Emergency Sewer Repairs in Hingham: What Residents Need to Know

A routine check of Hingham’s sewer infrastructure turned into an urgent crisis last month when officials discovered a critical failure at the Bradley Woods Sewer Pump Station. With one pump already out of service, the town was left with a single functioning pump—posing the risk of raw sewage overflow if it failed.

In response, the Hingham Select Board convened a special meeting on February 20, 2025, to approve an emergency contract with Williamson Electrical Company, Inc. to replace deteriorated check valves, gate valves, and piping at the station. The total cost for the repairs was set at $79,109, with funds drawn from existing capital and operational budgets.

"Thanks for the quick get-together because we got to get this work done," said Russell Tierney, Managing Director of the Weir River Water System.

What Went Wrong at the Bradley Woods Pump Station?

Hingham's sewer system relies on pump stations to transport wastewater from lower elevations to higher ground, where it can then be directed to treatment facilities. The Bradley Woods station, located at 26 Bradley Woods Drive, experienced multiple alarms on January 24, 2025, prompting an inspection by town officials.

"After some initial investigation and following our process of eliminating different components and pulling the check on the pumps, it became evident that we needed to pump down the wet well and inspect the piping and valves," Tierney explained.

That inspection revealed a serious issue: the internal piping, check valves, and gate valves were plugged and inoperable. The blockage was causing one of the pumps to work inefficiently, forcing the town to rely on a single operational pump. Officials estimated that some of the valves had not been replaced since the 1960s, far exceeding their expected lifespan of 35 to 50 years.

"Now the piping has not been replaced since at least 2024," Tierney noted. "It is pretty evident that they might have been the original valves installed in the 1960s."

The concern was clear: if the last functioning pump failed, the town would be forced to manually pump and haul raw sewage—a costly and environmentally hazardous solution.

How Will the Repairs Be Funded?

Hingham officials assured residents that the cost of the emergency repairs would not require new funding or a tax increase. Instead, the $79,109 contract will be covered by three existing budget accounts, which together hold $300,000 in available funds.

"We have plenty of money within those three budgets to cover the cost," Tierney confirmed.

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• $35,000 for new check valves

• $30,000 for new piping

• $14,000 for a new flow meter

Since the repairs exceeded $50,000, the contract required approval from the Select Board under town procurement rules. The Sewer Commission, which also oversees such expenditures, had a majority of its members present during the meeting, raising potential concerns about Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.

Select Board Chair Joe Fisher addressed the issue directly.

"I think whether or not anyone speaks, it's not necessarily the deciding factor. It's whether or not you have an item on which the commission has the authority to act before you," Fisher said.

To comply with the law, only one representative from the Sewer Commission was designated to speak.

A Fast-Tracked Approval Process

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, town officials sought emergency approval to bypass traditional public bidding requirements.

"We did go after emergency approval from DAM providing bidding," Tierney explained. "I did speak to DAM, and they did state that they didn’t fail. It was a project that needed their approval because it’s more like a 30B project than a 149s."

In layman's terms, this means that while the repair did not qualify for formal state approval under public construction laws, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAM) provided an approval letter for the town’s records.

Kirk Shilts, Chair of the Hingham Sewer Commission, confirmed the process was appropriate under town policies.

"This particular contract is above $50,000. So with the consolidation agreement, it’s something that Mr. Tierney can’t act on," Shilts said. "We have an internal board policy that emergencies that exceed the budgetary allotment for emergency services—$80,000—then it would go through this expedited manner, which is the proper thing."

What Happens Next?

With approval in place, Williamson Electrical Company, Inc. will begin work immediately. The repairs will include removing the outdated piping and valves, installing new components, and integrating a new flow meter to monitor the station’s function.

Select Board member Bill Ramsey acknowledged the critical nature of the repairs.

"Time is of the essence here. Obviously, time is of the essence with most sewer repair issues, particularly when we go down to one," Ramsey said.

Why This Matters to Hingham Residents

Beyond the immediate infrastructure concerns, the Bradley Woods issue raises larger questions about the town’s aging sewer system. Some of the town’s sewer infrastructure dates back more than 60 years, highlighting the need for long-term investment in maintenance and modernization.

Town officials are urging residents to be aware of upcoming capital planning discussions, which may include additional funding for preventative maintenance and system upgrades.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Fisher expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the town and the Sewer Commission.

"Thank you and thanks for all members of the commission present or not who have really facilitated and supported the town. We really appreciate it," Fisher said.

The meeting adjourned at 4:12 PM, marking a swift but necessary approval to keep Hingham’s sewer system operational.

To watch the full video of the meeting, visit Harbor Media. 

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