November 19, 2019 by Carol Britton Meyer
Buying a water company is serious business, but now it's time to have some fun with it!
Water customers from Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset are invited to suggest a new name for the water company to go into effect once the transition to Town of Hingham ownership is finalized sometime next year.
The acquisition of the portion of Aquarion Water Company serving Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset was approved at Hingham's 2019 Town Meeting.
"We'll also need a new water company logo," Selectman Mary Power told the Hingham Anchor. "Everything that now says 'Aquarion,' from the decals on the water company trucks to the water restrictions signs, will all need to be changed."
Residents from any or all of the three towns who are interested in participating may submit their recommendations electronically in the Help Name Your Water Company Form, in-person at the Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset Town Clerk’s Office, or by mail to the following address:
Hingham Board of Selectmen, 210 Central St., Hingham MA 02043.
The Transition and Evaluation Committee will recommend possible names to the Water Commissioners — the Hingham Selectmen — who will make a final decision in early January. The deadline is Dec. 2.
"There are a lot of possibilities," said Transition and Evaluation Committee Chair Jim Taylor. "We're looking for and are open to all creative suggestions."
Those submitting names are also asked to give the reason behind their choice. "That will help us in the selection process," Power said.
She noted that the Hingham Water Company -- which has had several other names since -- was founded in 1879 and that "Hull joined around 1881. All three towns are part of the Weir River Watershed."
Power said Conservation Commission Senior Planner Loni Fournier, Town Clerk Eileen McCracken, and Historical Commission/Historic Districts Commission Administrator Andrea Young have been asked to share any interesting information they might have about the water company from an historical or other perspective that might be helpful in the naming process.
The water commissioners will make the final choice after considering all submissions, including seeing if there's a consensus on any particular name.
Why not join in the fun?
How about : WRW Co.
Weir River Watershed Co.
Or
Tri-Town Water Co.
“Accord Aquifer Authority”
I agree with those who suggest names such as Weir River Watershed District—the source of almost all of the water company’s water. Accord Pond contributes only 10-15% of our water. Most comes from 11 deep wells. Also think we should avoid a town-focussed name, as two towns (Hingham and Hull) and part of a third (Cohasset) all are served by the water company.