Ashland seeks $300,000 grant
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — Town officials are hoping to continue work on the proposed Community Center in the former elementary school, following a special town meeting on June 26 at which councilors voted to pursue a grant to fund further work at the site.
“During the special town meeting councilors voted in favor of pursuing a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for public facilities in the amount of $300,000. The money, if received, will be used toward our Community/Rec Center,” said Town Manager Ralph Dwyer.
Dwyer said the public facilities grant would be used “to demolish classrooms at the old Ashland Central School.”
“We’ll be retaining the gymnasium and multipurpose room which was built in 1984. We’ll also be adding a small addition to the side of that which will have a kitchen, meeting room and storage rooms,” said Dwyer.
When completed, the facility will serve as a public gathering place for municipal purposes as well as private functions.
“The building will provide a place for clubs to meet, such as the Boy Scouts,” Dwyer said.
The grant will also provide funding for such things as asbestos removal.
“An abatement is included in the grant for such if we get it,” he said.
Dwyer said to qualify for the CDBG grant, the town has to meet certain guidelines, which it has.
“Ashland has 57 percent of residents who are low- to moderate-income families. We also have a lot of senior citizens. Those are some of the requirements to receive this type of funding,” said the town manager.
Once work is completed, Dwyer said the recreational facility will be used by everyone, “from youth to seniors.”
“It’s a public site and will be used for a variety of meetings and other functions — possibly reunions, weddings, etc.,” said Dwyer.
“The grant application deadline is Friday, July 19,” said Dwyer. “After that, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that we’re approved.”
