Environment

Board of Health meeting recap: Wastewater woes continue

June 6, 2026

The wastewater disposal systems at 248 – 270 Great Road, known as Gould’s Plaza, have been on the Acton Board of Health’s radar for many months now. As previously reported, the shopping plaza is located within Zone 1 and Zone 2 groundwater protection zones. The site is served by seven separate subsurface sewage disposal systems (SSDS), one of which is in failure. At their April 14 meeting, the Board voted to issue a notice of noncompliance and call for a show cause hearing to address why a total facility system upgrade should not be required. The Board’s position is that,…

The AB Farmers Market: 17 years of fresh food, music, art, and fun

June 6, 2026

by David Gerratt

In 2008, a handful of committed local residents got together to talk about creating a farmers market for the towns of Acton and Boxborough. They brainstormed, created policies, brought volunteers on board, negotiated with the Town of Acton for space and support, and reached out to local vendors.…

New solar array generates energy and interest

May 30, 2026

by David D. Martin

On May 6, 2026, about 40 people attended a ribbon-cutting for a solar energy array that has been constructed on a portion of the W. R. Grace Superfund Site in South Acton. The facility was jointly developed by Syncarpha Capital and Renewable Energy Massachusetts (REM). Pride in the…

Northeast Massachusetts worsens to critical drought as rainfall and streamflow continue to decline

May 30, 2026

by Kim Kastens

On May 22, MA Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 3: Critical Drought for the Northeast Drought Management Region, which includes Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties. The designation follows years of below-average rainfall and declining streamflow across the state, signaling worsening drought conditions…

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…

Acton Nature Watch: Flower Moon (April 17 – May 15, 2026)

May 23, 2026

by Rob Gogan

April April 16: A dozing FISHER awakens on a wooden platform in N. Acton and walks into the woods. April 17: MAGNOLIA trees flower on Windsor Avenue. April 20: DAFFODIL blooms peak in W. Acton yard. April 21: Invasive GARLIC MUSTARD yearling plants start to form flower buds…

New high school garden: Stress relief is just steps away

May 23, 2026

by James Conboy

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School: A new student-inspired garden might provide the perfect recipe for easing out of a stress-filled day and, at the same time, grow tasty produce and herbs. The Student Wellness Committee came up with the idea of a garden to help students de-stress after the…

Acton Power Choice “standard” price and renewable energy content to decrease

May 16, 2026

by Jim Snyder-Grant

On Friday, May 9, 2026, the Town of Acton announced changes in the default level of the Town’s group electricity buying program, known as the standard tier of Acton Power Choice. The price at this tier is dropping from 16.031¢/kWh to 15.372¢/kWh, and the tier is dropping the…

Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints, May 2026

May 16, 2026

Judy DembseyandAnn Marie Testarmata

Hooray! It’s May! The tulips and daffodils have bloomed. The lilacs are showing their colors, and gardeners all over Acton and the region are thinking about where they will plant the treasures they found at the Acton Garden Club Annual Plant Sale on May 16. Here are a…

Earth Day tour of Boardwalk School campus highlights energy-saving features

May 9, 2026

by Kim Kastens

On Earth Day, April 22, approximately 30 curious townspeople toured energy-conserving elements of the Acton-Boxborough (AB) Boardwalk Campus, learning about the systems that make it possible for this building to consume far less energy than other schools of similar capacity, and thus emit less planet-warming carbon pollution. The…

Acton comes together for a cleaner, greener community

May 2, 2026

by Susan Greene

Each spring around Earth Day, residents of Acton roll up their sleeves for a shared purpose: keeping their community clean, healthy, and resilient. This year’s Acton Clean-Up Week continued a tradition that has grown steadily over the past two decades, bringing neighbors together not just to pick up…

Voters at Water District Special District Meeting authorize $9.6 million budget

April 25, 2026

by Kim Kastens

On Wednesday, April 22, sixty-three voters filled the equipment garage at the Acton Water District [AWD, District] headquarters for a Special District Meeting, and voted decisively to approve a FY27 [fiscal year 2027] expense budget of $9,578,431. The Special District Meeting was necessary because, as reported by the…

Acton Garden Club Horticultural Hints, April 2026

April 18, 2026

Judy DembseyandAnn Marie Testarmata

It’s been quite a winter and quite a spring! We thought spring would never come, with snowflakes a week ago and now, a week later, 70 degrees and a taste of summer. The daffodils and forsythia have finally decided to emerge. Stop and visit the Daffodil Hill and…

Acton wins Community Climate Impact Award

April 18, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

During the MassEnergize Community Climate Leaders Conference in early April, Acton was recognized as a “community, team, or organization whose leadership has made a meaningful difference in advancing climate action at the local level.” MassEnergize said that “through dedication, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to their community, the…

Acton Nature Watch: Pink Moon March 19-April 16, 2026

April 18, 2026

by Rob Gogan

March Mar. 16: On Acton’s first “Big Night,” a YELLOW SPOTTED SALAMANDER safely crosses Fort Pond Road under escort by an Amphibian Crossing Brigade volunteer. Mar. 24: A CEDAR WAXWING flock of 25 birds swarms CRABAPPLE trees between the Silver Unicorn and the Mobil gas station. Mar. 25:…

UPDATED: Water District Commissioners set April 22 for Special District Meeting to vote on budget — probably with a higher price tag

April 11, 2026

by Kim Kastens

UPDATE April 15, 2026: At a joint meeting of the AWD Commissioners and FinCom on April 13, the Commissioners finalized the budget to be voted on at the Special District Meeting on April 22. The bottom line of the expenses budget is $9,568,431, and the details of the…

Nuclear Metals Inc. superfund site update: restoration and remediation

April 11, 2026

by Ron Parenti

At an evening meeting on April 2 held virtually and at Concord Town House, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Project Manager Kara Nierenberg, EPA’s community involvement coordinator Charlotte Gray, and the de maximis project coordinator Bruce Thompson, provided a 90-minute progress update on the Nuclear Metals…

A revolutionary roaster

April 4, 2026

by Nancy Knoblock Hunton

For decades, George Howell has been at the forefront of a revolution to transform coffee from a commodity into a craft. Today, his influence stretches from his small roastery on School Street in Acton to coffee farms around the world. Howell’s search for the best beans has taken…

Conservation Trust members honor Terry Maitland and pet the softest animal in the world

April 4, 2026

by Leona Burgess

On Sunday, March 15, the Acton Conservation Trust (ACT) drew over one hundred conservation enthusiasts and animal lovers to Acton Town Hall for their 2026 annual meeting. Each year ACT provides a recap of recent activities, conducts a brief members’ meeting that elects new officers, awards the annual…

Acton Sustainability Office outlines cost-saving energy and waste options for renters

April 4, 2026

by Susan Greene

The Town of Acton Sustainability Office hosted a virtual information session for renters on March 26, outlining ways to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability, and access local resources. Andrea Becerra, sustainability director for the Town of Acton, described renter-friendly options for advancing environmental sustainability in Acton. She said…

Q&A with 2026 candidates for Water District Commissioner

April 4, 2026

by Kim Kastens

This year, there are two candidates running for the position of Commissioner of the Acton Water District (AWD, the District): John Petersen and Stephen Stuntz. This post contains the candidates’ answers to questions prepared by the Green Acton Water Committee. The Acton Water District is an independent government…

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Environment

Board of Health meeting recap: Wastewater woes continue

The AB Farmers Market: 17 years of fresh food, music, art, and fun

New solar array generates energy and interest

Northeast Massachusetts worsens to critical drought as rainfall and streamflow continue to decline

Garden Club picks perfect day for Plant Sale

Acton Nature Watch: Flower Moon (April 17 – May 15, 2026)

New high school garden: Stress relief is just steps away

Acton Power Choice “standard” price and renewable energy content to decrease

Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints, May 2026

Earth Day tour of Boardwalk School campus highlights energy-saving features

Acton comes together for a cleaner, greener community

Voters at Water District Special District Meeting authorize $9.6 million budget

Acton Garden Club Horticultural Hints, April 2026

Acton wins Community Climate Impact Award

Acton Nature Watch: Pink Moon March 19-April 16, 2026

UPDATED: Water District Commissioners set April 22 for Special District Meeting to vote on budget — probably with a higher price tag

Nuclear Metals Inc. superfund site update: restoration and remediation

A revolutionary roaster

Conservation Trust members honor Terry Maitland and pet the softest animal in the world

Acton Sustainability Office outlines cost-saving energy and waste options for renters

Q&A with 2026 candidates for Water District Commissioner

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