Blog Posts

Proposed: New Hingham Police/Fire Station Facility

4/23/2020

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

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.

Hingham Library Closed But Still a Great Resource

4/9/2020

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

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?

Selectmen Declare a State of Emergency for Hingham

3/25/2020

By Carol Meyer

The Selectmen declared a state of emergency for Hingham on Tuesday in response to the coronavirus threat.

At the same time, there were high praises for town officials and town department staff for their extraordinary efforts to maintain essential services during this challenging time.

Many Hingham government offices are now closed or their operations altered in an effort to help slow the spread of the coronavirus and to help keep residents and town employees safe.

Town officials say this state of emergency declaration, backdated to March 13, is a practical measure to ensure the town is in the best position "to take all actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, or general welfare of its residents, businesses, and employees" and to further ensure that the town "may fully coordinate with and obtain any available assistance and resources from the state and local government" as needed.

"During Hingham's nearly 400 years of existence, this town has always cared for our neighbors and friends. We look out for each other," the selectmen said in a statement about the state of emergency declaration. "Our social bonds and cultural awareness set us apart."

Accordingly, the Selectmen are asking all citizens to take the state and federal guidelines surrounding social distancing seriously, and to avoid even small gatherings to help prevent the inadvertent spread of COVID-19.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge(s) that the town and you as a citizen are facing during this crisis?

Spring is here!

3/19/2020

By Carol Meyer

Some people love lots of snow, but I'm not one of them! A light coating that looks pretty sparkling in the sunshine would be the exception.

I used to dread the coming winter months -- and the accompanying heavy clothing and seemingly-endless shoveling -- once fall arrived but realized at some point that I should be focusing my energy on more positive thoughts.

That said, this has been an easy winter so far -- with 50 degree days woven in among colder ones -- and whether we end up getting a snowstorm or two in the near future, I am grateful for the "free ride" we had for most of this winter.

So here's to the arrival of spring on March 20. Let's enjoy every minute of it!
Do you like the winter or spring season the most? or both?!!

Farewell message from Farzad Wafapoor, Executive Director

3/13/2020

"Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” – Rumi

After two amazing years as Executive Director of Harbor Media, I have made the difficult decision to transition out for an opportunity as VP of Marketing at a healthcare company in Boston. My last day will be Friday March 20th.

I am so grateful for what we have accomplished at Harbor Media.

In two years:

we went from 25 members to 150,

won two awards,

got international recognition,

increased hyper-local videos,

built a podcast room,

expanded our editing capabilities,

added the town of Norwell to our services,

created an internship program for students with special needs,

opened up post-production internship program on Newbury Street in Boston,

increased our revenue,

and much more …

We changed the way Public Access thinks and operates with innovative approach and entrepreneurial mindset. I know that Harbor Media will continue to do phenomenal work as it has a stellar team, forward thinking board of directors, all capable of serving this great community, and setting high standards for Public Access.

This has been an incredible experience and a great honor supporting the South Shore communities. I'm thankful for the support of our board, partners, members, team, and volunteers for helping make Harbor Media a great hyper-local institution.

If you wish to stay in touch with me, do not hesitate to reach out. My contact info and Social Media links are on my personal website: http://www.farzadwafapoor.com

I look forward to celebrating all of Harbor Media's future successes together.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” - A.A. Milne

Upcoming Town Election will Feature Two Races

3/12/2020

By: Carol Meyer

Mark your calendar for the May 2 town election, which will feature two races -- for selectman and school committee. All five candidates returned their completed nomination papers by the March 5 deadline. It's always more exciting when there are races!

The most recent candidate to step forward is Rita Da Silva, who is running unopposed for William Ramsey's planning board seat, which expires this year.
Ramsey and Kirk Shilts are candidates for the selectman seat currently occupied by Karen Johnson, who is not running for another term. Shilts now serves on the board of health, the water supply committee, and the sewer commission.
There's also a three-way race for two school committee seats among incumbent Michelle Ayer, Stephanie Gertz, and Jennifer Benham. Edward Schreier is not running for another term.
The following incumbents, who are running unopposed, also returned their papers: Town Moderator Michael Puzo, board of assessors member Greg Hall, Elizabeth Eldredge of the board of health, Hingham Municipal Light Board member John Ryan, Sewer Commissioner Stephen Harold, Housing Authority member Megan Buhr, and Recreation Commissioner Adrienne Ramsey.
Be sure to exercise your right to vote!

Winter Hingham Farmers Market in full swing!

3/9/2020

By Carol Meyer

When you think of the Hingham Farmers Market, the word "spring" will likely come to mind -- when the regular market opens for the season -- but as in the past several years, HFM is also holding a winter market to help us all get through the long winter months!

This year's winter market is based at the Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center, 204 Union St., in Hingham, for the first time. The Visitor Center is easily reached just inside the park’s Union St. entrance near the high school, with plenty of room to spread out inside, plus ample parking.

Market hours are Saturdays through March from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new location came about through a cooperative effort with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

This is the fifth year the HFM has offered a winter market, but the first featuring weekly sessions. Offerings include fresh eggs, poultry, pork, beef, seafood, Mediterranean food, coffee, bone broth, yogurt-based desserts, cookies, and Italian pestos.

For updates and further information, visit the HFM’s website, www.hinghamfarmersmarket.org, or the HFM's Facebook page. HFMarket Matters, the market’s weekly newsletter -- published every Thursday during the market seasons -- offers the most current info. Be sure to sign up on the website or Facebook so you'll be in the loop.

Have you been to the winter market? If so, what are your favorite offerings?

Look Around You!

2/27/2020

By Carol Meyer

I often remind myself to take the time to "Look around you!"

One late afternoon recently while driving through Hingham on my way home at the end of a busy day, I felt a particularly deep sense of joy and appreciation.

Beautiful homes surrounded me on the left and right, there was a light coating of snow on the ground, windows shed a warm glow from within, and all seemed right with the world. When I arrived home there was a beautiful flower arrangement from one of my sons sitting on the table, which further warmed my heart.

I have always appreciated Hingham -- for its great schools, community spirit, captivating ocean views, overall sense of well-being, and a spirit of generosity in helping friends and neighbors during challenging times in their lives.

Hingham residents rally to a good cause, share an almost endless stream of interesting posts on social media, plant beautiful gardens and take good care of their yards, and support what they consider to be worthy projects and actions at Town Meeting. The list seems endless.

There's no special message here except to suggest taking the time to "Look around you" to discover sights and sounds that you may have never noticed before, however simple. It's a great feeling!

Has anything caught your attention somewhere in Hingham lately that you never noticed before?

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