Hingham Select Board Hears Center for Active Living Cost Drop to $29.9 Million

HINGHAM -- January 6, 2026, Hingham Select Board receives $29.9 million Center for Active Living cost update ahead of April town meeting vote. The three-member board, Chair William Ramsey and members Elizabeth Klein and Julie Strehle, heard from architect Chris Wanty and owner's project manager Dan Palada that the project estimate has declined from $34 million at the 2025 town meeting to $29.9 million following completion of design development, with construction documents targeted for release around March 6 and contractor bids expected in mid-April. Assistant Town Administrator for Finance Katie Dugan separately reported an excess unassigned fund balance of $11.3 million and a preliminary FY27 shortfall of $1.1 million, which she said is expected to shrink to roughly $300,000 to $400,000 once state aid figures and motor vehicle excise tax receipts are updated. The board also unanimously approved a special one-day liquor license for Vitamin C Brewing's January 10 bonfire at Weir River Farm and approved an ownership transfer of the Main Street Market and Spirits license from Victoria Patel to Feluni Sha.