Weekly Town Manager Newsletter |
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Dear Ashland Residents & Friends,
Warm greetings as we enter into the holiday season. While COVID is certainly changing up the way we traditionally do the holidays here in town, we've adapted a number of existing programs to hopefully help everyone get into the spirit.
Illuminate Downtown Ashland starts tomorrow at 5:00PM. Thanks to Chrissy Reynolds and everyone who has worked to make this event happen in such crazy circumstances. More information towards the bottom.
Also, next weekend (12th & 13th), our own Ashland Fire Department will be escorting the Big Guy (aka Santa) around town to check on our neighborhoods and hopefully spread the holiday cheer. This is in lieu of our traditional tree lighting event held in December.
Another new twist to December this year is we are having Special Town Meeting on December 9th. More information on the warrant articles can be found below as well as on WACA. Please note that the Town Meeting for the two proposed building projects in town (the Public Safety Building and School) will be held NEXT month, on January 9th.
Closing out this newsletter, I want to thank all of our staff members for what they do on a daily basis. They have really gone above and beyond this year. Many don't know this, but our Town Hall was one of the first ones to reopen after the initial COVID wave, as was our Public Library. Our Human Services team has had to be creative and adaptive to this pandemic from the very beginning, and has been a model for other communities. Our Community & Economic Development staff have still managed to find a way to help our community through grant programs and innovative partnerships, and of course our Police, Fire, and DPW crews never get "time off". In my opinion our schools have handled this better than any district in the region (perhaps the state). Finally, our COVID team has done a remarkable job given very limited resources. All of these folks really do go above and beyond.
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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The following information as of December 3, 2020
Local Confirmed Cases in Ashland = 585
Ashland has 585 positive confirmed cases for COVID-19 with 514 cleared cases, 108 probable cases, and 95 cleared probable cases. The Ashland Board of Health team and volunteer nurses are diligently working to keep our community safe at this time.
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If you display symptoms for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with an individual that tested positive, please get tested.
Serology, PCR tests, and Antigen tests are also available.
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Mark your calendars- Special Town Meeting
December 9, 2020 at 6 pm at Ashland High School
Special Town Meeting - December 9, 2020
Discussing Warrant Articles deferred from May including:
- Article 1: Free Cash Transfer
- Article 2: Adjust 2021 Budget
- Article 3: Property Tax Exemptions
- Article 4: Brave Act – Real estate tax exemption for surviving parents or guardians of certain soldiers, sailors, members of the National Guard and Veterans
- Article 5: Brave Act – Reduction of property tax obligation of veteran in exchange for volunteer services
- Article 6: Land Taking- Take by eminent domain 12-16 Union Street
- Article 7*: Zoning Bylaw Change: Create a Valentine Property Overlay District
- Article 8*: Authorization to sell or enter into lease agreement 125-139 West Union Street (Valentine Property) for Adaptive Reuse (recommended to be withdrawn by Town Manager)
- Article 9: Accept boundary changes for 433 Chestnut
- Article 10: Land Taking: Accept an Easement at Independence Lane to Install a Boost Pump Station
- Article 11: Amend General Bylaws: Stormwater Fee Lien
- Article 12: Construction of the Trolley Brook Trail
- Article 13: Town Forest Enhancement Project
- Article 14*: Zoning Bylaw: Correct the Section that Outlines the Requirements for Design Review
Special Town Meeting- January 9, 2021 and Special Town Election - January 13, 2021
Discussing the Warrant Articles specifically for the Public Safety Building and Mindess School Building Projects. These two building projects will also be ballot questions at the Special Town Election.
Learn more about financing the two proposed building projects in town here
*Town Manager will propose to withdraw Articles 7, 8, and 13 during Special Town Meeting. Watch his reasoning at Wednesday December 2, 2020 Select Board Meeting here.
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The COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program Update
Due to the decision by the state to take back CARES act funds that were not expended by the end of the year, the COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program will be undergoing some changes to its funding, and new program materials will be shared soon. Please contact Emma Snellings by email, esnellings@ashlandmass.com or phone, 508-532-7930 before applying to the program
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Plastic bag ban back in effect
Under the Bylaw, thin-film single-use plastic bags with handles and a thickness less than 4.0 mils, are prohibited from being distributed at checkout. Product bags, trash bags and thin-film plastic bags used to contain dry cleaning, newspapers, produce, meat or fish, typically without handles, are still permissible.
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THANK YOU from Ashland Human Services!
Thank you for all your help! Our Ashland Human Services team no longer need any adopters for the holidays! For those returning gifts and have not returned your gift on December 2nd, please return your gift on December 9th between 9 am and 11 am. Return the items to the Ashland Community Center located on 162 W. Union Street (upper level). Please wear your masks, and do not exit your car. Contact Jennifer Wuelfing at 508-532-7942 or Cara Tirrell at 508-532-7946.
Many thanks Jennifer and Cara, volunteers and donors for making this a special holiday season for everyone.
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Virtual Narcan Training
Wednesday, December 16th from 2 - 3 pm
Join Framingham and Natick Public Health Departments for a virtual community overdose prevention training opportunity.
At this training, participants will learn:
- How opioids work and what causes an overdose
- How to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose
- Learn where to access naloxone (Narcan), the overdose reversal medication
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Decisions at Every Turn Coalition Presents
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Youth Vaping
Can vaping impact youth mental health? Is there a link between vaping & COVID? Can I get addicted after one-time use? How does vaping affect the teen brain?
Join the Decisions at Every Turn Coalition for a live 30-Minute Zoom Interview with Dr. Safdar Medina. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to watch this presentation with their tweens and teens. Dr. Medina will provide answers to these and other questions about youth vaping.
Many thanks to goes out to the Coaltion for bringing these educational events to our community.
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Upcoming Meetings & Events |
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Ashland & Holliston Police Departments
Toys for Tots "Fill a Cruiser" Event
December 5th from 10 am - 2 pm
Big Lots on 41 Pond Street
Please join the Ashland and Holliston Police Departments for the annual “Fill A Cruiser” event to support Toys for Tots this Saturday. They will be collecting new, unwrapped, non-violent toys.
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Friends of the Ashland Public Library
Introduces "Drive Buy" Library Book Sale
Sunday, December 13th from 1:00- 3:00 pm
Montenegro Square
Purchase bags for $5. Adult bags will contain at least 6 titles, and Children's bags will contain 10 titles.
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HO HO HO! The Santa Claus Chronicles
by Ashland Community Theater
ACT and WACA TV will partner with The Prana Center to present a short play called Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Claus Chronicles, directed by Julie Murphy.
Watch this performance on WACA TV and the ACT You Tube Channel the week of Dec 20th, just in time for a Family Holiday season!
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Holiday Events Around Town
Light Up Ashland
November 27th to December 5th
Illuminate Downtown Ashland
December 5th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Winter Wonderland Stroll
December 5th to January 1st
Comedy Night presented by the ABA
December 11th at 7:00 pm
Santa Drive-bys by AFD and APD
Dec. 12th & 13th between 3 and 6 pm
(more info coming soon)
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Local Business Information |
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FAQ’s for Businesses Facing Covid-19 Daily
If an employee is exposed to a positive case through close contact can we require a test prior to return to work even if asymptomatic?
You can’t mandate it but if the employee was exposed for more within 6ft. and more than 15 minutes of more cumulative time they must quarantine for 14 days regardless of a negative test.
And how many days post exposure should they wait before testing?
Anyone exposed to someone that tested positive for Covid should wait 5-8 days to be tested. If tested at 5 days and receiving a negative test that person should still quarantine for 14 days. If tested on day 8 with a PCR test after the exposure and are asymptomatic with a negative test, the last day of quarantine is day 10 and they can return to work at day 11. Please note that exposure date is day 0.
What steps do I take if one of my employees tests positive?
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Notify Ed Burman at the Board of Health by calling 508-532-7988 or email eburman@ashlandpd.org
- You must close for deep cleaning. You only have to remain closed until cleaning has occurred.
- If any other staff were working they should be tested and not allowed to work until they have a negative test. If any other employee is deemed a close contact which means within 6 feet for 15 minutes of more cumulative time they MUST remain out for 14 days from the exposure regardless if they have a negative test. If tested on day 8 with a PCR test after the exposure and are asymptomatic with a negative test, the last day of quarantine is day 10 and they can return to work at day 11. Please note that exposure date is day 0.
What if I want to run a scenario by someone or have additional questions or concerns?
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The Economic Development Department put together resources to help business owners establish a location in Ashland, maintain their business, and help reopen their establishment in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Read the latest newsletter from Beth Reynolds,
Ashland's Economic Development Director's newsletter here
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Stay informed with the Town of Ashland |
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