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WESTFORD — Welcome to the Oct. 23 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up. Here, we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
PHOTOS: Check out Westford’s Autumn colors
Temporary water service interruption planned in select Westford neighborhoods
A select number of residents will experience water service interruptions this week as the Water Department completes water main work.
Residents of Coolidge Avenue will experience interruptions on Oct. 19. Residents of Brookside Road, Lowell Road, Commodore Way and Lambert way will experience interruptions on Oct. 20.
Residents in these neighborhoods can expect low water pressure, discoloration or no water service from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents in these neighborhoods should have received door tags from the Water Department with additional details.
After service is restored, the Water Department recommends residents an outdoor spigot or cold water tub faucet be run to remove discoloration.
Residents are urged to call the Water Department at 978-692-5529 if discoloration persists for an extended period of time.
PHOTOS: Westford’s first International Block Party
Bollywood members dace on stage at the Franco American Club. (Photo/Ben Domaingue)
J.V. Fletcher Library Expansion funding passes, 51 Main St. funding delayed at Special Town Meeting
In a 436 to 141 vote, voters authorized approximately $32.5 million to expand and renovate the J.V. Fletcher Library. The project would update sections of the building that are no longer up to fire and Americans with Disabilities Act code, expand its children’s space and meet sustainability goals outlined by the town’s Roadmap to Net Zero.
“[I am feeling] immense joy and relief that it passed tonight,” Director of the J.V. Fletcher Library Ellen Rainville told WestfordCAT. “We were realistic about the financial climate, but we are happy it passed.”
In a 319 to 259 vote, voters passed a motion to dismiss Article 5, which would have authorized approximately $12 million for construction for a new municipal building at 51 Main St.
“It’s disappointing, I’ll leave it at that,” Select Board Chair Andrea Peraner-Sweet told WestfordCAT after the vote.
The proposed building would replace the existing fire station at 51 Main St., which has stood since 1974. This station has been vacant since its replacement in 2018, when the town completed its fire headquarters located on Boston Road.
The proposed building would house a new multi-function space which could serve as a 100-seat meeting room, community room or police training room, as well as office space for the Technology Department, Veterans Services Department and the Facilities Department. The building would also provide office space for the Sustainability Coordinator and Wellness Coordinator.
Officials site “consistently inadequate space” for the public to attend in-person meetings.
In addition to dismissing Article 5, voters authorized the Select Board to reintroduce a similar article during a future Annual Town Meeting.
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