Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Patrick O’Connor, State Representative Joan Meschino, Hingham Select Board Chairman William Ramsey, and Members Liz Klein and Julie Strehle, were all present at the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the new Hingham Public Safety Facility in the Hingham Shipyard.
Congressman Lynch reminded the crowd of ~75 in attendance that the North Fire Station (that will be incorporated into the new facility) opened in 1942, in the midst of the Second World War. Even then, the townspeople prioritized public safety and the well-being of those that would become known as first responders. Both State Legislators echoed the Congressman’s praise of the Town’s leaders in their responsible use of public funding. Representative Meschino touted the project as a “wonderful example of good government.”
Hingham Select Board Chair Bill Ramsey recounted the long debate at the Special Town Meeting in 2020 that eventually approved the project by a margin of just 12 votes but praised the spirit of unity once it passed.
Building Committe Chair Bob Garrity recalled the years of planning that led to Town Meeting approval and the subsequent five years of planning, design and construction of the facility being dedicated today. He praised the combined work of the contractors and project manager, all of whom were open and receptive to the Committee and Town’s feedback.
Hingham Police Chief David Jones and Deputy Chief Ryan O’Shea have the unique perspective of both having attended junior high school classes in the same rooms that would become their offices when the school was converted to Town Hall and housed Police Headquarters.
Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murphy, and Deputy Fire Chief David Levenson were, in Chief Murphy’s words, “proud to see this day,” having assisted in its planning for 10 years. Fire apparatus and fire fighter training have long outpaced the ability of existing facilities to fully meet their needs
The new Public Safety Facility, built at 35 Essington Drive, replaces the former Police Headquarters established at the Town Hall complex in 1998. The facility also replaces the North Fire Station, opened in 1942.
Everyone, in prepared remarks and in general conversation, expressed their gratitude to, as Congressman Lynch put it, “the taxpayers, homeowners, and citizens” of Hingham for their support.
Congressman Stephen Lynch
Select Board Chair Bill Ramsey speaks. Sitting L to R, are State Senator Patrick O’Connor, State Representative Joan Meschino, Hingham Police Chief David Jones, and Hingham Fire Chief Steven Murphy.
Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Patrick O’Connor, and State Representative Joan Meschino join Select Board Chair Bill Ramsey, Select Board member Liz Klein, Select Board member Julie Strehle, PSF Building Committee members, Town Administrator Tom Mayo, and Hingham Police and Fire Department leaders at the PSF ribbon cutting on August 4.