Development News for Hingham, Massachusetts

Town Hall HVAC Maintenance Contract Approved for $150,000

The Select Board approved an agreement with Preferred Mechanical Services, Inc. for HVAC maintenance and repair services at Hingham Town Hall. The contract is for an initial 24 months with an option for a one-year extension, totaling $150,000 for up to 36 months. Bids were advertised on April 29th, with bids due May 13th. Preferred Mechanical Services has been servicing town halls since 1998. The funding source is the town hall maintenance and repair budget. Invoices will be submitted monthly. The contract includes semiannual preventative maintenance and installation, alteration, or repair of the HVAC system. The agreement excludes the cooling tower behind the vacant police station. The vote was unanimous.

Hingham Secures $1 Million State Grant for Hingham Center Rotary Project

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) awarded the town of Hingham a $1 million construction grant for the proposed rotary in Hingham Center. The funding is provided through the Complete Streets program, which aims to support safe travel for all modes of transportation. This project is considered important and is located in a busy part of town. JR Fry, the town engineer, has done significant work in preparing for this project and securing the funding.

MBTA Bus Route 220 Impacts on Shipyard Drive Under Review; Residents Raise Safety and Scheduling Concerns

The Select Board discussed the operational impacts of MBTA bus route 220 on Shipyard Drive, following route changes implemented in August 2025. The changes involved eliminating two bus stops on Route 3A and replacing them with stops serving the MBTA commuter ferry. Data presented showed stable ridership in the shipyard area and a moderation of bus speeds, although some instances of exceeding the speed limit persisted. Residents expressed concerns regarding bus speed, noise, pollution, wear and tear on private roads, and the misalignment of bus and ferry schedules. They requested a continued review of the service and suggested returning some routes to Lincoln Street. The MBTA has been gathering data and speaking with drivers about speed concerns. A speed feedback sign was suggested as a mitigation measure. The town committed to further data collection and a follow-up meeting in six months, including the summer period. The town also agreed to investigate the alignment of bus and ferry schedules and requested data on ferry ridership connecting to downtown.

Cafe Tusca Granted Entertainment License for Live Music

An application for an entertainment license was submitted by Eatwell, Inc., doing business as Cafe Tusca, located at 15 North Street. The license authorizes small acoustic ensembles to perform on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Restrictions include a maximum of a three-piece band, acoustic in nature and volume, with music maintained at a volume appropriate for background entertainment. The license may be suspended or revoked due to noise or crowd complaints. Chief Jones reviewed the application and found no issues. The license was approved unanimously via roll call vote.