Compost Piles On The Move At Former Drew Gardens Site

In May, Westford residents were alarmed to see large piles of compost accumulate at the former site of Eric’s and Drew Gardens on Boston Road.

On Wednesday, those piles were beginning to be moved from the location where they had been dumped earlier this spring to a location further back on the site where composting had been occurring on the site prior to the dumping.

The property is currently home to CNS Mustard Seed, a farmstand operated by Nancy Morton that opened earlier this year, shortly after the dumping began.

According to Morton, the move helps to till the compost and she believes it will also meet requests from the town regarding the removal of the pile from its current location at the back of the parking lot.

After an agreement to sell the property earlier this year, a task force was established to determine whether or not the town should exercise its right of first refusal on the sale stemming from an agricultural restriction placed on the property in the late 70s.

Morton is currently leasing the property, and hopes her farmstand can become a positive symbol for the community.

“We’re trying to connect the community and make a beautiful entrance for when people enter Westford,” she said. “We’re trying to connect people with the environment.”

In addition to the changes with the compost, Morton says volunteers are also coming on site to help rejuvenate portions of the lot and that a small collection of organic vegetables grown on the land and produce from nearby farms that is already available.

And although it has not yet been confirmed, there also may be a renewal of the Winter Farmers’ Market that was once on the site during colder months.

“We’re going to do a community effort, that’s our goal,” said Morton.

More information on Mustard Seed is available on their Facebook page.

For video on the story, check out the Westford CAT website in upcoming days.