Waltz In Flurry

Protect Our Farming Community

Thank you for providing us with a local food economy! It feeds Rehoboth in too many ways to list. I am so proud of the farms which have survived several generations, as well as the new ones that have sprung up, for preserving the cultural tradition of farm life which is unique to our town.

The importance of water availability to farms cannot be understated. One of the functions of wetlands is to store water that will be filtered and released back into irrigation ponds, ditches etc. The proposed 35’ wetland Preservation zone stands to protect acres of wetlands that will help ensure that our farming community has access to the water it needs to provide a locally-sourced food supply to our town.

Flood mitigation is also a crucial role of the wetlands that will impact farmers. With more wetlands to absorb water in times of heavy rains, less runoff, which contributes greatly to flooding, will be released. Instead the wetlands will act as a sponge which can store the water, resulting in less flooding overall. Over 1 million gallons of floodwater can be stored in 1 acre of wetlands!

I cordially invite the farming families of Rehoboth to join us at Goff Hall on Feb 15 or March 14 6:30pm to share your input, concerns and wishes. You are an essential part of our town and your voices matter. Our diversity is our greatest strength in creating legal structures to guide our town’s future development!

Long live the Rehoboth Farming Community!

Katy Rourke Wilson

Preserve Our Wetlands

Please consider a proposal to establish a wetland preservation zone in our Town bylaws.

The state’s Wetland Preservation Act only requires activity to be buffered within 100-ft of a wetland. It is left up to local municipalities to define any activity within 100 ft of wetland resource areas (or within 200 ft of rivers/perennial streams). Rehoboth doesn’t have any added protections in place for our vital water resource areas in stark contrast from our neighboring cities and towns: Attleboro 25-foot no disturb zone, Foxboro 25-foot no activity zone, Mansfield 25-foot no disturb zone, Norfolk 50-foot no disturb zone, Plainville 35-foot no disturb zone, Seekonk 25-foot no disturb zone, and Wrentham 50-foot no work zone. (https://www. thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/9.25.21)

Climate change and development are increasingly stressing our streams and wetlands. A number of perennial streams (always flowing) in Southeastern MA have been reclassified as intermittent in recent years. Due to drought and well draws, surrounding towns are reporting lower groundwater levels.

The Environmental Protection Agency describes wetlands as valuable because they clean the water, recharge water supplies, reduce flood risks, and provide fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, wetlands provide recreational opportunities, aesthetic benefits, sites for research and education, and commercial fishery benefits.

A 35 foot no touch zone will project the wetlands for our farms, drinking water and future generations.

Join us on Wednesday, February 15 and Tuesday March 14 for roundtable open discussions at the Goff Hall to share ideas, ask questions and raise concerns. Help consider ways that we can ensure sustainable growth AND protect clean water for our town.

Your vote counts at the May 9 Annual Meeting!

Thank you, Lisa

Sirois

Thank You ~ Rehoboth Garden Club!

Thank you, Rehoboth Garden Club, for placing the beautiful holiday wreath on the front of Town Hall. All the Town Hall employees thank you for making our holidays so special with your beautiful wreaths!

2023 Rehoboth Town Census

By now, you should have received your 2023 census form, dog license renewal, re-introduction to the online-dog licensing program flyer, note from the Department of Health & Human Services and our Town Nurse along with our 2023 calendar/town directory. Unfortunately, I was notified by our census printer that 70 census mailers in Precinct 4 were shorted a calendar; my sincere apologies. Therefore, if you did not receive a 2023 calendar, please let us know and we will mail one to you. This year’s calendar features an aerial view of Rehoboth’s Francis Farm Community Complex located at 27 Francis Farm Road. Thank you, David Andrade, Rehoboth resident and representing W. Parmentier Photography for your photographic/drone talents. Thank you, voters of Rehoboth, for approving the purchase of Francis Farm, Rehoboth’s generational legacy at our May 11, 2021 Annual Town Meeting for our residents/voters/town employees to enjoy for generations to come. We hope you find the calendar and town directory a helpful tool. I would also like to thank the many residents for their kind comments on how useful the calendar and directory are to them throughout the year. If you would like an extra 2023 calendar for you or your family, just call, e-mail our office or stop by Town Hall. If you did not receive your census mailer, please let me know at 508-252-6502 x-3110 or email me LSchwall@RehobothMA.gov .

I would like to thank the numerous households that quickly reviewed their census data, made any necessary changes, and returned the forms to us ~ thank you all !!! If you have not returned your census, please take a moment and send it back please. Census forms were due to our office by January 31, 2023. This year, residents were afforded the opportunity to drop off their census forms at the outside drop box at Town Hall (340 Anawan Street), fax, mail, or scan and e-mail them in. We also left census drop boxes around the Town (Town Hall foyer, Bristol-Savings Bank lobby, Blanding Library lobby and the COA

Senior Center at Francis Farm). It is exciting to see that residents are able to choose the most convenient way to respond to their 2023 Census. I would especially like to thank those families who processed their census forms and dog tags online. Our office is processing your census changes and preparing the documents for our Registrars. During the months of February/March, the Registrars will begin contacting those residents who have not returned their 2023 census forms. Please respond as soon as possible so we do not have to bother you with a phone call ~ thank you.

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