News

(9-Oct-25) At the Boxborough Finance Committee (FinCom) meeting on October 7, FinCom Chair Tony Newton reported that the Department of Revenue (DOR) has certified Boxborough’s free cash for fiscal year 2026 at $4.3 million, which is substantially higher than prior years.  

“Free cash” is a term that refers to the money that is left over at the end of a fiscal year. The annual budget approved at Town Meeting each year is a good-faith estimate of revenues and expenses, but it is never exact. Sometimes free cash is generated because revenue is greater than anticipated and sometimes because expenses are lower than budgeted. 

As previously reported by Boxborough News, the town underspent the FY2025 operating budget by approximately $1 million. This was due, in part, to employees opting out of the town’s health insurance plan, positions that went unfilled for several months, and a snow and ice budget that was underspent because of fewer snow events. 

Additionally, revenues from property and real estate taxes, state aid and local receipts (motor vehicle excise, investment income, hotel/motel tax, fees, licenses/permits, rentals and charges) were underestimated at the beginning of the year. Chair Newton asked Boxborough Finance Director Honghoa Le to contact the DOR to get a breakdown of how free cash was calculated at the beginning of FY2025. 

FinCom also discussed the FY2027 budget in broad terms. Using a 10% increase in the Acton Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD) assessment, an historical 10-year average increase for the levy (taxation) of 5.5%, and an annual increase in the levy limit of 4.3%, the working model projected that unless an override of Proposition 2 ½ is approved by the town, expenses would exceed the levy limit by over $1 million in FY2027.

Proposition 2½, approved by Massachusetts voters in 1980, limits the amount of revenue a city or town may raise from local property taxes each year to fund municipal operations. This amount is known as the annual levy limit. 

An “override” increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise and becomes part of the base for calculating future years' levy limits. The result is a permanent increase in taxing authority. 

FinCom member Maria Neyland questioned why 10% was used for the ABRSD assessment in the working model. She said: “We had an increase (14.6%) two years ago, why do we need another 10-13% increase for FY2027? The ABRSD assessment is just not sustainable.” FinCom member Michelle Ryan concurred, saying “It’s not fair to squeeze all the other town services to pay for increases in the ABRSD budget.” 

Chair Newton said that “initial estimates are subject to change as the financial model (continues to be) developed and tested.” FinCom plans to develop two separate operating budgets for FY2027 – one budget for if an override is approved and a second budget for if an override fails. Newton said that if an override fails, the town will have to look at reductions in staff and programs.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet in person on October 14, just before the Fall Town Meeting, at 5:50 p.m. at the Boxboro Regency.

(9-Oct-25) On Thursday October 2, the Boxborough Community Preservation Committee (CPC) met and discussed six preliminary requests for FY2027 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. The CPC voted unanimously that all six requests were eligible to receive CPA funding and could move forward to the final application stage of the process. The CPC will hold public hearings on CPA funding requests on December 4.

The Recreation Commission proposed the largest request, $310,000, for replacement of the children’s playground at Flerra Field. This was followed by a $144,000 proposal from the Select Board to replace the roof of Town Hall. The third new request was to replace the windows at the 1857 School House #2 at the corner of Picnic Street and Hill Road.

Three ongoing projects were also submitted. The Housing Board submitted the Boxborough Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) in the amount of $69,000, which is the same as last year. The Cemetery Commission proposed $9,500, the same amount as in past years, for funding the continuing project of repairing, cleaning, restoring, and resetting of headstones, monuments, and other stone work in the town’s two cemeteries. 

And the Conservation Commission requested $25,000 as the annual CPC contribution to the Conservation Trust Fund, which would be used for expenses related to acquiring, improving, monitoring, and otherwise maintaining new and existing parcels in town. 

This is an increase from the usual amount of $10,000. The next meeting of the Committee will be held November 6. 

(3-Oct-25) At its meeting on Tuesday, September 23, the Boxborough Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) conducted a public hearing and voted unanimously to approve a Special Permit for Divya Suryaprasad to operate a restaurant at 629 Mass Ave. The ~25-seat restaurant, Thinking Flower Bakery and Coffee Shop, is scheduled to open in October. 

During the hearing, Suryaprasad was asked about the hours of operation, the possibility of outdoor seating, and her plan to serve alcohol. Suryaprasad stated that her plan is to operate Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a bakery/coffee shop. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, she plans to reopen from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will serve beer and wine, pending the approval of a liquor license. 

ZBA members asked specific questions pertaining to the outdoor seating plan and wanted assurance that the seating would neither impede the passage of pedestrians along the walkway nor block the parking spaces in front of the building. Suryaprasad indicated that her plans show five seats along the main store front.

Members of the public who wished to express an opinion or ask questions were recognized by ZBA Chair Mark Barbadoro. One speaker, an abutter, expressed concerns about possible operations in the back of the building, such as outdoor seating, which may cause noise in the neighborhood. Suryaprasad told the Board that the restaurant will not have any operations on the back side of the building. 

Economic Development Committee (EDC) Chair Abby Reip read a letter from EDC members in full support of the proposed restaurant. In 2024, Suryaprasad was awarded $15,000 from the EDC’s Boxborough Business Improvement Grant Program.

After public testimony concluded, ZBA members closed the public hearing and began their deliberations. In their findings, they determined that the restaurant is “not detrimental to the neighborhood” and voted unanimously to approve the Special Permit. The Office of Land Use and Planning expedited this special permit by preparing a draft decision in advance of the first public hearing.

The Boxborough Zoning Bylaw requires a Special Permit to operate a restaurant in the Business District. The ZBA is the “the Special Permit Granting Authority and may grant a special permit only if it determines that the structure(s) or use(s) proposed will not have adverse effects which outweigh its benefits on either the town or the neighborhood, in view of the particular characteristics of the site and of the proposal in relation to that site.”

(3-Oct-25) Plans are underway for “Village for a Day,” an event sponsored by the Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) intended to promote local businesses and organizations and help experience and envision a walkable town center in Boxborough.

The event will run on Saturday, October 18 (rain date October 25) from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place in multiple locations, including Middlesex Bank Plaza, the UCC Church lawn, and on Stow Road. The EDC has invited local businesses and organizations to either set up a “pop-up” location with a canopy or conduct an open house at their own location during the event. The public will be encouraged to walk along the route to visit various businesses and vendors. Food will be available for purchase, and there will be live music and kids’ activities. 

Town Planner Alec Wade and Associate Town Planner Ian Gilson are working with the Boxborough Department of Public Works Director Ed Kukkula and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to lay out temporary crosswalks at the intersection of Middle and Stow Roads and Route 111. Additionally, they’ll be making room for a temporary sidewalk on the west side of Stow Road from Route 111.

The idea of developing a village center is something that the town has explored for a number of years. Most recently, the town hired consulting firm Tighe & Bond to conduct a Village Center Feasibility Assessment in Spring of 2024, funded by a community planning grant from the state. 

In a subsequent focus group with local business owners and residents of town center, the EDC learned that “walkability” was the top priority among participants. Using that feedback, along with the Feasibility Assessment  Report issued by Tighe & Bond, the EDC decided to experiment by creating a “walkable village center” for a day. 

EDC Clerk Megan Connor, who has been focusing on outreach for the event, stated, “We’re so excited to host our very first ‘VIllage for a Day.’ It will be a great opportunity to have our local businesses and residents experience a day of economic community and envision what a future Boxborough might look like. 

In addition, the event is an opportunity for businesses to gauge if Boxborough is the right place for them as well.” Local businesses or organizations interested in learning more about “Village for a Day” or getting involved in the event can contact Associate Town Planner Ian Gilson at igilson@boxborough-ma.gov or 978-264-1723.

(2-OCT-25) The Boxborough Swap Shed, a collaboration between the Boxborough Sustainability Committee, Planning Department, and Department of Public Works, opened its doors at the Boxborough Transfer Station for the first time on Saturday, September 27.

Sustainability Committee Chair Kate Davies reported approximately 85 visitors and many donations throughout the day on Saturday. “A lot of beautiful lamps came in - and went right back out again,” said Davies. “The same for a whole set of gorgeous stainless steel cookware. Four lovely bar stools and at least three bicycles were donated and adopted. Folks also donated backpacks, vinyl records, books, glassware, art, hand tools, hardware, games and toys...there was lots of variety and lots of items in good condition - some brand new items still in the box!”

“One of the really wonderful things about the Swap Shed,” Davies continued, “is that, in addition to all the material benefits that it provides (e.g., reducing the amount of waste that the Town disposes of, saving the Town money), it is also a space where community members can connect with one another. In our busy and often isolated modern lives, this human contact can be a really precious gift. Folks often came by to make a donation or peruse the items, and then stayed to chat with a volunteer or someone else they bumped into at the shed. People were swapping more than just items - they were often swapping news and stories!” 

Davies credited the volunteers with the success of opening day. “It was helpful to have at least two volunteers on site at a time,” she said. “One could direct folks with good, donatable items away from the old 'drop spot' near the bins over to the swap shed instead, while the other volunteer could greet folks at the shed, answer questions, accept and organize donations, and encourage people to peruse. Thank you to Diane Ford for her help orchestrating this strategy!”

She also thanked the Boxborough Department of Public Works (DPW) for their assistance. “The DPW staff were some of our biggest supporters - a huge thank you to Larry and Greg for their help directing folks to the shed, making sure that traffic was flowing, that items were being disposed of properly, and ensuring that everyone was safe and having a good time!” 

The Swap Shed also had a special visitor, the former Boxborough resident and previous Chair of the Sustainability Committee, Francie Nolde – the “original Swap Shed Champion,” said Davies. 

Going forward, the Swap Shed will generally be open when the Transfer Station is open, dependent on volunteer staffing. Transfer Station hours are Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On a trial basis this Fall, all Boxborough residents can access the Swap Shed, even if they don’t have a Transfer Station sticker. Residents without a Transfer Station sticker must show proof of residency by providing a utility bill or other official document with a Boxborough address, along with a photo ID.

Donated items must be clean, in working condition and include all parts. Acceptable items include housewares (kitchenware, small appliances, lamps), books and DVDs/CDs, toys and games, tools, sports gear, art supplies and pet supplies. All donations must be approved by a Swap Shed volunteer. Once accepted, items should be placed neatly on a designated shelf on the shed. Visitors are asked to not leave items outside the shed. 

For detailed information about what the Swap Shed accepts, as well as Swap Shed guidelines, how to volunteer, and hours of operation, see EnergizeBoxborough’s Swap Shed page at https://www.energizeboxborough.org/actions/3872. 

More residents are needed to staff the Swap Shed. Residents can volunteer by completing the volunteer form available at https://forms.gle/sux2b5YomQRVXbnj7 or by reaching out to the Sustainability Committee via kdavies@boxborough-ma.gov.

(2-OCT-25) At its meeting on Tuesday, September 30, the Boxborough Leadership Forum (BLF), comprised of representatives from the Select Board, the Finance Committee (FinCom), the Planning Board, the School Committee, and the Library Trustees, discussed the logistics for Fall Town Meeting (FTM), scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday October 14 and 15 at the Boxboro Regency, the FTM warrant, a preliminary overview of the December Special Town Meeting (STM), and the outlook for the fiscal 2027 budget year. 

Town Moderator Dennis Reip reviewed FTM logistics. Registered voters will have an opportunity to voice their opinions for and against each warrant article at one of two microphones labeled either “yes” or “no”.  

BLF participant Mary Brolin commented that a number of registered voters were frustrated at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting because their questions were not answered before debate ended. Brolin suggested a third microphone to allow for neutral comments and questions. Reip said he would review that option with the town administration.  

Reip also said that there may be a motion for a written ballot, rather than a voice or standing vote. BLF participant Maria Neyland stated that she heard that some residents want a written ballot because of pressure from neighbors to vote a certain way. Reip said that any registered voter can make a motion for a written ballot on Town Meeting floor. The motion requires a simple majority to pass.

With respect to the warrant, there was some discussion about whether Article 1, which proposes to change Boxborough’s zoning bylaw to allow public safety buildings “by right” in any zoning district, would be amended on Town Meeting floor. Reip said that any amendment would have to be within the “four corners” of the warrant. If, for example, someone moved to amend Article 1 to create an “overlay” district, Reip said that change would be ruled out of order because it is not within the four corners of the warrant. Since all amendments must be reviewed by Town Counsel to ensure that the language is legally acceptable, Reip suggested that any amendments be provided to the Moderator by noon on Tuesday October 14.  

For a brief video about what to expect at FTM, go to the Town of Boxborough website at https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/boxborough/video/68d1a93a349b460002b944c1?page=HOME 

BLF participants also discussed the December STM scheduled for December 15 and 16 at the Boxboro Regency. If the Article 1 zoning bylaw change is approved at FTM, the December STM may include warrant articles to allow voters to choose between one of two sites for the fire station and vote an article to authorize funding for the design of the fire station building.    

FinCom Chair Tony Newton provided an overview of the budget for fiscal 2027. As previously reported by Boxborough News, using an historical 10-year average for the levy (taxation) of 5.5% and the levy limit of 4.3%, Newton has projected that unless an “override” of Proposition 2½ is approved by the town, expenses would exceed the current levy limit of $28 million by approximately $500,000 during the next fiscal year. The last override was approximately 20 years ago. The expectation is that the proposed override will cover increases in expenses over the next 10 years.  

An “override” increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise and becomes part of the base for calculating future years' levy limits. The result is a permanent increase in taxing authority.  A Proposition 2 ½ “override” requires two separate votes; one vote at Town Meeting and a second vote as a ballot question.  

When reached for comment after the meeting, Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg said that there will definitely be an override vote in June 2026; “there’s no way to avoid it.”

Newton said that the town needs to educate the community about the consequences of not voting in favor of an override. FinCom will have to prepare two budgets for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting – one if the override passes and one if the override fails.  

The next BLF meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. 

(25-SEP-25) At its meeting on September 23, the Boxborough Personnel Board discussed a salary survey, a proposal for a new Town Hall position, the rating and reclassification of two existing positions, the timeline for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) recommendation, and suggested revisions to the Personnel Plan.  

At the request of the Personnel Board, Assistant Town Administrator Rajon Hudson was tasked with conducting a salary survey of twenty comparable towns, previously identified by GovHR, a compensation consultant hired by the town in 2020. The salary survey is designed to ensure that Boxborough’s salary schedule is competitive. At the same time, Hudson is polling surrounding communities about what they plan to use as a COLA for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027). The Personnel Board uses that information, as well as the Consumer Price Index for urban areas (CPI-U), as a guideline for recommending an annual COLA for non-union and non-contract employees. The board anticipates providing a recommendation for FY 2027 by mid-December.  

Hudson asked the Board to re-rate and reclassify two existing positions (Assistant Treasurer/Collector and Assistant Town Accountant) using the rating system developed by GovHR. Town administration believes that the current classification of those positions does not reflect the actual work being done. Positions are rated using job descriptions developed by department heads and based on factors like education, training, experience, independent judgement and decision making, policy making, planning, supervision and working conditions.  

The Board is also reviewing the Personnel Plan for clarification of the sick leave policy, possible changes to the vacation accrual process, and changes to the performance evaluation form.  

Town Planner and Director of Land Use and Permitting Alec Wade presented a job description for a Conservation Agent/Sustainability Coordinator. Currently, the work of a conservation agent is being handled by the Administrative Assistant to the Land Use department and the Town Planner. Wade envisions the new position to encompass conservation tasks like site inspections and construction monitoring, as well as grant writing, compliance with Green Communities requirements, and other sustainability tasks. Wade anticipates asking Town Meeting to fund the position in FY2028 or FY2029.  

The Board also heard from Tony Newton, Finance Committee Chair and liaison to the Personnel Board, who said that given the likely need for an operational override and funding of the fire station, the town could not afford any additions to staff or increase in staff hours in FY 2027.

The board welcomed new member Jon Cappetta, who learned about the open position on the Personnel Board when he picked up a flyer at the Boxborough Library advertising the opening.  Cappetta moved from Acton, where he served on the Planning Board for several years. He currently works in Bedford as a middle school teacher.   

The next meeting of the Personnel Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 pm at Town Hall.

(25-SEP-25) At their meeting on September 25, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) discussed what type of funding or other approvals they may seek from voters at the Special Town Meeting scheduled for December 15, 2025.

Warrant articles for the December Special Town Meeting must be finalized by October 17. The FSBC has only two more meetings scheduled before then: October 9 and October 16.

The FSBC plans to use their next two meetings to select a site (or sites) using the “matrix” site comparison tool that they used earlier this year, and also decide what warrant article(s) they will bring to voters at December Town Meeting.  

The Committee is considering four different sites for the fire station: 502 Mass Ave. (the current fire station site), 72 Stow Road, 1300 Mass Ave., and 750-832 Mass Ave. The three sites not currently being used for a fire station would need to be purchased by the Town; a land purchase would need to be approved by Town Meeting. The FSBC is also expected to seek funding to design the fire station building. 

The Committee discussed whether to bring a single recommended site to Town Meeting or present options for multiple different land purchases and allow Town Meeting voters to choose which site to pursue. FSBC members expressed differing views on how many sites should be presented to voters, and the Committee did not make a decision. 

The Committee agreed that the outcome of the “sense of the meeting” vote at Fall Town Meeting in October will be important as they consider which site(s) to put forward at the December Town Meeting. 

Article 3 on the Fall Town Meeting warrant asks “if it is the sense of the meeting to pay up to $6 million more than the base cost to build a new fire house that is not located at 72 Stow Road,”. In other words, does the Town prefer to pay a premium to build the fire station on a Mass Ave. site, instead of on Stow Road.

After a discussion about the pros and cons of the four sites, and with the caveat that they did not yet have critical cost data, several committee members shared that 1300 Mass Ave. was at or near the top of their preferred site list. 

At the end of their meeting, the FSBC went into executive session to hear further information regarding 1300 Mass Ave. and 750-832 Mass Ave.

(25-Sep-25) On Monday, September 22, just after 8 a.m., Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk reported to Town Administrator Michael Johns that "US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contacted Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District (NVRDD) informing them that they would be in the region the week of September 22, 2025. Accordingly, NVRDD contacted member communities, including Boxborough, informing them of this notification.”

NVRDD serves Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Lancaster, and Lunenburg. According to Chief Szewczyk, “As of 9/24/25 we did not receive any reports that ICE had been in Boxborough.” 

After May 30, when the last known ICE operation was conducted in Boxborough, the Boxborough Well-Being Committee and Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks developed a multilingual flyer that provides resources for immigrants, including  legal resources, guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and help with food and clothing. The Well-Being Committee distributed the flyer to multiple businesses in town.

On Monday morning, after receiving the news from Chief Szewczyk, Trinks re-distributed the flyer to local businesses, the library, food pantry, MART drivers, and some of the homeowners associations in town. She also placed the flyer  on the Town Clerk’s table inside Town Hall.

In her communication with Town staff on the issue, Trinks noted that everyone “should be sure to have LUCE’s (Immigration Network) number handy should they observe anything of concern.” 

LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts, a “coalition of immigrant-led, grassroots organizations” operates a hotline for reporting suspected I.C.E. activity (617-370-5023), works to verify ICE sightings, and shares verified information with affected communities. Trinks emphasized that witnesses should take videos of any suspected ICE activity but should not interfere.

When reached for comment, Trinks stated, “I am encouraged by the outpouring of support from so many volunteer organizations and residents from Acton and Boxborough that are doing everything they can to band together" and help our community.

(25-Sep-25) On Monday September 23, the Boxborough Fire Department responded to a brush fire on Meadow Lane in a wooded area between two homes. It took roughly two hours for five members of the Boxborough Fire Department, plus two members of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), to extinguish the fire. 

The DCR monitors conservation land from several towers throughout the state.  When they saw smoke coming from Boxborough, they sent two firefighters to assist in the effort.  

Boxborough Fire Chief John Kivlan said that “because the fire occurred during the middle of the day, when the smoke was visible to Boxborough residents and was reported promptly, crews were able to respond before the fire spread and was contained to a quarter acre of land.  The outcome would have been very different if the fire occurred during the evening, when the smoke was not visible.”  

There were no injuries or property damage.  The cause of the fire is undetermined. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said that below normal rainfall over the last three months has led to a “significant” drought. 

Chief Kivlan said that “outdoor activities such as campfires, brush burning, the use of fire pits and the improper disposal of smoking materials present significant fire risks”. The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection and the DCR do not allow any open air burning this time of year. 

(25-SEP-25) At its meeting on September 22, the Boxborough Select Board discussed a potential change to Town Hall’s hours of operation. Boxborough Town Hall is currently open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. Full-time Town Hall employees work from home on Fridays.

Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg began the discussion by explaining that she has heard complaints from multiple residents about Town Hall being closed on Fridays. 

She explained that these complaints stem both from the inability to conduct business at Town Hall on Fridays and from the perception that full-time employees may be getting paid for a day they are not actually working. The Board discussed the importance of providing good customer service to the town and also the advantages of offering employees a “remote work” day on Fridays – such as attracting talent, improving employee morale, and improving productivity.

Town Administrator Mike Johns responded that he is open to exploring other options for Town Hall hours but noted that it will be important to “define the problem” before finding a solution. For example, if the problem is one of customer service, a solution may be to add evening hours one day per week. Johns agreed to research surrounding towns’ hours of operation and bring back a proposal to the Board to potentially adjust Town Hall’s hours.  

The Select Board and Town Administrator also talked through a list of one-year and ten-year goals for the town. Areas of “strategic focus” for the next year include succession planning, financial stability, customer service, professional development, a reverse-911 communications system, and a town fee structure analysis. The ten-year “strategic plan” includes a community center, public transportation, a tax collections review and enforcement plan, and a facilities review.

Town Administrator Johns also reported to the Select Board that he is getting quotes for the town to potentially build temporary sleeping quarters for the Boxborough Fire Department. At their last meeting, the Select Board discussed the possibility of building temporary quarters for the town’s firefighters due to the current condition of the fire station and asked Johns to work with Fire Chief Kivlan to research options and costs. At a future meeting, the Select Board will review the quotes and consider seeking funding for this project at an upcoming Town Meeting. 

(25-SEP-25) At its meeting on September 16, the Water Resources Committee (WRC) continued to discuss the final draft of the "Comprehensive Water Resources Report" from consultant Weston & Sampson (W&S). While the W&S report has clarified many areas, it has also identified topics for further study. 

WRC members observed that the report’s conclusion that Boxborough has plenty of water only applies to the current practice and distribution of private and public water supplies. 

About half of Boxborough residents are on private wells and half use public water supply wells. A public water supply is one which provides drinking water to at least 15 service connections or 25 people daily. Public water supply wells are regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which requires protective zones around the wells. For private wells, smaller protective zones are needed. If future needs dictate more public water supply wells, Boxborough may lack sufficient space to accommodate their protective zones. 

Boxborough contains six groundwater basins. A groundwater basin is a geological region of permeable rock and soil that collects precipitation that it can hold and transmit as surface water or groundwater. These underground layers serve as natural reservoirs for water. Boxborough’s six groundwater basins extend into surrounding communities. The rate at which they recharge must be sufficient to support Boxborough’s water usage and the portion consumed by our neighbors. 

Although the report estimates a recharge rate that is more than sufficient, WRC members expressed concern that this conclusion could be overly optimistic because only part of each basin lies beneath Boxborough. Follow-on studies that could provide information more specific to Boxborough were discussed. 

Weston & Sampson will likely present their report at the Select Board meeting on October 27. The WRC will review feedback on the report and propose future studies. The next WRC meeting will be on October 21 at 7:30 p.m via Zoom.

(18-SEP-25) At its meeting on September 11, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) continued to weigh pros and cons of possible fire station sites with an eye towards making another site decision and then seeking design funding at a potential Town Meeting in December.

This would be the Town’s second attempt to get design funding for a fire station, after residents voted against design funding for a fire station located at 72 Stow Road at the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

The 72 Stow Road location is one of the four sites currently being considered, along with 502 Mass Ave (current fire station), 1300 Mass Ave, and 700-832 Mass Ave.

Noting that “in the coming weeks we’re going to have to make a site decision,” FSBC Chair Mary Brolin asked the committee to start re-discussing the pros and cons of 72 Stow Road and 502 Mass Ave.

Most committee members focused on the cons of the 502 Mass Ave location, including the “program” limitations of the site that some believe may hamper fire department operations. Several members appeared to be in favor of again recommending 72 Stow Road to the town, as it appears to allow a more functional fire station at a lower price point compared to 502 Mass Ave. Members indicated that the committee could and should engage directly with abutters to allay concerns about building a fire station on Stow Road.  

A minority of the committee appeared hesitant to stay the course on 72 Stow Road, despite agreeing with the advantages of that location, due to the risk of the town rejecting it again – especially with the costs of delaying the project. Member Larry Grossman commented, “if [502 Mass Ave] is the only site the town will support, then I think it’s the best choice… it will be less than ideal, but less than ideal is better than what we’ve been going through and having nothing … we can make it work.”

Chair Brolin then turned the committee to a document assembled by consultant Context Architecture that lists specific proposals to decrease the square footage of the fire station, with an eye towards reducing the size and cost of the building.

Most of the committee members agreed that they are committed to reducing the size of the building in response to residents’ concerns about the cost of the project, but that it’s too early in the process to “value engineer” when a building design does not yet exist.  

A minority of the committee disagreed, stating that the committee could commit to certain reductions at this point in the process and that the committee should do so in order to be responsive to residents’ concerns. No decisions were made. 

(18-SEP-25) On Tuesday, August 26, the Boxborough Housing Board voted unanimously to recommend the proposed MBTA Communities zoning change that will be voted at Fall Town Meeting in October. 

Town Planner Alec Wade presented to the Board about Article 5 in the Fall Town Meeting Warrant, the Planning Board’s proposal to change zoning regulations in a district near Hill Road to comply with the MBTA Communities Act requirements. 

The MBTA Communities Act requires towns with access to MBTA amenities to change zoning regulations to allow multifamily housing by-right in a designated district. Although there are no current plans for housing development in the proposed Hill Road zoning district, the Town can comply with the MBTA Communities Act by simply making the required zoning changes. 

While the Housing Board agreed that it would prefer a district that enabled more new homes, the Board supports the proposed Hill Road zoning district because the Board believes it would simplify the construction of new housing units pursuant to any potential rebuild of the Meenmore Condominiums that presently occupy the proposed space and will keep the town eligible for state grants. 

Town Planner Wade also suggested that the Housing Board should update its Housing Production Plan (HPP), which would guide the Town on future housing development. The effort would entail the hiring of an external team to evaluate the Town’s existing housing, the current demand, and the available opportunities in order to determine how to best meet Boxborough’s future housing needs. The Town’s last HPP was produced in 2015 and expired in 2020. The Board agreed to vote in a future meeting on whether to pursue a HPP. 

The Board also heard an update on the Boxborough Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) from Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks. There are currently 17 families participating in the program, with one planning to exit the program by the end of September, and there is a growing waitlist of interested households. Trinks and the Board discussed the forthcoming Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding application deadline and whether more funds should be requested, given the growing interest in BRAP. For this application cycle, the Board and Trinks agreed to submit a CPA application that requested the same amount of funds as last year ($69,000).  

At their next meeting on Tuesday, September 23, at 7 p.m., the Housing Board will be joined by David Gasser of Citizen’s Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA) to discuss estate planning for owners of affordable housing units. All are welcome. 

(17-Sep-25) At its online meeting on September 11, the Boxborough Sustainability Committee (BSC) finalized plans for the swap shed staining party on September 14 and voted unanimously to support a non-binding warrant article that encourages exploring environmentally sustainable design options for the Town’s proposed new fire station. 

The decision followed a spirited and at times contentious discussion around costs, environmental priorities, and the long-term vision for municipal infrastructure.  The BSC kicked off the meeting with much enthusiasm for the recently installed swap shed at the Transfer Station. 

A ramp is expected to be installed to ensure the shed is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and the swap shed is expected to open for use in late September. The remainder of the meeting pivoted to discussion of Fall Town Meeting Warrant Article 4. 

Article 4 is a non-binding “sense of the meeting” resolution, which is meant to convey town sentiment rather than authorize specific funding or resources. If passed by Town Meeting voters, it would express support for incorporating green infrastructure options early in the fire station design and construction process. 

Options that could be explored include solar energy systems, net-zero energy standards, and climate-resilient construction. BSC Chair Kate Davies advocated in support of the article, framing it as an investment in both climate resilience and long-term emissions reduction. She cited successful examples from  Newburyport and Acton, which have built green or net-zero fire stations utilizing solar and geothermal systems in recent years. 

Committee member Johanna Choo raised concerns about the environmental impact of building the fire station in residential locations, particularly the risk of PFAS contamination in groundwater due to fire retardants in wastewater. “That’s even more important than putting solar panels on the roof,” she said. 

In a discussion spanning one and a half hours, several members expressed hesitation over the vague cost estimates and the broader financial situation for the town. Article 4 includes an estimated additional cost of up to $1 million. 

Committee members Choo and Suresh Jasrasaria were among those who emphasized the need for context. “We’re spending millions of dollars in relation to what? I have a hard time justifying blank million-dollar figures,” Jasrasaria noted. Member Andrew Tavolacci echoed the sentiment, noting that even standard new construction would be an improvement in energy standards. 

He cautioned against overcomplicating the fire station project with unnecessary exploratory studies that could hinder progress. Committee member Barbara Salzman encouraged the committee to consider a different perspective, arguing that investing in green infrastructure could result in long-term operational savings and align with the broader goals of reducing emissions and improving climate resiliency. 

Despite concerns, the committee ultimately voted unanimously to support the article. The committee acknowledged the importance of fiscal responsibility but also agreed that support of the article aligns with the committee’s mission to promote environmentally conscious infrastructure in Boxborough. 

The warrant article will be presented at the Fall Town Meeting on October 14 and 15, where residents will vote on whether to encourage green infrastructure for the fire station project. The next Sustainability Committee meeting is currently scheduled for October 9, 2025, at 7 p.m.

(17-Sep-25) At its monthly meetings in August and September, the Boxborough Strengthening Police Community Partnerships Council continued to focus on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program at Blanchard Memorial School.

At the August meeting, the Council met with one current SRO, one former SRO, and an ABRHS parent who expressed concern with the SRO program. The group reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between each of the police departments, Acton and Boxborough, and the regional school district. The MOU is available on the school district website.

The SROs in attendance answered questions about their service, explaining that they wear two distinct hats in the school environment. They behave as SROs at all times, they explained, serving no law enforcement role unless a dangerous situation arises; then they switch to “police officer mode” and treat the situation accordingly.

The SROs noted that this is rare in the ABRHS district, but there have been some incidents over the years. Typically, the SROs are there to provide information and guidance to students and faculty. The SROs stated that they wear their full uniform when they are in the schools, but they are prohibited from activating body cameras unless a dangerous situation arises. These details are explained in the MOU.

The Council discussed a plan to conduct a survey of parents, teachers, and students to see what the prevailing attitude is about SROs in the district. The survey would go to all parents in the district to ask about what they know about the SRO program and how they feel about its effect on students. 

The Council agreed that the survey should be anonymous but should collect some demographic information to look for any patterns that could be informative. At the September meeting, the Council reviewed the results of a comprehensive survey about the SRO program conducted in 2023 and worked on a draft of the Council’s 2025 “follow-up” survey. 

The Council expects to gather additional feedback on the draft survey and then collaborate with ABRSD Superintendent Peter Light to distribute the survey. The survey results will go directly to the Council for review and follow-up actions. The survey is expected to be distributed in October or November. 

The public is encouraged to reach out to the Council at spcp.bxb@gmail.com with any inquiries about the Boxborough Police Department, ideas to strengthen the partnership between the community and the police, or to get involved with the Council. 

(11-Sep-25) Visitors to the Boxborough Transfer Station may have noticed that a shed was delivered to the Transfer Station last month. In partnership with the Boxborough DPW and Planning Office, the Boxborough Sustainability Committee is preparing to open a Swap Shed for public use. 

When reached for comment, Sustainability Committee Chair Kate Davies wrote that the Committee is “hoping to have the shed open for business by the end of the month (9/27), but it depends on volunteer availability. Hours will be posted on the Energize Boxborough website, energizeboxborough.org.”

The Sustainability Committee will hold a volunteer work party at the Transfer Station on Sunday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to come and help; the Committee anticipates that it will need many volunteers.  Sustainability Chair Kate Davies explained that "volunteers will be staining/painting, labeling, installing signage, and getting the shed ready for visitors...Please come dressed for the mess.”

Stain/paint and some paint brushes and ladders will be available, but additional supplies from volunteers are welcome. The Sustainability Committee will provide pizza and drinks around lunchtime for the volunteers. Once the Swap Shed is installed and ready, the committee is organizing a fall team of pioneering volunteers to staff it. 

Those interested in volunteering at the swap shed should complete the Volunteer Information Form. The Sustainability Committee has issued a Volunteer Onboarding Checklist that covers requirements and responsibilities. A detailed management plan that includes access requirements and a list of accepted items can be found in the Swap Shed Donation Guidelines. 

To access the Swap Shed, all users must show proof of Boxborough residency status. A transfer station sticker is not required, but a library card, utility bill, or other proof of residence must be available upon request, along with a photo ID.  

At Annual Town Meeting 2025, voters approved a warrant article for $11,000 to fund the installation of a Swap Shed at the Boxborough Transfer Station, which was intended to help remove items in good condition from the waste stream. Boxborough residents can help by sharing gently used, functional items to reduce waste, promote reuse, and save the Town money on waste disposal.

(11-Sep-25)  At their meeting on September 9, the Boxborough Select Board discussed and/or voted on each of the eight articles on the Fall Town Meeting warrant. Fall Town Meeting will be held at the Boxboro Regency Parade Room, 242 Adams Place, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, and continuing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15.

The Board issued a split vote, 4 to 1 regarding Article 1, a municipal zoning bylaw amendment that would allow municipal public safety buildings to be constructed “by right, everywhere” in the town of Boxborough. Dissenting member Wes Fowlks explained, “I have similar feelings to the two… Planning Board members [who voted against this article]… I would vote this in favor today if it didn’t say ‘by right for agricultural res[idential]’….”

The Board delayed a vote on Article 2, another zoning bylaw amendment, because the public hearing on the proposed amendment has not yet occurred. The Board declined to vote on Article 6, an amendment to the stone walls bylaw. 

The Board voted unanimously to make no recommendation on Article 3, the Fire Station Building Committee’s “sense of the meeting” article intended to solicit feedback on whether the town is willing to pay a premium to locate a new fire station on Massachusetts Avenue. The Board indicated that it looks forward to hearing from Town Meeting voters on this issue. The Board voted unanimously to recommend the remaining warrant articles.

The Board also discussed the town’s efforts to provide free childcare for caregivers attending Fall Town Meeting. Select Board member Priya Sundaram has secured several student babysitters and is looking for more volunteers. 

Board members discussed the importance of encouraging parents of young children to attend Town Meetings – and providing the services to make that possible. The Town is expected to release more information and a registration link in the coming weeks.

Finally, the Select Board noted that its next meeting will include a discussion of the Board’s big-picture vision for the Town of Boxborough. The Board will also set its annual goals for the town administrator consistent with this vision. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22 at 7 p.m. 

(11-Sep-25) At its September 4 meeting, the Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) discussed plans for “Village for a Day,” a community “business fair” scheduled for Saturday, October 18. The “Village for a Day” event is intended to promote Boxborough businesses and help the community imagine what a walkable town center in Boxborough could look like.

The event is expected to take place primarily along Massachusetts Avenue from its intersection with Middle and Stow roads to the Middlesex Bank Plaza. The EDC will invite local businesses, including local artisans, to either set up a “pop-up” location with a canopy or conduct an open house at their own location during the event. The public will be encouraged to walk along the route to visit various businesses and vendors.

The EDC is also working to secure food and drink vendors and intends to develop an illustrated map with a directory of participating local businesses. The idea of developing a village center is something that the town has explored for a number of years. 

Most recently, the town hired consulting firm Tighe & Bond to conduct a Village Center Feasibility Assessment in Spring of 2024, funded by a $46,950 community planning grant from the state. The Village Center project materials are available online at https://boxborough-ma.gov/698/Village-Center-Revitalization-Project.  Local businesses or organizations interested in learning more about “Village for a Day” or getting involved in the event can contact Town Planner Alec Wade at awade@boxborough-ma.gov 

(11-Sep-25) At its meeting on September 9, Finance Committee (FinCom) Chair Tony Newton presented a preliminary Proposition 2 ½ “override” model for consideration by FinCom. Proposition 2½, approved by Massachusetts voters in 1980, limits the amount of revenue a city or town may raise from local property taxes each year to fund municipal operations. This amount is known as the annual levy limit.  

An “override” increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise and becomes part of the base for calculating future years' levy limits. The result is a permanent increase in taxing authority.  A Proposition 2 ½ “override” requires two separate votes; one vote at Town Meeting and a second vote as a ballot question.  

Using an historical 10-year average for the levy (taxation) of 5.5% and the levy limit of 4.3%, Newton projected that unless an override of Proposition 2 ½ is approved by the town, expenses would exceed the current levy limit of $28 million by approximately $500,000 during the next fiscal year and continue to increase incrementally from $900,000 to $5 million through fiscal year 2036. 

Massachusetts General Law does not allow towns to deficit spend. Therefore, the town's choices are to increase revenues, reduce expenses, approve an override, or a combination of these solutions. It has been more than 20 years since Boxborough voters considered a general override.

Newton’s model makes certain assumptions about revenues and expenses. He used a 6% year-over-year increase in the Acton- Boxborough Regional School District budget. According to School Committee member Liz Fowlks, the increase in Boxborough’s assessment for fiscal year 2027 is probably closer to 10-13%, as the potential structural changes would not go into effect until fiscal year 2028.  

The town has some latitude for taking on additional debt, such as deferring capital items to future years or presenting those items as a debt exclusion on a ballot. Debt exclusion is not included in the levy limit. FinCom will continue to review and discuss all options over the next several months. 

Turning to the Fall Town Meeting warrant articles, FinCom voted 7-0 to recommend Article 1, which would allow public safety zoning “by right” in all zoning districts.  FinCom members expressed the view that a “yes” vote for Article 1 would allow for the greatest flexibility for the town to build the most efficient and cost-effective public safety building(s).  

FinCom voted 6-0 not to recommend Article 3, a “sense of the meeting” article, which asks if Town Meeting voters would pay up to $6 million more than the base cost of building a new fire station somewhere other than 72 Stow Road. FinCom members concluded that “in light of the financial uncertainty with town and school budgets, spending an additional $6 million on a Mass Ave location is not fiscally responsible.” 

FinCom split its vote on Article 4, (4-2) which will ask Town Meeting voters if they would agree to an additional $1 million to include green infrastructure in the fire station project.  The majority said the long- term benefits of green infrastructure will be positive for the town and outweigh the cost. 

Two members voted against the article because of the potential need for an override for the next budget year. The MBTA Communities zoning article was recommended unanimously, but FinCom members agreed that it was “regrettable” that the proposed overlay zoning, though fulfilling the legal requirement, “does not necessarily uphold the spirit of the law.” 

Their recommendation encourages the Select Board and Planning Board to continue to pursue housing development in Boxborough. FinCom voted 6-0 to support the Stone Wall bylaw (Article 6) and Article 2, which allows for an increase from 15,000 to 25,000 square feet for public safety buildings in the Town Center district.  The next FinCom meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. in hybrid format.

(11-Sep-25) On Wednesday, September 3, the Boxborough Planning Board heard a presentation on the comprehensive traffic study conducted for the Town of Boxborough by engineering firm Green International (Green). Corinne Tobias and Julianne Griffiths of Green reviewed their findings and analysis of traffic at several intersections, and they outlined conceptual plans and recommendations for improving those intersections. 

Intersections that were included along Route 111 were Swanson Road and Codman HIll Road; Interstate 495 northbound and southbound ramps; Adams Place, the Mobil gas station driveway, and Paddock Lane; Hill Road and Burroughs Road; Middle Road and Stow Road; Blanchard Memorial School and the police and fire department driveways; and Liberty Square and Summer Road. 

The intersection of Taylor Street at Hill Road in Littleton was also included in the study.  The study included existing conditions of traffic volumes, crash data analysis, sight distance analysis, and intersection capacity analysis. Future-build and no-build condition analysis was also conducted with consideration given to proposed developments at 1414 Mass Ave, 244 Adams Place, The Park at Beaver Brook, and 60 Codman Hill Road. 

Green’s proposed conceptual plan includes intersection realignments at Liberty Square and Summer Road and at Taylor Street and Hill Road. The plan also proposed traffic control at Adams Place (East) at Paddock Lane. Suggested controls include signalizing the intersection or converting it to a roundabout configuration. 

Retiming lights at the intersection of Swanson and Codman Hill Roads and adding an “emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon” at the fire department driveway was also included. Green’s report also ranked the proposed recommendations. 

Factors that were considered in developing the ranking order were the potential to address existing safety issues and improve intersection safety, the estimated project cost, the anticipated need to take right-of-way, improvements to the intersection level of service, and project feasibility.  

• A recording of the meeting, with the presentation, is available at https://tinyurl.com/PB090325Meeting

• To view or download Green’s presentation, visit https://tinyurl.com/BoxboroughTrafficStudy

• To view the complete Comprehensive Traffic Study, visit https://tinyurl.com/ComprehensiveTrafficStudy

The Planning Board will provide their feedback to Green before a final report is issued.

(4-SEP-25) At its meeting on August 26, the Boxborough Recreation Commission (RecCom) participated in an activity led by Boxborough Town Planner Alec Wade regarding the best use of Erikson Landry Field. The 7.5 acre parcel at 144 Summer Road was gifted to the town by Ruth Landry in 2022 for recreational use.  

Planner Wade walked RecCom members through a series of questions, including: What matters most to the commission members (accessibility, beauty, culture, younger users, older users, users of all ages, active recreation, fitness, and passive recreation)? How should this site integrate into the Boxborough recreation network? Should this site be designed for a specific sport? Should this project meet any of the Open Space and Recreation goals? 

Wade will review and summarize the results of this activity and report his findings to the RecCom at a future meeting.

RecCom also welcomed Brian Picca, Lead Director of the RecCom’s Flerra Summer Playground program. Picca reported that approximately 100 fewer children attended the program in 2025 compared to 2024. RecCom members discussed and suggested a possible explanation for the reduction, which is that 7th and 8th graders served as volunteers rather than as paying participants this year. 

Picca also shared that long-time directors Anastasia McVey and Laura Spurling will not be returning next summer. RecCom is currently seeking lead directors for summer 2026.

A representative from Campanelli, the company that manages the Park at Beaver Brook (former Cisco campus), appeared before the Commission to request support for their land donation at 100 Beaver Brook Road. Campanelli currently has an Open Space Commercial Development Special Permit application before the Boxborough Planning Board. They are proposing to put an additional 94 acres of land into conservation/open space restriction in return for 667,500 square feet of new development, which translates to the construction of five new buildings. The commission unanimously approved the land donation and sent a letter of support to the Planning Board. 

RecCom Briefs:

• The Merrimack Cricket League has expressed its interest in building a cricket pitch in Boxborough. A representative from the League attended the meeting and stated that they are willing to cover the development costs. Several sites were discussed, and RecCom members voted to “consider this project” at a future meeting.

• In pickleball news, the RecCom heard from Mark Marlow from “Team Reach” about a potential new software program to assist with pickleball registration and sign-ups. The commission will review this in a future meeting, and they invite anyone with scheduling concerns to contact them.

• RecCom has decided not to renew the Marcus Lewis pickleball clinic for the upcoming fall semester; they will reconsider in the spring.

• The Running Club at Blanchard will be held this year. Visit the Recreation Commission website (https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/359/Recreation-Commission) for more details.

• The Boxborough Tae Kwon Do program, traditionally led by Master Rick Barrett and run through the Boxborough Recreation Commission, will not be available this fall. 

(4-SEP-25) At its meeting on September 4, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee heard a presentation from consultant District Management Group (DM Group) about the “AB Forward” project.

AB Forward is the strategic planning and reorganization initiative to “create an updated strategic plan as well as a set of 3-5 actionable options for district reorganization that could guide district operations for the next 5-10 years.”

A DM Group representative presented the findings from a “diagnostic assessment” evaluating the district’s strengths and challenges. This assessment took place over the course of the summer and incorporated the results of a community survey that had more than 1000 participants.

The findings identified three “key areas.” The first was “evolving student need and enrollment across schools,” with the consultant noting a significant variation in the composition of need at each of the elementary schools and recognizing both the benefits and challenges of the open enrollment model.

The second was “student outcomes and wellbeing, and staff wellbeing,” with the consultant identifying strong academic outcomes and excellent educators but also gaps across student need groups.

The third was “district finances, operations, and long-term sustainability,” with the consultant flagging the revenue limitations and increasing student needs and costs.

School Committee members asked a number of questions about the consultant’s methodology and how they plan to solicit feedback that is representative of the community. Several members emphasized that this presentation reflects only the consultant’s initial assessment of the district; the School Committee has made no decisions about how to potentially reorganize the district.

The next step in the AB Forward process is for the consultant to generate a series of potential “district reorganization scenarios” and solicit community feedback on these scenarios. DM Group is expected to share its “preliminary options for district reorganization” for the first time at the AB Forward Steering Committee meeting on September 9.

The consultant is expected to present a final strategic plan and reorganizational recommendations to the School Committee in December.

The AB Forward materials discussed at the School Committee meeting can be found at the links on the School Committee meeting agenda, available at https://abschools.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=201. 

Information about the September 9 Steering Committee meeting can be found at https://abschools.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=194.

(4-Sep-25) At their meeting on August 25, the Boxborough Select Board agreed to reorder the articles in the Fall Town Meeting warrant for the purpose of taking up articles related to the fire station on the first night of Fall Town Meeting, and the remaining articles on the second night. Fall Town Meeting will be held at the Boxboro Regency Parade Room, 242 Adams Place, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, and continuing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. 

The articles related to the fire station include a municipal zoning bylaw amendment that would allow municipal public safety buildings to be constructed “by right, everywhere” in the town of Boxborough, as well as two “sense of the meeting” motions intended to gauge the town’s preferences with respect to fire station cost and location. 

The other article expected to generate debate, an article to bring the town into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, is expected to be taken up on the second night of Town Meeting. The Select Board discussed whether to issue recommendations on two zoning-related articles brought by the Planning Board (municipal zoning bylaw and MBTA Communities). 

It has been a “practice” of the Select Board to not issue recommendations for or against articles brought by the Planning Board, on the grounds that it is another elected board. Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg opined that the Select Board should issue recommendations on the municipal zoning bylaw article and the MBTA Communities article due to their “impact on town operations.” 

Members expressed differing viewpoints and the Board did not come to consensus. The Board expects to discuss further and vote at their next meeting on September 8. In other business, the Board unanimously approved a new three-year contract with Boxborough Town Administrator Michael Johns. The Board expressed its appreciation for Johns’ work with the Town of Boxborough over the past three years. 

The Board also engaged in a dialogue with Boxborough Fire Chief John Kivlan and Firefighter/EMT Derek Dirubbo, the president of Local 4601 Boxborough Professional Firefighter's Association, about the possibility of temporary housing for the Boxborough fire department. 

Select Board Chair Kristin Hilberg opened the discussion by voicing her concern about the firefighters’ current living conditions, saying that “enough is enough, the fire department needs some support.” The feasibility, scope, and cost of such a project is unknown. Chief Kivlan is expected to work with Town Administrator Johns to conduct some initial research and report back to the Board. 

(4-Sep-25) At its meeting on August 28, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (“FSBC”) finalized the language for two “sense of the meeting” (non-binding) warrant articles, related to the cost and location of a new fire station, for the town to take up at Fall Town Meeting on October 14-15.

The first article asks whether the town is willing to pay a premium to build a new fire station on Massachusetts Avenue as opposed to the 72 Stow Road site, which is currently believed to be the least expensive site. FSBC members discussed how to characterize the “premium” when there are no definite cost estimates yet, and eventually settled on “up to $6 million more.” 

FSBC Chair Mary Brolin stated that this article “would give a lot of guidance to the committee about whether we should be willing to pay that premium to move [the fire station] out onto Mass Ave.” The second sense of the meeting article asks whether the town is in favor of exploring building a fire station with “Green Infrastructure” components above and beyond basic code requirements. 

The Board decided to ask Boxborough Sustainability Committee Chair Kate Davies to help revise the language of the article. The Board will review and vote on the revised language at their next meeting. 

In other preparation for Fall Town Meeting, the FSBC voted unanimously to recommend the Planning Board’s proposed municipal zoning bylaw amendment that would allow municipal public safety buildings (including a fire station) to be constructed “by right, everywhere” in the town of Boxborough. 

The FSBC also talked through a document assembled by consultant Context Architecture that lists specific proposals to decrease the square footage of the fire station, with an eye towards reducing the size and cost of the building. The list includes a description of the proposed reduction, the person who proposed the reduction, the number of square feet at issue, the impact of the reduction, and Context’s commentary on the reduction. 

Many of the reductions were proposed during the FSBC’s “listening sessions” with a group of interested community members who have been invited by the FSBC to share their thoughts and ideas about the fire station.

The Board spent more than an hour talking through many but not all of the proposals, noting the exercise is somewhat premature given that the building has not been designed yet. The Board heard input from Boxborough Fire Chief John Kivlan throughout their discussion. No decisions were made, and the FSBC expects to continue the discussion at a future meeting.  

(21-AUG-25) At their meeting on August 11, the Boxborough Select Board heard a presentation from Finance Committee Chair Tony Newton recommending that Boxborough establish a Board of Assessors to oversee the assessor’s office. 

The town has been operating with Interim Town Assessor James Doherty since August 4. He is expected to be with the town for at least seven weeks, but not permanently. A search for a permanent Town Assessor is underway. The former Town Assessor was terminated on July 21. 

The Finance Committee is recommending that the town establish a Board of Assessors after identifying two issues of concern relating to the Town Assessor function in the wake of the Annual Town Meeting in May 2025.

The first issue is that the town has built up a surplus of funds for property revaluation after approving annual revaluation warrant articles for $30,000. The second issue is a surplus of funds in the town’s overlay reserve, which is set aside for tax abatements.

Finance Committee Chair Newton noted that there is currently no indication that any funds were misused.

Newton told the Select Board that the Finance Committee is looking into both of these surplus issues, but that identification of the issues prompted the Committee to suggest the Select Board create a Board of Assessors to oversee the Town Assessor. Newton noted that most communities in Massachusetts have both a Board of Assessors and a Town Assessor. The Board of Assessors could be appointed or elected.

The Select Board responded positively to the Finance Committee’s recommendation and voted to add a warrant article establishing a Board of Assessors to the Fall Town Meeting warrant.

In other business, the Board voted to approve a Rodenticide Policy, which prohibits the application and use of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) on town property. Before approving the policy, the Board decided to remove an “emergency waiver” exception. 

The Board also began a discussion about whether the Select Board should make a recommendation about the Planning Board’s zoning articles in the Fall Town Meeting warrant. The Select Board noted that they generally do not make recommendations on articles brought by the Planning Board, as there is an established practice that the Board not comment on articles brought by another elected board. Select Board members expressed differing viewpoints on whether and why to make a recommendation about the articles expected in October, which relate to the MBTA Communities Act and municipal zoning. The Board will continue this discussion at its next meeting on August 25.

The Select Board also heard a presentation from Communities for Restorative Justice (“C4RJ”) Executive Director Erin Freeborn. In July, the Boxborough Police Department rejoined C4RJ after a hiatus of several years from the program. 

(21-AUG-25) At its meeting on August 14, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (“FSBC”) authorized further study of two alternative sites for the town’s new fire station, as it continues to explore options beyond 72 Stow Road and 502 Mass Ave.

The Committee unanimously approved a contract with project consultant Context Architecture, not to exceed $16,200, for further study of traffic sight lines at 700-832 Mass Ave and a site analysis of 1300 Mass Ave.

The FSBC walked through all thirteen potential fire station sites currently under consideration and put them into three buckets: “viable,” “likely not viable,” and “not viable.” The Committee did not vote on the sites, but agreed that time and resources should be focused on the five sites that are considered “viable.” In addition to the two sites studied last year, 72 Stow Road and 502 Mass Ave, the viable sites are 1300 Mass Ave, 750 Mass Ave, and 832 Mass Ave (in combination with 750 Mass Ave).

The FSBC classified five sites as “not viable”: 40 Cunningham Road, 1223 Mass Ave, 975 Mass Ave, 593 Mass Ave, and 577 Mass Ave. Three more were classified “likely not viable”: 1414 Mass Ave, 886 Mass Ave, and 296 Middle Road.   

FSBC Clerk Mac Reid reported to the Committee about the recent “listening sessions” with a group of interested community members who have been invited by the FSBC to share their thoughts and ideas about the fire station. Several members of the group have recently focused on the “programming” of the fire station and have made a series of specific design suggestions with an eye towards decreasing the size and cost of the building.

FSBC members discussed whether and how these suggestions from members of the public should be passed along to consultant Context Architecture. Members agreed that the Committee should review and discuss the suggestions first, with the help of Fire Chief John Kivlan, before asking the consultant to evaluate them.

The FSBC also unanimously approved a letter to the Boxborough Planning Board recommending that the Board put forth a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow for public safety services to be permitted by right in all zoning districts. The FSBC’s preferred “by right, everywhere” approach for public safety uses is one of several options the Planning Board is considering for a municipal zoning bylaw amendment. The Planning Board is expected to bring the bylaw amendment to Fall Town Meeting in October.

Finally, the FSBC considered four “sense of the meeting” articles for the Fall Town Meeting in October. The articles are intended to gather information about the town’s preferences for the fire station; however, several FSBC members were concerned that the draft language was confusing. The Committee voted 5-1 to include four “sense of the meeting” articles in the Fall  Town Meeting warrant, with language to be edited, discussed, and voted at the FSBC’s next meeting on August 28.  

(7-AUG-25)   At its meeting on Monday August 4, the Well-Being Committee (WBC) discussed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Boxborough, a plan to educate residents about immigrant resources, and the newly modified Boxborough Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP). 

  Since May 30, when the last known ICE operation was conducted in Boxborough, the Well-Being Committee has been discussing how to support members of the community who have been impacted by ICE enforcement. During the June 9 Select Board meeting, Well-Being Committee Chair Mary Pavlik presented some potential town actions that included outreach to individuals affected by ICE operations and community awareness and education.

  Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks reported that she is now in the process of developing a flyer in multiple languages that provides resources for immigrants. The Well-Being Committee plans to distribute the flyer throughout the town. Trinks explained to the WBC that while bystanders cannot obstruct an ICE operation, they can videotape the event and call “LUCE - Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts,” a grassroots immigrant-led organization that “supports immigrants in exercising” their rights. 

  Trinks also spoke about the role of Acton-Boxborough Community Compass (formerly Acton-Boxborough United Way) and the AB Resource Center in assisting those impacted by ICE operations. When AB Community Compass is notified of an ICE operation, they designate one individual to contact the family to determine what they need – whether it is food, shelter, clothing, or other resources.

  The Committee indicated that they were not aware of any ICE operations in town since May 30. 

  Following the meeting, Boxborough News reached out to Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk, who explained that ICE is “not legally required” to notify local police departments about their operations, but generally give local police a “courtesy” call prior to the operation. ICE does not provide specific details like who, what, when, and where the operation will take place.

  Chief Szewczyk also explained that if the BPD received a call from a resident saying they are not sure if they are witnessing an ICE operation or a kidnapping, officers would respond to the incident. The police don’t interfere or get involved with the ICE operation, but can verify that whatever is happening in town is in fact an ICE operation and not someone posing as an ICE officer.  

  Since this was the WBC’s first meeting of Fiscal Year 2026, they discussed the modified Boxborough Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP), which was funded through a warrant article voted at the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting. BEAP funds can provide up to $500 per family for emergency situations. Community Services Coordinator Trinks is the point of contact for BEAP applications, and two members of the Well-Being Committee must approve all applications for emergency funds.  

  The Well-Being Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for September 8 at 10 a.m. at Town Hall.

(7-AUG-25)   State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Dan Sena joined the Boxborough Select Board at their meeting on July 28 to recognize former Select Board member Dave McKiernan, who recently moved out of town and resigned from the Board.

  McKiernan was commended for his service to the town and received Senate and House citations for his contributions to Boxborough. Each member of the Select Board and the Town Administrator also thanked McKiernan for his hard work and dedication to the town.

  Representative Sena also recognized current Select Board member Priya Sundaram as a recipient of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s “Commonwealth Heroine” award. Representative Sena nominated Sundaram for the award, which recognizes one woman from each legislators’ constituency for her service to the community. Sena thanked Sundaram for her leadership in the town of Boxborough.

  After honoring McKiernan and Sundaram, the Select Board heard a recommendation from the Boxborough Conservation Commission that the town consider adopting a ban on a class of rodenticides called Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs). This category of rodenticide is used to control rats and mice by causing internal bleeding, but can also lead to the poisoning of other wildlife that prey on the poisoned rodents.

  The Board voted unanimously to support the Conservation Commission’s recommendation and develop a policy prohibiting the use of SGARs in Boxborough. The Board also discussed the possibility of asking the state for permission - through the “home rule petition” process - to ban SGARs on private property as well, as a number of neighboring communities have recently done. The Board indicated an interest in learning more about that process and potentially bringing the required warrant article to town meeting in May 2026. 

  The Board also opened the warrant for the October 14, 2025 Special Town Meeting (STM). The town is expected to take up two zoning articles at STM: a proposal to bring the town into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act and a zoning bylaw amendment regarding municipal use. The Planning Board is currently conducting public hearings on both issues. 

(7-AUG-25)   What would a walkable town center look like in Boxborough? At its July 24 meeting, the Boxborough Economic Development Committee discussed the possibility of creating a walkable downtown Boxborough for one Saturday in mid-October.

  The EDC’s “Village for a Day” event would be designed to encourage walking along Massachusetts Avenue from its intersection with Middle and Stow east towards several local businesses, with vendors and activities along the way.

  The EDC’s event may take place the same day as one of the FreeBee “community markets,” a food rescue and sharing market held on the lawn of UCC Boxborough on the corner of Middle Road and Route 111. 

  The entire event would preview what a village center could look like in Boxborough. The idea of developing a village center is something that the town has explored for a number of years. 

  Most recently, the town hired consulting firm Tighe & Bond to conduct a Village Center Feasibility Assessment in Spring of 2024, funded by a $46,950 community planning grant from the state. The Village Center project materials are available online at https://boxborough-ma.gov/698/Village-Center-Revitalization-Project. 

  During their meeting, the EDC identified and assigned a number of critical planning tasks in order to make the “Village for a Day” event a reality. These include outreach to various stakeholders along with local businesses and organizations that may want to set up tables along the planned walking route. The EDC is also looking into food and drink vendors, live music, and activities for kids.

  Local businesses or organizations interested in learning more about “Village for a Day” or getting involved in the event can contact Town Planner Alec Wade at awade@boxborough-ma.gov 

(7-AUG-25)   On July 30, 2025, the Lancaster Police Department contacted the Boxborough K9 unit and asked for assistance to conduct an article search for evidence in connection with an incident the previous day.

  On July 29, the Lancaster Police Department had stopped two suspects on motor scooters as part of an investigation into a stolen vehicle. The suspects fled the scene, apparently dropping something on the ground in the process.

  Hoping to locate an identifying article on the roadside with human scent, and wanting to ensure nothing dangerous was dropped at the scene, the Lancaster police contacted the Boxborough K9 unit to conduct a search of the area.

  A statement from Police Chief John Szewczyk reads, “On Thursday, July 30th, K9 Officer Maxwell Bressi and K9 Koda were requested by the Lancaster Police Department to conduct an article search for evidence. One day earlier, two scooters fled from Lancaster Officers and a pursuit and eventual crash occurred. The Boxborough Police Department was not involved in the pursuit. During the article search, K9 Koda located a Visa gift card which may have been utilized by one of the suspects. The case is ongoing.” 

  The Chief noted that although Koda is trained to detect and follow a human scent, she rarely gets involved in a criminal investigation. Her role is primarily as a service animal and ambassador to the public, although she is also able to use her olfactory skills to help locate a lost person. 

  Koda, a Black Labrador, joined the Boxborough Police Department in April 2024. She was a gift to Boxborough from Foxbend Labs, a breeder in Hillsborough, NH. Koda works alongside her handler, Officer Max Bressi. 

(7-AUG-25)   On Tuesday, July 29, the Boxborough Housing Board (BHB) discussed prospective new construction of affordable housing units on Summer Road. 

  The owner of the parcel of land at 70 Summer Rd is seeking to develop housing on the property and has been approached by a developer who has crafted a plan to build two duplexes constituting four units, two at market rate and two that are Chapter 40b compliant. 

  Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals (ZBAs) to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.

  The Board discussed how it can contribute to the development of these proposed affordable units and concluded that the best next step is for the developer to present their plan to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). If the ZBA response is favorable, the BHB expects to invite the developer to present their plan to the Select Board and BHB at a combined meeting. 

  The BHB also discussed the upcoming resale of an affordable unit at Summerfields following the death of the original owner. The Board voted to take action to find prospective eligible buyers for the unit on behalf of the current occupant. The BHB agreed that, in the meantime, an interim step could be to send a Board representative with Boxborough Building Commissioner Ed Cataldo to inspect the unit with the current occupant’s permission and make sure the current occupant has the support and information they need to proceed with the resale process. 

  The Board also heard an update from Associate Town Planner Ian Gilson on the topic of estate planning options for affordable homeowners. To help BHB members understand existing state regulations that dictate whether and how the owners of affordable homes can responsibly plan for their homes to remain Chapter 40b eligible in the event of their death, Gilson is working to schedule David Gasser, Programs Director for Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), to speak at the BHB September meeting.

  The next BHB meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 at 7pm in person at Town Hall.   

(24-July-25) At their meeting on June 18, the Boxborough Conservation Commission voted to recommend that the Town of Boxborough consider adopting a town-wide ban on a class of rodenticides called Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs). This category of rodenticide is used to control rats and mice by causing massive internal bleeding, with death occurring within several days. 

Because they don’t die immediately, infected rodents may be eaten by wildlife, particularly raptors like owls and hawks, poisoning them as well. To the extent that they prey on rats and mice, dogs and cats may also be at risk. SGARs are toxic chemicals that cannot be sold directly to the public. They can only be obtained and deployed through a licensed pest management company. 

Alternative methods to control rodents include Integrated Pest Management practices, which encourage use of the least hazardous and most targeted means of pest control. A number of towns, such as Arlington, Newton, Orleans, and Newbury have already adopted SGAR bans. 

Currently, according to Boxborough Department of Public Works Director Ed Kukkula, the Town does not use any type of pesticide on Town-owned land, although there is no bylaw or policy against it. Establishing a town bylaw or policy banning the use of SGARs would be a guarantee that these chemicals could not be used now or in the future on Town property. 

To extend the ban to include private property, however, the Town would need to go through the “home rule petition” process. This means drafting a petition to the state legislature requesting the power to enact a town-wide ban, gaining approval for the petition at Town Meeting, and submitting the petition to the state legislature for ultimate approval. 

Several towns including Arlington and Concord have passed home rule petitions at Town Meeting to ask the state for permission to ban SGARs on private property. In addition to the Conservation Commission, the Boxborough Conservation Trust and the Boxborough Birders have both voted in favor of the Town adopting a rodenticide ban. Discussion of a potential rodenticide ban is expected to be on the July 28 Select Board agenda.

(24-July-25) At its meeting on July 15, 2025, the Boxborough Water Resources Committee (WRC) discussed the latest version of the draft water resources report that is being prepared by Weston & Sampson (W&S) and considered how the town might collect and utilize data about private wells in the future. 

About half of town residents are on existing public water supply (PWS) wells regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The other half of residents are on private wells. Water quality data is available only for the existing PWS wells, which are not located evenly throughout town. 

The WRC has no data on water quality for private wells. The committee discussed the challenges in gathering data on water quality for private wells and discussed ways to analyze data from those wells without compromising the privacy of the well owner. 

WRC member Bryan Lynch reported that the local Board of Health is working on regulations that would require well testing upon property transfer. WRC Chair Les Fox emphasized the importance of having town-wide comprehensive data so that any potential need for a municipal water system can be assessed in a timely fashion.

The WRC discussed comments and suggestions to the water resources report being prepared by W&S and expects to receive the next draft on August 12. A final report is expected between October and mid-December. Chair Fox shared that the Littleton Waterline Project continues to move forward. 

The extension of the waterline into the areas planned has been completed. Connection to the dwellings remains to be done. The project is on target to be completed by October 2026, as scheduled. The next regular meeting will be on August 19, 2025, at 7:30 pm, via Zoom. The complete draft of the W&S report will be discussed.

(27-JUN-25) The Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) continues to regroup and discuss how to move forward after the May Town Meeting voted down design funding for a fire station at 72 Stow Road.

At its meeting on June 26, the FSBC heard updates from Town Administrator Mike Johns about the status of several alternative fire station locations aside from 72 Stow Road and 502 Massachusetts Avenue, both of which the FSBC studied in detail before choosing 72 Stow Road as the least costly and most functional location for a fire station.

Town Administrator Johns continues to speak with property owners of 700 and 832 Mass Ave., 1300 Mass Ave., and 1414 Mass Ave. The Committee also asked Johns to approach the owner of 40 Cunningham Road. FSBC members grappled with whether and when funds should be spent to study each of these sites, several of which have been considered and rejected as a fire station site over the last decade.

FSBC Vice Chair Mac Reid shared with the Committee the latest plans for the FSBC’s “listening group,” an informal discussion with a group of invited residents that is intended to generate “out of the box” ideas for the fire station.

Reid is expected to hold at least two meetings with a group of twelve Boxborough residents, including those who have been outspoken against the FSBC’s proposal for a fire station at 72 Stow Road. The first meeting will be an opportunity for participants to speak and FSBC representatives to listen. Fire Chief John Kivlan and a consultant from Context Architecture are expected to join the second meeting in order to help discuss the feasibility of the ideas raised by the participants.

The Committee also discussed how best to approach a reexamination of the fire department’s space needs (“programming”), with the goal of cutting the cost of the project. The size of the station and its cost to taxpayers are the two primary areas of public opposition to the fire station project.  

Some FSBC members expressed that the fire chief and the town’s design consultants (“the professionals”) should take the lead on any downsizing. Other members emphasized that compromise will be required in order to get this project approved by the town, and that the Committee should be open to downsizing ideas offered by members of the public.  

The Committee voted unanimously to approve a contract extension with town consultant Context Architecture so that Context can continue to attend and support FSBC meetings on a time and materials basis. The extension is not to exceed $27,600, and is within previously authorized funding.

(27-JUN-25) On Monday, June 23, Boxborough’s “3A Advisory Group,” the committee charged with recommending locations that meet the multi-family zoning requirements of the MBTA Communities Act, met virtually to review the potential districts and discuss their recommendations which they will present to the Planning Board on June 30. 

After a brief introduction, Town Planner Alec Wade reviewed the three sites visited by the group on June 18: Leonard Road (District 1); Element (site of a commercial entity at 1146 Mass Ave - District 5); and 72 Stow Road (District 6). These sites were selected by the group based on their suitability for compliance with the law. 

The group discussed each site’s merits and drawbacks and decided that District 1 offers the best option for meeting the MBTA Communities zoning requirements. District 1 would include Leonard Road (Meenmore Condominiums) and abutting properties along Hill Road. This district is favored not only because of its proximity to the Littleton MBTA station and Route 2, but also because it includes both existing multifamily housing (that will partially satisfy the number and density of units required by the law) and land that can be developed, which would be zoned to allow additional multifamily housing to be built. 

On behalf of the 3A Advisory Group, Planner Wade will present District 1 for the Planning Board’s consideration at the Planning Board meeting on Monday, June 30. The 3A Advisory Group agreed to continue their discussion of 72 Stow Road as a potential alternate site and make additional visits to other alternate sites.

Before closing the meeting, Wade expressed satisfaction with the group’s work. “Tonight we took a significant step forward…you’ve now empowered us to take the next step in this process… I appreciate the work you’ve put into this…helping us come to this consensus as a team.”

The MBTA Communities Act requires communities with access to MBTA amenities (and neighboring communities like Boxborough) to change zoning regulations to allow a certain amount of multifamily housing by right. This program does not guarantee that housing will be produced, but creates the opportunity for future housing growth. Boxborough is required to adopt the required zoning change no later than December 2025.

The Select Board has scheduled a Special Town Meeting for October 14-15 when the town is expected to take up the MBTA Communities Act zoning.