Ashland July 2020

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Page 10 Ashland Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com July 2020A Thank You Tour – First Responders and Their Best FriendsAshland MA: Recently PamelaBathen and Steven Greenbergof Oak Realty, along withEd Eglitis, owner of the BagelTable, visited our local first respondersto thank them for theirongoing excellence in service forthe town of Ashland. We stoppedby the police department duringmorning roll call, visited both theMain Street and Cedar Streetfire stations, and concluded witha trip to the DPW. In additionto bagels and coffee donated byEd from The Bagel Table, wealso distributed our brand-newT-shirts promoting Staying ApartTogether, our virtual six-week online“race.” A note of thanks tothe participants, who were especiallygenerous while staying activeduring quarantine. To date,the event has raised over $2,500for the Ashland Emergency Fundduring a time when our neighborsneed it most.Timothy Daniels HouseExceptional Short-Term Rehab & Skilled Nursing CarePhysician on Site24 Hr Nursing CoverageShort Term RehabRespite Stays Welcome(508)429-4566Physical Therapists On SiteHospice Services84 Elm Street, Holliston, MAwww.rehabassociates.com/timothydanielsLookingfor NEWCustomers?Contact Jen508-570-6544jenschofield@localtownpages.com
July 2020 Ashland Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 11Profile: Joe Richardson—Maintaining and Reopening Town PropertiesBy Cynthia WhittyJoe Richardson, Ashland’s Directorof Public Facilities, overseesthe maintenance of all townbuildings, and in May, he wasasked to coordinate the reopeningof town buildings and propertiesafter the COVID-19 shutdown.Richardson who started hisjob here in August 2017 is originallyfrom Worcester but settledin Leicester after returning fromtime in the Navy.He enjoys fishing and beingoutdoors. “If I’m not on thewater, I can usually be found outworking in the yard,” Richardsonsaid. “I have a small hobby farmand take joy in getting my handsdirty. We raise heritage turkeys,laying chickens, meat chickens,and ducks as well as many organicgarden beds and fruit trees.I’m also a fan of relaxing by mywood smoker and cooking upsome great food.”“My partner Sue and I havebuilt a blended family with fourkids ranging from 20 down to 7years of age. There is never a dullmoment.”Ashland Local Town Pagesrecently interviewed Richardsonabout his role.What does your job entail?I work for both the school departmentand the town. In myroll I have the privilege of leadinga dynamic team that ensuresschools and municipal buildingsare clean, safe, and function asdesigned. The team is made up oftrades people, custodians, maintenancetechnicians, grounds people,as well as two supervisors.COVID-19 has refocusedthe importance of cleaning inbuildings. For many years custodialand maintenance servicewas looked at simply as a costin both the private and publicsector, and as such, budgets andlabor operated at a minimum.As standards and requirementscome from state and federal bodies,we see that a big part of thatis continued cleaning of spaces.So moving forward, I along withleaders will have to find a way tomeet those requirements. I’ve alsobeen asked by the town managerto coordinate and lead the effortin reopening public buildingsand spaces in Ashland. That hasproved to be a huge undertakingin that we are writing the playbookin the middle of the game.What prepared you for this job?My background in the fieldstarted a long time ago when at13 I started working at a campgroundin Maine doing groundsand maintenance work. I reallyenjoyed the work and seeing theimmediate results of a job welldone. After graduating fromSaint Peter-Marian in Worcester,I entered the U.S. Navy whereI spent 10 years, first as an engineerand then in law enforcement.After leaving the service,I returned to facilities operationsas a Chief Engineer for MarriottHotels, followed by a director’sposition in long-term healthcarewhere I eventually became aregional manager with 34 nursinghomes from Pennsylvania toMaine. I then moved on to thepublic sector as the Director ofSchool Building Maintenance forthe City of Fitchburg. Along theway, I completed a B.S. in OccupationalSafety & Health Managementand a TradespersonAssociate’s degree in HVAC&R.What are some of your accomplishments?If you enter a building anddon’t think, “It’s too hot (or toocold) in here,” “Why is it so dark”. . . and the doors work, the buildingsystems work, and you don’tknow we are there in the backgroundmaking it happen—thatis the daily major accomplishmentthat the men and women infacilities do every day.We have done many capitalprojects, from new HVAC systemsat DPW headquarters tonew portable classrooms at theWarren school. Usually if yousee a capital project taking placeon a building paid for by the taxpayer—that is us.What are your goals?My goal in Ashland is to movethe town forward in establishinga Unified Facilities Department.Currently, I am split between theschools and town as well as theteam under me. On the schoolside we have custodians andmaintenance members, on thetown side we have two employeesthat manage all the maintenanceand cleaning of town buildings. Iwould like to see one departmentthat cares for and maintains allbuildings. It’s a successful modelfollowed by more and moretowns every year. My short-termgoal—year to year—is to give thetax payer the greatest return oninvestment I can through propermaintenance and care of the assetsthey entrust me with.Joe Richardson is in charge of maintaining, and now reopening, thetown’s buildings and properties. (Photo/supplied)It has been a challenge and ajoy to work in Ashland. The communityis engaged and passionate,and that is not always so in atown. There are forward-thinkingpeople here that support makingVETERINARY CAREfor your companionOur veterinariansprovidepersonalized,compassionate careit a better town for themselvesand their neighbors. The challengeis always how to make theirideas and dreams a reality . . .thejoy is that they will step up to helpand have your back to get it done.PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE, VACCINATIONS, SPAY& NEUTER, EXAMS AND CONSULTATIONS, PUPPYAND KITTEN CARE, SURGICAL CARECall us today to schedule an appointment!FREE First Visitfor Dogs and CatsDogs 12 months or older,cats 6 months or olderNew clients only with this ad.Expires 7/31/20888-818-2028Great Rebates & Financing*Call today and beat the rush!Gas, Oil and AC Equipment Sales & Service*Rebates and financing provided by and subject to Mass Save restrictions and limitations508-231-1223300 Eliot Street, Ashlandwww.thefamilypethospital.comMedicine • Surgery • Exotics • Retail • Cat Friendly CertifiedDoggie Daycare • Dog Training • Grooming • Medical Boarding
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Ashland July 2020

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