[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier - July 30, 2021

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES

Depot Street Detour
Beginning the week of August 2nd Depot Street will be closed between Central Street and Purchase Street.  Through traffic will be detoured onto Purchase Street and Church Street.  Local traffic will still be able to access businesses and residents within the closure area, but motorists may have to come in from either the Church Street end or Purchase Street end depending on where the construction crew is at a given time.  Police details/flagmen will be onsite to assist local traffic.  We recommend through traffic utilize the Foundry Street alternate route.  The road will only be closed during working hours and the detour is expected to last approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities
Visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov to search for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment near you. Register today for the VaxMillions Giveaway<https://www.vaxmillionsgiveaway.com/>! If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, register today for your chance to win one of five $1 million prizes or $300,000 scholarship grants. Not fully vaccinated yet? Get your COVID-19 vaccine and then register as soon as possible for a chance to win. 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.

Purple Heart Day
Please join the Town of Easton on Friday August 6th as we honor National Purple Heart Day (Annually- August 7th).  We will be holding a ceremony at the Town Offices Flagpole at 9:00 am to honor those who have been injured or killed by an act of war while serving to protect our freedom.  Please come out to hear from our guest speakers and commemorate their service to our country.

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 please send a check payable to the “Town of Easton” and write “Taxation Aid Committee” in the memo line and mail it 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>.

Assessor’s Property Inspections
The Town of Easton is working together with Jason Dzilinski, a data collector, to perform site inspections within the Town of Easton. He is authorized by the Assessor’s Department to inspect all properties for the purpose of collecting data. Mr. Dzilinski is driving a Gray 2009 Subaru Tribeca with Connecticut registration 957KMH. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 508-230-0520.

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.

Easton Town Pool
The Easton Town Pool is open for the season! The Town Pool is a fun-filled place that everyone of all ages can enjoy. We offer senior, individual, and family memberships. For more information or to register and pay online, please visit www.easton.ma.us<http://www.easton.ma.us/>, under Recreation. Or you can print the registration form<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/4e1366ac-fac9-eb11-a33e-000c29a59557/Pool%202021%20with%20changes%20.PDF> and mail it to the Recreation Department at 15 Barrows Street. Checks can be made payable to the Town of Easton.

Children's Races
The Children's Races<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/document/e501db1a-e5cd-eb11-a33f-000c29a59557/Children's%20Races%20Poster%201%20-%202021.PDF> are back! Children, ages 2-12, are welcome to come race every Thursday night through August 12th!  Races will be held at Frothingham Park every Thursday night starting at 6:00 pm. No registration is required. In case of rain, races will be cancelled.

The Legacy 2021 Summer Concert Series
Presented by Easton Shovel Town Cultural District
Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, Outside/Indoor if it Rains/ 6:30 open doors/7:00 Concert/Bring Chairs
August 5 – TOMMY RAINES & STEVE GIORDANO – Popular Music from the 60’s through today’s current hits
August 19 – BIRD MANCINI – “A cosmopolitan fusion...pop music in the most adventurous, inclusive sense of the term” …The Boston Globe
Series Finale at Queset Garden (behind Ames Free Library) – Bring Chairs
August 29 - Sunday - 4:00 PM – Will be rescheduled if it rains! - MOVIN ’ON – Tribute to 70’s Super Group “Bad Company” & Salute to “Foreigner”

May 1 through November 1: Phase III Water Restrictions
Effective May 1, 2021 through November 1, 2021 Phase III Water Restrictions will be in place.  Even numbered properties will be restricted to Mondays between 5:00 am to 8:00 am. Odd numbered properties will be restricted to Tuesday 5:00 am to 8:00 am.  These tighter restrictions are a result of exceeding the performance standard of 65 residential gallons per capita per day set by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.  Our residential gallons per capita per day was 72 for calendar year 2020 and this is primarily influenced by excessive outdoor watering.  These tighter restrictions will remain in effect for all of 2021 unless further restrictions are required.  At this time the Massachusetts Drought Taskforce has issued a Level 2 Significant Drought Advisory for all of southeastern Massachusetts limiting non-essential outdoor use.  We ask residents to check and reduce the operation of their irrigation systems and follow the prescribed day and operational hours.  Residents will be notified if further emergency restrictions are required. Please visit the Easton Water Division web page at for more https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/water_division/index.php

Town of Easton Employment Opportunities
The Town of Easton has the following employment opportunity available:
• Full time Civil Engineer – Department of Public Works
For more information, and full job postings, please visit Town of Easton Employment Opportunities<http://www.easton.ma.us/easton_residents/employment_opportunities.php>.

Depot Street Reconstruction Project
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has begun a road improvement project on Depot Street (Route 123), between Newell Circle and Washington Street (Route 138). This project is intended to address deteriorated pavement and multi-modal accommodation through reconstruction of the roadway (minor widening) to provide bicycle accommodation in addition to reconstructed sidewalks and extensions. The project is 2 miles in length. A traffic signal is proposed at the Depot Street/Center Street/Porter Street intersection. The project also includes drainage upgrades, a new water main, and new pavement markings and signs. Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. Please visit https://www.easton.ma.us/departments/dpw/depot.php for more information and updates on the project.

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 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
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.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Important Notice from the Easton Food Pantry
The Easton Food Pantry has new hours:  the distribution day is every Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at 136 Elm Street (Easton Town Offices Lot).  Do not line up early; it impedes Town Hall traffic and you will be asked to leave.
To receive groceries on a Friday:
1. Call in by 5:00 PM Thursday evenings at (508) 230-0670 and leave the following info on our voicemail: name, address, phone #, and number of members in your 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.
The Easton Food Pantry serves Easton residents only.  If you are newly in need of food, 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
Other business: please leave a message at (508) 230-0670 if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.  Messages are checked frequently to ensure the mailbox is never full.
The Pantry is looking for a new home, and is suspending food drives (except those previously scheduled) until the move is complete.
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/> or our website eastonfoodpantry.org<https://eastonfoodpantry.org/> for updates.

Ames Free Library Open Regular Hours
The library is open from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, as well as 10 am - 5:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Visit for browsing, pick-up of holds, reference questions, quiet study space 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. All library material must be returned in the external Book Drops.


Art Coop / Gallery Has Reopened
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 on this link to view our current newsletter, hot off the presses! https://www.easton.ma.us/July%202021.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

August 11th: When Cupid is Stupid
At 5:30 PM. We’ll discuss crucial financial planning, investment, Social Security, college, and tax considerations before, during, and after divorce so you’re best positioned for your next chapter ahead. This Power Hour webinar is offered by RBC Wealth Management in Easton and free to Easton residents. Presenter is Nora Yousif, CFP® Financial Advisor working with Kevin and Avery Lee Williams. Email: nora.yousif at rbc.com<mailto:nora.yousif at rbc.com> to register and be sent the Zoom link or register through our website at www.EmpowerWealthGroup.com<http://www.EmpowerWealthGroup.com>.



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 mblanchard at easton.ma.us<mailto:mblanchard 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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