Hingham Select Board Advances Major Warrant Articles
Property Sales, Transfer Fees, and Employee Health Care Subsidy Lead 2026 Agenda
HINGHAM - January 20, 2026 - The Hingham Select Board took decisive action to shape the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, advancing proposals to sell several town-owned properties—including the historic Lincoln School Apartments—implementing a new real estate transfer fee, and authorizing a one-year $1.35 million subsidy to combat “crippling” health care cost increases for municipal employees.
The Full Story
The Hingham Select Board met on the deadline for warrant article submissions, focusing on long-term fiscal sustainability and immediate personnel needs. Town Administrator Tom Mayo presented a high-level overview of the town’s unassigned fund balance, which currently stands at approximately $11.3 million [01:33:16]. Mayo proposed utilizing roughly $7.1 million of those excess funds for one-time capital needs, account cleanups, and a strategic subsidy for employee health care [01:33:52].
Property Sales and “Authorization” to Move Forward
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the potential sale or lease of town assets. The Board voted unanimously to place an article on the warrant that would authorize—but not require—the sale or lease of 86 Central Street, known as the Lincoln School Apartments (LSA) [01:45:01]. Jack Falvey, Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, explained that the 60-unit senior housing complex faces millions in capital needs over the next decade, including a new HVAC system and roof repairs [01:38:38].
The Board also advanced the sale of the former DPW barn at 8 Short Street [01:55:25] and the vacated North Fire Station at 230 North Street [01:56:24]. Chair William Ramsey noted that these sales align with the Board’s goal to raise revenue without increasing property taxes [01:52:22].
Addressing the “Health Care Crunch”
One of the most debated items was Article FF, which proposes a one-year $1.35 million subsidy from the fund balance to offset health care premiums for town and school employees [02:03:16]. The plan would temporarily move the town from a 50/50 cost-share to a 60/40 split [01:30:30].
“We’ve been hearing from our employees... about the crippling nature of these health care cost increases. At 50/50, Hingham is funding health care at the lowest amount allowed by law.” [02:05:13] — Town Administrator Tom Mayo
While personnel board members raised concerns about the narrow phrasing of the article potentially limiting other creative solutions, the Select Board insisted on its inclusion to meet the warrant deadline [02:11:00].
Revenue and Innovation
The Board also “resurrected” the Real Estate Transfer Fee (Article X), a concept first proposed in 2022 [01:45:14]. If approved by the legislature via a special act, the fee would apply to property sales (likely exempting those under $700,000) and could generate significant non-tax revenue for affordable housing and general government needs [01:49:48]. Additionally, the Board moved forward with a $100,000 request for electronic voting devices, aiming to modernize Town Meeting by 2027 [02:26:54].
Why It Matters
For Hingham residents, these decisions represent a pivot toward aggressive asset management and new revenue streams to avoid future tax overrides. For town employees, the proposed health care subsidy offers a temporary reprieve from high premiums that have hampered recruitment and retention. However, the potential sale of the Lincoln School Apartments remains a sensitive issue for current senior residents, necessitating guaranteed protections for their housing security as the process moves into the RFP stage.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To submit the select board sponsored warrant article V (Sale/Lease of 86 Central Street). [01:44:51]
Vote: 3-0 ([01:45:01])
Motion: To submit warrant article X (Real Estate Transfer Fee). [01:51:31]
Vote: 3-0 ([01:51:39])
Motion: To submit warrant article FF (Employee Health Care Cost Subsidy). [02:23:43]
Vote: 3-0 ([02:23:52])
Motion: To submit warrant articles CC and DD (Civil Service Withdrawal for Fire and Police). [02:02:02], [02:03:01]
Public Comment
Diane DeNapoli inquired about a missing handicap-accessible picnic table at the Bathing Beach; Chair Ramsey promised to investigate [23:39].
Sue Letizia-Eddy, a 30-year town employee, spoke in favor of the health care subsidy, noting that rising GIC costs often negate cost-of-living raises [02:21:18].
Hillary Hosmer questioned the size of the 8 Short Street building; Town Administrator Mayo noted it is roughly the size of a single-family home [01:54:31].
What’s Next
The Select Board and Advisory Committee will now perform a “deeper dive” into these articles to issue formal recommendations ahead of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The deadline for citizen petitions and final warrant submission was midnight following this meeting [01:26:32].
Source Video: Harbor Media