By Dave Watkins in News — 12 Jul 2026

Grafton Raises PAYT Trash Bag Prices Starting July 1

GRAFTON — Grafton residents are paying more for their pay-as-you-throw trash bags after a price adjustment took effect July 1, while Town Hall is touting a new state grant that will bring a floating beach wheelchair to Silver Lake Beach.

TOWN HALL

The town has raised prices on its PAYT trash bags, with officials saying the adjustment is meant to fully fund trash operations through user fees rather than relying on additional taxpayer support. The new pricing took effect July 1.

Separately, Grafton was named one of six New England communities to receive a 2026 SMILE Mass Floating Beach Wheelchair Grant, which will supply the town with a floating wheelchair to improve accessibility at Silver Lake Beach.

Town Hall is also seeking volunteers for a newly formed Grafton Common Traffic Study Committee, which will develop a strategic plan for traffic changes and improvements around the Common.

SCHOOLS

Grafton Public Schools, led by Superintendent James Cummings, has opened kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year, with the district asking parents and guardians of incoming kindergartners to register through the district website. The district's 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is also underway, offering hands-on and STEAM-focused programming for students over the break.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

Grafton Public Library has kicked off its summer reading program, "Plant a Seed — Read!," open to all ages, alongside the Massachusetts Center for the Book's July reading challenge. The library also continues its weekly drop-in cribbage sessions every Friday.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"30+ MA Beaches Closed As Smoky Haze Makes Comeback: See Latest Forecast" — smoke drifting in from wildfires in Ontario has prompted closures at more than 30 Massachusetts beaches, after skies briefly cleared earlier in the week, per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).

COMING UP

The Pay It Forward Card Show is set for Sunday, July 19, according to the Grafton Patch community calendar.