September 16, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
Select Board member William Ramsey expressed sadness at the recent passing of Susan Kiernan, acknowledging in particular her role as founder of the Hingham Food Pantry.
“Susan was a source of kindness, compassion, and empathy to others in difficult times and always treated others with dignity and respect.”
Chair Liz Klein spoke of “the beautiful legacy she has left for this community,” and Julie Strehle of the legacy she leaves behind “that will live on through her family and friends.”
During this week’s board meeting, Town Engineer J.R. Frey, who is resigning to accept a position in Cohasset, provided an update on the planned one-lane roundabout at the intersection of Main/Middle/Short streets in Hingham Centre to address serious safety concerns.
Project funding is from a $1 million Complete Streets grant. State Chapter 90 local road/transportation funding will cover additional expenses related to an expanded project scope.
A roundabout was chosen as the safest alternative from a number of options, including a traffic signal – which would have required land takings, Frey said.
The project is expected to go out to bid in late December or early January, with construction beginning in April at the same time the Weir River Water System will be replacing a water main in the area.
An engineer will be onsite to ensure the work is progressing according to the plans and specifications under the funding agreement, according to Frey.
The construction timeframe is between 4 and 6 months. The project may impact the tail end of the school year for the high school, and wording will be included in the contract to minimize disruptions to the Fourth of July parade – which passes through Hingham Center – and to ensure the impacted roads are passable.
In response to a question, Frey confirmed that “18 wheelers will be able to traverse the roundabout without having to detour onto side streets, although there are some restricted movements. For the most part, however, truck operators will follow pre-planned routes to avoid that intersection or find another way around. The design will not require regular detours of heavy traffic onto any of the side roads.”
Frey also said the fire department has provided assurances that there will be no issues with the Quint or ambulance navigating the roundabout, although there will be an education process for motorists who are ahead of these vehicles to “understand exactly what they need to do to get out of their way.” That said, “once inside the roundabout, an ambulance could actually pass around another vehicle if necessary,” he explained.
The board, Town Administrator Tom Mayo, and Asst. Town Administrator for Operations Art Robert had high praises for Frey, noting he was always available and responsive to town officials, town departments, and residents on a wide range of projects.
In other business at the meeting
* The select board reopened the Oct. 29 Town Meeting warrant to remove at the light board’s request the warrant article asking voters to authorize the select board to ask their state representatives to petition the legislature to allow the light plant to bond proposed transmission and substation distribution facilities reliability improvements over 30 years rather than the earlier planned 20 years to help bring the annual cost to ratepayers down. An affirmative vote would have authorized but not require the board to do so. The warrant was then closed again.
“More details are needed about the project and the cost before moving forward,” Klein said.
An earlier article that was later withdrawn related to asking voters to approve up to $70 million to help pay for this Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant capital upgrade.
This would have been the second time such a funding article appeared on a town meeting warrant because the planned Spring 2026 town meeting article vote was postponed pending further clarification on the costs and impacts to ratepayers.
* The board is seeking citizens interested in serving on the Beautification Commission, Cleaner Greener Hingham Committee, Commission on Disabilities (person with a disability), Hingham Cultural Council, Harbor Development Committee, Historic Districts Commission (alternate architect), Historical Commission, Registrar of Voters, Scholarship Fund Committee, Water Transition & Evaluation Committee, and Weir River Estuary Park Committee.