Town Places Fishing Line Disposal Tubes at Grafton Waterways to Protect Wildlife
A Grafton Patch report out Friday morning details how a student's 40-minute van commute became the basis for a neglect finding — landing just as Grafton Public Schools enters its final, event-packed week before the June 18 last day of school.
TOWN HALL
The town posted a wildlife-safety reminder Friday: discarded fishing line is a documented hazard to local animals, capable of entangling necks and limbs with fatal results. To make responsible disposal easier, the town has placed dedicated fishing line collection tubes at popular fishing spots across Grafton. Anglers are asked to use the tubes instead of leaving line at the water's edge. The full notice is posted at grafton-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=711.
Looking further ahead, the town's Annual 4th of July Parade is confirmed for this summer, promising food, music, floats, and a "Doggy Mayor" competition for four-legged entrants. Residents can find parade and decoration details — including free red, white, and blue supplies at the North Street Elementary starting point — on the town website.
SCHOOLS
The school calendar winds down fast. Pre-K students at North Grafton and South Grafton elementary schools have their last day Monday, June 16, with South Grafton also hosting end-of-year classroom parties that day. North Street Elementary holds its 6th Grade Moving On Ceremony Monday morning (8:30–10 a.m.), followed by a Grade 6 DJ Party that evening at 6 p.m. At Grafton Middle School, the Student Council Talent Show runs June 16 from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. The final half-day for all remaining students is Thursday, June 18.
On the planning front, the district's 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is open for registration, offering hands-on learning, artistic expression, and STEAM exploration. Kindergarten registration for 2026–2027 is also currently open through graftonps.org.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Grafton Public Library will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth (Freedom Day). In the meantime, the library is forming a Strategic Planning Committee and is actively seeking community volunteers to help chart its future direction — details are at graftonlibrary.org.
Drop-in Cribbage continues every Friday at the library for casual players of any skill level. The Massachusetts Center for the Book's 2026 Reading Challenge is the featured June program for adult readers.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Grafton Patch published a local investigation this morning: "🌱 Patch AM: Why a Grafton student's 40-minute van ride sparked a neglect finding." The piece examines how an extended student van commute became the center of a neglect determination, per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
No new coverage from MetroWest Daily News or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- **Sat., June 13:** Grafton Girls Softball games and tournament at Nelson Fields (all day) - **Sun., June 14:** Grafton Girls Softball tournament at Nelson Fields; Cub Scout Pack 106 event on the Common - **Mon., June 15:** Board of Library Trustees meeting; Grade 6 Tournament Day at North Street Elementary (9:15 a.m.); Field Day rain date at North Grafton Elementary - **Tue., June 16:** Select Board meeting; Planning Board Special Meeting; Grafton Housing Authority Board meeting; MA Strategic Health Group Board meeting; Pre-K last day (North Grafton and South Grafton Elementary); GMS Student Council Talent Show (12:30 p.m.); 6th Grade Moving On Ceremony at North Street Elementary (8:30 a.m.); Grade 6 DJ Party at North Street Elementary (6 p.m.) - **Wed., June 17:** Grafton Farmers Market - **Thu., June 18:** Last day of school — half-day for all students - **Fri., June 19:** Grafton Public Library CLOSED for Juneteenth