The announcements posted below are submitted to Boxborough News by organizations in Boxborough and surrounding towns. These announcements are posted here as submitted by the organization; they are not written by the Boxborough News team, nor are they vetted for accuracy or edited. Please use the contact information listed in the announcement for any questions about the content of the announcement. Submissions are posted at the discretion of the Boxborough News editors. To submit an announcement to Boxborough News for posting on this page, email boxboroughnews@gmail.com.
We're partnering with DMGroup to develop our strategic plan for the next 5-7 years, and we need your help.
Our steering committee, AB Forward, is asking the entire community for feedback on our strengths, opportunities, and challenges. Your insights are vital to this process.
Take our Strategic Planning Survey today! It only takes 5-10 minutes, and your input will directly impact the future of our schools.
The survey closes on July 11th.
The Personnel Board is seeking new members. Joining the Personnel Board is a great opportunity for a resident of the Town to get involved and make a positive impact without shouldering an overwhelming time commitment or responsibility. The Personnel Board typically meets once a month on the second Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. There are currently two open slots for members available.
The Personnel Board helps maintain the Town’s personnel policies and job descriptions. It also makes recommendations for changes to the Town’s Personnel Administration Plan, which establishes policies/benefits for Town employees along with a staffing compensation schedule. More generally, the Personnel Board supports the Town in its efforts to sustain a high-functioning workplace as an “Employer of Choice” for Town employees.
No specialized skill or training is required to become a member. However, those with managerial or human resources related experience would be an asset. Diverse perspectives and experiences are welcome and will only enrich the Board. If you are interested in joining or just learning more, please contact the Personnel Board at personnelboard@boxborough-ma.gov for information or plan to attend a Personnel Board meeting as they are open to the public.
Members
Allan MacLean - Chair
Cheryl Mahoney - Clerk
Barbara Birt
Would you like to attend a short and familiar worship service during the week? Our Called to Care team will be hosting a dementia-friendly worship service on Thursday, June 19th at 10 am. The service will be 30 minutes long, with familiar hymns, and familiar scriptures and prayers. All are welcome to this service and fellowship after the service. It is also a time to connect with others who are interested in dementia-friendly events and fellowship.
The Annual Boxborough Fifer's Day Four Mile (“Fifer’s 4”) Road Race will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough. The Race will start at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to Flerra Meadows which is located on Stow Road in Boxborough one half mile south of the intersection of Stow Road and Massachusetts Avenue (Route 111). The wheel measured course will cover a four mile flat run through Boxborough. Trophies will be awarded to female and male runners in each of seven divisions: up to 19 years old; 20-29; 30-39; 40-59; 50-59; 60-69 and 70 years and older. A free Fifer’s Day T-shirt will be given to the first 100 entrants.
Individual registration fee is $25 by June 18. Registration fee after that date and on the day of race is $30. The maximum entry fee per family is $60. For information and an entry form, please go to https://boxboroughminutemen.org/fifers-day-signup-road-race-2025 or e-mail roadrace@boxboroughminutemen.org.
In March, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order that would dismantle federal agencies created by Congress, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Executive Order led to the loss of hundreds of grants for state libraries and museums. The State has looked at other funding sources and is able to keep the statewide interlibrary loan service (CommCat) and continue to support the summer reading programs. However, cuts had to be made to the funding for eBook content and database subscriptions. It will lead to even longer wait times for ebooks and greatly reduced database offerings starting in July 2025. If you would like to learn more about the situation or have questions about the Library's operation, please feel free to contact Peishan Bartley at the Library.
Boxborough, MA – May 28, 2025 – The town of Boxborough has received a $3,141.00 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) Health Benefits Trust’s new Public Safety Grant program that provides advanced cardiovascular and metabolic health screenings for local first responders. The goals of the program are to help detect early signs of heart disease and improve long-term health outcomes.
Courtney Hernandez, Wellness Manager at MIIA, noted that standard risk modeling often does not identify those at increased risk. “Our goal is to give communities like Boxborough the tools to change that trajectory through preventative care using clinically advanced methods that go far beyond typical wellness screenings,” Hernandez said.
Boxborough will use the funds to participate in the Full Onsite Metabolic Screening Program, which offers in-depth biomarker testing, cardiovascular imaging, stress testing, and personalized consultations with clinicians and nutrition experts. The program, which is open to MIIA Health Benefits Trust member communities, is implemented in partnership with Sigma Tactical Wellness and Quest Diagnostics.
"The Boxborough Police Department continually stresses the importance of officer wellness as the health and safety of our personnel is paramount,” said Boxborough Chief of Police John Szewczyk. “We are grateful to MIIA and Sigma Tactical Wellness for providing this tremendous opportunity.”
Stan Corcoran, Executive Vice President of MIIA, added, “Public safety professionals face demanding, often stressful conditions in service to their communities. At MIIA, we believe it’s essential to support their health and well-being with evidence-based tools. This program is one way we can help reduce risk and give these individuals the same care and protection they provide to others.”
MIIA is a membership service of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As a mission-driven, member-led nonprofit, MIIA focuses on providing Massachusetts municipalities and other governmental entities with insurance coverage alternatives, quality risk management, and wellness programs.
For over four decades, MIIA has proudly supported its members in their efforts to build stronger communities, foster safer work environments, and implement programs that promote the health and well-being of their employees. For more information, visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.
The Annual Boxborough Fifer's Day Volleyball Tournament will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough. This year there will again be three coed brackets: "Open", "Players" and "Backyard". All brackets will start at 12:30 p.m.
The Open bracket is intended for teams of "serious" volleyball players who play or compete on a regular basis. The entry fee is $80 per team; a $200 cash prize and trophies will be given to the first place team.
The Players bracket is for teams with some volleyball experience, who may be or have been competing in volleyball league play. The entry fee is $70, and trophies will be given to the first place team.
Backyard bracket is intended for teams of neighbors and friends who do not regularly play or compete in volleyball. The entry fee is $60 per team.
Total entrants are limited to 20 teams. Entry is first come first served. Interested teams should go to www.fifersday.org for information and an entry form. For questions email volleyball@boxboroughminutemen.org
The PCCC is excited to announce preparations for the 2025 Fifer’s Day Parade, and local
businesses, civic groups, and town committees are invited to participate in this cherished
community tradition.
Scheduled for June 21 st , the Fifer’s Day Parade will celebrate the spirit of Boxborough with participants who may choose to walk, ride, or create a float or decorated vehicle for the event.
The PCCC welcome entries from all areas of the community — including small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and town boards — to showcase their pride and creativity.
Participants are encouraged to bring energy, color, and fun to the parade route — whether
marching with a banner, decorating a vehicle, or building a themed float. The goal is to engage the community, promote local visibility, and create a memorable experience for residents of all ages.
Further details, including the parade route, lineup times, and registration instructions, will be available on the town website. For more information or to sign up, contact Jennette Kollmann, Chair PCCC at pccc@boxborough-ma.gov
Let’s make the 2025 Fifer’s Day Parade a celebration to remember!
The 2025 Fifer’s Day will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road in Boxborough.
Fifer's Day is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minuteman Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. The Day commences at 9:30 AM with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race. This is followed by a parade from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows starting at 11:00 AM and then presentation of the Golden Fife and Parade Marshall awards. The Fair will then commence and include food and barbecue, including a vegetarian option, children’s games and activities, volleyball tournament, booths representing Town organizations, and a craft fair. There will be live music throughout the afternoon. For more information or to sign up for a non-profit booth, craft booth, road race, or volleyball please go to www.fifersday.org . If you would like to get involved by helping with planning of Fifer’s Day, or helping on the day, please contact the Boxborough Minutemen Company web site at boxboroughminutemen.org/contact-us
Ian Behrstock, grandson of Frank and Emilie Coolidge, long-time residents of Harvard and Boxborough, is a 22-year-old young man who attended both Blanchard and R.J. Grey. For high school, he went to The Rivers School in Weston. Ian will be a junior at Amherst College in the fall. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 6 in New Mexico, where he was introduced early to Mariachi music, Afro-Cuban music, and Jazz through Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. His plans for the future are to keep playing music no matter what and to continue to learn and develop as a trumpet player, composer, bandleader, and person. Ian said, “Music is an essential part of how we build more resilient and compassionate communities. I hope to contribute my voice to the growing collection of people who want to live in a world that is built for human beings rather than machines and ever-expanding material wealth. I will do whatever I have to do to find that fellowship.”
About the Jazz Quintet Koan and the music:
The jazz quintet Koan sprouted from a shared love and respect for the traditions of Black American music. This music is a powerful framework for communal storytelling, which captures the energy, beauty, and poignant power of being human. Through music, they seek to tell their stories and to bring the audience into the expressive power of this art form. They approach each performance like a grand narrative, weaving together their original music with arrangements that pay homage to the great innovators of modern jazz, R&B, funk, and hip hop. They hope their musical narrative will be not just lovely to listen to, but will immerse all in the stories they have to tell.
Koan began in the fall of 2024 out of a desire to play the music of the Second Great Quintet and Contemporary artists like Ambrose Akinmusire and Joel Ross and workshop their own compositions. As a collective, they seek to support the projects and visions of their members. Their first album came out in June under the leadership of Mathew Mueller. They recently released their second album, Ian Behrstock’s Tributaries.
The Fivesparks concert brings his music back to his original community. Ian still has very strong connections to the area through family and friends. "
Ian Behrstock Presents Tributaries at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, June 28th at 7:00 pm.
Get Ready to Dance: Community Dance Party This Saturday at AB Resource Center
Looking for a fun and family-friendly way to spend another rainy Saturday evening? Join us for Acton-Boxborough United Way’s Community Dance Party on Saturday, June 14 from 6:30–8:30 PM at the Acton-Boxborough Resource Center (ABRC), 15 Charter Road in Acton.
The evening will feature high-energy music from local favorite Makes U Wanna, a six-piece dance band playing hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s—plus a few hidden gems sure to get you moving. The band’s keyboardist, Piña Madera, is ABUW’s own Project and Volunteer Manager, adding even more community spirit to the event.
Attendees can also cool down with a treat from the Juniper Farms ice cream truck, which will be on site offering classic confections for sale.
The event is open to all ages, with donate-what-you-can admission to support the work of Acton-Boxborough Resource Center. Whether you're dancing, socializing, or just enjoying the vibe, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate summer, connect with neighbors, and support a great cause.
Come dance your heart out—for community, for connection, and for joy!
Funding will support electrification efforts in eight school districts across the state
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $9.5 million in funding for eight school districts and private transportation providers as part of the third round of the School Bus Deployment program. This initiative, led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), supports communities in replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric alternatives.
The MassCEC School Bus Deployment program provides both financial support and hands-on technical planning assistance to ensure a smooth transition for school districts. The program also focuses on supporting high-need and environmental justice communities.
“Electric school buses are an example of how we can improve public health across the state,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “MassCEC’s School Bus Deployment program not only funds new vehicles, it provides school districts with the necessary support and expertise to switch to electric. Our goal is to ensure every community reaps the benefits of this critical transition.”
“Students and school districts deserve a less polluted environment than is currently the case with diesel bus fleets. The growing shift to electric buses represents a transformative opportunity to modernize transportation while cutting costs as well as creating a learning opportunity for students and communities,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “MassCEC supports two-thirds of the electric school buses in the state, enabling communities to pilot innovative solutions, gain hands-on experience with electric vehicle technology, and lay the groundwork for long-term fleet electrification across the Commonwealth.”
MassCEC School Bus Fleet Deployment Round 3 Grant Awards:
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District - $1,432,952
Beacon Mobility supporting Ipswich Public Schools - $1,100,000
Beacon Mobility supporting Salem Public Schools - $1,300,000
Beverly Public Schools - $1,459,000
First Student, Inc supporting Fitchburg Public Schools - $1,604,255
Highland Electric supporting Amherst-Pelham Regional School District - $500,000
Highland Electric supporting Hingham Public Schools - $500,000
Mercedes Cab supporting Cape Cod Regional Technical School - $1,998,264
“Transitioning to electric school buses is a meaningful investment in the well-being of our students and the future of our communities,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “This program showcases what’s possible when we prioritize sustainability and equity in our investments, and I’m grateful to our partners at MassCEC and MassDEP for leading this important work.”
To date, the MassCEC School Bus Program has awarded more than $27.5 million to school districts and consultants, leveraging more than $100 million in external funding. MassCEC is now accepting proposals for Round 4 of the program, with applications due by June 13, 2025 at 4pm ET. Selected applicants will be eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding per project to support electric school bus deployment and associated costs, along with access to technical consulting services.
For more information about the School Bus Deployment Program, and to apply for Round 4 funding, visit www.masscec.com.
About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds.
With the House of Representatives passage of the Budget on April 30, Rep. Sena secured earmarks for Acton and Ayer. He is happy to announce the House budget also included $150 per-pupil funding for Chapter 70 education aid, which is a crucial tool to fund education in the Commonwealth, and $5 million dedicated to immigrant legal defense. These two investments will help folks across the 37th Middlesex, and Rep. Sena is a proud advocate in their favor. While the Senate must pass their version of the budget before it goes to the Governor's office, this is an important milestone.
See the press release with more information about these wins, as well as a photo of Rep. Sena holding a copy of the House's FY26 budget.