IMPORTANT DATES
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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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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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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Donation Day at the Library!
Bring your gently used books and media on the third Saturday of every month from 10 am to 1 pm at Ashland Public Library!
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.
Wait, there's more!
The Friends will host a Mini Book Sale during donation day on Saturday, April 16th between 10 am - 1 pm.
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Construction updates!
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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Congratulations Makeda!
Ashland resident, Makeda Keegan, was awarded the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus' 2022 Black Excellence Award on February 28th.
Makeda has served a number of roles in town including sitting on the Board for WACA and as part of our Racial Equity Steering Committee and DEI Task Force, and has contributed to our community in many ways. I cant' think of anyone who deserves this more than Makeda. Congratulations!
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Food Drive for Ashland Food Pantry
TODAY- Saturday, March 12th NOW- 3 pm
Market Basket | 49 Pond Street
On Saturday, March 12th the Lions will be at Market Basket from 9-3 collecting non-perishable food for the Ashland Food Pantry. Shoppers will be asked to purchase food items for that cause. Bill Gazard at Ashland Self Storage has donated a U-haul truck to help transport collected food to the pantry and Scouts from Troop 223 will be helping to unload the items.
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Ashland Public Library presents:
Virtual - How RBG Came To Be -- The Process Of Appointing A Supreme Court Justice
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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Celebrate Holi!
with Ashland Indians Inc.
Saturday, March 19th 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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Save the Date!
Juneteenth Event with Ashland is United & A.R.E.A
Saturday, June 18th from Noon- 2 pm
at the Corner Spot!
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Teen Interview Prep Skills
Thursday, March 30th from 6- 7:30 pm
Do you have a teen that is getting ready to interview for their first job? Our Teen Interview Prep course will help prepare them to make a good first impression.
Some of the topics covered will be:
*Dressing for Success
*What to do before and after your interview
*Common Interview Questions
*Interview do's and don'ts
Register with Ashland Recreation Department, here.
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Ashland Community Theater
ACT is proud to announce the CAST of the spring show
NEIL SIMON'S "CALIFORNIA SUITE"
At Marconi's Theater at the VFW-- April, 28-29-30
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 1st.
isitor from New York- Directed by Katrina Lehberger
Jim Parr and Lynda Slocomb
Visitor from Philadelphia- Directed by Larry Loring
Janet Tyndall, Joe White and Maren Caulfield
Visitors From London- Directed by Joe White
Christopher Lockheardt and Lida McGirr
Visitors from Chicago- Directed by Julie Murphy
Brendan Boelke, Sue Ann Czotter, Chris O'Connor and Colleen Locke
Stage Manager- Terri Boelke
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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
Ashland Lions
Amount: 4 awards up to $1,000.
Opportunities: The David Fetig Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to an AHS student-athlete that exemplifies Mr. Fetig’s love for Ashland High School sports.
• The Harry Henchy Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to an AHS student that exemplifies Mr. Henchy’s
commitment to the Ashland community.
• The Ashland Lions Club Scholarship (2) – Awarded to two students who are Ashland residents, graduating from either the Keefe Technical or Ashland High Schools, that demonstrate an overall commitment to their advancement and the success of their community.
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
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 10, 2022
Ashland had a total of 3489 Confirmed Cases of which 3471 have cleared
Ashland had a total of 384 Probable Cases of which 382 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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