Miriam Lezak

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…

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…