WESTFORD — Welcome to the April 24 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up where we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
Sixteen Westford Locals Competed in the 2022 Boston Marathon
This occasion marked the first time since 2019 that the race was held on its traditional Patriots’ Day schedule, after it was canceled in 2020 and postponed to October in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With sixteen runners participating this year, Westford had some of the highest participation in this year’s race of any community in the Merrimack Valley. Due to the sunny weather with high temperatures in the mid-50s, runners could not have asked for better conditions for the race.
Peter Desforge, 63, 3:41:11; Cameron Dumais, 27, 4:10:49; Aaron Febbi, 27, 3:54:48; Amanda Fletemeyer, 39, 5:34:15; Brian Fredriksen, 37, 4:22:28; Scott Graham, 63, 4:47:55; Jessica Libby, 24, 4:51:27; Gerard Ottaviano, 63, 6:13:53; Mark Ottesen, 53, 3:14:59; Luping Quan, 52, 3:04:38; Alison Silva, 36, 4:57:04; Matt Story, 48, 4:00:42; Brian Studer, 42, 3:09:48; Lisa Studer, 42, 4:01:47; Jill Trotter, 50, 3:51:14; Xianrong Wang, 40, 3:04:13.
Officials extinguish fourth brush fire in April, fifth in season
In the most recent fire on April 22, approximately half an acre burned. Since March 31, approximately 22 acres of land between Stony Brook School, East Boston Camps and the American Legion Field have been affected.
At this time, the departments are actively investigating the cause of the recent fires, which remains undetermined.
“I’m not sure about that [arson],” said Valcourt. “It is being investigated by the police department.”
The investigation is ongoing. The department is asking residents to report any information to the Westford Public Safety Communication enter at 978-399-2345.
Officials, activists kick off inaugural Earth Day celebration
The event saw nearly two dozen organizations, student groups and town departments in attendance. The event celebrated the town’s climate roadmap, one of Westford Climate Action’s legislative accomplishments at Special Town Meeting in Oct. 2020.
The event saw nearly two dozen town commissions, private partners and student organizations. Rep. James Arciero and Westford Climate Action’s indigenous representative Jill Cresey-Gross. Cresey-Gross spoke during the event.
Westford uses ARPA funding, large balance remains
ARPA funding was first allocated to Westford in August of last year. The town received its first round of federal funding to replace lost revenue, invest in infrastructure such as water and broadband and support the health and economic well-being of the community. The first round totaled $3,708,985.42
As of April 13, the town has a remaining balance of $1,206,124.42. The town expects to receive its second and final disbursement of $3,708,985.42 this summer.
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