Currently, Westford is in the process of making some big changes. Here are the top four local headlines you need to know.

1. In the next year or so, the Town of Westford will conduct a Feasibility Study to determine if there is potential to renovate or expand the J.V Fletcher Library for the year of 2034. In 2013, the Library ran a Needs Assessment, which assessed what the library was lacking,  and came up with the Library Building Program that will help address the inadequacies in the current and future library.

Some inadequacies go along the lines of the lack of current technology. These include the larger computer labs as well as a preservation  caliber history space, a place where they can preserve important documents. It also includes the overall safety of the library, since its design was from the mid 80’s. The library hopes to use the State and Federal grants to help make the transition possible.

Read more in-depth information about the proposed changes to the J.V Fletcher Libraries

2. Another, arguably more pressing, issue is the acceptance of an asphalt plant in Westford. The asphalt plant will be able to be opened in Westford after the town accepted 8.5 million dollars, full reimbursement for all the legal fees, 20 miles of roadways, ten miles of sidewalks and more.

This plant was originally proposed in 2011, where the Town of Westford declined to implement the plant. As the result of declining the plant, Newport Materials, the company pushing for the plant, was declined the permit for the plant. However, after a legal battle that lasted six years, the asphalt plant will be able to come to Westford, but with some restrictions.

This Wednesday, there will be a Town Meeting to discuss the settlement and answer questions that residents may have.

The asphalt plant will be permitted to open on 540 Groton Road. People have put up signs to protest against the asphalt plant moving to Westford, as it will contaminate the air and harm other wildlife that live around Westford.

Read more about the upcoming asphalt plant

3. Another proposed plan that may come to Westford is a new cell tower, which may help cover the bare areas in Westford that may not have service. Currently, there are only three cell towers in Westford: one on Nixon Road, another on St. Augustine Drive, and another on Powers Road.

There was a cell tower approved for 33 Griffin Road in 2010, however, it still has not been constructed. Now, a 130 foot cell tower is proposed to go in the parking lot behind the H.E. Fletcher Social and Athletic Club. Although it still has not been approved, residents in that area have been putting up a resistance to the prospect of a cell tower being placed.

One of the biggest issues on putting the cell tower in that area in Westford, according to some residents, is due to the amount of historic significance that area has. Also there maybe some health risks because of the radio frequency radiation that is used to transmit signal to phones.

Read more about the cell tower plan

4. Over the summer, Westford residents voted against a large farm-to-table restaurant that was supposed to be on Boston Road. It was originally planned to be 40,000 square feet and be able to hold 180 seats with 137 parking spaces. The restaurant developer still hopes to get a new proposal approved.

Read more about the proposed restaurant