By Cynthia Whitty

Regional Vaccination Clinic Appointments for Residents

The town announced on April 13 that it partnered with area communities to set up a Regional Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Westborough Doubletree Hotel, 5400 Computer Dr. Ashland residents should sign up for the state’s Preregistration System for Covid-19 vaccination appointments. The system will provide weekly status updates as to the availability of appointments. This preregistration system will include available appointments at the Westborough Regional Clinic site. For more information, visit the town website, bit.ly/3mIxZgi.

Oak Street Rain Garden: Volunteers Needed

The Town Forest Committee is seeking volunteers in May to grade soil and plant a rain garden at the new Oak Street Town Forest entrance. (Photo/supplied) 

Volunteers from the community are needed to complete the rain garden, adjacent to the Ashland Town Forest’s new Oak Street entrance. Work started last summer with digging and grading and continued into the fall with tree and shrub planting. This project is sponsored by the Ashland Town Forest and Storm Water Advisory committees.

Volunteers are needed to help move soil in early May and plant beginning May 15 or May 21, depending on the weather. Volunteers will work at scheduled times to avoid crowding. Each team will plant one or two varieties of plants (100 to 200 plants) of the total 2,000 small plants. There are 17 different types of plants going in, all native, and many are butterfly or bee friendly. For questions and to volunteer, contact Mike Jones, Ashland Town Forest Committee, 414-399-0715, [email protected].

Senior Center Reopening, May 3

The Ashland Senior Center will reopen on May 3 with the following restrictions: masks are required to enter the building; hands must be sanitized upon entering the building; pre-registration will be required for all scheduled programs; each person will need to check in and out at the front desk using the My Senior Center Kiosk; windows will be open in program rooms to maintain air circulation; all chairs and tables will be sanitized by staff as participants leave; and each participant should only stay in the building for 90 minutes.

Activities and programs will be inside dining on Mondays; dance and art classes; Tai Chi; and gardening. The center will maintain records for contact tracing purposes and will ensure that the rooms are disinfected. For more information, call 508-881-0140 or visit www.ashlandmass.com/172/Elder-Services.

Ashland Garden Club Plant Sale, May 8

Ashland Garden Club’s annual plant sale will be held Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 125 Front St., diagonally across from the Ashland library. Masks and social distancing will be required. Proceeds from the sale support the garden club programs and public plantings around town, including the post office, library and clock tower. For more information, visit www.ashlandgardenclub.com.

Ashland Education Foundation: Innovate to Educate Campaign To raise funding for innovative projects, AEFI is holding its first virtual campaign. Join the campaign by donating on the AEF website, www.ashlandeducation.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

The town of Ashland has openings on a number of boards and committees, including the Ashland Cultural Council, the Cable Advisory Board, Ashland Council on Aging, and the Valentine Property Committee. For a complete list, visit www.ashlandmass.com/448/Volunteer-Opportunities. To apply for any one of the openings, complete the Talent Bank Form on the town webstie, bit.ly/2OAhfLL.