[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier - December 27, 2019

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES
Holiday Hours
In observance of New Year's Day, Town Offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st. Happy New Year!
Town of Easton Employment Opportunities
The Town of Easton has the following employment opportunities available:

·   Director of Planning Economic Development

·   Communications Dispatchers - 40 hours per week, part time and per diem
For more information, and full job posting, please visit Town of Easton Employment Opportunities<http://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/employment_opportunities.php>
Now through February 29: Dog Licensing
Dog licenses for 2020 are now available and must be completed BEFORE March 1st to avoid late fees. A current rabies certificate must be on file with the Town Clerk's Office in order to license your dog. To update your rabies on file please email<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us> a copy to townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us>.
You may license your dog in one of the following ways:

·   License Online<https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx?TID=22364> (.25 bank convenience fee with electronic check) and your licenses and tags will be mailed directly to you ($1.00 postage & handling fee).

·   License in Person - You may stop by the Town Clerk's Office during normal business hours. (Mondays 8:30AM - 7:30PM, Tues/Wed/Thur 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Fri 8:30AM-12:30PM)

·   License by Mail - Click here<http://www.easton.ma.us/departments/town_clerk1/dog_license.php> for additional information on how to license your dog by mail. Licensing forms<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/db96eb02-e4bf-e711-80bf-001fbc00ed85/Dog%20License%20Form.pdf> and are ONLY required when registering your dog by mail.
Annual Town Census
Residents should have already received an Annual Town Census Form in the mail.  The Annual census forms must be signed and returned to the Town Clerk's Office within 10 days of receipt.  Residents are reminded that census forms need to be returned even when no changes are necessary to their census information.  In accordance with MGL Ch 51, Sec 4c, failure to respond to the annual census shall result in removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls.
Notice to Property Owners in Queset Sewer District
At this time the Queset Sewer District construction is substantially complete and ready for connections. Property owners in the Queset Sewer District that are part of the sewer project that would like to connect should contact a Licensed Drain Layer or contact a contractor who is eligible to become licensed to begin the process of connecting to sewer. The cost to connect to the sewer lines installed by the Town is the responsibility of the property owner. We recommend getting as many quotes as possible for the work and to be clear on what is or is not included in the scope of work (i.e. restoration of lawns, driveways, walkways, removal of trees, internal plumbing changes, abandonment of septic or cesspool, pumping of the old system, cost of permits, etc.). Only Licensed Drain Layers (or those applying to be licensed) may apply for a sewer permit. The Town of Easton will license contractors that have experience installing municipal sanitary sewer, possess the required insurance, and have posted a $5,000 performance bond. For more information visit the DPW Permit page at https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/permits.php.
Five Corners Sewer Construction Project: Phase II
Work on Foundry Street between Robert Drive and the Five Corners has been completed and the detour has been deactivated. The temporary signals at Bay Road and Highland Street and Foundry Street and Highland Street will remain active until the entire project is completed next year. It is anticipated that the detour will be reactivated for a period of time next construction season to accommodate final paving operations.
The contractor will continue working throughout the winter months on the pump station installation and depending on weather conditions may perform some limited excavation within the roadway on side streets. The remaining roadway work (Bay Road, Depot Street, Foundry Street east of Five Corners) will resume in the spring. No work is currently planned until the week of January 6, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns about this project, you may email us at fivecorners at easton.ma.us<mailto:fivecorners at easton.ma.us> or call us at (888) 527-6797.
Waste Management Guide
Waste Management has published a guide for homeowners to explain what is recyclable at home and most common contaminants https://recycleoftenrecycleright.com/resources/for-home/.
Meetings Next Week: December 30 through January 3
See time, date, location, and agenda details on our helpful calendar app: Town of Easton Calendar<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Calendar>. Questions relating to public meetings should be directed to the Town Clerk's Office at (508) 230-0530. Stay informed of all town board and committee business by signing up for email notifications with our Minutes on Demand service! Sign up here.<http://eastontownma.minutesondemand.com/EmailNotifications/Login>
January 2 through March 6: Deadline to Obtain Nomination Papers for Annual Town Election
Nomination papers for the Annual Town Election to be held on April 28, 2020 are available beginning Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Town Clerk's office. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Friday, March 6, 2020 at 5:00 PM. The Election Calendar<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/ca052b20-0592-e911-a2cd-000c29a59557/2020.04.28%20Annual%20Town%20Election%20Calendar.pdf> with candidate deadlines, the positions on the ballot<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/bf7fcc2d-0592-e911-a2cd-000c29a59557/2020.04.28%20Annual%20Town%20Election%20Terms%20due%20to%20expire%20with%20positions.pdf> and a complete Candidate Packet<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/ae7bbc59-0792-e911-a2cd-000c29a59557/2020%20Candidates%20Packet.pdf> are available on the Towns website. Interested Candidates are invited to call 508-230-0530 or email townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us> with questions.
Now through April 1: Real Estate Exemption Applications for FY2020 Now Available
Applications for real estate property tax exemptions for FY2020 are now available through the Easton Assessors' Office. The town offers many exemptions designed to reduce property tax for qualifying seniors and disabled residents. Exemptions include:

·      Elderly, for those age 65 and older who qualify by income and assets;

·      Widow, widower, persons over 70 or minor surviving child with asset limit;

·      Disabled veterans, blind, tax deferral; and

·      Community Preservation Act with income limits
Those interested in further information or applications should visit the Assessors' section of the town's website at Easton Real Estate Property Tax Exemptions<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/e418076f-f698-e911-a2cd-000c29a59557/2020%20RE%20Exemption%20info%20for%20web%20site.pdf&fromFrame=1>. If you would prefer to avoid long lines and believe that you may need assistance, call the Assessors' Office (508) 230-0520 to schedule an appointment to review your application. You may drop off the application at the Assessors' office or mail the completed application.
April 28: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Annual Town Election
The Annual Town Election for the Town of Easton will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM at Oliver Ames High School. Use this link for additional Election Information<http://www.easton.ma.us/departments/town_clerk1/election_information.php>.
COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
Beginning Immediately - Meals on Wheels Volunteer Needed on Thursday Mornings
We are looking for a volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels to Easton residents on Thursday mornings 9:00 AM-11:30 AM/12:00 PM starting immediately. This would be on a weekly basis and would be a 2-3 hour route. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Outreach Coordinator, Kathleen Gouveia at 508-230-0692.
Easton Community Access Television (ECAT)
Would you like to help ECAT shape our programming and strategies for the future? ECAT is partnering with Stonehill College on two exciting research initiatives: an online survey and a focus group. If you are interested in participating in one or both please send an email to Prof. Kristin McGillicuddy at kmcgillicuddy at stonehill.edu<mailto:kmcgillicuddy at stonehill.edu>.
Recreation Department Programs
The Recreation Department is accepting registrations for Tennis, Chess and Adult Gentle Yoga. Click here for more information: http://www.easton.ma.us/departments/recreation_department/recreation_programs.php
Free Town of Easton Community Calendar
The free town of Easton Community Calendar from September 2019 through August 2020, prepared and published by the North Easton Savings Bank, is now available. In addition to listing town, school and organizational events, it included information about civic and religious groups, community activities, and a brief history of the 135 years of the Ames Free Library. Assisted by the Easton Country Club, Morse Insurance, and Scoreboard Enterprises, the calendar is a valuable resource for all residents. Calendars are available at the Ames Free Library, Easton Historical Society, Town Offices, and all Easton branches of the North Easton Savings Bank.
Mondays through Saturdays: Ames Free Library - Find Entertainment & Inspiration
Find entertainment & inspiration at one of the great programs offered at the Ames Free Library! You can also browse our wide collection of books, large print materials, magazines, newspapers, audio books, database resources, DVDs and music suitable for all ages and interests. Weekly Storytimes are conducted in the Children's Room of the Main Library from 10:30 AM-11:00 AM on Monday - Thursday. All library programs are at Queset House, 51 Main Street unless listed otherwise. Free and open to all. For more information, call (508) 238-2000, check www.amesfreelibrary.org<http://www.amesfreelibrary.org/> or Email info at amesfreelibrary.org<mailto:info at amesfreelibrary.org>.
December 28: Original Easton Farmer's Market Winter Location - Fellowship Hall 143 Lincoln Street
The 2019-20 winter Original Easton Farmer's Market (OEFM), which began on Saturday, November 2, and runs through Saturday, May 23, 2020 is held every Saturday, with market hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The OEFM winter location is inside the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC), at 143 Lincoln Street, in North Easton. For the Saturday, December 28, 2019 OEFM our vendors of locally grown, locally made, and locally raised are Langwater Farm (fresh fruit and vegetables), Townie Frozen Desserts (ice cream, sorbets, and toppings that are vegan, dairy-free, and allergy friendly), Oakdale Farms (fresh fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, potted plants, jam, jellies, oils, and vinegars), Lady C & J Soulfood & Catering INC. (barbecue and soul food), Bridgewater Village Bakery (sourdough bread, sourdough pastries, and sourdough-crusted chicken pot pies), Daddy's Homegrown (humanely and pasture-raised beef and pork), Rosie Bud Farm (raw honey; soaps and lotions made from raw honey), All Hands In (quality personal care products made by survivors of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation; proceeds of sales go to heal those who have suffered, and to fight and prevent, these abuses), and  Knot Be Gone Therapeutic Massage (chair massages).

December 27: Community Meditation
>From 10:30 AM-11:30 AM. Want to share mindfulness skills and meet other folks with contemplative practices? Welcome to an open, peer-to-peer meditation sangha, where we will sit together for 30 minutes of meditation in a low key, supportive environment. Anyone with a meditation practice in any tradition is welcome. Facilitators are doubly welcome! Please bring a cushion for sitting. Free and open to all. Event Location: Queset House, 2nd Floor Conference Room.
December 27: Pokémon Club
Drop by the Queset House from 1:00 - 2:30 PM to play the Pokémon card game or just chat with other Pokémon trainers! Please bring your own deck. Beginners are welcome, but there will be no instruction. If you're new, watch and chat with more experienced players to learn a thing or two! There will be a beginner's play mat and instructions available if you want to try a round. Event Location: Queset House, 1st Floor Presentation Commons.
December 28: Kindle Coaching
>From 2:00 PM-3:00 PM. Your library offers more than just books on paper! Did you know you can borrow library books on Kindle, and other digital media? If you need coaching on how to do this, visit Dan Paré at Queset House. Come learn about Libby and OverDrive, two apps and websites you can use to borrow eBooks for all Kindle devices, as well as audiobooks, magazines, and videos for Kindle Fires. You can also learn how to use the apps on your smart devices. When you come to your appointment, you're encouraged to bring your library card and Kindle (or smart device), as well as the sign-in info and password for the Amazon account connected to your Kindle, so you can practice borrowing a Kindle book during the coaching. Sessions are by appointment only. Please schedule your session and call 508-238-2000, ext. 3. Event Location: Queset House, 1st Floor Office.
December 29: Annual Music Service at Unity Church
Annual Music Service at 10:30 AM. An annual tradition at Unity Church is to host a music service to "ring out" the old year and bring beauty, love and fellowship to the New Year. This is a wonderful collection of musical talents from other churches in our region. Performances will include Jordan and Wayne Potash, Unity Bell Choir and other musical talents. All are welcome. Unity Church, 13 Main Street, North Easton, MA 02356. Office: 508-238-6373 Email: welcome2ucne at gmail.com<mailto:welcome2ucne at gmail.com> Website: https://www.unitychurchofnortheaston.org/
2nd Saturday Each Month: Easton Genealogy Club
>From 2:00 PM-4:00 PM. Stuck on a tough "puzzle" in your family tree? Join Ed Hands and the Easton Genealogy Club where you can use the Ames Free Library's resources to solve the riddle! The Easton Genealogy Club meets the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free and open to all! Event Location: Queset House, 1st Floor Library Room.

About the Town Crier
The Town Crier is typically sent on Fridays informing subscribers of local government news, notices and community events. To request an event be added to a future newsletter, please send an email to lflorio at easton.ma.us<mailto:lflorio at easton.ma.us> with the information in plain text as you wish it to appear. For consideration, please include event information, the name of the group/event, date, time, location, contact information and website if applicable. Please list all dates that you want to run the notice. The Town reserves the right to reject requests deemed not to be in the public interest or those promoting private benefits and is not responsible for typographical errors. Requests for inclusion must be received no later than Thursday 12:30PM in order to be considered for inclusion in that Friday's newsletter. Requests in the form of PDFs, JPEGs, press releases, etc. will not be accepted. Have a great weekend.


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