MBTA Sets Temporary Construction Schedule For Worcester Line
GRAFTON — The MBTA and Keolis have moved to a temporary construction schedule on the Worcester Commuter Rail Line effective in late July, with changes lasting until September, while Grafton Public Schools opened concrete August dates for Chromebook and iPad pickups ahead of the new school year.
TOWN HALL
The MBTA and Keolis, the T's operations and maintenance partner for Commuter Rail, announced a temporary construction schedule now in effect on the Worcester Line, with changes running until September, according to a notice posted to the town's website. Riders who rely on the line for Boston-bound travel should expect the altered schedule to remain in place through the end of summer.
Town Hall also pointed residents this week to its online Financial Transparency Center, a portal for browsing town finances and demographics.
SCHOOLS
Grafton Public Schools has centralized and streamlined its school-supply lists for elementary and middle school students ahead of the 2026-27 year, according to a district announcement. The district also opened scheduling for sixth-grade Chromebook pickups at the Grafton High/Middle School parking lot on Aug. 5, 12 and 19, alongside iPad deployment sessions this summer for new Grafton High School students and incoming ninth graders. Kindergarten registration for 2026-27 is now open through the district office, and the district has posted capital-plan reports addressing roofing needs at Grafton Middle School.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Grafton Public Library's summer reading program, "Plant a Seed — Read!," continues alongside the Massachusetts Center for the Book's July reading challenge. The library also hosts drop-in cribbage every Friday, and its weekly WowBrary email highlights newly added books, movies and other materials.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"MA Blood Donors Urgently Needed As Red Cross Declares National Crisis" — Blood donations across Massachusetts have fallen to a four-year summer low and are not keeping pace with hospital demand, Grafton Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton/s/kkvsc/ma-blood-donors-urgently-needed-as-red-cross-declares-national-crisis).
"Massachusetts 'No Excuse' Vote By Mail: How To Get A Ballot For This Fall's Elections" — Vote by mail remains available for state elections, primaries and most local elections this fall, per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
"Linda A. Casello-Fields, of Grafton" — A lifelong Grafton resident's obituary was published this week, according to communityadvocate.com (read it at https://www.communityadvocate.com/obituaries/linda-a-casello-fields-of-grfaton/article_4713628d-6ecd-4cf3-9d5e-945114dde91c.html).
COMING UP
The town's Q1 property tax bills are due Monday, Aug. 3. Sixth graders can pick up district Chromebooks at the Grafton High/Middle School parking lot from 2-4 p.m. on Aug. 5. The Grafton Farmers Market returns to the Common on Wednesday, Aug. 5, followed by the Grafton Rec Concert Series on the Common on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.