[Eastontowncrier] Town Crier - March 18, 2022

[Easton Town Crier]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS AND NOTICES

Easton Citizens Academy
Town Administration invites you to participate in the first-ever Town of Easton Citizens Academy! This academy will allow residents of Easton to learn more about their town government through a variety of classes and interactive activities.

Easton Citizens Academy is a nine-week series of classes and activities designed to:
(1) give participants an up-close view of local government; and
(2) develop informed and civically minded future community leaders.

Weekly sessions will be on Monday evenings at various locations in Easton from 6:00 - 8:00 PM from April 4 - June 13, 2022. Attendance at Annual Town Meeting is required (May 16th) and there is no class during April vacation/Patriots' Day (April 18th) or on Memorial Day (May 30th).

During these sessions, participants interact first hand with department heads and other town staff to learn about the day to day operations, challenges & goals of each department, and have the opportunity to ask questions of each department.

Participants will explore the following departments and areas of town government: Town Government and Administration, Finance & Budgeting, Fire, School, Town Clerk, DPW, Water, Police, Animal Control, Regional Emergency Dispatch, Library, IT, Boards & Committees, Planning & Economic Development, Inspectional Services, and Health & Community Services (Board of Health, Recreation, Veterans, and COA).

Applicants must be Easton residents 18 years of age and older and preference will be given to registered voters.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 21st at 5:00 PM. For more information, and to apply, please visit www.easton.ma.us/citizensacademy<http://www.easton.ma.us/citizensacademy>.

Meet & Greet: State Representative Carol Doherty
Representative Doherty will be at Frothingham Hall on Thursday 3/24 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM  for a meet and greet. Coffee and Donuts will be provided!

Town of Easton Employment Opportunities
The Town of Easton has the following employment opportunity available:

  *   Community Outreach Liaison/Mental Health Counselor (full time 40 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>.

Sign up Now for a Community Garden Plot at Wheaton Farm
The Easton Agricultural and Conservation Commissions invite you to register for a plot at the community garden at Wheaton Farm, 499 Bay Rd, Easton MA, just south of the junction with Prospect Street. Plots are available within a fenced enclosure with full sun, running water, and a storage shed. Rental for a double plot (20‘ x 20’) is $75 and for a single plot (10’ by 20’) is $55 for the season. Please complete your registration form at https://tinyurl.com/EastonComGardenReg. Garden plots will be assigned on a first come first serve basis depending on the number of available plots. Gardeners will be notified of their plot assignment and asked to sign the Gardener Agreement and pay their fee. For additional information, please contact Jennifer Carlino, Land Use and Environmental Planner at jcarlino at easton.ma.us<mailto:jcarlino at easton.ma.us>.

Conservation Chats
The Easton Conservation Commission invites you to join us for a Conservation Chat on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 6:30pm via Zoom. In this half hour discussion, we will present the Conservation Commission Act (MGL Chapter 40 Section 8C). Please register for this event at https://tinyurl.com/EastonConsChat. The link will be sent to registered participants on the day of the event.

Notice of Tree Removal at New Pond Dam and Foundry Street
As part of the Town of Easton’s ongoing maintenance of the New Pond Dam, the removal of existing trees and vegetation along the earthen embankment of the dam began in late February.  Police Details may be on scene to assist and direct traffic through and around the work area, if necessary. This maintenance work is required by the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety to maintain earthen embankment dams free of the existence of trees and woody growth.  Work on the embankment has received required permits from the Conservation Commission and the Office of Dam Safety. Work on the project is expected to begin around 7:00 AM and should conclude by 3:00 PM daily.  Work on New Pond Way is anticipated to be limited to between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  Depending on weather, the project should be completed by the end of March 2022.  Please plan accordingly and be prepared to move vehicles from driveways if needed ahead of the tree removal work.  Thank you for your patience as we work to maintain the Town of Easton’s facilities.  If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (508) 230-0800 or MGrosschedl at easton.ma.us<mailto:MGrosschedl at easton.ma.us>.

Annual Town Election: April 23, 2022  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Annual Town Election for the Town of Easton will be held on Saturday, April 23, 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>.

2022 Dog Licensing
The deadline to register your dog without late fees was February 28th.  Any dog license processed on or after March 1st will include a $5 late fee.  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> (.50 bank convenience fee with electronic check) and your license and tags will be mailed directly to you ($1.00 postage & handling fee for each license issued).
  *   License in Person – You may stop by the Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. (Mondays 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM, Tues/Wed/Thur 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Fri 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
  *   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> are ONLY required when registering your dog by mail.

Annual Town Census
Residents should have received an Annual Town Census Form in the mail the week of February 14th.  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.

Reprecincting<https://eastontownma.documents-on-demand.com/Document/2e24bad3-de98-ec11-a36b-000c29a59557/Town%20of%20Easton%202022%20New%20Precicnts%20and%20Districts.pdf>
As noted on the insert with your census form, voting precincts have changed as a result of the 2020 Federal Census population numbers.  These changes include the addition of a 7th precinct and a precinct with split representative districts.  For most  voters, but not all, your precinct number has changed.  The town has a total of 9,901 voting addresses - 5,329 of those addresses have changed.  Please view and make note of your precinct at www.easton.ma.us/whatsmyprecinct.pdf<http://www.easton.ma.us/whatsmyprecinct.pdf> or on the Interactive GIS Map<https://eastonma.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=9a3b19c960a54215a3211aa4bbfeaa87>.

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, (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) 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

Upcoming Human Rights Committee of Easton Training
On Thursday, March 31 from 6:30-7:30 via Zoom, the  Human Rights Committee of Easton is hosting a training entitled “Addressing Implicit Bias in Our Daily Interactions“ conducted by Dr. Liza Talusan. Living in a diverse environment allows us to interact with people from different backgrounds and experiences. Yet these differences can also create bias and exclusion. Join Dr. Liza Talusan as we explore the ways we can address issues of bias when we see them, and create a more healthy, positive, and engaging community. Sign up for free registration at:

https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/O8T6CVO0yqt6x3NFG1Qt-?domain=eventbrite.com
We hope you will join us for this important discussion.

Adult Woman's Basketball
Easton Recreation Adult Woman’s Basketball registration is open to all woman 18 years and older.  Games will be held every Tuesday night from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, beginning April 5th and ending May 31st. Participants will play against other individuals of all different skill levels.  The cost for this program is $40 per person.  The deadline to register is Thursday , March 31, 2022. Please register here.<https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx>   If you have any questions please email Programs Assistant Jeff Page at jpage at easton.ma.us<mailto:jpage at easton.ma.us>


2022 Tee Ball Program Registration
The Easton Recreation Department is excited to announce that the 2022 Tee Ball season is now open for registration! This program is for all children born between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018. The Tee Ball season runs from May to mid-June. Games are at 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday.  There are usually 1-2 games per week depending on the schedule.  The cost of this program is $80.00 per child. To register and pay for this program, please click here<https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactionInfo.aspx?CustomerID=994&TransID=23072>.

7th Annual Oliver Ames Track and Field Clinic Tuesday April 19, 2022
Open to girls and boys grades 5 through 8.  8:00 AM to 12:00 PM - rain or shine. OAHS Muscato Stadium, Track and Field complex.  $50.00 all proceeds benefit the OA Track and Field Program. Participants who register by 4/1/2011 receive a T-shirt.
Participants receive instruction from OA Track and Field Coaches and athletes in discus, shot put, high jump, long jump, hurdles, sprints, distance and relay events.  (Please wear comfortable athletic attire and sneakers.  Please bring a water bottle.)
Register at Oliver Ames Track & Field<http://www.oatrackandfield.com>  www.oatrackandfield.com<http://www.oatrackandfield.com>

TCS Shoveltown 5K
Spring is around the corner!  That means it is time to register for TCS Shoveltown 5K! Family Friendly and Great Course Support March 27th, 2022, 9:00 am at Richard Olmsted School Our traditional post-race party starts at 11:30am at Shovel Town Brewery with live music by the legendary Dave Spagone Optional Bib pick up at Marathon Sports in Mansfield on Saturday, March 26th 11 to 2 pm.
Register at www.TCSshoveltownrun.com<http://www.TCSshoveltownrun.com>    5K registration amount: $25 pre-registration & $30 on race day Virtual 5K Registration: $15 (virtual participants not eligible for t-shirt or award) T-shirt guaranteed if registered by March 6th. Top three male and female in each age division will be awarded our traditional
 “TCS Shoveltown Medal!”

Photonics Certificate Program<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stonehill.edu%2Fphotonics&data=04%7C01%7Cbboyer%40stonehill.edu%7C7f22caf290594b496a3a08da029bca04%7C2d1c5372f88f46c1a557ed75b9b2893c%7C1%7C0%7C637825165382958386%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=PWJS4yFf%2BWxBho1cnqX%2F6anljWdip1uRowLcrIL9GzE%3D&reserved=0> at Stonehill College
Do you like to work with your hands? Now enrolling in the Photonics Certificate Program<https://www.stonehill.edu/programs/photonics-certificate/> at Stonehill College to train students in the field of light and laser technology. Starting in the fall, earn 10 certificates in 12-months, 24-credits, part-time, 3 nights/week, no math/science background assumed, little to no homework, and 100% internship/job placement in a high-tech company for the first graduates. Scholarships, financial assistance, and learn-earn pathways are available. Accepting applications now until May 1st.

Moms Club of Easton, MA
"The Moms Club of Easton, MA in collaboration with Raising Multicultural Kids, invites local families to join us for our 9th Annual Family Fun Fest on Sunday May 15th, 2022! We are so excited to be back after two years off. As our largest fundraiser of the year, all proceeds will directly support Raising Multicultural Kids and School on Wheels, MA and their incredible programming!
This year we will be hosting the event twice in one day, you will choose a ticket time to attend from either 9:30am-12pm or 1pm-3:30pm! All parking will be on site.
All activities and entertainment are FREE with ticketed entry!
Enjoy:
*Special Appearances by Toe Jam Puppet Band at 10:15am and 1:45pm
Vinny the Bubble Guy at 9:30am, 11am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm
* The Great Rolando magic show at 9:45am, 11:15am, 1:15pm and 2:45pm
For the entire duration of the event (Please note some lines may close 15 min prior to event ending to reset for the next session)
*Visits with Mermaid Princess,Island
Princess, Tinker Fairy and Spider Hero
*Balloon twisting* by Lorri Inglis of Alleyoop Party Rentals
*Face painting* by Artsy Parties & Face Painting, Too
PLUS: Boating on the lake, Pedal Carts, Maplewood Village, Playgrounds, Open basketball court and "beach" volleyball!
All of the above is included in your ticket! Please make sure to select the correct time slot, we cannot accept tickets to the wrong timeframe! Please see our Facebook event page at: https://fb.me/e/2gzjzOKb2 for ticket information.

FOOD FOR PURCHASE:
Kona Ice will be serving up fresh snow cones! Stay tuned as we update with more!
Raffle tickets for amazing prizes will be available for purchase! (cash only)
You won't want to miss this! Try your luck to win an Easton Children's Museum or a Stoughton YMCA family membership, Gift cards to Bliss, Merry Go Rounds, Playa Bowls, Dream Dinners and Pine Oaks Golf Club. How about some passes to Altitude, Jam Time, Davis Farmland and Kids in Sports? And so much more!

Ticket sales are open now! Only $30 per car load (Maximum of 8 attendees per vehicle)
Tickets are non-refundable. Event is rain or shine.
We can’t wait for this year’s event and look forward to seeing you all on May 15th for a beautiful day of family fun!
100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit: Raising Multicultural Kids and School on Wheels, MA!
Special thanks to our incredible host, Maplewood Country Day Camp for supporting us again this year!"

Easton Commission on Disability
WHAT WE DO:

  *   Advocate for residents who experience an access or disability related problem in town
  *   Research local problems of people with disabilities
  *   Advise and assist town officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities
  *   Provide information, referrals, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability
  *   Review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of the town as they affect people with disabilities
Questions or Concerns? Contact us at cod at easton.ma.us<mailto:cod at easton.ma.us> or visit our website<https://www.easton.ma.us/boards_and_committees/commission_on_disabilities/index.php>

The Children’s Museum Easton
The Children's Museum Easton is a hands-on interactive children’s museum designed for children ages 1 to 7, founded in 1991 on the principle that play and hands-on learning is critically important to successful child development.
CME's hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 AM -3:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:30 PM- 4:00 PM, last admission each day is 45 minutes prior to closing. Admission price is $10 each, (adults and children, 1 years and up).
What’s happening at the Children's Museum this week:

  *   Tuesday March 22nd- Tuesday Studio 10-11:00am, Roll up your sleeves, toss on a smock and get ready to create! This week we will be painting with yarn. You never know what you’re going to get when you try painting with yarn. We’ll pull and squiggle the lengths to create some awesome art!
  *   Wednesday March 23rd- Exploring Music 10-10:45am, Miss Kerry leads this drop-in that introduces toddlers to various styles of music through singing, rhythm-making and dramatic interpretation.
  *   Thursday March 24th - Yoga, Movement & More 10-10:45, Miss Jenny mixes it up each week in these sessions that are geared to develop a toddler's self-awareness. Child size mats are provided.
  *   Friday March 25th - Bee Mindful with S.T.E.A.M. 10-11:00am, Weave materials and yarn through a handmade loom with your little one while you learn helpful mindfulness techniques. Let's play and learn together!

After 2 years without our iconic road race, The Father’s Day 5K Road Race & Family Fun Walk will be held this year on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Our race is a fun and festive event which helps provide much needed funding for our programs and exhibits.
Here’s some more big news. We will be celebrating the 30th birthday of CME too! (A year late but better late than never.) New course, new faces, so much to celebrate this year! Register now at www.cmefathersdayroadrace.racewire.com<http://www.cmefathersdayroadrace.racewire.com>
We offer yearly memberships and private birthday parties.
Visit our website at cmeaston.org<http://www.cmeaston.org> or like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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 the library driveway) is open from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Groups wanting to meet during the morning hours should contact the library at quesethouse at amesfreelibrary.org<mailto:quesethouse at amesfreelibrary.org> or call 508-238-2000 ext. 3. Masks and social distancing within the building required. Welcome back!

Friends of the Ames Free Library News
The Book Sale Room at Queset House is open for browsing whenever Queset House itself is open (from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). For more information, and for details about donating your gently used books in good condition, please visit this page<https://amesfreelibrary.org/friends-library>. We're also pleased to announce that the first edition of the Friends' new quarterly e-newsletter is now available! To receive every issue, you can subscribe here<https://amesfreelibrary.org/friends-afl-newsletter>. A link to download the newsletter directly is also available on the website.

Low-and-no-cost Energy Efficiency Programs
Before you make any energy-saving updates to your home or apartment, take a look at the programs offered by Mass Save, which is open to all residents, and Self Help, a needs-based organization that assists with much more than fuel assistance. Depending on your eligibility, these state programs may cover a portion or all of the cost of the following:

  *   Replacement of your heating system
  *   Insulation of walls, attic, basement
  *   Air sealing drafty areas like windows and doors
  *   Installing energy-saving programmable thermostats
  *   Providing LED energy-saving light bulbs
  *   Installing water-saving faucets
  *   Replacement appliances such as refrigerators, window air conditioners, clothes washers, and dehumidifiers, if your current models are deemed inefficient
Both Mass Save (https://www.masssave.com/) and Self Help (https://selfhelpinc.org/) are open to Easton homeowners and renters (eligibility varies between programs).

Art Coop/Gallery is Open
Easton Shovel Town Cultural District is happy to announce the re-opening of the Art Coop/Gallery located at 50 Main Street (small cape house in the midst of Ames Shovelworks Project). The Art Coop/Gallery is open Saturdays, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. They 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 them 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/March%202022.pdf> to view our March newsletter.

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.

Important Notice from the Easton Food Pantry
The Easton Food Pantry 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!

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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