Local Political Musings

We've been living on the South Shore for almost sixteen months now. In that time, I have started getting to know my new town, and the surrounding area. Our condo is down the street from Town Hall, and Legion Field, an open green space that is home to a few tennis courts, and a soccer field, with a walking path along the perimeter. 

I have started going to Town Council meetings, which are held twice a month, usually on Monday nights, unless a holiday (such as Patriot's Day or President's Day) falls on a Monday, in which case the town council meeting is the next day, on Tuesday. 

There are three big things that are in the works right now here in town. 

• The Maria Weston Chapman Middle School:

Weymouth is home to eight elementary (grades K-4) schools, and to one early childhood center. The Abigail Adams Middle School is home to Grades 5 and 6, while the Maria Weston Chapman Middle School is home to Grades 7 and 8. The Maria Weston Chapman Middle School is at least 50 or 60 years old, and it is in dire need of repairs and upgrades. Based on what I have heard at the town meetings that I've been to, it sounds like Weymouth is in the process of applying for funding so that they can either renovate the existing school, or tear it down and build a whole new 21st century school in it's place. Right now, they are at the "Let's do a feasibility study!" phase of things, so it's early days yet. 

 

As a side now, I used my Google-fu to do some research, and apparently Maria Weston Chapman is a native of Weymouth who was a prominent abolitionist in the 19th century. She was a involved in the American Anti-Slavery Society, and her husband - Henry Grafton Chapman - was also an abolitionist, as well as a wealthy Boston merchant.

• The Tufts Library: 

 The Tufts Library is the public library here in Weymouth. Like the Maria Weston Chapman Middle School, the main location of the Tufts Library is at least 50 or 60 years old, and is in need of extensive repairs and updates. Weymouth is applying for planning/design/construction grants through to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) in order to cover some/all of the costs associated with designing and building a new library.

• The Emery Estate:

The Emery Estate is a 24 acre property that used to be a private residence owned by the Emery family. It was purchased by the Town of Weymouth in 2011. The Main House was designed to look like George Washington's Mount Vernon. My understanding is that the current administration is seeking funding to improve access to the Emery Estate, and to make improvements and repairs to the house itself. It sounds like the ultimate goal is to turn the Emery Estate into a park that can be used and enjoyed by Weymouth residents and visitors alike, whether that enjoyment takes the form of walking around the property, or hosting an event there.