HINGHAM - July 7, 2026 - The Hingham Select Board approved a comprehensive slate of FY26 year-end reserve fund transfers totaling $1.7 million, finishing a significant $1 million below original municipal forecasts. The lower-than-expected draw on the town’s reserve fund was driven by proactive management of police overtime, substantial savings within the school department’s special education budget, and a well-timed $296,234 supplemental state aid injection to offset winter snow and ice deficits. The remaining $1 million in unused reserve funds will return directly to the town’s fund balance, shoring up Hingham’s fiscal health ahead of the upcoming year.
The Full Story
The meeting, chaired by Select Board Vice Chair Julie Strehle alongside Member William Ramsey, focused heavily on the intricate procedural work required to legally close out the fiscal year with a balanced budget. Assistant Town Administrator for Finance Katie Dugan led the board through a detailed breakdown of 12 distinct reserve fund transfers and two interdepartmental adjustments.
Dugan reminded the board that Town Meeting had originally boosted the reserve fund capacity to $2.7 million in anticipation of steep special education (SPED) costs and lingering bills from a bruising winter. However, the schools managed to save nearly $600,000 on out-of-district placements, and the town captured an additional $400,000 in operational savings.
A major point of discussion involved the town’s snow and ice deficit, which initially sat at $1.1 million. Thanks to advocacy from State Senator Patrick O’Connor, Hingham was allocated $296,234 from the state’s fair share supplemental budget. Because the state funds will not arrive until July, the town utilized special Division of Local Services (DLS) guidance to set up a temporary revenue account, matching the upcoming receipts against current expenses and lowering the required reserve transfer to $805,428.
