There is so much important content we don't want you to miss so this newsletter is pretty long! To ensure you don't miss any of it make sure you click "View entire message" at the bottom left corner of the page!

Ashland Holiday Program

What an extraordinary display of community support following Ashland's Holiday Program toy distribution. The joy and warmth shared during this year's program truly encapsulate the spirit of the holiday season—a celebration of love, compassion, and the joy of giving and receiving.

The success of the Holiday Program, spanning over 40 years, speaks to the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers. This year, the community rallied once again, with nearly 200 individual donors, local organizations, churches, scouting groups, businesses, and other community members contributing gift cards, filler gifts, and a variety of holiday wish-list items. These ranged from toys, clothing, arts & crafts, books, sports equipment, puzzles, games, to personal items, bringing smiles to over 230 kids and teens.

Heartwarming photos captured the essence of the holiday spirit, showcasing the tremendous impact of the donations. Thank you to all who played a part in making this holiday season brighter for so many!

Illuminate Downtown Ashland Recap

Illuminate Downtown Ashland shone as a vibrant celebration of arts and community. Thanks to Annmarie's Dance Center for skillfully organizing the event. Gratitude to sponsors like Blush Bouquets, Needham Bank, The Corner Spot-Ashland, Ashland REIKI & Wellness Center, Ashland Historical Society, and the Federated Church of Ashland. Non-profits Ashland Is United, A.R.E.A, ashlandequity, and the Ashland Business Association added to the festivities. Special mention to performers Drum Nomads, International String Trio, Joe Stillitano, The Boston Community Music Ensemble, Ashland High School Chorus, and the studio’s performance company. Illuminate Downtown Ashland, led by Annmarie's Dance Center, showcased the town's arts scene, fostering community celebration.

Menorah Lighting

Even though the weather wasn't the best, Temple Sha'arei Shalom held its annual Menorah Lighting event this past Sunday evening. Thank you to Rabbi Craig and President Carolyn Fertig for putting a great program together. The Town of Ashland is always happy to support and participate in events that celebrate the cultural diversity in our community.

Diwali - Festival of Lights

Despite inclement weather, the Ashland Indians Diwali celebration saw a robust turnout, featuring outstanding performances, delightful music, delicious food, and enjoyable shopping. The event marked a grand conclusion to the year, and the Town of Ashland extends its sincere appreciation to all who attended.

Design Review Committee Survey

The Design Review Committee is a subcommittee of the Planning Board and is charged with reviewing some of the development projects in Ashland, per the Bylaw. They consider massing and scale, the character of the neighborhood a development is going into, and the walkability and landscaping of developments and streetscapes, among other design and development concerns.

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. You can access the survey by clicking HERE. If you have more feedback, please email us at designreview@ashlandmass.com. 

We appreciate your important contribution to this short survey. It will inform our efforts to learn from Ashland's citizens their thoughts about our town's future building and development.

Planning Board Update

The Planning Board generally meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Residents and other interested parties are encouraged to attend in person or via zoom. Note that past meetings have been recorded by WACA and can be viewed online anytime through YouTube.

Updates

The Planning Board and Select Board continue to review the MBTA Communities zoning law and how it affects Ashland. Possible compliance paths were presented at the joint Board meeting on November 15. Any proposed zoning changes will come before Town Meeting for discussion and voting in 2024. With the Sustainability Committee, the Planning Board continues to discuss and develop a tree bylaw intended to protect areas from clear-cutting. All bylaws must be approved at Town Meeting.

Note that the Planning Board will not meet on December 28 but will resume its regular schedule in January.

For additional information on all Planning Board topics and agenda items, please see the Planning Board webpage at https://www.ashlandmass.com/197/Planning-Board

DPW Prepares for Winter Challenges

As winter approaches, the Department of Public Works (DPW) in Ashland is already in full snow and ice mode, gearing up for the season ahead. For an effective snow program and to support DPW in providing top-notch service, here are some important tips for our community:

1. Ensure any obstructions in public spaces are moved into your yard, such as basketball hoops or planters. Please avoid leaving them on or along the road or sidewalk, as they could be damaged and pose a risk to the town's equipment.
2. Boost visibility for plow operators by placing reflective markers at the bottom of your driveway and where the sidewalk intersects.
3. Take charge of a fire hydrant near your home—clear it of snow to guarantee quick access in case of an emergency.
4. Remember, overnight parking is not allowed in Ashland during the winter. DPW may conduct salt or modified plow operations to keep our roads safe, so it's crucial not to block or obstruct roadways.
5. DPW's main goal is ensuring safe roadways. All road users should adjust their speed based on driving conditions.

For any inquiries about DPW's winter operations, don't hesitate to reach out at dpw@ashlandmass.com or call (508) 881-0120. Residents can find more information on the DPW webpage of the town's site or at the following link: https://www.ashlandmass.com/639/Snow-and-Ice.

Let's work together to stay safe and prepared for winter weather in Ashland!

Parking Ban

A reminder that the overnight parking ban begins November 1 and ends March 31. The ban states: "It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park said vehicle on any street for the period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2 - 6 a.m. any day of the week."

CodeRED

CodeRED is an emergency notification system. Residents can sign up for call, text, or email notifications directly from the Town. This system will keep residents informed during emergency situations, like weather emergencies and road closures, but, it also gives you an option to receive general town notifications such as delayed rubbish pick up.

Click HERE to sign up!

David Mindess School

The students (and adults) of Mindess watched as the playground sprang to life all throughout the fall. Each day students would remark about something new that was added, building the excitement. The playground neared completion just before the Thanksgiving break. The days before break the school counselors worked with teachers to allow each class to explore the playground and discuss safety. For example, we wondered how many students could safely play on the large swing at a time. We discussed the adaptive swings and how to use them appropriately. After students participated in the playground mini-lesson we opened it up to everyone for recess on Monday, November 27th. Students have been enjoying the new equipment immensely ever since!

Weekly Poll Question

The Town of Ashland will be hosting a Citizens Academy, and in this academy, we will educate citizens on the inner workings of our town, providing an in-depth look into the various departments and services that make Ashland thrive. While we are in the process of planning the curriculum we want to know what you want to know! The next few weeks the poll will be asking you about what topics you are interested in for each department.

Last Weeks Poll Results

Did You Know?

Did you know Ashland's Annual Holiday Stroll transformed historic landmarks into hubs of creativity and commerce? The recently concluded Holiday Stroll showcased the rich history of three iconic landmarks. Ashland Town Hall, constructed in 1855, hosted a variety of popups, featuring businesses like Resin and Wood by Randy Weiner and Platinum Physical Therapy. The Ashland Masonic Lodge, built in 1882, became a vibrant hub with Ashland Reiki & Wellness and Bill Horsman Photography opening their doors. Dating back to 1903, the Ashland Public Library at 66 Front St served as a cultural and literary haven during the Stroll, blending history and contemporary commerce to define the festive season in Ashland.

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

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 coming week:

Monday, December 18th:

8:00 AM | School Committee - Negotiation Sub-Committee

4:30 PM | Ashland Housing Authority

7:00 PM | Conservation Commission - Zoom

Tuesday, December 19th:

11:00 AM | Hoarding Task Force

6:00 PM | Board of Health Meeting (ZOOM)

6:00 PM | Mindess School Building Committee - Zoom

6:15 PM | Ashland Cultural Council - Zoom

7:00 PM | Sustainability Committee Meeting - Zoom

7:15 PM | Library Board of Trustees - Hybrid Meeting

Wednesday, December 20th:

6:30 PM | Stormwater Advisory Committee

Thursday, December 21st:

7:00 PM | Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

Note: Agendas are posted according to Open Meeting Law at least 48 hours in advance.

Enjoy the next APS Concert

Tuesday Dec. 19th at 7:00 PM

65 E Union St, Ashland

Join us for the final winter concert on Tuesday, Dec 19th at 7:00 at the AHS Auditorium as the 5th & 6th Grade Bands and AMS Wind Ensemble showcase their rising talent under the direction of Brian Koening, AMS Music Director.

It's an evening of holiday fun for the young - and young at heart! All performances are free and open to the public!

Town Manager Coffee Hour

Wednesday Dec. 20th at 10:00 AM

162 W Union St, Ashland

Town Manager, Michael Herbert, is having a coffee hour Wednesday, December 20th, at 10am at the Community Center! At the last Coffee Hour we had 12 residents come and talk about different things going on in town. Accessory Dwelling Units and the MBTA Communities Zoning Law. We invite everyone to attend and bring your questions!