Hingham Select Board Reaffirms Bare Cove Site for New Senior Center
Rejects Alternative “Hitchcock Building” Proposal
HINGHAM — February 17, 2026 — The Hingham Select Board moved one step closer to breaking ground on the new Center for Active Living (HCAL) at Bare Cove Park, receiving a comprehensive permitting update and dismissing a late-stage proposal to pivot the project to the former Hitchcock shoe building on Beal Street. Officials warned that such a shift would cost taxpayers millions in delays and design fees while likely failing to meet the town’s specific programming needs.
The Full Story
The meeting opened with a significant administrative update: the Town of Hingham has officially cleared all major state and local permitting hurdles for the Center for Active Living project. Special Real Estate Counsel Susan Murphy reported that Governor Maura Healey signed the Article 97 land swap legislation on February 6, 2024, finalizing the state-level requirements for the Bare Cove Park site. Locally, the project has now secured approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Conservation Commission, and the Planning Board.
Despite this progress, recent public interest in the “Hitchcock shoe building” at 225 Beal Street as a potential alternative site prompted a detailed rebuttal from town officials. Murphy and Town Administrator Tom Mayo outlined a “drawn-out” legal process required for any private property acquisition, noting that the town cannot simply “put in an offer” on a commercial building without a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process that could take months or years.
“Design delay would cost between 1 and $1.5 million a year just for inflation... you’re talking about a 2 and a half year delay thereabouts at minimum.” — Tom Mayo, Town Administrator [01:11:02]
Technical experts noted that the Hitchcock building—a 25,000-square-foot warehouse built in 1992—would require a near-total gut renovation to meet modern accessibility, energy, and senior center programming standards. Concerns were also raised regarding parking, as the site currently offers only 85 spaces compared to the 140 required for the HCAL, likely necessitating the removal of most existing green space. Resident Joshua Ross added that the town has already spent roughly $2 million on design fees for the Bare Cove site, which would be lost in a pivot.
In other business, the Board reviewed two citizen petitions for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. Henry Buckley presented Article HH, which sought to establish a Youth Commission to advocate for residents aged 14 to 18. While the Board praised Buckley’s research and civic engagement, they ultimately recommended “No Action” on the article, citing concerns about the “stretched thin” capacity of Town Hall staff to support an additional commission.
A second petition, Article II, presented by Anita Ryan, requested the transfer of six acres of land near Plymouth River to the Conservation Commission to ensure its permanent protection. The Board recommended “No Action” on this as well, explaining that because the land is currently under the jurisdiction of the independently elected School Committee, a Town Meeting vote would not be legally binding.
Why It Matters
For Hingham residents, the Select Board signals the end of the “alternative site” debate for the new Senior Center. By moving forward with the Bare Cove Park location, which now has the requisite state approval, the town avoids an estimated $12 million to $14 million in “sunk costs” and inflationary delays. Taxpayers also received good news on the broader financial front, as the FY27 budget gap has been whittled down to a manageable $222,000.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Authorize the Town Administrator to sign the agreement with Ockers Technology for IT hardware (firewall replacement) in an amount not to exceed $53,272.68.
Vote: 3-0 ([05:50])
Motion: Authorize the Town Administrator to sign Amendment No. 8 with Dig It Construction LLC for the Route 3A Broad Cove Pump Station project in an amount not to exceed $462,672.
Vote: 3-0 ([01:11:51])
Motion: Recommend “No Action” on Town Meeting Warrant Article HH (Youth Commission).
Vote: 3-0 ([32:34])
Motion: Recommend “No Action” on Town Meeting Warrant Article II (Land Transfer at 200 High Street).
Vote: 3-0 ([54:05])
Public Comment
Youth Advocacy: Dr. Marcus Neafsey, a local pediatrician, spoke in favor of a Youth Commission, stating that children’s needs are often “overshadowed” by adult agendas in town government.
Conservation Concerns: Diane DiNapoli questioned the impact of bow hunting near school property if the 200 High Street parcel were transferred to Conservation.
HCAL Alternative: Hilary Hosmer suggested the Hitchcock building offered more flexibility for future expansion than the Bare Cove design.
What’s Next
The Select Board will continue discussions and votes on remaining Town Meeting warrant articles in upcoming meetings scheduled for February 24 and February 26. Final healthcare premium numbers from the GIC are expected in early March, which officials hope will close the remaining $222,000 budget shortfall.
Source Video: Harbor Media
In a signed Memorandum of Understanding Hingham's School Committee has already determined that the 6 acres at 200 High Street is surplus school property and endorsed that land being transferred to Conservation (i.e., protected from future development). That same agreement allows the School Committee to rescind that determination if the HCAL does not proceed at Bare Cove. Let the voters decide on this petition as is our democratic process, and the School Committee can act accordingly.