Meeting for the first time in the new Public Safety Facility, the Hingham Select Board heard glowing reports on the building's impact while committing over $470,000 to major town projects, including harbor resiliency, stormwater management, and new life-saving equipment for the Fire Department.

The Tuesday, August 12 meeting opened with a celebration of the new 50,000-square-foot facility. Hingham Police Chief David Jones described its effect on the department as amazing and a huge boost to morale. He noted a recent call for lateral transfers, which previously yielded no responses, received six applications, with all candidates citing the new building as a reason for applying. The facility has also attracted interest from the FBI for hosting training and recently served as a command center for a regional law enforcement operation. These are all things that we could not have done in our old space, Chief Jones said. So it's been a huge improvement.

Project Manager Paul Callow highlighted the building's state-of-the-art features, including being 94% electric and having a robust, multi-layered communications system. Deputy Fire Chief Levenson confirmed the Fire Department expects to complete its move into the facility within a few weeks, noting that co-locating spare vehicles with primary ones will help reduce response times.

The board later directed funds from the project's contingency to finish furnishing the police side of the building. Board member Elizabeth Klein asked, Paul, do you have any concerns of using this much of the contingency at this stage of the project? Callow expressed confidence, stating, I don't. If I did, I wouldn't be in front of you presenting this at this time. The motion made by J. Straley to authorize the town administrator to sign the agreement with Environments at Work for furniture in an amount not to exceed $78,220 was Motion Passed 3-0.

The board also authorized several other significant contracts. A $168,500 agreement with Woodward and Curran was finalized to support the town's ongoing compliance with federal MS4 stormwater permits. Town Engineer J.R. Frey confirmed the funding came from encumbered expenses held over from FY25. An additional $150,000 was allocated to the Harbor Waterfront Resiliency Project to fund a "notice of project change" required by state environmental reviewers. There is significant additional work that has been introduced over the past six months as we've worked through the design and permitting process, Frey explained.

In a direct investment in emergency services, the board authorized $71,943 to purchase three new Lucas 3 automated CPR devices for the Fire Department. Fire Captain Becker explained the devices free up first responders to perform other life-saving skills. It's actually changed the game because normally we have to stop CPR while we extricate somebody from the house, Becker said. With this device, we can leave it on while we extricate and CPR is still continued. Board member Julie Straley confirmed the purchase was part of the approved FY26 capital budget.

The board took time to formally recognize the volunteers and staff behind the successful July 2nd Hingham Harbor Celebration. Chair William Ramsey praised the efforts of residents Marco Boer and Deirdre Anderson, who spearheaded the fundraising and planning for the drone show that replaced traditional fireworks. I wanted to take a moment just to recognize so many of the great volunteers... between the drone show night and the parade, so much is done logistically behind the scenes... and they went off flawlessly, Ramsey said. Straley lauded Boer's persistence, saying, He's been rolling a boulder up a hill for a very long time and you did it. Klein added her thanks, noting, To see the community come together for the drone show was just it was really moving. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Boer, Anderson, Sergeant Jeff Kilroy, Harbormaster Ken Corson, and Ashley St. Onge Sanford.

A series of one-day liquor licenses were also granted for several upcoming community events, signaling a busy end to summer. Licenses were issued for the "Summer Sendoff at World's End" on August 23, "Sunset Picnics at Weir River Farm" on August 28, the River Rock Music Festival on September 6, the Hingham High School Rowing Association's October Fest on September 20, and Weir River Farm's large Fall Festival on September 27. Alyssa Shek of The Trustees of Reservations described the Fall Festival as a major event that can draw over 1,000 people and will feature a sensory-friendly hour for the first time.