Grafton PAYT Bag Prices Rise July 1 to Eliminate Taxpayer Subsidy
Starting Wednesday, Grafton residents will pay more for their Pay-As-You-Throw trash bags under a pricing adjustment designed to make the program fully self-funded through user fees — ending a reliance on general taxpayer support.
TOWN HALL
The town announced Tuesday evening that PAYT bag prices will increase effective July 1, 2026. The change is framed as a structural fix: bag revenue will now fully cover program operations, removing the subsidy that had previously come from the broader tax base. Residents should expect the new prices at retailers when purchasing bags this week. Full details are posted at https://www.grafton-ma.gov/1401/PAYT-Changes-Effective-July-1-2026.
Also from the town: the weekly Department of Public Health arbovirus surveillance report covering June 21 through June 27 has been posted to the town website. No elevated risk findings were noted in the summary.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Grafton Public Library will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day — the nation's 250th. The library's Summer Reading Program, themed "Plant a Seed — Read!," is underway for all ages. Drop-in Cribbage continues every Friday when the library is open.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Grafton Patch carries the story "Popular Chinese Restaurant Celebrates Grand Reopening In Grafton," reporting that a local Chinese restaurant marked a milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening celebration. Per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
Patch also reports "MA State Trooper Dies After Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash In Grafton," noting that Trooper Jacob Mick died from injuries sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash on Sunday. Per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
COMING UP
- **Wednesday, July 1:** Grafton Farmers Market on the Common; Town Administrator office interviews also scheduled at Town Hall. - **Friday, July 3:** Grafton Public Library closed (Independence Day observance). - **Saturday, July 4:** 4th of July Parade (starting point: North Street Elementary); 4th of July Pig Roast with the American Legion — "Celebrate 250 years." The Doggy Mayor competition is also part of the day's festivities. Library closed. - **Tuesday, July 7:** Planning Board Special Meeting — joint session with the Select Board. - **Thursday, July 9:** Zoning Board of Appeals public meeting; Charter Review Committee meeting (Section 3). - **Wednesday, July 8:** Grafton Farmers Market on the Common. - **Tuesday, July 14:** Housing Authority Board Meeting with Annual Plan Hearing; Charter Review Committee (Section 2). - **Wednesday, July 15:** Grafton Farmers Market on the Common; Grafton Middle School School Council, 4 p.m.