Ashby MA

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• Beaches 8-18-25

  

  Some Area Beaches Closed Due to Bacterial Exceedance

  Area beaches closed include: Damon Pond in Ashby, Eagle Lake in Holden, Lunenburg Town Beach, Beamans Pond Day Use and Campground in Templeton, Pearl Hill Pond in Townsend, Crow Hill Pond in Westminster, and Lake Dennison Day Use and North Camp in WInchendon. For the complete list of more than 4 dozen beaches, CLICK HERE.

  Bacterial exceedance means the measured levels have surpassed the acceptable limits set by health and safety regulations. These limits are established to protect public health, as high levels of bacteria can pose a risk of illness, particularly gastrointestinal issues, skin rashes, and ear or eye infections, according to health agencies.  Some other beaches outside of this area are closed for a harmful cyanobacterial bloom.

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• Weather Center Upgrade

  

  Access the Greater Gardner Weather Center, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Magazine Upgrades Greater Gardner Weather Center

  Gardner Magazine is pleased to announce that the Greater Gardner Weather Center has been upgraded. Here’s what you’ll find:

  1. Weather Forecasts from multiple sources including Forecast 7, Meteo Blue, Tomorrow Weather, Booked.net, Meteored, Weather Rx, and a detailed forecast from the National Weather Service.
  2. Fire Risk for multiple locations including Athol, Gardner, Ashburnham, Westminster, Fitchburg, and Worcester.
  3. Air Quality and Pollen Conditions
  4. Interactive Weather Map from Meteo Blue
  5. National Weather Service Map
  6. Worcester County Drought Conditions

  The Greater Gardner Weather Center can be found right here.

  

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• Beach Status

  

  Most MA Beaches Open – A few Greater Gardner Beaches are Closed

  According to the State of MA, bacterial contamination has closed the following beaches: Beaman’s Pond Campground, Templeton —- Dunn Pond, Gardner —- Damon Pond Beach, Ashby —-mentioned on state site in a list, but not shown on map: Lake Dennison Winchendon

  The Massachusetts Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard is updated 7 days a week at 9:30am and 12:30pm. CLICK HERE.

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• Ashby Commendation

  

  To view letter in larger view, just click image.

  Ashby Police Chief Issues Letter of Commendation to 3 Officers

  The Ashby Police Department posted, “Chief Derek Pepple would like to recognize these officers for their actions on May 9, 2024. Ofc. Davis was the lone officer on shift that evening, and as the situation began to escalate, he notified the dispatcher at Patriot Regional Emergency Communications that he needed backup. Officers from Townsend Police Dept and Fitchburg Police Department arrived shortly after the Taser had been deployed, and assisted Ofc. Davis with taking the subject into custody. Sgt. Vautour and Ofc. Garhart responded from their homes to further assist. The subject was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, then booked at the Ashby Police Department. He was later tansported to Billerica House of Corrections.

  This incident ended with no injuries to civilians or police officers, and only minor injuries to the subject. Also, we’d like to say thank you to Patriot RECC, Townsend PD, and Fitchburg PD for the quick response.”

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• Ashby Electricity

  

  Save on Electric Automatically in Ashby MA

  The Town of Ashby released information on the Electricity Program. See attached pdf, CLICK HERE. Residents are automatically enrolled unless they opt out by March 20, 2024. The program saves about 8 cents per kilowatt hour.

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• Ashby Code Red

  

  Town of Ashby has Reverse 911 – Code Red available

  The Town of Ashburnham now has Code Red available. Here is the link to sign up, CLICK HERE.

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• Ashby Bylaws

  From Ashby website: Ashby MBTA Communities bylaw and district virtual presentation, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at 7pm

  Ashby MBTA Communities bylaw and district presentation to be held Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at 7pm via Zoom. The Planning Board and MRPC will present information on an Ashby bylaw and zoning district to comply with the MBTA Communities law requirements. Public discussion encouraged. Zoom link at, CLICK HERE>

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• Ashby 2023 Town Election

  The Ashby Town Election is Monday April 24, 2023. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Thursday March 2, 2023. Last day to file them is March 6^th. A complete listing of dates and a list of people currently holding various positions is listed here in this pdf.

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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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• Fire Danger

  

  Fire Danger very Real in Greater Gardner MA

  From the Gardner Fire Department August 26, 2022: “A few photos from Gardner Engine 3 responding with the Mass District 8 tender task force to Ashby. Crews battled a fire in a very large stump and debris dump. 19 water tankers hauled well over 600,000 gallons of water up to the scene so crews could maintain a flow onto the fire of 1750 gallons a minute!”

  Gardner FIre Dept. continued,, “That’s a very impressive task to be able to maintain in an area with no fire hydrants. Gardner’s Engine 3 was dispatched at 8 a.m. and was back in the City by 3 p.m.

  Unfortunately due to our extreme drought and dry conditions, the fire has re kindled and Ashby and surrounding towns are back fighting the fire again today. We need rain and lots of it!!”

  

  

• Various Links to Various Content

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Here is something we are working on: A new and improved Greater Gardner MA Photo Gallery.

  

  

  
  All Sports Page features 8 categories of sports – Major League Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, National Hockey League, College Football, College Basketball, Professional Golf. CLICK HERE.

  

  
  Here are the State News pages on Gardner Magazine: — Massachusetts 1, — Massachusetts 2, — New Hampshire, — Connecticut, — Vermont, — Rhode Island, — and Maine. — Plus, California, — New York

  

  
  Here are the various news pages on various U.S. Topics including: Capitol Hill — , Lifestyle — , Financial — , Technology —, Showbiz —, Top U.S. Stories —, U.S. Debt Clock — , Economy —, United States News. —

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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