Frequently Asked Questions

No. Households are not limited to 35 gallons of trash.

Under the Hybrid PAYT program, each household will receive a 35-gallon cart collected weekly at no cost as the basic level of service. If a household has more trash in a given week, they can place additional trash in Town PAYT bags, which will also be collected curbside. There is no limit to the number of bags that can be used.  PAYT actually removes the existing household limit, allowing households an economical way to handle occasional high trash volumes such as seasonal cleanouts, holiday parties, etc...

The 35-gallon cart was chosen because survey data shows that most households generate 1–3 kitchen trash bags per week, which fits within that cart.

In short:

• The first 35 gallons each week are still collected at no cost.

• Additional trash can always be set out using PAYT bags.

Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) is a fee structure for trash collection.  Under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 44, §28C(f) and M.G.L. c. 40, §22F) the authority to establish and set solid waste fees rests with the Select Board—not Town Meeting.  Town Meeting does not have the authority to direct the Select Board to execute its statutory authority in any particular way.

The proposed Operations Analyst position is a practical, cost-effective investment that helps protect taxpayers while improving everyday town services. A key part of the role is supporting the Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash and recycling program, which affects nearly every household in Westford and represents one of the Town’s largest contracted costs. The Operations Analyst would track contractor performance, follow up on missed pickups and service issues, support future potential program changes like different cart sizes, and ensure fees and revenues are managed accurately—helping control costs while improving customer service. 

More broadly, the position focuses on finding savings, improving contracts, managing energy and utility costs, and making sure Town programs run as efficiently as possible. By handling detailed analysis and day-to-day oversight, the Operations Analyst frees up senior staff to focus on long-term financial planning, while ensuring opportunities to reduce costs, improve services, and protect taxpayer dollars are not missed.

This position IS NOT a reconstitution of the Town's former Sustainability Coordinator position.  This is a technical and financial role, focused on business and operations analysis, research and support.  This is very similar to the private sector function of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and would work in a similar capacity and support multiple Town departments.  

The salary for this position is included in the FY2027 proposed budget at $80,000/year; benefits can vary depending on selections, but average $22,000 per year.

You can learn more about the proposed position and benefits to taxpayers here:  https://www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17615/20260121-Operations-Analyst-Proposal-Memo.  You can also reach out to the Town Manager's Office if you have further questions or would like to better understand the need for this new position and its role in the organization.

The Town is implementing a "hybrid" PAYT program, where your 35-gallon cart will be collected at no charge. You will only have to buy PAYT bags if you have more trash than fits in your free 35-gallon cart. You do not need to use PAYT bags for trash that fits within your household's town-branded 35-gallon cart.  

Once your new cart is delivered, you may continue to use your old containers to hold overflow bags.  If you have an automated cart, you can use it for recycling by clearly marking it "RECYCLING" by stopping by the Town Clerk's office for a free sticker.  

If you no longer need your cart and can't find another use for it, the Town is working on a cart take-back program after the new program launches and your new carts are delivered.  Please check back here for more information.  Notices will also be posted to the Town's social media feeds.

Your trash should be placed curbside before 7am on your collection day and not left out overnight. This is the Town’s current guidance and eliminates the chance animals will get into trash overnight. To further discourage animals, we recommend overflow bags may be placed in a container (same as you do now), provided ALL TRASH within that container is in an overflow bag.  

No, this is not a new tax. This is a fee for a utility service that is being implemented to offer residents the choice to maintain their current level of service. Following the failed override in May of 2024, many Town services were reduced, including staffing in Police and Fire, and teachers and paraprofessionals in the classroom. The trash service is being reduced to the Basic Service (35-gallon cart), which is the service that can be sustained within the tax levy. Similarly, Fire Department response times have increased, WPS has higher student-to-teacher ratios, and Library operating hours have been reduced. Reductions in the level of service are the impacts of budget cuts; as a fee-for-service utility, PAYT offers customers the option to purchase the services they need at a cost significantly below the market for waste disposal. 

There is no evidence to suggest this will be the case, but it is a possibility the Town is prepared for.  Illegal dumping can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and will be aggressively investigated by Westford Police.  Unauthorized use of Town and School dumpsters can result in a fine of up to $100 and will similarly be pursued by WPD.  If you observe illegal dumping or unauthorized use of dumpsters, report it to the Police…this is stealing from you, the taxpayer. 

According to MassDEP data, 127 municipalities offer trash service using a drop-off transfer station.  Of those, 87 run their transfer station as PAYT operation, charging residents fees for each bag of trash, and 55 of those also charge an access fee.  In looking at costs across these municipalities, the curbside hybrid PAYT program compares extremely favorably in cost terms.  

As an example, the Town of Groton offers transfer station for residents for an $80 annual access fee PLUS it requires use of PAYT bags, which are sold at a cost of $2.50 for a 32-gallon bag (Westford proposes $2.75/bag curbside, no annual fee).  Here are a few examples of scenarios that may help to put this in context.

1.  A large family that would fill a 35-gallon cart PLUS use 2 extra 32-gallon PAYT bags each week (the equivalent of 3 -  32-gallon barrels, the current Westford limit) would spend $286 annually to have that garbage picked up curbside (2 bags @ $2.75 each X 52)…remember that the first 35-gallons is NO CHARGE.  And…this is a very, very large amount of trash…most survey respondents, even those that indicated a large household size, were well within a single overflow bag on normal weeks.  
2. That same family would spend $470 annually to load up 3 Groton PAYT bags at $2.50/per bag in the back of their own car, drive them down to the transfer station, unload them, and throw them into the hopper.  (3 bags @ $2.50 each x 52 + $80/annual sticker fee).  That doesn’t factor in fuel or time spent, nor the fact that this scenario has then always using the same car (and sticker)…add $25 if you want to get a second sticker.
3. A 2-person household that uses 1 PAYT bag in Groton each week will pay $210/annually ($80 annual fee + $2.50 bag X 52) to load their garbage up in their car and drive to transfer station.  In Westford, this costs nothing and is conveniently done curbside.

 Factoring in the 35-gallon cart Basic Service AT NO CHARGE, Westford's program compares favorably with many across the state for both curbside and transfer station service.  The example above used Groton's transfer station, but Littleton ($165 annual transfer station fee, 33-gallon bag @ $3.75) or Acton ($115 annual transfer station fee, 33-gallon bag @ $2.10) are other neighboring communities with similar transfer station programs.

All households will be provided with a 35-gallon cart which will be collected at no charge.  Most smaller households will find this more than adequate for weekly use, as it holds 2-3 large kitchen garbage bags easily.  

The Town is working on a program to provide free or reduced-cost overflow bags for eligible seniors and low-income residents through our social services departments. More information will be made available on this in the near future.  Please check back on the program webpage for future updates.

All households will be provided with a 35-gallon cart (the Basic Service) which will be collected at no charge.  Unfortunately, large households which generate large amounts of waste may use overflow bags more often and incur higher costs for trash disposal. All households may find useful information on recycling that may help to reduce the amount of trash and disposal costs by visiting the Westford Recycling Commission webpage..  

However, as with other utility services like water and power, household size directly impacts the cost of utilities. The Basic Service PLUS one (1) bag per week is roughly equivalent to a 65-gallon cart, meaning that if your household puts out one PAYT bag per week at $2.75 will cost less than $12 per month on average.

No. Recycling remains free, unlimited, and strongly encouraged. Revenues from the PAYT program will be used to expand and improve the Town’s recycling and diversion programs to help offset the impact of PAYT and make it easier to reduce the trash your household generates.   Please visit the Westford Recycling Commission webpage for more information.

The revenues from fees paid for PAYT bags will be used to:

1. Pay for the actual cost of collection and disposal of the trash in the bag; the Town pays more than $0.05 per pound of trash that it sends to the incinerator.  Including collection costs, each bag of trash (between 19-25 pounds) will cost the Town between $1.71 and $2.02 in total costs.
2. Fund additional and expanded recycling, composting and trash diversion programs.
3. Fund a new Management Analyst position that will manage the curbside collection program as well as coordinate the additional and expanded recycling programs noted above.  This position will also be responsible for managing and analyzing the Town's energy expenditures, identifying energy efficiency investments, and identifying and applying for grants.  More information will be presented on this position and the financial benefits it will bring to the Town during the FY2027 budget process. 

No. Businesses, multi-family properties with four (4) or more units and any other properties with private trash service are not eligible for curbside collection under the Town's program and therefor part of PAYT and will not have any changes.  

In fact, since the current curbside program is now entirely funded by property tax revenues, businesses and multifamily properties that are not eligible for the Town's curbside collection program pay to subsidize the service for eligible customers; PAYT helps to shift costs away from these taxpayers and place it on the users of the utility service.

The Town will publish a list of participating retailers before launch. We anticipate that several area retailers, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and hardware stores will offer bags for sale. 

Unfortunately, with the new carts not being delivered until June, your options are limited.  Since there is no current standard on carts, you can use any type of container for trash that you have available or wish to purchase, but keep in mind it will not work as your primary trash cart when PAYT is rolled out in July 2026.  If you do need a cart, we recommend that you either:

1. Purchase one suitable for automated collection (hard-sided, hinged lid, wheeled, with the metal bar) that you can transition to a recycling cart later by clearly labeling it "Recycling" (free stickers available at Town Clerk's office); or
2. Use something economical that you can use for overflow bags or another purpose later; or
3. Ask friends and neighbors to see if someone has a spare container.

You can always just use bags and place them curbside without a container, provided it is sturdy, under 30lbs filled, and tied.  This is an acceptable container under our current program.

A number of properties in Westford have Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s).  These can be in-law apartments, garage apartments, attached or detached guest houses.  ADU’s are eligible for curbside collection as long as they meet the following criteria:

•  Included in the Assessor’s Office database as an ADU or similar designation; AND

• Have their own address (distinct from the primary dwelling unit)

There are some older, pre-existing ADU’s that may not meet these criteria but are still eligible for a Basic Service cart.  The Town is developing a tool to allow you to check eligibility for curbside service and be sure your address is on our list for cart delivery; please check back on the PAYT webpage for future updates.

No, your property taxes will not be reduced with the implementation of PAYT.  Your property taxes will continue to fund the basic service (35-gallon cart) and unlimited recycling collection.  PAYT fees cover the additional costs for households that dispose of trash above the average household volume.  A detailed explanation of the bag fee and costs therein can be found in the November 25, 2026 memorandum to the Select Board  starting on Page 9.  

PAYT is a way for a basic curbside service to continue to be delivered to eligible Westford households, while allowing those households that need additional disposal to receive it at a cost-effective way.  When Westford voters rejected the Proposition 2 1/2 override in 2025, many services were reduced, including the loss of multiple public safety positions, teachers, and DPW workers, while trash service remained unchanged and accounting for 84% of the overall budget increase in FY25.  As a result, the Town is now faced with either significantly reducing curbside service with NO options provided to handle excess waste, or using PAYT fees to cover the cost the levy can no longer absorb and providing a way for excess waste to still be collected.  You can read more about the unsustainability of the current program here.

The Westford Fire Department does not inspect, recharge, or accept fire extinguishers for recycling.

Some fire extinguishers can be inspected and recharged by a certified fire equipment dealer. We have no affiliation or recommendations for any local fire equipment dealers or services. You can find one by doing a web search for "fire extinguisher recharging" or "fire extinguisher recharging near me".

Some lower cost fire extinguishers made of plastic or aluminum cannot be serviced or recharged.

Some fire extinguisher makers will have information on their website or within the product manual on proper disposal. Other companies will refer you to your local fire department for more information.

If you're a Westford Resident, we ask that you go to the Westford Recycling Commission and check out their guide to "How to Recycle Most Everything".

Questions? Give us a call. 978-399-2345

As of 2012, Massachusetts driver's licenses can now indicate that your are a veteran. The military provides all veterans with a DD-214, i.e., your discharge papers as proof of service. This document should be safe-guarded. It is recommended that you make copies of your original and only use those copies and a photo ID (like a driver's license) as proof for those that seek it. The VA has started issuing Veterans ID cards. Instructions will be provided shortly.

Please click on this link to get information on how to arrange for transportation to scheduled VA medical appointments at the VA medical facilities in Bedford, Lowell, Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury.

If link is not displayed, copy and paste this URL: https://www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1107/Who-to-Contact-Regarding-Transportation-for-Veterans-Their-Families-PDF

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.   For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to apply for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a medallion. 

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

When burial or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.

Besides getting the healthcare that is specific to your "disability, there maybe other VA, local and state level benefits you are entitled to:

For VA benefits, take a look at the VA Benefit Eligibility Matrix

Take a look at the document What Every Veteran Should Know for some other benefits to check with your local VSO on.

Forms for filing are available in the Town Clerk’s Office. The certificate includes the name and residence of each person conducting the business, and the location where the business is conducted. The named individuals must either appear in person at the Town Clerk’s Office in order to execute the document, or have their signatures on the form notarized by a Notary Public. The filing fee is $30, and the certificate is valid for 4 years from date of execution. For additional information view the application Here

A Statement of Discontinuance, Change of Residence form must be completed and filed ($10 fee) with the Town Clerk if one of the following occurs before the expiration: - Business is discontinued - 1 or more of the persons named on the certificate is withdrawn or retired from the business or partnership - 1 or more of the persons named on the certificate dies - Change of residence of one of the named persons on the certificate - Change of location where the business is conducted For additional information view the Discontinuance Form (PDF).

To obtain a list of DBA Certificates click Here

Fill out a Statement of Change of Business and file it with the Town Clerk's Office.  Download a Change of Business Name Form.

No one is going through your trash. We would be happy to help you with any questions you may have regarding what to recycle and what to throw away. Most households have far more recycling than trash. Decisions will be made based on what is obvious to the haulers and your neighbors: does the distribution of the volume of your waste stream reflect a reasonable effort to recycle and are their visible signs of recycling in your trash? If not, you need not be concerned, however, contact the Recycling Commission by email or by phone or please feel free to reference the Westford Recycling Guide

Several years ago, the recycling vendor initially provided free toters to Westford residents until they realized that the cost of providing toters to everyone in town would be prohibitive. These 64 gallon toters with yellow lids belong to the Town of Westford, not the homeowner, and are linked to the address they were delivered to. The Town of Westford did not pay for the toters.

You can buy them from a hardware store or through the Recycling Commission - more info HERE. These toters belong to the homeowner, just as their trash cans do. 

Westford has a 3-Step water rate system based on volume of water used, and water is billed in increments of 100 cubic feet (ft3) on a quarterly basis. The first step rate is applied to 1 - 2,500 feet3, the second step rate is applied to the next 2,501 - 10,000 feet3, and the third step rate is applied to greater than 10,000 feet3. So, if 4,500 feet3 of water are used for 1 quarter then 2,500 feet are billed at the first step, and the next 2,000 feet3 are billed at the second step: 2,500 feet3 x $5.13/100 feet3 = $128.25 2,000 feet3 x $6.85/100 feet3 = $137 $128.25 + $137 = $265.25 Additionally, there is a quarterly service charge that is applied (in order to cover the cost of maintaining the account) of $23.53. The total bill for the quarter is: $265.25 + $23.53 = $288.78 Refer to the current water rates posted on the Water Department website for rates for each step. This step billing method is used in order to comply with MassDEP requirements, and encourage water conservation.

For all things regarding recycling visit westfordma.gov/recycling.

All paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, and plastic with a recycling symbol (not Styrofoam). No need to sort. The Westford Recycling Guide is updated annually and mailed to every resident by June 30. It includes basic recycling information, the Curbside Collection Calendar with exceptions for holidays, Special Collection Events, What to Recycle, and contacts - please visit westfordma.gov/recycling. Also check recyclesmartma.org.  

Plastic bags cannot be recycled at curbside because they get caught in the conveyor belt at the recycler processing and sorting facility. Many of the larger grocery store chains accept bags for recycling, such as Whole Foods, Stop and Shop, Hannafords, Star Market, Shaw's, Roche Brothers, Market Basket. In addition to shopping bags, these stores accept other plastic bags, such as clean, dry produce bags, bread bags, sandwich bags, and more. Better than recycling bags, of course, is reusing bags or using reusable Cloth shopping bags. It is notoriously difficult, even for those with the best of intentions, to remember to bring reusable bags on a shopping trip. Here are some tips to help you remember: - Write on your shopping list "remember to bring bags." - Hang cloth bags on your kitchen door. - Use a cloth bag to hold deposit bottles and cans, that way you will have at least 1 cloth bag with you when you get to the store. - Tape a reminder on your dashboard. - Don't get discouraged when you keep forgetting your bags. Keep trying.

Some possible reasons: - It was not a recyclable item - It was cardboard that was not flattened and cut into 3 x 3 foot bundles. Larger cardboard will not physically fit in the recycling truck. - Mixed paper was put in a plastic bag. We cannot accept paper in plastic bags. Plastic bags contaminate the paper so it cannot be recycled. - Dirty or contaminated items. Jars full of peanut butter is one example of a non-recyclable items. Cans and bottles put out for recycling must be not be contaminated with food. Please call E.L. Harvey at 1-800-321-3002: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM and Saturday, 8 am - 12 PM or on-line by clicking HERE.

You may: 1) Purchase any sturdy bin at a hardware store 2) Use a regular trash can or 3) E.L.Harvey offers 64 gallon toters for sale - please call E.L.Harvey @ (800) 321-3002.  There is no requirement to buy from E.L. Harvey.  Bins and trash cans should have a "recycle" sticker on them, which are free from the Town Clerk's office at the Town Hall. More info by click HERE

The Westford Recycling Commission conducts two Saturday fee-based collections per year in the Spring and Fall at the Westford Highway Garage, 28 North Main Street. Check our website at westfordma.gov/recycling.  

Alkaline batteries are not considered as hazardous waste and can be placed in your regular trash. Nickel Cadmium and NiMH rechargeable batteries are considered hazardous waste and can be recycled at BestBuy, Home Depot and other hardware stores. Save lithium batteries for Westford's next hazardous waste collection.

For issues with TRASH, please contact Acme Waste at 978-479-2434 or email acmewaste@aol.com

For issues with RECYCLING, please contact Waste Management at 800-972-4545. 

If after contacting the vendor, your issue is not resolved within 24 hours. please contact the Town Manager's Office.

Check the website, westfordma.gov/recycling. The color blue or green indicating the current pickup week is posted on the Westford

Trash / recycling holidays are published on the website, westfordma.gov/recycling. For more information view the Westford

Information on what to if you are sick can be found here.

Yes. The state has opened up 2-1-1 for queries. It is free, confidential, and multilingual.

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes and face. 
• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.   
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Stay home when feeling sick.  for the most up to date information or contact the Health Department at 978-692-5509
• Get a flu shot.
• Work hard at Social Distancing

Proposition 2 1⁄2 allows a community to assess taxes in excess of the  automatic annual 2.5 percent increase and any increase due to new growth by passing an override. A community may take this action as long as it is below its levy ceiling, or 2.5 percent of full and fair cash value. An override cannot increase a community’s levy limit above the level of the community’s levy ceiling. 

When an override is passed, the levy limit for the year is calculated by including the amount of the override. The override results in a permanent increase in the levy limit of a community, which as part of the levy limit base, increases at the rate of 2.5 percent each year. 

A majority vote of the Select Board allows an override question to be placed on the ballot. Override questions must be presented in dollar terms and must specify the purpose of the override.  Overrides require a majority vote of approval by the electorate.

Source: www.mass.gov/doc/levy-limits-a-primer-on-proposition-2-12-0/download

In 2017 Westford voters supported an override to bring teacher pay to the average level within our “market basket” group of similar communities.  The Town’s target was to bring our teacher pay up to average level over the three years of the contract (FY18, 19 and 20.)  The amount of money designated in the override was committed to teacher salaries and teachers received all raises agreed to by contract.

In the past year, the Town has identified numerous budget challenges for future fiscal years arose which would require the expenditure of town funds well in excess of what has been allocated to those individual town functions previously. Over the course of the past year, we have experienced generational high inflation, renewing union contracts in this high inflation environment, extremely high health insurance claims by our employees, the knowledge that our solid waste vendor was not looking to renew their contract (traditionally, very low pricing), a bus contract renewal and special education tuitions that are dictated by the State and not the Town.   

For a detailed walk through all of the data supporting this information, please review the following  Budget Task Force Informational Videos.

Assuming a normal 2.5% increase for the average house value, the average single family tax bill would increase by 2.7% without an override. 

Westford is not the only community in this situation.  Arlington passed an override for FY25 in November of 2023.  Groton, Dunstable, and Belmont have voted on override ballot questions.  Dracut, Acton and other municipalities are considering an override.  

The linked slides demonstrate what the town services would look like with an without an override.

When the library expansion project came before the Town, many of the challenges that we are currently facing were not known.  Over the course of the past year, we have experienced generational high inflation, renewing union contracts in this high inflation environment, extremely high health insurance claims by our employees, the knowledge that our solid waste vendor was not looking to renew their contract (traditionally, very low pricing), a bus contract renewal and special education tuitions that are dictated by the State and not the Town.   

The library project was authorized by a vote of what is known as a Debt Exclusion.  This funding is outside of proposition 2 ½ cannot be used or given to the operating budget.  The debt exclusion for the library will fall off the tax roll after the note has been paid off.  The override is a permanent tax increase.

Town residents have voted seven times on the funding, grant approvals and debt exclusion related the Library Planning and Design Grant and the following Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Grant dating back to March 2012: 

As of April 1, 2024, Westford has spent $407,202.10 of the first grant disbursement from the State.  The Town received the Grant Payment of 20% on January 9, 2023.  Subsequent payments will be paid at significant construction benchmarks.  We anticipate the project to be complete in June 2027.

 Additionally, the Town has signed contracts in the following amount with the Architect in the amount of $2,491,170 and Owners Project Manager in the amount of $945,595.  If the Town cancels the project, we are liable to pay back these contract amounts.

We contacted the Division of Local Services (DLS) to ask the mechanics to rescind a debt exclusion vote once it is passed, and under MGL Ch 59 Sec 21C, there is no process that expressly authorizes communities to rescind and approved debt exclusion vote.  A town meeting could vote to rescind a borrowing authorization to the extent that funds are unencumbered. This usually occurs after a project is completed. As shown above, spending on this project has already begun. The DLS noted that only a handful of towns have considered recission of a borrowing in the past.

If the library project does not move forward, the funds that we have spent from the State will have to be returned and we will have to budget for building repairs and maintenance that are not currently budgeted for.  We will also lose out on the $8.68M grant funding that the Town has been authorized to receive.  Additionally, based upon past history, we understand that the state would not be willing to issue grants to the town of Westford for renovation or expansion projects for the foreseeable future if we were to return this grant funding.  

The Town of Westford has a range tax exemptions available for seniors, veterans, disabled and others.  Please see the chart linked below for more information.  The Chief Assessor gave a presentation to the Select Board on February 13, 2024 on these exemptions.

www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12026/Summary-of-Programs