001have about a day or two. If you've wa if you're watching this forum and you haven't had the opportunity to watch the other three, they are being played on WACA TV as well as available, I believe, on our YouTube page as well. So, you can go back and and read those. The other thing is if you're watching tonight, you can go ahead and follow along on the comprehensive plan by going to the town website, ashlandmass.com, and clicking on the draft plan. And today we're going through our last theme which is theme three. Uh but let's go through a few things first. So again a if you're this is our first time, thank you for being here. Uh if you've been here before, some of this will be repetitive, but sometimes if you hear it a
002couple times, it has it make it more sense. So a comprehensive plan is a flexible roadmap for guiding how we want our town to move forward in the future. And as we were working on this plan with our consultants, Goldson, we talked about some of the core things that we were looking at and that is what forces have shaped our community over time, what makes our town unique today. So what are we doing today that's different that we want to maybe continue? And how should our town move forward in the next 10 years? So that's what the goal is of a comprehensive plan. Uh tonight we're going to look at a little bit at some of the challenges and some of the information. This is not a finalized screen, but it has some good data
003for us to consider. So we're going to start on the left hand side. If you're looking at the screen, the left hand side, housing affordability challenges. One of the things that all communities in ash in Massachusetts have to do is a goal of 10% of your housing stock has to be considered affordable. At our last select board meeting, we had a discussion. We have about 7,400 housing units here in Ashland. We have um about 6% of them are considered affordable. So, with the new the three new 40B projects that are going that are coming before the town and that are being reviewed, that would bring us to our 10%. And the goal as a town would be that once we ha get there and even if we don't get there quite right away would be
004to create another what's called a housing production plan. If you have a housing production plan in place and Ashland has had two. We had one created in 2015. We had another one created in 2020. And we were on track to do to hit our housing production to get to those affordable rates to get to those affordable units. Unfortunately, we work with it's a public private partnership. Ashland creates some affordable units, but a lot of it is created by developers. So, there were two projects that were in our housing production plan. One is the UGC UGC group proposal and that was up on Memorial Drive. Uh, and that project was in our plan and then things happened so that didn't get built. And then we had another project on 501 Pond Street. Again, the developer made
005some tweaks. They waited and they didn't and that didn't go through. With those two projects not going through, plus other housing that was built, we dropped out of what was called safe harbor. Safe Harbor based on your housing production plan is what allows you as a community say, "Nope, 40Bs don't need to come in." Because we're no longer in safe harbor. We now have these 340Bs in front of us as these developers try to get us to create more housing. This comprehensive plan is not a housing plan, but it's how we can do things. So this this screen, let's go through it. So one quarter of Ashlin households are costbururdened and the evolution of our zoning regulation. Despite progress in updating downtown regulations to allow mixed use, dimensional and parking regulations still limit compact and
006walkable living and a significant area of the town is still restricted to singly single family development. You drive through Ashland and probably 75% of our homes, um, as you see here on this graph on the bottom, one unit detached is probably about 60%, one unit attached is a little bit more, and then two to four units, and then five plus units. Uh, so not, you know, the the majority of our homes are single family homes. And and this is just facts. This is not an a judgment or this is just facts for us to look at as we look at what we want to do what we want to do as a community moving forward. Um walkability and transportation 78% of our community commute by car whether it's to work to shopping that's how they
007do it. 6% commute by public transportation and 2% commute by walking. Would we love that to increase to more public transportation and walking and other forms of transportation? Which is why when we discussed transportation, we looked at potentially an in town bus or some way to get people around. Uh pedestrian and bike safety are community priorities to reduce congestion and increase freedom of choice. Um and we want to make sure that all of our trails that we invest in sidewalks, trails, and ADA compliant and accessible um options. our economic development. Uh Ashland's downtown generates more tax revenue per acre than Route 126. Thought that was the other way around. Anyway, um so economic develop economics is important. How much business you have in a community supports what's going on in your business. I mean, what's
008going on in your community? So, we want to promote what's going on in our downtown as well as Route 126. And then on the right hand side of the screen, environmental resilience and open space. 25% of the land may area in Ashland is conserved in some way. Um we've increased our conservation area uh quite a bit in the last 10 to 12 years. Um you think of adding Warren Woods, we've just added to our town forest. uh we recovered the Cadillac paint site and a few other things. So we have a lot of open space that we have conserved from for for uh future development. All positive things and all things that are supported through this plan to continue doing moving on. Hold on. I got to click on the right screen. You know, you'd
009think after three of them I'd be a pro at this, but on sorry, technical difficulties. Come on. Go to the next. There we go. Community vision statement. So, I like to read this every time we do this because I think this really, really represents Ashland, a lot of time and effort by our comprehensive plan members based on input from our community. Ashland is a diverse, inclusive community that honors and preserves its small town charm, it rich history, and open space. The town features vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods with exceptional schools and aesthetically pleasing public and private spaces for living, learning, working, aging, shopping, and playing. Ashlin's reimagining of land use prioritizes the creation of safe, walkable, bikable, and multimodal transportation options to address the needs of its growing population, enhances community connectivity, and provides well-maintained, accessible
010recreation amenities. Based on the work for the last two plus years by the committee and community members who have helped us look at it a lot of different information, we have come up with five core themes. Core theme one is building and enhancing community. Core theme two is promoting long-term sustainability. Core theme three is guiding development that honors open space and conservation. Core theme four is enhancing town services and economic development. And core theme 5 is creating a connected and accessible community. So tonight we are addressing core theme three guiding and developing hold on got to move stuff guiding development that honors open space and conservation. So the core theme for this is Ashland will promote land use policies and initiatives that honor open space and ecological conservation while expanding the supply of affordable and
011diverse housing stock housing types. Additionally, Ashland will invest in infrastructure to align with community needs. And infrastructure is water, sewer, utilities, as well as buildings that support our our public and town departments. Lost my mouse. Hold on. You ever have that you're working and then where did the mouse go? Let's try this anyway. There we go. So, one of the things we always talk about as we talk about these themes is how could we measure success? So, we're going to talk about these five and then we're going to have a discussion to you the public. Are these good ways to measure potential success for this? Uh, one, number of non-s single family housing units developed annually. Two, number of deed restricted affordable homes preserved or added. Three, percentage of households within a half a mile
012of publicly accessible green spaces. Theme four, number of acres of permanently protected open space added. And number five, number of infill or adaptive reuse development projects. So again, these are ways that we're saying how can we measure success within this theme. two of the the high priority strategies that we'll get to in a minute. Prioritize regional coordination on water quality and invasive species. And strategy 3B3, evaluate tax delinquent parcels for potential future public uses such as parks, playgrounds, fields, and community supported housing to benefit Ashland. Okay, so I'm going to open this up to questions. Uh so please go ahead and if you have comments on how we can measure success go ahead raise your hand so I can identify you and uh we'll go from there. And if I don't see any hands raised
013that's okay. If you want to see the strategies first we can certainly see the strategies first. Okay Rob go ahead. Whoops. Yep. >> Hold on a second. >> So maybe you could just uh talk a little bit about the rationale for including these housing uh measures in the conservation and open space. Well, because the discussion here is not only just about open space, but it's recognizing, if I go back to here, guiding development that honors open space and conservation. So, we as a group, we're aware that we need we know that we're going to need more housing here in town, but how can we do housing along with honoring the the the will of the people to keep open space and and conservation? So that's how those two work. >> So it sounds like so
014you're talking about higher density housing that would save >> that would save some space, right? So instead of um you know we have we have single family homes on an acre or a half an acre, do we look at allowing homes to be on smaller or do we get creative like we did on Independent Lane where all the houses are on smaller lots but they have open space that is tied to that community. >> Okay. Oh, so so example that you just said was a um uh what what are they called? Zone I live in one of those developments. A cluster zone. >> Cluster. >> Thank you. >> Right. Okay. Did that help? >> Thank you. >> Okay. You're welcome. >> Okay. Seeing no other hands, we're going to go on to start talking about
015our first goals and strategies. We're going to start on the left hand side of your screen. Goal 3 3A. Strategically protect open space properties to preserve and improve natural habitats, biodiversity, ecosystems, water resources, and natural flood control. So, strategy 3A1, prioritize regional coordination on water quality and invasive species. Strategy 3A2 continue to work with the EPA mass DP and other stakeholders to advance cleanup efforts from the Nyansza site and prioritize future use of the area for public benefit. Strategy 3A3 ensure transparency and accountability in town purchase of land by determining the use of parcels at the time of purchase. Complete and file all required conservation restrictions for past purchases so the town is in legal compliance. So any thoughts, comments, or tweaks that you might see for goal 3A and the three strategies underneath. >>
016Go ahead, Rob. >> Um, actually I just remembered something from the previous page when you talk about tax and the potential uses. one I think is because in the upper Charles Trail we're actually looking at tax taking for the trail. I don't remember seeing trails on the potential uses. So that's just >> so I think if I remember correctly as we talked about um recreation things there was maybe not that specific goal related to what needs to be done for the trail but I I guess the other thing I would say to people is these might be specific strategies for something here but if it's a strategy that we think may work it could be brought over to another goal that we're trying to accomplish. Okay, can you pass the microphone back? >> Um, for
017strategy 3A1, y >> how how are we going to be quantifying or the the regional coordination on water quality and invasive um species? How does how does how is that how do how do we anticipate? >> Again, I'm not quite sure how we would quantify it. I think in regards to prioritizing so right now we are already were Ashland is already working with Framingham on the Wasa pond to help you know so we're working with them for some of the invasives in that pond and I would see if there are other areas we work with Hopkin on our water on our water resources they pay for some of it because they get some of our water so I think that's where we mean and also when you can do things regionally It can be less
018expensive for both communities involved. A long time ago, there was discussion that if we put in a wastewater treatment plant by the Girl Scout property in the old quarry, if we do that, Holliston is right there and a lot of Holliston doesn't have sewer. They're all on septic. So, that would be a regional uh a way to work regionally or maybe something in Sherborn. Um, and I don't know exactly how we would quantify that, but as we work for these through these priorities, we could say how do we we could the implementation committee working with town staff could say how do we quantify this? >> The the re main reason that I'm asking is the invasive species. I live near uh Warren School and do a lot of walking around there and I'm also a
019a horiculturalist and I see >> the burning bush and the oriental bittersweet and the knotweed and a lot of the the the terrestrial invasive species. And I know that the town forest committee does a, you know, does the walk, but and and pulls Japanese barberry out of out of the woods and stuff, but if there's a way to sort of incorporate into that um you know, clearing invasive species out of um you know, out of collective land or um helping educate um land owners, right >> on what's invasive on their property and things like that. I I know we have a program called the weed warriors and they work with our conservation agent and right now their big focus has been the Cadillac paint excuse me the Ashland arboritum site it's been name renamed the
020Ashland arboritum site where they're going in and cleaning that and I know she also holds uh forums to teach people but I think you know part of this could be that not it's not only water quality and what you're pointing out is there's a lot of invasious species on a lot of people's property that we could educate them on I don't know how to get rid of it. Yep. Yeah. Okay. Anything else? Uh oh, I see a hand raised. Julie, go ahead and unmute yourself, please. Julie, you have your hand raised. You can go ahead and unmute. There you go. >> Sorry. Um, Julian Ardone. Um, I'm looking at Gal 3B and I immediately think of Village of America and it's super dense and I think there's one tiny little corner, maybe a quarter of
021a lot for all those people to frolic in. And I think the problem with some of these goals is when people vote things in a town meeting, they have to they have to know what they're voting for. They have to know what this is going to be like down the road. And I don't think we talk much about the ramifications of our vote because I That's just one example and we're talking about density all over the place and I it feels like it's sort of in conflict with itself. So that's my comment. >> Okay, great. Appreciate that. Thank you. Is there anything else specific to goal 3A strateg open space properties strategically keeping them? And if not, we're going to go to the other side of the page and go to goal 3B. And I
022just need to uh unfortunately not to move something. I've lost my mouse again. Okay. Well, I'll just do it this way and make sure I talk into the microphone. Okay, so going on to goal 3B, ensure residents in all neighborhoods have access to green and recreational spaces. Strategy 3B1, utilize, adapt, updated, and publicly accessible GIS inventory of green spaces such as pocket parks, playgrounds, and others. Use GIS data to prioritize area of town that should get additional public amenities. Strategy 3B2, establish a green space fund to finance the creation and maintenance of publicly accessible green spaces across Ashland and secure maintenance agreements from property owners aligning with goals from the open space and recreation plan and design review committee. Strategy 3B3, evaluate the delinquent parcels for potential future public use, such as parks, playgrounds, fields,
023and community supported housing to benefit Ashland. Strategy 3B4, develop bylaw changes or green infrastructure guidelines for projects in the public right of way, including recommendations such as green streets, treeline sidewalks, rain gardens, and mini parks at intersections or other public areas. Okay, so this has a lot of really specific goals to support getting parks or green space near every community, near every neighborhood in Ashland. So if you're online, go ahead and raise your hand. Um otherwise, we'll start in here while we wait. Rob, go ahead. >> Um yeah, I just want to So I like these um that's my input. Uh but I I do think on that strategy three you should include uh trails in there as potential uses of tax property when people because we're actually trying to do that. So like the
024upper Charles Trail, we may need tax taking to use the trail. >> So you're suggesting for 3B3 >> Yeah. >> that we actually add the word trails. So trails public use >> y >> is not enough but it should be such as parks playgrounds fields >> trails and community supported housing to benefit Ashland. >> Yes. >> Okay. I think that's a valid point. We can >> bring that to our committee. Good. >> Anybody else? Anybody online on any of these? Okay. Seeing none, we're going to go on to the next strategies and goals hopefully. Don't know why the computer is not cooperating. There we go. Okay. Goal 3C, promote new development that offers a variety of housing options, including affordable housing opportunities based on regional needs and preferences. Strategy 3C1, identify town-owned parcels, parcels suitable
025for affordable housing and engage the community in shaping RFPs for development with a focus on serving seniors in households with lower incomes. Strategy 3C2, expand ongoing messaging and outreach work promoting existing programs aimed at helping support seniors aging in place. Strategy 3C3, prioritize the preservation of any deedestricted affordable units to maintain affordable housing options in Ashland. Strategy 3C4, dedicate town funding to support the creation of new affordable homes, especially for seniors. Strategy 3C5, evaluate development incentives for permanently affordable housing within the Ashlin downtown dist. So, we're going to stop with just goal 3C, promoting new development with these spec specific strategies. Take a second, reread them, think about it. Um, as we talked about at the beginning, right, affordable housing is something every community in Ashland has to meet. We have to have 10% affordable.
026And through this plan, we're trying to figure out ways that we can add and get to our 10%. Yes, right now we're we're looking at um 340BS in front of us and the potential is that once we get those, we'll be at our goal, but anytime we add nonaffordable units, it increases the amount of our housing stock, which means we could have to update the number of affordable units. Julie, go ahead. Unmute yourself. Right. Uh strategy three C4. >> Can new also when you say new, do you mean a new building or do you mean newly affordable? Like can you take an existing? You got a picture of a historic home right there, >> right? Can that be divided into affordable apartments or are we talking new for the sick and new? >> I I
027would my perception of this and we can double check this with the committee is new affordable housing whether it's a brand new building or taking something that's an existing property and reusing it and turning into affordable. And I think this house um is just there because it's a great picture of an old home here in Ashland. I don't think it's hasn't been identified as something that can become affordable housing. I think it was just a picture of a great old house that's been preserved here in town. Um I think like I said, I think new means new either a brand new building or just a new affordable unit. Someone takes something and splits it up and they want to create affordable. That would be my interpretation of this. And I have two other committee members.
028Rob, would you give that to Kate? And >> um I think that's just a simple fix to say additional, right? Because then there eliminates that confusion. I don't >> So make it additional affordable housing. >> Yeah. Instead of or homes. Great. Okay. Uh Judith, go ahead and unmute yourself, please. Uh I just wanted to check one little thing which is I have taken a walk up in Newber. This is a number of years ago. And one of the things that that the manager asked each of us as we were walking in in various neighborhoods was if we could um if we could pick out the in quote affordable housing units and and the point being no you couldn't. I mean they were just there with everything else and there was no there was no way
029of distinguishing them. Um I was a little bit of a smart tooth that had fresh paint and I I chose them and I was right. that and I think that that's something we have to be very mindful of that we should do infill and we should make it look like anything else on the street. So my understanding of the affordable housing requirements for different construction is it cannot look distinguishably different from other units within any new building. >> So I I believe that's already being done. Right. So, if you go to the Cirrus Apartments, um there are a number of affordable units there and I think if you walk in one unit that's affordable and one that's not, I don't believe there's a large difference between them and but that's and that's state law. That's
030not something we manage here in Ashland. >> Okay, good enough. >> Thank you. Hey, any other comments or concerns regarding Oh, Rob, go ahead. Um, so again, well, my first question, are these all also in the housing section? I'm a little confused about the format here because this is about open space and conservation, right? Honoring development. >> This is honoring honoring when you're when we are developing, we want to iron honor our open space as a town, right? So if we're if we're building right if either we you know if someone goes to build something we want them to consider about the open space around them but this is the segment that this is the section that is talking about housing. >> Okay. But is it repeated in the housing section because these are all
031>> this is our housing section. >> It's here in open space. >> It's it's housing honoring our commitment to open space. So it's the because we don't have eight specific. So in a comprehensive plan there are specific things that you have to hit and rather than having a um a goal just for housing or goal just for transportation. So we don't have eight themes. We have five themes that have brought sort of combined things together. So this one is combining >> housing. All right. Thank you. >> Honoring open space. >> All right. So, yeah, I was under the impression there was a whole another housing section. So, thank you for that. Okay. So, um Okay. Well, that clarifies that. All right. Um, and so my question just to follow up on what Julie was saying
032about the new So could the new units be in what is currently open space then as part of I mean what what's the intention of that particular >> um >> well the that could be it either could be if if a if some if a land owner owns an o an open lot that's not built >> they can apply to to build something right just like what we're seeing on Waverly across from the high school. >> Okay, >> that is an open piece that is an undeveloped piece of land and a developer is coming in and looking to develop it. >> Okay, so this so it could include you developing open space for >> could be developing, right? >> And that Okay, so that that I was taken a little back by that by seeing
033that in the open space, but now that you've explained it to me, >> this is housing and open space combined. >> Housing and open space together. Okay, thank you. Okay. Anything else on goal 3C? Okay. Seeing no one online or here in the room, we're going to go on. Oh, we had someone else raise their hand before I move on. Leia, go ahead and unmute yourself, please. >> Hi, Leah Suarez. Um, part of the uh comprehensive plan committee. I think um the thing that's a little confusing what Rob might be referring to is the numbers across the top. Um number three it says open space where really this is more of the development section. That's something we'll probably have to uh correct. Yep, that's a great point, Leah. Yes. Okay, thank you. Okay. Uh, moving
034on. Goal 3D. And this this goal has one strategy. So, our goal is to encourage new development in strategic locations such as previously developed sites through the through the through the reuse of historic buildings and in areas walkable to services, shops, transit options, and community spaces. And then the strategy to support this is following from a historic preservation plan. Strategy 1B8, explore revisions to the zoning bylaw or development review processes that could provide incentives for the adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized buildings while protecting the integrity of historic properties. Okay. A lot of different things there. So any comments, concerns? Go ahead, Kate. >> So that strategy for the the goal is not specific to historic and then the strategy is pretty much only historic. And I think that's sort of a flaw um because
035there was um you know a historic building that was actually I think it was on the plan in my neighborhood that got instead of redeveloped it it got tore down. So um that could have been an adaptive reuse but I'm not sure it was in the historic preservation plan. >> Right. So it it we could add a strategy that sort of repeats saying it doesn't have to be historic or modify that one because it does it simply is only meeting part that strategy 3D1 only meets part of the goal 3D. >> Okay. So you're suggesting there should be one more strategy in support of that goal that would talk about uh specifically about historic or just other >> reason. No other so previously developed sites I think that's what people agree with like making them
036more productive more so we don't have to get green space or at least that's what I'd like I'll be honest but I think that's what I heard from our community. >> I believe that's what we heard from the community. Yes. So I feel like it should either be a modified strategy or an additional strategy to promote pre like essentially different development in pre previously developed sites and that can take many different ways right like they're now making office buildings into apartments. So, so rather than So, right now, strategy 3D1 following following the plan, explore revisions to the zoning bylaw development that could provide incentives for the adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized buildings while protecting the integrity of historic properties. You're saying, "Let 3D1 just be talking about the historic properties and create another strategy
037that's almost similar to this, but that takes out the historic portion and says, you know, redoing buildings, um, reusing bu vacant buildings even if they're not historic >> and and different uses, etc. I think the cleanest way is probably adding a strategy, >> a second strategy. Okay, great. Yeah, we'll bring that back and talk about it. But yes, sometimes making them separate and cleaner makes sense. Okay. Any other input from the um Zoom audience in regards to item either item 3 C or 3 D. Seeing none. Oh, that's it. Thought there were a few more. Okay. So, those are the goals and strategies for our housing for our open space on our our housing honoring open space. Oh, okay. I see what So, as I'm going through this, what happens is as we look at
038this slide presentation, right? So, um, the thing the things at the top do change and to Leah's point, we have to make sure they match what's happening on the page below. Good catch, Leah. Okay, so I know we have a bunch of people online. Um, please feel free to raise your hand. Uh, we can jump around at this point. We've gone through all the slides that I have for you this evening regarding this goal. Uh I'm even willing to go back to all five themes if you have any questions or concerns. Um if you wanted to be patient, we could go through all the themes again. Um so raise your hand online or here in per in person if you have any other thoughts or comments about guiding development that honors open space and conservation.
039Rob, go ahead. >> Yeah, I'm interested in the green fund. Uh because when you when it comes to open space, I mean um do the members think they've followed they've covered enough of the kind of planning and uh I know you know in terms of the open space plan and prioritizing acquisition and and evaluating um and working with land owners to acquire open space at certain critical junctures. It seems like and I I I like the that green fund seemed like an interesting idea. Could people maybe expand on the think and how are we doing that kind of planning process to you know acquire certain key parcels or identifying them? I know there's an open space plan and all that, but I don't I'm I'm I didn't get the impression there's a lot of that
040kind of um emphasis here. I just didn't see it. Although I don't know maybe talk a little bit about how the committee thinks that this approaches that whole kind of process >> and maybe that green fund idea. >> So I think the green fund idea was that as developers come in we ask them potentially to put funds toward a green fund so that as we identify spaces we have ways to purchase those spaces. Um this the the thing that I for me and some of this is just my personal based on working on all this as well as hearing from people is that we have the strategic plan but it partners with our open space and wreck plan. Right? The open space and w plan may have a few more specifics about some of these
041things. And the other thing with this these are just goals, right? We talk about a green fund. We didn't talk about what that might look like or how it might be funded or how we would work with developers. Those are things that when we get to the implement implementation stage, right? When we say, "Okay, what would a what would creating a green fund look like, we would talk to developers, we would talk to the community and say, what does this mean and how could we implement it?" And that would be something that whoever's on the implementation committee working or implementation group, whatever we call it, um would work with town staff and and okay, now we're going to work on this strategy. How do we do that? And how do we make this happen? >>
042Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Okay. Okay. I'm going to do one more call for anything else related to this goal and this strategy and these themes and it is about quarter of eight. We have 45 minutes. If you want to be patient, I can probably pull up the other uh themes that we've discussed on other nights because there's a lot of new faces here tonight and maybe you didn't have the opportunity or you were busy. Um but this is our Oh, Julie, go ahead. Um, when I uh went to the town website, there was a page that said by 2035 clumped together with all this stuff. Can you put that up? >> Uh, did I put that in here? Is it the vision? >> Yeah, I think it's Yeah, that one. Yeah. >> Okay.
043Um, the first line it says, "Preserve small town charm, rich history, and public space." But then we're talking about, I'm sorry, jamming housing everywhere. So, I'm just trying to understand how we're going to preserve our small town charm if we have housing everywhere, you know, giant apartment buildings. When I think of small town charm, I don't think of a lot of that. I do think of rural areas. Um, and actually the most inexpensive places to live are usually more rural. So, I'm just I'm just trying to understand how this vision um connects with itself based on what I'm hearing about all this housing that people go on everywhere. Um so that's just my comment. >> Well, thank you for that. And I I would start with this that this vision was created and drafted with
044input from a lot of community members. And so the people want a small town feel. And the thought is how can we we know we know development is going to happen. We know that more housing is going to come to Ashland. But how can we work with developers to say, "Okay, we still as a community, we still want that small town charm." I mean, I I can say this. I've lived in town for 35 years now. Has the town increased in housing and population? Yes, definitely. But have we lost our small town charm? Have we lost the connection with other members of the community? I personally would say no. I think you can go to the farmers market and and have a it's a it's a small town feel. You can go to the corner
045spot. You can go to things at Stone Park. Again, this is my my feeling, my thoughts on all of this. And if other community, if there are other committee members on who would like to add to that, I think the goal here is we want the small town charm, we want the small town feel, but we're going to grow as a community. So, how can we use these strategies to support that thought and support what we've heard from our community? Okay. Uh, any other general questions, comments, concerns regarding either the community vision or any of these core themes. Um, and if not, I'm willing to take a few minutes and I can chat while I do this because I can um and I can go back and we can go through the all the goals
046and strategies for each of the themes. Um, what do you guys think here in the room? Worth doing it? We have a lot of new faces on, so have you seen the other themes? Okay. So, if we had a if we went back and quickly reviewed them all, would that be helpful to you? Okay. So, again, we're going to take another minute. So, we're going to step off of this. I'm gonna Let's see. Share and see. I have to go to PowerPoint and losing this mouse. It is not friendly. Go to there. I stop sharing for a minute. Screen is going to go to me. Go. Um, I'm going to go to PowerPoint. I'll talk through as I'm doing this. Go to PowerPoint. Come on. PowerPoint then go to file uh back. Go here to
047desktop explorer. Sure. Go ahead. Talk to them please. Robera USB drive. Here we go. Go to the >> um want to make a comment that sort of um dubtales with what Julie had said. >> Sure. that I think that the people cons that we heard from who were concerned about the development and the inevitability of the development and wanted to preserve and and conserve open space >> are afraid that the small town charm is going to be lost with crowds, huge huge traffic issues, water problems, um infrastructure difficulty ulties, higher taxes making it less affordable. That's going to be where we lose the small town charm despite being able to go to the farmers market or the corner spot or you know other places um around. That's those are the concerns that people expressed um
048when we went out and had all of our meetings in a box and the surveys and the initial public forum. So I don't want those concerns to be lost. Oh, and thank you. Thank you for that, Robera. And I don't think that I'm I don't think they're lost. I think it's part of the conversation. So, okay. So, now we have my slideshow up from beginning. There we go. Okay. So, I have brought us back to themes one and five, which were the first two that we did back on August 29th. Hard to believe already. It's been two weeks since we've been doing these. Um, I'm not going to review this. I am going to take us to the vision statement to the first of the so core theme one building and enhancing community. And again,
049we talked about this one in detail at our first forum. I'm going to quickly read through these. And please, if you're watching, you have questions or comments, don't hesitate. Don't wait to throw your hand up. Um, let's let's have the conversation. Uh, so here we have how we I'm gonna actually jump over this. So goal one A, Ashland is a diverse, inclusive community that honors and preserves its small town's charm, its rich history, and open space. So goal 1A, strengthen social ties and civic engagement through community events, programs, and intergenerational activities. Strategy 1A1, expand programming at community spaces such as the farmers market, the Corner spot, the Ashen Public Library, and the Community Center to include more workshops, performances, and seasonal vendors that support local businesses and foster community connection. Strategy 1, increase intergenerational programming
050at the Council on Aging in Ashlin Public Library to bring youth and older adults together. Consider staffing options to offer events during evening hours. Strategy A3, improve online access to programs, activities, and services for seniors. And when we were having this discussion, it said, well, can we expand that to not just seniors, but all residents and explore trainings or educational materials for older adults using the My Active Senior Center site. Strategy 1, continue to promote programming designed to support Ashlin's older residents and explore new ways to help older adults stay active, engaged, and living in the community. and strategy 185 support efforts to grow Ashlin's volunteer network to offer more educational skill building and recreational program for residents. Uh we had a very good discussion when we brought this go goal forward. Um but if
051this is the first time you're seeing it again, I know I read through it pretty quickly. I know it's a little bit hard to read on the screen. You can go ahead if you're at home, pull up the the draft from the website and if you have any comments or concerns. Uh do I have anyone who has any comments on this one? Seeing none, we're going to go on on goal on theme. Julie, go ahead. >> Yeah. Um, as a small business owner, I just want to point out that there's kind of a balance you need to have between how many community programs you're going to offer because you don't want to undermine the local business owners and the local creative community. I see, you know, on this thing, offer this, offer that. Free, free,
052free, free. And that can develop a sort of a mindset where people don't want to pay for anything and then you kind of undermine your uh your local business offering. So I just wanted to point that out. >> That's that's great feedback, Julie. Thank you. I mean, and that's what this is about tonight, right? Are there things that we didn't see or that we've put in here that we need to look at a little bit differently? Okay, going on. Goal 1B, celebrate and preserve Ashlin's cultural and historic identity. Strategy 1B1, expand local funding and community partnerships that would facilitate long-term and sustainable rehabilitation and reuse of public and privatelyowned historical buildings and structures. Strategy 1B2, incorporate interpretive signage at historic locations to support self-guided tours. Strategy 1B3. Continue to develop a community supported vision for
053the historic Valentine property. Considering potential uses for recreation, meeting spaces, social function, and other publicly accessible uses. Assess financial viability, needed improvements, and funding sources for implementation. Strategy 1B4. Create a historic preservation plan to develop an updated inventory of historic properties and places. Identify locations and public support for local historic districts and consider making financial assistance available for historic preservation projects at key publicly and privately owned properties and places. So, this is really looking at our history and historical properties and um how we can support that. Any thoughts online? Okay, seeing none, as you consider it, we're going to go on to goal 1C. To goal 1C, develop inclusive and vi vibrant public spaces and central locations that serve as community gathering spots to foster a sense of community. Strategy 1C1, develop a unified system
054for accessing public public buildings and fields, eg library, schools, recreation centers by coordinating shared usage schedules and flexible hours and ensuring that staff responsibility for overseeing the system is clear to make sure that spaces can seamlessly transition between various community functions and are accessible to all residents. Strategy 1C2, revitalize the facilities and landscaping at Stone Park for safety and improved public use. And strategy 1C3, leverage planned long-term streetscape improvement projects to incorporate planning for enhanced public gathering spaces in the early stages of projects. Any comments or thoughts on any of these? Okay. Again, seeing none, we're now bumping jumping over to theme five, creating a connected and accessible community. We're not going to talk about these right yet. We can go back. Goal 5A, let me just adjust things on my screen so I can
055read them. Goal 5A, increase connectivity within Ashland and to neighboring communities by extending expanding a safe, accessible, and multimodal network of trails, streets, and transit connections that link neighborhoods, open spaces, and key destinations. Strategy 5A1, complete the Ashen Upper Charles Trail and Bay Circuit Trail projects. Strategy 5A2, launch an upper Charles Trail expansion project to prioritize new trail connections. This should evaluate increasing tributo access to adjacent neighborhoods, new connections, and traffic calming in adjacent neighborhoods. Strategy 5A3, enhance options for cross town multimodal connections both on street and off streetet. Consider an Elliot Street, Fruit Street, Prospect Street, Main Street multimotal corridor connections from downtown Ashton and Route 135 to Pond Street. easements for a multi multi-use path along the power line corridor and easements or incentives to make connecting paths between existing subdivisions. Strategy 5A4
056create multi-use paths between neighborhoods through updates to the zoning bylaw to require accessible trails to connect subdivisions, large developments, and public facilities, including properties such as the MBTA station, community center, schools, downtown, and the Route 126 corridor. Any thoughts if this is the first time you're seeing these or hearing these? Any thoughts or comments on these goals? All five of them really or the the 5A1 2 3 and uh I'm sorry 52 3 and four really are other ways of restating things to do related to the upper Charles Trail. Um so as a community we've heard a lot of support for the upper Charles Trail. Um unfortunately these things don't always happen quickly. Okay, seeing no feedback or comments, we're going to go to f goal 5B. Increase improve street safety and accessibility throughout Ashland's
057neighborhoods for community members of all ages and abilities to minimize automobile dependency and congestion while promoting sustainable mobility and options for residents. Strategy 5B1, update the complete streets prioritization plan to maintain eligibility for grant funding on priority projects. Strategy 5B2, develop a neighborhood shared streets program, including relevant signage, pavement markings, and infrastructure improvements to slow automobile movement to safe speeds and encourage more com comfortable walking, biking, and rolling on neighborhood streets. And then um so we had a big discussion about this list that we see before us and after we did the presentation and then I was looking at more. So it says Prospect Street near Fruit Street and then it says Newcastle Road. In a previous version and in a previous draft, it said the intersection of Prospect Street near Fruit Street and Newcastle.
058So it's not Newcastle itself. So it's the that intersection. And if you've ever driven through that intersection or walked through that intersection or ridden your bike through that intersection, it's not a great intersection. Um, but that's just one area. We have other areas like that in town. So, know that the strategies and goals um and and this we did add some extra streets to this after um our meeting and and in our meet and in the forum. So, um we are still discussing that. Okay. Uh oh, Julie, go ahead and raise. Go ahead. >> Um I I just want to say one thing that >> Sure. >> I mean, I am a walker. I I used to go to other towns and people would say to me, "Aren't you that woman that walks everywhere?" And
059some of these things you can do now, like we don't need permission from anybody. People can walk to the library, walk to the supermarket, walk to the farmers market. Um I and because I am a walker, I I have to say that my walks feel increasingly unsafe. Um, you know, they're doing all this stuff on Fruit Street and the sidewalk is like disappeared. The only I I feel like I'm walking in the street and there's a they put that white line down the side, but the curb is gone. So, I think it actually had occur before. Um, but it was falling apart. So, I don't know. There's whizzing traffic everywhere. You know, it's it's I've been walking these roads for about 28 years, and there's so much housing and so much traffic. And I originally
060came here from Waltham to ride my bike. I wouldn't ride my bike here. The only day I feel I could ever get on my bike would be Sunday morning and go up Chest Street. Yeah. Um I saw a guy today have a real heart problem trying to go down um Elliott uh to route. So I think like like I've already mentioned a lot of these things feel like they're in conflict with each other. So again, just make a comment. >> Great. Well, thank you for that input. Okay. And if there's nothing else on goal 5 A and 5B, we're going to go to I think there's one more page for goal the guy goal five maybe. Yes. Goal 5C, support regional mobility through transit services and corridor revitalization. If you are just joining us, just
061know that we went through core theme three. uh we were done early and rather than end the forum early, which we did the last couple of nights, we're going back and reviewing some of the themes that we had done on previous forums. Um so either hang in there and we're going to try and get to two and four again. I we'll try. Um so goal 5C, support regional mobility through transit services and corridor revitalization. Strategy 5C1, collaborate with MWRTA to increase frequency on the five and six bus routes in Ashland and explore service expansions along with increased local contributions to MWRTA. Create a new Clocker Express local bus route to connect more locations in Ashland such as the Pond Street corridor, Ashland schools, the community center to downtown with dedicated transit stops. Strategy 5C2, develop
062a comprehensive improvement plan for the Route 135 corridor that builds on past and ongoing efforts and incorporates community input. Consider projects that enhance the corridor's identity, such as branding public art and green infrastructure to create a more vibrant and cohesive streetscape. Strategy 5C3, install bike racks and bike repair stations in public spaces along key corridors, including streets that connect Pond Street to the rest of Ashland to promote bicycle scooters and other microobility options as accessible and supported transportation options. Um, and then we have a little clocker express and and again this is just a suggestion. This is an idea. This is something that was brought to the comm the committee and said, you know, how can we increase people using public transportation, right? We have one of the largest parking lots on the on the
063Framingham Worcester line and it used to be I mean precoid if you were not there at 8 a.m. you would not get a parking spot because people come from other communities to use that train station. But if people here in Ashland could get on a public bus to get them to the train station, that could help with a lot of different things. But again, this is a potential strategy um that was brought and discussed. Is there any feedback or thoughts on this goal? Seeing none, see Okay, that's the end of those themes. Okay, hopefully this time it won't take me as long to figure out how to get to the other strategies. Uh, stop the share and go to my PowerPoint folder. Go to box there. Two and four. We'll go to comp plan two.
064That close that. So again, this is the um last form that we're doing. If as you're looking at this, you have questions or comments, we would love you to reach out. Now, if you're watching online, um feel free to raise your hand as I'm looking for stuff. Go ahead. Feel free to raise your hand. And then, um you have a couple of days. If you can, if you have looked at this and you want to um give us your feedback, we would love to hear back from you. Come on. Make that bigger. The video. I want to make you bigger. Share. One of those people who talks as I do stuff. So, thank you for being along while I do it. Okay. Oh, got to hit the share button if you want to share. You'd
065think I'd know that, but I am screen sharing. So, let's make this bigger. The slide. Come on. Full screen. We're getting there. I thought so, but it didn't want to respond to that. You know what? We're going to do it this way. I know it's not pretty, but uh just so we can go through. So, this is now theme two. This way. Theme two. And anyone here who knows exactly how to do what I need to do, you can free to come up promoting long-term. It should just open, right? Just from current slide. It's not should be. Yeah. Being Yeah. You know, well, that's okay. We'll go. It's more important that we go through these. So, promote promoting Connor to the rescue. My mouse is there. Got to use the wiggly thing. Yeah, that means
066it it we'll bring it up and then bring up notes on the side. It's not that's okay. We we'll can adapt. It's okay. So, we'll go down. So, promoting long-term sustainability. We had our goal, our ways of measure, but I want to get to the actual strategies and um go. Oh, this is a lot. Um, support carbon neutral practices among residents and businesses. And again, there's a reason we had this on its own night. There's a lot of goals. There's a lot of strategies here. Um, I'm going to just like pick the sort of the main. facilitate bulk purchasing programs, expand ongoing work by our public library and sustainability committee, um explore and advocate for developing network of geothermal heating and cooling for the community. Collaborate with our sustainability committee and other organizations to expand
067existing initiatives that we have going on. Assess and plan to meet staffing needs for installation and maintenance of existing and future townowned green infrastructure. Um, uh, let's see. Strategy 2A, 2 A6. Continue to working to expand household hazardous waste disposal, adapt and share educational materials um on specialized stretch code. Expand town's existing composting programs. Promote mass save and other programs to incentivize homeowners, apartment owners, and landlords. Continue to update and evolve the sustainability checklist for developments and retrofits. Create a local certificate program like the Mass Massachusetts sustainable business leader program that recognizes businesses that adapt sustainable and carbon neutral practices. Uh continue to expand the availability of electric vehicle charging stations in key locations throughout Ashland and possibly start charging for them so that we have some revenue if we decide to do that. Again,
068I'm going through these pretty quickly. If you're online and you have questions or comments, please raise your hand. Please, you know, throw out thoughts and ideas as you're hearing these things. >> Sure. Go ahead, Rob. How did you folks approach since for sustainability we have a fairly detailed net zero plan in place that >> includes a lot of these things. So I guess my question is how did >> how did how did you how did the committee approach that whole thing? Did you use that plan or did you look at it and expand on it or include other things or >> I don't remember specifically looking at the net zero plan, but we did have input on all of these from the sustainability committee and from other people who support sustainability. So, I would think
069and I'm not for sure, you know, sustainability is not one of the ones that I'm as up to date on some like transportation and housing, but I would think that these things will go together, right? And are we have a net zero plan to get us to net zero by 2040? These are goals and strategies that we would hope to complete by 2035. So, if we're completing some of these, it should then weave into the sustainability plan to get to net zero by 2040. And you know, I haven't read these. It looks pretty comprehensive. I assume >> there's a lot of detail here. Yeah. >> So, people picked up all the stuff from the plan. I'm going >> I think a lot a lot of it was there. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. >>
070You're welcome. >> Okay. Going on. >> Come on. Goal 2C. Promote tree preservation and planting throughout Ashlin to expand the tree canopy and promote carbon sequestration. Develop an equitably tree bylaw. Create comprehensive urban forestry plan that establishes long-term goals for tree planting, maintenance, and protection throughout the town. Uh uh launch a communitywide urban tree planting initiative that incentivize residents, business, and developers to plant native climate appropriate trees. Expand the number and quantity of trees in town through preservation of existing mature trees and planting of new trees. You know, it's always the last one. Things are going well and then your technology decides not to cooperate. Oh, yeah. Because there's no way I'm reading that off the screen. Go ahead. Can you pass the microphone back while I try to coordinate and let's see what we
071got? So for goal 2C, um I think if we could al I mean trees are incredibly important. Um but there are also other uh practices that go along with um carbon sequestration and sustainability. um encouraging Ashland residents to uh minimize lawns and the um and the the fertilizing and the mowing and the alternative practices to blowing all of the leaves off of your lawn and carting them away to some other property or to a a a refuge station, something like that. Um, so working with um working to keep keep those um you know to to lawn is great for ball games and and and things like that, but a lot of the time it's excess. It it goes to waste and ends up um contributing to water quality issues. Um, and so those two those
072go uh hand in hand sometimes. >> Okay, I had too many PowerPoints open, so that's why we couldn't get to full screen, which we are now. Thank you for that, Connor. Okay, great. Uh yeah, I think that's, you know, one of the thing we talked about when we were doing this one is certainly education and, you know, potentially changing what people think is beautiful, right? Changing potentially what people think is important. Um those are sometimes a little bit harder to get people to agree to. Okay, going on to goal 2D. Sure. Go ahead, Rob. I just want to kind of second that thought and did did the committee have discussions about like pollinator gardens and alternatives to lawn as part of >> you know that's it's a it's a movement that's really >> I think
073I think that's a discussion when we go to implementation for some of these right the idea that we have to educate people to be able to change what we're doing um and I think that goes into that implementation discussion right certainly uh >> but is there actually specific references to that sort of issue because I think that's important. Frankly, the whole idea >> I don't know that there are specific I don't think that's an I I don't know for sure. I there's been a lot of >> So I would say to the members of the committee that would be something to consider if that hasn't um come up. >> Yeah. are just referenced in there somewhere that we're not that we're besides trees, we're also looking at natural plantings, pollinator gardens, re replacing lawns because
074of their environmental effects. So, that was a great point that you brought up that I think we it sounds like we've missed it in this process. >> So, potentially under goal 2C, tweak that goal, promote tree preservation and planting throughout Ashland. um and reduce um >> yeah the the use of laws or at least be >> conscious of law. Yeah, that that could be a discussion. Yeah, go ahead Kate. Um, so I think if you just look at that goal to see if the first part was promote tree preservation and planting throughout Ashlin to expand the tree can period, promote carbon sequestration, brings up the things that two people in the room brought, which makes that clearer and then it would potentially either an edit or add another strategy, but it's in it's very much
075in keeping with the goal. Mhm. >> Um I know we the committee was cognizant of the quantity of strategies but given that we said it's a road map it can change it might change um and there's you know one person that they do this for a living and suggesting I I would strongly consider adding that as a strategy and maybe he could offer some >> if we make that change to goal 2C and could we update potentially strategy 2C3 where we talk about a communitywide urban tree planting initiative that talks about plants and tree in every yard but potentially add a you know incentive to reduce lawns or something that might be something right I >> I think it would be clearer and have more impact for people if we added a new strategy like
0762C5 and said >> um ask Colin for a list of things that we could add to >> so start writing what you think it should look like >> for carbon sequestration in addition to eliminating laws. >> Okay, great. Great. Okay, thank you. >> Yeah, that's that you know that's what these forums are about is the discussion between the public and and the committee members to see um because this is yes it was a committee of 27 people but this isn't our plan. It's our community's plan. So we need the community to give us their feedback and to say you know what what they think. Okay. Goal 2D become a model for sustainable land use, waste reduction and green infrastructure. Strategy 2D1, reduce imperous surfaces in town by implementing projects on town owned land identified in
077the ex in the existing existing imperous area retrofit report and by evaluating zoning and other regulations to reduce impervious area in new private development. Strategy 2D2 explore changes in the town's storm water utility to promote green infrastructure, such as by reducing the enterprise fee for properties that meet certain guidelines, payback programs for projects that incorporate green infrastructure and removing fees for properties that remain undeveloped and protected for conservation. Strategy 2D3, implement a plastic reduction bylaw to phase out the sale of single-use plastics in Ashland. collaborate with local businesses to provide education on sustainable alternatives and ensure compliance through a phased approach. Strategy 2D4, update the town's design standards within the zoning bylaw and other relevant regulations with the support of a professional consultant to include climate related considerations such as requiring the planting of native
078or climate resilient plant species or using reflective services to mitigate heat island effects. Any thoughts or comments on either goal 2D and uh and all those strategies? Okay, seeing none, we're going to keep going. Oh, and that was it. So, that was goal two. Um, so we're going to do the thing again where I going to stop sharing. We're going to go to my PowerPoint. Uh, gonna close this one. PowerPoint. We're going to We just did to theme two and we're going to go one more time to theme four, which is the one we did last Thursday. Open that up. Go to Zoom. slideshow first from the beginning. Go look at all those people here. That is so nice to see everyone here. Uh yeah, that that's helpful, Rob. Out of my full screen. It's
079amazing when you decide to do something like this and you don't always do it. You get to learn a lot of stuff on how to create PowerPoints. And I have to give give a big shout out and thank you to our consultants for helping slideshow from the beginning. And this time it should work. There we go. Uh they gave me some of the they they gave me the slides so I just had to put it together. So uh this is the last theme that we're going to review. Oh, we have nine minutes. Woo. Um we'll go through these pretty quickly. Community vision we've done. So this is enhancing town services and economic development. And again, this is not your last opportunity. If you've watched these and you have thoughts, please shoot them to us via
080email. Um, if we can get them know, I think we said the nth or 10th um so that we can then forward them to our consultants because they're looking for these and they will be incorporating or they will be putting a list together that our committee will then review and finalize at our meeting on Thursday, September 18th at the library. Um, so come listen, come participate. Goal 4A, promote a vibrant and economically thriving downtown that attracts small businesses and increases community foot traffic. Strategy 4A1, create and implement a town beautifification plan that combines both public and private investment in publicly accessible spaces. Work with groups such as but not limited to the Ashen Business Association, the design review committee, the Greenup Ashlin Committee, the Garden Club, and downtown businesses and property owners to coordinate volunteer
081support. Some prior priorities that were brought forward. Public police station, Montenegro Square, Oak Street, Civville Road, the Marathon route, railroad crossing downtown, Tilton, Cherry, Mungo Streets, Mil Pond, Elliot Street 126, and Roundabout near Shaws, Pleasant Street, Kids Spot at Stone Park, Route 126, Route uh downtown and Olive Street. Then the other strategies, create a dedicated fund for downtown beautifification, community events, and infrastructure improvements. Explore funding mechanisms such as district improvement funding to capture and reinvest a portion of downtown tax revenue from new development in the area. Strategy 4 A3, explore allowing marijuana businesses in Ashland to increase local tax revenue. Consider asking voters at town meeting and on a local ballot whether to allow new types of marijuana businesses such as cannabis sales licenses for existing businesses and cultivation to help local businesses grow and
082bring in new revenue for the town. Explore allowing boutique hotels or other smallcale lodging options to increase local tax revenue. Consider zoning changes or other regulatory updates to allow local lodging near downtown or other key areas. Strategy 4A5, increase the visibility of the recurring outreach campaign around the interestf free loan financing program and the business incentive grant program to increase community awareness of existing support mechanisms for starting or expanding businesses in Ashland and conduct regular evaluations to ensure the program's effectiveness. Any comments or thoughts on this goal? Liner in place. Not seeing any hands. Goal 4B, invest in adaptive and I'm sorry, an in adaptable public facilities and infrastructure such as Ashlin schools, the Ashlin Public Library, water and sewer infrastructure um and broadband to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population and
083ensure long-term readiness for new development. wrote strategy 4 B1. Expand resident involvement in capital improvement planning for transparency and engagement. Expand capacity for providing early childhood education while seek seeking to limit municipal budget impacts. Strategy 4B3. Continue to make necessary accessibility upgrades to public facilities based on the town's 2021 ADA self-evaluation and transition plan and utilize funding from the Mass Office on disability. Strategy 4B4. Create an athletic fields working group to assess ongoing field availability. Identify future needs. Explore large parcels to rec excuse me, large parcels to recommend for purchase and renovation to add new field space. And guide equitable maintenance and management. Strategy 4B5. Expand and improve parking options in key areas such as downtown Ashlin State Park and along Route 126. Evaluate opportunities for public lots or garages, including town-owned sites near downtown
084like the former police station and 80 Cherry Street, as well as the purchase of private parcels. Considering adding electric vehicle charging stations, paid parking, or time limits where appropriate if new lots are built, ensure safe, accessible walking and transit connections to nearby destinations. Strategy 4B6, revise fee structure so private developers are contributing to cost of increased wastewater needs and consider options for a local wastewater facility or connections with the MWR. Strategy 3B7, increase municipal funding to expand recreation and commercial offerings at public spaces to promote adaptable and flexible use of these spaces. Strategy 4B8, undertake a comprehensive townwide coververt assessment to evaluate condition, prioritize repairs and upgrades, and address areas of flooding concern. Uh, anything here? And I just want to if you haven't heard this spiel, so you see that little picture at the
085bottom when we did one of our open houses here at town hall, the mom's group of Ashlin, thank you much very much for doing that. Um had a space where the kids could go and draw pictures of what they thought would be fun and what be would be nice for the town while their parents were across doing their their um strategizing and giving input on things. So it was fun that our consultants were able to incorporate these into the strategic plan. Goal 4 C, enhance recreational assets and improve water quality and access at water-based recreational areas. Strategy 4C1, make the former Girl Scout campsite available for public use and access. Strategy 4C2, identify priority areas and actions to improve and expand public access to water bodies as part of the next open space and recreation
086plan update. Strategy 4C3 partner with Framingham and local stakeholders to improve water quality and enhance recreational access at Wash Shakum Pond. Strategy 4C4 work with the Susco um Sudbury Asset Asibet something conquered Sudbury Asibet Conquered River Stewardship Council. Thank you. to plan for improved recreational access to the Subbury River and nearby reservoirs with a focus on existing access points near Fountain Street. Strategy 4C5 conduct a community engagement process to develop a vision for the aggregate quarry site in advance of the town taking ownership in 2027. In the visioning process, consider community priorities like additional sports fields, playgrounds, and Ashlin State Park access. Strategy 4C6, ensure that all pre playgrounds and athletic fields are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act according to the priorities on the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Strategy 4C7, advocate to
087state agencies to support the improvement of water quality and recreational use of water bodies in Ashland. And just a reminder, it's called the Ashland State Park, but it is not owned by the town of Ashland. It is owned and run by DCR, similar with the Hopkinson State Park. And Uh little fun fact there. The reason it's called the Hopkin State Park is because the entrances in Hopkin, but twothirds of the Hopington State Park are actually in Ashland. Little fun fact. Okay, so we Oh, that's not good. Oh, what did I do? There we go. We'll go back to that. Um, so we took we you know took our time with strategy 3 tonight and thank you for your everyone's feedback on that. We did a a very quick version of all the other themes and
088goals as part of the comprehensive plan. Uh again, if you have feedback, please give it send it to the committee. Um and we're looking for that by Wednesday the latest. Uh we will keep track of that. uh it'll then go to our consultants and at our next meeting on September 18th, we will be looking to finalize based on the input we received here at these forums um with con uh conversation with the committee as to what gets tweaked and what might get changed and then as well as what the implementation process might look like. Robera, >> could you please give the committee's email address for people? >> Could I? I do not I don't know it off hand unfortunately. Do we know the committee email address? >> I think it's >> at Ashlin Mass. So,
089so CPSCmass.com if you'd like to give feedback on what you heard. Thank you, Robera. minor detail, but I believe also if you go to the Ashton Mass website, there's a link for the draft plan and then there's also a way to um from there to send feedback. Uh the other thing to note is there were things in that draft plan that we did not go through. There are maps and details. Um I believe it's almost 80 pages to go through, but there's a lot of great information. Uh we tried I tried to highlight the goals and the strategies so we could get your input on that. Um and with that it is 8:32 so trying to be respectful of your time. I'm going to call it a night. Thank you all for being here. Greatly
090appreciate everyone who has attended these four forums. Please keep reaching out and if it's not about the comprehensive plan, let it be about anything that's going on in town. those of us who are elected uh and those of our us who are appointed do it because we love Ashland and we want to support our community. So, thank you again for being here and hopefully we'll be seeing you at some of the great events coming up. Car show Kitty Fenwall cancer raise cancer fundraiser on Saturday Ash Hop Porchfest also Saturday night I think the classical music festival at Stone Park. Um, of course, Ashland Day coming up on October 4th and of course farmers market still going on and fun stuff at the corner spot. So, uh, thanks again for being here and that's going to
091wrap up our last forum for the comprehensive plan. >> You are very welcome. Thanks all for being here.