Ashland Boards Head Into Packed Meeting Week Starting Tuesday

ASHLAND — Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert has been on leave for an undisclosed reason, according to a MetroWest Daily News report, leaving residents asking who is minding Town Hall in his absence. Meanwhile, the town rolled out a new online permitting portal and the library kicked off a busy week of summer programming.

TOWN HALL Ashland has launched a new License/Permitting Portal called OpenGov, the town announced on its News Flash page at ashlandmass.com. The platform is meant to let residents and businesses apply for and track permits and licenses online, with account details available through the town's website.

COMMUNITY & ARTS The Ashland Public Library continues its slate of summer programming this week. On Monday, July 20, the library hosts a virtual talk, "Celebrating America's 250th: The Black Experience of the Revolution," with Herstorian Gracia Rich. The same day and into Tuesday, July 21, the library offers Take & Make Kits for families, part of its ongoing hands-on activity series, alongside its Online Adult Summer Reading Challenge 2026 for grown-up patrons.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Ashland MA town manager is 'out of the office.' Who's filling in?" Town Manager Michael Herbert has been out on leave for an undisclosed reason, MetroWest Daily News reports, raising questions about who is overseeing day-to-day town operations in his absence (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/local/2026/07/18/ashland-ma-town-manager-michael-herbert-on-leave-for-undisclosed-reason/90957254007/).

COMING UP Ashland's boards and committees have a full slate over the next week. The Finance Committee (Zoom) and Conservation Commission (hybrid) both meet Monday, July 20, alongside the Keefe Tech Building Committee and Keefe Tech School Committee. On Tuesday, July 21, the Board of Health and the Library Board of Trustees hold hybrid meetings. The Upper Charles Trail Committee and the Planning Board both meet Thursday, July 23.