Hingham Select Board approves $57,600 for public safety facility fitness equipment, $125,520 for opioid programs

Select Board Gives Green Light to New Police Contracts, Sets Sights on Civil Service Exit

HINGHAM - June 17 and 24 - The Hingham Select Board approved $57,600 for fitness equipment at the new public safety facility and allocated $125,520 for opioid settlement programs during its June 17, 2025 meeting at Town Hall.

The fitness equipment contract with Precision Fitness Equipment Incorporated covers delivery and installation of workout equipment for the wellness center within the public safety facility. The equipment includes various pieces ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 each and comes with standard factory warranties.

"Everybody's looking forward to when that room is done," said Deputy Fire Chief David Levenson during the meeting.

Chair Bill Ramsey emphasized the importance of physical fitness for first responders, noting that firefighters work 24-hour shifts and police officers often exercise before or after their shifts.

"Obviously physical fitness is a huge part of the business of being a first responder," Ramsey said.

The board confirmed that both fire and police departments had input on the equipment selection. The project received approval from the Public Safety Building Committee on June 12.

For opioid settlement programs, the board approved a budget that includes $39,520 for social worker Liz Miller's salary as opioid use disorder program coordinator, $26,000 for prevention programs, and $60,000 for sober living scholarships.

Miller presented extensive data on the program's first full year of operations, highlighting significant community impact. The Out of Darkness suicide prevention walk raised $96,000 with 565 registered participants, exceeding typical first-year expectations of 200 participants and $30,000 to $40,000 raised.

"For a first-time walk they see about 200 registered participants and anywhere from like 30 to 40 thousand dollars raised so we set a good record," Miller said.

The sober living scholarship program awarded 16 scholarships to individuals entering or staying in sober living homes. Recipients must be Hingham residents or have parents or guardians living in town.

"My family is precious to me and I will take every step necessary to stay sober for myself my children and grandchildren," one scholarship recipient wrote in their application essay.

The board also approved harbormaster appointments, naming Mike Nash as full-time assistant harbormaster and John Algird as deputy shellfish constable, both for three-year terms ending June 30, 2028.

Nash, an eight-year veteran of the harbormaster department, will work through the summer before attending the Police Academy for six months. He recently participated in a life-saving incident, performing CPR and using an AED on a boater.

"Mike was certainly the most qualified for this job," said Harbormaster Ken Corson, who noted Nash's progression from harbormaster attendant to search and rescue operations.

The board authorized nine budget transfers totaling $778,410 to address year-end funding needs. The largest transfer moved $410,000 from Department of Public Works salaries to road maintenance for completing road and sidewalk projects, bathing beach parking lot work, salt shed completion, and installing two rectangular rapid flashing beacons for crosswalk safety.

"We had fallen behind a little bit" on road maintenance, said Superintendent Ashley Sanford, noting the transfer would help get projects back on schedule.

Other significant transfers included $170,000 from transfer station expenses to DPW expenses for Station Street parking lot lighting and building repairs, and $72,000 to cover the snow and ice deficit.

The board also approved a special one-day liquor license for Widowmaker Brewing to operate a beer garden during the July 2 Independence Day drone light show celebration at Hingham Harbor from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Colin Foley from Widowmaker Brewing explained the setup would include roped-off areas with picnic tables, similar to previous events, with alcohol consumption restricted to the designated area.

During public comment, resident Al Chambers advocated for three community projects: cleaning and developing a seven-acre island in Hingham Harbor's cove, addressing fire safety concerns in the George Washington Town Forest, and adding housing units to Lincoln School Apartments to help seniors facing tax increases.

The board concluded the meeting by entering executive session to discuss real property matters, with no return to open session planned.

June 24 - The Hingham Select Board has unanimously approved new contracts for police patrolmen and superior officers, introducing changes to compensation and setting the stage for the department's departure from the civil service system.

The agreements, which run through June 30, 2027, are designed to tackle recruitment and retention issues within the police force.

Town Administrator Tom Mayo points out, "We're facing some unique challenges. The nature of policing has evolved, along with officers' roles and responsibilities. The job market for law enforcement officers has also shifted."

The contracts bring several key changes, including the integration of educational incentives into base pay, a revamp of step increases, and new stipends for specialized positions.

Officers will receive a 3% annual cost of living increase, with lieutenants getting a small additional equity adjustment. Educational incentives, previously separate, will now be factored into base pay for overtime, shift differential, and details calculations.

Mayo explains, "This change recognizes those who've pursued further education and encourages others to do the same."

The new structure adds two steps at years six and nine for superior officers. Patrol officers will start at a higher step, with additional steps at 15 and 25 years of service.

The contracts also outline plans to leave the civil service system, pending town meeting approval in April 2026. Officers will receive a $7,500 payment upon withdrawal.

Police Chief David Jones commends the union representatives, saying, "Your approach really highlights your character and daily conduct."

Lieutenant John Marquardt, speaking for the superior officers, states, "We're always ready to come to the table professionally. We understand we're one part of a larger picture."

Select Board member Liz Klein adds, "The step changes and civil service exit align well with our recruitment and retention goals as a town."

The agreements also introduce a voluntary health and wellness program focusing on cardiac health for officers and update performance evaluation procedures.

Full meeting available via Harbor Media. June 17 and June 24.