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Development and Industrial Council

Committees: Development and Industrial Council

Development and Industrial Council

The Development and Industrial Commission is established under MGL Chapter 40, Section 8A for the promotion and development of the industrial resources of the municipality.  The commission "shall conduct researches into industrial conditions, investigate and assist in the establishment of educational or commercial projects, including projects involving private enterprise, for the purpose of expanding or strengthening the local economy, and shall seek to co-ordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for said purposes..".  Hingham's commission was established in the early 60's and was very active and effective for many years.  After a period of inactivity, it was revitalized in 1997. 

Appointments are made by the Board of Selectmen.  The commission consists of not less than five nor more than fifteen members.  The term is five years.

2011 Annual Report

In 2011, the Hingham Development and Industrial Commission (HDIC) was actively involved in issues relating to the waterfront, the downtown area, the Intermodal Transportation System and the South Hingham Overlay District.

This past year, we saw the installation of new lightpoles along the "harbor stretch" of North Street and are currently mitigating pole removal and final underground wiring connections on North and Mill Streets.

In 2011, part of the HDIC's focus was based on working with the MBTA to make Hingham's transportation system truly intermodal. In conjunction with the federal government-backed Intermodal Transportation Center planned for construction at the Shipyard, it was important that the train, bus and boat transportation actually interact with each other. A subcommittee of the Commission (named the Hingham Intermodal Transit Committee) began work with the MBTA on this interaction. The group assembled a plan that would create easier access between the commuter boat and the Rte. 220 bus. Additionally, a plan was discussed that would alter the 220 bus route slightly to allow the bus to intermittently pick up and drop off at the West Hingham Train Station. These plans have not yet been vetted through the public process. This process will begin once the MBTA makes certain determinations, regarding the future of its levels of service and fares for the entire T system, in the upcoming months.

The HDIC continued its long standing support for The Hingham Farmers Market during the past year. The HDIC is pleased that this important entity continued to thrive and grow in 2011.

As a note, the HDIC was actively involved in harbor development discussions in 2011, as a member of the Harbor Task Force. The Harbor Task, consisting of representatives from the HDIC, Planning Board, Harbor Development Committee, Bathing Beach Trustees, Selectman's Office and the Harbormaster worked on resolving overlapping issues in the area of the Harbor, with our goal of strengthening the pedestrian connection between Downtown and the Harbor.

During 2011, the HDIC also undertook a major initiative in the area of South Hingham. After researching the specifications of Chapter 43D of the Massachusetts General Laws, the HDIC determined its belief that creating a "Chapter 43D" District in the Hingham Industrial Park would be both a prudent and beneficial step to take.
Chapter 43D is intended to be used as an economic development tool by towns to spur further development of a specific area and to send a signal that the Town's permitting departments are fully engaged and efficient. The HDIC will be recommending to those assembled at the 2012 Town Meeting that the Town designates just the parcels in the Hingham Industrial Park as a 43D District. This area has long been considered prime for development growth and is an area that the HDIC believes would benefit from this designation.

Finally, the HDIC continued to receive input from property owners to look for ways to improve the economical viability of the South Hingham Overlay District. The potential creation of a separate sewer district in that area continues to be discussed, considered and planned. The Planning Board is managing this process with assistance from the HDIC.

The HDIC would like to thank all of the individuals and groups noted above and others for their help on these projects.

Susan Sullivan, Chairman
Mark Cullings
Paul Gannon
Stephen Kelsch
Thomas Maloney
Eileen Richards
Nanette Walsh
Benedict Wilcox