On Tuesday December 10, the Blanchard Memorial School will present its annual winter concert starting at 7 p.m. in the school's gymnasium. The concert is free and open to the public.
  Groups performing will include the Advanced Band, the Gold Stage Band, and the BrassWind Ensemble. The Advanced Band is composed of students in 5th and 6th grade who have been playing their instruments for at least a year. The Gold Stage Band is a subset of players which performs jazz and “big band” music. The BrassWind Ensemble is a chamber group made up entirely of brass and woodwind players.
  Some songs that are planned to be performed include “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,”  “Jurassic Park,” and “Louie Louie.”

 

On Tuesday, December 3, the Sargent Memorial Library will host a free “sourdough starter workshop” from 6 to 7 p.m. in the library meeting room.
  The library’s event description states, “join fellow bread lovers to learn how to make, maintain, and store a sourdough starter. You’ll leave with many tips and tricks on how to keep your sourdough starter active, what to make with your starter, and leave with some free sourdough starter!”
  The workshop will be run by “Sourdough Brandon,” an expert sourdough baker and food blogger. According to his website, Brandon “started SourdoughBrandon.com, to help home bakers bake naturally leavened, sourdough bread and baked goods with detailed recipes and visual guides. It’s empowering to start making your own bread from home and I know if I can do it in my kitchen, you can too! And I want home bakers to succeed in making my recipes.”
  Registration is required in order to receive a free sourdough starter. Register at https://boxlib.org/news-events/events or by calling the library at 978-263-4680.

 

[Editors’ Note: This column is written by the Boxborough Police Department]
  Hello Boxborough! We wanted to update you on some recent activity at 520 Massachusetts Avenue. For starters, we are happy to report our department is finally back to full staff. Our wonderful team of officers and support personnel continue to serve residents and visitors to Boxborough on a daily basis. Our team is committed to finding new ways to constantly improve our quality of service to our community.
  We are thrilled to report that two of our officers, Officer Zachary Stillman and Officer Diosmar Reynoso, recently attended School Resource Officer (SRO) training and became state-certified SROs. These two officers have already established themselves as trustworthy role models among many youths in town and at Blanchard Memorial School.
  Congratulations to our K9 Koda who recently became certified in tracking, area searches, and evidence and article recovery. She has quickly become a tremendous asset to our community and the most recognizable member of the department.
  We are also very excited to report that after an extensive evaluation process, the Boxborough Police Department was granted re-accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission for another three-year term.
  Do you want to stay up to date on the operations of the BPD? Follow us on Facebook @BoxboroughPoliceDepartment. We are extremely active on our Facebook account and post multiple times a week.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

[Editors’ Note: This column is written by the Boxborough Well-Being Committee.]
  Message for the Community: The dark days of November combined with post-election fatigue can make this a challenging time for many of us. Look around for opportunities to be in community, to do something joyful or purposeful, and to get out into nature. Nashoba Health continues to offer grief support; Sargent Library has a calendar packed with events like crafting, knitting, author talks, story time and more; the Merrie Christmas Fair at UCC Boxborough is November 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the Land Stewards work hard to keep our trails open in all seasons; and Boxborough’s favorite police dog Koda will be at Craft Food Hall next month on December 14 for a trivia fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m.
  Updates from the Community Services Coordinator: Boxborough’s Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks is organizing a holiday gift drive. There are three ways to help: Make a gift card donation (Target, Walmart, Market Basket), sponsor a family, or make a cash donation to the Community Services Gift Account. For more information, contact wtrinks@boxborough-ma.gov or call 978-264-1735.
  Featured Resources and Volunteer Opportunities: The Boxborough Housing board is looking for volunteers. This board is the perfect way to work directly to make a difference in the community. To find out more, visit https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/338/Housing-Board.
  Staying Healthy from Nashoba Health: Nashoba Associated Boards of Health offers free monthly adult grief & bereavement drop-in support groups throughout the region, including at Boxborough’s Sargent Memorial Library on first Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Visit www.nashoba.org or contact grief counselor Karen Campbell, kcampbell@nashoba.org, for more information.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

 At its November 14 “goal-oriented” meeting (as opposed to a “business” meeting), the Acton-Boxborough School Committee heard two presentations.
  The “MCAS and Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) Update” was presented by Gabrielle Abrams, the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. The presentation was an update on District Goal #2 of the 2024-2025 District Improvement Plan, which focuses on increasing academic performance, specifically in literacy and mathematics. A memo is available at https://bit.ly/4hWCCiY.
  The “Updated Protocols for Hate and Bias Incidents” was presented by Jen Faber, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Protocols, first published in 2022, were revised this year by the district’s Leadership Coalition. Faber noted that the Leadership Coalition spent “a lot of time” discussing public communication concerning hate and bias incidents and had trouble coming to a consensus on this component of the protocol. The Coalition did agree on launching a new “incidents dashboard,” which will be posted biannually on the district’s website starting in January 2025. The dashboard will include information about incidents by type (hate/bias,Title IX, bullying, and harassment). The full Protocols are available at https://bit.ly/4hVU1so.
  At the beginning of the meeting, Superintendent Peter Light noted that he has been working with the Boxborough Police Department on a School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding, which will be reviewed and voted on by the School Committee at its next meeting on November 21.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

 At its hybrid meeting on November 14, the Boxborough Sustainability Committee (BSC) reviewed the results of their waste reduction survey and discussed priorities for the Green Communities grant and for a technical assistance award.
  Committee Chair Kate Davies shared preliminary results from 101 respondents who completed the BSC’s household waste reduction survey. Davies cautioned that further analysis would be needed, but initial findings could help the BSC focus on certain high-priority projects.
  Responses were mixed for pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programs, also known as trash metering, with 39% indicating support, 32% indicating they would not be supportive, and 19% indicating “not enough information.” Committee members noted that the demographics for survey respondents skewed toward those older than 65 years of age and toward homeowners as opposed to renters.
  The survey results were overwhelmingly favorable for the installation of a community swap shed, a facility where residents can donate or adopt used items in good condition. The BSC aims to collaborate with the Department of Public Works, the Town Administrator, and community volunteers to establish a swap shed in the transfer station.
  Town Planner Alec Wade shared that Boxborough’s recent designation as a Green Community allows for an introductory grant of approximately $130,000. Initial resources will be allocated to installing energy-saving LED lighting for all municipal buildings and performing weatherization for Blanchard Elementary School.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

Wendy Trinks, the Community Service Coordinator for the town of Boxborough, is organizing three ways to help fellow Boxborough residents this holiday season.
  Gift cards, especially from Target, Walmart, and Market Basket, can be dropped off with Trinks at Boxborough Town Hall. After hours, they can be placed through the Town Hall Drop Box in a marked envelope for Wendy Trinks.
  Checks made out to the Town of Boxborough, with Community Services Gift Account in the memo line, are also welcome for the newly formed fund. This account is designed to pay for extreme emergencies to prevent evictions and utility shut offs.
  To sponsor a family, contact wtrinks@boxborough-ma.gov or call her at 978-264-1735. The deadline is December 9, but contributions are welcome all year round.
 Trinks says she is grateful for the support of the community all year, and especially during the holiday season. “The holiday giving program is my favorite time of the year because it is rewarding to spread holiday cheer,” says Trinks. “The community is so generous, donating gifts cards and sponsoring families. This year the need continues to be great, as the cost of food and rents continue to increase.”
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

  At its meeting on November 12, the Finance Committee (FinCom) heard from Town Administrator Michael Johns about preliminary budget projections for fiscal year 2026.
  Johns reported that he is in the process of working with town department heads to assess the financial needs of the town for the next budget cycle. Preliminarily, he has projected a 4.97% increase in the town budget. That projection includes a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for non-union employees. However, the estimate does not include any increases for the town’s collective bargaining units (police, fire and DPW), who are in the process of negotiating new contracts for the period beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. 
  Town Assessor Kelly Szocik reported that the levy is higher than the original estimated amount of $26,290,000. Szocik’s new projection for the levy is $26,874,899, which would mean a projected tax rate for the current fiscal year of $15.14.
  Once the levy is finalized by the town’s finance team, the town will submit the tax rate recapitulation sheet, which provides a municipality’s entire budget plan for the fiscal year, to the Department of Local Services’ Bureau of Accounts for final certification.
  After hearing from both the town administrator and the town assessor, FinCom reached consensus to provide the ABRSD School Committee with guidance for its fiscal year 2026 budget. FinCom agreed and will communicate to the School Committee that based on current projections, Boxborough can sustain a 6% increase in its assessment. Last year’s assessment was close to a 15% increase from the prior year.

 

 At its meeting on Tuesday, November 12, the Boxborough Capital Budget Committee (CapCom) reviewed their preliminary capital plan for Fiscal Year 2026. The CapCom “exists to establish, track and recommend the Town's long-term capital needs for items over $10,000 and a useful life of more than 5 years.”
  CapCom members discussed the known and potential capital expenditures for FY2026. Town Administrator and CapCom Chair Mike Johns indicated that FY2026 is going to be “a difficult year,” given the challenging school budget as well as the town’s commitment to building a fire station.
  The FY2026 capital plan currently includes $1.5 million for property acquisition for the new fire station, should the town vote to purchase either 70-72 Stow Road or 700 Massachusetts Avenue. If the town chooses to build the new fire station on the current fire station site instead, expenses for relocating personnel and equipment during construction will need to be included in the capital plan. Other expenses in the plan include DPW, fire, police, and building inspector vehicles, the Boxborough Museum roof replacement, and the library renovation.
  Town department heads, as well as committee and board chairs, must submit their capital budget requests to the town administrator by December 2. CapCom will then review the capital plan with the town departments and committees and update it as needed. The plan will be presented to the Town on Capital Saturday, which is scheduled for February 1, 2025.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

 At its meeting on Monday, November 4, the Boxborough Planning Board continued its 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. The town's current ADU bylaw requires homeowners to submit a permit application, but the new law allows ADUs by right (no permit needed) in any residentially zoned district.
  The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the revised bylaw language, and it will be placed on the warrant for Special Town Meeting in February 2025.
  The board also heard a presentation on the comprehensive traffic study conducted by engineering firm Green International (Green). Corinne Tobias and Julianne Griffiths of Green presented their initial findings and analysis of traffic on Route 111 at several intersections.
  The study included existing conditions of traffic volumes, crash data, sight distances, and intersection capacity analysis. Future-build and no-build condition analysis was also conducted with consideration given to proposed developments at 1414 Mass Ave, 244 Adams Place, The Park at Beaver Brook, and 60 Codman Hill Road.
  Green will finalize their conclusions and recommendations and provide concept plans for what can be done to improve the conditions, especially for locations identified as having high crash rates. They will also address capacity issues at some of the proposed and planned development intersections. Their next presentation to the Planning Board will be on December 16.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

 On Saturday, December 7, the Boxborough Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee (PCCC) will host Boxborough’s annual tree lighting celebration, as well as the unveiling of the town’s new menorah, starting at 4:30 p.m. The celebration will take place at a new location this year: the Boxborough fire station at 502 Massachusetts Avenue.
  After the tree is lit by a “town honoree” yet to be named, the Blanchard BrassWind Ensemble and Blanchard Chorus will perform holiday favorites, and cookies and hot chocolate will be provided. Once the live music has concluded, a special guest will make his grand entrance by fire truck to deliver candy canes. For the first time this year, high school student volunteers from the Boxborough “Destination Imagination” team will host a face painting table and a craft table, where kids will be invited to decorate wooden ornaments.
  The event will also include the unveiling of Boxborough’s new menorah, which is being designed, built, and donated to the town by PCCC Chair Jennette Kollmann and her family. The menorah is expected to be six feet tall by eight feet wide, and will be made from PVC piping and large light bulbs that appear to flicker like a flame when lit.
  The PCCC is still discussing plans for lighting the menorah on each night of Hanukkah, which begins this year on December 25. The PCCC plans to invite families to participate; interested families can sign up to be entered into a lottery to light the menorah. The PCCC is expected to announce more details about the menorah lighting in the coming weeks.
   Parking for the tree lighting celebration will be available across Massachusetts Avenue at the Blanchard Elementary School. The Boxborough Police Department will have floodlights and officers stationed at the Massachusetts Avenue crosswalks to direct people safely across the street.

 

 Boxborough News will not publish in the Action Unlimited next Friday, November 29, to allow our team a week off to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
  Check out BoxboroughNews.org to get caught up on what’s been happening around town. We expect to publish a few new stories on our website next week – and our News and Community pages have all of our previous stories available. And while you’re on the website, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter 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 at boxboroughnews@gmail.com. We’re always looking for new ideas and volunteers.
 

When: Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 9am-1pm
Online Auction begins November 13
Where: UCC Boxborough Church Campus, 723 Middle Road, Boxborough 01719
For: Everyone!
The Boxborough Merrie Christmas Fair promises a fun-filled shopping celebration with local handcrafts, delicious food and surprising treasures for all! Come share the joy and shop for your family, friends or treat yourself. Look for truly handmade gifts from soft knitted scarves to hand carved trees and fresh greens for a Thanksgiving table. The fair has 91 years’ experience sharing local creativity and artistry in a fun, festive setting. At the Sugar Plum café, have lunch and sip cocoa as you enjoy the live music of jazz and blues singer Phyllis Fallon and the Workingman’s Music Duo. The online Silent Auction has close to two hundred items for young and old alike. The online auction is an easy way to shop over ten days, November 13-23. Items range from fine home crafted items to snowshoes to restaurant gift cards and museum memberships to expansive vacations including a trip to Tuscany, a two night stay in NYC with Broadway tickets and a windjammer cruise out of Bar Harbor. If you like to thrift, shop at our vintage jewelry table or the legendary recycled Attic Treasures that fill the Town Hall? The fair has something for everyone and is a chance to buy truly local and sustainably. This year’s fair not only supports UCC Boxborough, a partner with Free Bee market, but ten percent of fair proceeds will go directly to North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity.
Save that date: November 23, from 9am-1pm at UCC Boxborough, 723 Massachusetts Ave and Boxborough Town Hall on Middle Road. Come and wander the fair, have lunch, let your children shop in their own shopping area, poke through the Attic Treasures, sit outside by the fire pit where Santa might be making a s'more! Meet a friend, have fun with your neighbors, and know that your dollars buy much more than gifts, you are supporting your community as you shop. Meet you at the fair
Online Silent Auction is up for browsing. Bidding begins November 13 at 8am and ends November 23 at 6pm. https://www.BiddingForGood.com/UCCBSilentAuction

  Over 100 veterans and their families attended the 12th annual Veterans’ Day Breakfast sponsored by the Rotary Club and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School National Honor Society.
  Rotary Club President Dean Roberts spoke about the importance of the “Citizen Soldier” as it relates to the role of veterans in the community after their military service. Veterans “returned to civilian life with new knowledge and skills and a maturity that nurtures a sense of purpose, making veterans an important resource within our communities. Veterans drive the local economy, participate in and lead local organizations, mentor local youth, new residents, and those in need.”
  Boxborough resident attendees included Jim Isenberg who, like his father before him, served in the Navy in its amphibious forces, conducting training maneuvers for the Army and Marines.  Charlie Summers served state-side in the Air Force on the Minuteman missile project. Bill Donovan was an enlisted infantry army soldier stationed in Stuttgart Germany. Steve Schmitt was in the Navy stationed state-side, but deployed to conduct training missions in the Mediterranean, Scotland, and the Bering Sea.
  Jim MacRae, Veterans agent for Acton and Boxborough, spoke about the disability benefits available to veterans and encouraged veterans to contact his office for more information.
  The Veterans’ Breakfast not only recognizes the service and sacrifices of veterans, but also brings awareness to the community of the challenges faced by veterans.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

   On Monday, November 11, more than 80 people came together at the Veterans’ Tribute Memorial at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough to honor veterans and their families.
  Included in the crowd were representatives of the Boxborough Fire and Police Departments, town employees and officials, Boxborough Scout Troop 1, and students and teachers from the Boxborough Children’s Center preschool.
    Ron Vogel (Navy veteran) opened the ceremony noting that this was its fourth year. He read the names of the four Boxborough veterans who had passed away in 2024. The Boxborough Minutemen then fired a musket solute, followed by Select Board chair Kristin Hilberg and the Scouts leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Ami Scheen (town employee and service member sibling) and Thomas Yeakley of the Scouts read the Governor’s Veterans’ Day Proclamation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
   Alan Rohwer, chair of the Historical Commission, outlined the history of Veterans’ Day, which began with a commemoration of the armistice that ended the fighting of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
  Town Administrator Michael Johns (naval aviator and proud parent of multiple service members) delivered remarks about Veterans’ Day being a time to reflect, to recognize, and to express our deep gratitude to not only to those who served in uniform but also to the dedicated families who supported them.
  Navy veteran Garrett Green related his service during the Vietnam War not only as a “blue water” sailor on the battleship New Jersey but as a “brown water” sailor on the rivers of Vietnam.
  Lastly, Rick Barrett (Navy and Army reserve) and his daughter Mikayla (active duty Air Force) laid a wreath on the monument while Maddie Sjoblom, a Blanchard School alumna, played taps. 
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  The Boxborough Well-Being Committee invited Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk to its November 7 meeting to discuss Boxborough’s involvement with and commitment to the Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN). Chief Szewczyk spoke about the need to train Boxborough police officers in protocols for dealing with domestic violence calls. If his budget permits, he plans to send one Boxborough officer to the DVSN training in the Spring of 2025 and include funding in next year’s budget to train an additional officer.
  Szewczyk also explained that Boxborough police officers work closely with both Susan Lemere, the town’s Co-Response Clinician, and Wendy Trinks, the Boxborough Community Services Coordinator. Officers are trained to understand that an interaction with a resident does not have to be “huge” to make a referral to the Community Services department, which can help residents find needed resources.
  Lemere spoke about her role in working with the police department to provide crisis services and emotional support for victims and families of domestic violence and other high stress situations, including mental health behavioral incidents.
  In other matters, the committee voted unanimously to support an application to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for increased funding for the Boxborough Rental Assistance Program (BRAP), currently in its ninth year of implementation. The program currently provides a $250 monthly stipend to 14 Boxborough families. Community Services Coordinator Trinks, who manages the program, has asked for an increase in the stipend to $500, which would increase funding from $44,050 in Fiscal Year 2025 to $69,000 for Fiscal Year 2026. If the application is approved by CPC, it will go to Annual Town Meeting (ATM) for a vote.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  On Tuesday, November 26, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will hold a live public informational meeting to present the design for the proposed bridge replacement project at I-495 and Route 111 in Boxborough. The meeting will be held in the Grange Room at Boxborough Town Hall, 29 Middle Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  At the meeting, MassDOT will “share construction staging and timing as well as traffic management plans with the Boxborough community. Information about how to receive project updates will also be provided.”
  The event announcement from MassDOT states, “The bridge carrying Route 111 (locally Massachusetts Avenue) over I-495, though safe for all users, has reached the end of its useful lifespan and must be replaced. Replacement of the structure will provide the traveling public with a new bridge with a 75-year design life span built to modern design guidelines for clearance above I-495, shoulders to aid in drainage, and accommodations for non-motorized users. Construction operations for the bridge replacement will begin in December 2023 with major operations anticipated to run to fall of 2026. Staged construction will be used to keep traffic moving on Route 111. Changes to the intersections abutting the bridge will help avoid congestion and queued traffic on the I-495 mainline.”
  Additional information about the meeting and the project can be found at https://bit.ly/48LUE3q.

  On Saturday November 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., United Church of Christ Boxborough will showcase its 91st Merrie Christmas Fair. A Boxborough tradition since 1933, this local fair continues to evolve and grow, including the fair’s commitment to the environment and becoming a “greener” event.
  “When you shop for handmade items created by your neighbors, you are not only getting something unique, but you are also buying one less item from a big-ticket store or Amazon,” says this year’s fair co-chair Mary Pavlik. “Not only that, but your money also supports this community church and its partnerships, and ten percent of this year’s profits will go directly to North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity.”
  “Sustainability is important to the Boxborough church,” says church member Kellie Senghas, a part of the Attic Treasures team. “Caring for the world’ is one of our three central mission statements. Each year at the fair we strive to make the whole event greener. For instance, our Sugar Plum café uses compostables to avoid plastic waste. Attic Treasures fills the Grange Room at Town Hall with donated items that need a new home. We just love the process of receiving items from individuals who don’t need them anymore and then seeing them leave with new people who are excited to buy and enjoy them.”
  These treasures are available at very low pricing deliberately. “Many people do their shopping for the holidays right in Attic Treasures,” says Kellie. “Not only are the items affordable and in good condition, but a recycled gift also helps keep them out of landfills,” she adds. “Our goal is to have nothing left to throw away.  We have arranged for items not purchased at the end of the fair to be donated to organizations such as Household Goods and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. A triple win for the community.”
  The Merrie Christmas Fair will take place at 723 Middle Road, Boxborough, in the church, the community center, and Town Hall. For more information, contact the UCC Boxborough office at 978-263-7387.
   This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  The annual Science Family Night at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) will be held on Friday, November 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the ABRHS cafeteria.
  Elementary-aged children and their families are invited to interact with high school students representing various STEM clubs, including Science Team, DNA Club, Envirothon, Girls in Science, Neuroscience Club, and others.
  Students from these clubs will have fun, hands-on activities to share with children as they learn about engineering, forensics, biotechnology, health, chemistry, and other topics.
  An admission price of $5 per family will be collected at the door. Snacks and drinks will be sold.
  Brian Dempsey, a Boxborough resident and science teacher at ABRHS since 1996, helps to organize the event, which typically brings about 150 attendees to the high school.
  “Children look up to the high schoolers with admiration and, at some level, they see their future selves in them,” says Dempsey. “In fact, some of the ABRHS presenters remember participating when they were younger. It is a great feedback model that builds excitement and interest in STEM fields in the community.”
  As for the high school students, Dempsey says, they “build leadership skills and confidence while increasing their knowledge of a scientific or engineering topic. My philosophy is (that) the best way to learn a concept is to teach what you know to other people.”
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  On Thursday, November 7, the Boxborough Police Department (BPD) K-9 Unit Koda made her first “on-the-job find” following the completion of her National Certification from Drugbeat Professional K-9 Certifications.
After 280 hours of training, Koda can track people and recover evidence at the command of her handler, Officer Maxwell Bressi. Koda and Bressi trained alongside K-9 units in multiple surrounding towns, including Chelmsford, Littleton, Pepperell, and Westford, with the understanding that police dogs are a resource shared by the region.
  On the morning of November 7, Bressi and Koda got the chance to put their skills and training to the test when Acton Police submitted a mutual aid request for a K-9 track, following a motor vehicle crash from which the operator fled the scene. Upon arrival, K-9 Koda was able to obtain a scent article from the crashed vehicle and track the operator through a wooded area, through a neighborhood, and across Main Street to an address where the suspect was subsequently identified and placed in custody.
  No one is more proud of Koda’s certification and her first successful track than her handler, Officer Bressi. A resident of Boxborough since 2019 and a police officer since 2016, Bressi said that it has long been a dream of his to work with a K-9 unit.
  “We’re just the dummies behind the leash,” he mused, as he raved about how smart and capable Koda has proven herself to be in the nearly six months they have been training together. “She doesn’t know she is a cop or I am a cop,” Bressi said, “but she knows her job is to find things and be rewarded.”
   This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  Sarfaraz Mushtaque, most recently a police officer with the Boxborough Police Department (BPD), has been decertified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  In a Voluntary Decertification Agreement effective October 17, 2024, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (“Commission”) permanently revoked Mushtaque’s certification to work in law enforcement in Massachusetts. Mushtaque’s name will also be added to the National Decertification Index.
  According to Mushtaque’s Voluntary Decertification Agreement (“Agreement”), the Commission has the power to revoke an officer’s certification if it finds the “officer is not fit for duty as an officer and the officer is dangerous to the public” or if it finds “a pattern of unprofessional police conduct that…may escalate.”
  The Agreement explains that the Commission found these criteria were met. The Commission’s findings of fact include an incident where Mushtaque “failed to turn in his agency-issued firearm and radio” in 2021 at the end of his employment with another department, as well as allegations of misconduct brought by Mushtaque’s ex-girlfriend in 2023.
  Mushtaque was employed by the Boxborough Police Department from July 28, 2023 to August 31, 2023.
  When asked to comment, Police Chief John Szewczyk stated, “The Boxborough Police Department did an excellent job of immediately investigating a complaint and taking prompt action working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission (POST). This is a great example of the new POST reporting system working properly and being utilized for what it was intended for. The Boxborough Police Department will continue to maintain the highest standards for all police department employees while always emphasizing transparency and accountability.”
   This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

  At its meeting on November 7, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) heard from Town Administration Michael Johns about a zoning issue concerning the potential fire station site at 700 Massachusetts Avenue. The Committee decided to pause all study of 700 Massachusetts Avenue and seek a written legal opinion on the zoning issue.
  The FSBC also heard a presentation from consultant Context Architecture (“Context”) about a site assessment report for 502 Massachusetts Avenue (the site of the current fire station). The Committee authorized Context to move forward with additional studies on 502 Massachusetts Avenue.
  With respect to 700 Massachusetts Ave, T.A. Johns reported to the Committee that there are zoning restrictions applicable to the property that limit the allowable square footage to a number below the fire station “program” requirements. Accordingly, the town would need to apply for and be granted a “use variance” by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to construct a fire station on the site.
  Town Planner Alec Wade informed the FSBC that he would not be in favor of the ZBA granting such a “use variance.” T.A. Johns relayed town counsel’s opinion that a “use variance,” if granted, would likely be difficult to defend on appeal. The FSBC agreed that T.A. Johns should obtain a legal opinion in writing from town counsel about the zoning issue, but did not take the property “off the list” of potential sites.
  With respect to 502 Massachusetts Avenue, the site assessment report showed how the footprint of a new fire station might fit at the site of the current fire station and flagged certain potential challenges for further investigation. Overall, said Jeff Shaw of Context, “although there are many challenges, many of them can be overcome and the project generally could proceed on this site….” The Committee authorized Context to pursue further investigation concerning wetlands demarcation, septic sizing, well size, and an “auto turn analysis.”
  The FSBC’s next meeting will be Thursday, November 21 at 7 p.m. in hybrid format. They are also planning additional public forums regarding the “phase one” site selection matrix on Wednesday, December 4 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday, November 17 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Chad Childers at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org.
  The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775.  You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war reenactor to join the Company.
  Our members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to town organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school.
  All are welcome to come and make new connections with others.
  For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

 

  Now that we are no longer focused on our gardens, we can head inside and keep gardening with house plants. Here are a few tips.
  If you are a dedicated fertilizer, it is time to give that up until April. This is a time for plants to rest.
  Make sure your plants are not too close to windows where the leaves will get cold and keep them away from heaters and vents.
  As I adjust to my gardens going to sleep, I might treat myself to a new plant. If you decide to do that, check the plant out carefully before you buy it. Look for yellowing leaves and brown spots. We only want to bring healthy plants into our homes.
  One of my favorite indoor plants is an amaryllis. You may have received one as a gift. Right now, you can buy an amaryllis bulb and plant it. Make sure the bulb is firm. The bigger the bulb, the more flowers!
  Planting is really very easy. Just put some good quality potting soil in a plastic tub; add some warm water until the soil is just moist, not soggy; stir with your hand; then fill the pot halfway with soil and put the bulb in. Ultimately, you want the top third of the bulb exposed. Fill in around the bulb, firm the soil, and water lightly to settle it around the bulb. Place in a sunny location where temperatures stay above 60, and only water when dry.
  Amaryllis can get really tall so make sure to rotate the pot so the stalks don’t lean toward the light and topple over. You can also stake them, but I never do. If this all seems too complicated, you can buy them already potted up. It can take 6 to 12 weeks for blooms, but be patient, and you will be rewarded with weeks of color.
  The Boxborough Garden Club invites you to join our activities. Please email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com for more information.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  On the first weekend of November, the Friends of the Boxborough Library held their Fall Used Book Sale in the meeting room of the Sargent Memorial Library.
  Anne McNeece, President of the Friends of the Boxborough Library, stated, “The Friends of the Boxborough Library would like to thank everyone who helped make our recent book sale a success. Thank you for donating such a wonderful selection of books, and a special thank you to everyone who helped sort and arrange the books! Thank you also for coming to the library to buy books. Because of your support, we will continue to be able to provide the community with museum passes and exciting programs for both children and adults.”
  The Friends of the Boxborough Library holds two used book sales each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. The used books are donated by the public, and proceeds from the book sales support library programs and museum passes.

  On October 30, Mark Samuel McEnnis, a 41 year old male from Mason, New Hampshire, was arrested on a warrant for the following charges in connection with the “Rainbow Fish” vandalism incident: (1) Malicious or Wanton Defacing or Damaging of Property, and (2) Property Damage to Intimidate.
  McEnnis turned himself in to Boxborough Police Headquarters and has a court appearance scheduled for October 31.
  “Boxborough Detective Sergeant Bowolick worked diligently in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police’s Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team to ensure this case was investigated promptly and thoroughly. The Boxborough Police Department has zero tolerance for crimes of this magnitude as all individuals, regardless of background, should feel safe in our community,” stated Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk.
  On October 14, the Boxborough Police Department was made aware of vandalism to a “Rainbow Fish” symbol hanging below a street sign for The Episcopal Church / The Church of the Good Shepherd on Central Street in Boxborough. The “Rainbow Fish” image appeared to have been covered with white spray paint.
  The Boxborough News article about the vandalism incident is available at
https://tinyurl.com/BoxboroughSign

  The Boxborough Recreation Commission has announced that Boxborough’s annual WinterFest will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Steele Farm, 484 Middle Road, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The rain/snow date will be Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  Says the Recreation Commission, “Come and warm up with friends and neighbors around the bonfire. Enjoy great music from singer/songwriter Sara Rice, and try your hand (and feet) at a human foosball game for all ages. We hope to have many local vendors attend, including Live4 Physical Therapy in West Acton, who will be offering injury prevention and strength training classes this spring at Liberty Field using the new adult fitness equipment there.”
  “Be sure to bring your sleds to see how far you can make it down the hill with friends and family. Please feel free to enjoy the day as well by hiking through our beautiful conservation trails at Steele Farm. … Come on out, say hi to your neighbors, and participate in all that winter has to offer in beautiful Boxborough.”
  Food and drink at WinterFest will be available for purchase from the Fat Rooster food truck from Farm 359 in Littleton (sandwiches and soups) and Under the Stairs Brewing Company of Harvard.

The Boxborough Sustainability Committee and Office of Land Use and Permitting are exploring ways to reduce the amount of household waste and waste-related greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by Boxborough residents.
  They are asking residents to share their thoughts on household waste reduction strategies by completing a short (approximately 5-10 minute) Waste Reduction Preferences Survey.
  The survey is available at https://tinyurl.com/TrashSurvey24
  Survey respondents will be entered into a raffle drawing to win a backyard tumbler compost bin. The drawing will take place at the upcoming Sustainability Committee meeting on November 14 at 7 p.m.
  The information gathered from the survey will help the town prioritize future household waste reduction efforts. It may also be used to guide Boxborough's upcoming Master Plan update and provide input into a future Climate Action Planning process.

  The Town of Boxborough cordially invites town veterans and all residents to attend the 2024 Boxborough Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 11 at the Veterans Tribute Memorial on the grounds of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. and will take place rain or shine.
  Parking is available at the library parking lot and also at the Blanchard Memorial School. If parking at the school, use the bridge walkway to get to the ceremony site.
  The Veterans Day ceremony recognizes the commitment and dedication of Boxborough’s veterans and their families. The town looks forward to honoring all of those who have served in the armed forces.
  More information about Boxborough’s veterans’ services can be found on the Town’s website at https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/281/Veterans-Services. Boxborough Veterans Services Officer James MacRae is available by appointment and has regular office hours at the UCC Boxborough Church at 723 Massachusetts Ave every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact James MacRae at 978-929-6614 to make an appointment.

  The Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) has awarded business improvement grants to two Boxborough businesses: Two Friends Chocolates and a brand-new business venture, Thinking Flower.
  Two Friends Chocolates has received a grant award of $13,324 to implement an online ordering system, increase staffing capacity, and improve advertising abilities. This is owner Lavanya Selvaraj’s second award from the town’s grant program. She received her first grant of $20,000 in September 2023 and has used the funds to expand her business, including offering hot drinks as well as a “s’mores station.”
  Thinking Flower owner Divya Suryaprasad has received a grant award of $15,000 to put towards establishing a new business, a coffee shop, bakery, and wine bar located next to Middlesex Bank, at #629-C Massachusetts Ave. The grant award comes with a number of conditions, as Suryaprasad is still in the process of applying for the permits, licenses, and Board of Health approval required to open her business. The business is expected to open in 2025.
  The EDC also recently considered a grant application from current Boxborough business Pink Dog Spa, but the applicant withdrew the application before an award decision was made.
  The Boxborough Business Grant Program, funded by Boxborough’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) appropriation, provides up to $20,000 in matching funds as a forgivable loan to small Boxborough businesses that meet the requirements of the program. The program is now winding down; October 31 was the final deadline for applications.
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

 

At its October 24 meeting, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee did a “first read” of a draft FY2026 budget development schedule and budget guidelines. The budget schedule and guidelines can be accessed at https://bit.ly/48uc58n.
  The schedule lists January 30, 2025 as the date of the superintendent’s preliminary budget presentation, with a vote on the preliminary FY26 budget scheduled for March 13. The FY26 final budget vote is scheduled for March 20.
  The draft budget guidelines, developed by the School Committee’s budget subcommittee, ask the district for a budget with an “increase of no greater than 3%” and goes on to identify six priorities, including reducing kindergarten tuition and keeping class sizes within School Committee guidelines.
  Later in the meeting, School Committee member and Boxborough resident Liz Fowlks reported to the committee about the school budget concerns expressed at a recent Boxborough Finance Committee meeting, including feedback that the district “keep the assessment as low as possible.”
  In response to a question from a committee member about the Boxborough Finance Committee’s feedback, Superintendent Peter Light commented that “we had a very big ask of the two communities last year, and I think both Boxborough and the town of Acton recognized that we were in an extraordinary budget year and both had put plans that they may have had on hold in order to allow us to move forward and seek the override and be able to fund the schools….”
  Superintendent Light went on to acknowledge that Boxborough has been working towards building a new fire station for a long time and said, “I think it’s just important from our lens to understand where we do hear concerns, it’s because there’s a feeling probably in the two towns that they’ve had to defer priorities of their own in order to help us maintain the quality of education. I don’t think it’s a desire to see us reduce the quality of education but to live within the fiscal realities of the two towns….”
  This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on October 29, the Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) took a close look at a “very preliminary” FY2026 budget model, with the goal of providing the Acton-Boxborough School Committee with information about Boxborough’s budget limitations as the School Committee begins their FY2026 school budget process.
  FinCom began their discussion by walking through the FY2026 budget model and looking at early estimates of capital expenses, revenues, operating budget, and free cash. Based on the model, FinCom concluded that the town’s FY2026 budget – not including the “assessment” that the town pays to the school district – would likely increase by 5% from the last fiscal year.
  From there, FinCom concluded that Boxborough can only afford a 6% increase to its school “assessment” without exceeding the town’s levy limit.
  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.
  There was disagreement among FinCom members about whether asking the School Committee to limit Boxborough’s assessment to a 6% increase was reasonable or not.
  The FinCom’s understanding, based on an October 15 meeting with School Committee Chair Adam Klein, is that limiting Boxborough’s assessment to a 6% increase would limit the overall school budget to a 1.97% increase from last year’s budget. A “level services” school budget would require a 3.53% increase from last year’s budget.
  Several FinCom members expressed the opinion that the assessment limitation was reasonable because Boxborough had to make significant budget cuts last year in order to afford last year’s 15% assessment increase. They stated that the School Committee needs to “work with us” to keep costs down this year.
  At least one FinCom member disagreed, stating that limiting the school budget in this way is “unrealistic” and that Boxborough should be “more supportive” of the schools.
  Ultimately, the FinCom agreed to take a “conservative” approach at this early stage of the budget process and communicate to the School Committee that Boxborough’s current modeling suggests that the assessment must be limited to a 6% increase, in order to avoid needing an override.