February 27, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
During two sessions this week, the select board supported a number of warrant articles that will be on the April 27 (and possibly 28) Town Meeting agenda but voted no action on a citizen’s petition to amend the town’s noise bylaw that is related to pickleball noise mitigation, submitted by Hillary Tutko.
The proposed new Center for Active Living warrant article took center stage during Thursday’s board meeting, with Chair William Ramsey and members Julie Strehle and Liz Klein unanimously supporting the article. The total project cost is $29.9 million.
All three select board members strongly support the project, noting that a new senior center has been under discussion for years and that it was the third major capital project put on a high priority list along with the new Foster School and public safety facility.
A number of citizens advocated for the project – which would be situated off Bare Cove Drive – while others expressed concerns.
Mary Carnes said she objects to the project on top of the new Foster School and public safety facility.
John Hornstra said it’s difficult to envision spending $30 million on top of recent hikes in property tax bills.
‘It’s important to take care of our seniors’
On the other hand, Yvette Kanter, noting that “$30 million is not a small number,” said that nonetheless, “It’s important to take care of our seniors. . . . This project has been researched for more than five years, with 200 open meetings,” she said. “The transparency is all there on the town website.” (https://www.hingham-ma.gov/1080/Center-for-Active-Living-Building-Projec).
Hilary Aborn called Bare Cove Park “a precious resource for all ages,” noting the number of people who walk their dogs, push their children in strollers, and enjoy the “fresh air, peace, and serenity” of the area and expressed concern about how the construction noise from the project would disturb the peaceful tranquility of the area if it passes at Town Meeting and subsequently at the ballot box.
Sharon Hampton called the current Center for Active Living at Town Hall “embarrassing. A modern facility with more space will do so much more for our senior population. Now is the time.”
It was noted a few times that seniors supported the new Foster School and public safety facility and it’s now their turn.
Building committee member Jean Silverio shared her positive personal experience with the current senior center for the past 14 years, “and I’ve never looked back. Seniors are not born to be alone. Please don’t let us down. We’re worth it.”
“I would rather see our parks kept intact’
Gary Hantsbarger, who recently turned 65 “and might be considered one of the seniors who would benefit from a new CAL” said he doesn’t want it. “I would much rather see our parks kept intact.”
Diane DeNapoli suggested those involved with the proposal take a pause for further consideration. “Will the project as it stands get the required two-thirds vote at Town Meeting?” she asked.
Longtime Bare Cove Park Committee member Ted Matthews thinks constructing the new CAL in the Bare Cove Park area isn’t a good idea. “I don’t want to destroy six acres, when there are alternatives,” he said. “This is really wrong for so many reasons.”
Another resident noted that the project involves only part of the park.
‘We owe ourselves a new senior center’
Building committee member Joe Kelly called the current center “deplorable” and said that “we owe ourselves a new senior center. It will be an asset for years to come – serving generations of people who are not seniors yet – and the community would benefit from it.”
‘What happens to seniors who can’t afford to live her anymore?’
Janice McPhillips called for a “reality check,” noting that her recent tax bill reflected a 48 percent increase related in part to a higher assessment. “[My husband and] I are all right, but what happens to seniors who had recent tax increases who can’t afford to live here anymore? I’m torn on this one and haven’t yet made up my mind,” she said, while acknowledging the amount of work that has already gone into the project.
Klein told McPhillips and others in the room that she understands their concerns about recent tax bill hikes. “I also got a tax bill, and some people are shaken [by the increase].” She also noted, “We’re not taking a portion of the actual park.”
Strehle said she appreciates the input from citizens about the project, whether they support it or not. “I want to remind everyone that we are all neighbors and that we need to take care of each other – and we need to take care of our seniors.”
‘The current center is not adequate to meet seniors’ needs’
Ramsey – who serves as the select board liaison for the project – said it “has absolutely consumed my life. I’ve talked with seniors who use the center and the common denominator is that the current one is not adequate to address their needs.”
The board also supported the following warrant articles:
- a health care subsidy for town employees for FY2027 only;
- implementation of a real estate transfer fee equal to 1% of the purchase price consideration paid for the transfer of any real property interest situated in the Town of Hingham – to be borne by the buyer. The purpose is to use the proceeds first to bolster the town’s affordable housing stock if it falls below the state’s required 10 percent threshold and then for general purposes related to the town budget – on a 2-1 vote, with Strehle voting no.
- the sale of the historic 8 Short St. property consisting of the main building and a garage (Hingham Centre, formerly occupied by a cabinetmaking business) and the historic 230 North St. property (Torrent Fire Station) to bring in extra revenue to be put toward capital projects.
“One of the board’s goals is to raise additional revenue for the town,” Chair William Ramsey said, noting that interest has been expressed already in buying the property.
Assistant Town Administrator for Operations Art Robert noted that an historic preservation restriction will require the buyer to maintain the exterior and footprint of the 8 Short St. building. Dick Orr, who operated a cabinetmaking business there for a number of years, noted the heavy traffic and fender-benders that occur in the area with regard to the future use of the building.
- the removal of the Hingham fire and police departments from civil service, which will give both more flexibility in hiring – with the support of both departments;
- a roughly $1.8 million chiller replacement project at Hingham Public Library to replace the current failing system, from excess fund balance. Director Linda Harper Stone noted the importance of this project since HPL is a designated town cooling center during hot weather.
The board also supported several Community Preservation Committee-recommended projects using the town’s Community Preservation Act funds.
In 2000, Town Meeting voted to adopt a 1.5% surcharge on property taxes to fund local open space, historic preservation, community housing, and certain recreation projects. These funds are partially “matched” by the state annually.
The board supported the following CPA proposals:
- $605,487 to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust for community housing purposes;
- $299,572 to replace the roof at the Hingham Housing Authority-run 30 Thaxter Street apartments;
- $30,300 to be used by the Hingham Historical Society to restore the Victory (Iron Horse) statue at Hingham Harbor
- $160,000 to be used by the Hingham Veterans’ Services for elevator replacement at the Grand Army Hall;
- $185,500 to be used by the Hingham Community Center to preserve and restore the exterior of the John Thaxter House,l where HCC is located;
$333,500 to be used by the Recreation Commission for the Plymouth River School basketball court project.
The advisory committee reviews all articles and makes recommendations that appear in the Town Meeting warrant that is mailed to every Hingham household, closer to the time. Voters have the final say on all warrant articles.