![]() By Carol Britton Meyer The design stage for the proposed renovated or new Foster School is progressing. The proposal calls for a three-story building featuring a pre-K offering and robust arts and music programs that will also be the new location for the before- and after-school Kids in Action program. There will be ample play space for recess and community use, a gymnasium featuring a two-sided stage, three music rooms, a rain garden, indoor and outdoor community and green space, potential solar panels on the roof, and a METCO office. A warrant article will be drafted for this Spring's Annual Town Meeting asking for interim funding, subject to Massachusetts School Building Authority approval "so we can begin the fine design development work," School Building Committee Chair Ray Estes said recently. The hope is that the MSBA will fund a significant portion of the project. A Special Town Meeting will be held next Fall for the purpose of asking voter approval of full construction funding. That figure will be announced at a later date. If all goes as planned, construction could begin in the Spring of 2023, followed by the opening of the new school in 2024. ![]() By Carol Britton Meyer The Sustainable Budget Task Force recently presented highlights of their report to the Select Board in a joint meeting with the Advisory Committee and School Committee. The task force was charged with developing a five-year "sustainable forecast" that will allow the town to provide services that meet residents’ expectations as well as ongoing expenditure obligations that are in line with projected revenue. In the short-term, there is inadequate revenue to pay for services added in Fiscal 2022. In the long-term, expenses are growing faster than revenue. Asst. Town Administrator for Finance Michelle Monsegur explained three different budget scenarios -- reduction of services based on current revenue; maintaining existing services; and the other involving additional services. Scenarios two and three involve potential $5.5 million and $7.8 million overrides, respectively, for Fiscal 2024 unless additional sources of revenue can be found. This is on top of the tax impacts that would result from five potential major capital projects that are in the pipeline. All are subject to Town Meeting approval. "This is the beginning of the town budget process [including the schools over the next five years]," Task Force Chair Liz Klein said. Advisory Committee member Andrew McElaney suggested, "Maybe we ought to start looking at overrides as being a more normal way for the town to function." Sarah Melia, another Advisory Committee member, expressed concern about some taxpayers' ability to absorb additional tax increases. School Committee Chair Kerry Ni called the task force "a really good partnership between the schools and municipal departments that hasn't always existed in the past." The report outlines 23 recommendations by the task force, which intends to continue its work and the municipal/school partnership. ![]() By Carol Britton Meyer Among the School Committee's goals for the current year is "furthering efforts on equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging." In support of that objective, the Wellness Subcommittee has plans to review the equity of extracurricular and athletic programs, according to a letter that was sent to booster groups, school PTOs, and other organizations recently. As part of this effort, the subcommittee recently requested financial and operating information from each of these entities. "We appreciate all the support so many groups provide to the public schools -- athletic booster groups, music parents, PTOs, and other organizations," Chair Liza O'Reilly said recently. The goal is "to collect best practices from organizations to see where things are working really well. This information could help to inform other groups and what we need to do better." The goal is to gain "a fuller understanding of the key needs each community is working to fill. In addition, the information will help inform future budgeting and prioritization conversations, address legal compliance requirements [including Title 9], encourage the sharing of best practices across organizations, and create areas of collaboration between the superintendent, faculty, committee, and the community at large." ![]() By Carol Britton Meyer The popular Hingham Farmers Market -- one of the longest-running in the state -- is again operating a winter session at the Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center -- on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March 26. This is an opportunity to support some of the market's favorite vendors beyond the normal season, which runs from May to late November -- to shop local, and to help get us all through the long winter months. Winter market offerings include fresh produce, beef, poultry, pork, eggs, seafood, Mediterranean food, beef broth, soup, specialty desserts, and fish products. Delays or cancellations due to weather conditions will be posted on Facebook and Instagram. See you there! |
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Articles
March 2024
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