Community Corner

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: May 1

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Tuesday, May 1. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Wenham Water Ban: The begins on May 1, restricting residents from using sprinklers between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. - hand watering is still allowed. The Wenham Water Commissioners are meeting on Tuesday night to officially vote on the ban, according to Water Superintendent Erik Mansfield. Additionally, the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force is meeting on May 3 to evaluate all regions across the state . The task force may end up imposing other requirements.

2. Open Burning: The comes to an end on Tuesday. Each year it runs from Jan. 15 to May 1.

Find out what's happening in Hamilton-Wenhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. National Grid: The new, , the utility company in Hamilton and Wenham, begins on Tuesday. The rate drop will run through Oct. 1 and apply to all 4,600 electric customers in the two towns plus all the gas customers. Natural gas bills will drop 13 percent, with the average bill of $47 per month going to $41. For electric customers, rates will drop 10 percent, saving the average customer $7 per month.

4. Lahey-Northeast Health Combination: The parent company of – Northeast Health System – on Tuesday officially becomes part of Lahey Health System, which is the new combination of Northeast Health and Lahey Clinic. It is an agreement that will be seen by many local residents, since and Beverly Hospital is the primary hospital for many residents in the two towns. The public health council approved the move back in March.

Find out what's happening in Hamilton-Wenhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5. Hamilton Planning Board: The Hamilton Planning Board meets at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at to take up a review of the town Master Plan, including downtown businesses and affordable housing, plus hear a report about a plan for an on the .

To find out what is going on today in Hamilton and Wenham, check out our events listings.


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