For volunteer opportunities and other announcements not tied to a single specific time and date, you are in the right place here at the Bulletin Board. Please email your Bulletin Board announcements to bulletinboard@actonexchange.org. (For what’s happening today or tomorrow or on any specific day, see the Calendar. Or use the calendar menu item on the website. Please email your Calendar events to calendar@actonexchange.org.)
Recent government communiques
Acton’s Economic Development director wants to help you shop small and shop local this year by providing a list of Acton businesses. Yes, you might have to leave your house, but you’re also helping support your local economy!
From the Town:
From the Schools:
Feb. 27 Superintendent’s Update
Jan. 20 AB Forward Wellness Resources for Families
Help needed for Acton Exchange calendar
Do you have a couple of hours to spare during the week (any time!) Do you want to be the first to know what’s going on in town?
The Acton Exchange needs someone to help out with the Acton Exchange calendar!
We (the Exchange) get information for the calendar in a number of different ways: fully formatted calendar entries, requests to add events, and interesting events that we gather from other sources.
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to be a secondary calendar editor and publisher. In general, this will take 1 – 2 hours a week (although it can vary).
If you’re interested in being part of the Acton Exchange, this is a great way to get started!
Skills that you need:
- Comfortable with computers. Knowing something about WordPress is a plus; if you’ve ever used the Events Calendar plugin, then you are already a superstar!
- While we state that we publish events as-is, you will need to do a bit of editing.
- Willingness to reach out to folks who send us events. Sometimes, there are questions that we need to ask. You can always start with the calendar editor, but sometimes we need to contact the original sender to clarify things.
It’s not a huge task, but the current calendar editor would love a backup!
If you’re interested, send a note to calendar@actonexchange.org.
Gratefully, the Acton Exchange
Jewish Immigration to America
A Hebrew College class taught at Congregation Beth Elohim
Instructor: Rabbi Yoni Kadden
Dates: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23 Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Location in person at Congregation Beth Elohim: 133 Prospect St, Acton
Cost: $120. Financial aid available
Register and information: Hebrew College website
This course explores the history of Jewish immigration to the United States and the evolving relationship between Jewish communities and American society. Beginning with the early Jewish presence in New Amsterdam, the course examines why America came to be viewed as a “Land of Opportunity” for Jews. It then focuses on the major wave of Eastern European Jewish immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, analyzing the forces that drove migration and the reciprocal impact between Jewish immigrants and American culture, politics, and economy. The course concludes with an examination of the 1924 immigration restrictions and immigration during the Holocaust highlighting the moral, political, and social debates surrounding open and closed borders.
Family Game Night
AB STEAM invites K-12 students and their parents to play math games including Domino Math, Sudoku, Set, KenKen, and computer coding. Join the open house for fun, games and light refreshments. Entrance is free.
Where: Sargent Memorial Library, Route 111, Boxborough
When: Thursday, March 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by AB STEAM
Visit us at https://www.absteam.org/events or contact us at actonpip@gmail.com
Sound Journey for Kids
Relax, unwind, and spark creativity with soothing sounds and simple mindfulness. Join Lauren Vingiano, certified sound practitioner, for a magical sound journey for kids in 1st-6th grade.
Explore sound baths and the instruments used; gentle movement and breathing to release energy; 30 minutes of crystal bowls, chimes, rain sticks, shakers, and percussion instruments. There will be a short Q&A.
Where: Danny’s Place 543 Mass. Ave., Acton
When: March 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fee: $35.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3OvWa3K
To learn more about Lauren’s work, go to www.thesoundbathqueen.com
AB Track and Field junior high track clinic
Who: For athletes in grades 6-8
When: Thursday, March 12
6th Graders: 3:30-5:00 ($30); 7-8th Graders: 3:00-5:00 ($40)
Where: ABRHS lower gym
Great opportunity for potential future high school track athletes to learn from the existing athletes!
No prior experience needed.
How to Participate: Cash/Check/Venmo to be paid at start of clinic
Bring running shoes and a water bottle
To register, email abrhs.track@gmailcom
Household Goods 2026 Annual Meeting
Wednesday, March 11
7:00 p.m. at Household Goods: 530 Main Street, Acton
Please join us in person and meet our Board of Directors as we recap the highlights of our 35th anniversary year and take a look at what lies ahead. We hope you will be part of a community discussion to share your thoughts and ideas about furnishing the future.
Light refreshments will be served.
The meeting is free to attend, but please register here.
Acton Food Pantry Fundraiser
Tickets are now LIVE for the Acton Food Pantry Chef Challenge Fundraiser
Join us for a lively night of good food and entertainment and lend your support to the Acton Food Pantry at our signature fundraiser this year, Season of Change, held at The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton on April 14th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Our event features tastings from exceptional local chefs from The Barn at Gibbet Hill, Season to Taste, 80 Thoreau, Puritan & Company, Salt Box Kitchen, Adelita and Silver Girl. Renowned comedian Jimmy Tingle is our emcee, auctioneer, and entertainer for the evening!
An online auction is also part of this fundraising event, running from April 1-14 with over 100 items donated from area businesses and community members to bid on. In addition, Jimmy Tingle is overseeing a live auction for attendees only featuring weekends on Cape Cod and Vermont, sports tickets, and more! We are fortunate to have many generous businesses and individuals supporting the food pantry this year by sponsoring the event.
See our list of sponsors, auction items (coming soon) and other event information on our webpage www.chefchallenge.org.
Childcare Scholarships
The Town of Acton has dedicated $30,000 to offer a childcare subsidy program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
This new Childcare Subsidy Program is made possible through Article 5, approved at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting. The program is designed to reduce financial barriers by helping eligible families afford childcare while pursuing employment, education, training, or job search activities.
Eligible families may receive up to $2,000 per household to cover childcare or after-school care costs for children ages 13 and under. Funds may be used at DEEC-licensed childcare providers, the Acton Recreation “No School Days” program, or the Extended Day program through Community Education. Subsidies are available on a first-come, first-served basis to families with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Approved funds will be paid directly to the childcare provider. Applications opened January 20. To view the application, Click Here.
If you have questions about the program or application, please contact the Community Services Office at (978) 929-6651 or lducharme@actonma.gov.
Discovery Museum Scholarships
Discovery Museum has announced the 2026 Discovery Museum Scholarship program, which began in 2022 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Museum. The program will award four one-time $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors in Massachusetts who embody the mission and values of the museum.
“More than 6 million kids and their families have come through our doors over the past four decades to learn about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them, guided by their own creativity and natural curiosity,” said CEO Marie Beam. “The Discovery Museum Scholarship looks to celebrate young learners who embody the mission and values of the museum by supporting them on the next leg of their educational journeys, whatever that might be.”
All high school seniors residing in Massachusetts are eligible to apply. For one of the four awards, preference will be given to current or past employees or volunteers of the Museum. Award money can be used for any educational or developmental experience.
Video or written applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/DMScholarship2026 (applicants must log in to Google to apply) and must be received by March 15, 2026. Recipients will be notified in May.
Transfer Station Styrofoam Recycling
Recycle bulky styrofoam (polystyrene, #6 PS) at the Acton DPW beginning March 21 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. A transfer station sticker is required to participate. Visit actonma.gov/transfer or call (978) 929-7742 for more information.
First Episode of Our Tax Dollars at Work series on Acton TV
The Acton Microburst – Onset of Chaos – Episode 1 of Our Tax Dollars at Work is now available on demand at Acton TV. This five-part series, created by Acton residents Greg Jarboe, John Petersen, and Sahana Purohit, explores how Acton’s town services handle emergencies and how our tax dollars are put to work.
In the first episode, you’ll hear directly from Select Board member Dean Charter, Acton resident Sharon Tchon Gruet, Sergeant Keith Campbell of the Acton Police Department, Dispatch Supervisor Brendan Gray, Assistant Highway Superintendent Jason Kidder, and Tree Warden Ryan Hunt. Together, they walk us through how calls came in, how information flowed, and how crews made split-second decisions that protected residents and restored safety after the September 8, 2023 microburst that tore through Acton just as schools were letting out.
ActonAB Youth Softball Clinic Hosted by the AB varsity team and coaches
Join us on Sunday, March 22 at the Boardwalk School gymnasium, 71-5 Spruce St.
Grades K-3 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Grades 4-7 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Youth coaches and parents are encouraged to stay and learn about some of the drills the varsity team uses!
Please bring any softball equipment you have.
To register or for more information, email: COACH@ABSCHOOLS.ORG.
Acton Community Ed enriches summer
Community Ed offers a wide variety of programs during the summer. Our Summer Day Program (SDP) is offered Monday-Friday from 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. with the option to enroll in morning and afternoon extended hours. The program is open to students who will enter Grades 1-6 in August 2026 and who are registered to attend school in the Acton-Boxborough district. You can learn more about the Summer Day Program and register online via our SDP page.
We also offer a wide variety of half- and full-day programs. Information regarding our other offerings will be posted when we know the space that will be available for Summer 2026.
Sign up for our email list to get regular updates about upcoming classes and summer offerings when they are posted, or reach out to us at ceregistrar@abschools.org with any questions.
Household Goods
Can you help people in need make a home?
We urgently need volunteers to help in a number of ways:
Thursday and Saturday afternoons help is greatly needed to load furniture onto our clients’ trucks. Haven’t volunteered yet? Sign up for a new volunteer orientation. Find out more or register here.
Assembly Required! We have received a large load of unassembled, flat pack credenzas and cabinets. If assembly skills are your superpower, please join us for one or more of our upcoming flat pack assembly parties. New volunteers are welcome and attending a volunteer orientation session is not required.
For more information, please go to: https://www.householdgoods.org/volunteering/
Pop in at the Prom Pop-up
The Acton Boxborough Resource Center, located at 15 Charter Road, is currently hosting a Prom Pop-up. Dresses of many different styles and sizes, suits, shoes, and jewelry are all available for your prom-going pleasure. Everything is free!
Open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 p.m.
For more information email abrc@abccompass.org or call (978) 245-7665.
Acton Sustainability Office
The mission of the Sustainability Office is to pursue and promote actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure and spaces, enhance nature-based solutions, and advance the community towards a clean and equitable energy future. The office was created in response to the Town Meeting resolution declaring a “Climate Emergency: A Better Future Starting Now,” passed on September 8, 2020, with an overwhelming margin of support.
The Sustainability Office works closely with Energize Acton, a collaboration between the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town that works to bring net Town-wide carbon emissions to zero as quickly as possible, with a target date of 2030.
Are you subscribed to our monthly newsletter? Please click here to subscribe or email sustainability@actonma.gov to be added to the email list. Click here to view past Newsletters.
Visit us at: https://www.acton-ma.gov/723/Sustainability
Care of air source heat pumps in winter
Advice from Select Board Member and Energy Coach David Martin
Ice out of heat pumps — What you need to know
If you have a cold climate heat pump, the outdoor units are installed on racks, usually about 15″ off the ground, to keep them above fallen snow. However, when a heavy snowfall reaches the bottom of the outdoor unit, it may interfere with drainage, causing ice build-up and reducing efficiency.
Protecting your heat pump
It’s important to clear snow away so that it doesn’t touch the outdoor unit. Avoid touching the fins on the back of the unit, and don’t pull ice off of them. Only use a broom or plastic shovel around the unit to prevent accidental damage.
Why you might need to clear your heat pump
Cold climate heat pumps go through defrost cycles when the outdoor coils become covered with frost. The defrost cycle works by running in reverse with the indoor fan off for a few minutes to heat up the outdoor coils. Outdoor units also have a heated base pan, which prevents the water from refreezing at the bottom of the coils. When everything works well, water just drips onto the ground, where it can drain away or harmlessly refreeze on the ground.
Student volunteer opportunity with Office of Economic Development
The Office of Economic Development is offering a volunteer opportunity for students interested in supporting a survey project in partnership with the Economic Development Committee (EDC). The project will gather feedback from local business owners to better understand their needs, challenges, and priorities within Acton’s business community. Volunteers will gain hands-on experience learning about the local business environment, engaging directly with business owners, and contributing to the development, implementation, and analysis of the survey, as well as helping in the draft of a final report on the Acton business community. For information, reach out to the Office of Economic Development at (978) 929-6516.
Applications being accepted for McManus Manor affordable housing lottery in Acton
Affordable Elderly (62+) and People with Developmental Disabilities Rental Opportunity
~ McManus Manor ~
Acton, MA 01720
Occupancy is estimated to begin July 2026.
The Chelmsford Housing Authority is handling the applications for the lottery. Applications for income-eligible applicants became available Jan. 5, 2026.
Completed applications must be received or postmarked by April 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in care of the Chelmsford Housing Authority (CHA), 10 Wilson St., Chelmsford, 01824 (M-F 8:30-4:30). Phone: 978-256-7425, ext.10 or lottery@chelmsfordha.com.
The information packet contains eligibility requirements, selection priority categories, and application process for forty-one (41) affordable apartments being offered for rent in Acton through a lottery process. Potential applicants are encouraged to read the packet and submit an application if they think they meet the eligibility requirements. Please note that the lottery is the first step in the application process; should you be selected as a winner in the lottery, you are not automatically assured a unit, as verification of financial claims made in the application must take place. Please see the list of information sessions below. Attendance at the Informational Session is not required for participation in the lottery.
McManus Manor is 100% affordable housing. There are twenty-five (25) units at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or below. There are five (5) units for income eligible households earning at or below 50% AMI as defined by HUD and eleven (11) for income eligible households earning at or below 30% AMI. Eight (8) will have project-based Section 8 vouchers and residents in these units will only pay 30% of their income in rent. There are also eight (8) Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) vouchers in the building and residents in these units will also only pay 30% of their income in rent. There are four (4) units that are ADA accessible for mobility and two (2) units designed for sensory accessibility. All units have been designed to be universally acceptable, and the building will follow Passive House requirements for sustainable design.
Applications are available in person at the following accessible locations:
- Chelmsford Housing Authority, 10 Wilson Street, Chelmsford, MA, 01824 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
- Acton Housing Authority, 68 Windsor Ave. (Mon-Thur 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m.-12 n).
- Acton Town Hall, 472 Main St. (Mon, Wed,Thurs 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Tues 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m.-12 n).
- Acton Memorial Library 486 Main St. (Mon, Wed-Thurs 9:00 am-8:00 p.m., Tues 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sun 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.).
- West Acton Citizens’ Library 21 Windsor Ave. (Mon 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Tues-Fri 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
- Acton Senior Center 30 Sudbury Rd, Acton (Mon, Wed,Thur 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Tues 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m.-12 n).
They are available by mail by calling (978) 256-7425 x10/TTY/TDD (800) 439-2370, via email at lottery@chelmsfordha.com, and at the website: www.chelmsfordha.com.
Persons with disabilities who may require a reasonable accommodation in obtaining or completing an application may call the CHA to make special arrangements.
Editor’s note: The Acton Exchange reported more fully on this housing opportunity in the Jan. 18 issue.
Weekly Pickleball community social events
When:Every Saturday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Acton Racquet Club (Court #6), 10 Granite Rd.
Email: paddleuppickledown@gmail.com
TeamReach Code (iPhone and Android): Paddle-002
Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or perfecting your serve, we have a spot for you! Join our weekly pickleball social clinics at the Acton Racquet Club. Hold your spot here.
For more information, email paddleuppickledown@gmail.com or connect with us on the Team Reach app (iPhone and Android) with code Paddle-002.
