Easton, MA
Incorporated in 1725, the Town of Easton is located 30 minutes from Boston, 45 minutes from Cape Cod, and 45 minutes from Providence. The community is approximately 29 square miles in area and has an estimated 2006 population of 22,980.
Easton is governed by an Open Town Meeting and the executive branch is made up of an elected five-member Board of Selectmen, serving three-year terms. The Board hires a full-time Town Administrator to supervise the daily operations of the government.
Growth
Easton, although primarily a residential community, has experienced rapid and positive growth over the last decade. Recent development includes two major shopping plazas and provides residents with the convenience of shopping at major retailers. There are three supermarkets, easily accessible from any part of Town.
The Easton Industrial Park is located just off Route 24. Easton also has an active and vibrant small business community, and the Easton Chamber of Commerce provides services and support to its members. There are a variety of restaurants; both large scale and family style, offering the residents not only fine dining options, but different ethnic traditions as well.
Education
Easton has a long history of supporting its excellent school system. The renovation and expansion of the Oliver Ames High School and the Easton Middle School is scheduled to be completed in 2007 and 2008, respectively. These modernized buildings and updated classroom facilities will allow the community to continue to provide Easton ‘s children with a superior education for years to come.
The Town is also home to Southeastern Regional Vocational Tech, offering secondary school students an alternative to a traditional high school curriculum. Stonehill College, a 4-year Catholic college, is continually ranked as top in the “Best Comprehensive Category (North).” The 375-acre campus has ponds and wooded trails and will soon have a new Science Center.
The College is an integral part of the Town, supporting the community with student teachers and with educational and athletic facilities. Conservation and Historical Preservation Easton offers its citizens the enjoyment of the Natural Resource Trust “Sheep Pasture” and Borderland State Park. Approximately 15% of the community is dedicated conservation land. The Town is a participant in the state matching Community Preservation Act program and recently voted to purchase a $1.3 million parcel adjacent to Wheaton Farm, continuing a long-standing commitment to preserve open space.
The Town’s history is uniquely connected with the establishment of the Ames Shovel company in 1803 and the Ames family through many generations. The Ames family not only shaped the Town’s economy, but also its geography and architecture. In the late 19th century, the family created a remarkable legacy by donating several landmark buildings to the town.
This was noteworthy not only for its benevolence, but for its architectural significance; the famed architect H.H. Richardson designed Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, the Ames Free Library and the Old Colony Railroad Station. The community continues to preserve these buildings today as part of the proud heritage of Easton. |
