Conversation centering on downtown traffic-calming measures continues; serious safety concerns expressed

September 20, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer

Efforts to find ways to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety in downtown Hingham through traffic-calming measures following numerous accidents, near-misses, speeding tickets, and a recent fatality are underway while at the same time taking into consideration the importance of preserving the character of the historic district.

As an interim step, 25 mph signage and flashing feedback signs operated by radar have already been installed, which led to lengthy discussions during the last two select board meetings — continuing at their Sept. 26 meeting — about the best way to achieve this goal.

As background, in June, the board approved — upon the recommendation of the Traffic Committee and following an affirmative Town Meeting vote — the establishment of a 25 mph speed limit in certain areas of the Downtown Hingham Business District, and the signs and flashing signals were installed to help accomplish that goal.

In response to concerns expressed in part by members of Old Ship Church and the owner of the building at 25 North Street about the close proximity of the flashing signs to their property and the imposition they cause, the board took a step back and has been accepting feedback from the community as the conversation continues to hold center stage.

Further information will be available soon about possible alternative locations for the signs that have resulted in complaints and design options for hardware that would fit in better with the surrounding historic district.

Potential alternative locations explored
Since the Sept. 12 meeting, the town engaged the Vanasse & Associates engineering firm to begin reviewing speed feedback sign locations and downtown speeds and to help identify and review potential alternative locations.

According to Town Engineer JR Frey, limited speed studies were conducted recently that show the flashing signs appear to be somewhat effective, especially in the area of Main Street northbound, where the average speed decreased from 31.2 to 26.1 mph. However, those statistics are limited.

North Street resident Deborah Hardey, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said it’s like a “speedway,” noting that drivers often round the corner near Cafe Tosca at speeds higher than 35 mph. “It’s really scary. We need more of a police presence there,” she said.

Hingham Historical Society Executive Director Deirdre Anderson said that while she is “extremely sensitive” to these signs being placed in a historic district, she realizes that safety measures are needed. “As we prepare to open the Benjamin Lincoln House as a museum to increase tourism, the town will benefit from traffic-calming measures in Hingham Square,” she said.

 ‘I’m for considering any and all options’
Hingham Downtown Executive Director Lynn Barclay said its first concern is safety. “There is a lot of speeding downtown, with buildings being hit. It’s not a matter of if but when this will happen again. We support the new speed zones and signs.”

Select Board member William Ramsey expressed concern about the number of motor vehicle crashes that have occurred in the downtown area in the past several years, a resident who “was nearly run down at a downtown crosswalk,” and vehicles that have plowed into a couple of downtown businesses, a stone wall, and the Samuel Lincoln House on North Street — “not once but twice,” with three other near-misses, according to owner Frank Mellon.

He said he’s for considering “any and all options” to make the area safer.

“Motor vehicles driving into buildings on a regular basis is not normal,” Ramsey said. “It’s time for this board to take action to address this [serious] issue.” He also noted that the Hingham Police Department has issued roughly 10,000 citations in the downtown area over the past 10 years.

“We will continue to evaluate and assess this issue,” Board Chair Liz Klein said. The board has committed to making a decision by the end of the month.

“Next week we’ll consider alternative locations [for the flashing feedback signs] and look at other solutions,” she said.

This is part of a broader discussion about traffic safety issues all around town and additional concerns about crosswalk, traffic pattern, driver behavior, and other safety considerations in downtown Hingham and beyond.

In other business at the meeting:
Ella Zhu was recognized for the colorful mural she recently painted on the side of the Rec Barn behind Town Hall as part of a Girl Scout project,  illustrating the important role pollinators play in the environment.