WESTFORD CENTER — Voters will consider 10 articles at the 2026 Westford Special Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, including how to use nearly $1.8 million in PFAS settlement funds, whether to lower the Community Preservation Act tax surcharge and whether to adopt stricter energy efficiency standards for buildings.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Westford Academy, 30 Patten Road, with check-in starting at 6 p.m. Since voter registration closed on Friday, Oct. 16, residents who are not registered to vote in Westford may attend as observers in a separate room.
Among the major proposals is a citizens’ petition that would reduce the Community Preservation Act property tax surcharge from 3% to 2%, beginning in fiscal 2028. If approved by Town Meeting, the proposal would also require the town clerk to place the question on the ballot at the next regularly scheduled municipal election. The proposed reduction would lower the surcharge paid by property owners while also reducing revenue available for open space, historic preservation, affordable housing and recreation projects.
Another article would allocate nearly $1.8 million in settlement funds related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. Under the proposal, approximately $1.62 million would go toward the Water Department’s PFAS treatment facilities, while nearly $180,000 would support a Health Department program offering rebates to eligible property owners for private drinking water well remediation. Eligible expenses could include installing PFAS treatment systems or connecting to the municipal water system, subject to program guidelines.
Voters will also consider two energy-related articles. One would establish local permitting requirements and development standards for small clean energy infrastructure facilities, including battery energy storage systems. The proposed zoning changes would address installation, maintenance and decommissioning while updating the town’s bylaws to align with state law.
The second energy proposal would replace Westford’s existing Stretch Energy Code with the Massachusetts Specialized Energy Code, effective Jan. 1, 2028. The code establishes requirements for residential and commercial building design and construction intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the town’s meeting materials, adopting the code is also necessary for Westford to qualify for Massachusetts Climate Leader Community status, which has an application deadline of Dec. 31.
Financial matters will also be on the warrant. One article seeks $393,977 in supplemental appropriations for Fiscal 2027 to replenish the Finance Committee Reserve Fund, cover negotiated firefighter compensation, address increased regional weights and measures costs and fund an additional fifth-grade teacher at the Day School. The article also includes a $199,096 transfer from the School Department to the Technology Department as part of the unified town and school information technology organization.
A separate appropriation would use $232,312 from accumulated Ambulance Enterprise funds to cover the enterprise’s share of firefighter contract costs and train a current emergency medical technician to become a paramedic.
Capital requests include $120,000 to replace the Public Safety Communications fire alarm monitoring system and upgrade its backup capabilities, along with $100,000 to purchase and install a generator at Robinson School. The town’s meeting materials state that the fire alarm monitoring system has failed four times since May and that the school’s existing generator is no longer operational and cannot be repaired.
The capital article also seeks to expand the permitted use of $100,000 approved at the March 28 Annual Town Meeting for townwide digitization. The revised purpose would include purchasing and implementing municipal permitting software, along with data migration, configuration and training. The proposal would not require additional funding.
Other articles would establish a revolving fund for the Department of Public Works fueling station, increase the Fiscal 2027 spending limit for the East Boston Camps Maintenance Revolving Fund from $80,000 to $150,000 and set a $10,000 spending limit for the new fueling station fund.
Voters will also consider authorizing the Select Board to grant sewer easements supporting the redevelopment of 35 Town Farm Road. The project includes preserving the historic building, developing affordable senior housing and relocating the food pantry. The proposed easements would allow a sewer line to connect the property to the wastewater treatment facility on the Norman E. Day School property.
The final article would authorize the Select Board to petition the Massachusetts General Court for an additional all-alcohol license for The Gutierrez Company at 5 Technology Park Drive. The proposed license would allow beer, wine and spirits to be served for consumption on the premises at a proposed restaurant or brewpub. Approval at Town Meeting would begin the state legislative process but would not itself issue the license, which would require subsequent state and local approvals.
Residents can review the full warrant, meeting materials and information about childcare, transportation, parking and disability accommodations on the town’s website.
