Energize Ashland

Sign up for the Great American Rain Barrel
2025-03-13 13:00 - 2025-03-28 14:00 (America/New_York)
The average American family directly consumes nearly 110,000 gallons of water each year, and if you include water used for producing food, energy, and consumer goods, that total jumps to 1.9 million gallons annually! However, a single 55-gallon rain barrel can save up to 1,300 gallons of water every year and with the use if rain Barrels, it can benefit both our communities and the planet! Benefit Both Communities and Our Planet By not only provided clean, untreated water for your gardening and cleaning but ALSO reduce the water bills that we all grudgingly pay. Lastly, using less water just helps us manage a global resource!
About The Great American Rain Barrel:

Cost is $61.00 each (available in Forest Green, Dark Brown, or Nantucket Gray)
100% re-purposed, food grade, UV protected and BPA free barrels. Produced in Massachusetts.
Most durable rain barrels on the market: 3/16” wall thickness. Screen filtered to keep mosquitoes out.
Will last for years when properly drained & stored for winter. Pay for themselves in one year.
Several rain barrels can be linked together — easy 5-minute setup.
Available Colors: Forest Green, Earth Brown, and Nantucket Grey.

To participate in the Town Rain Barrel Program, click here for an order form, or for more information visit https://www.ashlandmass.com/668/Rain-Barrels.*Order deadline is March 28, 2025**Barrel Pick Up Date is the week of April 7th – DPW – 9am to 4pm*
For more information contact: Donna Musto at (508) 532-7951 or dmusto@ashlandmass.com to obtain a Rain Barrel Order Form.

Heat Pump Water Heater Webinar - hot showers and cool savings!
2025-02-13 00:00 - 01:00
Join Ashland for an online heat pump water heater webinar on February 12, 7:00 – 8:00 pm co-sponsored by plugIN (a collaboration of 7 metrowest towns) and Resilient Swampscott. We’ll be joined by Bob Zogg, from the Heat Smart Alliance, hear from community members about their experiences, and provide time for questions! Discover how this efficient electric alternative can heat your water, save energy, and reduce your climate impact. Heat pump water heaters are three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters.
Join us for an evening of information, learning, and community!
plugIN Metrowest is a collaboration of 7 towns & cities: Acton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Register here!
Can’t make it? Register anyway and we will send the meeting recording to all who register.

RECORDING: Solar Webinar 1/23
2025-01-24 00:00 - 01:00
Considering solar energy? plugIN into the possibilities with us!
Watch the recording of our solar webinar to explore this renewable energy option for powering your home and reducing your carbon footprint. The session was presented by Matt Honkonen from East Coast Solar.
Enroll for free here to access this recording and other valuable resources, or visit the link on YouTube.

Ashland Town Meeting
2024-11-20 00:00 - 02:00
Ashland Town Meeting
Two important climate related articles will be voted on at the Ashland Town meeting on NOV 19th, 7 PM at the Ashland High School.
Town Forest Needs Our Help!
Many people think ALL the forested land around the Town Forest is part of the official Town Forest, but that’s not correct. Much of the land is privately owned and could soon be sold and developed. Ashland has an opportunity to add 52 acres to the forest. This purchase will strengthen the forest as a habitat and a valuable recreational area.
Please vote YES on Article 9
MBTA Zoning Article
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts MBTA Communities Act became law in January 2021.
Every Massachusetts town impacted by this law must submit its plan to the Massachusetts State legislature before the end of 2024. A special Town subcommittee developed a reasonable plan that balances compliance with State Law and Ashland’s master planning process and minimizes its impact on Ashland’s woodlands and populated neighborhoods.
Please vote YES on Article 8.
To see videos & documents with more information CLICK HERE.

Pumpkin Smash
2024-11-09 15:00 - 19:00
Bring your unpainted pumpkins post Halloween to a Pumpkin Smash at the Corner Spot. The pumpkins will be smashed and composted to prevent food waste from going to landfill. Ths event will also feature other sustainability activities, including carnival games, info booths, and a Donut Truck!

Virtual: Environmental & Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
2024-10-21 23:00 - 2024-10-22 00:00
Meat production and commercial fishing consume lots of natural resources while generating significant amounts of pollution. Learn how to minimize your environmental impact – and benefit your health – with a plant-based diet. Led by Sara Sezun, a volunteer of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. She is founder and Chair of their Plant-based Planet Team.

NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 24 hours of the program.
Please register for this event and you’ll receive the link in the confirmation and reminder emails – make sure to check your spam folder for them. The email will be coming from Zoom.
This virtual event is hosted by the Tewksbury Public Library and a collaboration between the several Massachusetts libraries.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.

Virtual - Ways to Have a Green Holiday Season For Families with Sarah Robertson-Barnes
2024-10-07 23:00 - 2024-10-08 00:00
mbracing the rhythms of winter is key to creating eco-conscious holiday traditions. Rather than getting carried away by the holiday rush, use this time as an opportunity to create the kind of holiday season you truly want – one focused on the magic of family and togetherness instead of stuff. A low waste holiday season is possible. Whether you have kids of your own, kids in your life, or love being a kid yourself during the holidays, Sarah has some suggestions for how to lower your ecological footprint this year.

Sarah Robertson-Barnes, founder of the Sustainable in the Suburbs blog, is a freelance writer, educator, and consultant. She lives with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog outside of Toronto, Ontario. Sustainable in the Suburbs is a resource for living low waste with kids in a culture of convenience.
A Note from Sarah: A sustainable lifestyle with kids is not only possible, but critically important for our future and theirs. I hope that by sharing what works for our family, you are inspired to make changes in your daily life too!
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.
Please register for this event, you’ll receive the zoom link in the confirmation and reminder emails.
This program is brought to you in collaboration with the Chelmsford, Groton, and Tewksbury Libraries. We’re also thrilled to be partnering with a multitude of additional MA & NH Libraries to bring this program to our communities.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.

Pop-up Networked Geothermal Information Session
2024-09-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Femia Rd, Ashland, Femia Rd, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Ashland is working with HEET to educate residents on Networked Geothermal and how it can be developed within the town.
The first pop-up session will be held on Saturday, September 28th from 10am to 12 noon on Femia Rd. In addition to learning about networked geothermal, Energize Ashland will have information for residents for how they can take steps to living a more sustainable life. Feel free to stop by and learn about networked geothermal!

Ashland Day
2024-09-21 13:00 - 20:00 | Stone Park, 73 Summer Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
ASHLAND DAY
Come celebrate the Town of Ashland at Stone Park from 9 – 4 on September 21 with music, food, vendors, community groups and games for young and old.
Visit the Energize Ashland tent, find out about home energy improvements and the Energize platform, and learn about plastics, reusables and compostables.

Energize Ashland at the Kidde-Fenwal Car Show
2024-09-14 13:00 - 18:00 | Kidde Fenwal, 400 Main St, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Energize Ashland at the Kidde-Fenwal Car Show
Energize Ashland will participate at the Kidde-Fenwal Car Show by bringing up to 10 local EVs to the car show. Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss the cars with the owners and ask questions.
We encourage local EV owners to contact info@energizeashland to reserve a spot. The $10 registration fee will be paid by Energize Ashland.
The car show is an annual fun event on the grass, with a live band and DJ, and food and refreshments for sale. See Model T Fords, brand new Corvettes and the latest EVs, and everything nostalgic in between.

How To Improve Your Recycling Efforts
2024-08-13 18:00 - 19:00
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Julia Greene, Municipal Assistance Coordinator from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, will discuss how to cut down on waste and how to recycle correctly. Julia will give practical advice on how you can improve your efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle in your day-to-day life in order to make a positive impact on our environment. Bring your questions as they’ll be time for Q&A too.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.
Please register for this event and you’ll receive the link in the confirmation and reminder emails – make sure to check your spam folder for them. The email will be coming from Zoom.
This virtual event is hosted by the Tewksbury Public Library and a collaboration between the several Massachusetts and New Hampshire libraries.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.

Nexamp Presentation on Community Solar
2024-08-06 23:00 - 2024-08-07 00:00 | Ashland Public Library, Front Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Community Solar — No Roof Required
Save money and go green with community solar – no roof required! Anyone with an Eversource electricity account (including renters, condo/townhome owners, businesses, religious institutions) can subscribe to a local solar farm with no money down and no fees. At this event, you’ll learn more about how community solar works, why it’s so important, and how to sign up.

Sustainability Day at Ashland Farmers Market
2024-07-27 13:00 - 17:00 | Ashland Farmers Market, 125 Front St, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
(Note: rescheduled from July 13)
Energize Ashland is offering a fun family event at the Ashland Farmers Market. Try your hand at mazes and labyrinths for kids and adults! Participate in activities to celebrate International Plastic-Free July. What can you do to reduce plastic pollution? Check out locally owned Electric Vehicles and talk to the owners. Learn about energy-efficient home upgrades, rebates, and incentives from Mass Save. Learn what Town committees are doing to help us meet Net Zero. And, of course, shop at AFM vendors for locally grown produce, freshly caught fish, farm-raised beef, baked goods, artisanal craft cheeses, ready-to-eat foods and lemonade, wines and mead, specialty products and local artisans.
The market is located on Front Street across from the Ashland Public Library.

Celebrate Seeds!
2024-07-22 14:30 - 15:30 | Ashland Public Library, Front Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Celebrate Seeds!

Becca from the Conservation Department joins us for this educational and interactive event! Learn about the importance of seeds, make a seed bomb for your yard and create a seed hanger for the birds! For families.
Space is limited and registration is required.

Zero Carbon, Zero Bills Seminar
2024-07-09 23:00 - 2024-07-10 00:00
If you are curious about:

How to cut your home’s carbon emissions and bills by at least 50% (with MA and IRA subsidies)

and/or

Why electric vehicles are now cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain and cheaper to run than gas-powered cars

Register for David Green’s free “Zero Carbon, Zero Bills” webinar on July 9th at 7PM (Eastern time).
Sherborn resident David Green has cut his own home’s carbon emissions and bills to zero (making a 15% return on investment) and loves driving his Tesla Model S and Ford F150 Lightning for far less than their gas-powered equivalents, and without range anxiety. The F150 has also powered my house for 24 hours during a grid outage. He has authored two books on cutting carbon emissions (endorsed by both Bill McKibben and Paul Hawken) and has created this webinar that thousands of people have seen seen. David is an energy geek with a BA in physics from Oxford University and a finance nerd with an MBA from Harvard Business School. David has retired from a career in biotechnology (he founded two companies, was CEO of both and took both public on NASDAQ) and does not work for any installer or manufacturer of energy products – his advice is completely independent.
The presentation part of the webinar lasts about 45 minutes and then David will stay on the call until the last person’s question gets answered.

Kids Combat Food Waste
2024-07-09 18:10 - 19:10 | Ashland Public Library, Front Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
The theme for summer reading at the Ashland Public Library is Read Renew Repeat. In teaming up with the Ashland Library, Samantha Riley, Sustainability Manager, and Becca Solomon, Conservation Agent, have helped coordinate activities.
Did you know that about ⅓ of food produced for us to eat is lost or wasted globally? Sam from the Sustainability Department will present this hands-on workshop where kids will explore practical ways to combat food waste at home. Then kids will step outside to “plant” common food scraps that will regrow into yummy foods! For kids entering Kindergarten through 6th grade and their families. Registration required. (Kids Combat Food Waste)

Enviroscape Science with Becca
2024-06-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Ashland Public Library Grounds, Front St , Unit 66, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Join Becca from our Conservation Department to explore environmental science in a hands-on way! The Enviroscape is an interactive model of a town and all the inner workings of the watershed. Kids will learn how water moves through the Town of Ashland and how we can be responsible stewards of our natural resources.
Registration is required.

Fixit Clinic at the Ashland Public Library
2024-06-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Ashland Public Library, Front Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Fixit Clinic at the Ashland Public Library
Bring in your broken item(s) and participate in trouble shooting and repair with help from our volunteer Fixit Coaches.
Most items (carry-in only; no oversized items) are welcome.
Please Register at https://bit.ly/itemcheckin

Ashland Garden Club Plant Sale
2024-05-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Montenegro Square, Ashland, Montenegro Square, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
The Ashland Garden Club will hold their annual Plant Sale on Saturday May 18 on Montenegro Square (across the street from the Ashland Library on Front Street) from 9:00 am – noon. Members of the garden club dig up their best perennials from their own gardens and pot them for sale. This is their one fundraiser of the year to support the maintenance of plant sites throughout Ashland including Town Hall, the Post Office, the Library grounds, the Community Center and Montenegro Square. Here’s your chance to buy locally grown plants at a reasonable price.

Greenup Ashland: 22nd Annual Town-wide Cleanup
2024-05-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Stone Park Pavilion, Ashland, Stone Park Pavilion, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Be part of this large and rewarding event with over 100 other Ashland residents while thousands of others are taking part in cleanups across the state and the country to remove trash in their communities.
Cleanup Event Details
When: Saturday, May 4 check-in or signup from 9am-noon
Where: Stone Park Pavilion
Ashland’s ONLY annual town-wide clean up event sponsored by the GreenUp Ashland Committee that occurs annually on the first Saturday of May.
Participation can be done individually, as a family or group (businesses, scouts, sports teams, civic or religious groups etc.) and is a great opportunity to enjoy the community outdoors while contributing to the look and value of your community.
For more information on the event, adopting a space, volunteering, or to join this amazing committee, email info@greenupashland.org.

Visit greenupashland.org for all the latest information, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram

Vote for the Specialized Energy Code at Town Meeting on May 1
2024-05-01 23:00 - 2024-05-02 01:00 | Ashland High School, 65 E Union St, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
On May 1 at the Ashland Spring Town Meeting the Select Board, Sustainability Committee and Energize Ashland are asking Town Meeting to adopt the Specialized Energy Code, which applies to new construction only (not additions or renovations) and aligns with Ashland’s net zero goals.
This Specialized Energy Code will give buyers of new construction the opportunity to take advantage of high-efficiency energy systems, while still allowing flexibility.
Adopting this Specialized Energy Code will help the Town of Ashland take an essential step towards net zero, benefit from a healthier environment, and qualify for additional state grants.
For more information on the code check:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stretch-energy-code-development-2022#new!-release-of-final-code-language-for-stretch-code-update-and-new-specialized-stretch-code-

Ashland's Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-20 16:00 - 19:00 | Corner Spot, 7 Cherry St, Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Earth Day Celebration
Come with the whole family to the 2nd annual Ashland Earth Day Celebration at the Corner Spot on Saturday, April 20 from 12 Noon to 3 pm (rain date April 21). Enjoy live music, green and eco friendly products and services, fun activities for kids, and a great day to celebrate mother earth with your neighbors!
As a special feature of the day, we will be demonstrating this interactive Energize Ashland website. Come visit us in our tent and watch a demonstration.
All those who sign up to the Website at this Event will be entered into a free raffle for a $25 gift certificate to the Ashland Farmers Market.

Ashland Sustainability Committee Public Forum
2024-04-06 18:00 - 20:00
The Ashland Sustainability Committee will be hosting a public forum on April 6th from 2-4 at Town Hall in the upstairs meeting room. A presentation will be focused on electrification, opt-in building code and green infrastructure. The opt-in building code will be on the Warrant for Town Meeting.
The presentation will be followed by a “Meeting in a Box”, which is a focus group type discussion that is being held for the Comprehensive Plan. Being a part of the conversation will allow those who are writing the Plan to learn what Ashland residents would like in town.
