December 15, 2019 ~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
Beee a part of it... Town of Bridgewater Volunteer Opportunities
The Town Manager is seeking volunteers for the following committees and boards to fill regular member seats or associate member seats. If interested, please submit a  volunteer application (PDF)  to the Town Manager's office. You may also wish to review the  Board and Committee Handbook.
Affordable Housing Trust: The Affordable Housing Trust shall provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing for the benefit of low and moderate income households.
The Board of Health: seeks to preserve and maintain the Town's public health standards and protect its environmental resources by educational means and by strict enforcement of various regulations, ordinances, State Health Codes, General Laws, in particular MGL Chapter 111, and federal law.
Cable Advisory Committee: The Cable Advisory Committee advises the Town Manager on matters relating to the licensing and supervision of the contract for cable television services in the Town consistent with state and federal law. It may also advise the Town Manager on negotiations during the contract renewal negotiation.
Conservation Commission: The purpose of the Conservation Commission is to protect, promote, and enhance the quantity and quality of the natural resources within the Town, especially wetlands, wildlife and water resources; through planning, acquisition, land management, regulation, scientific research and public education. The Conservation Commission is an advisory and regulatory committee of the Town. 
Cultural Council: The Cultural Council decides the distribution of arts lottery funds or other funds that may be available to it and may also conduct other activities to promote and encourage the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences. 
Financial Committee: provides financial advice to the Town Manager and the Town Council on the yearly operating budget for all Town agencies, which includes the Regional School budget as adopted by the School Committee. Advise on matters of long-range financial planning, and advise on the annual preparation of the Town's capital improvement plan. It prepares a report to the Town Council on said annual capital improvement program and participates in public hearings called for review of this program.
Open Space Committee: A dvises the Town Manager on the preservation of open space, and on updating the Open Space Plan. The Committee evaluates opportunities for the acquisition and protection of open space parcels against a number of criteria, including whether the Town's acquisition of the parcel would (i) help preserve Bridgewater's character, (ii) protect Bridgewater's water resources, (iii)abut or conjoin existing conservation lands, (iv) provide public access for walking, biking or other passive recreation, (v) preserve or enhance distinctive streetscapes, views or vistas, or (vi) preserve important wildlife and/or vegetation habitat.
Senior Associates Volunteer Committee: The Committee shall review applications to the SAVE program and select participants to be recommended to the Town Manager for the SAVE program. It shall contract with qualified senior citizens to provide the Town the benefit of their knowledge and experience in return for a tax credit, thereby enhance municipal service and increasing senior citizen participation in municipal government. The SAVE Committee is advisory to the Town.
Veterans' Council: The purpose of the Veterans Council is to advocate for meeting the needs of the veterans residing in the Town of Bridgewater and to provide support for the Director of Veteran’s Services.
Water and Sewer Board: The Water and Sewer Board is responsible for recommending all improvements to the municipal water pollution control facilities and water treatment and distribution facilities in the Town, and serves as an advisory board to the Public Works Director for establishment of rules and regulations governing the operation of all Town water pollution control facilities and water treatment and distribution facilities. The Water and Sewer Board establishes rates subject to Town Manager approval. The Water and Sewer Board is an advisory committee of the Town.
Information from www.bridgewaterma.org
Historical Tidbit:
Mud Season

Our present day thoroughfare running east and west is known as Plymouth Street (Rt. 106).  It was first identified on a Latham Map as having been established in 1667. It was then known as the Bridgewater Trail, the best road that connected Halifax and Bridgewater.

An 1875 record states that the road from the Plymouth line "was to be crowned 1-1/2 feet in the center and all the upland."  It went on to say "The best materials found within the limits of the locations, to be reserved for a dressing, so as to form a hard and durable surface over the whole extent of the road bed.  Side and gutters and culverts are to be converted when necessary to carry off surface water." 

We may complain today about our "potholes," but at least we have "a hard and durable surface" to travel on.
sue and her plant 2011
Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile
52 Weeks Logo & Link Ad in 1 Buzz Around Town

For $99 / each month

Read more
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Academy Building Municipal Offices
 66 Central Square 
508-697-0921
Mon - Thurs 8a - 4p, Fri 8a - 1p
 
Public Library
15 South Street
508-697-3331
Mon - Wed 9a - 8p 
Thurs 10a - 5p, Fri & Sat 10a - 2p
 
Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
10 Wally Krueger Way
508-697-0929
Mon - Thurs 9a - 3p, Fri 9a - noon 
 
Food Pantry
Central Square Congregational Church
71 Central Square
 508-697-6016
Thursdays - 10a - 1p
1st Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p
Congratulations!
Lisa Ghelfi
won a
$50 gift certificate to Beauty Counter products through Independent Consultant
Christine Harkins. The clean revolution  facebook.com/cleanbeautycorner

You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.

You could win a
45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose.
Learn more  here .
Christmas Storytime
Wed, Dec 18th
10:00a
Bridgewater Public Library
Come join Mrs. Davis for holiday stories, songs, rhymes and a craft.
No registration required.
Ages 2 and up (With adults, younger siblings welcome)
Votive Candle Holder Craft Class
Wed, Dec 18th
10:30a
Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
North River Home Care is sponsoring a holiday votive candle holder craft class.
You will be applying a napkin applique technique to a glass votive holder. There is no charge for this workshop thanks to our sponsor.
Food Pantry Collection
The Bridgewater Public Library is collecting nonperishable food for the Bridgewater Food Pantry, located at 71 Central Square, in Bridgewater, during the month of December.
Collection boxes can be found near the circulation desk on the first floor and in the children’s room.

Community Dance
Friday, Dec 20th
7:30 – 9:30p
Bridgewater Senior Center
Featuring: New England Squares and Contra Dance, Circle Dances and Mixes, International Folk Dances
Beginners and singles are welcome.
First-time attendees—FREE! Otherwise, $8 per session. For more info, call or email Sam: sbaumgarten@verizon.net 774-208-2933 
Read to a Dog
Sat, Dec 28th
10:30 - 11:30a
All I want for Christmas is a visit from Duncan. He's a good listener who loves meeting new friends and visiting with old friends!
Duncan would love a visit from you. The "Read to a Dog" program provides children the opportunity visit with a dog, while building reading skills in a non judgmental environment. This is a drop in program. All ages welcome!
Chair Yoga
Thur, Dec 19th
1:00p
Instructed by Dr. Carl Swanson.
Free holiday dance class!
STEM FUN
Friday, Dec 20th
10:30 - 11:30a
Join Miss Nicole for some cool adventures in STEM! For caregivers and their children ages 3-5.
You and your child will be able to test theories and predictions through a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematical activities. Learn to become problem solvers, innovators and collaborators while having super cool creative fun. Hope to see you there!
Space is limited. Adult participation required.
Please register by calling Nancy 508-822-5388 Ext. 208.
Happy Holidays from your Friends at
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY

We're Your COMPLETE Garden, Farm & Pet Store!

Come check out our great gifts for the holidays! Farm themed toys, doggy shirts & sweaters, bird feeders, garden decorations and oh so much more!

Stop in today!
 1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357
Potholes
During the winter months water can seep into small cracks in the cement then expand when frozen. This can case the cement to further crack and crumble forming Potholes.
A pothole can be annoying, plus its not good for the suspension of your vehicle.
You can report any potholes that you notice to MassDOT at 857-368-4636
26 Weeks Logo & Link Ad in 1 Buzz Around Town

For $109 / each month

Read more
buzzaround.info
D'AGOSTINO INSURANCE

Call for more information today!

111 Torrey St, Suite 1, Brockton 
508-456-6220
New Years Eve Countdown Launch
Tuesday, Dec 31st
11:30a
Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
To celebrate one another, volunteers, staff and all of their accomplishments they invite you to a Countdown to New Years luncheon. They’re offering a delicious meal and will be counting down to noon instead of midnight. All are welcome. 
Wood Palace Kitchen Designs
Step 2…

7 Mill St, Middleboro
(508) 947-1975
Nessralla Farm
What will
you find
at the farm today?

Indoor arrangements! This one will warm your room when you light it up!

Stop in and pick one up today!

318 Plymouth St. Halifax
(781) 294-1767

Thank you to all the vendors, patrons, and grinches who came out to enjoy Christmas on the Common!!
The weather held off to make a perfect day to kick off the season!!
Happy Holidays to all from the BBA 🎄✨🎄
Photo & story credit: BridgewaterBusinessAssociation
recycle2.jpg
5 Ways To Reduce Waste & Recycle During The Holidays
‘Tis the season for a huge increase in solid waste and recycling across Massachusetts. As the holiday gift-giving and entertaining season kicks in here are 5 ways of effective recycling:
1. Offer recycling bins at your parties. *place a labeled recycling bin near the trash can. *avoid single-use plastic, aluminum, glass, and paper products.
2. Use eco-friendly gift wrapping paper made from recycled materials. Most cities and towns accept wrapping paper in their recycling collections, as long as it’s non-metallic and glitter-free. However, tissue paper is not recyclable.  
3. Recycle the cardboard. Break down the boxes and put them in your recycling bin or take them to a drop-off center. Remove any plastic film or Styrofoam packaging.
4.Throw all malfunctioning lights and tinsel into the trash.
5. Shop sustainably. When shopping for your holiday gifts this season, consider choosing brands that are made with ocean plastic, reused fibers, or recycled paper and that avoid unnecessary packaging.

Recycle the old when you bring in the new
For more information about what is and what is not recyclable in Massachusetts, visit RecycleSmartMA.org.
*The source for some of this material came from The Recycling Partnership .  
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose.
Learn more  here .

Historical Tidbit Question :
What was Plymouth Street known
as in 1667?

Email us your answer at: 

Please include your name, phone number with your answer. Prize Box Rules .

By entering, you give us permission to announce your name in next week's Buzz Around Bridgewater.

On December 18, 2019 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
Ups and downs.
I am heartened by the fortitude of the New England farmer. Ingenious, resourceful-farmers "Get 'it done!" any way they can, when the weather changes it up.

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."
~ Masanobu Fukuoka

" Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days." ~ Henri Alain

"Farming is a profession of hope."
Brian Brett

Yes, with the snow and the wind and the rain, I think of the work of our farmers and it gives me hope.
Let's see...
How are we going to have healthy bodies? Eat local produce.

How are we going to fight climate change? Source local food.

How are we going to have more money for our schools & kids programs?
Support our local businesses.
Weather ups and downs got you thinking? Plan a garden.
Have some hope.

~ Jacquie
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by Jen Bellody, Andy Francois, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose, Gregory Venezia
  Copyright 2019 Buzz Around Bridgewater.  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 Bridgewater 12/15/19")
 
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.