Ashland public meetings in 2021
60 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Ashland High School Site Council
The Ashland High School Site Council will meet to elect officers and receive a general school update. The body will also discuss budget updates and review the School Improvement Plan.
- Election of officers
- Budget updates and discussion
- Review and discussion of School Improvement Plan
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The Upper Charles River Trail Committee is conducting a site visit at the Trolley Brook Trailhead. The body will discuss MassDOT design issues and potential linkages to Ashland State Park.
- Review of MassDOT trail design issues for Trolley Brook Trail and Memorial Drive
- Discussion of trail development and linkage to Ashland State Park
- Site visit at 61 Megunko Rd
Keefe Technical School Budget Sub-Committee
The Keefe Technical School Budget Sub-Committee will review budget presentations for various departments. The meeting will conclude with a vote on the preliminary budget.
- Budget presentations for School Finance/Human Resources
- Budget presentations for District-Wide Technology
- Review of salaries for all departments
- Review of benefits and fixed charges
- Vote of Preliminary Budget by Sub-Committee
Metrowest Veterans Services District
The Board of Directors will meet to conduct a final review of amendments four and five to the District By-Laws. The board will also discuss 2020 Census assessments and receive staffing and director updates.
- Final review of District By-Laws amendments four and five
- Discussion of 2020 Census assessment
- Review of September 20, 2021 meeting minutes
Keefe Technical School Budget Sub-Committee
The Budget Sub-Committee will hear budget presentations from five school departments. This meeting is used to review the financial requirements of specific academic and operational areas.
- Budget presentation: Guidance and Admissions
- Budget presentation: Academic Areas
- Budget presentation: Vocational and Co-Operative Areas
- Budget presentation: Special Education
- Budget presentation: Facility/Ground Maintenance
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will review a presentation regarding the 501 Pond Street development. The body will also receive an update on mailings sent to affordable property owners.
- Presentation by Matthew Stevens on 501 Pond Street development
- Update from monitoring agent Elizabeth Rust on mailings to affordable property owners
Economic Development Advisory Group
The Economic Development Advisory Group will review grant applications for two local businesses. The group will also discuss the Holiday Stroll and construction impacts on businesses.
- Sign & Façade Grant application for Zeta Fencing at 200 Homer Ave.
- Amenities Financing Grant application for Crossroads PT & Wellness LLC at 128 Main Street
- Holiday Stroll recap
- Construction updates and impacts to businesses
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council will meet to discuss FY21 and FY22 grants and review the FY21 budget. The body will also receive updates on a community survey and the council's strategic plan.
- Review of FY21 CC Budget expenses and remaining funds
- Updates on FY21 LCC Grantees and FY22 LCC Grants
- Discussion of ACC vacancy
- ACC Strategic plan update
- Community Survey update
Keefe Technical School Budget Sub-Committee
The Budget Sub-Committee is meeting to review budget presentations from four specific school departments. This meeting is part of the financial planning process for the regional technical school.
- Budget presentation: School Committee
- Budget presentation: Superintendent’s Office
- Budget presentation: Facility/Ground Maintenance
- Budget presentation: Principal’s Area/Leadership
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee is meeting to discuss design, signage, and amenities for the Trolley Brook Trail. Members will also review a Mass Trails Grant due February 1, 2022, and the status of easements.
- Mass Trails Grant due February 1, 2022
- Trolley Brook Trail signage and MassDOT design issues
- Linkage to Ashland State Park
- Easement status review
- December 11 'Illuminate Downtown Ashland' Trolley Brook event
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Ashland Middle School Site Council will discuss the school budget and capital plan needs. The meeting includes an overview of Improvement Plan #1 and updates on student forums and campaigns.
- Budget and Capital Plan overview
- Improvement Plan #1 overview
- Updates on STAND campaign and Metrowest Survey
- Review of ISSPs to be mailed
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council is meeting to review 2020 grant applications. The body will determine the distribution of $8,600.00 in available funding.
- Review of 2020 MCC grant applications
- Distribution of $8,600.00 in total available funding
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee is meeting to discuss the rules and signage for the Trolley Brook Trail. They will also review and approve the minutes from the October 7, 2021 meeting.
- Discussion of rules and signage for Trolley Brook Trail
- Approval of October 7, 2021 meeting minutes
Ashland High School Site Council
The council will introduce new members and review the role of the School Site Council. Members will also discuss the School Improvement Plan and receive a general school update.
- Introduction of new members
- Review of School Site Council Role
- Review/Discussion of School Improvement Plan
- General School update
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Site Council will meet virtually to review its role and the school's improvement plan. Members will also receive updates on MCAS, protocols, and student assessments.
- Review of the Site Council role
- Improvement Plan overview
- Updates on MCAS and STAND
- Discussion on assessing students and ISSPs
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will meet to discuss the monitoring of affordable homes and an inclusionary forum. The body will also address an open associate seat and confidentiality for assistance recipients.
- Monitoring affordable homes with Elizabeth Rust
- Open associate AHT seat regarding John Fetherston
- Confidentiality of those receiving assistance
- Inclusionary Forum discussion
- Resident and student email to the trust
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee is meeting to review the construction status and opening plans for the Trolley Brook Trail. Members will also discuss easement acquisition and a potential Mass Trails grant submission.
- Trolley Brook Trail construction status and grand opening plans
- Pine Lake status and High Street access update
- Possible Mass Trails grant submission
- Trolley Brook Trail rules and signage
- Easement acquisition approach
Ashland Cultural Council
The council will review the FY22 budget and remaining funds. Members will coordinate a tabling event for the Ashland Farmers Market on October 9th and discuss the grant application timeline.
- Review of FY22 Budget and remaining funds
- Planning for Ashland Farmers Market tabling event on October 9th
- Grant application timeline and next steps
- Approval of September 13, 2021 meeting minutes
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will review updates on COVID-19 and emergency rental assistance programs. The body will also continue discussions on creating more affordable housing units and deed restrictions.
- Ashland Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program update
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) discussion
- Deed restrictions
- Discussion on creating more affordable housing units
Metrowest Veterans Services District
The Board of Directors will meet via Zoom to conduct regular business. The agenda includes a review of previous minutes, staff updates, and an update from the Director.
- Review/approve June 14, 2021 meeting minutes
- Activities / Staffing Updates
- Director’s Update
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council is meeting to review year-to-date expenses and remaining funds for the FY21 and FY22 budgets. The body will also discuss updates regarding the FY21 and FY22 grant processes and a community survey.
- Review of FY21 and FY22 budget expenses and remaining funds
- Update on FY21 grantees and FY22 grant process
- Discussion of Farmer’s Market Tabling Event
- Discussion of FY21 ACC Grantee Reception
- Update on community survey
Economic Development Advisory Group
The group will review applications submitted for the Business Incentive Program. Members will also discuss how current construction is impacting local businesses.
- Review of Business Incentive Program applications
- Discussion on construction impacts to businesses
- Review of June 14th meeting minutes
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust is meeting to discuss a Down Payment Assistance application.
- Discussion of Down Payment Assistance application
Economic Development Advisory Group
The Economic Development Advisory Group is holding a public hearing regarding the Regional CDBG/DHCD Microenterprise Assistance funds. The group will discuss combining remaining funds from participating communities into a general pool for disbursement by December 31, 2021.
- Public hearing for allocation of Regional CDBG/DHCD Microenterprise Assistance funds
- Discussion on combining remaining community funds into a general pool
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will meet via Zoom to discuss a Down Payment Assistance application. This is the single item listed on the agenda.
- Discussion of Down Payment Assistance application
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will review updates on the Ashland Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program and monitoring services. The body will also discuss the resale of properties at 281 and 300 America Boulevard and the creation of more affordable housing units.
- Ashland Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program update
- Resale of 281 America Boulevard
- Resale of 300 America Boulevard
- Discussion on creating more affordable housing units
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee is meeting to review construction and signage for the Trolley Brook Trail and discuss a Community Preservation Committee funding request for the Fall Town Meeting. The group will also address easement acquisition and updates on Sherborn trail activity and Pine Lake.
- Trolley Brook Trail construction status and signage rules
- CPC funding request for Fall Town Meeting
- Easement acquisition approach
- Sherborn trail activity update
- Pine Lake status update
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will discuss rental assistance programs and updates on specific property deed restrictions. The body will interview a candidate for monitoring services and vote on a new member to start in August.
- Vote on new full voting member (Bernadette or Barbara)
- Interview with Elizabeth Rust for monitoring services
- Deed restriction updates for 6 Cherry Street and 125 Front Street
- Resale updates for 72 Raymond Marchetti and 281 American Boulevard
- Discussion on Ashland Covid-19 Rental Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Metrowest Veterans Services District
The Board of Directors will meet to discuss the MA Department of Veterans Service District renewal request. The meeting also includes board re-organization and staffing updates.
- MA Department of Veterans Service District renewal request
- Board re-organization
- Approval of April 26th, 2021 meeting minutes
Economic Development Advisory Group
The Economic Development Advisory Group is meeting to review a Business Incentive Program application from MyAshlandOffice. The group will also review minutes from the May 13th meeting.
- Business Incentive Program application review for MyAshlandOffice
- Review of May 13th meeting minutes
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council is meeting to review the FY21 budget and discuss a public art proposal. The body will also review a community survey and its distribution plan.
- Public art proposal
- Community survey final version and distribution plan
- FY21 CC Budget review
- FY21 ACC Grantee Reception
- Marketing posting plan and event calendar
Ashland High School Site Council
The Ashland High School Site Council will meet to review the minutes from the April 14, 2021 meeting. The council is scheduled to review goals for the 2021-2022 School Improvement Plan and discuss handbook updates.
- Review of School Improvement Plan goals for 2021-2022
- Handbook updates
- General school updates
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Ashland Middle School Site Council is meeting to approve the Improvement Plan. The body will also discuss end-of-year updates and potential agenda items for the fall.
- Approval of Improvement Plan
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will discuss rental assistance programs and the creation of new affordable housing units. The body is also reviewing monitoring service proposals and property resales.
- Action plan for deed restrictions at 6 Cherry Street and 125 Front Street
- Review of proposals for monitoring services
- Resale of 72 Raymond Marchetti and 281 America Boulevard
- Comments on the Arabella at Ashland project at ZERO Memorial Drive
- Updates on Covid-19 Rental Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Economic Development Advisory Group
The Economic Development Advisory Group will meet to review applications for the Business Incentive Program. The group will also discuss the reopening of The Corner Spot and the local business climate during the pandemic.
- Business Incentive Program application review
- The Corner Spot reopening discussion
- Pandemic business climate discussion
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee will discuss the status of American Rescue Plan Act 2021 funding requests and review bids for Trolley Brook Trail construction. Members will also prioritize critical easements and receive an update on Pine Lake, including a request for engineering support.
- American Rescue Plan Act 2021 funding request status
- Trolley Brook Trail construction bid review
- Prioritization of critical easements
- Pine Lake status and engineering support funding request
Metrowest Veterans Services District
The Board of Directors will meet via Zoom to conduct regular business. The agenda includes a review of previous minutes and updates regarding staff activities and the Director.
- Review/approve March 1st, 2021 meeting minutes
- Activities and staffing updates
- Director's update
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The council will review updates regarding the third and fourth terms of the school year. The meeting includes a review of goals one and two for the Improvement Plan.
- Review of Term 3 and Term 4 updates
- Improvement Plan Goals Review 1 and 2
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is meeting to review updates on the Rental Assistance Program and a survey for past lottery participants. The body will also discuss specific properties at 281 American Boulevard and 501 Pond Street.
- Potential acquisition/resale deed restricted unit at 281 American Boulevard
- Presentation regarding 501 Pond Street
- Update on Rental Assistance Program
- Survey for recent past lottery participants
- Scope of work letter progress for Monitor
Ashland High School Site Council
The Ashland High School Site Council will meet to review previous minutes and receive general school updates. The body will discuss updates regarding the return to school and identify future agenda items.
- Discussion of return to school updates
- Review of weighted GPA as a future agenda item
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council will meet to review the FY21 budget and discuss a public art proposal. The body will also review the final version and distribution plan for a community survey.
- Public art proposal
- Community survey final version and distribution plan
- FY21 CC Budget update
- FY21 ACC Grantee Reception
- Marketing posting plan and event calendar
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee is discussing trail route modifications and necessary easements. Members will review funding requests related to the American Rescue Plan Act 2021 and engineering support for Pine Lake.
- Update on Trolley Brook Trail RFPs
- Possible High St area route modification
- American Rescue Plan Act 2021 funding request
- Easements needed for Chestnut St to High School
- Pine Lake status and engineering support funding request
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Ashland Middle School Site Council will meet virtually to discuss school updates and the 8th grade course recommendation process. The body will also review Goal 3 of the Improvement Plan.
- Review of Improvement Plan Goal 3
- 8th Course Recommendation process and meetings
- Term 4 updates
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will meet to review updates on a rental assistance program and the Pond Street Development. The body will also discuss Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding for land owned by the trust.
- Update on rental assistance program
- Pond Street Development
- CPC funding on land owned by AHT
- Monitor scope of work letter progress
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The Upper Charles River Trail Committee will review requests for proposals for the Trolley Brook Trail construction and bridge. Members will also discuss bridge material trade-offs and route possibilities for Pine Lake.
- Review of Trolley Brook Trail construction RFP
- Review of Trolley Brook Trail bridge RFP
- Discussion of steel versus wood bridge trade-offs
- Update on High St easement
- Update on Pine Lake route possibilities
Ashland High School Site Council
The council will review previous minutes and receive a general school update. Discussion includes a sub-committee update regarding community service requirements.
- Review of February 10, 2021 meeting minutes
- Community service requirement sub-committee update/discussion
- General School update
- Discussion topic: weighted GPA
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The Upper Charles River Trail Committee is meeting to discuss the Trolley Brook Trail project timeline and request for proposals (RFPs) for construction and a bridge. The body will also review bridge material trade-offs and provide updates on the High St easement and a winter streets grant.
- Trolley Brook Trail construction RFP review
- Trolley Brook Trail bridge RFP review
- Discussion of steel versus wood bridge materials
- Update on High St easement
- Update on Shared Winter Streets and Spaces grant
Economic Development Advisory Group
The Economic Development Advisory Group will meet virtually to review applications for the Business Incentive Program. The group will also discuss the local business climate during the pandemic and the 2021 season opening of The Corner Spot.
- Review of Business Incentive Program applications
- Discussion on opening The Corner Spot for the 2021 season
- Discussion of business climate during the pandemic
Ashland Cultural Council
The Council will review updates from the Secretary, Treasurer, Chair, and Grants Manager. Discussion includes a plan for announcing FY21 MCC Grant Recipients and a communications overview involving Facebook content.
- Plan for announcing FY21 MCC Grant Recipients
- Facebook posting plan calendar
- Facebook cultural event video content
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Ashland Middle School Site Council will meet virtually to discuss school updates and the budget process. The body will review Goal 3 of the Improvement Plan.
- Budget process updates
- Improvement Plan Review: Goal 3 Focus
- 8th Course Recommendation process/meetings
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust will review updates on the rental assistance program and the sale of affordable units. The body will also discuss obtaining a membership with the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA).
- Update on rental assistance program
- Update on sales of affordable units
- Discussion on CHAPA membership
- Review of monitor scope of work letter progress
- Approval of 1/21/21 and revised 4/29/20 meeting minutes
Ashland High School Site Council
The Ashland High School Site Council is meeting to review the 2021-2022 budget and provide updates on community service requirements. The body will also discuss a Term 2 student survey and general school updates.
- 2021-2022 Budget
- Community service requirement update
- Term 2 student survey
- Discussion on weighted GPA
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council will review approved FY21 grant applications and consider funding additional grantees. The body will also review final numbers and reports for the MCC due March 1, 2021.
- Review of approved FY21 MCC Grant Applications
- Consideration of partial or full funding for additional grantees
- Review of MCC Annual Report final numbers
- Review of MCC Final Report
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The committee will receive an update regarding the 2021 Ma Trails grant. The agenda also includes a walk-through of the Trolley Brook Trail with the Conservation Commission.
- Update on 2021 Ma Trails grant
- Trolley Brook Trail walk-through with Conservation Commission
Ashland Middle School Site Council
The Ashland Middle School Site Council will meet virtually to discuss the budget process and term changes. The body will also review Goal 2 of the Improvement Plan.
- Budget process updates
- Improvement Plan Review: Goal 2 Focus
- Term End/Term 3 Changes
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund will meet to review updates on rental assistance and the sale of affordable units. The body will also discuss the scope of work for a monitor and review CHAPA membership.
- Update on rental assistance program
- Update on sales of affordable units
- Discussion of monitor scope of work and list
- CHAPA Conference and membership
- Approval of December 17, 2020 meeting minutes
Mindess School Building Committee
The Mindess School Building Committee is holding a community forum to provide a project overview and discuss next steps. The meeting includes a project presentation and a session for community questions and feedback.
- Project presentation for the Mindess School Building Project
- Community questions and feedback session
Mindess School Building Committee
The committee is meeting to discuss updates regarding the MSBA, site work, and the OPM and designer teams. The body will also address Town Meeting and ballot dates and the 1/12/2021 Community Forum.
- Formation of Construction Manager Selection Subcommittee
- Approval/Report of Invoices
- Approval of November 17, 2020 and November 19, 2020 meeting minutes
Ashland Cultural Council
The Ashland Cultural Council will review 2020 Local Cultural Council grant applications. The body will discuss funding distributions and the timing for sending acceptance and denial letters. The meeting also includes budget and grant updates for FY21.
- Review of 2020 received MCC grant applications
- Discussion of FY21 CC Budget
- FY21 MCC Grant Update
- Determination of dates for grant acceptance and denial letters
Upper Charles River Trail Committee
The Upper Charles Trail Committee will review updates on trail engineering and easement issues. The body will also discuss grant options for 2021 and committee membership.
- Trolley Brook engineering and construction status update
- Dike Trail and Eversource easement issues
- 2021 Mass Trails Grant options, including Student Conservation Association
- Select Board committee tenure discussions
- Committee opening discussion