By Carol Meyer

The Cleaner Greener Hingham Committee is proposing a ban on single-use plastic bags.

The overriding message is that while plastic bags are "convenient, recyclable, and part of everyday life," only seven percent of them get recycled while the rest take many years to break down, taking a toll on the environment and on wildlife. 

The ban, if approved, applies to the thin plastic bags available at grocery stores and pharmacies but not produce, newspaper, or dry cleaning bags. Town Meeting would have the final say.

The next Cleaner Greener Hingham informational meeting about this issue will be held Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Whiton Room of the Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt St. Stop by to learn more about the proposal, to ask questions, or to air your concerns or support. 

What are your thoughts? Do you think the pros outweight any minuses?
 

by Carol Meyer
Hingham Residents Against the Compressor Station, in addition to town officials and residents in a number of neighboring communities, is strongly opposed to the  natural-gas compressor station proposed at the Fore River off Rte. 3A since it would be located about two miles from the nearest part of Hingham.

In support of HRAC's efforts, the Hingham Selectmen voted on Jan. 31 to appeal the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's recent issuance of the air quality permit for the proposed station by the Feb. 1 deadline.

 "This could be a long haul for the South Shore," said Selectman Mary Power earlier.

"Given the limitations of the recent Health Impact Assessment, we simply do not know the true impacts the proposed compressor station would have on the health, safety, economy, and environment of Hingham," HRAC President Jenn Mathien stated in a letter to the Selectmen. "We do know, however, that if there is an impact on Hingham, it will be negative."

What do you think?

by Carol Meyer
Another Christmas has come and gone, and we'll be taking down our tree this weekend.
But I am sad!  We've kept it up for as long as we can but I feel like I will be parting with an old friend.  Our beautiful tree brightened holiday family gatherings, visits from friends, and cozy evenings by the fireplace reading a book. During a recent gathering, it became our birthday party tree.  Now it's time to say goodbye. The only comfort is that Christmas will be here again before we know it and another festively-decorated tree will grace our living room.
Does anyone else feel this way,  or am I just a bit crazzzyy?!

by Carol Meyer
After learning that Foster School -- which school officials and concerned parents say is in need of a major renovation or an entirely new building  -- was not selected to participate in the Massachusetts School Building Authority program for potential partial funding for the second year in a row, school officials hosted public meetings to gauge community reaction, to talk about options, and to help decide what the next steps should be.
Last week the School Committee talked about two proposed Town Meeting warrant articles related to authorizing the resubmission of a statement of interest with the MSBA and appropriating funds for a feasibility study and for the second article, appropriating funds for extraordinary maintenance in the meantime.

 "We are open to feedback from the community as we develop the warrant articles," School Committee Chairman Michelle Ayer said recently.

Do you think addressing Foster School issues should take priority -- either with or without partial state funding -- over other potential capital projects such as expanding the senior center, building a new fire station, library improvements, etc.? Your opinion counts!