HINGHAM - January 27, 2026 - Town Administrator Tom Mayo presented a balanced FY27 municipal budget to the Select Board, meeting the self-imposed 3.5% growth cap established in the town’s financial management plan. The $38.5 million budget was achieved through significant savings in collective bargaining retro-payments and a strategic series of senior staff retirements, allowing the town to fund critical new initiatives in cybersecurity, public records transparency, and public safety personnel without a tax override.
The Full Story
The Hingham Select Board reviewed the departmental budget requests for Fiscal Year 2027, focusing on maintaining fiscal discipline while addressing emerging town needs [07:33]. Town Administrator Tom Mayo noted that the town was able to move from “cut budgets” in previous years to “adjustment budgets” this year [10:02]. A primary driver of this flexibility was the reduction in Article 4 funding—money set aside for collective bargaining retro-payments—which dropped from $1.7 million last year to just $346,000 this year, freeing up roughly $1.4 million for other uses [09:02].
“Our departments are so good. They’re disciplined. They come in and ask for what they need... we were able to talk about some of those [additional requests] because of the savings we realized.” [10:25] — Tom Mayo, Town Administrator
Several departments presented their specific needs:
Information Technology: IT Director Bill Hartigan requested $25,000 for enhanced 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring to defend against “adversaries” who target municipal networks during off-hours [16:26]. Additionally, $10,000 was allocated to provide official town email addresses for elected officials to improve transparency and streamline public records requests [16:06].
Fire Department: Chief Steve Murphy highlighted a growing challenge with South Shore Hospital, which has begun charging the town for medications and linen services that were previously free [47:15]. Despite a call volume approaching 6,000 annually, the department has seen recent recruitment success, hiring three new personnel [37:12].
Police Department: Chief David Jones discussed the upcoming Town Meeting article to remove the department from Civil Service, a move intended to broaden the applicant pool and address the current vacancy of nine positions (six open spots and three long-term injuries) [01:33:08].
Public Safety Facility (PSF): The board approved a $75,000 contract with K5 Corporation for town-wide pavement and ADA marking, including work recently completed at Town Hall [03:40].
Why It Matters
For Hingham residents, this budget represents a commitment to stable taxation without sacrificing essential services. By staying within the 3.5% growth cap, the town avoids the immediate need for an operational override while still investing in modernizing cybersecurity and maintaining a fully-equipped fire and police response. The move to provide official emails for elected officials also ensures that town business is conducted transparently and is easily accessible for public records requests.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To authorize the Town Administrator to sign an agreement with K5 Corporation for town-wide pavement markings not to exceed $75,000.
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[05:41]]
Motion: To recommend favorable action on Article A (Hannah Lincoln Whiting Fund).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[02:02:44]]
Motion: To recommend favorable action on Article H (Disbursement of Electric Light Department receipts/PILOT).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[02:06:41]]
Motion: To remove Article R (Transfer of funds to balance certain accounts) from the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant.
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[02:14:46]]
Public Comment
There was no public comment offered during the session [02:15:22].
What’s Next
The board will continue reviewing departmental budgets in the coming weeks. A major focus will remain on the April Town Meeting, where residents will vote on the proposal for the Police and Fire Departments to exit Civil Service [01:33:08].
Source Video: Harbor Media