Hingham Select Board Approves $1.3M Library Chiller Contract, Sets October Special Town Meeting

Select Board · Meeting of July 21, 2026

Hingham Select Board approves $1.3 million library chiller contract and previews four-article October 28 Special Town Meeting. The board, with Chair Elizabeth Klein, Julie Strehle, and Bill Ramsey present, voted unanimously Monday to authorize a contract with Riverdale Plumbing and Heating Inc. of Walpole for a chiller replacement at the Hingham Public Library, coming in $185,245 under the $1,485,245 appropriated at Annual Town Meeting under Article 16. Finance Director Katie Dugan outlined four proposed warrant articles for the October 28 Special Town Meeting, including borrowing authorizations for roof replacements at Plymouth River Elementary and South Elementary — tied to a 36.89 percent Massachusetts School Building Authority matching grant — a scope revision to the $3.3 million high school roof and HVAC design authorization, and a borrowing authorization of up to $70 million for Hingham Municipal Light Plant capital improvements.

Ramsey questioned the tight timeline, saying he would spend the cost of a standalone election rather than miss the summer 2027 construction window. The board also unanimously signed a Teamsters Local Union 25 collective bargaining agreement and approved civil service replacement language for police bargaining units. The Select Board meets July 28 at 5 p.m. via Zoom to formally open the warrant.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,925 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.