Grafton Posts Arbovirus Risk Report as July 4 Parade and Summer Programs Launch
DATELINE: GRAFTON
The town's Board of Health has posted its latest weekly arbovirus surveillance report, reminding residents that mosquito season is in full swing just as Fourth of July festivities and summer programming get underway.
TOWN HALL
The Department of Public Health's arbovirus surveillance program report covering June 14 through June 20 is now posted on the town website. The weekly report tracks mosquito-borne disease risk — including Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus — across the region. Residents spending time outdoors for summer events and recreation should check the report for current risk levels in their area. The full alert is available at https://www.grafton-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=717.
Also on the town's radar: the Annual Fourth of July Parade is approaching. Participants are invited to decorate bikes and join the procession starting at North Street Elementary School, with free red, white, and blue decorations available on site. The town is also holding a "Doggy Mayor" competition as part of this year's celebration — owners can enter their dogs for the title. The library will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
The Board of Health is scheduled to meet Monday, June 29.
SCHOOLS
Grafton Public Schools has announced several summer transition events for families. Sixth graders can pick up their Chromebooks ahead of the fall, and new Grafton High School students as well as incoming ninth graders can attend iPad deployment sessions this summer — details are posted on the district website at graftonps.org. The district's 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is also open, offering hands-on learning, artistic expression, and STEAM exploration. Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year remains open for families with incoming students.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Grafton Public Library's Summer Reading Program is underway under the theme "Plant a Seed — Read!" with programming for all ages. The library also hosts drop-in Cribbage every Friday for adults looking for a casual, no-signup activity. The Massachusetts Center for the Book's 2026 Reading Challenge is running through June as a companion program. Reminder: the library will be closed July 3 and July 4.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Grafton Patch's morning digest today led with baseball: "🌱 Patch AM: How Grafton baseball finally earned that elusive home playoff game." The edition highlights the local team's path to hosting a postseason game, a notable milestone for the program, per Grafton Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton)
Patch also flagged a statewide story with potential local interest: "Major Restaurant Chain Abruptly Closes All Remaining MA Locations." A well-known chain has shut down all its Massachusetts restaurants, per MetroWest Daily News reporting cited by Patch — residents who frequented those locations may want to check whether any nearby spots are affected. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton)
A federal court ruling is drawing attention across the state: "Supreme Court Ruling Could Impact 45,000 Haitians In Massachusetts: 'Families Divided And Ripped Apart.'" The decision touches a decades-old humanitarian program and could affect tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents, per CBS Boston as reported by Grafton Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton)
COMING UP
- **Sat., June 27** — 3rd Annual Pride at The Park (Grafton; see Patch calendar for details) - **Sat., June 27 & Sun., June 28** — Grafton Girls Softball at Nelson Fields - **Mon., June 29** — Board of Health Meeting, Grafton Town Hall - **Mon., June 29** — Tone and Stretch fitness class, Town Gym - **Fri., July 3 & Sat., July 4** — Grafton Public Library closed (Independence Day observance) - **Sat., July 4** — Annual Fourth of July Parade, starting at North Street Elementary School - **Wed., July 15** — Grafton Middle School School Council meeting, 4–5:05 p.m.