Ashland Boards Eye 116-Unit Housing Project, Year-End Budgets, and Data Center Zoning
Ashland’s town boards tackled a busy slate of housing proposals, fiscal year-end business, and policy discussions over the past two weeks. The Zoning Board of Appeals extended a hearing on a 116-unit affordable housing development, while the regional transit authority weighed a budget vote and the Finance Committee met to close out FY2026. Upcoming meetings will take up data center zoning, public health housing cases, and the continued apartment project.
Housing and Land Use
The Zoning Board of Appeals on June 23 continued a public hearing on a comprehensive permit for 55 West Union Street to July 14. The proposal, filed under the state’s 40B affordable housing law, calls for a four-story, 116-unit rental building with 29 income-restricted units.
The Affordable Housing Trust on June 24 discussed the request for proposals for the Olive Street housing project with Assistant Town Manager Beth Reynolds and Conservation Commission Agent Becca Solomon. The trust also interviewed potential new members.
At the Planning Board on June 25, a public hearing reviewed a Scenic Road special permit to move a section of stone wall at 2 Myrtle Street for driveway access. The board also discussed bond modifications for 9-49 Homer Avenue and received updates on the town’s housing production plan and 40B developments.
The Conservation Commission on June 29 held hearings on four wetland-related filings: a Notice of Intent for 90 Waverly Street, and Requests for Determination of Applicability for projects at 5 Grover Road (patio), 0/175 Oak Street (soil test pit), and 62 Fountain Street (accessory dwelling unit and driveway). The commission also ratified emergency certifications for tree removals at three addresses and a beaver dam removal at the Main Street Bridge.
Budget and Finance
The Finance Committee met twice, on June 25 and July 1, to address FY2026 year-end budget transfers. Agendas included elections for FY2027 officers and discussion of an open committee seat. The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board on June 23 was scheduled to vote on the FY27 final budget and a fixed route network redesign, then enter executive session for litigation strategy and the administrator’s performance review.
School and Administration
The School Committee on June 29 interviewed Denny Conklin for Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and Justin Cameron for Director of Student Services, with appointments expected to follow. That same evening, the Select Board met in executive session for Town Manager contract negotiations.
Other Business
The Economic Development Advisory Group met on June 24 and July 2 to review and vote on a Business Incentive Grant application from Musicologie. The Sustainability Committee discussed high school project updates, the summer farmer’s market, and committee priorities. The Metrowest Regional Emergency Planning Committee on July 2 heard a presentation on critical water infrastructure from Mark Sceery of the U.S. EPA. The Board of Library Trustees on June 30 reviewed the FY26 budget, summer staffing, and a purchase of new computers, and scheduled a vote on a de-accession policy.
Coming Up
The Board of Health on July 7 will review housing cases at five addresses, plan for the 2027 Remote Area Medical Clinic, and receive a mosquito-borne disease surveillance report. The Planning Board on July 9 turns to a discussion of data center zoning, along with updates from the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee, Design Review Committee, and 40B inventory. On July 14, the Zoning Board of Appeals will resume the 116-unit hearing for 55 West Union Street and consider a variance and special permits to demolish and rebuild a duplex at 167-169 Pleasant Street.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.