March 23, 2026 by Debra LaRocca
I’m a Hingham mom who recently attended an info session to gain a better understanding of the proposed new Center for Active Living (affectionately referred to as “CAL”, like Cal State). I’m not a senior citizen, nor do I have a senior family member in town, but I’ve thought a lot about this upcoming vote. I have a genuine affinity for older folks and really enjoy their company and listening to their stories of the past. I get to do this as an End of Life Doula and as a volunteer companion to a woman in her 90s still living independently in her house, in a nearby town. I only see her once a week because her other weekdays are spent at the senior center in her town. She takes their free shuttle, enjoys a $5 hot lunch (she says it’s the best deal in town), attends occasional lectures & events and enjoys the company of her peers. Full disclosure, though I’m all in on supporting Hingham’s seniors, I did arrive that night with some nagging questions about the budget and location. I came away, however, with clarity and conviction that this is a YES for me!
I’m going to address my initial objections and share what I have since learned about them. I should clarify, none of this information is new, but it was new to me. The details of the CAL plan are accessible to the public and are very transparent. Unfortunately, they don’t always get enough exposure. I have read several comments on town FB pages recently that indicate there is still a lot of confusion and misunderstanding out there, and I thought this could help.
Q: I recall voting on the new Police & Fire station at town meeting and thinking it also meant the Senior Center (renamed the Center for Active Living) would benefit by taking over the old Police Station on Central Street. What happened?
Apparently it was only a concept when it was presented as an option, and not a fully vetted plan. Was that innocent? Or bait and switch? Who knows? At this point it doesn’t really matter because logistically, it’s not a fit. Many factors were not initially considered.
- For starters, an old 3 story building is not really the right place for an older population more prone to mobility challenges. Retrofitting a building with existing jail cells etc, to be used for older adults isn’t viable. Nor is expecting older people to utilize exercise equipment or attend workout classes in a dark basement on the other side of a massive building.
- Then, there’s the unique factor of the 911 dispatch system, which is a separate entity from HPD, and is still located at the Central St. location. I do not fully understand the details but apparently, though not impossible, it’s not easy to relocate.
- Also, I learned that a significant amount of additional parking spaces would have been necessary and likely would have impacted the athletic fields. The successful expansion of the CAL includes increased resources and offerings, requiring significant parking accommodations.
- Lastly, it turns out the estimated cost of the newly proposed CAL is only marginally more than the estimated (after the fact) cost of what it may have taken to renovate the police station, had it been feasible. (Numbers were mentioned but I didn’t take note. Anyone can request info from Invest In Hingham)
Q. I heard the proposed location in Bare Cove Park would require cutting down a lot of trees/forest area. Why does it have to be in that location?
First, I learned the proposed location is not actually in Bare Cove Park but near the entrance, by the fire museum and the planned Pickleball court. It would require cutting down trees. I don’t recall the exact number but I believe it is somewhere in the 200 range (the plans are accessible online). I don’t love the tree cutting obviously, and although it is only a consolation, the town does have a policy to replant a tree for every tree the town removes. I am aware of some objection to this statement but it is what I was told by those in charge and I have no reason not to believe them. I imagine this was done for the new Foster School? Plus, as someone who is outdoors almost daily in all manner of woods in this town, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I might welcome the clearing of some of the invasive species that are overtaking our native plants.
So, though maybe not perfect, I’m at peace with the proposed location. I am convinced the CAL needs to be a single story structure with ample parking – that is meant to accommodate not only older adults, but our entire community. I saw/heard some of the plans and we all stand to benefit – and not just when we’re seniors. The space has so much potential for bringing children and seniors together in meaningful ways.
Re: possible other locations, there was mention of the vacant Hitchcock Shoe Building on Beal St. I actually had the pleasure of meeting the building’s owner at this event, at which time I learned the Hitchcock building is not an option for the CAL. I don’t have any more details beyond that.
Q. Why doesn’t the town spend the $ on fixing other things that need work, like the roof at Plymouth River School?
They do and will continue to fund these projects. Voting for one thing will not negate the other. I have a child in Hingham Public Schools and have witnessed first hand the disparity of our elementary school facilities. Personally, I find it unfair to the students and staff who have to do more with less, sometimes right up until it becomes an obvious safety hazard. Our children deserve to be in schools we (and they and HPS staff) are proud of and feel safe about them occupying. I believe this with my whole heart. I also believe with my whole heart, that this is true for our seniors too.
Q. But what about taxes? My property tax already went up a lot this year! Now this?
Apparently, a great deal of residents experienced a larger than usual increase in property taxes this year, myself included. I recently learned this was due to updated assessments/valuations. So, though not welcome, it was a necessary course correction.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn the estimated tax increase for the CAL project is an average of ~$175 per household per year, for 8 years. I had been pretty fixated on the overall budget, which is significant, but I hadn’t considered what impact it would have on my household until now. I’ve decided it’s is a price I’m willing to pay, based on my values and means. (I fully appreciate that not everyone is in alignment on this) I also reminded myself that there still would have been a similar tax increase had the Police station renovation been feasible.
I also heard cautionary tales about Hingham sometimes waiting too long to approve projects like this. Repeating that pattern could cost us since deadlines come and go, often making it necessary to start over at step 1. Planning and design expenses would increase and early estimates could be unreliable, subject to inflation. That’s the thing that really did it for me. If this CAL isn’t approved this time around, then what? The answer is definitely not to just do nothing (have you been to the current CAL?), and despite what we all initially thought, the Police Station is not an option. It will be back to square one for another lengthy and costly discovery and planning phase, almost guaranteeing any future option would cost more than the current estimate.
Hingham demographic data also impacted my decision (data source hingham-ma.gov):
- Over 31% of the population is 60+ (vs 24% statewide avg)
- 23% of them are 65+ (vs state avg of 17%)
- By 2035 it is estimated the % of older adults could reach 39%
- Among those residents 65+, 33% (a sizable share) live alone
- The average median age range of a Hingham resident is 42-48 (older than the state avg)
- 36% of households have children ages 5-19
A very troubling statistic I learned is that, despite better than average outcomes in some state benchmarks, Hingham’s older residents have higher than average rates of hip fractures, Alzheimer’s/dementia, osteoperosis, ischemic heart disease, glaucoma & arthritis. Over time, the new CAL would significantly decrease negative outcomes in these areas, given CALs mission. Loneliness is not good for aging brains – or any brain, I’d argue. A primary benefit to social connection and ongoing mental activity is lowering the risk and/or delaying the progression of cognitive decline. The proposed CAL would also have exercise equipment and offer fitness classes (not like the space in the basement of the rec center that many older people aren’t comfortable navigating), which directly and positively impact heart and bone health. The detailed plans are all out there. When I stopped focusing on the location and really considered the positives, I was sold. The proposal has been diligently researched and modeled after similar data-backed successes in other towns.
Do I think today’s older residents deserve this new Center for Active Living and that it will no doubt have a positive impact on their physical, social and emotional wellbeing (and will in turn benefit our entire community)? 100% – you bet I do! But, is this selflessness my only motivator to vote Yes? Heck no! The reality is, it won’t be long before my husband and I reach the age of CAL-eligibility. To think, beginning at a healthy and vital 60 years old, I could have access to an exceptional facility to exercise, play Mahjong (which I have yet to learn but hope to), attend a movie/lecture/workshop, go for a walk in Bare Cove Park, curl up with a book, get help with my taxes, or have lunch at the cafe’ all right here in town! Navigating the unique challenges of aging while having access to a vibrant, wellness focused Center for Active Living, will no doubt help us all live fuller, healthier and more mindful lives.
-Debi LaRocca