July 28, 2025 by Carol Britton Meyer
Welcome to “Five Minutes With” – Anchor’s new feature to help us get to know our neighbors. Everyone has a unique story to tell, so let’s get to know each other a bit more! Have someone you’d love to spend five minutes getting to know? Email us at info@hinghamanchor.com.
Carol Britton Meyer recently connected with lifelong resident and longtime town volunteer Paul Healey. You can learn more about Paul below — his long volunteer history with the town, favorite memory from growing up in Hingham, vacation destination, and what he enjoys doing most in his spare time.
Volunteer roles with the town, current and past: Planning Board, 19 years, Selectman, 6 years, Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 years, Master Plan Committee 2000 and 2020, Public Safety Building Committee, 5 years, and Route 3A Task Force, 8 years.
What your volunteer work involves: My volunteer work has exposed me to a wide variety of issues affecting the town, but the emphasis has been on planning/permitting. Serving on the Select Board was basically a full-time job. I enjoyed serving in that role.
Your favorite part of volunteering on town boards and why you think it’s important to give back to the town: Serving the town is akin to the “Man in the Arena” speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris. Sort of speaks for itself.
Any particular accomplishments over the years serving as a volunteer that come to mind? I really enjoyed when Hingham reached the 10% state threshold for affordable housing, the town buying the water company, the Freedom Award to the town, permitting the Hingham Shipyard, and serving with some great people along the way.
Your business: I’m in my last year of practice as a lawyer.
What you enjoy most about living in Hingham: I’ve enjoyed growing up here in Hingham, raising our five children with my wife, Esther, and seeing so many very nice people along the way.
What makes this community special: The spirit of community is strong here. The faces change over time, but the dynamic is enduring. A great place to live!
Fond memories of growing up in Hingham: One of my favorite and lasting memories is my time working at Charlie Cushing’s Mobil station in Hingham Centre. The social fabric of the town was on full display there, and I took the lessons I learned into my adult life. It really added to my service to the town as a result.
As a lifelong resident, any thoughts to share about the town? It’s my hope that people who move here will step up and serve on the boards. This community does not make itself, and it’s up to us to keep it vibrant and alive. It’s also a great way to create friendships that can last a lifetime. I know I certainly have done that.
What you enjoy doing most in your spare time: Well, I do enjoy sitting out on the porch and greeting people as they go by. Most people reciprocate freely.
Favorite Hingham restaurant and meal: I don’t eat out much, but my preference is Italian when I do.
Favorite local Hingham spot: I enjoy the town ceremonies that are held each year — Lincoln Day, Grape Island, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veteran’s Day.
Favorite vacation destination: for history, the Shenandoah Valley; for scenic, Sedona, Arizona and Route 66.
Most memorable experiences: I’ve enjoyed serving as a moderator for the Battle of Grape Island. It is growing in popularity each year, and I love seeing people turn out for it.
Also, I enjoyed summating Mt. Rainier twice and Kilimanjaro once (at age 50).
Interesting fact about yourself that others may not know about: I traveled with Cesar Chavez as security in New York and New England in the early 1970s.
Anything else you would like to share: Three of our five children, as adults, have been in the military, law enforcement, and public service. None of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of my wife, Esther.
A true gem. Paul & Esther’s decades of dedication and public service to Hingham are what make this town the Crown Jewel of the South Shore. Thank you for your continued service!
Paul has been an asset to Hingham from his teen years to the present. As a Selectman he confronted difficult issues with unbending force. Working his way through law school he served as a Hingham police officer. Hingham has been fortunate to have many gifted people in public office. Paul was one of the best!