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By Carol Britton Meyer The proposed $15.3 million improvement project for the Route 3A, Hingham Rotary, and Summer Street corridor includes a permanent "road diet" and shared-use waterfront paths. The proposal -- which has been in the development stage for more than a decade -- includes a safer modern roundabout replacing the current rotary, new sidewalks, updated traffic signals, and a 10-foot shared-use path with a buffer along the waterfront -- all part of the effort to make the harbor front safer and more user-friendly for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. The permanent "road diet" on Summer Street between Martins Lane and the Rotary involves the elimination of one lane in each direction along that stretch. A 2018 pilot "road diet" -- deemed a success by town officials -- was a cooperative effort among Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset town officials due to speeding issues and the high number of accidents that posed serious safety concerns in that area. Most of the costs will be paid with state and federal dollars, with Hingham covering the design costs. This year's Hingham Town Meeting will be asked to appropriate $200,000 to pay for the remaining design engineering work through construction, in addition to earlier-approved funding for this purpose, totaling $819,000 for Hingham's share. The Town of Hingham would need to commit to the full design and related funding in order for the project to move forward. 
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 By Carol Britton Meyer
There's good news for ferry and commuter rail riders! The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board voted recently to resume as soon as possible full weekend commuter rail, Hull/Hingham ferry, subway, and bus service, which all experienced cutbacks a few months ago due to COVID-related low ridership numbers. A specific timeline has not yet been set, however. The decision was made to restore service to pre-COVID-19 levels even though ridership is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future. The Towns of Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate earlier teamed up to launch the “Save the Greenbush-Save the Boat” campaign in opposition to proposed cuts to transit services on the South Shore. This group, and the "Save the Ferry" grassroots campaign advocating for the continued operation of Hull/Hingham commuter ferry service, played a major role in the T's earlier decision to take the proposed suspension of the Hull/Hingham ferry line off the table. Cheers to members of these two groups for making a difference!  By Carol Britton Meyer
The Advisory Committee and Selectmen have unanimously voted to support the proposed $61.8 million school budget for the coming year, which includes 32 new positions to help address the learning gap experienced by students as a result of the pandemic and associated social-emotional issues. In addition, AdCom and the Selectmen support an overall fiscal 2022 $132 million town budget -- including the schools, municipal departments, capital outlay, and shared expenses. Four new positions are included on the municipal side. Voters at the May 8 Town Meeting will have the final say on the municipal and school budgets. Funding is in place for fiscal 2022, but how the costs associated with the new positions will be funded in the future is a concern and will likely lead to an override vote in 2022, Selectmen Chair Mary Power predicted recently. In the meantime, the Advisory Committee and Selectmen will be working with the School Committee to craft a long-term strategic plan for the schools to help address budget and other issues and to create a path forward. By Carol Britton Meyer
Two Town Meeting 2021 warrant articles relate to allocating funds to develop a climate action planning study and creating an 11-member climate action planning committee to oversee that process. Such a plan would evaluate a wide range of carbon emission reduction strategies and propose measures to achieve a zero sum of these emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere ("net zero") by 2040 or another target deemed feasible within the borders of Hingham. This would be a town wide effort targeting the municipal, residential, and business sectors. Hingham Net Zero member Laura Burns said recently during a public meeting that "a lot of personal activity will need to change [to fulfill the "net zero" goal], and Net Zero will help the community figure out how to do that." This group is comprised of residents dedicated to raising awareness of the need for aggressive climate action; supporting the town’s efforts to cut emissions; and working to reduce carbon emissions across Hingham as quickly as possible through advocacy and education.  By Carol Britton Meyer
I realize as I'm writing this blog in mid-March on a sunny day when it's already 54 degrees at 8 a.m. -- a rare and welcome occurrence -- that more cold weather is on the way, and soon. But whether we have another big snowstorm or not, my heart is singing along with the birds in our yard, knowing that Spring is on the way! "No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow," is one of my favorite proverbs and these words of wisdom are 100 percent true EVERY year!! The past 12 months have been challenging beyond measure in many different ways for all of us, but Spring is an opportunity for a fresh start as the daffodils and crocuses start to push their way through the earth and the days grow longer. It's also a time to reflect on all that we are grateful for and how we can spread joy to those around us. The official first day of Spring is March 20 this year. Enjoy!!!!! By Carol Britton Meyer
With five confirmed races -- selectman, town clerk, board of health, municipal light board, and board of assessors -- there's sure to be lots of election season excitement. The date of the election has not yet been decided due to COVID 19-related issues. Liz Klein, Michelle Larned, and Joseph Kelly are running for Mary Power's selectman seat. Power is not running for reelection. There's a four-way race for Town Clerk among Libby Lewiecki (current School Committee member), Carol Falvey, Thomas Patch, and Laura Marwill. Town Clerk Eileen McCracken is retiring. Incumbent Peter Bickford and Johanna Burwell are both running for his health board seat, while Joshua Ross is running for the board of assessors in a race with incumbent Carlton M. ("Al") Chambers. Laura Burns is challenging John Stoddard, Jr. for his seat on the light board. Incumbent Kerry Ni and Tim Miller-Dempsey are the candidates for the two School Committee seats (Ni's and Lewiecki's). Dwight Hartman is the sole candidate for Recreation Commission. Incumbent Bruce Thompson did not take out papers. Clark Frazier is running unopposed for the sewer commission seat currently occupied by Robert Higgins, who did not pull papers for another term. Town Moderator Michael Puzo and Planning Board member Gary Tondorf-Dick are running unopposed. Here's to a busy election season!  By Carol Britton Meyer
Among the Community Preservation Committee's recommended proposals for this year's Town Meeting are $700,000 for the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust and funding for a new Inner Harbor master plan. Because there are fewer submissions this year, the CPC is happy to be able to support funding the Trust's entire request, unlike past years when there were more worthy projects to potentially support than there are for this round of funding. Among the Trust's projects during 2021 are to hopefully purchase another house to add to the town's affordable housing stock and to improve other property it owns for that purpose. Trust Chair Tim White expressed appreciation for town official and community support over the years to help create more affordable housing in Hingham -- which he called a "very challenging task in what is a very wealthy town." Other CPC recommendations include funding for a new Inner Harbor Master Plan to in part develop a vision for sustainable recreational activities and related infrastructure for the waterfront area; a modular restroom at Bare Cove Park; the cleaning and repair of several monuments and memorials around town; and funds for CPC administrative purposes. The selectmen and the advisory committee will vote on these proposals before Town Meeting, which has the final say.  By Carol Britton Meyer
Through a citizen's petition, the Hingham League of Women Voters is proposing a warrant article for Town Meeting 2021 that calls for amending the town's general by-laws to include gender-neutral terms. The League believes such changes are in the best interests of the town, supporting equity for all citizens, elected officials, and staff and recognizing the many contributions women have made to civic life in Hingham. Hingham would join more than 90 other Massachusetts communities who now use the term "select board" or other similar terms rather than "selectmen" if the article passes. Milton and Scituate made that same change along with all gender-neutral terms, which is what the LWV is proposing for Hingham. The word "chairman" would be changed to "chair" or "chairperson," and the words "he" and "she," "his" and "hers," and "him" and "her" wherever they appear in the general by-laws would be replaced with the words "they," "their," or "them" -- among other proposed changes. The warrant article calls for the switch to gender-neutral terms in all currently active Town of Hingham communications and documents such as policies, regulations, and rules "where reasonably practical" and in all future town communications and documents. "A cooperative effort is implied," Hingham LWV member Liza O'Reilly said recently. "There is no specific deadline or penalty."  Photo courtesy of Hingham Police By Carol Britton Meyer
Interim Police Chief David P. Jones -- a longtime Hingham resident who went through the Hingham Public Schools -- was named permanent chief by the selectmen this week. Jones said he has aspired to become chief since he first joined the Hingham Police Department 20 years ago and looks forward "to serving this vibrant community and our dedicated team of Hingham police officers and staff as chief and ensuring that residents of all walks of life feel safe in our town." Jones was the only candidate to apply for the position during an internal search. He replaces former Chief Glenn Olsson, who retired last year, and has served as patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, and deputy chief during his long career with HPD in addition to interim chief for the past six months. Selectmen Chair Mary Power and fellow Selectmen Joseph Fisher and William Ramsey pointed to Jones' willingness to learn and grow, strong leadership and budget administration skills, diligence, compassion, and his dedication to the community as among his many strengths. Congratulations, Chief Jones!  By: Carol Britton Meyer
In the midst of all of life's challenges, and during the cold winter month of February, comes Valentine's Day -- a holiday that is sure to hold special meaning this year. There is no better time to express extra appreciation for our frontline workers -- from nurses and doctors to grocery store clerks and restaurant staff -- and for everyone else in our lives whom we care about and who has helped us get through these unusual times. Family, friends, an acquaintance, a teacher or co-worker, someone we may not have met before who crosses our path in a local shop -- all can be on the receiving end of our expression of caring and love on this special day. Sending flowers, offering a helping hand, creating a colorful handmade greeting card, giving a friendly smile, and voicing words of praise are some of the ways we can celebrate Valentine's Day. In the words of a familiar poet and playwright and of a well-known philosopher: "Who, being loved, is poor?" -- Oscar Wilde "At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet." -- Plato Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day |
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April 2021
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