Miriam Lezak

Juneteenth: Acton commemoration brings speakers and crowds

July 5, 2025

Greg JarboeandMiriam Lezak

Juneteenth: Acton commemoration brings speakers and crowds On June 19, Acton’sDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission held its first official commemoration of Juneteenth. The multi-part event started at the Acton Congregational Church with a presentation by local authorRay Anthony Shepard, who explored the history of Juneteenth and its connection…

Acton Fireworks are coming right up! And a call for July 4 photos

June 28, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

Acton, arguably, has the best fireworks in the neighborhood (according to this Acton resident). Bring a blanket, bring a picnic (or help support a wide range of food trucks)! If you get some great pictures at this year’s Acton fireworks and other festivities at NARA park, send them,…

Concerts on the lawn return to the library

June 21, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

Acton Memorial Library’s summer music season kicked off on June 12 with a concert by singer-songwriter Rodney Mashia. Mr. Mashia, who was raised in rural Louisiana but now lives in Maine, entertained a small but enthusiastic audience on a gorgeous summer evening. Mr. Mashia played a variety of…

A map of the garden plan that was used to determine which plants go where. The key includes both different patterns and colors.

Wilde Garden blooms alongside Memorial Library

June 14, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On June 4, the space next to Acton Memorial Library that faces Town Hall was transformed from a tarp-covered visual blight to a wood-chipped desert, and finally to a fully-fledged garden. Before planting day, interested parties, including Garden Club members Barbara Wissell and Cathy Fochtman, Teen Librarian Chris…

Popup rally to protest ICE arrests draws large crowd

May 18, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On Mother’s Day afternoon, several hundred people gathered in front of Acton Town Hall to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action that occurred on Great Road (Rt 2A) less than 24 hours before. The protest, organized by The Peacemakers Network, Indivisible Acton Area, and other groups,…

Badge icon representing Elections and Town Meeting

Town Meeting Articles 32, 33: New Leaf blower and tree clearing bylaws

May 10, 2025

Jeff BrownandMiriam Lezak

The general bylaws of the Town of Acton direct how various aspects of the town are to be governed and administered. Article 32: Town Meeting outlaws 2-cycle gas powered leaf blowers, partially in 2028, completely in 2029 To reduce noise and air pollution, Article 32 prohibits the use…

Acton 250: Discovery Museum hosts Acton 250 bash

April 26, 2025

James ConboyandMiriam Lezak

On April 16, a large crowd flocked to the “Acton 250 Committee’s Remembrance of April 19, 1775”, at the Acton Discovery Museum to enjoy socializing, historical presentations, and delicious food provided by sponsor Roche Brothers; Dirigible Brewing Company offered their historically-based Isaac Davis Brown Ale for purchase. Before…

Join the Amphibian Crossing Brigade 2025

March 8, 2025

Ian BergemannandMiriam Lezak

It is getting close to that time of year when our amphibian friends make their way across the roads, also known as the Big Night(s)! And humans from Acton and Littleton help them to cross the road without getting hit by cars. The Acton Conservation Commission has plenty…

Open house at DPW draws curious crowds

February 1, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On Saturday, January 25, the Acton Department of Public Works (DPW) opened its doors and driveways to the public for a series of tours. The tours, led by several DPW employees, allowed Acton residents to get a peek at what goes on behind the scenes to keep the…

Hanukkah menorah lights up Acton Center

January 10, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On New Year’s day, which was also the eighth (and last) night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, around 100 people came out on a chilly evening to sing songs, eat donuts and latkes, and watch as all eight lights on the 9-foot tall menorah in front of…

Santa comes to Acton… on a 1936 fire truck

December 21, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

It’s 9:50 a.m. on Saturday morning and sirens are wailing! Lights are flashing! And lo! It’s Santa and his firefighting contingent coming to visit kids (and their adults) all over Acton. In an annual event stretching back to somewhere around 1999, the Acton firefighters make the rounds with…

Standing room only for Madrigals at Acton Memorial Library

December 13, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

On Sunday afternoon December 8, about 60 people came to Acton Memorial Library to hear carols and songs by the Acton Boxborough Regional High School Madrigal singers. The Madrigals, dressed in Renaissance-era garb, sang a variety of songs for the season, including some carols (traditional and less traditional),…

Apple pie, anyone? Friends hosts 3rd annual contest

November 2, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

The Friends of the Acton Libraries hosted its 3rd annual apple pie baking contest, with two categories, youth (15 and under) and everyone else. This year there were four youth bakers and 12 adult contenders, battling for the glory of the Best Baker in Acton title, and the…

Acton votes on Governor’s Councillor and Senate candidate

September 7, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

Tuesday, September 3 was primary day in Massachusetts. According to preliminary results from the Town Clerk’s office, 3623 ballots were cast, which represents 22.7% of registered voters in Acton. For primaries, you vote for your chosen party. Unenrolled voters can choose to vote with any party. For this…

Boozy book fair brings out a crowd

August 9, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

A hot summer night, beer, themed cocktails, and piles of brand new books… what could be finer? An annual collaboration between True West Brewery and Silver Unicorn Bookstore, both in West Acton, brings a large selection of books and an outdoor bar to the patio in front of…

July 4 fireworks are back with a bang

July 5, 2024

by Miriam Lezak

Acton’s locally renowned fireworks display is back after a four year pandemic hiatus and scheduling issues! With music by the Cars tribute band, Best Friend’s Girl, food trucks, and a fine display of fireworks, Acton’s Independence Day celebrations have returned, better than ever. If you have some great…

Other Town Meeting articles

May 7, 2024

Franny OsmanandMiriam LezakandTom Beals

Article 1 – Choose town officers On the first night of Town Meeting, the Town Moderator split choosing town officers into two parts, to ensure that the budget articles were discussed and voted on in a timely manner. Part one included all of the uncontested positions, which was…

Red, white, and blue Vote Tuesday sign to remind people to vote.

Updated Again, Important Dates for Town Election and Town Meetings

April 27, 2024

Miriam LezakandFranny Osman

The town election is coming up on April 30, followed by the Annual Town Meeting, which begins on Monday, May 6 and continues on Tuesday, May 7. At the Annual Town Meeting, the town will vote on town and school budgets, zoning changes, and other important issues. If…

Ballot boxes at Acton Town Hall.

Updated, Important Dates for Town Election and Town Meetings

April 19, 2024

Franny OsmanandMiriam Lezak

This year, in addition to the town election at the end of April, there are two Town Meetings. The first meeting, on Wednesday, April 17, was a Special Town Meeting called by a citizen petition. The second is the Annual Town Meeting. It begins on Monday, May 6…

Candidates Forum Poster

Acton Town Election: Meet the Candidates

April 1, 2024

Miriam LezakandLori Cooney

This year’s Acton Town Election is Tuesday, April 30 when voters will choose members of town boards and committees and vote on whether the town can bring a $6.6 million tax override to Town Meeting on May 6. For good reason, a lot of the town’s collective oxygen…