not vote for the Mass Ave site because a fire station at 502 Mass Ave is estimated to cost roughly $6 million more (an estimated $39.8 million compared to $33.7 million for 72 Stow Road) and is expected to be a less functional facility than a fire station at 72 Stow Road.
  The FSBC also discussed the related municipal zoning issue that the town is currently working to address. While there may have been a path to building a fire station at 502 Mass Ave without an amendment to zoning bylaws, the town’s current understanding is that a zoning bylaw amendment is required in order to build a fire station at 72 Stow Road.
  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 at 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.
  Sign up to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  Last week’s Boxborough News headlines include:
FSBC Unanimously Recommends 72 Stow Road for New Fire Station
Planning Board Public Hearing on Municipal Use Zoning Bylaw Draws Large Turnout
Boxborough Finance Committee Discusses Potential For Tax Override Next Year
Town Election Nomination Papers Update
Flerra Summer Playground Camper Registration Will Open April 1, Counselor Registration Open Now
Pam’s Gardening Tips: This May Be a Good Year to Start a Garden
Historical Commission Favorably Recommends Museum Warrant Articles
A-B School Committee Holds Public Hearing on FY2026 School Budget
Sustainability Committee Initiates Specialized Stretch Code Proposal

In a four-hour meeting on Monday, March 3, the Boxborough Planning Board voted to refer the MBTA Communities district location selection back to the 3A Advisory Group to prepare an eligible district for fall town meeting.
  After Planning Board Chair Mark White opened the public hearing for the MBTA Communities zoning, Town Planner Alec Wade presented the findings of the 3A Advisory Group, the committee charged with providing location recommendations that meet the multi-family zoning requirements of the MBTA Communities law.
  Thus far, the Advisory Group has considered and ranked eight parcels. However, at their February 27 meeting, the Advisory Group deferred making any final recommendation to the Planning Board because they felt that they did not have enough information.
  Wade explained that the Planning Board must decide to either proceed with the public hearing without the 3A Group’s recommendation in order to bring the MBTA Communities zoning article to Annual Town Meeting in May, or defer the zoning article to the fall town meeting.
  After lengthy discussion, the Planning Board voted to defer the zoning article to fall town meeting and asked the Advisory Group to prepare a recommendation. Per the MBTA Communities law, Boxborough must comply with the zoning by December 31, 2025 or risk losing state grant monies.
  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 at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

The publisher of the Action Unlimited has announced that, starting on March 21, the Action Unlimited will no longer be delivered to every Boxborough residence for free. Readers who wish to receive a paper each week must purchase an annual subscription.
  Now that the Action Unlimited is moving to a subscription model, we want to remind readers that Boxborough News will continue to be available for free on our website at BoxboroughNews.org.
  Going forward, we plan to send Boxborough News headlines and abbreviated news content for Action Unlimited print subscribers, but we encourage readers to visit our website, www.BoxboroughNews.org, for complete coverage.
  On our website, you will find news stories, community features, and calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, as well as notices and announcements submitted by organizations in and around Boxborough. To receive our free, weekly email newsletter, visit boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  For the past two years, the Action Unlimited has printed Boxborough News stories, allowing us to reach the mailbox of every Boxborough residence. We are grateful to the Action Unlimited for giving us this opportunity.
  We encourage readers with any questions to contact Boxborough News at boxboroughnews@gmail.com.

This Week in Boxborough News

  This week’s Boxborough News headlines include:
• Boxborough Planning Board Defers MBTA Communities
     Zoning Bylaw to Fall Town Meeting
• Newly Reinstated Boxborough Leadership Forum
      Discusses Big-Picture Town Issues
• Potential Candidates Pull Nomination Papers for May
     2025 Boxborough Town Election
• Meditations with Ann: The Anatomy of a Step and Forest
     Bathing
• Boxborough Well-Being Committee Hosts Domestic
     Violence Services Network
• MBTA Communities Advisory Group Declines to Vote a
     Recommendation to Planning Board
  These stories, and others, are available at www.BoxboroughNews.org. The Boxborough News website includes news stories, community features, calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, and notices about local events submitted by organizations in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Sign up to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

  At its meeting on February 25, the Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) met with Peter Light, Superintendent for the Acton Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD), and members of the ABRSD School Committee to discuss the district’s preliminary budget of $116,791,164 for fiscal year 2026. Boxborough’s share of the budget would be $16,824,370, a 5.41% increase over last year.
  The regional agreement between Boxborough and Acton stipulates how the district budget is allocated between the two towns. Currently, the allocation is calculated using a three-year rolling average based on enrollment. During the last seven years, Acton’s enrollment has declined by 568 students and Boxborough’s enrollment has increased by 34 students, which means an increased assessment for Boxborough.
  Light explained that in order to maintain “level services” over the next three years, the district is looking at a 5.25% to 5.5% increase in the budget year over year. Some of the budget drivers include a projected 15% increase in the cost of health insurance; capital needs at the Parker Damon building and the Junior High school; increasing costs of utilities; and collective bargaining wage negotiations scheduled for next year.
  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 at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

This week’s Boxborough News headlines include:
Boxborough Select Board Member Dave McKiernan Announces Resignation
Sargent Memorial Library Interior Renovation Project to Begin in May
Michael Votto Hired as Principal of Blanchard Memorial School
Boxborough Housing Board Discusses Stow Road Parcel, Future of HOPE Program
Boxborough Finance Committee Meets with ABRSD Superintendent To Discuss FY2026 Budget and Beyond
Fire Station Building Committee Votes on Preferred 502 Mass Ave Site Plan for Purposes of Comparison to 72 Stow Road
  These stories, and others, are available at www.BoxboroughNews.org. The Boxborough News website includes news stories, community features, calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, and notices about local events submitted by organizations in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Sign up to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
 

   The publisher of the Action Unlimited has announced that, starting on March 21, the Action Unlimited will no longer be delivered to every Boxborough residence for free. Readers who wish to receive a paper each week must purchase an annual subscription.
  Now that the Action Unlimited is moving to a subscription model, we want to remind readers that Boxborough News will continue to be available for free on our website at BoxboroughNews.org.
  Going forward, we plan to send Boxborough News headlines and abbreviated news content for Action Unlimited print subscribers, but we encourage readers to visit our website, www.BoxboroughNews.org, for complete coverage.
  On our website, you will find news stories, community features, and calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, as well as notices and announcements submitted by organizations in and around Boxborough. To receive our free, weekly email newsletter, visit boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  For the past two years, the Action Unlimited has printed Boxborough News stories, allowing us to reach the mailbox of every Boxborough residence. We are grateful to the Action Unlimited for giving us this opportunity.
  We encourage readers with any questions to contact Boxborough News at boxboroughnews@gmail.com.

At its meeting on February 13, the Boxborough Sustainability Committee (BSC) engaged with Tufts University students to review the Climate Action Plan survey and discussed plans for a swap shed.
  Students from the Tufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP) presented a draft survey for the Climate Action Plan to the committee. The Climate Action Plan is a guiding framework that would delineate specific, measurable climate action goals for the town to track toward.
  In other news, the committee voted to submit a warrant article to implement a swap shed at the Boxborough transfer 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 at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

This week’s Boxborough News headlines include:
Nomination Papers Available for May 2025 Boxborough Town Election
Sustainability Committee Launches Climate Action Plan Survey, Submits Warrant Article for Swap Shed at the Transfer Station
Water Resources Committee Discusses Littleton Waterline Project
Well-Being Committee Wraps Up Another Successful Movement Series
Pam’s Gardening Tips: Do You Need a Dose of Warm Weather?
Select Board Walks Through Annual Town Meeting Draft Warrant
  These stories, and others, are available at www.BoxboroughNews.org. The Boxborough News website includes news stories, community features, calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, and notices about local events submitted by organizations in Boxborough and surrounding towns.
  Sign up to receive a free weekly email newsletter from Boxborough News at https://www.boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.

Last week, the publisher of the Action Unlimited announced that, starting on March 21, the Action Unlimited will no longer be delivered to every Boxborough residence for free. Readers who wish to receive a paper each week must purchase an annual subscription.
  Now that the Action Unlimited is moving to a subscription model, we want to remind readers that Boxborough News will continue to be available for free on our website at BoxboroughNews.org.
  Going forward, we plan to send Boxborough News headlines and abbreviated news content for Action Unlimited print subscribers, but we encourage readers to visit our website, www.BoxboroughNews.org, for complete coverage.
  On our website, you will find news stories, community features, and calendars of Town Hall meetings and community events, as well as notices and announcements submitted by organizations in and around Boxborough. To receive our free, weekly email newsletter, visit boxboroughnews.org/subscribe.
  For the past two years, the Action Unlimited has printed Boxborough News stories, allowing us to reach the mailbox of every Boxborough residence. We are grateful to the Action Unlimited for giving us this opportunity.
  We encourage readers with any questions to contact Boxborough News at boxboroughnews@gmail.com.

It is unknown at this time. Once a site is selected and a design is completed, we will have a cost estimate.
Why have recently completed fire stations been less money to build?
It is nearly impossible to compare the design and costs of two different fire station projects. There are several independent factors that go into designing a fire station that are individual to each specific Town and department. Some of these include space needs, scope of operations (fire, rescue, EMS, prevention, education, communications, emergency management, etc.), current & future growth (Town, staffing, equipment, etc.), whether a community has a single or multiple stations, Town bylaw requirements, etc. A more accurate comparison is to look at the cost per square foot.
How much money has already been spent on the Fire Station project to date?
As of January 23, 2025, of the $500,000 voted at Annual Town Meeting, we have spent $115,000. We have an additional $197,000 committed for the consultants and $188,000 uncommitted, in contingency, remaining.

Did you know that once a month you can enjoy free live music at the library? At 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month there is an “Open Mike” night in the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room. An Open Mike is a free and accessible way for all to share music or poetry, reminiscent of coffeehouses of the 60’s where people like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez got their start.
  At the most recent Open Mike on February 4, there were 22 performers - four of whom “Zoomed” in from as far away as California. The music ranged from blues to folk to bluegrass. Performers accompanied themselves on various instruments such as guitar, electronic keyboard, and mandolin. Most of the performers write their own music and lyrics.
  Musicians included Boxborough resident Tom Horsky, who played a mean blues number by John Hurt on his guitar, and Ron Israel. Israel, the “featured act” and a seasoned performer, showed up with some homegrown protest songs, such as “Let all the immigrants in” and “Homeless in America.” His set ended on a gentler note with love songs.
  Many of the performers participate monthly, but there was a new kid on the block that evening: Ethan Nolde, who wowed the crowd with a high energy mandolin riff.
  The next Open Mike will take place on Monday, March 3 at 7 p.m. The featured performer will be Rick Quimby. Come just to listen or perhaps to sing a song, play an instrument or share a poem. To perform, pre-register at https://dantappanmusic.com/open-mike. To watch the event from home, visit https://www.youtube.com/dantappan/live.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

   At their February 6 meeting, the Boxborough Recreation Commission discussed RunBXB 2025, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility project for Flerra Playground, a successful Winterfest, and their budget.
  The third annual RunBXB race, a 5K organized by the Recreation Commission, will be held at Craft Food Halls on Sunday, April 27. This year, the funds raised by registration fees will support breast cancer research. The Commission is working to confirm vendor Yankee Timing, a system that they have used for prior RunBXB races to give accurate times to participants.
  For this year’s race, the Commission is discussing the potential use of a new feature that would allow participants to customize team registrations or run individually. Commission members hope this feature will facilitate and encourage competition among friends and families, and thus potentially increase participation and fundraising.
  Efforts to make Flerra Playground compliant with the ADA continue. The playground upgrade is part of the town’s capital plans but does not have a set timeline or funding source. The project is expected to cost $275,000, including $125,000 for equipment and $75,000 for surfacing. CPA funding and grants are being explored.
    The Commission agreed that this year’s Winterfest at Steele Farm on January 25 was a success, with approximately 200 attendees, including many children. Sledding was a highlight, and the town’s MART shuttle service, which transported 65 people to Steele Farm from the Town Hall parking lot, was also successful.
   This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on February 11, the Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) heard from Fire Chief John Kivlan and Police Chief John Szewczyk with respect to their proposed budgets and warrant articles.
  Chief Kivlan discussed two proposed capital purchases, neither of which were on the capital plan. The first was a warrant article for a third command vehicle at a cost of $80,000. Chief Kivlan believes that a third command vehicle would allow the fire department more flexibility when responding to an emergency event.
  While FinCom did not vote on the proposed warrant article, there was general agreement to support the article and use free cash to fund the purchase. “Free Cash” is a term that refers to money that is left over at the end of a fiscal year.  The annual budget approved at town meeting each year is a good-faith estimate of revenues and expenses, but it is never exact. Sometimes free cash is generated because revenue is greater than anticipated or because expenses are lower than budgeted. There is no additional taxation for articles funded through free cash.
  Chief Kivlan also discussed a proposed warrant article for a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) at a cost of $75,000 to $80,000. The vehicle could be used over rough terrain to rescue residents lost on trails (primary use) or for brush fires. The UTV carries 85 gallons of water, which, Chief Kivlan explained, can be used to slow down a fire.
  FinCom also heard from Chief Szewczyk about the increase of 57% in the police department training budget. Szewczyk said the increase was due in large part to a 3-week leadership training program at a cost of $11,750 for the department command staff.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

   At its meeting on Thursday, February 13, the Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) voted unanimously in favor of sending a “letter of support” for a potential “standalone emergency facility” in Boxborough.
  Town Planner Alec Wade explained to the Committee that, in the wake of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center shutdown, UMASS Memorial Health Alliance is looking to construct a new “standalone emergency facility” in the region.
  Boxborough, along with many other nearby communities, are “throwing their hat in the ring” to be the location of the new emergency facility. The facility, Wade said, would not be a full hospital, but would provide emergency services with “low-level imaging services” as well.
  According to Wade, he and Town Administrator Michael Johns, as well as Fire Chief John Kivlan, have been looking into whether it would be feasible to bring such a facility to Boxborough.
  Wade noted that Boxborough has the advantage of being located roughly halfway between UMASS Memorial Health’s Leominster campus and Emerson Hospital, and also has access from I-495, making it a potentially ideal location for an emergency facility.
  Wade clarified that the town is not proposing specific sites for the facility but is instead hoping to engage UMASS Memorial Health and connect them to Boxborough property owners who might be interested in putting a potential site forward.
  EDC members discussed advantages of such a facility in Boxborough and agreed to authorize EDC Chair Abby Reip to submit a letter of support for a standalone emergency facility in Boxborough, on behalf of the Committee.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on Thursday, February 13, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) voted down a motion to approve a “swing space” study by a vote of 3 in favor and 4 against.
  The proposed study would have estimated the cost of using the “old DPW site” at 577 Mass Ave as a temporary swing space for fire department operations during the potential construction of a new fire station at the site of the current fire station. The study would have cost $44,000.
  FSBC members who opposed the study argued that Owners Project Manager Vertex’s “benchmark” estimate of $2.5 million for temporary swing space (based on a comparable experience in a different town) was sufficient, and that it was unnecessary to spend more taxpayer dollars on a Boxborough-specific study. FSBC members who supported the study argued that it is necessary “due diligence” that the committee should undertake in order to complete a thorough site selection process.
  At its meeting on March 13, the FSBC expects to talk through the completed site selection matrix and Vertex’s suggested scoring for each site.
  The FSBC expects to conduct their final site selection vote on March 20 (not March 27, per their original meeting schedule), and finalize the warrant article for Annual Town Meeting that will seek design funding to move forward with the chosen site.
  The FSBC also discussed their public forums scheduled for February 26 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and March 3 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The forums will be in hybrid format, both in person at Town Hall and on Zoom.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  [Editor’s Note: This week, we are introducing a new column, “ Meditations with Ann,” written for Boxborough News by Ann Seymour. Ann is a Boxborough resident and has been teaching Yoga for 37 years. She holds a great love of the natural world and these two passions influence everything she does.]
  Mindfulness in winter makes me think of the first moments after new snow. I look outside and see the sparkling white snow, quietly glistening in the new rays of sunlight. Each snowflake reflects the sun’s effect, bouncing the light’s energy back into the atmosphere in its natural effort to remain untouched. The animal tracks in the snow are minimal if any. I can identify the happy bounce of the grey squirrel or the lightest wingtip depressions of a bird taking off. The world seems full of positive, quieter potential.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on Monday, February 3, the Boxborough Planning Board continued the public hearing for 340 Codman Hill Road, endorsed a lot subdivision on Middle Road, and scheduled public hearings for several zoning bylaw amendments as well as the recently received application from Campanelli LLC for the Park at Beaver Brook.
  With plans to bring several zoning bylaw amendments to the 2025 Annual Town Meeting (ATM), the board discussed the public hearing schedule. Town Planner Wade presented a proposed hearing schedule in March that also includes three public hearings for MBTA Communities beginning on March 3. Other planned hearings include the proposed Mass Ave zoning, the Accessory Dwelling Unit zoning bylaw amendment, and the “municipal use” code, which currently does not specifically allow a firehouse to be built anywhere in town and must be amended in order for the town to build a new firehouse.
  Lastly, Town Planner Wade informed the board that Campanelli-Trigate LLC has submitted an application to amend the existing, but now lapsed, open space commercial development special permit for the Park at Beaver Brook. The application includes plans to develop all of the parcels on the property, except for 100 and 900 Beaver Brook Road. Wade is proposing a comprehensive public hearing process for this application with at least three public hearings beginning on March 31.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At a four-and-a-half-hour budget workshop on Saturday, February 8, the Acton-Boxborough School Committee voted unanimously to set the FY26 Preliminary Budget at $116,791,164 million with a preliminary assessment to Boxborough of $16,824,370 million. This represents a 5.41% increase to Boxborough’s assessment from last year.
  The Preliminary Budget and assessment numbers voted on Saturday are higher than the numbers presented at the School Committee’s prior meeting on January 30, when Superintendent Peter Light recommended a $116,135,080 preliminary budget.
  This is due in part to the School Committee’s decision on Saturday to increase the budget based on the expectation that the district is likely to receive additional per-pupil funding from the state. In their motion to approve the increased budget, the School Committee stated that the assessments to Acton and Boxborough will be reduced if and when the district does receive the expected additional funding.
  The School Committee also held a discussion about longer-term “reorganization” to address the ongoing budget challenges. Superintendent Light introduced the discussion by explaining that continued “efficiency” cuts year after year are becoming increasingly detrimental to students and educators and that the district might be better served by exploring potential long-term “reorganization.”
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on February 4, the Finance Committee (FinCom) discussed the levy limit and the purchase of two additional vehicles for the fire department and voted multiple department budgets.
  FinCom Chair Tony Newton said he was “concerned” that the town is getting too close to the maximum allowable levy. As the budget stands today, the levy is $28,252,358 as compared to the maximum allowable levy of $29,100,061, a difference of $847,703.
  The current budget includes a placeholder for the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, but no estimates for incremental changes in the collective bargaining agreements for police, fire, and the Department of Public Works.
  The “levy limit” is the maximum amount of property taxes that can be raised in a given fiscal year. Exceeding the levy limit would require a Proposition 2 ½ override. Proposition 2 ½ refers to Massachusetts law that restricts how much a town can increase property taxes from year to year. A Proposition 2 ½ override requires a ballot vote and would allow the town to raise taxes above the levy limit.
  At this point, Newton does not believe an override will be necessary, but he has asked the Town’s finance team to take a second look at the assumptions made with respect to the town valuation, new growth, projected revenues, and state aid, all of which can impact the levy.
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on February 10, the Boxborough Select Board voted to approve a comprehensive review of town fees and licenses in order to consider whether fee adjustments may be appropriate. The Board agreed with Town Administrator Mike Johns’ proposal to compare the town’s current fee structures with those of surrounding communities and also compare them against costs associated with the relevant town services.
  The Board also voted to reconvene the “Boxborough Leadership Forum” (BLF). The Board’s motion contemplated participation by the Select Board, Finance Committee, School Committee, Library Trustees, and Planning Board. The Board’s motion also noted that BLF proceedings will be conducted in accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
  The Board also considered but declined to take action on a potential “Safe Communities” warrant article that has been recommended by some Boxborough residents.
  At its meeting on January 27, the Select Board heard from Police Chief John Szewczyk about the Boxborough police department’s current policy “not to voluntarily comply with ICE detainer requests absent a judicial warrant” and the Board indicated that they would consider a potential Annual Town Meeting warrant article memorializing this policy.
  Town Administrator Johns reported to the Board that, according to town counsel, the policy of the Boxborough police department is aligned with Massachusetts state law. The Board decided not to pursue a warrant article and instead wait and see what happens at the federal level in the coming months.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  Curious about population data, voter numbers, and licenses issued by the town? Boxborough Town Clerk Rebecca Harris provided Boxborough News with annual data that her office keeps in the normal course of business.
  With respect to population, the town counted 5,302 total residents on the 2024 annual street listing. In 2023, the town counted 5,314 residents.
  Voter data shows Boxborough had 4,080 registered voters as of the May 2024 town election. The town also processed 368 new voter registrations over the course of 2024. In 2023, there were a total of 4,036 registered voters.
  In 2024, there were 42 births, defined as “children born this year to parents living in Boxborough,” and 33 deaths, defined as “people living in Boxborough who died this year or died in Boxborough, living elsewhere.” In 2023, the town recorded 38 births and 24 deaths.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.