001Hello Clockers, my name is Halley Silver with WACA and today I'll be bringing you some essential Ashland updates. On March 26th, town officials held a public forum to discuss the FY27 budget and a proposed override under Proposition 2 and 1/2. The meeting brought together the Select Board and the School Committee to address financial challenges facing our community. The key proposal on the table is an override totaling $2.75 million for Ashland schools. For the average homeowner, that could mean an increase of about $420 annually based on a property assessed at $737,000. Town Manager Michael Herbert emphasized that the budget crunch isn't about poor management. It's what he calls a math problem driven by rising fixed costs such as health insurance, pensions, and regional obligations. Meanwhile, Superintendent Jim Adams pointed out that the district is running with
002staffing levels from 2017 even as student enrollment climbs. Adams warned that if the override doesn't pass this year, the town could face a much larger $5 million request in the future. Officials also highlighted Ashland's history of fiscal conservatism, noting efforts to minimize the impact on taxpayers while maintaining quality services and public safety. Residents should mark their calendars. The in-person town meeting is set for May 6th followed by the town election on May 19th. For those wanting more info, the town will publish a dedicated budget and override page on the official website featuring the forum slides, a recording of the meeting, and responses to pre-submitted and live questions from the public. That's the latest on Ashland's budget and school funding plans. We'll continue to follow the story as the town moves closer to the vote. In
003community news, the Ashland Police Department is hosting a food drive on April 3rd and 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Market Basket in Ashland. They're collecting donations to support the Ashland Food Pantry and are asking for your help to support families in need. Most needed items include canned soups, stews, and meats, instant oatmeal and cereal, flour, sugar, and baking mixes, snacks and crackers, cooking oils and condiments, personal hygiene products, baby wipes and diapers, and regular household trash bags. Every donation makes a difference. And for this week's community shout-out, Gabe has lived a remarkable life from serving in the Navy as a flight engineer to working in construction and faithfully serving our community by driving the senior center bus for 17 years. He was also proudly honored as a parade marshal, a true testament
004to the respect he's earned over the years. Many of you have seen Gabe cruising around town in his iconic black car with the horse emblem, a familiar and comforting sight to all. Thank you, Gabe, for your service, your stories, and the joy you bring to everyone around you. Here's to 101 years of memories and many more moments of laughter, storytelling, and connection. That's it for me today. Thank you all for tuning in, and thank you to our town staff. My name's Halley Silver with WACA, wishing you a good night, and as always, go clockers.