Band Concerts on the Common, 2012 Schedule

Band Concerts on the Common

Wednesdays July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Big Band concert is the final concert of the season on Aug 22.

Music starts at 7:30.

Food and beverages including hot dogs, hambugers, sodas sold by different local non-profit orgs each week. Popcorn, sundaes and other goodies also available.

(July 3rd, Independence Day concert is at Allen Field)

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting, Mon., July 2nd

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

July 2, 2012

1.      7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2.      Selectmen Approve Minutes of June 20 and June 25, 2012

3.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Gerald (Don) Phelan as Solid Waste Attendant, Employee-at-Will

4.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of David LaCross as Solid Waste Attendant, Employee-at-Will

5.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Consultant Agreement

for Management of the Town’s Municipal Aggregation Program and Energy-Related Services

6.      Request for Selectmen’s Vote to allow Town of Ashburnham Opening of Joint Procurement Bids for FY13 Highway Road Materials Bids

7.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on 2012 Common Victualler’s  License for the Community Council

8.      Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

9.      Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

10.  Public Comments (if any)

11.  Adjourn

Ashby Independence Day Celebration, July 3rd

Tuesday, July 3^rd at Allen Field

• Gates open at 4pm.
• Chicken BBQ sponsored by Ashby Square & Compass starts at 5pm.   Tickets are $8.  Reserve your tickets by calling 386-5502 or 978-855-4571.
• Food, games and prizes by local non-profit organizations.
• Band Concert begins at 7:30.
• Bonfire by Ashby Fire Department follows band concert. 

Election Results

Ashby, Results of the Special Election

June 21, 2012

Total Ballots Cast 619

Question 1	VOTE
Yes	189
No	430
Blank

QUESTION 1.
Shall the Town of Ashby be allowed to assess an additional $460,940.23 in real estate and personal
property taxes for the purposes of funding a supplemental appropriation for the North Middlesex Regional School District budget for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and twelve?

FYI Both Townsend and Pepperell have defeated their override as well.

Reminder of Election, Thurs., June 21, Noon-7:30pm

Reminder of Override Election, Thursday, June 21, 2012, Noon-7:30pm at Ashby Elementary School

Children's Bird Walk, Saturday, June 30th

Bird Walk and Talk for Children, Saturday, June 30th, 10:30AM at Ashby Public Library

Do you or your children enjoy the songs of birds? Have you ever tried to identify a bird by the type of nest, color of their eggs, or their song? Now is your chance to test those skills or learn how!

The members of Ashby Conservation Commission are leading a Bird Walk and Talk on Saturday June 30th at 10:30 am at the library. With an interative slide show presentation, you will learn what local birds might be nesting in your backyard. Then lace up your walking shoes as we take a short walk to a local field to actively look for birds and their nests. This event is free and open to the public. Appropriate for children ages 4-12 and their caregivers. Popsicles will be provided after the walk.

Call 5377 or email friendsofashbylibrary@gmail.com for more information.

This event is the kickoff for the Summer Reading Program! Dream Big - READ!

The Friends of the Ashby Public Library

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting June 20, 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

June 20, 2012

1.      7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2.      Selectmen Approve Minutes of May 23 and June 6, 2012

3.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on CDBG FY10 Agreement Amendment Case #9 (MRPC)

4.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on CDBG FY10 Agreement Amendment Case #10 (MRPC)

5.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on CDBG Grant Extension Request Form (MRPC)

6.      DLTA Grant Application Briefing (Alan Pease)

7.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Mark Archambault as Land Use Agent for FY2013 (Alan Pease)

8.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Wayne Stacy as MRPC Alternate Representative and Signature on MRPC Appointment Form for FY2013

9.      Request for Selectmen’s Annual Appointments for FY2013 (see list)

10.  Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Townsend Police Officers as Special Police Officers in Ashby for FY2013

11.  Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Letter of Congratulation to Frank McCarter

12.  Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Kopelman and Paige Determination Form regarding the Intermunicipal Agreement for Paramedic Intercept Services

13.  Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signature on Year-End Transfers

14.  Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

15.  Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

16.  Public Comments (if any)

17.  Adjourn

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting, June 6th updated

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA
June 6, 2012
1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
2. Selectmen Approve Minutes of May 23, 2012
3. Fire Department Service Recognition (Fire Chief)
4. Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Fire Mutual Aid
Agreement for District 8 (Fire Chief)
5. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Mike Bussell as Certified
Water Operator
6. Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Highway Union
Memorandum of Agreement
7. Request for one day liquor license for the Fitchburg Rod and Gun Club for
June 16th and 23rd.
8. Discuss Town Administrators position
9. Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman
10. Public Comments (if any)
11. Adjourn

Selectmen's Agenda for June 6, 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

June 6, 2012

1.      7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2.      Selectmen Approve Minutes of May 23, 2012

3.      Fire Department Service Recognition (Fire Chief)

4.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Fire Mutual Aid Agreement for District 8 (Fire Chief)

5.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Mike Bussell as Certified Water Operator

6.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Highway Union Memorandum of Agreement

7.      Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

8.      Public Comments (if any)

9.      Adjourn

Ashby Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed

Do you have just an hour to spare once per week? Give the gift of your time to an Ashby elder!
Volunteer for the Ashby Council on Aging Meals on Wheels.  Drivers Needed  Mondays or Tuesdays late mornings for approximately 1 hour.
Call or email Kathryn Becker for more information: COA@ci.ashby.ma.us
(978) 386-2424 ext. 27 or (978) 758-1894

Request for Proposals, Electric Aggregation

LEGAL NOTICE

  

Town of Ashby Request for Proposals

The Town of Ashby hereby issues a Request for Proposals from qualified consultants or companies to develop a program to aggregate the electrical load of electricity users within the Town, both residential and commercial, and, in consultation with the Mass Dept. of Energy Resources and the Mass Dept. of Public Utilities, develop, prepare, implement, secure regulatory approval and perform all services related to administering the Town’s Municipal Aggregation Program.

The RFP package will be available for pick up at the Town Hall, 895 Main Street, Ashby, MA 01431 as of June 8, 2012 or via emailed request to tabos@ci.ashby.ma.us  Separately sealed price and non-price (technical) proposals will be accepted at the Town Administrator’s Office, Ashby Town Hall, 895 Main Street, Ashby, MA  01431 until June 20, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.  Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing to: Douglas Briggs, Town Administrator, Town Hall, 895 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Ashby, MA 01431 before noon, on June 13, 2012. Questions may be delivered, mailed, emailed, or faxed to 978-386-2490 or dbriggs@ci.ashby.ma.us

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

TOWN OF ASHBY

Solid Waste Attendant Job Available

The Town of Ashby has an opening for a Solid Waste Attendant.  This is a part time position.  Work hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at the Ashby Recycle Center & Transfer Station. Pay is $14.28 an hour.  Candidates must be over 18.

Duties include monitoring and assisting the townspeople in trash disposal, recyclable materials separation, and collection of fees.  Must be able to lift heavy items.

This requires working outside in all weather conditions.  There are no heated buildings at the Transfer Station.

Application pdf
Application xls
or may be picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office at Ashby Town Hall or submit resumes to:

John J. Pankosky,
Solid Waste Superintendent
895 Main Street,
Ashby, MA 01431.
jjpank@comcast.net

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting, May 23, 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA
May 23, 2012
1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
2. Selectmen Approve Minutes of May 16, 2012
3. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Eric Rantala as Municipal
Groundskeeper
4. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Wayne Patnaude as Cemetery
Maintenance Laborer
5. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Gerald (Don) Phelan as
CemeteryMaintenance Laborer
6. Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signature on Year-End Transfers
7. Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman
8. Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report
9. Public Comments (if any)
10. Adjourn

Open House with the Women Farmers of Ashby

Open House with the Women Farmers of Ashby,  Thursday, May 24, 7:00-8:30 pm at Ashby Free Public Library

Sponsored by Women's Agricultural Network of Ashby (WANA)

Featuring:

- brief introduction to WANA
- showing of "Ladies of the Land" (note: film starts at 7:30, with a running time of about 30 min.)
- free raffle drawing
- refreshments and good conversation

WANA is a locally-based group of women who share a mutual interest in agricultural pursuits. We gather monthly for learning, sharing resources, and considering how we might best serve the Ashby community through special projects and activities.

Correction, Override Election Thursday, June 21st

My apologies.  I sent out a post with the incorrect date for the override election.  The correct date is Thursday, June 21, 2012, noon-7:30 pm at Ashby Elementary School.  Complete override information is here

Overrride Election, June 21, 2012

PROPOSITION 2½ LEVY LIMIT OVERRIDE

QUESTION 1.

Shall the Town of Ashby be allowed to assess an additional $460,940.23 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding a supplemental appropriation for the North Middlesex Regional School District budget for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and twelve?

                        YES________________                     NO________________

Assessors Evaluation
of the Impact on Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes

Amount to be raised:  $460,940.23
divided by the total town valuation:  $282,400,824
equals a tax rate increase of:  $1.63 per $1,000
times the average residential valuation:  $212,281
equals an average annual residential tax increase of:  $346.02
divided by the current average annual residential tax bill of:  $3,486
equals a percentage increase of:  9.93 percent 

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting May, 16 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

May 16, 2012

1.      7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2.      Selectmen Approve Minutes of May 4 and 5, 2012

3.      Forest Legacy Update (Cathy Kristofferson)

4.      Request for Selectmen to Call Special Override Election on June 21, 2012 and Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Warrant for Override Question

5.      Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signatures on Request for Reserve Fund Transfer #12-11 for Library Building Maintenance Expenses for $4,495.00

6.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Eric Rantala as Park Commissioner until the Next Annual Town Election

7.      Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Catherine Foster as Board of Registrars Member for a three-year term ending March 1, 2015

8.      Request for Selectmen to Award Emergency Standby Generator Bid

9.      Request for Selectmen’s Review and Approval of New Job Application Form

10.  Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

11.  Public Comments (if any)

12.  Adjourn

Ashby Housing Rehab Program, 3 Slots Remaining

Ashby Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Best Deal in Ashby!

If you live in your home for 15 years, you owe nothing!

Time is Running Out……
There is $140,000 left in available funds. Only enough for 3 more projects. The grant expires on June 30, 2012 and these funds need to be spent by that date.

What is it?
The program is to assist low and moderate income residents to improve their home or apartment. Eligible improvements include: Chimney or foundation repair, Lead paint/asbestos removal, Roof repair/replacement, Storm window installation.


The maximum funding per project is generally up to $35,000. As long as you own your home, this is a repayment and interest free loan, based on a 15 year forgiveness schedule. It decreases 5% per year up to 15 years, and then you owe nothing!

Income Eligiblility: 
Example: 2 person household, maximum income is $51,400,
              4 person household, maximum income is $64,200.

Apply Today: 

Applications can be obtained on Ashby’s website online or at the Board of Selectmen’s office. Income information is confidential and will only be viewed by MRPC staff, who will determine eligibility.

For any additional information or questions please call Kevin Flynn or Ann Carabba at MRPC:
(978) 345-7376 Ext. 306 or Ext. 305

Selectmen's Meeting Cancelled

The May 9th Selectmen's Meeting has been cancelled due to lack of quorum. A Selectmen's meeting will be held on May 16th at 7:00 pm.

Cemetery Groundskeeper Job Opening

Job Available:

The Ashby Cemetery Commission has a grounds-keeping /maintenance position available. Qualified candidates should have some experience with mowing, trimming and general grounds maintenance , a valid drivers licensee, be self motivated and able to work under the direction of the commissioners and or foreman. This is a part time position and will require up to 20hrs/ week.

Anyone Interested should complete an application available in the Town Clerks office

Town Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that Town Meeting is Saturday at 9:30 am in Ashby Elementary. Here's a link to the warrant http://ci.ashby.ma.us/document/selectmen/warrants/ATM050512.pdf

Dispatch Regionalization

Thursday evening the Selectmen voted to move forward with the grant and regionalization pending grant approval.  The vote was 2 in favor, 1 abstain

Dispatch Regionalization Forum

Dispatch Regionalization Forum will be held on April 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the Ashby Elementary School. There will be a Non-Binding Advisory Vote at the end of the Forum Meeting. Yes/No tickets will be distributed at the end of the Forum to be placed in a ballot box.

Town Election Today, Noon - 7:30 pm

Annual Town Election, Monday, 4/23/12,  12:00 - 7:30 pm at Ashby Elementary School. Ballot

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting April 25, 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

April 25, 2012

1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2. Selectmen Elect Board Officers

3. Donated Cold Water Rescue Suit Presentation (Lunenburg Snowmobile Club & Wanda Goodwin)

4. Selectmen Approve Minutes of March 27, April 11 and April 18, 2012

5. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Selectmen Member to Serve as Municipal Hearings Officer

6. Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

7. 7:30 p.m. - Pre-Town Meeting (Moderator Nancy Chew)

8. Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

9. Public Comments (if any)

Dispatch Regionalization Q&A on Wed. the 18th

Selectmen Chairman Peter McMurray will be at Town Hall on Wednseday, April 18th, from 6:30 p.m. on to answer any questions regarding Dispatch Regionalization.

Ashby American Legion Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Allen Field on West Rd., Sunday, April 15th, 2:00pm Sharp
Bad weather alternate will be; 4/22/2012


The Holmes, Curran, Bennett Post 361 Ashby American Legion will be hosting our annual “Easter Egg Hunt”. All Children from town that are 10 years old and under are welcome. There will be Easter Baskets, Prizes, gift certificates and candy bags for all children who attend!

Annual Town Meeting Warrant Available

The Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to be held May 5th at 9:30 am in Ashby Elementary School is available at http://ci.ashby.ma.us/document/selectmen/warrants/ATM050512.pdf

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting April 11, 2012

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

April 11, 2012

1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2. Selectmen Approve Minutes of March 28, 2012

3. FY13 Health Insurance Renewal Rates (Lively Insurance Brokerage and Treasurer)

4. Request for Selectmen’s Annual Appointment of Joe Mazzola as Veteran’s Agent for a one-year term ending April 30, 2013

5. Request for Selectmen’s Vote to Authorize the Fire Department under MGL Chapter 48 §59A to Aid other Municipalities

6. Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Special and Annual Town Meeting Warrant Masters (5)

7. Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Administrative Consent Order for Town Common Well

8. Any Other Business Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman

9. Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

10. Public Comments (if any)

11. Adjourn

Last Day to Register to Vote at Town Meeting

The last day to register to vote at the Annual Town Town Meeting is Tuesday, April 17, 2012. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm. on 4/17/2012