Globe South Community briefing
ABINGTON
FIRE STATION CLOSED - Fire Chief Arthur Pelland closed Station 2 on Rockland Street last week due to the latest round of budget cuts. That belt-tightening has also forced him to run shifts with four firefighters rather than five whenever a regular shift member is out sick. When Station 2 closed, all equipment was moved to the town’s main station on Route 18. “It’s going to increase response times to the southern end of town,’’ Pelland warned. “And it will increase the risk to residents as well as to the firefighters, but this is what the people voted so this is what we have to live with.’’ Pelland said his budget is about 8 1/2 percent below level service. - Christine LegerePLYMOUTH
IN, THEN OUT - Plymouth’s new Council on Aging director, Marybeth Lawton, started on the job on Oct. 1 and was let go by Acting Town Manager Melissa Arrighi six weeks later, on Nov. 17. Lawton, who was formerly director of the Abington Council on Aging, was still working within a probationary period in Plymouth when she was let go. During her tenure in Abington, Lawton had overseen the conversion of a former church in town into a new senior center. Plymouth is poised to build a new center for its seniors. “I left Abington because I thought I was being given the opportunity to do for Plymouth what I had done in Abington, but that was not the case,’’ Lawton said last week. She now hopes she can submit her resume for her former position in Abington, which has not yet been filled. “Although I can’t comment on personnel-related matters, I wish Marybeth the best of luck and I know she’ll have success in the council on aging field,’’ Arrighi said. - Christine Legere WAREHAM
LAND TRUST GETS AID - The Wareham Land Trust is one of nine projects to receive a state Conservation Partnership Grant, awarded by the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The land trust was given $49,650 for the protection of 2.5 acres on Mark’s Cove. The property connects to 112 acres of protected open space along the coast. Other nonprofit organizations receiving grant awards were the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Harwich Conservation Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation in Andover and Boxford, Brewster Conservation Trust, Nantucket Land Council, Hilltown Land Trust, and Essex County Greenbelt Association. The state awarded a total of $495,650.- Christine Legere
REGION
FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The South Shore Community Action Council’s assistance program is accepting applications for those who meet certain qualifications and need help with winter fuel bills. Eligibility is based on gross income and household size. Those who believe they qualify may visit the Action Council’s office at 265 South Meadow Road in Plymouth to fill out an application with an intake worker. For appointments after usual business hours, contact the office at 508-746-6407. New applicants must bring proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members over 18, picture identification, and proof of street address. Households using the same primary heat source for at least the previous 12 months should bring copies of their heating bills for those months. For applicants in an emergency situation (completely out of fuel or utilities shut off), all income and other information must be taken in to the office the day you apply in order to receive emergency assistance. For more information, visit www.sscac.org. - Christine Legere 
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