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By Carol Britton Meyer
Twelve members of various Hingham boards, committees, and commissions -- and also the Town Moderator -- have terms expiring this year. Depending on how many citizens -- including incumbents -- take out nomination papers for the various positions, it could be an exciting election season. Nomination papers for the Saturday, April 29, Annual Town Election are available in the Town Clerk's Office. Potential candidates are asked to call or email ahead to schedule an appointment. Twelve incumbents have terms expiring in 2023, including: * Town Moderator -- Michael Puzo * Select Board -- William Ramsey * Board of Assessors -- Randall Winters * Board of Health -- Elizabeth Eldredge * Municipal Light Board -- Tyler Herrald * Housing Authority -- Ruth Bennett (This is a Select Board-appointed position so will not be on the ballot.) * School Committee -- Michelle Ayer and Jennifer Benham * Planning Board -- Judith Sneath * Sewer Commission -- Stephen Harold * Recreation Commission -- Vicki Donlan (five-year term) and Matthew LeBretton (who was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dwight Hartman, term ending in 2026, until the next town election), so this is a three-year term. Nomination papers are due back in the Town Clerk's Office on or before March 10. The last day to register to vote is April 14. By Carol Britton Meyer
There will be no increase in the water rates for Fiscal 2024, which comes as good news to Weir River Water System customers. The system -- formerly operated by Aquarion Water Company -- transitioned to public ownership by the Town of Hingham in July 2020 and serves Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset. In an update to the board of water commissioners (comprised of the Hingham Select Board) Water Superintendent Russell Tierney said WRWS is exploring the possibility of installing a new metering system and adding hybrid/electric vehicles to its fleet; working to enhance the security systems at the water treatment plant and remote locations, such as wells; and continuing its collection efforts on past-due accounts, among other responsibilities. A new metering system would help track unaccounted-for water and monitor violations of watering restrictions. Although he was overall pleased with the way watering restrictions went this year during the severe drought, Tierney explained, "We want to stay on top of how we can better implement water bans" in the future. The overall Weir River Water System's mission is to provide "outstanding service to our customers . . . while continuously supplying the highest-quality water and improving the water system infrastructure," Tierney said.  Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
The Select Board, in accordance with tradition, voted to maintain a single tax rate for residential and commercial properties during the recent Fiscal 2023 tax classification hearing, as recommended by the board of assessors. The purpose of a classification hearing is to decide whether to shift the tax burden between the property classes. During the joint meeting, Director of Assessing Erin Walsh explained that at this time, shifting the tax rate to a higher one for commercial properties "would place a burden on the commercial base." That's because about 89 percent of the tax base is residential. As an example, based on an estimated tax rate of $10.02, the highest shift would result in commercial properties paying approximately 50 percent more in taxes, while owners of residential parcels would save about 6.48 percent. Board of Assessors Chair Chrissy Roberts said the board had a "very robust discussion, and at the end of the day we didn't see anything compelling to make a change at this point, but we will continue to look at [that option] every year." Statistics show that of the 27 cities and towns in Plymouth County, five have a split tax rate. Overall, property values are on the rise in Hingham, including residential and commercial properties and condominiums. |
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October 2023
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