Westford voters approve $8.4 million-plus capital plan, ban public crypto kiosks; reject rescind of trash fee program

Westford voters on March 28 approved a broad capital plan of more than $8.4 million, passed a package of municipal and school funding measures and adopted a local bylaw banning cryptocurrency kiosks in public places, officials said. A citizen effort to rescind the select board's pay-as-you-throw trash program failed.

The meeting opened with unanimous approval of Article 1 and the town manager's state-of-the-town remarks. Early debate centered on Article 2, which proposed changes to waste-disposal funding. Several procedural motions to remove funding, postpone the vote or reorder articles were rejected before the main Article 2 measures passed. Voters also approved Articles 3 and 4, which the meeting summary said addressed perchlorate contamination remediation and energy-efficiency projects, and authorized funding for a new HVAC system at the Cameron Senior Center.

A principal item, Article 9, passed and funds a range of townwide improvements including public safety equipment, infrastructure upgrades, repairs to school facilities and major stormwater projects. Meeting notes listed the Route 110 widening design among the funded projects and said the state, via the MassDOT TIP program (FY29), will cover most construction costs provided the town completes required design work.

Community Preservation under Article 10 received voter support for tennis-court replacements, accessibility upgrades at the 4-H arena, restoration at the JV Fletcher Library, affordable housing initiatives, park upgrades and repairs to Town Hall and the First Parish Church. Later votes approved an easement for National Grid at the public library and adopted a policy allowing digital legal notices.

Voters approved Article 21, a bylaw that prohibits the installation and public use of virtual-currency kiosks (Bitcoin ATMs) in town, with proponents saying the restriction is intended to reduce local crime and protect residents from scams. Article 22, the citizen petition to rescind the select board's decision implementing a pay-as-you-throw trash program, was defeated; the town will proceed with the program as scheduled.

Residents who spoke during public comment raised concerns about how the pay-as-you-throw plan will affect larger families, seniors and households on fixed incomes and asked whether measures such as standard container sizes or a revolving fund could ensure fees cover tipping costs rather than becoming a general revenue source. Town officials said the program will preserve a base level of curbside service for all households while charging additional fees for excess trash via designated bags; recycling was described as remaining free and unlimited.

The meeting adjourned at about 3:30 p.m. following closing remarks urging continued civic participation. Town officials said implementation steps for the pay-as-you-throw program will continue over the coming months, including outreach and public education prior to a July 1 rollout.