The Hingham Select Board moved to shore up the town’s year-end finances Monday night, recommending a $1.9 million transfer to the reserve fund to cover significant deficits in snow removal and special education. Finance Director Katie Conlon detailed the request for Article 10, noting that $1.1 million of the total stems from municipal snow and ice expenses, while the school department requires $579,705 for out-of-district placements and contract services. Other municipal pressures include $217,000 for legal services and $200,000 for police and fire overtime. Conlon explained that the town’s budgeted reserve fund of $800,000 would be applied first, leaving the $1.9 million net request for Town Meeting approval.

School Business Manager Aisha Oppong informed the board that the school-side deficit had grown by approximately $200,000 since last month due to rising collaborative tuitions and transportation costs. We’ve also seen home and hospital tutors and behavioral techs go up, Oppong said, noting that the schools have already applied $400,000 from their own special education reserve fund to mitigate the impact. Board member Julie Straley emphasized that the request remains within the established financial framework, stating, It’s important to remember that everyone is abiding by the MOU signed in 2023. Motion Made by J. Straley to recommend favorable action on Article 10, transfer to the reserve fund. Motion Passed 3-0.

In a late-session push for the Route 3A infrastructure project, the board designated approximately eight acres of town-owned land at 0 Hobart Street as replacement land required by Article 97. Town Engineer J.R. Fry explained that the undeveloped parcel, which contains wetlands and a potential vernal pool, will be transferred to the Conservation Commission to mitigate environmental impacts from the Route 3A project. MassDOT has agreed that since the town is proffering its own property, they will also supplement the Conservation Commission's fund, Fry said. DPW Superintendent Ashley Berer confirmed she had walked the property to ensure town drainage maintenance could continue. Straley described the effort to finalize the land transfer as a mad dash to ensure it reached the Town Meeting warrant supplement. Motion Made by L. Klein to designate and to transfer the care custody management and control of approximately 8 acres of the parcel known as zero Hobart Street to the Town of Hingham Conservation Commission. Motion Passed 3-0.

The board also greenlit a $367,440 renovation project for the Kirsty community room kitchen and laundry facilities at the Lincoln School Apartments. Chief Procurement Officer David Square noted that a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Disability will offset costs, with the remaining balance coming from the facility's reserves. To assist residents during construction, the town is coordinating laundry pickup services and transportation with the Hingham Center for Active Living. This project will cover accessibility improvements... including ADA compliant cabinetry, counters, sinks, and appliances, Square said. Liz Klein praised the planning for the disruption, saying, Thank you for moving this forward and being so thoughtful about the disruption. Motion Made by L. Klein to authorize the select board chair to sign the agreement with TM Construction Management LLC in an amount not to exceed $367,440. Motion Passed 3-0.

Personnel matters were also finalized as the board authorized a new three-year memorandum of agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25, representing the DPW rank and file. The agreement includes a new longevity chart to clarify retirement benefits and adds the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday. Ashley Berer noted that while standard DPW staff will be off, the transfer station is open the day after Thanksgiving... there’s no way we would ever close that. Personnel Board Chair Jack Manning added that the clarification on longevity removes any doubt as to the amount for retiring employees. Motion Made by J. Straley to sign the memorandum of agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25 effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028. Motion Passed 3-0.

Ahead of the summer season, the board approved a one-day liquor license for Vitamin C Brewing LLC to support the Southshore Unity Council’s Juneteenth celebration at Hingham Harbor on June 19. Rich Dana, co-owner of Vitamin C Brewing, said the event would feature cultural programming, family-oriented activities like face painting, balloon art, relay races, and live entertainment. Unity Council representative Katie noted the group is maintaining the same safety protocols as previous years, using cordoned-off tents for the beer and wine service. Motion Made by J. Straley to approve the request for a special 1-day wine and malt beverages license to Vitamin C Brewing LLC for the Southshore Unity Council's annual Juneteenth celebration. Motion Passed 3-0.

The meeting concluded with a transition in leadership, as William Ramsey presided over his final session as chair. I was at the library open house on Saturday as a trustee liaison... This is my last meeting as chair of the select board this year, Ramsey noted. Town Administrator Tom Mayo also reported granting a separate one-day license for a Hingham Arts Alliance concert at Ames Chapel scheduled for April 26. The board then entered executive session to discuss litigation involving Hingham Public Schools. Motion Made by W. Ramsey to enter executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation current v. Hingham Public Schools. Motion Passed 3-0.