Friday, August 7, 2020
Lunch Break News Weekly
NOW What!?
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced this week that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has now been detected in mosquitoes collected from Wareham. The virus had already been detected in Middleboro and Carver, and a youth in Carver has contracted EEE.

All employees are urged to use insect spray when working outdoors anywhere in the area, using repellent with DEET as the active ingredient. Mosquitoes can even be found during the day in shaded areas along the tree line. See Kevin in the shop if you need more.
Solar Hearing Monday in Wareham
This Monday, the Wareham Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding three proposed solar projects planned by Borrego Solar Systems Inc. on land owned by the A.. Makepeace Company.

The sites are remote and will be screened, and were selected for their limited impact on wildlife and human neighbors. Together, the three installations are expected to generate some three-quarters of a million dollars annually in "Payments in Lieu of Taxes" to the town of Wareham, lease payments to the A.D. Makepeace Company, and enough renewable energy to power 45,000 homes.

Borrego is currently in the System Impact Study phase of review with Eversource which is expected to be complete next May. Utility upgrade construction, and construction of the facilities themselves, would then begin, with completion by the end of 2022.

Two sites are located off Tihonet Road to the north of the village area, north and south of the power lines, and a smaller installation is planned for property we own off Charge Pond Road opposite the YMCA.

If you have questions about the project, feel free to email Linda or Kim and we will get you a fact sheet with additional details.
An Opportunity To Do Some Good
The A.D. Makepeace Company has volunteered to cover two shifts with the Farmers to Families program, which gives free boxes of produce to local families, in August, and we're looking for help on Friday, August 14 to help with food distribution.

Our finance and accounting team has volunteered to completely staff the August 21 shift - thanks to all of you who will participate!

The program was funded by a USDA grant to Sid Wainer & Son, a local food distributor. Sid Wainer partnered with the Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council and the United Way of Greater New Bedford to distribute these boxes to families in need. In Wareham, the Marion Institute has partnered with the Gleason YMCA as a weekly distribution site.

With unemployment in Plymouth County at 18.5 percent, we all know someone who could use the help.

Email Kim if you would like to volunteer next Friday or want more information. The shift is from 11:30 to 2:30 and no heavy lifting is required. Please coordinate with your supervisor.
And Another Opportunity
The American Red Cross is still in need of blood. You can donate at the Rosebrook Blood Drive #4 on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Click here to register in advance - you need to do that these days to donate.