The Hingham Select Board pivoted on a key revenue-generating proposal Tuesday night, voting to withdraw a planned real estate transfer fee from the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant. The move to sideline Article X came after the Advisory Committee expressed concerns regarding the proposal’s viability at the state level and ambiguity over how the funds would be utilized. Select Board Chair William Ramsey noted that while the board remains committed to finding alternative revenue sources to ease the burden on property taxes, the current legislative climate made a delay prudent. I didn't want to move it forward and then have to bring it back if the state didn't approve it, Ramsey said, adding the town will monitor the legislature’s progress on the matter. Motion Made by W. Ramsey to open the warrant for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting to remove Article X (Real Estate Transfer Fee) and to close the warrant. Motion Passed (2-1), with Liz Klein casting the dissenting vote. Klein expressed disappointment over the withdrawal, noting the fee was a recommendation from the Sustainable Budget Task Force. I understand the concerns of the Advisory Committee, but I would hope this discussion continues, Klein said. I think it's worth doing more analysis.

While one revenue stream was deferred, the Board moved forward with a plan to support town employees through a one-time healthcare subsidy. Article FF was revised to include a 10% subsidy for FY27, temporarily shifting the employee healthcare split to 60/40, while also authorizing a formal study to identify long-term solutions for rising insurance costs. Town Administrator Tom Mayo explained the study would help determine best next steps forward beyond the one-year fix. Jack Manning, Chair of the Personnel Board, threw his full support behind the dual-pronged approach. The one-year fix is a great solution for one year, Manning said. The study's going to help us define what kind of plan might be good for the town. That information is going to be critical to us. School Committee Chair Jen Benham also supported the measure, requesting that a member of the School Committee be included in the study to represent the district's eight bargaining units. Motion Made by J. Staley to recommend favorable action on Article FF, transfer of funds for employee healthcare cost subsidy. Motion Passed (3-0).

The financial health of the Lincoln School Apartments (LSA) also took center stage as the Board evaluated the facility’s 2026 budget. Representatives from the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust and the LSA Board requested a waiver of nearly $200,000 in rent payments normally due to the town, asking instead to reinvest those funds into a building that requires extensive repairs. Jennifer Orum, representing the LSA, noted that the facility has a capital needs assessment requiring roughly $372,000 annually, but current projects—including repointing the 1912 exterior estimated at $1.9 million—require more aggressive funding. Elizabeth Cullen of the LSA Board detailed the extensive needs, including a new roof and HVAC system. The interior is pretty dated and hasn't been updated in a while, Cullen said. Julie Staley emphasized the necessity of maintaining the asset even as the town considers longer-term disposition of the property. I'm all for cleanup. It's good to get the fire station lot back in line with the surrounding property to set up a good sale, Staley noted later in the meeting regarding related property matters. Motion Made by J. Staley to approve the waiver of the cash flow rent payment of $196,361 due for 2025 on the condition that such amount be transferred into the replacement reserves account. Motion Passed (3-0).

Logistics for the upcoming Town Meeting were also finalized, though not without some scrutiny of rising costs. The Board authorized a $69,745 contract with Boston Light and Sound for audiovisual services, representing a 19% increase over last year. David Milanoski of the IT department explained that the higher price tag stems from adding a fourth functional room for visitors and the significant labor costs associated with setup. The majority of it, about $44,000, is labor, Milanoski said, noting that much of the work occurs at time-and-a-half rates over the weekend. Mayo indicated he intends to walk the high school building with the moderator to find efficiencies for future years, suggesting that not every satellite room may need fully interactive capabilities. Motion Made by L. Klein to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the agreement with Boston Light and Sound for audiovisual services for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting in an amount not to exceed $69,745. Motion Passed (3-0).

Infrastructure and zoning updates rounded out the evening. Town Engineer J.R. Frey secured authorization for a grant support letter seeking state funding for the Hingham Harbor Coastal Resiliency Project. Frey hopes to secure up to $500,000 for engineering designs that would integrate harbor protection with the ongoing Route 3A project. The application would cover the costs of the full scope of engineering design and specifications for all resiliency efforts, Frey told the board. Motion Made by J. Staley to authorize the Select Board Chair to sign the grant support letter for the Hingham Harbor Coastal Resiliency Project. Motion Passed (3-0). Senior Planner Emily Wentworth also presented a series of zoning articles, including a proposal to rezone the North Fire Station to a business district to encourage its adaptive reuse. The intent is to rezone 230 North Street... this would encourage adaptive reuse of the building, allowing for restaurants, retail, or mixed-use, Wentworth said. Ramsey thanked the Planning Board for the effort, noting it will help the town generate revenue through the eventual sale of the property. The meeting concluded with Ramsey offering congratulations to Sergeant Heather Hermita and Lieutenant Brian Fernandez on their recent promotions within the Hingham Police Department.