News

Obituary: Rosemary Szafran

December 27, 2025

by Family

Rosemary (Larkin) Szafran, 81, of Pembroke, formerly of Acton, MA, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. Rosemary was born and raised in Braintree, MA and graduated from Archbishop Williams High School. She continued her education at Stonehill College, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Rosemary went…

Java with John: Budgets, buildings, and the everyday work of running Acton

December 20, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

On a cold December morning at the Senior Center, Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti did what he has been doing since 2018: shared coffee, invited questions, and offered residents a candid look at how their town is being run. The December 12 edition of Java with John featured…

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Two down, one to go: School Committee votes to eliminate two of four school reorganization options

December 20, 2025

by Diane Baum

At their final meeting before winter break, the Acton-Boxborough School Committee, which is tasked with making the final decision on which elementary school reorganization scenario to implement next year, voted six to one to eliminate two of four options forwarded for consideration by the AB Forward Steering Committee…

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Planning Board notes: December 16, 2025

December 20, 2025

by Franny Osman

Habitat for All: Updates to Subdivision Rules and Regulations The Planning Board met in a hybrid meeting on Dec. 16, some members at Town Hall and others on zoom. They reviewed the Subdivision Rules and Regulations informed by the vote at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting to make…

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Select Board Notes: December 15, 2025

December 20, 2025

by Tom Beals

Opening remarks: Select Board Chair Dean Charter noted the passing of Ms. Carol Lake, recalling her role as the first director of the Acton Senior Center. Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Assistant Town Manager Thom Begin displayed two celebratory over-sized $25,000 checks, “earmarks” from the state legislature, for…

The Bulletin Board: December 20, 2025

December 20, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

What’s happening today in Acton? Tomorrow? —––––––––> See the Calendar. <–––––––––– 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…

Acton Exchange wraps up another successful year

December 20, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

As 2025 winds down, the editors of the Acton Exchange would like to take a quick look back. We are wrapping up our second full year of publication and have, for many people in town, become a valuable resource for what’s going on, why it matters, and how…

Help make Acton healthier and more welcoming; join a community focus group

December 20, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

The Town of Acton invites everyone who lives or works in Acton to participate in a community focus group and share their experiences, ideas, and hopes for the town. These small group conversations will help guide future plans related to health, well-being, and equity in Acton. This initiative…

Acton’s season of lights

December 20, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Music and lights abound, and Acton residents and businesses are out there performing the usual holiday rituals. Artists are selling their work at fairs, galleries, and open houses, such as Emerson Umbrella, Church of the Good Shepherd, 6 Bridges Gallery in Maynard, and Sudbury Art Association’s Holiday Market,…

Russ Cohen, plant forager, speaks in Acton

December 20, 2025

by Rob Gogan

Russ Cohen, noted author and wild food expert, came to Acton Town Hall to share his knowledge and recipes at the Middlesex Conservation District (MCD) Annual Meeting on Monday, December 8. Nearly 50 guests came out for the brief business meeting and the talk, entitled “Nibbling on the…

Acton Nature Watch: Cold Moon (November 20 – December 18, 2025)

December 20, 2025

by Rob Gogan

November Nov. 2: A FISHER easily carries its GRAY SQUIRREL quarry across a log bridge in North Acton. (See this and other videos from the prolific trail cams curated by Rebecca Harvey.) Nov. 20: At least 30 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS flash their cerulean wings under the deep blue autumn…

Acton Fire Department lands $50,000 state grant for turnout gear, radio upgrades

December 20, 2025

by James Conboy

Dec. 12, North Acton Fire Station: A “Big Check” ceremony attended by local and state officials celebrated the awarding of $50,000 to upgrade the fire department’s emergency radio system, and replace fire turnout gear with non-PFAS equipment. The radio equipment will speed up response times and enable better…

Stay well this respiratory season: simple steps to keep yourself healthy

December 13, 2025

Emerson HealthandThe Acton Exchange Team

Acton has been seeing a small uptick in influenza cases, similar to the trend across Massachusetts, according to Health Director Penny Funaiole. The numbers in town remain low, but Funaiole says it’s still a good reminder for everyone to take precautions. It’s also important to remember that local…

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School Committee Update: Nov 20 and Dec 4, 2025

December 13, 2025

by Diane Baum

School Committee continues to step up advocacy efforts to increase state funding for AB schools The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee engaged state Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Simon Cataldo and Danillo Sena in a frank conversation at the Committee’s November 20 business meeting about the inadequacies of the…

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The AB Forward Steering Committee forwards four school reorganization scenarios to the School Committee

December 13, 2025

by Diane Baum

Editors’ Note (added Dec 13, 2025): After this article was finalized, the school district released an informative new document called “Supplemental Information for School District Reorganization Discussion”. The document compares and contrasts the four reorganization options still under consideration, which will be discussed by the School Committee at…

Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints: December 2025

December 13, 2025

by Judy Dembsey

Winter is upon us and our trees. Cold temperatures, winter sun, and wind will dry out evergreen foliage, damage bark, kill or injure branches, and kill flower buds and roots. Salt used for de-icing streets, sidewalks and parking lots is harmful to landscape plants. Deer and rodents will…

The Bulletin Board: December 13, 2025

December 13, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

What’s happening today in Acton? Tomorrow? —––––––––> See the Calendar. <–––––––––– 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…

Makes U Wanna makes Acton residents wanna dance

December 13, 2025

by Franny Osman

Acton-based band Makes U Wanna drew a full house at Dirigible Brewing in Littleton Saturday afternoon, December 6. Except for the cars lining the otherwise empty office park lot, you wouldn’t guess a rock and roll concert was underway inside, just beyond the hand-painted Dirigible sign. Makes U…

Obituary: James (“Jim”) Patrick Connolly

December 13, 2025

FamilyandThe Acton Exchange Team

James Patrick Connolly passed away peacefully at Boston Medical Center on Nov. 20, 2025, with his nephews Sean and Timothy Connolly at his side. Born Feb. 27, 1936, to Michael and Margaret Connolly, Jim grew up in Waltham, where he graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in 1953.…

Emerson Health launches $60 million fundraising campaign for new Emergency Department

December 13, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Emerson Health announced the launch of a $60 million fundraising campaign, the most significant philanthropic opportunity in the organization’s nearly 115-year history. The campaign — Transforming Health — includes construction of a state-of-the-art Emergency Department (ED) and comprehensive upgrades on the health system’s main campus in Concord. The…

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