Ashland Launches OpenGov Portal as Stage 2 Water Rules Continue
ASHLAND — Ashland has launched a new online permitting and licensing platform called OpenGov, the town announced, as the community continues operating under mandatory Stage 2 Water Restrictions.
TOWN HALL
The town has rolled out a new License/Permitting Portal called OpenGov, giving residents and contractors a new online system for applying for and tracking town permits and licenses, according to the town's website. Officials did not detail a transition timeline for residents still used to the prior process.
Ashland also confirmed it remains in Stage 2 Water Restrictions, the tighter of the town's outdoor watering rules, and is asking residents to continue conserving water while the measure stays in effect.
Separately, the Ashland Planning Board is looking for volunteers with backgrounds in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, or related design and construction fields to serve periodically on short-term design review committees, the town said. Two community upgrades were also highlighted this week: a new children's Little Free Library was unveiled at KidSpot, and the Ashland Food Pantry received a new refrigerator donated by the Ashland Lions Club.
SCHOOLS
Ashland Public Schools Superintendent Adams was featured recently in a WBZ television segment examining the budget pressures facing smaller Massachusetts school districts, the district said on its website, with the clip posted for families on the district's news page.
The district also confirmed its transition to PowerSchool is complete, with the platform now serving as the login system for parents, students, and staff districtwide.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Westwood vs Ashland | Volleyball" per MaxPreps: Ashland's freshman volleyball team is scheduled to host Westwood in a conference match Wednesday, September 23, at 5:15 p.m., according to the schedule listing (read it at https://www.maxpreps.com/ma/volleyball/match/ashland-vs-westwood/freshman/9-23-2026/?c=086791c7-cf83-43d0-a951-6fa85dcb2a18).
"Bellingham vs Grafton - Girls Varsity Field Hockey 09/19/2026 | Live & On Demand" per the NFHS Network: the streaming service's Ashland-area event page also lists an Ashland vs. Bellingham JV boys football matchup for Saturday, September 26, according to the listing (read it at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/bellingham-high-school-bellingham-ma/game31da4f5fe).
COMING UP
The Ashland Conservation Commission meets in hybrid format Monday, September 21. The Zoning Board of Appeals holds a hybrid meeting Tuesday, September 22.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.