[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier: Friday, December 10, 2021

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES

Town of Easton COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Clinics
Cases of COVID-19 are rising locally and in the region, and high demand for tests and booster shots are leading to longer wait times for those looking to schedule them. In response to this, the Town of Easton will be holding testing and vaccination clinics during December. We recently announced a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic for December 17 and today we are announcing additional test and booster clinics next week:

·                  Wednesday, December 15 - COVID-19 Moderna vaccination booster clinic for Easton residents on Wednesday, December 15th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Frothingham Hall, 15 Barrows Street, Easton, MA 02356. Pre-registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA8A92FA3FCCE9-covid194

·                  Thursday, December 16 - COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (BinaxNOW) for asymptomatic Easton residents from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Frothingham Hall, 15 Barrows Street, Easton, MA 02356. Pre-registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA8A92FA3FCCE9-covid195

There is no cost to residents to participate in either of these clinics. Registration is limited based on the supply on hand. Those needing assistance with registration can call 508-230-0783.

Easton Emergency Management is working with our partners at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to secure additional rapid tests and vaccine/booster doses and will announce and run additional test/vaccine clinics depending on supply we are able to receive.

As a reminder, the Town and Easton Public Schools are offering a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11 on Friday, December 17 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Easton Middle School. Registration and required consent forms are available here - www.easton.ma.us/covid19<http://www.easton.ma.us/covid19>.

Town of Easton Employment Opportunities
The Town of Easton has the following employment opportunity available:
•             Executive Assistant – Fire Department (full time 35 hours)
For more information, and full job postings, please visit Town of Easton Employment Opportunities<http://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/employment_opportunities.php>.

Holiday Help
Are you a resident of Easton who is in need of help purchasing holiday gifts for your children?  If so, we may be able to connect you with resources to help.  Please contact Deputy Director Cory Ahonen at 774-273-1991 to find out more information.

Water Notice
Stonehill College has hired a contractor to conduct hydrant performance testing on Wednesday December 15 from 8:00am to 12:00pm, and Thursday December 16 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  This testing will confirm the operational and flow availability status of the forty-three hydrants on their campus. There may be some discoloration of the water from this activity, check before using. If you have any questions, call 508-230-0850.
Housing Needs Survey
The Town has partnered with Old Colony Planning Council to update Easton's Housing Production Plan. This plan will set the direction for housing planning and policy in our community for the next five years.  Please take just five to ten minutes to share your thoughts with us.  A survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/eastonhousing.

Week of December 13, 2021 Bulky Item Pick-Up
The week December 13, 2021  will be the next “FREE BULK ITEM” pickup week for Waste Management customers. If you are enrolled in our Waste Management trash program, you can put one (1) large item curbside on your regular trash day to be picked up at no charge to you. No need to call the office, just have your item out at 7:00 AM. You can find the list of acceptable items on the Town’s website<https://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/trash_pickup_and_recycling/bulky_item_pick_up.php>.
Effective July 1, 2021  due to a change in the contract mattresses will no longer qualify for bulky item collection weeks, to schedule a mattress for collection for a fee please call Waste Management directly at 800-972-4545. Any questions call the DPW at 508-230-0800.

ONLINE Dog Licensing Now Available
2022 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 a few business days for internal processing before attempting to license online.  Please note that the bank charges .50 to pay by electronic check and there is a $1.00 postage & handling fee for each online license issued.  Dog licenses and tags will be mailed directly to you.

Easton Age-Friendly Community Action Plan Update
Easton is participating in an AARP-sponsored program to help guide the Town through an age-friendly assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation process. The thread among communities that undertake this work, according to the AARP, is “the belief that the places where we live are more livable, and better able to support people of all ages, when local leaders commit to improving the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in between.”

Over the last two years, citizens of Easton provided feedback about what changes can be made to help them live a more independent, healthy, and active life; what kinds of services would be helpful, and what issues are important. Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) and the Easton Age-Friendly Advisory Committee (AFAC) has created an Easton Age-Friendly Community Action Plan that includes goals and strategies developed from that feedback.
From now through December 20th, everyone will have another opportunity to give their perspective on the public comment draft of this plan. Here's how to review and comment on the Age-Friendly Community Action Plan:

·                     Access the Plan from the Town Website: https://www.easton.ma.us/AFAC

·                     Watch the presentation on ECAT. On December 1st at 3pm, there was a live Zoom presentation of the Age-Friendly Community Action Plan by Old Colony Planning Council and AFAC members. Throughout December, this presentation will be re-broadcast. Instructions about how to give feedback will be provided at the presentation and are also on the cover page of the report. In the meantime, if you have questions, please email EastonAFAC at protonmail.com<mailto:EastonAFAC at protonmail.com>.

What are your concerns about water quality and the impacts of climate change around the Canoe River?
The Canoe River Aquifer is an underground source of drinking water, the only viable source for over half the people in Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, and Sharon. The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network is working with Easton and neighboring communities to identify and champion up to ten Nature Based Solution projects in the Canoe River Aquifer area to protect this critical drinking water source and prepare the region for climate change. Public input is important in selecting these projects to better understand local concerns around these issues. The Southern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is a partner helping with this effort and is sponsoring a community questionnaire to help identify areas that could most benefit from a Nature Based Solution project.
Please consider adding your input to the project by completing this community questionnaire today: https://arcg.is/1HqG811.
To learn more about SNEP and the Canoe River Aquifer Project, visit snepnetwork.org/taunton-river-watershed/<https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fsnepnetwork.org%2ftaunton%2driver%2dwatershed%2f&umid=a7c230dd-1ad9-4d3c-b951-c2df0c9f5944&auth=59584f46b110e3dae90df3e0bc10e0f6db01b1ff-6797ebfd8d3b8ef599e6ec71c440492c82168202>. For more information about the questionnaire, contact Krista Moravec at kmoravec at horsleywitten.com<mailto:kmoravec at horsleywitten.com>.

Snow Plow Applications
The DPW is seeking snow plow contractors for the 2021-2022 winter season.  Applications can be downloaded here<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/d172c541-7615-ec11-a34e-000c29a59557/Snow%20Plow%20Application%202021_2022.pdf>.

The "Discover Easton MA" App
Available to download free from the Apple or Google store.  Look for local restaurants, businesses, recreation, places and town government information.  If you are a business, "Claim your business" at claim.mycivicapps.com<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fclaim.mycivicapps.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0xerVP2v2IebaG918UOb3ZOnnanpO-WmAK6Q0RowxMgEFzPO8gsnRrx3M&h=AT0vvH3_wCqUwol3tAjg4YCbHXygHDDP7ZTUh7Q9LBO57gVoU2zrcy0Dc5t4x_J3NoBsodNbgW_5H4L8Vs9kI3u2aL7SqXFSGFiPCshm8mkgsh3zk8SjBERjBy4WtXkH3Sm6GOjoha5GgDxRbShojtI&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5b0%5d=AT3BmBd8xw6eWa4bRyelx7KAB1EL0yk86pMjTL6jL--tS9XoWryv_kUDXy25A--x6e7jXM5gSZMAyGoTCM8ehJiijo7SBhk61MFfCVMnL0JsaN7GCbEKq_-Usw0gCDNhkOb_BTYA_MhNkz06gpc0NqpkRYjxPC8o5kh9qGhuwK13DoHbjjPooW0memNfd6DRz1H9vA> You will be able to update your listing with your logo, photo, business hours, local deals and more for FREE.  If you don't see your business, email ListMyLocalBusiness at gmail.com<mailto:ListMyLocalBusiness at gmail.com> for more information. If you see your business but don't want it in the directory, also send an email to ListMyLocalBusiness at gmail.com<mailto:ListMyLocalBusiness at gmail.com>

This app is made possible through the work of the Old Colony Planning Council in cooperation with the Town of Easton, MA and grant funding from the MA Office of Business Development. Thank you to the #EastonOutside<https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eastonoutside?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZXwp1Mxx5aj87-0WCaqdhRbzJbC2RqouLPHzGWm9XWQ1l-trWo4fkatyFS-THgso4Xslq3qE4pZ3d_NSJPp_Bny7Dh0zhZBho1v6QpgEUs6p8wcSqI8GEwTEZXM_W73t6PJaLgnlkbL87oTan7p9z8vzMa9MM2n_BHwuXavBmtHEw&__tn__=*NK-R> team, the Easton Chamber of Commerce and Metro South Chamber of Commerce for their help and support in creating this app.

COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities
Visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov to search for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment near you. For continued COVID updates, please visit the Town of Easton COVID-19 Information and Resources webpage<http://www.easton.ma.us/covid-19>.

PFAS Water Filtration Station
The Easton Water Division has installed a self-service water filling station to provide water with levels of PFAS6 below 20 ng/L to those in sensitive subgroups (pregnant or nursing women, infants, and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have ​a compromised immune system) and other concerned residents. The filtration station is located on the side of the Water Division building at 417 Bay Road. The station can fill water containers up to 5 gallons. For more information on the water filtration station, please click here<https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/water_division/filtration_station.php>. For more information on PFAS, please click here<https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/water_division/pfas_information.php>. In May of 2021, Town Meeting approved capital funding of $9.2 million for the final design and construction of PFAS treatment filter plants. It is expected that the Water Division will complete the design and construction of these PFAS treatment plants in approximately 18 months.

Please Help Your Fellow Easton Citizens Who Need Tax Assistance
The Town of Easton and the Taxation Aid Committee are pleased to announce the creation of the Taxation Aid Fund.  This Fund will help low income senior and disabled citizens to continue to live in Easton by helping them differ the cost of their real estate taxes.  We are only able to help others by using donations from citizens like you.
To donate online, please visit https://epay.cityhallsystems.com. Choose Easton MA, and under bill type, select donation. To donate by mail, please send a check payable to the “Town of Easton” and write “Taxation Aid Committee” in the memo line to the address below:

Town of Easton

Treasurer’s Office

136 Elm Street

Easton, MA 02356
For more information, call the Treasurer at 508-230-0604 or click here<https://www.easton.ma.us/boards_and_committees/taxation_aid_committee.php>.

Are you signed up with the CODE RED community notification program?
The program is offered through the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department for residents and businesses in Plymouth and Bristol County. The service provides important alerts to residents and businesses for emergencies including weather related emergency information. https://www.pcsdma.org/codered.html
You can self-enroll cell phones, home phones, and emails via an app or citizens and business owners can now text the keyword BristolPlymouthAlerts to 99411 and enroll in the Bristol & Plymouth Emergency Public Notification system. Please note that capitalization is important and the keyword must be exact! Those without Internet access may call the Sheriff's Field Services Division (508-830-6200), Monday through Friday, (8AM-4PM) to supply their information over the phone. Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number, additional phone numbers can be entered as well. If you are providing a cell number, you must indicate the carrier and if you would like to receive text messages. All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.

Attention Veterans! The Reveille Newsletter - A Publication of Easton Veterans’ Services
https://www.ourseniorcenter.com/find/easton-veterans-services

Veterans Benefits
M.G.L. Chapter 115 provides a needs-based, means tested program of financial and medical assistance for qualifying veterans and their eligible 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 monthly income must be below $2,147 and your assets must be below $8,400. To qualify as a married couple your gross income must below $2,904 and your assets must be below $16,600. 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 need 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
For business loans and alternative funding option From the US Chamber click here<https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/business-financing>. This guide outlines small business loans and alternative funding options. The US chamber has more than 30 grants, loans and programs. The U.S. Small Business Association<https://www.sba.gov/> offers these seven SBA loan programs which you may qualify for, as well.

CDC Federal Eviction Moratorium Ended Aug 26
The CDC Federal Eviction Moratorium ended on Thursday, August 26, 2021. However, the end of the moratorium does not mean you will be immediately evicted if you are behind on rent. Only a court can order someone to leave their home.
In Massachusetts, if you have a pending application for emergency rental assistance, your eviction case can be paused. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying rent, financial assistance is available. Apply for rental assistance<https://bit.ly/3zycJiR> today.  For legal help, visit the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project<https://bit.ly/2Y9zUlT>.  For information on community mediation, visit www.resolutionma.org<https://www.resolutionma.org/>.   You can also call 2-1-1 for referrals available in multiple languages.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Easton Music Holiday Shopping Fair – Come Enjoy Music & Holiday Cheer!
December 11, 2021 from 8:00-2:00 - Oliver Ames High School Cafeteria - 100 Lothrop St, Easton.
Featuring Crafters and Vendors from all of the state!

Town of Easton Community Calendar
The free Town of Easton Community Calendar from September 2021 through August 2022 is now available prepared by the North Easton Savings Bank.  The calendar includes significant school dates, listing of local organizations. and extensive pertinent information about the community.  The main feature this time is Oakes Ames Memorial Hall.  The calendars are now available in all Easton branches of the North Easton Savings Bank, the Town Offices, the Ames Free Library, Easton Historical Society and the Easton School Department Office.

Important Notice from the Easton Food Pantry
The Easton Food Pantry has moved!  Distributions are at the rear of the Fellowship Church, 604 Foundry Street, South Easton, on Mondays from 11:30 AM – 3 PM.
Please see the Food Pantry website https://eastonfoodpantry.org and FaceBook page for details and diagrams.

 The Easton Food Pantry is here to serve residents in need.
1. Call in by 5:00 PM Sunday evenings at (781) 333-6284 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. Wear a mask if you are unvaccinated or unwell.
4.  Please do not line up prior to opening,
If you are newly in need of food and supplies, come see us on Mondays from 11:30 AM – 3 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:
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
P.O. Box 1481
Easton, MA 02334-1481
Due to space limitations, the Pantry is resuming food drives on a limited basis.  Please check the website for guidance and scheduling.
https://eastonfoodpantry.org/food-donations
Other business: please leave a message at (781) 333-6284 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.

Queset House at Ames Free Library Open
Easton's favorite meeting space for community groups, tutors, gamers and hobbyists is once again open! The Learning Commons @ Queset House at 51 Main Street (right side of library driveway) is open from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, as well as 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. The popular book sale room, managed by the Friends of the Library,  will also be available during those hours. Groups wanting to meet during the morning hours should contact the library at  quesethouse at amesfreelibrary.org or call 508-238-2000 ext. 3. Masks and social distancing within the building required. Welcome back!

Art Coop/Gallery is Open
The Art Coop/Gallery has reopened and will remain open on Saturdays, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm Easton Shovel Town Cultural District is happy to announce the re-opening of the Coop/Gallery located at 50 Main Street (small cape house in the midst  of Ames Shovelworks Project). We feature Fine Art in Paint and Photography, jewelry, wood turned items, including kitchen ready bowls, platters as well as gift items. New Artist, Mary Lu Love, will be featuring handmade baskets. Check us out on Facebook: Easton Shovel Town Cultural District and Art Matters Easton MA.

Council on Aging Newsletter
The Council on Aging is here for you! Please click here<https://www.easton.ma.us/December%202021.pdf> to view our current newsletter, hot off the presses!

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.

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 ehagg at easton.ma.us<mailto:ehagg 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 Wednesday at 12:30 PM 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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