Grafton Wins Grant For Floating Beach Wheelchair At Silver Lake
GRAFTON — The town has been awarded a state grant for a floating beach wheelchair to improve accessibility at Silver Lake Beach, while residents are adjusting to a new, higher price for PAYT trash bags that took effect this month.
TOWN HALL
Grafton has been named one of six New England communities to receive a 2026 SMILE Mass Floating Beach Wheelchair Grant, according to the town's News Flash. The grant will provide a floating beach wheelchair to increase accessibility at Silver Lake Beach.
Separately, the town confirmed that Pay-As-You-Throw trash bag prices increased effective July 1, 2026, with officials saying the adjustment was made "to fully fund operations through user fees and eliminate reliance on taxpayer support." The Select Board is also seeking residents to fill vacancies on several boards and committees, and a new Grafton Common Traffic Study Committee is now accepting applicants to help develop a strategic plan for traffic changes and improvements at the Common.
The town also flagged two public-health notices this week: a CMMCP mosquito control educational session and guidance on summer grilling and food safety, both posted to the town's civic alerts page.
SCHOOLS
Grafton Public Schools is moving ahead with summer logistics, including 6th grade Chromebook pickup and iPad deployment sessions for new students and incoming ninth-graders at Grafton High School. The district's 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is underway, offering hands-on learning, arts, and STEAM programming for students. Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year remains open, and the Grafton Middle School School Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 15.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Grafton Public Library's Summer Reading program, themed "Plant a Seed — Read!", continues for all ages, alongside the Massachusetts Center for the Book's July reading challenge. The library also hosts a drop-in cribbage game every Friday for residents looking for casual games and company.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: How did Grafton Legion fare, and who do they play next?" Patch's morning roundup previewed local American Legion baseball results and upcoming matchups, per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
"🌱 Patch AM: Which Grafton lacrosse stars made this year's elite all-star list?" The outlet highlighted local lacrosse players named to a regional all-star roster, according to Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
"Hungry Kids In MA May Not Be Getting Enough To Eat This Summer" Patch reported on statewide child food insecurity, citing Feeding America's estimate that more than 177,000 Massachusetts children face food insecurity, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
"Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak: 7 Things To Know And What To Do In Massachusetts" Patch covered a multistate outbreak now confirmed in 17 states, according to the CDC, per Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
COMING UP
The Grafton Farmers Market runs Wednesday, July 15, on the Common. The Public Works Advisory Committee, Board of Health, and a revised Planning Board meeting with public hearings are all scheduled for Monday, July 13. The Housing Authority Board holds its Annual Plan Hearing and board meeting Tuesday, July 14, alongside a Board of Assessors meeting. Grafton Middle School's School Council meets Wednesday, July 15.