Abutters’ appeal of town board’s Country Club pool approval will delay the project

Renderings by architect Chris Rotti

September 15, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer

Several abutters to the South Shore Country Club are appealing the Planning Board's recent decision granting the Town of Hingham a Special Permit A-3 and site plan approval to construct a new pool facility, which will delay the start and completion date of the project.

Town Administrator Tom Mayo announced this "new development" at last night's Select Board meeting. "The town is reviewing the appeal, but we feel that the [Special Permit and site plan approval] were properly issued," he said. Updates will be provided as they become available.

"This is a very disappointing development for the Hingham community, which has overwhelmingly supported the town pool at the South Shore Country Club," Friends of the South Shore Country Club President Patty McDonald told the Hingham Anchor. "The SSCC Management Committee has followed all of the proper planning procedures over the past six years and has been extremely transparent and accommodating to all parties concerned."

McDonald is hopeful that the appeal can be resolved quickly so that the pool can open on schedule and on budget next summer.  "Further delaying this project will only increase costs and the taxpayers' burden," she said.

The appeal claims that during previous Planning Board meetings, "the Plaintiffs sounded their objections to the Project and raised many questions and concerns that the Board did not address" and that some of the plaintiffs "were silenced during the public meetings and were not permitted to voice their concerns."

The appeal also claims that there is insufficient parking to accommodate the project and that the new facility will have significant adverse effects on abutters.

The plan includes a handicapped-accessible six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a zero-depth entry pool, a bathhouse, equipment storage building, and a splash pad.

Although the pool design would accommodate an all-season "bubble" covering, any proposal beyond a summer pool would require future Town Meeting approval on the budget side.

Crow Point resident Joan Chittick supports the pool project. "It's an affordable way for the entire community to have a good time and something that people from out of town can enjoy as well," she told the Hingham Anchor. "It's a great place for people to gather and to swim and then to rent a golf simulator or enjoy a meal at the [Greenside Grille]."

Erin Cignetti, who lives on Del Prete Drive, also shared her thoughts.  "As a close neighbor to the SSCC and supporter of the pool project, I am extremely disappointed to learn that fellow residents have appealed the planning board’s decision," she said. "Residents in town supported the pool at Town Meeting and with their votes at the polls. Our various town committees have thoughtfully considered all aspects of the project and addressed concerns that are important to the town and to its residents. I strongly feel the pool will be a tremendous asset to Hingham."

A number of individuals involved in the appeal were contacted by the Hingham Anchor for comment but did not respond.

As background, voters at the April 2022 Town Meeting appropriated an amount not to exceed $8 million for the town-owned pool facility. Because the Community Preservation Committee's $550,000 pool funding recommendation passed under Article 17, the figure named in Article 18 decreased by that amount.

This agenda item required a two-thirds majority vote, which was achieved -- 317 to 95, or 77 percent of the citizens who participated in the vote. In order for the project to move forward, an affirmative vote was also required at the May 14, 2022, town election, which was the final outcome.

View the appeal here. 

1 thought on “Abutters’ appeal of town board’s Country Club pool approval will delay the project”

  1. I’m fully in support of the new pool and hope they find a way to include the all weather bubble! We thankfully live in a town that cares what it’s residents think and want for their community however democracy comes with strife. There’s always someone who doesn’t see the global benefit just their inconvenience.

    Reply

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