March 10, 2019
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
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Please Take the Housing Survey
The Town of Halifax is in the process of updating its Housing Production Plan (HPP) with technical assistance provided by the Old Colony Planning Council, the Regional Planning Agency for this area.
Residents can help participate by completing the following survey:
A Housing Production Plan is a proactive strategy for planning and
d
eveloping affordable housing. The State’s regional planning statute, Chapter 40B, is a law that seeks to ensure that all 351 of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns provide for the creation of new homes for individuals, families and older adults, across a range of incomes. The goal of the statute is for every city and town to have 10% of their year round housing units qualify as affordable to households making up to 80% of the area median income.
The statute helps communities meet the Commonwealth’s housing needs, by providing a flexible zoning approval process (comprehensive permit) for developments that include 25% affordable units. At the same time, Chapter 40B provides opportunities for municipalities to control their own housing growth. The law enables agencies like MassHousing to deny 40B project eligibility to projects that are inconsistent with local planning priorities in localities that have demonstrated commitment to planning and delivering housing growth. That is why it is important to have an up to date Housing Production Plan and have it approved by The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). HPP’s give
communities that are under the 10% threshold of Chapter 40B, but are making steady progress in producing affordable housing on an annual basis, more control over comprehensive permit applications for a specified period of time. Communities that demonstrate planning and production for affordable housing may also be eligible to receive priority scoring for Commonwealth Grant Programs as well as access to capital grant programs and technical assistance. Community input is a key part of the planning process and this survey will help provide a better understanding of the needs of Halifax residents. It is important to understand who currently lives in the community, demographic trends affecting future growth, existing housing stock, and future housing needs. By engaging the community in discussions about the need for affordable housing and taking a proactive approach in updating its Housing Production Plan, Halifax is more likely to achieve its long range housing and community planning goals, allowing for more diverse housing opportunities for residents of all income levels. Thank you for your participation.
Charlie Seelig
Halifax Town Administrator 781-294-1316
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Historical Tidbit:
Monponsett Ponds
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Monponsett seems always to have been the name of the ponds and the area in their vicinity. It is a native word said to mean "near the deep pond." Originally one, there are now two ponds, a half-mile broad and two miles long, separated from one another by a highway (Route 58) which runs along a land bridge between them at a place where the forty-second parallel passes through the town. The eastern section is 246 acres, the western one 282 for a total of 528 acres. The average depth is 7 feet with a maximum depth of 13 feet. A small portion of West Monponsett Pond extends into Hanson.
In earlier years, if one lived in the part of town that we know as the "Monponsett section," you would have had to travel all the way around the East Lake to get to the town center. Back then church attendance was mandatory, thus causing yet another long trip, especially in bad weather.
A ferry system was in use for a time and there was much talk of bridges being put in. By 1859 the town built a causeway and a bridge was constructed to allow the flow of water from the East Lake to the West Lake.
In the winter months, if the weather is cold enough, one can sail iceboats, go ice fishing, and ice skate on the ponds. I spent many a happy Saturday and Sunday skating on the West Lake with my brothers and sister and the neighborhood kids. We would build a bonfire and wrap potatoes in aluminum foil, bury them in the fire and bake them for lunch, toast marshmallows, and freeze our noses, fingers and toes. No one seemed to mind. In the summer months swimming, boating and fishing are allowed, but one must watch for health alerts from the Board of Health. If the bacteria count is too high, no one is allowed in the water, something that did not happen back in the "good old days."
Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile
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Town Hall
499 Plymouth Street
781-294-1316
Mon-Thurs 8a - 4p
Holmes Public Library
470 Plymouth Street
781-293-2271
Fall / Winter Hours
Mon. & Wed. 12-8
Tues., Thurs., Fri. 10-5
Saturday 10-2
Council on Aging
506 Plymouth Street
781-293-7313
Mon - Thurs 9a - 3p
Friday 9a - 1p
Food Pantries
Halifax Congregational Church
503 Plymouth St. (Route 106)
Halifax, MA 781-293-6393
Tuesdays -2:30-4p
St
Vincent DePaul
Our Lady of the Lake Church
580 Monponsetts St
Halifax, MA (781)293- 7971
2nd & 4th Saturday 9 am
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Congratulations!
Jo-Ann Parks
won
Jump Start Training Package and six free sessions from Get in Shape for Woman
180 Winter St, Bridgewater
You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
You could win a
1-hour private lesson with Maynard Dog Training Solutions (value $100)
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Kindergarten Registration for 2019-2020
School Year
Children who will reach their 5th birthday by August 31, 2019 are eligible for entry into the kindergarten program.
It is necessary to have completed registration and health forms prior to entry into kindergarten. Parents are also required to provide the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency.
Please call the school office at 781-293-2581 should you have any questions relative to kindergarten registration.
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Chowder Luncheons
Fridays, Mar 8 - Apr 19
11:30a – 1:00 pm
Halifax Congregational Church
503 Plymouth Street in Halifax, MA on Route 106.
The luncheons will consist of your choice of Clam or Corn chowder, dessert and a beverage. For Good Friday the choice of chowders will include a fish chowder as well. The cost per person is $8.00. For those who prefer to have chowder only, the cost is $6.00. Take-out is also available.
Please come and join us for a wonderful luncheon! All are warmly welcomed.
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Join Council on Aging for a very special
St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon
Wednesday, March 13th at the Lady of the
Lake Function Hall.
Your meal and entertainment
ticket are available by pre-pay, $10pp, reservations
must be made by March
6th. Enjoy a delicious
meal prepared by an
amazing team of volunteers which will
include corned beef, cabbage, carrots,
potato, dessert and much more. We have
limited space, so your ticket must be
obtained before March 6th! Entertainment
will be provided by Jennifer Mello, singer
and songwriter. She is from Massachusetts,
and music has been her passion her entire
life. Bring a friend and enjoy this time
together!
Call (781) 293-7313
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Halifax Fireworks Committee is looking for a Halifax resident to volunteer chair the committee for the Fireworks Celebration this July 2019.
Chairperson Role Includes:
-Setting up meetings
-Planning/Writing Meeting Agendas
-Coordinating with committee members to complete tasks
Resources Available to you:
-Inside IT assistance/Back end event assistance
-Binders/Documents on last 2 year's events
-Personal assistance from former committee members
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Bridgewater Farm Supply is Your Complete Garden, Farm & Pet Store
Itching to get back in the garden? Can't wait to get your hands dirty? Why not start your own plants from seed this year?
We have everything you need to start your little seedlings.
Stop by today!
1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104)
Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357
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The Taunton River Watershed Alliance needs you!
Whether you can give an hour here and there or a few hours a month:
Water Quality Monitoring Tester
A team of volunteers that regularly test 20 sites in the watershed for water quality the second Tuesday morning of each month, April through October. Samples must be collected and then driven to the Taunton Wastewater Treatment Plant by 8:30 a.m. We train at the beginning of the new year (usually on the last Saturday morning in February). We currently need on-call/"as-needed" fill in for when a regular tester cannot test a site.
Nutrient Pollution Photographic Survey
Photograph key areas along the Taunton River for nutrient pollution. We are hoping for photographs of the same area three or four times throughout the summer.
Event helpers: Set up, man tables, clean up, launch boats, deliver lunch, strike camp, etc. at events
Fundraising/Development & Event Coordinators, River Clearing Crews
Legal Support We are looking for an attorney or local law firm that could volunteer legal support from time to time.
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Old Colony Planning Council Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Announcement
I am reaching out to introduce the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meetings.
March 21st at 12pm at
The Old Colony Planning Council
70 School Street, Brockton
&
March 21st at 6 PM
East Branch Library
54 Kingman Street Brockton, MA
The objective of the BPAC is to support ongoing local, regional, and state planning efforts to support multimodal urban and suburban mobility; enhance and expand current infrastructure; improve safety; and raise awareness of pedestrian and bicycle movement within the region. It is envisioned that the committee will meet quarterly at key stages to review, discuss, and provide insight on the analyses of existing conditions, assessment of needs, the development of recommendations and implementation strategies, and the refinement of any studies and plans.
Best wishes,
Jimmy Pereira
Community/Transportation Planner
Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC)
Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
70 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: 508-583-1833 Ext: 215
Fax: 508-559-8768
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We'll help you stay nice & warm all winter long!
Keep the home fires burning - get your seasoned firewood from Nessralla Farm!
318 Plymouth St. Halifax
(781) 294-1767
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March Shamrock Savings at Get In Shape For Women Bridgewater!
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Buy Two Months of Training - Get a Month Free
(3 sessions per week minimum)
Start today!
180 Winter St., Bridgewater
(across from Chatta Box)
Contact Stephanie at 508-697-2900
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During School Vacation last week, our Holmes Library had a number of events and programs including this Pilkey Party celebrating the author, Dav Pilkey and storytime with Chief Chaves of the Halifax Police Department
Halifax children had got crafty, had fun & learned inventive things!
Pictured: Pilkey Party Photos from Holmes Public Library
FB page
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
1-hour private lesson with
Maynard Dog Training Solutions
(value $100)
Historical Tidbit Question:
What does Monponsett mean?
Please include your name, phone number and mailing address with your answer.
Prize Box Rules
By entering, you give us permission to announce your name in next week's Buzz Around Halifax.
On March 13, 2019, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers
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We Are Hiring Marketing & Sales People
Marketing & Sales People Needed: Friendly and organized people are needed to meet with small businesses, explain Buzz Around products, and create marketing partnerships! *Work 25 - 40 hours per week *Make your own hours & create your own schedule ...
Read more
buzzaround.info
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Reflection:
“Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.”
~ Gautama Buddha
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. "
~ Confucius
"Or how can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ~ Jesus
Reflection is an integral part of initiating positive change in our life. I am thankful that I practice a religious tradition that values and teaches reflection, and sets aside specific times each year to remind me to step up my spiritual practice.
Whether you have a spiritual practice or not, I would encourage taking the time for reflection. Start with a meditation, slow down the pace of life, lesson your sensory input (turn off electronics except soothing music), maybe take a walk in nature, empty your mind. Then engage in some form of creative work: this can include but is not limited to journaling or any kind of art. There is no right or wrong way to do this part.
You just need to be you!
This is just for you… don’t need to share. Judgement free zone.
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I have books and books of journal ramblings. The sheer volume made me realize it was interpersonal relationships and group dynamics I struggle with, and journaling helped me figure them out; but I also came to understand I love humanity so much the work is worth it to experience the wide variety of gifts and talents we bring to this world.
Who knows what wonderful things you are going to find out about yourself?
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The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by:Theresa McNulty, Janice O'Brien, Stacy Rancourt, Jacquelyn Rose & Gregory Venezia
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Copyright 2019 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 3/10/19")
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.
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