More Announcements

Hinsdale Food Pantry

Hinsdale Trading Company is the new, temporary home of the Hinsdale Food Pantry.

We need your help to get up and running.

Please drop donations off at the window of the Hinsdale Trading Company between 5:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. See below for donation suggestions.

Once enough food is collected, distribution will take place on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 in the Hinsdale Trading Company parking lot. More information regarding distribution will be coming soon. Please note food will be available for Hinsdale and Peru residents only and proof of residence will be required.

If you are able to make donations we are looking for both loose canned goods and preassembled meals in brown bags.

If you would like to create a meal, put the ingredients in a brown paper and label it.

Here are some meal ideas:

1. Tuna Noodle Casserole (egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, tuna fish)

2. Pasta Dinner (box of pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit)

3. Beef Stew (2 cans of hearty beef stew and box of Bisquick)

4. Chicken Noodle Soup (can of chicken, carton of broth, can of mixed vegetables, egg noodles)

5. Vegetable Soup (can of diced tomatoes, can of mixed vegetables, carton of broth, pasta)

6. Sandwiches (can of tuna, can of ham, jar of mayo, peanut butter, jelly)

7. Create your own meal in a bag!

Other helpful donations include canned vegetables, fruits, and meats, soup, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, ready to serve pudding and jello, applesauce, granola bars, crackers, juice, powder drink mixes, coffee, tea, boxed macaroni and cheese, and baking supplies.

Thank you for your support of this community effort to help one another in these hard times. If you have any questions please contact Deb at 655-8587 or Phil 655-8110.

Information for distribution will be coming soon.

Massachusetts Announces State Income Tax Filing Deadline Being Extended to July 15

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an agreement to extend the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This income tax relief is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify.

“Massachusetts will move the state personal income tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, consistent with the federal government, in order to provide additional flexibility to filers during this crisis,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “In partnership with our colleagues in the Legislature, we are committed to providing this flexibility to taxpayers in a way that protects the Commonwealth’s strong fiscal footing that we have all worked hard to develop over the past several years.”

“We are proud to work with the Legislature to provide meaningful relief to people throughout the Commonwealth during this public health emergency,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This extension will afford taxpayers additional time to file their Massachusetts individual income tax returns as we carry out the historic response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

“The top priority during this public health crisis is to address the immediate needs facing our residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “Our message is clear: residents should stay home and avoid social contact to be safe. Extending the tax deadline helps us accomplish that goal and provides peace of mind. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, as well as our partners in the House and the Administration for their continued collaboration in confronting the challenges facing our Commonwealth.”

“The House, in partnership with the Senate and the Administration, agreed to an extension of the state tax filing deadline to ease the burden on individuals while agreeing to borrowing measures that would protect the Commonwealth’s revenue stream,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “Thank you to Chair Michlewitz for his leadership in ensuring the Commonwealth’s fiscal viability while providing tax relief to those unduly effected by this crisis.”

Today’s announcement will move the state income tax filing deadline to match the July 15 deadline for filing federal individual income taxes. Legislation will be filed in the near future to finance the extension, and accompanying administrative changes will be implemented through the Department of Revenue. Specifically, the legislation will authorize the Commonwealth borrowing flexibility to manage deferred revenue this fiscal year and repay it in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2020.

Individuals with questions or concerns regarding taxes can contact the Massachusetts Department of Revenue at (617) 887-6367 or send a secure e-message through MassTaxConnect.

The Commonwealth will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are encouraged to consult both the Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for the most up to date information.

The latest information and guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.

On Sunday, February 23, 2020, the Massachusetts Hand-Free Law will go into effect.

Here are some tips and resources to learn what you can be doing to help reduce distraction when employees are driving for work.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health employer fact sheet: MA FACE fact sheet on distracted driving and seatbelt use.
NIOSH recommendations for employers to prevent distracted driving.
·         Ban all phone use while driving a company vehicle, and apply the same rules to use of a company-issued phone while driving a personal vehicle.
·         Require workers to pull over in a safe location if they must text, make a call, or look up directions.
·         Prepare workers before implementing these policies by communicating:
o    How distracted driving puts them at risk of a crash
o    That driving requires their full attention while they are on the road
o    What they need to do to comply with your company’s policies
o    What action you will take if they do not follow these policies
·         Consider having workers acknowledge that they have read and understand these policies.
·         Provide workers with information to help them talk to their family about distracted driving.
For more information about the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law please visit

Council on Aging now has a Newsletter that is being mailed quarterly (to all seniors over 65 only due to the cost of printing and mailing); however, seniors over 60 are welcome to all events. To subscribe, please send a request with your email address to:

Note: the email address given in the December Newsletter was incorrect. If you sent in a request, please resubmit. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The Town Hall and all Town Services will be CLOSED on the following days in 2020.

*Excludes the DPW that operates in event of a snowstorm*

2020

Monday, September 7 Labor Day

Monday, October 12 Columbus Day

Wednesday, November 11 Veterans Day

Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving

Friday, November 27 Day after Thanksgiving

Friday, December 25 Christmas Day

Town Clerk News

2020 Dog Licenses are available in the Town Clerk's Office.

Dog Licenses are available from 10:30 until noon on Mondays and 6:30 until 8:00 on Wednesdays at the Town Clerk's office.

Fee Schedule:

Spayed/Neutered $10
Not Neutered: $20
Kennel License 2-8 dogs $50
Kennel License 9 or more dogs $100
A late fee of $25 each dogs will be charged to owners not registering their dogs by March 31, 2020. DUE DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED. NO LATE FEE UNTIL APRIL 30TH.

Applicants need to provide the following information:

Proof of spaying/neutering

Expiration date of Rabies Vaccination