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Town Manager's Newsletter | |
Town of Chelmsford
August 2025
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- Aug. 4 Citizen Petition Deadline
- Aug. 6, 13, & 20 Concerts at MacKay
- Aug. 9 Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Aug. 12 Military Appreciation Cookout
- Aug. 21 CPAL Movie Night
- Aug. 23 Yard Waste Pickup
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- Aug. 26 Back to School
- Aug. 29 Janelle Draper Comedy Show
- Aug. 30 Becky Herrmann Memorial
- Sept. 1 Labor Day (Trash Delay, Town Offices Closed)
- Sept. 4 Overdose Vigil
- Sept. 27 Fall Festival
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Compliance with MBTA Communities Zoning | |
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has determined that the Town of Chelmsford is complaint with the provisions of the MBTA Communities Law. Town Meeting zoned a 102.1-acre district to provide 1,520 of as of right multi-family unit capacity. This determination of compliance qualifies the Town for the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund which supports activities related to housing creation, related infrastructure, and property acquisition.
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Town Meeting requested that the Select Board and Town Manager explore the financial viability and suitable location for a pet cemetery. Land was donated to the Town of Littleton for a pet cemetery 19 years ago. Only cremains are accepted for burial. Only lawn level flat markers are permitted. This reduces maintenance costs for the pet cemetery. Towns are not permitted to place pet cemeteries at human cemeteries. Towns cannot place pet cemeteries on conservation land or other opens space land acquired through the Community Preservation Act.
As an alternative, the Town is exploring the placement of a pet columbarium at the dog park. If you have any suggestions regarding an eligible suitable parcel of land for a pet cemetery or other thoughts regarding a pet cemetery, please contact the Town Manager’s Office at TMOffice@chelmsfordma.gov.
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Citizen Petition Articles for Fall Annual Town Meeting | | The Town of Chelmsford will convene the 2025 Fall Town Meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025. 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 4, 2025. 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. | | | | |
Military Appreciation Cookout August 12 | | |
Sponsored by the Military Community Covenant Task Force
Join us on Tuesday, August 12 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Chelmsford Lodge of Elks Pavilion, 300 Littleton Road for an evening of food and community as we honor our local veterans and military members for their service and sacrifice.
Free to all! Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, desserts, soft drinks, and a cash bar.
Show your support. Everyone is welcome!
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The first day of school for Chelmsford students in grades 1-9 and Kindergarten Orientation is Tuesday, August 26. All students will be back in school on Tuesday, August 27. You can find the full Chelmsford Public Schools 2025–2026 Academic Calendar at the link below.
As the new school year begins, please remember to drive carefully, watch for children at bus stops, and be alert in school zones.
Wishing all Chelmsford students and families a great start to the year!
| | Beach Season Continues Through Labor Day Amid Temporary Closures | | |
Heart Pond and Freeman Lake beaches are open for the season through Labor Day; however, both beaches are currently closed due to algal blooms, as of the time of this publication.
The Health Department continues regular water testing and, in coordination with the state, will reopen the beaches when conditions are safe.
Please check the Health Department’s beach webpage for the latest closure information and water testing results before heading to the beach and remember that there are no lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk when beaches are open.
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Town’s Efforts to Re-Establish the Town’s Tree Canopy | | Senior Volunteer and Tree Committee Member, Bob Koethe, assisted with the launch of the watering program for the 66 trees planted at the Chelmsford High School grounds and the Harrington Soccer Field. | |
The Department of Public Works (DPW), in coordination with the Tree Committee and in alignment with the Town’s strategic plan to replenish the Town’s declining tree canopy, planted over 100 trees throughout Town in May and June. This includes the planting of 25 trees as part of a Cooling Corridor Grant at the Town’s Dog Park, 66 trees within the Chelmsford High School grounds and Harrington Soccer Field, and approximately 20 other trees throughout Town.
All of these trees were paid for through grants or state funds in the approximate amount of $100,000. While planning and planting of over 100 trees was a tremendous effort, the maintenance and watering efforts for these trees, particularly during these hot summer months, requires an even more substantial level of effort. A weekly watering program of at least 20 gallons of water per tree is critical for maintaining tree health.
Beginning in July, the DPW launched a watering program through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate/Work Program for the 66 trees located on the Chelmsford High School and Harrington Field area by purchasing a watering vehicle as part of the state funding. The gator vehicle holds 90 gallons of water and utilizes a pump and hose to fill the watering bags located at each tree. The water tank is refilled onsite during each watering session. Watering of the trees will continue through the fall and restart next spring for the 2026 season. A watering program of 1 to 2 years is recommended for recently planted trees of less than 2 inches in diameter.
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2025 Roadway Paving Program Update | | |
The Town’s paving and sidewalk program is in progress. Work is either underway or is scheduled to begin on the following streets within approximately the next month.
Mill and overlay (includes removal and replacement of top 2 inches of asphalt): Baldwin Road, Checkerberry Lane, Grove Street, and Overlook Drive.
Roadway reclamation (includes both asphalt and subbase replacement due to pavement failure):
Burton Lane, Dayton Street, Gallop Drive, Garrison Road, Kensington Drive, Livery Road, Longview Drive, Miland Avenue, Newtowne Way, Reseach Place, Seneca Drive, Stillwater Drive, and Warren Avenue.
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There will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Monday, September 1 due to the Labor Day holiday. Collection for the rest of the week will be delayed by one day.
Please note that no bulk items are collected during holiday weeks.
| | Curbside Yard Waste Pickup August 23 | | |
The next residential curbside yard waste pickup will take place on Saturday, August 23.
- Material must be out by 6:30 AM
- Brush must be tied in rope or twine, no larger than 4’x6’ piles, maximum 3 piles per household
- Brush maximum size is 3” in diameter and 6’ long
- Christmas trees will be accepted - all wires and ornaments must be removed
- All leaves and grass clippings must be bagged or barreled
- Unlimited bags/barrels for leaves and grass clippings
- No rocks, dirt, sand, or mulch will be accepted
Please note that curbside yard waste collection is not offered to multi-family or condominium complexes. Community Tree accepts brush all year for a fee: 978-256-0341
Additional pickups will occur on October 11, November 22, and December 6.
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CPAL Movie Night August 21 | | |
Come join us on Thursday, August 21, as the Chelmsford Police Athletic League (CPAL) takes over the John Carson Memorial Track at Chelmsford High School! We're offering a fun-filled evening of free entertainment for families in the community.
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy complimentary entertainment, gifts, and refreshments provided by CPAL. Stick around after dusk for a showing of The Wild Robot on the big screen.
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Officer Aidan Gillis at agillis@chelmsfordma.gov. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | Caregiver Relief Through Companion Respite Program | | |
Do you care for a senior loved one but need a little time for yourself to do your own errands or hobbies? Or are you a senior living alone but would like some company once or twice a week?
The Chelmsford Senior Center’s Companion Respite Program allows family caregivers the freedom to do errands, grocery shop, visit with a friend, get a haircut, etc. while your loved one receives the one-on-one attention of a caring companion.
Our companions provide social interaction in the form of conversation, games & puzzles, trivia, news-of-the-day, light exercise, hobbies, neighborhood walking, and more, all while providing a safe environment.
- Covering Chelmsford, Westford, Dracut, Carlisle, Tewksbury & Tyngsboro
- Work reference & CORI background checks are done on all companions
- Visits are scheduled for the same day and time each week
- Cost: $19.00/hr for Chelmsford residents, with a 2-hour minimum visit
- $20.00/hr for residents in towns abutting Chelmsford, 2 hr minimum visit
- In-home visits only, companions do not drive clients
- Contact April Hunt for more information at 978-788-6174 or ahunt@chelmsfordma.gov.
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Upcoming Meetings of Planning Board, ZBA, and Conservation Commission | | |
The Planning Board will next meet on August 13 in Room 204 of Town Offices at 7:00 PM. The Planning Board will continue the public hearing for purposes of receiving comments on proposed zoning articles for Fall Town Meeting. The primary zoning articles for consideration are related to Kate’s Corner rezoning and the creation of a new zoning district entitled CBLT (Roadside Commercial Light). To learn about the Kate’s Corner rezoning please go to the Planning Board webpage.
On August 13 new public hearings will open for 152 Stedman Street, the former Glenview landfill, for the construction of a commercial solar farm project and for 242 Billerica Road for an adult day care facility. The public hearings for 256 Chelmsford Street (Mall) for the construction of two free standing fast food restaurants with drive-thrus and 191 Riverneck Road for the construction of an outdoor/indoor contractor’s yard will be continued to September 10.
The Conservation Commission will next meet on August 12 and August 26.
The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet next on September 4.
The posted agendas for these meetings will be available on the agenda center of the Town’s website.
| | 2025 Managed Growth Strategy Task Force | | |
The Chelmsford Planning Board is seeking to appoint two Town Meeting Representative and two Residents at-large to the 2025 Managed Growth Strategy Task Force. This committee is expected to meet monthly or bi-weekly, depending on the tasks at hand. Based upon the number of applications received, the Planning Board will invite interested parties to attend the September 10, 2025 meeting to introduce themselves.
The following links are included for your review:
The role of the 2025 Managed Growth Strategy Task Force is:
- Select the consultant the task force will be working with
- Meet with consultant on a regular basis
- With the consultant, define the process for developing the Managed Growth Strategy:
- Define the problem we are trying to solve
- Definition of ‘done’
- Goals
- Timeline
- Metrics
- Gather data and information from various sources, including, but not limited to the Chelmsford Housing Production Plan, 2025 Strategic Plan, and other sources that went into the development of the 2025 Strategic Plan.
- Periodically report back to the Planning Board on the progress of Managed Growth Strategy.
- Draft the Managed Growth Strategy, and present the draft to the full Planning Board for review and discussion.
The Planning Board recommends the composition of the 2025 Managed Growth Strategy Task Force to be the following appointments.
- 1 Select Board
- 1 2020 Master Plan or Master Pan Implementation
- 2 Strategic Plan
- 1 ConCom
- 2 Town Meeting reps
- 2 Residents
- Community Development Director (Advisor)
If you are interested in serving on the 2025 Managed Growth Strategy Task Force, please submit an email/letter of interest, no later than September 5, 2025 including relevant experience to: Evan Belansky, Director of Community Development at ebelansky@chelmsfordma.gov.
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Tree Committee: Jim Martin | | |
The Town of Chelmsford extends its sincere thanks to Jim Martin for over a decade of dedicated service to the Tree Committee. Jim has been a key player in advancing the town’s public tree management and was instrumental in the establishment of improving the tree canopy as a key objective in Chelmsford’s new Strategic Plan.
Jim’s contributions include training DPW staff on best tree practices, creating a public tree database, and providing expert consulting on various town projects. Notably, his guidance helped ensure the successful planting and survival of 22 trees on the Common in 2022.
Though Jim has retired from the committee, we’re grateful he’ll continue to offer his expertise on special projects. The Town thanks Jim for his invaluable work and looks forward to collaborating with him in the future.
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| Summer Fun Lives On at CCA | | |
August may technically be the last month of summer, but at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, the fun is just getting started! Keep reading to learn about some of the exciting programming we have coming up.
On Saturday, August 9, join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at our first ever Rocky Horror film screening! Come on down to the auditorium for a night of thrills, laughs and rock n’ roll. And this won’t be just your average movie night! Beginning at 8:30 PM, the doors will open for a pre-movie celebration. Have a drink at our bar, grab a snack and enjoy your favorite songs from Rocky Horror and beyond. Then at 9:30, grab a seat and get ready to do the Time Warp again as you enjoy this cult-classic film. Tickets $15. Ages 18+ only, IDs will be checked at the door!
Then, on Friday, August 29, comedian Janelle Draper is back by popular demand after a packed show this July! Join us in the Cabaret Cafe as the nationally renowned comedian returns with Janelle’s Dirty Basement Comedy Show. Headlined by Janelle herself, this show boasts a lineup of hysterical comedians seen across national tours, film and television. The show begins at 8:00 PM, but fun starts even earlier! Before the show, from 6:30 to 7:30, join us for a stand-up comedy open mic! Showcase your comedic chops, or simply sit back and enjoy the hilarity local comedians have to offer. Advance signups to be posted on our website and socials. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Mature content — may not be suitable for all ages!
Help support local arts in the your community, and have lots of fun while doing it! For more information on these and future events, or to purchase tickets, visit our website.
Find us on social media. Instagram: @chelmsfordarts, Facebook: Chelmsford Center for the Arts
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Becky Herrmann Memorial Celebration | |
Please join us on Saturday, August 30, any time between 2:00 and 4:00 PM as we celebrate the life of Library Director Becky Hermann and dedicate the new art installation created in her memory. There will be refreshments throughout the afternoon and remarks and a presentation at 2:45 PM.
Save the date and register using the library calendar if you can attend, to help us plan for the event!
| Summer Concerts at MacKay | | | | |
West Nile Virus Activity Rises in MA in 2025 | | |
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported an uptick in West Nile virus (WNV) activity across the state this summer. Currently, Chelmsford is classified as a low risk, but positive samples have been detected in neighboring towns.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause symptoms ranging from mild fever and body aches to severe neurological conditions like encephalitis or meningitis. While about 80% of infected individuals show no symptoms, those over 50 or with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness.
How to Protect Yourself:
To reduce your risk of WNV infection, DPH recommends the following precautions:
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Use insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, or other EPA-approved ingredients.
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Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
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Drain standing water around your home where mosquitoes breed (e.g., flowerpots, gutters, birdbaths).
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Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Stay Informed:
Residents can check the latest WNV risk levels and mosquito testing data by visiting the Massachusetts Arbovirus Dashboard.
You may request mosquito spraying in your neighborhood by calling 508-393-3055 or visiting the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project website at www.cmmcp.org. The tentative dates for spraying are Aug. 6, 12, 18, 21, and 27.
As mosquito season continues through October, public health officials urge residents to remain vigilant and take preventive measures seriously.
| | Chelmsford to Hold Annual Overdose Vigil on Thursday, September 4 | | |
The Town of Chelmsford will host its annual Overdose Vigil on Thursday, September 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on the Town Common, offering a space for remembrance, reflection, and community support in honor of those lost to substance use disorder. This vigil is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community affected by loss.
Held each year in early September to coincide with National Recovery Month, the vigil brings together families, friends, and advocates to raise awareness about the ongoing opioid crisis and to support those in recovery. The event typically includes a candlelight ceremony, personal stories from community members, and resources from local health and recovery organizations.
| | Save the Date! 4th Annual Fall Festival September 27 | | |
The Chelmsford Health Department will be hosting their 4th Annual Fall Festival. The event will host free activities like a princess performance, princess and superhero meet and greets, face painting, a balloon twister, petting zoo, games, hayrides, and so much more. There will be food to purchase from local businesses, food trucks, local vendors, and more!
Save the date! The Fall Festival will be on Saturday, September 27 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on the Town Common.
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The Town of Chelmsford is hiring for the following positions. Please view the full job postings at the link below. Applicants must submit a job application, resume, and cover letter by email to people@chelmsfordma.gov.
Chelmsford Police Department - Co-Response Clinician
The Co-Response Clinician responds with law enforcement calls involving persons in mental health or substance use crises. The clinician performs brief assessments on scene to divert from arrests, divert from emergency department visits, or offer resources and guidance for community members to determine appropriate recommendations for care. The clinician will be expected to conduct co-responses, on-call clinical support, outreach, follow-up, data collection, and aid in other tasks as assigned by the clinical program manager.
DPW Highway Division – Laborer/Equipment Operator
Operate heavy machinery for roadway maintenance (e.g., front-end loaders, backhoes, street sweepers). Additional duties include winter plowing, salting, and pothole patching. Physical outdoor labor required. CDL (Class B) and hoisting license required by each equipment type. 40 hours/week; overtime may be needed during storms.
DPW Facilities Division – Playground & Open Space Coordinator
Seeking a coordinator to support the maintenance and operations of Town-owned parks, playgrounds, beaches, buildings, and open spaces. Duties include conducting inspections, coordinating grounds maintenance, assisting with playground planning, overseeing Town events, and supervising seasonal staff. The role also involves fostering relationships with Town departments, schools, businesses, and community organizations to ensure effective communication and support for public spaces.
Public Library – MLS Specialist, Substitute
Substitute librarian for the Reference or Youth Services Departments. Duties include providing reference services with occasional extra hours on Sunday afternoons (paid at time and a half). Opportunity to be trained as a substitute Department Head for weeknight and weekend shifts.
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