Town Offices, Frothingham Hall to Remain Closed to Public Until May 18
EASTON — The Town of Easton wishes to update the public on its ongoing efforts to respond to COVID-19.
Governor Baker Extends Non-Essential Business Closure and Stay-at-Home Advisory to May 18; Town Buildings Remain Closed to Public Access Until Further Notice
On Tuesday, April 28, Governor Charlie Baker announced the extensions of the non-essential business closures and stay at home advisories to May 18. Governor Baker also announced the establishment of a Reopening Advisory Board to develop phased reopening plans for the Commonwealth. Click here for full information.
Accordingly, the Town of Easton will extend its current closure of the Town Offices, Frothingham Hall, and all municipal offices (except the Lothrop Street Police Station for emergencies) to the public until further notice while we await additional COVID-19 trend data and reopening guidance from the Commonwealth.
Since March, we’ve launched a variety of online- and telephone-based tools to continue to provide municipal services to the public remotely during the ongoing State of Emergency. The Town will continue to offer all services to the public remotely and all departments can be contacted using the information available here. Other municipal resources are available at www.easton.ma.us/covid-19
The Town appreciates your continued patience and support as we all do our part together to flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Easton Board of Health Orders Face Coverings for Entry into Grocery Stores and Essential Businesses
In an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Easton Board of Health unanimously voted on April 24 to order all members of the public wear a facial covering when entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Order.
The order includes but is not limited to restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, convenient stores, liquor stores and the like. This order also includes employees who work at essential businesses that are open to the public. Employees must wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose. This order also applies to common areas and communal spaces of residential and commercial building complexes with greater than one unit.
Click here for the full text of the order and please visit this FAQ page for guidance.
Annual Town Election, Annual Town Meeting Postponement
The Town of Easton’s Annual Town Election was scheduled, in accordance with Chapter 44-2 of the Town of Easton bylaws, for April 28. At its posted meeting on April 3, the Select Board voted to exercise its rights under Chapter 45 Acts of 2020 and postponed the Town Election to Saturday, June 27. The Select Board also voted to hold election day hours at OAHS from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in order to keep voters and election officials safe, to to advise voters of the ability to take advantage of the early voting by mail option that was also created by this emergency law. Click here for all election information.
On Tuesday, April 21, the Easton Select Board, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39, Section 9, voted to postpone Annual Town Meeting from its current date and time of Monday, May 18 to Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. in the Oliver Ames High School Auditorium, due to COVID-19. Please note that due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, further postponement is possible. Town Meeting information is available here.
May 1 Tax Bills Due Date Moved to June 1
Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills, originally due May 1, have had the due date extended to June 1. The due date for applications for property tax exemptions has also been extended to June 1. Interest and other penalty for late payment of any excise, tax, betterment assessment, water use, or sewer use, with a due date on or after March 10, is waived as long as payment is made before June 30.
We encourage online bill payment via https://epay.cityhallsystems.com/selection. Payments can also be made by US mail or can be placed in the dropbox in front of the Town Offices at 136 Elm Street. Cash cannot be accepted at this time. If paying via US mail, please direct to: Town of Easton, Collector’s Office, 136 Elm Street, Easton, MA 02356, or use the envelope and remittance coupon included with your paper bill.
The Town of Easton appreciates your continued resiliency and support during this pandemic and thanks you for doing your part to limit the spread of COVID-19.
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