South Shore News: Last Week
ICYMI: A look at key decisions and discussions from town halls and school committees across the South Shore.
Trying a weekly roundup of local governance coverage on the South Shore. This week saw a flurry of activity, with several boards advancing major capital projects, school committees finalizing budgets, and a notable public health alert. Here’s what you need to know from your neighboring towns.
Spotlight on Municipal Finance and Major Projects
Several towns made significant strides on major capital and infrastructure projects this week.
In East Bridgewater, officials unveiled a comprehensive $125 million plan for municipal improvements. The proposal, a topic of much discussion, now moves to the next stage of public and departmental review. Read the full story here.
Cohasset is grappling with rising costs for its new Public Safety Building. The latest figures were presented to the Select Board, which is now exploring financing options to keep the crucial project on track without overburdening taxpayers. See the breakdown of costs here.
The Scituate Select Board gave its approval for a $673,090 expenditure for coastal resilience projects. The funds will be directed toward seawall repairs and dune restoration ahead of the winter storm season. Details on the approved projects are here.
The Kingston Board of Selectmen has officially begun its search for a new Town Administrator, outlining a timeline and criteria for the key municipal role. The board emphasized a desire for a candidate with strong budget management and community engagement skills. Learn more about the process here.
Education and School Committee Updates
School committees across the region were active this week, approving budgets and new appointments ahead of the upcoming school year.
The Hanover School Committee formally approved its FY2026 operating budget, which includes funding for two new teaching positions and expanded special education resources. See the budget details here.
In Plymouth, the School Committee also gave its final approval to the district's budget, navigating rising operational costs while aiming to maintain level services for students. Find the story here.
The Pembroke School Committee approved the appointment of a new principal for the Hobomock Elementary School following a months-long search process. The committee cited the candidate's extensive experience in curriculum development. Read more on the new hire here.
Public Health & Community Services
A significant public health alert was issued in Abington after the West Nile Virus was detected in a local mosquito sampling. The Board of Health is advising residents to take precautions, especially during dusk and dawn. More information on the advisory can be found here.
Pembroke is tackling a growing issue with recycling contamination. The Board of Health discussed the financial and environmental impact of non-recyclable materials entering the waste stream and is launching a public information campaign to address the problem. Learn about the town's strategy here.
The Norwell Select Board held a productive discussion on committee appointments, filling vacancies on the Conservation Commission and the Council on Aging. The board also reviewed its process for soliciting volunteers for town government roles. Full details on the appointments are here.
That’s all for last week! Let me know if you like this format, trying something new.
I really like this roundup of the news.
Nice, good idea.