Hello Friends,

A few weeks ago, we lost a good friend of ours, Jason Milligan. Jason passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 42. He was a Bellingham guy who I went to high school with and Joe had the privilege to coach with at Bellingham Youth Baseball. Jason left behind his best friend and the love of his life, his wife of 13 years, Melissa. He also leaves behind his four children, three of which are in the Bellingham school system. He was an amazing father who was very involved in his kids' lives and in the Bellingham community especially in the Bellingham Youth Baseball and Football programs.

As you can imagine, this is a devastating time for Melissa and the kids. Our hope is as a community we can all come together and rally behind them and give them the strength they need to get through this.

When Joe and I learned of this tragic loss we immediately we knew we had to do something to help Melissa and the kids. Together with a good friend we decided to host a Cornhole Tournament in the memory of Jason and to help raise money for his family. After talking to a few members of the Bellingham Youth Baseball Board, some of our friends and some local businesses about our idea they all decided to jump on board with us and help make this possible.

So now is where you fit in - we need your help! We are asking our community to join us in making this an incredible event so we can take some of the financial burden off Melissa’s shoulders as she and the kids grieve and try and figure out how to adjust to their new norm without their rock. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Milligan Family.

The Cornhole Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 10th at Next9Up, 40 Kenwood Circle, Suite 6, Franklin, MA. Due to COVID protocols the facility is currently operating at 50 percent capacity, so we need to schedule the day so not to have everybody there at the same time. Please register your team ($50/person; $100/team) ASAP so that we can get the bracket going. There will be a ton of amazing items being raffled off and a great prize for the tournament winners.

Here are ways you can help make this event success for the Milligans:

- FIND A PARTNER AND REGISTER FOR THE TOURNAMENT! You can Venmo $100 to @jasonmilligan-fundraiser then to complete the registration process please send an email to MelRanieri4@gmail.com with the names of the two people who are participating.

- WE ARE ACCEPTING DONATIONS AND OR RAFFLE PRIZES. Please reach out to myself or my husband Joe if you are interested. We would like to have all raffle donations in by April 1st.

- WE HAVE A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WITH PJ'S BAR & GRILL,191 Mechanic Street, Bellingham, MA - the week prior to the event, $1 of every $5 margarita sold will be donated to the Milligan fundraiser. On the day of the event, April 10th, 15% of all checks from those who have mentioned the tournament will go to the fundraiser as well. We thank PJ so much for helping the family!

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” Helen Keller

Right now, during this tragic time, Melissa and the kids need their village, their people and their community. Please come out and be part of this special event to remember a great guy who’s life was cut far too short and help us be there for his family in their time of need. Thank you in advance and please feel free to share this email with everyone and anyone, plus you can visit and share our Facebook page for the event https://fb.me/e/2dZXEhc3s

Thank you again,

Melissa and Joe Bertonazzi

Melissa- (508) 320-3596 & Joe- (508) 768-8274

Bellingham Historical Commission Museum Renovation – How You Can Help!

Over the summer, the Commission members, with the cooperation and encouragement of the town administration, led by Town Administrator Denis Fraine, and assisted by a cadre of volunteers, embarked on a project to update the museum facility.

When the museum moved into the former library building in the late 1980s/early 1990s no facility upgrades were done.  It was time for a fresh coat of paint and more. 

In July we began by boxing up the collections from the book shelves and moving larger items into the basement of the building to be stored while the upstairs was renovated.  We were assisted by community volunteers for this project, including a few BHS football players.

Town Carpenter Ron Paulhas and his senior volunteers painted the whole interior, walls and ceiling and Ron fabricated fabulous new covers for the radiators.  We contracted with Bellingham resident and Owner of Car-Leo Floor Covering in Milford, Carl Deleso, to replace the worn,  outdated carpet with new weathered oak laminate flooring.  New bamboo window shades have been purchased to update the window treatments.  Gary Remillard, of G&L Electric, assisted by electrician and commission member Rick Marcoux, will be updating the lighting.

We are now working on reorganizing the collections to make the museum a more cohesive browsable collection of Bellingham history to tell our story.  The museum will have sections with categories of history, including:  schools and municipal items; farming and household artifacts; sports and recreation materials; military, public safety and civil defense items; as well as a reference library  section that will feature town reports, school yearbooks, and past issues of the Crimpville Comments.  Immediately upon entering will be a display case that will depict a timeline of Bellingham’s Founders.

We have had great support from the town to make this project possible, and we are now at the point that we are reaching out to members of the Bellingham community for financial support to complete the project. We are in need of the following furnishings and supplies to complete this project at the level we think the community deserves:  New display cases, tables and chairs as well as supplies for professional display of collections.

Below are some of our before and after photographs of the renovation as well as details about our sponsorship and  donation opportunities.  We’d appreciate your support! 

Here's another grant opportunity for all of you, so blasting out to the BBA                                                                   https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/sector-specific-relief-grant-program-massachusetts-businesses

This was released this week by the State for specific industries listed on the site who have been hit the hardest. Bellingham does not have a role this time but it would be great to get as many Bellingham businesses applying! 

Thanks, Jim Kupfer  

James S. Kupfer, MPA, AICP

Town Planner/ Zoning Compliance Officer

10 Mechanic Street

Bellingham, MA 02019

Phone: 508-657-2893

jkupfer@bellinghamma.org

Dear BBA Members:

The Friends of the Bellingham Library are finishing up plans for their holiday fundraiser.  If you haven’t yet been contacted and would like to donate a gift card or other prize for our “Weeks of Winning” drawing, please let me know.  We are hoping to have all of the donations in by Monday, November 16^th, so please reply asap if you’d like to participate. We thank you all for your continued support of the library during these tough times, it is appreciated! Attached is a very rough flyer of the details of the fundraiser is attached. 

Bernadette D. Rivard

Library Director
Bellingham Public Library
100 Blackstone Street

Bellingham MA  02019
508-966-1660

508-966-3189 fax

brivard@bellinghamma.org 

Note from Paul Caci FBI...

I'm looking to rent the downstairs apartment in my office building.

Here's the information. Can you get the word out to the BBA members?

Here's the details:

Two bedroom apartment for rent. Newly renovated,  large kitchen and living room,

bedrooms are 12 X 12 and 10 X 10, washer and dryer in utility room, large storage room,

All Utilities included.   $1400

Contact Paul Caci 508 498 5316

Thanks for your help.

Paul

Future Bearings Inc.
90 Mendon Street
Bellingham, MA 02019
508-966-2742 FAX:508-966-2942
www.futurebearings.com

Message from Jim Kupfer, Town Planner - 

I have another grant opportunity for all of you to blast out to our Bellingham businesses: https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/covid-19-grants-massachusetts-small-businesses 

This was just released by the State. Bellingham does not have a role this time but it would be great to get as many Bellingham businesses applying! 

Thanks,

Jim 

James S. Kupfer, MPA, AICP

Town Planner/ Zoning Compliance Officer

10 Mechanic Street

Bellingham, MA 02019

Phone: 508-657-2893

jkupfer@bellinghamma.org

Microenterprise Grant Applications Now Available
Bellingham is excited to offer a onetime grant opportunity of up to $10,000 to eligible Bellingham small businesses. Funding for this program is provided through a grant the Town has received from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. Eligibility requirements and grant program instructions are below. Please complete the Preliminary Application no later than Oct. 7th at 4:30 pm.
For questions please contact Paula Stuart by phone 617-388-1331 or email pstuart@cogincorp.com.
Preliminary Application

https://www.bellinghamma.org/…/brme_grant_preliminary_appli…

Grant Program Instructions
https://www.bellinghamma.org/…/brme_grant_program_overview_…

Thank you to the BBA Members who have donated bags to the library for our curbside service.  We have found that the most popular size we need is 10x8x4.  If any BBA members could provide a supply of bags of this or similar size to the library, we would be grateful.  We will acknowledge your donation on our library Facebook page.  If you would like to put your business card or company name anywhere on the bags, we are fine with that. Thank you!  For your convenience I’ve included the attached link as an example of the kind of bag we are looking for: 

https://www.amazon.com/x4-75-50-Shopping-Retail-Natural/dp/B00KZPGIXS 

Bernadette D. Rivard

Library Director
Bellingham Public Library
100 Blackstone Street

Bellingham MA  02019
508-966-1660

508-966-3189 fax

brivard@bellinghamma.org

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light."
George Washington, Letter to Charles M. Thurston, Sunday, August 10, 1794

FREE Announcements on MyFM Extended for 60 Days!!

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and well.   This spring has turned out to be very different from what any of us could have imagined and continues to present challenges that range from the highly personal to those on a global scale. One consequence of the coronavirus and social distancing is that Jeff's Place had to cancel our annual spring fundraiser on which we rely heavily to fund free programs for children and their families grieving the loss of a parent or sibling. Yet now, more than ever, we are painfully aware of the increasing need to offer hope and healing to those in grief. And so true to our vision - No One Grieves Alone - our dedicated team has reimagined this event and created an online fundraiser in which 100% of the proceeds raised will go directly to Jeff's Place. If you would like to help, here are some things you can do:

  1.   Learn more about Jeff's Place -   One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to serve on the Board of Directors at Jeff's Place.   Check out these three short videos made specifically for this online event and hear directly from our Jeff's Place Founder<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFay6KXs8wk>, Clinical Director<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLFGWEN94fY>, and Lauren<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Tsr5WKbss&feature=youtu.be&blm_aid=23710>, a sixteen-year-old who came to Jeff's Place after her father died by suicide.

  2.   Donate and Participate in our Online Auction - Take part in our silent online auction<https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php>  where you can access a variety of fun auction items and packages. Or, you can make a donation<https://cbo.io/d/donate.php?slug=jeffsplace>  with a financial contribution that will go 100% directly to our program services.

  3.   Share this information with your networks -   Help spread the word by visiting our website<https://u7909656.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=3fEYGmi31XGgDsS74mYbGnagdO3tHziJZtyL-2B8EcIXFJ4Nyhx4fmVSER5W72KSh8phH3vL8WCVse5VMkqUwE-2Bg-3D-3DU8WS_xGRFRHG-2BjDiOkWIi-2BmEypH2XJxgBV7J0jYXN9HTYFl6dxptxp5OD1dhYUpFXd-2BF67PyHH3KUt64W1hWvzgIWvDmfm5lQD-2BAugGSdM5lzZ3WV-2BJD75bfBIwexqv853MHWhIWOQ1lqo6UQmpCqfwyhizTCKRmM6rtd-2Fn7uYJuXmPspgn-2FZd1ANMObmTuiMTDFMiX7YdwQ37V0MtQUWCUeq2UOV6gRY4AV30mwd4ep7R9WzI8ZFzwysnFnnCMOengpcvS-2FjgQ4mRS1Eg79IcCcMOvofWtFjDEgz3FxgpqoH3zfVjJgESuIS9naxd2A4FwRl-2Bnk8v2r6AoS7WLW7hngOsnDOkGXEYlGJOGyqjjNWn6qJ-2BJ68URuHSy72ZRK-2BWsMFmw4zymRAH9EwQJRXRN4n2w-3D-3D>, and following and liking us on Facebook<https://u7909656.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=3fEYGmi31XGgDsS74mYbGh7T4EX3yvROs6drCSYWSHPEEljdVGgdeZOdfR-2FN0G43BexKMWbEha2FKXurPhM3-2FEAQLzQUJyCFJKa8rwGpSNk-3DGkTv_xGRFRHG-2BjDiOkWIi-2BmEypH2XJxgBV7J0jYXN9HTYFl6dxptxp5OD1dhYUpFXd-2BF67PyHH3KUt64W1hWvzgIWvDmfm5lQD-2BAugGSdM5lzZ3WV-2BJD75bfBIwexqv853MHWhIWOQ1lqo6UQmpCqfwyhizTCKRmM6rtd-2Fn7uYJuXmPspgn-2FZd1ANMObmTuiMTDFMiX7YdwQ37V0MtQUWCUeq2UOV6gRY4AV30mwd4ep7R9VrB2YU-2B4y-2BMu5WIBq8udm-2Fi-2BIu5d3BNU9V12kpqPAx2MUvP3HVol2GTuKUva7QAa7wPzmAnYkSqr8LXquu2JLEsn6kG6-2FBbKA-2FXXwnNuHJmMz6lJUMueyGiIWZlouTxMhW4zuqzPpZu3RDadVV1XF73B4OuGO9GPE0-2BSfCntUpAg-3D-3D>  and Instagram<https://u7909656.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=3fEYGmi31XGgDsS74mYbGkgDlTSgS-2F2756GqiwO-2BpxBJaoSTrceCesRu0b8YojmMBvGTW6zxYpIN0vTanYFoZlQocqsIMyQ7bNpFnKgSqec-3DCfvS_xGRFRHG-2BjDiOkWIi-2BmEypH2XJxgBV7J0jYXN9HTYFl6dxptxp5OD1dhYUpFXd-2BF67PyHH3KUt64W1hWvzgIWvDmfm5lQD-2BAugGSdM5lzZ3WV-2BJD75bfBIwexqv853MHWhIWOQ1lqo6UQmpCqfwyhizTCKRmM6rtd-2Fn7uYJuXmPspgn-2FZd1ANMObmTuiMTDFMiX7YdwQ37V0MtQUWCUeq2UOV6gRY4AV30mwd4ep7R9XfI8HPJRpfPALTavDKi94iEjrg5CitBmIqcQK8kv4Tg2kWzCjWxZ1zBH8DnzOURd4fgKO1oExLvSK5uffC3rRWu50MB-2FTmvonx0UBNe6102zlwwJYssO-2Fl1nvKoPk-2BLa8Y5NS90qjc95uGCBMyuKQy-2BidXTBHmzJJY0ifmMO9bLA-3D-3D>.

I know that times are tough for everyone right now and I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and support.   Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about Jeff's Place. Please remember that the auction closes on May 3rd.

With deep gratitude,

Rick Kaplan

508-561-0445

Board Chair

Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center

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The following message is from the Board of Selectmen ~

Hello Bellingham Restaurants and Other Businesses!

We hope you are all staying safe and practicing social distancing.  We are actively looking to spotlight your business during our daily 10:00 show on ABMI.  To date, we have created a forum for grocery stores, coffee shops, pharmacies and some of the other larger scale businesses in town.  If you are interested in sharing what you are doing to continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic please send an email to me at cmcnulty@bellinghamma.org

Your participation will take place using Zoom.  We look forward to providing this platform for you.

Thank you,

Cindy McNulty

Board of Selectmen