Ashby MA
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Ashby MA Local news and Community Information

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- Ashby MA – May 2026
Ashby MA – May 2026
The top news stories in Ashby, MA this month center around town administration updates, local events, community honors, and regional school celebrations.
Town Government & Administrative Notices
Annual Town Meeting & Voter Engagement: Following the late April local elections, municipal administrative adjustments are underway. The town has been heavily promoting its updated Code Red Reverse 911 system to ensure all residents are integrated into the emergency contact database.
Town Clerk Office Closure: Residents should note that the Town Clerk’s Office is temporarily shifting hours and will be closed from noon on Wednesday, May 27, until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3.
Board & Committee Meetings: Local government continues standard operations with the Board of Assessors holding an in-person session on May 27, while the Planning Board moves to a virtual format online later that evening.
Community Events & Public Safety Achievements
Memorial Day Observances: Local veterans and community members gathered at the Ashby American Legion Post 361 for the annual Memorial Day Chicken BBQ.
Public Safety Team Victory: The Ashby Fire, EMS, and Police personnel recently placed as the fastest public safety team at the inaugural Longest Mile for Bravest Minds uphill challenge. The event raised funds for the On-Site Academy in Westminster to support first responder mental health.
State Delegation Meet-and-Greet: State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Margaret Scarsdale are scheduled to host an informal conversation at the Ashby Library on Tuesday, June 2, to discuss public issues concerning women and girls in Upper Middlesex County.
Education & School District Updates
Monty Tech Commencement: Local households are preparing for the 2026 Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School graduation. Local Ashby Channels 8 and 9 are providing full live broadcast coverage of the ceremony starting at 5:45 PM on Wednesday, May 27
- Ashby Budget – Elections – Meetings
Budget, Elections, and Meetings Ashby MA
Several important meetings and events are scheduled in Ashby, MA, in April 2026, including the Annual Town Election and various public hearings.
Elections & Voting
Annual Town Election: Monday, April 27, 2026, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Ashby Elementary School.
Last Day to Register to Vote: Friday, April 17, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Last Day to Request a Mail-In Ballot: Friday, April 17, 2026, at 5 p.m..
Last Day to Vote In-Person Absentee: Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m..
Upcoming Public Meetings
Already Held: Selectboard Meeting (In-Person & Online): Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET, held in the Selectboard Room at Town Hall. — Planning Board Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. — Trail Vision Plan Meeting: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Town Hall (2nd Floor).
Important Deadlines
Inspectional Office Admin Assistant Position: Resume submission deadline is April 27, 2026.
Pothole Reporting: Residents are asked to report potholes by calling 978-386-2424, ext. 123.
Note: Due to a cyber-security incident, non-emergency police business should be directed to 978-433-2671.
- Ashby – April 2026
Ashby MA – April 2026
In April 2026, Ashby, MA, will host several community-focused events, including the Annual Town Election, a unique Poopapalooza fundraiser, and local musical performances.
Major Town Events: Annual Town Election – Date: Monday, April 27, 2026 – Details: Residents will vote for various town board positions. Nomination papers were required to be filed by early March.
Poopapalooza – Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Location: Ashby Town Common, 825 Main St, Ashby, MA – Description: A community fundraiser where a truckload of locally sourced composted manure is available for residents to take in their own containers. Cost: Donations go toward restoring the Grange Hall for community use.
Camp Middlesex April Open House – Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: 1031 Erickson Rd, Ashby, MA Description: A public event hosted by Camp Middlesex to showcase the camp facilities and programs.
Arts & Entertainment
Scott Babineau Live Performance – Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 6:30 PM – Location: Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main Street, Ashby, MA – Description: A night of community and live music featuring Scott Babineau.
Bud Barn Pop-Up Events – Dates: Various dates throughout April (e.g., April 2, 3, 10, 18, 19, 20) Location: Bud Barn Cannabis Dispensary -Description: Multiple vendor pop-up events (e.g., Rise, Curaleaf, Theory Wellness) featuring different cannabis brands and educational sessions.
Statewide Holidays & Observances
Good Friday: April 3, 2026. While not a state holiday, many local schools may be closed. Patriots’ Day: Monday, April 20, 2026. This is a legal holiday in Massachusetts, and town offices will be closed.
- Discover Ashby MA page
Discover Ashby MA
Gardner Magazine has created a page on “Discover Ashby” containing a “Deep Dive” podcast, huge infographic, historical information, and a town profile. For the page, CLICK HERE.
- 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.
- Ashby Commendation
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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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>
- 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 6th. A complete listing of dates and a list of people currently holding various positions is listed here in this pdf.


WGAW Weekdays In the Community

Greater Gardner Weather Center, CLICK HERE. 
The Fiscal 6 Project Covering 5 Years of Gardner Success, CLICK HERE 
Gardner City Council page, CLICK HERE 
Non-Profits – Public Service Organizations Listing, CLICK HERE 
Schools page, CLICK HERE 
Original Music page 
Interviews, CLICK HERE 
Gardner Magazine Editorials, CLICK HERE.
Around the Community of Ashby MA
Community Facts
Ashby is a town in Middlesex County Massachusetts with a population just over 3200 people. Ashby is a member of the North Middlesex Regional School District and has its own elementary school. Ashby was first settled in 1676 and incorporated in 1767.
Schools
North Middlesex Regional School District: (978) 597-8713
Ashby Elementary School: (978) 743-1005
Government
Selectboard: (978) 386-2501 ext 11
Fire Department: (978) 386-5522
Police Department: (978) 386-5652
Town Clerk: (978) 386-2424 ext. 10
Organizations
Ashby Free Public Library: (978) 386-5377
Ashby Historical Society: (978) 386-7981
Council on Aging: (978) 386-2424 ext 27
Interactive Map of Ashby MA
Town of Ashby MA Photos
Gardner Magazine Service Pages and Outside Links for Ashby MA
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