News

Obituary: Caroline Nichols Stevens

April 1, 2026

by Family

Caroline Nichols Stevens (formerly Moss), 77, of Sudbury, MA passed peacefully on 27 March 2026 due to Parkinson’s Disease. Caroline was born on 14 October 1948 in Boston, MA and grew up in Lexington, MA. Her first job was with her best friend at the Lexington Public Library.…

History of an historic park at 53 River Street

March 28, 2026

by David D. Martin

The historic park at 53 River Street, along Fort Pond Brook, will open this year. The decade-long story of its creation involves a number of monkey wrenches. At a special town meeting in October 2016, the Town of Acton acquired the 7-acre site at 53 River Street. To…

Acton Nature Watch: Worm Moon (February 19 – March 18, 2026)

March 28, 2026

by Rob Gogan

February Feb. 19 : RIVER OTTER trio scampers through light snow atop a frozen brook in N. Acton, leaving broad skid marks. See Rebecca Harvey’s trail cam video here. Feb. 27: A large RED-SHOULDERED HAWK perches on one leg in a SOURWOOD tree in a S. Acton back…

School Committee readies for April 9 vote on geography-based enrollment

March 28, 2026

by Diane Baum

The Acton-Boxborough School Committee’s historic vote on January 22 to move to a geography-based school assignment model for elementary families overturned a longstanding practice in place since 1972 that assigned students to an elementary school based on families’ rankings of preferred schools (“open enrollment”). The vote to discontinue…

Java with John: Restaurants, revenue, road safety, and more

March 28, 2026

by James Conboy

March 30, Acton Senior Center: Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti began his monthly Java with John talk at the Senior Center by thanking Veterans’ Service Officer James McCrae for preparing breakfast prior to the meeting. The multi-course meal is only $3.00. He then went into a list of…

The Bulletin Board: March 28, 2026

March 28, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

For volunteer opportunities and other announcements not tied to a single specific time and date, you are in the right place here at the Bulletin Board. Please email your Bulletin Board announcements to bulletinboard@actonexchange.org. (For what’s happening today or tomorrow or on any specific day, see the Calendar.…

Bridgerton Ball: Well-dressed patrons dance in the stacks

March 28, 2026

by Alissa Nicol

The Acton Memorial Library closed early on Tuesday, March 10, for an after-hours, 21+ event. Like all library programs, the Bridgerton Ball was free to attend, but it was clear that many guests had invested heavily in their dazzling attire. Folks entered with a flourish, dressed in coattails…

Acton Republican Town Committee selects delegates to State Convention

March 28, 2026

by Katrina Buck

The Acton Republican Town Committee (ARTC) convened Feb. 18 at the Acton Memorial Library to host the local Republican Caucus and select delegates to represent the Acton community at the Massachusetts Republican State Convention, which will be held on April 25 at the Worcester Civic Center. The State…

Amity returns to Massachusetts

March 28, 2026

by Larry C. Kerpelman, Ph.D.

When British soldiers evacuated Boston in March 1776, hundreds of Massachusetts Loyalists fled to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, Canada. With the 1783 Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War, Loyalists who had remained in the states, as well as those who had relocated, found themselves wishing to…

The spring equinox walk provided proof that spring is coming

March 28, 2026

by Alissa Nicol

Spring arrived on Friday, March 20 at precisely 10:46 a.m. Acton’s Community Conservation Specialist, Ian Bergmann, led a group of 14 walkers, young and old, on a spring equinox hike at the Acton Arboretum. Bergmann noted that while the equinox marks the start of spring celestially, in the…

NBA legend Robert Parish tells his story at West Acton’s Silver Unicorn Bookstore

March 21, 2026

by Greg Jarboe

There is a number every Celtics fan in Acton already knows: 00. It is the jersey number that Robert Parish, known throughout New England simply as “The Chief”, wore during his 14 seasons with the Boston Celtics. That number now hangs in the rafters of TD Garden. And…

Voters narrowly reject Water District budget, twice

March 21, 2026

by Kim Kastens

Voters packed the meeting room at the Public Safety Facility on March 18 for the Annual District Meeting for the Water Supply District of Acton (AWD, “District”). After praise for long-serving AWD official Ron Parenti and the recent completion of PFAS treatment facilities, the meeting took up an…

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Select Board Notes: March 16, 2026

March 21, 2026

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks: A resident marveled at the rapidity and effectiveness of the response to a request made to Department of Public Works Director Corey York. Recognition of Police Chief Cogan: The Board, town manager, and the audience applauded Chief Cogan as the Board recognized his service on the…

The plight of Massachusetts Loyalists

March 21, 2026

by Larry C. Kerpelman, Ph.D.

It’s been said that history is written by the victors, so it’s not surprising that the story of Loyalists to the Crown who lived in the American colonies is not as widely known as that of the Revolutionary War’s victors. Loyalists suffered not only their Patriot neighbors’ scorn;…

The Bulletin Board: March 20, 2026

March 21, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

For volunteer opportunities and other announcements not tied to a single specific time and date, you are in the right place here at the Bulletin Board. Please email your Bulletin Board announcements to bulletinboard@actonexchange.org. (For what’s happening today or tomorrow or on any specific day, see the Calendar.…

A yellow lab dog is lying down with his face between his paws.

Acton’s poop problem

March 21, 2026

by Tom Wolf

On a recent walk around NARA park, the paved path around the pond was fouled with at least 15 piles of dog poop. Since this is a common walking path, many had been squished by the shoe of an innocent walker. The problem is not limited to this…

Wonder opens

March 21, 2026

by Jeff Brown

A long anticipated grand opening and ribbon cutting took place at Wonder Restaurant on Thursday, March 4. Wonder is located in Brookside Shops, 145 Great Rd., Acton. Company executives and store staff joined Select Board members, Senator Jamie Eldridge, Representative Dan Sena, and Economic Development Director Patricia Costa.…

Open Door Theater takes flight with HONK!

March 14, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

Open Door Theater of Acton, one of the only integrated and accessible theater companies in the country, will stage the award-winning musical HONK! this March. HONK!, a musical telling of “The Ugly Duckling” story, is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of…

Minuteman Senior Services, helping Acton residents age on their own terms

March 14, 2026

by Greg Jarboe

If you’re over 60 and living in Acton — or you have a parent, neighbor, or friend who is — there’s a chance you haven’t yet heard of Minuteman Senior Services. That’s exactly the problem the organization wants to fix. “Know Us Before You Need Us” is more…

March 2026 Horticulture Hints

March 14, 2026

by Judy Dembsey

As the daylight increases, days become warmer, and the snow and ice melt, we look for the coming of spring. There are some things that can be done this month, weather permitting. Bring color indoors To bring color indoors at this time of year, force branches of any…

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