Hingham residents are facing an 8 percent increase in their annual water bills as town officials navigate a complex FY27 budget cycle marked by rising infrastructure costs and a major federal investment in maritime safety. During an extensive review of department requests, the Advisory Committee examined a series of funding proposals ranging from a high-tech drone program for the harbor to the significant financial impact of new collective bargaining agreements for police and fire personnel.

The Weir River Water System is proposing a $15.2 million budget that relies on rate adjustments to fund critical modernization efforts. Water and Sewer Superintendent Russell Tierney explained that the town is moving toward a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system designed to stabilize the aging network. We are moving to a new AMI metering system that reads meters every day, Tierney said. This will allow us to detect leaks within 24 hours rather than waiting for a quarterly bill. Beyond the meter upgrades, the department is installing pressure sensors to mitigate the spikes that frequently cause main breaks in Hingham’s older pipes. Motion Made by S. Girard to recommend a requested budget of $15,211,382. Motion Passed.

While water rates are climbing, the Harbor Master’s office highlighted a significant infusion of federal funds. Harbor Master Ken Corson announced a $990,000 Port Security Grant, requiring a 25 percent town match, which will replace a 2008 patrol boat and launch an innovative drone first responder program. The drone will be stationed at the police station and launch autonomously to 911 calls to provide real-time info, Corson explained, noting the device will have a four-mile radius. Committee member Ted noted the creative funding approach, observing that Ken has been very creative in seeking grants to offset personnel costs primarily covered by the Waterways Fund. Motion Made by Ted to recommend a budget of $443,769. Motion Passed.

Public safety dominated a large portion of the evening, as both the Police and Fire departments presented budgets reflecting the first full year of their new collective bargaining agreements. Police Chief John JP Jones told the committee that the move into the new Public Safety Facility has fundamentally changed the department’s trajectory. The new facility has provided a huge morale boost. It feels like a new department. It is a state-of-the-art recruiting tool that allows us to attract lateral transfers, Jones said. Despite an apparent 12 percent jump in wages, member Steve Girard clarified the underlying math for the public. The wages and personal services show a 12% increase, but that is confusing because the FY26 budget didn't include the new CBA. When you adjust, the real increase is closer to 3.5%, Girard noted. Motion Made by S. Girard to recommend a requested budget of $8,422,344. Motion Passed.

Fire Chief Steve Murphy presented a $9.1 million request, emphasizing the difficult economics of the town’s ambulance service. While the service generates over $2 million in revenue, it costs more than $6 million to operate. It is a 'losing money' endeavor because our 911 utilization rate is only 15-20%, whereas private companies need 85-90% to be profitable, Murphy said. He warned that costs are rising further as South Shore Hospital begins charging the town for medications and linens, adding an estimated $25,000 to the annual bottom line. Motion Made by Ted to recommend a budget of $9,139,262. Motion Passed.

The committee also examined the costs associated with the new Public Safety Facility’s operations. Town Accountant Katie Pascuzzo reported that while the town is still learning the building’s run rate, electricity costs appear to be trending around $60,000 annually. Michael Alo highlighted the various utility needs, noting that the vast majority is around $400,000 for water for fire hydrants and approximately $132,000 for street lighting. Motion Made by M. Alo to recommend a requested budget of $673,347. Motion Passed.

Property owners may also see shifts in their tax bills following a report from the Assessing Department. Assistant Assessor Aaron Demaree informed the committee that land values across Hingham surged by approximately 15 percent this year. To keep pace with property changes without increasing field visits, Demaree said the town is using 'Nearmap' aerial imagery to do desktop analysis of additions, pools, and sheds. Steve Girard noted that the department is seeking four additional hours for a part-time staffer to manage the workload. Motion Made by S. Girard to recommend a budget of $436,730. Motion Passed.

At the South Shore Country Club, executive director Kevin Whalen reported a waitlist of 800 people for golf memberships and plans for a new pool project expected to open in June 2027. Whalen noted the club is consolidating maintenance accounts for better efficiency: We consolidated several accounts like fertilizers and fungicides into one bucket for simplicity. The club, which remains a self-supporting enterprise fund, is also planning a master plan for the course. Motion Made by Ted to recommend a budget of $2,455,456. Motion Passed.

The evening concluded with a look toward the upcoming scrutiny of the Hingham Center for Active Living (HCAL) project. Chair Tina established strict ground rules for three upcoming deep-dive meetings to prevent the sessions from becoming over-extended. I will be very strict about staying on topic for each meeting. If we are talking about programming, I will shut down talk about the operating budget, she stated, adding that she will limit public comment to 2 minutes per person so we can hear from new voices. Brenda Black noted the committee has created a dedicated Dropbox folder for HCAL documents to ensure all financial impacts are transparently reviewed before the final construction vote. Other routine approvals included $111,350 for Animal Control and a $1,090,100 allocation for the South Shore Regional Emergency Communications Center.