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Town Government & |
Committees: Development and Industrial Council Development and Industrial Council The Development and Industrial Commission is established under MGL Chapter 40, Section 8A for the promotion and development of the industrial resources of the municipality. The commission "shall conduct researches into industrial conditions, investigate and assist in the establishment of educational or commercial projects, including projects involving private enterprise, for the purpose of expanding or strengthening the local economy, and shall seek to co-ordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for said purposes..". Hingham's commission was established in the early 60's and was very active and effective for many years. After a period of inactivity, it was revitalized in 1997. Appointments are made by the Board of Selectmen. The commission consists of not less than five nor more than fifteen members. The term is five years. 2008 Annual Report In 2008 the Hingham and Development Commission (HDIC) focused on a variety of activities aimed at promoting economic activity in the Town’s commercial areas. In Spring of 2008, the HDIC formed the Tunnel Cap subcommittee. The Tunnel Cap is intended to provide an attractive, welcoming, and pedestrian friendly environment in Downtown Hingham for all to enjoy. The subcommittee consisted of Tunnel Cap abutters, members of the Hingham Historical Commission, Hingham Beautification Commission, Hingham Garden Club, Hingham Downtown Association, and the Town Engineer. Working with funds provided by a State earmark for Greenbush mitigation, monies were spent for benches, bicycle racks, planters and plantings for beautification of Downtown and the Tunnel Cap. In addition, a landscape architect has been retained for further design and plantings for the Tunnel Cap landscape planned for Spring ‘09. The HDIC has established guidelines for the use of the tunnel cap, and developed a process whereby use of the Tunnel Cap must be approved through written application to the HDIC and the Selectmen. The HDIC continued to work with the Town on pending improvements to the portion of North Street from Station Street to Route 3A, which will include the installation of new sidewalks and the burial of remaining overhead utilities on North Street from Station Street to Mill Street. In the coming year a representative from the HDIC and Planning Board will collaborate with the Harbor Development Committee on overlapping issues in this area, with the over-arching goal of strengthening the pedestrian connection between Downtown and the Harbor area. The HDIC endorsed a joint request with the Planning Board for a Shared Parking Analysis for Downtown. Findings from the study assisted the HDIC and Planning Board in crafting proposed amendments to the Town Zoning By-Law aimed at maintaining an interactive retail/service environment at the street level and encouraging residential use of upper story space. These proposed changes will be presented as zoning articles at the 2009 Town Meeting. In the upcoming year, the HDIC has been charged by the Board of Selectmen to initiate a study of potential future development in the South Hingham Development Overlay District, which currently includes all non-residentially-zoned areas south of Whiting Street. This study will be done in collaboration with the Hingham Planning Board, which has also committed to study this area in response to requested zoning changes associated with proposed and potential development projects. The study will be conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing commercial development, and thus future revenues to the town, in areas where it is most appropriate, with minimal impact to residential neighborhoods. The scope of the study will require reviewing issues related to infrastructure requirements, present and future, such as water supplies, electrical capacity, environmental, traffic improvements, the permit process and other issues. The study will include input from residents, town boards, developers, state agencies, independent consultants, and any other resource necessary to fully research the issues of development in South Hingham. The HDIC would like to thank all of the individuals and groups noted above and others for their help on these projects.
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