Westford's Pay-As-You-Throw trash billing begins townwide

WESTFORD — Westford's new Pay-As-You-Throw trash billing system took effect today, the most immediate change residents will notice this week, while the town also dealt with a water main repair, a lake treatment closure and a Statehouse-driven flag order.

TOWN HALL

The town's Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program began today, following reminders sent out in the run-up to the switch, the town said in its News Flash announcements. The Department of Public Works also said crews are responding to a water main or service break on Plain Road, with an emergency repair planned for Thursday evening, July 16; affected customers were being notified directly by the department.

Separately, the town said Nabnasset Lake will be treated Thursday, July 16, for nuisance algae, and asked residents not to swim in the lake until Friday, July 17. The American and Massachusetts flags at all state buildings were lowered to half-staff this week, through 6 p.m. on July 18, marking the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

In personnel news, the town promoted Steven Clark to Chief Assessor. The Town Manager's July newsletter is now available on the town website, and the town opened its application window, running through August 7, for the bow hunting season that begins September 1.

SCHOOLS

The Robinson School Building Committee has scheduled a joint meeting for Tuesday, July 21, with the Select Board, School Committee and Finance Committee, continuing the collaborative effort with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to modernize, rebuild or replace the Colonel John Robinson Elementary School.

Separately, the playground at Nabnasset Elementary School is temporarily closed while construction work is underway there, the district said.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The J.V. Fletcher Library hosts a virtual talk Thursday, July 16, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with bestselling women's-fiction author Kristan Higgins recommending upcoming reads for fans of the genre. The Westford Recreation Department also said several summer youth sports programs are starting soon, including Impact Speed and Agility, Skyhawks Field Hockey, Brazilian soccer and Marcus Lewis Tennis sessions.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Patch AM: How Westford's new Chief Assessor could impact your future tax bill" — a story the town's News Flash also covered today with Steven Clark's promotion, Patch reports on what the change could mean for residents' tax bills going forward (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).

"Patch AM: How one Westford resident earned statewide recognition for decades of service" — Patch highlights a longtime local volunteer or public servant honored for years of community contribution, according to the outlet's Patch AM Team (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).

"Patch AM: What a new Blue Star license plate could mean for Westford families" — Patch reports on a new Massachusetts license plate option and what it could mean for military families in town (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).

COMING UP

The Conservation Commission meets Wednesday, July 22. At the library, City Beet StoryWalk runs Monday, July 20, at Westford Community Gardens; Farm Tales Storytime and Grow Your Own Grass Head both take place Tuesday, July 21, at Roudenbush Community Center and Westford Community Gardens, respectively; and Storytime with the Wayfinder and a SAT Crash Course with Open Door Education are both set for Wednesday, July 22.