Annual Town Election May 19

Office seats are available for the May 19, 2026 Annual Town Election. The ballot will include one Select Board seat for a three-year term, one Assessor seat for a three-year term, one School Committee seat for a three-year term, two Library Trustee seats for three-year terms, two Board of Health seats for three-year terms, one Housing Authority seat for a five-year term, one Planning Board seat for a five-year term, and one Planning Board seat for a four-year term.

The deadline to return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s Office is Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. Please contact the Town Clerk’s office for further information.  

Town Meeting & Town Election

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. All voting is held at the Ashland High School, 65 East Union Street. If you would like information on Vote-By-Mail or In-Person Early Voting, please visit the Town Clerk’s website.

Please remember to visit our website at www.AshlandMass.com for frequent updates. We try to keep you informed as rules and or regulations change. As always, you may contact the Town Clerk’s office with questions at 508-881-0100, ext. 7127, or e-mail us at [email protected].

Dog tags 2026

Don’t forget to license your dog BEFORE April 15 to avoid a $50 fine. Fee for intact dog(s) is $20. The fee for spayed or neutered dog(s) is $15, but if you (the owner) are seventy (70) years of age or older, then the tag is no charge. Don’t forget to bring an updated rabies certificate with you. Sorry kennel owners, the free license does not apply to kennels. You may also license online through our new licensing portal. https://ashlandma.portal.opengov.com/

Ashland Recreation

Ashland Recreation offers many different programs, including on days when there is no school or early release days. Check out a sample of what they offer below. Visit ashlandma.myrec.com to see all programs and to register.

Half Day Explorers: The ARC Half Day Explorers program meets on K-5 early-release days. Students are picked up directly from their school at dismissal by Recreation Staff. After picking up from both schools, everyone will head out together on an exciting adventure for the afternoon. We will return to the Community Center by 5 p.m. Pick up is from 5 - 6 p.m. at the Ashland Community Center.

Here are the March 2026 half-day field trips:

March 24 - Franklin Children's 

                    Museum

March 25 - The Beach House

March 26 - EcoTarium

No School, No Problem! Friday, March 20, is a no-school day, and we are ready for some fun. Join us for an adventure to Sloomoo Boston if you are a slime enthusiast.

 ACC FY2026 Grantees 

Congratulations to the Ashland Cultural Council FY2026 Grantees! Great programming is coming this year because of all the hard work of contributors. The Ashland Cultural Council was created to promote the arts and to develop programs for the local community. A volunteer-run organization, the goal of the Ashland Cultural Council is to encourage arts and arts education in the town of Ashland.

Ice Dam Prevention

After years of mild winters we are now buried in snow. With snow comes ice dams on roofs. Ice dams can lead to a lot of damage including exterior damage, molding and mildew, and safety concerns of falling large icicles. If you have not had MassSave come to your home in the last 5 years you can have MassSave come in for a FREE home energy audit. They will show you the areas that heat is escaping and where insulation is needed. If you have any questions about ice dams or home energy efficiency projects contact the Ashland Sustainability Office [email protected].

Mini-Golf in the Library Returns to the APL March 28-29

The 4th annual Putts4Pages Mini-Golf in the Library is once again on course to raise thousands of dollars in support of Ashland Public Library programs. Ashland businesses have generously stepped up to sponsor all 18 holes and then some. And, thanks to a generous grant from the Boston Athletic Association and the Ashland Select Board that covers the bulk of expenses, the proceeds raised through hole sponsorships, our ride-to-school and gift card raffles, and ticket sales will go directly to support the programs the library puts on for all ages at no charge for participants. 

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the APL, will take place after hours at the library March 28 and 29. Saturday evening, March 28, is for adults only and features 18 holes of mini-golf plus “Mocktails and Munchies” on the 19th hole from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Mocktails will be provided by Ashland Ale House with a sweet and savory selection of munchies prepared by Dulce D Leche. Ticket price for this night of fun is $25 per person.

The excitement continues on Sunday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the whole family can play through 18 holes set up throughout the stacks and inner spaces of the library. A goodie bag awaits the kids at the 19th hole. Tickets are $5 per person, with a cap of $25 per family.

Win a Ride to School in a Fire Truck!

Imagine the thrill of arriving at school in a fire truck, a police car, or maybe one of those cool DPW trucks! Your child’s dream can come true just by entering our exciting raffle. The winning Ashland K-5 students will win a ride from home to school on an Ashland fire truck, police cruiser, or a DPW truck. Tickets for a chance to show up to school in an official town vehicle are just $5 each. New this year is a chance for a ride around town for a winning ADULT! Fulfill your childhood fantasy for just $10 per raffle ticket.

Win a Gift Card to Try a New Place or Revisit an Old Favorite

For the grownups, we’re featuring $1 raffle tickets to win great gift cards to 2 Mauro's, Anthony's Barber Stylist, Ashland REIKI & Wellness Center, Blush Bouquets, Cherry Blossom Chinese Cuisine, Dr. Greens, Dulce D Leche, Honey Dew Donuts, La Pupusa Loca Grill, Marathon Deli, Nick’s Pizza and Grill, Shaw's, Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, Sunnyside Café, Tarot Readings by Paula, The Bagel Table, and Town House Pizza.

Raffle tickets are available during the March Book Sale (March 6-7), plus every Saturday in March from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library. Or, you can buy tickets and enter to win while you golf on March 28 or 29. Winners will be contacted during the first week in April. 

Thank you to the Community businesses making the event possible which include Middlesex Savings Bank (Flagship Sponsor), Needham Bank (1st hole sponsor), 126 Self Storage, Abbey Carpet & Floor, Annemarie’s Dance Centre, AnyFence, Appleseed Landscape, Ashland Animal Hospital, Ashland Community Acupuncture LLC, Ashland Lumber, Ashland Mini-Storage Experts, AT&R Insurance, Bill Gath of Realty Executives Boston West, Clock Tower Pickleball, Mathnasium of Southborough, Mike’s Collision, Platinum PT, Richard Francis Salon and Spa, Stumpy's Tree Service, The Residence at Valley Farm, Tom’s Auto Body, and Worcester Air Conditioning. “Friends of the Green” include Ashland Lumber, Lunkers, Minucci Auto Body Inc, Modelville Hobby, Oak Realty, and TJ’s Fine Food & Spirits. We still have room for additional businesses to step up to sponsor the 19th hole or become a Friend of the Green. Contact [email protected] for information on how YOU can support the Ashland Public Library. 

Proceeds from this fundraising event will go to pay for all of the in-person and virtual library programs, as well as 15 different Museum Passes, stocking Little Libraries all over town, supplementing classroom shelves in Ashland Public Schools, and much, much more. Order tickets here or go to www.friendsoftheapl.org

Boy Scout Troop 232 Pancake Breakfast

On March 22, Ashland Boy Scouts Troop 232 of the Mayflower Council will be holding our annual pancake breakfast at VFW Hall in Ashland. The purpose of this event is to raise money to help support the Troop during the coming year. Although each Scout contributes funds regularly through the payment of monthly dues, this is not enough to pay for the annual charter fee, troop equipment, and camping trips for the boys. This is our one major fundraiser for the year, and we expect between 200-250 attendees. We are seeking donations for our Silent Auction, where we will auction off donated goods and services from local businesses. Recommended items for donation are: Gift Cards - Goods - Event Tickets - Gift Baskets - Services - Experiences - Collectibles.

Businesses contributing donations valued at $25 or greater will receive the following:

• Your business logo on every placemat

• Recognition on our troop Facebook page

Donations must be received no later than March 1, 2026. Please send any questions and business logos for the placemat to [email protected]