July 7, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
During a recent public evaluation of Town Administrator Tom Mayo, who has served the Town of Hingham in this role for more than eight years, select board members Chair William Ramsey and Liz Klein praised him for his ability to manage the municipal budget in accordance with the memorandum of understanding among the board, the advisory committee, and the school committee and for his “work ethic,” which Ramsey said is “second to none.”
Mayo was named interim town administrator in 2017 and permanently to that role in 2018.
Additional highlights of what Ramsey called “a very successful year” include organizing select board meetings so that all three members, department heads, and others involved are well prepared; key personnel hires — including DPW Supt. Ashley Sanford, replacing retiring Randy Sylvester, and new Veterans’ Services Director Shannon Burke, filling the position formerly held by Keith Jermyn, who also retired — and his role in the recent successful town meeting.
“You care about the community, the people in it, and our employees — a job well done,” Ramsey said.
Looking toward the new fiscal year, there will be a focus on capital and overall financial planning, personnel, and communications, he said. “We’ll be working with you to meet these goals and [requesting regular updates].”
Klein noted that the proposed new Center for Active Living project is moving forward and that it has taken “a lot of your [Mayo’s] time and energy,” as has the new public safety facility, which is now “open and functioning. We’re excited to do a ribbon cutting this summer,” she said.
A continuing key effort is economic development. “That’s a big focus for us this year,” Klein said. “We have a very well-managed, successful town, in large part due to your leadership.”
Mayo also started a local government academy for citizens to help them learn how Hingham’s town government works and how they can be involved; implemented a four-day work week at Town Hall that Klein called a “nice benefit for employees. We’ve had good feedback from the community as well”; and helped the town maintain its AAA bond rating.
New select board member Julie Strehle said she’s “excited about the goals we put together, and I think it will be a great year.”
In response, Mayo said he loves working “with this town. It’s a privilege,” noting that he promised the select board when he was hired that he would “always put the town first with every decision I make. I’m looking forward to the next several years working with you and continuing to do what we do.”