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By Carol Britton Meyer
The transition of the water system serving Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset from Aquarion Water Company to Town of Hingham ownership could happen as soon as July 1. At that time there will be a new name -- Weir River Water System, earlier chosen by the selectmen from among many suggestions submitted by customers. Once the town starts operating the system, the water rates will remain the same as they are now for the first year of operation, according to town officials. The system will run as a self-supporting "enterprise” account. About the same amount of revenue will be collected under town ownership, but the costs will be lower because the shareholder profit requirement no longer exists, according to Selectman Mary Power. Town Meeting will consider water system-associated warrant articles. For more details see the Town Meeting warrant, which will be mailed to every Hingham household and is also posted on the Town of Hingham website. Town meeting has been postponed until June 22, although that could change.  By Carol Meyer
The town could have a new public safety facility and an expanded senior center in the future if voters at the upcoming Town Meeting give the go-ahead. (The date was recently postponed until June 22, but that could change.) The Hingham Selectmen recently voted to endorse a letter of intent to purchase a 3.1-acre parcel at 335 Lincoln St. (the current location of Russo Marine) to construct such a facility, which would include a new police station and satellite fire station at that location. The board also introduced Town Meeting warrant articles for design funding to renovate the space currently occupied by the police department, “enabling us to double or triple the size of the [adjacent] senior center,” according to Selectman Mary Power. The Advisory Committee's recommendations on these articles will be included in the Town Meeting warrant that is mailed to every Hingham household. What are your thoughts about this proposal?  By Carol Meyer
These days things sure look and feel different -- well-spaced long lines at supermarkets and squirts of hand sanitizer as we come and go, a shortage of items that used to be in full supply, the recent recommendation that we wear face masks when outside our homes, and social distancing that separates us from family and friends. To say nothing of the feeling of unease that seems to permeate everything we do. That said, there's a lot of good going on. Overall, people are slowing down their fast-paced lifestyles -- out of necessity maybe, but still a good thing. Different groups and individuals are making much-needed face masks, donating food to The Hingham Food Pantry for those who have found themselves out of a job, at least for now, and volunteering to be part of the Hingham Link -- a newly formed volunteer service connecting people who need help with those who want to help. Families may get on each other's nerves from spending so much time in each other's company, with the schools closed for who knows how long, but they are also enjoying more family time and meals together. In short, with so much extra time on our hands, we have more opportunities to think about what's really important to us and to express more gratitude for all that we have and can share with others during this challenging time -- from calling a friend or family member to see how they're doing to offering a few kind words to another customer who's standing six feet apart from us in a long line on a rainy day. These are unprecedented and challenging times for sure, but we will make it through.  By Carol Meyer
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January 2023
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