Anna Tesmenitsky - Ashland Planning Board Member

Anna Tesmenitsky - Ashland Planning Board Member Anna’s goal on the Planning Board is to assure diverse views from the community are heard relative to planning issues.

She believes Ashland needs an updated Comprehensive Plan so the town can grow in a way that honors community values.

Come meet me and Catherine Jurczyk - Ashland Planning Board at our Meet & Greet tomorrow Saturday September 23, 2023 8:0...
09/23/2023

Come meet me and Catherine Jurczyk - Ashland Planning Board at our Meet & Greet tomorrow Saturday September 23, 2023 8:00 to 10:00 AM at Bodacious Bagel in Ashland!

We can chat about planning issues, such as economic development, Ashland's Comprehensive Plan efforts, MBTA Zoning law, and a potential tree bylaw.

Can't wait to meet you!

This past Tuesday I had the privilege to vote in our Town Election.  I took the selfie immediately after to capture the ...
05/18/2023

This past Tuesday I had the privilege to vote in our Town Election. I took the selfie immediately after to capture the moment. As an immigrant, I take voting extremely seriously because many around the world cannot vote.

I am so grateful to all Ashland residents who voted Tuesday, in supporting so many excellent candidates for different positions.

I ran for the Planning Board two years ago with a specific goal - to make sure Ashland completes a Comprehensive Plan process. Today, I am proud to be serving on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Tonight is the our first meeting and I get to show up as a newly elected Planning Board member, now in a 5 year seat so that I can truly focus on planning and implementation. Thank you Ashland for making this moment possible.

Join the meeting tonight to be part of the process!

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting
May 18, 2023 – 7:00 pm
Ashland Public Library – 66 Front Street
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84548904432?pwd=K3NmQ2JzUXJ2TERWc0NHeUhVQzJ5QT09

   Here is me running track at Ashland High School back in the 90s.  Not bad, right?  I am almost flying.
03/23/2023

Here is me running track at Ashland High School back in the 90s. Not bad, right? I am almost flying.

Planning News! Did you know that the Ashland Planning Board approved a Starbucks to start operating at 399 Union Street ...
03/19/2023

Planning News! Did you know that the Ashland Planning Board approved a Starbucks to start operating at 399 Union Street (in place of the Walgreens pharmacy)? The decision says the drive-through location will have an outdoor seating area, two bike racks, numerous sustainable features, and landscaping with a “pollinator habitat”. In addition, the applicant agreed to offer two unique features to connect the project to the community:

• The Town of Ashland can create and install a “Welcome to Ashland” sign at the intersection of Union and Summer Streets;

• The Town of Ashland can create and install a mural representing Ashland's history on the east wall of the building. This will be designed by a local artist or a student group and is agreed upon to happen within 12 months of occupancy.

Are you a local artist who wants to learn more? Are you a student interested in mural design? Do you love Ashland's history and have design ideas? Do you have ideas how to raise additional funds to implement the mural? Should there be a competition, a selection process, or fundraising events? Be sure to connect with the Select Board and/or Planning Board to share your ideas!

[email protected]
[email protected]

Today, several members of the Ashland Planning Board attended the premier annual planning conference in the state organi...
03/19/2023

Today, several members of the Ashland Planning Board attended the premier annual planning conference in the state organized by the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative.

Fellow Planning Board Member Catherine Jurczyk - Ashland Planning Board and I were lucky enough to share a table with the Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, the former mayor of Salem. It was inspiring to hear that Kim started her career in a planning position with the City of Beverly and that planning issues are so important to her and to Governor Healey.

It was truly fun to learn and network with other planning volunteers from all over the Commonwealth. We learned together about zoning, planning, and public engagement.

Did you know that you can still "pull papers" and collect nomination signatures so that your name can be added to the ba...
03/16/2023

Did you know that you can still "pull papers" and collect nomination signatures so that your name can be added to the ballot for the annual Town Election on May 16, 2023? Nomination papers are due March 28, 2023 and you can learn more about available positions at: https://www.ashlandmass.com/219/Elections-Voting

I just turned in my nomination papers! I am very grateful to the volunteers who helped collect signatures and to the voters who supported having my name on the ballot for the Ashland Planning Board. When I turned in the papers, I thought of my late grand-mother. Her strength inspires me every day, but especially when I serve the public. Check out the family photo where my mother, my sister, my daughter and I surround her with pride.

Do you want to chat about what it's like to serve the public? Do you want to discuss planning and why I am running for re-election? Or, we can chat about my grand-mother and how she influences my beliefs and actions. Whatever you wish to discuss - come by and meet me during this upcoming "coffee tour" on Sunday March 19, 2023.

Bodacious Bagel 8 AM – 8:50 AM
Bagel Table 9 AM – 9:50 AM
Dulce D Leche 10 AM – 10:50 AM
Dunkin Donuts (Route 135) 11 AM - NOON

02/10/2023

I am thrilled to announce a Meet and Greet opportunity to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Two members of the Planning Board - myself and Catherine Jurczyk - will be at Dulce D Leche in Ashland 3:30 - 4:30 PM Saturday 2/11/2023 and we welcome any questions from the public about this exciting Volunteer Opportunity!

Can't wait to meet you!

One of my favorite Ashland institutions is Market Basket on Route 126. Where else can I get all the basics but also pick...
04/04/2022

One of my favorite Ashland institutions is Market Basket on Route 126. Where else can I get all the basics but also pick up some Korean kimchi, Organic Italian pasta, sauce from one of my favorite restaurants in the North end, and organic tea from India?

Whenever I am there, I am also reminded of what makes Ashland and the Metrowest area so unique - we are a melting pot of so many backgrounds and cultures, where all are welcome.

What unique foods do you love from Market Basket?

Sometimes, it's important to take a side.  Yesterday, I marched for Ukraine in Boston.  I marched because we live in a f...
02/28/2022

Sometimes, it's important to take a side. Yesterday, I marched for Ukraine in Boston. I marched because we live in a free country that allows freedom of speech. Ukraine deserves this same freedom. May Ukraine prevail.

Is there a building in Ashland you have a special connection to?Here is an Ashland building that has a special place in ...
02/22/2022

Is there a building in Ashland you have a special connection to?

Here is an Ashland building that has a special place in my heart - 25 West Union Street.

Back when I was a student at Ashland High School dreaming about becoming an attorney, I sent a letter to every law firm in Ashland and asked to work as a filing clerk. I wanted to learn what attorneys do each day.

Soon thereafter I was interviewed and hired by Catanzaro & Effren, P.C., who had their location in this building. Attorney Effren's office is still in the same building today.

I still remember walking to this building after school almost every day, back when the high school was in what is now the middle school building. Each time I drive by the building these days, I can sense the past and the present all together, somehow interconnected through time and space.

"That's where Mom had her first legal job," I tell my daughter, a sophomore at Ashland High School.

During last week's Planning Board retreat, the Planning Board discussed the importance of updating the Comprehensive Pla...
02/20/2022

During last week's Planning Board retreat, the Planning Board discussed the importance of updating the Comprehensive Plan for Ashland.

Did you know that state law requires the Planning Board to create such a plan? Each community is required to conduct an interactive public process to determine community values, goals and to identify patterns of development that will be consistent with these goals.

Ashland's last plan from 2003 can be found here: https://www.ashlandmass.com/Archive/ViewFile/Item/86 #:~:text=The%20Ashland%20Comprehensive%20Plan%20is,its%20physical%20and%20social%20development.

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Ashland, MA

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