Westford Launches Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Program This Week
Westford's new Pay-As-You-Throw trash program officially took effect this week, marking one of the most significant changes to town services in recent memory, while a regional grant is bringing free Chromebooks and digital literacy training to residents.
TOWN HALL
The town's Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program began this week, following cart deliveries that started June 8 and reminders issued in the run-up to launch, according to the town's News Flash feed. Officials had flagged "PAYT Cart Delivery Follow-Up" and "Important Reminders" postings in recent weeks to prepare residents for the transition.
Separately, Westford announced it received a regional grant that will provide free Chromebooks along with digital literacy programming, aimed at expanding technology access for residents, per the town's News Flash announcement posted Tuesday morning.
The Westford Food Pantry has a new phone number, 978-399-2332, the town announced Monday afternoon, a small but practical update for residents who rely on pantry services.
The town also continues to enforce Stage III outdoor water restrictions due to sustained excessive non-essential water demand, and Forge Pond was scheduled for treatment Tuesday, July 7, with swimming barred until Wednesday, July 8, according to town postings.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The J.V. Fletcher Library's temporary Groton Road location has a full slate of programming this week tied to its 2026 Summer Reading theme, "Plant a Seed, Read." Farm on the Go, a family visit to Good Pickin' Farm at 5 Gould Road, is set for Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, though registration for some timeslots is already full.
Also Wednesday, July 8, the library's Middle Grade Book Club meets at the temporary Groton Road location, and an Adult Book Club gathering follows Thursday, July 9. Looking further ahead, the library will host "Ready, Set, Grow! A Summer Reading Magic Show" with performer Mike Bent at Abbot Elementary School on Wednesday, July 15.
The library continues to update residents on its major building project, with construction proceeding after a June 2025 groundbreaking ceremony at 50 Main Street; the historic Common-facing facade will remain unchanged while the rear of the building is modernized.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Patch AM: What Westford residents must do differently with trash starting today" — Patch's morning newsletter flagged the start of the PAYT program as the day's top local story, a shift the town's own News Flash also covered this week (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Here's How Many Beaches Are Closed To Swimming In MA" — Some Massachusetts beaches have reopened after a ruptured sewer line caused closures last month, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Biggest Megabucks Jackpot Ever Awaits Winner In MA" — The state lottery game has broken a jackpot record set in 1985, Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
COMING UP
The Conservation Commission meets Wednesday, July 8, followed by the Housing Authority and Recycling Commission on Thursday, July 9. The Select Board convenes Tuesday, July 14, and the Zoning Board of Appeals meets Wednesday, July 15.
At the library, Farm on the Go runs Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at Good Pickin' Farm, with the Middle Grade Book Club the same day and the Adult Book Club on Thursday, July 9. A virtual Board of Trustees meeting is set for Monday, July 13, and the summer reading magic show with Mike Bent takes place Wednesday, July 15, at Abbot Elementary School.