BOXBOROUGH: The Agricultural Commission held its monthly meeting on June 13. Members discussed working with the Conservation Commission regarding the development of a trail layout with connections to adjoining parcels on the 95-105 Sargent Road conservation, agricultural and open space land. Chair Owen Neville reviewed the Forest Management Plan developed by the previous owner under the land’s Chapter 61 use. The harvest described in the plan has been completed. The current focus through 2026 is on controlling invasive species. Neville contacted Sudbury Valley Trustees for possible assistance in these efforts. More information will be forthcoming. 

BOXBOROUGH: Members of the Cemetery Commission met on June 13. Among the items discussed was the viability of Boxborough setting aside cemetery land for natural or “green” burials.

Chair Owen Neville explained that the commission had been exploring this option prior to the pandemic. He said that there are varying degrees of what constitutes a green burial, which is not strictly defined. Green burials often mean that a body isn’t cremated or embalmed; biodegradable caskets, shrouds, and urns are used; and a body isn’t interred in a concrete vault.

The Commission was open to the idea of a green burial plan for Boxborough. It has started to gather information to explore the option in greater detail. Neville indicated the Commission plans to hold a public hearing on the topic sometime after Labor Day.

In other matters, Neville recognized Bill Sutcliffe for more than 20 years of dedicated and continuous service to the Cemetery Commission. Sutcliffe does not plan to seek reappointment.

The Cemetery Commission is responsible for North Cemetery on Hill Road, and the South Cemetery on the corner of Burroughs and Stow Roads. Residents interested in joining the Cemetery Commission and other Boxborough boards and commissions may access a signup form at https://bit.ly/3Cz3p1C.

BOXBOROUGH: After making the difficult decision to cancel the 55th Annual Fifer’s Day due to inclement weather, the Boxborough Minutemen Company (Minutemen) are now working towards rescheduling the event. The Minutemen have decided not to reschedule Fifer’s Day during the summer months and are instead looking to the Fall, likely a date in either mid-September or early October. 

“I'm confident we made the right decision,” said Lieutenant Bob Lucas, who was the lead organizer for the Minutemen. The decision was made on Friday morning when the core team met at Flerra Meadows, as planned, to begin set-up activities. They discussed the weather forecast for the following day, which at the time included a high likelihood of downpours as well as thunder and lightning. They also considered the costs and return policies of purchased items and unused services, as well as rental equipment scheduled to be delivered that morning. 

Ultimately, from a safety standpoint, they felt that they didn't have a choice. It may have been a difficult decision to cancel such a well-loved town tradition, but the decision was a unanimous one. 

Now, the Minutemen and Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee (PCCC) are working hard to establish a new date for the postponed festivities. Lucas reports that Fifer’s Day will not be rescheduled this summer because summer vacations make it difficult to get enough people to participate. They are looking to the Fall instead, but finding a date is difficult with so many competing events and the number of Minutemen that are needed to commit to setting up, staffing, and cleaning up. Also, the Town will need to approve whatever date is chosen due to the need for public safety personnel and logistics. 

The Minutemen and PCCC expect to meet soon to discuss options. Lucas is hopeful that they will find a new date for Fifer’s Day and that all activities that were scheduled for June 17th will happen on the new date. 

Until then, the Fifer’s Day t-shirts will be safely stored in an undisclosed location and their color will remain a closely-guarded secret! 

BOXBOROUGH: Boxborough’s Department of Public Works will hold a hazardous waste collection on June 24, 9am-1pm at the town’s highway garage, located at 577 Mass. Avenue. A transfer station sticker is not required; however, participants should bring proof of Boxborough residency. Items to be collected include adhesives, fuels, solvents, and numerous household and automotive cleaners and chemicals. Oil-based paint is permissible, latex paint is not. Latex paint is not considered hazardous; it should be allowed to dry and then disposed of with one’s regular trash.

As the town is charged for each vehicle bringing waste, residents are encouraged to arrange with neighbors to pool multiple homes’ disposables in a single car. For more information, including a detailed list of acceptable waste, visit bit.ly/3oXN836.

BOXBOROUGH: On June 11, the Boxborough Conservation Trust held its 25th Anniversary Celebration on the lawn at Sargent Memorial Library. Under clear blue skies, BCTrust Board members and guests listened to remarks from BCTrust President Rita Grossman and State Senator Jamie Eldridge, enjoyed a performance by singer-songwriter Oen Kennedy, and chatted with friends and neighbors. Senator Eldridge presented President Grossman with an Official MA Senate Citation recognizing the BCTrust’s 25th Anniversary. Kids enjoyed bubbles, hula hoops, and flower crafts, as well as a nature scavenger hunt that wrapped up just in time for the much-anticipated arrival of the ice cream truck. 

"We are so grateful to everyone, including Senator Eldridge for coming,” said Grossman. “With the music, good weather, activities and the perfect location, there was something for everyone as we celebrated all that we’ve accomplished.”

The BCTrust exhibits inside the Library will remain throughout the month of June. These include Nat Martin’s ABRHS photography students’ nature photographs and the works of the 4th grade Blanchard art contest winners: Aquinna Caprara, Sadie Harris, Ella Roland and Aine Brady. 

BOXBOROUGH: The Free Bee full market was a great success in May, and now the simpler pop-ups have started. Free bread and produce, with a smattering of prepared foods, will be given out on the UCC Boxborough side lawn at 30 Middle Road each Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m.

The pop-up lasts until the food is gone, which has happened in under an hour. The season has typically started out slowly and then added more food as farms and markets become increasingly stocked with local produce. Beginning in mid-July, food usually has been restocked later in the morning. Till then, most of the food is delivered between 10-10:30am, and set up as quickly as possible.  

Those with garden surplus or eggs to share are encouraged to drop off their produce anytime between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on any Saturday. Contributors may also email freebeecommunity@gmail.com to arrange pickup. Those who would like to volunteer, join the newsletter group, or find out more should also send an email.

The next full Free Bee is scheduled for September; however, more food is slowly being added to the summer pop-ups. Laura, Free Bee’s craftsperson extraordinaire, will offer her give-away crafts on June 24 and July 22.

BOXBOROUGH: The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council held its 16th Annual Grant Recipient Reception at NARA Park in Acton. This event recognizes the organizations that have successfully applied for grants through the council, which is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and, in part, by the towns of Boxborough and Acton. 

There were musical performances by some of the grant recipients, such as Daniel Gay on piano and accordion, and members of the Acton Chinese Language School performing on traditional Chinese instruments. Council chair Jin Hong Yang stated that the council awarded almost $20,000 to 37 applicants this year. She also recognized Boxborough member Hongbing Tang who received a 2023 Special Recognition Design Award from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects for her design work on the China Trail Garden project in the Acton Arboretum.

Senator Jamie Eldridge spoke about how he and the other local representatives have advocated for the arts and helped to raise the line item for the Massachusetts Cultural Council in the state budget. He also said how council members are critical to the town. He then presented a citation to Boxborough resident Sharon Garde for her many years of service to the arts and her six years on the committee.

Acton State Representative Simon Cataldo spoke about how important the arts are and how they make this a great place to live. Massachusetts Cultural Council Program Officer Guelmi Espinal also spoke and said he would like to hear from people about what they want, even if it’s more money. Boxborough Select Board members Priya Sundaram and David McKiernan were also in attendance.

Each grant recipient was given a few minutes to speak about their organization and the projects that received the grants. For a full list of grant recipients and their projects, see https://tinyurl.com/ABCulturalCouncil.

BOXBOROUGH: Helping low-income renters, providing emergency assistance, expanding affordable housing, and deciding how best to use land at 70-72 Stow Road were the primary Boxborough Housing Board topics discussed at the board’s meeting  June 8 at Town Hall.

Board Chair Al Murphy said “we should be proud” of Boxborough’s Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP), which helps residents with emergency housing needs including rent and electricity bills. The plan is to spend half of the $105,000 BEAP funds by the end of this fiscal year, June 30, and the other half during the next fiscal year. Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks reported that Acton is using Boxborough’s program as a model for establishing Acton’s own emergency assistance program.

Murphy and board member Channing Wagg reported that data regarding Boxborough’s affordable housing has not changed much during the last four years. The board concluded that while homeowners are doing reasonably well in meeting housing costs, renters continue to struggle. Trinks said that 95 percent of the people needing help are renters.

Next year, the board will consider seeking additional Community Preservation Funds to better support renters through the Boxborough Rental Assistance Program which currently helps 14 Boxborough residents.

Before the next meeting of the board, July 13, board members will try to identify developers interested in building modest-priced homes at 70-72 Stow Road. The town’s Building Committee may consider purchasing the property from the town’s Housing Trust for a new fire station or fire and police safety facility. 

With help from Town Planner Alec Wade, the board is hoping to establish a new program to preserve the town’s affordable housing units.

BOXBOROUGH: Below is a list of Boxborough’s board and committee meetings scheduled to take place the week of June 19-23. Note that the information is gathered a week or more in advance. Meetings can be added to the calendar up to 48 hours before the meeting. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town website up to 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Consult the calendar on the homepage of the Town website for meeting agendas and up-to-date meeting information. For meetings on Zoom, the link to the meeting can be found on the agenda. 

Wednesday, June 21:

• Conservation Commission, Town Hall,  7:30pm.
• Board of Health, Town Hall, 7:30pm. This meeting will also include both Public Hearings for 242-244 Adams Place and 1414 Massachusetts Avenue.

BOXBOROUGH: Boxborough will gather to celebrate the 55th Annual Fifer’s Day 2023 at Flerra Meadows June 17. The event is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minutemen Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. Here’s what to expect:

Road Race: The Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race begins at 9:30am at the entrance to Flerra Meadows on Stow Road. The wheel-measured course will cover a four mile flat run through Boxborough. Trophies will be awarded to female and male runners in each of seven age divisions. A free Fifer’s Day T-shirt will be given to the first 100 entrants. Individual registration fee is $15 by June 16 and $20 on the day of the race (maximum payment per family is $50). 

Parade: The parade begins at 11am at the Blanchard School and ends at Flerra Meadows, the location of the day’s fair and volleyball tournament. At the end of the parade, the Golden Fife Award will be presented to a Boxborough resident who has demonstrated long-term volunteer service to the town.

Volleyball Tournament: The tournament will start at 12:30pm. This year, there will be three co-ed brackets: Open, Players, and Backyard. The Open bracket is intended for teams of "serious" volleyball players who play or compete on a regular basis. The Players bracket is for teams with some volleyball experience, who may be or have been competing in volleyball league play. Backyard bracket is intended for teams of neighbors and friends who do not regularly play or compete in volleyball. 

Fair: Starting at noon, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Enjoy live music by The Rocky Woods Express (12:30-2:30pm) and Final Mile (3:30pm-5:30pm.). Peruse more than fifty booths and exhibits by both commercial and non-profit organizations. Kids’ activities will include bouncy castles and a dunk tank. 
  For more information or to register for the race or volleyball tournament go to http://fifersday.org.

BOXBOROUGH: The Agricultural Commission (Ag Com) met on May 30 to discuss a number of matters to promote, enhance, and sustain agriculture and farming-related activities in town. The Commission discussed a compost workshop sponsored by Middlesex Conservation District, to be held at the Sargent Memorial Library on Thursday, June 22 at 1:30pm. The workshop will be taught by Gretel Anspach, a Massachusetts Horticultural Society trustee, and a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. Gretel established and maintains a 20,000 square foot food production garden that provides fresh produce to the Marlborough and Maynard food pantries.

Other items discussed at the meeting included a recap of the tree bylaw approved at annual town meeting. While the bylaw was approved at town meeting, there was general agreement that it was not perfect and needed to be amended. Ag Com plans to follow the discussions to amend the bylaw and provide input on possible changes.

The Ag Com also discussed developing a system of identifying, reporting, and educating residents about invasive species; approved the “Existing Conditions and Land Management Plan” for the Sargent Road land purchase, which is in the care, custody, and control of both Ag Com and the Conservation Commission; and approved, with comments, Ag Com’s perspective on the new Open Space and Recreation Plan.

BOXBOROUGH: At their meeting on June 5, the Planning Board was scheduled to conduct two public hearings. The first was for site plan approval at 100 Codman Hill Road. The owners, French Brothers Boxborough, LLC  wish to construct a 3-unit trade shop building. The applicant requested a continuation, and the Planning Board unanimously granted the request and scheduled the hearing for July 10 at 7:05pm.

The second public hearing was a continuation to review an application for a Definitive Subdivision Plan submitted by Nitsch Engineering on behalf of Lincoln Property Company at 1414 Mass Ave. The applicant’s engineer, Sandra Brock, discussed the peer review comments from Places Associates, an engineering consulting firm working for the Town, and addressed questions and comments from the Board, as well. Extensive revisions to the plans are needed. The applicant will return for a continued hearing on July 31 at 7:05pm.  

Town Planner Alec Wade announced that the first of the Planning Board public forums will take place at the library on June 28. Participants will have the opportunity to give feedback on the library’s interior renovation plan and can contribute ideas on how the space should be reconfigured.

Reorganization of the Board was deferred until the next meeting, June 26. Questions and concerns were raised by members Kathleen Vorce and Mark White regarding the roles of the chair and clerk, as well as the flow of information from the chair to other members of the Board.

BOXBOROUGH: At their meetings on May 3 and May 23, the WRC reviewed and discussed the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Lincoln Properties’ proposed Mass. Ave. Research Campus (MARC) at 1414 Mass Ave. The committee discussed and made revisions to a draft comment letter that had been prepared by members Janet Keating-Connolly and Bryon Clemence. The letter was approved and sent to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

The focus of the Committee’s review was on impacts that the proposed development will have on water resources in the Town of Boxborough and in the neighboring town of Harvard, noting that the purpose of the Water Resources Committee is to ensure that Boxborough is prepared to meet future long-term water supply needs for everyone in the town. 

The letter addressed drinking water, fire suppression, wastewater, stormwater, groundwater, surface water, and habitat. Discussion focused on the nearby public water system (PWS) wells; the discharge of roof drainage to the vernal pool and the status of its certification; and the Aquifer Protection District boundary and wastewater discharge requirements. The Committee made editorial changes to the letter, and it added a request that the project proponent explain why the discharge to the vernal pool is not subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or the Town of Boxborough Wetlands Bylaw.
  In other business, the WRC is preparing a scope of work for an RFP to hire a consultant to advise how best to address several key goals: (1) Ensure that Boxborough is prepared to meet future, long-term water supply needs for everyone in the town, (2) Identify the town’s strategic needs for protecting and enhancing existing water supplies, aquifers, and other surface water and groundwater resources, and (3) Determine the best means for ensuring safe and reliable water supplies, using a planning horizon of 100 years, and considering cost, feasibility, and available alternatives.

The WRC invites public input on these topics and plans at their scheduled meetings or via an email to chair Les Fox  (lfox@boxborough-ma.gov).

BOXBOROUGH: Below is a list of Boxborough’s board and committee meetings scheduled to take place the June 12-16. Note that the information is gathered a week or more in advance. Meetings can be added to the calendar up to 48 hours before the meeting. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town website up to 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Consult the calendar on the homepage of the Town website for meeting agendas and up-to-date meeting information. For meetings on Zoom, the link to the meeting can be found on the agenda. 

Tuesday,  June 13:

• Cemetery Commission, DPW, 10am.
• Agricultural Commission, location TBD, 7:30pm.
• Personnel Board, Town Hall, 5:30pm. 

Wednesday, June 14:

• Sustainability Committee, via Zoom, 7pm.
• Board of Health, Town Hall, 7:30pm.

Thursday, June 15:

• Economic Development Committee, via Zoom, 7:30pm. Agenda includes: Status of the Small Business Grant Program, Plan for Town Center Revitalization Grant, and Business Pop Up Market
• Well-Being Committee, via Zoom, 8am.

BOXBOROUGH: The Acton Boxborough Cultural Council is asking citizens to respond to a community survey to help the council set grant funding priorities for cultural programming in the two towns. The survey information will help the council determine which projects will receive money during the fall grant application season. The Massachusetts Cultural Council requires the survey which is due on August 20, 2023. Answer the questions in the survey HERE.  For more information about the Council, click HERE.

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Conservation Trust will hold a 25th Anniversary Celebration on the lawn at Sargent Memorial Library on June 10 (rain date June 11) from 2-5pm. The celebration will include a performance by singer-songwriter Oen Kennedy, and True West beer will be available for purchase. After the concert, BCTrust board members will lead a nature-based scavenger hunt with prizes that you can plant in your yard. There will be guided trail walks, plenty of kids’ activities, and an ice cream truck. BYO picnicking is encouraged. The event is free and open to all. 

There will also be a series of exhibits inside the library. The community room will showcase nature-based art and science displays, a timeline of BCTrust’s accomplishments, a display by David Barnett about native plants, and a Thankfulness Tree where visitors can add messages of thanks for the BCTrust and the land they protect in town. The exhibits will remain at the library throughout the month of June. 

“We are excited to celebrate 25 years of land conservation with the entire community,” says BCTrust board member and community outreach coordinator Rebecca Harris. “And a huge thanks to Peishan Bartley and the library staff for opening their doors and grounds to us!” 

The Boxborough Conservation Trust was founded in 1997 to “preserve and protect Boxborough’s rural character and natural resources.”

BOXBOROUGH: It’s June, and that means Fifer’s Day is just around the corner. Fifer’s Day 2023 will take place on June 17, at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road. The festivities start at 9:30am with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race, followed by a parade from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows at 11am and the presentation of the Golden Fife Award. 

Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase starting at noon, and a volleyball tournament will start at 1pm. Throughout the afternoon, there will be live music by The Rocky Woods Express and Final Mile, plenty of activities for kids, and more than 50 different booths and exhibits. The event is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minutemen Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. 

The Fifer’s Day tradition goes back to 1967, when the newly-formed Boxborough Minutemen Company celebrated the first “Fifer’s Festival” to commemorate local contributions to the American Revolution. While the town of Boxborough did not exist during the American Revolution, namesake fifer Luther Blanchard lived in the portion of Littleton that later became Boxborough. Fifer’s Day has grown considerably since the 1960s, but it remains true to its roots: a parade, a cookout, activities for the kids… a quintessential small-town party.

Boxborough News spoke with Minuteman Captain Tony Newton about how the Minutemen prepare for Fifer’s Day. 

When do the Minutemen start planning? 
Newton: Planning starts in earnest in February with a kick -off planning meeting. The Fifer’s Day leader (also Boxborough Minuteman Lieutenant) organizes the meetings, assigns/gets volunteer leads for each of the major functions. The lead for 2023 is Lt. Bob Lucas.

How many volunteers are involved? 
Newton: Most of the [Minutemen] Company are involved in some way so at any time there are often 25-30 involved. Many more are engaged in the days ahead of and on the day of Fifer’s Day.

What’s the biggest planning task?
Newton: Major tasks are the kid activities, organizing booths, coordination with town and getting permits, beverage and food, finance, booking music, operations (rentals), promotion, designing the program, getting sponsorships, organizing the t-shirts, organizing the road race, organizing the volleyball tournament. Each has [its] own complexities and timeline. Each of these has a lead or sub-team working on [it].

What is the most fun part of planning?
Newton: Interacting with the local community, including other organizations, sponsors, advertisers, town committees, and many volunteers from outside the Minutemen Company. Fifer’s Day is a great way to meet and work with many different people and really enjoy being part of a small town.

Are you planning anything new this year? 
Newton: Not really new but lots of kid activities at the booths this year. Face painting, balloon animals, a treasure hunt, and others in planning.

And finally, you know we have to ask it… what color are the t-shirts?
Newton: I couldn’t possibly tell you. That is a closely guarded secret until Fifer’s Day!

BOXBOROUGH: In order to replace the town’s antiquated fire station, Boxborough’s Building Committee considered the suitability of a possible building site at 700 Mass. Ave. (Route 111) during the BBC’s virtual meeting on May 24.

Landowner representative Keith Lyons and the owner’s architect Greg Roy stated that the land should provide space and supporting systems for a new 24,000 square feet fire station. Recent BBC studies conclude that a fire station that size will serve the town’s needs for the next 30 years. 

Roy’s drawings of the building site, near the Route 111 construction entry to the Enclave at Boxborough, showed that the land could accommodate five fire-vehicle bays attached to a two-story space for offices, supplies, and living quarters for fire personnel.

The public is welcome to attend the next BBC virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m., when Lyons and Roy will address questions about parking locations, turning radius for fire equipment, the entrance onto Route 111, a traffic study, the cost of a possible need to regrade a portion of Route 111, wastewater systems, wetland setbacks, and a formal document regarding the purchase price for the land. A drawing of how a 24,000 square feet building might fit the property may come at a later date. 

The BBC is also considering building sites at the location of the present fire station and at 70-72 Stow Road, which the Housing Board is also studying for possible low-cost housing or other development options.

The BBC is seeking information about the cost of renovating and enlarging the present police station. If such a plan is feasible and cost-effective, the BBC might propose building a stand-alone fire station, rather than a combined fire and police public safety building.

BOXBOROUGH: At its meeting on May 24, the Select Board unanimously authorized Town Administrator Michael Johns to move forward with regional dispatch service provided by Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch in Devens. Due to dispatch staffing shortages, Nashoba has been handling the 9-1-1 calls for Boxborough for the past 30 days. All calls are dispatched to Boxborough police and fire, so residents will be assisted by local responders. Nashoba currently services Berlin, Bolton, Devens, Harvard, Lancaster and Lunenburg.
 
Representatives from Boxborough Police and Boxborough Fire Departments spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of regional dispatch services. Police Chief John Szewczyk spoke of “minor hiccups,” such as dispatchers’ knowledge of Boxborough properties (e.g. unit numbers, apartment numbers), but said that “the quality of the service was still there from a public safety standpoint.” Fire Chief Paul Fillebrown said, “Dispatch is the most vital part of our job.” He indicated that the 9-1-1 calls were handled very well by Nashoba, but urged the Select Board to slow down and make sure that all parties involved have “buy in.” Executive Director of Nashoba, Anne Camaro attended the meeting and answered questions from the Select Board and also responded to the chiefs’ comments and concerns, stating that joining the regional dispatch service is a long process.

The next steps are for TA Johns to begin working on an intermunicipal agreement to lay out the process for joining Nashoba. There are cost savings associated with joining the regional dispatch, mostly due to a grant from the state. Boxborough missed the deadline for the 2024 fiscal year, but if awarded the grant for fiscal year (FY) 2025, the state will cover 100% of the town’s assessment for FY 2026 and FY 2027. The next two fiscal years (2028 and 2029) are covered at 50% and 25%, respectively.  It is within the town’s budget to cover this year’s (FY 2024) cost of $200,000.

BOXBOROUGH: On June 10 at 10am, Boxborough Democrats will convene in person at the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room, 427 Massachusetts Avenue, to elect 4 delegates and 4 alternates to represent Boxborough at the 2023 State Democratic Convention. Registration opens at 9:30am. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Boxborough who are 16 years old by May 23, 2023 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.

The 2023 Convention will be in person at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on September 23. Delegates and alternates from across the state will gather at the convention to adopt a Party Agenda and/or Platform. Those interested in getting involved with the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee should contact Chairperson, Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com or (978) 490-5343. For additional information, visit boxboroughdems.org or facebook.com/BoxboroughDTC.

BOXBOROUGH: Nomination forms are now available for the 2023 Golden Fife award and Parade Marshal. The Golden Fife is awarded to a Boxborough resident who has demonstrated long-term volunteer service to the town. The Parade Marshal is someone who has done something exceptional for the town, but not necessarily long-term or as a volunteer, and does not have to be a resident. Nominations are unlimited and a detailed reason for nomination is appreciated, as the winner is chosen not by number of nominations but by the Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. Nomination forms are available at Town Hall and the Sargent Memorial Library and must be returned to the boxes at those locations by June 1.

BOXBOROUGH: Acton and Boxborough Veterans Services District Director James R. MacRae has begun to hold office hours in Boxborough. MacRae will be available at United Church of Christ Boxborough at 723 Massachusetts Avenue on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm. As Veterans Services District Director, MacRae provides free services to veterans and their families in Acton and Boxborough, including assistance in obtaining State and Federal benefits. The Veterans Services Newsletter is available at https://tinyurl.com/BoxVets

BOXBOROUGH: On Tuesday, May 16, Boxborough voters elected three new Select Board members: Kristin Hilberg (3-year term), Priya Sundaram (3-year term), and David McKiernan (1-year term). Boxborough News team asked each a few questions about their new role: 

What are you most looking forward to about your new role?
Kristin: Getting to know all of the volunteers on the various boards and commissions and learning about their hopes and dreams for Boxborough, then working together to make them come true.
Priya: Learning about my duties and responsibilities and working collaboratively with all our Town Departments, Boards and Committees.
David: Getting to know, and working with, the amazing Boxborough residents who volunteer their time and efforts on the many committees and boards in the town.

What do you see as our town's biggest challenge right now?
Kristin: Refocusing our energy on the business of running the town.
Priya: Protecting our Water Resources, as many of our valuable aquifers are close to the commercial zoning districts, and being able to ensure clean water supply to all our residents. 
David: Arriving at the best possible solution for the 1414 Mass Ave. development project by Lincoln Properties.

What is one specific goal that you would like to accomplish during your tenure?
Kristin: I’d like to see a formal reevaluation of all properties so that everybody is paying the appropriate and fair amount of property taxes. Many are paying too much, many are paying too little.
Priya: Finalize and bring clean drinking water to residents west of 495 through Inter-Municipal Agreement with Littleton and Littleton Water Department. 
David: Increased communication and satisfaction with the residents and town government. (I’m also hearing that there’s a demand for a local coffee shop.)

BOXBOROUGH: The Town hired Naomi Quansah as the new Treasurer/Collector, replacing Jarred Aponte who resigned to take a position in the private sector. The Treasure/Collector is responsible for the collection of taxes, the recording, expenditure, and custody of municipal funds, the borrowing and investment of funds, and the payment of all financial obligations including employee payroll and benefits programs, accounts payable, and debt obligations. Prior to joining Boxborough on May 1, Quansah worked as the Assistant Treasurer/Collector for four years in West Brookfield (pop. 3,800) and was responsible for the collection of all real estate, personal property, and excise taxes for the community. As a member of the finance team, she also handled all payroll and accounts payable.