[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier - December 31, 2020

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES
Holiday Hours
In observance of New Year's Day, Town Offices will be closed on Friday, January 1st.  Have a happy, safe, and healthy new year!

Grant Program for Massachusetts Businesses
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made an additional $668 million available to support small businesses affected by COVID. This program is intended to help the small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. Applications may be submitted beginning Thursday, 12/31 at 12:00 pm through Friday, 1/15 at 11:59 pm. Click here<https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/sector-specific-relief-grant-program-massachusetts-businesses> for details.
Now through March 3: Deadline to Obtain Nomination Papers for Annual Town Election
Nomination papers for the Annual Town Election to be held on Saturday, April 24th are available beginning Monday, January 4th through the Town Clerk's Office. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 5:00 PM. The Election Calendar<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/5249034e-e238-eb11-a31e-000c29a59557/4.%202020%20Town%20Election%20Calendar%20posted%2012.18.20.pdf> with candidate deadlines, the positions on the ballot<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/26448197-e238-eb11-a31e-000c29a59557/5.%202020%20Town%20Election%20Terms%20Due%20to%20Expire%20with%20positions.pdf> and a complete Candidate Packet<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/d849d980-e338-eb11-a31e-000c29a59557/2021%20Candidates%20Packet.pdf> are available on the Town's website. As the town offices are closed to the public, interested candidates should fill out the Candidates request for nomination papers fillable PDF<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/bc9948ef-8839-eb11-a31e-000c29a59557/2021%20ATE%20-%20Nomination%20Paper%20Request%20-%20fillable%20PDF.pdf> to obtain papers. Email townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us> with questions.
April 24: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Annual Town Election
The Annual Town Election for the Town of Easton will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Oliver Ames High School. Use this link for additional Election Information<http://www.easton.ma.us/departments/town_clerk1/election_information.php>.
Easton Public Schools Grab and Go Meal for All Children Age 18 and Under
Easton Public Schools is offering Grab and Go meals for all children age 18 and under (Regardless of Free & Reduced lunch eligibility), including children who may not be enrolled in any of the Easton Public Schools. Meals are available for pick up on Mondays at 50 Oliver Street and Wednesdays at Oliver Ames High School (100 Lothrop Street) from 7:00 AM-8:30 AM. Prepackaged Breakfasts and Lunches for 3 days are offered at each site. No registration is required. The program is approved through June 2021. If you need further information contact Marilyn Gordon, School Business Manager, 508-230-3200 x213 or mgordon at easton.ma.us<mailto:mgordon at easton.ma.us>.
ONLINE Dog Licensing Now Available<https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx?TID=22364>
2021 Dog licenses are now available ONLINE<https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx?TID=22364>. To license online, search by Dog ID# (can be found on a previous year's license - this is not the dog tag #) or enter your last name, street name and/or dog name. Residents will only be able to use the online dog licensing service if the rabies certificate that is on file in the Town Clerk's Office is current at the time of licensing.
To update your rabies certificate on file please email<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us> a copy to townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us<mailto:townclerksoffice at easton.ma.us> and allow time for internal processing before attempting to license online. Please note that the bank charges .25 to pay by electronic check and while the town offices remain closed to the public the $1.00 postage & handling fee has been waived for each online license issued. Dog licenses and tags will be mailed directly to you.
Easton's Community Choice Power Supply Program
The Town of Easton is pleased to announce that Dynegy Energy Services has been selected as the supplier for its Community Choice Power Supply Program. This Program is a municipal aggregation which enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses to provide them with an alternative to National Grid Basic Service. The aggregation rate is $0.10287/kWh, below the November 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021 National Grid Basic Service rate of $0.12388/kWh. Standard supply customers will collectively save over $600,000 in this six-month period. Over the 3-year term of the agreement, Easton customers will collectively save an estimated $2.2 million in electricity costs.

This Program only affects the supply portion of your monthly bill. It will not affect the delivery portion of your monthly bill. National Grid will continue to deliver your electricity but Easton has chosen the supplier for the Program. Dynegy will provide electric power supply for all consumers currently on Basic Service in Easton. Please click here to visit the Town's aggregation program website<https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/planning_and_community_development/aggregation.php>.
MBTA Announces a Series of Public Engagement Efforts
The MBTA today announced a series of public engagement efforts to inform riders and stakeholders, and receive their feedback on Forging Ahead<http://www.mbta.com/forgingahead>, the Authority's plan to preserve transit access and quality of service available to transit-critical customers. Go online to provide feedback here<https://mbta.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XgJkYTrL6aySNL> (https://mbta.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XgJkYTrL6aySNL) and/or to participate in any of eleven virtual public meetings, including an Official Public Hearing, where you can provide input and ask questions of MBTA officials. Each meeting will focus on a specific community region within the MBTA's service area. Meeting details are available at mbta.com/ForgingAhead<http://www.mbta.com/forgingahead>.
Temporary Grant Assistance is Available for Income-Qualified Easton Renters
The Affordable Housing Trust has partnered with the Metro West Collaborative non-profit to offer three months of temporary grant assistance<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/18acb366-41cc-ea11-a304-000c29a59557/Easton%20Emergency%20Rental%20Assistance%20Program%20Guidelines%20WEB.PDF&fromFrame=1> to Easton renters not receiving other government rental assistance and earning below 80% Area Median Income who have lost income during the ongoing pandemic and recession. Monthly grants are $800 for a 1-bedroom, $900 for a 2-bedroom, and $1,000 for a 3-bedroom. Anyone interested in applying should contact Robyn Rufo at Metro West directly for an application and other program details (Robyn at metrowestcd.org<mailto:Robyn at metrowestcd.org> or 617-923-3505 x 5). Funding remains available following the August 12 deadline; applications are still being accepted and funds will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first served basis until the funding is spent.
Easton Officials Provide Important Information about Novel Coronavirus
The Town of Easton has consolidated all of its press releases and public health guidance and directives into one central webpage for ease of use. Our dedicated page, www.easton.ma.us/covid-19<http://www.easton.ma.us/covid-19>, includes confirmed case counts, local, state, and national health guidance, contact information for our information line, municipal service info, and many other helpful resources. Please also follow us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/townofeastonma/> and Twitter <https://twitter.com/townofeaston> for important updates and information.
Reopening Town of Easton Regulation
The Board of Health in the Town of Easton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, in accordance with and under the authority of Section 31 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, adopted the REOPENING EASTON DOCUMENT FILING REQUIREMENT<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/91695b2c-7e9b-ea11-a2f8-000c29a59557/REOPENING%20EASTON%20DOCUMENT%20FILING%20REQUIREMENT%20REGULATION%20Final> REGULATION at a meeting of the Board of Health May 20, 2020. This Regulation is adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor's and the Town of Easton's Declaration of a State of Emergency and to further implement and supplement the Governor's May 18, 2020 Reopening Massachusetts plan issued by the Baker-Polito administration on May 18, 2020 in response the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. This Regulation is intended to protect the health of the general public in the Town of Easton by requiring sectors to file copies of the documents required under the Reopening Massachusetts plan namely, the COVID-19 Control Plan and the Self-Certification Checklists. The Governor's Reopening Massachusetts plan and guidance documents can be found here https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts.
Status of Town Services
In keeping with the Governor's continued emergency actions limiting gatherings and other efforts to maximize social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Town Offices and Frothingham Hall are to remain closed to the public until further notice.  All departments are working remotely and are reachable during regular business hours via telephone, email, or US mail.  Town department contact information and the status of municipal services during the COVID-19 State of Emergency can be accessed here<https://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/about_easton/contact_us.php>. To review the Town of Easton Interim Inspection Policy during COVID-19 Declared State of Emergency, please click here<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/027ac652-b86e-ea11-a2ee-000c29a59557/Interim%20COVID-19%20Inspection%20Policy%202020.03.25>.  This policy is applicable to all inspectional staff, including the Building Department, Board of Health, Planning, Zoning, Conservation, DPW, Water, and Assessors.  The Town appreciates your continued patience and support as we all do our part together to flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Real Estate, Personal Property, Excise, Trash and Water Bill Payments
Due dates and interest charges have resumed a normal schedule.  We encourage online bill payment via https://epay.cityhallsystems.com/selection. Payments can also be made by US mail or can be placed in the drop box in front of the Town Offices at 136 Elm Street. Cash cannot be accepted at this time. If paying via US mail, please direct to: Town of Easton, Collector's Office, 136 Elm Street, Easton, MA 02356, or use the envelope and remittance coupon included with your paper bill. If you are having difficulty paying your bills, there are options available in certain cases.  Please call the collector's office at 508-230-0610.
Veterans Benefits During COVID-19
M.G.L. Chapter 115 provides a needs based, means tested program of financial and medical assistance for qualifying veterans and their dependents. Eligible applicants may receive financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies, and dental and medical care. These benefits are available for dependents of deceased veterans as well. To qualify as a single applicant your gross income must be below $2,081 and your assets must be below $5,000. To qualify as a married couple your gross income must below $2,818 and your assets must be below $9,800. Assets refer to liquid assets and do not include your home, vehicle, etc. it does, however include any IRA, 401k, stocks, bonds, trusts. We are proud to offer access to these benefits that you have earned through you or your loved one's service to our country. Please contact Cory Ahonen, Veterans' Service Officer, at 774-273-1991 or by e-mail at cahonen at easton.ma.us<mailto:cahonen at easton.ma.us>, to find out what documentation is needed to complete your application.
Veterans Discretionary Fund
The Veterans Discretionary Fund is reserved for the purchase or reimbursement of expenses required to sustain daily living for any veteran who is a resident of Easton, MA.  If you would like to donate or if you are in need of assistance from this fund please contact Cory Ahonen, Veterans' Service Officer, at 774-273-1991 or by e-mail at cahonen at easton.ma.us<mailto:cahonen at easton.ma.us>.
Local Business Assistance from the Small Business Administration
New loan programs for small business owners and non-profits are available under the CARES Act, including up to $10 million under the Paycheck Protection Program: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.  Find more information about all of the loan programs here<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/eecbd6e8-d878-ea11-a2f1-000c29a59557/LOCAL%20BUSINESS%20ASSISTANCE%20FROM%20THE%20SBA?fbclid=IwAR3dR9kuer2UxbFIPnTOq6HXDNg9YsTxNnfhzeCccCXjN7NMctInW4LYZLM>.
Easton Cable Access Television
ECAT will be broadcasting local and state COVID-19 information on Channel 9 Comcast and 22 Verizon Monday - Saturday from 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM and every day from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.  All live meetings will continue to take place on Channel 98 Comcast and 23 Verizon. An archive on COVID-19 community meetings is available at www.eastoncat.org/covid-19<http://www.eastoncat.org/covid-19>.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Important Notice from the Easton Food Pantry
The Easton Food Pantry has new hours: Mondays Noon - 3:30 PM at 136 Elm Street (Easton Town Offices Lot). The Pantry is closed December 28, 2020.


The Easton Food Pantry is here to serve residents in need.

1. Call in by 5:00 PM Sunday evenings at (508) 230-0670 and leave the following info on voicemail: name, address, phone #, and number of members in the family. Speak slowly and clearly.
2. Clients must remain in their cars at all times. Someone will come to the car to check you in and a volunteer will bring your bag/s to your trunk. Please make certain it is clear.
3. You must wear a mask when speaking with our volunteers.
4. Please do not line up prior to opening; it impedes Town Hall traffic.
If you are newly in need of food and supplies, come see us on Mondays from 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM. Please bring with you proof of Easton residency, such as a current utility bill, tax bill, etc. that has your name and address on it (drivers licenses are not considered proof of residency). Stay in your car, and a volunteer will come to register you.
For the safety of our clients and volunteers, the Pantry will not open during severely cold or stormy weather. If you are in doubt, call ahead.

Donations:
The Pantry is not holding food drives until the Spring of 2021.
If you would like to donate NON-PERISHABLE food or supplies, we ask that you please use the bins located at Roche Bros, Shaw's, or 50 Oliver St. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY PERISHABLE ITEMS OR EXPIRED FOOD.  Monetary donations and local supermarket gift certificates are always greatly appreciated, and can be mailed to:

Easton Food Pantry
136 Elm Street
Easton, MA 02356

Other business: please leave a message at (508) 230-0670 if you have questions or would like to volunteer.  Messages are checked frequently to ensure the mailbox is never full.

Thank you to the people of Easton for your support!

Check the Easton Food Pantry Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/Easton-Food-Pantry-147638461971296/> for updates.


January 4 through March 22: Path to Healing Holistic Outpatient Program for Military Trauma

Path to Healing, Inc. APPLY NOW-Deadline to apply for Winter Session is December 15! Interested participants should send an email to info at pathtohealingma.org<mailto:info at pathtohealingma.org>. Path to Healing is a holistic, outpatient program for military trauma. This 10-week program runs 3 days per week, offered to groups of 6. Winter Session runs January 4-March 22, 2021. See website for COVID-19 precautions. https://www.pathtohealingma.org

Old Colony YMCA - Easton Branch 2020-2021: Child Care & School Age Extended Learning

Spots are available! Registration is open for School Age (ages 5-12yrs) & Child Care (6 months-5yrs) Enrollment. Need to go back to work? Is remote learning a struggle at home? Look no further than the Old Colony Y's Easton Branch. Although we are well into the school year, there are still spaces available. At this time, registrations are being accepted for all Child Care and School Age Programs. We are offering Full Day and Before & After School for children throughout the school year, Monday - Friday for any students in virtual hybrid learning programs. Our Full Day program has academic specialists on hand to support your children while taking virtual classes. Before & After School programs will be held at each school for in-person learning days, while Full Day care will be held at our Barrows Street location for remote learning days. Our Child Care center is located at the Easton YMCA. For more information, please contact: School Age Director: James McMorrow at jmcmorrow at oldcolonyymca.org<mailto:jmcmorrow at oldcolonyymca.org> or Child Care Director: Victoria Jolly at vjolly at oldcolonyymca.org<mailto:vjolly at oldcolonyymca.org>
Council on Aging Newsletter
The Council on Aging is here for you! Please click on this link to view our December newsletter, hot off the presses! https://www.easton.ma.us/Decemberr%202020.pdf
Council on Aging's Friendly Caller Program
The COA has developed a new program that we are really excited about called the Friendly Caller Program. The purpose of this program is to spread positivity and prevent social isolation. This will be especially important this holiday season! Those signed up will receive a weekly call from one of our volunteers, where you can share stories or experiences, chat about current events, or just make small talk. This is also a great way to get to know some fellow seniors in town. If you are interested in enrolling to receive calls, please call the COA at 508-230-0690.
Attention Veterans! The Reveille Newsletter - A Publication of Easton Veterans' Services
https://www.ourseniorcenter.com/find/easton-veterans-services/bulletin/file/06-5360-20200701N.pdf
Town of Easton Community Free Calendars are Available
The annual free Town of Easton Community Calendar from September 2020 through August 2021 are available prepared and published by the North Easton Savings Bank. The calendar lists civic and organizational information about Easton, religious groups, and basic school dates. Assisting with this project are Morse Insurance and Scoreboard Enterprises, Inc. The calendars are available at all Easton branches of the North Easton Savings Bank, the Town Office, the Ames Free Library, the Historical Society, and the School Department.
Ames Free Library Open For Quick Browsing - Holds pick-up - Computer Use
The library is open from 10 am - 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, as well as 5 pm - 8 pm on Thursdays. Visit for quick browsing, pick-up of holds, reference questions, and use of computers, printers and scanner. Those who do not wish to enter the building can book an appointment for window-pickups at https://amesfreelibrary.org/library-open-holds-pickup-computer-use. For more information, email info at amesfreelibrary.org<mailto:info at amesfreelibrary.org> or call 508-238-2000 between 10 am - 5 pm, Monday - Saturday. All library material must be returned in the external Book Drop where it will be quarantined for 7 days.
South Shore Habitat for Humanity Begins Building its Easton Home!

South Shore Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce that it has resumed its Electric Avenue project, a home for one family! After a pause related to Covid-19, excavation crews are back at work and the foundation will be completed by late August. All recommended Covid-related safety protocols will be followed on the build site. If your company or group would like to build with us, please contact Development Officer Joe Regan at 781-337-7744, ext. 18 or jregan at sshabitat.org<mailto:jregan at sshabitat.org>. Corporate sponsorships, as well as gifts of product and services, are welcome! This Project was funded in part through the Town of Easton's Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Act Program.
South Shore Habitat for Humanity Is Seeking An Easton Ambassador For Its Current Electric Avenue Project
South Shore Habitat for Humanity is currently looking for an Easton resident to fill the role of South Shore Habitat for Humanity Ambassador, which will support the building of a single-family home for the duration of the project (approximately 8 months). Examples of the functions performed by this volunteer role may include: promoting the project within the town, encouraging residents, businesses and organizations to engage and participate and potentially facilitate third party fundraising. Additional functions may also be added, based on the availability of the Ambassador and needs of the project. Interested parties should contact Development Officer Joe Regan at jregan at sshabitat.org<mailto:jregan at sshabitat.org>.

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.


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