Westford Activates Stage III Water Restrictions Amid High Demand
The town's Water Department has moved to Stage III outdoor water restrictions, effective immediately, citing sustained excessive non-essential water demand — the most restrictive level of the town's drought response program, and one that directly affects every household and business with a lawn, garden, or irrigation system.
**TOWN HALL**
Stage III restrictions are the most stringent tier in Westford's water conservation framework and carry real enforcement teeth. Residents are directed to stop non-essential outdoor water use — including lawn irrigation — until further notice. The Water Department's announcement, posted to the town homepage, cites sustained excess demand rather than a drought declaration, meaning the pressure is largely usage-driven. Residents should check westfordma.gov for the specific prohibited uses and watering schedules that remain permissible under Stage III.
On a separate utility front, the town's Pay-As-You-Throw trash program continues its rollout. New PAYT carts began arriving June 8, and overflow bags will be available at local retailers for households that need extra capacity. Residents who have not yet confirmed their address and eligibility are encouraged to do so through the town website.
The town is also looking to fill two civic vacancies: a Planning Board opening and volunteer positions to support elections and Town Meetings. Both are open for applications now via westfordma.gov.
**COMMUNITY & ARTS**
The J.V. Fletcher Library has launched its 2026 Summer Reading Program under the theme "Plant a Seed, Read!" — open to all ages from children through adults. The adult strand runs as a parallel program alongside separate kids and young-adult tracks. The library's temporary home remains at 515 Groton Road while the renovation and expansion of the historic Main Street building continues.
Heads up for next week: the library will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
**ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS**
Westford Patch published "🌱 Patch AM: Why Westford's Molly Smith is skipping this year's Lowell City tourney" this morning, flagging a local athlete's decision to sit out a regional tournament as the day's lead Westford story, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
No new coverage from MetroWest Daily News or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
**COMING UP**
- **Mon., June 15** — Virtual talk: "Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life" with author Rachel Hartigan, 7–8 p.m. via Zoom; register through the library website. - **Mon., June 15** — School Committee meeting. - **Wed., June 17** — Virtual job-search help for ages 50-plus; virtual Mystery/Thriller book recommendations with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan — both via the library. - **Wed., June 17** — Zoning Board of Appeals meeting; Board of Assessors; Pedestrian Safety Committee. - **Thu., June 18** — Westford 300th Anniversary Committee meeting. - **Fri., June 19** — J.V. Fletcher Library closed for Juneteenth. - **Thu., June 25** — Strega Mama Storytime ("Strega Nona"), Roudenbush Community Center, Room 105, 2 p.m.; YA Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Forge Pond Beach.