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Message from the President of the
 Monponsett Watershed Association
In September, the Monponsett Watershed Association (MWA) organized an "ePetition" campaign to ask Governor Baker to help improve the water quality in Monponsett Pond.  We received a tremendous response to the campaign; over 600 signatures in 48 hours.

The Governor's office instructed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to work with all the parties to improve the water quality of the Pond.  As a result of these efforts, I'm pleased to report that the Brockton Water Commission voted to adopt a policy not to divert water from Monponsett Pond if the blue green algae cell count exceeds the threshold set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
This action by the Brockton Water Commission accomplished one of the goals of the petition.  The other goal of the petition is to improve the flow of water through the Stump Brook Dam. 

The MWA, Halifax town officials and our legislators have been meeting with the DEP on this issue.  While the issue has not been settled, there has been progress.

Please join us at our Monponsett Watershed Assoc. members meeting,
Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 7 PM at the Great Hall, Halifax Town Hall, 
to learn more about this and other important issues affecting the Monponsett watershed. 

We look forward to seeing you.
Happy New Year,
Paul Collis
President, MWA

Post via
 January 17, 2016

 

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Historical Tidbit: 
Monponsett Station
Early Halifax Rail Road
            The railroad from Boston to Plymouth started running one train a day in 1845.  When it was surveyed, the original lines went between what today would be the area of Pond and Elm Street and the area of Furnace and Elm Street, but the farmers objected fearing that their cattle would be killed.  There is a story that the Fall River Railroad company surveyed a line that went near Baker's Blacksmith shop (when it was on Old Plymouth Street), but the road was never built.  And the town was again left out to one side when the Brockton and Plymouth street railway was built, for it just touched the northeast corner of the town.
            This left Whitman and Hanson having the honor of tracks running from Boston to Plymouth.  The residents of Halifax used the Monponsett Station in Hanson.
            The photo is a postcard from 1940 showing the Monponsett Station on Monponsett Street in Hanson.  The station was on the South side of the tracks that are there today, near where Cranland Airport is.

Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile

BA logo
Upcoming Schedule of Events
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King Day
All town offices, banks, schools & library are closed.
Tuesday, January 19
No School Today - Teacher In-service Day
SHINE Counsel - 9a - COA
COA Mtg - 10a - COA
Lunch - 12p - COA
Afternoon Book Club - 1p - Library
Wage & Personnel Bd - 6:30p - Town Hall
Conservation Comm - 7p - Town Hall
Municipal/School Bldg Needs - 7p - Town Hall
Wednesday, January 20
Senior Fit - 9:30a - COA
Quilting - 10a - COA
Wii Games - 10:30a - COA
Chair Yoga - 11a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA

Technology - 2:45p - COA

Board of Health - 7p - Town Hall

Cable TV Advisory - 7p - Town Hall

Halifax PTO - 7p - Elementary School

Youth & Recreation - 7:30p - Rec Bldg 

Thursday, January 21

Men's Coffee - 9a - COA

Oil Painting - 10a - COA

Toddler Story Time - 11a - Library

Massage - 11:30a - COA

Lunch - noon - COA

Grocery Shopping - 12:30p - COA

Pre-K Story Time - 1p - Library

Planning Board - 7:30p - Town Hall

Friday, January 22

Errand Van - 9a - COA

Exercise/Meditation - 10a - COA

Infant Lapsit - 10a - Library

Lunch - noon - COA

Preschool Story Time = 11:30a - Library
Saturday, January 23

 Our Lady of The Lake - Mass - 4p

Sunday, January 24
Our Lady of The Lake Church - Masses - 7:30a & 10:30a
Halifax Congregational Church Service - 10a  

*Information compiled from the Town & Library Websites, Council on Aging Newsletter, and individual submissions.  If you'd like something listed, email us.
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
  

Why does popcorn pop?  Read our blog

Like us on Facebook  1000 Plymouth St 
                                            (Rt 104) 
                                           Bridgewater
                                            (508) 697-0357 
 
Town of Halifax's 2015 Annual Town Report 
Photograph Contest

The Halifax Board of Selectmen is now accepting submissions of photographs for the covers of the Town of Halifax's 2015 Annual Town Report. Photographs should have been taken during 2015 and feature scenes or events in Halifax during that year. This contest is open to residents and non-residents. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 19 and all entries should be e-mailed to the Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig at cseelig@town.halifax.ma.us by that date with the jpg version of the photograph and a description of the scene or event.  The Board of Selectmen will make a selection from all entries by February 23.

Charlie Seelig
Halifax Town Administrator
781-294-1316
The Town of Halifax is now using a new program that will allow residents to report quality-of-life issues and request services through an on-line and mobile interface.  Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting Commonwealth Connect platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from litter and flooding to damaged sidewalks and malfunctioning traffic signals.  Learn more about SeeClickFix and Commonwealth Connect in this 
30-second video, or visit the Town's SeeClickFix page.
Do-Gooders Needed!

Help would be appreciated if anyone lives near an elderly or disabled person to help clear their walkway, driveway, or car because many cannot afford to hire someone.  Let us help one another get through this winter. 
Please call the Council on Aging if you can assist - 781-293-7313.
 Meatloaf Dinner & Homemade Cake Auction 
Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 5:00 pm.
Halifax Congregational Church

We will be serving meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, glazed carrots, dessert and a beverage.

Following dinner, we will be hosting our Annual Cake Auction where a variety of delicious homemade cakes will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.   If you like to bake and want to bring your favorite cake, we would love to have you join us. 

If you are unable to attend the dinner or don't like to bake, please feel free to join us anyway for the cake auction to bid on someone else's cake.  Don't miss out on a chance to take your favorite cake home!

Tickets are $10-Adult, $5-Children and $20-Family of 3 or more.  This is a very popular and fun dinner, so please make sure to get your tickets early so you are guaranteed a seat.   To reserve tickets, please call Susan Mahan at 
781-293-0422 or the church at 781-293-6393.

If you would like to attend the dinner but don't drive at night or don't have a ride, please call Susan Mahan at 781-293-0422 to have arrangements made.

Please come and join us for an evening of fun bidding and a delicious home cooked meal!

Bridgewater Square Chiropractic

Optimize your spinal column structure and bio-mechanics. You'll be amazed at the improvement!



Like us on Facebook 63 Main Street Bridgewater 
           (508) 697-0050
Dennis Carman, United Way of Greater Plymouth County President & CEO
Mass 2-1-1

 In 2006 the Council of Massachusetts United Ways created Mass 2-1-1, a statewide, free information and referral hotline available 24/7, 365 days a year for the people of our Commonwealth.

 People call the easy to remember three-digit 2-1-1 number or search the 2-1-1 database on line at www.mass211help.org when looking for resources to meet basic needs, including heating and utility assistance, shelter, emergency help, and the closest food pantry.

They also call for everyday important non-emergency needs, such as developmental screening for a child, home health care for a relative, job training or free tax filing support.

2-1-1 was launched nationally by United Way of America almost 25 years ago as a free way to connect people to essential resources. Today, 2-1-1 is available in all 50 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Here in Massachusetts, 2-1-1 service is available in all 14 counties, serving 100% of the state's population.

"Mass2-1-1 is an essential tool for helping our local community and families, in addition to making more efficient use of local nonprofit and public resources," said Dennis Carman, United Way of Greater Plymouth County President & CEO, one of the funders of Mass2-1-1.  Locally, "3,535 people called Mass2-1-1 in the last 12 months.  Rent and electric payment assistance, child care expense assistance applications, heating fuel payment assistance, and food pantry information were among the top needs," Carman said.

 So what happens when you call Mass2-1-1?  When you dial 2-1-1 (a free call), the call is routed to a trained information and referral specialist, who helps identify your need(s), then refers you to relevant human services, health, or education resources from a comprehensive database.

 Mass2-1-1 is also the official hotline for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), during weather emergencies, homeland security issues or any other events as identified by the Governor.  In addition, Mass2-1-1 is under contract with the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) to serve as the official phone line for the Office of Early Education and Care (EEC for child Care), as well as the official hotline for Children Requiring Assistance (CRA) and the Runaway Assistance Program (RAP).

The toll free number is 877-211-6277 and the TTY number is
508-370-4890.  Just another good reason to support your local United Way!

Local Photographer Mary Julius welcomed the New Year on Duxbury Beach, catching these great pictures of the Snowy Owls who live there.  
  

 
  Looking past our initial reaction...
"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible." ~ 

 "Teaching prejudice to a child is itself a form of bullying. You've got to be taught to hate." ~ 

"Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda.  Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity." ~  Kofi Annan
Our everyday language and actions make a difference. Spread peace!
~ Jacquie
Halifax Town Buildings

Town Hall
499 Plymouth St.
781-294-1316
Mon-Thurs 8a-4p

Holmes Public Library
470 Plymouth Street
 781-293-2271 
Mon & Wed 12noon-8p
Tues, Thurs, Fri  10a-5p
Saturday 10a-2p

Council on Aging
506 Plymouth Street
781-293-7313
Mon -Thurs 9a-3p
Friday 9a-1p

Shop Small Everyday!

MATA Karate

"Never Lose The Fight Within"

After School Classes
Enrolling Now!

 516 North Bedford St
2nd Floor
East Bridgewater

Like us on Facebook

Scratch & Win at your YMCA
Join the YMCA in January and scratch to win 1, 2 or 3 months of membership.  Every card is a winner.  Ask at the Welcome desk for details.
 
East Bridgewater Family YMCA
635 Plymouth Street
East Bridgewater, MA 
 508-378-3913


...and please remember to mention you saw them 
in the 
Buzz Around!

Reminder:

Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King Day.

All town offices, banks, schools & library will be closed.


 

Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus
New Member Enrollment/Open Rehearsals
January 18 & 25, 2016, 7:00pm
 
The Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus (SMFC) will begin its 2016 Spring Season with Open Rehearsals on January 18 & 25, 2016.  The 90-member SMFC will present its spring concert on May 14 & 15.  SMFC's 2016 program will include music
from America's rich musical heritage, ranging from  Spirituals, Pop, Broadway, country and more.  Also featured will be new and time-tested Patriotic selections honoring our great country, which are sure to inspire singers and audience alike. 
 
Enthusiastic singers are invited to Open Rehearsals, where they may learn about SMFC membership, meet other members of the group and preview our musical program.  Following rehearsal, a brief audition will be held, using music drawn from rehearsal material.  SMFC will be accepting new members in the Soprano 1, Alto 1, Tenor and Bass sections.
 
Open Rehearsals and all weekly rehearsals are held Mondays, 7:00 - 9:00pm, at the First Congregational (Stone) Church, 785 South Main Street, Raynham.  For more information, please call 508-821-9571; or visit www.smfconline.org

To all parents:

 

Tuesday, January 19th, is a teacher in-service day.

There is NO school, all grades.


 

Halifax PTO Meeting

Wed., January 20, at 7pm

Halifax Elementary School


 

Please join us for our monthly PTO meeting.

New members are always welcome.

Ongoing Job Opportunity
This position is for Adults 
who supervise or assist weekly recreation camps (On Stage, winter and summer camps), Special Events (Egg Hunt, Holidays in Halifax, Halifax in Lights, and Dances).  The Supervisor may be asked to fill in for Recreation Director when the need arises if Director cannot be at event.  This is a position with limited hours during the year.  Certification in CPR and First Aid are recommended but not required.  Must be able to drive a 15-passenger van. Pay is $18.99 per hour

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis even when a vacancy does not exist.  Interviews are held when there is a vacancy. Applications may be obtained at the Board of Selectmen's office at 499 Plymouth Street.  In addition, applications may use the town wide application above. Applicants are required to submit a resume with their application.  The Town of Halifax is an EEO employer and encourages anyone interested to apply.

Adult Book Clubs at the Library
 
The Holmes Library offers three book discussion groups for adult readers: an Evening group, an Afternoon group and a Mystery readers group.
Copies of each month's selections are available at the Circulation Desk, or can
be reserved through our catalog.
 For more information or to sign up, contact Jean about the evening group and Susan for the afternoon and mystery groups, or call the library at 781-293-2271.  New members always welcome!


prize box
 
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME 
 
Historical Tidbit Question:

How many trains per day ran from Boston to Plymouth in 1845?

Have fun with us
and beeee entered to win a 1-hour Reiki Session with Jacquelyn Rose

 
Email us your answer at: 

Please include your name, 
phone number & town
with your answer.
By entering, you give us
permission to announce 
your name in next week's 
Buzz Around Halifax.
 January 20, 2016, we 
will randomly pick a winner
from the correct answers.

The Buzz was compiled

this week by Theresa McNulty, Sarah Primack,
Stacy Rancourt, 
Jacquelyn Rose, Jill Silvia & Betty Stirling.

 

 

Copyright 2015 Buzz Around Halifax.  You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety as much as you like.  If you take it in part, please give credit:  ("Buzz Around Halifax 1/17/16")    

Disclaimer:  At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family.  Occasionally, there will be links to town committees and other non-profit groups, as a way of sharing local information.  Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials.  The Buzz Around does not claim to support any particular view.