Forge Pond treatment set as Westford settles new assessor, trash program
WESTFORD — Forge Pond is scheduled for treatment Thursday, July 23, while town officials confirmed a new Chief Assessor and residents adjust to the town's newly launched pay-as-you-throw trash program.
TOWN HALL
Forge Pond will undergo a scheduled treatment today, July 23, 2026, according to a News Flash posted on the town website. Residents are urged to check posted signage regarding water use restrictions following the application.
The town also announced the promotion of Steven Clark to Chief Assessor, a move outlined in a recent News Flash item. Separately, the town confirmed that its new Pay As You Throw (PAYT) trash program has officially begun, following weeks of reminders to residents about the transition, and reminded residents that the Stony Brook Track & Athletic Court Improvement Project has been completed. The Town Manager's July newsletter is also now available for residents seeking a fuller rundown of municipal activity.
The Nabnasset Elementary School playground remains temporarily closed for construction, the town confirmed, as work continues on-site.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
J.V. Fletcher Library has a full slate of programming this week tied to its 2026 summer reading theme, "Plant a Seed, Read!" Tonight, July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., the library is hosting a Homesteading Workshop on garden planning and seed starting at Good Pickin' Farm, 5 Gould Rd.
Looking toward the weekend and beyond, the library has scheduled Farm Tales Storytime for Tuesday, July 28, at the Roudenbush Community Center, alongside a rescheduled "Grow Your Own Grass Head" program at the Westford Community Gardens the same day. The library's temporary home remains at 515 Groton Road while the J.V. Fletcher Library building project continues; the project traces back to a $7.85 million provisional state grant awarded in 2022 and a June 2025 groundbreaking at 50 Main Street.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Patch AM: What Westford police are doing after hateful graffiti at Butter Brook" — Patch reports that Westford police responded to hateful graffiti discovered at Butter Brook, according to Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Patch AM: How two Nabnasset water main breaks disrupted service for Westford residents" — Two water main breaks in the Nabnasset area caused service disruptions for residents, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Patch AM: How Westford's new trash program and veterans outreach are really performing" — Patch examines how the town's new PAYT trash system and veterans outreach efforts are functioning weeks in, a story the town's News Flash also covered today, according to Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Patch AM: What Westford's new Chief Assessor plans for your property tax experience" — Patch previews Steven Clark's approach to the assessor role, a promotion also announced in the town's News Flash, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"Massachusetts Has The Best School System In The Nation, New Report Says" — A new report ranked Massachusetts public schools among the best nationally, according to Patch staff writer Jessie Castellano (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"3 Dozen MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Brilliant Summer Weekend: See Latest Forecast" — Heavy rain runoff this week pushed dozens of Massachusetts beaches to close ahead of the weekend, Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
COMING UP
The library's Homesteading Workshop on garden planning and seed starting takes place tonight, July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Good Pickin' Farm. The Community Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and the Planning Board both meet Monday, July 27, followed by the Select Board on Tuesday, July 28. Also on July 28, the library hosts Farm Tales Storytime and the rescheduled Grow Your Own Grass Head program. Values for Life, a children's program for ages 5-10, is set for July 25 per the Westford Patch calendar.