Dear Community Member,
As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, the Town of Ashland stands in unity with the Ukrainian people as they continue to oppose Putin's flagrant and unsanctioned invasion of their country. Our thoughts continue to be with our Ukrainian and Russian communities in town, which consist of residents, businesses, and employees, many of whom are deeply concerned with family and friends in the region.
I was recently asked what can we do as individuals to help support the Ukraine. First, reach out to your friends and neighbors of both Russian and Ukrainian heritage and see what they could use for support. Second, the Federated Church has dedicated much attention to the crisis in Ukraine, including hosting a community vigil last Thursday night. They are aware of a number of organizations people can donate to. If you're so inclined, I would ask that you reach out to the Rev. Katie Keene at kkeene@townisp.com or 617-721-2002.
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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Effective Monday, March 7, 2022, masking for vaccinated and boosted employees and visitors will be optional in Town buildings. Unvaccinated employees and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings/masks.
For additional COVID-19 related information please scroll to the last section of this email, or visit our designated COVID-19 Webpage, here.
Click the image to the right to enlarge or print off the flyer.
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ANNOUNCING- A New ONLINE Permitting System
The Town of Ashland Inspectional Services Department converted to a user-friendly Electronic Permitting System. Please use this online system for all building, plumbing, electrical/wiring, and sheet metal permits. Printed permits will still be available at Town Hall.
This system will go LIVE on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Beginning Monday, you can access the information HERE
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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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Mindess Construction Updates
If you would like to receive a text or e-mail notification regarding updates to the Mindess construction process, please send an e-mail to:
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March 2nd Select Board Meeting
The last Select Board Meeting discussed several important topics including, discussing the Conservation Restriction for the Valentine Property, reviewing building, gas, and electric permit fees, priority project updates, and more. View the full agenda here.
Did you miss it? Watch the meeting here.
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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 508-881-2021
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Thank you for your 18 years of service, Tara!
Tara M. Ward has been our "Town Google" for the past 18 years. She's been our "go-to" person for all things Ashland. As Town Clerk, she not only oversees elections (91 to be exact and 44 Town Meetings), but she's also been the keeper of all records, the Town Seal, and the keeper of the Boston Post Cane.
Tara has been a treasured and esteemed member of the Ashland team for 18 years, and her daily presence will be greatly missed by colleagues and residents alike. The work of the Town Clerk has changed
dramatically throughout her tenure and the Town is grateful and fortunate to have had her guidance, knowledge, and experience through these transformations. We will miss her approachable dedication to this vital work, and extend our best wishes as she begins this next chapter in her life.
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Thank you, Sergeant Ed Burman
Sgt. Ed Burman announced he accepted a position as Administrative Lieutenant for the Town of Wayland this past week. When I appointed Ed as our COVID lead in early 2020, neither of us knew the breadth and depth of this pandemic, but Ed has handled it all patiently and with competence. We take this time to thank Ed for his years of dedication to the Ashland community, especially as he lead the town through the COVID-19 Pandemic these past couple of years. Ed also championed several initiatives including increasing traffic safety, and collaborations with Ashland Human Services.
We wish you all the best in your next chapter!
Pictured: Sergeant Ed Burman receiving the Mary Mortensen Public Health Award from Board of Health Vice-Chair, Diane Mortensen back in 2021.
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The Friends of the Ashland Library are hosting their March book sale this weekend at Ashland Public Library!
Friday, March 4th
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Friends Member Preview -- you can become a member or renew at the door
Saturday, March 5th
10:00am – 4:00 pm
Open to the Public
Stop by, become a member, get some books, and support the library!
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Don't miss out!
Boy Scout Troup 232 Pancake Breakfast & Food Drive
THIS SUNDAY, March 6th from 7:30- 11:30 am
at the Ashland VFW located on 311 Pleasant Street.
Tickets may be purchased at the door!
Please bring a donation of non-perishable items for the Ashland Food Pantry.
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Ashland Public Library presents:
Virtual - Rebel Girls Celebrate International Women’s Day!
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- #Me Too at the Met
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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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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The Corner Spot Plans for its 5th Season!
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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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.
New Applicant Grant Program Questions - newapplicantgrant@massgcc.com
Inclusive Grant Program Questions - inclusivegrant@massgcc.com
General Assistance - mgcc@massgcc.com
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 3, 2022
Ashland has 3469 Confirmed Cases of which 3453 have cleared.
Ashland has a total of 382 Probable Cases of which 381 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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