This page contains public health and safety announcements, quarterly project updates, as well as information about current and upcoming events and entertainment opportunities.
- NEW! Nature–based Solutions Project StoryMap
Devens received a Mass ECAN Climate Ambassador Award to share Devens Nature–based Solutions Projects with other communities. In addition to conducting in person tours of project sites, we developed a StoryMap to highlight sites and share resources. Please visit it at
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/23f99d73d4344e11b73fc403ead955db. - Army 5–Year Review of Remedial Actions — We Want To Hear From You
- Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest Project Update & Video!
- Water Alert 11/12/24
- Fire Alert: Devens Burn Ban in Effect 11/15/24
- Public Health Resources for Devens Residents and Businesses
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health just released its Winter 2024 newsletter with lots of great information on local health services for Devens residents and employees. - Mosquito Control Project
- Developing Devens
- Devens On–Demand Shuttle Service:
Need a ride? The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority provides on–demand shuttle service for all in Devens, providing connections to/from surrounding communities and the MBTA commuter rail in Shirley and Ayer. View the schedule details here. Devens also has a Boston Shuttle running 2x a day, accessing major Boston Hospitals and VA Centers. Click here for schedule and details.
- Devens Intersections of Communities and Cultures Mural at Willard Field
- Nashoba Valley Medical Center Closure Information
- DEC Passes Extended Producer Responsibility Resolution
- Volunteer Habitat Restoration Opportunities
- Public Health Advisory: Fishing in the Nashua River – 5–28–24
- Biometric/Eye Tracking Responses to Green and Complete Streets
- DEC 2023 Annual Report Now On-line!
- DEC Issues Moratorium on Private Wells in Devens:
The DEC, acting as the Board of Health for the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone, issued an order establishing a Temporary Moratorium on private wells and use of groundwater due to PFAS. Read the full press release here. A copy of the full moratorium can be viewed here.
- Devens 2023 Drinking Water Quality Report
- 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. - MA Office of the State Auditor
– DEC Audit July 27, 2020 - Devens Area Resources
– MRPC Economic Impact of Devens Report — June 2016
– 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
- News Bulletin
The Army is announcing the start of the sixth Five–Year Review of remedial actions at Former Fort Devens. The Army invites the local community to participate in community interviews.
Full announcement here.
Contact Penelope Reddy, the US Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager, at e-mail: penelope.w.reddy@usace.army.mil
or
A new pocket forest video
has been developed with our project partners to introduce the concept of pocket forests and illustrate how to transform urban spaces into thriving ecosystems.
The Ayer Devens Pocket Forest has installed 3 pocket forests in Ayer and Devens in 2023 and 2024 and will install 2 more in 2025.
Visit: climateresilient.wixsite.com/ayerdevens for more on this Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program-funded project and how you can get involved
and build you own pocket forest.
Following two months of below normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 3 Mild Drought in the Devens region.
Devens has instituted a mandatory ban on all non-essential water use .
To help further reduce the potential impact of the drought on water supplies, Devens Utilities is also
asking all water users to postpone any other activities that might require significant water usage until further notice.
If you have any questions, please contact MassDevelopment's Jim Moore at
With the fire danger currently high and with no rain in sight, the Devens Fire Chief has banned all outdoor burning that has an open flame. This includes fires associated with fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, and cooking with charcoal as all of these have the potential to give off sparks that could start a brush fire. The Devens Fire Department will lift this ban as soon as the weather cooperates and the fire danger lowers.
Click here to review the Mosquito Control Project 2025 Commission Meetiing Schedule.
Chronicle WCVB Channel 5 Boston recently featured a great story on the sustainable redevelopment of Devens. View the segments here:
– Overview of Redevelopment, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and King Street Properties.
– Emerson Green Sustainable Housing and Sterling Street Brewery
– New England Studios and
Little Leaf Farms
– Devens
Active Military and History
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.
The Harvard Press recently featured the Community Paint Party hosted by the artist Shara Osgood.
See the Public Art Project web page for more information or
e-mail: bethsuedmeyer@devensec.com.
The closure of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center is impacting healthcare in the Nashoba region. The DEC, as the local Board of Health for Devens, is sharing important information for all residents,
organizations,and businesses to assist in finding alternative health care options in the region:
– Steward Health Care patient and community FAQs
– Hospital Capacity Interactive Dashboard to view capacity of
hospitals in the state
The DEC recently passed a resolution supporting the passage of legislation which will give producers the incentive to design products that are less toxic and easier to reuse and recycle by requiring such producers to help bear the costs for the proper recycling and responsible disposal for their hazardous and hard to recycle products. Please read the Press release and full resolution.
Local businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join DEC for volunteer workdays associated with Devens Habitat Restoration Projects.
Volunteer options include invasive species removal, pocket forest planting and maintenance, and pollinator meadow maintenance.
Contact Beth e-mail: bethsuedmeyer@devensec.com to inquire and sign up.
The MA Department of Public Health has issued a public health advisory regarding fish contaminated with PFAS in the Nashua River. See additional information below:
– Public Health Advisory Poster
– Guidance on how to Minimize Exposure
This cutting edge planning research collaborative between Tufts University and the DEC continues with a look at Biometric Responses to Green and Complete Street Elements in Devens. This evaluates our unconscious response to the incorporation of green infrastructure into our street networks and the positive impacts it can have on our mental and physical health. PRESS RELEASE and the FULL REPORT.
Interested in learning more about what's been going on in Devens over the past year? Check out the DEC's 2023 Annual Report. The report includes details on permitting, ongoing projects, transportation, sustainable development initiatives, communications, health updates, and the outlook for 2024.
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 2023 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.
Click here for any special news announcements or bulletins.