Westford Bans All Outdoor Water Use Under Stage III Restrictions
The J.V. Fletcher Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program is underway and upcoming community programs fill the calendar this week, while the town's Stage III outdoor water ban — the strictest level — continues to affect every Westford household.
TOWN HALL
Stage III outdoor water restrictions remain in effect immediately following the Westford Water Department's declaration in response to sustained excessive non-essential water demand. The ban prohibits all outdoor non-essential water use — no lawn irrigation, car washing, or similar activities until the department lifts the order. Residents should check westfordma.gov for updates on when restrictions may ease.
The town is also continuing its rollout of the Pay-As-You-Throw hybrid trash program, with PAYT cart deliveries now complete and the full program launch on track for July 2026. Residents who have not yet received a cart or have questions about eligibility are encouraged to follow up through the town's News Flash page.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The J.V. Fletcher Library's Summer Reading Program — themed "Plant a Seed, Read!" — is open to all ages and running throughout the summer from the library's temporary location at 515 Groton Road while construction continues on the historic Main Street building. The program invites readers of every age to participate, with children's, teen, and adult tracks all active.
Coming up on the library calendar: the Monday Mystery Book Club meets June 30 at the Roudenbush Community Center (third floor); ZMakesBeads with Zangar, a beading program for children and teens, is also June 30; and the Craft Lounge drop-in for tweens and teens runs July 1. On July 7, Farm Tales Storytime offers a family-friendly session, and the Adult Nonfiction Book Club also meets that day. July 8 brings a special "Farm on the Go" outing to Good Pickin' Farm at 5 Gould Road, celebrating summer with a visit to the local working farm — multiple time slots are available for children and families. The library will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Westford Patch's morning digest highlighted a busy local events weekend. "🌱 Patch AM: Alec Sullivan Concert: Food Trucks, Craft Beer, Hay Rides & Good Vibes and 12 more events" points readers toward a packed community calendar including the Run/Walk for Nature 5K and 10K on June 30, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
An earlier Patch AM edition spotlighted a local athlete. "🌱 Patch AM: How Westford's Abby Hennessy stacked up against the nation's best milers" covers the Westford runner's performance at a national competition, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
COMING UP
- **June 29** — Monday Mystery Book Club, Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor - **June 30** — ZMakesBeads with Zangar (children/teens), Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor - **June 30** — Run/Walk for Nature and Kids Fun Run — 5K and 10K (see Westford Patch for details) - **July 1** — Craft Lounge drop-in for tweens/teens, Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor - **July 3–4** — J.V. Fletcher Library closed (Independence Day observance) - **July 7** — Farm Tales Storytime (children/families) and Adult Nonfiction Book Club, library temporary location - **July 8** — Farm on the Go with Good Pickin' Farm, 5 Gould Road (multiple sessions, children/families) - **July 8** — Middle Grade Book Club, library temporary location - **July 9** — Adult Book Club, library temporary location - **July 13** — Virtual Library Board of Trustees and PTBC Meeting (Zoom)