Norwell Residents Invited To Weigh In On Town Land

Settling into a new house in Norwell? As you unpack those boxes and move in the furniture here are a few helpful points about Norwell to make you feel right at home. And if you’re in the process of looking to buy a house in this South Shore community, this information puts you ahead of the game when the time comes to make an offer on a house:

1. Norwell’s Town Government
   Norwell’s 10,000 plus residents are governed by a Board of Selectmen. The three-member team includes Ellen Allen, John Mariano, and Gregg McBride. Members are elected for three-year terms and serve as the Chief Elected and Executive Officers of the Town. Appointed the by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, James Boudreau, runs the daily operations of Norwell. The Board of Selectmen conduct a weekly meeting, televised on Channel 10, every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Some tasks of the Board of Selectmen include presenting articles in Town Meeting Warrants, appointing members to official boards, and enforcing town by-laws.
2. Norwell Public Schools
   Norwell Public Schools have an exceptional reputation for their high-ranking academics, stellar MCAS scores, and quality teachers and administration. Norwell is actively conducting a superintendent search to take over for Dr. Donald Beaudette when he retires in January 2012. A consultant hired by the school committee to help in the superintendent search made recommendations at the July 18 school committee meeting, and it appears the process is on schedule to hire and announce the new superintendent as early as January. Norwell Public Schools consist of two elementary schools, the Grace Farrar Cole School and the William Gould Vinal School for grades pre-k through five, the Norwell Middle School for grades six through eight, and the Norwell High School which graduated 158 students in June of 2011.
3. Hornstra’s Dairy Farm
   Farm fresh milk and dairy products will come to you…and they don’t have to travel far. Hornstra’s Dairy Farm of Hingham purchased the 77-acre Loring Farm along Prospect Street in Norwell two years ago. Since then John Honstra has restored the dilapidated property including the original post-and-beam bank barn and the farm’s 1750s cape-style home. Hornstra even enlisted the help of Amish farm workers who traveled to New England last summer to rebuild portions of the barn and silos to store grain for the farm’s cows. Hornstra’s goal is to move the farm’s current dairy operation to Norwell where over 60 cows will produce about 500 gallons of milk per day. Hornstra currently serves over 15 communities on the South Shore delivering their distinct glass bottles of fresh milk as well as ice cream, eggs, and homemade pies. But Hornstra is offering more than good creamery to the area, it’s bringing the time-honored tradition of dairy farming back to Norwell…it’s a treat for all, young and old.
4. Norwell Youth Sports
   Fall, winter, spring, summer, whatever the season it is a great time for youth sports in Norwell. Norwell Youth Soccer is open to girls and boys starting in kindergarten and runs through eigth grade. It’s a popular choice for the young kids especially because of the fun atmosphere, focus on sportsmanship, and opportunity to play with classmates. Norwell Youth Football offers play at various levels starting in second grade. They also feature a cheering squad for the same age group. Norwell Little League brings America’s favorite pasttime to kids here in Norwell. Boys and girls can start playing in kindergarten though their age requirement has a cut-off of April 30. In addition to the spring season, Norwell Little League has summer travel teams. Interest in Norwell Lacrosse has really increased in recent years. Open to girls and boys as young as kindergarten Norwell LAX is a great team sport for the kids. South Shore Seahawks is the league for young hockey enthusiasts in Norwell. With teams at all ages and levels, Seahawks Hockey makes for fun ice time.
5. Norwell Recycles
   Norwell has weekly recycling along with curbside rubbish removal. Recycling bins are available for residents at the Board of Health office in Town Hall. Recycling bins are single-stream usage so there’s no need to sort paper, glass and cans. In addition Norwell’s Recycling Center is located in the Highway Dept. Yard behind Norwell Middle School and is open limited hours for disposal of larger, recyclable items. A vehicle sticker is required and can be obtained at the Board of Health office. Norwell also has a Recycling Committee comprised of appointed members who actively pursue opportunities to increase recycling in Norwell. These efforts include working with Norwell Public Schools, hosting town recycling events, and purchasing outdoor recycling bins. Norwell residents are reminded that the recycling bins located at the schools and sporting fields are emptied by volunteers, not town workers. The Recycling Committee members appreciate when residents follow “the carry in, carry out” philosophy to reduce the use of the bins and welcome the help of volunteers to empty bins.