By Cynthia Whitty

ACT’s Spring Show

Tickets for Ashland Community Theater’s (ACT) spring show, Neil Simon’s “California Suite,” will go on sale April 1. Performances are scheduled for April 28-29-30, 7:30 p.m., at the VFW, 311 Pleasant St, Ashland. “California Suite” is ACT’s 15th production and their 8th at Marconi’s theater at the Ashland VFW. Producer Joe White is excited about the growth of ACT. He says, “We have new actors, first-time directors, and our tech team continues to grow. It’s great to see us achieve our mission of providing a creative outlet for community building and involvement.” For more information and tickets, visit www.ashlandcommunitytheater.com.

Town Announces New Online Permitting System

The Town of Ashland Inspectional Services Department converted to a user-friendly Electronic Permitting System in March. Residents are encouraged to use this online system for all building, plumbing, electrical/wiring, and sheet metal permits. Printed permits will still be available at Town Hall. For more information, visit www.ashlandmass.com/179/Inspection-Services.

Road Construction Ramps Up for Spring

Downtown and Rt. 126/ Pond Street construction will ramp up for spring and will require more crews on the road. Residents may enroll in the town’s e-mail notifications for traffic impacts and related updates. Enroll for downtown updates at https://bit.ly/3Km1LCq and for Rt. 126/Pond Street updates at https://bit.ly/3Chvjy7.

Select Board Offers Scholarships 

The Select Board is offering two-$1,500 scholarships to any graduating senior who is a resident of Ashland. The board is interested in finding students who have demonstrated community engagement that has enhanced the community in some way. Submissions are due no later than Wednesday, May 15. For questions, contact Susan Robie, 508-881-2021. For more information and to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3pG4hez.

 

Ashland’s Covid Lead Leaves for Wayland

Sgt. Ed Burman announced in early March that he accepted a position as administrative lieutenant for the Town of Wayland. In an email, Town Manager Michael Herbert said, “When I appointed Ed as our COVID lead in early 2020, neither of us knew the breadth and depth of this pandemic, but Ed has handled it all patiently and with competence. We take this time to thank Ed for his years of dedication to the Ashland community, especially as he led the town through the COVID-19 Pandemic these past couple of years. Ed also championed several initiatives including increasing traffic safety, and collaborations with Ashland Human Services.”

Ashland’s New Director of Student Services

Ashland Public Schools (APS) announced the appointment of Brittany Smeltekop as the district’s new director of student services, pending contract negotiations. The director of student services reports to the superintendent and oversees the district’s special education services and procedures. Currently, approximately 17 percent of APS students receive special education services. For the past two years, Smeltekop, a licensed special education administrator for all levels, has worked with special education students as the team chairperson for APS.