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Hingham Water System has a New Name​

4/30/2020

 
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. 

Proposed: New Hingham Police/Fire Station Facility

4/23/2020

 
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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?



Keeping Our Spirits Up

4/16/2020

 
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By Carol Meyer
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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.

Hingham Library Closed But Still a Great Resource

4/9/2020

 
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By Carol Meyer
I miss visiting the Hingham Public Library!

From borrowing all the latest books and donating used novels to the library book store, to meeting with people I'm interviewing for stories and seeking research help from a friendly staff member, the library's closing due to the coronavirus threat leaves a big gap in its patrons' lives.

"These are unprecedented times, and the way we do business changes every day," Library Director Linda Harper said recently.

That said, while the library remains closed until at least May 4 in keeping with the town's physical closure of all non-essential municipal buildings, there's 24/7 access to online library services.  The library's facebook page and website (hinghamlibrary.org) are updated regularly.

Many town employees are working from home to the extent possible, and the library staff is no exception. Virtual staff meetings are planned to explore ways the library can continue to provide services in various ways while it remains closed. No library materials will be due or fines accrued, and all holds have been extended during this challenging time. 
What do you miss most about the library? Are you accessing online services in the meantime?

Town Meeting, Election Postponed Until June

4/1/2020

 
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By Carol  Meyer

Hingham voters may find themselves attending the annual Town Meeting at the beginning of summer instead of on the usual spring evening.

Due to Gov. Charlie Baker's recent extension of Massachusetts' stay-at-home advisory to May 4, the Hingham Selectmen decided Tuesday night during a teleconference to postpone the April 27 Town Meeting until June 22 and the May 2 Town Election until June 27. The Selectmen, Town Moderator Michael Puzo, and other town officials will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation.

The new election date means that current elected town officials will serve in their roles longer than expected.

The date changes are possible because local communities, including Hingham, have been granted approval by the state legislature to postpone their annual Town Meeting and town election dates as long as they take place before the June 30 end of the fiscal year.

Proposed new legislation may allow the postponement of Town Meeting even further if necessary depending on the coronavirus situation, but the new town election date will remain the same -- Saturday, June 27.

That's because both absentee and early voting will be done by mail, although communities are required to have a polling place available on the actual election day, according to Town Clerk Eileen McCracken.

More information will be available about the Town Meeting and town election at a later date.

"We will broadcast all the details broadly," Selectmen Chair Karen Johnson said.

What do you think about the date changes? Do you plan to attend Town Meeting this year?

    Meet Carol!

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    Carol Britton Meyer is a freelance journalist with a passion for community news. After working in the Christian Science Monitor newsroom in a number of roles, she covered the Hingham Journal news beat.
    Carol is now a regular news contributor for the Hingham Anchor team, a reporter for the Hull Times, and a blogger for Harbor Media. A longtime Hingham resident, she has two grown sons -- Marc and Chris -- a granddaughter, Aida, and two dogs, a Chihuahua, Benji, and a Shih Tzu, Quinn, who all love the Hingham community. 

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