Westford's Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Program Takes Effect Today
WESTFORD — Westford's new Pay-As-You-Throw trash program formally took effect this week, the biggest change to household waste collection the town has made in years, as Town Hall also confirmed a promotion in the Assessor's Office and continued emergency repairs to a water main break on Plain Road.
TOWN HALL Town Hall confirmed that PAYT — Pay-As-You-Throw — has begun in Westford, following weeks of reminders urging residents to prepare for the switch. The town's July Town Manager's Newsletter, now available, covers the changeover in fuller detail for residents with questions.
Separately, the town announced the promotion of Steven Clark to Chief Assessor, putting him in charge of the office that sets the property values behind every resident's tax bill.
The Water Department is responding to a main or service break on Plain Road, with repairs underway Thursday evening and some customers in the area affected. The town also ordered Nabnasset Lake treated for nuisance algae Thursday, with a no-swim advisory in place until July 17. Flags at all state buildings, including in Westford, are flying at half-staff through 6 p.m. July 18 marking the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. Separately, the town's bow hunting season opens September 1, with applications accepted through August 7 and permits issued by August 14.
SCHOOLS The Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee, and Robinson School Building Committee will hold a joint meeting July 21 on the project to modernize, rebuild, or replace the Colonel John Robinson Elementary School, a collaborative effort between the town and the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Separately, the playground at Nabnassett Elementary School is temporarily closed while construction work is underway there.
COMMUNITY & ARTS The J.V. Fletcher Library kicked off its 2026 Summer Reading program, themed "Plant a Seed, Read!," open to all ages while the library continues operating from its temporary Groton Road location during the ongoing building renovation project. The library also hosts a virtual event Thursday, July 16, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., featuring bestselling author Kristan Higgins discussing women's fiction recommendations.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Patch AM: How Westford's new Chief Assessor could impact your future tax bill" — Patch reports on what Steven Clark's new role could mean for residents' property tax bills, a story the town's News Flash also covered today (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Patch AM: How one Westford resident earned statewide recognition for decades of service" — Patch profiles a longtime local volunteer honored for years of community service, according to 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 looks at a new state license plate option and what it could offer to Westford military families, per Patch AM Team (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
COMING UP Several library programs are set for the week ahead: the City Beet StoryWalk at Westford Community Gardens on Monday, July 20; Farm Tales Storytime and Grow Your Own Grass Head, both Tuesday, July 21; and Storytime with the Wayfinder and a SAT Crash Course with Open Door Education, both Wednesday, July 22. On the municipal calendar, the Conservation Commission meets Wednesday, July 22, and the Board of Water Commissioners holds its monthly meeting Thursday, July 23, ahead of the Select Board's next meeting Tuesday, July 28.