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By Carol Britton Meyer
In the wake of Supt. of Schools Paul Austin's recent resignation -- effective July 30 -- Foster School Principal Beth Wilcox and East School Principal Anthony Keady both notified school officials that they were also stepping down. Both Keady and Wilcox are now working in the Duxbury Public Schools system. Austin has also accepted a position within another school district. Searches are underway for both interim principal positions, and we will share any updates as soon as they are available," School Committee Chair Kerry Ni said recently. Dr. Gary Maestas, Ed.D., who served as Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools from 2008 until September 2020, was recently named interim superintendent for the Hingham Public Schools in a unanimous vote by the School Committee. "We are sad to lose these talented administrators but wish them all the best during the next phases of their careers,” Ni said. While these changes may feel unsettling, the School Committee stated, "it is important to know that this is not unusual. In the aftermath of the pandemic, leadership changes are happening in school districts across the country, and even in a normal year, summer is the time when they typically happen. The Hingham school district is comprised of talented, dedicated teachers and administrators, many of whom carry with them valuable institutional knowledge -- which is important for the stability of the district. Additionally, change can be healthy, leading to fresh vision and new ideas."
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By Carol Britton Meyer
My family always had pets growing up, but as much as I loved them, I didn't consider myself a "dog/cat person" until several years ago. My sister's love for and understanding of animals of all kinds, especially dogs, inspired me as time went on, and we "adopted" our first dog -- a rescue pup -- several years ago from my son, Chris, because of his long workdays. Thanks, Chris, for sharing Cody with us! When Cody passed on in 2017, I was inconsolable. He was like a best friend -- so loving and loyal. We still miss him and always will. Since then, we have welcomed two other rescue dogs -- Chihuahua Benji and Shih Tzu Quinn -- into our home -- both thanks to my sister, who really owns Ben but has other dogs, so we share! They don't shed much, provide great companionship to our entire family and to each other, and get along well -- most of the time!! There are the usual competitions over who should have the blue velour bone -- even when we give them each one! -- and there are numerous pup beds, blankets, and throws in the living room to make them comfortable -- not exactly the designer look! Earlier, my son, Marc, adopted two Maine Coon kittens -- now fully-grown Miso and Osupa -- and what a crazy but totally lovable mix the two cats and the two dogs make! There are those days when it's cold and Quinn wants to go way up the road to a certain spot, and I pull the thin jacket that I grabbed as I left the house around me, wishing I had bundled up. But my bad for not planning ahead! In my opinion, the challenges of pet ownership are minimal and the benefits hard to count. Especially during these very different times, it's nice to know you have a pup and kitty or two -- or four -- on your side!  By Carol Britton Meyer True to the promise that was made that water rates would hold steady for at least the first year the Town of Hingham owned the Weir River Water System, the Hingham Select Board -- acting in their role as Board of Water Commissioners -- recently approved a 10 percent rate increase for Fiscal Year 2022, effective July 1. Hingham acquired the water system on July 31, 2020. The average impact of a 10 percent increase on residential customers on their quarterly bills will be roughly $16.84. The average commercial water bill will increase by about $33.16 quarterly. This increase is in accordance with expectations the town shared with ratepayers in the years leading up to municipal ownership of the water system -- "that rates would increase by 10 percent every three years," Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher pointed out. He noted that there were no increases in water rates in 2020 and 2021, so Fiscal 2022 represents the third year. "During earlier discussions, there was talk about lower and slower increases [than under prior ownership], but not that there would be no increases," Fisher recalled. "An increase is necessary to support ongoing water operations and capital improvements," including repairing and maintaining the aging water system. "We made a lot of claims going into the acquisition, and we're starting to see the benefits of local ownership," Town Administrator Tom Mayo said. "This is an exciting time, with everything going as planned or better."  By Carol Britton Meyer
A search is underway for an interim school superintendent to replace Hingham Public Schools Supt. Paul Austin, who is resigning effective July 30 for personal and family reasons. The School Committee recently announced this news, commending Austin -- who has been in this role for two years -- for leading Hingham Public Schools through the most challenging time in the district’s history (referring to the pandemic) "with grace, compassion, and empathy." The committee also expressed appreciation for his steady leadership in helping to maintain the health and safety of more than 5,000 children, staff, and families "while ensuring that Hingham students received the best education possible under extraordinarily difficult circumstances" and for his many other contributions. "[Doctor Austin's] resignation is a real loss to our community, but we respect . . . his decision," the School Committee said in a press release announcing the news. By Carol Britton Meyer There's a renewed appreciation for Hingham's traditional Fourth of July celebration following the cancellation of the parade and surrounding events last year due to the pandemic. There's lots to look forward to, beginning with the "Feel the Freedom" Hingham Rec Road Race starting from Hingham Middle School at 7 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony for the top finishers in downtown Hingham. The Lions/Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Hingham Centre Common is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as always. Go early to avoid long lines! Harbor Media, Hingham's hyperlocal television station, has been hard at work preparing for our first-ever LIVE 4th of July parade and pre-show. Make sure to tune in at 8:30 AM for the pre-show and 10:15 AM on Harbor Media's Public Channel, Verizon 2131/Comcast 97 on the 4th of July. You can also watch by clicking here! The pre-show will feature local community partners and be hosted by Harbor Media's Executive Director, Michelle Balconi, and Producer, Joe Collymore. The culmination of this fun-filled celebration is the traditional Fourth of July Parade -- which will step out from Hingham High School at 10 a.m. -- featuring Uncle Sam, marching bands, colorful floats, antique cars, and much more. This year's theme is "Heroes Among Us" in honor of the many frontline workers who helped carry out essential services during the pandemic. Longtime Hingham resident and Fourth of July Parade Committee member George Ford -- who has led the event as "Uncle Sam" for more than a decade -- promises this year's parade will be "one of the most robust and spirited parades Hingham has ever had!" The fireworks were cancelled this year because Massachusetts COVID-19 restrictions and the state of emergency were not lifted early enough to allow the necessary preparation time -- there's always next year!! For more information about the 2021 Fourth of July celebration, including the parade history, sponsorships, route, parking restrictions, and detours or to make a donation, visit hinghamjuly4th.org. Happy Fourth of July!!  By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham Harbormaster Kenneth Corson predicts that this will be an especially busy boating season! While boating is always popular, it's never been more so than during the pandemic in 2020 and also this year, when individuals and families have been taking to their boats in record numbers to "get away from it all." Even with the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions by Gov. Charlie Baker recently, there's still no better place than to be on the water on a hot summer day, enjoying the company of family and friends and spectacular views of Boston Harbor. Eighty-percent of the town's mooring permits had already been issued by early May, and boats were starting to go into the water -- an indication that there will be lots of activity this season in the harbor and beyond! Corson recently postponed plans to increase the number of moorings at World's End by up to 13 for at least this year. The only proposed change for this boating season is to limit the number of boats that can raft off each mooring to a maximum of five without prior harbormaster approval for more. After the Select Board recently supported this change, Chair Joseph Fisher went on to say that the board "recognizes the importance of boating, and our goal is to make [the harbor, including the World's End mooring field] a safe and fun place that we can all enjoy!" Whether or not you are a boater, Happy Summer!  By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham developer D. J. MacKinnon is seeking community input about potential ways the historic Old Ship Parish House property in downtown Hingham could be redeveloped in a way that is appropriate for the surrounding neighborhood. The idea is to generate enough value to build a new Parish House across the street near the Old Ship Meeting House, at an estimated cost of $4 million, through a potential sale agreement with MacKinnon's company, Atlantic Development. Another component of the proposal is to use a small portion of the land to expand the town-owned Lincoln School Apartments located behind the existing Parish House in order to increase the town's stock of much-needed affordable housing for seniors. The first in a series of community Zoom meetings was held recently, with a public site visit planned for Tuesday, June 22, at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Another remote meeting will be scheduled in July to present and discuss various options for the property, including ideas suggested by members of the community. MacKinnon, who is committed to an open process, said he is looking forward to working with neighbors and others who are interested in this multi-faceted potential project. Any ideas?????!!!!!  By Carol Britton Meyer
After cancellation of the popular event in 2020 due to the pandemic, there will be an in-person "Feel the Freedom" race this year now that most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted -- great news for runners and also for the many spectators who enjoy watching the event! This is one of the region's oldest foot races, offering a 4.47-mile, runner-friendly course down historic Main Street, ending under the huge flag in downtown Hingham. "We're really excited. Hingham's Fourth is back!" Rec Commission Chair Vicki Donlan said recently. "We're expecting a great turnout!" Visit hinghamrec.com for further details and to register!  By Carol Britton Meyer
To help support students' social and emotional well-being during these challenging times, an affectionate chocolate lab therapy dog named "Taco" has been visiting Hingham High School under the volunteer Dog B.O.N.E.S. program. Dog B.O.N.E.S. is an acronym for "Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support." HHS Adjustment Counselor Kevin Lalli said these visits are "a big stress reliever and an opportunity for kids who might not otherwise have a conversation to connect with one another when visiting with Taco." This friendly visitor greets students as they enter the school, in-between classes, and during mask breaks. From 8 to 10 a.m. Taco is available to visit classrooms as requested by various teachers. Lalli and fellow adjustment counselor Jessica Hoguet are working with Michelle Grady, Taco's handler, to schedule the visits. The mission of this non-profit is to provide well-trained, affectionate, obedient dogs that are registered and insured for visits to schools, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other locations to provide therapeutic contact with children, the disabled, and senior citizens and "to bring a little fun into someone's day." The overall feedback from students, parents, and teachers has been positive. So far Taco has visited dozens of classrooms. "The positive impact she had was immediate," Hoguet said. "We heard students making comments such as: 'My day just got infinitely better'; 'I NEED to see this dog'; and 'I've been looking for her all morning.'" Taco's visits will continue until the end of the school year, subject to her availability. For more information, visit https://www.therapydog.info/  By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham Pride Project volunteers are encouraging the community to show "a sea of rainbow" support for their LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors, and family members during the group's month-long celebration of the town's LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month in June. The non-profit HPP works to increase LGBTQ+ visibility in Hingham, to raise funds for organizations that provide community programs and activities for LGBTQ+ youth, and to promote inclusivity among residents of all ages through community activities and education. At the center of activities this year is the new, more-inclusive "Progress Pride Flag," featuring black and brown stripes to represent people of color and baby blue, pink, and white to include the trans flag in its design. Progress Pride flags as well as Hingham Pride flags and vests can be ordered at hinghamprideproject.org, which also offers more details about the flag and related activities. |
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July 2021
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