Category Archives: Hawley News

GETTING A FLU VACCINATION IS ONE important way to keep yourself healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday October 16 an indoor flu clinic will be held at Mohawk Trail Regional School from 10 AM to 1 PM, supported by local boards of health and local Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. The clinic is for people of all ages. Face masks will be required. See the attached flyer for more information. To save your spot, please pre-register at www.frcog.org/flu-clinic, and please bring all available insurance cards. We hope to see you there!

[Please note that this is only for individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna has not come out with a booster at this time.]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)have authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 Booster for individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and individuals 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings who have previously received the Pfizer vaccine. These residents are eligible to receive their booster shot at least 6 months after their second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccine administration. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, including against the widely circulating Delta variant. The CDC recommends that protection from COVID-19 is improved with the addition of a booster shot, especially for individuals at higher risk. The Administration has worked with health care providers, retail pharmacies and community partners to ensure the availability of hundreds of locations for eligible residents to receive the authorized Pfizer COVID-19 booster.

Similar to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Massachusetts residents will have a range of options to receive Pfizer COVID-19 booster doses, including more than 460 retail pharmacies. The Administration will continue to make vaccines widely available. The first priority is to increase administration of first and second doses in residents not yet vaccinated. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves, their families, and their community. Second, fully vaccinated residents should receive a COVID-19 booster shot when they are eligible and as authorized by the CDC. At this time, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized as a booster.

1. Visit vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of hundreds of locations to receive a booster.
   ♦ Select a location and schedule an appointment online
2. Individuals who are unable to use vaxfinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, please contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9AM-2PM) by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.

The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. You do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster. Additional information on the COVID-booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/COVID19booster

The quickest and easiest way to schedule a COVID-19 booster appointment or check availability in your area is to use the online system at vaxfinder.mass.gov

To learn when you are eligible for a booster shot, review your Vaccination Record Card for the date of your second shot of COVID vaccine. If you do not have your vaccination record, contact your primary care provider or the retail pharmacy where you were vaccinated. If that is not an option, visit mass.gov/myvaxrecord to learn how to request a copy of your immunization record.

**Please note this request could take up to 2 weeks.**

The Sons and Daughters of Hawley Board of Trustees has decided, sadly, that it is not in the best interest of our members for us to hold the potluck Apple Fest dinner, originally scheduled for November 7. Although the COVID number is decreasing, there do continue to be new cases in Massachusetts and Franklin County every day, so, as we don’t think it is worth the risk, we are cancelling the event.

At this time, we do plan to hold the Illumination Party in December at the East Hawley Meetinghouse.  Plans regarding the traditional S&DH spring events, including the March Mud Party, remain tentative, but we will let you know about each decision as soon as it is made.

The Board sends our warm good wishes for your continued health and well being,

Sincerely,

Suzy Groden, S&DH Recording Secretary

 Franklin County Solid Waste District is planning to hold the 2021 household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, September 25th at GCC’s Main Campus and the Orange Transfer Station.

Residents and businesses must pre-register by September 17th. Online pre-registration for the 2021 collection will begin in mid-August, at: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/hazwasteday.html. Mail-in registration forms will be available in late August at town transfer stations and in local newspapers. Participants will be assigned an appointment time to bring wastes to the collection; an appointment time and instructions will be provided by mail after registration is processed. Continue reading →

August 21, 2021: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY SELECTMEN
RESIDENTS URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION . . . AUGUST 24: EMERGENCY IS OVER.

In a rapidly developing weather situation, Hurricane Henry is now heading toward New England and New York. Accordingly, the Hawley Selectboard has called a special meeting for Saturday, August 21 at 6 pm, which is available on both a face to face basis and via phone.

Click HERE for a meeting agenda;
and HERE for a more detailed report on the storm.

There is a Meet and Greet set for Tuesday, June 22 from 6-7pm at the Town Office to welcome Abigail Drew, our newly-hired Administrative Assistant.

Please come, so that she has a name to the face she will be working with very soon. If you can’t make it, feel free to contact us to make an appointment to come in and have a short chat about your role in town affairs. This will help her have a better sense of how Hawley fits all together.

I was greeted 5 years ago with such warmth and tolerance for being the new ‘kid on the block’ in the Hawley Town Office – I’m sure she will be as well! Thank you all.

Cass Nawrocki
Administrative Assistant

In a letter that could be characterized as strongly worded, the Hawley Board of Health (AKA Selectboard) has categorically rejected participation in the Commonwealth’s aerial spraying program designed to eradicate disease-carrying mosquito’s. Click HERE for the details of the Town’s decision to opt out.