News

Town officials react to MMA report warning of mounting fiscal pressures

October 18, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) issued a stark warning last week: Massachusetts cities and towns are caught in a perfect storm of rising costs, falling aid, and outdated limits on local revenue pushing many communities toward a fiscal breaking point. Several Acton officials attended the presentation of the…

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School Committee Update: October 9, 2025

October 18, 2025

by Diane Baum

Big changes coming to AB schools as community vetting of school reorganization scenarios gets underway At the October 9 School Committee meeting, member Adam Klein provided an update on the ongoing work of the ABForward Steering Committee, a group that will be making recommendations to the School Committee…

State grant brings high school closer to clean energy goals

October 18, 2025

by Karen Root Watkins

In another step toward cost efficiency and clean energy goals, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) is on track to replace eleven 1998-vintage gas-fired roof top air conditioning/heating units with new all-electric heat pump units. Superintendent Peter Light responded to the grant award of $500,000 from the Massachusetts Department…

Clear viewing for second annual Astronomy in the Park star party

October 18, 2025

by Dawn Peterson

On the evening of Wednesday, October 1, Acton Conservation Trust and AB STEAM, two local non-profit organizations, partnered to host “Astronomy in the Park,” their second annual star party held at NARA Park. The area near the upper parking lot was filled with telescopes brought by 10 volunteer…

The Bulletin Board – October 18, 2025

October 18, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Reminder to readers: Our front page can’t hold all the news. To see all of this week’s new articles, go to the All News page. The Acton Exchange Bulletin Board is for volunteer opportunities and other announcements not tied to a single specific time and date. Please send…

Obituary: Richard W. “Dick” Brooke

October 18, 2025

by Family

Richard W. “Dick” Brooke, 90, passed away October 7, 2025, at his home in Boothbay, Maine after visits from his loving extended family. Dick was born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts and graduated from Melrose High School. He attended M.I.T. and graduated in 1956 with a degree in…

Obituary: Robert S. Rhodes

October 18, 2025

by Family

Robert S. Rhodes, a longtime resident of Acton and retired sergeant of the Acton Police Department, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15th. He was ninety-four years old. He was the cherished and beloved husband of the late Irene (Mariani) Rhodes to whom he was married 45 years…

Local beer fests raise funds and bring people together

October 18, 2025

by Jeff Brown

This fall’s weather has been phenomenal for outdoor activities and perfect for gatherings to participate in beer tasting, food truck sampling, music listening, games playing, and mingling with people. It’s an opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones. Several such festivals were held locally in recent…

Open Air Tap Room: fare for all ages at Faulkner Homestead

October 18, 2025

by Alissa Nicol

On Saturday, October 4, Iron Work Farm (IWF) hosted an Open Air Tap Room and Annual Meeting at the colonial-era Faulkner Homestead on High Street in South Acton. Even though there was a conspicuous focus on libations — wine, hard cider from Pony Shack, and beer on tap…

Acton and neighboring towns celebrate Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

October 11, 2025

Juliet DongandMeghan Li

On Saturday, October 4, the Chinese community of Acton, joined by neighbors from surrounding towns, came together at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) auditorium to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a beloved tradition honoring harvest and family reunions. The festival was co-organized by the Jasmine Cultural Arts Foundation,…

District Management Group presents reorganization scenarios at AB Forward Meeting

October 11, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

The conversation about the future of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD) took a major step forward on Oct. 7, 2025, when the AB Forward Steering Committee hosted the consultants from District Management Group (DMGroup) for a public presentation on district reorganization options. The Tuesday evening session, held…

Board of Health unanimously denies hazardous materials control permit

October 11, 2025

by D.K. Halley

On September 30, a hearing was continued before the Board of Health regarding a hazardous materials control permit for the Boardwalk School at 75 Spruce Street. Mark Frigo, Vice President of Nexamp, representing the AB Regional School District, appeared before the Board to discuss the project and answer…

Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, locally grown

October 11, 2025

by Susanna Wood

Soon after hearing from a Jewish mother about her daughter’s fear of wearing a Star of David necklace to school, John C. Velis, a non-Jewish Massachusetts (MA) State Senator, introduced a budget amendment creating the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. On September 28, a gorgeous Sunday during the…

The Bulletin Board – October 11, 2025

October 11, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Reminder to readers: Our front page can’t hold all the news. To see all of this week’s new articles, go to the All News page. The Acton Exchange Bulletin Board is for volunteer opportunities and other announcements not tied to a single specific time and date. Please send…

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Select Board Notes: October 6, 2025

October 11, 2025

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks: Acton-Boxborough School Committee liaison to the Acton Select Board Glen Cote updated the board on the Committee’s plan to address financial challenges, described in detail in a Strategic Planning and District Reorganization document. Mr. Derek Pinto reported hazardous traffic at the intersection of Chadwick and River…

Sunshine, speeches, and shared values at the 38th Annual Acton-Boxborough Democratic Picnic

October 11, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

The 38th Annual Acton-Boxborough Democratic Picnic took place on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the NARA Park Picnic Pavilion in Acton. It was a beautiful late-September afternoon — warm and in the 80s — perfect picnic weather. Families from 10 or so towns…

Local orchestra honors the civil rights movement through music

October 11, 2025

by Bill Ossmann

On October 18 and 19, the Concord Orchestra will present Montgomery Variations, a seven-movement piece that uses the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the later 16th Street Baptist Church bombing to frame its narrative. On Sunday, September 15, 1963, tragedy struck the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama,…

Scarecrows lining up on Parker Street

October 11, 2025

by Lori Krinsky

The scarecrows are lined up and ready to greet the public at Cucurbit Farm, 32 Parker St. in Acton. The public is invited to vote for their favorite at the “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest. These scarecrow faces are just a touch of the creativity on display…

In his third visit, historian dives deeply into the American Revolution

October 11, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 30, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: A balky slide projector was no obstacle for a seasoned presenter like Bob Allison, as he breezed right into his talk, “Beyond the bridge, an Acton 250 lecture,” while technicians finally worked out the kinks. Dr. Allison, a Suffolk…

Oktoberfest: Sun-drenched Saturday sets the scene

October 4, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 27, Gardner Field, Acton: The annual West Acton Oktoberfest, sponsored by the West Acton Village Merchants Association (WAVMA), was thronged with people right after the 10:00 a.m. start, as residents of all ages took advantage of the beautiful, early-fall weather. Oktoberfest is a chance for many of…

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