2026 Town Meeting Results

ARTICLE 1

HANNAH LINCOLN WHITING FUND 

Will the Town choose all necessary Town Officers, other than those to be elected by ballot, including the following:

• One member of the Committee to have charge of the income of the Hannah Lincoln Whiting Fund for a term of three years, 

or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: This Fund was established in 1915 pursuant to the will of Ada B.W. Bacon in memory of her mother, “to be expended in relieving the necessities of the deserving poor or unfortunate of South Hingham…” Grants from the fund’s income are made at the discretion of a committee of three members, one of whom is elected each year by the Town.  The total assets of the fund are $15,733.32 of which $733.32 is available for distribution; the principal of $15,000 is held in trust and may not be disbursed.  

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That Laura Boyle, 22 Westmoreland Road, be elected a member of the Committee to have charge of the income of the Hannah Lincoln Whiting Fund for a term of three years.

ARTICLE 2

ASSUME LIABILITY FOR DCR ON RIVERS, HARBORS, ETC.

Will the Town, in accordance with, and only to the extent permitted by, Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 91, Section 29, as amended, assume liability for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, maintenance, and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tide waters, foreshores, and shores along a public beach within the Town, in accordance with Section 11 of said Chapter 91, and authorize the Select Board to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity to the Commonwealth assuming such liability, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  The Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”), as a matter of policy, requires the Town to assume liability if the DCR is to perform any of this type of work within the Town.  In accordance with the statute, the Town would assume liability for all damages sustained by any person as a result of such work performed by the DCR.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:   That the Town, in accordance with, and only to the extent permitted by, M.G.L. c. 91, § 29, as amended, assume liability for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, maintenance, and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tide waters, foreshores, and shores along a public beach within the Town, in accordance with Section 11 of said Chapter 91, and authorize the Select Board to execute and deliver a bond of such indemnity to the Commonwealth assuming such liability.

ARTICLE 3

REPORTS OF VARIOUS TOWN COMMITTEES

To receive the reports, if any, of the following:   Affordable Housing Trust; Audit Committee; Capital Outlay Committee; Center for Active Living Building Committee; Climate Action Commission; Commission on Disabilities; Community Preservation Committee; Conservation Commission; Country Club Management Committee; Council on Aging; Energy Action Committee; GAR Hall Trustees; Harbor Development Committee; Historic Districts Commission; Historical Commission; Board of Managers of Lincoln Apartments LLC; Long Range Waste and Recycling Committee (Cleaner Greener Hingham), Master Plan Implementation Committee; Memorial Bell Tower Committee; Open Space Acquisition Committee; Public Safety Facility Building Committee; Scholarship Fund Committee; 2017 School Building Committee; 2025 School Building Committee; Town Historian; Wastewater Master Planning Committee; Weir River Water System Citizens Advisory Board; and Weir River Water System Transition and Evaluation Committee; or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: The Town is fortunate to have many public-spirited citizens willing to work in these capacities.  We thank them for their excellent service and recommend that all these posts and committees be continued, except that the following committees shall be discharged with thanks: Energy Action Committee, 2017 School Building Committee, and Public Safety Facility Building Committee.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the reports, if any, of the existing Town Committees and Commissions and the Town Historian be received; and that all said bodies and posts of government be continued, except that the following committees shall be discharged with thanks: Energy Action Committee, 2017 School Building Committee, and Public Safety Facility Building Committee.

ARTICLE 4

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD

Will the Town accept the report of the Personnel Board appointed under the Classification and Salary Plan, or act on anything relating thereto? 

(Inserted by the Select Board)  

COMMENT: The Personnel Board is established pursuant to the Town of Hingham Personnel By-Law and is comprised of five members appointed by the Moderator. This Article provides funds to pay for currently undetermined financial obligations of the Town relating to salary increases, fringe benefit changes, and job reclassifications for non-School Department employees, and makes certain amendments to the Personnel By-Law, including the Classification and Salary Plan. 

The major actions in this year’s report include Memoranda of Agreement with each of the following unions:  (i) Police Patrolman’s Association (term, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027), (ii) Hingham Police Superior Officers Union MCOP, Local 405 (term, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027), (iii) Hingham Permanent Firefighters Association, IAFF, Local 2398 (term, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027) and (iv) Department of Public Works Teamsters Local 25 (term, July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028).

The Police Patrolman’s Association Memorandum of Agreement provides for the following: (A) increases (i) general wage, 3% annually, (ii) clothing allowance, (iii) sick leave buy back, and (iv) overtime rate for police details; (B) modifications (i) hiring grades for new officers, (ii) educational incentive pay, (iii) sick leave, (iv) performance evaluation form, and (v) forced overtime rate; and (C) additions (i) two steps on the salary schedule for officers achieving 15 and 25 years of service,  (ii) stipends for Evidence Room Officer, Drone Unit Officer, Childcare Safety Installation Officer, and Assistant Fleet Maintenance Officer; and (iii) wellness program with the goal of identifying and supporting employees at high risk for a cardiac event.  The agreement also provides an equity adjustment.

The Hingham Police Superior Officers Union MCOP, Local 405 Memorandum of Agreement provides for the following: (A) increases (i) general wage, 3% annually, and (ii)  overtime rate for police details; (B) modifications (i) educational incentive pay, (ii) sick leave, (iii) sick time retirement payout, (iv) performance evaluation form, and (v) forced overtime rate; and  (C) additions (i) two steps at each officer grade at years 6 and 9 of service,  (ii) stipend for Drone Unit Officer; and (iii) wellness program with the goal of identifying and supporting employees at high risk for a cardiac event.  The agreement also provides an equity adjustment.

The Hingham Permanent Firefighters Association, IAFF, Local 2398 Memorandum of Agreement provides for the following:   (A) increases (i) general wage, 3% annually, and  (ii) Fire Prevention Officer stipend, and (B) additions (i) stipend  for paramedics, and (ii) stipend for members of the newly created Fire Training Division. The agreement also provides an equity adjustment.

The police and fire department agreements also provided for the withdrawal from Civil Service, subject to: (i) the parties negotiating provisions governing promotions, layoffs, and discipline for inclusion in a future CBA, and (ii) approval at the 2026 Annual Town Meeting of Articles 24 (Civil Service:  Fire) and 25 (Civil Service:  Police), subject to the conditions set forth in both articles.

The Department of Public Works Teamsters Local 25 Memorandum of Agreement provides for the following increases:   (i) general wage, 3% annually, (ii) sick leave buyback, (iii) annual longevity payments, (iv) clothing allowance, and (v) Class A license stipend. An essential employee stipend was added, and an equity adjustment was provided (for all positions except Foreman).

This Article recommends that employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements receive a general wage increase of 3%, effective July 1, 2026.

This Article also seeks to make an amendment to the Town’s Personnel By-law, which is described in the report of the Personnel Board.  The amendment clarifies the manner in which the Town gives credit to former employees rehired within two years of termination for purposes of determining sick time and vacation time benefits, and adds a similar credit for longevity benefits.    The amendment also provides that former employees of Hingham Municipal Light Plant and the Hingham Public Schools who are rehired within the same time period will be covered by these sick time, vacation time, and longevity provisions.  

The amendment also modifies the exit interview process by adding a provision to permit department heads and employees hired pursuant to an employment agreement to seek an exit interview with a member of the Personnel Board.    

The Advisory Committee, Select Board, and Personnel Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the report and recommendations of the Personnel Board, a copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's Office, be accepted; that the amendments of the Personnel By-Law, including the Classification and Salary Plan, and any cost item agreements reached by the Personnel Board in collective bargaining, which may be embodied or referred to in said report, be approved and adopted in their entirety, such approval and adoption to become effective July 1, 2026 or as otherwise specified in said report or agreements; that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $346,129 for the purpose of this vote; and that the Town Accountant is hereby authorized and instructed to allocate said sum to and among the several Personnel Services and Expense Accounts in such amounts, respectively, as are proper and required to meet such amendments and to comply with such collective bargaining agreements as may be entered into by the Select Board on behalf of the Town. 

ARTICLE 5

SALARIES OF CERTAIN TOWN OFFICERS

Will the Town fix the salaries of the following Town Officers: 

1. Members of the Select Board     
2. Members of the Assessors 
3. Town Clerk 
4. Members of the Municipal Light Board; 

or act on anything relating thereto? 

(Inserted by the Select Board)  

COMMENT:  This Article fixes the salaries of the elected Town Officers listed above.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the salary from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for each of the following officers shall be at the rates below stated or provided after the name of the office.

Select Board: at the annual rate of $2,000 each, except that the Chair shall receive an annual rate of $2,500 for the period of incumbency.

Board of Assessors: at the annual rate of $1,800 each, except that the Chair shall receive an annual rate of $2,000 for the period of incumbency.

Town Clerk1: in accordance with the compensation rates established in Grade 10 of the Town of Hingham Classification and Salary Plan of the Personnel By-law.

Municipal Light Board: at the annual rate of $214 each (to be paid from the receipts of the Hingham Municipal Light Department).

¹ The Town Clerk, when serving as a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters, shall be paid for such duties in accordance with M.G.L. c. 41, § 19G.

ARTICLE 6 

BUDGETS

Will the Town raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, sums of money to defray the expenses of the Town for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 2026, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: The Town’s FY27 budget has been prepared in accordance with the Town of Hingham FY24 Override Framework and FY24-28 Financial Management Plan, also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was presented at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting in conjunction with the override. At that meeting and a subsequent ballot vote at the Annual Town Election, Hingham citizens approved a $7.9 million override to support the Town’s FY24 operating budget. The MOU serves as a pledge by Town leaders to taxpayers to limit the future growth of operating budgets to 3.5% and not to propose another override before FY28. The MOU was signed by the Select Board, School Committee, School Superintendent, Advisory Committee, and Town Administrator.

The Municipal departments—categorized under General Government, Public Safety, Public Works, Human Services, and Culture and Recreation—and the School Department have been held to the 3.5% operating budget growth rate as stipulated by the MOU.  Separately, self-supporting departments (water, sewer, South Shore Country Club) and Shared Services (employee benefits, debt service, capital outlay, property/liability insurance) are not subject to the 3.5% cap.

Within the School budget, while the MOU is in place, out-of-district special education tuitions, related contracted transportation, and in-district contracted specialized services (OOD and Contracted Costs) are considered separately for growth calculation due to their unpredictable and largely uncontrollable nature. These OOD and Contracted Costs are budgeted within the School Department operating budget at a 2% annual growth rate for the duration of the MOU.   

Per the MOU, if expense growth exceeds 2%, excess costs will first be offset by applicable circuit breaker reimbursements, grant funding, and, to the extent possible, Special Education Reserve funds.  Any remaining excess expenses will be paid through the Article 6 Reserve Fund process  (Article 10 in the Warrant for the 2026 Town Meeting).  For FY26, the projected payment from the Article 6 Reserve Fund is approximately $350,000 after applying of the balance in the Special Education Reserve Fund (approximately $400,000).  Additionally, Article 10 is projected to include approximately $1,050,000 for snow and ice expenses.

For FY27 excess OOD and Contracted Costs are projected at approximately $2,079,200, to be funded from next year’s Article 6 Reserve Fund Process.

The MOU outlines the maximum operating budgets for the Municipal and School Departments assuming the full amount is budgeted each year. Given the limitations of adhering to a 3.5% growth rate, certain programs and services have been funded at lower levels than desired or not funded at all in FY27.

The FY27 budget season began with both Municipal and School departments submitting level-service budget requests. Revenue sources of note include the transfer of $2,176,908 from Ambulance Receipts for Fire Department payroll for ambulance services; the transfer of $468,380 from the Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund for Harbormaster payroll and capital outlay; the transfer of  $74,547 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for capital outlay of various departments; the use of $4,628,794 in sewer rates to support the Sewer budget; the use of $2,610,509 in South Shore Country Club (SSCC) revenue to support the SSCC budget; and the use of $15,174,160 in water rates from Weir River Water System to support the Weir River Water System budget.

The Municipal level-services budget request was $38,447,617, which was $59,903 less than the budget expenses as outlined by the commitment in the MOU.  Budget adjustments included the addition of a Part-Time Payroll Specialist, additional Town Cybersecurity and monitor response services, and the purchase of Office 365 licenses for elected officials to provide them with Town email.

Under M.G.L. c. 71, § 34, Town Meeting establishes the total School Department budget, but may not limit the authority of the School Committee to determine expenditures within that total appropriation. The School level-services budget request was $81,981,179. This figure was offset by $6,623,060 in grants and revolving funds, and $2,079,200 in estimated Special Education costs to be paid by the Town in accordance with the MOU. Notwithstanding these items, as of the Warrant publication date, the level services request resulted in a requirement to reduce $431,736 in expenses to comply with the MOU.

The Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article and Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of this Article except for the Budgets for the Reserve Fund which had a vote of 13-1 and Education which had a vote of 12-1. 

RECOMMENDED: That the Town raise, appropriate and/or transfer for each of the following purposes, for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2026 (FY27), the sum of money stated therefor, including any appropriations or transfers from specified funds as detailed below, and also that authority is hereby given to turn in vehicles and equipment in partial payment for vehicles and equipment purchased in those cases where a turn-in is stated; and provided that any amount or portion thereof appropriated to a sub-account and included in a numbered account as set forth below may be transferred to another sub-account under the same numbered account with the approval of the Select Board and the Advisory Committee. 

ARTICLE 7
 TRANSFER FROM THE STABILIZATION FUND

Will the Town transfer a sum of money from the Stabilization Fund and/or from available reserves for the purpose of paying debt service for excluded debt in order to reduce the need to raise said funds through the FY26 tax rate, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: The Stabilization Fund, with a balance of approximately $1.8 million as of December 31, 2025, contains premiums related to the issuance of excluded debt bonds for multiple school capital projects approved in prior fiscal years.  These bond premiums were transferred into the Stabilization Fund pursuant to Article 12 of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting, and Article 7 of the 2016 Annual Town Meeting, with the intent that they be used to offset future debt service costs on the bonds.   Each year, an amortized portion of these funds is withdrawn from the Stabilization Fund to offset the fiscal year interest payments due on the bonds, thereby reducing the annual cost to taxpayers.

Under the version of M.G.L. c. 44, § 20 in effect at the time these bond premiums were deposited into the Stabilization Fund, these funds were considered general revenue of the Town and could have been used for any lawful purpose under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter M.G.L. c. 40, § 5B.  However, that statute has since been amended and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) Division of Local Services issued updated guidance in February 2022 limiting the future use of such bond premiums (IGR No. 22-01).   Under this guidance, the bond premiums presently in the Stabilization Fund must be used to offset interest paid in future years on the original excluded debt.  The recommended motion follows this guidance by transferring a portion of the Stabilization Fund to offset interest on the excluded debt, thereby reducing the amount that would otherwise need to be raised through the FY27 tax rate.  

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.   

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town transfer $178,836 from the Stabilization Fund for the purpose of paying interest on outstanding excluded debt notes/bonds in order to reduce the need to raise said funds through the FY27 tax rate. 

ARTICLE 8

DISBURSEMENT OF ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT RECEIPTS

Will the Town appropriate, from the receipts of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (“HMLP”), money for the maintenance and operation of the Plant for the 12-month period commencing July 1, 2026, pursuant to Sections 57 and 57A of Chapter 164 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and provide for the disposition of any surplus receipts, and will the Town transfer from available funds to HMLP any Monetized Tax Credits received by the Town for HMLP eligible projects, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)  

COMMENT:   The Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (“HMLP”) is self-funding; funds collected from billing customers are used to pay all expenses incurred by the Plant.  The HMLP Board has a written policy in place whereby it makes a voluntary earned surplus payment in the form of a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) to the Town.  The PILOT amount is calculated by multiplying the number of kilowatt hours sold by HMLP in the prior year by $0.0025. The minimum payment that HMLP is expected to make to the Town is $450,000.  However, based on sales for the last several years, it is estimated that the total final payment will be approximately $480,000 during FY27.  HMLP’s PILOT to the Town has the effect of reducing the Town’s tax rate.

HMLP is due to receive $380,284 from the Town in Monetized Tax Credits (“Credits”). These Credits were paid by the Federal Government as reimbursement for the installation of solar panels on the HMLP administrative building, garage, and a solar canopy above the parking area.  The Town has already received and deposited these funds as general fund revenue, and an amount equal to said Credits will be appropriated from Unassigned Fund Balance to HMLP.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That, with the exception of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant’s (“HMLP”) PILOT, to which no less than $450,000 in received funds is hereby transferred to the Town’s General Fund to reduce the FY27 tax rate, all funds received by the HMLP during the 12-month period commencing July 1, 2026, be appropriated to said HMLP, the same to be expended by the Manager of said HMLP under the control and direction of the Municipal Light Board, for the expenses of the Plant during said period, pursuant to and as defined in Sections 57 and 57A of Chapter 164 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and, if there should be any surplus receipts at the end of said period, such amount as is deemed necessary shall be transferred to the Plant’s net investment in capital assets and appropriated and used for such additions to the Plant as may be authorized by the Municipal Light Board during said period; and further, that the Town transfer an amount equal to the Monetized Tax Credits received by the Town from the Federal Government of $380,284 from Unassigned Fund Balance to HMLP.

ARTICLE 9

BUILDING DEPARTMENT REVOLVING FUND

Will the Town limit the total amount that may be spent from the Building Department Revolving Fund, established under Article 18 of the General By-laws, to $265,000 during FY27, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: The Building Department Revolving Fund is credited with all fees from plumbing, gas, and electrical inspections performed by Inspectors. This fund is used to pay wages, salaries, and fringe benefits (as applicable) to these Building Department staff members. This revolving fund was previously created by Town Meeting under Article 18 of the Hingham General By-laws and is compliant with M.G.L. c. 44 § 53E1 ½. 

Each year, Town Meeting must vote to limit the total amount that may be spent from this revolving fund. In recent years, the total spending cap has been as high as $280,000. However, a determination was made in FY26 to begin lowering the spending cap in order to continue to bring the revolving fund more in line with its revenue and maintain a positive balance in the revolving fund.  The spending cap for FY27 is $265,000.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town limit the total amount that may be spent from the Building Department Revolving Fund established under Article 18 of Town of Hingham General By-laws, to $265,000 during FY27.

ARTICLE 10

TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE RESERVE FUND

Will the Town raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to the Town’s Reserve Fund for use during FY26, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  This Article is included each year in case the existing Reserve Fund is not adequate to cover extraordinary or unforeseen expenses for the balance of the current Fiscal Year (“FY26”); such expenses traditionally have included budget items that are difficult to manage or predict, such as excess snow and ice removal costs, unanticipated legal expenses, extraordinary Police and Fire overtime, and the like. The 2025 Annual Town Meeting allocated $800,000 to the Reserve Fund for FY26, an amount that was both consistent with the Town’s Financial Policy (approximately 0.75% of the Operating Budget) and deemed likely adequate at the time to cover the traditional unanticipated expenses.

In 2023 the Town developed the “FY24 Override Framework and FY24-28 Financial Management Plan,” also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”). This document includes caps on operating budget growth for both Municipal departments and the School department. It also includes a mechanism by which certain excess costs for out-of-district special education tuitions, related contracted transportation, and in-district contracted specialized services (“OOD and Contracted Costs”), as defined in the MOU, would be covered by the Town’s Reserve Fund, outside of the School Department’s capped annual operating budget. As of this writing, the excess OOD and Contracted Costs incurred during FY26 are projected to account for a significant portion of the entire Reserve Fund allocation for this fiscal year. As a result, the Reserve Fund transfer delineated by this Article will be significantly higher than in most previous years, both in absolute and relative terms. 

Based on the time frame established in the MOU, this situation is likely to recur next year during the development of the FY28 annual budget, if the Town’s OOD and Contracted Costs continue to be at or above current levels. This situation would not necessarily recur in subsequent years if the Town does not extend the current MOU or does not adopt a new MOU with similar provisions.

In addition to the unanticipated amount of excess OOD and Contracted Costs described above, recent snowstorms have resulted in significant additional costs for snow and ice removal. The total specific amount to be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, will be reported at Town Meeting.

RECOMMENDED: The Advisory Committee will make its recommendation at Town Meeting. 

ARTICLE 11

WATERWAYS FUND TRANSFER

Will the Town vote to appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money, which sum was generated from fees paid to the Town of Hingham during FY26, from any parking license for the purpose of accessing slips or moorings, and revenues generated by the Harbormaster’s Office and/or boat excise taxes, for deposit to the Town’s Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund, to be used in accordance with M.G.L. c. 40, § 5G, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: This Article asks if the Town will transfer funds generated from fees related to the use of Hingham Harbor to the Town’s Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund (MWIMF), in addition to those required by state law.

The MWIMF was established at 2019 Annual Town Meeting and by statute must receive all proceeds from mooring fees and 50% of the boat excise taxes collected by the Town each year, which total approximately $350,000 per year.

This Article asks if the Town will transfer additional monies to the MWIMF, equal to the revenues generated in FY26 by the Harbormaster’s Office, including mooring/docking permit late fees and boating fines, parking licenses for the purpose of accessing slips or moorings, and the remaining 50% of boat excise taxes.

Transferring these waterways-related revenues to the MWIMF will provide the Town a partial funding source for future appropriations for harbor related expenses, such as dredging and improvement of the harbor, the breakwaters, retaining walls, piers, wharves and moorings, and associated law enforcement and fire prevention activities.  The current balance in the Fund is $1,551,287.

The amounts noted below are projected estimates because the total receipts from each of these Harbor related sources will not be known until the end of FY26.  Transfer of these funds to MWIMF will not increase the FY27 tax levy.

The Advisory Committee and Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town vote to appropriate and transfer from available funds a sum of money, which sum was generated from fees paid to the Town of Hingham during FY26, including all revenue from any parking license for the purpose of accessing slips or moorings (approximately $40,000), all revenues generated by the Harbormaster’s Office, including mooring/docking permit late fees and boating fines (approximately $25,000), and the remaining 50% of boat excise taxes (approximately $25,000) from Local Receipts, for deposit into the Town’s Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund, to be used in accordance with M.G.L. c. 40, § 5G.

ARTICLE 12

CONSTRUCTION OF CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING

Will the Town raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, an amount of money to be expended under the direction of the Select Board to be used to pay for the construction of a new Center for Active Living, including all professional fees, equipment and furniture associated therewith, at a site located off Bare Cove Park Drive, Hingham, MA or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  This article asks if the Town will raise and appropriate funds to build a new Center for Active Living (“CAL” or senior center), off Bare Cove Park Drive.  Bids for constructing the new CAL are expected in mid-April, and the actual cost of construction will be reported at Town Meeting.  The January 2026 estimate for the construction cost is $29,927,423.

Hingham currently has 7,904 residents over 60 years old, comprising 32% of the town’s population (2025 Town Census).  The number of senior residents is projected to grow to approximately 9,000 or 39% of the town’s population by 2035 and become the largest senior population percentage among our peer towns.  The 2025 Healthy Aging in Massachusetts report released in May 2025 from the UMASS Gerontology Institute showed that compared to our benchmark and peer south shore communities, Hingham’s seniors (65+) exceed the state’s average of seniors living with multiple chronic medical conditions.  

Hingham’s current CAL was established in 1997 in 5,200 sq. ft. of Town Hall, and since 2011, has been acknowledged as undersized and inadequate for the needs of Hingham’s significant and growing senior population.  

History of the project

• In 2013, first community needs assessment, Aging in Hingham by UMASS Gerontology Institute, reported an increasing senior population.  The report can be found on Center for Active Living Building Project webpage on the Town website.
• In 2017, funds were appropriated to assess space needs of departments by the Town Hall Study Committee (Article 22, ATM 2017) and reported the space inadequate for the Elder Services Department among others.
• In 2020, $525,000 was appropriated for design and engineering work to renovate space at Town Hall for an enlarged senior center and additional parking (Article 14 of ATM 2020).
• Also in 2020, the Senior Center Building Committee was established (Article 15 of ATM 2020) and was renamed the Center for Active Living Building Committee, (“CALBC”), when the center’s name change occurred in 2023).  
• In 2022 a new Aging in Hingham: Community Needs Assessment was completed by the UMASS Gerontology Institute and identified the needs and preferences of Hingham residents as they age.  The report can be found on the CAL Building Project webpage on the Town website.
• In 2023, the uses for which the 2020 appropriation could be used were amended to allow considering alternative Town-owned sites in addition to potential expansion at Town Hall (Article 15 at ATM 2023).  
• After extensive review of multiple sites in town, the CALBC chose a site off Bare Cove Park Drive because no option at Town Hall was found that provided sufficient space for the planned programming and a solution for adequate parking.  Details of the full range of sites assessed can be found in the 2/11/25 CAL presentation on the CAL Building Project webpage.
• In 2025, Town Meeting appropriated $2.5 million for professional services to complete design and pre-construction bid documents in order to obtain construction bids for a new CAL located off Bare Cove Park Drive (Article 15 ATM 2025). 
• And in 2025, Town Meeting authorized the town to petition the state legislature (Article 16 of ATM 2025) under Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution to change the use of approximately 5.387 acres of currently protected public recreation land off Bare Cove Park Drive to use for the CAL, and to authorize, as replacement land, approximately 7 acres of town-owned land off High Street near Plymouth River School, to be placed under the care, custody and control of the Conservation Commission, which will subject it to Article 97 protection.  On 2/6/26, this legislation was enacted into law.  If the CAL construction funding is approved and the Town proceeds with the CAL project, a vote of the Conservation Commission will subsequently be needed to accept the transfer of care, custody, and control of the parcel.

Design process

The CALBC met 67 times in public meetings from 2021 through early 2026 to identify the challenges at the existing CAL, the needs and interests of residents, programming and design concepts in other modernized senior centers, and to develop the proposed programming and space needs for a new CAL.  The UMass study identified the need for an expanded facility with multiple large spaces for educational, fitness, and enrichment activities, areas for social interaction (34% of Hingham’s seniors live alone), supports for caregivers (30% of Hingham’s seniors are caregivers), and increased transportation services, along with increased outreach to help seniors learn about the services available at the center.  Thirty-two percent of study respondents indicated they attend programs at other towns’ senior centers which are not available at Hingham’s CAL.  This was validated through conversations with neighboring towns.  The driving force for building a new center is to accommodate the current and increasing population of seniors by providing a facility that can significantly expand the number and array of programs now severely restrained by the current location’s size, inadequate parking, and building configuration.

The CALBC engaged EDM Studio (an architectural firm with expertise in buildings including municipal senior centers), SLR Consulting (site planning, civil engineering, and environmental analysis), and Lifespan Design studio (senior center design specialist) to assist in the design process.  EDM conducted a survey, focus groups and one-on-one meetings.   This data was used with the UMass study to inform the design process.  A core aspect of the modern senior center model is congregating the full range of services appropriate to supporting senior wellness in one location, allowing for an initial contact with senior services, and resulting in learning about and then evolving into participation in a range of services as seniors age and their needs change.

Proposed building and site development

The new CAL is proposed to be a 25,950-sq. ft. single story building with enhanced accessibility, ADA compliance, natural daylight, outdoor amenity space, and 140 parking spaces.  It was designed for sufficient space for a wide range of activities consistent with the modern model for senior services delivery, whose goal is support for seniors to remain healthy, engaged, and able to live in their own homes.  The building’s spaces and furnishings are appropriate for seniors with mobility and other challenges.  Constructed according to the Specialized Energy Code, it will be all-electric for greater energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and operating costs.

There have been questions as to why the project is not being located at Town Hall, as had originally been proposed.  The CALBC undertook the feasibility study for the new CAL with the expectation that the space being vacated by the Police Department’s move out of Town Hall would be redeveloped to house the new CAL.  As the programming needs for Hingham’s growing number of seniors were identified, it became evident that the Town Hall location could not provide sufficient space nor sufficient parking without major construction and the use of current athletic field land.  The results of the comparative analysis of four Town Hall and eight Bare Cove Park Drive sites can be found in the 2/11/25 CAL Presentation on the CAL Building Project webpage.  At this time, the South Shore Regional Emergency Communications Center (“SSRECC”) is considering taking additional space at Town Hall and is seeking a grant from the Massachusetts 911 Department for feasibility and design.

Development of the proposed site off Bare Cove Park Drive will include demolishing an abandoned munitions building, installing storm water management systems, constructing a parking lot with 140 spaces, and planting of 250 native trees and shrubs. 

Programming planned

Modern senior centers are designed to offer a wide range of programs that have been shown to positively impact overall wellness in seniors.  They also offer programs for those already experiencing chronic conditions aimed at supporting them in remaining active and engaged, and which have been shown to reduce the need for emergency medical care.  Aspects of the programming planned for the new CAL were modeled on the Marshfield senior center, a town with similar demographics and percentage of seniors (28%), where the center was expanded to 24,000 sq. ft. in 2022.  The success of the programming at the Marshfield senior center is reflected in 55% of that Town’s seniors participating in one or more activities at their center each year.  

Hingham’s new CAL plans to offer a wide range of services, including: 

Health and Wellness services such as health screenings, blood pressure and flu shot clinics, health and safety classes, support groups for persons living with chronic conditions; fitness classes such as stretch, balance, yoga, fitness room; Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) counseling, and wellness fairs

Nutrition services including congregate meals, cooking and nutrition classes, on site café providing light meals and snacks and opportunities for socialization, and Meals on Wheels home delivered meals

Learning, arts and enrichment activities including Bridgewater Senior University classes, Life Long Learning lectures, clean and wet art classes and open art activity times, and board and card games and game instruction offered in person as well as remotely for seniors at home

Outreach services including consults with older adults, caregivers and family members, information and referrals related to housing, in home services, caregiver supports, community support services and support groups; assistance in applying for subsidized programs for fuel, housing, nutrition benefits, and for real estate tax exemption and relief programs

Transportation services including transportation to local medical appointments, essential shopping, local errands, CAL programs, local day trips, and full day trips

Financial and legal services including elder law education, financial advisor consults, AARP Tax Assistance Program, fuel assistance, property tax work off, and senior circuit breaker tax credit information

Construction costs

The January 2026 estimate of the total cost of constructing the new CAL is $29,927,423 consisting of:

Building Costs:   $19,964,549

Site Development Costs:  $6,213,950 (about 20% of total; includes electric service and sewer line)

Soft Costs:   $4,348,924 (furnishings, testing, and standard project contingency)

Final building and site costs will be confirmed in mid-April and provided at Town Meeting.

In addition to construction and site work, the project includes two infrastructure improvements not funded by construction borrowing:  

A $400,000 water line to also be extended to Bare Cove Park to serve a new hydrant and bubbler, and $275,000 to repave Bare Cove Park Drive after construction.  Both will be funded through the DPW budget, totaling $675,000.

Prior to, and separate from, the CAL project, due to pre-existing conditions in the area, the Town identified the Fort Hill/Bare Cove Park Drive intersection as a candidate for the state’s Complete Streets Funding Program to improve pedestrian and cyclist accessibility to the MBTA and to the various existing recreational amenities along Bare Cove Park Drive, as well as improve the efficiency of the existing intersection. The traffic studies and zoning permits for the CAL did not identify improvements to this intersection as necessary for the construction of the CAL.  However, the Town believes that a traffic signal would be the best option to improve accessibility and intersection operation and is estimated to cost $300,000.  To accomplish this, the Town is actively pursuing cooperation and possible partnership with MBTA, grant funding from MassDOT, as well as budgeting Chapter 90 funding for this capital improvement 

.

Operating costs 

Senior centers are unique in that services are provided through a range of funding sources including the municipal budget, annual state formula grant, activity fees, other grants, community fundraising (Council on Aging Gift Account and new in 2025, Friends of the CAL, formed to fundraise and support services at the CAL), partnerships with local organizations, and thousands of volunteer hours.  

The proposed Center for Active Living municipal budget for FY27 is $451,800 which includes 4 full-time and 4 half-time CAL positions.  In 2025 volunteers provided 5,404 hours of service for the CAL with an additional 1,000 hours provided by seniors participating in Hingham’s property tax work-off program.  Also in 2025, seventy-five organizations, businesses, and agencies provided support for the CAL to enrich programs and expand comprehensive supports for seniors. 

Operating costs for the new CAL are expected to increase the CAL municipal budget by approximately $225,000 in the first year of operation.  This includes the hiring of a new custodial position, utility, and insurance costs associated with the new building.  These costs are ongoing and are likely to grow. 

The experience of other recently expanded and modernized South Shore senior centers indicates that, as the additional space allows for expanded types and frequency of classes, increased opportunities for volunteers and partnerships to provide a wider range of enrichment, and educational programs, the fee revenues will increase.  Additional fee revenue has supported new full-time staff positions in some modernized senior centers on the South Shore.  The new CAL also expects an increase in the number of seniors using the Hingham property tax work-off program and providing staffing support for programming at the CAL.  It is also anticipated that as programming and participation at the CAL grows, new staff positions will be proposed to the municipal budget.  Potential rental use of the building in off-hours could also generate revenue.

Total project cost and proposed funding

As previously stated, the January 2026 estimate for constructing the new CAL is $29,927,423 (rounded to $30 million).  It is anticipated that the Town will issue a $15 million Bond Anticipation Note (“BAN”) in FY27, followed by a $30 million BAN in FY28.  After construction is complete and final costs are confirmed (up to $30 million), long-term level principal bonds will be issued and repaid over 28 years.

Without any new borrowing or overrides, Hingham property taxes are projected to rise approximately 16.9% over five years (FY26–31, averaging 3.4% annually).  This includes allowable increases under Proposition 2½, the impact of existing debt, and the phase-out of stabilization funds currently offsetting the Public Safety Facility and Foster School projects, which will be fully depleted by FY29.

Authorization of the CAL project (estimated at $30 million) is projected to increase property taxes by an additional 1.8% over five years, or about 0.4% annually.   Adding this cost for CAL, total property taxes are expected to rise approximately 18.8% over five years, averaging 3.8% per year.  The incremental impact on homes of varying assessed values is shown in the table below.

Individual property owners can calculate the tax increase for their property by using the Tax Impact Calculator located on the Town website.  

Hingham’s Council on Aging supports the proposed new CAL building project.

Resident views

The Advisory Committee has heard from many residents about this project, both at meetings and through letters to the Committee and the Select Board.  We are grateful to those who have taken the time to share their perspectives, and we recognize that thoughtful community engagement strengthens our deliberations.

     Proponents

• View the project as a needed investment in public health infrastructure to support Hingham’s growing senior population and long-term community health.
• Believe the current facility is inadequate and that a purpose-built center would provide expanded space needed for modern senior center programming and improve participation and efficiency.
• View the proposed space as proportional to other modern South Shore senior centers given Hingham has and is projected to continue to have the largest senior population.
• Note the project aligns with prior planning efforts and the Town’s goal of supporting residents across all life stages.
• Acknowledge costs, but argue delay will increase construction expenses and that some operating costs may be offset through fees, partnerships, and other revenue sources.

     Opponents

• Question whether projected demand supports the proposed size and cost and whether the building may be underutilized.
• Believe the scope may reflect desired amenities rather than essential needs, contributing to the building being the most expensive senior center on South Shore, and may not be the best use of resources given other priorities including repairs to current Town buildings.
• Express concern about uncertain long-term operating costs and the potential impact on future budgets.
• Raise affordability concerns, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes, and question the timing of the project given recent tax increases and future capital needs.
• Note concerns about the proposed location, including accessibility, traffic, and potential impact on wildlife in adjacent Bare Cove Park.

The proposed new CAL has been reviewed and permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Board, and the Conservation Commission.

Approval of this article requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting and an affirmative majority vote at the May 2, 2026, election. 

The Advisory Committee voted 9-5 in favor, and the Select Board voted 3-0 in favor of this article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town appropriate not more than $29,930,000 to be expended by the Select Board for professional fees, constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new Center for Active Living located off Bare Cove Park Drive.  To meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is authorized to borrow said amount under M.G.L. c. 44, or any other enabling authority and issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, and further that the appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. c. 59, §21C (Proposition 2 ½).

ARTICLE 13

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING REVOLVING FUND

Will the Town limit the total amount that may be spent from the Center for Active Living Revolving Fund, established under Article 16 of the General By-laws, to $80,000.00 during FY27, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Council on Aging)

COMMENT: The Hingham Center for Active Living’s Revolving Fund is credited with all fees and charges received from Center for Active Living programs and pays expenses associated with providing these services and activities for the Town’s senior residents.   This Article would limit the total amount that may be spent from this revolving fund to $80,000 in FY27.

The Advisory Committee and Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town vote to limit the amount that may be spent from the Center for Active Living Revolving Fund, established under Article 16 of the General By-laws, to $80,000 during FY27.

ARTICLE 14

TRANSFER FROM THE CAPITAL PROJECT COST AND DEBT SERVICE STABILIZATION FUND

Will the Town transfer a sum of money from the "Capital Project Cost and Debt Service Stabilization Fund" established under Article 3 of the 2022 Town of Hingham Special Town Meeting to be expended by the Select Board for the purpose of the payment of debt service on outstanding excluded debt bond anticipation notes and/or bonds related to the new elementary school at 55 Downer Avenue, Hingham, MA and the new Public Safety Facility at 335 Lincoln Street, Hingham, MA, in order to reduce the need to raise these funds through the FY27 tax rate, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: The Capital Project Cost and Debt Service (“CPCDS”) Stabilization Fund’s primary stated purpose is to pay capital costs of and/or to offset a portion of the annual debt service related to the construction of the Public Safety Facility (“PSF”) and/or the Foster School project.  In addition to its establishment at the Special Town Meeting in 2022, the CPCDS Stabilization Fund was also funded with $7,000,000 from excess Unassigned Fund Balance.  Annual appropriations made from the CPCDS Stabilization Fund are intended to help mitigate tax increases to pay the debt service on these projects or to be used for any other lawful purpose as determined by a future Town Meeting. 

The 2024 and 2025 Annual Town Meetings approved the transfers of $1,000,000 and $2,200,000, respectively, from the CPCDS Fund to lessen the tax increase needed to support the new debt service payments for the PSF and Foster School projects.  This article would enable another transfer of up to $2,300,000 from the Fund to similarly lower the tax burden needed to support the debt service costs due in FY2027.

The chart below illustrates the annual debt service payments due in the initial years of the full borrowing for the PSF and Foster School projects.  The shaded portion shows the impact of utilizing funds from the CPCDS account to offset a portion of the costs, thereby reducing the spike in tax increases that would be necessary to support the early years of the payment schedule.

The chart shows the reduction in tax burden through this proposed transfer of $2.3 million in FY2027, as well as projected amounts to be transferred in subsequent years to support a flattened dependence on tax revenue. This use of funds is within the scope of the purpose of the CPCDS Stabilization Fund.  The level and timing of future appropriations for FY28 and beyond will be reassessed annually in conjunction with the available information at that time and may be materially different than what is indicated in the table.  

The Select Board and Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of this Article.  

RECOMMENDED: That the Town transfer the sum of $2,300,000 from the “Capital Project Cost and Debt Service Stabilization Fund” established under Article 3 of the 2022 Town of Hingham Special Town Meeting for the purpose of making debt service payments on the excluded debt notes/bonds issued by the Town for the Public Safety Facility and Foster School projects in order to reduce the need to raise these funds through the FY27 tax rate. 

ARTICLE 15

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Will the Town appropriate, borrow and/or set aside for future appropriation a sum of money from the available Community Preservation Funds remaining after payment of debt service for bonds and/or notes issued under M.G.L. c. 44B for the following items recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026:

1. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $40,000 from the Community Preservation General Fund to be used by the Community Preservation Committee for its administrative and operating expenses.
2. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $209,179 from the Community Preservation General Fund to be available for expenditure by the Select Board for the payment of bonds or notes borrowed for Community Preservation projects under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 44B, § 11.
3. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $605,487 from the Community Preservation General Fund for community housing purposes to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Opportunity Fund to be used by the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust for community housing purposes and that these funds, including, without limitation, any net proceeds received by the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust from the sale of any property acquired in whole or in part with said funds or any previous funds appropriated to the Opportunity Fund, shall remain in said Opportunity Fund for future use for said purposes.
4. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $299,572 from the Community Preservation General Fund and/or the Community Housing Reserve Fund for community housing purposes by the Hingham Housing Authority to be used for the Roof Replacement project at 30 Thaxter Street.
5. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $30,300 from the Community Preservation General Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Historical Commission for the Victory Statue (Iron Horse) Restoration Project.
6. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $160,000 from the Community Preservation General Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Veteran’s Services for the elevator replacement project at the Grand Army Hall.
7. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $185,500 from the Community Preservation General Fund and/or Historic Resources Reserve Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Community Center for preservation and restoration of the exterior of the John Thaxter House (Hingham Community Center) and to authorize the Town of Hingham Historical Commission, with the approval of the Select Board, to acquire a preservation restriction for said project under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 40, § 8D and M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31-33 and all other applicable laws.
8. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $333,500 from the Community Preservation General Fund for open space/recreational use purposes to be used by Town of Hingham Recreation Commission for the PRS Basketball Court Project.

or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Community Preservation Committee)

COMMENT:  The Community Preservation Act (“CPA”), M.G.L. c. 44B, is a local option statute enacted by the State Legislature in 2000 and adopted by the Town in 2001.  It enables towns to collect and expend funds (including funds from the Commonwealth) to maintain their character by supporting open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, and recreation initiatives specifically defined by the CPA.  The current Hingham CPA surcharge rate is 1.5% of real property taxes.  CPA funds are not part of the operating budget and are maintained separately for use only through CPA grants and administrative expenses.

This year, as in previous years, the total dollar amount of grants requested by applicants to the Community Preservation Committee (“CPC”) exceeded the CPC’s available budget.  The CPC carefully reviewed each application and applied consistent guidelines and criteria to determine which projects to approve and, for those approved, an appropriate grant amount within the year’s budget.   In making these decisions, the CPC also considered how each application aligned with the 2021 Hingham Master Plan, the 2021 Hingham Housing Plan, the 2020 Fields and Outdoor Courts Study, and the 2016–2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

The CPC started the deliberation process this year with a budget of $1,905,070.  That includes local tax revenue of $1,645,530, plus an annual distribution from the Commonwealth’s Community Preservation Trust Fund (based on a formula) of $259,540.  The CPC recommendations total $1,863,538, leaving a surplus of $41,532, which will be held in reserve for next year’s budget.  The proposed funding of these projects will meet the required ten percent (10%) allocations for historic preservation, open space, and affordable housing.

The comments of the Advisory Committee are set forth below and correspond to the numbered sections of this Article.

• Section 1:  Administrative Fund:  The CPA allows up to 5% of annual CPA budget to be reserved for operational and administrative expenses, including engineering, legal, and consulting costs associated with the review of proposed projects, the administration of projects approved by Town Meeting, and the salaries of staff.  In the past, Hingham's administrative appropriations have averaged amounts below the 5% allowed by the CPA.  This year's contribution to the CPC Administrative Fund equals $40,000 and represents less than 2% of the annual CPA budget.  Any unspent funds will be returned to the CPC General Fund at the end of the fiscal year.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.

• Section 2:  Debt Payments:  This section requests payment of debt in the amount of $209,179 for the annual debt payment due for the purchase of the Lehner Property off South Pleasant Street, authorized by ATM 2016.  This is the required payment of the Town.  This payment will exhaust the amount required to be spent from the Community Preservation Open /Space reserve.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.

• Section 3:  Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Opportunity Fund:  CPC recommends a grant of $605,487 for the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust (“HAHT”), established by Article 21 of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting.  The purpose of the Trust is summarized in the Article approved by Town Meeting, “… to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the Town of Hingham for low and moderate-income households.”

The Opportunity Fund is used to support developments underway, preserve existing housing, and to provide funds to aid purchases of market rate housing or land acquisitions to create housing that is affordable.  Opportunities to create new affordable housing units often arise that require immediate responses, e.g., when a property is listed for sale.   Replenishing the Opportunity Fund will allow the Trust to respond quickly to those opportunities.  All purchases and other expenditures are subject to detailed financial reporting and Select Board approval.

While Hingham achieved its 10% minimum affordable housing requirement until 2030, the Town continues to have unmet housing needs.  HAHT continues its efforts to purchase and develop affordable housing within the Town given the increasing and high cost of housing, the higher-than-average percentage of renters who are cost burdened, and the gap in available housing for older and disabled residents.  CPA funding is the primary, recurring revenue source for HAHT.  When HAHT purchases such a property, it applies for an affordability restriction from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (“EOHLC”), formerly known as Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”).  Once the restriction is in effect, HAHT sells or rents the property and places the proceeds back into the Opportunity Fund for future purchases and other expenditures.

The HAHT final Housing Plan was issued in June 2021; the goal of the Housing Plan is to proactively address local housing issues and to sponsor initiatives to meet the most pressing of these needs.  Additionally, the Hingham Master Plan sets a goal of HAHT creating 5 units of affordable housing each year over the next decade (50 units by 2031).  The Trust’s recent work and plans include creating up to seven new affordable homeownership opportunities over the next two to three years.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.

• Section 4:  Hingham Housing Authority Roof Replacement:  CPC recommends a grant of $299,572 to replace roofs, gutters, and downspouts on eight buildings at the Thaxter Park Development, owned and operated by the Hingham Housing Authority (“HHA”).  HHA provides housing for low-income elderly, disabled, and special-needs residents.  Thaxter Park includes 92 units built in 1973 and 1987.  The original roofs on eight buildings are beyond their useful life.   The EOHLC determined in 2013 that roof replacement is an eligible use of CPC funds for community housing.  The total project cost is $599,144.  Because state-aided capital funds have recently been used for other major needs including roof replacements on other buildings, the HHA is seeking CPC funding for fifty percent (50%) of the project cost.   Securing CPC funding will allow the Authority to apply for a matching grant through the High Leverage Asset Preservation Program (“HILAPP”).  

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.

• Section 5:  Hingham Historical Commission Victory Statue (Iron Horse) Restoration Project:  CPC recommends a grant of $30,300 for the Hingham Historical Commission for rehabilitation of the Victory Statue “Iron Horse” (c. 1929) located at 0 Otis Street “Victory Park” overlooking Hingham Bathing Beach.  The statue is in the Lincoln Historic District and is listed on the Town of Hingham’s Historical Asset Inventory.  The bronze statue was created by female artist Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson and her daughter, also Theo.  It honors Hingham residents who served in the Armed Forces.  The goal of this project is to remove graffiti, repair scratches, stabilize corrosion and restore the surface with recoating.  This routine maintenance is expected to last approximately 8 years.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in support of this recommendation.

• Section 6:  Grand Army of the Republic (“GAR”) Hall Elevator Replacement:   CPC recommends a grant of $160,000 for the Veterans’ Services to replace an elevator within the GAR Hall located at 358 Main Street (near the intersection of Pond Street).  The GAR Memorial Hall is located in the Lincoln Historic District and is listed on the Town of Hingham’s Historical Asset Inventory.   This Hall remains one of only six remaining in Massachusetts.  Built originally for Civil War Union Veterans, it houses memorabilia from the Civil War to present day.  The Hall serves multiple purposes including a meeting place for all Hingham Veterans, the Scouts, police associations, Memorial Day events, and Veterans Day events.   The building is no longer compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requirements due to the failed elevator.  Repairs to the elevator now outweigh its value due to multiple service calls being made per month.  The goal of this project is to replace the existing elevator to restore ADA compliance.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in support of this recommendation.

• Section 7:  Hingham Community Center:  CPC recommends a grant of $185,500 to support the continued public use and preservation of the John Thaxter House (built in 1718), home of the Hingham Community Center (“HCC”).  This project addresses critical exterior and structural needs, protects defining architectural features, and helps ensure the long-term integrity of this landmark building.  The HCC serves as an active community hub, welcoming more than 250 weekly visitors and over 4,000 guests annually for programs, classes, meetings, and events.   The HCC supports a wide range of uses, including youth and family programming, fitness and arts classes, services for adults with disabilities, civic and nonprofit gatherings, cultural celebrations, local business events, fundraisers, memorials, and seasonal camps.   These activities reflect the building’s role not just as a preserved landmark, but as a vibrant, inclusive space that supports residents of all ages and strengthens downtown community life.   The HCC is a nonprofit organization that maintains the property through program fees, facility rentals, and private donations, and receives no operating or capital funding from the Town of Hingham.   These improvements will enhance safety and functionality while preserving the building’s character.

• Project components include:

• Restoration of Central Street–Facing Exterior: Repairs to the main entranceway and sidewalk transition to improve safety, accessibility, and appearance.
• Structural Repairs to Front and Side Portico Entrances: Restoration of molding and roof elements, along with reconstruction of the side portico steps to match the front entrance.
• Replacement of Rear Vinyl Siding with Cedar Shingles: Removal of existing vinyl siding and trim on the rear elevation and installation of cedar shingles to match the primary façade.
• Repointing of Two Chimneys and Five Fireplaces: Masonry repairs to ensure structural stability, including the interior fireplace in the ballroom and the chimney featuring a rare, historic John Hazlitt mural.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in support of this recommendation.

• Section 8:  Plymouth River School (“PRS”) Basketball Court:   The CPC recommends a grant of $333,500 to reconstruct the basketball court at PRS and to repair and stabilize its roof structure.  This court is the only outdoor court in Town protected by a pavilion and is under the care and custody of the Recreation Commission. The Commission funded a structural analysis that identified necessary roof repairs to ensure the court’s long-term safety and usability.  In addition, the 2020 Hingham Fields and Outdoor Courts Study confirmed that the court is in poor condition, with large cracks throughout the asphalt surface.   The total project cost is estimated at $343,500.  The PRS Parent Teacher Organization (“PTO”) has generously committed $10,000 toward the project, and the Recreation Commission will be responsible for all ongoing court maintenance.

The Advisory Committee, the Select Board, and the Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously in support of this recommendation.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town vote to appropriate, borrow and/or set aside for future appropriation a sum of money from the available Community Preservation Funds remaining after payment of debt service for bonds and/or notes issued under M.G.L. c. 44B for the following items recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026:

1. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $40,000 from the Community Preservation General Fund to be used by the Community Preservation Committee for its administrative and operating expenses.
2. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $209,179 from the Community Preservation General Fund to be available for expenditure by the Select Board for the payment of bonds or notes borrowed for Community Preservation projects under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 44B, § 11.
3. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $605,487 from the Community Preservation General Fund to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Opportunity Fund to be used by the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust for community housing purposes and that these funds, including, without limitation, any net proceeds received by the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust from the sale of any property acquired in whole or in part with said funds or any previous funds appropriated to the Opportunity Fund, shall remain in said Opportunity Fund for future use for said purposes.
4. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $299,572 from the Community Preservation General Fund and/or the Community Housing Reserve Fund for community housing purposes by the Hingham Housing Authority to be used for the Roof Replacement project at 30 Thaxter Street.
5. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $30,300 from the Community Preservation General Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Historical Commission for the Victory Statue (Iron Horse) Restoration Project.
6. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $160,000 from the Community Preservation General Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Veteran’s Services for the elevator replacement project at the Grand Army Hall.
7. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $185,500 from the Community Preservation General Fund and/or Historic Resources Reserve Fund for historic preservation purposes to be used by the Hingham Community Center for preservation and restoration of the exterior of the John Thaxter House (Hingham Community Center) and to authorize the Town of Hingham Historical Commission, with the approval of the Select Board, to acquire a preservation restriction for said project under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 40, § 8D and M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31-33 and all other applicable laws.
8. Appropriate a sum of money in the amount of $333,500 from the Community Preservation General Fund for open space/recreational use purposes to be used by Town of Hingham Recreation Commission for the Plymouth River School  Basketball Court Project.

ARTICLE 16

REPLACEMENT OF COOLING/CHILLER SYSTEM AT HINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Will the Town raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, an amount of money to be expended under the direction of the Select Board to be used to pay for the replacement of the Cooling/Chiller System at the Hingham Public Library, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Library Trustees)

COMMENT: This Article requests that the Town utilize $1,485,540 from Unassigned Fund Balance (UFB) to replace critical cooling equipment at the Hingham Public Library (the Library), in order to maintain fundamental Town services and operations.

The Library is one of the Town’s most valued community centers and provides a variety of services to all demographics.  The current building was opened in 1966 and underwent renovation and expansion in 2001. Many core components of the cooling system from the 2001 renovation (the heating system was renovated in 2016) are at the end of their useful life and are beginning to fail. Replacement parts are no longer being manufactured, which makes necessary repairs costly and difficult.  Portions of the cooling system need to be replaced as soon as possible in order for the Library to provide reliable, uninterrupted capacity for the building’s daily use, as well as its critical function to the Town as a designated cooling center during the summer months.

After developing a scope of work with the Town’s Engineering Department and obtaining quotes, the Library received $80,000 in Capital Funding in FY26 for engineering studies to complete a schematic narrative suitable for preliminary budget pricing, followed by construction documents suitable for final cost estimates, bidding, and construction.  In December 2025, Allied Consulting Engineering Services provided a schematic narrative and a preliminary cost estimate for the project of $1,810,084.   In March 2026 this was revised down to a final cost estimate of $1,485,540. This number represents replacement of the chiller in its existing mechanical room location, and replacement of the fan coil units (air handlers) located in the ceiling of the Children’s Area, as well as any other incidental work, including professional services fees.   This work will complete bringing the entire HVAC system up to date.

Allied Consulting Engineering Services is responsible for completing final construction documents and will provide on-going construction phase services, such as responding to bids and making on-site visits.  Rotti McGroddy Design Collaborative is responsible for final cost estimates and will provide additional architectural services as needed for the project.  Once final construction documents and cost estimates are received, the project will be put out to bid, and construction could start at the beginning of FY27.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town appropriate and transfer an amount not to exceed $1,485,540 from Unassigned Fund Balance, to be expended under the direction of the Select Board to be used to pay for the replacement of the Chiller and other failed components of the cooling system at the Hingham Public Library.

ARTICLE 17

RECREATION DEPARTMENT REVOLVING FUND

Will the Town vote to limit the total amount that may be spent from the Recreation Department Revolving Fund, established under Article 46 of the General By-laws, to $2,900,000.00 during FY27, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Recreation Commission)

COMMENT:   The 2025 Annual Town Meeting voted to amend the Town of Hingham General By-laws to add a new article re-establishing the Recreation Department Revolving Fund under a different statutory mechanism:  M.G.L. c. 44, § 53E½ instead of M.G.L. c. 44, § 53D.  That action also transferred all funds in the existing Recreation Department Revolving Fund to the newly established fund.

The Recreation Department Revolving Fund is credited with all fees and charges received from Recreation Department programs and is used to pay expenses associated with providing these services, including salaries for all full-time employees.   Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, § 53E½, Town Meeting must annually authorize a total spending limit for the fund.   Additionally, the Recreation Department is required to report related revenues and expenditures.  The 2025 Annual Town Meeting authorized a FY26 spending limit of $2,700,000.  Based on year-to-date actuals, the Recreation Department is requesting that the FY27 spending limit be increased to $2,900,000.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town vote to limit the amount that may be spent from the Recreation Department Revolving Fund, established under Article 46 of the General By-laws, to $2,900,000.00 during FY27.

ARTICLE 18

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT EXTRAORDINARY CAPITAL NEEDS

Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the School Committee for the purpose of funding Roof and/or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system Extraordinary Maintenance Capital needs for Hingham High School, Plymouth River Elementary School and/or South Elementary School, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the School Committee)

COMMENT: This article seeks authorization to fund extraordinary capital maintenance and repair needs for critical school infrastructure.  Specifically, the requested funding will address roof system repairs at Plymouth River Elementary School (“PRS”) and South Elementary School (“South”), as well as both roof and HVAC (heating and air conditioning) system repairs at Hingham High School (“HHS”).  The requested funds will supplement the $500,000 previously appropriated to the Schools Emergency Capital Repairs Fund at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

The Town is currently evaluating potential projects that could include replacement of the PRS, South, and HHS roofs and the HVAC system at HHS.   In fall 2025, these projects were accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) Accelerated Repair Program, which provides the opportunity for state grant funding to offset a portion of project costs.  In conjunction with the MSBA, the Town has initiated schematic design work, which will help define project scope, timeline, and the amount of grant funding the Town may receive.  It is anticipated that projects could be brought forward for consideration at a Special Town Meeting in fall 2026 and/or the 2027 Annual Town Meeting.

Until permanent solutions are implemented (estimated 24-36 months), the Town must continue to maintain existing critical building systems to ensure the schools remain safe and operational.   Over the past year, several significant mechanical and building system issues have arisen, particularly at HHS, where major components of the 27-year-old heating system have experienced repeated failures.  Roof systems at PRS and South have also required frequent emergency repairs and engineering assessments due to leaks, snow loads, and other maintenance concerns.

The funds authorized under this article will enable the School Department to address urgent maintenance needs as they arise. They will also support necessary repairs, maintenance, and preventative work to keep these systems functioning until permanent solutions are implemented.  These efforts are intended to extend the usable life of the systems while the Town evaluates longer-term capital solutions.

The source of funding for this article is Unassigned Fund Balance. 

Both the Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this article.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Town appropriate and transfer $770,000 from Unassigned Fund Balance to the School Extraordinary Maintenance Capital account to be expended under the direction of the School Committee for the purpose of funding Roof and/or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system Extraordinary Maintenance Capital needs for Hingham High School, Plymouth River Elementary School and/or South Elementary School.

ARTICLE 19

HIGH SCHOOL LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM AND EAST SCHOOL ENERGY RECOVERY UNITS REPLACEMENT

Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to be expended by the School Committee for a replacement Life Safety System (new fire detection and alarm system) at Hingham High School and/or for the replacement of Energy Recovery Units (new rooftop HVAC units) at East Elementary School, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Select Board)

COMMENT: The purpose of this article is to authorize up to $2,605,437 from Unassigned Fund Balance to fund two school facility infrastructure replacements:  Energy Recovery Units (“ERUs”) serving East Elementary School, and the Fire Alarm/Life Safety System at Hingham High School.

At East Elementary School, four of the five ERUs that support the building’s ventilation system are failing or require frequent repair to remain operational.   These rooftop HVAC units help regulate temperature, humidity, and fresh air circulation throughout the building.   The existing units were installed when the school opened approximately 18 years ago and are nearing the end of their expected service life.  The equipment manufacturer is no longer in business, making replacement parts and technical support increasingly difficult to obtain.  As a result, the Town’s mechanical contractor has had to repeatedly intervene to keep the units functioning, including multiple major control system repairs.  Continued failures have resulted in maintenance disruptions and interruptions within the school environment.

The proposed project would involve procurement of new equipment, removal of the existing units, installation of replacement ERUs, controls integration, and full system commissioning. Implementation would be managed through the School’s Facilities Department.  Replacement of the failing units is proposed as a long-term solution to restore reliable ventilation and reduce ongoing repair costs.

At Hingham High School, the existing Fire Alarm System is a significant component of the building’s overall Life Safety System, which consists of fire detection equipment, alarm panels, smoke detectors, horns, strobes, and related components, has been in place for approximately 26 years, and is reaching the end of its functional service life.  Many system components are no longer manufactured or supported by the original vendor, making repairs difficult and increasingly costly.  The system requires frequent service calls due to issues with sensors, alarm devices, and proprietary control panels.  Supplemental power supplies and other system components are also deteriorating, contributing to recurring maintenance issues and operational disruptions.

The proposed project would include a full system assessment, design, procurement of new equipment, installation of new control panels and field devices, and system-wide testing and commissioning.  The work would be managed through the School’s Facilities Department in coordination with local fire officials to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.  Replacement of the system would provide a modern, fully supported Fire Alarm/Life Safety System designed to meet current code requirements and ensure reliable operation.

The estimated cost of replacing the ERUs at East Elementary School is $860,000, and the estimated cost of replacing the Fire Alarm System at Hingham High School is $1,745,437, for a total estimated project cost of $2,605,437.  These estimates are based on an assessment by the Town’s architectural consultants.  Both projects address critical building infrastructure where continued repair is becoming increasingly unreliable and costly over time.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:   That the Town appropriate and transfer a sum of up to $2,605,437 from Unassigned Fund Balance, to be expended under the direction of the School Committee, for the replacement of the Energy Recovery Units at East Elementary School ($860,000) and the replacement of the Fire Alarm/Life Safety System at Hingham High School ($1,745,437).

ARTICLE 20

CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION

Will the Town vote to dissolve the Energy Action Committee established under Article 41 of the 2008 Hingham Annual Town Meeting and to transfer all the duties of said Energy Action Committee to the Climate Action Commission established under Article 23 of the 2023 Hingham Annual Town Meeting, and further, will the Town vote to reorganize the Climate Action Commission as follows:

Said Climate Action Commission shall have thirteen voting members, each to serve a two year term and thereafter until a successor is appointed, consisting of the following: (a)(i) one member of Cleaner Greener Hingham or its designee, one member of the Planning Board or its designee; one member of the Conservation Commission or its designee; one member of the Development & Industrial Commission or its designee; one member of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant Board or its designee; and one member of the School Committee or its designee, with each of the above to be selected by their respective board or committee; and (ii) seven residents, with four selected by the Select Board and three selected by the Moderator; and (iii) one non-voting member consisting of the Town’s Sustainability Coordinator or any successor role thereto; and (b) said Climate Action Commission shall be led by a Chair and a Vice Chair, with the Vice Chair performing the duties of the Chair when the Chair is not available, each to be elected by majority vote of all thirteen voting members present at the first duly called meeting of said Climate Action Commission following this vote and subsequently thereafter upon any successful motion for a new election to be held for one or both positions.

In the event that any board or committee fails to select a member or its designee as provided in (a)(i) above for a period of sixty days or more then the Moderator may fill said vacancy for the remainder of said term and thereafter until a successor is appointed by their respective board or committee.

or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Climate Action Commission) 

COMMENT: This article asks the Town to dissolve the Energy Action Committee and transfer its responsibilities to the Climate Action Commission; expand the size of the Commission to 13 voting members; define who is eligible to be a voting member; and define the process for electing the Commission Chair and Vice Chair.

The Energy Action Committee was established in 2008 with duties related to reducing energy consumption in municipal buildings, raising public awareness and reducing the Town’s impact on the environment. 

With the 2021 adoption of Hingham’s Climate Action Plan and the 2023 establishment of the Climate Action Commission to oversee the implementation of that plan, a committee focused solely on municipal energy conservation and emissions becomes redundant.  The Climate Action Commission is charged with reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions across all sectors of the Town, municipal, residential and commercial.  

Given the number of activities undertaken by Climate Action Commission members including tracking new developments in technologies, monitoring and contributing input to town projects regarding emissions, public education related to reducing emissions throughout the town and proposing strategies to achieve Net Zero emissions, increasing the size of the Commission provides more resources to accomplish these tasks. Additionally, since the Commission’s establishment, a member of the School Committee and of the Hingham Municipal Light Board or their designees have been non-voting members of the Commission.  This article proposes making these representatives voting members.   

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town vote to dissolve the Energy Action Committee established under Article 41 of the 2008 Hingham Annual Town Meeting and to transfer all the duties of said Energy Action Committee to the Climate Action Commission established under Article 23 of the 2023 Hingham Annual Town Meeting, and further, that the Town vote to reorganize the Climate Action Commission as follows:

Said Climate Action Commission shall have up to thirteen voting members consisting of the following: (a)(i) one member of Cleaner Greener Hingham or its designee, one member of the Planning Board or its designee, one member of the Conservation Commission or its designee, one member of the Development & Industrial Commission or its designee, one member of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant Board or its designee, one member of the School Committee or its designee, with each of the above to be selected by their respective board or committee, in each such case where only members or their designees who are residents of Hingham are to be deemed voting members, and where any non-resident member or designee is deemed a non-voting member; and (ii) seven residents, with four selected by the Select Board and three selected by the Moderator, each to serve a two-year term and thereafter until a successor is appointed, except when first selected the terms are to be staggered as follows: two Select Board designees to one-year terms and two to two-year terms, and one Moderator designee to a one-year term and two to a two-year term; and (iii) one non-voting member consisting of the Town’s Sustainability Coordinator or any successor role thereto; and (b) said Climate Action Commission shall be led by a Chair and a Vice Chair, with the Vice Chair performing the duties of the Chair when the Chair is not available, each to be elected by majority vote of all voting members present at the first duly called meeting of said Climate Action Commission following adoption of these changes by Town Meeting vote and subsequently thereafter upon any successful motion for a new election to be held for one or both positions, which such selection shall occur at least once within any two-year period.

In the event that any board or committee fails to select a member or its designee as provided in (a)(i) above for a period of sixty days or more then the Moderator may fill said vacancy for the remainder of said term and thereafter until a successor is appointed by their respective board or committee.

ARTICLE 21

SALE OF 230 NORTH STREET

Will the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 230 North Street, Hingham, MA, for any use allowed or permitted in the applicable zoning district under the Town of Hingham Zoning By-laws and subject to a Preservation Restriction under M.G.L. c. 184, §§31-33 to be held by a qualified governmental body or by a qualified charitable corporation or trust and which the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve and/or accept, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  This Article asks Town Meeting to authorize, but not require, the Select Board to sell the property and buildings at 230 North Street, also known as the North Fire Station or Torrent, Station 2.  The new Public Safety Building serves the district previously served by the North Fire Station.

Pursuant to Town of Hingham General By-laws Article 5A, Section 4A, Town Meeting must approve the use or uses intended for the property upon its disposition.  The use of the property will be restricted to uses allowed or permitted in the applicable zoning district under the Town of Hingham’s Zoning By-laws.  The parcel currently is in the Official and Open Space zoning district which primarily allows institutional uses (public buildings, utilities, and certain recreational or civic uses).  However, Article 37, also in this Warrant, asks Town Meeting to change the zoning designation for the parcel to “Business A” to match the zoning of the adjacent properties and broaden the parcel’s range of use for potential sale by the Select Board. 

A Preservation Restriction will not be required, since the property is in the Lincoln Extension (Phase 1) Local Historic District.  Any work to the exterior of the building, including landscaping, would trigger a review by the Historic Districts Commission (“HDC”).  The Town of Hingham, acting by and through its HDC, will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the property's historic significance and character.

The proceeds from any such sale shall be deposited into the Capital Stabilization Fund (“CSF”).  The CSF was established in Article 13 of 2023 Annual Town Meeting and is funded with the proceeds received from the Town’s sale of certain surplus property under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 63.  The CSF may be used to pay for capital equipment and/or capital projects only after the proceeds are used to pay off any debt originally incurred to acquire the specific real estate.  If a sinking fund exists for that debt, the money must be added to it; if no debt is outstanding, the money can be used for any purpose for which the town is authorized to borrow money for a period of five years or more (capital projects).

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote by Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee voted 12-1 and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A, and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws, and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 230 North Street, Hingham, MA, for any use allowed or permitted in the applicable zoning district under the Town of Hingham Zoning By-laws, and subject to Hingham Historic District Commission by-laws and regulations, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, and provided further that the proceeds from any such sale shall be deposited into the Capital Stabilization Fund.

ARTICLE 22

SALE OF 8 SHORT STREET

Will the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 8 Short Street, Hingham, MA, for any use allowed or permitted in the applicable zoning district under the Town of Hingham Zoning By laws and subject to a Preservation Restriction under M.G.L. c. 184, §§31-33 to be held by a qualified governmental body or by a qualified charitable corporation or trust and which the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve and/or accept, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  The Town’s property at 8 Short Street, a 0.28 acre site with a two-floor approximately 3,300 square foot structure built in 1857, and a single car garage built circa 1950, has served several municipal purposes over the years.   In its original location it was the Hingham Centre School from 1857 to 1894; after moving to Short Street, it became the Central Fire Station from 1896 to 1942, the World War II Rationing Board from 1942 to 1946, and then the Tree and Park Barn.  Since then, the Town has leased the property to private persons, including a local cabinetmaker for 12 years, whose lease terminated at the end of 2025.  The property is located in the Business A Zoning District and listed on the inventories of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Hingham Historical, Architectural and Archeological Assets.  In January 2024, the Hingham Historical Commission voted unanimously to support placement of a Preservation Restriction on the property.

The article asks if the Town will authorize the sale of this property ending the Town’s responsibility to maintain it and potentially generating future tax revenue.  Under Hingham By-Law, Article 5A, Section 4A, Town Meeting must approve the use intended for any real property prior to its disposal or transfer.  The Town proposes selling the property for any use permitted in Business A Zoning, but subject to a Preservation Restriction. The Town of Hingham, acting by and through its Historical Commission, will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the terms and conditions of the Preservation Restriction.   The future use of the property will be impacted by the current limited capacity of its septic system and available parking.

The proceeds from any such sale would be deposited into the Capital Stabilization Fund (“CSF”).  The CSF was established in Article 13 at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting and is funded with the proceeds received from the Town’s sale of certain surplus property.  The purpose of the CSF is to pay for capital equipment and/or capital projects only after the proceeds are used to pay off any debt originally incurred to acquire the specific real estate; if a sinking fund exists for that debt, the money must be added to it; if no debt is outstanding, the money can be used for any purpose for which the town is authorized to borrow money for a period of five years or more (capital projects), all as required by MGL c. 44, § 63.

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee voted 13 to 1 in favor of this Article, and the Select board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 8 Short Street, Hingham, MA, for any use allowed or permitted in the applicable zoning district under the Town of Hingham Zoning By laws and subject to a Preservation Restriction under M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31-33 to be held by the Town of Hingham through its Historical Commission and which the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve and/or accept, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town.

ARTICLE 23

SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE OF 86 CENTRAL STREET

Will the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell, lease or otherwise convey the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 86 Central Street, Hingham, MA, for community housing purposes as defined in M.G.L. c. 44B, § 2 and to authorize the Select Board to impose an Affordable Housing Restriction on said property under M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31-33 to be held by a qualified governmental body or by a qualified charitable corporation or trust and which the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve and/or accept, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, and provided further that the proceeds from any such sale shall be applied first to any outstanding indebtedness for the property under M.G.L. c. 44, § 63 with any remaining proceeds deposited into the “Capital Stabilization Fund”, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: This Article requests that the Town authorize but not require the Select Board to dispose of the property known as Lincoln School Apartments located at 86 Central Street, after engaging in a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) process to explore the terms of a potential disposal. This authorization would allow the Select Board to initiate and evaluate proposals through the RFP process, but it does not approve a specific sale, lease, or conveyance of the property.

Lincoln School Apartments is an affordable housing development which provides 60 rental homes for Hingham seniors and people with disabilities and is a key property in meeting the Town’s affordability goals.   It is unique in serving its residents due to its central location within the Town, its convenience to public transportation routes, and its proximity to shops, eateries, places of worship, and open space.  Built in 1912, the property served as Lincoln Elementary School until its sale to the Benedictine Fathers in 1980, pursuant to Town Meeting vote, to expand the building to approximately double its original size and convert it to affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.  Corcoran Management has continuously managed the property since 1980. 

In 2008, the Town exercised its right of first refusal and repurchased the property, as approved by Town Meeting, leased it to a Limited Liability Corporation owned by the Hingham Affordable Trust (“AHT”), and established a volunteer Board of Managers that oversees Corcoran Management. The AHT nominates two of the five members of that Board. 

The Town, in conjunction with the AHT and Board of Managers, has identified three reasons for exploring disposition of the property.   First, the Town’s experience over the last 18 years has led it to determine that it lacks sufficient expertise and resources to continue in the ownership role.  Second, the property is in near-term need of significant capital improvements, such as but not limited to: repointing of the entire building envelope, roof repair and replacement, overhaul of the HVAC system, extensive interior renovations to the 45-year-old common areas and individual units, and installation of a second elevator to ensure the health and safety of residents.   The Town wishes to explore whether a private entity would be better able to finance and carry out those renovations.   Third, under the 2021 Master Plan, the Town has identified the increasing need for, and prioritized the development of, affordable housing, and has set a specific goal for the AHT of creating 50 new affordable units by 2031, particularly for seniors and persons with disabilities. The Lincoln School Apartments property is a favorable site for building additional affordable units, both because it is an operating development with existing infrastructure that has met Town permitting requirements and because of its central location convenient to downtown Hingham.  

Lincoln School Apartments currently has over 140 existing applicants resulting in a two- to five-year waiting list for available units. The current waiting list would remain in effect, subject to any local preferences applicable to new units that favor Hingham residents, employees, and certain others.  In sum, a disposition after an RFP process may provide an opportunity for a private (nonprofit or for-profit) entity to either acquire or enter into long-term lease of the property, carry out the significant needed renovations, and expand the number of units, if a favorable proposal is presented.

Within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Town is virtually alone in its role of ownership and oversight of a large affordable housing development, which is typically the role of housing authorities. As proposed, disposal of the property by sale or lease to private ownership and further development would benefit the Town by introducing greater management expertise and greater resources. Private financing options and tax credits that are unavailable to municipalities would facilitate much-needed capital improvements, renovations, and any potential expansion of the property, bolstering the Town’s affordable housing stock especially within the senior community.  The Town would require deed restrictions (1) protecting affordability to the greatest extent permitted by law, (2) restricting occupancy to seniors and persons with disabilities, consistent with the current occupancy of the property, and (3) limiting the size of the buildings on the property to no more than 30% of the parcel area. 

Furthermore, the RFP process to be carried out by the Select Board, with the assistance of the AHT, would seek to ensure that any potential development or expansion of the property is of a scale and style that contributes positively to the character of the Town.

This vote represents an initial, exploratory step intended to allow the Town to better understand potential options for the property.  A Town vote granting the Select Board authorization to dispose of the property at this stage is designed to facilitate the broadest set of RFP responses among interested developers.  Recent experience in Massachusetts has shown that developers are more likely to invest in an expensive RFP response where the Town has shown its significant interest in proceeding with a transaction by delegating authority to the Select Board.   The Town vote thus represents the first step in starting a meaningful and effective RFP process. 

As part of an ongoing, exploratory process the Town should expect plenty of opportunities for further public discourse.  At the conclusion of the RFP process, the Select Board would determine which, if any, proposal serves the best interest of the Town. Any proceeds of any ensuing sale of the property would be applied to the property’s outstanding debt and any remaining proceeds would be deposited into the Town’s Capital Stabilization Fund. The Select Board retains full discretion to accept or decline any proposal in accordance with its determination of the Town’s best interest.

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town authorize, but not require, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 3, c. 40, § 15A and Article 5A, Section 4A of the Town of Hingham General By-laws and all other applicable laws, the Select Board to sell, lease or otherwise convey the property, with all buildings thereon, located at 86 Central Street, Hingham, MA, for housing for seniors and persons with disabilities with incomes not to exceed the low or moderate income levels under applicable laws and regulations, provided that in the event of any further construction on the property, the  building or buildings in their entirety shall not occupy more than 30% of the land area of said parcel and to direct the Select Board in connection with any such conveyance to impose restrictions on said property for said use as housing for seniors and persons with disabilities with incomes not to exceed the low or moderate income levels under applicable laws and regulations and limiting the size of all buildings on the site to no more than 30% of the land area of said parcel, including but not limited to, a restriction under M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31-33, if and to the extent such a restriction is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as required by law, to be held by a qualified governmental body or by a qualified charitable corporation or trust and which the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve and/or accept, all on such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, and provided further that the proceeds from any such sale shall be applied first to any outstanding indebtedness for the property under M.G.L. c. 44, § 63 with any remaining proceeds deposited into the “Capital Stabilization Fund”.

ARTICLE 24

FIRE CIVIL SERVICE

Will the Town vote to rescind its vote under Article 34 of the 1944 Town of Hingham Annual Town Meeting by which the Town accepted M.G.L. c. 31, § 48 applying Civil Service laws, rules and regulations to the regular or permanent members of the Town of Hingham Fire Department, provided that said revocation shall not affect the existing Civil Service rights of any of said members employed as of the date of this vote, and transfer from available funds a sum of money to compensate said members for said removal from Civil Service, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Permanent Firefighters Association IAFF – Local 2398, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  Civil Service (codified at M.G.L. c. 31) dates back to 1871 and has been used since that time as a public employment system for hiring, promotion and disciplinary action based on test scores, rather than political patronage.  The 1944 Annual Town Meeting voted to adopt Civil Service for the Hingham Fire Department, and it has been in place since that time.

The Civil Service hiring process is arduous, protracted, and lacks recruitment flexibility.  The traditional process relies on a statewide exam that is held infrequently and it can take multiple years from the time a candidate studies for the test to when they are actually hired.  In addition, Hingham must hire from a strictly ranked list provided by the Civil Service Commission based on test scores and statutory preferences.   This structure often limits the Fire Chief’s ability to select candidates who are the best fit for Hingham’s specific needs.

In recent years, there has been a sharp, statewide decline in the number of applicants to the fire and EMT service, leaving departments struggling to fill vacancies from the same small pool of candidates.  As these vacancies remain open, the Fire Department must still meet required minimum staffing levels to ensure public safety.  This has resulted in substantial overtime costs to the Town.  Firefighters are frequently required to work extended shifts to maintain coverage, contributing to fatigue and increasing the risk of burnout.   Continued reliance on overtime is not a sustainable long-term staffing strategy and places both operational and financial strain on the Department.

Rescinding Civil Service would return full hiring control to Hingham.  Job postings, test administration, hiring and promotions will be conducted by the Town.  Applicants will pay for a Hingham-approved test administrator and interview directly with Hingham Fire Department personnel.  This would allow the Town to expand its size and diversity of its candidate pool. Preference could still be given to veterans, Hingham residents and other characteristics desired by, and unique to, Hingham’s needs in keeping with fair hiring laws.  Revocation will create greater operational efficiency and help Hingham become a first-choice employer.

A vote in favor of rescission does not change the employment rights and protections of Fire Department personnel.  Existing Fire personnel remain covered by Civil Service.  New union members will be afforded protections through their Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) with the Town and Just Cause termination standards.   Eliminating Civil Service does not move Hingham to at will employment.  In short, the safety net for the employee remains, but the red tape for the Town is reduced.

An affirmative vote at Town Meeting is the first step in the process to exit civil service as agreed to in a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) between the Hingham Permanent Firefighters Association IAFF and the Town.  Final CBA language governing promotions, layoffs and discipline will be drafted with the IAFF Union and the Personnel Board and will require approval by the Select Board and the Union.  Once approved, a one-time payment of $7,500 will be made to each firefighter who is a member of the Union at the time the contract terms are ratified.   While the exact amount will not be known until after the Town Meeting vote, it is not to exceed $390,000 and will be funded through Unassigned Fund Balance.

The Advisory Committee voted 12-0 and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town vote to rescind its vote under Article 34 of the 1944 Town of Hingham Annual Town Meeting by which the Town accepted M.G.L. c. 31, § 48 applying Civil Service laws, rules and regulations to the regular or permanent members of the Town of Hingham Fire Department, provided that said revocation shall not affect the existing Civil Service rights of any of said members employed as of the date of this vote, and appropriate and transfer from Unassigned Fund Balance a sum of money not to exceed $390,000 to compensate said members for said removal from Civil Service, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Permanent Firefighters Association IAFF – Local 2398.

ARTICLE 25

POLICE CIVIL SERVICE

Will the Town vote to rescind its vote under Article 33 of the 1943 Town of Hingham Annual Town Meeting by which the Town accepted M.G.L. c. 31, § 48 applying Civil Service laws, rules and regulations to the regular or permanent members of the Town of Hingham Police Department, provided that said revocation shall not affect the existing Civil Service rights of any of said members employed as of the date of this vote, and transfer from available funds a sum of money to compensate said members for said removal from Civil Service, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Police Patrolman’s Association and a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Police Superior Officers Union, MCOP, Local 405, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  Civil Service (codified at M.G.L. c. 31) dates back to 1871 and has been used since that time as a public employment system for hiring, promotion and disciplinary action based on test scores, rather than political patronage.  The 1943 Annual Town Meeting voted to adopt civil service for the Hingham Police Department, and it has been in place since that time.

The Civil Service hiring process is arduous, protracted, and lacks recruitment flexibility.  The traditional process relies on a statewide exam that is held infrequently and it can take multiple years from the time a candidate studies for the test to when they are actually hired.  In addition, Hingham must hire from a strictly ranked list provided by the Civil Service Commission based on test scores and statutory preferences.  This structure often limits the Police Chief’s ability to select candidates who are the best fit for Hingham’s specific needs.

In recent years, there has been a sharp, statewide decline in the number of applicants to police departments, leaving such departments struggling to fill vacancies from the same small pool of candidates.  As these vacancies remain open, the Police Department must still meet required minimum staffing levels to ensure public safety.  This has resulted in substantial overtime costs to the Town.  Police officers are frequently required to work extended shifts to maintain coverage, contributing to fatigue and increasing the risk of burnout.   Continued reliance on overtime is not a sustainable long-term staffing strategy and places both operational and financial strain on the Department.

Rescinding Civil Service would return full hiring control to Hingham.  Job postings, test administration, hiring and promotions will be conducted by the Town.  Applicants will pay for a Hingham-approved test administrator and interview directly with Hingham Police Department personnel.  This would allow the Town to expand its size and diversity of its candidate pool.  Preference could still be given to veterans, Hingham residents and other characteristics desired by, and unique to, Hingham’s needs in keeping with fair hiring laws.  Revocation will create greater operational efficiency and help Hingham become a first-choice employer.

A vote in favor of rescission does not change the employment rights and protections of Police Department personnel.  First, existing Police personnel remain covered by Civil Service.  New union members will be afforded protections through their Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) with the Town, Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (“POST”), and Just Cause termination standards.  Eliminating Civil Service does not move Hingham to at will employment.  In short, the safety net for the employee remains, but the red tape for the Town is reduced.

An affirmative vote at Town Meeting is the first step in the process to exit Civil Service as agreed to the Memorandum of Agreements (“MOAs”) between The Hingham Police Patrolman’s Association and The Hingham Police Superior Officers Union and the Town.  Final CBA language governing promotions, layoffs and discipline will be drafted with the Unions and the Personnel Board and will require approval by the Select Board and the Unions.  Once approved, a one-time payment of $7,500 will be made to each police officer who is a member of either Union at the time the contract terms are ratified.  While the exact amount will not be known until after the Town Meeting vote, it is not to exceed $360,000 and will be funded through Unassigned Fund Balance.

The Advisory Committee voted 12-0 and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town vote to rescind its vote under Article 33 of the 1943 Town of Hingham Annual Town Meeting by which the Town accepted M.G.L. c. 31, § 48 applying Civil Service laws, rules and regulations to the regular or permanent members of the Town of Hingham Police Department, provided that said revocation shall not affect the existing Civil Service rights of any of said members employed as of the date of this vote, and appropriate and transfer from Unassigned Fund Balance a sum of money not to exceed $360,000 to compensate said members for said removal from Civil Service, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Police Patrolman’s Association and a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and The Hingham Police Superior Officers Union, MCOP, Local 405.

ARTICLE 26

WEIR RIVER WATER SYSTEM – PFAS FUNDS

Will the Town vote to appropriate a sum of money from the PFAS Fund (Town of Hingham Fund No. 2709) to be expended by the Weir River Water System for any required expenditure under the PFAS settlement agreements and/or any legal purpose allowed under Massachusetts General Law, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Board of Water Commissioners)

COMMENT: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”  They are found in a wide range of consumer and industrial products and have been detected in water, soil, and food. Scientific studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds to adverse health effects, leading regulatory agencies to establish limits on their presence in drinking water and other sources.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) currently regulate six PFAS compounds in public water supplies.  MassDEP requires water systems to conduct quarterly sampling.  Current standards require that the combined maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of these six compounds not exceed 20 parts per trillion (ppt).  Since 2021, the Weir River Water System’s (WRWS) average MCLs is 5.12 ppt, well below the current regulatory limit.

The EPA has adopted more stringent standards that must be met by 2031.  It has established MCLs of 4 ppt each for two of the six specific PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS.  Since 2021, WRWS PFOA levels have averaged 2.89 ppt, with quarterly readings ranging from “none detected” to 4.38 ppt.  PFOS levels have averaged 1.39 ppt, with quarterly readings ranging from “none detected” to 3.31 ppt.

As owner of the WRWS, the Town participated in a nationwide class action lawsuit related to PFAS contamination associated with certain foam products.  In 2025, the Town received three settlement payments totaling $2,667,956.   Consistent with guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the Town established a separate account for these settlement revenues (Town of Hingham Fund No. 2709, the PFAS Fund).   Funds in this account must be used by the WRWS for PFAS-related expenses, and their expenditure requires Town Meeting authorization.

This article requests authorization to expend funds already received to support compliance with the new PFAS regulations, which will begin with a PFAS mitigation study.  The results of this study will provide greater insight into the scope, cost, and recommended solutions, and will support future planning and design work.

The Town anticipates receiving additional annual settlement payments over the next several years. Additional proceeds from these payments, as well as from any other claims the Town may file, will be deposited into this separate revenue account and will remain subject to future Town Meeting authorization.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town appropriate $2,667,956 from the PFAS Fund (Town of Hingham Fund No. 2709), to be expended by the Weir River Water System for any required expenditure under the PFAS settlement agreements and/or any legal purpose allowed under Massachusetts General Law.

ARTICLE 27

WEIR RIVER WATER SYSTEM - CAPITAL PROJECTS

Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to pay for the costs of designing, engineering, constructing, reconstructing, repairing and/or improving the Weir River Water System, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Board of Water Commissioners)

COMMENT: When the Town purchased the Weir River Water System (“WRWS”) in 2020, it committed to an ongoing annual program of capital improvements to address the system’s aging infrastructure.  To date, capital improvements total $12.1 million, with an additional $2.8 million expended on system repairs and upgrades. 

This capital spending request would fund additional system upgrades, including water main replacements, the installation of new fire hydrants, system repairs, and other improvements focused on enhancing water quality, reducing “unaccounted for water,” and improving overall system reliability and operations.   

The major FY27 project is the replacement of approximately 9,650 linear feet of water main along Route 3A/Summer Street, from Rockland Street to Broad Cove Road/Otis Street.  This work is being undertaken in coordination with, and in advance of, a Massachusetts Department of Transportation roadway reconstruction project along the same corridor.   

The existing water main, which is more than 100 years old, consists of sections 6- to 12-inches in diameter and is made of cast iron or asbestos/concrete.  The entire water main will be replaced with new 12-inch ductile iron water main.  Design work is currently underway, permits have been applied for, and bid documents are being prepared.

As an Enterprise Fund, WRWS finances capital projects through debt, with water ratepayers responsible for payment of debt service. Accordingly, this project will not impact the Town’s tax levy.  The project will be financed with the issuance of 30-year debt.  At a 4.25% interest rate, annual debt service payments are expected to average approximately $300,000 per year, or $21 per ratepayer.  This expense has already been incorporated into the proposed water rate increase (3% rate + $65 annual capital assessment), the first in five years. 

All WRWS expenditures such as these require approval by the Board of Water Commissioners, the Select Board, and Annual Town Meeting.

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote by Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town appropriate an amount up to $5,000,000 for the costs of designing, engineering, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, and/or improving the Weir River Water System, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is authorized to borrow said amount under M.G.L. c. 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town.

ARTICLE 28

HINGHAM MUNICIPAL LIGHTING PLANT (HMLP) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Will the Town of Hingham vote to borrow, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, § 8(8) and all other applicable laws, a sum necessary up to Seventy Million Dollars ($70,000,000), together with the costs of borrowing, for the purpose of extending and enlarging the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant’s transmission and substation distribution facilities, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Hingham Municipal Light Plant)

COMMENT: The Hingham Municipal Light Plant (“HMLP”), one of 41 municipal lighting plants in Massachusetts, was authorized by the Town in 1893 under Massachusetts General Laws (“M.G.L.”) c. 164, § 55, to provide electrical service to the Town and as such, to assess the condition of the electric utility infrastructure to insure it can reliably provide the electrical energy needs of Hingham.

HMLP has completed a comprehensive analysis and determined that the current infrastructure is vulnerable because the existing two transmission lines are double circuit towers carrying two lines on 22 single poles along the Greenbush Railroad line.  If even a single pole goes down, both lines would be out of service, and the entire Town could lose electrical power for an extended period.  

The current transmission infrastructure was installed in 1986 and no longer meets the reliability standards for new construction set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”), the Independent System Operators – New England (“ISO-NE”), and the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (“NPCC”).   Since construction, the potential for failure and major disruption of electrical service has increased for several reasons:  the Greenbush Railroad that had not been in service since 1959 is now restored, increased challenges to above ground transmission systems from severe weather due to climate change, and heightened security concerns for all infrastructure.   The additional transmission line is not mandated currently; however, undertaking the project now addresses existing vulnerabilities and is a first step toward eventual expansion of capacity.

To address this vulnerability, HMLP proposes to build a new underground 115 kV transmission line from Weymouth to Hingham and a second substation to be located along the eastern edge of the Hingham Transfer Station on a parcel transferred to HMLP by the Select Board pursuant to the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, Article 26.  The new transmission line will be fed by two sources of electric power from the grid rather than only one, thereby again increasing protection against failure and prolonged outages.  This project will provide redundancy, align with industry standards, and provide a critical component required to support the future electrical demand associated with the Town’s clean energy goals.  Although extra capacity is not needed at present, the new line prepares for the Town’s Climate Action Plan, as the proposed substation site will be large enough to accommodate an additional transformer required for such expansion.

Installation of the new transmission line is under consideration for one of two routes beginning in Weymouth at a new Eversource Tap Station off Broad Street to be built as part of this project, traveling beneath roadways in Weymouth (2.1 miles) and Hingham (1.1 miles), and terminating at the proposed new substation on Hobart Street.  The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (“EFSB”) will determine the precise route and is expected to select one of the routes this summer.

Once the EFSB issues the permit to proceed, it is expected to include conditions requested by the Hingham's Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as to be subject to the permitting processes of the Hingham and Weymouth Conservation Commissions.

The cost of this project is estimated to be between $100 million and $110 million to cover the costs of installing the underground line, the new Tap Station, and the substation.  These expenses will be  paid for by HMLP using funds already saved in anticipation of the project, along with long term borrowing to be repaid by rate increases that have already occurred.   HMLP developed a model to fund the costs of this project through a three-year rate increase of 6% annually beginning in 2023.  However, due to a legal restriction on the amount of the light plant's yearly earnings, the planned increases could not be fully implemented, thus the increase over last three years has in fact totaled just 6.91%.

HMLP anticipates no additional rate increases specifically to pay for this project, although there may be future rate adjustments as HMLP periodically analyzes the costs of providing electric service.  All bonded expenditures will be paid through electric rates over 20 years and not from property taxes.  In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, the amount borrowed to fund the HMLP Reliability Project must be repaid through electric system rates and charges and will not count against the Town’s statutory debt limit. 

Therefore, to provide the funds for this work, HMLP seeks authorization from Town Meeting to borrow up to $70 million.  Borrowing will only occur up to the amount needed to complete this project.  

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this article.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, § 8(8) and all other applicable laws, up to Seventy Million Dollars ($70,000,000), together with the costs of borrowing, for the purpose of extending and enlarging the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant’s transmission and substation distribution facilities, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor.   While a general obligation of the Town, in accordance with the General Laws, it is expected that any borrowing undertaken pursuant to this vote shall be paid from the rates of the Hingham Municipal Light Plant.

ARTICLE 29

 TRANSFER OF FUNDS FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE COST SUBSIDY

Will the Town transfer from available funds a sum of money to the FY27 Group Insurance Budget for the sole purpose of allowing the Town to temporarily increase the employer paid portion of health insurance premiums from fifty percent (50%) to sixty percent (60%) of the total health insurance premium costs during FY27 only, and further will the town transfer from available funds a sum of money to complete a study regarding the Town’s options for funding health insurance premiums in future fiscal years, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT: This article would authorize the transfer of $1,400,000 from Unassigned Fund Balance for two purposes: (i) to increase the Town’s share of employee health insurance premiums from 50% to 60% for Fiscal Year 2027 only; and (ii) to fund a study regarding the Town’s options for funding health insurance premiums in future fiscal years.

Hingham currently contributes 50% of employee health insurance premium costs, with employees responsible for the remaining 50%.  Employees have sought to increase the Town’s share of health insurance costs during collective bargaining negotiations, but the Town has been unable to make any such change until there is an override budget into which such a cost increase could be funded.  While Hingham is one of only two of its benchmark communities to maintain a 50/50 cost sharing structure, it has attempted to make up for that by offering other compensation benefits in collective bargaining negotiations.  The benchmark communities that have improved the health insurance cost sharing aspect of their compensation packages have done so by, among other things, increasing the employer share or doing so if employees select lower-cost health plans.

This article is intended as a one year offering to improve employee morale, recruitment, and retention; it does not permanently change the Town’s health insurance cost-sharing structure.   A long-term solution is still required, which is the purpose of the proposed study.

The Personnel Board voted to (i) support the one-year stipend (although it has acknowledged that once the increase to 60/40 is given, it will be difficult to take it back) and (ii) to undertake the study described herein.

The Select Board and those that support this article believe it is a necessary show of good faith, outside of collective bargaining negotiations, as a bridge to when a more comprehensive long-term strategy to address the competitiveness and structure of the Town’s health insurance offerings can be funded in an override. 

Members of the Advisory Committee that do not support this Article have expressed a variety of reasons, including:

• It is difficult to provide a compensation benefit for one year without having to do so the next year, making this proposal akin to a multi-year commitment. 
• Even if a one-year subsidy could be funded from Unassigned Fund Balance, it should not be done without a dedicated funding source to continue to fund the stipend until there is an override. 
• Any increase in the 50/50 split, to 60/40 or otherwise, should be done on a comprehensive, ongoing basis, based upon a study and analysis of the Town’s offerings as compared to those of the benchmark communities, should be included in the annual operating budget and should be done in the context of collective bargaining negotiations.
• A one-year stipend will not solve the structural problem or support a competitive offering to employees, nor will it help with recruiting or collective bargaining, since no assurance can be made that the increased share is permanent.
• The proponents of increasing the Town’s share of premium costs are not aware of any benchmark communities that have instituted a one-year stipend such as the one being proposed.   
• The Town’s Financial Policy provides that when Unassigned Fund Balance exceeds 20% of Total Annual Expenditures, the excess above 20% may be used to fund: capital expenditures, tax relief (e.g., funding a tax mitigation and/or a capital stabilization fund), retirement of debt, or unfunded long-term liabilities.  The Financial Policy implicitly suggests that expenditures like the proposed subsidy should not be paid from Unassigned Fund Balance.
• Unassigned Fund Balance is not intended to be used to fund recurring Operating Budget items, such as Group Insurance, as doing so leads to long-term structural deficits. 

The Advisory Committee voted 12 to 1 in favor of the Recommended Motion. 

The Select Board voted unanimously in favor of the original Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town appropriate and transfer $100,000 from Unassigned Fund Balance to be expended under the direction of the Personnel Board for expenses, including those of a consultant(s), associated with a study, to be led by the Personnel Board (via a task force made up of members and liaisons determined by the Personnel Board), of the Town’s policies governing the health insurance options provided to Town employees, including not only the Town’s share of the health insurance premiums but also the scope of the offerings, to be completed as soon as reasonably possible, so as to deliver the findings, and discuss them with stakeholders, no later than November 30, 2026.  Among other things, the study (and its results) shall include an analysis of the offerings of the Town’s benchmark communities, a recommendation and cost analysis of what a competitive package should include, and a recommendation of how and when to implement the recommended package.  

ARTICLE 30

ROUTE 3A PROJECT

Will the Town vote to:  (a) authorize the Select Board and any other board or officer having custody of certain parcels of land described herein to grant and/or acquire by gift, purchase, eminent domain or otherwise, on such terms and conditions as the Select Board (and such other board or officer, if applicable) deems appropriate, the fee to and/or permanent and temporary easements in, on, under and over certain parcels of land abutting and/or near Route 3A for the reconstruction, installation, inspection, maintenance, improvement, repair, replacement and/or relocation of the roadway, rights of way, sidewalks, drainage, utilities, driveways, retaining walls, guardrails, slopes, grading, rounding and landscaping and other structures and/or appurtenances to enable the Town and/or MassDOT to undertake the Route 3A Project and for any and all purposes and uses incidental or related thereto, all as approximately shown on plans entitled “Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division Plan and Profile of Route 3A/Summer Street/Rockland Street in the Town of Hingham Plymouth County Preliminary Right of Way Plans” revised 12/19/25, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk, as said plan may be amended from time to time; (b) transfer the care, custody and control of the portions of the Town-owned properties or property interests shown on the aforesaid plans from the board or officer having custody of the same for the purposes for which such properties are currently held to the Select Board for said public way purposes, and, if applicable, authorize the Select Board (and such other board or officer, if applicable) to submit a petition to the General Court to permit the aforesaid use under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution; and (c) authorize the Select Board (and such other board or officer, if applicable) to enter into any and all agreements and take any and all actions necessary or appropriate to effectuate the foregoing purposes, including, but not limited to, dedicating the Town-owned parcels to the foregoing purposes; or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Route 3A Task Force) 

COMMENT:  The Route 3A Improvement Project represents the culmination of more than a decade of analysis, public engagement, and inter‑agency coordination aimed at addressing longstanding safety, mobility, and accessibility issues along the Route 3A/Summer Street/Rockland Street corridor.  Beginning with early safety reviews and rotary analysis in 2009, the Town, MassDOT, and residents have worked collaboratively to evaluate alternatives, collect data, and advance a design that meets community needs while improving critical infrastructure.  These efforts included a 2013 Road Safety Audit, a 2014–2016 MassDOT corridor study requested by the Town, and a 2018 pilot “road diet” to assess traffic operations under a reduced‑lane configuration.  MassDOT held a Live Virtual Design Public Hearing in 2022, and in 2023 formally assumed responsibility for all design and construction costs through project completion.

The project supports multiple goals of the Town’s Master Plan, including improving neighborhood connectivity from Crow Point to Downtown, activating the Harbor area, and increasing accessibility for all users.  Key design elements include roadway and right‑of‑way improvements, new sidewalks, drainage upgrades, utility work, and safety enhancements at intersections and along the corridor.  As of December 2025, the project reached the 100% design milestone with relatively minimal comments from MassDOT, and no significant changes anticipated.  The current 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program provides full funding for the project in Federal FY27, with an expected advertisement date of February 2027, and a Total Program Cost of $35.4 million.

Because portions of Town‑owned properties, some under the care, custody, and control of the Conservation Commission and the Trustees of the Bathing Beach, are required for the installation of permanent and temporary easements, the project triggers review under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution.  Both the Conservation Commission and the Trustees of the Bathing Beach have already voted to transfer the necessary property interests to the Select Board for project purposes.  Town staff are actively reviewing mitigation options in accordance with Article 97 requirements, including possible acquisition of land, interest in land, or conservation restrictions in private land or transfer of care, custody, and control of Town-owned parcels.  Mitigation funds, once final appraisals are provided by MassDOT, will be directed toward these purposes or deposited into the Town’s conservation fund.

Approval of this article will authorize the Select Board to acquire and grant the easements shown on the current version of the Right‑of‑Way plans which are currently with DOT for review and approval, to petition the Legislature as required for Article 97 purposes, and to take all actions necessary to allow MassDOT to proceed with construction.  It is anticipated that these plans will be reviewed by MassDOT prior to Town Meeting, and that the Advisory Committee will make its recommendation based upon the most recent version of the plans in a supplement to be provided at Town Meeting.  Adoption is essential to maintaining the project schedule and securing the full State and Federal funding currently programmed.

RECOMMENDED: The Advisory Committee will make its recommendation at Town Meeting.

ARTICLE 31

CITIZEN’S PETITION: ESTABLISH A YOUTH COMMISSION

Will the Town accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 8E, to establish a Youth Commission, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of Henry Randolph Buckley and others)

COMMENT:  The petitioners request that the Town establish a Youth Commission that will provide a forum for youth to be involved in Town government and ensure their views are considered.  The Commission would also sponsor an awards program to recognize youth achievements in civic activity.  The petitioners recognize that opportunities exist currently through various Town committees such as the Hingham Public Schools and Recreation Department, but maintain that increased coordination of these activities would be beneficial.   The Advisory Committee concluded that a Youth Commission could be constructive for the Town, but before a decision is considered, additional discussion with the relevant stakeholders is necessary to ensure a clear understanding of the problem to be solved and the goals and objectives of such a commission.  Additional concerns about the proposed commission related to the burden on Town staff to support it, and the coordination necessary with existing Town volunteer boards and groups.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously to take No Action.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town take No Action on the Article.

ARTICLE 32

CITIZEN’S PETITION: TRANSFER A PARCEL OF LAND

Will the Town take all actions as may be necessary to transfer the care, custody and control of the parcel of land referred to as the Replacement Land in the Town's Article 97 Petition relating to its proposed Center for Active Living (EEA File No. A97 _017 _ 131 ), where such Replacement Land consists of 6.847 acres of a parcel of land located at 200 High Street (Parcel ID 124-0-32), to Hingham's Conservation Commission even if the Town's Article 97 Petition is withdrawn and/or not acted on as a result of the decision not to proceed with the proposed Center for Active Living on Bare Cove Park Drive, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of Anita Ryan and others)

COMMENT:  A 6.847‑acre parcel of land on High Street, located behind Plymouth River School (the “Replacement Land”), is currently under the care, custody, management, and control of the School Committee.  In a Memorandum of Understanding dated March 24, 2025, the School Committee determined that the Replacement Land had limited potential for school development and could be used as replacement conservation land to offset the proposed construction of a new Hingham Center for Active Living (“HCAL”) on approximately five acres of conservation land (the “Site”) off Bare Cove Park Drive.

Consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding, the School Committee voted on April 28, 2025, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 15A, that the Replacement Land was no longer needed for educational purposes, contingent upon its transfer to the Conservation Commission in connection with construction of the proposed HCAL.  Later that same day, the 2025 Annual Town Meeting voted to authorize the Select Board to seek special legislation, in accordance with Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution (“Art. 97”), permitting use of the Site for the HCAL and, in connection therewith, to transfer control of the Replacement Land to the Conservation Commission.  

On February 6, 2026, the Legislature approved the requested special legislation allowing a change in use of the Site to allow construction of the HCAL, in consideration of the transfer of the Replacement Land to the Conservation Commission.

This Article asks whether the Town should transfer the Replacement Land from the School Committee to the Conservation Commission even if the Art. 97 petition tied to the proposed Center for Active Living is withdrawn or not acted on, which would occur if the Town does not approve the construction of the proposed HCAL at the Site. 

In analyzing this Article, the Advisory Committee considered the conditions attached to the School Committee’s vote and the legal authority that governs how land under its control may be used or transferred.   Under M.G.L. c. 40, § 15A, the authority to determine the disposition of land under the care, custody, and control of the School Committee requires a vote of the School Committee in addition to a Town Meeting vote.  The School Committee’s April 28, 2025 vote declaring the Replacement Land surplus pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 15A was expressly conditioned on, and directly tied to, the construction of the proposed HCAL at the Site and the associated Art. 97 approval.  It was not an unconditional determination that the Replacement Land should be transferred for conservation purposes under all circumstances.

More broadly, decisions regarding the disposition and change in use of Town‑owned land — particularly land previously held for educational purposes — are complex and nuanced, often involving multiple boards, statutory requirements, and long‑term planning considerations.  The Advisory Committee was therefore not comfortable supporting, through a citizen’s petition, a proposed change in the use and control of Town‑owned land outside the Town’s normal and established review process.

The Advisory Committee and Select Board voted unanimously to take No Action.

 RECOMMENDED: That the Town take No Action on the Article.

ARTICLE 33

CITIZEN’S PETITION: AMEND NOISE BY-LAW

Will the Town amend Article 42 of the Town's By-laws, recognizing that Town employees work outside, children play outside, residents enjoy the use of their property, and residents value the tranquility of passive recreation in our open spaces, to add the following: Section 7(f) Pickleball. No new public pickleball courts shall be constructed where none currently exist, unless and until it can be demonstrated that the sound generated by pickleball ("Pickleball Noise") is effectively mitigated through sound-attenuation measures, such as enclosure, sound barriers or soundproofing, such that the Pickleball Noise is not plainly audible beyond 100 feet or does not infringe on the legitimate rights of others, which is the standard in Section 6(a) of this By-law, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of Hillary Tutko and others)

COMMENT:  This Article asks the Town to amend the Town’s noise control ordinance,  Article 42 of the Town of Hingham By-laws, to establish noise control standards specifically for new public pickleball courts.   The proposed standards, if adopted, would apply to all new pickleball courts throughout the Town, including the Recreation Commission courts at Bare Cove Park Drive that were approved under Warrant Article 20 of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.  The proposed noise control restrictions are subjective and demanding, particularly the requirement that noise not be plainly audible beyond 100 feet.   It is possible that these restrictions would effectively prevent the construction of any new outdoor pickleball courts anywhere in the Town.  Furthermore, the standards of measurement and infringement incorporated into the proposed amendment are not well defined; both the Board of Health and the Hingham Police Department have expressed concerns about their ability to enforce the provisions of the proposed amendment.  Finally, there is a concern that singling out noise control requirements for a particular sport or activity, rather than objectively regulating the quality or quantity of the noise itself, could be deemed inequitable or otherwise discriminatory. 

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously to take No Action.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town take no action on this Article.

ARTICLE 34

ELECTRONIC VOTING DEVICES

Will the Town raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Select Board in consultation with the Moderator to be used to pay for electronic voting devices and associated equipment for use at Town Meeting, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  The purpose of this Article is to pre-authorize an amount up to $100,000 exclusively for the potential acquisition, configuration, and implementation of electronic voting (e-voting) equipment for the 2027 Annual Town Meeting.   

Hingham last evaluated electronic voting between 2013-2015, and in 2014 the Town voted to amend Section 8, Article 3 of the General By-laws to allow for e-voting at Town Meeting.  At that time, statewide adoption was limited and costs were relatively high, leading the Town to defer implementation.  The decision to defer e-voting at that time was particularly driven by the relatively small number of standing and ballot votes at previous meetings.   Since then, voting technology has advanced significantly, costs have moderated, and more than 70 Massachusetts Open Town Meeting communities have adopted electronic voting.  

Communities currently using e-voting for Open Town Meeting report several benefits, including:

• Improved voter privacy, as votes are recorded anonymously; the system produces aggregate totals
• Accurate vote counts, quorum tracking and calculation of majority or two-thirds thresholds
• Every vote is counted equally – no reliance on voice volume
• Verification that only registered voters are voting
• Improved meeting efficiency in place of standing and paper ballot voting
• Improved accessibility for voters with mobility or other challenges
• Allows for the continued use of voice votes as determined by the moderator

Some issues that have been raised include; reliability, comfort with new technology, and participation fluctuations during long meetings.  These concerns have been documented and would be considered as part of the evaluation process.

Support for electronic voting has been expressed by both the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Hingham.

If this Article passes, the Town Administrator will appoint a Task Force to include the Moderator, the Town Clerk, a Select Board liaison and up to three town residents.  The Task Force will research municipal experiences, vendors, equipment options, procurement methods, training needs and cost estimates.  The Task Force will not require any expense funding from this pre-authorization.  The findings would be shared with the Town Administrator who would then present them to the Select Board, who need to approve a recommendation by October 2026, to allow sufficient time to consider implementation for the 2027 Annual Town Meeting.

The requested pre-authorization of up to $100,000 reflects the experience of other communities and provides flexibility to accommodate Hingham’s size and needs.  Only funds required for the selected solution would be expended.  Following a successful initial implementation, ongoing costs would be incorporated into the Town’s operating budget through the normal budget process.      

Without this pre-authorization, any recommendation could not be acted upon until the 2028 Annual Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the Town appropriate and transfer a sum of up to $100,000 from Unassigned Fund Balance to be expended under the direction of the Select Board in consultation with the Moderator to be used to pay for electronic voting devices and associated equipment and services for use at future Town Meetings in accordance with Article 3, Section 8 of the Town of Hingham General By-laws.

ARTICLE 35

AMEND ZONING BY-LAW:  “HEIGHT, BUILDING” DEFINITION REFERENCE CORRECTION

Will the Town amend the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Hingham, adopted March 10, 1941, as heretofore amended, as follows:

Item 1      By replacing the reference to “Section IV-C, 8” under the definition of Height, Building in Section

            VI to “Section IV-C.9”

or act on anything related thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Planning Board)

COMMENT: The intent of this article is to correct a section reference to the height exceptions under Section IV-C in the definition of “Height, Building” under Section VI. 

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote by Town Meeting.

The Planning Board and the Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of this Article. 

RECOMMENDED: That the Town amend the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Hingham, adopted March 10, 1941, as heretofore amended, as follows:

By replacing the reference to “Section IV-C, 8” under the definition of “Height, Building” in Section VI to “Section IV-C.9”. 

ARTICLE 36

AMEND ZONING BY-LAW: SITE PLAN REVIEW UPDATES

Will the Town amend the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Hingham, adopted March 10, 1941, as

heretofore amended, as follows:

         Item 1      Amend Section I-I.2.a. by deleting subsection (i) “All Special Permits A2 and Special Permits A3 or any modification of a Special Permit A2 or Special Permit A3” in its entirety and resequencing subsections (ii) and (iii) to (i) and (ii) respectively; 

         Item 2      Replace Section I-I.2.b.(i) in its entirety as follows:

                        (i)      land disturbance or an alteration of drainage patterns over the lesser of:

                                 (A)         an area of 5,000 square feet or more (but less than 20,000 square feet); or

                                 (B)         75% of the total lot area.

Item 3    Replace Section I-I.4.g. in its entirety as follows:

                          g.   Prior to performing work subject to Site Plan Review, evidence of recording of the Site Plan Review decision shall be provided to the Community Planning Department unless the Planning Board’s review (including any extensions thereto) has expired without any action by the Planning Board.

         Item 4       Replace Section I-I.5.k. in its entirety as follows:

                             k.     Such other materials necessary to enable the Planning Board to make a positive determination on the proposed project; and

         Item 5       Replace Section I-I.9.c. in its entirety as follows:

                       c.     The Planning Board may, by a majority vote of the Board, establish an administrative process for Site Plan Review of certain Minor Site Plans and/or minor modifications pursuant to subsection 9.b. above. Pursuant to administrative review, the Planning Board may delegate to the Community Planning Director and/or to a designated staff or Board member the authority to determine whether a project constitutes a minor modification. The Planning Board designee may refer any Minor Site Plan or minor modification application to the Planning Board for its review in lieu of administrative review if, in such designee’s discretion, the scope of the project merits review by the Board. In addition, any applicant may request Site Plan Review by the Planning Board in lieu of administrative review at the time of application, or any applicant aggrieved by a Minor Site Plan Review decision of the designee may reapply for Site Plan Review by the Planning Board and such review shall be considered a new application for Site Plan Review, except that a separate fee shall not be required. 

or act on anything related thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Planning Board)

COMMENT: This article proposes several amendments to the procedures set forth in Section I‑I of the Zoning By‑Law to clarify applicability, improve administrative efficiency, and correct existing inconsistencies.  First, it would eliminate the automatic requirement for Site Plan Review when a project is associated with a Special Permit A2 or Special Permit A3, unless the project independently meets the established land disturbance thresholds.   Second, it would require Minor Site Plan Review for any project that disturbs 75 percent or more of the total lot area, regardless of the total square footage of land disturbance, thereby ensuring appropriate review of projects with substantial site impact.   Third, the article would require submission of evidence of recording of a Site Plan Review decision for all projects subject to Site Plan Review, rather than limiting this requirement only to projects that also require a building permit.  Finally, the article would authorize the Planning Board to establish an administrative review process for minor modifications to previously approved site plans, including the ability to delegate review authority to the Community Planning Director or staff, while retaining discretion to refer matters to the full Board when warranted.  The Planning Board already has the authority to establish an administrative process for Site Plan Review of certain Minor Site Plans. In addition to these substantive changes, the article includes related formatting revisions and removes an incorrect reference in subsection k. of the Submittal Requirements

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting.

The Planning Board and the Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town amend the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Hingham, adopted March 10, 1941, as heretofore amended, as follows:

         Item 1     Amend Section I-I.2.a. by deleting subsection (i) “All Special Permits A2 and Special Permits  A3 or any modification of a Special Permit A2 or Special Permit A3” in its entirety and resequencing subsections (ii) and (iii) to (i) and (ii) respectively; 

         Item 2      Replace Section I-I.2.b.(i) in its entirety as follows:

                        (i)          land disturbance or an alteration of drainage patterns over the lesser of:

                                     (A)     an area of 5,000 square feet or more (but less than 20,000 square feet); or

                                     (B)     75% of the total lot area.

         Item 3          Replace Section I-I.4.g. in its entirety as follows:

                            g.     Prior to performing work subject to Site Plan Review, evidence of recording of the Site Plan Review decision shall be provided to the Community Planning Department unless the Planning Board’s review (including any extensions thereto) has expired without any action by the Planning Board.

         Item 4        Replace Section I-I.5.k. in its entirety as follows:

                            k.     Such other materials necessary to enable the Planning Board to make a positive determination on the proposed project; and

         Item 5         Replace Section I-I.9.c. in its entirety as follows:

                            c.     The Planning Board may, by a majority vote of the Board, establish an administrative process for Site Plan Review of certain Minor Site Plans and/or minor modifications pursuant to subsection 9.b. above. Pursuant to administrative review, the Planning Board may delegate to the Community Planning Director and/or to a designated staff or Board member the authority to determine whether a project constitutes a minor modification. The Planning Board designee may refer any Minor Site Plan or minor modification application to the Planning Board for its review in lieu of administrative review if, in such designee’s discretion, the scope of the project merits review by the Board. In addition, any applicant may request Site Plan Review by the Planning Board in lieu of administrative review at the time of application, or any applicant aggrieved by a Minor Site Plan Review decision of the designee may reapply for Site Plan Review by the Planning Board and such review shall be considered a new application for Site Plan Review, except that a separate fee shall not be required. 

ARTICLE 37

AMEND ZONING BY-LAW: NORTH FIRE STATION ZONING DISTRICT

Will the Town amend the Zoning Map Part A of the Town of Hingham to rezone the property located at 230 North Street (Assessors Map 60, Lot 119) from the “Official and Open Space” district to the “Business A” district, or act on anything related thereto?

(Inserted by the Select Board)

COMMENT:  This Article seeks to rezone the property, also known as the North Fire Station or Torrent, Station 2, to the “Business A” district.  The parcel was originally in the “Business A” district before being rezoned to the “Official and Open Space” district, a municipal facility designation, in 1977.   In addition, the parcels flanking 230 North Street are currently located in the “Business A” district.  This Article would bring 230 North Street in line with those adjacent properties, back to its original district classification, and broaden the parcel’s range of use for potential sale by the Select Board, as considered in 21, which would authorize but not require the Select Board to sell the property and buildings at 230 North Street.

Approval of this Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote by Town Meeting.

The Planning Board and the Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of this Article.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Town amend the Zoning Map Part A of the Town of Hingham to rezone the property located at 230 North Street (Assessors Map 60, Lot 119) from the “Official and Open Space” district to the “Business A” district.

ARTICLE 38

ACCEPTANCE AND GRANTING OF EASEMENTS

Will the Town authorize, but not require, the Select Board to grant and to accept grants of easements for streets, water, drainage, sewer and utility purposes or any public purpose on terms and conditions the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town, or act on anything relating thereto? 

(Inserted by the Select Board)  

COMMENT: The Town benefits from many easements over private property throughout Hingham.  From time to time, the Town, particularly its Department of Public Works, requires new easements in order to complete roadway and other public works projects.  Under Massachusetts law, Town Meeting approval is required for the Select Board to accept or grant such easements.  The Select Board has annually been provided authorization by Town Meeting to accept grants of easements necessary to complete public projects such as roadways, water, drainage, sewers and utility facilities.   At the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, Town Meeting approved new language that allowed the Select Board to both accept AND GRANT such easements – adding the power to grant easements when needed for the purpose of completing public projects such as roadways, water, drainage, sewers, and utility facilities.  This Article would allow the Select Board to grant or accept such easements during the coming fiscal year, avoiding potentially expensive delays and inconvenience to projects that benefit the Town.  Easements granted to the Town covered by this Article are intended to be voluntarily granted to the Town, not allowing the Select Board to accept easements that require funds to acquire them. 

Furthermore, the authority conferred by this Article is limited in time; it is limited to the specific fiscal year referenced.  If continuing authority is required, the next Annual Town Meeting may be asked to approve it. 

The Advisory Committee and the Select Board voted unanimously in favor of this Article. 

RECOMMENDED: That the Town authorize, but not require, for a period through the end of FY27, the Select Board to accept grants of easements for streets, water, drainage, sewer, and utility purposes, or any public purpose, and to grant easements for the limited purpose of streets, water, drainage, sewer, and utility purposes, or any public purpose, on terms and conditions the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town.