February 10, 2026 by Glenn Mangurian
Seventh in a Series: Learning about the New Center for Active Living Project
Summary
- We are the stewards of Hingham’s quality of life inherited from generations past.
- Residents point to the quality of life as the dominant factor that has drawn them to Hingham and to stay in Hingham.
- A portion of our property taxes are earmarked to our Community Preservation Fund to enhance important aspects of our hometown.
- Outside ratings agencies continue to give Hingham the highest financial ratings. Hingham, however, is not without some residents who are critical of its financial management.
- Hingham is a community in demand as evidenced by its skyrocketing property values and low tax rate.
- Most Hingham Seniors plan on staying in the community that they call home.
- The new Center for Active Living is the next opportunity to invest in a 50-year, 21 st century facility to provide community and services for current and future generations of seniors.
Stew·ard·ship: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care
Forty-one years ago my wife, my pre-school daughter and I moved to Hingham. We had wanted to move here four years earlier but could not afford to purchase a home. As interest rates lowered and our household income rose, we were able to buy a starter house in the “highly desirable” (as advertised), Plymouth River School District. We chose Hingham because of its beauty, excellent services and quality school system. We didn’t create the Hingham that we were about to enjoy. As new residents, we inherited all the beauty and benefits created by many previous generations.
Residents value Hingham’s quality of life
Today, we are the stewards responsible for sustaining and enhancing Hingham’s quality of life. If you think of it, our present time is but a blip in Hingham’s 390 year history. The decisions we make, however, will have a lasting effect for generations to come. Over the past eight months I’ve had the opportunity to ask Hingham residents (seniors and non-seniors) what has drawn them to Hingham and to stay in Hingham. The answer consistently for new residents was Hingham’s Quality of Life. For current residents, many of whom have lived in Hingham for 40+ years, they mention continued investment in town infrastructure, quality schools, the scope of town services, excellent town governance/volunteerism and good financial management.
A segment of our property taxes are earmarked to preserve our community
According to the Town’s website, Hingham maintains a Community Preservation Fund in accordance to Massachusetts Law (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44B, sections 3-7).”That fund is composed of a 1.5% surtax on Town real estate taxes and state matching grants payable each Fall based on the surtax revenues for the fiscal year ending the prior June 30th, and interest on the accumulated funds.” https://www.hingham-ma.gov/432/Community-Preservation-Committee The Community Preservation Act requires that at least 10% of each year's Community Preservation revenues be spent or set aside for each of the three Community Preservation categories. These include the acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space, historic resources and land for recreational use and community housing. The remaining 70% is available for spending on any one or more of the categories as the Community Preservation Committee and Town Meeting see fit.
Outside ratings agencies continue to give Hingham the highest financial ratings.
S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Ratings continue to recognize Hingham’s excellent financial and managerial strength supported by an affluent tax base willing to continue to invest in its future. These factors and others give Hingham its top rating and allow us to borrow at the most favorable rates. https://www.hingham-ma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2216
Hingham is not without some residents who are its financial management critics.
Those with criticism point to continued property tax increases that they attribute to poor financial management. While the vast majority of residents support property tax investments to replace outdated and aging infrastructure, thousands have executed their democratic rights and voted against such investments. For example, while 70% of residents voted in favor of funding the Foster School, 2,900 residents voted against the funding. Similarly, 60% of residents voted in favor of the new Public Safety Building and 4,200 residents voted against the funding. https://www.hingham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16694/2022-State-Election-Results-PDF Notwithstanding those with strong concerns about rising taxes, Hingham has one of the lowest tax rates on the South Shore and one of the highest property values.
Hingham: a community in demand
As a 41-year resident, my wife and I have voted for all tax investments and are the beneficiaries of the overall results. Hingham is a town in demand by new residents as reflected by the significant increase in property values. Homes often sell before being advertised and many sell significantly above asking price. While existing homeowners are the beneficiaries of skyrocketing values, traditional first time buyers are being priced out of the market because of insufficient affordable housing.
Most Hingham Seniors plan on staying in the community that they call home
Most seniors to whom I have talked plan to continue to live in Hingham. For those who plan to move outside of Hingham, the most common reasons cited include:
- Move closer to children (for assistance) and grandchildren (for enjoyment)
- Remove the emotional burden of maintaining a house
- Move to one final place (in Hingham if available and affordable) where there are different levels of health care available and more social interaction
- Monetize the significant equity in their home for other uses including helping their children and grandchildren financially
I know there are senior residents who are vulnerable to many things including social isolation and the increased cost of living. We have an obligation to care for them and we do. Hingham has many generous senior tax relief programs. https://www.hingham-ma.gov/180/Exemptions-and-Relief After so many years, most seniors would prefer to stay and are reluctant to move because they call Hingham their home.
Stewardship is an awesome responsibility
We have a responsibility to sustain and enhance the quality of life that we have inherited from past investments that may have been controversial at that time. Those investments have created the town we treasure as our home. The new Center for Active Living is the next opportunity to invest in a 50-year, 21 st century facility to provide community and services for current and future generations of seniors.