Scituate residents face a strict timeline of infrastructure improvements and regulatory deadlines this week as the town prepares for the summer season. Town Administrator James Boudreau announced that annual mandatory water restrictions are now in effect through September 30. Under these state-mandated rules, all outdoor watering must take place before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., with automatic irrigation systems restricted to just one designated day per week based on a resident's precinct. Boudreau warned that these measures may get stricter depending upon our reservoir levels as the season progresses.

The push to finalize major roadwork before the holiday weekend has triggered a significant paving blitz across high-traffic areas. Grinding began Monday on Jericho Road, with a level course scheduled for Friday, while the Driftway is slated for final paving this Wednesday and Thursday. Boudreau urged residents to seek alternate routes during work hours, noting that the goal is to have the Driftway, Jericho Road, and the Minot Beach parking lot completely done by Memorial Day. The Minot Beach project currently awaits the installation of a required Stormceptor drainage component before crews can finish paving the lot.

Select Board member Nico Fonosenko reminded the community that public safety extends beyond construction zones, noting that May is National Bike Month. Highlighting a state law requiring motorists to provide four feet of space when passing cyclists, Fonosenko said, I want to remind everybody to remember being safe out there on the roads and be kind to your bikers. He also pointed to the upcoming Select Board meeting on Tuesday, which will feature a highly anticipated proposal regarding the future reuse of the Old Gates Middle School building, a site that has been a focal point of town planning since the transition to the new middle school facility.

In school news, School Committee Chair Nicole Brandolini detailed the district's progress on a revised Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan. Following a recent presentation of the task force’s work, the district has opened a public comment period via ParentSquare to gather community feedback before a final decision next month. Brandolini also confirmed that a definitive choice on elementary school redistricting is imminent. Our next School Committee meeting will take place on May 18th, at which time the committee will vote on one of the three proposed options for redistricting, Brandolini stated. The redistricting effort is part of a larger shift toward a three-building elementary model necessitated by the Hatherly Cushing construction project.

Election season is also ramping up for the June 6 town election at the Scituate High School gym. Boudreau noted that absentee and vote-by-mail ballots should become available this week. He issued a stern reminder regarding the annual town census, explaining that failure to respond results in voters being placed on the inactive voter list beginning June 1st. Residents who have not yet returned their census are urged to contact the Town Clerk’s office immediately to maintain their active voting status.

Finally, the town is looking to honor its past while managing its future. The Historical Commission has opened applications for its annual Preservation Awards, recognizing projects that conserve Scituate’s architecture and landscape. Boudreau noted that nominated homes must be at least 100 years old. Meanwhile, the Scituate Food Pantry is reporting a shortage of specific staples, including canned ham, Spam, and coffee. Fonosenko encouraged residents to utilize the donation bins located at the library and behind the Old Gates building, adding, please go fill it up and support our pantry.