By Cynthia Whitty

Intense weather events and major road construction projects made 2021 an especially challenging year for Ashland’s Department of Public Works (DPW). 

Doug Small, Director, DPW, admitted, “I have not been much of a believer in global warming. [But] not anymore. I was in denial. Over the last 3 or 4 months, we experienced several rainstorms that blew my mind,” Small said. “Each rainstorm dropped a tremendous amount of water in a matter of minutes, overwhelming areas that have never experienced flooding. Intense, frequent rainstorms have done some serious damage not only to our infrastructure but to homes and businesses here in Ashland. It is a serious problem.”

In 2018 Ashland created a new Stormwater division under the DPW to meet federal permit mandates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. “Talk about timing!” Small said. “The Stormwater division is just as essential as our Highway, Cemetery, and Water and Sewer divisions. These intense rainstorms have identified vulnerable areas in town. Our staff members, Evan White and Kevin Langmeyer, with the guidance from the Stormwater Committee, are addressing issues on a daily and long-term basis, doing what they can to protect our reservoirs, lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands from pollutants. The Conservation Commission has been playing a very active role as well, dealing with these extraordinary weather conditions.”

“We are seeing the results of climate change—flash flooding from intense, frequent rainstorms, property damage, and roadway washouts. Now it’s a matter of figuring out how to upgrade systems that have been in place for over 50 years.”

The good news in 2021 was, with all the rain, Ashland did not need an outdoor use water ban.

Another major project many residents have experienced as they drive around town is road construction downtown and on Pond Street (Rt. 126). Some of the work, according to Small, may slow down over the winter months due to the weather.

“I was hoping the contractor on Route 126 was going to be able to install two retaining walls over the winter, but that is not going to happen,” Small said. “I think there is a good chance that we will not see much activity on Route 126 during January, February, and March.”

“On the other hand, we may see construction activity downtown. They are currently installing the new traffic signal foundations. Then they will install the underground conduit in order to eventually power up the new traffic signals. Hopefully, the new traffic signals will be completed over the winter. They may get the infrastructure completed under the railroad tracks, but I think that’s a longshot. I bet that happens in the spring.”

Other Major Projects

Other major projects Small is monitoring include two bridges “on the radar for replacement/rehabilitation. The Cordaville Road bridge is one and the other is the Main Street bridge over the Cold Spring Brook located at the bottom of Main Street hill.”

“The Cordaville Road bridge will be replaced, hopefully, by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT). When? That is the question. The Town is taking precautionary measurements. We are currently doing an engineering study that will provide a plan in case the state partially closes the bridge. It is important for everybody to know that it takes a long time to design and replace a bridge. This plan will include temporary traffic signals.”

The Ashland DPW plays an integral part in these state-funded projects by coordinating engineering and design, tree work, traffic set-ups, police, fire, and staging areas; handling town utilities; and resolving complaints from businesses and residents. 

For project updates, visit www.ashlandmass.com/160/Department-of-Public-Works.