Ashland public meetings in 2023
7 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging elected a new Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk. The board approved the June 2023 minutes, the Director's report, and a plan for the Senior Heroes Award. The board decided the COA will not participate in the Farmers Market.
- Elected Fran (Chair), Steve (Vice Chair), and Lisa (Clerk) (6-0)
- Approved June 2023 minutes (6-0)
- Approved Director's report (6-0)
- Approved plan for Senior Heroes Award (6-0)
- Decided COA will not participate in Farmers Market
- Created sub-committee for NHS community service volunteers consisting of Fran, Alexis, and Lisa
Ashland Cultural Council
The council approved the minutes from the August 7, 2023 meeting. Members elected Stacey Grant-Lewis as Chairperson and Sheila Watnick as Events Manager. The council also outlined a timeline for the Starbucks Mural project and planned for the September 30 Farmers Market.
- Approved August 7, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Elected Stacey Grant-Lewis as Chairperson
- Elected Sheila Watnick as Events Manager
- Deferred Grant Manager role until present grant cycle
Select Board
The Select Board approved an all-alcohol liquor license for the Ashland Fish and Game Club and a location change for Mike's Auto Sales LLC. The Board also signed a compliance agreement for the renovation of 433 Chestnut Street and discussed a proposal to turn the Valentine Estate into a multi-functional agricultural center.
- Approved Certificate of Compliance Agreement for 433 Chestnut Street renovation (5-0-0)
- Approved All Alcohol Liquor License for Ashland Fish and Game pavilion with 10:00 PM closing time (5-0-0)
- Approved request for Mike’s Auto Sales LLC to move Class II License from 183 Megunko Road to 50 Megunko Road (5-0-0)
Select Board
The Select Board met in executive session to review and amend minutes from a previous meeting. The board approved the July 12, 2023, minutes with one amendment regarding a discussion on appeals and the Comprehensive Plan.
- Approved July 12, 2023 Executive Session Minutes with amendment (5-0-0)
Board of Health
The Board of Health approved several septic system variances and waivers for a property at 26 Strobus Lane. The Board also appointed a new Tobacco Control Manager for the town. Discussions were held regarding bedbug and roach infestations at Mill Pond Rest Home.
- Appointed Parivallal Thillaigovinda as Tobacco Control Manager (4-0)
- Approved variance for 26 Strobus Lane to allow a leaching bed instead of a trench system and waive percolation tests (4-0)
- Approved waiver for 26 Strobus Lane to reduce foundation offset from 20 to 18 feet (4-0)
- Approved waiver for 26 Strobus Lane to allow a sieve test in lieu of percolation tests (4-0)
- Approved waiver for 26 Strobus Lane to allow less than 12 inches between tank piping and groundwater (4-0)
- Approved consent agenda including July 18 and August 15 meeting minutes and FY2024 YTD Budget Report (5-0)
Select Board
The Select Board approved the reappointment of several members to town commissions and trusts. The Board also voted to allow specific work hours for the Mindess School project over the coming weekend.
- Approved work at Mindess School for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm (5-0-0)
- Approved reappointments for Alan Galiwango and David Rosenblum to Affordable Housing Trust (5-0-0)
- Approved reappointments for Owen Ackerman and Preston Crow to Conservation Commission (5-0-0)
- Approved reappointments for Stuart Siegel, Ryan Sullivan, and Anton Tikhomirov to Assoc. Zoning Board of Appeals (5-0-0)
- Approved reappointments for Claudia Bennett and Brandi Kinsman to BAA Sub-Committee (5-0-0)
Sustainability Committee
The committee approved the minutes from August 29. Members coordinated a presentation for the September 28 planning board meeting regarding local tree bylaws and scheduled the first Energize Ashland meeting for September 30.
- Approved Minutes for August 29th
- Scheduled first Energize Ashland meeting for 9/30
- Established a plan for consistent responses to sustainability email inquiries
- Accepted the resignation of member Amol Rane