Good Afternoon Ashland Residents & Stakeholders!
There are lots of updates today. Be sure to read about our Economic Development Office's efforts and successes in our first annual report. And if you haven't had a chance, please watch the interviews with two great candidates for Police Chief and take a moment to give me your feedback.
There are also many great events - sponsored by the Town of Ashland and other organizations - coming up. Please make sure you scroll down to find out more about these programs.
I hope you and your families are all well. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at mherbert@ashlandmass.com with any comments, questions, or concerns.
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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I am pleased to present the Town of Ashland's first Economic Development Report. The Economic Development Office was created in 2016 after town leadership saw a need to help our existing businesses, bring in new businesses, and reinvigorate some of our more blighted and underutilized spaces. This report shows advances in all three areas.
Specifically, the Department has taken $280,000 in public funds and leveraged that into over $3.5 million of private investment in our town. A good portion of this private capital was invested in many underutilized spaces such as the old Papa Gino's location (now 2Mauros), the old Blockbuster building (now Mazi), and the Telechron building (now home to businesses like Dr. Greens, Dulce de Leche, and Zeta Fencing among others). The Department's also been successful in receiving competitive state-wide and regional grants that allowed us to spend $620,000 in non-local taxpayer funds to help 58 businesses in town.
I am extremely proud of the work Beth Reynolds, our Economic Development Director, does on a daily basis. Her office will continue to look for creative and thoughtful ways to support our business community. Also, they will continue to look for grant opportunities, plan exciting and inclusive events and market the wonderful businesses in town.
Read the full report, here.
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Police Chief Search Update
I interviewed two finalists for Police Chief this past Thursday, March 31st, at Town Hall. Both Chief Sam Santiago and Lt. Cara Rossi did extremely well and I thank both of them for their time and interest.
If you had not had the chance, you may watch the interviews here.
I appreciate all the feedback that I have received so far. The public is encouraged to provide their feedback by emailing me at MHerbert@ashlandmass.com by April 9th.
After conducting background checks on both candidates, I anticipate making a decision soon thereafter.
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Don't miss these announcements:
Calling all Dog Owners!
REMINDER: Register your dog with the Town Clerk's Office by April 15th.
Motor Vehicle Excise taxes are now past due.
The deadline for Excise Taxes was March 30th, 2022.
Please contact the Treasurer/Collector's office for outstanding excise bills by phone, 508-881-0100 ext. 2016 or email,
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The Town of Ashland currently seeks applicants to fill the following positions:
Ashland Town Clerk's Office- Deputy Town Clerk
- This vital role oversees all the records and events management for the Town Clerk Department.
Ashland Planning Department- Sustainability Program Manager
-This individual will design and implement programs for lowering environmental impact.
Ashland DPW - Mechanic Assistant
-This individual will assist the lead Mechanic with maintenance, repairs, and overhauls of a variety of motorized equipment.
Ashland DPW - Light Equipment Operator, Water & Sewer
-This role performs work related to the construction and maintenance of municipal water and sewer infrastructure.
Ashland Fire Department - Fire Department Dispatcher (part-time/per diem)
-This important position receives, processes, and dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
Ashland Police Department - Police Officer
-APD seeks Civil Service Lateral Transfers, who perform basic police services in accordance with the department's mission, goals, and objectives.
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Spring 2022 Yard Waste Pick-Up
Mondays now until June 6th.
There will not be yard waste pick-up on the Patriots Day Holiday (Marathon Monday) and on the Memorial Day Holiday.
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.
This service is provided only to residents that are enrolled in the Town's contracted curbside rubbish & recycling collection program.
Questions? Call 508-532-7943 or send an email
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COVID-19 Testing Kits Available
As many of the State COVID-19 Testing sites closed last week, our local Health Department reminds you, we have at-home testing kits available for you.
Kits are available for pick-up during business hours at Town Hall at the Town Manager's Office and the Board of Health Office, as well as the Community Center.
Ashland residents are eligible for one testing kit per person. A valid proof of photo identification is required.
Testing kits are first come first serve.
Town Hall
101 Main Street
Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs. 8 am - 3:30 pm
Wed. 8 am- 7 pm.
Community Center
162 W Union Street
Hours:
Mon. - Thurs.: 9 am - 3:30 pm
Fri: 9 am - 1 pm
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Stay safe this burning season
Burning season is now- May 1st
File your permit online with Ashland Fire Department here
Burning season in Massachusetts is now open until Sunday, May 1st. File your permit with the Ashland Fire Department. Please note, the application will ask if you wish to purchase a permit, simply answer, "yes," but know, you will not be charged a fee. Permits are activated daily after the fire department reviews the weather, and the Commonwealth determines it is safe for open-air burning.
Burning Rules & Regulations
- Permits do not carry over yearly, each permit issued for the burning season expires on May 1st of the year issued.
- Burning must be at least 75 feet from all dwellings.
- Burning can not start before 10 a.m.
- Burning must start before 1 p.m.
- Fires must be out by 4 p.m.
- Burning must take place on land closest to the source of material to be burned.
- Fires must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- A water source (hose) must be close by at all time.
- There is no burning allowed on the day of the Boston Marathon (the 3rd Monday in April).
- May 1st is the last day you are permitted to burn, there are no extensions for poor weather/air quality.
What Can Be Burned
- Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris not from commercial or industrial land clearing
- Materials normally associated with the pursuit of agriculture, such as fruit tree pruning, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes, infected beehives for disease control
- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing
- Fungus invested Elmwood if no other acceptable means of disposal is available (disease-free brush is not an acceptable starting aid)
What Cannot Be Burned
- Leaves, grass, hay, and stumps
- Material over 4 inches in diameter
- Brush, trees, cane, and driftwood from commercial and/or institutional land clearing operations
- Tires and trash
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Construction updates!
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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Important Dates for Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election |
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Thursday, April 14, 2022- Voter Registration Deadline for Annual Town Meeting and Election
Office Hours- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, May 4, 2022- Annual Town Meeting 7 pm at Ashland High School
Tuesday, May 17, 2022- Annual Town Election 7 am - 8 pm at Ashland High School.
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Town Meetings, Community Programs, & Events |
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Downtown Easter Egg Hunt
Follow clues to find 6 eggs around downtown anytime during Easter weekend.
Download our mobile-friendly Easter Egg Hunt Map or print-friendly Easter Egg Hunt Map from the links below. For the mobile-friendly version, save the photo to your phone and mark off all the eggs with your phone's editing tool to keep track.
After you complete the egg hunt, don't forget to show your completed photo/ paper to redeem your goodie bag on Wednesday, April 20th from 10 - 11 am at Montenegro Square.
Thank you to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for hosting this event!
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Donation Day at the Library! & Mini- Book Sale!
Saturday, April 16th from 10 am - 1 pm at Ashland Public Library
Bring your gently used books and media on the third Saturday of every month from 10 am to 1 pm at Ashland Public Library!
Donations are collected in the Friends Book Sale Room on the lower level of the library. The Friends will be there to assist you during this time frame.
Wait, there's more!
The Friends will host a Mini Book Sale during donation day on Saturday, April 16th.
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Event: How Ashland can become Net Zero by 2040
Wednesday, April 13th from 6:30- 7:30 at APL
The climate crisis is a global problem that demands global, national, and local action. The Town of Ashland made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and established an ambitious goal of reaching Net Zero by 2040. Subsequent to conducting a greenhouse gas inventory for the Town of Ashland, the Sustainability Committee is developing a Net Zero plan for reaching our goal and providing Ashland with sustainable and equitable tools for climate adaptation. The plan includes strategies, recommendations, key stakeholders, and a time horizon for implementation. Meet the committee and learn about our key focus areas: achieving net zero carbon by increasing the use of clean energy and electric vehicles, electrification of heating and cooling in buildings, plastic and waste reduction, curbside composting, and natural resource protection.
View the Net Zero Strategy plan, HERE
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Save the Date- Saturday, May 7th!
GreenUp Ashland Annual Cleanup Event!
Adopt a location all spring, summer, and fall- online registration opens on April 6th
Participate at the annual cleanup event over the weekend of May 7th- online registration opens on April 11th
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Once Upon A BookFest
Saturday, May 14th from 10 am - 4 pm
Ashland Public Library
This event is a free one-of-a-kind book festival devoted to kids, tweens, teens, and their families. The day will be spent in workshops, meeting authors, and hanging out with fellow book lovers. Purchase books from Escape Into Fiction and grab a bite to eat from Sethji's and Dulce d Leche on the front lawn.
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Save the Dates!
Mark your calendars for...
Meet your Neighbor Mingle - May 14th
Opening Day Birthday Celebration - June 4th
Pride Day Shop on the Spot- June 10th
Summer Movie Night- June 11th
Juneteenth with AREA & Ashland is United- June 18th
Returning this year, Open Mic Night, Tot Spot, Book Chat, Storytime with Ashland Public Library
Introducing this year, monthly Shop on the Spot event days!
SEEKING ARTISANS | ENTREPRENEURS | MUSICIANS | CHEFS
Are you interested in popping- up this year? Send us an email!
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New Programs for April!
Check out programs at the Ashland Public Library here, Ashland Senior Center here, and Ashland Recreation Center here!
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Congratulations, Cindy!
On April 4th, I swore Cindy Livingstone into office as the Official Town Clerk for Ashland. Previously, Cindy has worked as the Assistant Town Clerk and Records Access Officer for a little over five years and has demonstrated professional excellence in all facets of the Town Clerk's office including vital and public records, elections, and Town Meeting. Congratulations on this next chapter!
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2022 BAA Invitational Spring Grant Application
The BAA Grant is now available. Please click the link and view the document for information and to access the application. The application deadline is April 29th per Select Board Meeting on Wed. April 6th.
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Let's Celebrate!
We have had a few ribbon cuttings in the past few years but out of an abundance of caution have really not celebrated some of the new businesses that have opened since 2020 due to the pandemic. The town and the Ashland Business Association want to make up for lost time and celebrate new business in Ashland!
If we missed your opening and you would like to host a formal ribbon-cutting please email breynolds@ashlandmass.com to schedule that! Also if you are having a big anniversary, 5, 10, or 15 year anniversary coming up, let us know! We want to celebrate YOU!
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Local Cases in Ashland
3/18/2022 - 4/1/2022, Ashland had 38 cases out of which 23 have cleared. Additionally, during this time period, we had 3 probable cases, of which 1 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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