South Shore News: Hanson

Technicalities Pause Hanson's L.Z. Thomas School Mortgage Discharge

Justin Evans — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:03:15 GMT

HANSON - June 30, 2026 - At a special one-off session, the Hanson Select Board abruptly tabled a high-stakes vote to discharge a municipal mortgage on the LZ Thomas housing property after town legal counsel raised significant eleventh-hour structural concerns. The hasty procedural pause occurred despite previous administrative warnings that missing the June 30 deadline would critically derail the property’s transition to the newly formed Hanson Housing Authority Development Corporation. Board members ultimately decoupled the housing vote from the brief agenda, opting instead to execute emergency year-end utility transfers to bail out spiking municipal heating bills at the Hanson Public Library.

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The special meeting was originally called as an emergency backstop to address a 30-year deed covenant and structural mortgage arrangement affecting the federal public housing complex known as L.Z. Thomas School at 533 Main Street. Moving the asset from federal control into the care of the newly established Hanson Housing Authority Development Corporation required the town to formally sign off on a mortgage discharge by the close of the fiscal year on June 30.

However, right before the gavel fell, the town’s legal counsel intervened, citing unprovided documentation and unresolved wording parameters. The sudden development triggered friction on the board regarding the validity of municipal contracts and the consistency of legal advice from outside housing consultants.

Select Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett clarified that the town’s attorneys had identified sufficient procedural anomalies to halt the signing in good conscience. Legal representatives from the Hanson Housing Authority countered that a systemic miscommunication had occurred between state officials at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and local planners. Housing authority lawyers ultimately assured town officials that a brief delay would not automatically compromise the multi-million-dollar real estate transfer.

“Their counsel told us that they thought it was okay and that there might’ve been a miscommunication... And if it isn’t okay, then it’s going to be on Hanson Housing Authority.” [00:01:39] — Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett

Hanson Reverses Course on Affordable Housing Property, Fights to Keep $90,000 in Looming Earmark Expiration

Justin Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:01:52 GMT

HANSON - June 23, 2026 - In a dramatic policy shift, the Hanson Select Board voted unanimously to reconsider a prior decision and move forward with exercising its right of first refusal to purchase an affordable housing unit at 902 Main Street. The move came after regional housing director James Marathas revealed the recent creation of the Hanson Housing Authority Development Corporation—a new non-profit tool that allows the town to preserve local affordable housing inventory and manage the asset using federal subsidies without encumbering municipal tax dollars. Meanwhile, the town entered a logistical scramble to forensically backfill municipal invoices before a June 30 deadline to prevent $90,000 in state landmark earmark funds from being returned to the Commonwealth.

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The meeting began with a joint session of the Wage and Personnel Committee, where officials approved a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union personnel. The increase, which takes effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, covers department heads and non-contract staff such as the library custodian and facilities workers. Town Administrator Lisa Green confirmed the bulk of the funding was already baked into line items approved at the May town meeting. Additionally, Green presented an updated legal opinion confirming that the position of Town Planner and Director of Land Use Oversight will report directly to the Town Administrator rather than the Planning Board, resolving an ongoing structural ambiguity.

The primary focus shifted rapidly during the Select Board session, which brought a highly consequential discussion on local housing policy. James Marathas, Executive Director for the Quincy Housing Authority—which manages Hanson’s housing programs under an interstate management agreement—briefed the board on significant structural changes. Marathas revealed that the federal government is systematically offloading public housing, prompting the recent creation of the Hanson Housing Authority Development Corporation.

This newly formed 501(c)(3) entity is structured to act as a nimble partner to the town, capable of holding deed restrictions, collecting rents, and executing capital improvements completely insulated from the town’s general operating budget.

The revelation directly impacted a pending decision regarding Unit 35 at 902 Main Street, a local condo currently restricted under affordable housing guidelines and valued at $270,000. Under standard rules, the town had a 120-day window to exercise a right of first refusal. At its previous meeting, the Select Board had voted to let the property drop its affordability restriction and head to the open market, operating under the historical assumption that the town lacked the infrastructure to function as a landlord.

Millions in Grants Recovered as Hanson Secures MBTA Compliance

Justin Evans — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:03:28 GMT

HANSON - June 9, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board celebrated a massive fiscal turnaround on Tuesday night, announcing the submission of four “One-Stop for Growth” grants totaling approximately $1.4 million. Town Administrator Lisa Green credited the town’s newly achieved compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act for breaking a prolonged grant drought and restoring Hanson’s eligibility for vital state funding.

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Town Administrator Lisa Green delivered a triumphant update regarding the town’s capital development pipeline, revealing that Town Planner Tony De Frias successfully compiled and submitted four extensive grant applications just ahead of state deadlines. The multi-million-dollar funding requests are strategically directed toward site readiness, Main Street infrastructure improvements, and underutilized property revitalizations. Specifically, the underutilized property funding is targeted at the Plymouth County Hospital property and its adjacent park assets.

Green noted that this application round marks the town’s third attempt to secure funding for the hospital site, but expressed a vastly heightened level of confidence due to changes in state policy. Hanson’s recent compliance with the controversial MBTA multi-family housing mandate has unlocked state doors that were previously closed. “I am hoping that we do get at least one or two now that we are MBTA compliant,” Green remarked, noting that compliance status remains a critical, gatekeeping question on state funding paperwork. The state’s positive shift was further emphasized by a letter from the Governor’s office congratulating Hanson on receiving four previous Community Compact grants, which funded a classification compensation study, an IT infrastructure upgrade, an economic development manual, and the town’s most recent capital improvement plan.

Hanson Select Board Renews Euthanasia Order for Dangerous Dog After Neighborhood Attacks

Justin Evans — Tue, 26 May 2026 11:00:59 GMT

HANSON — May 19, 2026 — In a emotionally charged public hearing that stretched late into the evening, the Hanson Select Board voted unanimously to re-up its order to humanely euthanize a ten-month-old Belgian Malinois named Boone. The decision came after harrowing testimony from multiple Birchbark Drive residents who recounted stealth street ambushes and an attack that left an eight-pound Maltese and its owner injured. Despite the dog owner’s tearful apologies and late-stage promises to move out of town, the board prioritized public safety, finding a clear pattern of negligence and unexecuted containment measures.

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The public hearing was a remand from district court after a procedural glitch involving an earlier April 28 determination. The owners had appealed that initial ruling, claiming they never received the certified mail notices. This time, notice was served directly in hand, bringing all parties face-to-face in the crowded select board meeting room.

The session opened with a breakdown of multiple terrifying encounters detailed by neighbors. Resident Brian Simonelli recounted a shocking incident from April 13 on Birchbark Drive. Simonelli was walking his eight-pound Maltese when Boone materialized from behind, completely silent.

“This dog—it didn’t attack me, it ambushed me,” Simonelli testified, still visibly shaken. “It came up behind me... and before I knew it, it grabbed my dog right by the neck and picked my dog up... My instincts just took over so I literally got on the ground... and I put my hands in the dog’s mouth and I pulled its mouth open.”

Hanson Voters Approve Public Safety and Highway Facility, Soundly Reject $33M Library Expansion

Justin Evans — Sun, 17 May 2026 01:30:29 GMT

HANSON - May 16, 2026 - Hanson voters turned out in force to reshape the town’s operational and capital landscape on Saturday, approving a $630,000 public safety override, a regional vocational school funding mechanism, and a nail-biting $7.5 million highway facility debt exclusion. However, local taxpayers drew a firm line at the ballot box on major capital spending, emphatically striking down a proposed $33 million library renovation and expansion project by a wide margin.

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A total of 1,601 ballots were cast at Hanson Middle School as residents weighed in on four critical ballot questions and a slate of municipal leadership positions.

The biggest drama of the night belonged to Question 2, a proposed debt exclusion to fund a new $7.5 million Highway Department facility. Designed to coincide with retiring town debt to minimize taxpayer impact, the measure squeaked by with a razor-thin margin of just 11 votes, finishing with 790 “Yes” votes to 779 “No” votes.

In contrast, Question 1—the $630,000 Proposition 2½ operational override aimed at adding four new firefighters and two new patrol officers—received strong support, cruising to victory with 1,001 votes in favor and 580 opposed. Voters also comfortably approved Question 3, greenlighting the town’s up-to-$27 million apportioned share for the South Shore Vocational Technical High School renovation project by a vote of 960 to 602.

The generosity of Hanson taxpayers stopped short at Question 4. Despite a dangling $12 million state grant aimed at softening the blow of a $33 million total price tag, residents decisively rejected the library expansion project. The debt exclusion was soundly defeated with 955 “No” votes against just 628 “Yes” votes.

On the candidate side, the ballot box delivered a stunner in the Board of Health race. Select Board member David M. George narrowly unseated incumbent Board of Health member Kevin Ryan Perkins by a mere 7 votes, finishing 698 to 691. Meanwhile, incumbent Laura A. Fitzgerald-Kemmett (1,013 votes) won reelection and Franklin T. Milisi (914 votes) won the Select Board seat vacated by George.

Why It Matters

The mixed results mean Hanson residents are willing to pay for essential services and long-overdue infrastructure upgrades, but remain highly sensitive to major debt. The average homeowner (valued at $550,000) will see an estimated property tax increase of approximately $154 annually for public safety personnel, alongside an immediate $180 to $275 increase for the mandatory regional school expansion. However, by rejecting the library project, homeowners successfully dodged what would have been the single largest tax addition on the ballot—an estimated $192 to $350 per year.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Ballot Votes

Question 1 (Public Safety Override): To assess an additional $630,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for additional firefighter-paramedics and police officers.
- Outcome: Passed
- Vote: 1,001 YES / 580 NO
Question 2 (Highway Facility Debt Exclusion): To exempt $7,500,000 in bonds to design, construct, and equip a new Highway Department Building.
- Outcome: Passed
- Vote: 790 YES / 779 NO
Question 3 (SSVT Regional School Debt Exclusion): To exempt the amounts required to pay Hanson’s share of bonds for the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District high school renovation.
- Outcome: Passed
- Vote: 960 YES / 602 NO
Question 4 (Library Renovation Debt Exclusion): To exempt $33,041,881 required to pay for the bond to design, construct, furnish, and equip a renovated/expanded Public Library building.
- Outcome: Failed
- Vote: 628 YES / 955 NO

Key Candidate Election Results

Select Board (Two Elected): Laura A. Fitzgerald-Kemmett* (1,013), Franklin T. Milisi (914)
Town Moderator: Sean Joseph Kealy* (1,256)
Board of Health: David M. George (698), Kevin Ryan Perkins* (691)
Planning Board (5-Year): Robert Huebner (1,085)

Source Data: Unofficial Results, Hanson Town Clerk Document Archive

Hanson Voters Back $40M in Infrastructure; Library and Highway Projects Head to Ballot

Justin Evans — Wed, 06 May 2026 11:31:17 GMT

HANSON — May 4, 2026 — In a marathon session marked by intense debate over the town’s fiscal future, Hanson residents approved a massive infrastructure package including a $33.4 million library expansion and a $7.5 million highway facility. Both projects, along with a $630,000 public safety override, now move to the May 16th town election for final voter approval.

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Moderator Sean Keely opened the meeting to a packed auditorium, setting a tone of fiscal realism by noting the town’s lack of a financial “cushion”. The evening’s heavy lifting began with the Special Town Meeting, where voters quickly reconciled $258,000 for snow and ice deficits and addressed $16,400 for leaking skylights at the Middle School.

The Annual Town Meeting centered on the tension between Hanson’s infrastructure needs and its limited revenue. The most contentious debate surrounded Article 32, the $33.4 million renovation and expansion of the Hanson Public Library. Library Director Karen Stolfer and the Trustees argued that the current 1990-era building was determined to be too small by the state from the day it opened. Supporters emphasized that the town had secured a rare $12.5 million state grant, which would be lost if the project did not move forward now.

However, the Finance Committee urged caution, with Chairman Kevin Sullivan labeling the expansion a “nice to have” during a period when the town faces a projected $2 million to $3 million deficit next year. Despite these concerns, the article passed the required two-thirds threshold after a hand count, finishing 177 in favor to 65 opposed.

Public Outcry Leads to Dangerous Dog Designation in Hanson After Brutal Neighborhood Attacks

Justin Evans — Tue, 05 May 2026 11:03:24 GMT

HANSON - April 28, 2026 - In an emotional and tense public hearing, the Hanson Select Board voted unanimously to deem a Belgian Malinois from Birchbark Drive a “dangerous dog” following a series of unprovoked attacks on residents and pets. The board issued a strict order for the animal’s removal and eventual euthanasia, citing a profound failure by the owners to contain a high-energy working breed that had effectively “terrorized” the neighborhood.

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The meeting’s focal point was a harrowing “dangerous or nuisance dog” hearing regarding a eight-month-old Belgian Malinois residing on Birchbark Drive. Residents arrived in force to testify about a string of incidents beginning in early April, including attacks on a nine-year-old boy on a bike [46:11], an unprovoked assault on a neighbor walking a beagle on Easter morning [56:33], and a brutal “ambush” on a resident and his eight-pound Maltese. [49:12]

Security Crisis at Hanson Police Station Triggers Emergency Funding from Stabilization Fund

Justin Evans — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:01:36 GMT

HANSON - April 14, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board voted Tuesday to tap into the town’s Stabilization Fund to replace a failing security camera system at the police station, a move deemed necessary after reports revealed the facility is currently failing state inspections due to malfunctioning equipment. Faced with a razor-thin budget and a printing deadline for the May Town Meeting warrant, the Board performed a high-stakes “triage” of capital projects, delaying several major initiatives to the fall while prioritizing public safety and critical infrastructure.

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The meeting opened with a sense of urgency as the Board worked to finalize the May 4 Annual Town Meeting warrant before it headed to the printers the following morning. While the session began on a celebratory note—honoring Vice Chair Ann Rein’s birthday [00:51]—the mood quickly shifted to the grim realities of the town’s fiscal year 2026 budget.

Hanson Faces $1.5 Million Deficit as Town Meeting Approaches

Justin Evans — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:02:51 GMT

HANSON – April 7, 2026 – Hanson officials are grappling with a projected $1.5 million budget deficit heading into the May Annual Town Meeting, a shortfall driven largely by an unexpected $600,000 deficit in snow and ice removal costs. Town Accountant Eric Kinsherf informed the Select Board that while the town has roughly $2.2 million in free cash, nearly all of it is required to balance the operational budget, leaving little room for capital articles or emergency transfers.

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The fiscal reality for the Town of Hanson took center stage during Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting. Town Accountant Eric Kinsherf and Town Administrator Lisa Green presented a “grounded” view of the town’s financial position, revealing that the town needs approximately $2 million in free cash just to balance the current budget proposal [38:06]. The primary culprit for the strain is a massive $600,000 deficit in the snow and ice account, a result of a winter that “hammered” the town with multiple severe storms [42:16].

$33 Million Library Expansion Proposed: A “Once-in-a-Decade” Opportunity for Hanson

Justin Evans — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:02:42 GMT

HANSON - March 19, 2026 - Library Director Karen Stolfer presented a comprehensive vision for a $33 million renovation and expansion of the Hanson Public Library, warning residents that the current 36-year-old facility is “busting at the seams.” With a state grant poised to cover approximately $12.5 million of the costs, officials are framing the projec…

Hanson Faces $2M Shortfall as Board Advances Major Overrides for Fire, Police, and $33M Library

Justin Evans — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:01:20 GMT

HANSON - March 17, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board is grappling with a projected $2 million budget shortfall, leading members to advance a series of high-stakes tax overrides and debt exclusions for the upcoming May Town Meeting. With “free cash” reserves nearly exhausted to balance the operating budget, residents will be asked to decide the fate of a $6…

Hanson Select Board Sets Stage for High-Stakes Town Meeting Warrant

Justin Evans — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:03:39 GMT

HANSON - March 10, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board moved aggressively through a massive 35-article Town Meeting warrant Tuesday night, paving the way for residents to decide on multi-million dollar capital projects, including a new highway building and a regional vocational school expansion. Amidst the heavy legislative lifting, the board took time to ce…

Hanson to Join Multi-Party Request for State Inspector General Audit of School District

Justin Evans — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:03:25 GMT

HANSON - March 3, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday to partner with the Whitman Select Board and the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District (WHRSD) School Committee to request a forensic audit from the state’s Inspector General. The decision followed a presentation by new school district leadership aimed at “turning the page” on …

Hanson Select Board Demands State Audit of School District Amid “Fiduciary Crisis”

Justin Evans — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:03:35 GMT

HANSON - February 10, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board took a decisive stand on Tuesday night, voting unanimously to request a formal audit from the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District. Citing a profound “lack of trust” and a massive budget gap that has left the town’s finances in a precario…

Hanson Proposes Regional Veteran Services District with Hanover

Justin Evans — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:02:20 GMT

HANSON - January 27, 2026 - In a move to stabilize local veteran services and reduce costs, the Hanson Select Board voted to pursue a regional district agreement with the Town of Hanover. This strategic partnership aims to provide superior service to local veterans by sharing a full-time Veteran Services Officer (VSO) and introducing a dedicated adminis…

Hanson Reviews Zoning Bylaws for Battery Storage; “Data Farms” on Radar

Justin Evans — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:02:56 GMT

HANSON - January 13, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board moved to “future-proof” the town against unregulated large-scale developments Tuesday night, advancing zoning amendments for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and flagging “data farms” as a potential looming issue. The Board also approved the replacement of broken electric vehicle charging stations…

School Finance Professional Appointed to Whitman-Hanson School Committee Amidst “Crisis”

Justin Evans — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:02:55 GMT

HANSON - December 16, 2025 - Facing a looming $2.4 million town deficit and an ongoing financial crisis in the regional school district, the Hanson Select Board, acting jointly with the Hanson members of the School Committee, appointed a seasoned school finance official to fill a vacancy on the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee Tuesday night. War…

Hanson Select Board Approves All-Alcoholic Beverage License for Fetch BBQ

Justin Evans — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:56 GMT

HANSON - December 2 - The Hanson Select Board unanimously approved an all-alcoholic beverage liquor license for Southern Eats LLC, operating as Fetch BBQ. The approval follows a public hearing held at the board’s December 2, 2025 meeting and will allow the popular local restaurant to expand its service offerings.

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The liquor license hearing,…

Hanson Select Board Holds Uniform Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2026

Justin Evans — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:01:11 GMT

HANSON - November 18 - The Hanson Select Board voted unanimously on November 18, 2025, to maintain a uniform tax rate across residential and commercial properties for the upcoming fiscal year, rejecting a split rate that would have placed additional burden on the town’s small business sector. The decision, supported by the Board of Assessors, reflects H…

Hanson Locks in Three-Year Energy Contract

Justin Evans — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:03:09 GMT

HANSON - October 28 - The Hanson Select Board voted Tuesday to secure a 36-month electricity supply contract with Sprague Energy for town buildings, locking in a discounted rate as members anticipate volatility in energy markets. The decision came on the same evening the board learned the highway department’s main building requires a roof replacement es…