Dear Community Member,
I hope your new year is off to a great start. The beginning of the year is a busy time for us with administrative tasks, but it's also when we start talking about the next year's budget. As we have done in previous years, our Finance Committee will be reviewing department budgets in February.
I want to note that while COVID-19 remains an important part of our daily lives, I've moved the section pertaining to COVID-19 updates as the concluding section of these emails. These newsletters are important to share local information directly from me, and I want to bring that back to the forefront.
Speaking of local information, I want to take this time to acknowledge a moment of good news with you. Not long before the end of 2021, the Legislature passed comprehensive legislation that appropriated state American Rescue Plan funds and state budget supplemental funds towards many state and local needs.
Both Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Jack Patrick Lewis were successful in appropriating over $1.2 million for two unique Ashland features.
$750,000 was earmarked for the restoration and rebuild of the Warren Barn. Town officials have wanted to rebuild the iconic barn on Chestnut Street, however, the cost of the bids we received pushed a rebuild out of reach for us. This allocation of state ARPA funds, as well as funding from Framingham State, will help us rebuild this facility for use by both the town and Framingham State. Senate President Spilka was instrumental in helping FSU acquire the Warren Property from Northeastern, so it is especially fitting that she was able to secure these funds for the barn.
An additional $500,000 for a second pedestrian bridge across the Sudbury - All of us that have worked on the Riverwalk project envisioned a bridge that crossed the Sudbury around the Marathon Park/VFW area. This would provide a more direct route to the train station. Due to changes in floodplain regulations, the original bridge concept became prohibitively expensive. This funding will help us bring this vision to reality. This is just one example of how our legislative team successfully advocates for us at the state level. Thank you, Karen and Jack, for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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Municipal Buildings Closed Monday
All Municipal Buildings are closed on Monday, January 17th for the legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Buildings include Town Hall, Ashland Public Library, Ashland Community Center- Ashland Senior Center, Ashland Human Services, Ashland Recreation
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LAST CHANCE!
Ashland Public Library needs YOUR help. Participate in their strategic plan survey. Your answers will influence the direction of the library for the next five years. Children, Teens, and Adults are encouraged to participate in the survey, and it is available in several languages.
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Don't miss this upcoming library program
Monday, January 24th at 7 pm
As climate change takes its toll on our region, this conversation could help you better prepare for the future! Jenn Ball will discuss what you need to be ready for disasters such as floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and so on. She will also discuss what resources and services the Town of Ashland have in place for such disasters to assist residents in these scenarios. It will definitely take a village for us to "weather" the weather.
Don't miss all of the other fun virtual programs at APL!
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Senior Center Morning Walks Program
Join Candi on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am to take a morning walk with some company. Walks can increase energy, boost mental clarity, improve your mood, and clear your mind.
Meet up at Park Street Parking Lot and take a walk at Stone Park.
Contact 508-532-7945 if you have any questions.
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Did you miss the Let's Talk About Mental Health Program?
The Mental Health Collaborative, in partnership with DAET and the Ashland Public Schools, virtually hosted Let's Talk About Mental Health! on Wednesday. This mental health literacy program allowed parents, caregivers, and other adults to explore mental health through an educational presentation on the importance of self-care; reducing stigma; the difference between mental health and mental illness; distinguishing between stress, anxiety, and depression; coping strategies; and accessing local resources.
You can watch the replay here.
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Reminder: Municipal Buildings Temporarily Change Operations
The Town of Ashland announces the following changes in operations for municipal buildings in effect until Friday, January 28, 2022.
If possible, continue to use the online services provided on our website, ashlandmass.com.
If you need to conduct business in person, the library will operate with a limited-service model, however, the remaining municipal buildings will remain open by appointment only during operating hours.
Before entering the building, please answer the screening questions, wear face masks/ coverings, and utilize the hand sanitizer stations throughout the building.
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Reminder: Mask Advisory
Please note the following message was issued to all local business owners per myself, Public Health Director Rajit Gupta, the Board of Health, and Ashland Select Board.
Dear Ashland Community Business Owner,
Due to the highly transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19, and with the significant rise of COVID-19 cases in our community and Middlesex County, Town Manager, Michael Herbert, Board of Health, Ashland Select Board, and Public Health Director, Rajit Gupta issue the following guidance for our community and is strongly urging the community businesses to REQUIRE facemasks to be worn while indoors at your place of business. While not a Town mandate at this time, we must stress the importance of protecting all residents and visitors to our community, to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please place the enclosed flyer on your entrance door or window.
It is our goal to have a healthy community, we know that mask-wearing, proper hand-washing, and vaccines along with boosters are our best tools to keep everyone from testing positive with COVID-19 and spreading the disease. We are a healthier community when we all work together to keep one another safe. Thanks to everyone for doing your part to stop this pandemic.
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THANK YOU, DPW!
We have an amazing crew over at DPW. They've been working so hard not only to remove the snow during the last storm, but they've also been working during these frigid temperatures conducting routine winter operations.
We are very grateful for your service!
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Quarantine vs. Isolation
When using an at-home COVID-19 test please consider the proper protocols for Isolation and Quarantine. Do not forget to contact our local board of health if your at-home test is positive.
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Baker- Polito Administration Launches Tool for Residents to Access COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card
You may now request, view, and print your vaccination records and your COVID-19 SMART Health Card from the official Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS).
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When should I get my booster?
Individuals 12 years old and over who are fully vaccinated are eligible for a booster dose;
- At least 5 months after Moderna
- At least 5 months after Pfizer
- At least 2 months after J&J
You may have a preference, but you can get any type of vaccine for your booster shot.
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Announcement:
The testing site is closed on Monday for the legal holiday, Monday, January 17th.
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Drive-Thru COVID- 19 Testing Site
Located at the MBTA Commuter Rail Station on Memorial Drive (formally named MBTA Acess Road).
The operating hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
2 pm - 7 pm.
This site is accessible by car via Memorial Drive in Ashland, MBTA Commuter Rail's inbound train, and MBTA bus route 5.
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THIS TESTING SITE IS NOW APPOINTMENT ONLY!
Please create an account and use this link to register for an appointment.
Fill out this form ahead of time for a quicker experience.
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DIRECTIONS; To access the testing site by car, travel on Rt. 135/ Union Street toward Hopkinton. Turn right onto Memorial Drive (formally named MBTA access road). Follow the road past the softball field, and new Trolley Brook Trail access, past the Cirrus apartments, and turn right into the MBTA parking lot.
On your right-hand side of the parking lot, look for a white pod, they have to sometimes take down the tent with the wind. The drive-thru is there.
The testing site is available from the Pleasant Street MBTA parking lot, by walking across the footbridge.
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