Miriam Lezak

Mass. Primary Elections: Post-election update

August 29, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

Primary elections are over, and the candidates for the mid-term election (November 3, 2026 — put it on your calendar!) are set. The election results for Acton are still pending. The Acton Exchange will publish them when they are available. Oh my, where did the summer go! If…

Business Briefs: August 29, 2026

August 29, 2026

Jeff BrownandMiriam Lezak

This fall brings a number of changes to Acton’s economic landscape. Here are the changes that we know about. Long anticipated, TJ Maxx moves to Littleton TJ Maxx and HomeGoods in Acton Plaza has finally closed its doors and moved up the road to The Point in Littleton. …

One year in, Wilde Garden is a local treasure

August 8, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

A little over a year ago, the space next to Acton Memorial Library that faces Town Hall was a weedy, rocky, empty lot, and an eyesore. Then, intrepid gardener and teen librarian Chris Bushie had an idea. What if that unattractive space became a native garden? Not only…

Hold it! Acton Memorial Library bathroom renovation in progress

August 8, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

At the 2025 Town Meeting, the town voted to fund some updates to Acton Memorial Library, including much needed renovations to the main bathrooms on the first floor. The current bathrooms are not ADA-compliant, have some awkward design flaws, and smell moldy. The new bathrooms will make it…

One reader’s trash, every reader’s treasure

August 1, 2026

Greg JarboeandMiriam Lezak

If you have ever wondered what happens to a book before it becomes a book, on Saturday, July 25, you could buy your way into that secret at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore. The occasion was the bookstore’s annual ARC Sale. This is one of the most anticipated traditions…

My Dearest Friend: A play about letters and revolution

June 20, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

On June 15, the new Time Travel Theatrical Company presented “My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams” at Great Road Church in Acton. The play, written by Peter Manos, is based on the letters written by John and Abigail over the decades before, during, and…

A favorite spring event: The Madrigals Dinner returns

June 6, 2026

Franny OsmanandMiriam Lezak

The annual dinner-theatre evening of the Acton Boxborough Regional High School Madrigals singing group attracted not only parents and friends of present performers and alumni who used to be in the group, but fans of the angelic voices and people who just happened to hear about the dinner.…

Garden Club picks perfect day for Plant Sale

May 23, 2026

Ann Marie TestarmataandMiriam Lezak

It started weeks earlier, as Garden Club members tenderly nurtured plants in their gardens, then potted, labelled, and priced them. The night before, an army of members and volunteers sets up tents and tables and cover them with pink, finishing at sunset in the drizzle. Finally, the big…

Business Briefs: Jimmy John’s opens in Great Road Dunkin’s

May 23, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

May 16. For Acton-area sub sandwich fans, Acton has a new entry; a Jimmy John’s shop now shares space with Dunkin’s at 182 Great Road. Before the ribbon cutting, Select Board member David Martin read a citation from the town. Mark Pesce and his wife Megan own 63…

Music, dance, and color; Holi comes to the library

May 16, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

Holi, the Indian celebration of spring, revolves around music, dancing, and making sure that all of your friends are covered in color! Four years ago, long-time Acton librarian Anshu Sood thought that Acton needed its own Holi celebration. Since the first fete, Holi at the library has grown…

Final Election results are in; candidates speak out

May 9, 2026

Miriam LezakandThe Acton Exchange Team

On Tuesday, April 28, slightly over 12% of registered Acton voters went to the polls (or mailed in their ballots ahead of time, or dropped ballots by the end of voting day) to elect several new Town officers, as well as re-electing some incumbents. Wednesday, May 6 update:…

UPDATE 2: May 6, 2026: Final Election results

May 2, 2026

Miriam LezakandThe Acton Exchange Team

On Tuesday, April 28, slightly over 12% of registered Acton voters went to the polls (or mailed in their ballots ahead of time, or dropped ballots by the end of voting day) to elect several new Town officers, as well as re-electing some incumbents. Wednesday, May 6 update:…

UPDATE 2: May 6, 2026: Annual Town Meeting

May 2, 2026

Miriam LezakandKim Kastens

The May 9 edition of the Acton Exchange will carry detailed coverage of Town Meeting articles. The update below merely summarizes the outcome of each vote. Report from Day 2: May 5, Day 2 of 2026 Annual Town Meeting, opened with the presentation of the Joseph A. Lalli…

Preliminary Town Election results

April 29, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

On Tuesday, April 28, slightly over 12% of registered Acton voters went to the polls (or mailed in their ballots ahead of time, or dropped ballots by the end of voting day) to elect several new Town officers, as well as re-electing some incumbents. Note that these are…

It’s Town Election season. Here’s what you need to know.

April 4, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

Every spring, Acton voters elect several people to help run the Town, the Schools, and the Water District. Town Election Day this year is Tuesday, April 28. This year, there are three contested races: Many of the candidates have (or will have) websites with information, and yard signs…

Acton Library hosts annual library legislative breakfast

February 7, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

Legislative breakfasts provide a chance for library advocates to hear from their legislators about what the legislature is doing to advocate for libraries and what everyone else can do to help. On January 30, the Acton Memorial Library hosted the annual legislative breakfast for libraries in Acton, Sudbury,…

It’s election season in Acton. What you need to know.

January 31, 2026

by Miriam Lezak

While the snow covers the ground, daffodils and democracy are both doing the work they need in order to bloom this spring. Acton voters elect several people every spring to help run the town, the schools, and the Water District. The following offices are open this year. As…

Massachusetts’ best slicing tomato? It’s in Acton!

August 23, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

On Tuesday, August 19, Acton’s own Cucurbit Farm won first place in the Slicing Tomato category at the 40th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest held at the Boston Public Market. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association (NEVBGA),…

ICE agents take employee from Sorrento’s Pizzeria

August 9, 2025

Franny OsmanandMiriam Lezak

At lunchtime on Friday, August 1, an employee at Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Acton was taken by four masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The employee, Lucas Ribeiro Dos Passos, lives in Ayer, within State Representative Danillo Sena’s and State Senator Jamie Eldridge’s districts. The Brazilian native is…

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…