Over the past couple of weeks, I've been reminded of the immense community spirit our Town has to offer. The fall season's introduction to the holidays provided opportunities to gather and engage with each other once again, and I could not be happier. These events around town are the highlights of my week.
Events and activities are envisioned and accomplished when key members of the community dedicate their time and resources to our neighborhood.
I want to thank the local organization, Ashland Indians Inc. for inviting me, and the community to celebrate the Diwali Holiday at the Festival of Lights celebration. Thank you to our Select Board as well as Senate President Spilka and Representative Jack Lewis for joining us. KG, Ashwini, and the countless other volunteers, you created such a lively event. This newer annual event is a perfect complement to the existing holiday events in Town. Vijay, thank you for your talent and for allowing us to post your pictures on social media.
Thank you to the Town of Ashland staff and the Ashland Day Committee for the Halloween festivities that took place this week. We had a lot of fun handing out candy to trick-or-treaters at Town Hall. Decisions at Every Turn and Ashley Place did a great job with the Spooky Walk at the Riverwalk Thursday evening. I look forward to these events again next year. Last but not least, thank you to the Ashland Day Committee and the Ashland Police, Fire, and Auxiliary Police Departments for hosting the annual Halloween Parade and Party. This classic event just gets better every year.
As we officially enter the holiday season, I look forward to more opportunities to highlight our community's key volunteers and attend more events propelling engagement in town.
Stay well,
-Michael
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COVID- 19 Drive-Thru Testing Site
The new Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site will be located on the MBTA Commuter Rail Station on Memorial Drive in Ashland. The operating hours will be:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7 am - 11 am
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from 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.
Sign up for testing here.
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The following information as of 10/28/2021:
Ashland has a total of 1,762 confirmed cases of this, 1,748 have been cleared.
Ashland has a total of 244 Probable cases of this 243 have cleared.
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According to DPH as of July 27th, 2021 they feel that the DELTA Variant is the most prevalent at this time in Massachusetts at around 55% and to note it is twice as contagious as the original virus.
Please remind people if anyone is sick in their homes regardless of vaccine status and/or test status they and everyone in their household should remain home.
We also need to encourage testing for anyone who feels they were exposed or has any symptoms at all.
Please also note if you are vaccinated you are protected at a minimum of 90% so you still have a small chance of getting Covid-19 if exposed to a positive person.
For any concerns or questions contact Sgt. Ed Burman at 508-532-7988 or the Covid-19 hotline at 508-532-7900
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Vaccinated Individuals within the Town of Ashland as of 10/28/21 |
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Town Hall and Municipal Offices CLOSED on the following days:
Thursday, November 11th for Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 24th at 1 pm - Sunday, November 28th
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Happy Diwali!
To all of our friends celebrating Diwali this week, may your life be as colorful and magical as the lights of Diwali!
To our friends at Ashland Indians Inc, thank you for hosting the Festival of Lights last weekend. Celebrating Diwali as a community was truly special.
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Board of Health Public Discussion
November 2, 2021, at 6:10 pm
Virtually via Zoom
The Board of Health will be holding a public discussion to review, prior to adoption, a new Regulation for the Keeping of Animals in Ashland. Please note, all current Animal Permits issued prior to the effective date of this regulation remain valid.
To view the meeting agenda, and access the virtual meeting link CLICK HERE.
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BAA Grant Opportunity
The Ashland Select Board is pleased to announce the Fall BAA Grant is now available to the Ashland community. Submissions are due on November 17, 2021.
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Ashland School Committee invites you to participate in a request to name Warren 1 Softball field in honor of late coach, Andy Lymburner.
A sub-committee has been formed by the Ashland School Committee to consider a request to name the Warren 1 softball field after Mr. Andy Lymburner, who unexpectedly passed away in 2020.
The Naming Policy requires that the community has an opportunity to weigh in during the process, thus I request that all written communication regarding this request be sent to the sub-committee no later than Friday, November 5, 2021.
Another meeting of the sub-committee has been set for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, should a community member want to submit testimony in person.
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Ashland Community Center & Ashland Human Services Department Presents
Annual Holiday Assistance Program
Ashland families with children in the home under the age of 16 years old and in need of assistance for the Holidays are invited to participate in this Holiday Assistance Program.
To apply for the Thanksgiving meal and/or holiday assistance, please contact Jennifer Wuelfing in Human Service Department to complete an application over the phone. Please apply by November 15th!
Residents interested in donating to the holiday program should also contact Jennifer.
Contact Jennifer at Human Services by phone, 508-532-7942.
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DAET has converted the traditional Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) exhibit into an online experience!
HIPS is an educational exhibit for adults 21+ designed to help parents & other caring adults identify possible signs of risky behaviors & learn strategies to start (or continue) meaningful conversations with their tweens/teens to prevent substance use.
Visitors will watch a short series of prevention education videos then register to explore the interactive teen bedroom to help recognize potential signs of substance use/misuse. Due to the nature of the content in the interactive portion, parents/caregivers will be asked to attest that they are over the age of 21 in order to register for access to the teen bedroom.
Parent/Caregiver Resources are provided to help start or continue important family conversations about healthy decision-making.
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Fall Yard Waste Removal
Mondays until November 29th
Waste Management will be collecting yard waste at curbside from residents that are enrolled in the town's solid waste removal program on Mondays until November 29th.
This is a yard waste collection (grass clippings, pine needles, pine cones, leaves....rake-able materials). Do not leave brush and tree limbs at curbside for collection....they will not be taken. 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.
Please be sure to have your yard waste at the curbside by 7 am on the collection day. Questions? Call 508-532-7943 or email dmiller@ashlandmass.com
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Stay Updated!
IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION
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Upcoming Meetings & Community Events
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Save the Date!
Special Town Meeting
Wednesday, December 1st
More Information Coming Soon
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Check out the amazing programs for the month of November
Ashland Public Library's November Event Calendar CLICK HERE
Ashland Senior Center's November Event Calendar CLICK HERE
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The MetroWest YMCA will hold its annual “Dream Big” Charity Auction with a tailgate theme in a live, virtual format on Wednesday, November 3rd, from 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM.
A silent auction will also take place online between Friday, October 29th, and November 3rd.
Tom Caron of NESN will emcee the main event, joined by Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray and Joe Andruzzi, five-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots for a tribute in memory of Dick Hoyt.
The event will raise funds to support the Y’s youth development, water safety, and healthy living programs, making dreaming possible for area kids and families.
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Decisions at Every Turn Coalition Focus Groups
Ashland's Decisions at Every Turn Coalition is hosting two focus groups in November to learn more about how our community can even better support Ashland youth through prevention. We need all voices! Parents, grandparents, those with young kids, those with older kids, those without kids, those who take care of kids, those who work with kids are all invited to participate. We trying to learn as much as we can from a variety of perspectives. Participants must live or work in Ashland. The capacity is 10 people per session.
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Veterans Day at the Community Center
with guest speaker, Capt. Clifton Edward Reed, the Tuskegee Airman
Sponsored and organized by Ashland Police Department, Ashland Police Association, Ashland Fire Department, and Ashland Professional Firefighters
All Patriots, Veterans, and seniors are welcome to enjoy the FREE lunch, followed by a short presentation and a concert. Learn more
Call the Senior Center to sign up, 508-881-0140 x 1.
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Ashland Business Association
*Virtual* Comedy Night
Sunday, November 21st from 6:45- 8 pm.
The Ashland Business Association invites the entire Ashland community to a virtual LIVE night of laughter with dynamic comedian Corey Rodrigues and Friends! Suitable for date night, family, and friends!
Corey Rodrigues is also an actor, radio personality, and an Ashland resident! All proceeds will benefit the ABA Scholarship Program and the Ashland Emergency Fund.
RSVP by Nov. 16. Admission: $10 per household; $40 includes one surprise gift basket; $70 includes two surprise gift baskets. Gift baskets will be delivered to you in time for the event. A zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration. REGISTER HERE!
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Retirement Party for Firefighters Stone & Gemma
November 5th at 6 pm
VFW Post 2331
Join Ashland Firefighters and the community honor the many years of dedication and passion of Firefighters Peter Stone and Bob Gemma. Please see the flyer to the right for more information, or call the non-emergency line, (508) 881-2323.
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