[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier November 13, 2020

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES
November 2 through November 20: Hydrant Flushing - Easton Water Division
Please be advised that hydrant flushing will be ongoing beginning November 2, 2020 and continuing through November 20, 2020. Flushing will occur during the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily. During this time residents may experience discolored water. In an effort to minimize the disruption, we have developed a mapping application which will show the current location of flushing, progress, and anticipated schedule. https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/water_division/index.php

November 18 and November 21: Board of Health Hosts Seasonal Flu Clinics

The Easton Board of Health has partnered with CVS pharmacy to be able to provide seasonal Flu vaccine for interested residents age 3 and older at Frothingham Memorial Hall. A flu vaccine is required for all school aged children and can also reduce the burden on our healthcare systems while they are trying to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Click here for details and to preregister: https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/board_of_health/hot_topic_-_flu_information.php
Special Town Meeting: Monday, November 30, 2020
Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the Ames Sports Complex, Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street. The warrant, a Know Before You Go information guide (with a campus map), and budget information is available here<https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/town_clerk1/town_meeting_information.php>.
Employment Opportunities
The Town of Easton has the following employment opportunity:

*   Fire Chief
For complete job posting and community profile, click here for details: https://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/employment_opportunities.php.
Easton's Community Choice Power Supply Program: Aggregation Plan Goes Live November 2020
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>.

A detailed information package about the Program was mailed to all basic-service customers in late September / early October 2020. Check your mailbox for an envelope with the Town Seal on it. It contains information about the Program including a Consumer Notification Letter and Opt-Out Reply Card. All basic service customers will be automatically enrolled unless they Opt-Out. There is no fee or charge for Opting-Out - just return the postage paid Opt-Out card or visit the website. You can Opt-Out at no cost in the future should you wish to enroll now and later change your mind. A sample mailing is available here<https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/planning_and_community_development/aggregation.php>.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health - COVID-19 Survey
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) is trying to hear from communities so that it can better help people through the COVID-19 crisis. By taking this survey, you can help find new solutions to community problems, and give MA-DPH the information they need to take action and support the communities that need it most. MA-DPH is committed to sharing information back in ways that will help us all take collective action.

We believe this effort will help us better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and would encourage anyone who is 14 years old or older to participate using this link: www.mass.gov/COVIDsurvey<http://www.mass.gov/COVIDsurvey>
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.
Bristol County Mosquito Control Update
The Bristol County Mosquito Control has deemed that on October 30th Bristol county has had a hard frost. The Town of Easton's current risk level For Mosquito born virous is at Low for EEE and WNV.  For more information, please visit this webpage: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bristol-county-mosquito-control-project.
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)
Thanksgiving distribution is Monday, November 23. You must sign up no later than Monday, November 16, by calling 508-230-0670.
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 our 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.

We are here to help all residents of Easton.  These can be challenging times.  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 we will come to register you.

Donations:
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, 50 Oliver St, or near the Pantry entrance at 136 Elm Street.  PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY PERISHABLE ITEMS.  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

Please consider donating items like cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, baking supplies and other holiday items during the next several weeks.

Other business: please leave a message at (508) 230-0670 if you would like to volunteer or hold a food drive/fundraiser.  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.

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 October newsletter, hot off the presses! https://www.easton.ma.us/October%202020.pdf
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>.
November 26 through November 29: The 26th Annual Tiger Turkey Chase VIRTUAL Race and Walk
This race has been a Thanksgiving tradition for so many over the years. Register to RUN OR WALK to benefit the OLIVER AMES CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM! Any 5 mile route for the run or any 2.4 miles you walk counts! Invite out of state family or friends; you don't have to be in Easton to run this year. You can run or walk anywhere, anytime between 11/26/2020 and 11/29/2020. Results will be posted to Racewire on Monday 11/30/2020. It's a great event that we really hope you can support! More information and to register go to the race website www.oaxc.racewire.com. All proceeds benefit the Oliver Ames Cross Country Team.

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

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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