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WESTFORD — Welcome to the Aug. 21 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up. Here, we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
Looking to help those impacted by Lake Shore Drive fire? Cash, clothing donations needed
Fundraising resources have been created to aid displaced families from a multi-home blaze on Lake Shore Drive on Saturday.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to raise $10,000 to assist the O’Neil family who were the victims of the fire. $3,415 has been raised at the time of reporting.
Nancy Cook of Westford Remembers is collecting gift card and cash donations on behalf of those impacted by the fire. This funding will be used to help pay for temporary housing and to replace household necessities.
Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 869 Westford, MA 01886 or sent via Venmo at @westford-remembers.
Clothing donations will be accepted by Cook as well, and those looking to donate specific clothing should message Cook on Facebook for specific clothing size needs. Items can be left with Nancy Cook at 25 North Main St. in Westford.
Westford’s former Health Director passes away
Westford’s former Health Director Jeffrey Stephens, 50, of Leominster, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 11. after a long and valiant struggle with a serious illness.
Stephens is survived by his wife Deana Marie Stephens, his son Peter Arthur Stephens and daughter Bridget Marie Stephens, all of Leominster.
Stephens graduated Fitchburg High School in 1990, where he was a FHS Athletic Hall of Fame track and field athlete. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Fitchburg State University. Most recently, Stephens served as the Director of the Health Department for the City of Leominster. He previously served as the Health Director for the Town of Westford and a Health Inspector for the City of Fitchburg.
“Jeff was a wonderful man, dedicated to his children and wife Deana. He made many friends here in Westford. He had a great sense of humor, he was kind, he handled the COVID pandemic in an amazing manner. He will be truly missed,” Town Manager Jodi Ross wrote in an email to town employees.
Visitation will be at Richardson Funeral Home in Leominster on Monday, Aug. 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Leo’s Church in Leominster on Tuesday, Aug 23 at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
Regional art event to return to Westford this autumn
The Parish Center for the Arts will once again host the Westford Regional Art Event this fall, where it returns in person to showcase hundreds of pieces of artwork from the community.
Typically held in March, the event was moved to autumn of this year, with organizing citing concerns about COVID-19. The event typically showcases over 500 pieces of artwork from over 350 artists of all ages.
“Our biggest and most extravagant thing that we did and continue to do is the Westford Regional Art Event,” Cathy Lane told WestfordCAT. “Out of that comes so many cool stories, so many cool people, so many people who just put something in and end up winning.”
She continued, “it changed my life, I’m going to tell you that right off the bat. What we did, what we provided, the beautiful nights of welcoming. This was like… it brought me up a notch.”
Organizers encourage anyone to submit their work to the center, regardless of skill level. The center does not judge the quality of work as it receives it.
“We do not judge anything coming in as long as it fits our size limitation. We accept work until we know we’ve run out of wall space,” Alice Dorothy Phalen told WestfordCAT.
Additional information on the event can be found on the center’s website. Registration opens on Saturday, Aug. 20 and closes on Friday, Sept. 16.
Universal school lunch program extended, WPS encourages meal benefit application
Westford Public Schools will continue to provide free school lunches for all, regardless of income thanks to $110 million in state funding from the recent budget.
Despite this, WPS hopes parents will continue to fill out a meal benefit application to provide the district with data for key funding and academic resources. While not required for the universal, free school meal program this year, these applications can also connect families to additional benefits.
The district notes this data will also support the additional funds provided by the state for this pilot program.
Applications will be distributed to all households and are available in-person at the Food Service Office and each one of Westford’s schools. Applications are also available online. Applications can be returned to the student’s school.
Rain or shine, indoor golf simulator aims to train players year-round
Nestled along Brookside Road, a new business offers a unique concept to the Town of Westford – indoor, year-round, virtual golf.
Founded by Michelle and Brian St. Germain, Gopher’s Simulators began as an idea at the couple’s kitchen table. Brian St. Germain already had experience installing indoor golf courses for private homes and country clubs, so the pair decided to try building a business of their own.
“I grabbed markers from my girls’ playroom that night and drew the logo seen on display today,” recalled Michelle St. Germain.
Opening on the heels of the pandemic, the St.Germain’s found their first year in business to be challenging. Overall, they noted, they were happy with the positive feedback from the Westford community.
“It really sends the message that with hard work and the right team, success is still attainable regardless of the many hurdles,” said Michelle St. Germain.
The St. Germain’s are proud of what they have accomplished with Gopher’s so far, and are looking forward to their second year in business.
“Owning and operating Gophers has been great […] I am excited to be able to come back and re-open a small business that was so well received by the local community,” said Michelle St. Germain.
Gopher’s Simulators will be open by appointment for the remainder of the summer. Players can request a time online.
Select Board appoints Town Manager search committee
The Select Board recently selected members of its new Town Manager search committee.
Members of this committee are tasked with interviewing and vetting potential candidates to succeed current Town Manager Jodi Ross, who plans to retire on Jan 3, 2023.
Ross, who began her tenure in the Town of Westford in 2008, hopes to publish a number of children’s books and a novel after her retirement.
“We could begin and go on until January 2023 and talk about all the accomplishments of Jodi over the last 14 years and all of the changes she has brought to the town,” said Select Board Chair Andrea Peraner-Sweet in a June 28 meeting.
The committee will consist of nine members – two members of the Select Board, one member of the School Committee, one member of the Financial Committee and five residents-at-large. The committee will receive assistance from an executive search firm, which is responsible for helping to recruit candidates.
- Chris Barrett currently serves as the chair of the Pedestrian Safety Committee and vice chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. He is also a member of the Capital Planning Committee and Community Preservation Committee.
- Haining Bao previously worked as Vice Principal and Principal of Chelmsford Chinese Language School between 1998 and 2000. Bao also serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
- Joan Bennett is the chair of the Personnel Committee for the Town of Westford.
- Noel Almeida is a Director of Solution Management at Merkle, Inc.
- Robert Waskiewicz is currently works with Brookstone Financial as well as other private and public firms.
- Andrea Peraner-Sweet is the current chair of the Westford Select Board.
Two alternates will be available if a voting member is unavailable.
- Nancy Cook is the vice president of Concord Oil and coordinates fundraising efforts for Westford Remembers.
- Diane Wood is a resident with management experience.
The School Committee and Financial Committee have not chosen their members at the time of reporting.
The committee plans to host interviews for potential candidates in November.
PHOTOS: Westford Police Youth Academy Graduation
The Westford Police Department hosted its inaugural youth academy, where middle school students spent a week of their summer learning about law enforcement and public safety.
Students participated in a variety of activities, such as physical fitness with officers, a tour of the Massachusetts State Police harbor, CPR certification, a tour of a Drug Enforcement Agency helicopter and a K-9 demonstration with officers.
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