Building Committee Answers Questions About New Middle School

The School Building Committee held a meeting Thursday night for all neighbors and abutters of the proposed new Middle School.

The committee presented the plans to a group of about 20 residents in attendance and opened up the room for questions.

According to Chairman of the School Board Committee, Raymond Estes, ideas for the construction of a new middle school began as part of a 10 year master plan created in 2006. The need for a new middle school stems in part from overcrowding in the current building.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) plans to work with Hingham in creating the new middle school building. According to the building committee, the project is expected to cost approximately $50-$57 million, before MSBA reimbursement, which is projected to be between 40 and 44 percent.

The intended location for a new site covers the current wastewater treatment facility, with neighborhoods surrounding part of the land.

Neighbors stayed calm while residents shared their questions and concerns. Comments from attendees covered both the site's location and layout of the new school building.

Carol Falvey raised concerns over drop off and pick up each day for the busses and parent's vehicles. She cited and experience last winter when she was stuck in between two of the busses and unable to pull around due to oncoming cars in the narrow space provided. Snow banks only made the area more difficult to maneuver.

Committee members are currently looking at possible solutions to alleviate potential traffic problems.

Hingham resident Marylou Doyle questioned the handicapped accessibility of the new building's plans. She also asked if the area of field leading to the intended location of the school would be covered in tar for basketball courts.

The new school building is required to be completely handicap accessible. The fields areas leading to the school will likely stay green.

Resident Dave Sheehan said he thought the new school design was beautiful. However he did raise concerns over the tree line separating the school's site from surrounding neighborhoods and if the trees would remain intact to secure privacy.

The committee said that the intention is to keep the tree line intact.

This October funding feasibility is set to be voted on. If approved, the committee ideally will go out to bid in January with construction beginning in April.

The School Building Committee will now hold an open meeting to the public on Wednesday in the Central Meeting Room of the    All Hingham residents are invited to ask question and express concerns. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.