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Boxborough FSBC Delays Site Selection, Requests Charter Revision to Consider Public Safety Building

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.

Select Board Discusses Town’s Immigration Enforcement Procedures, Postpones Special Town Meeting

  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.

Phase III Work on Boxborough’s Steele Farmhouse Begins; Contract for Haying Steele Farm Moving Forward

   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.

Boxborough Personnel Board Discusses Proposed Changes to Personnel Plan

  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.

Free Movement Series at Boxborough’s Sargent Memorial Library Begins January 25

  “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.

Boxborough Finance Committee Hears Library FY26 Proposed Budget, Votes Recommendations for Special Town Meeting Articles

  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.

Acton-Boxborough School Committee Discusses
2025-2026 School Calendar

  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.

Boxborough Recreation Commission Extends Summer Playground Program

  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.

Boxborough Sustainability Committee Focuses on Waste Reduction Efforts

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.

Town of Boxborough Begins FY26 Budget Process

  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.


Acton-Boxborough School Committee Hears Elementary Budget Task Force Findings

   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.

Boxborough Water Resources Committee Discusses Littleton Waterline Project

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.

Town of Boxborough Launches Survey Regarding MBTA Communities Act

  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.

Beaver Activity Creates Complications for Boxborough Fire Station Committee

  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.

Town of Boxborough Accepts Donation from Boxborough Minutemen Company

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.

Boxborough Personnel Board Votes 2.7% Wage Adjustment for Non-Union, Non-Contract Employees

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.

Boxborough Sustainability Committee Focuses on Waste Reduction Efforts

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.

Boxborough Select Board Discusses FY26 Town Budget

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. 

Charlotte Duhamel Becomes Second Female from Boxborough to Earn Eagle Scout Hono

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.

Boxborough To Light Town Menorah Beginning December 25

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.

Boxborough Planning Board Discusses “Gateway District” Proposal for Mass Ave Zoning

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.

Happy Holidays from Boxborough News

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!
Craftfair2024flyer

12th Annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale

Saturday, November 23rd, 10:00am-3:00pm
FREE Admission
Stop by for local craft vendors and baked goods! Nashoba Valley Technical High School
100 Littleton Road, Westford, MA
Presented by The NVTHS Foundation

 Blanchard Winter Concert To Be Held on December 10

  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.”

 

Sargent Memorial Library Hosting Sourdough Bread Workshop

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.

 

A Message from the Boxborough Police Department

[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.

 

Being Well in Boxborough: November 2024

[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.

 

ABRSD School Committee Hears Presentations on District Goal #2, Protocols for Hate and Bias Incidents

 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.

 

 Sustainability Committee Reviews Survey Results to Guide Waste Reduction Priorities

 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.

 

An Opportunity to Help: Boxborough Holiday Support

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.

 

Finance Committee Discusses FY2026 Budget Projections

  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.

 

Capital Committee Discusses Town Capital Needs for Fiscal Year 2026
 

 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.

 

Planning Board Votes to Place Modified Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw on Special Town Meeting Warrant, Hears Presentation on Traffic Study

 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.

 

Boxborough Will Hold Tree Lighting Celebration, Unveil Menorah on December 7

 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.

 

A Note from the Boxborough News Editors

 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.
 

UCC Boxborough’s Merrie Christmas Fair: A Welcoming Event for Everyone!

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

Veterans Attend 12th Annual Acton Boxborough Veterans’ Day Breakfast

  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.

Boxborough Celebrates Veterans’ Day

   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.

Well-Being Committee Meets With Boxborough Police Chief, Supports Increased Funding for Rental Assistance Program

  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.

MassDOT To Hold Meeting at Town Hall About I-495/Route 111 Bridge Replacement

  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.

Sustainable Shopping at UCC Boxborough’s Merrie Christmas Fair

  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.

High-Schoolers to Host Elementary Students at Annual ABRHS Science Night on November 22

  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.

Boxborough K-9 Koda Completes Certification, Makes First On-the-Job “Find”

  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.

Former Boxborough Police Officer Decertified by the Commonwealth

  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.

FSBC Puts 700 Mass Ave Study on Hold, Approves Additional Study on 502 Mass Ave

 
  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 Minutemen Company Wants You!

  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.

Pam’s Gardening Tips: Need a Plant Fix?

 
  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.

Friends of the Boxborough Library Host Another Successful Book Sale

  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.

Boxborough Police Department Makes Arrest in Connection With Vandalism Incident

  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

Town of Boxborough’s Annual WinterFest at Steele Farm on Saturday, January 25

  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.