- The Sudbury Weekly Newsletter
- Posts
- Hard Freeze
Hard Freeze
Welcome back!
It was a very busy week in Sudbury, as you’ll see in this mammoth edition. It was capped off with a lengthy visioning session for the Sherman’s Bridge project on Thursday night. The meeting at the Fairbank Community Center was noteworthy because residents finally got to see the inside of a meeting room in the new building — although it sounded like most of them were Wayland residents.
Here’s what we have for you this week…
From a Garage to Global Acclaim: Sudbury’s Goodnow Farms Eyes Expansion
SPS To Consider Controversial “Chapter 70” Maneuver Again
Stay Well This Respiratory Season: Simple Steps to Keep You Healthy
A Changing of the Guard
Sudbury Resident Takes On Jimmy Fund Walk for Over 20 Years
L-S Program of Studies Stands Out For Student Choice, Breadth of Offerings
SPS Establishes LGBTQ+ Parent Advisory Council
Sudbury Historical Society to Unveil the Town’s Oldest Known Comprehensive Map
Town Manager Warns of Uncertainty On Federal Grant Funding
Letter to the Editor Regarding Sherman’s Bridge
Events!
Let’s get into it…
From a Garage to Global Acclaim: Sudbury’s Goodnow Farms Eyes Expansion
FEATURES | NEWS
By Nancy Brumback
Tom and Monica Rogan have put Sudbury on chocolatiers’ world map, winning dozens of industry awards for their premium Goodnow Farms chocolate bars, made at their Sudbury farm. But their plans for expansion might take them out of their hometown.
In the next five years, “we hope to develop a manufacturing and retail space where people would come for an experience, to learn about chocolate and watch it being made, perhaps with a space for music and events, and to showcase our local business partners,” said Tom. The change would come as the company outgrows its current commercial kitchen in a converted garage next to a 225-year-old barn and the Rogans’ home on Goodnow Road.
But, Monica noted, Sudbury lacks a defined town center, with restaurants, retail outlets and the accompanying foot traffic, that such a location needs. “Other towns, like Concord and Lexington, have such centers. Sudbury has serious historical character and beautiful old buildings, but we don’t understand why there isn’t greater interest in developing a town center idea.” Instead, they said, developers come to Sudbury and build businesses like car dealerships.
SPS To Consider Controversial “Chapter 70” Maneuver Again
NEWS
By Kevin LaHaise
On Monday, October 6, the Sudbury Public Schools (SPS) School Committee voiced a desire to see more information about a potential article for a 2025 Special Town Meeting that would, according to their meeting packet, increase the amount of Chapter 70 funding in their budget for the current fiscal year. Chapter 70 funding is the primary form of state aid for public education.
The packet language indicated that this “increase” would pay for potential “contractual obligations.” The district is currently negotiating union contracts, including the contract for SPS teachers, but it is unclear from the packet and the discussion during the meeting if that is what they were referring to.
Stay Well This Respiratory Season: Simple Steps to Keep You Healthy
FEATURES
By Dr. Randall McShine
Your Health with Dr. McShine
[This column is part of a regular series of health information and wellness tips from Emerson Health Sudbury.]
As the cooler weather approaches, colds, flu, and other respiratory viruses start circulating more widely. While you cannot completely eliminate the risk of illness, small, consistent actions can do a lot to help you and your loved ones stay healthy.
Wash Your Hands, Often and Properly
Frequent handwashing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Use warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public spaces or touching shared surfaces. If soap is not available, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol works well. Try to avoid touching your face – eyes, nose, and mouth are common entry points for viruses.
Support Your Immune System
A strong immune system is your body’s best way to stay well. Focus on:
A Changing of the Guard
EVENTS
By The Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
After more than 23 years of helming the event, the core leadership team of Mike Hamill, Libby Hamill, Doug Haartz and their longtime volunteer crew are announcing that they are retiring from their positions after the 2026 parade. The Sudbury Chamber of Commerce plans to build a team of apprentices to shadow these experienced leaders in 2026 in order to prepare the new team to manage the parade in 2027.
2026 will be a pivotal year for the 4th of July Parade in Sudbury. It will be one of the many events marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which is expected to bring many visitors to our region.
Sudbury Resident Takes On Jimmy Fund Walk for Over 20 Years
NEWS
By Sudbury Weekly
Sudbury resident Robin Wolk has been participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk for over 20 years. We caught up her to talk about this year’s walk, which is this Sunday, October 5. According to the organizers, it’s the “largest single-day walk fundraiser in the nation.” It supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and has raised more than $185 million for adult and pediatric cancer care and research since 1989.
What inspired you to participate in this year’s Jimmy Fund Walk?
I have been participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk for over 20 years. I walk in memory of Patricia Stayn, a close family friend who died of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2001.
Which route are you walking, and how are you preparing for it?
Our route has varied through the years but we mostly begin in Newton, with several meeting points along the route for our various Team Pat Stayn members who are unable to walk the full course.
L-S Program of Studies Stands Out For Student Choice, Breadth of Offerings
FEATURES
By Kevin LaHaise
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS) is faring rather well in school rankings, so far, this year. But educators, including LSRHS Superintendent Andrew Stephens, often point out that rankings don’t capture the full picture of what’s happening in high schools.
One oft-cited example is the LSRHS “Program of Studies.” The Program of Studies is the typical means by which secondary schools meet a requirement in Massachusetts to clearly communicate academic offerings and graduation requirements. But does that make it easier to compare one district to the next?
For the sake of a high-level comparison, Sudbury Weekly reviewed the Programs of Studies from LSRHS, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School and Wayland High School. Readers might be surprised at how much variation can be found from one high school to the next. While it’s impossible to construct a perfectly-balanced comparison from one school to the next, it was relatively easy to spot major differences in philosophy and differences in the areas of emphasis in a given area of study.
SPS Establishes LGBTQ+ Parent Advisory Council
NEWS
By Kevin LaHaise
During the Monday, October 6 meeting of the Sudbury Public Schools (SPS) School Committee, the committee voted to establish an LGBTQ+ Parent Advisory Council (PAC).
The LGBTQ+ PAC has precedent in Massachusetts, as Worcester Public Schools established one in 2024. Sudbury’s representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Carmine Gentile, has also sponsored a bill that would establish LGBTQ+ PACs statewide.
The details on governance, roles, and membership were included in the meeting packet on page 74 here.
PACs serve in an advisory capacity to the school committee, but do not have any formal power or authority. The duties of the PAC that were outlined in the packet materials included:
Sudbury Historical Society to Unveil the Town’s Oldest Known Comprehensive Map
NEWS | EVENTS
By Kevin LaHaise
Sudbury residents will soon have a chance to see the oldest known comprehensive map depicting today’s boundaries. The map dates back to around 1795 and will be unveiled at an upcoming lecture hosted by the Sudbury Historical Society (SHS) on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Sudbury History Center and Museum.
The map, created by Matthias Mossman (1749–1819), is believed to be the earliest surviving map to depict Sudbury’s boundaries as we recognize them today. It was recently acquired by the Historical Society and represents a major addition to the town’s historical record.
Town Manager Warns of Uncertainty On Federal Grant Funding
NEWS
By Kevin LaHaise
During the October 7 meeting of the Sudbury Select Board, Town Manager Andy Sheehan informed the board that the Town is attempting to sort out the impact of certain executive orders from the White House and their potential impact on direct and indirect Federal funding that comes to Sudbury.
Letter to the Editor Regarding Sherman’s Bridge
OPINION
By Dennis Mortimer
Events!
Parting Thoughts
No need to add too much more to the word count this week. There’s a nor’easter coming early next week. Winter is coming!
Onward!