Halloween will be a little different this year. Normally, the town closes off Maple Avenue and its feeder streets to vehicular traffic from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to allow little ghoulies and ghosties to roam safely as they trick or treat.
This year, however, Halloween coincides with early voting at town hall, so cars will be allowed to enter Maple Avenue and will be asked to proceed carefully to avoid the children until the polls close at 8:00 p.m., according to Norfolk Fire Chief Brian Hutchins.
The firefighters, who donate their services every year, will be in their usual spots at the intersections of Maple Avenue and Greenwoods Road, and Emerson and Shepard Road from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30-ish, he said. Signs will be posted saying that early voting is available, but that drivers should proceed carefully.
Maple Avenue and its tributaries—Terrace View, Hillside, Emerson and, this year, Laurel Way—have been designated exclusively for trick-or-treating for years now and each year candy is collected from Botelle families and other donors to offset the burden on homeowners along those streets. Janet Byrne is heading the drive this year and has announced that candy donations can be taken to the school, the post office or the Berkshire Country Store.
Anyone on the streets who would like to receive some of the donated candy should email her.
The fun is not confined to October 31st, however. The PTO is again planning its free Boo-telle Spooktacular for Friday, October 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the covered playground behind the school. There will be games, pizzas for purchase, treats, prizes and a costume parade.