BOXBOROUGH: At its hybrid town hall meeting September 6, Boxborough’s Sustainability Committee worked on drafts of three documents: to address the Campanelli company’s development plans at the Park at Beaver Brook, to describe how sustainability designs can save costs for builders, and to help the town understand the need to support carbon reduction in new construction.

Member Richard Garrison emphasized that the committee and town’s sustainability efforts are driven by the Massachusetts goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. 

The committee completed a survey Town Planner Alec Wade has sent to all town committees asking for opinions about the “current and future development of the Park at Beaver Brook” regarding goals such as employment opportunities, tax revenue, and the protection of recreation and open space. 

The committee discussed sustainability concerns regarding Campanelli’s plans to build five buildings on what was Cisco property; the committee is sharing those concerns with Campanelli and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office. 

The committee supported Campanelli’s plan to make the buildings 100 percent electric. The committee had concerns about construction on one of Boxborough’s major aquifers. They also pointed out that the possible addition of 8,000 daily vehicle trips would add to the traffic from two other large developments proposed for the western part of Boxborough. 

This article has been condensed. Read the full article.

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Housing Board met at Town Hall on Wednesday evening, September 6. After some delay, the data from the 2020 US Census has been incorporated into the Subsidized Housing Inventory maintained by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The ratio of affordable housing units to all housing units is now 11.35 percent, down from that using the 2010 Census data, 12.9 percent. As the ratio remains above 10 percent, the town continues to have more latitude in negotiating with Chapter 40B developers. The decrease reflects the 281 additional housing units counted in the 2020 census. 

If housing units are added at the same rate in the future with no increase in affordable units, the affordability ratio will drop to 10.1 percent with the 2030 Census. The BHB will develop a housing production plan to address this issue.

The BHB continued to discuss the town-owned property at Stow Road - whether to build affordable housing on the land or to monetize the property and use the proceeds for affordable housing. The board decided to invite representatives of Habitat for Humanity and the Acton Housing Authority to describe the affordable housing that their organizations could provide.

Assistant Town Administrator Rajon Hudson has clarified the procurement process for securing an appraisal for the Stow Road property. The board voted to secure an appraisal that seeks the highest value for the land under the present agricultural/residential zoning.

This article has been condensed. Read the full article.

BOXBOROUGH: On September 9, the Boxborough Recreation Commission reopened the gates of the newly redesigned Liberty Field. The adult fitness area, playground, walking path, and basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts are ready for the community to use and enjoy.  On September 28, the Recreation Commission will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4pm. The public is invited to hear brief remarks, enjoy refreshments, and explore the new and improved Liberty Field. The baseball and soccer fields will remain closed for the fall and winter, and are expected to reopen in the spring.

BOXBOROUGH: On September 7, the Acton-Boxborough School Committee held its second meeting of the 2023-2024 school year and unanimously voted to amend the regional school district budget from $105,897,586 to $106,224,413. The change will not affect the assessment to either Acton or Boxborough. 

ABRSD Director of Finance and Operations Sheri Matthews explained to the School Committee that in the FY2024 approved budget, a line item called the “vacancy factor,” budgeted as a “negative expense” of $450,000, was “erroneously double-counted due to the way it was identified in the budget preparation process.” The discrepancy resulted in personnel salaries being $425,000 short. 

To close that gap, Matthews proposed to the Committee a revised budget that uses reduced personnel expenses (attrition savings), as well as unanticipated revenues included in the final state budget (Chapter 70 increase and transportation aid increase) to cover the shortfall.

In response to questions from the Committee, Superintendent Peter Light explained that these are “significant numbers” that will “present a challenge” for the FY2025 budget process. 

The district finance team has implemented measures to ensure that this type of miscalculation does not happen again, including increased coordination and communication with Human Resources and other departments. 

School Committee meetings are typically held on the first and third Thursdays of each month in the auditorium of the ABRSD Administration Building at 15 Charter Road. Citizens are invited to attend the meeting in person, watch live, or watch previously recorded meetings on-demand on ActonTV. 

BOXBOROUGH: Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Boxborough Police Department, were involved in apprehending a man on September 5 for allegedly assaulting a woman at the Boxborough Regency Hotel. The individual was captured in proximity to Interstate 495 in Harvard. 

Massachusetts State Police said a perimeter had been established around a wooded area roughly bordered by Eldridge and Old Harvard roads where they were searching for the suspect.

The individual was taken into custody shortly after 5pm by Harvard Police Chief James Babu who then turned him over to Boxborough police. One Boxborough officer involved in combing the swampy area in stifling, humid conditions had to be treated for heat exhaustion, but was expected to fully recover.

In a prepared statement, Boxborough Chief of Police John Szewczyk said, “The officers did a terrific job carefully orchestrating a search that spanned three towns in extremely hot temperatures.” Szewczyk thanked State Police, as well as officers from the Fitchburg, Sudbury, Harvard, Acton, Stow, Littleton, Pepperell, Ayer, and Merrimack, New Hampshire police departments for their assistance. K9 teams and State Police Air Wing helicopters were also involved in the search.

BOXBOROUGH: The Planning Board is scheduled to meet at 7pm on September 18 via Zoom. The Steele Farm Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday, September 19 at the Steele Farm Barn, 484 Middle Road at 7pm. On September 20, the Sargent Memorial Library Trustees meet at the library at 7pm, and the Conservation Commission meets at 7:30pm at Town Hall. On September 21, the Well Being Committee meets at 8am at Town Hall; the Recreation Commission meets at 7pm at Town Hall. Visit BoxboroughNews.org for meeting agenda information (when available) and an up-to-date calendar of next week's meetings.

BOXBOROUGH: By joining Zoom meetings, bird lovers will learn about local bird watching on September 13, and garden lovers will learn about preserving vegetables on September 27.

Meet with Heather Wolf, author of “Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are,” on Zoom, September 13 at 7pm. Register at bit.ly/3En0g5E. Wolf will discuss her fascinating new book about being in the moment and noticing the wonderful and varied birds around us. Because this is a high migration season, this is a perfect time to see even more birds in your backyards. This program is hosted by the Ashland Public Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, and in partnership with a multitude of MA libraries.

Learn about canning, freezing, and dehydrating in a Zoom meeting with experts from Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens on September 27 at 7pm. Register at tinyurl.com/BlackstoneCanning. Do you have way too much production from your garden this year? No problem. Join this Zoom presentation from Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens; they will show you the easiest and best ways to preserve your vegetables.

This program is sponsored by the Whitcomb House Trust.

BOXBOROUGH: “The key to progress is public engagement,” said Alec Wade, Boxborough’s Town Planner, as he introduced “Carbon Reduction for Earth Wellbeing” (CREW), the town’s third summer forum which engaged 15 residents at Town Hall on August 30.

As guest speaker, Boxborough resident Marjorie Kamp encouraged two small groups to enter spirited discussions about choices people can make to reduce carbon emissions.       

Participants recognized that some choices are personal: eat more plant food and less meat; use LED bulbs; avoid airplane travel; drive hybrid and electric cars; cut food waste; recycle; and install smart thermostats and solar panels. 

Other choices require public or government action: protect forests; install wind turbines; build with green cement; conserve water; manage refrigeration chemicals; create walkable cities; preserve coastal wetlands.

Kamp explained that policy makers need to weigh the benefits and the possible downsides of many carbon-reduction sources, such as nuclear power, wind and solar farms, and power from waves, rivers, and tides.

During the 90-minute forum, participants experienced how the CREW program energetically engages small “book club” groups to talk about the ways personal changes can help achieve net-zero emissions over time. 

Wade and Kamp encouraged people to join one of two such four-session meetings with Kamp either on Mondays, September 18-October 9, from 10:30am-11:50am in Sargent Library; or on Tuesdays, September 12-October 3, 6:30-7:50pm via Zoom. To sign up or get information about future meetings, email marjoriek@comcast.net. 

One recent CREW participant wrote, “Marjorie has been a wonderful facilitator …  It’s great to read the book ‘2040’ and discuss it with a small group.” Another stated, “Suppose everyone in Boxborough, or everyone in Massachusetts took the course and made changes – that difference would be felt!” 

At the end of the forum, sponsored by Boxborough’s Sustainability Committee, participants thanked Kamp and Wade for the informative and spirited evening. This summer, Wade initiated the town’s three forums, hosted by the town’s Office of Land Use and Permitting. Earlier summer forums addressed library use and town roads.

BOXBOROUGH: At its meeting on August 30, the Recreation Commission shared that the new Liberty Field playground has been inspected and certified, and the new tennis and pickleball courts are finished. It expects to hold a casual ribbon-cutting in the middle to end of September. 

The Commission voted unanimously to name the Summer Road land gifted to the town by Ruth Landry “The Erikson Landry Field.” It is hoped to be used for a softball and cricket field. Exact use will be determined after the land is surveyed. 

There will be a running club and flag football at Blanchard for young residents in town. More information will be forthcoming. 

Flerra playground had an outstanding summer. In spite of road construction and bad weather, everything ran smoothly. They had the best group of counselors they’ve had, and their numbers have grown every year. So, expect the same next year!

The Commission expects to bring back Winterfest in January and another RUN BXB Road Race in the Spring. Updates will be available on the Recreation Commission website.

BOXBOROUGH: On the afternoon of August 28, a worker was seriously injured in an accident at Roof Top Recycling company, 369 Codman Hill Road. Not long after, the individual died of his injuries.   According to the Boxborough Police Department, shortly after 2pm. the Boxborough Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of an accident at Roof Top Recycling, a company that specializes in recycling asphalt shingles. Boxborough’s police and fire departments, and Emerson Hospital’s Pro EMS Advanced Life Support were sent to the scene. Upon arrival, responders found a male in his 40s suffering injuries sustained from a crawler excavator operating on the property. The victim was rushed to the Boxborough Regency Hotel parking lot where he was placed aboard a Life Flight Medical helicopter and airlifted to the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he succumbed to his injuries. Boxborough Police Sergeant Brett Pelley said the accident is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the state Division of Occupational Licensure, and State Police.

BOXBOROUGH: After working since early April with Boxborough police in a new position as a co-response clinician, Susan Lemere is happy to find “Boxborough officers are always trying to help people who have mental health or addiction issues, rather than looking to punish them.” Chief John Szewczyk says, “Susan finds the right services for people, when they do not need a criminal justice response.”

When police dispatch receives a call that may require mental health care, officers determine whether the situation is safe, and then Lemere says she “acts like a triage person in an emergency room, evaluating what level and type of support or treatment is appropriate.”

She says she is in close touch with Wendy Trinks, Boxborough’s community services coordinator, particularly to support families that may need regular support. Lemere also frequently rides with police officers on patrol as part of her effort to become familiar with Boxborough and citizens’ needs. Trinks says, “Susan is awesome, and we are so fortunate to have her.”

Lemere says, “If someone is concerned because they or a loved one is struggling, there are community resources to help.” For non-emergency assistance with mental health or substance use problems, she suggests people phone the Community Outreach Initiative Network (COIN) at 508-488-5072. For help with individual and family financial and emergency services, phone Trinks at (978) 264-1735.

Lemere works weekdays from 11am-7pm when she can be dispatched to emergency calls in Boxborough, Ayer, Littleton, and Westford; she is available in person at the Boxborough police station every Wednesday. 

While taking classes at UMass Amherst, Lemere “became fascinated with the co-response model” in which police and clinicians collaborate and respond together to crisis calls. She worked with police for two years in Vermont before taking her present job. She is pursuing a PhD in public health and lives in Westford.

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Finance Committee used a hybrid format to meet on August 16. The committee discussed the new financial dashboard and Reserve Fund Transfer tracking. 

Member Tony Newton presented a financial dashboard designed to track the town’s revenues and expenses on a quarterly basis. The objective is to provide timely, accurate, and accessible financial information that can be used to identify problem areas, help in managing unexpected changes, and provide information for future budgets. To promote transparency, Newton proposed that once the dashboard is complete, updates will be posted on the town’s website. 

Among other things, the dashboard would track departmental expenses, as compared to the budget, as well as debt, reserves, and staffing levels. Newton indicated that while some of this information is currently provided upon request, it is sometimes not in a usable format, complete, or available in a reasonable time.

The town’s finance team, which includes the town accountant, assessor and treasurer/collector would be responsible for providing data for the financial dashboard on a quarterly basis. Information would be reviewed by FinCom and could provide a basis for dialogue about town financial issues.

To implement this tool and make the financial management process more efficient and transparent, FinCom voted 7-0 to request that the Select Board and town administrator evaluate the recruitment and hiring of a full time Town Accountant/Finance Director physically based in Boxborough. The town currently contracts with a part-time accountant based remotely. 

FinCom will continue to track Reserve Fund Transfers for the town. An RFT may be requested for extraordinary and unforeseen expenses but only after budgets have been completely expended. The next FinCom meeting is scheduled for September 5.

BOXBOROUGH: At its meeting on August 28, the Select Board granted Craft Food Hall’s application for an All Alcoholic Beverages License. Craft Food Halls is expected to open in December at 500 Beaver Brook Road in The Park at Beaver Brook (the old Cisco campus). According to the applicant’s statements at the Select Board’s public hearing, Craft Food Halls will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to both office park employees and the general public. The food will be prepared using the “sous vide” method (low-temperature, long-time cooking), and alcoholic beverage offerings will include a “beer wall” with 30 taps. The 7,000 square foot restaurant will feature work areas, games, and outdoor space with fire pits. 

The Board also voted to close the warrant for the Special Fall Town Meeting scheduled for November 6. Town Administrator Michael Johns presented 12 warrant articles, including articles regarding a long-range water resource plan, a zoning bylaw amendment, a Western Boxborough traffic study, the state flag change initiative, an assistant accountant position, a local bus driver, and regional dispatch. After some discussion, a thirteenth article was added regarding a possible police dog for the Boxborough Police Department. 

The Board discussed, but did not take action, on a request from the Boxborough Economic Development Committee to amend its charge and lower the number of voting members in order to address its recent difficulty getting a quorum for meetings. Chair Rich Guzzardi explained that the EDC has been forced to cancel its last two meetings for lack of a quorum and, as a consequence, has been unable to move forward on the new Boxborough Business Grant program. Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg took comments from the public and indicated that the Board will consider a revised charge at its next meeting. The Board brainstormed ways to recruit volunteers for town boards and committees. 

Chair Hilberg also took comments from the public regarding repayment of police education incentive overpayments, which she indicated that the Select Board would discuss in Executive Session.  

by the Town Clerk Rebecca Harris

BOXBOROUGH: One thing that the Town Clerk is responsible for is records retention and destruction. This summer I became aware that there were documents at Blanchard Memorial School going back to the 1970s, many of which did not need to be retained, but we needed to get permission from the State Supervisor of Public Records to destroy most of them. 

It was quite a process to go through around 100 boxes of all kinds of records. Records ranged from payroll (which needs to be retained) to student data (which need to be shredded after parents are notified) to invoices/accounting (shredded) and school committee minutes (retained). I sorted the boxes and documented what was there. Next, with help from the custodial staff at Blanchard and the DPW, we divided the records into 55 boxes to be shredded, others recycled, and the rest sent to the museum to be further organized and retained.

The custodial staff at Blanchard and I can attest to the fact that people organize papers by using way too many binder clips, all of which we removed before shredding. In the future, we’ll be more on top of the records retention schedule and do more regular clean-outs.

BOXBOROUGH: Boxborough will gather to celebrate the 55th Annual Fifer’s Day at Flerra Meadows on Saturday, September 2. Fifer’s Day was originally scheduled for June 17 but was postponed due to predicted rain and thunderstorms and rescheduled to September. 

The festivities will include a road race, the presentation of the Golden Fife and Parade Marshal Awards, a volleyball tournament, and an old-fashioned fair with food, music, and booths. This time, the fair will have a rain date of September 3. The road race, however, will take place rain or shine on September 2. The Fifer’s Day parade will not take place this year. Here’s what to expect:
 

• Road Race: The Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race begins at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to Flerra Meadows on Stow Road. Register at http://fifersday.org .
• Volleyball Tournament: The tournament will start at 12:30 p.m. This year, there will be three co-ed brackets: Open, Players, and Backyard. Register at http://fifersday.org . 
• Fair: Eat, drink, chat with neighbors, and visit the booths. Starting at noon, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Pony Shack cider will be available for purchase. Enjoy live music by The Rocky Woods Express, Pan Loco steel drums, and Final Mile. 

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Housing Board met at Town Hall on Wednesday evening, May 16. The board first discussed the disposition of the property at 70-72 Stow Road, which is currently under BHB stewardship. This 13.48-acre property was purchased by the town in 2010 and is located across the road from Tisbury Meadows. The BHB must use the property to develop affordable housing. 

The board discussed two primary courses of action. The first option is to continue the investigation into affordable housing at Stow Road. Site constraints limit the development size to about 30 bedrooms, or, for example, 15 two-bedroom units. According to a local developer, a substantial investment from the town would be required if all units are affordable. If only a fraction of the units are affordable, the required investment would diminish or even vanish. The BHB will continue to clarify the costs and options for a housing development. Board vice chair Channing Wagg volunteered to speak with the Acton Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity.

The second option is to transfer control of the property to the Select Board, provided that the BHB is properly compensated. This would enable the land to be used for several other purposes, such as a fire station or a mixed-use commercial/residential area. It was pointed out that reasonable compensation would enable considerably more affordable-housing units to be preserved and created than by building a limited number of affordable units on the property. No serious negotiations regarding the amount have yet occurred; the BHB voted to secure a current appraisal from a registered appraiser. The BHB then intends to negotiate with the appropriate officials to establish a value for the compensation.

The next BHB meeting is on Wednesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. at town hall; all are welcome. 

BOXBOROUGH: During the month of August, the Office of Land Use and Permitting was busy preparing for a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing to decide on a special permit on the Leverett House (Harvard Ridge Condominiums) on Swanson Road that was destroyed by a fire in February 2021. On August 15, the board voted to Grant with Conditions a special permit to reconstruct the 24-unit multi-family housing building. 

The Office of Land Use and Permitting also continued to support the work of the Planning Board. Below are status updates on several significant development projects currently in front of the Planning Board:
 

• The Park at Beaver Brook: This month, the Office of Land Use and Permitting launched a public engagement exercise for Boxborough boards and committees of Boxborough. The goal is to collect input on the park and assist the Planning Board in understanding the desires of the public. An exercise is being devised now to gather general feedback from the public as well.
• 1414 Mass Ave: The Planning Board continues to weigh its statutory responsibilities on the subdivision application. The deadline for decision has been extended to September 22. The public can read more details of the project on the Planning Board's current projects web page bit.ly/47E4gMI.
• 242-244 Adams Place: The Planning Board continues to weigh its statutory responsibilities on the subdivision application. The deadline for decision has been extended to September 22. The public can read more details of the project on the Planning Board's current projects web page bit.ly/47E4gMI. Most notably, the applicant has submitted its first revision and answered many board questions in writing.

In September, the town planner expects to spend time on community engagement projects related to the Park at Beaver Brook. “Residents should keep an eye out in September for an opportunity to contribute to the Park at Beaver Brook engagement,” said Wade. In addition, Wade will begin preparing for a joint meeting of the Select Board and Planning Board regarding the current status of the Master Plan and next steps to assist in ongoing implementation.

BOXBOROUGH: United Church of Christ in Boxborough is pleased to announce that they have acquired an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to be used in an emergency situation when a person does not have a pulse and needs immediate intervention. This AED can be found in a wall cabinet and hung in the church lobby. A sign indicating its location is placed over it. Instructions for its use are attached to the AED.  Additionally, the Boxborough Minute Men and the Boxborough Friends of the Council on Aging have also graciously purchased an AED for the Community Center.

For those wishing to become certified in CPR/BLS including the use of the AED, the Boxborough Fire Department will be holding a class on September 18 at 7pm in the Community Center. For questions and to register for this certification course, email Linda Spear at spearlindal@gmail.com no later than September 11. When registering, state your name, email, and phone number. Upon registering, you will be sent a link to complete the Online Course by September 11th.  If you want to receive a certification card, this online course must be completed before the class on September 18. To be certified, the fee is $45 paid by check only, no cash, made out to: Town of Boxborough. Bring your check with you on day of the class.

You may also attend the course to familiarize yourself with Basic Life Support and usage of an AED without completing the online course.  Should you choose that option, you will not receive the certification card but are welcome to attend. Registration is still required, but there will be no fee.

For those interested in learning about the AED only and who do not wish to become BLS certified, Linda Spear will be having a brief informational overview of the AED in the Gathering Room of the church on October 1 following the church service.