[broadstreet zone=”59946″]
ASHLAND – Wednesday is election day in the Town of Ashland.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.. at Ashland High School for residents who will face two debt exclusion override questions on Wednesday, January 27. One question is on a new public safety building and the other on a new Mindess School.
The Ashland Town Manager sent out an email Tuesday night asking voters to support both projects.
“As your Town Manager, I have been fortunate to sit on BOTH the Public Safety Building Committee and the Mindess School Building Committee. These committees, comprised of elected officials, dedicated employees, professionals, and most importantly, residents just like you, have worked tirelessly over several years to bring forward two projects that rectify completely deplorable conditions for our kids and first responders and will serve the Ashland community for many years to come,” wrote Town Manager Michael Herbert.
[broadstreet zone=”53230″]
“At the same time, we have also done this in the most cost-efficient way possible. Bids for the public safety building are $6 million less than what we had estimated, and the school will benefit from a state grant of approximately $26 million. Plus, this new debt will occur as old debt is falling off. If we don’t do this now, we will pay more later,” wrote Herbert.
“I have been here for 7 years, which, to be frank, is an extended period of time for Town Managers here in Ashland. During that period, I have learned what makes Ashland great: its people. I have also seen several changes, the most important being residents understand that to establish a certain quality of life here in town, we HAVE to make investments in ourselves. More importantly, we are worth that investment. There will always be those that falsely claim that our taxes are high or feel that we spend money on unnecessary items like preserving open space, enhancing our parks like the Riverwalk, and investing in our downtown. It’s simply not factual. Data continues to show that Ashland and the Ashland Public Schools are the best deal going in Metrowest, with expenditures per capita barely above Marlborough’s. And do you want to know why homes are entertaining multiple offers the first day of showing and selling for tens of thousands of dollars above asking price? Well, it’s partially because this community has made those investments and made it a more desirable place to live. Let’s continue the trend of doing what’s right for the residents of today and tomorrow while being compassionate to those less fortunate (we have many programs that provide financial assistance to those in need). I am asking you to support both the Public Safety Building and the Mindess School by voting YES,” wrote Herbert.
[broadstreet zone=”59984″]
MetroWest Medical Center 
SMILE Mass