Monday Essentials: New Year's, Christmas Tree Disposal and Vacation's End

Welcome to Monday Essentials! Here you'll find a snapshot of a few things you'll want to keep in mind for the week ahead. If you know of something coming up that would make a great addition to Monday Essentials, email Patrick.Ball@Patch.com.

1. Christmas Tree Disposal: According to their website, Boy Scout Troop 5 and Cub Scout Pack 86 are once again teaming up to offer affordable Christmas tree pickup and disposal service to Acton residents, and the first pickup date is this Saturday, Jan. 4. Head on over to the tree pickup website to request pickup and make a note of the day you'll be requesting.

2. Public Meetings Preview: According to the town website, there are no public meetings posted for this week in Acton. 

3. Ring in the New Year! Drop by the Discovery Museums from 12 to 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, to construct noise makers to use to celebrate the coming of a new year. Get the details here. 

4. New Year's Day: New Year's Day is this Wednesday, Jan. 1. As a federal holiday, that means government offices, schools, banks and the like are closed. 

5. Vacation Ending: Acton's public schools will return to session following Christmas/Winter break this Thursday, Jan. 2.