Support Ukraine
In response to the unfolding war in Ukraine, the Town of Ashland Administration issued a statement of unity with the Ukrainian people on March 1st.
To continue our support, we created a list of resources for you to make a donation, stay informed, and learn more with education resources.
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The Ashland Board of Health has FREE COVID-19 testing kits available for Ashland residents.
Kits are available for pick-up during business hours at Town Hall at the Town Manager's Office and the Board of Health Office, as well as the Community Center.
Ashland residents are eligible for one testing kit per person. A valid proof of photo identification is required.
Testing kits are first come first serve.
We will not be reserving any kits for individuals.
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Town Hall
101 Main Street
Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs. 8 am - 3:30 pm
Wed. 8 am- 7 pm
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Community Center
162 W Union Street
Hours:
Mon. - Thurs.: 9 am - 3:30 pm
Fri: 9 am - 1 pm
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Spring is just around the corner.
Protect your household from Mosquitoes!
Did you know as an Ashland Resident you can get your yard sprayed for mosquitoes for free? The Board of Health offers a spraying service with the Community of the Central Mass Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP).
Requests for service may be made by calling the CMMCP office at (508)393-3055 between 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
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Inspectional Services and the Planning Department introduces a NEW online permitting system!
File your building, plumbing, electrical/wiring, and sheet metal permits using our new online permitting system!
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Calling all Dog Owners!
Rabies Clinic
Sunday, April 3rd from 10 am - 12 pm
at Ashland Animal Hospital
The Vaccines will be $20 each. Proof of a previous Rabies Certificate must be shown in order to get a 3-year shot.
REMINDER: Register your dog with the Town Clerk's Office by April 15th. Learn more
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Construction updates!
For those looking for information on the downtown streetscape project, Town Manager Michael Herbert goes through the different phases of the project and provides a timeline for construction. WATCH HERE
Construction gears up for its next phase in the upcoming Spring 2022 season.
As we enter this next phase of construction both Downtown and on Rt. 126/ Pond Street this requires more crews on the road.
Please enroll in our e-mail notifications for potential traffic impacts and related updates. And I want to thank you once again for your patience.
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The Corner Spot Plans for its 5th Season!
I am excited to announce that The Corner Spot Committee's begun planning for this season at The Corner Spot! We are so excited because this year we will celebrate 5 years at the #bestspotintown! We are so thankful our idea that began with fundraising and volunteerism would transform into such a beloved community spot.
WE SEEK ARTISANS | ENTREPRENEURS | MUSICIANS | CHEFS
Are you interested in popping- up this year? Send us an email!
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Miss today's Donation Day?
Donation day is the third Saturday of EVERY month from 10 am to 1 pm at Ashland Public Library!
Next month, the Friends will host a Mini Book Sale during Donation Day on Saturday, April 16th between 10 am - 1 pm.
Donations are collected in the Friends Book Sale Room on the lower level of the library. The Friends will be there to assist you during this time frame.
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Public review for the strategy to achieve Net Zero in Ashland by 2040
Climate change is affecting the entire world. It is up to all of us – every continent, country, state, city, and town – to make the necessary changes to address our environmental impact. The Net Zero plan is designed for the Ashland community to do its part and help support its residents with a more sustainable, healthy community. We have set 2040 as our net-zero target as a town and our hope is, this plan will help us achieve that goal. Please help the Sustainability Committee by reviewing and sharing your input with Sustainability@ashlandmass.com as we work to formalize this plan.
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Important Dates for Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election |
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022, by 5 pm- Deadline to submit nomination papers to the Town Clerk's Office
Thursday, April 14, 2022- Voter Registration Deadline for Annual Town Meeting and Election
Office Hours- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, May 4, 2022- Annual Town Meeting 7 pm at Ashland High School
Tuesday, May 17, 2022- Annual Town Election 7 am - 8 pm at Ashland High School.
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Town Meetings, Community Programs, & Events |
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Miss this week's meetings?
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Celebrate Holi!
with Ashland Indians Inc.
NEW DATE Saturday, March 26th from 12 - 3 pm at The Corner Spot!
Gather at the #bestspotintown to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors! Holi is a traditional holiday in India that signals the arrival of spring and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love.
Each color used during this celebration carries a meaning, red for love and fertility, yellow is remedy, blue for divine, and green is for new beginning.
Join us for this joyous celebration!
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Ashland Public Library presents:
Virtual - Boston HerStory -- Remarkable Women with Boston Women’s Heritage Trail
CLICK HERE for an online brochure of all the library events for the month of March.
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Decisions at Every Turn Coalition presents:
Virtual- You've Come a Long Way Baby
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Ashland Human Services presents:
A Promising Young Woman--Panel discussion following the film
*Adults* Thursday, March 31st @ 6:30 pm at Ashland Public Library
Keep in mind, this film is potentially triggering for viewers. The film highlights central themes prevalent in our society, including- sexual assault, consent, suicidality, misogyny, internalized sexism, substance use, and victim-blaming. Voices Against Violence Support Line: 1- 800- 593- 1125
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Support our Marathon Runners!
The following individuals are running for the Town of Ashland! Click each runner's name to learn more about them! Stay tuned for more spotlights on these amazing community members!
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Thank you to Dell Team members in Natick!
Dell employees based in Natick will be cleaning up the marathon route in early April! We appreciate your commitment to helping us host our beloved Boston Marathon!
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Apply now! Select Board Scholarship is now available.
This scholarship is open to any graduating senior that is a resident of Ashland. The board is interested in finding students who have demonstrated community engagement that has enhanced the community in some way. Two scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,500.00 each. Submissions are due back no later than Wednesday, May 15, 2022.
Questions, please contact Susan Robie by email or phone at 508-532-7921
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Ashland Business Association Scholarship is now available too!
The Ashland Business Association (ABA) will offer two-$1,500 scholarships to high school seniors living in Ashland who best demonstrate good work ethics, motivation, creativity, and business/ community interests. Applicants can be home-schooled or attending schools outside Ashland, such as Keefe Tech, to be considered. The deadline to submit an application and supporting material is midnight on Thursday, April 28.
For details and a scholarship application, visit the ABA website, here. For more information, contact Scholarship Committee Chair Chrissy Reynolds, at 508-881-5109, or email her, here.
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Additional Scholarship Opportunities...
Ashland Farmers Market
Amount: Two $1,000 awards.
Guidelines: The Ashland Healthy Harvest, Inc. Scholarship program will provide funding for 2 graduating Ashland High School seniors (or recent graduates) beginning studies in 2021 at an accredited institution. Field of studies must be in line with the mission of the AFM including (but not limited to): agriculture, nutritional science, environmental science, and community development.
Deadline: May 1st
The Rotary Club Framingham, MA
Amount: 15 $4,000 awards.
Guidelines: The student’s school record indicates the probability of success in college The student has a recommendation from high school principal and/or guidance counselor. The student has a demonstrated financial need.
Deadline: April 1st
Ashland Lions
Amount: 4 $2,000 awards.
Deadline: May 1st
Applications are available at the Ashland High School and Keefe Tech Guidance Offices
Greater Framingham Running Club
Amount: 2 $500 awards.
Deadline: April 1st
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Is your business celebrating a birthday?
The Economic Development Office would LOVE to feature your business and highlight your years of service in our community. Send an email to Beth Reynolds.
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New State Grants Available to Businesses
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be administered through two different grant programs, the New Applicant Grant Program and the Inclusive Grant Program.
This program was created to provide $25,000,000 in support of businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 that have not previously received financial relief from MGCC’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs.
This program has $50,000,000 available to businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Both programs will award grants ranging from $10,000 - $75,000. The programs are now accepting applications until April 4, 2022. (Click the grant program above to be linked to the application page)
For questions regarding these grants please contact Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.
Customer Service Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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ANNOUNCEMENT- PER THE STATE, THE COVID-19 TESTING FACILITY ON MEMORIAL DRIVE CLOSES AT THE END OF THE MONTH
Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site
MBTA Commuter Rail
Memorial Drive Ashland, MA 01721
Access this testing location by train, car, or bus
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays from 2 pm - 7 pm
THIS TESTING SITE IS APPOINTMENT ONLY
Please create an account, if you do not already have one, with this link, to register for an appointment.
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Local Cases in Ashland as of March 17, 2022
Ashland has 3,474 confirmed cases which 3,469 have cleared
Also, Ashland has a total of 383 probable cases of which 383 have cleared
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Please note many people are now doing home tests that are not reportable to the Board of Health. Many of the people that are doing home tests that have children in the schools are reporting these results to the school nurses and this data is not part of the numbers. The numbers reflect people that have NOT done a home test and have gone to a lab and the data was reported to the state. |
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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.
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