Hingham Select Board Ratifies Three-Year Contract with DPW Union Following Successful Negotiations
HINGHAM - October 28 - The Hingham Select Board unanimously approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25, representing the town’s Department of Public Works rank-and-file employees, after negotiations concluded with a memorandum of agreement that includes 3% annual salary increases and equity adjustments for three of four employee levels.
The Full Story
The contract, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, came after just three negotiating sessions between town representatives and union officials. Jack Manning and Lynn Carroll from the Personnel Board, along with Town Administrator Tom Mayo and DPW Director Ashley Sanford, represented the town in negotiations with Nancy Campbell, the Teamsters representative, and one rank-and-file union member.
Manning told the Select Board that the union had initially presented over 20 to 25 requests, some with monetary consequences and others involving language changes in various contract articles. The final agreement includes a 3-3-3 salary increase structure, meaning employees will receive 3% raises in each year of the three-year contract.
Significantly, the agreement also addresses compensation equity. Manning explained that the town routinely compares itself to 19 other municipalities, and this analysis revealed that three out of four levels within the rank-and-file unit required equity adjustments to remain competitive with comparable communities.
“I think we handled the town’s needs to maintain control over costs in a meaningful way,” Manning said. “At the same time, I wanted to recognize that we have some terrific people, some who have worked for the town 30, 35, 40 years, and these are incredible resources that the town has at their fingertips.”
Manning praised the collaborative nature of the negotiations, acknowledging the contributions of Carroll, Mayo, Sanford, and Campbell. “We literally walked into the meeting having a sense of what we might be facing. It all came to fruition in an incredibly good way,” he said.
DPW Director Ashley Sanford, participating remotely, echoed those sentiments: “It was a great group to be able to work with, and I think we were able to negotiate the things to meet the needs on both levels of the town and the employees that worked so hard to keep the town as beautiful as it is.”
Board Chair William Ramsey expressed appreciation for the negotiating team’s work and praised the DPW employees. “The DPW does phenomenal work for our town. It’s hard work. It’s difficult work, but our DPW employees are fantastic and have always been great, and they’re well led by Ashley, who’s doing a wonderful job for us there, too,” Ramsey said.
Select Board member Liz Klein commended the team for following through with the equity adjustment practice. “I appreciate you talking about the equity adjustments and following through with that really consistent practice. I think that’s really important for the town, and I feel like this is very fair and shows how much we value the DPW employees,” Klein said.
In other business, the board approved annual appointments of special police officers, liquor enforcement officers, and police prosecutors. Deputy Police Chief Ryan O’Shea presented a list of special police officers who supplement the department at events like road details, Fourth of July celebrations, and other special occasions at no training cost to the town. The roster includes retired officers from Hingham and other communities, as well as civilians in various professions.
Notable among the new special officer appointments is Robert Ramsey, who will join the roster effective December 2, 2025, following his retirement from the police department on December 1st. Board Chair Ramsey abstained from voting on his brother’s appointment. The board also removed Daniel Martini from the special officer list after he became a full-time police officer in August.
The board approved a change of manager application for The Beth restaurant at Hingham Shipyard, with longtime employee Carlie Pardini taking over as manager of record from Desmond Sherry. Attorney Dennis Quilty, representing the establishment, noted that Pardini is a Hingham resident with nearly 20 years of hospitality experience and is TIPS certified. Pardini has been involved with The Beth since its opening several years ago.
In the most substantial new business item aside from the union contract, the Select Board approved an all-alcoholic beverages restaurant license for the new Cove Club, a private golf and dining facility being constructed at 20 Broad Cove Road on the site of the former Ballroom building.
Attorney Jeff Tocchio, representing applicant KH One, LLC, explained that the 9,600-square-foot, two-story facility will feature five golf simulators on the first floor and an additional simulator, lounge restaurant, and two member lounges with fireplaces on the second floor. The building, designed to resemble Shinnecock Country Club, will serve primarily as an indoor golf facility with food and beverage service as an accessory use.
Manager Robert Headley, a Hull resident who previously lived in Hingham, told the board the club has already received over 100 inquiries for membership in just 30 days since construction began. Notably, 72% of inquiries are for family memberships, and 34% of interest has come from women. “The goal here is to make it family-centric, develop the youth in golf, give back to the community involvement,” Headley said.
The facility will be open to the public by reservation on Mondays from noon to 10 p.m., with members-only hours Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Because of the Monday public access, the applicants sought a restaurant license rather than a club license.
Headley said the facility will partner with Derby Academy, Hingham High School, and Notre Dame Academy to provide indoor golf opportunities for their athletic programs. “We’ll probably do all season tournaments with the high schools as well as bringing in many high schools into that place in the winter,” he said.
The project has received all necessary permits from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Building Department, and MassDOT. The building complies with floodplain requirements and allowed for restoration of approximately 660 square feet of salt marsh area. The board received letters of support from neighbors at Crow Point, Derby Academy, and other residents.
Town Administrator Tom Mayo reported on the MBTA’s ongoing water transportation study, encouraging residents who use the Hingham ferry to complete an online survey available until November 12th. The MBTA held an open house on October 23rd for ferry users to provide feedback on current service and potential improvements.
Select Board member Julie Strehle highlighted the board’s recent meeting with chairs and representatives of all town committees, both appointed and elected. The October 23rd gathering allowed committees to share what they’re working on and learn about other groups’ initiatives. “I think it was a great exercise in giving information and getting information and everyone together in the same room,” Strehle said, noting the board hopes to hold such meetings up to three times per year. Hingham Community Media recorded the session, which is available on their YouTube channel.
The board also recognized longtime resident Phyllis Chapman’s 108th birthday with a citation. Chapman, a Hingham resident for over six decades and Bentley College alumna, will be celebrated at a party at the Center for Active Living on October 29th. The board has recognized Chapman’s birthday annually since she turned 100.
Why It Matters
The DPW union contract affects approximately 30-40 municipal employees who maintain Hingham’s roads, parks, facilities, and infrastructure year-round. The 3% annual raises and equity adjustments ensure the town can retain experienced workers and remain competitive with surrounding communities in recruiting skilled laborers. With some employees having served for 30 to 40 years, the agreement recognizes their institutional knowledge while managing taxpayer costs. The contract was achieved efficiently through just three negotiating sessions, demonstrating productive labor-management relations that benefit both town operations and the workforce that keeps Hingham running smoothly.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve minutes dated October 7, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:02:50)
Motion: Approve minutes dated October 14, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:03:00)
Motion: Enter Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining strategy with Teamsters Local Union 25. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:03:43)
Motion: Sign Memorandum of Agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25 effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:10:53)
Motion: Appoint special police officers through October 31, 2026 (19 individuals including Animal Control Officer and Harbormaster). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:16:15)
Motion: Appoint Robert Ramsey as special police officer effective December 2, 2025 through October 31, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 2-0-1 (Ramsey abstained). (Timestamp: 0:17:06)
Motion: Appoint liquor enforcement officers through October 31, 2026 (six individuals). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:17:30)
Motion: Appoint police prosecutors and backups as special police officers through October 31, 2026 (seven individuals from surrounding towns). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:17:59)
Motion: Approve change of manager for The Beth restaurant from Desmond Sherry to Carlie Pardini. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:22:00)
Motion: Approve all-alcoholic beverages restaurant license for Cove Club, 20 Broad Cove Road, with operating hours Monday 12 p.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., subject to departmental approvals and ABCC approval. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:35:10)
Motion: Enter Executive Session to discuss potential litigation strategy; board will not reconvene in open session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:39:42)
Public Comment
No members of the public offered comment during the designated public comment period. The board invited public questions throughout agenda items related to appointments and license applications, but no residents spoke.
What’s Next
The Memorandum of Agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25 is now executed and in effect through June 30, 2028. The Cove Club’s all-alcoholic beverages restaurant license approval is subject to final approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, submission of liquor liability insurance documentation, and receipt of an occupancy permit from Building Commissioner Mike Clancy upon completion of construction at 20 Broad Cove Road. The MBTA water transportation survey remains open for public input until November 12, 2025. The Select Board plans to hold committee chair meetings up to three times per year, with the next gathering to be scheduled.