1. Boxborough Public Safety (911)
   Police or Fire will NEVER ask for immigration status – only the emergency will be attended to.

2. AB Community Compass – help for all ages (formerly ABUW)
   Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm (until 7pm every Wednesday) Free Clothing, community resources
   https://sites.google.com/abuw.org/resources/immigration

3. Immigration Helpline https://miracoalition.org/news/immigration-helpline/ (508) 293-1871

a. Know your Rights https://miracoalition.org/news/know-your-rights/

4. Documents Recommended to Carry (not exhaustive)

   • Green Card (I-551), Valid Arrival/Departure Record (I-94), Approval Notice (I-797), Employment Authorization Document/Work Permit (EAD), Student Status (I-20s), Travel Documents (Proof of Visa)

   • Emergency contact info

5. Immigration Legal Resources
   a. https://masslrf.org/en/triage/start/immigration
   b. https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/

6. LUCE – Call Hotline to Report ICE activity in your area https://www.lucemass.org/ 617 -370-5023

7. From the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General: Guide for Immigrants https://www.mass.gov/doc/ago-ice-guidance-05292025/download

8. Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) (617) 396-7143

9. Locate someone who has been detained https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search

10.Free confidential help
Boxborough Community Services Coordinator 978-264-1735, wtrinks@boxborough-ma.gov  https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/165/Community-Social-Services

11.In Need of Food:

• Acton Food Pantry https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/

• Open Table in Maynard https://www.opentable.org/

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police Geoffrey Noble announced that three defendants, Jovan Lemon, 30, of Providence RI, Paul Lemon, 31, of Warwick RI, and Steven Berdugo, 29, of Providence RI, pleaded guilty last week in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with 43 break-ins across 25 towns in Massachusetts between 2018 and 2024. Jovan and Paul Lemon both pleaded guilty to thirty-two counts of unarmed burglary and three counts of breaking and entering a dwelling house in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Steven Berdugo pleaded guilty to seven counts of unarmed burglary. Judge Patrick Haggan sentenced Jovan Lemon to 10 to 13 years committed in the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Paul Lemon and Steven Berdugo were both scheduled to 9 to 12 years committed in the Massachusetts House of Correction.

“Today these three defendants pled guilty to their role in a sophisticated and calculated scheme that targeted victims based upon their ethnicity and caused fear and pain in our Indian and South Asian communities.  The defendants believed that households of these families were more likely to contain precious metals, jewelry and other valuable heirlooms,” said District Attorney Ryan. “These defendants were disciplined about concealing their identity and used technology, including Wi-Fi jammers, to execute their plans.   Despite these challenges, local law enforcement agencies worked diligently and collaboratively to identify the perpetrators and, in some cases, to recover a significant amount of jewelry and other property,” said District Attorney Ryan.

“The Massachusetts State Police remains committed to disrupting organized crime because of its enormous effect on community safety and residents’ quality of life,” said Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “I commend sworn and professional members assigned to the Commonwealth Fusion Center and our partner agencies who used their training and skill to achieve justice. This case illustrates the ability of Massachusetts law enforcement to work together, share information in complex cases, and take action on behalf of victims.”

The defendants were directly indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on April 18, 2024 for their role in a scheme that targeted homes in the communities of Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Easton, Hopkinton, Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Andover, Bellingham, Boxford, Franklin, Hudson, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Wenham, and Westwood between July 21, 2018 and March 30, 2024.

Property reported stolen in the breaks included many pieces of jewelry set with diamonds and other gems, with values of individual pieces up to approximately $75,000 and large quantities of cash.  In several instances, the property had been secured in locked safes, weighing up to 400 pounds, which the perpetrators removed from the residence along with the stolen valuables.

The aggregate reported value of the stolen property exceeds $4 million.

These convictions are the result of a nine-month investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Division of Homeland Security, including the MACrimeNet program operated by the MSP Fusion Center. 

Other partners included the Police Departments from Andover, Billerica, Bellingham, Boxborough, Boxford, Carlisle, Easton, Franklin, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Sudbury, Wenham, Weston and Westwood in Massachusetts; Avon, CT; East Lyme, CT and Connecticut State Police; Barrington, RI, Cranston, RI and Lincoln RI; and Nashua, NH.   Additional assistance was provided by law enforcement in Holliston, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Walpole, Wellesley and Westborough, MA; Cranston, Cumberland, Providence and West Warwick, RI; and the United States Marshals Service/RISP Task Force.

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton

353 Great Road

Stow, MA  01775

978-897-8149

CONTACT:

Neil Saunders, Co-Organizer

neilsaund@verizon.net or 978-844-8350

Family-Friendly Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

Looking for something fun to do for all the family during the upcoming Labor Day weekend? Why not come to Stow and enjoy the delights of the 4th annual Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival.   

This ever-popular event features local craft brewers offering a full range of delicious beers and ciders, a variety of food trucks to suit all tastes, live music from 90s cover band Sugar High, and a dedicated Carnival Games area, including a playground for young children, an obstacle course, face painting, and an amazing array of games sure to put a smile on every child’s face.

In order to ensure there’s something for everybody to enjoy, the festival also features various non-alcoholic beers and all kinds of family-friendly fun drinks as well as bottled water and sodas from the food trucks. Yet another attraction is a special space for local artists to display and sell their arts and crafts.

The local craft breweries participating are Amory’s Tomb of Maynard, Dirigible of Littleton, Flying Dreams of Marlborough, Murder Hill of Whitinsville, and Pony Shack Cider of Ayer. On the food truck side are tacos from Braised, Italian street food from Bird’s Nest, sandwiches and pickle specialties from Twitzted Pickle, Asian fusion fare from Eggroll Café, beef franks and all the fixings from Trolley Dogs, and ice cream from Juniper Farms.        

“This event is truly geared to appeal to all ages and thus has quickly become a big draw for Stow and all the surrounding communities in the Metro West area of Boston,” says Co-Organizer Neil Saunders. “Everyone is guaranteed to have a great day out. What better way is there to enjoy the holiday weekend than relaxing in a lovely setting while enjoying tasty drinks, delicious food, and terrific live music.”

This family-friendly festival will take place on Saturday, August 30, from noon until 4pm, on the beautiful grounds of the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton (FPC) at 353 Great Road in the center of Stow. General admission is a $10 donation per person, with those 12 and under admitted free. Drink tickets for beer and cider are $6 each, and the non-alcoholic beer and family-friendly fun drinks cost $5 each. All proceeds go directly to FPC to support its outreach work

Dear Neighbors,

The Acton Food Pantry located in Boxborough serves residents in Boxborough, Concord, Carlisle, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford.  They still have a need for so many items.  Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states for groceries and with recent federal cuts to benefits the need is greater than ever.  And with the cost of essentials increasing the need is increasing as well.

This pantry is currently serving over 450 individuals weekly.  Last time I wrote to you it was just over 300.   Whatever you can do to help will be appreciated. I still have a bin on my porch (Fran at 90 Summer Road, Boxborough) which I empty multiple times a day seven days a week.  There is no time constraints, whenever it is convenient for you.   

Paper grocery store bags and plastic bags are welcome as well and can also be left in the bid.  If you would like to give cash or a check donation you can also leave it here.  Just slip it in the door.  Checks should be made out to Acton Community Supper and Food Pantry, Inc.  

You can also donate through the Amazon wish list:   https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/33S3AGWOX51ND/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

If this email reaches you and you, or you and your family, have a need please reach out the food pantry.  It is for everyone.  You will encounter kind people who love to serve and will treat you with dignity and respect.  And your information is kept confidential.   Click here to start the process:   https://gbfb.oasisinsight.net/kiosk/13407e9afdab699c8a5346f23ebbbe968cdd01873c8d8643f364901741def0b3/

Current Critical Need - Please Consider Donating These Items Now

Spaghetti sauce

Jelly

Individual fruit cups

Canned fruit

Individually packaged kids snacks, nut-free

Walnuts, almonds, trail mix

Salad dressing

Canned vegetables

Canned pasta (ravioli, lasagna etc)

Vegetable oil

Gluten-free snacks

Corned beef hash 

Olives and pickles

Pancake mix

Broth (chicken or beef)

Baby Formula

Baby food, jars and pouches
Baby cereals/oatmeal

Baby Snacks

Baby Items

Baby food - jars and pouches

Diapers - sizes 5 and 

Personal Care & Household

toilet paper

toothpaste

incontinence briefs (Depends or other) Women's Size Small only

Other Recommended Items for Donation 

canned or boxed beans

boxed mac & cheese, regular or gluten-free

gluten free cereal

100% juice boxes

cereal, oatmeal 

peanut butter

canned meat/fish

boxed shelf-stable milks - almond or soy

gluten free items

pasta

rice - white and brown

flour, sugar

canned soup, stew

condiments

dish or laundry soap

paper towels

Poise pads

shampoo

Thank you for considering to help your neighbors in need.   Fran Spayne

The Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments has signed an eight-year contract to maintain and operate the electrical system at Devens, a 4,400-acre mixed-use community with about 850 electrical meters.

The LELWD won the competitive bid conducted by MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank. MassDevelopment will pay the LELWD about $1 million annually to operate and maintain the system, plus provide additional funding for capital improvements. MassDevelopment will continue to manage customer service and billing.

“The LELWD is pleased to bring our award-winning service and reliability to the Devens community. This will benefit the Devens residents and businesses who can rely on the LELWD to maintain the system and work to prevent outages. This is also a win for the LELWD as we create a new revenue source and new opportunities for the professional development of our line crews and engineers,” said Nick Lawler, P.E., General Manager of the LELWD.

The LELWD assumed operations and maintenance on July 1, 2025. The additional revenue and service territory will allow the LELWD to strengthen its team of line crews and not impact rates or service for its existing customers.

The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant elected not to bid for the contract. Wellesley had served Devens since the early 2000s after assuming the role from the LELWD.

The municipal electric provider for Littleton and Boxborough, the LELWD has a reputation for reliable service and fast restoration of its infrequent outages. The LELWD has been recognized for eight consecutive years for excellence in reliability by the American Public Power Association. In 2024, the LELWD customers were without power for a total of 30 minutes, compared to national average of 149 minutes, according to the APPA data.

MassDevelopment is redeveloping the former military base into a community with 100 businesses and organizations employing about 10,000 workers and with about 1,900 residents.