Handles public health rules — food safety inspections, septic system permits, and local health regulations.
253 items across 18 meetings.
July 7, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the hybrid meeting at 6:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Awards presented to Kirsten Quern and Amy Turncliff for public health contributions.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss planning for the 2027 RAM (Remote Area Medical) free pop-up clinic offering health services to residents.
📋 Proposed
Board will review active housing code cases at 9 Cirrus Dr. (Bldg. 9), 37 Presidents Row, 20 Joanne Dr. #22, 99 Warren Rd., and 33 Esty St.
📍 9 Cirrus Drive; 37 Presidents Row; 20 Joanne Drive #22; 99 Warren Road; 33 Esty Street
📋 Proposed
Update on distribution of tick-testing/prevention kits to residents.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of a MassDEP grant to deploy air-quality sensors in town.
📋 Proposed
Health Director will provide a routine update on local restaurant inspections or licensing.
📋 Proposed
Review of state mosquito-borne illness (arbovirus, e.g. EEE, West Nile) surveillance data for the week of June 21–27.
📋 Proposed
Recap of the June 30 Community Baby Shower public health outreach event.
📋 Proposed
Update on upcoming or recent Board of Health community education events.
📋 Proposed
Health Director will update the board on active communicable disease investigations.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of year-to-date budget reports and prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss items for future meetings and confirm dates of July 21 (tentative) and August 4, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting close.
June 16, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board voted 5-0 to give the 2026 award to two recipients: Ashland volunteer Amy Turncliff and Kirsten Quern, whose community public-health work both earned strong support.
💬 Discussed
Board discussed reviving the free vision and dental clinic in Ashland for 2027; funding is uncertain, with possible grant support from MetroWest Health Foundation and Shared Services funds.
💬 Discussed
New DEP-required landfill monitoring contract with Langdon Environmental runs through 2029 at $16,400/year ($49,200 total), same price as prior contract; PFAS testing costs additional.
💰 $16,400/year; $49,200 total over 3 years; additional PFAS testing costs TBD
📍 Howe Street Landfill
💬 Discussed
Mosquito spraying scheduled for July 6, 13, 20, and 27; CMMCP also treats abandoned pools.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse Anne Fitzgerald completed a third Stop the Bleed training for Medical Reserve Corps members at Town Hall.
📍 Town Hall
💬 Discussed
Chestnut Place (#22) pesticide treatment pending reinspection; 99 Warren Road has worsening trash (dumpster promised); 274 Union Street is in compliance; 33 Esty Street issued Order to Correct for rodent issue from a birdfeeder.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 99 Warren Road; 274 Union Street; 33 Esty Street
💬 Discussed
17 confirmed Alpha Gal Syndrome (tick-bite-triggered red-meat allergy) cases statewide; Board has requested additional data from the State.
💬 Discussed
Free community event set for June 30 at the Corner Spot (rain location: Town Hall), with 12 vendors and an ice cream truck.
📍 The Corner Spot / Town Hall
💬 Discussed
One new case of Cryptosporidiosis (waterborne intestinal illness) identified; two ongoing TB cases under investigation.
✅ Approved
FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and prior meeting minutes approved 5-0.
✅ Approved
Ed Burman reappointed Chair, Jay Byrnes Vice Chair, and Dave Kinsman Clerk, all by 5-0 votes.
💬 Discussed
Mr. Byrnes revised draft Kratom (herbal stimulant) regulation with input from Dr. Grundmann on concentration levels; will go to Town Counsel once finalized.
June 16, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss nominees and vote on the annual public health award.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of a Remote Area Medical (free pop-up health services) clinic planned for 2027.
📋 Proposed
Board to discuss a 3-year contract with Langdon Environmental for Howe Street Landfill management.
📍 Howe Street Landfill
💬 Discussed
Mosquito spraying scheduled for July 6, 13, 20, and 27 throughout town.
💬 Discussed
Recap of the June 10 Medical Reserve Corps Stop the Bleed training held at Town Hall.
📍 Town Hall
💬 Discussed
Active housing code/health cases at four addresses will be reviewed.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 99 Warren Road; 274 Union Street; 33 Esty Street
💬 Discussed
Update on local cases of Alpha Gal Syndrome (tick-bite-triggered red meat allergy) in Ashland.
💬 Discussed
Update on the Community Baby Shower event scheduled for June 30.
💬 Discussed
Board will receive an update on ongoing disease investigations.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of year-to-date budget reports and prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will reorganize, typically involving officer elections for the new term.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss future topics and set the next meeting for July 7 or July 21, 2026.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
June 2, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM; no citizens participated.
✅ Approved
Board voted 3-0 to waive the state-required lifeguard (MA 105-CMR-435.23) for two years, with random Health Director inspections; pool recently passed inspection with no issues.
📍 The Lanterns at Warren Woods
💬 Discussed
Regional 9-town public health collaborative provided 1,020 services in FY25; a Community Baby Shower open to residents is scheduled for June 30 in Ashland, registration encouraged but not required.
📍 Ashland
💬 Discussed
AHS student Sanya Muthuswami introduced as a Board of Health intern; she is President of the Youth Prevention Council and will bring peer perspectives to the board.
🔄 Postponed
Three nominees (Amy Turncliff, Diego Low, Kirsten Quern) were discussed but vote was tabled 3-0 until all five board members are present.
💬 Discussed
Health Director confirmed 30 vendors permitted for the season opening June 6; three applications still pending.
📍 Ashland Farmers Market
💬 Discussed
CMMCP will spray for mosquitoes on several June dates; Ashland residents can request free property services via CMMCP's website or phone.
💬 Discussed
A third Stop the Bleed training is fully booked for June 10, 6–8 PM at Town Hall.
📍 Town Hall
💬 Discussed
20 Joanne Drive shows improvement but adjoining units inaccessible; 99 Warren Road (ongoing one year) has stagnant water and trash with an Order to Correct issued; 274 Union Street trash/overgrowth complaint achieved compliance.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 99 Warren Road; 274 Union Street, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Residents near a bus stop obtained pest control as directed; Health Director reports no further rodent activity.
💬 Discussed
Several tick-borne disease and two TB cases reported; 300 Tick Kits (tweezers, magnifying glass, container) purchased with department funds will be distributed at the Farmers Market; Massachusetts now tracking Alpha Gal Syndrome, a tick-linked severe red-meat allergy, as a reportable disease.
💰 Tick Kits funded by department budget (state did not fund this year)
✅ Approved
FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and May 5, 2026 minutes approved 3-0.
🔄 Postponed
Reorganization of the board tabled 3-0 until a full five-member board is present.
💬 Discussed
Members asked to review red-lined Draft Kratom Regulations before the next meeting; Kratom is an herbal stimulant the board is considering regulating locally.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM; next meeting June 16, 2026.
June 2, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board will consider waiving the state minimum lifeguard requirement for the Lanterns at Warren Woods swimming pool under MA State Code 105-CMR-435.23.
📍 Warren Woods, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Presentation on the Community Baby Shower event planned for June 30, 2026.
• Status unclear
Recognition or introduction of AHS public health student intern.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss nominees and vote on the annual public health award.
• Status unclear
Ashland Farmers Market 2026 season opens June 6, 2026 — informational update.
• Status unclear
Update on scheduled mosquito spraying dates in Ashland for June 2026.
📋 Proposed
Free community bleeding-control training at Town Hall, June 10, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM.
📍 Town Hall, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Board will receive updates on active housing health cases at three Ashland properties.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 99 Warren Road; 274 Union Street
• Status unclear
Update on ongoing rodent complaint investigations across town.
• Status unclear
Status update on sharps disposal containers and the prescription drug take-back program.
• Status unclear
Update on tick-borne disease activity and public health response in Ashland.
• Status unclear
General update on active disease investigations being tracked by the Health Department.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of year-to-date budget reports and prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will reorganize — likely electing officers for the coming term.
• Status unclear
Board will identify items for future agendas; next meeting is June 16, 2026.
• Status unclear
Meeting closes.
May 5, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Nine residents testified sharply divided on a proposed Kratom regulation: three parents whose children died from Mitragynine toxicity urged a full ban; several chronic-pain users and harm-reduction advocates urged regulation over prohibition.
💬 Discussed
AHS students presented survey findings: 82.56% of respondents would decline nicotine if offered, but seniors showed the highest use rates; vapes/e-cigarettes are the dominant product, with some school spaces shut down due to in-school use.
💬 Discussed
Board discussed a draft regulation banning synthetic/concentrated 7-Hydroxymitragynine while permitting raw Kratom leaf and powder under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act framework, with required Certificates of Analysis and financial penalties for violations; Town Counsel will review before any vote.
💬 Discussed
Board received three nominations (including Amy Turncliff and Yucchi Cote, forwarded by the Town Manager) and will vote at the June 2 meeting, with the presentation at a subsequent meeting.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse Anne Fitzgerald reported the marathon went smoothly with no injuries or incidents; lighter crowds due to weather.
💬 Discussed
Health Director and board member attended GreenUp Ashland Day; routine report, no action taken.
💬 Discussed
Farmers Market starts June 6; staff coordinating with Steve Mitchell to ensure all food vendors are permitted.
💬 Discussed
Multiple food trucks inspected and permitted this year, many associated with Clover Road Brewery.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse will lead a Stop the Bleed training for MRC volunteers at Town Hall on June 10, 6–8 PM.
📍 101 Main Street (Town Hall)
💬 Discussed
Maternal and child grant funds will provide items for expectant mothers at a community baby shower on June 30 at the Corner Spot or Select Board Meeting Room.
💬 Discussed
Weekly pest control underway at 20 Joanne Drive #22 with improvement; 21 Main Street #204 has no update; an Order to Correct was issued to the owner of 99 Warren Road for trash and rodent concerns.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 21 Main Street #204; 99 Warren Road
💬 Discussed
Dumpster removed at Brook St./Chestnut St. corner; Health Director expects rodent activity to subside.
📍 Brook Street and Chestnut Street
💬 Discussed
One campylobacter case closed; a few TB cases are under active follow-up.
✅ Approved
FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and April 7 meeting minutes approved 4-0.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM; next meeting June 2, 2026.
May 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Meeting opens at 6:00 PM.
📍 101 Main Street, Select Board Meeting Room, Town Hall
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
AHS students present findings from a local youth tobacco-use survey.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss a proposed regulation on kratom (a plant-based stimulant/opioid-like substance) sold locally.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses nominees for the annual public health recognition award.
📋 Proposed
Director reports on Board of Health activities related to the Boston Marathon.
📋 Proposed
Update on the May 2, 2026 GreenUp Ashland community cleanup event.
📋 Proposed
Update on the upcoming 2026 Farmers Market season.
📋 Proposed
Status update on food truck inspections and permitting for the season.
📋 Proposed
Free community bleeding-control safety training at Town Hall on June 10, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM.
📍 Town Hall, 101 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Community Baby Shower event scheduled for June 30, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews active housing health cases at 20 Joanne Drive #22, 21 Main Street #204, and 99 Warren Road.
📍 20 Joanne Drive #22; 21 Main Street #204; 99 Warren Road
📋 Proposed
Update on outstanding rodent complaint investigations.
📋 Proposed
Update on current disease investigation cases.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews and approves year-to-date FY2026 budget reports.
📋 Proposed
Approve minutes from the April 7, 2026 meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board members identify topics for upcoming meetings.
📋 Proposed
Next Board of Health meeting set for May 19, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns.
April 7, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Chair Ed Burman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM; all five members present.
✅ Approved
Dona Walsh and Justine Grassey approved as Ashland's Animal Inspectors, as required by the State Department of Agricultural Resources.
💬 Discussed
High school students surveyed on nicotine use (180 responses); Youth Prevention Council plans to present results to the Board at a future meeting, tied to the Nicotine Free Generation initiative.
💬 Discussed
Mosquito larvicide treatment has begun for the season, particularly near the Hopkinton town line.
📍 Hopkinton town line area
💬 Discussed
State-mandated survey must be completed by all Board members and staff by April 10th.
💬 Discussed
Lengthy state-mandated departmental survey due April 30th.
💬 Discussed
NY Pizza permitted; Giovanni's 67 still under renovation; 135 Discount has unresolved water issues under plumbing inspection; Sunnyside Café fined after failing reinspection; four Pond Street Plaza establishments cited for trash violations.
💰 Fines issued to Sunnyside Café and four Pond Street Plaza establishments
📍 Pond Street Plaza; 135 Discount Store
💬 Discussed
Second Stop the Bleed community training at Town Hall went well; more MRC trainings, including Shelter Training, planned.
📍 Town Hall
💬 Discussed
Health Director attended seminar covering PFAS contamination and well water testing topics.
📍 Holyoke, MA
💬 Discussed
Health Director will be away for Marathon day; Public Health Nurse Anne Fitzgerald will cover, joined by Board members and Red Cross volunteers.
💬 Discussed
Shared Services received a $30,000 grant for maternal health; third Community Baby Shower planned for June 30th at Town Hall or the Corner Spot depending on weather.
💰 $30,000 state/shared-services grant
📍 Town Hall or Corner Spot
💬 Discussed
Active housing complaints include a leaking ceiling at 2 Cirrus Dr (owner says fixed), ongoing pest control at 20 Joanne Dr #22, nearly all violations cleared at 321 Leland Farm Rd, and no response yet from 21 Main St #204 management.
📍 2 Cirrus Drive #2311; 20 Joanne Drive #22; 321 Leland Farm Road; 21 Main Street #204
💬 Discussed
Multiple rodent complaints received; bus company remediating activity at Brook and Chestnut Streets; Texas Meat Market directed to add pest control in their nearby parking lot.
📍 Brook Street & Chestnut Street; Texas Meat Market
💬 Discussed
Two sibling cases of Giardia under investigation; one imported chikungunya case from a traveler returning from Bolivia.
💬 Discussed
Public Health Nurse Anne Fitzgerald running weekly blood pressure clinics, Community Center presentations, and conducted a vaccine clinic at the Hindu Temple.
✅ Approved
FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and March 17 meeting minutes approved 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Kratom (an herbal stimulant with addiction concerns) to be added to the May 5th agenda following a conversation with Rep. Jack Lewis.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 6:22 PM.
April 7, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board to nominate/approve Dona Walsh and Justine Grassey as Ashland's Annual Animal Inspectors for the coming year.
📋 Proposed
Board member David Kinsman will present on a topic titled 'Decisions at Every Turn'; no further detail provided.
📋 Proposed
Kickoff of the 2026 regional mosquito control program affecting Ashland properties and open spaces.
📋 Proposed
Board and staff to complete workforce and performance-standards surveys for the Health Department.
📋 Proposed
Board to address fines issued against five local food establishments: NY Pizza, Giovanni's 67, 135 Discount Store, Sunnyside Café, and Pond Street Plaza.
💬 Discussed
Report on the second Medical Reserve Corps Stop the Bleed community training held March 18 at Town Hall.
📍 Town Hall
💬 Discussed
Update on Medical Reserve Corps shelter-readiness training held April 1.
💬 Discussed
Staff report on the Title 5 (septic system regulations) seminar attended in Holyoke on March 17.
📍 Holyoke, MA
📋 Proposed
Health Director to update the board on the April 1 Boston Marathon coordination meeting.
📋 Proposed
Planning update for an upcoming community baby shower event in June 2026.
📋 Proposed
Board to review active housing code or health violation cases at four Ashland addresses.
📍 2 Cirrus Drive #2311; 20 Joanne Drive #22; 321 Leland Farm Road; 21 Main Street #204
📋 Proposed
Health Director to provide a status update on outstanding rodent complaints in town.
📋 Proposed
Update on any ongoing communicable disease investigations.
📋 Proposed
Health Department to report on current community outreach activities.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of year-to-date FY2026 budget reports and March 17, 2026 meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board to identify items for the next meeting, scheduled for May 5, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
March 17, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
💬 Discussed
Six residents spoke in favor of regulating natural-leaf Kratom while supporting a ban on the synthetic derivative 7-OH; board thanked participants.
💬 Discussed
Kinsman noted a Decisions at Every Turn meeting scheduled for March 18; will report back at the next BOH meeting.
💬 Discussed
Owners still completing renovations, awaiting hood-installation info before opening; no inspection clearance yet.
💬 Discussed
Pre-operational inspection completed with minor issues; follow-up inspection scheduled for March 20.
💬 Discussed
Second MRC/Stop the Bleed training at Town Hall, 6–8 PM March 18, with 12 registrants; Anne Fitzgerald will train.
💬 Discussed
Regional shelter training information forwarded to Natick-area board members for April 1 event.
💬 Discussed
Health Director will be absent; Anne Fitzgerald will lead BOH coverage; one or two board members asked to attend.
💬 Discussed
Sanitation remains inconsistent; an Order to Correct was issued after a student's Chromebook was returned to school IT infested with dead insects.
💬 Discussed
All but one housing violation item has been addressed; case remains open.
💬 Discussed
Case closed after tenant paid the $600 fine.
💬 Discussed
Tenant reports no heat or hot water — same complaint since October — and management has not acted; Health Director flagged this as an imminent threat requiring 24-hour response pending tenant's consent to inspection.
💬 Discussed
Three new rodent complaints received at Cherry Street, Cirrus Apartments, and the corner of Chestnut and Brook Streets, likely tied to warmer weather.
💬 Discussed
One case still under quarantine; others have been cleared.
✅ Approved
Both the FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and February 17 meeting minutes approved 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Board agreed to continue Kratom regulation discussion at the next meeting; a revised draft regulation (similar to a pending state version) will be circulated to members.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 6:28 PM, 5-0.
March 17, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and public comment period at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Board member David Kinsman will present or discuss a topic titled 'Decisions at Every Turn'; subject matter not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Health Director will report on two food establishments — Giovanni's 67 and NY Pizza — likely covering inspections or permit status.
📋 Proposed
Second MRC / Stop the Bleed community training at Town Hall, March 18, 6:00–8:00 PM — open to residents.
📍 Town Hall, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Upcoming Medical Reserve Corps shelter training exercise scheduled for April 1.
📋 Proposed
Health Director attending a Title 5 (septic system regulation) seminar in Holyoke on March 17.
📍 Holyoke, MA
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss Board of Health preparations for the Boston Marathon on April 20.
📋 Proposed
Health Director will recap the Citizens Academy session held March 11, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Board will review active housing code or health violation cases at Chestnut Place Apartments, 321 Leland Farm Road, and 21 Main Street Units 201 and 204.
📍 Chestnut Place Apartments; 321 Leland Farm Road; 21 Main Street, Units 201 & 204, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Health Director will update the board on rodent complaints received in town.
📋 Proposed
Health Director will provide a status update on ongoing communicable disease investigations.
📋 Proposed
Board to approve the FY2026 year-to-date budget report and minutes from the February 17 meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board will continue a prior discussion on Kratom (an herbal supplement with public-health concerns), with possible regulatory action.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns; next Board of Health meeting set for April 7, 2026.
February 17, 2026 · minutes
🗳️ Voted on
Board voted 5-0 to waive $600 in citations (issued 1/29, 2/2, 2/4/2026) against YIF Management for a fire-damaged, non-working stove, citing miscommunication among town departments; compliance still required.
💰 $600 in fines waived
📍 21 Main Street, Unit 201, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Unit 19A-03 still refusing pest-treatment access; Unit 20-35 cleared; Unit 8-37 agreed to treatment next week; sanitation improving but debris around dumpster remains an issue.
📍 Chestnut Place Apartments, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved 5-0 a grease trap waiver for new owner of 1 West Union St. (formerly Pizza Bella), conditioned on regular interior grease trap cleaning to protect public waterways.
📍 1 West Union Street, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved 5-0 a grease trap waiver for new owner of 9 Homer Ave. (formerly Pizza Mine), with same maintenance conditions; final building inspection scheduled March 5.
📍 9 Homer Avenue, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Board discussed a draft local Kratom regulation (age 21+, ID, labeling, alkaloid limits, child-proof packaging) aligned with state House Bill #4394; item continues on agenda pending further legal/food-code review.
💬 Discussed
Member Kinsman reported on the January 21 meeting covering youth alcohol/drug prevention programs including the Sticker Shock campaign; next meeting March 18.
💬 Discussed
Giovanni's 67 awaiting hood installation; Killa Pizza pre-opening inspection passed; NY Pizza renovating; Connect Church food permit lapsed and still missing a required document.
📍 16 West Union Street; 9 Homer Avenue; 1 West Union Street
💬 Discussed
Second Stop the Bleed training scheduled March 18, 2026, 6–8 PM, Town Hall; open to MRC and Board of Health members.
📍 Town Hall, Ashland
💬 Discussed
49 Cherry Street (open since August 2025) finally achieved compliance; 321 Leland Farm Road is a new case with an Order to Correct issued.
📍 49 Cherry Street; 321 Leland Farm Road, Ashland
💬 Discussed
One active TB case under management; a Salmonella case referred from Framingham was investigated last week.
✅ Approved
Board approved 5-0 the FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and January 20 meeting minutes.
February 17, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening and public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board will address continuing housing code violations at this downtown unit.
📍 21 Main Street, Unit 201, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
Management company provides a status update on Chestnut Place Apartments.
📍 Chestnut Place Apartments, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
NY Pizza requests a waiver from exterior grease trap (underground interceptor) requirements at 1 West Union Street.
📍 1 West Union Street, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
Killa Pizza requests the same exterior grease trap waiver at 9 Homer Avenue.
📍 9 Homer Avenue, Ashland, MA
💬 Discussed
Board continues prior discussion on kratom (herbal stimulant supplement) regulation or policy.
📋 Proposed
Board member David Kinsman will present on a topic titled 'Decisions at Every Turn.'
📋 Proposed
Food establishment updates for Giovanni 67, Killa Pizza, NY Pizza, and Connect Church.
📋 Proposed
Second MRC / Stop the Bleed community training at Town Hall, March 18, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM.
📍 Ashland Town Hall, 101 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Emergency shelter training for the Medical Reserve Corps is in planning for April 2026.
💬 Discussed
Planning meeting for the Ashland leg of the Boston Marathon course was held January 30, 2026.
💬 Discussed
Health Director conducted educational visits to all 17 tobacco vendors in town.
📋 Proposed
Active housing code cases at 49 Cherry Street and 321 Leland Farm Road will be reviewed.
📍 49 Cherry Street; 321 Leland Farm Road, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
Update on current communicable disease investigations in town.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of year-to-date budget reports and January 20, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Next Board of Health meeting is March 3, 2026.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
January 20, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM; no public comment.
✅ Approved
Board unanimously approved Warren Conference Center's HACCP (food-safety hazard control) plan required because they will serve oysters and clams.
💬 Discussed
Rodent infestation at the dumpster is spreading to the neighborhood; management received three $300 citations in one month and must now submit weekly pest-control reports or face escalation to $1,000/day public-health-nuisance fines.
💰 Three $300 citations issued; potential escalation to $1,000/day fines
📍 Chestnut Place Apartments, 101 Main Street area, Ashland MA
💬 Discussed
Berlin Awach introduced as new Town Youth Coordinator, based at the High School, leading the Positive Community Norms Working Group and STAND campaign.
📍 Ashland High School
💬 Discussed
Board confirmed it will not pursue NFG regulation itself but will enforce any NFG bylaw if one passes at Town Meeting; youth will meet with Select Board Chair on February 2nd to share feedback.
💬 Discussed
Killa Pizza needs pre-opening inspection; Giovanni's 67 received a Stop Work order for unpermitted construction; NY Pizza permitting in progress; Connect Church's 2026 permit still pending.
💬 Discussed
Transition to OpenGov went smoothly on the permitting side; inspectional module not yet in use pending State software Metrix.
💬 Discussed
A second round of community trainings (Stop the Bleed, Narcan, CPR, First Aid) planned for March 2026 due to demand.
💬 Discussed
Health Department received $12,500 (first installment of a $25,000 grant) from MetroWest Health Foundation for the Childhood Vaccine Clinic.
💰 $25,000 grant; $12,500 received
💬 Discussed
January 14 flu clinic for uninsured/underinsured residents at Town Hall had zero attendees.
📍 Ashland Town Hall
💬 Discussed
Case at 49 Cherry Street resolved pending reinspection; new case at 21 Main Street Unit 201 involves Fire Department-tagged equipment and an Order to Correct issued to management.
📍 49 Cherry Street; 21 Main Street Unit 201, Ashland MA
💬 Discussed
One resolved Salmonella case and three ongoing TB cases under investigation.
💬 Discussed
Staff participating in developing an All Hazards Public Health Emergency Response Framework with regional PHEP partners.
📍 Natick
✅ Approved
FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and minutes from December 16, 2025 and January 7, 2026 approved 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Member Byrnes requested Kratom be added to a future agenda and suggested an in-person meeting; will update the Board on related State legislation.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.
January 20, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board to review and approve the HACCP (food safety management) plan for Warren Conference Center.
💬 Discussed
Ongoing sanitary and housing code concerns at Chestnut Place Apartments will be reviewed.
• Status unclear
Berlin Awach, new Town of Ashland Youth Coordinator, will be introduced to the Board.
💬 Discussed
Board debriefs on the recent joint meeting with the Select Board.
📋 Proposed
Several restaurants have new names: Killa Pizza (formerly Pizza Mine), Giovanni's 67 (formerly Murphy's), NY Pizza (formerly Pizza Bella); plus Mama's House and Connect Church are on the food establishment list.
💬 Discussed
Update on the town's new OpenGov permitting and inspections software rollout.
📋 Proposed
Board to consider scheduling a second Stop the Bleed community safety training in March 2026.
✅ Approved
Board received a $25,000 grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation for public health programs.
💬 Discussed
Flu vaccine clinic for uninsured/underinsured residents was held January 14 at Ashland Town Hall.
💬 Discussed
Active housing code cases at 49 Cherry Street and 21 Main Street #201 will be reviewed.
💬 Discussed
Health Director to provide an update on current disease investigations.
💬 Discussed
Board to debrief on the Public Health Emergency Preparedness drill held in Natick on January 15.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of FY2026 year-to-date budget reports and minutes from December 16, 2025 and January 7, 2026.
• Status unclear
Next Board of Health meeting is February 3, 2026.
January 7, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room A by Chair Ed Burman.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
✅ Approved
CVS Pharmacy's retail food permit approved 4-0.
✅ Approved
Animal permit for board member John Byrnes approved 3-0-1 (Byrnes abstained).
💬 Discussed
Board declined to unilaterally adopt a Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) policy — which bans tobacco sales to anyone born after a set date — instead recommending a Citizens Petition and Town Meeting vote, plus a public forum including high school and middle school students.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM, 4-0.