features 

(2-APR-26) On Saturday, April 11, Danny’s Place will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a party for the entire community. “Whether you grew up here, raised a kid here, volunteered here, supported us from day one, or have never stepped inside, this party is for you,” says the Danny’s Place team.

The event will take place at their space at 543 Massachusetts Avenue in Acton from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and feature live music from Sons of Businessmen (Acton-Boxborough Regional High School alumni) and food and drink from True West Brewery. All ages are welcome.

For the past twenty years, Danny’s Place has offered after-school programs, creative workshops, leadership development, and “a space where kids ages 3 to 18 can show up exactly as they are.”   

“Danny’s Place is a warm, welcoming space with thoughtful programming and incredible staff,” said Boxborough resident Kristin O’Neil. “The inclusive and supportive community they have fostered has helped both of my children thrive. We feel so fortunate to have this local resource and look forward to being a Danny’s Place family for a lifetime!”

Afterschool programs range from “caregiver-and-child” programs for 3- to 5-year-olds, “Storybook Club” for first- and second-graders; “Penguin Club” to build social skills and emotional intelligence; arts, crafts, and gaming programs for junior high students; and peer support groups and financial literacy programs for high school students. They also offer programming on school half-days and holidays, and throughout the summer months.   

Danny’s Place values and fosters community leadership as well. Students in seventh and eighth grades can participate in the Junior Youth Leadership Council, where they can contribute to the work of Danny’s Place and serve the larger community. High School students can join the “U-Project” and receive support from Danny’s Place staff as they develop “community-passion projects.”

Danny’s Place was founded in 2006 as a tribute to Danny McCarthy, who died three years earlier in a car accident when he was only sixteen.

Says Executive Director Katie Gorczyca, “His tombstone is engraved with one of his favorite sayings: ‘I have a life.’ His friends and family knew exactly what he meant. Danny's house had always been the place — not because of anything they could easily name, but because of him. His warmth, his humor, and his openness made people feel like they belonged.”

Since then, Danny’s Place has encouraged thousands of young people from Acton and Boxborough to “grow into their most curious, courageous, and confident selves.”

"Danny's Place has always been about creating a sense of belonging," said Gorczyca. "Twenty years in, we're evolving, becoming not just a space for young people, but a catalyst for their growth. This night is a chance to celebrate what this community has built and to look forward to what's next."

The April 11 celebration also marks the launch of a Class Year Giving Challenge, inviting past participants to reconnect and give back, organized by graduation year. The campaign will continue through the fall.

Tickets for the April 11 event start at $20, with family and group bundles available. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. More information is available at https://www.dannys-place.org/two-decades.

(2-APR-26) Trevor Smith, an award-winning regenerative landscape designer and founder of ReEarth Solutions was the featured speaker at the Boxborough Conservation Trust’s 2026 Annual Meeting on March 31.

Smith’s talk focused on the importance of adding native plantings to home landscapes, emphasizing the need to address environmental changes by bringing our ecosystem back into equilibrium. He encouraged the BCTrust membership to see the beauty of native planting and to learn about how native plants work in harmony with the other residents of our landscapes from pollinators to birds to mammals.

When considering what types of native plants to include in your garden, Smith noted that Boxborough sits in Ecoregion 59, the Northeastern Coastal Zone. This Ecoregion crosses several planting zones, but what unites the region is the species of plants that are native and most beneficial to that area.  

Massachusetts crosses several ecoregions, but plants that are native to Boxborough actually have more in common with parts of Maine and New York than they do with Cape Cod or the Berkshire area of Massachusetts. That, Smith explained, differentiates ecoregions from planting hardiness zones.

Smith discussed how native plants require much less mowing, weeding, and fertilizing than traditional lawns. Because they have deep, sturdy roots, they’re also naturally drought-resistant, while helping the environment. Smith also explained the differences between native plants, nativars, and cultivars and encouraged everyone to design a landscape they actually want to spend time in, even if that means mixing in a few non-native favorites with the essential native plants. 

In his closing remarks, Smith emphasized the need for biodiversity to create climate resistant landscapes.

To learn more about the BCTrust, please visit https://bctrust.org. 

(26-MAR-26) Margie Callaghan, the music teacher at Blanchard Memorial School, has been awarded the Donna Nagle Excellence in General Music Award. This award is presented annually by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) to one outstanding general music teacher. 

Callaghan received the award on March 19 at an award ceremony during the MMEA conference at the DCU Center in Worcester, and she will also be listed in the MMEA journal and on their website. During the award ceremony, the presenter read a quote from Christina Whittlesey, who nominated Callaghan, saying “students don't just learn music, they fall in love with it. That's the Margie effect.” 

The criteria for the award include being employed by a public or private school in Massachusetts for a minimum of 10 years, demonstrating outstanding leadership and dedication in the general music field, and making important contributions to the general music field.

Every child at Blanchard takes general music classes, so Callaghan teaches approximately 400 students a year. She also directs the extra-curricular choral program there. Her teaching uses the Kodály methodology, which is focused on singing.

Callaghan, who has been teaching at Blanchard since 2002, told Boxborough News that she enjoys working with elementary-aged children rather than junior high age or older. She loves seeing the growth in children between kindergarten and 6th grade, and said she wants “to get them hooked on music forever.”

Her favorite quote, which she often uses while teaching, is from Ella Fitzgerald: “The only thing better than singing is more singing.”

Said Callaghan, "I'm incredibly grateful to work in a community that values, supports and celebrates the arts. I'm honored to receive this award, and I'd like to thank all of the staff members, administrators, students and community members who help make Blanchard such a special place. I look forward to many more years of making music"

Callaghan earned a Bachelor of Music Education, with a minor in Vocal Performance, from Central Michigan University and a Master of Education with a Kodály emphasis from Anna Maria College. She also holds Kodály certification from the Kodály Music Institute at the New England Conservatory of Music. 

More information about the award, and MMEA, can be found at https://www.massmea.org/awards.

(26-MAR-26) Members of the Boxborough Minutemen Company and the Steele Farm Committee joined together on Saturday, March 21 to perform the unpleasant but much-appreciated job of cleaning up an abundance of dog feces from the trails and meadow areas of Steele Farm and Flerra Field.

Boxborough News reached out to Boxborough Minutemen Company Past Captain Tony Newton to learn how and why the clean-up effort was organized. Newton told us that this was the first year this effort was undertaken and was precipitated by his and his wife Pauline’s frequent visits to Steele Farm. 

“Pauline and I realized the problem as frequent walkers at Steele (with our dog Benny) and thought this would be a good community project for the Minutemen. The Company agreed and supported it. Minutemen are a unique Boxborough institution and are quite visible for our ceremonial and historical activities. We are less known for the civic support we can provide, including organizing Fifers Day, clean up of Mass Ave, help with FreeBee Market, and others. We all enjoy being part of the small town experience.”

Minuteman and Steele Farm Committee member Ray Sanne worked with Newton to organize the clean-up logistics. The Steele Farm Committee purchased the “scoopers” for the job and will store them at Steele Farm for future use. 

The volunteers jokingly referred to themselves as the “poop patrol,” making light of the nasty job, but dog feces has been identified as a human health risk.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, dog feces can contain parasites, bacteria, and viruses which cause significant diseases to humans and animals. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) notes the impact that dog waste has on water quality. “When pet waste is left on the ground, rain or snowmelt carries the bacteria into our surface water supplies…and…goes directly into our streams, rivers and lakes… Bacteria and other parasites, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium found in pet waste can survive for long periods when left on the ground…During the next rainfall, these can get washed into the drinking water supply, compromising water quality.”

According to Newton, after completing their work at Steele Farm, the volunteers decided to “continue the fun” and scooped poop at Flerra Meadows, as well.

(19-Mar-26) The Boxborough Recreation Commission will host the fourth annual Run BXB, a community 5K race on Sunday, April 12 at 11:00 AM. The race will begin outside Craft Food Halls at 500 Beaver Brook Road and follow a scenic route to Fifer's Field. Runners will then complete two loops on a paved path through the field and surrounding conservation area before returning back to the starting point.

This year's race will serve as a fundraiser to support renovations for the playground at Flerra Meadows, with $5 from each registration going directly toward the project. The Flerra playground renovation will include replacing the main playground structure and installing an ADA-compliant surface. The total cost of the project, including a contingency, is expected to be $300,000. 

“Over the years, the current large structure has seen a lot of wear and tear,” Greven told Boxborough News last year, when first seeking Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for the project. “So we are looking to install a new large structure to complete the improvements to the playground, providing a safe and exciting playground for residents and the hundreds of children who attend Flerra Summer Playground.”

On January 8, the Community Preservation Committee approved $300,000 in FY2027 CPA funds. This and other CPA-funded projects will be on the warrant for Boxborough’s May 2026 Annual Town Meeting. This year's Run BXB continues a Boxborough's tradition that combines fitness, community engagement, and support for public spaces. Registration and additional details are available through the links below.

• Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boxborough/RunBXB

• Race Map: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6689753545

• More Info: https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/788/Run-BXB-2026

(19-Mar-26) On Monday, March 16, the conditions were perfect for a “Big Night” – a warm, rainy night just right for amphibians to emerge from their winter hiding and seek a vernal pool for the spring. Throughout Boxborough and surrounding towns, these lucky creatures were ushered across roadways by brigades of enthusiastic crossing guards armed with flashlights, reflector vests, and buckets, undeterred by the soggy conditions.

Rita Grossman and Ann Seymour are the coordinators for Boxborough’s “frog brigade.” Seymour first began volunteering with an amphibian crossing group from Acton, and Grossman joined her in 2021 when Depot Road was added as a crossing area. 

“We pick them up and move them in the direction they are traveling – almost always towards the vernal pool, which is obvious by the cacophony of frog sound,” Seymour explained to Boxborough News in advance of this year’s Big Night.

This year, roughly 23 volunteers were stationed across Boxborough on Monday night – at Old Harvard Road, Littlefield Road, and two sites on Depot Road.

“We had heard about the salamander brigades last year and thought it would be super fun to join,” said first-time volunteer Caroline, who brought her two young daughters Gwen and Maren (pictured). 

“We wanted to learn more about these beautiful amphibians and their pals and help them safely cross the street and it was an opportunity to do something totally new to all of us gals, together for the first time! With the added bonus of making new friends across age ranges and diverse backgrounds all with the love of nature as a commonality!”

Caroline’s daughter Gwen spotted the brigade’s very first creature of the night, “a teeny tiny spring peeper about two inches from her foot as we were walking.” And then her daughter Maren found the next. “I think their lower to the ground perspective was actually really beneficial!” 

The girls were excited to find several salamanders as well. “What a treat to see creatures that live 90% plus of their lives underground out strutting their stuff and all knowing exactly where to go,” added Caroline.

Boxborough volunteers recorded a total of 201 live peepers (84 dead), 63 live wood frogs (11 dead), 2 live unidentified frogs (23 dead), 22 live spotted salamanders (5 dead), and 7 live red-backed salamanders (1 dead). Combined with the “brigades” operating in Acton and Littleton that same night, volunteers from the three towns saved more than 1,000 amphibians.

More information about the project can be found at https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/791/Vernal-Pools-Amphibian-Brigade. 

(12-MAR-26) On April 10-12, the Friends of the Boxborough Library (Friends or FOBL) will host their twice-yearly used book sale, with proceeds supporting library programs and museum passes. 

It will be the final book sale for outgoing Friends president Anne McNeece, who has been leading the organization for the last twenty years. 

(5-Mar-26) Every year, usually early spring or very late winter, on a wet, rainy evening when ambient temperatures are at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit, wood frogs, spring peepers, and salamanders “wake-up,” emerge from their winter locations, and head to vernal pools to “mate” and lay their eggs. This is usually referred to as a “Big Night.”  

Vernal pools are critical habitat locations for these species. The pools provide a “safe” transitional water habitat for these species to mate and lay their eggs before they dry up later in the season. However, frogs and salamanders sometimes have to cross a street to get to their vernal pool – and when driving after sunset on a rainy evening, it is almost impossible to see them until it’s too late. 

So, over the last six years, volunteers in Acton, Littleton, and Boxborough have rallied to monitor the roads in an effort to prevent these species from being run over.  Rita Grossman and Ann Seymour coordinate the “frog brigade” in Boxborough. Seymour first began volunteering with an amphibian crossing group from Acton, and Grossman joined her in 2021 when Depot Road was added as a crossing area. 

When they mobilize for a “Big Night,” usually in March or April, Seymour, Grossman, and other volunteers grab their rain gear and flashlights and head out in search of frogs and salamanders along the roadway. 

“We pick them up and move them in the direction they are traveling – almost always towards the vernal pool, which is obvious by the cacophony of frog sound,” explains Seymour. “If we make a mistake, they will not be deterred and will turn around and go the other way than where we put them. They are smarter than us for sure.” 

Kids get in on the action, too. “I love doing it because it’s helping animals,” says Sadie, age 12. Her advice? “Make sure you put them on the opposite side of the street!” 

“It is really striking how you can get a bit of the amphibian’s perspective when you are out there on a ‘Big Night,’” said Sadie’s mom, Becky. “There are so many frogs, and the speed and carelessness of cars is striking. It’s very hard to avoid hitting some, unless you slow down and take caution in these areas of high crossing for just a few nights a year. The more helpers, the better, because moving live amphibians is much more rewarding than counting dead ones!”

In Boxborough, volunteers work primarily on Depot Road. According to Seymour’s log books from the past several years, the Boxborough group has saved anywhere from 15 to 91 creatures on a “Big Night.”  

Each volunteer gathers data on what species was found, where it was found, and whether it was dead or alive. The data is submitted to Ian Bergemann, the Town of Acton’s Community Conservation Specialist, who coordinates the Amphibian Brigade effort for Acton, Boxborough, and Littleton. 

“For me, the most important thing is that every life is important,” said Seymour. “One female wood frog carries between 500 - 3000 eggs, so every adult life saved is the potential of that many offspring. With the overwhelming environmental pressures we see on all animals around us, whatever number we stop from being run over by a car is helpful to the species. This makes  being outside in the cold wet rain of early spring worthwhile.” 

“These frogs and salamanders are critical to controlling mosquito populations as they eat mosquito larvae,” added Grossman. “Which I consider far preferable to spraying insecticides.” Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more can contact Ann Seymour (Ann@daringdogyoga.com) or Rita Grossman (rgibesgrossman@gmail.com). 

(5-MAR-26) As the snow thaws on Flerra Meadows, Flerra Summer Playground is once again looking for students ready to step into a role that many current counselors once envisioned themselves in.

For Kareem Elsallal, a counselor since 2024, the best part of the job is simple: "The kids. Just being able to get out there and connect with your community," said Elsallal, who attended Flerra as a camper, remembers long summer days spent outside of school with friends and the sense of security counselors provided. One rainy memory stands out for him where a counselor calmly guided campers to safety. "I looked up to them,” he said. "And to be a counselor is to become those whom I looked up to once."

That sense of continuity lives throughout the program. "Many of our counselors were campers themselves and have fond, lifelong memories of their counselors and their time at camp," said Lead Director Brian Picca. "We like to remind our counselors that it is now their job to do the same for their campers.”

Picca added that the role offers students from 7th grade the opportunity to mentor children from Acton, Boxborough, and surrounding communities through sports, games, and arts and crafts. “In an era dominated by screens, Flerra provides the timeless fun of outdoor times, teamwork, and safe play. Counselors model inclusivity, responsibility, and enthusiasm, giving campers space to be energetic and creative outside the classroom,” said Picca.

Elsallal says the role has helped him grow as a mentor and a role model. He particularly enjoys the camp-wide "Gaga Ball" tournaments, which bring together campers of all ages and skill levels. "It includes everyone,” he added, noting that the games highlight individual talents while strengthening the camp's tight-knit culture. Many staff members are familiar faces in the community, and seeing them connect with the younger generation has deepened his pride in being part of Boxborough.

For students considering applying, Picca said, “Flerra offers more than a summer job. It is a great opportunity to step into leadership, build relationships, and create the same lifelong memories that once inspired them.” 

Flerra Summer Playground Counselor Application: https://boxboroughma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29851

(26-FEB-26) March is soon upon us, and with this month comes a visual transition to Spring. The snow begins to melt, the birds begin to sing differently, and sap starts to flow for new growth in the trees. Some birds have already nested, and eggs have been laid; others are feeding newly hatched chicks, and the child raising has begun. Still others are not even here yet to begin their reproductive journey to successful little ones. It is a time of rebirth, a shift in energies, and feelings of renewal and growth abound. 

(19-FEB-26) The Town of Boxborough welcomed Emily Roux as its new Treasurer/Collector in December 2025. 

Roux comes to Boxborough with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. She started her career working in accounting for a Dunkin franchise. When she had learned all she could in that position, she moved on to a career in the municipal sector. She worked first as an Assistant Treasurer/Collector and later as the Treasurer/Collector in the Towns of Shirley and Leicester.   

Having grown up in Acton, where her parents still live, she liked the idea of being closer to her family. Roux said the position in Boxborough provides a “more equitable work-life balance,” which is important to her.    

So far, she said, the most challenging part of the job is learning the way Boxborough operates. “It’s like trying to put a puzzle together with the pieces face down. In time, the oversight and inconsistencies will dissipate, as my assistant and I are committed to seeing the office succeed.”  

Roux is looking at ways to streamline Treasurer/Collector processes to make them more efficient, in particular, the process for how benefits and payroll were managed. While not finalized, plans are in the works to eliminate the “lockbox” where residents mail property tax payments to a third-party vendor. Eliminating the “lockbox” will reduce expenses for the town.  Either way, residents can still mail in or drop off tax payments at Town Hall.  

There are also plans to mail property tax bills to residents on a quarterly basis, rather than bi-annually, starting in Fiscal Year 2027, making it easier for residents to remember when a tax payment is due.  

Boxborough News asked Roux what she wanted Boxborough residents to know about her. She responded that she wants residents to know that she is accessible either in person, by phone, or by email.  

When she’s not doing bank reconciliations, issuing and paying debt, or the other myriad tasks and daily functions of the Treasurer/Collector’s office, Roux spends her free time making sure her children get to their swim lessons and other activities. She’s an avid and frequent hiker at Wachusett and Mount Watatic, and she and her children love spending time at Wingaersheek, their favorite beach.

(12-FEB-26) Just after sunset on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 the residents of 101 Swanson Road (Leverett House Condominium) heard the fire alarm sound in their building. Many were cooking dinner, doing homework, or relaxing after a day’s work. Over a foot of snow covered the ground, and temperatures hovered around the freezing mark. Some residents fled the building with open-toed shoes and no coats.

(5-FEB-26) On Saturday, January 31, Boxborough residents and friends gathered at Steele Farm on a cold but sunny afternoon to celebrate the town’s annual Winterfest with a bonfire, music, food, drink, and sledding. The event was organized by the Boxborough Recreation Commission. 

For the second year in a row (after many years without) there was plenty of snow on the ground for Winterfest sledding. All afternoon, kids bundled in snow gear sailed down the hill on sleds, snow tubes, and snowboards - only stopping to grab their complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn. 

“Thank you to all the local businesses and groups who participated in Winterfest!  It was wonderful to see so many people come out and enjoy the afternoon with us,” said Hilary Greven, Chair of the Boxborough Recreation Commission. Greven estimated that around 125 people attended the event over the course of the afternoon despite the cold temperatures. 

Visitors enjoyed catching up with friends and neighbors around the bonfire, eating treats from Boxborough small businesses Two Friends Chocolate and Thinking Flower, and perusing the tables of local groups, including the Boxborough Minutemen, Boxborough Conservation Trust, Boxborough News, and the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee.

“Thanks to Boxborough Recreation Services Coordinator Ami Scheen, Boxborough DPW, Fire, and Police, and the folks running the [Boxborough Connects] shuttle,” added Greven.

(29-Jan-26) Boxborough’s annual Winterfest, sponsored by the Boxborough Recreation Commission, will be held on Saturday, January 31 at Steele Farm, 484 Middle Road from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For the second year in a row, Steele Farm will be covered in snow for Winterfest sledding. Last year was the first time in eleven years that Winterfest looked like winter. The recent snowfall on January 25 and 26, dumping more than a foot of snow on Boxborough, will allow for plenty of action on Steele Farm’s iconic sledding hill. 

This year’s celebration will include a bonfire, live music, and face-painting. There will be complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate, and food and beer will be available for purchase from Craft Food Halls of Boxborough and Dirigible Brewing Company of Littleton. Two Friends Chocolate, Thinking Flower, and local Girl Scouts will be selling their goodies as well, and a number of local organizations will be sharing information about events and happenings around town.  

“Enjoy some sledding and warm up by the bonfire after with some tasty treats from our local vendors,” said Recreation Commission Chair Hilary Greven.

Winterfest attendees are encouraged to park at Town Hall, 29 Middle Road, and use the Boxborough Connects MART shuttle for a ride to and from Steele Farm. The rain/snow date for the event is the next day, Sunday February 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

(29-JAN-26) The generosity of Boxborough residents and local organizations allowed Boxborough Community Services Coordinator (CSC) Wendy Trinks to assist 145 individuals across 46 families during the 2025 holiday season. This represents a 46% increase in residents assisted compared to the prior year.

“I’m grateful for all the contributions and being able to make the holidays brighter for a lot of families in Boxborough,” said Trinks.

Trinks reported that she collected $8,370 in gift cards from the United Church of Christ Boxborough, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Acton/Boxborough, Keller Williams Boston Northwest, A Friend in Need, the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, and the generosity of Boxborough residents. Trinks delivered holiday gift bags and visited with individuals who were isolated and housebound.

Trinks shared that she also worked to connect Boxborough residents to the Acton-Boxborough Community Compass (formerly the AB United Way) gift drive. 

The Boxborough Children’s Center (BCC) donated gifts to families in need for the third year in a row. The gift drive held at BCC is in memory of Director Amy Paakki’s brother, Scott Paakki. Like last year, the BCC children came to Town Hall carrying bags of gifts. 

The Boxborough Minuteman Company again donated $2,000 to the Community Services Gift Account to support the holiday assistance effort, as well as other emergency needs.  

“The Boxborough community continually steps up; individuals, groups and businesses are willing to help quickly and generously,” said Mary Pavlik, Chair of the Boxborough Well-Being Committee. “Wendy had done a tremendous job with her outreach to those in need and those ready to help.” 

As the Community Services Coordinator, Trinks supports people in Boxborough all year round. The CSC “monitors the social service needs of residents of all ages in the areas of housing, emergency assistance, and mental health. Work includes outreach and communication of locally available resources to Boxborough residents as well as assessing specific client needs and connecting those clients to resources for assistance with follow up as needed.”

The Community Services Gift Account, established in 2024, “enables residents and organizations to support Boxborough residents experiencing financial crises.” To donate, checks can be made payable to the Town of Boxborough and include “Community Services Gift Account” in the memo line.

Trinks has served as Boxborough’s CSC since August 2022. Trinks can be reached at wtrinks@boxborough-ma.gov. 

(22-JAN-26) Patrons of the Sargent Memorial Library can now begin to enjoy a new layout of the library building, as the town finishes installing new study “pods” and rearranging spaces.

The redesign includes a new Young Adult lounge area in the middle of the main hall. This area will be open to the general public during school hours and reserved for young adults during the after-school period. The area will be framed by a three-sided cabana, to be installed in March.

In the former Young Adult Room, now a Study Room, two study “pods” have been installed. The pods are small, enclosed study areas that provide quiet zones for individual or small group work. The Study Room will also feature a copier corner and reading corner. The current printer and copier area will be transformed into a new reading nook with freshly reupholstered chairs and laptop tables. 

The library expects the pods to be ready for public use by the end of January. 

The project also included rearranging the reference shelves, multimedia shelves, and newspaper shelves, and adding new shelving in the Children’s Room. In addition, the library will now offer laptops for in-building use instead of desktop computers.  

“I would like to especially thank Fran Flynn [Building and Grounds Maintenance Team Leader] for his assistance, recommendations, and support of this project,” said Library Director Peishan Bartley. “I would also like to ask visitors to be patient with us as we continue to finish the project.”

The redesign was funded by multiple sources. The Sargent Memorial Library Foundation pledged $200,000, the Friends of the Boxborough Library sponsored $7,500, and the Town approved $50,000 at the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

The Sargent Memorial Library Foundation, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit that was established in 2003 to provide support for the Sargent Memorial Library. The Friends of the Boxborough Library is also a 501c(3) organization that raises funds through semi-annual book sales and corporate donations and sponsorships.

In a statement provided to Boxborough News, the Friends of the Boxborough Library shared, “[w]ith so many moving pieces, Peishan and her team of wonderful librarians have put them all together to make a beautiful, functional interior. Very impressive job of reimagining the building for the next 25 years.”

The project began back in July 2023, when the town hired Stefura Associates to design a new layout for the library. The initial plan, which included moving interior walls at a cost of $650,000, was deemed too expensive. In 2024, a second design using pods to create new spaces came in at $250,000. The redesign project was initiated in response to repeated community feedback about the need for private meeting spaces within the library. 

(15-Jan-26) Boxborough’s annual Winterfest, sponsored by the Boxborough Recreation Commission, will be held on Saturday, January 31 at Steele Farm, 484 Middle Road from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Winterfest has been a Boxborough tradition for at least twenty years. What began as an afternoon of neighborhood sledding has progressed to an annual community party. Over the years, the Recreation Commission has added to the festivities with music, food and drink, local vendors, and activities for kids. While the event has grown bigger over time, it has always taken place at Steele Farm.

Last year, for the first time in eleven years, Winterfest actually looked like winter, with plenty of snow for sledding on Steele Farm’s iconic hill. This year, the Recreation Commission is “hoping for sledding conditions” again, says Recreation Commission Chair Hilary Greven.

This year’s celebration will include a bonfire, live music, face-painting, and a “human foosball” game courtesy of the Harvard Lions Club.

There will be complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate, and food and beer will be available for purchase from Craft Food Halls of Boxborough and Dirigible Brewing Company of Littleton. Two Friends Chocolate, Thinking Flower, and local Girl Scouts will be selling their goodies as well, and a number of local organizations will be sharing information about events and happenings around town.  

“Come join your friends and neighbors around the bonfire,” said Greven.

Winterfest attendees are encouraged to park at Town Hall, 29 Middle Road, and use the Boxborough Connects MART shuttle for a ride to and from Steele Farm.

The rain/snow date for the event is the next day, Sunday February 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

(15-Jan-26) On January 27, Holocaust survivor and celebrated speaker Werner Salinger will be speaking at Boxborough’s Sargent Memorial Library at 7 p.m. in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Salinger’s visit is a rare opportunity for community members to speak with someone who experienced the horror of the Holocaust. Salinger personally experienced Kristallnacht as a child, emigrated to the United States with his family where he was a neighbor of Albert Einstein, and then returned to Germany as a U.S. soldier post-World War II. Now retired, he tours the country sharing his life story.

Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk helped arrange the event as a community-building exercise, in collaboration with the Lappin Foundation, which seeks to educate youth about Jewish identity. The Lappin Foundation did a presentation for students at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in the Fall, and the foundation has also helped police officers visit Holocaust museums to provide them with cultural training on the Jewish experience.

When announcing the event in November 2025, Chief Szewczyk explained that he felt the community and police officers could benefit from a discussion with a Holocaust survivor. "We are excited to continue to strengthen the bond between the police department and the community as we grow and learn together with those we serve," he said. The event is free and all are welcome to attend.

(8-JAN-26) Happy New Year, Boxborough! How are your “new year” resolutions going? New year resolutions aren’t just about starting diet and exercise programs; they can be about trying or learning something new or spending more time doing something you enjoy. 

Are you pursuing a new hobby or interest? Do you have a passion or expertise that you’re ready to share with others? 

Boxborough News will mark its third anniversary this April. With a small team of dedicated volunteers, we have provided neutral, independent reporting on town news and events, and stories on Boxborough residents. 

Our “new year” resolution is to expand both the breadth and depth of Boxborough News. We want our publication to reflect the lighter side of life in Boxborough, alongside deep dives on the more complex issues. We want to capture stories and entertainment from all corners of our town. We want to offer something for everyone.

Do you have a resolution that might align with ours? 

We’re seeking ideas and volunteers for hobby columns and other fun content this year. Perhaps 2026 is the year we introduce an advice column, a cooking column, a weather column, guest essays, or school sports coverage. 

No journalism background is required. Whether you can contribute occasionally or on a regular schedule – or if you’re just curious and want to learn more about the Boxborough News project – we want to hear from you! Email us at info@boxboroughnews.org.