Ashburnham MA

Ashburnham MA Local News and Community Information

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• Ashburnham Survey

  

  Ashburnham is conducting a Downtown Inititiative: Wayfinding and Branding Survey

  The Town of Ashburnham with the assistance of the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI), is working on branding the Downtown and creating a distinct visual identity for Main Street and the Village Center. These design elements will be incorporated into a revamped wayfinding system throughout Downtown. For this project we have joined forces with two consulting teams, Innes Associates and LANDAU Design+Technology..

  The Town sponsored a workshop on March 26, 2024 to discuss options for updating wayfinding signage throughout the Downtown. This survey is designed to get your input on these 5 types of wayfinding signage: Town Recognition, Downtown Recreational, Town Destination, Downtown Recognition, and Destination Directional. For much more information and to take the survey, CLICK HERE.

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• Ashburnham Sidewalks

  Ashburnham Police Department posted on Sunday March 17, 2024: “Just a reminder that construction will begin tomorrow, 3/18 from 7a-3p for the sidewalk renovation project in the downtown Main St area. Please use caution and seek alternative routes if possible. Thank you!”

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• Ashburnham Master Plan

  

  Ashburnham MA Working on Master Plan

  As shown by these photos we took on February 15, 2024, the town of Ashburnham is a beautiful community. However, it is planning for its future in a big way. The Town of Ashburnham MA is working on its Master Plan. It has published a worksheet which asks interested citizens to “Please list any important needs, goals, or objectives that will define the future you want for Ashburnham (for each chapter of the Master Plan) PRINTABLE PDF.

  Categories are: Services & Facilities, Circulation (Roadways and Transportation), Economic Development, Natural & Cultural Resources, Housing & Housing Production Plan, Land Use, and Open Space & Recreation.

  The Town of Ashburnham Released the 2022 Raw Data in a 147 page pdf, CLICK HERE.

  Here are pdfs of chapters being considered: Transportation —- Economic Development —- Services and Facilities —- Historical and Cultural —- Natural Resources —- Land Use — Master Plan Strategy

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• Change Workshop

  

  

  Ashburnham Holding Climate Change Workshop

  The town of Ashburnham is holding a Climate Change Action Workshop on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 – 5:30pm at Town Hall Auditorium. The Nashua River Watershed Association is working with the cities of Leominster and Fitchburg, and the towns of Ashburnham, Groton, and Pepperell to create a watershed-wide climate action plan using Nature-based Solutions.

  According to the association, predictions in this area include extreme weather, rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and others. “These effects impact many areas in our community such as human health, water and air quality, infrastructure, and ecological systems.”

  Examples given of nature-based solutions include rain gardens, bioswales, biofilters, green roofs, greenways, permeable pavement, pavement removal, wetland restoration etc. The workshop will get citizen input. “We want your input, help us understand your climate change concerns!” Register for any of the area workshops at this website:

  For more on Green Infrastructure including more graphics visit the this website from Louisiana, CLICK HERE.

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• Storefronts Improve

  The Town of Ashburnham MA has launched a Facade and Storefront Improvement program. It runs now through September 2026. According to the town of Ashburnham, “All Ashburnham businesses with a storefront visible from the street or another public way are eligible to apply. Applicants must be either the property owner or a commercial tenant with written permission from the property owner. …. The grants may support either assistance with the design of the project, installation costs, or both. Recipients will be required to match 25% of the grant with their own funds (in other words, the Town will provide 75% of the costs and the recipient will provide 25% of the cost). 2 Grants are on a first-come, first-served basis and will be awarded in amounts ranging from $1,000-$5,000 depending on the scope of the project.” Contact information; “Feel free to reach out to Jenn Gibbons, program coordinator, via email or phone: jgibbons@ashburnham-ma.gov or 978-827-4100 x109′

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• Zlotnik Graduates

  UPDATE: Representative Jon Zlotnik has announced his candidacy for the State Senate seat to be vacated by Senator Anne Gobi who will be the Commonwealth’s Director of Rural Affairs by Governor Maura Healey. See complete Press Release.

  

  To view more online about Representative Jonathan Zlotnik including pending bills in the legislature, click here.

  State Representative Zlotnik of Gardner MA Gets Masters Degree

  Representative Jonathan Zlotnik of Gardner MA has graduated with a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Clark University. Zlotnik represents Gardner, 2 precincts of Winchendon, Ashburnham, and Templeton in the Massachusetts State House.

  Jonathan Zlotnik is the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses and also serves on committees working on the subjects of Global Warming and Climate Change, Labor and Workforce Development, and Public Safety and Homeland Security.

  The representative graduated from Gardner High School, got a B.A. in History from U-Mass Lowell, and of course, most recently a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Clark University.

  Many believe Jonathan Zlotnik has been a big financial help to Gardner. In fact, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson pointed out the nearly $316 million that Gardner has received in State funding in the last 10 years since Zlotnik was sworn in and noted that this is about 4 times Gardner’s $83 million annual budget. Nicholson wrote, “We wouldn’t be able to operate and accomplish what we do without the partnership and advocacy he has provided for the Chair City. True public administration involves partnerships at all levels of government to keep things moving as a well oiled machine, and Jon understands exactly how to get that job done. “

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• Ashburnham Calendar

  Ashburnham MA 2023 Election Calendar, CLICK HERE.

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• Electricity 23

  

  Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…

  EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.

  Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon

  For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.

  Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA

  In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.

  For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.

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• Ashburnham

  

  Ashburnham MA Proposes Two New Draft Policies

  Here are Two (2) New Policies that were created on 8-30-2022.  We invite the Ashburnham residents to review and comment by e-mailing: Policy for naming or renaming town property, CLICK HERE. Policy for the installation of Tribute benches and trees. CLICK HERE.

  Send your comments to Mary Calandrella at mcalandrella@ashburnham-ma.gov

• Storm

  

  Severe Thunderstorm with Tornado Warnings Hit parts of Worcester County including Greater Gardner MA on July 21, 2022

  Orange Airport had a wind gust of 58 miles per hour. Athol MA had a storm producing up to 1 inch hail. Route 2 West near Warwick MA closed due to trees falling across highway. The storm passed over many of the towns in the Greater Gardner area including the City of Gardner. A tornado warning was in effect until 4:15pm, having been issued an hour earlier. Tornado Warning now expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Eastern Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire until 4:45pm

  Strong storms are expected in other areas of Massachusetts including Middlesex County and Southern New Hampshire until early evening. It is unknown at the time of this report whether a tornado actually touched down. In Eastern Franklin County there were downed trees and some power outages.

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