Hello Community Members -
Our local Auxiliary Police Officers attended the Select Board meeting on Wednesday, June 15th, where they were publicly recognized for their hard work over the years. On June 30th, the Auxiliary Department, as we know it, will be disbanded due to circumstances beyond our control.
I want to point out that you cannot attend an event in town without seeing one of these officers. They show up for the love of the community. We would not be able to do the things we do as a town, such as events and large infrastructure projects, without the help of the Auxiliary Department. It's going to leave a big hole to fill. This recognition is a very small token in terms of giving back vis-à-vis what they have given us as a town.
Acting Chief Briggs adds, "On behalf of the entire Ashland Police Department. I would like to thank you. You are not only our colleagues, but you are friends and part of our family. This loss will be felt by the entire department and our community. We will certainly feel a large void [in your absence] that will be left unfillable. Please know that you will always have a home at the APD, and we do expect to see you quite often. From the bottom of my heart, and the members [of the Police Department] here, thank you for your years of service, your friendship, and the memories. Job well done. Thank you."
Each of the Select Board members also offered their support and appreciation to our Auxiliary Officers, presented a proclamation declaring June 15th, 2022, Auxiliary Police Day, and presented the officers with a special Challenge Coin.
Just because the Auxiliary Department as it currently stands will be no more, it does not mean that members of the department will not be able to continue serving the public. Acting Chief Briggs, incoming Chief Cara Rossi, and I will be looking at ways to rebrand these valued employees and volunteers under a new umbrella.
In the meantime, if you know or see one of our Auxiliary Police Officers, please take a moment and thank them for their service.
-Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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Photo Credit: Paul Beaudoin
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Congratulations Molly Orr and Sidarrth Tilak!
Molly and Sid are the recent recipients of the Select Board Scholarship awarded to High School Seniors in town. Congratulations! We wish you the best wishes on this next chapter!
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Ashland Fire Department commemorated National Firemen's Memorial Sunday
Recently, Ashland Fire Department's firefighters honored those who have passed and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
AFD members both active and retired, and community members gathered at Station 1 then proceeded to the Wildwood Cemetery where they read and remembered our members who have passed on and those who died in the line of duty.
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Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell |
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Safety at the Ashland State Park Boat Landing
DPW staff members recently repainted "No Parking" signs along the parking lot of the Ashland State Park Boat Landing on Spring Street. This lot is intended for boat parking only and as the weather gets warmer we find that people park for other uses and the lot is filled quickly. In order to maintain a safe passage through this area, steps have been taken to identify parking more clearly and officers will be ticketing cars if these parking measures are not adhered to.
Thank you!
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Welcome, Police Chief Rossi
Incoming Chief Cara Rossi introduced herself to the community during the Select Board meeting on Wednesday, June 15th. Rossi comes to Ashland with a multi-decade career after serving the past twenty-eight/twenty-nine years of a career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks with the Town of Natick. After a very public, rigorous process, she was selected as the next Police Chief for the Town of Ashland to lead us through the next chapter.
Chief Rossi will be sworn in on July 5th. The following week, we will host a public swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Rossi adds, "I'm honored to be the next Chief of Police in Ashland. I was reminded by a colleague I served with many years ago that twenty-five years ago, I mentioned my goal was to come home at the end of my career and be the chief of my hometown- and here I am. I thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to what we have in store as a department and town. I'm excited and happy to be leading the department forward from today on."
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Mindess School Beam Raising Ceremony
The Mindess School Building Project celebrated another milestone, the Beam Raising Ceremony.
It was a wonderful day fueled by our young students' excitement for the community's new school.
Thank you to Superintendent Jim Adams, Senate President Karen Spilka, James MacDonald of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and Phil Conroy the Senior Project Manager, for their remarks and diligent efforts.
Thank you to the Mindess School Building Committee, Representative Jack Lewis, Dennis Giombetti, and the Select Board for your support. Last but not least, thank you to the School Committee for your hard work.
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Valentine Property Update
The Valentine Estate property needs roof and foundation repairs. Bids are now open for this project. I want to encourage local vendors who may have an interest in the property to consider submitting a bid.
For more details, visit the Bid Opportunities webpage on our website here
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Inspectional Services Introduces a New Permit Fee Schedule
The Inspection Services Department updated the permit fees associated with building, electrical, plumbing and gas. This new fee schedule will be implemented on July 1st, 2022.
Visit the Inspectional Services webpage, "Quick Links" section to access the document and learn more.
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Construction updates!
Rt. 126/ Pond Street Construction
Overall Plan for the Week: Full‐depth construction is ongoing. This work consists of crews milling the current pavement down several inches and fine grading during the day followed by paving. Traffic will be able to pass through on the gravel and will be down to one lane. Each day there will be a stretch of 2,000 ft. of gravel as they prep for paving.
What to expect: This past Wednesday through today, crews continued full-depth construction on the next 2,000 ft stretch, from Nash Ave. to Eliot Street completing milling and paving work. Additionally, crews began milling work from Spyglass Hill to the Holliston line. This work will continue into next week.
What to expect the week of June 27th: Crews will finish milling and paving work from Spyglass Hill to the Holliston Line throughout the week. All paving will be completed in this stretch by July 1st. The next stretch of full-depth construction will be from Eliot Street to Nickerson Road and that will occur the week of July 5th. No night work is currently scheduled.
Downtown Construction
Crews are currently waiting for the arrival of the granite to begin sidewalk work. Curbing work on Front Street is now scheduled to begin in early July (pending any further delays) and continue throughout the entire project for several weeks.
Visit the Department of Public Works webpage here for weekly construction updates.
Please, enroll in our e-mail notifications (links below) for urgent messages such as traffic impacts and related updates.
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Town Meetings, Community Programs, & Events |
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Valentine Property Community Forum (Hybrid)
Wednesday, June 29th at 7 pm
Participate in person at Town Hall or remotely to discuss the Valentine Property.
The Valentine Property was purchased in 2018 as both a way to stave off the development on the property, as well as capture the opportunity to make the property a useful asset for the Town of Ashland.
The forum will begin with a presentation and follow with your community feedback. Discuss creative ways to enhance the property while keeping the following important details in mind. 1) The property must adhere to conservation and historic preservation restrictions. 2) The barn also needs significant repair work.
Learn more about the Valentine Estate here.
Access the meeting virtually here.
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Shop on the Spot
TONIGHT- Friday, June 24th from 5- 7 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Shop on the Spot is an opportunity to discover new businesses, their products, and shop from different vendors all in one spot!
Grab dessert from The Chill Wagon ice cream while enjoying music from Danny S!
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Beer Garden with 67 Degrees Brewery
TONIGHT- Friday, June 24th- Sunday, June 26th
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
67 Degrees returns for another beer garden! Bring your favorite meal from one of Ashland's local restaurants, and grab a cold beverage.
Friday
Hours: 5- 8 pm
Music: Danny S.
Saturday
Hours: 12- 8 pm
Music: Miguel Melendez and Zach McDonald
Sunday
Hours: 12- 5pm
Music: Evan Goodrow (12- 2 pm) and The Felt (3- 5 pm)
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Ashland Farmers Market
Saturdays, now- October from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
125 Front Street (across from the local library)
Come out to the Farmers Market on Saturday. Don't miss out on the fresh produce, delicious baked goods, prepared meals, items to stock your pantry, and more! Catch up with your neighbor, listen to some music, and enjoy downtown.
This Saturday, help us celebrate Strawberry Day!
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Invasive Plant Walk
Saturday, June 25th from 9:00-10:30 am
Oak St. Entrance Town Forest
Join us for a short walk in the woods to identify invasive plants that have crept into our yards and the Town Forest. During the walk, listen for information on why and when we should put time and effort into controlling them, techniques to remove the plants, and strategies for reducing their return. We will also talk about buckthorn, barberry, knotweed, bittersweet, garlic mustard, swallow-wort, Norway maple, and burning bush.
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Ashland Day Committee Summer Concert Series
Tuesdays at 7 pm in July and 6:30 pm in August
Stone Park | 73 Summer Street
Bring a chair and a picnic dinner and enjoy the sweet sounds of summer with this concert series presented by our Ashland Day Committee!
7:00pm June 28th- Tune Timers
7:00pm July 12th- TBA
7:00pm July 19th- Back Pages
7:00pm July 26th- Flash Back Band
6:30pm August 2nd- Community High School Concert Band
6:30pm August 9th- Rail Road House
6:30pm August 16th- TBA
6:30pm August 23th- Groove-A-Saurus Rex
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Wait!!! There is more!
There are so many events coming up in our community that we've created a separate newsletter. Sign up for our Community Events Newsletter with the button below!
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