The Hamilton-Wenham Blog

Wenham Barber Shop closes

Posted on June 25, 2008 by nmiller
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It appears that the Wenham Barber Shop on the corner or Cherry Street and Route 97 has closed its doors, sending its barbers and customers to other shops and salons. What are you thoughts on the closing of yet another American barber shop?

How are you enjoying the new town buildings?

Posted on June 25, 2008 by nmiller
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Many new and renovated municipal buildings have open in Hamilton and Wenham over the last year. First it was the new Hamilton Police and Fire Station, then Wenham build itself a new Police Station and the Fire department renovated its building. Wenham’s Town Hall was also recently renovated.

We are wondering how the public — and town employees are enjoying, or not, the new buildings. Are the new buildings up to par? What features are a benefit to the town? What still needs some work? Are there any new features that aren’t working?

We hope you are all enjoying the new buildings but also understand that there is always room for improvement.

What will become of the Old Library?

Posted on June 4, 2008 by nmiller
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The Hamilton Board of Selectmen has been discussing the best use for the Old Library of Bay Road moving forward. A study was recently completed by an outside contractor to help with the decision. Selectmen have been talking about keeping it for use by the Senior Center, while also possibly taking some space for commercial use. Putting both Hamilton and Wenham Councils on Aging in the building and joining forces has also been discussed.

What do you think is the best use?

Selectmen will hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m., at the Old Library, 299 Bay Road, Hamilton, to meet with the public about the fate of the building.

Let us know what you think.

Memorial Day activities

Posted on May 23, 2008 by nmiller
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With gas prices climbing to almost $4 a gallon this weekend, many residents are choosing to stay closer to home this Memorial Day. What are your plans this Memorial Day? How many of you are heading somewhere for the weekend? Who is staying locally and barbecuing out on the back deck?

Senior Housing Bylaw passes

Posted on May 9, 2008 by nmiller
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Hamilton voters passed a Senior Housing Bylaw after rejecting a similar proposal the previous two years. What was it that changed the minds of the majority of voters?

Hamwen or Wenham?

Posted on April 29, 2008 by nmiller
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Although no official decisions have been made, the idea of making Hamilton and Wenham one town is now officially out on the table. Members of both town governments have been tossing the idea around. What do you think? What would be the benefits? The drawbacks? What would this combined town be called?

Let us know your thoughts.

Entering where?

Posted on April 25, 2008 by nmiller
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Did any motorists/walkers do a double-take earlier this month when the new Entering Hamilton/Wenham sign was installed….backwards? What do you think? Was it a belated April Fool’s Day joke or an oversight by the state highway department?

Don’t worry. It’s fixed now. Let us know if you were temporarily duped!

Spending those Bush bucks

Posted on April 3, 2008 by nmiller
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Taxpayers will have a little more bang for their tax buck this year with when filling their tax return. President Bush’s stimulus package will provide eligible taxpayers between $300 to $1,200 depending on their income and the size of their family.

We want to know - what are the people of Hamilton and Wenham going to do with these extra Bush bucks? Perhaps it will go toward alleviating some of that credit card debt — as a recent nationwide poll concluded will be majority of what citizens will do — or perhaps some of us will take the leap to the wild side and purchase that big ticket item we’ve had our eye on at the electronics store for about a year. Whatever it may be, let us know!

Should the school override be supported?

Posted on March 27, 2008 by nmiller
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The School Committee is asking for a Proposition 2 1/2 override of $1,987,389, which would keep level services in the district for the first time in years. The total budget, which the committee will voted on Monday, March 31, is $27,031,567 - a 9.8 percent increase over last year.

What does the public think about the merits of the override? Should the taxpayers again be asked to pick up the extra bill caused by rising costs and sub par state funding? Or is it time to make do and look elsewhere for school and town revenue?

Let us know your thoughts.

Will pay-as-you-throw work in Wenham?

Posted on February 20, 2008 by nmiller
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The Wenham Recycling Committee is beginning a bi-weekly column in the Chronicle advocating for a complete pay-as-you-throw program in Wenham. This means all household trash would need to be placed in designated town bags, paid for by residents.

Folks in Hamilton recently voted to accept a waste reduction program that allows for one “free” bag (included in town taxes). All additional bags need to be an a town bag for a price of $1.75 per 32-gallon bag.

Despite voting to accept a waste reduction plan in Hamilton, residents have been pretty vocal about the effects of plucking even more money out of their pockets for town services.

Now we here at the Chronicle want to know what Wenham residents think about the possibility of a complete pay-as-you-throw program in town.

Is it the best — and most reasonable — way to ensure people take the effort to up their recycling and thus save the town money as well as help to save the planet? Or will it be just too taxing on the residents who perhaps are low-income, elderly or have large families?

Let us know.

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