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By Carol Britton Meyer Major safety improvements to the well-traveled Kilby Street/Rte. 3A intersection -- long a hot spot for accidents -- began Sept. 14 and are expected to take up to two months to complete. This long-anticipated project -- paid for with state funding -- began with catch basin work and will eventually progress to reconstruction of that portion of the roadway to allow for right-in, right-out turns only on both sides of Kilby Street. The work -- which will include improvements to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety -- involves narrowing the intersection and installing traffic islands to restrict traffic to the right-turn only configuration in order to improve vehicular safety along Kilby Street and Rte. 3A. Check the town website for updates.
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By Carol Britton Meyer
Perhaps nothing was missed more during the pandemic than the library being open. Now back to regular hours, HPL is offering activities for all ages -- from book groups and an Anime Club for teens to live guitar concerts and story times for kids, and everything in-between. The Library’s Dolphin Gallery has resumed its schedule of art exhibits, and museum passes are available online. And there's more good news! Overdue fines on library books and other materials have been eliminated! Check out the calendar listings at hinghamlibrary.org for the latest activities, events, and other offerings for children and adults. Most are now in person, while a few are virtual. Thanks to all the library staff who made the reopening happen during a challenging time and for continuing the tradition of friendly customer service! By Carol Britton Meyer
"There's a lot going on with Foster School" was the good news from School Building Committee Vice Chair Ray Estes at a recent School Committee meeting. His update follows the Massachusetts School Building Authority's invitation to the Town of Hingham several months ago to enter into the Feasibility Phase of the Core Building Program. The town is working collaboratively with the MSBA to explore options to either renovate/add on to or replace Foster School with a new building with the hope of potentially qualifying for partial reimbursement from the state. An owner's project manager is in place, and selection of an architect is the next step. The building committee will continue to keep the community posted about new developments. If the town is awarded partial reimbursement and the project moves forward, the targeted completion date is Fall 2024.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
Now in its 44th season, the Hingham Farmers Market is drawing many happy shoppers to its Station Street location following a very different -- although successful -- season last year. The HFM opened on schedule May 1, 2021, under 2020 Covid-19 restrictions, but in June -- with the lifting of earlier restrictions by Gov. Charlie Baker -- the market has been able to go back to normal operations. "We're back happily [this year] in a very robust environment," HFM President Mark Cullings said recently. The market -- the third-oldest in the state -- operates from the Station Street parking lot Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May through November. HFM features nearly 34 vendor booths laden with fresh produce, delicious baked goods, beautiful cut flowers, meat, poultry, seafood, and many other popular offerings. While the move from the Bathing Beach parking lot back to Station Street -- where the market initially started out many years ago -- due to the pandemic was envisioned as temporary, HFM organizers have found the experience there to be very positive. "While not offering as much space, its ease of access and parking along with its proximity to Downtown Hingham are often mentioned by market customers [and others]," Cullings said. For more information, visit hinghamfarmersmarket.org. Why not stop by and experience the market for yourself??!!!  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
Even though Hingham Public Schools officials overall wish things were different -- with no need for a face mask policy for the new school year -- the School Committee unanimously approved this week, following an earlier lengthy discussion, a face coverings policy that's effective immediately. That's because sports tryouts and activities related to back to school are already taking place, including at the individual schools. This policy is in line with Commissioner of Education Jeffrey Riley's announcement this week of a statewide public schools indoors face mask mandate for K-12 students over the age of five, teachers, staff, and visitors. Face masks are not required outdoors. The goal is to provide and maintain a safe environment in the town's six schools during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which HPS administrators say is critical to returning students to a continuing "full-time classroom learning experience." There are some exceptions to this policy for those who have medical, behavioral or another challenge that makes it unsafe to wear a face mask or face covering. The HPS policy is based on guidance from public health experts. Committee member Michelle Ayer summed up the overarching goal: "trying to maintain a sense of normalcy while keeping our students safe, with a mask policy in place." The policy will be reviewed on a regular basis as needed.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
Plymouth River School Principal Melissa Smith recently stepped into the role of assistant principal, replacing Charleen Fabrizio, who recently accepted another position with Hingham Public Schools as elementary administrator of special education. At the same time, Gregory Lamothe -- who has served in a number of different roles as an educator in various communities -- has been named interim principal for the upcoming school year. Smith and Lamothe were the two finalists from among 25 candidates for the assistant principal position. Smith explained her reasons for accepting this new position in an email to PRS families. "After much reflection on my skill set and wanting to continue my loyalty to our excellent school, it was clear to me that this transition is a perfect opportunity for me personally and for the school's future success." Asst. Supt. of Schools Jamie LaBillois said that Lamothe and Smith -- coupled with "the dedicated and talented faculty and staff, wonderful students, and supportive parents that already exist at PRS make for an exciting combination in the year ahead." LaBillois will visit PRS in the fall to meet with faculty, students, and community members to explain the process for a full principal search. By Carol Britton Meyer Dr. Gary Maestas was recently named Hingham Public Schools interim superintendent of schools -- replacing Paul Austin, who resigned effective July 30. But it's not "official" yet, School Committee Chair Kerry Ni explained at a recent School Committee meeting. That's because although the Committee's intent was to enter into contract and salary negotiations with Maestas for a one-year time period, because he is retired and drawing a pension, Maestas was required to apply for a "Critical Shortage Waiver" from the state. Maestas retired after serving as Plymouth Public Schools Supt. of Schools from 2008 to 2020. State law provides for "critical shortage" waivers that permit a school district to employ a retired educator beyond his or her usual earning limits, in certain circumstances. "We're expecting an answer very soon," Ni said. Because there's important business to take care of -- including the eventual hiring of two new elementary principals to replace recently-resigned former Foster School Principal Beth Wilcox and former East School Principal Anthony Keady -- who both accepted positions with the Duxbury Public Schools -- the School Committee named HPS Asst. Supt. of Schools Jamie LaBillois to serve as acting superintendent until the waiver is granted. "This will enable us to move forward as a district," Ni said. By Carol Britton Meyer
There's plenty of summertime left -- until September 22! -- to celebrate all the fun things to do right here in Hingham. How about a stroll around Hingham Square, a visit to the Heritage Museum, lunch or dinner at a downtown restaurant, stopping by some of the shops, and then enjoying an ice cream at Nona's Homemade? Another fun activity is swimming at the Hingham Bathing Beach, followed by an ice cream, lobster roll, or other tasty treat at the Beach House snack shop. There's also sailing and rowing at Hingham Maritime Center, golfing at South Shore Country Club, and enjoying a walk at Wompatuck State Park or World's End for more outdoor fun. And don't forget the Hingham Farmers Market at the Bathing Beach Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring many different offerings. And these are only a few ideas! What's YOUR favorite summertime activity or favorite spot in Hingham?! 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." 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! |
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September 2021
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