 Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
Teachers and nurses willing to work as substitutes in the Hingham Public Schools are in high demand. While there was a bigger-than-usual need for more substitute teachers at the peak of the pandemic, that challenge continues, Interim Supt. of Schools Gary Maestas said recently. Economic and other issues play into these shortages in the public schools, experienced in many communities as well as Hingham. Some individuals aren't comfortable in an environment where there is such a large number of people, he noted as an example. In addition, "Some people are still on unemployment, with other benefits in place, and are weighing that against returning to work," Maestas said. His concern since he was appointed as interim superintendent has been how to minimize absenteeism among students and staff while keeping all members of the school community healthy. "If our numbers were to spike, finding substitutes would be [a real challenge]," he said. Finding qualified school nurses such as the ones who are already employed with the HPS isn't an easy task either, according to Maestas, due to the unique nature of that job, and the pandemic has highlighted this need. Working with lots of kids in a school -- especially with the COVID-19 overlay -- is a different setting from being a nurse in the traditional working realm, he said. Individuals who would like to substitute teach in the Hingham school district or to fill in when there's a need for a school nurse are encouraged to stop by the School Department office in the Town Hall building on Central Street and submit an application.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
The proposed new year-round pool facility at South Shore Country Club is back on the town's radar screen after the SSCC Management Committee's recent submission of a $1 million Community Preservation Act preliminary application as part of the financing package for the roughly $7 million project. Town Meeting earlier approved $500,000 to fund design and construction documents for a new pool. "We expect to submit the final application to the Community Preservation Committee by the deadline, complete with cost estimates currently being compiled by our architecture firm RMD Collaborative," Management Committee Chair Christine Smith said recently. The goal is to present the project at the April 2022 Town Meeting for approval. “The town will be asked to approve funding for anything that doesn’t get paid using CPA funds or other resources, including potential grants and donations,” Smith said. If the CPC recommends the project and the subsequent Town Meeting vote is positive, construction could begin shortly thereafter, resulting in the potential opening of the new pool in Summer 2023.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
Interim Supt. of Schools Gary Maestas shared his top goals for the current school year at a recent School Committee meeting. Of high priority is completing the Hingham Public Schools strategic plan for the future, crafting a budget for the schools for the next fiscal year that will sustain last year's budget increase, assisting in the search for a permanent superintendent, and hopefully bringing the Foster School building proposal to reality. "We may need to ask for an operational override to fund the budget for next year," Maestas explained. Enhancing communication within the district is also a top priority. "I'll be working with my team on a daily basis to accomplish these goals and what's needed to run the school system," he said.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
The recently-created Sustainable Budget Task Force is charged with the challenging task of 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. The well-rounded task force is comprised of Interim Supt. of Schools Gary Maestas, one member each from the school committee and select board, a Hingham Public Schools administrator, the assistant town administrator for finance, and a former advisory committee chair. The goal is for the task force to report its findings to Town Administrator Tom Mayo in Jan. 2022, when budget discussions for the next fiscal year will be underway.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
The search is on for a permanent Hingham Public Schools superintendent to replace Dr. Paul Austin, who resigned last July. In the meantime, Dr. Gary Maestas is serving as interim superintendent of schools for one year. The New England School Development Council (NESDEC) is providing assistance in the search for a permanent superintendent under an agreement with the School Committee. NESDEC also conducted a search that resulted in the earlier hiring of Austin. Online national advertisements will be placed in various education job search websites. "We'll be establishing a timeline and setting up a schedule," Chair Kerry Ni said recently. "A superintendent search is a heavy lift, with salary negotiations taking the lead and the entire committee involved in the process."  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update 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.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update 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. |
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