By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard received an update on services from Library Director Dina Brasseur at their 10/20 meeting.
Ms. Brasseur told the board that the library is open with a take-out window, emails are being answered, resources have been given out and the staff is in the building to take residents requests and help out with whatever they need.
There have been 7,500 items borrowed since March, and more than 1,000 craft kits given out to families.
Ms. Brasseur also told the board that if residents need any copying, faxing or printing of documents the library staff is happy to perform those services at no charge. Residents can call the library or go to the window.
Library computers are also available to the public in 45-minute sessions, by appointment only. She stated that digital use is up by 150% since last year.
The takeout hours for the library are Monday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 508-998-0270 for more information.
In another matter, Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher asked the Selectboard to endorse a $50,000 budget for a temporary trailer purchase to turn into a free-standing COVID testing site through the CARES act. He said with winter coming it would be an ideal way to continue their COVID testing for the community. The Selectboard voted to support the $50,000 to acquire the COVID trailer.
Chairperson Kevin Gaspar congratulated Chief Gallagher for all his hard work and everything he and his team have been doing to provide COVID-19 testing to the Acushnet community.
Chief Gallagher said there are a lot of people behind the scenes. He said that the Town of Acushnet is “open for business,” with window opportunities, drive up hours, lobby hours. He said they are first class in protocols with plexiglass, hand sanitizer, temperature kiosks and that he encourages residents to stay safe.
In other matters, Department of Public Works Business Manager, Kathy Silva discussed the Senior Winter Water Abatement Program. Ms. Silva stated the program is used more so for elderly residents who leave their home for one to three months in the wintet. The water usage would be shut off to the home at their request. She encouraged residents who were leaving the home, to call the DPW office to get more information, 508-998-0230,
The Selectboard voted to waive all renewal licensing fees for the 2020-2021 year including liquor licenses.
The Selectboard also voted to accept a resident’s $6,000 donation to the Police Department’s Gift Fund.
The board was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 10/28 to review warrant articles. The Special Town meeting is scheduled for Saturday, 11/14, at 10 a.m.
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