April 1, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
The proposed fiscal 2026 capital budget is now $21 million, down from the earlier proposed $29 million due for the most part to a change in the funding mechanism for new roofs at the high, South, and Plymouth River schools. The recommendations are part of the town’s five-year capital plan.
Most of the change downward is related to the decision to request design funds this year — and not for construction as earlier proposed — and then seek financial assistance through the Massachusetts School Building Authority for all three roofs, Asst. Town Administrator for Finance Michelle Monsegur told the Hingham Anchor.
The proposed capital budget includes:
- $3 million for Weir River Water System improvements;
- $2.5 million in funding for expenses associated with design, architectural, engineering, owner’s project manager, and other professional services for a proposed new $35 million Center for Active Living near Carlson Field;
- $2.04 million to construct pickleball courts by Cronin Fields on Bare Cove Park Drive at the former Traces program building (requested by the recreation department). This figure includes potential Community Preservation grant funding of $758,640, contingent on voter approval at Town Meeting.
- $880,000 as part of the cost to replace the HHS synthetic turf field;
- $750,000 to demolish the South Shore Country Club pool and $657,887 for golf course equipment; and
- $142,800 to resurface the Town Hall parking lot, driveway, and walkways.
Funding sources include the tax levy, grants, excess ambulance receipts, the Municipal Waterways Improvement & Maintenance Fund, revolving funds, the Capital Stabilization Fund, and user rates/fees — South Shore Country Club, the Weir River Water System, and the sewer department for their respective projects.
Some of the items are subject to approval through a separate warrant article(s) related in part to funding toward the proposed pickleball courts near Carlson Field; turf field replacement; the Center for Active Living; the country club; and the proposed water system improvements.
“The $3.3 million HHS roof preliminary funding is proposed as a borrowing (non-excluded debt, so within the normal tax levy), but we are proposing to use excess unassigned fund balance to support many of the other projects,” Monsegur said.
The details will be outlined in the Town Meeting warrant that is mailed to every Hingham household and will be posted on the town website this week.
Voters at the April 28 Town Meeting will have the final say on the proposed municipal, school, and capital budgets.
