Town of Ashland Update from Town Manager, Michael Herbert

Weekly Town Manager Newsletter

Dear Ashland Residents & Friends,

Enclosed I have provided the latest guidance COVID-19 guidance information from the Governor's office. This time last year felt very grim and bleak. I want to take this time to pause and reflect on all of the lives we've lost throughout the pandemic. As we transition from the pandemic and dare I say it, into our "new normal," I want to thank each and every one of you for your patience, care, and comradery.

I also want to take this time and thank every single one of you for your part in protecting our community, and I urge you to continue taking the extra care. Please consider respecting your neighbors and friends who may continue to take extra precautions. While the Governor's latest guidance removes many restrictions, businesses, and organizations may continue to require masks/facial coverings and other protective measures. My staff and I are meeting later this week to discuss protocols going forward, so stay tuned for an update on our website and social media accounts.

Finally, the Town held its Annual Election this past Tuesday, and I want to thank everybody that participated either through early voting, mail in voting, or showing up at the high school on election day. I especially want to thank those of you that decided to run for office. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself "out there" in the public sphere, especially in this climate. Congratulations to Yolanda Greaves, Rob Scherer for winning the Select Board's contested seats, and Marc Terry, Tina Fitanides for winning the School Committee's contested seats. Congratulations to Steve Greenberg serving the Board of Assessors; newcomers on the Library Trustees, Claire Goss and Linda Weene; KG Narayana, Bernadette Lunkuse, Barbara Sekesogundu- Simon serving the Board of Health; Carolyn Beaton serving the Housing Authority; and Deepa Venkat and Anna Tesmenitsky serving the Planning Board. I thank each of you for serving our community and filling these important seats.

Michael Herbert

Town Manager

Important Guidance Updates from the State

Reopening Update: State to Lift Most COVID Restrictions May 29th, Face Covering Order to be Rescinded & Replaced with CDC Guidance

The Baker-Polito Administration announced that business and capacity restrictions will be lifted effective May 29th. The Commonwealth’s face covering order will be also be rescinded on May 29th, and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face-covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance.

Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail, and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers.

Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th.

Business Restrictions Lifted

Effective May 29th, all industries will be permitted to open.
With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted.
Capacity will increase to 100% for all industries.
The gathering limit will be rescinded.
All industries are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene protocols.

Face Covering Guidance

The Administration will rescind the current face-covering order and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face-covering advisory effective May 29th.
The new advisory will be consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance.
Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. The new advisory will recommend that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face-covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations.
Face coverings will still be required for all individuals in the following settings:
On public and private transportation (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations)
In healthcare facilities/ healthcare providers
In congregate care settings, including health and rehabilitative day services.
Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers
Youth and Amateur Sports Face Covering Guidance: Effective May 18th, the youth, and amateur sports guidance will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes ages 18 and under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29th, all youth, and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted. Click here for complete Youth Sports guidance.
K-12, Early Education, and Summer Camp Guidance: Effective May 18th, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care will be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and to allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and childcare settings. This guidance will remain in effect beyond May 29th.
Click here for DESE Guidance
Click here for EEC Guidance
The Administration will release updated guidance for summer camps, effective May 29th, which will include no longer requiring masks for outdoor activities.

State of Emergency Order

Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th, and the Administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period in order to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency.

Complete reopening information can be found online at Mass.gov/Reopening.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

MetroWest-Westborough Regional Vaccination Site

The MetroWest-Westborough Regional Vaccination Site at the DoubleTree Hotel (5400 Computer Drive, Westborough) is a collaborative effort by the towns of Ashland, Boylston, Holliston, Hopkinton, Northborough, Southborough, and Westborough. The site is supported by Fire and Health Department staff and resources from collaborating communities as well as volunteers from local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members.

LOCATION: The site is conveniently located at the DoubleTree Hotel at 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, off of Route 9 and near the intersection of Interstate 495. The vaccination site is located on the main floor of the hotel and is handicap accessible. When you arrive, the vaccine site entrance is clearly marked and there is ample, free parking.

Click here to signup for email notifications and to be added to the standby call list for last-minute appointments.

COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Links

People age 12 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can get vaccinated.

Learn More

Pre-Register for a vaccine appointment at the Mass vaccination or collaborative locations.

Click here

COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs. Click here

Click here for more information about the vaccine in MA

Local Case Data and COVID- 19 Information

Latest Case Data in Ashland

The following information as of May 19, 2021

Ashland has 1,549 positive confirmed cases with the PCR test for COVID-19 with 1546 cleared cases. Additionally, Ashland has 208 positive and 207 cleared confirmed cases with Antigen Testing.

Click the graphs above to view them larger

Stop the Spread! Get Tested for COVID-19

If you display symptoms for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with an individual that tested positive.

Serology, PCR tests, and Antigen tests are also available.

Visit: www.mass.gov/GetTested

Learn more about the different types of tests

Local Information

Official Election Results for Annual Town Election

View the Unofficial Results for the Annual Town Election HERE

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone running for their commitment to volunteerism.

Annual Town Meeting June 12th at 10 am

Summer Reading at Ashland Public Library

The Ashland Public Library and Friends of the Ashland Library are preparing for the Annual Summer Reading Program and they need your help. Help foster literacy all over town. Visit the Friends of the Library Website for more information, https://friendsoftheapl.org/

NEW Construction Updates

Downtown Construction

The Ashland Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project with P. Gioioso & Sons will replace water services beginning Monday, May 24th. Crews will start at 134 Front Street (Ashland Lumber), and continue to Main Street throughout the next few weeks.

You will experience a temporary loss of water service. Crews anticipate water will not be shut off for more than 30 minutes. P. Gioioso & Sons will notify you before your service interruption, so be prepared for a knock on your door.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Frank Gioioso 617- 403-1978.

Route 126/Pond Street construction continues. Northern Construction will continue the road construction between the Holliston/Ashland Town Line and Eliot Street.

Eversource Gas / Mirra Construction should complete the gas main work between Algonquin and Nickerson Road today (5/19/21). After, two crews will continue the work. One crew will work towards the Framingham end and the second crew will begin the gas main replacement at the intersection of Pond and Eliot.

Part one of this work will occur during the day; located on the "East" side of Pond Street. Approximately 250 feet of main needs replacing in this particular section of road. The work hours will be from 7 AM until 3 PM. The start time will be adjusted if traffic is drastically impacted.

Eversource and the Town are reviewed the Road Opening Permit. Crews will begin on Eliot Street on the Sherborn Side on Friday, May 21st from 8:30 am- 3 pm. It will take one to two weeks to complete.

In early June, Eversource will perform gas work at night on the "west" side (Shaw's) of Eliot Street. Actual start date TBA.

Visit our website here

We will continue to share project updates on The 126/ Pond Street Revitalization Project and the Downtown Construction on the Town of Ashland website, ashlandmass.com, in our newsletters, and through our social media channels- Facebook and Instagram @TownofAshlandMA, Twitter @ashlandmass.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Visit the Town of Ashland Website Calendar for committee meetings and agendas

Visit the Town of Ashland Event Calendar for upcoming events

Corner Spot Events

May- September 2021

Visit the Corner Spot website, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest events and pop-up shops at #thebestspotintown!

Mark your Calendars for:

May 21st- 23rd... Zelus Beer Garden

June 2nd...Storytime with Ashland Public Library

June 5th... Opening Day Celebration

Meet Your Neighbor Mingle

Friday, May 21st from 5 - 7 pm at the Corner Spot

As we recover from the loneliness experienced last year, it's important to establish (and re-establish) connections right here at home!

Join us for an informal gathering in the community's backyard featuring Cousins Maine Food Truck, Zelus Beer Garden, and Refreshin' Concessions Ice Cream Truck!

Also, please take a moment to watch the Meet your Local Government Video on the town's website and social media, and ask your peers, town employees, or town officials questions at the event.

Drive Buy Book Sale

Sunday, June 6 from 1 to 3 pm

Following a very successful sale in December 2020, the Friends of the Ashland Public Library will hold a second contact-free book sale in the Montenegro Square parking lot across from the library on Sunday, June 6, from 1 to 3 pm. Hard or softcover books will be packaged in sealed paper bags, the contents of each a surprise. All books are gently used and in good condition, and every bundle is guaranteed to hold hours of entertainment for pandemic-weary readers!

Once again, bags will be pre-packaged according to the genre, including fiction, biography/memoir, history and politics, health and family living, cookbooks, and sports. In addition, there will be a large variety of children’s selections packaged according to age. DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks will also be included.

Proceeds from the Drive-Buy Book Sale will support Ashland Library programmings, such as craft kits for children and adults, online family support programs, and the acquisition of materials to meet the needs of the community. Check the Friends’ Facebook page, for any change in the date due to inclement weather.