UPDATED: Bellingham's COVID-19 Briefing Schedule Changes on May 11

Public Heath Nurse's Update for May 11

Town Clerk's Election Update - Deadline to Register Extended

Bellingham Town Clerk Larry Sposato has announced the following information regarding Bellingham's annual town election, which has been postponed to June 9. The ballot will include one contested race for Board of Selectmen (incumbents Robert Biagi and Don Martinis along with Kelly Grant are vying for two open seats) plus uncontested races for Library Trustee, Planning Board, School Committee, and Housing Authority; also included on the ballot is an important proposition 2-1/2 Override question. If you are not already registered to vote, the last day to register for this election has been changed to May 28th. You may register online at mass.gov or by requesting a registration form from the Town Clerk's office.

In keeping with Massachusetts General Law, and recent amendments due to the pandemic, you will have three methods by which to cast your vote:

1. Absentee Voting by Mail:  There will be no Absentee Voting "In Office" available for this election, as the Municipal Center is currently closed to public access. Absentee Voting is available to all registered voters. For this election, no specific reason  has to be given. However, an application is required and may be obtained by calling the town clerk's office (508­-657-2830) or at the town's website, https://www.bellinghamma.org/sites/bellinghamma/files/uploads/absentee.ballot.pdf. Once you have printed the application and completed it, you may mail it, or scan and email it, or drop it in the silver-colored drop box opposite the front doors of the Municipal Center. Once the application has been received and accepted, you will receive a ballot by mail as soon as ballots are available. The completed ballot must be received by the Town Clerk's office by 8 p.m. on June 9th in order to be counted.
2. Early Voting by Mail: There will be no Early Voting at the Municipal Center for this election, hence, this is essentially the same process as Absentee Voting by Mail. Early Voting by Mail is available to all registered voters. There is never any justification necessary for Early Voting. It is a convenience offered to voters. However, an application is required and may be obtained and returned as detailed above (see "Absentee Voting by Mail"). Again, the completed ballot must be received by the Town Clerk's office by 8 p.m. on June 9th in order to be counted.
3. Voting at the Polls: Because the town is required by law to have a polling place even during these trying times, voting at the polls will be available to all registered voters who are comfortable going that route. (The election is being held on June 9th, and hopefully conditions will have improved by then.) The significant change for this election is in the abbreviated hours of operation: polls will be open between 12 and 8 p.m.  The town will make every attempt to keep the environment safe, including periodic sanitizing of the polling areas. It is expected that voters will be prepared with any personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required/recommended at that time, and will observe standard 6-foot social distancing protocol. For the safety of all, poll workers will be issued PPE, and pens will either be sanitized or disposable after use. Voters are also welcome to bring their own writing implements — either black, felt-tipped pens or #2 pencils.

For more information, email Larry Sposato at [email protected]. (To expedite your question/comments, please enter "ELECTION" into the subject line). You may also call the town clerk's office at 508­-657-2830.

Health Agent's Update

Bellingham Health Agent Bruce Wilson, Jr. provided an updated on the mask/facial covering requirement. According to state law, towns cannot have less stringent policies than the state does, so Bellingham's mask/facial covering policy has to be changed to align with Governor Baker's directive, which went into effect last Wednesday (May 6).

Why Do I Need to Wear a Mask?

Bellingham Nutrition Team/Hockomock YMCA Update

Now, through a partnership with the Bellingham Public Schools, the Hockomock Area YMCA is expanding its Food Access Initiative by offering free meals to all children in all communities, ages 18 and under, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Children will receive breakfast and lunch in grab-and-go format prepared by the Bellingham Nutrition Team. Recipients will additionally be given meals for the following day, since the program is running every other day during the work week. On Fridays, food will be provided to cover breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Residents age 18 and under are encouraged to come to Bellingham Middle School, located at 130 Blackstone Street in Bellingham, on the days and during the times indicated above. According to Bell, 30% of families have been approved for free/reduced rate lunches, which is not reflected in the number of meals that have been picked up. She encourages families to participate in this program; no advanced sign up or paperwork is required to receive the grab-and-go meals.

Bell also directs residents to the Bellingham program's Facebook page (Bellingham Public Schools Nutrition and Wellness) for the most up-to-date information, or to contact her at mailto:[email protected] with specific questions. Questions may also be directed to Bell's Hockomock YMCA counterpart, Marykate Bergen, at [email protected].

Food Donation Locations:

• Bellingham Memorial School, 130 Blackstone Street (at corner of So. Main St./Rte. 126)
• ConnectEd & Inspired (formerly Wenger's Farm), 1048 South Main Street/Rte. 126, across from Bellingham Memorial School; info: www.connectedandinspired.org or call (781) 480-1375.
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, St. Blaise Church, 1158 So. Main St., Rte. 126; Tel: 508-966-1258.
• Hockomock YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Rd, Franklin; Tel:  508-528-8708