Frequently Asked Questions

Call the retirement office at 781-741-1478 for an appointment. If you are married, your spouse should accompany you. The forms can also be mailed.

• Application - filled out online or in person
• Drivers License
• Valid Massachusetts vehicle registration indicating Hingham address

• Vehicle Coverage Selection Page/Declaration Page indicating car is garaged in Hingham (Required only if registration does not indicate Hingham address)

  
  
  

All Hingham Residents with a valid Transfer Station Sticker will be charged for Appliances, Electronics, and C&D/Bulky Waste (Including Furniture) according to the updated rates approved by the Select Board on March 16, 2021, shown below:

• Appliances (Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators, etc.) - $15 per item
• Electronics (TVs, CRTs, Monitors) - $15 per item
• Residential C&D / Bulky Waste (including Furniture) - $120 per ton, $15 min. up to 250 lbs. then $.06 per lb.

Hingham residents will be allowed up to 3 cubic yards of bulky, construction, and demolition waste per week with a fee.

Note: Rubble is not accepted.

There is a limit of one (1) Residential Permit per household per year at no charge. There is a $25 charge for any additional Residential Permits per Hingham address. A $25 charge will also be applied for any replacement sticker.

You can apply for a sticker online here:  https://www.hingham-ma.gov/334/Transfer-Station-Stickers (allow up to a week for processing) or in person at the Department of Public Works located 25 Bare Cove Park Drive. In person hours are Monday-Wednesday 8:00a to 4:00p and Thursday-Friday 7:30a - 4:00pm.

Yes, Hingham residents is $50 per calendar year, non-Hingham residents is $150 per calendar year.

Any vehicle disposing bulky, construction and/or demolition waste* must be weighed and pay the per ton fee at the scale - this includes all residential and commercial permits. Vehicles must also adhere to the cubic yard limit as indicated below:

• Commercial Vehicle Permit holders have a cubic yard limit of no more than 5 cubic yards per load.   
• Residential Permit holders have a cubic yard limit of no more than 3 cubic yards per load.

*generated from Hingham only.

Bulky, Construction, and Demolition Waste (C&D) Disposal

All Hingham Residents and Commercial sticker holders will be charged for Appliances, Electronics, and C&D/Bulky Waste (including furniture) according to the updated rates approved by the Board of Selectmen on March 16, 2021, shown below:

• Appliances (Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators, etc.) - $15 per item
• Electronics (TVs, CRTs, Monitors) - $15 per item
• Residential C&D / Bulky Waste (including Furniture) - $120 per ton, $15 min. up to 250 lbs. then $.06 per lb. thereafter.

All Commercial Vehicles will be charged according to the updated rates approved by the Board of Selectmen on March 16, 2021, shown below:

• Hingham Resident Commercial Sticker (Hingham Debris Only) - $50 - Yearly
• Out of Town Commercial Sticker (Hingham Debris Only) - $150.00 - Yearly
• All Commercial C&D/Bulky Waste (Hingham Debris Only) -  $320 per ton, $45 min. up to 300 lbs. then $.16 per lb. thereafter

The bulky, construction, and demolition area is open when the Transfer Station is open.  Hours are Thursdays through Sunday 7:00am to 4:00pm.  

All CVP holders may dispose of up to 5 cubic yards of bulky, construction, and demolition waste per visit to the Transfer Station.  Any loads with more than 5 cubic yards will be rejected.  Additionally, any vehicle carrying loads will not be allowed trailers.

All Commercial Vehicle Permits (CVP) holders will pay a per ton fee of $320 for disposal of all bulky, construction, and demolition waste. A minimum charge of $45 will be collected for all weight under 300 pounds.

All payments required by these regulations and fees established by the Selectboard shall be made prior to disposal. All payments of the Transfer Station must be made with a debit or credit card (MasterCard or VISA).

Proof of residency is required, which is your name and address on license and vehicle registration, tax bill and utility bill. If vehicle is not registered in Hingham, you must also supply copies of your Hingham tax bill, year-round residential lease in the Town of Hingham or vehicle lease agreement. A company vehicle will require an authorized letter on company letterhead.

Hours of operation are Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., weather permitting. Only good usable items please; no mattresses, bulky furniture, computers, paint or hazardous materials. No loitering, abusive language or unattended children. Respect for your neighbors and town employees are expected and required. Remember, the SWAP area can be a dangerous place for young children. Please keep them in your car.  Swap Shop visit limit is ten minutes.

Latex Paint - Latex paint can be disposed of as trash if dry. To dry small amounts, remove lid and let the paint air dry in the can. For larger amounts, mix in kitty litter or pour one-inch layers of paint in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag. 

If latex paint is good usable paint:  Recolor Paints - 149B Winter Street - Hanover, MA 02370  https://recyclingworksma.com/recycler/recolor-paints/  (small fee may be applied)

Oil-based Paint - Oil-based paint or stain is considered hazardous waste and is not accepted.  Signup to attend a Hazardous Waste Day. For more info: https://ssrcoop.info/ 

Residents can obtain the sticker from the Department of Public Works. See the Transfer Station Stickers page for contact information.

Permission to use the Gazebo/Bandstand is granted by the town. The usage policy is available on the online. There is a $50 charge for non-residents.

There is a 5-year proposed street construction schedule located on the Public Works - Roadway Maintenance website.

The Town of Hingham works hard at maintaining our roadways. We follow a strict 5-year moratorium rule to insure that a newly paved road is not ripped up shortly after we have repaved them. For example, if a street was reconstructed in 2016, it will not be able to be cut into until 2022 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021; the following spring 2022 work may be considered to be done on that road.)  See the current 5 Year Moratorium Road Listing

Assessors must value all real and personal property in the community to their full and fair cash value. Mass appraisal is the process used by every Massachusetts City and Town to create the property assessments. Assessments are based on an analysis of Hingham’s entire real estate market for a specified period of time. For Fiscal Year 2025, we use a valuation date of 1/1/2024 and analyze the sales from all of 2023.This study guides the setting of valuation parameters that are used to calculate the property values town-wide. It differs from the more well-known “bank” or fee appraisal. Although the appraisal concepts are the same and the results similar, the process is different. No particular sale or group of sales is used to determine the value of your property, but all of a certain calendar year’s sales are included in the analysis that set the parameters for the next fiscal year.

The assessment is an estimate of market value. The definition of market value is the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open, competitive market, without any undue influences. The assessment represents the estimate of market value as of January 1, 2024 for Fiscal Year 2025. This estimate of market value is determined by examining sales of properties from calendar year 2023. Although the majority of properties are not for sale, Massachusetts General Laws requires an assessment, or an estimate of market value, on every property. Sales of similar or comparable properties within a neighborhood are the best indicator of market value.

The Assessors look at a property the same way a potential buyer looks at a property. They consider the factors that a potential buyer considers. Examples of important factors are the following: Building style, livable area, quality of construction, number of rooms, baths, fireplaces, extra features like pools and detached garages – all are examples of the data collected. The Assessors examine many qualities and conditions and then look for comparable properties that have sold in comparable neighborhoods. Since no two houses are identical, adjustments are made for differing characteristics to determine the assessment. Thus the assessment is an estimate of market value.

The assessed value represents the estimate of market value of the property. The real estate market changes constantly. The assessment for Fiscal Year 2025 represents the estimate of market value as of January 1, 2024. This estimate of market value is determined by examining sales of properties from calendar year 2023. Although there may not have been any physical changes to the property, buyers may be paying more or less for properties than they were in previous years. The assessment changes reflect the changes in the purchase prices of similar homes in the neighborhood. The assessments do not predict market value. The assessments reflect (or report) market value. The real estate market can change dramatically from year to year. The assessments reflect what buyers and sellers are doing as of the assessment date.

Market value changes occur in many forms. Buyers have different requirements and these requirements sometimes change from year to year. Also, sometimes renovations have been performed on a property that would cause a change in assessed value different from a similar property that did not undergo renovations. A recent inspection by the assessor’s office also may have contributed to a change in assessed value. Perhaps the property had not been inspected in several years and the property information has now been updated to more accurately reflect the condition of the property. 

Proposition 2 ½ places constraints on the amount of taxes, which the Town can levy and on how much the Town can increase the tax levy from year to year. It provides the Town with annual increases in its tax levy of: 2.5 percent and an additional amount based on the valuation of certain new construction and other allowable growth in the tax base ("new growth"). With Proposition 2 ½, a minimum 2.5 percent increase in the Town's total tax levy can be expected each year. 

Proposition 2 ½ limits the amount of taxes a community can raise from property tax. The assessment is an estimate of market value. Since the real estate market changes are based upon the buyers’ and sellers’ needs, there is no limit to the amount an assessment can increase or decrease. Assessment changes are always based on the real estate market. For example, if a property sells for $500,000 in calendar year 2023, there is no limit or minimum price it would sell for in calendar year 2024 or beyond. It could sell for $600,000, $700,000, $1,000,000 or $400,000. The sale price would be based on the real estate market at that time. The assessments do not predict market value. The assessments reflect (or report) market value.

If your opinion of the value of your property differs from the assessment value, by all means come to the Assessor’s Office and discuss the matter. The staff will be glad to answer your questions about the assessment procedures. When questioning the assessment value, ask yourself three questions:

• Is my property description data correct?
• Is my assessed value in line with others on the street?
• Is my assessed value in line with sale prices in my neighborhood?

Keep in mind what's important: sale prices, quality of construction, condition, your property's neighborhood designation, and the building area and lot area. These are the most critical factors in the valuation process. There is a variety of information available to help you determine whether your Assessment is fair and equitable. The staff will be happy to assist you, and no appointment is necessary. If, after discussing the matter with the staff and researching the assessments of comparable properties within your area, a difference of opinion still exists, you may appeal your assessment to the Board of Assessors by filing an Abatement Application (PDF).

William L. Foster Elementary School was built in 1951 and has had two additions/renovations in 1957 and 1974. An additional $3.5 million was invested to make various improvements between 2008 and 2010. Though the building has been well-maintained over the years, the outdated mechanical systems make it increasingly challenging to operate and maintain and the many interior classrooms and small communal spaces have a significant negative impact on the ability to deliver an educational program designed to meet the needs of students in the 21st century.

The 2017 School Building Committee or “Foster School Building Committee” as it is often called (“SBC”) was established by Hingham voters at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting. The establishment of a School Building Committee is a requirement to participate in the MSBA school building grant programs. A School Building Committee is responsible for all aspects of a school building project, as required by MSBA statutes and regulations. The SBC is directly responsible for exploring the feasibility of a potential school building project and oversight of design and construction work associated with the preferred option chosen by the SBC and supported by the MSBA.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts. Additional information about the MSBA may be found on the MSBA website.

The funding that the MSBA contributes to school projects is significant.  The source of MSBA funding is 1 cent of the sales tax charged in Massachusetts. For a project of this scale, the Town can expect a reimbursement in the tens of millions of dollars. For 2022, when the Foster project expects to receive final MSBA approval, the MSBA base reimbursement rate has been set at 36.89%. The actual reimbursement the Town receives will be determined once the project scope and budget is approved, taking into account any additional reimbursement points that may be available in connection with the pursuit of LEED certification, which confirms green and sustainable design and operational features, and an approved maintenance plan.  The actual grant reimbursement is also offset by any costs deemed ineligible or that exceed the MSBA’s existing thresholds.

The SBC is committed to transparency and inclusiveness in how it oversees this project on behalf of Hingham residents. For the Foster project to be successful, it requires community input, support, and approval. The SBC is committed to transparency and inclusiveness in how it oversees this project on behalf of Hingham residents. For the Foster project to be successful, it requires community input, support, and approval. The SBC, working with our Owner’s Project Manager (“OPM”), PMA Consultants, and our Architect/Designer, Raymond Design Associates (“RDA”), has and will continue to reach out to the community as work progresses through the Schematic Design and Design Development phases of the project. There will be many opportunities for parents, educators and community members to provide critical input that will help inform the design of the new Foster Elementary School. Please continue to monitor this site and the SBC Facebook page for project news, updates and community outreach events. 

With the completion of the Feasibility Phase in January 2022, Schematic Design work has begun and will continue into the late Spring of 2022. The goal of the SBC is to pursue an aggressive schedule during the planning and design phases so that a new school can be built and opened in September 2024.  A warrant article will be offered at the April Town Meeting that will seek interim funding to complete design development and preparation of an early site work bid package pending MSBA Board approval.  MSBA approval of the schematic design, scope and budget for the project is anticipated on August 31, 2022.  Following that approval, a special Town Meeting will be held in late September or early October for consideration of a warrant article seeking to fund construction costs.  If the proposed schedule remains on track, site preparation could begin during early winter 2022-2023, with vertical construction work beginning in late spring after a second round of bidding.  Once the new school is substantially complete, the existing Foster school will be demolished and site work including parking and recreational space will be developed during the fall of 2024 and into 2025

Investing in our schools benefits the entire community. Community engagement is a shared responsibility in raising the next generation and according to the US Department of Education, school building infrastructure components are crucial for learning. Additionally, schools provide public common space, accessible for public meetings, voting, emergency shelters, and are available for use by community groups and organizations for programs and events held after school hours. The Foster school is, and will continue to be, an anchor for the Crow Point neighborhood and the greater north Hingham community. Good public schools, like we have in Hingham, are valuable for more than just the curriculum they deliver.  They help sustain property values and entice new families to join the community.  Finally, capital investments in buildings and infrastructure create lasting benefits to a community and to society in general, particularly when those investments help close achievement gaps and help bring members of a community together. 

The School Building Committee (SBC) recognizes that there is a need for space for various community events, including athletic contests, artistic performances and large group assemblies. The proposed building design will include a section of the school that will be available for public use during non-school hours. It includes a large gym with bleachers and a cafeteria with a stage for concerts, performances and other presentations.,  The site will include an athletic field, softball diamond, tennis courts and an accessible playground, all of which will be available to the public during non-school hours.

The current plan is for construction to begin in the Spring of 2023 and continue until August of 2024. The goal is for students and staff to be in the new building in September 2024. Demolition of the current school will occur in the Summer of 2024 and additional site work will continue into early 2025. 

No, students will remain in the current building during construction until the new school is open, which is anticipated to be in September 2024. Limiting disruption by allowing students and staff to remain in the current building is the same approach that was used when Hingham built the new middle school. 

During construction, the existing athletic fields and tennis courts will be unavailable as they will be part of the construction zone. Play space and play structures will be relocated to other parts of the school property to allow for recess and other activities. After the new school is occupied and the site work is complete, the property will include an athletic field, softball diamond, and tennis courts, which will be available to the public during non-school hours. 

Yes, a traffic study was done in the Fall of 2021. During construction, a separate access drive will be added to the left of the school for all construction and emergency vehicles. The construction area will be fenced off and secured at all times.

The SBC assisted with an enrollment study undertaken by the school department in 2018 using a well-known consultant, New England School Development Council (NESDEC). Using the completed enrollment study, the MSBA performed its own independent study resulting in a design enrollment of up to 605 students. Currently there are 419 students at Foster, which is down approximately 70 students over the past year due to the COVID pandemic. The allowance for an anticipated growing enrollment will accommodate additional children who live in the Foster School district and will allow Hingham Public Schools to meet its goal of expanding its Pre-K and Special Education programs. Additional details about these proposed programs are provided in the Education Plan, a required document that was prepared in connection with the MSBA process. 

The anticipated base reimbursement rate for this project is 36.89%, which was newly set for 2022, the year the MSBA project funding agreement is expected to be executed.  According to the MSBA, reimbursement rates for MSBA approved, eligible school construction and renovation projects are calculated pursuant to a formula that is established by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 70B section 10 (M.G.L. c. 70B § 10). The formula takes various socioeconomic factors of the Town into account to determine its base reimbursement rate.

The SBC is planning to build an all-electric building that will meet the needs of students and our community for decades to come in an effort to achieve the Town’s sustainable development goals . The SBC’s commitment in this area supports the Hingham Climate Action Planning Committee’s goal of significantly reducing the Town’s carbon emissions by 2040. The proposed building design is situated facing south to maximize the sun’s positive impact. This positioning enables the architect to incorporate a design that includes a solar-ready roof and several south facing windows and light-wells to carry natural light to all levels of the building. The SBC has already engaged with members of the Climate Action Planning Committee, Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, the Hingham Net-Zero group and the Conservation department to help us ensure our school design achieves sustainability goals while protecting precious natural resources that are prevalent at the Foster site.

Foster School is located on a thirty-nine acre parcel of land, most of which consists of various ecosystems, which will provide a rich outdoor learning experience for students. The site also includes several constraints, including wetlands, a steep hillside, tidal marsh and flood zone area. The SBC believes that its preferred option, chosen from among 10 different possibilities after months of consideration, is the best option for taking full advantage of the natural elements of the site while also minimizing the impact to the surrounding natural areas. The proposed design faces south, which takes advantage of the southern sun exposure and views of the marsh. The preferred option chosen by the SBC addresses the projected 2070 flood zone concerns by raising the grade of the Foster School site several feet above the current level of most of the existing site. This raised grade will place the new school above the the projected 2070 storm surge flood plain level. 

It’s difficult to compare the two building projects. The school building will be significantly larger than the Public Safety building and is being constructed on a particularly challenging site that contains several physical constraints and natural resource areas that need to be protected. The school will have specifically designed spaces to accommodate and support 21st century learning for a design enrollment of 605 K-5 students, plus a pre-K population and Kids-in-Action programming. A sizable portion of the Public Safety facility will be garage bays that will house fire trucks and ambulances. The level of detailed design between the two is not comparable. 

If not now, when? Construction costs will never again be as low as they were 10 years ago, and they won’t be decreasing any time soon according to the professional cost estimators engaged to work on our project. Hingham has been awarded a significant grant to pursue the building project now. If the community does not vote to fund the project, Hingham loses that contribution and the opportunity to address the significant issues that have impacted Foster students and staff for many years. To be considered for an MSBA project grant in the future, Hingham would have to go back to the beginning and start the process again, which could take 5 years or even longer and there’s no guaranty we would be chosen again. 

The reality is that this school project needed to be done over a decade ago. The 2006 School Facilities Study recommended the pursuit of a project to address the then-existing issues that negatively impacted the delivery of curriculum. In the ensuing years, mechanical systems have continued to deteriorate and falter, requiring costly repairs and even evacuation of the building. 

Given the condition of Foster, can we afford to wait any longer? We also now have grant funding from MSBA. Are we willing to risk waiting and lose the opportunity to save Hingham taxpayers tens of millions of dollars? If we were to choose to wait and pursue a project independent of the MSBA, it would be no less costly, and we would lose even more time while students and staff wait for a solution. If the Foster building project does not move forward now, the Town would also have to invest significantly in the upkeep, maintenance, and repair of the current Foster building. 

The overwhelming feedback from constituents questioned was that it is important to the Crow Point neighborhood, as well as nearby neighborhoods, to keep Foster and its successor a neighborhood school that allows for a walking community of students. The school will also include a gymnasium, cafetorium, multi-purpose room, softball field, and tennis courts that are all a benefit to the wider community. In addition, the new building will provide for an expansion of the integrated preschool program, which will allow enhanced early childhood education for the whole community. Space in the new school will also allow the expansion of the Kids-in-Action (KIA) program providing much needed additional space for this popular and revenue-generating before and after-school program.

In the MSBA regulations there are certain costs that are ineligible for reimbursement with grant dollars. For instance, the MSBA defines any construction cost above $360/square foot as ineligible for reimbursement, but the construction costs for the elementary schools approved by the MSBA over the past five years have averaged well over that threshold. The MSBA also limits its reimbursement participation for site work to 8% of the building construction cost. Given its unique physical characteristics, the Foster project is unusual in that it will require much more site work than all but five of the last thirty-eight elementary schools funded by the MSBA over the past five years. Only about a quarter of the required site costs for this project will be eligible for reimbursement since they exceed 8% of the building cost by a wide margin. 

This project does include a number of other ineligible cost items (e.g., the cost of technology and furnishings that exceed the reimbursable allowances for these categories), but these are consistent with every other school building project undertaken under the MSBA core building program and are appropriate to accommodate Hingham’s educational program. 

Though the school has been designed primarily to meet the needs of the educational program, it also allows for use as community space. For example, the gym includes space to accommodate bleacher seating, which is not a reimbursable expense but allows for its use by the community. SBC discussed at some length lessons learned from prior school building projects in Hingham. There have been complaints for 13 years about the shallow sideline space and limited bleacher seating available in the East Elementary gym. Providing for the additional space will better serve the intended uses by students and the larger community.

Another example of a potentially non-reimbursable cost would be the cost of the demolition of the existing school If we were able to build on a different site (which doesn’t exist), If we were to build in another location, any acquisition cost for the land would also not be reimbursable by MSBA. These would be additional non-reimbursable costs to the Hingham taxpayer in addition to the costs of the school and site development. As part of the contemplated project being pursued, the demolition of the existing Foster school will be fully reimbursable to the extent of Hingham’s approved reimbursement rate.

Remember that the school was designed through a thoughtful visioning process that included students, educators, and families. The District then developed a comprehensive Education Plan as required by the DESE and MSBA, and the design has evolved from the underlying guiding principles contained in that plan.

The programmatic spaces in the design reflect the District’s detailed Educational Plan, which is a requirement of participating in the MSBA grant program. The MSBA takes the compilation of an Educational Plan very seriously given that it serves as the foundation for all the planning and detailed design of both the school and the site that follows. In Foster’s case, the MSBA carefully reviewed the District’s initial Educational Plan and requested clarifications and refinements. In the end, it was approved only after two detailed reviews by the MSBA. Only then was the District allowed to proceed into the schematic design phase via an MSBA Board of Directors vote.

No two MSBA-funded elementary schools look the same, though they all must conform to MSBA Guidelines and approved modifications. The new school design followed prescriptive MSBA guidelines for elementary schools, but like all other MSBA projects, it includes a limited amount of additional programmatic spaces to meet the unique needs of Hingham’s  Educational Program (e.g. the Gymnasium bleachers, the Multi-Purpose Room for KIA and Field Science, Administrative Spaces for the Special Education program, etc.).  The entire design being presented to the voters has been reviewed and approved by the MSBA.

The total square footage of the proposed Foster building is 126,385. 

As noted above, the MSBA has prescriptive guidelines for building elementary schools including the sizes and types of various rooms. Some of the space design can vary depending on the District’s specific educational program. There is allowable square footage (most of which is reimbursable, some of which is not) in the design to accommodate some areas beyond MSBA guidelines including additional administrative and special education space, Pre-K classrooms, space for an expanded KIA program and a larger gym to provide wider sidelines and space for fan bleachers. 

The MSBA provides a ‘broad brush’ square footage allotment per pupil in a District’s Space Summary (e.g., 605 K-5 pupils) by way of an algorithm, but it is only generated to set a parameter against which to review and finalize the eventual square footage required to accommodate the proposed Educational Program. It is safe to say that every elementary school approved by the MSBA has exceeded this ‘starting point.’  

As an example, the 63,843 square feet of ‘net program space’ that came out of the MSBA’s algorithm for Foster was based on 605 K-5 students, a generic Special Education program, and no Pre-Kindergarten program. The approved net square footage, accommodating the District’s Educational Plan is 84,753. Reimbursable program-related overages include 11,850 sf for five Pre-Kindergarten CR’s, a Spanish CR, an English Language Learners small group room, and a Computer Lab, along with synchronizing up the number of classrooms per grade. Other approved programmatic square footage includes 3,690 sf for the school’s Special Education program (all of which is reimbursable), 1,000 sf for the aforementioned gymnasium bleachers, 1,570 sf for Special Education administrative offices, 2,500 sf for the revenue-generating Kids-in-Action multi-purpose room and office, and two other small staff spaces. When mechanical, circulation, and other ‘back of house’ areas are accounted for, the Foster school has a ‘net to gross’ ratio of 1.49 (bringing the proposed gross square footage up to its 126,385), which is under the MSBA allowable ratio of 1.50, demonstrating an efficient plan layout.

What additional operational costs will there be relating to the new elementary school? Is there an estimate of operational cost savings delivered by energy or other efficiencies built into the facility? Are there additional operational costs incurred for staffing or new programming that will increase the annual school budget?

The maintenance costs for the existing Foster Elementary School are significant. Specific training of the custodians is needed to maintain the aging boilers.

The heating system in general, as well as plumbing, and electrical systems, require constant repairs, most notably in connection with the aging electrical system and failing steam pipe distribution infrastructure. 

The building is often too hot or too cold at various times of the year depending on several factors. At times, the students have been evacuated due to failing heat and other infrastructure issues. During the height of the COVID pandemic, because there was inadequate ventilation in several classrooms, St. Jerome, a closed catholic grade school, was leased to house portions of Foster’s grade levels. Students were bussed to Weymouth daily for months to attend “Foster North.”  This was a costly and unfavorable situation that could not be avoided. 

Though the new school will be 75% larger than Foster is currently, the ‘cost per square foot’ of utilities for the new school will be less than it has been over the past three years (not including FY 2020 which was COVID-related), AND it includes much greater ventilation and full air-conditioning which will have a positive impact on learning during the fall and spring when temperatures outside can be quite high.

In terms of changes in staffing needs for the new building, to the extent that there is new special education programming, then staffing related to the new programs will be needed. No other significant changes are expected at this time. As enrollment grows as expected over time, additional teachers may be needed and consideration of that would be part of the regular annual budget process and not driven by this project specifically.

Costs for Kids in Action (KIA) are currently covered by tuition and the program generates positive revenue. In addition to covering its own operational costs, the program provides an annual contribution as an offset to the school department budget. Currently, we do not have sufficient building space to provide for all the children who wish to attend KIA and have a waiting list. Expansion of the program to KIA will serve to accommodate many more Hingham families in need of this service. 

For non-sped preschool students, tuition covers costs. Services for special education students will be paid by the school district budget. This is true regardless of whether there is a new school.

The redistricting of the other elementary schools to ensure class sizes are comparable across the four elementary schools is not a consideration for now. Hingham Public Schools values its neighborhood schools. We currently do not have overcrowding in any schools. However, as the student population is expected to increase, the proposed new elementary school will provide flexibility to ensure overcrowding does not become a problem in the future. The school committee has a policy on preferred class size enrollments that allows for comparable services across the District. 

Will out-of-district tuition go down as a result of Special Ed programming at the new elementary school? Will additional SPED programming built into the facility enable more students to stay in district and therefore save on out of district costs?

The students in need of out-of-district placement require the program and services that are provided. The District currently lacks space to develop substantially separate special education programs. The new elementary school will provide specific spaces for the development of such programs that will allow for some of these student needs to be met in the district. These are programs that we have never been able to offer in the past due to a lack of available space. 

The District values the contributions of all our students. By ensuring we are providing more opportunities for meeting the needs of our students with disabilities, our community, in addition to our students, is enhanced. 

Furniture and fixtures are reimbursed at a certain rate (a maximum of $1,200 per pupil). The current building likely does not have any furniture that would be reusable in the new building. Any furniture and equipment anticipated to be utilized in the new school needs to be purchased as part of this project to be eligible for reimbursement. 

We will staff for the enrollment needs of the school building at the given time. The staffing and the proposed budgeting will reflect then-current enrollment. 

The SBC looked at 11 different configurations for the building and the site as part of its Feasibility process. (Options A though I plus G.1 and H.1)

The SBC’s decision to pursue Option F (the preferred option and current design plan) is thoroughly documented in the two attached Sections from the District’s “Preferred Schematic Report” - submitted to the MSBA on January 6th, 2022. The MSBA endorsed the SBC’s selection and granted it permission to pursue the development of Option F in its Schematic Design phase. 

 It was the least expensive of the final options, while providing the best site layout with the most exterior play and learning space and optimal use of the site’s natural attributes. It was clearly the ‘best value’ for the town.

Per the project’s professional cost estimator:      

“The current market conditions are causing difficulties for cost estimators and, in particular, relating to bid analysis.  However, our cost estimates on large projects in the Northeast are holding up well against overall bid ranges and against low bids. 

That said, on several high-profile projects recently, we have seen a concerning trend which has led us to do some deeper investigations, including sharing appropriate discussions with other cost estimating companies, large subcontractors, and construction managers to establish rational explanations.”

Below is a summary of the issues which are causing this current volatility – some issues have been apparent for a few months, but others have become known more recently.

• Subcontractors who successfully bid projects in 2021 are now losing money heavily as they had not anticipated current market conditions (due to reasons listed below). This situation has prompted them to include additional money in their current bids in an attempt to recover the lost money on current active projects.
• Labor shortages – during COVID, there were significant lay-offs and the contracting companies have not been confident enough to restore their labor forces nor have they been able to find quality personnel in the region. This has resulted in a low appetite among larger contractors and subcontractors and a desire to focus on larger more profitable projects. Smaller projects with a low probability of making a good profit are being bid at higher prices. This results in a bid strategy of “here’s what we will do the job for if we win it.” This is not a competitive bidding strategy. Also, the “traveling” labor force (which tends to gravitate to cities or locations where there is work and where there are profitable projects) hasn’t aided the labor shortage in Metro Boston as it did pre-Covid.
• Supply chain problems and lead times – this is well-documented (see below items also). Equipment vendors are quoting extremely long lead times and equipment which until recently was on 4 to 6 weeks delivery is now being quoted out beyond 20 weeks. This is creating another element of risk which contractors and subcontractors are having to deal with.
• Rising fuel costs.
• Equipment pricing by vendors – the vendors have no risk associated with their prices and therefore, they have been increasing their quoted costs to cover themselves for price fluctuations. Contractors have no alternative than to accept the quotes. Furthermore, vendors are only holding their prices for a few weeks which makes it a very risky proposition for contractors bidding projects of longer construction durations. Some vendors are refusing to commit to pricing until they have approved shop drawings which is leading to an elevated level of risk for bidders (see risk comments below)
• Stock-piling materials – larger contracting organizations have stock-piled materials predicting or sometimes knowing that there are shortages. For example, roofing materials and PVC conduit. Contractors buying materials are facing higher prices because of low inventories at the suppliers and coupled with this, suppliers are only selling some materials in very limited quantities. This presents big problems for bidders on larger projects, where greater quantities will be needed.
• Contractors are pricing risk at higher-than-normal levels because of the above factors and it is extremely difficult to analyze this. The intangible costs in current bids make it problematic to reconcile a cost estimate to bids received.

Yes, all of our permitting is done online. This would include residential and commercial building permits, plumbing, gas fitting, electrical, sheet metal, tent, sign, and solid fuel-burning appliances. To register or log in go to www.hingham-ma.gov/permitting

Generally any time you are opening walls you should be applying for a building permit.  If the work includes electrical and/or plumbing or gas the licensed electrician and licensed plumber will apply for their own permits and pay a permit fee for their work.  The estimated cost of their work should be included with the estimated construction costs on the building permit application.

Yes you may, however a word of caution, some simple jobs may not be so simple.  Here is an explanation of why homeowners should not obtain the building permit for construction projects.  

This handy chart will guide you to determine the types of work that require the licenses your contractor shall have for your project. 

Work Requiring a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration or Construction Supervisor License (CSL)

In residential zoning districts you are allowed one shed that does not exceed sixty four (64) square feet in ground coverage and nine (9) feet in height (typically 8’x8’) that can be placed to the rear of the dwelling no closer than five (5) feet from side and rear lot lines. If the shed is larger than that it must meet the setbacks for the zone it is located in.  In all instances a building permit must be applied for and issued before the shed can be installed.

A fence 6’ and under does not require a permit.  The Building Department strongly recommends that you erect a fence 12”-18” in from your property line for maintenance purposes.  A fence over 6’ must meet the setbacks for the zone it is in or seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals.  

See the GIS (Graphic Information System) page the Town’s web site 

See Section IV-A of the Town of Hingham Zoning By-Law. 

You may search the Public Listing of Building Permits online.  Please note that you will only find permits from 2010 to present.  And you may not find all the information on line for permits issued between 2010 to 2016.  Prior permits and other information will be found in the Building Departments street file(s) and will require you to come to the office during regular business hours.  The Building Departments street files(s) go back to the early 1980’s.  Anything prior to that may take some time on your part researching records in our office.  And many older permits are archived and may take staff time to retrieve the information.

You may search the Public Listing of Building Permits .  Please note that you will only find permits from 2010 to present.  And you may not find all the information on line for permits issued between 2010 to 2016.  Prior permits and other information will be found in the Building Departments street file(s) and will require you to come to the office during regular business hours.  The Building Departments street files go back to the early 1980’s.  Anything prior to that may take some time on your part researching records in our office.  And many older permits are archived and may take staff time to retrieve the information.

Proposition 2 ½ is a Massachusetts law enacted in 1980 that strictly limits the amount of property tax revenue a municipality can raise through real and personal property taxes. This revenue is called the “tax levy.” 

Prop 2 ½ limits how much the tax levy can be increased from year-to-year. The maximum amount a community can levy in any given year is called the “levy limit.”

Prop 2 ½ also caps the tax levy at 2.5% of the total full and fair cash value of all taxable real and personal property in Hingham. Because our tax levy is nowhere near this “levy ceiling,” the Town does not need to worry about this restriction. 

Under Proposition 2 ½, a community’s levy limit increases automatically by two factors:  

1. An incremental increase of 2.5% of the prior year’s levy limit, and
2. A dollar amount derived from the value of new construction and other growth in the local tax base since the previous year, called “new growth.”

The 2.5% increase and the new growth number are both added to the prior year’s levy limit to reach the current year’s levy limit.

A community can exceed its levy limit with voter approval. Prop 2 ½ gives communities flexibility to permanently increase the levy limit through overrides to support municipal and school operations. 

An override is a voter-approved, permanent property tax increase.  It is designed to provide a community with the ability to generate sufficient revenues to fund recurring costs that are likely to continue into the future, such as annual operating expenses for educational and municipal services.  

A “general override,” a “Proposition 2½ override,” or an “operating override” are all different names for the same thing.

By passing an override, the Town can assess taxes in excess of the automatic annual 2.5% increase and any increase due to new growth.  An override results in a permanent increase in the levy limit and allows the Town to fund services and programs we believe the community expects and desires.

While an override results in a permanent tax increase that is used to fund recurring operational expenses, debt exclusions result in a temporary tax increase to pay the debt service from bonding for a specific capital project, such as building a new school.  

For debt exclusions, the debt service costs are added to the levy limit for the life of the debt only (typically between 10-30 years). Thus, unlike overrides, debt exclusions do not become part of the base used to calculate future years’ levy limits.   

Hingham voters approved three debt exclusions in 2022. The debt exclusions will fund a new elementary school to replace the Foster School ($113 million), a new Public Safety Facility on Route 3A ($47 million), and a new Town Pool located at the South Shore County Club ($8 million).

Prior to the March 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town was experiencing an increased demand for municipal and school services that was difficult to address with available revenue.  Similar to many Massachusetts communities, the cost of providing services has outpaced revenue growth allowed under Proposition 2 ½.  The global pandemic and inflationary environment further exacerbated these budget pressures.

With approval of Hingham’s 2021 Annual Town Meeting, resources were added across the Town to help students recover from COVID-19 and provide critical capacity to school and municipal operations.  These resources included 32 positions in the School Department, four positions in municipal departments, and funds to support a new field maintenance program and address shortfalls in the legal and snow and ice budgets.  To balance this large increase in FY22, the Town used approximately $5 million in one-time federal funds and local reserves.   

Understanding that we were creating a structural deficit, the Town formed a task force to begin developing a long-term financial management plan. Through this Sustainable Budget Task Force, municipal and school leaders worked together to explore revenue opportunities and identify ways to fund the Town’s budget going forward.

At Hingham’s 2022 Annual Town Meeting, in accordance with recommendations from the Task Force and in acknowledgement of the continued pandemic, the Town chose to maintain the added positions and services, once again employ $3.8 million in available federal and local one-time monies to balance the FY23 budget, and begin planning for an override in FY24.  

As a result, the Town is entering the FY24 budget season with a significant deficit ($6.0 million as of early March 2023).  To bridge the funding gap and avoid further deepening the deficit, the Town must either reduce services to balance the FY24 budget or raise additional revenue through an override to maintain current educational and municipal operations.  

The Select Board, School Committee, and Advisory Committee all unanimously recommended an FY24 budget that includes a proposed $7,890,467 override to fund the operating budgets of the Town and Hingham Public Schools.  To pass, the override requires approval at Annual Town Meeting on April 24, 2023 and on the ballot at the Annual Town Election on April 29, 2023.

The Select Board, School Committee, and Advisory Committee all unanimously recommended an FY24 budget that includes a proposed $7,890,467 override to fund the operating budgets of the Town and Hingham Public Schools. If approved this spring, the override would go into effect on July 1, 2023.  

Yes, several different levels and structures of overrides were considered.  The Town needs just over $6 million to continue providing the same level of services we currently provide, so that makes up the bulk of the $7.89 million proposed override.  At this time, the Select Board, School Committee, Advisory Committee are not recommending service cuts, which is what an override number smaller than $6 million would entail.  

In addition to the $6 million to keep what we have in place, the Select Board, School Committee, and Advisory Committee recommended funding $1.9 million of the total additional $3.2 million requested by departments (to enhance services/capacity).  The $1.9 million represents the most critical of those requests.  The Town Administrator outlined the municipal requests on February 16 (slides 16-32 here, or the video is here starting at 1:55:40).  The School Department also outlined its needs in many budget documents, including the presentation from February 27. 

The Town is trying to balance its responsibility to provide quality services with the impact on taxpayers.  With regards to taxpayer impact, we have made a concerted effort to increase awareness of the Town's property tax exemptions and relief programs. In addition, the Select Board advanced three warrant articles this spring (Articles 16, 17, and 18) that will further expand tax relief for Hingham homeowners. 

The Select Board is the only body that can place an override question on an election ballot, so the Board determines the override amount in that way. However, there are additional steps in the process, including the Advisory Committee making budget recommendations to Town Meeting (via Article 6 in the Warrant) and Town Meeting adopting a balanced budget.   

On March 15, 2023, the Select Board voted to place the following question on the official ballot for the April 29, 2023 Town election:

• Question 1:  Shall the Town of Hingham be allowed to assess an additional $7,890,467 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the Town and the Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023? 

The Advisory Committee's FY24 budget recommendations to Town Meeting (via Article 6 in the Warrant) also reflect the proposed $7,890,467 override. 

We have developed a Tax Impact Calculator that residents can use to enter their street address and view the estimated FY24 property tax increase resulting from the proposed override. 

Without the override, the median Hingham taxpayer, whose property is currently assessed at $898,850, would have an estimated FY24 tax bill of $9,634.  With the override, the median taxpayer's FY24 estimated tax bill would increase by approximately $751 to $10,385. 

For more detailed information related to estimated property tax impacts of the proposed override, please click here. 

If approved, the override would go into effect for FY24, which begins on July 1, 2023.

If the override does not pass this spring, the Town will need to contract services and reduce personnel to lower its FY24 expenditures by $6,015,216 beginning July 1, 2023.  Approximately $3.9 million, including 46.1 FTEs, will come from the School Department and approximately $2.1 million, including 19.4 FTEs, will come from the municipal departments.  The reductions would affect a number of service areas as outlined below. 

Hingham Public Schools

• Reduce approximately 46.1 FTEs across all schools, including teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and administrative assistants 
• Reduce curriculum materials, textbooks, and materials for students 
• Eliminate sub-varsity sports at the High School and after-school clubs at the Middle School
• Increase fees for athletics and full-day kindergarten
• Institute new fees for transportation grades 6-12, High School activities, and elementary instrumental music

General Government Services

• Reduce support for Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Affordable Housing Trust, and related applicants/projects 
• Significantly slow economic development efforts – limit capacity to increase tax base  
• Slow sustainability initiatives 
• Reduce support for Select Board, Town Administrator, and boards/committees – decrease capacity and efficiency across Town
• Reduce support for department heads and their missions
• Close GAR Hall to the public; close 308 Cushing Street 
• Decrease maintenance of municipal facilities
• Reduce GIS capacity to manage spatial data for strategic decision making 
• Reduce Town’s ability to effectively communicate with the public 

Public Safety

• Reduce Police support to schools – safety and security, presence at drop-off and pick-up, traffic safety, community and youth relations, DARE program, classroom curriculum
• Diminish ability to support community members with mental health crises 
• Reduce Animal Control response capabilities  
• Reduce support for Police administration – slow Police Department accreditation process
• Decrease Fire minimum staffing from 11 to 9 for certain shifts: remove one engine or ambulance from service per affected shift; increase response times, beyond normal standards; exacerbate remaining staff stress
• Eliminate Fire CPR training for school and municipal employees 

Public Works

• Reduce trash and recycling pickup, mowing of fields, maintenance of public grounds and parks, support for special/community events, and tree planting  
• Delay filling of potholes
• Limit line painting 
• Transfer Station: Close Yard Waste Area 1-2 days per week and trash compactors/trailers 

Human Services

• Decrease ability to provide public health services
• Eliminate Town social worker position – decrease support for community wellness and mental health needs
• Significantly reduce Senior Center transportation program – affects senior community’s ability to attend appointments, events, and programs 

Culture & Recreation

• Eliminate Town-wide field maintenance program 
• Close Hingham Public Library on Sundays
• Reduce children’s and other programs offered at Library - potentially jeopardizes Library certification (OCLN network and grant funding)
• Diminish Town ceremonies marking holidays and historical events

The override requires two separate votes this spring.

The first vote is at Annual Town Meeting on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7pm at Hingham High School.  This is an in-person event only.  The override vote will be part of Warrant Article 6 and it requires a majority vote to pass.  

The second vote is at the Town Election on Saturday, April 29, 2023.  The override question will be Question 1 (there is only one ballot question this spring) and it requires a majority vote to pass.  For the Town Election, you can vote in person on Election Day or you can vote by mail ahead of time.  

• In-person voting will take place on Saturday, April 29 from 8am-8pm. Precinct and voting location information is available here. 
• Vote by Mail applications are available here. The deadline to submit Vote by Mail applications is Monday, April 24, but the Town Clerk’s office recommends submitting in advance.

You must be a registered voter in Hingham to participate in Town Meeting and the Town Election this spring.  The last day to register to vote for these events is Friday, April 14, 2023.

The Town’s current fiscal year (FY23) operating budget is approximately $141 million.  (The $141 million includes approximately $19.1 million for water, sewer, and South Shore Country Club operations, which are funded from user rates and have no impact on property taxes.)

The largest five departmental budgets supported by property tax revenue include Schools ($61.8 million), Employee Benefits ($15.6 million), Police ($7.2 million), Fire ($7.2 million), and Debt Service ($5.8 million). 

The town uses a Five-Year Financial Forecast to project revenues and expenditures for future fiscal years.  This document evolves during the budget process as new revenue and expenditure data/information becomes available.  It is an iterative process, so the FY24 deficit will change as we incorporate updated revenue projections and expense estimates at different points in the budget cycle. 

We typically put together the initial version of the Forecast each December once municipal and school budget requests are submitted for the upcoming fiscal year.  The Forecast is then updated 2-3 more times – typically in late January/early February when Q2 revenue information becomes available and again in early March when health insurance rates are published for the upcoming fiscal year and preliminary State aid information becomes available.  The Forecast is finalized in mid-March once the Advisory Committee votes final budget recommendations.

As of early March 2023, the current FY24 deficit is $6.0 million. 

The Town Administrator and School Superintendent have talked about the 65/35 allocation in recent discussions and that’s what the proposed school and municipal “balanced budget” scenarios are based on.  The 65/35 split comes from the relative size of the school and municipal budgets (see pages 67-70 of the Sustainable Budget Task Force report, which includes the FY22 chart below). Ultimately, the budget recommendations from the Advisory Committee will be printed in the Warrant (in Article 6) and made to Town Meeting.

Since Prop 2 ½ was passed in 1980, the Town of Hingham has considered eight overrides as shown in the table below.  The last override that passed was in 2009.  It supported funding for the opening of a fourth elementary school (East School) in FY10.

According to the MA Department of Revenue’s Municipal Databank, our 19 benchmark communities have both proposed overrides more often than Hingham and passed overrides more often than Hingham. 

 Since 1990, our 19 benchmark communities have proposed a total of 211 overrides, which comes to an average of 11.1 proposed overrides per community compared to Hingham’s 8 proposed overrides during that period. 

 Hingham’s benchmark communities have also levied taxes through overrides more often.  Since 1990, our 19 benchmark communities have passed a total of 120 overrides, which comes to an average of 6.3 “wins” per community compared to Hingham’s 4 “wins” during the same period. 

 Please see the table below for a breakdown by community.

According to the MA Department of Revenue’s Municipal Databank, Hingham’s FY23 residential property tax rate is lower than most of our benchmark communities.  As the chart below shows, Hingham’s FY23 residential tax rate of $10.00 is tied for second lowest among the 20 communities.

According to the MA Department of Revenue’s Municipal Databank, Hingham’s average single family property tax bill is $11,177 for FY23.  As the chart below shows, Hingham ranks just below the midpoint among our benchmark communities in terms of average single family property tax bills.

If we roll these numbers forward to FY24, taking the estimated increase from the $7.89M override and the first year of debt service for the Foster School and Public Safety Facility projects into account, Hingham would remain near the midpoint among our benchmark communities in terms of FY24 average single family property tax bills. 

Users, or their hired caterers, are responsible for setting up and restoring the room to its original condition after the event.

Yes. The facility includes five (5) round tables (seating up to 10 people each), 48 chairs, and one (1) 6-foot banquet table. Users must provide their own table linens.

The Community Room measures approximately 27 feet 10 inches by 20 feet 5 inches.

Yes, music is allowed inside the building only. You may bring your own speaker, as one is not provided. Music must be kept at a low volume.

No. Candles, confetti, rice, rose petals, birdseed, and similar items are not permitted. Only battery-operated candles may be used. Balloons are allowed but must be removed at the end of the event.

No. Propane heaters are not allowed anywhere on the premises, per Hingham Fire Department regulations.

Yes, but only through a licensed caterer or bartender. You may not bring or serve your own alcohol.

• To serve beer and wine, you must hire a vendor who shall obtain a Special One Day license and/or a 12C caterer.  For information on Special One-Day Liquor Licenses, visit the Select Board webpage.
• All Alcoholic are not allowed unless you employ a 12C State Caterer or as otherwise allowed under M.G.L. c. 138, § 14 for non-profit organizations.  
• You are not allowed to bring or serve your own beer or wine.

Yes. You may bring your own food for your guests. However, you may not bring or serve your own beer or wine.

The renter is responsible for removing all trash at the end of the event. A barrel with a trash bag will be provided.

If the facility is undamaged and left clean and in its original condition, your security deposit will be refunded within 30 days following your event.

We are responsible for providing programs, services, information and referrals to residents aged 60+, their caregivers and family members. Modern day senior centers, like your Hingham Center for Active Living, are breaking the mold on “aging”. Our members are vibrant, energetic, active and passionate. We are a unique Town department. Our members come in for a morning yoga or barre class and stay with us all day; taking classes, enjoying lunch in company of others and expanding their social circle. While we take our jobs very seriously, we are the fun place to be. Our team goes the extra mile to help you feel included and appreciated. Once you join us, you’ll wish you had come in much sooner!

30% of Hingham’s current population is aged 60+. This will grow to 40% by 2035.

The HCAL is a welcoming and fun place where our members can access fitness, health and wellness programs, take educational classes, find volunteer opportunities, attend social events, create new friendships, go out for lunches, and take local or day trips. The HCAL runs an average of 60 programs each month tailored to the varying interests and abilities of our vibrant members.

Joining is free. Some of our programs have registration fees.

No. However, we give priority registration to Hingham residents. 

We don’t have an age restriction. We give priority registration to Hingham residents aged 60+. We encourage older adult residents to attend many of our programs and access services. The earlier you take control of how you want to age, the greater the benefits will be for you, your family and your community. We offer educational seminars and caregiver support for adults. We also have many members who are early retirees that enjoy coming to the center to socialize with others.

We provide free door to door transportation for medical appointments in Hingham and abutting towns. Transportation requests can be made for appointments between the hours of 8:00am and 2:00pm, Mondays through Thursdays. All requests must go through our Transportation Coordinator and you must be a registered member of the HCAL.   Members may be required to meet with Outreach or Center Director to be eligible for services. Transportation is provided on a first come first serve basis. Please refer to the monthly newsletter for more information.

We operate two shuttle vans to take members to various destinations around town. We take members to the grocery store, post office, library, beauty and barber salons, banks, shopping and so much more. We provide rides to the center and special local day trips around the south shore. Do you want to visit a friend who also lives in Hingham, but neither of you drive? Call us! Do you want to go to a daytime movie or to a restaurant, but don’t drive? Call us! Our vans are staffed by volunteers who are ready to help you get where you need to go. All ride requests are by reservation and based on driver and van availability. Rides are free to our members and funded through the municipal budget and a grant through the Community Transit Grant Program from MassDOT.

Call us at (781) 741- 1458 for a membership application. We can help you download it from our website, help you in person at the center or mail you an application. We need to have your basic contact information and an emergency contact before you can attend programs. Registering for programs is as easy as calling us. For programs with registration fees, we can take a credit card or debit card over the phone. You can also register for many of our programs by creating an account on myactivecenter.com

Our Outreach Coordinator specializes in helping seniors and their loved ones navigate elder care services. Information may be available for services including (but not limited to):

• Home Care and Personal Care Services
• Transportation Options
• Health Information Services
• Subsidized Assistance Programs such as Fuel Assistance and Nutritional Assistance
• Housing Options
• Local Resources (Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, HinghamLink Volunteers)
• Tax Work Off and Abatement Programs 

A modernized and larger Center for Active Living (formally the Senior Center) provides a long-awaited opportunity in its 55-year history. The current location totals approximately 5,500 sq. ft. and opened at Town Hall close to 30 years ago. The Center and parking capacity have been recognized as inadequate over many years and restrictive to both participation levels and the expansion of impactful programs and services. Hingham’s population over age 60 has nearly doubled from 17% in 1997 to 32% in 2024. Projections estimate that by 2035 39% of Hingham’s population will be age 60 and over. According to Town census data, close to 44% of Hingham residents are age 50 and over. 

Even if you are not currently a senior the new Center for Active Living is being designed to address the wide variety of needs of the increasing percentage of Hingham residents who will fit this profile in the years to come. There are many multigenerational families in town. We need to look to the future to help people live longer, healthier lives.

A larger center offers impactful opportunities to foster community connections and expand enriching programs and services for the entire community - older residents, future older residents, caregivers, family, and friends. 

In May of 2020, Article 15 of Annual Town Meeting established the Senior Center Building Committee. The Committee was renamed the Center for Active Living Building Committee in 2023 to reflect the rebranding and renaming of the Senior Center. 
 
 The Building Committee was initially appointed to address longtime awareness that the space and features of Hingham’s Center for Active Living are inadequate; and guide the exploration of plans for the design, engineering, and renovation of the Center in Town Hall and the adjacent space currently occupied by the Police Department. Initial efforts focused on the identification of a comprehensive overview of prioritized programs, services, and design features to be incorporated in future space. Concerns around parking and retrofitting the existing space at Town Hall ultimately led the Committee to request approval from the Town to pursue alternative sites. 
 
 In 2023, the Town approved broadening the purpose of the 2020 appropriation of $525,000 (initially earmarked for preliminary design work to expand and renovate the current Center and a related feasibility study) to include consideration of five alternative sites. The Select Board narrowed the process to two sites, Town Hall, and Bare Cove. 
   
 In December 2023, the Town of Hingham issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to initiate the feasibility study and selection of an architectural firm; in April 2024, the Town finalized an agreement with EDM Design Studio, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive feasibility analysis of opportunities at Bare Cove and Town Hall with accompanying conceptual design concepts. 
 
 In November 2024, a motion was put forth by the Building Committee to recommend the site at Bare Cove as the most preferable and feasible location for the Center of Active Living. 

EDM Design Studio, Inc. conducted community outreach through surveys, one-on-one meetings, and focus groups to gather feedback on what type of activities and layout of the amenities were important for residents to have in a new center. In addition, the Center for Active Living Building Committee and COA meetings are open to the public for comment.

Previously a Community Needs Assessment study was conducted in 2022 by UMass Boston to investigate and plan for the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hingham's residents age 45 and older. The study had a significant community outreach component that included a resident survey and interviews with key informants. 

The feasibility study evaluated multiple options at Town Hall including expansion of the existing building and standalone new construction at Cronin Field. The consultants utilized a scorecard methodology to rank over 20 site evaluation criteria. In November 2024, the Building Committee concluded that the Town Hall site lacked feasibility due to significant constraints, compromises, and concerns. 

Bare Cove offers the greatest opportunity for the Center for Active Living to reach its greatest potential as reflected in the site evaluation scorecard. Key advantages of this site are that it accommodates all programmatic needs on a single accessible level, ample indoor and outdoor spaces, adequate parking, and room for growth. Moreover, the new center will be an integral part of greater community connection hub within the Bare Cove section of Town which includes ball fields, paved walking trails, planned pickleball courts project and the South Shore Country Club which offers golf, bowling, dining, and the planned pool project. 

The new center would be similar in size and scope to the other new centers in surrounding towns. The design concept would resemble the architectural "look and feel" of Hingham and reflect the history of the Bare Cove area. The design reflects the findings of the feasibility study, which was informed by many years of research, and will incorporate "lessons learned" from other new centers in surrounding towns. 

The proposed center will be an easy to navigate one story building with large windows for natural light, 200+ parking spaces with more ADA designated spaces and designated covered drop off area. 

Inside will include a lobby/lounge area, dedicated exercise/dance and fitness rooms, auditorium, clean and dirty arts rooms, a teaching kitchen, and all-day food services through a cafe model where residents have the opportunity to gather and build social connections. Staff offices will have view of parking lot for increased safety with one secure entry point. Outside there will be a greenhouse, gardens, lawn area for games and activities, patios, and walking path connections to Bare Cove Park.

Considerations related to the size and design features of a future building reflect 15+ years of discussions among Council on Aging members, Building Committee members, and residents; and multiple studies focused on understanding needs and demographic shifts related to Hingham’s large and growing population of older adults. The Building Committee relied on the 2022 Community Needs Assessment and explored programming and design concepts being incorporated in other newly designed centers. Years of collective efforts informed the 2024 Feasibility study. Cumulative findings and the expertise of the architectural design team determined the optimal size of a new building to be approximately 28,000 SF.

The feasibility study was completed in 2024. In 2025 Hingham voters will be asked to approve full funding for the design schematic. In 2026 voters will to be asked to approve funding for construction (expected to begin in the summer of 2026). The new center is expected to be completed in 2028. * Dates subject to change

The HCAL site is approximately 5.387 acres of public recreation land under the care, custody and control of the Select Board and located on Bare Cove Park Drive just past Carlson Fields next to the Bare Cove Fire Museum and before the entrance gate to Bare Cove Park. The site is a portion of 460+ acres of land (“FLP Land”) acquired by the town from the United States over 50 years ago in 1972 under the Federal Lands to Parks Program.

The National Park Service Federal Lands to Parks (NPS-FLP) program helps communities acquire, reuse, and protect surplus federal properties for local parks and recreation. Per the NPS-FLP website: “Since its inception, this program has transferred approximately 190,000 acres of land to state and local governments for public parks and recreation use, enhancing close-to-home recreation opportunities nationwide.” “By participating in the Federal Lands to Parks Program, communities throughout the nation have: Renewed a sense of community among neighbors through community gardens, senior and cultural centers, local parks, and other gathering places” https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1508/index.htm. Currently there are approximately 1300 active FLP sites in the United States. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1508/flp-properties.htm.  

The FLP Land is a portion of the former Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot and training station, which operated from 1903 to 1961. The Ammunition Depot included additional land that was conveyed by the United States to the Town for other purposes and to private developers. The full Ammunition Depot included over 200 structures and a system of railroad tracks and roads. Building #14, located at the HCAL site, and the nearby buildings occupied by the Bare Cove Fire Museum and the South Shore Model Railway Club are some of the original buildings. Many other buildings were demolished and environmental contamination remediated by the Town at taxpayer expense during the Town’s ownership for safety purposes and to create Carlson Fields. The Town and the state own an additional 33± acres adjacent to Bare Cove Park near Beal Street bringing the total of contiguous park and recreation land in Hingham to about 500 acres.

The deed to the town designated the use as “public park and public recreation”. Approximately 421 acres (90%) of the FLP Land is the public park known as Bare Cove Park. Approximately 46 acres (10%) of the FLP Land is used for active and passive public recreation, including Lynch Field, Carlson Fields, the Bare Cove Fire Museum and the South Shore Model Railway Club. The HCAL Site constitutes only 1.2% of Hingham’s FLP Land in the public recreation area, and even less when factoring in the other 33± acres of contiguous open space. Approximately 0.5 acre of the HCAL Site is previously disturbed by a pre-existing Naval Ammunition Depot building (Building #14) and its surroundings. Building #14 contains hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead paint. This project will result in the demolition and clean-up of that site and replacement of the existing building.

There is no official boundary between the public park and public recreation areas of Hingham’s FLP Land. The Town, in discussion with the National Park Service about ten years ago, identified the approximate locations of these different use areas. Bare Cove Park is the “public park” use between the gates at Sheltry Path and the end of Bare Cove Park Drive. The “public recreation” area is the land outside the gates, including Lynch Field, Carlson Fields, the Bare Cove Fire Museum and the South Shore Model Railway Club and the land surrounding those uses.  

The National Park Service confirmed in discussions with the Town in 2023 that senior centers such as the HCAL are considered public recreation. This is also confirmed on the NPS-FLP website referenced above. The HCAL site is located in the public recreation area next to the Bare Cove Fire Museum and South Shore Model Railway and will replace Building #14.

• The Town cannot sell, lease, assign or dispose of the property, however the Town can allow for third-party activities through concession agreements – There are currently 3 concession agreements (Fire Museum, Model Railway & youth sports field house on Beal Street)
• The Town must operate the property in accordance with the Civil Rights Act
• The Town must submit periodic stewardship reports 
• If there is a breach of any condition or covenant of the deed, the property shall, at the USA’s option, revert back to the USA. – All NPS-FLP deeds contain this language.
• “If at any time the [USA] shall determine that the premises conveyed herein, or any part thereof, are needed for the national defense, all right, title and interest in and to said premises…shall revert and become the property of the [USA]”.  

All NPS-FLP property deeds contain one or more rights of the federal government to retake FLP land. Does that mean the no FLP land community should invest in the properties? Not at all. In fact, all NPS-FLP properties are conveyed with the intent they will be improved for community purposes as noted on the NPS-FLP webpage linked above, and senior centers are one of those permitted uses. In the Town’s communications with the National Park Service over more than the last ten years, no NPS official has every cautioned the Town against investment in the property for this reason. This is a de minimis risk for communities with NPS-FLP properties. To the Town’s knowledge, the United States has never exercised its reversionary rights to reclaim NPS-FLP land for national defense.

Article 97 of the Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution establishes a right to a clean environment for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Land subject to Article 97 cannot be used for other purposes or disposed of without a two-thirds roll call vote of the Legislature. The Commonwealth has also adopted a statute (MGL c. 3, §5A – the “Act”) which codifies the requirements and process for submission to the legislature of petitions to authorize uses on Article 97 land. Under the Act, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) must review alternatives analyses and other environmental information about the project site and any proposed replacement land. Then EOEEA reviews and makes a determination regarding the natural resource value of the Article 97 land and replacement land. The Secretary of EOEEA oversees all of the Commonwealth's environmental and natural resource agencies and departments.

Yes. The 2025 Town Meeting voted by a two-thirds majority to authorize the Select Board to file a petition for Article 97 approval. The Town has submitted to EOEEA and the Massachusetts legislature all information required under the Act. Materials can be found at Article 97 Submission Tracker  (File No. A97_017_131). The legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government reviewed the Town’s petition and public comment and voted the petition favorably out of Committee. The petition is now going through the typical process for all pending bills and it awaits votes by the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

When land subject to Article 97 is proposed for a change of use, replacement land must be identified (or a payment in lieu of land made) that is of equal or greater value than the impacted area with respect to: (i) acreage; (ii) monetary value as determined by an appraisal of the fair market value or value in use, whichever is greater; and (iii) natural resource value (the benefit the land provides the public such as clean air and water, healthy food, climate change mitigation, wildlife habitat, or recreation). 

After review and approval by the School Committee and the Conservation Commission, the 2025 Town Meeting authorized the designation of approximately 6.847 acres near Plymouth River School directly abutting 53.48 acres of existing conservation land currently held by the Hingham Conservation Commission. This land is currently under the custody of the School Committee and therefore is not protected land. If the HCAL project proceeds, then care, custody and control of this parcel will be transferred to the Conservation Commission and will be protected as Article 97 land.

The Town has provided EOEEA with documentation that the replacement land is of equal or greater value than the HCAL site as to all three of the Article 97 criteria: 

(i)    acreage: the replacement land is 1.4 acres (27%) larger than the HCAL site; 

(ii)    monetary value: an independent appraisal has determined that its monetary value is less than the replacement land; and 

(iii)     natural resource value: A Natural Resource Site Analysis Report for each site was generated using the EOEEA Natural Resource Site Evaluation Tool. While both the HCAL site and the replacement land contain some similar natural resources, the replacement land lies entirely within medium- and high-yield aquifers and is located in close proximity to a Zone II Aquifer Protection District. 

The Secretary of EOEEA, issued a letter, dated October 3, 2025, confirming that the natural resource value of the replacement land is of equal or greater value compared to the HCAL site.

The aquifer is Hingham’s water supply and by designating this acreage as replacement land it will be protected as Article 97 land. In addition, while the HCAL has difficult terrain and is not easily accessible to the public, the replacement land has existing trails which make the land more accessible. The planned design of the HCAL will create additional walking trails to connect the site to other existing trails in the adjacent park significantly increasing the public accessibility between the HCAL site and the park.

The site is located near the outside perimeter, and is less than 0.5%, of a 950 acre ACEC designated in 1982 to recognize the coastal resource area along the Back River. Construction of the HCAL is permitted in the ACEC. An ACEC designation requires a look at how a project may impact the ACEC, not if it can be constructed. 

A professional wetlands scientist reviewed the HCAL’s potential impact on the ACEC. The findings include a determination that the proposed HCAL site activity is located along the outside perimeter of the ACEC, the project will impact less than 0.5% of the 950-acre ACEC area, the proposed work area is not located in an area of tidal influence, and the closest tidal mean high-water line is located more than 0.27-miles from the proposed limit of disturbance. 

The wetland scientist concluded that the HCAL project “does not demonstrate the potential to adversely affect” the ACEC. In the EOEEA letter, dated October 3, 2025, referenced above, the Secretary noted that the EEA has reviewed and accepted the wetlands scientist’s analysis.

The Town chose the HCAL site with sensitivity toward nearby wetland resources. The HCAL will be constructed outside of wetland resources and their buffer zones. In addition, the HCAL design team is working closely with Town staff and the Building Committee with a focus on incorporating sustainability into every aspect of the design, including:

• Pervious paving in specific locations to reduce stormwater runoff and allow rainwater to filter back into the ground naturally;
• Low-impact design features like rain gardens and bioswales to manage stormwater while adding seasonal color and texture;
• Landscaped corridors between parking areas filled with native flowering trees and pollinator-friendly gardens—spaces that are good for birds and bees;
• Native plantings throughout, chosen to thrive in the local climate with minimal watering and upkeep;
• Balanced earthwork approach that minimizes the need to bring in or haul away soil—efficient, economical, and gentle on the land;
• Bike path connections linking the Center to the riverfront and nearby ball fields, encouraging multi-modal transportation;
• EV-ready parking to future-proof the site and support the growing use of electric vehicles;
• All-electric building that’s net-zero ready, designed with efficiency and renewable energy in mind;
• Vegetable garden that can tie into the Center’s food and nutrition programs;
• Rainwater harvesting system for garden irrigation; and
• Bird-friendly glazing to reduce collisions and support local and migratory bird populations.

No. In the 1980s Town Meeting voted to authorize the selectmen to seek wildlife sanctuary designation for the FLP Land. This must be established pursuant to a state statute. However, the land never received that designation from the state. This was confirmed in 2016 by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (which includes the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife who oversees such designations). The FLP Land has been referred to in recent years with this designation (including a sign installed in 2004) based on the misbelief that it had been designated when in fact it had not.

Notably, while all forested areas support some wildlife, the Natural Resource Site Analysis Report for the HCAL site generated through EOEEA reports that none of the HCAL site acreage includes Aquatic Core Habitat, Wetland Core Habitat, Forest Core Habitat, or Vernal Pool Core Habitat. In addition, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information for Planning and Consultation Service issued a determination that the project site would have no effect on endangered species or any threatened species.

No. The HCAL site is being designed so that the project will not affect any wetland resources or their buffer zones. There are no state permits required for the project. Therefore, no state environmental agencies, such as DEP, CZM, or DCR (which includes state foresters), have jurisdiction or permitting oversight of the HCAL site. 

No – siting the HCAL on Union Street would have significantly more impacts. The Union Street parcel was considered by the Town in a public process, including a Select Board meeting on August 15, 2023. It was discussed that siting the HCAL on Union Street would adversely impact traffic at the high school and adjacent fields, and it would be built very close to the adjacent single family home. In addition, the site has limited development capacity. The parcel is in the Town’s aquifer and the wellhead protection district for the Town’s water supply. It abuts the Weir River, is in a floodplain, and the EOEEA Natural Resource Site Evaluation Tool has identified a significant Aquatic Core Habitat area on the site. While a small scale structure may be possible it would also require tree removal. As to the availability of utilities, the site is not within the North Hingham Sewer District. The high school was connected to sewer in 1969 but no other properties along Union Street are permitted to tie into the sewer main without undertaking a comprehensive regulatory approval process. A septic system on this site would take up a significant portion of the buildable area and the size of the system would be limited by the location in the aquifer and next to the Weir River. Also, due to the location of the Weir River resources and floodplain, an appropriately-sized HCAL with parking would be challenging to site on the parcel and would have to be sited very close to the directly adjacent single family home.