WESTFORD — Welcome to the Oct. 1 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up. Here, we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
Select Board signs Special Town Meeting Warrant
The Select Board has signed the Special Town Meeting Warrant. So — what’s up for consideration by voters?
Article 1: Approve Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Adjustments
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds sums of money in order to adjust certain line items in the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budgets.
Article 2: Appropriate Opioid Settlement Funds
To see if the town will raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer funds received from the Statewide Opioid Settlements.
Article 3: Approve Capital Appropriations
To see if the town will raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer funds for the following capital requests:
- $15,000 for compressor replacements for the HVAC system at the Department of Public Works garage.
- $200,000 for police station attic and pipe insulation.
- $1,000,000 for Blanchard Middle School roof top units.
- $150,000 for Stony Brook Bridge resident relocation and right of way.
- $350,000 for Forge Village water treatment facility repairs.
- $250,000 for the preliminary design of PFAS treatment facilities.
Article 4: Reduce Amount Raised by Taxes in Fiscal Year 2024
To see if the Town will vote to take specific amounts from available funds and to direct the Assessor to reduce the net amount to be raised by taxation for Fiscal Year 2024.
Article 5: Rescind Authorized and Unissued Debt
To see if the town will vote to rescind the following debt:
- $901,750 for the Robinson and Day School window and door replacement.
- $6,298 for the center fire station on Boston Road.
- $686,442 for the Abbot School roof replacement.
- $320,000 for the Vine Brook Road water distribution system.
- $130,000 for the Kirsi Circle, Douglas Road and Anderson Lane water main replacement.
- $110,000 for portable radios for school staff.
- $23 for a fire truck.
- $128,000 for the Pine Grove Cemetery enlargement.
Article 6: Approve Community Preservation Committee Recommendations
To see if the town will vote and act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee and to appropriate the Community Preservation Fund for open space, historic resources, community housing purposes and outdoor recreation.
At the time of reporting, one application has been submitted by The Drew Farmhouse, Inc. to rehabilitate the 70 Boston Rd. property. $1,450,000 is requested for the project.
Article 7: Authorization for the Select Board to Petition the General Court for Special Legislation to Amend the Town’s Means Tested Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption Act
This article would authorize the Select Board to petition the state legislature for special legislation to amend language within Chapter 314 of the Acts of 2020 which allows the town to establish a means tested senior citizen tax exemption.
The Select Board aims to petition for clerical changes, including removing the three-year limitation on the tax exemption. The town would no longer be able to offer this program after 2024 if the limitation is not removed.
Article 8: Authorize the School Bus Transportation Contract for up to Five Years
To see if the town will vote to authorize the School Committee to enter into a service agreement to provide student bus service for up to five years.
Article 9: Amend the Zoning Bylaw to Define and Regulate Firearm Businesses and Related Terms
To see if the town will approve a proposed bylaw that could regulate future firearms businesses in Westford
Additional information
Special Town Meeting will be held on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Westford Academy Gymnasium.
The League of Women Voters in Westford will host a Warrant preview on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
Free child care and free transportation are available for residents.
Fat Moon Farm to host fundraiser for new delivery van
Want to help a local business? Fat Moon Farm is hosting a fundraiser to purchase a refrigerated delivery van.
Elizabeth Almeida, Head Farmer of Fat Moon Farm, is eligible for a $40,000 grant from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s Biz-M-Power program. The program is a matching grant program that provides funding to small businesses and financial assistance with capital projects such as improvements to a facility or the purchase of new equipment.
The program requires a crowdfunded campaign, where Almeida must raise an additional $20,000 by Oct. 30.
“A refrigerated delivery van has been the dream for a few years now,” Almeida said in a press release. “We have expanded our growing capacity and hired more team members. This is the next exciting step for our farm.”
A new van would allow Fat Moon Farm to expand its delivery route of its organic mushrooms.
Donations can also be made online. Almeida has raised approximately $8,000 at the time of reporting. She notes that if she does not meet her goal, she will no longer be eligible for the grant and crowdfunded donations will be refunded to donors.
PHOTOS: WA Boys’ Soccer triumphs 3-1 over Weston
Sophomore Michael Mahony stands ready to receive the ball from Markesich.
PHOTOS: WA Girls’ Volleyball defeated by Tewksbury
Left to right: Freshman Zoe Rose, junior Sophie Krauss, and Balineni stand defense.
Sunday News Oct. 1, 2023
WestfordCAT News
