Weekly updates & news from your Town Manager |
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Marathon Park Update
Driving past Marathon Park on Pleasant Street, you may see some activity to reinvigorate this space. The Ashland Sporting Association received CPA funding to beautify this space in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Boston Marathon. There's been repairs to the walkway, and a landscaper has removed the invasive species to open the walking paths and reestablish the beautiful water views. Signs have been relocated, and a new sign is coming to the park. They will be pressure washing the overpass.
Thank you to Diane Mortensen, Doug Scott, Steve Greenberg, and the Ashland Sporting Association for overseeing this project.
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Reminders from the Town Clerk
Our Town Clerk's Office is ready to help you with the upcoming November 8th State Election.
Here are some helpful dates to remember:
- Register to vote by Saturday, October 29th
- Submit your vote by mail application by Tuesday, November 1st
- Vote Early from October 22nd- November 4th at Town Hall
- Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th at Ashland High School from 7 am - 8 pm
Visit our dedicated Elections and Voting webpage here.
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One quick question for you...
We are committed to providing timely, relevant, and quality information directly to your inbox. Each week, we will now ask you one simple question to help maximize our communications.
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Which social media platform do you follow for Town updates?
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Facebook- @TownofAshlandMA
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Instagram- @TownofAshlandMA
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I didn't know the Town has social media accounts
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Vaccine Opportunity
Flu Clinic
Wednesday, October 19th | 10 am - 1 pm
Town Hall, Lower Level | 101 Main Street
There will be two types of flu vaccines available. One for ages 3- 65 years, and the other for 65 and older.
Please use the back door, or to use the elevator, please use the side door when visiting Town Hall for this clinic.
Registration is not required for this clinic.
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Pond Street/ Route 126 Construction Update
Drainage work has been completed at the Market Basket end of Route 126.
Light pole bases and conduit work will be completed by the end of this week at the Market Basket section of town. Crews will continue with topsoil and hydroseeding along the corridor. Concrete stamping at the roundabout will be completed this week. Crews will work on finishing up all paving driveways in the next two weeks.
Crews will begin preparing for full-depth construction at the Framingham end of Pond Street this coming week. Full-depth construction begins October 24th. This includes digging up the area and laying new groundwork and asphalt. The area between Rodman Road and Market Basket will not be under full-depth construction yet.
Please expect lane closures to continue throughout the project. Please bring your patience when traveling through the construction. Give yourself extra time or find alternative routes if you need to.
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Downtown Construction Update
Crews continue sidewalk and curbing work on Main Street. This work includes removing existing curbing, installing new curbing, and building new sidewalks. Crews are working near the Bagel Table currently and will continue work down Main Street towards the railroad tracks.
Crews are preparing to start work under the railroad tracks. Work on that will begin the 1st week of November.
More detail on how this will affect traffic and access is coming.
Crews will begin final milling and paving on Front Street and Summer Street in the coming weeks. Main Street paving will happen at the start of the year after crews have a chance to finish all curbing and sidewalk work.
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Fall Clean Up
Waste Management will be collecting yard waste curbside on Mondays for 8 weeks, Now- until November 21st.
This collection includes rakeable materials such as grass clippings, pine needles, pine cones, leaves, etc. Do not leave brush or tree limbs.
Yard waste should be within brown paper leaf bags or trash barrels clearly marked as "YARD WASTE" and should not exceed 50lbs. each in weight, per OSHA regulation.
Please be sure to have your yard waste curbside by 7 am on the collection day. This service is provided only to residents that are enrolled in the Town's contracted curbside rubbish & recycling collection program.
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Our local cultural council, under the guidance of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), opened its grant cycle on September 1st. All applications to request funding from the ACC must be filled out through the online system by October 17, 2022, at 11:59:59 pm ET.
These grants support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Ashland, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, performances in schools, workshops, and lectures.
Pictured, CultureFest at The Corner Spot this past July, which was funded by the MCC Festivals Grant.
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B.A.A Grant Deadline is Friday, October 21st!
The Boston Athletic Association provides the Town of Ashland Invitational Entries each year. Entry recipients' are selected and each runner does fundraising in exchange for their entry. The funds raised are given back to the community via a grant program. Grant rounds are offered twice a year in the spring and fall.
Grants are limited to $2,500.00 and grants for this round must be submitted by October 21st.
Please feel free to contact Susan Robie by phone, 508-532- 7921, or email, srobie@ashlandmass.com with any questions you may have.
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Local Meetings, Programs, and Events |
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Upcoming Meetings
Learn what is happening in your community and tune into these upcoming meetings. Meetings are held at Town Hall in the Select Board Room or remotely and can be viewed with the local cable station, WACA TV.
Select Board
Planning Board
Note that all agendas are posted according to Open Meeting Law up to 48 hours in advance.
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MetroWest Climate Conservations Survey Information Session
Wednesday, October 19th from 6- 8 pm
Virtually with Zoom
Over the last year the towns of Ashland and Natick, along with the City of Framingham conducted a survey focused on climate change and equity. Join the Ashland Library, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and the Ashland Planning Department to discuss the results of the survey and have a community-based conversation about the results.
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Participate in these upcoming programs and events
Every month, our public library, community center, and recreation department offer programs and activities for you to enjoy. Also, grab your calendar, and save the dates for these upcoming events happening around town!
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Ashland Public Library
66 Front Street
Forget books, Ashland Public Library has amazing experiences to check out! Participate in the virtual program- '111 Places in Boston That You Must Not Miss', learn something new in the Job Search Help Series, Teens can create part of their costume in a Mask Making workshop, children participate in Star Wars Reads Day, PJ Storytime, but that's not all happening this month!
October's list of programs is now available by picking up a brochure at the library, reading the brochure digitally (visit the link below), or visiting the Event Calendar on the homepage of our town website.
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Friends of the Ashland Public Library
Book Sale & Donation Day
Saturday, October 15th & Saturday, November 19th from 10 am - 1 pm
Ashland Public Library | 66 Front Street
Stop by the library to drop off your gently used materials to be incorporated into the book sale, or shop from the shelves of previously donated materials! The Friends welcome all types of books as well as DVDs, audiobooks, and CDs. The funds from these sales support ongoing library services and events.
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Ashland Recreation Department
The Community Center | 162 W. Union Street
Ashland Recreation Department announces its Fall Programs! Find an activity for your family members. Sign up for STEAM activities, sports, music, the local favorite, Backyard Adventures, the popular Home Alone Safety Class, or Babysitting Certification Course. There is a special fitness class for Adults too! Learn more and sign up now!
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Ashland Senior Center
The Community Center | 162 W. Union Street
Every month, our local community center's Elder Services Department hosts a variety of programs. Did you know that anyone 60 years or older is welcome to visit and participate in the programs offered? You do not need to be an Ashland resident to join in the fun. Take a look at these upcoming programs, and register yourself and a friend!
View the full event calendar for the month of October here.
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Announcement from Senate President Karen Spilka
We are pleased to tell you that the annual Senior Fair returns this year on October 22nd at Keefe Technical School in Framingham from 9 am - 1 pm!
Attend workshops, visit exhibitors, and participate in activities such as exercise, art and music therapy. At 11:30 am, participants will gather for lunch, prize drawings, and a short program.
Don't miss this year's "55+ Fair!"
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Hidden in Plain Sight
Hidden in Plain Sight is a one-of-a-kind interactive exhibit to help parents & other caring adults recognize potential signs of substance use/misuse in teens.
Visitors will walk through a series of educational posters and then explore the “staged” teen bedroom containing items that may signal alcohol or other substance use.
Parent/Caregiver Resources are provided to help start or continue important family conversations about healthy decision-making and not using alcohol or other substances.
Due to the nature of the content in the interactive portion, Hidden in Plain Sight is for adults 21+ only.
Registration is not required.
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Ashland Hometown Parade
Saturday, October 15th at 2 pm
Pleasant Street to Stone Park
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FallFest
Saturday, October 15th from 3- 6 pm
The Corner Spot, 6 Cherry Street
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Festival of Lights
Sunday, October 16th
The Corner Spot,
6 Cherry Street
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Beer Garden
Friday, October 21st from 4- 9 pm
Saturday, October 22nd from 12 - 9 pm
Sunday, October 23rd from 1- 7 pm
The Corner Spot, 6 Cherry Street
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Ashland Community Theater
Stream the film Tommy & Michael and support ACT!
This film was nominated for best Long Short Film at the NY Short Film Festival (The Sofies), and our own, Larry Loring, was nominated for Best Actor.
In Honor of their acknowledgment, they have decided to re-release the film
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Ashland Community Theater presents "Dracula"
Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 pm
Friday, October 28th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 pm
Marconi's Theatre at the VFW, 311 Pleasant Street
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AGC- Putting our Gardens to Bed for the Winter
Saturday, October 22nd
from 1 pm
Ashland Public Library, 66 Front Street
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Pumpkin Fest
Saturday, October 22nd
from 2 - 7 pm
Ashland High School, 65 E. Union Street
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Halloween Parade and Party with Ashland Day Committee
Friday, October 28th at 6 pm
Montenegro Square, Front Street
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Town Hall Trick or Treat
Wednesday, October 26th from 4- 7 pm
Town Hall, 101 Main Street
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Save the Date for the Holiday Stroll!!
Saturday, December 3rd from 11 am - 5 pm
Save the Date for the Holiday Stroll!!
From 11 am - 3 pm stroll around downtown, visiting various businesses Blush Bouquets, Ashland Reiki & Wellness, B&Beauty, MSM Blowdry, and pop-up shops at Oak Realty/ My Ashland Office, The Corner Spot, and Town Hall to complete your holiday shopping.
The Corner Spot will host activities and pop-up shops from 11 am - 3 pm, and
from 1:30-3:30 pm, visit with Santa!
At 3:30 pm, follow Santa down Main Street and walk from The Corner Spot to Downtown Square to get ready for the Tree Lighting.
From 3:30- 5 pm, gather at the tree downtown to sip on some hot cocoa, munch on a cookie, and listen to caroling before the annual tree lighting.
The evening will conclude with the annual tree lighting and Santa driving by, giving everyone a big wave!
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Board of Health Local Vaccine Clinic
The Ashland Board of Health, in partnership with MetroWest Shared Public Health Services (MWSPHS), hosts vaccine clinics at our Town Hall every month.
From May 2021 to the end of September, the Ashland Board of Health and MWSPHS administered 1,709 total doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine and 223 vaccines to school-aged children.
This successful clinic has two main goals. 1)- give children who are uninsured or underinsured the opportunity to receive the vaccinations required by the state to attend school. 2)- create a regional opportunity for community members to access the COVID-19 Vaccine.
The children’s vaccination clinic is incredibly unique, as we are the only municipality in the MetroWest region offering these vaccination opportunities. Public Health Director Rajit Gupta states, “This clinic was put together with the diligent efforts of the Board of Health members and several staff members. We are incredibly fortunate to provide this opportunity to the children and families in our school system.”
Our regional Public Health nurse is present at every clinic to provide the following vaccines for children and teens, including DTap, HPV9v, HepB, IPV (Inactive Polio Virus), MCv4 (Meningococcal), MMR, Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) and Varicella. MWSPHS clinic is available to the following municipalities: Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton, Hudson, Maynard, Milford, Millis, and Natick.
Our school system sees tangible results from this vaccine clinic. Audrey LaCroix, a nurse at the Ashland Public School System, comments, “This in-town vaccine clinic is a huge benefit to the schools. The parents of the children receiving these vaccines are very appreciative that we can do this. In recent years, with the increase in population, our schools have seen a demand for our own clinic. Before this initiative, we were relying on Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center and Framingham’s Board of Health to provide vaccinations to our students. Now that we can provide the necessary doses to the children, we can bring the kids into the classroom faster.”
Ashland hosts vaccination appointments for individuals at the Town Hall, 101 Main Street. Individuals register for an appointment online using an advertised link. At the appointment, translation services are also available.
Please email Rajit Gupta at rgupta@ashlandmass.com or Jessica Twardowski, Public Health Nurse at jtwardowski@townofhudson.org, or call 978-875-3709 if you would like your child to attend the next clinic.
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