Select Board returns Town Common to Parks Commission

Select Board · Meeting of September 9, 2026

Ashby Select Board returned oversight of the Town Common to the Parks Commission, ending years of confusion over who managed the land. A board member said the issue surfaced when a resident asked to plant a tree and no one could say who was in charge, noting oversight had drifted between town administrators and the Highway Department "and it's not known whether it was given to the Highway or the mowing was given to the Highway." The board voted 2-0 to authorize the Parks Commission, with members David and Paul voting aye. Separately, the board appointed Kevin Monahan as a full-time police officer effective September 13, approved a payroll warrant of $80,016.85, and reappointed Peg Mosher and Sandy Hayes to the Ashby Cultural Council.

The town administrator told the board she has applied for a $446,000 MassDOT hardship grant to repair the remainder of Richardson Road.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 1,389 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.