A Bad Girl’s Guide to Town Government

In the fifth episode of Bad Girls Guide to Town Government, recorded on February 5, 2026, hosts Julie Ardone and Kate Jersey discuss the vital role of transparency and free speech in Ashland.The episode features a special tribute to Larry DiYoung, the longtime coordinator of the Ashland Public Library’s art gallery, who recently retired after years of helping local artists like Julie set up their first shows. The hosts then dive into a discussion on the legal right to criticize government officials at public meetings without being forced into "civility," and Julie expresses frustration over the town's failure to post legally required financial reports for the Economic Development Special Revenue Fund. The show concludes with concerns about the lack of public access to recent budget workshops and the diversity of stakeholders involved in the town's new housing production plan.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WACA TV, its staff, or its board of directors. WACA TV does not endorse or assume responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information provided within this content. The content is solely the opinion of the host.Stay Connected:📧 Email the show: [email protected] more from WACA-TV:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjI8843QJq4#AshlandMA #WACATV #TownGovernment #JulieNardone #PublicAccess #CommunityVoices #LocalCivics

Julie Nardone and Kate Jurczyk discuss the Bad Girls Guide to Town Government and why they re the "bad girls" Welcome to the Information Parlor. In this debut episode of A Bad Girl’s Guide to Town Government, hosts Julie Nardone and Kate Jurczyk launch a new platform for civic discourse in Ashland, Massachusetts. Recorded at the WACA-TV Studios, this podcast is designed "by the people and for the people," offering a space for citizens to express concerns, share documentation, and engage in transparent conversation about local government.In this episode:The Mission: Julie and Kate discuss the inspiration behind the show’s name and honor the legacy of the late Jim Hannah.Upbeat Corner: A look at the success of the 39th Annual Ashland Day and the power of community volunteerism.Transparency & Accountability: A deep dive into the September 30th Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting regarding the downtown mill site, addressing concerns over "muzzled" public participation and the difficulty of obtaining public records.Join the Conversation: Learn how you can become a guest co-host to discuss the issues that keep you up at night.A Bad Girl’s Guide to Town Government is a community-led production of WACA-TV Ashland. Whether you call it a podcast or a cable show, it’s a place where persistence is a rule and every voice has a seat at the table.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WACA-TV, its staff, or its board of directors. This program is intended for informational purposes and to provide a platform for community voices.A Bad Girl’s Guide to Town Government is a community-led production of WACA-TV Ashland. Whether you call it a podcast or a cable show, it’s a place where persistence is a rule and every voice has a seat at the table.Contact: [email protected]: WACA-TV (Ashland Public Access)Listen: Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Julie and Kate discuss the effects of the town budget and the effects of an override would cause whether it passes or does not pass. This a presentation of WACA

In this episode of the Bad Girls Guide to Town Government, co-hosts Julie Nardone and Kate Jurzek dive into the latest developments in Ashland. Recorded in the Information Parlor at WACA-TV, we cover:The Upbeat Corner: Ground-penetrating radar and student involvement at the Village Burial Ground.Town Branding: Comparing Ashland to Seneca Falls and the importance of historic preservation.The "Free Cash" Mystery: Understanding where your tax surpluses go.The Override Debate: Analyzing the Tri-Board meetings and the need for more public input before major votes."I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises." — John F. KennedyGet Involved: Email us at [email protected] to suggest topics or join us as a co-host. Watch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/IWkuhH1t2ZMDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the WACA-TV Board of Directors or staff. The hosts of this show are not government employees and do not represent any official town committee at the time of taping.

Hosts: Julie Nardone & Kate JurczykIn this episode, Julie and Kate return to the "Information Parlor" at WACA-TV to pull back the curtain on some of the most pressing—and confusing—topics in Ashland. From the charm of historic branding to the complex world of town "deficits," they explore why more public input is needed before major financial decisions are finalized.Episode Highlights:The Upbeat Corner: Kate shares an update on the Village Burial Ground project. She discusses the exciting community effort involving Bridgewater State students and the use of ground-penetrating radar to discover unmarked history in the heart of downtown [01:21].Town Branding & Historic Preservation: Inspired by a road trip to Seneca Falls, the hosts discuss how Ashland could better capitalize on its own identity—from Henry Warren and our mill buildings to the Old Connecticut Path. Why is Ashland struggling to brand itself when we have such a rich story to tell? [03:59]The Truth About "Free Cash": Julie breaks down what "Free Cash" actually is (a tax surplus) and questions why the public is often excluded from deciding how that surplus is spent, especially when we are simultaneously told the town is facing a deficit [10:00].Crashing the Tri-Board Meeting: A recap of the October and December meetings regarding the potential tax override. The hosts discuss the "deficit of public input," the pressure to vote without adequate information, and why finance committee meetings aren't being filmed for the public to see [14:51].The "Real" Deficits: Kate and Julie wrap up by identifying the non-monetary gaps in town leadership: a deficit of listening, a deficit of participation, and a deficit of transparency [28:52].Get Involved: As Julie says, it’s time to "stand up and talk." If you're interested in being a guest co-host or have a topic that keeps you up at night, we want to hear from you.Email us: [email protected] Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Kzf8G0-6Usw

In this episode, Julie and Kate dive into the theme of "New Beginnings" for 2026, tackling the complexities of volunteerism, public trust, and the importance of asking "brilliant questions" in local government.Episode Highlights:The Upbeat Corner: A shout-out to the Ashland DPW. Julie shares her firsthand experience riding along in a snowplow during a blizzard and discusses the "priceless" nature of the town’s workforce and volunteers [00:46].The State of Volunteerism: The hosts discuss the shift from volunteer-led committees to paid staff positions. They explore the impact this has on town transparency and whether certain roles, like the Town Planner and Open Space planning, should return to citizen-led oversight [06:17].Asking the Tough Questions: Julie and Kate address the "resistance" to public scrutiny during tri-board and override meetings. They advocate for a "listening tour" and more documentation to ensure taxpayers understand where their money is going [09:27].The Case for a Personnel Board: A look at how other towns use volunteer personnel boards to set salary steps and guardrails, and why Ashland’s current "arbitrary" system for non-union raises needs more transparency [12:40].Avoiding "Groupthink": A deep dive into why harmony isn't always healthy for democracy. The hosts discuss the psychological trap of prioritizing agreement over critical thinking and how it may be affecting recent financial decisions in town [22:36].Earning Public Trust: Applying The Four Agreements to public service. Julie reflects on the importance of being "impeccable with your word," specifically regarding past promises made about the funding of the Public Safety Building [25:44].Join the Conversation: Have a topic you want discussed or want to guest on the show? Email the "Bad Girls" at [email protected] on WACA-TV: https://youtu.be/Wh_8ctC2xbw