Hingham property owners are seeing the impact of rising valuations and major capital debt on their tax bills, according to the Board of Assessors. During an all-committee chair meeting at Town Hall on May 13, Board of Assessors representative Randy Winters reported that the average assessed value of a single-family home in town has reached $1.36 million, an increase of $510,000 over the last five years. Winters explained that recent bill increases were driven by the inclusion of debt for the Foster School and Public Safety building, as well as an 11% average increase in land valuations following a necessary revaluation. To mitigate the impact on residents, Winters noted that the town approved 88 applications for the senior means test exemption, providing approximately $178,000 in total relief with an average benefit of $2,000 per applicant.

The meeting, designed as a semi-annual check-in for town volunteers, also highlighted a significant pause for one of Hingham’s largest planned capital projects. Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (HMLP) representative Laura Burns explained that the $70 million reliability improvement project, which involves a new underground transmission line, has been deferred until the Fall Special Town Meeting. Burns stated that the delay allows for the completion of a rate study in June to better inform voters on how the project will affect their monthly bills. This project is essential for redundancy and to meet the electrification goals in the Master Plan and Climate Action Plan, Burns said.

Select Board Chair Liz Klein opened the session by outlining the board’s vision for the coming fiscal year, structured around three priorities: community investment, financial stewardship, and transparent communication. I always like to start with the vision from the Hingham Master Plan, Klein said, explaining that the board will rotate liaison assignments to ensure members have a thorough understanding of all departments. Select Board member Julie Staley emphasized the vital role of town volunteers, noting that the success of our town government really relies heavily on the participation of our volunteers. Staley also issued a reminder regarding Open Meeting Law, specifically warning committee members against reply all email chains that can inadvertently lead to violations.

Infrastructure and rising sea levels remained a dominant theme for several committees. Paul Healey of the Route 3A Task Force updated the town on the $32 million state-funded roadway project, which is now at 100% design and expected to begin in 2027. Meanwhile, Harbor Development Committee representatives Nick Am and Ally Koskinus detailed a staggering $40 million estimated cost to reconstruct Town and Barnes Wharves to combat rising tides, a project likely postponed until 2028. Koskinus also shared a unique update on harbor geese control, noting that a stolen fake coyote used for deterrence was tracked via an air-tag to an apartment in Weymouth. Additionally, Sewer Commission representative Clark Frazier announced plans for building consolidation with the water and electric companies, which should lead to combined utility billing in FY27.

The school department is also preparing for major facility work, having been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) grant program for roofs and HVAC systems. Allison Anderson of the School Committee reported that 13 new electric buses are arriving this summer and noted a proposal to honor a local legend. We’ll hopefully vote next week to name it the Fred Dwitt Track at Michaelson Field, Anderson said. In other personnel news, Town Administrator Tom Mayo announced the retirement of Sharon Perfetti, a staple of the Select Board office for 13 years. I'm not sure we can replace Sharon, Mayo said, encouraging residents to offer her an at-a-girl for her service before her June departure.

The meeting also served as a moment for boards to regroup following the defeat of major articles at the Annual Town Meeting, including the Center for Active Living. Council on Aging representative Sarah Smithson said the department is regrouping and debriefing while focusing on refreshing its current 5,000-square-foot facility and intergenerational gardening projects. Affordable Housing Trust representative Jack Valvey echoed the sentiment of persistence after the Lincoln School project failed to reach the required two-thirds majority despite receiving 64% support. We're back to thinking about the issues holistically and exploring options for the coming year, Valvey noted.