Hingham Public Safety Facility Update: 'So far so good'

By Carol Britton Meyer

Work on the new public safety facility at 335 Lincoln St. is progressing.
During a recent update, Project Manager Matthew Hennessy -- who is at the site daily --shared a slide show with the Select Board of how the preliminary work is moving forward.

The project start date was May 15, with the substantial completion date set at Jan 14,
2025, and the final completion date scheduled for March 26, 2025.

The construction process so far includes installation of fencing, temporary utilities, and work trailers, erosion control, removal of soil to the Hingham DPW soil storage facility and removal of the former wood building, concrete slab, and foundation walls, and tree protection.

This was the first project update since the $39.5 million contract was awarded, according to Public Safety Facility Building Committee Chair Bob Garrity. Hingham Police and Fire Department operations will be combined in the building.

According to Garrity, the project is "right on schedule -- so far so good."
Voters at the Nov. 2022 Special Town Meeting approved an appropriation of up to $46.7 million to build and furnish a new public safety facility, with an expected lifespan of 50 to 70 years.

Prior Town Meetings authorized funding totaling $8.6 million for the initial phases of the project, including a site feasibility study, land acquisition, and preliminary design and pre-construction bid documents.

"A lot has happened since May," Select Board Chair Liz Klein said. "It's exciting."