Trustees urge registered voters to attend March 28 Annual Town Meeting for $60,000 skylight grant and National Grid easement vote

The joint committee was reminded that two items tied to the library project require a vote at the Annual Town Meeting on March 28 at Westford Academy: a $60,000 CPA historic preservation grant for the Mary Atwood skylight restoration and a housekeeping article to approve an easement to National Grid.

Peterson and the library director noted that both the select board and finance/CPA committees have already approved the measures but the town meeting must also vote to finalize them. "The Westford Community Preservation Committee approved $60,000 for the Mary Atwood skylight restoration. This amount needs a vote from the annual town meeting that is scheduled to happen on March 28, 2026," Peterson said.

Ellen, identified in the meeting as the library director, encouraged registered voters to attend. "If you're a registered voter, you're welcome to attend. And if you can, if you'd like to speak on behalf of these articles, feel free to do that," she said, noting the meeting begins at 9 a.m. at Westford Academy.

Staff also outlined related procurement and funding notes: the committee reported that the furniture bids came in below estimate and a separate furniture contingency has been recorded, staff expect additional MBLC and grant disbursements later in the fiscal year, and a $100,000 legislative award for audiovisual equipment has been allocated toward the meeting room AV system.

The committee was asked to publicize the March 28 meeting to registered voters and to be prepared to answer questions from town meeting members about scope, funding sources and easement terms if asked during the floor discussion.