Selectmen Agree to Implement Parking Restrictions in South School Neighborhood

After months of discussion, the Hingham Board of Selectmen agreed to post “No Parking” and “School Zone” signs in a neighborhood.

 Sgt. Steven Dearth, chairman of the Traffic Committee, proposed three recommendations to the Selectmen Tuesday night to prevent the congestion of parking on Independence Lane during the school’s pick-up and drop off hours. Each of the suggestions was agreed upon by the Selectmen.

 The Town of Hingham has agreed to Post “No Parking Anytime” signs on the triangle at Independence Lane and Liberty Pole Road and within 20 feet of the intersection to prevent cars from blocking the narrow road.  In addition the town will Post “No Parking Anytime” signs on the odd numbered side of Independence Lane from the end of the 20 feet area of the triangle to the north side of the Driveway of 7 Independence Lane. 

 With this agreement, the Traffic Committee hopes that Independence Lane will no longer be congested, and the residents will still be able to park their vehicles on the other sides of the street. They also agreed that this is the safest decision for the neighborhood.  Many residents became concerned after fire truck could not make a left from Liberty Pole to Independence Lane due to the congestion of cars earlier this year.

 After listening to the concerns of South School parents, the town also agreed to post “School Zone” signs on Liberty Pole Road.  The signs will be inserted between Main Street and the exit of South School and on Liberty Pole Road near the intersection of Independence Lane to prevent cars from speeding during school hours.

The selectmen did note upon there is a new influx of children to the school every year,  and there would need to be a continual education of parents regarding where  to park.

 Also at Tuesday’s selectmen meeting, a joint session with the Advisory Committee was convened to discuss the Track Project.  Linda Hill, chair of School Committee, presented an Executive Summary of the financing costs and anticipated time frame to the Selectmen for their consideration in accordance with their request for more details before the release of $50,000 through Capital Outlay.

 Photographic evidence contained in the document showed the track, which was originally laid in 1985 and resurfaced in 1995-96  has deteriorated significantly.  The track is now considered to be dangerous and could cause  hamstring injuries and shin splints.

 A preliminary estimate of $450,000 to replace the current track surface, high jump and long jump was contained in the document, although Hill stressed that this is only an estimate and that once the design process was started then the figure could change.

 Funding for the project is to be a partnership between the town and private donors, with the costs split equally as the refurbishment of the track will be to the benefit of Hingham.

The $50,000 promised by selectmen has been matched by private donations and the next step is beginning the design process so that a more concrete idea of costs can be ascertained.

 Selectman John Riley asked if town engineer Roger Fernandes  could be involved with the project in an advisory basis and although this had never been discussed before, Hill agreed to Fernandes’s involvement as the town’s representative.

The selectmen had originally offered the funds after seeing a plan from the School Committee and therefore there was no need to vote and the funds will be released so that the project can move forward.