James Conboy

Java with John: Restaurants, revenue, road safety, and more

March 28, 2026

by James Conboy

March 30, Acton Senior Center: Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti began his monthly Java with John talk at the Senior Center by thanking Veterans’ Service Officer James McCrae for preparing breakfast prior to the meeting. The multi-course meal is only $3.00. He then went into a list of…

Make-a-Wish ski-a-thon: Local students strap ’em on for charity

March 7, 2026

by James Conboy

Feb. 28, Leo J. Martin Ski Track, Weston: Twenty-two cross-country skiers and their coaches from the combined Acton-Boxborough/Nashoba Valley team and Brookline High School team gathered on a balmier-than-usual night to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Foundation. The event was organized by Brookline’s coach,…

Complete streets plan: Parker St. area residents focus on biker, student safety

March 7, 2026

by James Conboy

Feb. 25, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Town Hall: Thirty-four residents from the Parker Street neighborhood in South Acton weighed in with their priorities on Acton’s plan to implement safety measures on the street from High Street to the railroad tracks. The town plans to complete Phase I this…

Emerson’s cardiac center: prevention, therapy, and group motivation

February 21, 2026

by James Conboy

Coinciding with National Cardiac Rehab Week and National Heart Month, the Acton Exchange sat for an interview last week with Ginny Dow, R.N., director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Emerson Hospital, and Leah Lesser, senior manager, marketing communications, in the brand new facility that replaced the old…

Emerson’s White House: With snow cleared, demo day arrives

February 21, 2026

by James Conboy

February 6, Emerson Hospital, Concord: Bitter cold temperatures didn’t stop Green Leaf Construction’s crew as they started demolition of the hospital’s century-old White House building to make room for the new and larger Emergency Department. (See the January 24 Acton Exchange about a tour of the current Emergency…

Cain lecture: While soldiers fight, civilians endure hunger, terror, and disease under Brits

February 7, 2026

by James Conboy

Jan. 28, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: Historian Alexander Cain, JD, tonight brought to light the typically untold stories of Boston’s civilians caught in the crossfire at the dawn of the American Revolution. Mr. Cain’s presentation, “I Screamed with All My Might”-The Civilians Trapped Behind the…

Boxborough Winterfest: Blue skies and deep snow serve up a perfect day

February 7, 2026

by James Conboy

Jan. 31, Steele Farm, Boxborough: Nobody at Boxborough’s annual Winterfest complained about the latest snowstorm, as it provided perfect conditions for tubing and sledding on a sunny day, with temps in the low 20’s. The snow banks did prevent parking at the farm this year, but the town…

Emerson: Flu patients fill E.R., but a bigger one is in the works

January 24, 2026

by James Conboy

Jan. 14, Emerson Hospital Emergency Department: On a tour of the hospital’s Emergency Department, the Exchange found fifteen of the total sixteen critical care rooms filled, mostly due to the surge of the flu virus (see the Jan. 18 Acton Exchange article that shows the increase in flu…

Nearby winter fun: A smooth surface suits skaters

January 10, 2026

by James Conboy

Jan. 3, Barker’s Pond, South Acton: Some enthusiastic skaters braved, or more likely embraced, the cold weather ushering in the new year, to play some pickup hockey games with their friends today. The recent snowfall was no obstacle, as residents Matt McDonald and his son Ryan worked hard…

Acton Fire Department lands $50,000 state grant for turnout gear, radio upgrades

December 20, 2025

by James Conboy

Dec. 12, North Acton Fire Station: A “Big Check” ceremony attended by local and state officials celebrated the awarding of $50,000 to upgrade the fire department’s emergency radio system, and replace fire turnout gear with non-PFAS equipment. The radio equipment will speed up response times and enable better…

ICE arrests: Acton responds with rallies, rights, and resources

November 15, 2025

by James Conboy

In the past year, the federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement Service (ICE), has had a presence in Acton, arresting, among others, people working at Sorrento’s Pizza, Dunkin’ on Main St., and residents of apartment complexes on Davis Road and Great Road. In a recent interview, Acton Select Board…

In his third visit, historian dives deeply into the American Revolution

October 11, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 30, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: A balky slide projector was no obstacle for a seasoned presenter like Bob Allison, as he breezed right into his talk, “Beyond the bridge, an Acton 250 lecture,” while technicians finally worked out the kinks. Dr. Allison, a Suffolk…

Oktoberfest: Sun-drenched Saturday sets the scene

October 4, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 27, Gardner Field, Acton: The annual West Acton Oktoberfest, sponsored by the West Acton Village Merchants Association (WAVMA), was thronged with people right after the 10:00 a.m. start, as residents of all ages took advantage of the beautiful, early-fall weather. Oktoberfest is a chance for many of…

Low-key gathering honors Kirk in Acton

September 27, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 21, Acton Center Common: On a warm, late-summer day, about sixty local people – from Acton, Bolton, and Carlisle – gathered near the Isaac Davis monument to honor slain Turning Point U.S.A. founder Charlie Kirk with candles and personal reflections. Many, much larger, vigils have been held…

New bus offers convenience, comfort for commuters

August 30, 2025

by James Conboy

Aug. 15, 495 Connector bus: A new, fare-free, north-south bus service run by the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority, or MWRTA, offers an alternative to the traditional Boston-bound transit long established by the MBTA in eastern Mass. As first mentioned in the Aug.10 issue, the service, launched on May…

Acton’s local transit, and a bargain bus on the scenic route

August 9, 2025

by James Conboy

Note: Based on comments from Laura Ducharme, Acton Community Services Director, the Acton Exchange has made corrections to this story. Actonians who travel car-free, either by choice or necessity, have several options in town for getting to work, medical appointments, stores, or the Senior Center, except on weekends…

Bugles Across America honors veterans and others

August 9, 2025

by James Conboy

Aug. 3, Acton Center common: For the fortieth consecutive month, Acton-area veterans and patriots conducted a short ceremony to honor veterans who gave the ultimate price for America. Dave Lunger led the thirteen attendees, who hailed from Acton, Carlisle, and Hudson, in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then…

Acton fetes Fourth with food, fireworks, and Thirty6 Red

July 12, 2025

by James Conboy

July 4, NARA Park, Acton. Whether fans arrived early for the music of Thirty6 Red, or later for just the fireworks, they were rewarded with perfect weather for Acton’s annual patriotic bash. But many might have found it to be worth the trip just for the food truck…

OARS’ annual meeting: Elections, volunteers honored, Acton scientist speaks, and a new use for beet juice?

July 5, 2025

by James Conboy

June 23, Pompositticut Community Center, Stow: A new slate of board members was elected tonight at the OARS annual meeting, emceed by Executive Director Matt Brown, and five members were honored for their volunteer work during the past year. (OARS is the Organization for the Assabet, Sudbury, and…

Bike share launch attracts crowd in East Acton

June 21, 2025

by James Conboy

On June 13, curious bikers gathered on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail at East Acton Village Green to learn about The Minuteman Regional Bike Share Program from representatives of the four host towns: Patricia Costa from Acton; Beth Williams and Alyssa Sandoval from Concord; Jennifer Curtin from Lincoln;…