April 26, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
Topping the list of the most compelling warrant articles that were considered during Town Meeting 2023 — which stretched over two sessions — were the proposed $7.9 million override, detached accessory dwelling units, and ban on the retail sale of single-use plastic water bottles.
Town Meeting attendance on the first night — April 24 — reached 1,038 voters, who approved all 22 warrant articles that were addressed before the 3-1/2-hour meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Article 6 (budgets, including the proposed $7.9 million override) passed overwhelmingly. An affirmative majority vote at the April 29 town election is required to uphold Town Meeting’s approval of the override.
The town election will take place this Saturday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go to https://www.hingham-ma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1589 for more information.
On the second night, April 25, there was a much smaller crowd of 411. During the 4-1/2-hour meeting, voters approved allowing short-term rental units in both attached (approved at an earlier Town Meeting) and detached accessory dwellings. The discussion continued for more than two hours leading up to the vote, which favored allowing accessory dwelling rental units — versus the originally proposed familial requirement — through an amendment on the floor of Town Meeting.
The warrant article relating to a ban on the retail sale of water in plastic containers smaller than one gallon in Hingham also passed following a lengthy discussion.
Also winning Town Meeting approval were the establishment of tax mitigation and capital stabilization funds; extending the parameters of the earlier-approved Senior Center feasibility study to include potential sites beyond the current Town Hall location; an extension of property tax relief for qualifying individuals through the town’s senior means-tested tax exemption; allocations from the town’s Community Preservation Act funds toward affordable housing; reconstruction of the Cronin Field basketball court and a feasibility study and design of a pickleball court; creation of a Hingham Climate Action Commission to oversee the implementation of Hingham’s newly-developed Climate Action Plan; painting and restoring the former Tree and Park Barn at 8 Short St.; rehabilitation of the Girl Scout House on Burr Road; and the purchase of the waterfront property at 30 Summer St., among others.
“Again this year, Hingham’s commitment to Open Town Meeting proved its worth,” Town Moderator Michael Puzo told the Hingham Anchor.