January 26, 2023 Submitted by the Town of Hingham
Town Administrator Tom Mayo announces that the Town of Hingham has launched a web page for residents to learn more about the Town’s anticipated operating budget override request at Annual Town Meeting.
Hingham expects to seek Town Meeting and voter approval for a Proposition 2 1/2 override for the coming fiscal year. In preparation for that effort, the Town has dedicated a section of its web site to news and information about the proposed override.
As the Town’s budget for fiscal year 2024 comes into clearer focus, the website will be updated to show a more complete picture of the override request, the total projected operating budget, and an interactive tax calculator that will enable residents to estimate how their households will be impacted by the proposed override.
Hingham last sought — and passed — an override in 2009.
“We are still in the early stages of forecasting our budget needs, but want to give our stakeholders as much information as possible now about the budgeting and override process,” Mayo said. “Town Hall and our schools are working collaboratively to identify budget priorities for the coming year, including maintaining existing educational and municipal services while making strategic decisions that we expect will support our community’s needs.”
Hingham’s override page also features information on property tax relief programs, as well as Frequently Asked Questions about the Town’s budget and overrides in general. The page also provides a calendar of relevant future meetings of Town boards and committees.
Proposition 2 1/2 is a 1980 state law that requires municipalities to obtain Town Meeting and voter approval to raise property taxes by more than 2.5 percent year over year.
Hingham‘s Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at Hingham High School. Town Meeting serves as the Town’s legislative body and is open to all registered voters in Town. Voters will also need to consider the override as a ballot question at the April 29 Town election.
Residents are encouraged to review the Town’s override page to learn more about the process, the Town’s projected needs, and more. Residents may also submit questions about the override to override@hingham-ma.gov.
The web address for the Override page www.hingham-ma.gov/override.