Weymouth, Massachusetts

8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 WEYMOUTH , MASSACHUSETTS Not everything is worth saving, and Weymouth has been proactive in recent years to either fix up or demolish unsuitable buildings. Part of that was done through zoning changes to create a commercial corridor overlay that aimed to attract new development. “That has led to a significant amount of investment in Weymouth as a result of those zoning changes,” Hedlund says. “It also led to the elimination of blighted properties.” Weymouth’s success in turning the town around is a direct result of the town administration and residents’ passion, according to Hedlund, who spent two decades in the Massachusetts Senate and Legislature, presiding over the Plymouth and Norfolk District. “I interacted with local municipalities during my time in the Senate, but the commitment and level of diligence and the work ethic of a lot of people that were here when I got here just blew me away,” Hedlund says. “It was a bit of a contrast from the pace I saw at the state level. Not to diminish them, but it’s another level here.” The town itself is somewhat unique, making it a desirable place for people looking for a place to plant their roots. Located 15 miles outside of Boston, Weymouth is easily accessible to everything the Boston Metropolitan area has to offer. The town even has three stations on the commuter rail line into the city, making it ideal as a bedroom community for Boston. Weymouth’s main industry is its robust medical community, led by South Shore Hospital – one of the largest employers in the region. “It’s been based here in Weymouth for well over 100 years now,” Luongo says. “That makes it a really desirable place to live because you don’t have to go into Boston for medical care. You can literally access it next door, not only with the local hospital, but with the major hospitals in Boston, as well. Massachusetts General has practices in Weymouth, as do Brigham and Women’s and Beth Israel.”