Town Manager's Newsletter

Town of Chelmsford

June 2026

• June 5-7 Ten-Minute Play Festival
• June 6 CHS Graduation, Market on the Common
• June 10 High Noon at MacKay
• June 13 Community Baby Shower
• June 14 Eli Post Bench Dedication & Ride

• June 17 Singalong at Varney
• June 19 Juneteenth (Trash Delay, Town Offices Closed)
• June 20 Car Seat Check, Summer Reading Begins
• June 26 Bob Dylan Tribute
• July 3 & 4 Independence Day festivities
• Aug. 3 Citizen Petition Deadline

Dear Residents:

On May 25, Paul Cohen retired after nearly 20 years of dedicated service as Town Manager to our community. His vision and leadership resulted in numerous improvements in Town. We extend our best wishes to Paul in all his future endeavors.

It’s an honor to have been appointed Acting Town Manager by the Select Board effective May 26, 2026. Having served nearly two decades as Town Finance Director, I’m looking forward to guiding our Town through this transition period while the search for a new Town Manager is ongoing and the Screening Committee completes its important work.

My focus in the months ahead will be on:

• Maintaining the Town’s strong financial position
• Supporting Town Department management and staff
• Moving forward with planned improvements to Town and School facilities
• Collaborating with the Boards, Committees, and volunteers that are vital to our community.

Congratulations to the Chelmsford High School Class of 2026 on their upcoming graduation on June 6th and to the Nashoba Valley Technical High School Class of 2026 on their graduation, which took place on May 31st. Comments and suggestions are welcome at TMOffice@chelmsfordma.gov.

John Sousa, Jr.

Acting Town Manager

New Police Chief Gary Hannagan

Please join the Select Board in congratulating Chelmsford’s new Police Chief, Gary Hannagan! Chief Hannagan is a 27-year veteran of the Chelmsford Police Department, with a career deeply rooted in community service. Over the years, he has served as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and deputy chief. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, has completed Police Command and Staff School, and is working toward a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration.

In his May 4 address to the Select Board, Chief Hannagan noted that he relies on the strong foundation of those who have come before. “I’m committed to building upon that legacy by fostering a culture that inspires our personnel, supports professional development, and embraces innovation and accountability.”

Citizen Petition Articles for Fall Annual Town Meeting

The Town of Chelmsford will convene the 2026 Fall Town Meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026. Articles to be included on the Warrant must be submitted to the Office of the Town Manager at 50 Billerica Road prior to 4:00 PM on Monday, August 3, 2026. Petitioned articles must carry the signatures of at least ten voters. For more information, please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 978-250-5202.

Beaches at Heart Pond and Freeman Lake Open Through Labor Day

The beaches at Heart Pond and Freeman Lake at Varney Park are open for the season and ready to welcome visitors. Please note that no lifeguards are on duty, and swimming is at your own risk.

Swim ropes will remain in place, and the Health Department will continue routine water testing through Labor Day. If water quality conditions become unsafe, the beach will be closed and notices will be posted both on site and on the Town website.

Please also be aware that there will be temporary closures in early summer at Heart Pond due to planned ADA improvements in the parking lot and the installation of an accessible walkway. Additional information will be shared as the work schedule is finalized.

For current water quality updates, testing results, and any beach closures, please visit the Health Department’s beach webpage or call 978-250-5241. Residents can also check the “Beach Status” link on the Town homepage for the latest information.

Before visiting, please review the rules for Heart Pond Beach and rules for Freeman Lake Beach.

We hope residents and visitors enjoy a safe, relaxing summer at the beaches.

Independence Day Festivities

The Town welcomes everyone to our Independence Day celebration activities being held on July 3 & 4. Bring your family and friends for two days of local traditions, live music, exciting events, and more!

The parade will kick-off from the McCarthy Middle School and travel down North Road through the Town Center to the Adams Library. Road closure Information can be found here.

Friday, July 3

3:00 -9:00 PM: Art Society Art Festival, Center for the Arts

5:00 – 9:00 PM: Lions Club Country Fair, Center Common

5:00 -8:00 PM: Rotary Club Kiddie Train Rides, Rear of Public Gardens

5:00 – 7:00 PM: Jilly Martin Concert

6:00 PM: Suburbanettes Twirl Team

7:00 - 8:30 PM: Community Band Concert, Center Common

Saturday, July 4

8:00 AM: Lions Club Country Fair, Center Common

8:30 AM: Flag Raising, Center Common Flagpole

8:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Art Society Art Festival, Center for the Arts

9:30 AM: John Carson 2-Mile Road Race

10:00 AM: Independence Day Parade

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Eli Post: Memorial Bench Dedication and Celebration of Life Ride

Please join the Charles River Wheelers (CRW) cycling club for a celebration of the life of Eli Post on Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 AM at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail outside the Heart Pond parking lot.

The club will dedicate a bench for Eli Post and reflect on his contributions to the club. Eli was the living embodiment of CRW. He was a core member, serving as president, VP of Rides, editor of Wheel People, and ride leader. He was a great motivator and encouraged others to give back to the club. His contributions are too numerous to list here.

After the ceremony at his bench, the club will ride the back roads of Chelmsford and Westford together, as a club ride is the best way to celebrate his life.

The Planning Board will next meet on June 10 in Room 204 of Town Offices at 7:00 PM. The Board will continue a hearing for a 2-lot private way definitive subdivision, to be constructed on a paper street known as Chestnut Hill Lane and continue its discussion related to potential zoning articles for Fall Town Meeting. The Planning Board will also meet on June 24.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on June 4 to open the public hearing for a 40B project located at 1 Smith Street for the redevelopment of the existing Chelmsford Arms. 

The Conservation Commission will next meet on June 9 and June 23.

The posted agendas for these meetings will be available on the agenda center of the Town’s website.

Free Car Seat Check Event at Burlington Mall

The Chelmsford Police Department will be joining several surrounding agencies for a free Car Seat Check Event at the Burlington Mall in the parking lot behind Macy’s on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Certified child passenger safety technicians from local police departments will be on site to inspect car seats, assist with proper installation, and answer questions from parents and caregivers. No appointment is needed — residents are encouraged to simply stop by.

Properly installed car seats are one of the most important ways to keep children safe while traveling. This event is an opportunity for families to ensure their seats are installed correctly and meet current safety recommendations.

Firefighters Christopher Cannon (left) and Patrick Hogan (right)

Please join us in welcoming Chelmsford Firefighters Christopher Cannon and Patrick Hogan who graduated from the 10-week Massachusetts Fire Academy on Friday, May 1. The firefighters were among 26 who graduated with Class #338, representing Andover, Ashland, Attleboro, Beverly, Chelmsford, Dover, Everett, Lawrence, Medford, Nantucket, North Reading, Revere, Southborough, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Walpole, and Westford.

To graduate, recruits must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operations, and fire attack. Both Chris and Pat successfully met the national standards of the National Fire Protection Association standard 1001 and are certified to the level of Firefighter I and I. The Massachusetts Fire Training Council oversees the certification process, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

Drone Technology Aids DPW 

DPW EVO II Enterprise V3 drone, and aerial stream assessment of Deep Brook near Stonehill Rd.

The Chelmsford Department of Public Works (DPW) continues to expand its use of innovative technology to improve infrastructure maintenance and environmental stewardship throughout the community. Most recently, the DPW has begun using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, to assist with aerial investigations related to stormwater management and stream health. The drone was obtained through a grant from the Town’s insurer, the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA).

The drone allows DPW staff to safely and efficiently inspect areas that may otherwise be difficult to access on foot. The technology has already been used to identify drainage blockages, assess stream conditions, and evaluate areas impacted by erosion or debris accumulation. By providing an aerial perspective, the drone helps staff quickly locate problem areas and better prioritize maintenance and improvement efforts.

To support this program, the Town’s Stormwater Superintendent, Rob Wood, and Stormwater Engineer, Courtney Thompson, have both obtained their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot licenses, allowing them to legally and safely operate drones on behalf of the DPW.

The DPW’s EVO II Enterprise V3 drone is also equipped with infrared thermal imaging capabilities. The Department plans to utilize the drone to help assess HVAC systems and building envelope efficiencies at schools and other municipal buildings. Thermal imaging can help identify potential maintenance issues, heat loss, and equipment inefficiencies that may not be visible during traditional inspections.

The use of drone technology increase efficiency in field investigations, and provides valuable data to help protect Chelmsford’s waterways, municipal infrastructure, and public facilities for years to come.

Help Keep Our Water Clean – Choose Phosphorus-Free Fertilizer

When it rains, fertilizers can wash off lawns and into storm drains and waterways, leading to water pollution and toxic algal blooms that harm fish, wildlife, and water quality. Established lawns already have enough phosphorus in the soil and don’t need more — only newly seeded or sodded lawns may require phosphorus to help new grass grow. Always check the fertilizer label and choose one with a “0” as the middle number to help protect water quality.

Before applying any fertilizer, get your soil tested to find out what your lawn actually needs. Soil testing is available through UMass Amherst Soil Testing Lab. This saves money and prevents over-fertilizing. If fertilizer is needed, spot treat problem areas instead of applying it everywhere, and never fertilize before heavy rain is expected — rain can wash fertilizer away before your lawn uses it, sending it straight to our waterways. Small changes make a big difference for healthy lawns and clean water!

Town Successfully Commences Front Yard Tree Planting Program 

The Chelmsford DPW and Tree Committee recently completed a pilot program to install trees within the front yard of residential properties. The program was funded through a $50,000 State Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant. In alignment with the Select Board’s goal to replenish the diminishing tree canopy, the DPW and Tree Committee complete annual tree plantings and have successfully completed over 100 tree installations annually over the past couple of years. Up until this program, the plantings have occurred only on Town properties. There is limited availability of tree planting opportunities within the limits of the Town’s Right-of-Way and planting on Town properties requires extensive watering programs to continue for a duration of two years for the newly installed trees to establish in their new environment.

The Front Yard Tree Program was extremely successful because it not only provides a community benefit of replenishing the tree canopy, but it also allows residents to partner in this effort by “adopting” a tree in their front yard and assuming ownership for the care of the tree, including the necessary weekly watering. Sixty-two residents received trees and were provided with a tree care package which included guidance on watering, mulch cover, and pruning. Residents were able to select from a list of 12 native tree species.

With such positive feedback received by the residents, the Town plans to continue this program. DPW is reviewing budget opportunities to continue this program this fall or next spring. A request for future applications will launch later this year and updates regarding specific dates and timelines will be provided through the DPW Facebook page and this Town Manager’s Newsletter. 

Community Supports DPW Food Drive

Sixty bins of food collected at the DPW food drive and Highway Equipment Operator, TJ Swissler and DPW Business Manager Michelle Thomas who were instrumental in launching this event

Thank you to the Chelmsford community for supporting the DPW food drive on Friday, May 29. Chelmsford Market Basket hosted the drive in its parking lot from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

A total of 60 recycling bins of food, equal to about three and a half DPW truckloads, were collected and will be donated to the Chelmsford Food Pantry. The pantry provides food to more than 200 Chelmsford and regional families each week. This successful event has been held in recent years, and the DPW plans to continue it annually.

Juneteenth Trash Delay

There will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Friday, June 19 due to the Juneteenth holiday. Collection will be delayed by one day with Friday’s route picked up on Saturday. Please note that no bulk items are collected during holiday weeks.

Reel Night Out at MacKay

Join us at the MacKay branch library to watch the classic western "High Noon," starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, Wednesday, June 10 at 6:45 PM. A retired marshal's wedding is interrupted when he learns a killer he had sent to jail will return to town on the noon train to seek revenge. The townspeople refuse to help him, so he is forced to take up his badge and guns again, alienating his new bride, a Quaker who is opposed to violence.

Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Pop-Up Library Singalong at Varney Park Beach

Most of our daily story times are on hold during June, but we'll have a special Singalong with the Pop-Up Library at Varney Park Beach on Wednesday, June 17 at 11:00 AM! Enjoy favorite tunes and discover new songs you will love in English and a variety of world languages, check out some books from Poppy's collection, and enjoy the outdoors.

A Photo Exhibit Celebrating Chelmsford’s Resilience

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to honor emotional wellbeing and the strength found in community. This spirit is reflected in Finding Light Through the Darkness, a Chelmsford community photo exhibit celebrating resilience, hope, and connection through art.

Open to residents of all ages, the exhibit invites participants to submit one photograph capturing something meaningful in their lives such as a place, moment, object, or symbol that represents light during difficult times. Together, these images will create a powerful visual story of how Chelmsford residents find strength, comfort, and belonging. Submissions are being accepted now through August 1. Those under 18 will need to have parental consent to participate. Additionally, to protect privacy, do not include faces or identifying details of people in photographs.

As part of local suicide prevention efforts, the exhibit uses creativity to spark reflection, inspire connection, and remind us that hope and resilience exist throughout our community.

The community exhibition opens Thursday, September 17, at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts and will remain on view throughout the Chelmsford Fall Festival. Submitted photographs will be printed and mounted for display, then gifted to their owners after the exhibition closes.

Please call 978-250-5241 or view the sign-up form for more information or how to submit a photograph.

Call for Sponsors: Support Chelmsford’s Fall Festival

The Chelmsford Health Department is seeking local business sponsors for the 5th Annual Fall Festival, taking place Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the Chelmsford Town Common. This beloved community event is expected to draw more than 3,500 attendees and feature 50 or more community vendors, food trucks, and free family activities.

Sponsorship is a great opportunity for local businesses to give back while gaining visibility with residents of all ages. The festival remains free and welcoming to the community thanks to generous sponsor support and includes hayrides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, touch a truck, live performances, and more.

Support a fun Chelmsford tradition and promote your business at the same time. To become a sponsor or learn more, contact 978-250-5241 or view the sponsor form.

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

Have you ever heard of Myasthenia Gravis? It is a rare but treatable autoimmune condition that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, causing weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Common symptoms include drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and limb fatigue.

An estimated 60,000 Americans are living with myasthenia gravis, though it may be underdiagnosed. It can affect people of any age but is more common in women under 40 and men over 60. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many individuals manage symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

Local support is available through the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, which offers New England resources and support groups. Specialty care is also available at Mass General Brigham and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center neurology clinics.

Help raise awareness this month and encourage those with persistent muscle weakness to seek care.