Contact Julie
Send Julie a note! Use the form below to send her your questions or comments.
Send Julie a note! Use the form below to send her your questions or comments.
Active voter participation in our Annual Town Meeting, where the voters of Hingham are the legislative body, is essential. I support adoption of electronic voting at Town Meeting, which will streamline the voting process and allow all voters at the meeting to feel more comfortable making important decisions. I also recognize the benefits of encouraging volunteer service and leadership in our Town committees and boards. These dedicated volunteers provide valuable guidance and support to all Town functions and decisions. I will seek to further encourage and foster this type of service from residents of our community.
Finding a balance between progress and spending is always going to be a challenge, and it’s one I’ve faced before as chair of the Advisory Committee in 2021-22. The budget process involves collaboration among residents, Town departments, the Select Board, School Committee and Advisory Committee, and thoughtful and inclusive conversation helps us develop a budget that supports Town employees and best serves our community’s current and future needs, without overburdening taxpayers. Pursuing economic development opportunities will help keep residential tax rates low, while preserving Hingham’s vibrant character, excellent school system, and our quality of life.
Hingham taxpayers have voted in support of important investment in the Town’s infrastructure over the past fifteen years. Yet more work remains, including finding a suitable home for the Center for Active Living (Senior Center), rebuilding sea walls, improving water and sewer infrastructure, and maintaining existing buildings. Climate change is a growing threat to our seaside community; we need to explore elements within our control, and seek outside sources of funding, guided by the 2023 Hingham Climate Action Plan. The 2021 Hingham Master Plan recommendations also remain relevant and important. Finally, addressing the inferior quality of cell phone service in Town should rank among our highest priorities.
Ready access to information is essential. Lines of communication can be improved to ensure that all residents and businesses have access to necessary information, and feel connected and heard. Ongoing work being undertaken by Town boards and committees should also be communicated to the community.