People - Page 3

A bald smiling man wearing a police uniform.

Police Chief James Cogan to retire after 42 years

February 28, 2026
Police Chief James Cogan announced his intention to retire from a more than 42-year career with the Acton Police Department on March 27, leaving a department that has grown by leaps and bounds since he first pinned on a badge. Chief Cogan took an oath and joined the Acton Police Department in 1984, when officers still carried billy clubs and used pen and paper to write reports. Billy clubs gave way to pepper spray and tasers over the decades. Chief Cogan never used any of them and never fired his firearm in the course of his duties. Instead, he relied…
A man wearing a suit and tie stands at a podium. He is presenting an award to a young woman dressed in a t-shirt and sneakers.

Lifeguard saves five-year-old, wins honors

July 5, 2024
Alison Mammola, a nineteen-year-old lifeguard, was honored in Acton Town Hall by local and state officials today for her quick thinking and outstanding bravery in saving a drowning 5-year-old boy on Sunday, June 23, 2024. In the spacious Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, over one hundred people participated in…
A smiling man and woman stand together. The woman is proudly holding a certificate.

Linda Vieira receives Portuguese Heritage Award

July 5, 2024
Linda Vieira of Acton received a Portuguese Heritage Award at the Heritage Day of Portugal celebration, hosted on June 11 by the Massachusetts Portuguese American Legislative Caucus in the House of Representatives Chamber. Representative Danillo Sena presented the award. Vieira, a resident of Acton and dedicated advocate for…
Two women on a cricket pitch. One is batting, and one is standing behind the wicket (similar to a baseball batter and catcher, but different).

Women’s Cricket in Acton

June 21, 2024
“Batters”, “score runs”, “gloves”, “balls”. You’d think it’s a baseball game being played in Acton on Saturday mornings, but you’d be wrong. Add to these familiar terms, “overs”, “bowlers” and “openers”, and you know it’s all about cricket at Jones Field from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The…
A man wearing a green polo shirt stands in front of a screen at the Acton Memorial Library. The screen shows a picture of the Edwards house from many years ago.

A fresh look at an old Acton home

June 21, 2024
Monday evening, June 9th brought MIT Professor and Acton resident, David Hardt, to the Acton 250 Committee with a highly detailed and engrossing look into the ownership, construction, and history of one of Acton’s oldest homes. The Edwards house, located at 328 Pope Road on the Concord border,…
Two women pose proudly. The mom is smiling broadly and the daughter has her arm over her mother's shoulders. She's wearing the Minuteman blue and gold cap and gown.

High School Graduations, 2024

June 14, 2024
AB High School Class of 2024 graduation goes off without a hitch Students, families and friends gathered on Leary Field on June 7 to celebrate the 407 member Acton-Boxborough Regional High School graduating class of 2024. Principal Joanie Dean recognized graduating students for their resiliency, compassion and positivity,…
A group of people stand in a room with blue and silver balloons in the background. A woman stands in the middle of the group holding a large certificate from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A small boy is beginning to leave the crowd and walk towards the photographer.

Acton Housing Authority’s executive director retires

June 14, 2024
Kelley Cronin, Acton Housing Authority’s Executive Director retired June 7 after 19 years with the Authority. In recognition of this milestone, Nancy Kolb, chair of the Acton Housing Authority, shared these recollections with the Acton Exchange: Kelley first worked for the City of Boston Mayor’s Office and then…
A group of people in Colonial garb stand at attention at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Acton plans Memorial Day parade and ceremonies on May 27

May 24, 2024
The Town of Acton’s Department of Veterans’ Services and the Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee are organizing the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies scheduled for Monday, May 27th. This year’s parade will take place in West Acton, leaving the Gates School at 10 a.m. sharp and proceeding along…
Badge icon representing Boards and Committees

Select Board honors volunteers of the year

May 24, 2024
Town Manager John Mangiaratti and the Select Board hosted a May 16th ceremony at the Acton Memorial Library where each Select Board member announced the honoree that they had nominated as a 2024 Colonel Francis Faulkner Sr. Exemplary Volunteer of the Year. This year’s honorees were: Janet Adachi,…
A tall man stands next to a screen. The screen shows a picture of two astronauts on a space walk. The image is labeled "What's a Nice Jewish Boy Doing in a Place Like This?"

Astronaut lands in Acton

May 16, 2024
What mother doesn’t want her child to grow up to be an astronaut? We learned this on Sunday May 12 (Mother’s Day) at Congregation Beth Elohim when Astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman presented his documentary Space Torah to an audience of about 50 congregants and community members. Dr. Hoffman…
A group of adults stand on a church dias, looking like they are ready to burst into song.

Acton Community Chorus celebrates 40 years

May 7, 2024
“I always come away from rehearsal feeling centered and connected. It’s a much needed joy!” — Stacey Charbonneau “I sing to connect with all family and friends, past and present, with whom I have raised my voice in joy, protest, sadness and hope.” — Diana Wasserman “When we…

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