May 24, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Town of Hingham is expected to receive additional local aid -- including education funding -- and more federal stimulus money was the message delivered by Reps. Joan Meschino and James Murphy and Sen. Patrick O'Connor during a legislative update to the Select Board Tuesday night. In fact, there's a focus on providing funding for remedial measures to help students who have fallen behind academically during the pandemic.
In response to a question posed by Select Board member Joseph Fisher, Meschino told the board that the ability to conduct town business via remote meetings "won't end overnight" once the State of Emergency is lifted in Massachusetts June 15.
Murphy noted that COVID-19 "has changed the way we do things, including mail-in ballot elections and virtual town government meetings."
While it's widely acknowledged that remote meetings generally draw a wider audience than in-person ones, it's unclear whether they will continue to be allowed in place of in-person meetings. "Is this how things should remain, or should we get back to the way we did business before [the pandemic] is the question," Murphy said.
According to Town Administrator Tom Mayo, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito said recently that she will look into this issue. More information will be available at a later date.
Select Board Chair Mary Power asked whether COVID-19 extended outdoor dining opportunities through an expedited process for restaurants that have not been permitted through the normal channels will be allowed to continue. "People really like outdoor dining," she said.
Gov. Charlie Baker stated earlier that the time period under which an eatery can offer outdoor dining under those circumstances would end 60 days from the end of the State of Emergency.
O'Connor explained that an amendment is being offered in the legislature in support of continuing this kind of outdoor dining.
"The amount of emails we have received predominantly from restaurant owners and associations [are in favor of that]," he said. "A number of COVID-19 measures were implemented such as telemedicine, virtual meetings, and [extended] outdoor dining, and they've really worked. They have become part of the fabric of our communities. We should be encouraging restaurateurs to think outside the box and continue this great amenity," O'Connor said.
While the state economy has grown over the last 13 months, he observed, statistics show that those making an income of less than $50,000 a year are the ones who are suffering most from job loss, the need for housing, and food insecurity.
Both state representatives and the senator urged residents with unresolved unemployment or others issues to contact them. "That's what we're here for," Meschino said.
Murphy expressed optimism about the future. "Our world was turned up-side-down [with COVID], but hopefully we're on the right path now," he said.
All three legislators were complimentary about the way the Town of Hingham is run.