February 10, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
A number of Hingham restaurants were glad for the opportunity to offer outdoor dining under Gov. Charlie Baker's expedited approval process designed to allow local eateries to create such areas in a less cumbersome way than through the normal town review process during the COVID state of emergency.
However, reported Town Administrator Tom Mayo to the Select Board last night, the outdoor table service program is set to expire April 1.
"While there is a possibility that the legislation may be further extended, we currently anticipate that Hingham's zoning regulations for restaurants will go back into effect in April," he said.
While the state Senate passed a $76 million bill recently to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and its variants by providing residents with greater access to tests, vaccines, and masks -- which would also extend the authorization for several COVID-19 emergency measures adopted earlier during the pandemic, including outdoor dining and beer, wine, and cocktails to go as well as flexibility for local governments to continue to hold meetings virtually -- it is not yet a done deal.
With a version of this legislation having previously passed the House of Representatives, both the House and Senate are now working to reconcile the bill.
In the meantime, Hingham restaurants that would like to maintain outdoor table seating areas approved during the state of emergency are encouraged to contact Hingham's Community Planning Director, Emily Wentworth, for guidance on any permitting applications that may be required at (781) 804-2394 or wentworthe@hingham-ma.gov.
"Securing a typical special permit takes some time," Mayo said. "Interested restaurant operators should reach out – now – to Emily."