COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
Ashland

December 5, 2004

MORE As part of the town's make over, Ashland's library is getting a $5 million renovation and expansion. Above: (left) 8 Rodman Road, a three-bedroom, one-bath home listed at $269,000. (right) 35 Kathryn Drive, a five-bedroom, five-bath home listed at $989,000. More: Miles from Boston: 22 Population: 15,305 Median house price: $407,500 Tax rate: $13.32 Transportation: Routes 126 and 135; MBTA commuter rail; LIFT regional bus service. Best things: Community spirit, schools, commuting options Worst things: Commuting headaches MCAS: Ashland's public school system scored 118th out of 373 systems statewide, according to a Boston Globe analysis of 2004 MCAS results. Census facts: Median family income is $77,611, compared to national rate of $50,046 and 46 percent held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to national rate of 24 percent. Website: www.ashlandmass.com Snapshot archive More community information RESOURCES For Sale: Homes | Condos | Open Houses For Rent: Apartments | Houses | Roommates Vacation rentals Place an ad: On Boston.com | In the Globe Commercial: Search listings for sale or rent

ASHLAND -- In a move having nothing do with reality television, this town is giving itself a serious civic makeover using local tax dollars and state funds.

A new $40 million high school is under construction. The library is getting a $5 million renovation and expansion. Town Hall is being expanded for $4 million. A $2.5 million community center has opened, and the MBTA, in 2002, opened a $7.4 million commuter rail station in the heart of the town's business district.

"The town was considered a sleepy town for a while, but now it is getting itself on the map a little more," said Bonnie DiCori, an Ashland resident and a broker for Re/Max Executive in Hopkinton. "It does sort of have that feeling of progress."

DiCori has lived here since 1985 and is putting her two children through the public school system, which she says is one of the magnets drawing new residents.

The town provides some entry-level housing prices and has yet to break the $1 million price barrier. But it's close, says DiCori, who is listing the most expensive property in town, a single-family for $989,000. New construction expected to come on line next year may break the $1 million mark, she said.

On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 39 single-family homes, ranging from $269,000 for a three-bedroom, one-bath, 1,144-square-foot home to DiCori's $989,000 listing: a five-bedroom, five-bath 5,800-square-foot home.

DiCori recalls having to drive to neighboring Framingham to do all of her shopping, but now there are two supermarkets and numerous other stores here.

"Now, you really wouldn't have to leave town if you didn't want to," she said. "I just think the town is just really up-and-coming, similar to what a lot of people think of Hopkinton."

JOHN ELLEMENT