Dear Hingham Residents,
This is a monthly update from my office that I hope will prove helpful for residents to stay informed. To receive this update and other important Town news via email, please subscribe to *Hingham General News and Announcements*. As always, please reach out with questions and feedback.
February is Black History Month
Student Commission Member Akaashi Shetty on behalf of the Hingham Human Rights Commission wrote a beautiful and moving statement. Below is an excerpt, please find the full statement on the Human Rights Commission page..
“As we commemorate Black History Month, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant importance of this yearly observance. It not only celebrates the profound contributions of Black Americans but also underscores the enduring struggle for equity and justice. Black History Month illustrates a vital reminder of past iniquities endured and the victories achieved by Black individuals throughout history. This reflection of history is crucial in shaping today's actions and future guidance.”
Lincoln Day
The Select Board declared Feb 10th as Lincoln Day in Hingham. Thank you Hingham Historical Society; Historic Preservation Director, Andrea Young; and the Hingham Public Schools for a wonderful Lincoln Day celebration! Keynote speaker, historian Michelle Marchetti Coughlin discussed her recent research on Mary Cushing Lincoln, wife to Major General Benjamin Lincoln which was fascinating.
FY25 Budgets
We are moving through the budget process. The School Department budget was presented to the Select Board and Advisory Committee on Feb 7th. The Town Administrator recommended budget was presented to the Select Board on Feb 14th. The Select Board will discuss the recommended municipal budget over the next several weeks before taking a vote. Even with a level services budget, we are faced with making hard decisions to keep within our committed growth rate of 3.5%. It has been a good exercise requiring us to look for efficiencies and reallocations within the budget to maximize the impact of every dollar. The budget presentation can be found on the Select Board web page. Please reach out with questions or feedback. Public input is critical to the process at this stage. For background information, the Sustainable Budget Task Force Report is a helpful resource. Also, municipal finance is unique, check out Inside Town Finances for a crash course.
MBTA Communities
Community Planning Director Emily Wentworth provided an update on MBTA Communities to the Select Board on July 25th. The Planning Board has worked with a consultant to draft potential zoning by-law changes, submitted on December 1st. The most recent public hearing was held on Feb 12th. More public hearings are expected in March. This is an important topic with ramifications if adopted or not. Please get engaged and informed as ultimately, Town Meeting will decide.
Public Safety Facility 
A traditional “Topping Off” ceremony was held Friday, Feb 9th, at the new Public Safety Facility construction site to mark the installation of the last piece of the building’s steel structure. A flag and an evergreen adorned the beam in an old construction ritual to mark the safe completion of the framing of a structure, and a wish for continued good luck for the project and its future occupants. The building is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Goals for FY24
The Select Board has defined the following as Goals for FY24 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). The Quarter 2 progress highlights, posted on the Select Board web page, were discussed at the Select Board meeting on January 23rd.
- Build the Team
- Drive Process Improvement
- Identify Revenue Opportunities
- Implement the Master Plan
- Manage Large Capital Projects/Infrastructure
2024 Town Meeting
Annual Town Meeting is Wednesday, April 24th at 7 PM, Hingham High School. Please note the date change due to the Passover holiday observance. And please make every effort to attend. Hingham’s form of government works best when everyone participates.
The proposed warrant articles have been posted on the Town Meeting website. The Select Board is in the process of reviewing the proposed warrant articles and making recommendations at its meetings over the next several weeks.
MyHingham
The Town of Hingham is excited to launch MyHingham, a new mobile citizen engagement application. The MyHingham App aims to enhance communication, streamline service delivery, and foster a sense of community. Through the user-friendly platform, residents can now conveniently connect with their local government, report issues, and stay informed about important updates right from the palm of their hands. To download the free app, go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search “MyHingham”.
Wishing our community members a happy, healthy, and prosperous Lunar New Year!
Please email me at kleinl@hingham-ma.gov with any comments or questions.
Best Regards,
Liz Klein
Select Board, Chair