South Hingham Study Group

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Final Report

View the Final Report and Presentation to the Board of Selectmen on November 7, 2017

The Board of Selectmen created the South Hingham Study Group in late 2013 in order to identify the key opportunities and challenges related to future economic development in South Hingham. The initiative is an outgrowth of a number of legislative actions and planning efforts indicating that the community as a whole desired high-quality, low-impact economic growth in the area that has the potential to yield significant, long-term tax revenue for the Town.

The Study Area is located in the southern portion of Hingham and includes all Office Park and Industrial Park-zoned areas south of Whiting Street (Route 53) between the intersection of Derby Street/Gardner Street and the municipal boundary between Hingham and Weymouth. The area includes approximately 900 acres overall, with significant tracts presently available for commercial and industrial development or redevelopment.

The seven member Group appointed by the Selectmen to undertake the endeavor consists of representatives from local permitting boards and other interested stakeholder groups. The Group was joined in its efforts by area landowners and nearby residents, as well as representatives of local businesses, community organizations, utility providers, and both municipal and state agencies. The Group’s work was conducted through a series of participatory dialogues during more than thirty public meetings held between December 2013 and October 2017.

This report is the result of their multiyear examination of the existing and projected conditions across a wide range of environmental and structural focus areas, including demographic, workforce, and housing characteristics, public services, and water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure. The Study Group reviewed more comprehensive works prepared on behalf of either the Town or a broader regional agency such as the South Shore Chamber of Commerce or the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. This report summarizes these more detailed studies and is intended to serve as a repository of sorts for information relevant to the Study Area. The Group hopes its report may prove helpful to policy makers and permitting authorities presented with development plans for South Hingham in the future.

Members

  • Judith Sneath, Planning Board Representative
  • Susan Sullivan, Hingham Development and Industrial Representative
  • Paul Healey, Board of Selectmen Representative
  • Tod McGrath, Zoning Board of Appeals Representative
  • Richard Cook
  • Jerry Seelen
  • Mark Lucas