Joanne Duffy Retires after 20 years of Directing our Community Center.
In bittersweet news, our Senior Center and Community Programs Director, Joanne Duffy, is retiring. For two decades, Joanne has overseen the Community Center and senior activities in town with competence, compassion, and a sense of humor.
Joanne Duffy began her tenure in the lower level of Town Hall in a small room and transitioned her role to the Community Center.
During her time at the Community Center, she pioneered many of the services offered at the Senior Center. She initiated a partnership with BayPath Elder Services to offer the Meals on Wheels program. She also created a partnership with the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority to expand transportation services including converting a van for the Senior Center’s exclusive use and providing a driver.
A tremendous highlight was her work to make our community Dementia Friendly. A movement, Joanne has mentioned is the biggest highlight of her time here. Creating a Dementia Friendly Community was a significant undertaking. It required a lot of coordination among community members, businesses, and staff members in the community center, and around the other municipal departments. We are grateful for her stewardship in forming this great community initiative that betters our town for years to come.
Joanne has been a consistent and effective advocate for elder issues, both out front and behind the scenes. She leaves especially big shoes to fill.
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Community Aggregation Program
On July 1st, Eversource raised its electricity supply rates to 17.871 cents/kWh compared to 10.753 cents/kWh last summer. As a result, electricity bills are projected to increase significantly for Eversource customers.
But the Town of Ashland participates in what is known as a Community Choice Aggregation Program through Colonial Power Group. Municipal aggregation enables Ashland’s government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply in an effort to save money for Ashland ratepayers.
Ashland’s supply rate is currently 10.4 cents/kWh. In the first quarter of 2022, Ashland households participating in the program saved $627,000 compared to if they had continued paying Eversource’s rate. Your savings will only grow larger now that the new Eversource rates are in effect.
Ashland residents were automatically enrolled in the Community Choice Aggregation Program, so if your electricity bill says “NextEra” instead of Eversource as the supply you do not need to do anything else to take advantage of the program. However, if you opted out of the program, you can opt back in by going to the following link: https://colonialpowergroup.com/ashland/.
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The former site of Cadilac Paint Update:
We are so excited to have our Town Project Engineer, Evan White helping the committee transition the Cadilac Paint site into a public park. He is working with surveys on the property and we hope to have a general design for the space by the end of summer.
For those unfamiliar with this property, this space sits at the intersection of Nancy Drive and Eliot Street. It formally was the location of a paint factory, Cadilac Paint. In 2017, community members voted during Special Town Meeting to take over the property. Over the following years, we demolished the old buildings that sat there, and remediated the contaminated soil, creating a safe open space for passive recreation.
Stay tuned for more updates as this project develops!
Learn more about this property and the project here.
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The Valentine Estate Property Update:
Since the community forum, the property was spruced up as landscaping and rubbish removal took place. Additionally, the bids for the Barn Roof and Foundation Repairs were submitted and we are currently reviewing them.
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Pond Street/ Route 126 Construction Update
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: Crews are completing paving at the Eliot Street intersection. the week of July 25th they will begin construction of the roundabout at the bottom of Spyglass Hill. This will include full-depth construction and paving.
Downtown Construction
Crews will continue work on Front Street removing existing curbing, installing new curbing, and building new sidewalks. They will complete the north side of Front Street by July 27th. They will then begin work on the south side of Front Street which should last 2 weeks. Crews will be in the area of the Ashland Farmers Market, 125 Front Street, beginning Monday, August 1st to avoid conflicts with the market. Crews anticipate starting sidewalk work on Main Street the week of August 15th. Traffic should not be impacted by this work. At times, crews may alternate traffic.
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For more information, visit our website here. |
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Stage 1 Water Restriction
The Select Board gathered on Thursday, July 21st for an emergency meeting to enact a Stage 1 Water Restriction.
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Ashland Public Library & Community Center are open this weekend to cool off
As this heat wave continues, we want to remind you that the Ashland Community Center and the Ashland Public Library are available this weekend to cool down if needed. Visit these locations to refill your water bottles, enjoy the air conditioning, and take a break from the heat. We will continue to monitor this situation.
Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm at Ashland Public Library
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm at The Community Center
Additional information is posted on our website here
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Moderna COVID-19 Booster Clinic
Wednesday, July 27th at 12 pm
Lower level of Town Hall | 101 Main Street
This clinic is for individuals aged 50 or older. Please use the back door, or to use the elevator, please use the side door when visiting Town Hall for this Booster Clinic.
Please register for your vaccination appointment,
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Reminder for Dog Owners
The Town of Ashland reminds you that dogs are to be leashed when they are off the owner's property. This includes when taking dogs to our recreational spaces such as the Ashland Town Forest and Warren Woods. Owners who do not have their dogs on leash are subject to penalties including fines. We appreciate your understanding.
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Vote for our local Farmers Market!
Support the Ashland Farmers Market in the American Farmland Trust's 2022 Farmers Market Celebration and our local market has the chance to win prize money to help expand its reach and impact.
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Warren School Field
Sign dedicated in memory of Andy Lymburner
Ashland Girls Softball players and families dedicated the Warren School Field to their late coach, Andy Lymburner with a new sign.
As a soccer and softball coach, he instilled good sportsmanship, provided skill development, encouraged bravery under pressure, developed self-confidence, and most importantly, promoted a love of the sport by making it fun.
This sign is a fitting tribute to all that had the pleasure of knowing Andy.
Remember, Do your best. Be brave. Always have fun.
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Town Meetings, Community Programs, & Events |
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Meetings next week:
Planning Board
Thursday, July 28th*
*Agendas are posted according to Open meeting Law 48 hours ahead of the scheduled meeting.
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Ashland Farmers Market- Peach & Farm Day
Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm
125 Front Street
Join AFM for a fun-filled (and sun-filled) Saturday. The vendors will be serving up specialty peach offerings to keep you cool, plus there will be goats, alpacas, and two tractors for the kids to enjoy.
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CultureFest
Saturday, July 23rd from 12- 4 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Enjoy a great afternoon of music, dance, diverse cuisine, and beverages, as we celebrate a variety of cultures that make our community fabulous!
Grab a bite to eat from Cousins Maine Lobster and Sentie's Kitchen/African BBQ and fresh lemonade from our friend Dennis.
Enjoy live performances from Trade Route Dance, Drum Nomads, Crocodile River, the McCrites, Miguel Melendez, and Nivetha Dance Crew!
There will also be great vendors to shop.
We will have a water mister running to help you cool off and several tents to provide shade. Come join in the fun for one hour or four!
This event is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council Festivals Grant, the Ashland Cultural Council, and Needham Bank.
Visit our webpage for all upcoming events at the #bestspotintown, here!
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Open Mic Night & Shop on the Spot
Thursday, July 28th at 5:30 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Calling all musicians, spoken word artists, & comics to have a turn at the mic. Featuring host Danny S!
Discover new businesses, their products, and shop from different vendors all in one spot!
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Town Forest- Mushroom Identification Walk
Saturday, July 30th from 10 am- 12 pm
Dave Babik, head of the Boston Mycological Club ID Committee, will lead this walk. David regularly walks the forest trails and is very familiar with the fungi of the area. Ashland has literally thousands of species of mushrooms in the summer months (Some rainfall always helps) We will explore the town forest and collect some specimens to identify. The walk usually runs about 1 ½ to 2 hours. After the walk, there will be a short break so we can organize what was found.
Our collections are laid out on a table and a short talk is given, discussing what was found. You will be amazed at the diversity of fungi that exist in this area. We will point out many of the most common edible varieties and which types are poisonous. This is a great event for both beginners and more experienced mushroomers.
Bring a snack and plenty of water and bug spray.
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Ashland Day Committee Summer Concert Series
Tuesdays at 7 pm in July & 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!
July 26th at 7:00 pm- Flash Back Band
August 2nd at 6:30 pm- Community High School Concert Band
August 9th at 6:30 pm-- Rail Road House
August 16th at 6:30 pm-- TBA
August 23th at 6:30 pm-- Groove-A-Saurus Rex
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The Greater Ashland Lions Duck Race
Friday, August 26th at 5:30 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20. There will be Cash Prizes! 1st place: $100, 2nd place: $50 and 3rd place: $25.
Tickets can be purchased at the event or prior, by calling Cheryl at 508-881-7056.
All proceeds will go to Eye Research and local charities.
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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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