COVID Testing Site to open at Ashland Commuter Rail Station

 

COVID Testing Site to open at Ashland Commuter Rail Station

Following an increase in demand for COVID-19 testing in Massachusetts, an additional testing site will begin operations in Ashland, Massachusetts at the town's Commuter Rail Station. The new testing site, a priority of Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka and State Representative Jack Patrick Lewis, will offer Massachusetts residents an additional option for testing at no cost to recipients.

The new site will be funded by the Commonwealth and will be operated by Fallon Health in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and local health officials. It will add to the Commonwealth's network of hundreds of COVID-19 testing sites across Massachusetts. Residents can find a testing site near them online at www.mass.gov/gettested.

"To support communities' sustained recovery from the pandemic, we need to ensure that residents have continued access to the tools at the center of our pandemic strategy– among them, testing and vaccines," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "I want to extend my deep thanks to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and MBTA workers for allowing us to use their space to promote public health."

While other COVID-19 testing sites are currently available in the MetroWest region, the new Ashland site will be the first to offer drive-through testing in the region.

"After hearing from numerous residents of Ashland and Framingham about the lack of accessible drive-thru testing in our region, I reached out to Senate President Karen Spilka and the Department of Public Health in order to partner together in developing a new testing location," said Representative Jack Patrick Lewis. "I am grateful to Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert, Ashland Sargeant Ed Burman, and the team at the MBTA for their quick and creative efforts to make this possible."

"Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in COVID-19 testing, which will continue to be a critical tool to keeping the virus in check even as we lead the nation in vaccinations," said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. "We are pleased to work with local partners to launch this new site, which will provide residents with another free and easy option to get tested."

""We are happy to partner with our state agencies and delegation to bring this important testing site to the region, and we hope the new location provides a convenient testing alternative for those who rely on public transportation"," said Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert.

Fallon Health, the site's operator, has previously partnered with the state of Massachusetts to provide testing and other health services.

In the News: Wenger's Farm closing; Twitter bans political ads; Rail Trail expands in Ashland

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Wenger's Farm closing

"A family-owned farm and farmers market is closing after more than 26 years in business and is leasing out its properties – including the family house – while family members embark on a series of mission trips.

“I can’t say for sure whether or not it’s the end of an era at Wenger’s Farm or not,” said the Wengers’ Realtor, Brian Garvey of Keller Williams Realty/NH. The owner, Omar Wenger, purchased the property at 1048 South Main St. in 2011 and “ideally, he’d like it to be used as it is now.”

The farm will close on Saturday and has been offering closeout sales, according to a laminated sign posted outside the Wengers’ community country store. The family is leasing both its store and lower level space on-site, along with the family home next door at 1040 South Main St., according to listings published earlier this month on the New England Commercial Property Exchange (NECPE).

“God has been faithful in giving seed time and bountiful harvests,” reads the sign posted outside the door, with owners Omar and Barbara Wenger thanking their “faithful customers.” “Regretfully, this is our last season for operating Wenger’s Farm Store. We have consented to go to a mission in Africa beginning 2020.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/wengers-farm-in-bellingham-closing-leasing-properties


Twitter bans political ads

"Twitter is banning all political advertising from its service, saying social media companies give advertisers an unfair advantage in proliferating highly targeted, misleading messages.

“While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics, where it can be used to influence votes to affect the lives of millions,” Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted Wednesday in a series of tweets announcing the new policy.

Facebook has taken fire since it disclosed earlier in October that it will not fact-check ads by politicians or their campaigns, which could allow them to lie freely. CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Congress last week that politicians have the right to free speech on Facebook."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/twitter-bans-all-political-advertisements

Rail Trail expands in Ashland

"Cyndi Sumner took a different route than usual to walk her chocolate Labradoodle on Monday afternoon.

While she usually goes to Ashland State Park, Sumner was intrigued by a new bridge spanning Mill Pond. With her home just a short walk away on Raymond Marchetti Street, she decided to explore the bridge instead of driving to the state park.

The only problem was that the Mill Pond entrance was blocked off for construction. Luckily, Sumner was able to find an alternative way there by walking through the Riverwalk Trail, a wooded pathway less than a mile long that runs alongside the Sudbury River and the north side of Mill Pond.

“I didn’t even know this path was here,” Sumner told the Daily News after trekking through the short trail."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/work-advances-on-ashlands-riverwalk-trail

Last day to register to vote

Every vote counts.

Make sure you are registered.

If you are not going to be in town for the vote on June 10th, obtain an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk.

Ashland voted on their override yesterday and the margin was 49 votes.

Every vote counts.

Make sure your cast your vote on June 10th!