News and Notes 2.02.2023

News and Notes for Thursday February 2nd, 2023
The National Weather Service tweeted at 5:00 AM this morning that “An arctic front will move
through Friday and deliver a dangerously cold air mass to southern New England late Friday
into Saturday. Wind chills could get as low as -20 to -40 late Friday night and Saturday morning,
and even colder in the Berkshires.” I guess we’re going to have some cold weather this
weekend! Temperature estimates range from -7 degrees in Boston to -13 degrees in Pittsfield.
Please take necessary steps to protect your homes from catastrophic water losses due to
frozen pipes. Leave the heat higher, make sure all your windows are closed-don’t laugh. I have
a friend who once killed his plants by leaving a window near them open! Drip your faucets if
necessary. You know the drill…
Oh. Stay inside if you can. Being out in the frigid isn’t fun.
If you need to file taxes, here’s some good news. The AARP Tax Aide program is available to
help taxpayers of any age and moderate income to file their state and federal taxes beginning
next Tuesday evening, February 7th. Sessions will be available on Tuesday evenings starting at
6:00 and Saturday morning from 9:00 to noon.
Appointments can be scheduled as follows:
Monday-Friday MORNINGS from 9:00-12:00 by calling (413) 458-8250 or
Monday-Friday AFTERNOONS from 1:00-4:00 by calling (413) 749-2020.
Incidentally, you’ll have to pick up a packet from us after you’ve registered and ahead of your
appointment. The packet contains questions required to be completed before your session. It
has questions for data pertinent to your session with the TaxAides.
Next Wednesday, February 8th, the CHP mobile unit will return to us and offer Covid boosters
and seasonal flu shots for folks who missed it before. It’s definitely flu season and people I know
who have had it say that it’s worse than ever and lingers on and on. Better safe than sorry. They
have the famous “senior shot” available as well.They’ll be here from 10-noon. It might be their
last visit for a while so if you’ve delayed getting it you might want to think seriously about it now.
Tech Tutoring with our friends from Williams returns at 4:00 on Fridays. You can reserve a spot
to have some help with your devices-iphones, Androids, ipads, Chromebooks, traditional flip
phones, whatever you have- and we’ll try to find someone to help you! Reservations are
required, we’ll need your name, contact info and the device type you need assistance with. You
can schedule a helping appointment by calling us here at Harper at 413-458-8250.
Just another reminder that the folks from the Fire District are coming here to Harper on the 16th
at 1:00 to talk about the project and answer questions regarding it. It’s an informational session
and an important conversation. Bring yourselves and your questions, we’ll have refreshments
too.
Incidentally, the actual Town wide special Fire District meeting to vote to raise funds and build
the facility is being held on Tuesday February 28th at the Williamstown Elementary School gym
at 7:00. This is an important meeting so please plan to be there!