10+ Things to Do This Week In Tewksbury

Tewksbury Families for Recreation launch petition drive; register of deeds candidate makes his case

On Saturday, former Lowell Mayor and current city councilor Sokhary Chau, above left, was in town, addressing the Tewksbury Democratic Town Committee before dropping in at local bakery La Vita Dolce for a cannoli. Chau is a candidate for Northern Middlesex County Register of Deeds, a position that covers 10 towns, including Tewksbury. Our current longtime Register, Dick Howe, is retiring this year. Chau will be on the Mass. primary ballot in September.

Last week we reported that Town Manager Richard Montuori issued an RFP for a third-party provider to relaunch the town’s recreation program and planned to forego adding a recreation staff salary to the FY25 budget. The Tewksbury Families for Recreation group is asking for residents’ help persuading Montuori and the Select Board that a recreation coordinator position should, in fact, be funded.

A letter to Montuori and the Select Board argued that a recreational coordinator could run town events and activities including the tree lighting, Fall Festival, Memorial Day observance and Fourth of July celebration while facilitating relationships with any vendors signed with the town through the RFP and seeking out and applying for grant funding opportunities related to recreation.

Interested residents can sign a petition to make their opinions known on the group’s website.

This Thursday brings the second Winter Community Market at the Senior Center. Many popular vendors will have booths in the big hall.

Monday, Jan. 22

Wellness Workshop: Facing Life Without a Driver’s License
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Most of us have had a driver’s license since we were in our teens. What happens when you can no longer drive and think, “What am I going to do now?” What will that look like for you, and what are your options? This workshop will address this important topic and offer insights on resources.

Shawsheen Tech Subcommittees
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Shawsheen Tech

The Shawsheen Tech Facilities/Capital Management Planning Subcommittee (agenda) and the Budget Subcommittee (agenda) meet after being snowed out last week.

Planning Board
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33)

The Planning Board has a full agenda. They expect to hear about a proposed two-story, 4,500 square foot retail cannabis outlet and offices at 1625 Andover St., between Wendy’s and Aroma Joe’s, and some changes to the approved Smyth outlet at 1695 Shawsheen. Proponents for Tewksbury Dental and 1167 – 87 Main St. are also on the agenda

Joe Leary in Concert: Acoustic Singer-Songwriters of the ’60’s & 70’s
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Enjoy Joe Leary’s solo acoustic guitar and vocal performances of music from singer-songwriters of the 60’s & 70’s, including James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Neil Young, and Gordon Lightfoot. The inspirations and background history of this musical era will be presented throughout the performance.

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Caregiver Peer Support Group
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

This and other COA support groups offer a supportive, confidential environment to talk with others in similar situations. Meetings are open and meet once or twice monthly. Caregivers can connect with others in the same position on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Find other groups in the newsletter.

School Committee Negotiating Subcommittee
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: TMHS LG1 or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (22) or Verizon (34)

This will be the second open collective bargaining session with the Tewksbury Teachers Association. Read about the first session here. Agenda

Lego Club
When: 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Library

Join Miss Kat for Lego Cub every other Wednesday night. We’ll provide the Legos, and you can build whatever you can dream up in sixty minutes. This program is intended for kids ages 6-11. No registration is required. 

Select Board
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33)

Sundaze will come back before the Select Board seeking the last of Tewksbury’s three retail cannabis licenses for 2504 Main St., while in a poetic twist, Sal’s Pizza will seek a common victualler license for an outlet at 1700 Shawsheen, in the Mobil. The board will also discuss putting an unexpired Board of Health term on the ballot. Agenda

Shawsheen Tech School Committee
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Shawsheen Tech or YouTube

The Shaw Tech School Committee will hear from four subcommittees and vote on its FY25 capital budget. Agenda

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Technology Class for Apple Devices
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Kevin from KevTech Services will run a series of technology classes. Each class lasts about 60 minutes with some time for questions and troubleshooting. Paper and pens will be provided. Technology classes are free thanks to a Massachusetts State Grant award. Sign up is required, and class size is limited to 15. 

Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden
When: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Sweet and tasty, blueberries are not just a versatile treat. They also have many health benefits. Learn successful practices for growing this wonderful, healthy fruit. Led by Barb McIntosh, a gardener for more than 40 years and a certified Massachusetts Master Gardener since 2016.

Conservation Commission
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33)

Tewksbury Dental and the MacLellan Oil multifamily development project are among the items on the ConCom’s agenda.

Thursday, Jan. 25

“Ask Alex!” Planner’s Spring Office Hours
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Library

Community/Economic Development Planner Alexandra Lowder will hold open office hours in the months leading up to Town Meeting. The goal is to help educate residents on the planning process, how zoning works, and timely subjects such as MBTA Communities in an informal, conversational setting. Residents are encouraged to ask general and project-specific questions.

Winter Community Market
When: 4 – 7 p.m.
Where: Senior Center

Each market will feature 30 vendors, including many favorites from the Tewksbury Community Market’s summer season at Livingston Street Park, along with a few new additions. Two food trucks will be in the Senior Center’s parking lot, while the remaining vendors selling an assortment of prepared foods and artisan goods can be found inside the large hall.

Select Board Budget Presentation
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33)

Will there or won’t there be a staff recreation position in the FY25 budget? We may find out tonight, along with seeing other spending priorities for the town. Agenda

Zoning Board of Appeals
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33)

The ZBA has only one hearing, for a variance to build a two-car garage at 80 Meade St.

Friday, Jan. 26

Movie: The Equalizer 3
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood’s newest DVD releases — Equalizer 3. Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. You can enjoy the third installment of the series without having seen the first two. Starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. Action/Crime/Thriller. Rated R. 1 Hour, 49 Minutes. Doors will open at 1:15 p.m. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club. 

Adult Trivia Night — Mythology Trivia
When: 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Test your knowledge of all of things mythology by answering 50 questions (five rounds of 10) created by librarian and trivia host extraordinaire Kat Lewin. Organize a team or play solo and be your own team. Please note this trivia night is in-person and after hours at the library. 

Weekend

Winter Walk On The Pinnacle Trail + Hot Chocolate At The Library
When: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Pinnacle Trail, register here

Enjoy a guided winter walk of Tewksbury’s Pinnacle Trail. This easy hike, which will be led by Open Space & Recreation Committee member Bruce Shick, is a 2.2-mile round trip and will last approximately 90 minutes. The trail features some boardwalks and nice marsh views. Please park at the Ogonowski Memorial Model Flying Field (240 Pinnacle Street). The trail begins across the street from the field. Parking is limited to 20 cars.

After the hike, drop by the Library to chat with other participants and celebrate your completion of the winter walk with some hard-earned hot chocolate.

The Chocolate Expo
When: Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.
Where: Shriner’s Auditorium

The Chocolate Expo brings tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider & mead), along with entertainment throughout the day, to the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington. It’s a great place to buy chocolate, food and beverage gifts that everyone will love for Valentine’s Day. Tickets purchased online for The Chocolate Expo are $20/adult & $10/child (ages 5-12). Children under age 5 are free. Tickets purchased at the door, if available, are $30/adult & $15/child (ages 5-12), so be sure to get your tickets online.

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