250 years ago there were about 700 people living in Shirley. At that time, most of them were farmers. Others who owned a small mill or a small store would probably also have some farmland. In March of 1776, the Massachusetts legislature asked all towns in the colony to officially debate and record their thoughts on the matter of independence. The citizens of Shirley would have gathered in the building we now call the Historic Meeting House in Shirley Center. That is where they met on Sundays for worship services and on other days to discuss town business. (Actually, only the white, property-owning men would be allowed to vote at town meetings.) On June 27, 1776, a meeting was called in Shirley. Exactly 250 years later, on Saturday evening June 27, 2026, Shirley townspeople gathered in those very same pews, in a reenactment of that meeting, to debate whether “It sometimes becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.” Every Massachusetts town was requested by the Provincial Congress to “Vote on the momentous subject of Independence, asking if they will support with their lives and fortunes the actions of the honorable Continental Congress.” The question was – “Should said Congress, for the safety of the Colonies, declare themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain?” As part of the 2026 evening’s program, some participants argued for independence, being angered by the taxes, rules, and restrictions laid on them by parliament, with no consideration for the needs and wants of the colonists. Other participants explained their opposite views. Families that still had property and relatives in England and were loyal to the monarchy did not want to lose that connection. Shopkeepers and other small business people got much of their merchandise and many of their raw materials from Great Britain. Their finances would suffer greatly if the country were left on its own. Unlike America, Britain had abolished slavery and Africans were welcome to join their army. Other Loyalists believed that any war with Britain would be lost before it even started. As a result, some New Englanders moved to Canada or back to Britain and some even joined the British army. However, in Shirley, the final vote was in the affirmative. Their response was sent to Boston along with 59 other towns. Then, the Massachusetts intentions were sent to their representatives in Philadelphia and on July 4, 1776 the vote was finalized. “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” In Shirley in June of 2026, Tim Recko read the Declaration in full which many audience members heard for the very first time. 250 years ago, it took several days to get a copy of the signed Declaration to the state capitals. The Massachusetts copy arrived on July 15th, 1776 and Shirley received their copy on July 18th. Those present at the June 17, 2026 program were given the chance to add their names below the famous document. Folks who attend the Shirley Concerts on the Common will be able to come to the 250th table and add their names.

By Melissa Schrock Registration will open June 19 for boys and girls in grades 3–8. Registration will close Aug. 19. Players are placed on skill-level-appropriate teams. The season will run from Sept. 12 to Nov. 8. Practices are scheduled on two weeknights, with games held Saturdays at the Wilde Road fields in Shirley from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If new uniforms are needed, the cost is $40. Players must bring their own cleats and shin guards. For more information or to register, visit the Shirley Recreation Commission website at Shirley Recreation Commission.

By Sherry Anders At the Groton Town Meeting on May 2nd, an article to appropriate $752,500 to fund the repair of the Squannacook River Dam was placed before voters. The article required a two-thirds majority vote to pass. It failed with 125 votes in the affirmative and 182 in the negative. Included in the article was language that would have allowed special legislation to be filed to pursue a taking of the Shirley half of the dam, which is privately owned but currently in tax title. Those in favor of the repair advocated for the preservation of the mill pond and dam as historic relics of Groton’s mill history, uniquely contributing to the character of West Groton. Concern was also expressed about what would happen to the existing ecology in the pond and oxbow. Environmental advocates echoing the consensus position of regional environmental organizations argued, however, that the ecological benefits of removing the obsolete structure outweighed these concerns. Liability considerations came to the fore when a question regarding insurance was posed to Groton Town Manager Mark Haddad, who replied: “There is no insurance. We cannot get insurance on the dam, so we assume 100% liability.” The dam is classified as “High Hazard,” indicating that failure would likely result in loss of life and serious damage to homes, buildings, or other structures – a heavy risk for a town to shoulder. Bruce Easom, who serves on both the Groton Conservation Commission and the Community Preservation Committee, called attention to another serious problem. The article called for $133,000 of the total funds requested to be appropriated from the Community Preservation Fund Historic Reserve. The requirements of the Office of Dam safety, however, would require changes to the dam that would not adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, putting the funding at risk. With a clear “no” on the repair, what comes next? The Town of Groton has sent a letter expressing a commitment to remove the dam to the State’s Department of Ecological Restoration (DER). This expression of commitment is required for DER’s assistance in seeking the permitting and funding to catalyze removal, a process that is likely to take 2-3 years before the removal can actually begin.

By Katie Aponte The Ayer Shirley Regional High School girls’ track and field team captured the MIAA Division 6 State Championship this past weekend, delivering one of the strongest all-around performances in program history. The Panthers were led by two individual state champions. Lorelai Levy won the 100-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 15.20 seconds, while Roxanne McKenzie claimed the 100-meter dash title in 12.41 seconds. Both athletes added crucial points that helped secure the overall team victory. Ayer Shirley also earned a state title in the 4×100 meter relay, with J’Aliyah Mayes, Roxanne McKenzie, Abby Stull, and Lauren Gaudet racing to first place in 49.94 seconds, setting a new school record. Mayes added to the team’s medal count with a second-place finish in the long jump, marking her second silver of the meet. Following their championship performance, the Panthers returned home to a police escort back to the high school, where they were greeted by a welcoming crowd of families, friends, and supporters. Cheers, signs, and applause filled the parking lot as the community celebrated the team’s historic achievement. The championship reflects the depth, determination, and teamwork of the entire roster, with strong contributions across sprints, hurdles, relays, and field events. Congratulations to the Panthers on an outstanding state championship performance.

By Janet Tice Long-time Shirley resident Dave Swain has been appointed as Shirley Water District Commissioner, replacing Milton Westover, who passed away in March. He joins existing Commissioners Butch Farrar and Kevin Johnston on the SWD three-member board. At the SWD Annual Meeting on May 6, the commissioners invited anyone interested in filling the open position to submit a letter of interest and promised to make their selection by month-end. In spite of its name, the Shirley Water District isn’t part of Shirley’s town government. Rather, it is an independent governmental body administered by a board of three “commissioners” who function much as a Select Board does for a town. According to SWD bylaws, the existing board can appoint a new commissioner to fill an open position, with the appointee serving until the next election, in this case, in May 2027. I asked Dave to tell us a bit about himself, his family, and what led to his interest in becoming a Water District Commissioner. The story is a long one, beginning 39 years ago when he and his wife Dorry moved to Shirley, shortly after getting married. They were raised in the area and wanted to live in a community similar to where they grew up. Their two children, now adults, both went through the Shirley/Ayer school systems. Once settled in Shirley, Dave started donating time and effort in support of the Shirley community, a habit that has continued to this day. Early on, he joined the Finance Committee, where he served for 10-plus years, assuming the role of chairperson four times. During this period, he mastered the ins and outs of municipal finance and, with his fellow committee members, worked to present balanced budgets to the Town during what he describes as “some very difficult budget times.” After stepping down from the Finance Committee, Dave was elected as an Assessor and served a two-year term. He resigned after being elected to the Select Board, where he served for nine years. During his tenure, the Select Board worked to eliminate the “structural deficit” the Town was incurring on a regular basis. According to Dave, the Board “increased the revenue the Town received, for example, by selling surplus property like the old Town Hall and Library buildings on Lancaster Road and putting them back on the tax rolls.” Following his stint on the Select Board and a well-deserved hiatus, Dave was next appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, where he is now serving his second term. His tenure has spanned the challenging period during which the ZBA successfully worked through Shirley’s first 40B development on Benjaman Road and embarked on its second, still in the planning stages (on Parker Road at the intersection with Great Road). And, as if the ZBA weren’t enough, Dave is currently serving his second term as a member of the Shirley Sewer Commission and also sits on the Shirley Meeting House Board of Directors. So why the Water District? Dave’s answer was simple and convincing: “I felt my background in municipal finance would be an asset to the Commissioners. Plus, my knowledge of the sewer system would be an added bonus I could bring to the SWD.” In conclusion, Dave summarized what he hopes to accomplish as a Water District Commissioner: “There are numerous challenges we are facing, including increasing Department of Environmental Protection requirements, the ongoing drought situation, increasing water demands of current users and new development, and ongoing upkeep of the infrastructure. I’m looking forward to working with the other Commissioners, SWD staff, and the residents of Shirley to meet these challenges.”

By Jeanette Wade Brooke Wade has been playing soccer on teams since she was 5 years old: Shirley Recreation, Ayer/Shirley League, Middle School, High School, and New England Revolution Striker’s League. Last year and again this year, Brooke has made the New England Revolution’s Unified team, which has a long-standing partnership with Special Olympics of Massachusetts. The team brings together athletes with disabilities for soccer training and competition with non-disabled player partners to promote inclusion. They play in professional settings at Gillette Stadium and travel to play in matches. Built in partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts and the Arbella Insurance Group, the Revolution Unified roster features athletes and Unified partners, selected through tryouts led by The New England Revolution Academy coaches and supported by New England Revolution first team players. The roster consists of between 16-19 members (athletes and partners) who compete against other Major League Soccer (MLS) Unified teams. Brooke credits her experience last year with developing leadership skills both on and off the field and the climate of inclusion and community in a professional soccer setting has inspired her to try out and she was selected to join the team again. Last Year Shirley recreation offered discounted passes to see a New England Revolution first team game that was followed by the Rev’s Unified team to witness even more incredible Revolution athletes take the pitch in the spirit of unity, inclusion, and community. The team hosts an annual “Bowl for a Goal” fundraiser each summer at Gilette Stadium where you can meet New England Revolution first team players and the Unified team in a night of fun. The fundraiser has raised over $700K to benefit the Unified team and SOMA programs. Check the New England Revolution’s website for more details. 

By Rebecca A. Boucher Summer is fast approaching and the Benjamin Hill Park Committee has been busy getting the pool and grounds ready to open for the season on Memorial Day weekend. Our plan is to open the pool Saturday May 23, 2026. Beginning on that date the pool will be open weekends only; once the schools are out for the summer, the pool will be open daily. The pool is a busy place all summer. Many area summer camps and child care centers visit our pool. Weekday mornings are when most of our swimming lessons take place. Seven one-week sessions are available beginning on Monday, June 22. Swim lesson registration forms are available online and include class level descriptions so parents can choose the best fit for their child. Open swim hours for family, individual and senior memberships and daily users are 1 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. Membership applications are available online. Daily users are $12 per person per day. Please be sure to read through our 2026 Pool Operations and Rules as this document explains everything you need to know before you come to the pool. On weeknights, the pool is used for practice by the Penguins Swim Team. (Contact the Shirley Recreation Committee for more information about joining the team.) The pool facilities can be rented for parties on weekend mornings and Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. The party rental form is also available online. Party times fill up quickly so don’t delay if you’re planning to book the pool for a party. You can find all our forms and detailed information about the pool online at www.shirley-ma.gov/bhp.  We look forward to seeing you all make a splash this summer! Rebecca Boucher is a 16-year resident of Shirley. An active mother of three employed in the property valuation field, she is also a member of the Benjamin Hill Park Committee and the Shirley Meeting House Board of Directors.

Shirley Christian Fellowship welcomed their new pastor, Rev. Dr. Kathy Harwood, in an inspiring installation service hosted at their church at 3 Harvard Road in Shirley, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The ceremony, attended by members, guests, and regional clergy, marked a significant moment in the life of the congregation as it welcomed Rev. Dr. Harwood into spiritual leadership. Pastor Paul McPheeters, Northeast Regional Pastor for the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC), and Pastor Nick Granitsas, Pastor of the Greater Boston Area for the CCCC, took part in the service. A central part of the ceremony was the Charge to the Church, delivered by Pastor Granitsas. The congregation was asked to affirm their commitment to receive and support Rev. Dr. Harwood as their pastor, to faithfully encourage her, and to uphold her leadership in the ministry of God’s Kingdom. The congregation responded with resounding affirmations, pledging to provide for her and her family, and to embrace her pastoral authority as she teaches and practices biblical principles. Pastor McPheeters followed with the Charge to the Pastor, inviting Rev. Dr. Harwood to publicly covenant with the people of Shirley Christian Fellowship. The exchange emphasized mutual accountability, unity, and the sacred responsibilities of both pastor and congregation. More information about the church in general can be found on the website at www.shirleychurch.org.