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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. |
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March 2024
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