With Town Manager Kristen Las departing and Mike Edwards serving as interim, the Select Board voted Sept. 8 to expand the Town Manager Search Committee and reduce the number of Select Board representatives, creating a 13-member panel that will begin the process of finding a successor to Las.
The board originally planned to appoint seven residents at large, along with representatives from the Select Board, School Committee and Finance Committee (FinCom). But after an unusually strong response from residents interested in serving, board members agreed to increase the number of at-large seats. One indicated that the large applicant pool reflected strong community interest.
“We have more qualified people than seats,” board member Elizabeth Sawyer agreed, emphasizing the importance of bringing together people with town experience, leadership and hiring experience, as well as different perspectives from across the community.
The board ultimately selected the following through voting as the 10 at-large members: Jared Broberg, Daniel Cannon, Nancy Cook, Wendy Gloyd, Angela Harkness, Scott Hazelton, James Miller, Andrea Peraner-Sweet, Lindsay Richard, and Diane Wood. The committee will also include Elizabeth Sawyer from the Select Board, Suneet Chadha from FinCom, and Tom LaFlamme from School Committee.
Applicants who spoke included residents with backgrounds in capital planning, executive consulting, nursing/executive leadership, real estate development, prior town management (including former Town Manager Jodie Ross), long-term committee service, and community volunteer work. The board expressed appreciation for the high level of interest and qualifications.
Appointment letters will be issued, with members to be sworn in. Sawyer will help organize the first meeting to elect a chair and vice chair. The committee is expected to work with a consultant (to be selected soon) toward a short list of candidates for the Select Board by early December.
PFAS settlement allocation
The Select Board agreed to place an article on the Oct. 26 Special Town Meeting warrant concerning nearly $1.8 million in PFAS settlement proceeds received from 3M and DuPont.
Water Superintendent Mark Warren said Westford’s Phase 1 settlement totals approximately $1.8 million. The Water Department and Board of Health are recommending that 90% be allocated to the Water Department, with the remaining 10% directed toward assistance for private well owners.
The proposed allocation reflects the town’s widespread reliance on groundwater. Warren said the municipal water system serves approximately 75% of Westford, and the entire public system is affected by PFAS contamination. The Water Department has also incurred substantial costs for testing, engineering and the construction of two PFAS treatment facilities.
The proposed private-well program could assist approximately 250 property owners with PFAS remediation.
Health Director Rae Dick said approximately 1,000 private well owners live in Westford. Proposed remediation systems could range from roughly $1,300 to $6,000, depending on whether a point-of-use or point-of-entry system is installed. The town may also consider assistance for homeowners seeking to connect to the public water system.
The initial proposal calls for a rebate of approximately $700 for eligible private well owners who have documented PFAS contamination and install an approved remediation system. Dick said the amount could potentially be adjusted, including consideration of hardship cases, depending on the final program design.
The Health Department plans to develop an application process, publicize the program and potentially work with a remediation company selected through a request for proposals.
The Select Board voted 5-0 to sponsor the Town Meeting article.
Specialized Energy Code article request
The board also heard a request from the Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee to place an article on the October Town Meeting warrant adopting Massachusetts’s Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code.
Committee Chair Mike Berlinski said the timing is important because adoption of the specialized code is one component of Westford’s effort to qualify as a Massachusetts Climate Leader Community. The next application deadline is Dec. 31, 2026.
Berlinski said the specialized code would extend Westford’s existing ‘Stretch Code’ requirements and apply to new construction. Among other provisions, it would require pre-wiring for electric heating and cooling.
Benefits cited include consumer protections, pre-wiring for all-electric systems, improved comfort and lower operating costs, and multiple compliance paths.
Approximately 60 Massachusetts communities have adopted the specialized code, including neighboring communities, such as Chelmsford, Carlisle and Acton.
The board deferred a final sponsorship decision to September 22 pending additional information on implementation timing, cost impacts, and developer perspectives.
Library project remains on budget
The Select Board received its quarterly update from the ongoing library building Project Manager Jennifer McGrory and Library Director Ellen Rainville.
The project remains on budget in its construction phase, and is tracking toward substantial completion in February 2027 and opening late March / early April 2027.
Construction progress includes a weather-tight roof, exterior walls, curtain wall installation, delivery of major equipment, and ongoing interior mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other work. Some unforeseen conditions and limited hazardous materials have been addressed.
Funding updates include state Board of Library Commissioners grants (state-funded), legislative earmarks, a CPA grant, National Grid rebates, and more than $1.3 million raised by the Friends, significantly reducing the local tax impact.
The temporary library continues at 515 Groton Road. The next update is expected in early December. No board action was required.
Other business
The Select Board approved several community events and requests, including Westford Remembers’ Sept. 11 evening memorial ceremony, the Robinson School Building Committee public forum on Sept. 9, domestic violence awareness month, and Witches Woods at Nashoba Valley Ski Area.
Sarah Fletcher, Executive Director of WestfordCAT introduced Damon Abetz, who is expanding his role with the organization. He has been working with WestfordCAT since high school. Abetz has experience covering town committee meetings with Littleton and Tyngsborough. Fletcher also mentioned that WestfordCAT will offer a weekly media enrichment program for middle and high school kids focused on studio exploration and media skills. The program is on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. from September – winter break. The fee is $60 for the term.
