Important Information on COVID-19, Updated May 22, 2020

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Total cases in Westford: 135
Active Cases: 63

Total Recovered: 68

Total cases in Middlesex County: 19,930

 GUIDANCE FOR REOPENING YOUR BUSINESS

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

Get the answers you need!   It’s free.  Confidential.  Multilingual.  Dial 2-1-1 or search online

Bouy Health Symptom Checker

Governor Baker Issues a Mandatory Face Covering Order Effective May 6th

DAILY UPDATES AND THE LATEST NEWS

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES


Resident Services

Service  
Rapid Testing Facility A new facility is located in the parking lot of Showcase Cinemas located at 32 Reiss Avenue, Lowell, MA. You must pre-register and be pre-qualified by CVS at the following link: CVS COVID-19 Testing
Pet Food Initiative Need animal food/supplies? Have food/supplies to donate? Animal Control is currently accepting donations. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call (978) 692-4574 or email animalcontrol@westfordma.gov. A donation drop-off bin is currently outside the Westford Police Station door, in addition the Cameron Senior Center is accepting donations M-Th 8AM-1PM.
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.
4/7/19: UPDATED REQUIREMENTS can be seen Here
Public Schools See the WPS website for latest information.
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). Inside inspections (commonly known as 26F smoke detector inspections that are required at the time of resale of a house) are still
suspended until the State of Emergency is lifted. Contact Lt. Parsons at 978-399-2087 for more information. 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 Although the Library building is closed to the public, staff are working remotely. If anyone needs a library card or has a question, please email us at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov. Visit our Remote Resources Page for more information on our downloadable collections, homework, and homeschooling resources. Please do not return your items. Due dates will continue to be extended until we reopen. Delivery of hold items has been suspended. Check out our website for updates or subscribe to the Friends of the Library weekly e-newsletter.
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. All programs have been cancelled through June 28th, in accordance with Governor Baker’s most recent guidance for school and daycare operations. This date will be revisited as additional information becomes available
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 . Call ahead to make arrangements to obtain marriage licenses, business certificates and raffle permits. No notary service is offered at this time.
Town Manager's Office Office is closed to the public, however all business is still operational. To contact us please call (978) 692-5501 ext. 1 or email tmaa@westfordma.gov. Permit and license applications are available online on the Board of Selectmen’s homepage and may be submitted for approval at the email address listed above.
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.

The CDC recomends you wear a face covering when out in public

  1. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  2. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  3. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  4. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  5. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.