South Shore News

South Shore News...letter: The Blizzard Was Just the Exclamation Point South Shore Towns Were Already in Crisis Before the Storm Hit

South Shore News...letter: The Blizzard Was Just the Exclamation Point #mapoli #southshore

Snow, Bridges, and Budgets: Duxbury Selectboard Navigates Post-Blizzard Fallout DUXBURY - March 6 and 9, 2026 - The Duxbury Selectboard faced a daunting financial and infrastructure landscape this week, grappling with a $703,969 deficit in the snow and ice removal budget following the “wrath” of Storm Hernando and announcing further delays for the Powderpoint Bridge reopening due to significant ice damage.

Snow, Bridges, and Budgets: Duxbury Selectboard Navigates Post-Blizzard Fallout #mapoli #southshore

David vs. Goliath in Foxborough: The $7.8 Million World Cup Standoff Listen now | The town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, is geographically closer to a quaint colonial village than a bustling metropolis.

David vs. Goliath in Foxborough: The $7.8 Million World Cup Standoff #mapoli #southshore

Cohasset Releases Overlay Funds, Saving Key Teaching Positions COHASSET - March 4, 2026 - In a dramatic reversal of the “bad news” that has dominated recent budget cycles, Superintendent Dr.

Cohasset Releases Overlay Funds, Saving Key Teaching Positions #mapoli #southshore

Duxbury Selectboard Candidates Debate $1.89M Override and Future of “Iconic” Powder Point Bridge DUXBURY - March 4, 2026 - On a snowy Wednesday evening at the Duxbury Free Library, three candidates for the Selectboard faced off in a forum that centered on the town’s fiscal future and the preservation of its most famous landmarks.

Duxbury Selectboard Candidates Debate $1.89M Override and Future of “Iconic” Powder Point Bridge #mapoli #southshore

Hanover Advances $28 Million PFAS Water Treatment Project as State Funding List is Released HANOVER - March 2, 2026 - The Hanover Select Board moved a massive $28 million PFAS mitigation project closer to construction March 2, receiving word that the town has been placed on the state’s draft “Intended Use Plan” for up to $15 million in low-interest financing.

Hanover Advances $28 Million PFAS Water Treatment Project as State Funding List is Released #mapoli #southshore

Scituate Boards Discuss “Privacy” Setbacks and Mooring Priority in Proposed Bylaw Updates SCITUATE - March 3, 2026 - In a joint session, Scituate’s governing bodies debated a sweeping array of bylaw amendments that could fundamentally change the town’s coastal landscape.

Scituate Boards Discuss “Privacy” Setbacks and Mooring Priority in Proposed Bylaw Updates #mapoli #southshore

Plymouth Braces for ‘Fiscal Cliff’ with Strategic Insurance Cuts and Budget Reform PLYMOUTH - March 4, 2026 - The Plymouth Select Board convened a high-stakes budget workshop Wednesday night, signaling a period of tightening fiscal constraints as the town’s excess levy capacity is projected to dwindle toward $1 million.

Plymouth Braces for ‘Fiscal Cliff’ with Strategic Insurance Cuts and Budget Reform #mapoli #southshore

Pembroke Braces for Tax Override Votes to Fund New Vocational School PEMBROKE - March 4, 2026 - Town Manager Bill Chenard warned residents this week that they will soon face two critical ballot questions to fund Pembroke’s share of the new South Shore Vocational Technical High School project.

Pembroke Braces for Tax Override Votes to Fund New Vocational School #mapoli #southshore

Duxbury Officials Outline $1.89M “Needs-Only” Override to Restore Public Safety and Schools DUXBURY - March 5, 2026 - Following the defeat of a much larger funding request last year, Duxbury officials returned to the Duxbury Free Library to present a scaled-back $1.89 million operational override.

Duxbury Officials Outline $1.89M “Needs-Only” Override to Restore Public Safety and Schools #mapoli #southshore

Abington Faces 28 Position Cuts if Multi-Million Dollar Override Fails ABINGTON - March 3, 2026 - The Abington School Committee faced its most challenging session of the year as Superintendent Dr.

Abington Faces 28 Position Cuts if Multi-Million Dollar Override Fails #mapoli #southshore

Dr. Marcus Appointed Interim Superintendent as WHRSD Navigates “Broken” Budget WHITMAN — March 4, 2026 — Facing a fiscal landscape described by district leadership as “broken” and a community still reeling from recent tragedy, the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee voted unanimously to appoint Dr.

Dr. Marcus Appointed Interim Superintendent as WHRSD Navigates “Broken” Budget #mapoli #southshore

Plymouth Deploys “The Cavalry” as Blizzard of 2026 Response Exposes Infrastructure Gaps PLYMOUTH — March 3, 2026 — Following a historic winter storm that paralyzed the South Shore, Town Manager Derek Brindisi presented a comprehensive debrief to the Select Board on Tuesday, detailing a massive response effort that saw over 27,000 homes lose power and required the intervention of the National Guard.

Plymouth Deploys “The Cavalry” as Blizzard of 2026 Response Exposes Infrastructure Gaps #mapoli #southshore

Cohasset Navigates “Challenging” FY27 Budget Cycle as Town and Schools Scramble to Balance Books COHASSET - March 3, 2026 - Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary presented a “first pass” at the FY27 budget, navigating a landscape of rising fixed costs and contractual obligations.

Cohasset Navigates “Challenging” FY27 Budget Cycle as Town and Schools Scramble to Balance Books #mapoli #southshore

Hingham Faces $97 Million Capital Forecast as High School Infrastructure Reaches “Tipping Point” HINGHAM - March 3, 2026 - Hingham town leaders grappled with a staggering $97.4 million gross capital expenditure forecast for Fiscal Year 2027 during a marathon four-hour joint session March 3.

Hingham Faces $97 Million Capital Forecast as High School Infrastructure Reaches “Tipping Point” #mapoli #southshore

Marshfield Faces “Devastating” $7.4 Million Budget Deficit; Override May Be Necessary MARSHFIELD - March 3, 2026 - Marshfield’s financial outlook for Fiscal Year 2027 has turned “devastating,” as Interim Town Administrator Charlie Sumner revealed a projected $7.4 million budget deficit during a joint meeting of the Select Board and Advisory Board.

Marshfield Faces “Devastating” $7.4 Million Budget Deficit; Override May Be Necessary #mapoli #southshore

Norwell Town Administrator Announces Departure NORWELL - March 4, 2026 - Norwell Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan officially announced she will not renew her contract when it expires this June, ending a 13-year tenure with the town.

Norwell Town Administrator Announces Departure #mapoli #southshore

Health Insurance Spike Forces “Somber” Budget Outlook for Rockland ROCKLAND - March 3, 2026 - Town Administrator Doug Lapp presented a “somber” and challenging FY27 budget update to the Select Board Tuesday night, revealing that a last-minute 19.7% spike in health insurance costs has thrown the town’s financial plans out of balance.

Health Insurance Spike Forces “Somber” Budget Outlook for Rockland #mapoli #southshore

FY27 Budget Presentations Highlight Rising Special Education and Mental Health Needs in Pembroke PEMBROKE - March 3, 2026 - School leaders across the district presented their “tier-one” budget priorities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (FY27) on Tuesday night, delivering a clear message: while student enrollment has seen a modest decline, the complexity of student needs is surging.

FY27 Budget Presentations Highlight Rising Special Education and Mental Health Needs in Pembroke #mapoli #southshore

Hanson to Join Multi-Party Request for State Inspector General Audit of School District HANSON - March 3, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday to partner with the Whitman Select Board and the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District (WHRSD) School Committee to request a forensic audit from the state’s Inspector General.

Hanson to Join Multi-Party Request for State Inspector General Audit of School District #mapoli #southshore

Manomet Parents Rally Against Preschool Closure as District Eyes Expansion PLYMOUTH - March 2, 2026 - A wave of emotional testimony from Manomet parents dominated Monday’s School Committee meeting as families pleaded with the district to save a local preschool classroom slated for closure.

Manomet Parents Rally Against Preschool Closure as District Eyes Expansion #mapoli #southshore

Weymouth Launches New Trash Call Center as Town Reappoints Slate of Officials WEYMOUTH - March 2, 2026 - The Weymouth Town Council opened March with a swift series of administrative transitions, officially announcing the rebranding of the town’s waste management provider and confirming a massive slate of volunteer reappointments to various municipal boards.

Weymouth Launches New Trash Call Center as Town Reappoints Slate of Officials #mapoli #southshore

Marshfield Select Board Votes to Re-Visit MBTA Zoning as High-Stakes SJC Court Date Looms MARSHFIELD — March 2, 2026 — In a contentious session marked by debates over state mandates and local control, the Marshfield Select Board voted 2-1 to place the MBTA Communities zoning bylaw back on the April Town Meeting warrant.

Marshfield Select Board Votes to Re-Visit MBTA Zoning as High-Stakes SJC Court Date Looms #mapoli #southshore

East Bridgewater Braces for Budget Tightening While Pursuing Downtown Revitalization EAST BRIDGEWATER - March 2, 2026 - The East Bridgewater Select Board met Monday to navigate a challenging fiscal landscape, as Town Administrator Charlie Seelig warned of limited state aid and the ongoing hurdles of MBTA Community “non-compliance” that currently restrict the town’s access to certain funding.

East Bridgewater Braces for Budget Tightening While Pursuing Downtown Revitalization #mapoli #southshore

South Shore News...letter: "Just Crushing" Override Season Arrives Early

South Shore News...letter: "Just Crushing" #mapoli #southshore

Data Dispute: Police Clash with Cohasset Capital Budget Committee Over ‘Sloppy’ Safety Facility Analysis COHASSET - March 2, 2026 - Tensions boiled over Monday night as members of the Cohasset Police Department confronted the Capital Budget Committee, labeling a member’s independent financial analysis of the proposed public safety facility as “sloppy” and “inaccurate.” The dispute centered on a “yardstick” spreadsheet comparing Cohasset’s police staffing and construction costs to neighboring towns, a move the police union argued ignored the professional expertise already paid for by the town and relied on faulty “open source” data.

Data Dispute: Police Clash with Cohasset Capital Budget Committee Over ‘Sloppy’ Safety Facility Analysis #mapoli #southshore

The Breaking Point: Why Massachusetts School Transportation Costs Are Spiraling—and How We Can Fix It Listen now | If you sit on a School Committee in Massachusetts, you know the feeling of dread when the annual transportation contract comes up for renewal.

The Breaking Point: Why Massachusetts School Transportation Costs Are Spiraling—and How We Can Fix It #mapoli #southshore

Finalists Revealed: Scituate Narrows Search for New Elementary School Name SCITUATE — March 2, 2026 — The Scituate School Committee has officially unveiled the three finalists for the town’s new elementary school, marking a major milestone in the transition to the state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in September 2027.

Finalists Revealed: Scituate Narrows Search for New Elementary School Name #mapoli #southshore

Duxbury Selectboard Grapples with Green Energy Guardrails Nuclear Moratorium and Battery Storage Zoning Take Center Stage

Duxbury Selectboard Grapples with Green Energy Guardrails #mapoli #southshore

Budget Crisis Forces Deep Cuts: Cohasset Schools Face $1.3M Shortfall COHASSET - February 25, 2026 - Facing a daunting $1.3 million deficit to maintain level services, the Cohasset School Committee reviewed a “devastating” list of recommended staff and program reductions during a remote session on February 25.

Budget Crisis Forces Deep Cuts: Cohasset Schools Face $1.3M Shortfall #mapoli #southshore