Alissa Nicol

Revolutionary War era cannon aimed towards a field

From Crown Tensions to Tea Parties: The Role of Massachusetts in Shaping the Revolution

September 23, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Acton’s inaugural event commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Commencement of the American Revolution took place at Town Hall on the evening of Thursday, September 21. Organized by the Acton 250 Committee, created by the Select Board in August of last year to plan community events to mark…

children, goats, and goatkeepers on a grassy lawn

Goats and Giggles at the Acton Memorial Library

September 22, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

The Acton Memorial Library (AML) hosted a “Goats and Giggles” program on Wednesday, September 20 by Farmer’s Helpers, a community farm education program based at Chip-In Farm in Bedford that aims to cultivate “connections between people, food and farms.” The young goats are Fainting/Nigerian Dwarf crosses, small and…

Four women stand in a room with plastic tubs in the background.

Acton Boxborough Resource Center powered by Acton Boxborough United Way

September 11, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Wednesday, September 6, a volunteer orientation was held at the newly opened Acton Boxborough Resource Center (ABRC), located in the regional school district’s Administration Building at 15 Charter Road in Acton. The space became available when the Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program moved to the new Boardwalk…

View of East Acton Village Green

East Acton Village Green Commemoration

September 11, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

A crowd of about fifty people managed to attend the East Acton Village Green (EAVG) commemoration event on Saturday, September 9, despite downed trees, closed roads, and power outages around town caused by Friday afternoon’s storm. Select Board Chair Jim Snyder-Grant welcomed those gathered and provided opening remarks,…

Trek to the Transfer Station

August 16, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Five families braved the rain to attend Acton’s Transfer Station Field Trip on Monday, August 7, organized by the Acton Memorial Library (AML), Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Sustainability Office. Robert Carter, AML Children’s Librarian, and Sustainability Office Fellows Lauren West and Hannah Arledge joined DPW…

India’s Independence Day Celebration

August 6, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

A crowd of about sixty gathered at Acton Town Hall on Sunday August 6, to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day. The event was organized by Acton Indian Americans and India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), an organization that promotes civic leadership, community service, youth engagement,…

Bugles Across America attendees

Bugles Across America

August 6, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Since September 2015, Acton residents have been gathering monthly at the Town Common for a monthly Bugles Across America service, a short memorial to those who lost their lives in service to our country. The service concludes with a live playing of “Taps” by two volunteer buglers. The…

Adults and children mingle informaly with uniformed police officers in a room with multiple computer displays

Public Safety Department Hosts National Night Out

August 2, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Tuesday August 1, Acton held the annual National Night Out at the Public Safety Facility on Main Street. National Night Out is a program that fosters community awareness of services provided by law enforcement, and offers an opportunity for residents to develop relationships with the first responders…

Badge icon representing Human Services

Emergency Assistance Program

June 28, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

The Acton Select Board allocated $50,000, and another $100,000 in reserve, of the approximately $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies the town received in 2021 from the Federal Government to fund an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Requests from residents for funds to help pay bills…

Acton Boxborough Cultural Council Grantee Reception

June 28, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

The Acton Boxborough Cultural Council (ABCC) held its Annual Grantee Reception at NARA Park on Tuesday, June 6. Attendees enjoyed musical performances and also remarks by members of our local legislative delegation, Senator Jaime Eldridge and Representative Simon Cataldo. According to the ABCC website, “The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council…

Photograph of a family with mother, father, and 3 children, standing by the front door of a new house. Banner names of donor organizations hangs above their heads.

Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication

June 28, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On June 16, a bright, sunny day with blue skies, a new Habitat for Humanity home in Acton was dedicated. In a moving and inspiring program, the McTernan Daniels family moving into the Carlisle Road home expressed their deep gratitude to all who played a part in the…

Two teachers and six high school students standing on a stage. All are smiling and students are holding up scholarship awards.

AB PIP STEM revisioning

June 28, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

The award winning AB PIP STEM (Acton Boxborough Parent Involvement Project Science Technology Engineering Math) organization, has hosted and sponsored free educational events for grades K through 12, including Market Math events at a local supermarket, Star Parties, Nature Walks, STEM Book Club, Night of Code among others.…

Facade of Tuttle House in Acton

Victorian Home Tour

June 12, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Saturday, June 17, a Victorian Home Tour will take place in South Acton Village. The J.W. Tuttle House is considered one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture in Massachusetts. The house is furnished with authentic 19th century art and period furnishings. The tour will offer…

Photograph of 3 stacks of copies of the book entitled "History of the Nashoba Praying Indians"

Book Talk: The History of the Nashobah Praying Indians:

May 15, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Thursday, May 11, forty-five people gathered at Acton Memorial Library for a presentation by local historian Daniel V. Boudillion on the history of the Nashobah Praying Indians. Boudillion recently published “The History of the Nashobah Praying Indians: Doings, Sufferings, Tragedy, and Triumph.” The event was sponsored by…

ALICE training for local businesses and organizations

May 8, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Detective Luke Penney, a School Resource Officer (SRO) with the Acton Police Department of Youth and Family Services Division, is a certified ALICE instructor. ALICE is an active shooter preparedness program – the acronym stands for Alert, Lock-Down, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. Detectives with the SRO program have supported…

Sample Acton Ballot

2023 Acton Town Elections

May 1, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

On Tuesday, April 25th, Acton’s Annual Town Election was held, and 13.7% of registered voters cast a ballot at the polls or via mail. Polls were open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the RJ Grey Junior High School on Charter Road, and 2188 voters elected Jo-Ann…