Town Manager's Newsletter

Town of Chelmsford

May 2025

• May 2 Karaoke Night
• May 3 Library Plan Forum
• May 10 Shred Day
• May 14 Mushroom Foraging
• May 16 Open Mic Night
• May 17 Yard Waste Pick-Up

• May 20 Hoarding 101 Class
• May 24 Vegan Cooking
• May 26 Memorial Day (Trash Delay, Town Offices Closed)
• May 31 Market on the Common
• June 1 St. Onge Dedication

We're excited to launch the new email format of the Town Manager’s Newsletter! The newsletter, previously shared as a monthly PDF on the Town website, will now be delivered straight to your inbox for easier access to Chelmsford updates.

You are receiving this email because you either subscribed directly or previously signed up for notifications through the Town’s website. If you’d prefer not to receive this newsletter, you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the email.

We invite you to forward this to others, and anyone can sign up or view past editions on the Town Manager’s Newsletter page. Thank you for staying connected with Chelmsford!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website! We invite you to explore the fresh look and enhanced functionality.

The updated home page now features a Popular Resources section, making it easier than ever to access the most frequently searched information.

Additionally, the Town Highlights section provides quick links to timely and relevant content, keeping you up to date with what’s happening in Chelmsford.

Be sure to check out the new Stay Informed page, which offers a variety of resources to help you stay connected and informed about everything going on in our community.

The Town of Chelmsford is excited to share its first strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-2030. Developed through a collaborative effort, this plan will guide the community’s priorities and decisions for the future. It reflects the values of residents, businesses, and stakeholders, ensuring investments and policies align with a shared vision. Public input from workshops, surveys, and focus groups has shaped the plan.

The plan will serve as a roadmap for resource allocation, capital improvements, and policy development. We invite the community to stay engaged as we work together to build a stronger, sustainable future for Chelmsford.

Chelmsford will observe Memorial Day on Monday May 26 in the Chelmsford Town Center. The Merrimack Valley Vietnam Veterans, Inc. (MVVV) will be the host Veterans organization this year. The parade will end on the Town Center Common followed by a short Memorial Day program.

The parade route will start promptly at 10:00 AM from the parking lot next to CVS/Max and Leo’s on Rt. 4. We will proceed to the lights at the intersection of Rt. 129 (Billerica Rd.), continue by the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, take a left onto Academy St., and then another left onto the backside of the common.

Everyone is welcome! All veterans are invited to march with MVVV. This is a wonderful opportunity for scouts and other civic groups to join us.

Please note flags will be placed on Veterans graves at our six Chelmsford public cemeteries prior to Memorial Day. We will start Saturday, May 17 on Armed Forces Day with our Scout volunteers at the Pine Ridge cemetery. Please be patient as flag placement is done by volunteers and we have approximately 2,000 marked Veteran graves in Chelmsford.

If you have any questions about the parade or placement of graveside flags, please call the Veterans office

Shred Day May 10

Yard Waste Pick-Up May 17

Spring Town-Wide Cleanup a Great Success

Harrington and McCarthy Students help clean up the Middlesex Street area

Do you care for a senior loved one but need some time for yourself to run errands or enjoy a hobby? Or are you a senior living alone who would appreciate some company once or twice a week?

The Chelmsford Senior Center’s Companion Respite Program offers family caregivers the freedom to take care of errands, grocery shopping, visit friends, get a haircut, and more, while your loved one receives one-on-one attention from a caring companion. Our companions provide social interaction through conversation, games and puzzles, trivia, current events, light exercise, hobbies, and more, all while ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

• Serving Chelmsford, Westford, Dracut, Carlisle, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough
• All companions undergo work reference checks and CORI background screening
• Visits are scheduled at the same time and day each week
• Cost: $18.00 per hour, with a 2-hour minimum per visit
• In-home visits only; companions do not provide transportation

Contact April Hunt for more information 978-788-6174 or email ahunt@chelmsfordma.gov.

The Town Clerk’s Office will be mailing out postcards to voters who have not yet responded to our Annual Town Census. Responding to the census keeps your voter status active and helps keep our voter list clean. 

2025 Dog Licensing: Late Fees in Effect

Late fees are now being applied to 2025 dog licenses. All 2024 tags expired December 31; the new licensing period began on December 1. For each month your dog remains unlicensed through June 1, a $5 late fee will be added to the standard tag fee: $15 for spayed/neutered and $20 for unaltered.

After June 15, a $50 citation may apply in addition to license and late fees.

How to License or Renew:



• Renewals: Online, by mail, or in person
• New Dogs: Register in person or by mail with application and check

A valid rabies certificate is required. Act now to avoid further penalties!

From left: Officer Chipchak, Chief Spence, Dispatcher Houmiller, Officer Hartshorn, Officer Kilmartin, Detective Ubele, Officer Robinson, Officer Sech, Officer Thayer and Officer Mead

On April 9, the Chelmsford Police Department held its 26th Annual Police Foundation Awards Ceremony, recognizing officers, supervisors, and staff for exceptional service over the past year. The Chelmsford Police Foundation, a non-profit supporting the department, presented the awards.

Among the honorees were:

• Officers Christopher Chipchak and Christopher Robinson: Meritorious Service Award for Lifesaving after rescuing four people from a burning building.
• Detective Brian Ubele: Meritorious Service Award for Lifesaving after preventing a suicide attempt on a bridge.
• Dispatcher Andrew Houmiller, Officer Derek Tyros, and Officer Jake Hartshorn: Lifesaving Award for their roles in saving a collapsed man’s life using CPR and an AED.
• Officer Matthew Sech: Lifesaving Award for reviving a child at a resort pool in New Hampshire.
• Chief Colin Spence: Meritorious Service Award for Lifesaving after providing CPR to a person in cardiac arrest.
• Officer Matthew Kilmartin: Outstanding Performance of Duty for apprehending a suspect connected to a shooting and removing a dangerous firearm.
• Officer Nicholas Thayer: Outstanding Performance of Duty for solving a multi-state theft operation.
• Officers Thayer and Craig Mead: Meritorious Service Awards for Valor for their bravery during a SWAT operation.

The Planning Board will next meet on May 14 in Room 204 of Town Offices at 7:00 PM. The Planning Board will continue discussions with property owners in the Kate’s Corner/Byam School area on zoning/land use within the existing commercial and industrial zones. The Planning Board will also meet on May 28. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on May 8 at 7:00 PM at Town Office in Room 204. A new public hearing will open for a Comprehensive Permit (40B) located at 39 North Road and at 3 Crosby Lane for 16 rental residential units consisting of an existing two-family and a new 14-unit two story building.  

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

New Pollinator Garden at Thanksgiving Forest

A small volunteer group of neighbors, in collaboration with the Town, the Conservation Commission, Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship, and pollinator garden expert Giancarla Kalpas, are busy working on a new pollinator garden at the Janet Road entrance to Thanksgiving Forest. Our goal is to create a vibrant, native "Garden for a Purpose," designed to attract two native bee species back to the area.

They marked the plot and laid manure last fall, and Chelmsford DPW helped drop several invasive trees this spring. We are eagerly awaiting planting day! Come check out the plot, join our volunteer group's Facebook group for updates, and help restore native habitat!

As Spring approaches, the Chelmsford Center for the Arts is blooming with activity. Whether you're looking to perform, enjoy local talent, or just have a fun night out, we have something for at the CCA.

On Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 PM, join us in the Cabaret Café for an evening of music and fun at our upcoming Karaoke Night, hosted by Dani Koutsoufis. Whether you’re ready to belt out your favorite tunes, or cheer on your friends from the audience, it’s sure to be a lively night. Admission is just $5, with a full bar available.

Later in the month, Open Mic Night returns on Friday, May 16 at 7:00 PM. Held every third Friday in the Cabaret Café, this monthly event offers a welcoming stage for performers of all kinds. Singers, comedians, instrumentalists, and more are invited to share their talents in a relaxed, supportive environment. Audience members are just as important—come and enjoy local creativity. Entry is $5, full bar available.

Looking ahead to June, the CCA is proud to host the third annual 10-Minute Play Festival, presented by The Playground Theatre Co. This exciting showcase runs in the auditorium on June 6 and 7 at 7:30 PM, with a matinee performance on June 8 at 2:00 PM. Featuring ten original short plays, directed and performed by local talent, this festival promises an amazing mix of storytelling, from heartfelt to hilarious. Tickets are $20, with a discounted rate of $10 for students and seniors.

We invite you to join us for these exciting events and to help support local arts in our community. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit us at www.chelmsfordarts.org

Help shape the future of your library by joining us for a Community Forum focused on imagining what comes next. We want to hear your ideas on what makes the library a welcoming and inspiring place for everyone. Share your thoughts on the evolving needs of our community, the types of spaces you'd like to see, and the values the library should champion in the years ahead. Your voice will help shape the library’s vision for the next five years.

Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 PM - Register Here

If you can’t attend in person, we also have an online survey that you can fill out with your feedback.

Mushroom Foraging Workshop

Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 PM - Register Here

One to one-and-a-half hour indoor presentations on mushrooms: what they are, how they live, why they’re fascinating. This talk will cover the basics of fungal life with insights on foraging for food and avoiding toxics, and a special emphasis on common mushrooms participants are likely to find in their neck of New England.

Vegan Cooking Workshop

Saturday, May 24 at 2:00 PM - Register Here

Vegan desserts contain much less cholesterol and can be just as moist as the desserts you grew up eating. Meera Kanabar will teach you a few easy swaps and techniques so you can create your own confections at home! 

Please note that the library will be closed on Sundays during the summer, starting on May 25 and closed on Memorial Day, May 26.

The Chelmsford Walking Group is a vibrant community where members enjoy the benefits of walking and socializing. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or prefer a leisurely stroll, this group welcomes all abilities. Our 30-minute walks take place along the Bruce Freeman rail trail.

Benefits of Walking - Walking is a simple yet effective exercise with numerous benefits:

• Physical Health: Improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances joint mobility.
• Mental Well-being: Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, providing a mental break and fostering calm.
• Weight Management: Helps control weight by burning calories and boosting metabolism.

Power of Socialization - Joining the Chelmsford Walking Group offers more than physical activity; it builds connections and community:



• Emotional Support: Sharing experiences with fellow walkers reduces loneliness and isolation.
• Motivation: Group members encourage each other to stay active and reach fitness goals.
• New Friendships: Meeting new people enriches your social life and provides engaging conversations.

Join Us! The Chelmsford Walking Group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 9:00 AM at the 110-baseball field. Improve your health, make new friends, and enjoy nature with us. For more information, visit our website or contact us at 978-250-5241.

Lace up your walking shoes and step into a healthier, happier lifestyle with the Chelmsford Walking Group!

Food Allergy Awareness Week 2025

Food Allergy Awareness Week is observed from May 11 to May 17, 2025. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about food allergies, educating the public on the symptoms and risks, and supporting those affected by food allergies.

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as harmful. The most common food allergens, responsible for 90% of allergic reactions, include: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, Fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.

Did you know that approximately 11% of adult Americans have at least one food allergy and nearly 1 in 13 children have a food allergy? Some allergic responses can lead to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can appear within minutes of exposure to an allergen and may include difficulty breathing, swelling of throat and tongue, rapid or weak pulse, hives or rash, and dizziness or fainting.

If you or someone else experiences these symptoms, it is crucial to use an epinephrine injector (if available) and seek emergency medical help immediately.

For those seeking more information on food allergies, the following resources are helpful: Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE): foodallergy.org, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): fda.gov, Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org, Cleveland Clinic: clevelandclinic.org.

By spreading awareness and educating ourselves and others, we can create a safer environment for everyone affected by food allergies. Let's use this Food Allergy Awareness Week to make a difference!

Join Us for the Hoarding 101 Community Class

The Chelmsford Health Department is hosting an informative session on hoarding. This class is perfect for community members, family, and friends who want to understand hoarding behaviors, their impact, and how to offer support.

Key Topics:

• What is hoarding?
• Recognizing signs and symptoms
• Understanding psychological and emotional aspects
• Effective communication strategies
• Available resources

Whether you are directly affected or simply want to be more informed, this class will provide valuable insights and practical advice. Together, we can create a supportive environment for those struggling with hoarding.

Date: Tuesday, May 20

Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location: Chelmsford Public Library

For questions or to register, call (978) 250-5241, email tangel@chelmsfordma.gov, or visit our page on www.chelmsfordma.gov.

Join us in making a difference in our community!

New Season at Market on the Common

Chelmsford’s Market on the Common returns for the 4^th season!

Join us every Saturday from May 31 through October 11 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the Chelmsford Town Common.

Market on the Common features local farmers and artisan bakers and crafters. There is something for everyone at Market on the Common!