Westford Launches PAYT Program as Heat Wave and Water Restrictions Test Summer Systems
With an excessive heat event bearing down on the region just as the town's pay-as-you-throw trash program kicks into full swing, Westford residents are heading into the Fourth of July holiday weekend with a short to-do list from Town Hall.
TOWN HALL
Excessive heat is forecast for Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3, and the town has issued a reminder urging residents to take precautions. The J.V. Fletcher Library will serve as an official cooling center on Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The town's new Pay As You Throw trash program begins in earnest next week, and Town Hall posted reminders about cart usage, overflow bag availability at local retailers, and address verification for households that may not yet have received a cart. Residents who still have questions about delivery status can check the town's News Flash page at westfordma.gov.
Also effective July 1, the town is accepting applications for the fall bow hunting season, which opens September 1. The application window runs through August 7, with permits to be issued by August 14. The lottery application and release form is available at https://www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1035/Hunting-Lottery-Application-and-Release-Form-PDF.
The town also announced that the Stony Brook Track and Athletic Court Improvement Project is complete, and that Westford has expanded its free lockbox payment service for property tax payments. Separately, the town is seeking community members to help support elections and Town Meetings — residents interested in volunteering can find details on the town website.
Stage III outdoor water restrictions remain in effect due to sustained excessive non-essential water demand, the Westford Water Department has confirmed. Residents are reminded that non-essential outdoor watering is prohibited under Stage III rules.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The J.V. Fletcher Library, currently operating from its temporary location at 515 Groton Road during the Main Street renovation and expansion project, is closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of the 250th anniversary of Independence Day.
Coming up at the library: a Craft Lounge session for tweens and teens is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 at the Roudenbush Community Center third floor. On Tuesday, July 7, the Adult Nonfiction Book Club meets at the temporary location, and Farm Tales Storytime is offered for children and families. On Wednesday, July 8, the library hosts "Farm on the Go" at Good Pickin' Farm, 5 Gould Road — multiple family sessions are offered that morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Also July 8: Middle Grade Book Club at the temporary location. The Adult Book Club meets Thursday, July 9. On Tuesday, July 14, a virtual program features author Greer MacAllister offering historical fiction recommendations via Zoom.
The library's 2026 Summer Reading Program — themed "Plant a Seed, Read!" — is underway for all ages.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: How a Westford resident is leading regional family-building support efforts" — A Westford resident is spotlighted for work supporting families across the region, per Westford Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford)
"🌱 Patch AM: How a lifelong Westford resident earned the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award" — A lifelong Westford resident was recognized with a first-of-its-kind Commonwealth Pride Award, according to Westford Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford)
"41 MA Beaches Closed As Sewer Rupture Shuts Down Popular North Shore Spots Ahead Of Extreme Heat Wave" — A sewer rupture contaminated the Merrimack River, forcing closures at beaches in Newburyport, Salisbury, and Ipswich just before a regional heat event, per Westford Patch's statewide coverage. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford)
COMING UP
- **Wed., July 1**: Craft Lounge for tweens/teens, Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor; Library open as cooling center, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Health Insurance Trust Fund meeting - **Thu., July 2**: Library open as cooling center, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Communications Advisory Committee meets; Select Board meets - **Fri., July 3–Sat., July 4**: J.V. Fletcher Library closed - **Sat., July 4**: Independence Day — Town offices closed - **Tue., July 7**: Farm Tales Storytime (children/family); Adult Nonfiction Book Club — both at temporary library location - **Wed., July 8**: "Farm on the Go" at Good Pickin' Farm, 10 a.m.–noon (multiple sessions); Middle Grade Book Club, temporary library location; Conservation Commission meeting - **Thu., July 9**: Adult Book Club, temporary library location - **Tue., July 14**: Virtual historical fiction program with author Greer MacAllister via Zoom; Select Board meeting - **Wed., July 15**: Zoning Board of Appeals meeting - **Thu., July 23**: Homesteading Workshop — Garden Planning & Seed Starting, Good Pickin' Farm, 6–8 p.m. - **Bow hunting applications**: accepted July 1–August 7 at westfordma.gov