Dear Community Member,
This newsletter has more information than usual, so I broke it up to reflect important updates, local news, shout-outs, events and programming, and concluded with COVID-19 information. Hope you find it good reading material as we weather the upcoming storm.
If you missed this past week's Select Board meeting, I've enclosed information below regarding our Racial Equity Study Initiative, our search for the next Police Chief, how to participate in the beginning steps for creating an inclusionary zoning policy, and more. Following that, there are also announcements from our department reads, reminding you of some upcoming deadlines.
In good news, the Town of Ashland was recently featured in the New England Construction Journal, earned a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, and our Emergency Response team obtained a $95, 000 grant from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to expand communication coverage on the Southborough side of Town. These are very exciting accomplishments, and I thank our team members for their dedication, securing these wins for Ashland.
Just a reminder, municipal buildings will return to traditional business operations on Saturday (depending on the weather), but masks are still required in these buildings. The advisory to wear masks at all times, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors at Ashland establishments also remains in effect per our announcement back in December.
These are just some of the important messages highlighted in this week's newsletter. I hope you continue finding these updates helpful and informative. These emails are a great way to directly communicate with you.
Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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Municipal Buildings resume operations Monday, January 31, 2022
All municipal buildings will cease restrictions and return to standard business operations.
Ashland Public Library will not open tomorrow, Saturday, January 29th due to weather.
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Program extends to March 2022
The Ashland Sustainability Team is excited to announce, the MetroWest Solar and Clean Heat Challenge program has been extended!
Since the program launched in June 2021, nearly 600 residents and small businesses across Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, and Natick requested no-cost assessments for solar PV, air-source heat pumps, and geothermal. Way to go!
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Ashland's Construction in the News
We appreciate New England Construction Journal visiting Ashland and highlighting the important construction projects happening in our community. The Route 126 Revitalization and the Downtown Revitalization projects are essential developments to continue Ashland's vitality. While both projects still have a couple of years to go before completion, the drastic amount of work to our infrastructure and cosmetic aesthetics will attract new community members and business owners and increase our economic development potential. Thank you to Doug Small, our DPW Director and his team for helping keep these projects on track. And thank you to the residents and businesses once again for your support and patience with these projects.
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Help us create an Inclusionary Housing Policy!
Our Ashland Planning Department with the HPP Steering Committee has been working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on an inclusionary housing policy to ensure new development in Ashland benefits the community by generating housing that more people can afford. We want to create a policy that’s right for Ashland, and we need your help!
In Ashland, and communities across Greater Boston, the housing market does not meet everyone’s needs. Seniors and young adults, those with the greatest housing needs, and those with modest incomes are all affected by the high cost of housing. Inclusionary housing creates Affordable Housing opportunities by asking developers to set aside a portion of new housing units for income-eligible households. This policy is implemented through zoning requirements.
Learn more about this initiative and inclusionary housing in Ashland by clicking here.
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I am excited to announce the final Racial Equity Study report from Suffolk University is now available. The Town Administration is proud to use this document as the foundation for future efforts. Over the past couple of years, we've established long-term and short-term goals based on the feedback. With this final report, we are committed to establishing a plan and goals and objectives based on this report's findings.
"I want to reinforce that this study that you see, is not the final step, by any means. It’s actually just the first step and what we believe is going to be a long, but hopefully transformative process” - Michael Herbert, Town Manager
Special thanks go out to our other Steering Committee members: Makeda Keegan, Rabbi Eric Gurvis, KG Narayana, and Jenn Ball.
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Police Chief Search
Ashland continues the search for a new permanent Police Chief after Police Chief Alfano re-entered retirement and Lieutenant Richard Briggs became Acting Chief.
The Police Chief is a crucial element of creating a community. It is an important and visible position. While the Town Manager appoints this position, it is vital that the appointed individual reflect the vision and characteristics of the community.
For these reasons, we found it important to include the public in the process of seeking a new Police Chief. I thank each of you that took the time to contact me; and completed the community survey conducted in late November.
We also recently completed a focus group with a diverse array of community members to help refine the questions we ask of future candidates.
Qualified and interested candidates should submit a Resume and Letter of Interest with Qualifications to Human Resources by emailing,
humanresources@ashlandmass.com subject: Police Chief Search, or by mail to the Town of Ashland, Human Resources Office 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA. 01721, Attn: Police Chief Search.
Our Human Resources Director and I will accept and review applications. Candidates that move forward will meet with a screening committee. The Committee will then recommend one or more finalists to me. Those finalists will then interview in public session, with an offer of employment extended afterward subject to meeting certain requirements and provisions.
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Town-Wide Parking Ban
To assist the DPW with snow removal operations, a town-wide parking ban has been implemented beginning Friday 1/28 at 11 pm through Sunday 1/30 at 5 pm. On-street parking is prohibited during this time.
Vehicles found parked in violation of this ban will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense if they interfere with snow removal operations.
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Kindergarten Registration
Registration for students entering Kindergarten in September 2022 at the Registrar’s Office in the Ashland Middle School, 87 West Union Street on the following dates:
Tuesday, February 1st: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 2nd: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Thursday, February 3rd: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Children need not attend registration. In addition to completing your child’s registration, you will sign up for the kindergarten screening. Screening will take place May 24, 25, and 26.
For the 2022-2023 school year, children must be five years old by August 31, 2022 to be eligible for Kindergarten, and six years old by August 31, 2022 for Grade One. No exceptions to these age requirements can be made.
There are before and after school programs available for kindergarten students.
If your child is NOT going to attend the Ashland Public Schools, we would appreciate your calling the Warren School at (508) 881-0188. This will enable us to obtain the most accurate enrollment projections possible.
If you have any other questions regarding kindergarten or grade 1 registration, please call the Warren School office at (508) 881-0188.
Please view this letter from Principal Regan for the complete details and virtual meeting information.
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Congratulations to our Finance Team for Receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
Finance Director Brittany Iacoponi and I are pleased to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts, for its Annual Operating and Capital Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 01, 2021. Interested residents can find the budget here.
We look forward to discussing this achievement at the February 2nd Select Board meeting!
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Ashland Obtained a $95,000 EOAF Grant To Improve Communications
Chief Keith Robie and I are excited to announce that the Executive Office for Administration and Finance has awarded the Town of Ashland a grant for the improvement of public safety communications. These funds will allow the town to add a communications site to expand communication coverage for the fire and police departments on the Southborough side of town,
Grants are a great way to receive funding beyond the limits of our operational budget. They can help bridge the gap between our departments’ resources and their needs. Many thanks to the Fire Department, including Firefighter Voorhees, Lt. Boland and Captain Moraghan for their work on this grant.
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Reminders from the Assessor's Office
The last day to file an application for ABATEMENT on your Real Estate assessment is February 1st, 2022.
The last day to file an application for EXEMPTION on your Real Estate taxes is April 1st, 2022
Questions? Email, or call 508-881-0100 ext. 2012
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Did you know...
You can drop off your census forms, Dog Licenses, and payments without leaving your car? Use the drop boxes located at the exit of Town Hall's parking lot on Main Street.
Reminder from the Town Clerk:
🐶Dog Licenses must be filed before April 15th. Learn more
Reminder from the Treasurer/ Collector:
🏡Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes are due on February 1st. Learn more
You may also pay your Town of Ashland bills online, here.
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Are you interested in volunteering for a committee or board position in your local government?
Make an appointment with the Town Clerk's office to pull your nomination papers now and submit them by March 29th at 5 pm.
Here are the seats available for the 2022 Local Town Election.
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Moderator - 3 years (vote for 1) expires 2025
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Select Board - 3 years (vote for 2) expires 2025
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Board of Assessors - 3 years (vote for 1) expires 2025
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School Committee - 3 years (vote for 2) expires 2025
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Board of Library Trustee - 3 years (vote for 1) expires 2025
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Board of Health - 3 years (vote for 1) expires 2025
- 2 years (vote for 1) expires 2024
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Housing Authority - 5 years (vote for 1) expires 2027
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Planning Board - 5 years (vote for 1) expires 2027
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Safety Message from the Inspectional Services Department and Ashland Fire Department
Space heaters and extension cords are common household tools used to keep spaces in homes warmer as the cold winter weather becomes harsher. When using a space heater and extension cord, there are important safety tips to consider:
- Space heaters must be located in an isolated space with a minimum of 3 feet of open space around them. Furniture, paper products, and cloth items such as loose papers, curtains, bed sheets, etc. should not be near the space heater.
- Space heaters draw a lot of electricity and must be plugged into an outlet directly. Using an extension cord may cause the heater to overheat and catch on fire.
- When using extension cords, it is also important to note, extension cords should not be used to plug in multiple items simultaneously as this also draws too much electricity, resulting in overheating and potential fire.
- Safely using space heaters and extension cords prevents potentially dangerous accidents.
Please stay safe!
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Don't miss these upcoming programs at Ashland Public Library!
Download the February brochure here!
Sign up for the library's newsletter here!
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Programs resume in-person at the Senior Center beginning Monday
Download the February brochure here!
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Congratulations, Brittany!
As mentioned above, the Town of Ashland was awarded the Distinguished Budget Award from GFOA.
This award is incredibly special because Brittany Iacaponi had to meet many more stringent requirements to receive the award this year..
I think it’s important to note that Brittany’s office is a department of two, and not only is she the Finance Director but she’s also the Town Accountant. Being a Town Accountant carries heavy statutory responsibilities independent of the Town Manager, Select Board, or even Finance Committee.
This budget document is transparent and informative, and this award reflects her strong work ethic and remarkable talent.
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Ashland Farmers Market prepares for its 11th Season!
Interested in becoming a 2022 Artisan vendor?
Interested in becoming a 2022 AFM musical act?
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Local Cases in Ashland as of January 27, 2022
Ashland has 3263 Confirmed Cases of which 3179 have cleared.
Ashland has a total of 364 Probable Cases of which 347 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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State closes all COVID-19 Testing Sites on Saturday, January 29th
Due to the impending weather, all testing sites will not be open on Saturday, January 29th, including the local Stop the Spread site at our MBTA Commuter Rail Station on Memorial Drive.
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Protect yourself & others against the COVID-19 Omicron Variant
Get Vaccinated
Wear your mask
Watch for symptoms
Practice social distancing
Wash your hands
Get tested
Say home if you're feeling unwell
Click the image to the right to enlarge or download
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Quarantine vs. Isolation
When using an at-home COVID-19 test please consider the proper protocols for Isolation and Quarantine. Do not forget to contact our local board of health if your at-home test is positive.
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Reminder: Mask Advisory still in effect
The Ashland Board of Health advises all unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals to wear face-coverings while in indoor settings and practice social distancing. This is in response to the significant increase of positive COVID-19 cases in our community as well as an advisory from the MA Department of Public Health.
Thank you for keeping Ashland safe!
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