Last week, while I was finalizing our newsletter, a fire broke out on West Union Street. Thankfully, our fire and police departments, along with other public safety teams, responded swiftly. Although the number of structure fires has decreased over the years, each incident remains unpredictable and hazardous. I’d like to express my gratitude to all the responders who managed to contain the damage. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Rabbi Craig Marantz and his wife, Betsy, the newest additions to Sha’arei Shalom. Their enthusiasm for their new journey in Ashland is palpable, and we’re fortunate to have them. My friendship with Rabbi Eric Gurvis, was strongly rooted in our respective connections to the town. After conversing with Rabbi Craig, I’m confident he shares the same dedication to our community. To those celebrating, L’Shanah Tovah! Wishing you a joyous New Year.
Lastly, fall is a season I hold dear, especially because of the myriad events that take place. This weekend, the first India Bazaar will be held at the Corner Spot, showcasing crafts and products from local businesses. Plus, Ashland Day is just around the corner next week!
Finally, a brief update on the vandalism at the Nyanza Memorial. DPW spent a lot of time and effort cleaning the site and were able to make most of it presentable. But we will still need to replace some signs. If you know anything about the vandalism that happened, please reach out to the Ashland Police Department.
Looking forward to seeing you around town.
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
Back to School Movie Night Was a Fun Success!
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s back to school movie night such a huge success!
Thank you Ashland Business Association for being such great partners on this event!
Thank you to the sponsors: MetroWest Bookkeeping & Tax Service, Dream Dinners, Ashland Ale House, Ashland Mini Storage, Quilling Card, Minucci Auto, Darlene Umina - Lamacchia Realty, Annemarie’s Dance Centre, Platinum Physical Therapy, and Marathon Deli.
Thank you Wine Empire, Sentie’s Kitchen, Imagine That Face Painting & Glitter Art, Refreshin’ Concessions for being our vendors and having something great for everyone. And thanks to Danny Silverman for the great music while we waited for the movie!
And thank you to Beth Reynolds and Melissa Hayes, for putting it all together and making it such an enjoyable night for the families.
These events bring the community together and it is great to see the smiling faces and all the new families in town! Keep showing up for these great events and we will keep them coming!
Comprehensive & Strategic Plan
The Comprehensive Plan steering committee meets this Thursday and will be working with the consultant to create next steps towards a great plan for Ashland.
Upcoming Events:
Next Meeting: September 21st at 7pm in the Library and on Zoom- we encourage everyone to join us virtually on Zoom for our Kickoff Meeting with JM Goldson
October 7th: Visit us at the Ashland Farmers Market
Here is the overall focus of this plan:
Preservation of Town Character
Infrastructure Input
Environmental Conservation
Education and Community Services
Local Economic Boost
Keep your eyes out for ways to provide input and get involved!
Sponsor The Haunt!
Our friends at Hopkinton Center for the Arts are putting together a great event and have invited Ashland businesses and residents to join in the spooky fun!
The Haunt is a haunted town with numerous scary scenes. Your business can be a part of this exciting event which is raising money for the MetroWest YMCA and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. Held on the YMCA Hopkinton property Oct. 27, 28, 29, we anticipate 1,000 people to come through over the course of the three nights. The YMCA and HCA appreciate your support as a sponsor as well as spreading the word or visiting the Haunt yourself.
Click here for the sponsorship form and more details!
Hispanic Hertiage Month
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Starting yesterday, September 15th, to October 15th, we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Whether it’s the delicious cuisine, vibrant music, colorful art, or the warmth of familia, Hispanic culture enriches our lives in countless ways. Let’s take this month to learn, appreciate, and embrace the diversity that makes our world so beautiful.
Let’s stand together in unity, celebrating our differences and finding strength in our shared humanity.
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Desde ayer, 15 de septiembre, hasta el 15 de octubre, honramos y celebramos las ricas culturas, tradiciones y contribuciones de las comunidades hispanas y latinas.
Ya sea la deliciosa comida, la música vibrante, el arte colorido o la calidez de la familia, la cultura hispana enriquece nuestras vidas de innumerables maneras. Aprovechemos este mes para aprender, apreciar y abrazar la diversidad que hace que nuestro mundo sea tan hermoso.
Unámonos en unidad, celebrando nuestras diferencias y encontrando fuerza en nuestra humanidad compartida.
We’re Hiring!
We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following job postings:
DPW: Water Technician I, Assistant DPW Director for Administration & Finance, Light Equipment Operator - Water/Sewer
Police Department: Per-Diem Public Safety Dispatcher
Recreation: Recreation Administrative Assistant
For more information please go to the Job Opportunities section of the town website or click the following link: https://www.ashlandmass.com/597/Employment-Opportunities
Wanted: Mural Artists!
The Ashland Cultural Council, along with the Town of Ashland, is proud to present an exciting opportunity for experienced local mural artists in the Ashland and Boston Metrowest area. An artist will be selected to create a public work on the wall of our town’s very first Starbucks, which is undergoing construction at 399 Union Avenue, Ashland.
This piece of art will live on for years to come and embody Ashland’s diversely vibrant community, our dreams of the future, and our honoring of the past.
Artist proposals will be accepted until November 15th.
Proposals should include the following, emailed to
AshlandCulturalCouncil@ashlandmass.com
Subject Line: Mural
1.Artist’s name, resume, artist statement
2 A written description of the proposed mural, including approximate height, width, and materials used
3.Up to five images of artist’s previous work
- Installation budget
Prospective artists will be invited to present their proposals in mid December, with a final decision expected by February, 2024.
Important Construction Updates
Rt. 126/ Pond Street Construction
Culvert work at the Market Basket entrance is ongoing. This initiative will lead to lane restrictions for several more weeks. Market Basket and the businesses in the plaza are still easily accessible! There’s an alternate entrance just slightly south of the main one that remains open for your convenience. There is one lane open both northbound and southbound in this area.
Crews will continue work at Culvert 3 and 1.
Crews will continue work on the bike path as well.
Downtown Construction
Final striping of roadway will occur in the next few weeks.
Crosswalk work has begun and crews will finish installing crosswalks this week and the median strips will be stamped for a nice finished look.
New signage will be added to the project at the end of the week.
Final landscaping will be installed the week of September 25th.
Priority Project Updates
The Valentine Property
Windows are in, the siding is up and being painted, and the floor is being installed at the Valentine Barn on 133 West Union Street. It’s taken some time to get to this point but you all should be proud for saving this historic structure and the renovation taking place.
The renovation of the barn is not the end of this project. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Our next steps are figuring out how we are going to utilize the barn, house, and property and what it’s going to take to realize that vision. To that end, we expect to host a public forum in the late fall to discuss this issue and chart a path forward. Be on the lookout for an announcement soon.
Facts and Polls
Weekly Poll Question When was the Telechron Buidling built? 1910 1917 1926 1930 1942
Last Weeks Poll Results
Did You Know?
Did You Know? Ashland’s Hiking History
Ashland Town Forest: Established in 1942 from a former hunt club, this several-hundred acre forest was transformed with over 40,000 trees planted by the Boy Scouts. The Town has recently added to it by purchasing over 40 additional acres.
The Riverwalk: A .8-mile trail connecting downtown Ashland to the MBTA station, it was completed in 2020, featuring stone dust paths, an observation deck, a 180’ pedestrian bridge, and an ADA-accessible parking lot. It coincided with the renovation of Mill Pond Park.
Ashland State Park: Covering 470 acres with a 157-acre reservoir, it was created when the Ashland Reservoir was decommissioned in 1947, with its dam and spillway listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Warren Woods: Acquired in 2010, this property at Chestnut Street and Eliot Street is dedicated to conservation and passive recreation.
Trolley Brook Trail: In 2019, Ashland purchased land for $4.4 million, preserving 100 acres for open space, including this section for the Upper Charles Trail, which was completed in 2021.
Hopkinton State Park: This 1,500-acre park spans Ashland and Hopkinton, offering hiking, fishing, beaches, and picnicking, and was repurposed from the Hopkinton Reservoir after it ceased to be a water source for Greater Boston.
Community Shoutout!
Moala Kitayambwe
Let’s recognize Moala Kitayambwe, a dedicated member of our community in Ashland. Moala serves as the treasurer of the Ashland Cultural Council, a part of the DEI Task Force, and as part of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
Moala’s contributions are grounded in her organization, thoughtfulness, and kindness. She sets an inspiring example for our community.
I want to express our sincere gratitude to Moala Kitayambwe for her selfless efforts. Thank you for your dedication to making Ashland a more inclusive and vibrant place for all. Your work is truly appreciated.
Shoutout Nomination Form
Do you know someone in town that is working hard to make Ashland an even better place? Let us know! We want to acknowledge all the amazing people that make our town so great! Nominate someone you think deserves an extra shoutout of appreciation. Click HERE to open the nomination form.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Melissa Hayes at mhayes@ashlandmass.com
New Hire!
Yucchabelle Cote
Introducing Yucchabelle Cote, our new Food Resource Coordinator for the Town of Ashland Food Pantry! Yucchabelle brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to our community in this role.
With over a decade of experience as a children’s educator, Yucchabelle’s passion for nurturing and supporting others is evident. Her background in psychology provides her with valuable insights into the well-being of individuals and families, which will be a tremendous asset in her work with the food pantry.
In addition to her professional experience, Yucchabelle has been an active member of the Ashland community through her involvement with the Ashland Moms Club and the Federated Church. Her dedication to community service and her deep understanding of the needs of our residents make her an excellent fit for this role.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Yucchabelle as she takes on this position. We are excited to have her expertise and compassionate spirit contributing to the well-being of our community through the Town of Ashland Food Pantry. Local Meetings, Programs, and Events
Upcoming Meetings
Learn what is happening in your community and tune into our upcoming meetings. Meetings are held at Town Hall in the Select Board Room or remotely and can be viewed with the local cable station, WACA TV.
This week:
Monday, September 18th:
9:00 AM | Metrowest Veteran’s Services District Meeting
7:30 PM | Open Space and Recreation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 19th:
11:00 AM | Hoarding Task Force
6:00 PM | Board of Health Meeting (ZOOM)
6:00 PM | Mindess School Building Committee Meeting
7:00 PM | Library Board of Trustees - Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday, September 20th:
7:00 PM | Select Board Meeting
Thursday, September 21st:
6:30 PM | Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting
Note that all agendas are posted according to Open Meeting Law up to 48 hours in advance. Meetings Calendar
Ashland Farmers Market
Come explore the fresh produce, local goods, and artisanal crafts available. The farmers market is a great way to practice shopping locally and sustainably. We can’t wait to see you there!
The farmers market is this Saturday from
9 AM - 1 PM and is located at 125 Front Street.
2023 Stone Park Music Festival
The music festival has been postponed due to poor weather forecast. The event will be moved to the rain date (September30th).
The Stone Park Music Festival is an outdoor classical music festival where you can experience the resonance of music in open nature composed of concerts with great artists featuring soloists, ensembles, and orchestras and a music competition for amateur and professional musicians of various ages and levels.
Select Board Office Hours
More Select Board Office Hours are coming up!
Join members of the board at the Ashland Farmers Market on Saturday, September 16th, from 9 AM to 12 PM.
This is your opportunity to have your questions addressed by Select Board members Yolanda Greaves and Brandi Kinsman.
Town Manager Coffee Hour
I will be having a coffee hour Wednesday, September 20th, at 10am at the Community Center! I plan to give an update on all the projects in town but it’s really an opportunity for you to ask me questions and get information about anything that is on your mind.
Ashland Day 2023 September 23, 2023 - 10AM to 4PM
Ashland Day is coming up fast! Ashland Day is a time to celebrate the great town we live in. This annual event has been going on since 1986 and continues to go strong (with a brief hiatus for covid). With food, games, and shopping everyone is sure to have a blast!
Project Empathy - Hopkinton Center for the Arts
Sep 30, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
98 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA
Bringing the power of human connection to our community. Project Empathy is a performance-based project in which people are tasked with telling each other’s true, personal stories. For 6-8 weeks, the cast engages in empathy exercises, reflective writing, and perspective-taking to build trust and understanding. The connective experience culminates in a performance of stories for an audience.
It’s true - I will be one of the cast members. But there are five more talented cast members who share some truly amazing and inspiring stories from their lives. It will be a really good show!
ACT Ashland Community Theater
A FESTIVAL COMING This Fall
ACT Short Film Festival
October 5-6-7, 2023
Marconi’s Theater at the VFW
311 Pleasant Street Ashland MA
For more information Contact us at
ashlandcommunitytheater@gmail.com
Murder Mystery Dinner
Join the Friends of the Ashland COA for a fun filled evening of great food and mystery!
It’s a 50’s prom theme event so come dressed for the event or casual and be our chaperone.
Friday, October 27, 2023 VFW Hall -311 Pleasant St. Ashland, MA 01721
6:30 PM Cocktail Hour
7:30 Family Style Pot Roast Dinner Catered by TJ’s Food & Spirits N Cash Bar - 50/50 Raffle $55.00 pp Stay connected with us