Karen Root Watkins

Two women wearing Indian clothing stand in front of a brightly colored curtain.

Music, dance, food, and sunshine; DiwaliFest draws crowds from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond

October 25, 2025

With sun shining and festive colors at every turn, approximately 1700 people from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond gathered on Sunday, October 19 to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. The term Diwali originates from a Sanskrit word meaning “row of lights” and is a major South Asian holiday…

State grant brings high school closer to clean energy goals

October 18, 2025

by Karen Root Watkins

In another step toward cost efficiency and clean energy goals, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) is on track to replace eleven 1998-vintage gas-fired roof top air conditioning/heating units with new all-electric heat pump units. Superintendent Peter Light responded to the grant award of $500,000 from the Massachusetts Department…

Red House Pocket Park Launch Event

August 30, 2025

by Karen Root Watkins

The Town of Acton and the Acton Water District celebrated a new resilience project on August 20, with the launch of the “Red House Pocket Park” at 468 Main Street, across Woodbury Lane from Town Hall. The Pocket Park, though small, is an inviting green space with gardens,…

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness process invites feedback

November 22, 2024

by Karen Root Watkins

What would you do if a forest fire broke out in Acton? Does your household have a plan for where to go and where to meet? Weather extremes, such as the current drought, make these questions more immediate. The issue of wildfire is just one example of the…

Energy Magic Show draws lively audience

August 2, 2024

by Karen Root Watkins

A group of over fifty people, including at least 25 happy and excited children, gathered to view the Energy Magic Show on July 23 at the Acton Memorial Library. Magic Fred, the Magician, elicited full-throated, gleeful responses from the youngsters as he searched for wayward magic lights, sought…

A man wearing a suit and a yarmulke talks with a very tall woman wearing a jacket and flowered dress. They are on the patio of a building (Congregation Beth Elohim) and there is a trellis in the background.

Representative Lori Trahan presents SUNNY Award to Congregation Beth Elohim

May 16, 2024

by Karen Root Watkins

U.S. Representative Lori Trahan visited Acton’s Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) on Sunday, May 5th, to present the U.S. Department of Energy SUNNY Award for CBE’s solar carport arrays project. The $12,500 SUNNY Award, one of only five in the nation, celebrates community solar projects deploying “best practices that…

Man and woman in a basement with large tank and heating equipment. Man gesturing.

Environmental Education for Acton Residents

May 1, 2023

by Karen Root Watkins

From conserving water resources to adopting renewable energy in our homes, Acton residents are learning and acting. On Wednesday, April 26th, the Acton Water District led a “Water Wise Nature Walk” about Acton’s water supply while touring the key conservation land along Brook St and 459 Main St…

Karen Root Watkins

Music, dance, food, and sunshine; DiwaliFest draws crowds from Boxborough, Acton, and beyond

State grant brings high school closer to clean energy goals

Red House Pocket Park Launch Event

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness process invites feedback

Energy Magic Show draws lively audience

Representative Lori Trahan presents SUNNY Award to Congregation Beth Elohim

Environmental Education for Acton Residents

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