WESTFORD — Welcome to the Aug. 20 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up. Here, we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
Beaver Brook Road bridge to partially reopen
After months of construction and an early closure due to severe structural deterioration, the Beaver Brook Road bridge has partially reopened.
The Department of Public Works announced that the bridge will open to local traffic and school busses on Aug. 18. The bridge will be open to one lane of traffic for the remainder of construction, which is slated to conclude in September.
The detour route will remain in place until construction concludes.
“Commuters are reminded that this is still a work zone with reduced speeds, stoppages, delays and police-directed traffic controls,” DPW wrote on social media.
What to expect at the 2023 Strategic Planning Retreat
The Select Board recently approved the Strategic Planning Retreat agenda. So – what can residents expect at the event?
Where: Kimball Farm (400 Littleton Rd.)
When: Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Registration is not required but it is encouraged. Register online through Eventbrite.
Main Topics:
Agenda:
5 p.m.: Check-in and registration
5:20 p.m.: Welcome and opening remarks for the event
5:30 p.m.: Session #1
6:10 p.m.: Break
7 p.m.: Session #2
7:40 p.m.: Closing remarks
Additional Exhibit Tables:
- Cemetery Commission
- Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee
- Communications Advisory Committee
- Department of Public Works
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
- Health Department
- Parks and Recreation
- Pedestrian Safety Committee
- Recycling Committee
- Scholarships and Grants Committee
- Town Meeting/League of Women Voters
- Wellness Coordinator
- Westford Climate Action
- Westford Friends of East Boston Camps
Joint meeting planned for proposed firearms business zoning bylaw on Monday
A public hearing for a proposed zoning bylaw that could regulate future firearms businesses in town continues this Monday, along with additional boards and a new venue.
A joint meeting with the Planning Board, Board of Health and Select Board will be held on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Millenium Building Conference Room B. The meeting will be broadcast on WestfordCAT and on YouTube, but hybrid participation will not be available.
Public comments can be submitted to planningboardstaff@westfordma.gov by 4 p.m. on Aug. 21.
The amendment will be considered at Special Town Meeting on Oct. 16.
‘It’s just magic,’ Inclusive gym opens in Westford for children of all abilities
A new gym has opened its doors on Lyberty Way which aims to provide inclusive sensory experiences for children and teens.
We Rock the Spectrum, a chain with over 150 locations worldwide, opened its most recent location in Westford as franchise owner Samantha O’Brien applied her background in occupational therapy to introduce this unique concept to the Merrimack Valley.
“My kids are neurodivergent, this is what they need,” she told WestfordCAT. “If they need it, then other people need it in the community as well.”
The gym houses equipment for children to play without creating an overstimulating environment.
“It’s designed to meet the sensory needs of our neurodivergent students, so they can come to play and be successful,” she said. “They can come play and not be overwhelmed.”
She continued, “this [gym] levels the playing field, any indoor playground can be overstimulating.”
O’Brien hopes to turn the space into a community resource.
“We want to be more than just an indoor playground,” she said.
The gym has a classroom for professionals to work with children who may not have their own office space. We Rock the Spectrum also houses a room for parents, a party room and a room for children to “decompress.”
“We don’t want to get to that meltdown point,” she said. “So we have tools for calming, things to look at and things to use.”
She added,” sometimes, kids can only play at an indoor playground for 10 or 15 minutes. Here, we have play dates that can last two or three hours.”
Though the gym is designed to create a safe space for neurodivergent children, the gym is open to students of all ages and abilities.
“You don’t have to have a diagnosis to access our equipment,” she said. “We try to keep our pricing as accessible as possible.”
She continued, “the access to this equipment is on the child’s terms, not on a therapist’s terms. It allows them to relax and get to it on their own time.”
For parents with neurodivergent children, this gym is a blessing. Valerie Skigis, Chelmsford, recently discovered the gym with her daughter Eliana.
“There’s something here for everyone. It’s so important, there’s no other facility in our area that has anything like this concept,” Skigis told WestfordCAT.
Ultimately, O’Brien aims to build a better understanding of neurodiversity within the community.
“I think the most misunderstood aspect is that it’s a cognitive disability, it’s more of a nervous system disorder. Our children are on high alert in everyday situations,” she said.
She added, “having spaces like this [the gym] or calming spaces inside of existing community spaces can be beneficial to kids. Neurodivergent families would feel seen by that.”
‘The people at Westford Academy changed the course of my life,’ Antonelli reflects on 30-year career
Westford celebrated former Westford Academy Principal James Antonelli at the Franco-American Club on Sunday, where he reflected on his 30-year career at the Academy with friends and family.
Antonelli announced his departure in late June, accepting a new job as Dean of Special Projects at Newburyport High School set to begin this fall.
Former Dean of Students Daniel Twomey will succeed Antonelli as principal in the fall, where Antonelli believes he will make a “good transition”.
“Pride” of Westford
Antonelli first attended Westford Academy as a student in the 1980’s. He returned shortly as a football coach, where he “fell in love with working with students” before becoming a teacher.
As a life-long Westford resident, he admires what he calls the “pride and ownership” of Westford.
“It [WA] just provided me with a real passionate love for my school…[The] people at Westford Academy changed the course of my life and created opportunities for me,” Antonelli told WestfordCAT.
Former Westford Academy teacher Bill Cody, who Antonelli described as his “second dad,” is one such impactful figure. Cody inspired Antonelli to attend Salem State College for his master’s program. Antonelli credits Cody as his inspiration to begin his career in education.
“It was really nice to have somebody in my corner who was a former teacher of mine,” he said.
He also recognized former Westford Academy Principal Bill McGuirk and former Superintendent of Schools John Crisafulli and former Superintendent of Schools Bill Olsen as figures who coached and supported him throughout the years.
Connections with students and colleagues
As principal, Antonelli practiced an “open door policy” and student and faculty connection.
“I always wanted to stay very connected to the students and make sure they know they can approach and communicate with me,” he said.
He found these relationships with students to be the most fulfilling aspects of his job.
“Seeing my students come back and really appreciate the great place we have is so rewarding to me,” Antonelli said.
His time at Westford Academy also taught him “how to pivot” and adapt to new challenges, such as COVID-19. During the pandemic, Antonelli says he leaned on the support of the “great people” around him.
“You don’t [have] to try and do everything on your own, because if you do something’s going to fall through the cracks. People want to help, so open your arms and say ‘okay, let’s do this together,’” he said.
Antonelli moves on to next chapter
As he prepares to move to Newburyport, Antonelli looks forward to embracing Newburyport’s traditions, continuing to learn as an educator, and spending time with his family before retirement.
He thanked the Westford community for “thirty years of a really great institution, where parents and students care about their education and about the community.”
He added, “it means a lot and it gives me a great sense of pride. I think I’ve left the school, hopefully, in a good place.”
WestfordCAT News
