October 29, 2026 by Hilary Jenison
On Thursday, Oct. 29 the Town of Hingham held a Special Town Meeting — at Hingham High School beginning at 7:00p pm — the warrant includes three articles, two related to funding the proposed Plymouth River and South School roof projects and the other related to amending the scope of the earlier approved Hingham High School roof and HVAC design project, which is not asking voters to approve additional funding.
Quorum for the Town Meeting was confirmed at 7:04 and Moderator Puzo began the 2026 Special Town Meeting.
Following, please find live updates regarding the warrant article votes. Each article vote will be updated in bold once it has been decided by Town Meeting.
Note, funding for the Plymouth River and South School roof projects is contingent on a two-thirds vote of approval at the Special Town Meeting under separate warrant articles and a subsequent majority vote of approval on debt exclusion questions at the ballot box to fund each proposal.
Two debt exclusion questions are included on the Nov. 3 special town election ballot – the same date as the state election – to fund the two roofs. This will be a separate ballot from the state ballot that lists the candidates for office and several ballot questions. (A sample ballot will be posted on the town clerk webpage on the town website in the near future).
Article 1 – TOWN MEETING VOTE RESULT: PASS (UNANIMOUS VOTE)
South Elementary School Roof
To see if the Town of Hingham will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sufficient sum of money to be expended under the direction of the 2025 School Building Committee for the roof system replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), at the South Elementary School located at 831 Main Street, Hingham, MA, which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the Town may be eligible for a school construction grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”). The Town acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town. Any grant that the Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser (1) thirty six, and eighty-nine hundredths’ percent (36.89%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA, or act on anything relating thereto?
Article 2 – TOWN MEETING VOTE RESULT: PASS (UNANIMOUS VOTE)
Plymouth River Elementary School Roof
To see if the Town of Hingham will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sufficient sum of money to be expended under the direction of the 2025 School Building Committee for the roof system replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the” Project”) at the Plymouth River Elementary School located at 200 High Street, Hingham, MA, which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the Town may be eligible for a school construction grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”). The Town acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town. Any grant that the Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser (1) thirty six, and eighty-nine hundredths’ percent (36.89%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA, or act on anything relating thereto?
Article 3 – TOWN MEETING VOTE RESULT:
High School Roof and HVAC Design
Additional Funds and Expand Scope of Expenditures
Will the Town vote to amend the appropriation previously approved under Article 34 of the Town of Hingham 2025 Annual Town Meeting to increase the amount of said appropriation by an additional $1,115,000 and to expand the purpose for which said appropriation, and any funds borrowed thereunder, may be expended as follows: Said appropriation may be expended for a feasibility study, schematic design, detailed design, architectural, engineering, owner’s project management, and other preconstruction services related thereto and up to and including preparation of construction documents and early bid packages for a potential roof replacement, heat pump conversion project or other HVAC system repairs or replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, at Hingham High School, 17 Union Street, Hingham, MA, or act on anything relating thereto?