Pond Street Construction Begins

The Pond Street/Rt. 126 revitalization project, slated to begin in February, will impact the southside route through Ashland, from Holliston to Framingham. Residents may sign up for updates on the town’s DPW webpage, www.ashlandmass.com/160/Department-of-Public-Works. The town will also share updates via newsletters and social media channels, Facebook and Instagram: @TownofAshlandMA, Twitter: @ashlandmass.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Available for Eligible Residents

In an email to residents on Feb. 8, the town manager announced that “Ashland and the Covid-19 Task Force has worked with the Towns of Hopkinton, Westborough, Southborough, [and] Northborough to create a regional vaccination clinic for our residents. Over the weekend, we issued a Reverse 911 to inform our residents that we were made aware that the partnership was receiving a small amount of vaccine to administer to residents that meet the current eligibility requirements. Over the last several days we have worked to schedule this first clinic.” For more information, visit the town website, bit.ly/3aMOBOB.

 Special Town Meeting and Election Results

Town officials reported that there were a total of 982 voters at the special town meeting on Jan. 23. The Public Safety Building Project won with 956 “yes” votes; there were 22 “no” votes. The Mindess School Building Project won with 950 “yes” votes; there were 27 “no” votes. Official results from the Jan. 27 special town election were: Question 1 - Public Safety Building, yes – 1558; no – 205; Question 2 - Mindess School Building, yes – 1543; no – 219. (www.ashlandmass.com)

For updates on the Public Safety Building Project, visit www.ashlandmass.com/756/Public-Safety-Building-Project, and for the Mindess School Building Project, mindessschoolbuildingproject.ashland.k12.ma.us.

Nomination Papers, Candidates Forums, Annual Town Meeting and Election

Nomination papers are available from the town clerk’s office and must be filed with that office before Tuesday, March 30 at 5 p.m. With the new restrictions and difficulties arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the town clerk’s office has outlined guidelines and suggestions to help candidates navigate the collection of signatures. Contact their office for these guidelines, 508-881-0100 Ext 7127.

Candidates Forums in April. Ashland residents will have the chance to hear from candidates for town offices at forums on April 26 and 27 hosted by the Candidates Forum Committee and sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library. For more information, email [email protected]. The committee is also making available on YouTube (bit.ly/3alCMzP) the student-hosted the panel discussion, “Be the Change!” from 2019 where viewers can learn what’s involved in running for and serving on town boards and committees.

Note that the annual town meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5; the annual town election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18. For more information, visit www.ashlandmass.com/219/Elections-Voting.

The following seats are available in 2021:

New Town Hires

Ashland Human Resources Director Lisa Uglialoro reported the following new town hires in 2020: Talia Seavey, Decisions at Every Turn Coalition Program Coordinator; Erin Early, Library Assistant at Ashland Public Library; Michael Cunningham, Ashland Police Department Dispatcher; Danielle Spinner, Kevin Lewis, and Vara Natarajan, Remote Learning Assistants at Ashland Recreation; Meredith Madison, Ashland Human Services Food Pantry Coordinator; Ana Vladimirov, Activity and Volunteer Coordinator at Ashland Senior Center; Aidan Shepard, Department of Public Works; Doug Scott, Building Commissioner; and Justine Grassey, Assistant Animal Control Officer. (bit.ly/3cWTGXl)