Westford Select Board backs crypto‑ATM ban and forwards budget, defers preservation request

The Westford Select Board met last week to finalize recommendations ahead of the March 28 annual town meeting and to hold a public hearing on a proposed National Grid and Verizon utility pole installation at Carile Road and Old Blow Road.

The board voted unanimously to recommend several standard and recurring warrant articles and recommended the fiscal year 2027 operational budget. In its capital recommendations (Article 9), the board endorsed multiple projects including fire safety improvements, thermal imaging cameras purchased with ambulance enterprise funds, water and stormwater projects, a roof replacement at 30 Beacon Street and the Littleton Road widening design.

During discussion of Article 21 — a proposed bylaw to prohibit crypto ATMs and public kiosks — Police Chief Mark Chambers presented data the board cited in support. Chief Chambers told the board residents have lost about $542,000 to crypto ATM scams since 2023. After his presentation the board "strongly recommended" approval of the bylaw; the proposed ban would not apply to private or club installations outside town jurisdiction.

The board declined to take a formal position on Article 22, a citizen petition seeking to rescind prior pay-as-you-throw votes, noting citizen petitions are advisory and the board retains statutory authority to implement pay-as-you-throw fees without town meeting approval. The board deferred Article 10 (preservation committee funding requests) until March 10 to allow review of the Finance Committee's recommendation.

Next steps: the Select Board will finalize positions on deferred articles at its March 10 meeting and its recommendations will be reflected in the town meeting warrant on March 28.