This page contains public health and safety announcements, quarterly project updates, as well as information about current and upcoming events and entertainment opportunities.
- Grand Opening of the Nashua River Trail
- Devens Adopts Embodied Carbon Reduction Guidelines —
November 27, 2023
- Devens Intersections of Communities and Cultures Public Art Project
- Public Health Alert
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus were recently found in Ayer. Although there have been no reported human cases, you should follow these prevention tips to protect you and your family from mosquito bites: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mosquito-borne-disease-prevention#prevention-tips-. Devens Continues to participate in the Central MA Mosquito Control Program. Personnel will be in the Devens area to respond to requests for service. Requests for service, or to be placed on the "No Spray" list can be made by calling (508)393-3055 or on-line at: https://www.cmmcp.org/. - Upcoming Flu Shot Clinics
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health are hosting free flu clinics throughout the region: https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. Devens residents and business employees are eligible at all clinic locations. Just bring your ID and any health insurance card. - ihEALTH COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Expiration Extension:
September 7, 2023
- Ayer–Devens Pocket Forest Pilot Project Update
Join us on Sunday, September 10th at 1:00PM for a Public Tour of the Ayer-Devens new Pocket Forest and enjoy local food and music while we learn more about this thriving Neighborhood Pocket Forest! Visit: https://climateresilient.wixsite.com/ayerdevens for more information about this Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program-funded project and how you can get involved and build you own pocket forest!
- Devens Re-Launching Shuttle Service!
Devens is working with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority to re-launch the Devens shuttle service as targeted workforce ride program for businesses and an on-demand service for residents and visitors. The goal of this service is to provide increased accessibility to Devens between the surrounding communities and businesses, as well as connect to the MBTA commuter rail system. See the following links for more information:
– Devens On-Demand Shuttle Service – connecting Devens with the MBTA, Ayer and Shirley, as well as Leominster and Fitchburg
– Taxi and Livery rides (within 20 miles)
– Businesses looking for commuting options for existing employees and/or to attract new employees
– Residents and individuals looking for commuting options to and from Devens
- Water Quality Report
- Devens Joins the EPA Smartway Program
To help meet the sustainability goals of Devens redevelopment and our Climate Action Plan, the DEC has joined the Federal environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program. Read the press release here.
- Devens Water Use Restrictions in Effect — April 10 through September 30, 2023
In order to ensure an adequate supply of water for our customers as we complete construction of two new water treatment plants serving the Devens community, MassDevelopment is instituting the following water use restrictions.
Nonessential water use is restricted from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Restricted usage that is not allowed during these hours includes:
· Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
· Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety.
· Washing of external building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
Please call Jim Moore at (978) 784-2931 or Mark Cohen at (978) 784-2911 if you have any questions about these water use restrictions.
In addition to the above restrictions, if our customers could postpone any other activities that might require significant water usage until after September, that would help us preserve our water supply to meet our customers basic requirements. Please call Jim Moore at (978) 784 2931 or Mark Cohen at (978) 784 2911 if you have any questions about these water use restrictions. - Wildlife Sightings in Devens — Safety Tips for Businesses and Residents
With over 1,400 acres of permanently protected open space, Devens is home to a diversity of wildlife. It is not unusual to see animals such as black bears and coyotes. Learn how you can protect your property, yourself, and your loved ones from these and more at: www.mass.gov/learn-about-wildlife.
Download facts sheets for bears and coyotes. - Devens Stormwater Management Education and Awareness Initiative
- Devens PFAS Updates
- Army Noise Reports
The Army periodically undertakes military training exercises on the South Post that involve ammunitions and explosives. In an effort to inform local residents and businesses, the Army provides monthly updates on the anticipated activity. Download the most recent noise report here. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Department of Defense Police at
978.796.3333. - Yard Waste and Recycling to Protect Water Quality in Devens
- Events
– Devens Recreation Schedule - Devens Designated Truck Route
Click here to download a map of the designated truck route for Devens. All Trucks travelling to/from Devens are to utilize the highlighted routes to enter and exit Devens via Jackson Gate (Route 2). - Devens Wastewater Treatment Plant Designated/Preferred Truck Route
Click here to download the map — all septage haulers accessing the Devens Wastewater Treatment plant are required to utilize the highlighted route when going to and from the Plant. - Devens Area Resources
– MRPC Economic Impact of Devens Report — June 2016
– Devens Disc Golf
– Devens Eco-Efficiency Center
– Devens Household Hazardous Waste
– Fort Devens Military Base
– Fort Devens Museum
– Freedoms Way National Heritage Area
– Friends of the Oxbow
– MassDevelopment/Devens Community website
– Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce
– Nashua River Watershed Association
– United Native American Cultural Center
The official opening of the Nashua River Trail and the Pollinator Meadow on MacPherson Road within the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge occurred on Wednesday, November 1st. See the photos of the celebration here. Click here for more information on the trail and the meadow.
Devens recently adopted a set of tools and guidance to assist applicants with reducing the carbon footprint of their development projects in Devens. Read the Press Release. These guidelines will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector and help Massachusetts meet its decarbonization targets. Check them out here.
A new public art project, supported by a grant from New England Foundation for the Arts and MAPC, will be located at the intersection of paths west of Sherman Avenue at Willard Field.
See the flier for more information or
e-mail: bethsuedmeyer@devensec.com.
On Jan 11, 2023, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from 6 months to 15 months.
Full details can be found at:
https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news#expiration.
The Devens Enterprise Commission still has free kits available to Devens residents and businesses (while supplies last). Stop by our office during normal business hours (M-F 8:30A-4:30P)
and pick yours up today!
In the meantime, stay safe and be diligent. More tips to stay safe at:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/protect-yourself-your-family-and-your-community-from-covid-19/download.
If you have been exposed, follow the CDC Guidelines:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
Devens Utilities provides an annual report to the community that details where our water comes from, what it contains, and the risks that our water testing and treatment are designed to prevent. View the 2022 Water Quality Report to learn more.
Wondering how your day to day activities on your property can impact water quality in Devens? Take a look at our tips for promoting responsible stormwater
management practices for residents and businesses in Devens:
– Tips for Businesses
– Tips for Residents
Be sure to share this information with your neighbors and/or fellow employees and help us keep Devens wetlands and waterways clean and healthy!
Follow us on Facebook (@devensec) for additional posts.
The Army publishes updates regarding their ongoing environmental remediation and PFAS investigations at the former Fort Devens to help keep stakeholders and the
local community updated on the status of the Army's work.
Visit their website for more details
–
Final Community Involvement Plan (CIP) — November 2020
–
PFAS Private Well Testing Fact Sheet — November 2020
–
Project Status Update September 2020
Devens offers residents and businesses many resources to properly manage and dispose of yard wastes and other recyclable materials to protect the natural environment. Check out our latest publication here.