Welcome to the first edition of the C-Town Lowdown where it is officially fall! The air is crisp, the leaves are putting on their best art show, and the Bruce Freeman Trail faithful have traded their summer shorts for flannel jackets. Rakes are out, though most remain purely decorative until the first stern look from a neighbor.
And this opening note? About as dry as a small-batch cider. Luckily, the news ahead is fresher.
Upcoming Local Events
Wed, Sep 24 – Movie Night at MacKay Library: Enjoy a free screening of Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille at the MacKay Branch (6:30 PM) – fun for the whole family (and aspiring little chefs!).
Sat, Sep 27 – 4th Annual Fall Festival: 🍁 Join the Chelmsford Health Department on the Town Common from 11 AM–4 PM for a day of food, fun, and community wellness. Free admission, with local vendors, games, and seasonal festivities for all ages.
Sun, Sep 28 – “Autumn Walk in the Woods” Concert: 3 PM at Chelmsford Center for the Arts. The Delphinium Duo (flutist Jessica Smith and pianist Michelle Madasamy) presents a concert celebrating the autumn equinox – expect everything from nostalgic melodies to spooky season vibes. Tickets $20 (with student discounts) available via Chelmsford Arts.
Fri, Oct 3 – CCA Karaoke Night (Halloween Edition): 7 PM at Chelmsford Center for the Arts. Belt out tunes at the Cabaret Café’s monthly karaoke – this time with a Halloween twist. $5 entry at the door; costumes welcome, vocal talent optional!
Sat, Oct 4 – Junie’s Place Gala (“Iconic Couples & Crews”): 7 PM at CCA. The Police Athletic League’s third annual fundraising gala invites you to dress as an iconic duo or group. Enjoy a catered dinner, music, and a themed costume party – all while supporting no-cost grief support services for local families. Tickets $60 (available via Chelmsford Arts).
School News
Dot Day Creativity: Students at Byam Elementary celebrated International Dot Day (Sept. 15) by creating a giant display of colorful paper dots in the school lobby. Art teacher Amy Brown read “The Dot” – a children’s book by Chelmsford native Peter H. Reynolds – to inspire the activity, encouraging every student to “make their mark” with unique artwork.
Music Honors: Chelmsford Public Schools has been named one of the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” for the 13th year in a row. This national recognition, awarded by the NAMM Foundation, highlights the district’s commitment to music programs and education access. Bravo to our student musicians and educators!
Track Star Triumph: Over the summer, Chelmsford High School senior Gable Gray brought home a national title in javelin. Competing at the USATF National Junior Olympics, Gray’s championship throw put Chelmsford athletics on the map. Congratulations to this all-American athlete making us Lion Proud!
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Local Politics
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct 11, when Chelmsford’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) will host an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event on the Town Common from 11 AM–2 PM. The day will feature learning, connections, and cultural celebrations honoring the histories and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Chelmsford Choice Goes Greener (and Cheaper): Big changes are coming to the town’s electricity aggregation program Chelmsford Choice this November. Under a new 24-month supply contract, rates will drop for all participants while most customers will receive more of their power from renewable sources. The Select Board has chosen a new default option dubbed “Basic Green”, which provides an extra 20% renewable energy (on top of state requirements) at a slightly lower rate of 14.720¢/kWh. Residents can still opt into other tiers (“Greenest” 100% renewable, or a new budget-friendly basic tier).
Fall Town Meeting Scheduled: Chelmsford’s Fall Annual Town Meeting will convene on Monday, October 20, 2025. Representatives will gather to vote on town business and local bylaws. The warrant was finalized in August – expect decisions on town finances, development, and community projects.
Committee Meetings
The following public board and committee meetings are coming up. All meetings are at Town Offices unless otherwise specified:
For full agendas and any time changes, see the town website’s Meeting Calendar. All meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend or watch via Chelmsford Telemedia.
Business Spotlight
New BBQ Joint in Town:The Smoke Shop BBQ, led by chef Andy Husbands, has opened its seventh location in Chelmsford Center. Taking over the former Andiamo space at 18 Boston Rd, the restaurant began serving guests in mid-June. The Smoke Shop is known for low-and-slow barbecue — with meats smoked on-site using oak and hickory — and an extensive whiskey list. According to the restaurant, the Chelmsford location is expected to feature one of the largest American whiskey collections in Massachusetts. Monthly whiskey-pairing dinners are also planned for this fall.
Local Business Bites: The Chelmsford Health Department has thanked local sponsors for supporting this year’s Fall Festival. Also, the Saturday Farmers Market on the Common runs through early fall, and Center Village shops welcome your business throughout the year. Shopping and dining local helps sustain Chelmsford’s community life.
This feature is for community information only. Mentions of businesses or events are not paid advertisements and do not imply endorsement.
Town Updates
Pet Cemetery Proposal: Town officials are exploring the idea of establishing a pet cemetery or memorial site in Chelmsford. A citizen petition at a previous Town Meeting asked the Town to look into a dedicated resting place for residents’ beloved pets. While state laws don’t allow pet burial within human cemeteries or on conservation land, one creative alternative being discussed is a pet columbarium (for cremated remains) possibly at the dog park.
Mosquito Alert: The Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health confirmed that West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes in Chelmsford for the third time this season (as of early September). Residents are advised to take precautions: use mosquito repellent, drain standing water, and avoid peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.
Snow Season Ahead (Help Wanted): The Department of Public Works is seeking snowplow contractors for the upcoming 2025–26 winter season. Competitive hourly rates ($110–$200/hr) and sign-on bonuses are available for those with plow-equipped trucks or heavy equipment. Applications are open through October 24.
