October 15, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
In response to an outcry from residents who would be affected by the new Department of Public Works private roads plowing policy approved by the select board recently, the issue will be on the board’s Oct. 20 agenda for further discussion.
Select board chair Liz Klein shared with the Hingham Anchor in an email the statement she sent to residents who reached out with concerns about the policy related to safety, emergency vehicle access, the short notice, and lack of public input before the policy was approved.
“First and foremost, we want residents to know that we are listening. The intent of the revised policy was to provide greater clarity and consistency around the town’s approach to private roads, but it is clear from the feedback we have received that there are questions and concerns about how the policy would affect individual neighborhoods and homeowners,” the statement says.
‘Taking a Step Back’
As a result, rather than moving forward with implementation of the new policy “while these concerns remain unresolved,” the board is “taking a step back” to allow for “a thoughtful public discussion.”
At the same time, the board is instituting a moratorium on implementing the revised policy until the fall of 2027.
“This additional time is intentional. It will give residents, neighborhood groups, the DPW, and the select board an opportunity to better understand the practical implications of the policy, identify areas that may need clarification or revision, and consider whether changes are appropriate before anything takes effect,” Klein says in the statement.
Residents with concerns, questions, or suggestions are encouraged to share them with the board to ensure the perspectives of those who are most directly affected by this policy are part of the process. “The goal is not simply to put a policy in place. The goal is to develop an approach that is clear, fair, workable, and appropriate for Hingham.”
Public Input ‘An Important Part of Good Local Government’
Klein also mentions that public input is an important part of good local government, and that the board is committed to “using the coming year to listen, evaluate, and make any necessary changes before implementation.”
There will be additional opportunities for public discussion and input throughout the process.
A letter the Department of Public Works sent to residents who would be impacted by the new policy regarding “the plowing of private drives and private ways” – adopted by the select board on Sept. 29 – states that the DPW had conducted its annual inspection of private ways “to determine if your private way meets the minimum standards under the policy to be eligible for snow plowing.”
Minimum Standards for Plowing Outlined
The letter is signed by DPW Superintendent Ashley Broyer. A copy of the select board policy was attached to each letter, stating that the recently adopted policy “repeals and replaces in its entirety the existing policy” and outlines the minimum standards for plowing eligibility, which also relate to sanding.
The letter informs individual residents whether their private way meets those standards, including a turnaround requirement to ensure there is “ample room for snow plows and emergency vehicles to turn around in a safe manner without going onto private driveways.”
If all the minimum standards are met, plowing services will be provided. Those whose private roads do not meet the minimum standards were told that it is their responsibility “to find an alternate means to plow the private way going forward.”
Michael Driscoll, who lives on South Lane with his family, and other residents living on that private road were told it doesn’t meet the required minimum standards.
Concerns About Impacts on Elderly and Young Children
He wrote a letter to the select board, DPW superintendent, and town administrators stating his concerns. These include the fact that “there are elderly and other vulnerable residents of this town that live on our street, and I’m sure others who will be affected by this new policy. . .,” the lack of a public hearing for affected residents to share their input before the policy was changed, the short notice with winter fast approaching and when it could easily snow within two months, and the wording of the new policy that states, in addition to plows, emergency vehicles will not access these roads if it is determined there is not a safe turnaround.
Another resident affected by the policy told the Hingham Anchor that she, too, is concerned about the safety risks it would pose – especially to the elderly and young children, “not to mention the risk of losing emergency access if we had a house fire or need to call 911” – and the impact this policy will have on healthcare workers who need to get to the hospitals where they work.
Go to the calendar listings on the town website for the details of the Oct. 20 board meeting.