The Massachusetts Freemasons and the Amesbury Police Department will be conducting a Child Identification Program next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Drop-In Center at 9 School St.
The CHIP program is sponsored by The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts and is endorsed by the Massachusetts Crime Prevention Officers Association and Massachusetts Dental Society. The program is free and suitable for children of all ages. As part of the program, parents and caregivers are given a free identification kit which includes a short video of their child, a set of fingerprints, a dental impression and a DNA sample.
All materials are given to the parent or caregivers to take home; neither the police nor Masons keep any materials. Instructions are also included on the use of the kit should the child become lost or missing.
Local dentist, Dr. James DiTolla and students from the Northern Essex Community College Dental Program will be assisting at the event. For more information or questions about the CHIP event, please contact Officer Tom Hanshaw at the Amesbury Police Department, thomash@ci.amesbury.ma.us or 978-388-1217.
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The Amesbury Police Department is advising residents that the annual trick-or-treat observance will be held on Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Surrounding communities will also be observing trick or treat that evening.
Residents who wish to pass out treats are asked to leave an outside light on and to make sure that walkways are clear of any obstacles or decorations for children. Parents are asked to accompany children, carry a flashlight and visit familiar homes in their neighborhood.
Parents are also encouraged to report any criminal or suspicious activity to the police department by calling 978-388-1212 if using a cell phone. Extra police patrols will be assigned to patrol neighborhoods that evening. Motorists should be aware of the added pedestrian traffic and exercise caution, especially when passing through neighborhood streets.
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Absentee ballots are available at the town clerk's office. The last day to obtain an absentee ballot is noon on Nov. 3.
Any registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day can fill out an absentee ballot application to request an absentee ballot for the following reasons: absence from the city during polling hours, physical disability preventing a voter from getting to the polling place, religious belief, active members of the Armed forces, Massachusetts citizens absent from the state, or person confined to a correctional facility except if by reason of a felony conviction. All absentee ballots mailed within the United States must be returned to the Clerk's Office by close of polls on Election Day.
To request an absentee ballot application by mail, contact the town clerk's office at 978-388-8100.
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On election day, there will be a flu clinic from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center. The clinic is for Amesbury residents only over six months old. Short-sleeve shirts are helpful to administer the shot and reduce waiting time. Please bring Medicare Cards and Senior HMO cards. For more information call the Health Department at 978-388-8133.
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Amesbury High School class of 1989 has set up a Facebook profile and e-mail address to help gather contact information for upcoming reunions. The e-mail address is ahsclassof89@gmail.com, and the Web page is www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37842002066.
Class of 1989, please log on and sign up.
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Nick Metcalf is the newest member of the Amesbury Fire Department. Having recently graduated from the academy, Metcalf has started work in Amesbury.
"He is young, enthusiastic and ready to go," Mayor Thatcher Kezer said. "It's a pleasure to see that."
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James Kelcourse is the newest member of the Planning Board. The Municipal Council and Planning Board voted unanimously to accept him.
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The raffle for Our Neighbors' Table at the Fall Festival collected nearly $100. Laurie Irwin won the raffle basket. But don't forget the raffle continues. The Amesbury Downtown Business Association will donate another basket at the end of the monthlong raffle. In addition they will continue to collect food products until Nov. 11. The following businesses are participating: Amesbury Center for Healing (raffle only), Boston Hair Design (raffle only), Chamber of Commerce (food drop-off only), Charlotte's, Country Meadows, Edward Jones (raffle only), Envelop the Moment, Greenery Designs (raffle only), Met Life Home Loans, Ovedia Artisan Chocolates, Parke Place, Paws Pet Boutique, Riverwalk Bead Shop & Gallery.
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The following meetings are scheduled this week:
Tuesday
Finance Committee meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium
Wednesday
Finance Advisory Committee, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium
Thursday
Amesbury Health Trust, 4 p.m., Amesbury Health Center
Board of Registrars, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium
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