Town of Hingham Announces Approval of New Elementary School, Public Safety Facility Projects

HINGHAM — Town Administrator Tom Mayo is pleased to announce that the Town of Hingham will be moving forward with two projects following successful votes at the Special Town Meeting and the State Election this month. 

During a Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Hingham High School, nearly 1,400 voters overwhelmingly approved three warrant articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant:

• Article 1 – Construction of a new Foster Elementary School
• Article 2 – Construction of a new Public Safety Facility
• Article 3 – Transfer of Unassigned Fund Balance to a new Stabilization Fund to offset the tax impacts of these projects

During the subsequent State Election ballot on November 8, voters approved, by majority vote, two questions authorizing the Town to borrow funds and raise taxes to build the New Elementary School and the Public Safety Facility. 

Through these votes, the Town secured resident approval to borrow up to $136 million to fund the construction of both projects. The Town worked diligently to reduce the costs of these projects to residents, including securing a $25 million Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) grant to support construction of the new school. The Town’s AAA credit rating – the highest rating possible from all three major credit rating agencies – will also ensure that the Town can borrow funds at the lowest interest rates available.

Residents can view the Town’s web site to see estimated figures on the 10‐year projected tax impacts of the two projects.  

“I want to acknowledge the many municipal and School Department employees who worked tirelessly to make Town Meeting and the State election run so smoothly,” Town Administrator Mayo said.  “I especially want to thank the many volunteers who contributed their time and talents to define and advance both projects.”

Given these approvals, the School Building Committee and the Public Safety Building Committee are preparing to bid and build each project. The Committees will provide project oversight from construction through expected opening in late 2024.

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