Information on COVID-19 Updated April 2, 2020

Important Information for Residents

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is thought to spread from person to person. As of 4/2/20, there are (20) known confirmed  active cases in Westford. Total cases in Middlesex County (1582)

Text: COVIDMA to 888-777 for up to date information from the State. 

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Resident Services

Service  
Help with Food Shopping & Medication
 Contact the Cameron Senior Center at 978-692-5523
Restaurants Open for take out and to go foods.
Grocery Stores
 Reusable bags temporarily prohibited. Hours for seniors required. Sanitizing options for customers now required. To view the complete order click HERE.
Solid Waste Collection Please ensure all personal hygiene products, used tissues, paper towel, sanitary wipes, face masks, gloves, and similar items are disposed of in plastic garbage bags. Garbage bags should be tied securely for disposal. If you are sick or caring for someone who is sick: all personal waste should be double bagged in plastic garbage bags. Securely tie all bags shut and dispose of as regular residential garbage.
Questions about COVID-19
 Call the Health Department at 978-692-5509, M-F 8:00am-4:00pm
To report fraud
 Contact the Office of Inspector General at 866-750-5721

Latest Town Department Information

Department/Service Latest Status
Accounting Office is closed to the public. To contact please email jbeyer@westfordma.gov or call 978-399-4450 and leave a message.
Assessors  Office is closed to the public and will be minimally staffed. To contact please call 978-692-5504 and leave a message. Someone will contact you soon as possible.
Building Department All permits and licenses can be submitted online. Visit the department web page for the latest information. Questions can be emailed to Building Commissioner Henry Fontaine at hfontaine@westfordma.gov.
Cemetery Department
Administrative office is closed to the public and available by phone at 978-692-5526 or email cemetery@westfordma.gov. Burial and grounds maintenance operations continue uninterrupted.
Conservation Office is closed to the public, though staff is working remotely. Contact information is available here or call 978-692-5524 and leave a message. Messages are checked regularly.
Engineering Department Office is closed to the public, but we are available during normal business hours at 978-692-5520, or pstarratt@westfordma.gov
Finance Department
Office is closed to the public. To contact the Finance Director, please email dodonnell@westfordma.gov or call 978-399-2573 and leave a message.
Fire Department Public access is limited to the vestibule of the new HQ Station (except for walk-in medicals). We are temporarily suspending any inside inspections at least till April 7, 2020. EMT student ride along suspended. Internships are suspended. No station tours.
Health Department
 Office is closed to the public. All permits and applications can be submitted on line. Inspection services are emergency only, but the staff is available for technical support on plans and Health Department Operations. For the office, call 978-692-5509 or go to https://www.westfordma.gov/215/Health-Department
Human Resources The office is closed to the public. Employees can call or email for any needed assistance.
Library Library is closed to the public, and no returns are being taken. Due dates have been extended through May 15, 2020. Delivery of hold items has been suspended. See the library website www.westfordlibrary.org for the many downloadable collections you can access from home. Please reach out to us with any questions at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov.
Planning / Zoning Office is closed to the public, though staff is working remotely. Contact information is available here or please call 978-692-5524 and leave a message. Messages are checked regularly.
Police Department Westford Police Department lobby is closed to the public except for an emergency. To speak with or request an officer, please call our Public Safety Dispatch Center at 978-399-2345. In case of an emergency, please dial 911. 
Recreation Department Offices are closed to the public.To contact please call 978-692-5532 or email mcollett@westfordma.gov. Programs are currently cancelled/postponed through April 7, 2020.
Recreation / Athletic Fields Closed to group use and small gatherings are discouraged.
Recreation / Playgrounds Closed until further notice.
Senior Center The center is closed to the public, but staff are working in the building and providing support services including van transportation Monday thru Friday from 8-4PM. To reach the Cameron call 978-692-5523 or go to www.westfordma.gov/coa. Westford Food Pantry distribution hours: Wednesdays: 6-8PM and Fridays: 9-11AM and donations are accepted at these times. 
Tax Collector Office is closed to the public, but the Tax Collector’s staff is still accessible via phone at 978-692-5506 (please leave a message), and email ccollins@westfordma.gov. Payments can be mailed or dropped off in the drop box located at the back of Town Hall. Online payments can be made via epay@cityhallsystems.com. For more information visit our web pages.
Town Clerk Office Office is closed to the public. Dog licensing and vital records (birth, death, marriage records) are available online. Online payments may be made by credit card. Bulk item sticker locations are listed on this page . 
Town Manager's Office Sandwich board/easel, banner, special license, street/road closure, and town common and band stand applications are available online on the Board of Selectmen’s homepage. Questions can be emailed to tmaa@westfordma.gov
Veterans Services Office is closed to the public. For assistance please email veterans@westfordma.gov or, call 978-392-1170 and leave a message. More information can be located at https://www.va.gov/  or https://www.westfordma.gov/400/Benefit-Information
Water Department Office is closed to the public. Customers may drop off payments using the mail slot inside the front lobby, but are encouraged to make payments online or through the mail. To contact the Water Department please use one of the following: 
General Questions: 978-692-5529 or water@westfordma.gov; 
Billing: 978-399-2451 or dtyman@westfordma.gov; 
Account Payable at 978-399-2452 or skane@westfordma.gov; 
Water Quality: 978-399-2457 or mwarren@westfordma.gov; 
Operations: 978-399-2456 or dcrocker@westfordma.gov.  

COVID-19 Virus

March 23, 2020

NOTICE:  In an overabundance of caution, the Health Department and Town are temporarily closing ALL Town playgrounds until further notice to help mitigate the spread of this virus. As information unfolds, we will notify you of any changes.  I would like to stress that all measures taken in Town are critical to help limit the spread of COVID-19, but the only way these protections will work is if you help by staying safe. I thank you for understanding in these unprecedented difficult times.

All Non Essential Businesses are ordered closed. To see a list of essential services, click here.

Information on the Current Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus, now named (COVID-19):

Recently, a new Coronavirus—2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus—was detected in Wuhan, China. This novel Coronavirus causes a respiratory (lung) infection. This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance.  Attached to this page on the left are several useful links to help you make informed decisions.

 The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this novel Coronavirus infection. For more information, you can go to www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus . Also you can get fact sheets here. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-stop-fear.html

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is working closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more and will provide updated information on this website as it becomes available as well as guidance for the public. The Westford Health Department is monitoring this situation very carefully and will make sure that the most up to date information will be available to residents. You may go to https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.

GUIDANCE ON MASKS:
The health risk to Massachusetts residents remains low and at this time we are not recommending that people wear masks when they are in public. Masks can be useful in some settings, such as a clinic waiting room, to prevent someone who has a respiratory illness from spreading it to others. There is no hard evidence that wearing a mask protects the wearer outside of the healthcare setting.