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.

  Every spring, on rainy nights as temperatures approach the forties, the Amphibian Crossing Brigade, a coordinated group from Acton, Littleton, and Boxborough, ventures out to designated crossing areas armed with flashlights to help frogs and salamanders cross the roads and reach their breeding grounds in vernal pools.
   Amy Green, the conservation agent in Littleton, is the leader of the Amphibian Crossing Brigade. Ann Seymour and Rita Grossman lead the team from Boxborough. Ann began in 2019 with a group from Acton, and Rita joined her in 2021 when Depot Road was added as a crossing area. Ann and Rita hope to recruit enough volunteers to monitor sections of Littlefield Road and Flagg Hill Road, as well.
  Volunteers walk up and down the crossing area with flashlights to find frogs and salamanders that need help. They pick them up, carry them to the other side of the road, and head them in the right direction, noting the species in a log and possibly taking a picture.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

On Tuesday, January 28, the Boxborough Housing Board (BHB) assembled for their first monthly meeting of the year.
  Associate Town Planner Rafi Nizam provided an overview of the pilot Homeowner Opportunity for Preservation and Equity (HOPE) Program and HOPE’s first project, replacing the roofs at the Boxborough Meadows. Boxborough Meadows is a 48-unit Chapter-40B ownership development, which is located off Mass Ave and contains 12 affordable units. BHB previously voted to use funds from their Affordable Housing Trust to replace the Boxborough Meadows roofs. BHB members discussed a timeline for paying the contractor hired to do the roof replacements and the need for an external construction expert to oversee the day-to-day management of future HOPE projects.
The Board also discussed the MBTA Communities Act and the 70-72 Stow Road parcel, which is currently under the control of the BHB and being considered as a site for a new fire station.
  The MBTA Communities Act requires communities with access to MBTA amenities to change zoning regulations to allow multifamily housing by-right. Boxborough’s requirement equates to 118 units of housing at a minimum density of 15 units per acre – resulting in the need to identify approximately 8 acres to be zoned for multifamily housing.
  The Board agreed that the 70-72 Stow Road parcel, if not selected as the fire station building site, could be considered for the MBTA Communities multifamily zoning.
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

The Boxborough Select Board, Finance Committee (FinCom), and Capital Committee held a joint meeting on Saturday, February 1 to review and discuss warrant articles currently under consideration for Boxborough’s Annual Town Meeting (ATM) scheduled for May 12, 2025.  No votes were taken.
  The 5-hour marathon meeting included presentations by the Fire Department, Department of Public Works (DPW), and Town Hall.
  Some of the largest warrant articles include a pumper truck and related equipment at a cost of $1.2 million; $300,000 to continue to maintain the roads; $160,000 to replace a DPW truck body and refurbish the frame; the purchase of a utility task vehicle (UTV) by the fire department to access trails for brush fires and medical emergencies at a cost of $80,000; a third command/officer fire response vehicle at a cost of $80,000; an annual contribution of $300,000 for Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB); and $100,000 to replace the roof at Town Hall.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on January 28, the Boxborough Water Resources Committee (WRC) discussed the ongoing work of Weston & Sampson, the consulting firm hired by the Town for “water resources planning services.” A comprehensive water resources report is due in July.
  The Committee also discussed progress on the Littleton Waterline project. A waterline extension from Littleton into Boxborough is being carried out by the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department (LELWD) to bring clean, treated drinking water to properties located in Boxborough on Beaver Brook Road, Swanson Road, and Codman Hill Road, as far south as 330 Codman Hill Road. The waterline is scheduled to be completed in November 2026.
  The waterline will cross under Mass Ave between Swanson and Codman Hill Roads with a  stub facing east toward the I-495 Mass Ave bridge, which is currently being rebuilt by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). MassDOT plans include a utility bay under the bridge to house a waterline, but there is uncertainty at this time regarding plans to connect a pipe from the stub to bring water across the bridge.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At their meeting on January 30, the Acton-Boxborough School Committee heard a presentation from Superintendent Peter Light on the FY26 Preliminary Budget.
  The FY26 Preliminary Budget is currently $116.1 million. This represents a 3% increase from the FY25 budget, based on the School Committee’s budget guidelines requesting “an overall budget increase of no greater than 3%.”
  This Preliminary Budget would mean a $16.8 million assessment to Boxborough, an increase of 5.25% from last year.
  Superintendent Light explained that a “maintenance of services” from FY25 to FY26 would require a total budget of $118.1 million, leaving a gap of roughly $2 million. He emphasized that the district is “running out of options” to balance the budget and walked through the strategies and priorities that guided the development of the Preliminary Budget. The Preliminary Budget includes a net reduction of 18.64 full time employees.
  The School Committee also voted to approve the 2025-2026 school calendar presented at their January 16 meeting. The first days of school (depending on grade level) will be August 27 and 28. The last day of school is scheduled for June 18 (pending snow days).
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on Wednesday, January 29, the Boxborough 3A Advisory Group reviewed the results of the MBTA Communities survey; heard from Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) consultant John Cruz, who is assisting the town with compliance; and discussed the process and timeline for making recommendations to the Planning Board.
  Town Planner Alec Wade began the meeting with a review of the MBTA Communities survey results, stating that 95 responses had been received.
  Survey respondents were able to rank their location preferences for the MBTA district on a map that showed five zones labeled A through E. They were asked for the reasoning behind their preferences and if they thought there was a specific area of town in which the district should be located.
  During a mapping workshop in November 2024, attendees’ preferences for the location of the MBTA district were recorded and visualized as a “heat map.” Cruz and his team at MAPC worked to create “alternative” districts from the heat map data. The goal is to pair the survey results with what was seen at the mapping session.
  With additional input from the group, Planner Wade will prepare a matrix system for group members to rank their preferred locations. The locations will be discussed and potentially voted on at their next meeting, scheduled for February 10.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on Monday, January 27, the Boxborough Planning Board discussed the proposal brought forth by Planning Board member Rich Guzzardi to convert certain areas along Mass Ave in the IC (industrial commercial) zone to a new designation of B2 (“Business 2”). The working session was designed to give Planning Board members the opportunity to have an in depth discussion of the proposed zoning change, ask questions, and make suggested revisions.
  Guzzardi’s proposal would eliminate some of the currently permitted uses on Mass Ave, such as warehouses, self-storage facilities, heavier manufacturing uses, and adult use, and allow the type of businesses that Boxborough residents have indicated they want, such as specialty food shops and retail stores, which are currently not allowed.
  Some board members expressed the opinion that this proposal should wait until after the town has addressed MBTA Communities requirements and the fire station zoning, or until after the next Master Plan, but Guzzardi countered that “the uses in the district today are good uses, but by being proactive, the town can avoid less desirable, higher intensity businesses that could develop over time along Mass Ave, and allow the types of businesses that residents and local businesses have repeatedly expressed a desire for.”
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At their meeting on Thursday, the Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) discussed the January 21 Village Center Focus Group, a by-invitation-only session for residents, businesses, and property owners in the “village center” district.
  The focus group session was conducted by Sharon Rooney of Tighe & Bond, the consulting firm hired to conduct the Village Center Feasibility Assessment in Spring of 2024.
  EDC members present at the focus group reported that participant feedback included the importance of sidewalks and walkability on Massachusetts Avenue and Stow Road; support for potential connections between the “four corners” area (Mass Ave, Stow Road, and Middle Road intersection) and the Middlesex Bank Plaza; concern about a perceived lack of town support for small businesses; and some opposition to “commercialization” of the village center area. Participants also expressed concern about the “finality” of the language in Tighe & Bond’s Village Center report.
  Overall, said EDC member Rich Guzzardi, “a preponderance of the group was interested and wanted to continue the conversation,” and there was consensus around the need for walkability and gathering spaces, as well as support for small businesses.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

After the storms in 2024, many homeowners face the challenge of cleaning up their yards. Burning of brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris is allowed in Boxborough from Jan. 15 to May 1, as regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
  Boxborough News reached out to Fire Chief John Kivlan for more information. Kivlan provided guidelines that include the permit requirement, what you can burn, and when you can burn. He also provided some safety guidelines and alternatives to open burning. Visit the Boxborough News Notices page (www.boxboroughnews.org/notices) to read Chief Kivlan’s note.
  The Boxborough Fire Department’s web page outlines the rules and regulations for burning and provides a link to register for a daily burn permit when conditions are safe: boxborough-ma.gov/251/Burn-Permits.

At its meeting on January 21, the Finance Committee (FinCom) heard from Town Administrator Michael Johns  in response to questions about the budget for the newly established Human Services department. The Human Services department includes the Council on Aging (CoA), Community Services, Recreation, and Veterans Services.
  At Annual Town Meeting (ATM) 2024, voters approved three warrant articles related to Human Services. One was to consolidate three part-time administrative assistants into one benefited position that supports the CoA, Community Services and Recreation, with a net cost of $10,000 through taxation and $5,000 from the recreation revolving fund. The revolving fund was established to fund recreation programs using revenues generated from recreation programs. The second article was to add a 19.5 hour ($32,000) unbenefited position for a Recreation Coordinator. The third article was to appoint an existing staff person to a new position of Director of Human Services.
  Following the promotion of the CoA Coordinator to Director of Human Services, Johns made some changes to the original plan by promoting an administrative assistant to Recreation Coordinator and adding an additional 20.5 hours for administrative support for both the CoA and Recreation. The total cost for this position is $64,000.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

On Wednesday, January 15, the Boxborough Water Resources Committee (WRC) co-sponsored a webinar with the Littleton Electric Light & Water Department (LELWD) to provide a status update on the Littleton-Boxborough waterline project.
  The project will bring a pipeline from Littleton into Boxborough to bring clean, treated drinking water to properties located in Boxborough on Beaver Brook Road, Swanson Road, and Codman Hill Road, as far south as 330 Codman Hill Road.
  WRC Chair Les Fox introduced Matt Silverman, LELWD Water and Sewer Superintendent, who gave a presentation that traced the history of the project. Silverman focused on the key events since the last waterline webinar, which occurred in July 2023. Since that time, an intermunicipal agreement between Littleton and Boxborough has been signed by the governor; permits at the state and local levels are in place; construction funding has been secured; and construction began in December 2024. Expected completion of the project is November 2026.
  Silverman addressed the most frequently asked question from property owners along the line: “what will it cost?” He explained that the total cost of the project is estimated at $12.4M and that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will fund $6.5M, which leaves $5.9M to be paid by Boxborough customers through a “betterment” fee.
  The betterment fee will be collected from all Boxborough property owners along the waterline and will be assessed whether or not the property owner connects to the line because it is assumed that property values will increase with the availability of a connection. Properties without building structures will not be assessed a betterment fee. Silverman indicated that the betterment fees have not been finalized and that more information will be forthcoming.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At a three-hour meeting on January 23, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) decided to postpone their selection of a site for the new fire station. Instead, they voted to request a revision to the FSBC Charter that would allow them to consider a “public safety building” (that is, a combined facility for the police and fire departments) at 502 Mass Ave.
  FSBC Chair Mary Brolin opened the meeting by explaining that although they had originally planned to choose a site that night, the committee felt it did not have enough information to complete that task at this time.
  She also read aloud a letter to the FSBC from Building Inspector Ed Cataldo expressing his opinion that Boxborough’s zoning bylaws do not specifically allow a firehouse to be built anywhere in town and that a zoning bylaw amendment would be required to correct this apparent error.
  Brolin stated that this issue, as well as others identified in recent letters to the committee from Boxborough residents, was undergoing further investigation by the Town Administrator and Town Planner, as well as town counsel.
  The Committee then turned to the possibility of constructing a “public safety building” at 502 Mass Ave and voted to request that the Boxborough Select Board revise the FSBC charter to allow the committee to pursue the possibility of a public safety building at that location. The current FSBC charter currently only allows the FSBC to pursue a “fire station.”
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on January 27, the Boxborough Select Board heard from Police Chief John Szewczyk about the Boxborough Police Department’s policies related to federal immigration enforcement.
  Chief Szewczyk confirmed that it remains “the current practice of the Boxborough Police Department NOT to voluntarily comply with ICE detainer requests absent a Judicial Warrant” and noted that officers have recently been reminded that “an ICE Detainer by itself does not allow them to detain a party.”
  The Select Board indicated that they would consider a potential warrant article memorializing the town’s policies at their next meeting on February 10.
  The Board also voted unanimously to reschedule the Special Town Meeting from March 18 to  May 12 (“within” the Annual Town Meeting) due to the Fire Station Building Committee’s recent decision that they will not be ready to seek their next round of funding by mid-March. The Board took up the FSBC’s request for a charter revision but declined to revise the charter after comments from FSBC Chair Mary Brolin.
  The Select Board briefly discussed the reinstatement of a Boxborough Leadership Forum for the purpose of sharing information among town boards, but pushed a vote to their next meeting on February 10.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

   At its meeting on January 9, Steele Farm Committee Chair Christopher Hydak reported that Phase III of the effort to preserve the envelope of the 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse at Steele Farm has started. The contractor has ordered the windows, and a work plan is in place. Exterior work is expected to begin in the spring, or as weather allows. Spring is also when the newly restored ice house will receive its second coat of paint. 
  Committee members discussed ongoing maintenance of the landscape, including continued mowing, tree removal, eradication of invasive species, and maintenance of the holiday tree farm. A volunteer “work party” will be scheduled in the coming months.
   The committee also heard a report from the Agricultural Commission that a multi-year contract with a local farmer for haying of the property is moving forward. Committee members expressed support for the contract, which would take into account protection of bobolink nesting season.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on Tuesday, January 14, the Personnel Board discussed potential changes to the Personnel Plan (the Plan).
  The proposed changes to the Plan provide non-union and contract employees a maximum stipend of $2,400 when they opt out of the town’s medical insurance plan. Employees may opt back into the plan, either during open enrollment or if they experience a qualifying event or hardship. The proposed changes also allow employees to convert unused personal days into sick days to be used the following year. Employees currently receive 3 personal days each year.
  The Board previously voted a 2.7% wage adjustment for non-contract and non-union employees effective July 1, 2025 for a total increase in salaries of $37,300. In addition to the wage adjustment, the Plan also provides a 2.5% step increase for all eligible employees. All changes to the Personnel Plan must be approved at Annual Town Meeting (ATM), which is scheduled for May 2025.
   Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  “Let’s do it again!” was the refrain heard immediately following the free movement series offered at Sargent Library in June 2024, which included serene Tai Chi, an energetic Zumba lesson, and joyful Bollywood dancing. The Winter 2025 series will offer these three sessions and add yoga for anyone to enjoy, including beginners, families and seniors.
  The series will take place on four consecutive Saturdays at the Sargent Memorial Library beginning January 25th, all at 10 a.m. Each session is free and open to all, but registration is required. Each session must be registered for separately.
The series is organized and overseen by the Boxborough Well-Being Committee. “Our primary goal is to support the health and well-being of Boxborough residents. What could be better than offering a chance to be together doing something healthy?” says Well-Being Committee Chair Mary Pavlik. The Winter 2025 series is supported through an Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council grant secured by Boxborough Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks.
  The first session on January 25 will be led by Narcyz Latecki of Chinese Martial Arts in Acton. According to the description for this session, “Master Latecki has over 40 years of martial arts and Tai Chi experience. He continues to study, research, and share his knowledge with his students. Tai Chi combines the Healing energies of Qi for relaxation, breath control and energy with martial arts movements for strength and focus. This Tai Chi class will introduce you to basic Tai Chi principles, breathing methods, relaxation, stretching, balance exercise, and fundamental Tai chi movements.”
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on January 14, the Finance Committee (FinCom) discussed a number of topics, including an overview of the library budget and capital expenses, Special Town Meeting warrant articles, and the reconstitution of the Boxborough Leadership Forum (BLF).
  Library Director Peishan Bartley presented the proposed Library budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) with a total increase of 4.2%. The largest portion of the increase is attributed to salaries, which include a 2.7% wage adjustment and a 2.5% step increase. She also addressed the capital needs of the library which were identified during a 5-year strategic planning process that included community surveys, focus groups, and informational sessions to collect data on community needs and priorities.
  Bartley provided the FinCom with schematics of a new interior design that included cost estimates for improving the meeting room space for young adults and increasing shelf space in the children’s section of the library. The proposed plan does not expand the library’s footprint.
  The quoted price for the furniture is $204,000 and does not include the labor cost of $50,000.  An additional 10% contingency was factored into the projected cost. Bartley has already secured funding of $200,000 from the Sargeant Memorial Library Foundation and $7,500 from the Friends of the Library.  She is seeking an additional $50,000 to be funded through a warrant article at Annual Town Meeting in May 2025. While no vote was taken, FinCom members were generally supportive of the proposed warrant article.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on January 16, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee did a “first read” (an initial review without voting) of the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar. The draft calendar is available to view at https://bit.ly/4al1YUB.
  According to the draft calendar, the first days of school for students would be August 27, 2025 (kindergarten through 7th grade, and 9th grade) and August 28, 2025 (8th grade, and 10th through 12th grade). The last day of school would be June 18, 2026. There are 32 days off for holidays, vacation days, and full-day staff professional development days. Superintendent Peter Light noted that “this is the first time where…. every observance that we have chosen to recognize falls on a weekday, so… it definitely does stress the system….”
  School Committee members expressed differing perspectives about the number of school holidays on the calendar. Some committee members felt strongly that it is important to recognize all holidays. Other committee members felt strongly that the number of holidays currently on the calendar creates hardship for families.
  The Committee discussed past community surveys on this issue and a potential community engagement process. Superintendent Light recommended forming a subcommittee to tackle the issue. The Committee is expected to vote on the calendar at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, January 30.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its hybrid meeting on January 16, the Boxborough Recreation Commission finalized the details of Winterfest, voted to extend Flerra Summer Playground by one week, discussed possible uses for the Landry parcel, and set a date for the third annual RunBXB road race.
  The commission worked through several details for Winterfest, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.at Steele Farm. Issues surrounding food service, vendor payments, and the exact location of the bonfire were discussed at length.
  Pivoting to summer programming, commission members discussed the Flerra Summer Playground schedule. Summer Playground is a half day program run by the Rec Com that offers a “summer fun experience for elementary school students.” It is an extremely popular program amongst Boxborough families; in recent years, children from other towns have also enrolled.
  Historically, Summer Playground runs Monday through Friday for four weeks in July. Since the program revenue exceeds its operating cost and the 2025 calendar “allows,” Rec Com members voted unanimously to run a five week program this year. The program will run from Monday, June 30 through Friday, August 1.
  Commission members discussed possible uses for Landry Field, located at 144 Summer Road. The 7.5 acre parcel was gifted to the town in 2022 by Ruth Landry  “with a restriction that it be used for recreational purposes, and that it never be developed or put into conservation use.” Landry knew that there was a need for a softball field in Boxborough and was hopeful that her donation could be used for that purpose.
  When asked to comment, Rec Com member Megan Connor stated, “unfortunately, there is so much wetlands on the property and a small stream running though, a softball field would be impossible to develop there.” A community garden and a pathway with exercise stations were two of the ideas that Rec Com discussed as potential uses for the property.
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its hybrid meeting on Thursday, December 12 the Boxborough Sustainability Committee discussed waste reduction efforts, including the possibility of implementing a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) system and a swap shed at the Boxborough Transfer Station.
  A PAYT system is one in which residents must purchase pre-printed bags for trash disposal; a swap shed is a facility where residents can donate or adopt used items in good condition, thereby keeping them out of the trash.
  The Sustainability Committee will form a working group on waste reduction and plans to apply for a Municipal Technical Assistance Grant from MassDEP. The grant provides up to 80 hours of help from a MassDEP Municipal Assistance Coordinator (MAC) for a single recycling or waste reduction project.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  The Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) and Select Board kicked off the Town’s annual budget process at its joint meeting on Saturday January 4.
  Town Administrator, Michael Johns opened the meeting by outlining the budget goals, namely to “deliver high quality public services, attract and retain high quality staff…and maintain a desirable place to live and do business.”
  Preliminary projections showed a 6% increase in the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget. This does not include the Acton Boxborough Regional School District assessment or collective bargaining agreements for police, fire and DPW.
justed budget” for Fiscal Year 2025 and what was voted at the May 2024 Annual Town Meeting (ATM). Those discrepancies need to be resolved before the town has a clear picture of what the budget will look like for Fiscal Year 2026.
  Saturday’s meeting was the first step in the budget review process. Budgets will shift and change over the next few months until finalized by FinCom and voted by both the Select Board and FinCom before a final vote at ATM in May 2025.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

   At its meeting on December 19, the A-B School Committee heard the findings from the Elementary Budget Task Force (“Task Force”) presented by Tori Campbell, School Committee member and Task Force Chairperson, and Nate Levenson of consulting firm New Solutions K12.
  The Task Force was created to involve the community in an exploration of potential cost-saving measures in the wake of last year’s challenging FY2025 budget process.
  In his presentation on the Task Force’s findings, Levenson was clear that none of the findings are “recommendations” for the district to implement; instead, they are meant to be potential “opportunities” for cost savings to consider only if necessary.
  These “opportunities” include (1) adjust staffing of non-classroom roles from a one-per-school approach to an equity formula that more closely matches student needs; (2) expand group sizes for interventionists, counselors, and coaches; (3) examine the need for classroom assistants; and (4) consider staffing specials teachers more closely to class size guidelines. The consultant also found that the elementary open enrollment system is cost beneficial, not costly, to the district.
    The Committee discussed the Task Force’s findings and heard public comment but did not, and are not expected to, conduct any vote on the findings. The district is expected to consider and potentially incorporate the findings into their preliminary budget, which they are scheduled to present to the School Committee on January 30.
  The district has identified a $2.5 million budget deficit for FY2026. The School Committee’s FY2026 budget guidelines direct the district to increase the budget no more than 3%.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on December 17, the Boxborough Water Resources Committee (WRC) welcomed Emily DiFranco of Weston & Sampson, the consulting firm hired by the Town for “water resources planning services…to address long-term water and wastewater needs” townwide. DiFranco delivered the Phase 1 “Task 1” report, which is the first step in developing a water resources plan. Task 1 is defined as the initial data-gathering phase.
  The Committee also discussed progress on the Littleton waterline project. A waterline extension from Littleton into Boxborough is being carried out by the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department (LELWD) to bring clean, treated drinking water to properties located in Boxborough on Beaver Brook Road, Swanson Road, and Codman Hill Road, as far south as 330 Codman Hill Road.
  Construction on Beaver Brook Road in Boxborough is expected to start in the spring of 2025. Project completion is expected in Fall 2026.
  LELWD will hold a public forum (webinar) on Wednesday, January 15 at 7pm. The webinar will present a detailed update on the Boxborough Water Main Extension project. To register for the webinar, visit https://tinyurl.com/LELWD-webinar. To learn more about the project or to sign up for email updates, visit lelwd.com/boxborough-water-main/
   Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  On Wednesday, December 18, members of the 3A Advisory Group met with Town Planner Alec Wade to plan the next steps for bringing an MBTA Communities zoning bylaw to Annual Town Meeting (May 2025).  The 3A Advisory Group is tasked with providing zoning alternatives for Boxborough’s MBTA Communities District.
    The 3A Group will survey Boxborough residents, asking them to rank the locations on a map and offer their feedback on priorities, such as open space and aesthetic requirements for the multifamily zone. The survey is available at https://bit.ly/BXB3ASurvey. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey by January 17.
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

  At its meeting on December 19, Boxborough’s Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) learned from town consultant Context Architecture (“Context”) that changes in riverfront and wetlands delineations at 502 Massachusetts Avenue, the current fire station, leave the site essentially “unbuildable” without first obtaining permissions from the Boxborough Conservation Commission.
  Context reported a significant expansion of riverfront and wetlands surrounding the current fire station since the last time these features were measured and named beaver activity as the cause of this expansion.
  After lengthy discussion, the FSBC decided to pursue an “informal” meeting with the Conservation Commission as soon as possible in early January to get their feedback on the situation and learn whether it might still be feasible to build at this site. 
  The property at 502 Mass Ave is one of two sites currently under consideration to house a new fire station for the town of Boxborough.
  FSBC members expressed disappointment at the news and questioned how much more time and money should be spent on the 502 Mass Ave site given these complications and the “sacrifices” that revised designs may require. Members also expressed concern about future expansion of the wetlands and the cost of related mitigation. They also discussed whether the FSBC might not be ready to make its planned funding request at the Special Town Meeting scheduled for March.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

On December 9, the Boxborough Select Board formally accepted a donation of $2,000 to the Boxborough Community Services Department from the Boxborough Minutemen Company.
  The funds will go into the Community Services Gift Account and will be used to help Boxborough families. Community Services Coordinator (CSC) Wendy Trinks explained that most of the funds will be used for the holiday gift drive, and the remainder will be used for other types of emergency support, like rent or utilities.
  Forner Minutemen Captain Tony Newton and current Captain Chad Childers explained that the Minutemen found themselves in a position to donate the funds after a very successful Fifer’s Day. “Last year, we had a really great year at Fifer’s Day and it helped us…make a little bit more money, which we want to put back into the community,” said Newton.
   Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its meeting on December 10, the Boxborough Personnel Board voted a 2.7% wage adjustment for non-union and non-contract employees for Fiscal Year 2026, but said they would revisit that number if there was no agreement by the Select Board and the Finance Committee.
  In addition to the wage adjustment, the Personnel Plan provides a 2.5% “step” increase for all eligible employees. The wage adjustment will be voted at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2025.
    Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its hybrid meeting on Thursday, December 12 the Boxborough Sustainability Committee discussed waste reduction efforts, including the possibility of implementing a pay-as-you-throw system and a swap shed at the Boxborough Transfer Station.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

At its last meeting of the year on December 16, the Boxborough Select Board heard a presentation from Town Administrator Mike Johns regarding the FY26 town budget, including budget assumptions, goals, and challenges. The Select Board voted a FY26 budget policy guideline of “level services with minor enhancements.”
  The Select Board also held a joint meeting with the Boxborough Planning Board to hear Town Planner Alec Wade’s Master Plan Annual Update presentation and began the process of voting and making recommendations on Special Town Meeting warrant articles.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org. 

On Wednesday, November 20, Charlotte Duhamel became the second female from Boxborough to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Katie Dallimore was the first Boxborough female to reach this achievement, which she did last year.
  The Eagle Court of Honor was held at the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District’s Boardwalk Campus and was attended by family, friends, and members of the Acton and Boxborough Select Boards, as well as State Representative Danillo Sena.
  At the ceremony, Duhamel received citations from the MA House of Representatives and the Boxborough Select Board. She received the Eagle pin for herself, and her parents and mentor also received pins. She then gave a speech reflecting on her time in scouts and thanking her mentor.
  Duhamel’s Eagle Project was renovating the park at Capernaum Place in Lawrence, which is a transitional housing building for families in need of financial assistance.
  Duhamel is a member of Troop 12 Acton, which is a mostly-female Scouts BSA Troop of approximately 20 members. Their members come from Acton, Boxborough, Concord, and Carlisle. In 2019, when the Boy Scouts officially transitioned to Scouts BSA, allowing girls to join, Duhamel helped form the Troop.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

The Town of Boxborough will light a town menorah beginning on December 25 and continue for each night of Hanukkah until the last lighting on January 1, 2025. Lightings will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Boxborough fire station, 502 Massachusetts Avenue, and all are welcome to attend.
  Interested in signing up to “light” the menorah? Families are welcome to participate by signing up at https://bit.ly/41pHRSs.
   Boxborough Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee (PCCC) Chair Jennette Kollmann unveiled the new menorah at the Boxborough tree lighting celebration on December 7. The menorah was built and donated to the town by Kollmann’s family and is now on display in front of Boxborough’s fire station.

At its meeting on Monday, December 2, the Boxborough Planning Board conducted a public hearing to consider amending the zoning bylaw to “correct mislabeled footnotes, make grammatical corrections, and clean up misdirecting sections that no longer correlate.”
  The board discussed the proposed changes that they would bring forth at Special Town Meeting (STM) and voted to continue the public hearing to December 16, when they will open a new public hearing on another proposed bylaw amendment for STM regarding hazardous waste facilities.
  Board members also discussed a proposal for modifications to zoning along Massachusetts Avenue brought forth by member Rich Guzzardi.
  Guzzardi developed the proposal with Town Planner Alec Wade to convert certain areas along Mass Ave in the IC (industrial commercial) zone to a new designation of B2 (“Business 2”) to reduce higher intensity and heavier industrial uses along Mass Ave, encourage consumer-based businesses that directly serve the community, and to “maintain and grow back our rural character.” Guzzardi referred to the Mass Ave corridor between I-495 and 996 Mass Ave as Boxborough’s “gateway district.”
  This zoning proposal would eliminate some of the currently permitted uses on Mass Ave, such as warehouses, self-storage facilities, and adult use, and allow the type of businesses that Boxborough residents have indicated they want, such as restaurants, specialty food shops, and retail stores, which are currently not allowed.
  The board voted 3 - 2 to request a placeholder for this proposed article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
  Read more at www.BoxboroughNews.org.

Boxborough News will take a break for the holiday season and will not publish for the next two Fridays, December 27 and January 3.
  Check out www.BoxboroughNews.org to get caught up on what’s been happening around town. 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 to boxboroughnews@gmail.com. We’re always looking for new ideas and volunteers.
  Thank you to the Boxborough community for supporting the Boxborough News project. We’ll see you in 2025!