TOWN MANAGER NEWSLETTER
Earlier this month, we took care of one last piece of business before officially celebrating the holiday season. Wednesday, we held our Special Town Meeting where 8 Warrant Articles were presented to fiscally operate this year. I cannot stress enough how important these meetings are. These Town Meetings are essential to operations. It's also the only place where you have a direct hand in forming the community in which you wish to reside. All the articles passed. Further along in this email, you will find the Warrant Articles by title and the information regarding how the article passed, whether it was a simple majority, or with a 2/3 vote. Thank you to each of you that participated in this important process.

The holiday season is officially upon us. Thank you to Rabbi Gurivis and the Sha'arei Shalom congregation for a wonderful menorah lighting ceremony this past Tuesday. It was a very nice gathering.

This past weekend there were more festivities around town including the first-ever holiday stroll, where visitors shopped along Main Street and Front Street at storefronts and visited pop-up businesses at 21 Main Street. The Corner Spot was also equipped with family fun including a fire pit to roast marshmallows, craft tents, and of course more shopping. Concluding the event, everyone enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies, and caroling, before we lit the big tree in the town square on Main Street. Santa even gave us a wave before he headed around town in the Santa Neighborhood Drive-by!

The library also bustled this weekend with their first book sale in the brand new Friends of the Ashland Public Library Book Sale Room. The Friends are also hosting a virtual Children's Illustrators Auction now until the 8th. Sunday, we were able to preview the incredible artwork at the Art Gallery Reception.

The holiday fun is not over just yet! This upcoming Saturday is the annual Illuminate Downtown Ashland Event! Find all the details for upcoming events in the Community Events section of this newsletter or visit our dedicated webpage, here.

I hope you enjoy the holiday season!

Sincerely,
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
COVID-19 Information
December 4, 2021- Omicron variant detected in Massachusetts
Residents urged to get COVID-19 vaccine, booster 

Vaccinated Individuals within the Town of Ashland as of December 2nd
Please note on the Vaccine Status Chart the state has our population at 19,700 if you look at the chart they are only reporting people vaccinated who are 5 years old and above. Starting this week the chart also reflects the 5-11-year-olds that are starting to be vaccinated. Also, you may notice that in some categories there are more people vaccinated than the population shows for that category. This is due to the state using data from 2020 and does not reflect when more people may move into town. For more information on how the state captures our population data please refer to this website.
Local COVID-19 Cases in Ashland information as of 12/2/2021:

Ashland has a total of 1,894 confirmed cases of this, 1,863 have been cleared.

Ashland has a total of 245 Probable cases of this 244 have cleared.
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
7 am - 11 am

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.

Fill out this form ahead of time for a quicker experience.
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.
Testing Site Holiday Hours
Monday 12/20- 7 am - 11 am
Tuesday 12/21- 2 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday 12/22- 7 am - 11 am
Thursday 12/23- 8 am - 12 pm
Friday 12/24- CLOSED
Saturday 12/25- CLOSED
​Sunday 12/26- CLOSED
Monday 12/27- 7 am - 11 am
Tuesday 12/28- 2 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday 12/29- 7 am - 11 am
Thursday 12/30- 8 am - 12 pm
Friday 12/31- CLOSED
Saturday 1/1/22- CLOSED
Sunday 1/2/22- CLOSED
Important Information
Special Town Meeting Wrap Up

Article 1: Free Cash Transfer- needed a simple majority vote, passed unanimously

Article 2: Reauthorization of Bonds for the Public Safety Building- needed a 2/3 vote, passed unanimously

Article 3: Property Tax Exception- needed a simple majority vote, passed unanimously

Article 4: Extend the End Date: Riverwalk, Mill Pond Park, Beautification and Stone Bungalow Projects- needed a simple majority vote, passed unanimously

Article 5: Authorize funding for Marathon Park Enhancement- needed a simple majority vote, passed unanimously

Article 6: MWRA Bond for I & I program Phase II - needed a 2/3 vote, passed unanimously

Article 7: Road Acceptance: High Street Ext and Weaver Road- needed a simple majority vote, passed unanimously

Article 8: Resolution to call for Decarbonization in the Commonwealth- needed a simple majority vote, passed


An important reminder from the Treasurer/Collector's Office
Please be aware unpaid water/sewer/stormwater/trash bills will be liened to 2022 actual real estate tax bills. Any unpaid bills issued prior to June 30, 2021 will be liened. Please call for your outstanding balance. Payment must be received by December 10, 2021.
Stay Updated!
IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION

Visit our Webpage for updates and sign up for construction project newsletters!


Public Safety Building

The new public safety building on 12-16 Union Street is gearing up for the winter. Just a few months ago, the site was all steel beams. Now, we see the framing of the building itself. The progress is exciting. This project is a little closer to its anticipated completion in mid- 2022!
Ashland Recreation Center NEW PROGRAM

Ashland Recreation Center introduces a new program, Jedi Master Engineering with LEGO® Materials. The Force is strong in this advanced engineering course for young Jedi! Use the force and tens of thousands of LEGO® parts to raise your X-Wing from the Dagobah swamp, challenge the AT-AT walkers on Hoth, and fly the Millennium Falcon through the Kessel Run. Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture while you explore a galaxy, far, far away.

This program is for children in grades 2-5 and takes place on Fridays from January to March.

Register with your community pass account, here.
DPW Needs Your Help!
Snow Plow Trucks Wanted

PLOW ROUTES AVAILABLE
3/4 or 1-Tons Vehicle are Welcome! Pickups, 6 Wheeler, Small Dumps, Large Dumps, Loaders, Skid Steers / Bob Cats

Stop by the DPW (20 Ponderosa Road), call Patti for more info (508) 532-7940, or send an email to: pnardini@ashlandmass.com

** Come down and see just how easy it is to put a truck on the town **
Seeking Runners for the 2022 Boston Marathon!

The 2022 Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 18, 2022. The BAA provides the town with Invitational Entries. Runners are selected via a drawing which will take place on Friday, December 10th. 

Interested runners should contact srobie@ashlandmass.com or call 508- 532- 7921 to get their name into the drawing. 

Preference is given to Ashland residents but any spots not filled by an Ashland resident are available to anyone that expresses interest. In exchange for the entry, each runner is required to raise $3,000.00. 
SHOP LOCAL ASHLAND

Shopping small is more important than ever, as 78% of business owners surveyed say holiday sales will impact their ability to stay in business in 2022.

Let’s go #ShopSmall and make a difference this season! Check out Ashland's very own shop local webpage for ideas for your shopping needs. Click here

Community Events
Check out the amazing programs for the month of December
Ashland Public Library's December Event Calendar CLICK HERE
Ashland Senior Center's December Event Calendar CLICK HERE
There's still time to bid on your favorite piece of artwork!

Virtual Children's Illustrators Auction
Now- Wednesday, December 8th

Nearly 50 illustrators have donated around 65 pieces of art for this auction and we could not be more pleased with the range of original work to beautiful prints - all signed and many with signed books to accompany them.


Don't miss these upcoming events at the Senior Center!

Wreath Making Workshop on Thursday, December 9th
Holiday Party on December 16th
Annual Cookie Swap on December 20th

Questions or RSVP? Contact the Senior Center- 508-881-0140 x 1
Illuminate Downtown Ashland
Saturday, December 11th
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Founded in 2017 by studio director Chrissy Reynolds, Illuminate Downtown Ashland is a community event that aims to shine a light on the important role art plays within a community. Annemarie's Dance Centre alongside the town of Ashland and Arts! Ashland Alliance partners local art and artists with community spaces both public and private. 

At this year's event, live audiences will be welcome back to the event spaces providing masks are worn. Park your car and experience Illuminate on foot.

Annemarie's Dance Centre, The Corner Spot, Ashland Historical Society, Blush Bouquets, Needham Bank, and Ashland Reiki & Wellness will host live performances and artworks for the community to enjoy.

Ashland High School Chorus, NATyA Dance Collective, The Drum Nomads, Arreaux String Quartet, The Cardinal Joe Stillitano & The Movement Project Performance Company will occupy the spaces for a night of free performance and luminaries.


Ashland Community Theater presents
Dashing Through the Snow
December 16- 18th at 7:30 pm.

Purchase your tickets for Ashland Community Theater's holiday show, Dashing through the Snow! Performed LIVE at Marconi's Theater at the Ashland VFW, don't miss this Southern- Fried Christmas Comedy! Visit this website for COVID-19 Protocol and to purchase tickets.
Shout Outs!
Thank you for attending our first ever Holiday Stroll!

Thank you to the volunteers, businesses, and organizations! It was such a terrific event!

Take a look at all of the fabulous photos, here
Santa Neighborhood Drive-by

Thank you, Santa, for taking time out of your busy schedule to spread some holiday cheer in Ashland! Thank you, Paul, from WACA TV, for documenting the ride. Thank you so much to our Ashland Fire Department and the team of first responders for this highly celebrated event!
Community Center Assistance Programs

Thank you to all of you for donating in support of the Community Center Holiday Assistance Program providing turkey dinners to 83 local families over Thanksgiving and gifts for the holiday season to 103 local families!

Thank you to our staff members for coordinating and supporting our families!
Thanks, DPW!

Our DPW Crew is amazing! They are solely responsible for all of the fall clean-up around town. Thank you guys for your hard work.
Thank you, Staff!

Our staff members got together this past Friday for our annual employee recognition luncheon. We celebrated staff members for their years of dedication to the Town of Ashland. It's also a great time for us all to get together and appreciate one another. We have an awesome team!
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