Hingham Selectman Candidates Explain Reasons For Running

Two well known Hingham residents will square off for the open selectman seat on Tuesday.

Longtime Hingham Planning Board member Paul Healey will oppose former banker, and current realtor Carlton Alan Chambers on the ballot on  Election Day.

Healey said he is a qualified candidate because he is a lifelong Hingham resident and wants to continue helping the town he loves.

“I’m in my fourth term as a planner,” he said. “I’ve seen the town grow and I want to continue doing that at a higher level.”

Healey who was raised in Hingham and has raised his children in town, is an attorney who has served on the Planning Board for 19 years.  He previously worked for 11 years as a policeman for the town.

“I love the way this town is and I want to keep it that way,” Healey said.

Chambers said he is running to create stability in what he calls a “difficult financial market.”

“I’m running because we have a lot of expensive projects on the table,” he said.  “The one that will hit our revenue streams demands first will be the inclusion of the middle school project, the re-payment of it , which will increase taxes.”

Chambers is no stranger to a political race.  He last ran for Third Plymouth District State Rep. in 2010, but was defeated by current Rep. Garrett Bradley.  The longtime Hingham resident said finance is his main concern.

“I’m concerned about older citizens who are having a difficult time now paying their taxes and holding onto homes,” he said. “That not only applies to elderly but for a lot of people.”

Earlier this year, Burns, who has served as a selectman since 2007, announced that she would be leaving the seat without any unfinished business.

Election Day in Hingham is Tuesday, April 30.  The polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.