UPDATE May 22: Town Hall is beginning a partial reopening process and the building will be unlocked on an intermittent basis. Even when the building is locked, we are still in the office to answer your phone calls and e-mails. Online services at AshlandVA.gov are still the safest option. Prior to entering Town Hall we recommend that you call our main line at 804-798-9219 to ensure service availability. Contact information for each department is also provided at the bottom of this announcement.
If you enter Town Hall:
- Please use the east entrance only (railroad side).
- Please maintain six (6) feet between you and others.
- Face coverings are strongly recommended for your safety, the community’s safety, and the safety of Town staff.
- Stay in designated areas.
- Follow all instructions of Town staff and signs posted.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE: On Friday, March 13, 2020, the Town of Ashland declared a local state of emergency as a precautionary measure over the global outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As of Tuesday, March 17, all Town offices will be closed to the public until further notice. This action is intended to not only protect Town staff but the entire community by promoting social distancing. Town staff will continue to be available by phone and e-mail during normal business hours, and public safety operations will not be impacted. Contact information for each department is provided at the bottom of this announcement.
Town Council meetings will be held as scheduled but the agenda will be reduced in scope to limit the length of the meeting, and actions are being taken to protect those who do participate in person. We recommend that you watch the meeting on Channel 17 or online (http://ashlandva.gov/89/Town-Meetings) from the comfort and safety of your home. You can submit questions and comments before or after the meeting by calling Matt Reynal at Town Hall (804-798-9219) or emailing him (mreynal@ashlandva.gov).
For those who are interested in following the actions of our business community, we recommend you follow Downtown Ashland Association (@DowntownAshlandAssoc) and Market Ashland Partnership (@MarketAshland) on Facebook.
At this time, the Town’s parks remain open. Be advised that the amenities in these areas are not sanitized, so use with caution and follow the CDC health and safety guidelines. We reiterate the importance of social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings and group activities. We understand the importance of the park system to our residents and will re-evaluate the need for closures and cancellations as this unprecedented situation evolves. Please stay up to date with COVID-19 facts through the CDC (www.CDC.gov/nCoV) and Virginia Department of Health (www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus).
Town Manager: Joshua Farrar 798-9219 jfarrar@ashlandva.gov
Finance Director: Cliff Goldsborough 798-8650 cgoldsborough@ashlandva.gov or finance@ashlandva.gov
Assistant to the Town Manager: Wanda Cornwell 798-9219 wcornwell@ashlandva.gov
Assistant Town Manager: Matthew Reynal 798-9219 mreynal@ashlandva.gov
Director of Planning and Community Development: Nora Amos 798-1073 namos@ashlandva.gov
Police Chief: Douglas Goodman 798-1227 dgoodman@ashlandpolice.us DIAL 911 for Police, Fire or Medical Emergency
Public Works Director: Mike Jennings 798-9219 mjennings@ashlandva.gov
State of Local Emergency Declared March 13, 2020
The Town of Ashland has joined with its fellow government partners in the Richmond region to declare a local state of emergency due to the Coronavirus, called COVID-19.
The state of emergency designation gives public safety agencies more flexibility to work seamlessly with surrounding jurisdictions, streamlines procedures to enable Ashland to procure necessary supplies in a more efficient manner and gives the localities access to state and federal emergency funding.
A joint press conference on March 13 featured speakers from Hanover, Chesterfield, Henrico, Goochland, the City of Richmond and Henrico/Richmond Health District Director Danny Avula expressing their determination to work together to protect the health and welfare of the region’s residents.
The Town of Ashland’s leaders join with their colleagues in urging residents to avoid gatherings of 10 people or more and change their normal social interactions to avoid doing things like shaking hands. On a personal level, continue to minimize touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
“These are acts of prevention and compassion and preparation,” Avula said. A primary goal of all regional partners is to “flatten the curve” and reduce the number of people affected by the virus so that the number of cases at one time does not overwhelm local health care systems.
At the time of declaration, no changes are anticipated in the services offered by the Town of Ashland government. Regional public safety efforts are being directed by the Central Virginia All Hazards Incident Management Team.
The Town’s website at www.ashlandva.gov is regularly updated with information on COVID1- issues of importance, along with the Town’s Facebook feed. To get email updates subscribe to Ashland 311 on the homepage at www.ashlandva.gov