Hingham Select Board Approves Center for Active Living Design Services
Board authorizes agreement with EDM Studio for phase two design of senior center project
HINGHAM - May 13 - The Hingham Select Board unanimously approves an agreement with edmSTUDIO Inc. for phase two design services for the Hingham Center for Active Living, moving the project forward following strong support at Town Meeting.
The agreement authorizes Town Administrator Tom Mayo to execute a contract with edmSTUDIO for design services valued at approximately $1.6 million plus up to $50,000 for travel expenses. The contract includes optional additional services that could bring the total to $2.2 million if needed.
"We believe their performance has been superb throughout the feasibility study," says Tom Carey, representing the building committee. "We did some additional checking and evaluation and think that they are fully capable of moving forward with the next stage and have the appropriate experience for dealing with bidding and the like under Massachusetts law."
The project aims to create a new senior center to replace the current Council on Aging facility. With the design phase now approved, the project team plans to work toward having detailed plans and cost estimates ready for the next Annual Town Meeting in April 2025.
"We'll be working on a tight schedule looking forward to next year's Town Meeting and having something to actually vote on whether we're going to do it and get started," Carey says.
Jean Silverio, a dual member of the Building Committee and Council on Aging, expresses enthusiasm about the project's progress.
"We're moving really quickly. We're trying to identify all the things we're going to need to make people aware of what we are and make sure the general public knows what we're doing so that we get more than just the seniors," she says. "We want to make sure that everyone knows that this is going to be a community event."
Mayo confirms that weekly meetings are already scheduled with the architect beginning in June to ensure the project stays on track.
"We will be reaching out. We'll be doing very specific targeted informational campaigns to make sure everybody understands what we're doing and what we're proposing and why as this design comes to fruition," Mayo says.
The goal is to have either a firm quote or detailed estimate available well before Town Meeting to allow proper review by the Advisory Committee and Select Board.
"I do expect to have a, in essence, an estimate, a quote, perhaps even a physical quote in hand from a bidder, which would be the goal," Mayo says. "I'm very confident we'll have the quote too."
The project team emphasizes that public input will be crucial throughout the design process, with multiple opportunities for community engagement planned.
"Anybody who's got any concerns about the project or any input or advice, we're always looking for good advice. We'll be happy to hear from them," Carey says. "There will be regular public meetings of the building committee."
The board also addresses several other important town matters during the meeting:
Transfer Station Equipment: The board approves two agreements for the transfer station – one with Wastequip Manufacturing Company for a commercial stationary compactor not to exceed $77,497, and another with Spector Manufacturing for a T9 open top trash trailer not to exceed $121,984. These purchases complete the replacement of aging compactors at the facility.
Sewer Force Main Replacement: The board approves a petition from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to replace approximately 600 linear feet of sewer force main pipe along Union Street near the Hingham driving range. The work is expected to take about two weeks and will be scheduled to minimize disruption to traffic, particularly during school hours.
Legal Notices Publication: Following unanimous approval at town meeting, the board votes to file a petition with the state legislature to allow alternative methods for publishing legal notices. The change would give the town more flexibility beyond traditional newspaper advertisements, potentially saving $18,000 to $20,000 annually.
*Turtle Crossing Signs: Local Girl Scouts present their Bronze Award project to install turtle crossing signs at key locations in town. The scouts identify the need for three signs costing approximately $130 each to help protect turtles crossing roads during the May through July turtle season.
Safe Boating Week: The board proclaims May 17-23, 2025, as National Safe Boating Week, emphasizing the importance of life jacket use and boating safety.
Juneteenth Celebration: The board approves a one-day wine and malt beverages license for the Brockton Beer Company for the fifth annual Juneteenth celebration at Hingham Harbor on June 19, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The meeting concludes with reminders about upcoming community events, including Springham at the Hingham Historical Society on May 17 and the Battle of Grape Island reenactment on May 18.
"This is a great weekend in town. Go out and enjoy your community," says Board Chair Bill Ramsey. "If you've never been to either of those events, I highly encourage your attendance there."