South Shore News: Hanson

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 project as a critical investment to correct structural failures and meet the community’s needs for the next 30 years. The proposal, which would triple the library’s footprint to 23,000 square feet, faces a decisive vote at the upcoming May Town Meeting and a subsequent ballot question for a debt exclusion.

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The forum, held at the Hanson Senior Center, served as a final push for public education before voters head to the polls in May. Director Stolfer laid out a timeline that began in 2018, noting that the state has already recognized Hanson’s project as a top priority. In January 2025, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) ranked Hanson first among all medium-sized library applicants for its construction grant program [04:24].

“The state determined that our need was the greatest out of all the applicants,” Stolfer told the audience, citing the “excessively small” children’s room and chronic facility failures [04:36]. The proposed design, crafted by Oudens Ello Architecture, envisions a 14,676-square-foot addition that would wrap around the existing structure, leaving the current library space primarily for adult services while creating dedicated wings for children and teens [13:25].

Rendering of the library addition

Structural Failures and “The Cost of Doing Nothing”

A significant portion of the presentation focused on the deteriorating state of the current building, which was constructed in 1990 without state aid because the design was deemed too small even then [06:34]. Stolfer shared images of buckets in the basement catching water from ongoing roof leaks and described an HVAC system that is “constantly in need of repair” [06:14].

Officials emphasized that “doing nothing” is not a zero-cost option. Deferred maintenance, including HVAC replacement, roof repairs, and ADA compliance upgrades, is estimated to cost taxpayers millions of dollars—costs that would be borne entirely by the town without the benefit of the 50% state reimbursement offered through the construction grant [26:23].

Financial Breakdown and Tax Impact

The total project cost is estimated at $33,037,515. However, the net cost to Hanson taxpayers will be reduced by several funding sources:

MBLC Construction Grant: $12,586,791
Private Fundraising/Foundation Support: The Hanson Public Library Foundation has already expended over $58,000 on planning and design and plans a major capital campaign to further offset the town’s portion [10:09].
Green Initiative Bonus: The project is eligible for an additional 3% grant bonus (approximately $600,000) by meeting sustainable building standards [27:33].

While the final tax impact figures are still being “crunched,” Stolfer noted that the town’s share would likely hover around $13 to $15 million after all grants and private funds are applied [24:57].

Community Vision: More Than Just Books

The proposed expansion isn’t just about shelving. The new layout includes a community meeting room capable of seating 120 people, which can be cordoned off for after-hours use by local organizations [14:04]. Other features include:

Three individual study rooms [13:57]
An outdoor reading garden and learning center [14:42]
A dedicated teen center to accommodate the “dozens” of students who currently crowd the library after school [40:36]
Modernized technology infrastructure and a “warming/cooling center” capability for town emergencies [17:35].

“If I can get kids to come into the library rather than down the street... this is what we need to do. It’s what the town can do with the space for their young people.” [40:43] — Resident

Why It Matters

For the average Hanson resident, this project represents a choice between paying for a “band-aid” fix of an obsolete building or investing in a modern community hub at a 50% discount. The decision will impact property taxes for years to come via a debt exclusion, but supporters argue that missing this grant cycle could delay necessary repairs by another decade, during which construction costs are expected to climb significantly.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Project Figures (Estimated)

Total Project Cost: $33,037,515 [19:22]
State Grant Award: $12,586,791
Proposed Size: 23,040 Total Square Feet [08:20]
Planning Expenditures to Date: $248,013.86 (Funded by grants and trust funds) [10:01]

Public Comment

Cost Concerns: A resident expressed skepticism regarding the high price tag, asking for strategies to convince voters that the benefits outweigh the money [23:56].
Sustainability: A resident urged the committee to maximize solar exposure and green building techniques to eliminate future utility costs [29:34].
Space Needs: Multiple residents spoke in favor of the project, highlighting the town’s “woeful” lack of meeting space and the intergenerational benefits of the library [38:20].

What’s Next

May 4, 2026 (6:30 PM): Town Meeting Vote. Requires a two-thirds majority to approve project funding and the use of 3 acres of the former Maquan School property [18:07].
May 16, 2026: Town Election. A ballot question will ask voters to authorize a debt exclusion to fund the town’s portion of the project [18:12].

Source Video: Hanson Government TV

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 $630,000 override for emergency services and a massive $33 million library renovation and expansion project.

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The March 17 meeting was dominated by a grueling review of the 37-article Town Meeting warrant, punctuated by a sobering financial report from Town Accountant Eric Kinsherf. Kinsherf revealed that the town currently faces a $2 million gap in its regular budget [52:45]. While the town can balance this using free cash, doing so would leave only $245,000 to fund over $1.7 million in other article requests [53:10].

To address critical staffing needs, the Board voted to place a $630,000 exclusive override on the ballot specifically for the Fire and Police departments [54:54]. Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett noted that call volumes for emergency services are “off the hook” and that the departments have been operating while “thinly staffed” for years [51:12]. This override would restore one police position lost last year and add four new firefighter-paramedics.

The Board also moved forward with a ballot question for a $33,037,515 library project [01:04:21]. While the total price tag drew concern, Library Trustees indicated that an anticipated $12 million state grant would offset a portion of the cost [01:04:41]. Board members emphasized that even if the expansion fails, the existing building requires over $10 million in repairs just to meet modern codes [01:05:48].

In a bit of financial maneuvering, the Board pitched the new Highway Department building as “tax neutral” [56:08]. Because existing debt from the police station and regional high school is retiring, the town can borrow for the new highway facility without increasing the current tax levy [57:00]. However, a separate debt exclusion for South Shore Technical High School is also looming. Because the town is already legally committed to its share of the school’s construction costs, the Board warned that failing to pass a debt exclusion would force the town to cut its operating budget elsewhere [01:00:49].

“We’re pretty much bankrupting the town if we don’t get this passed. No doesn’t mean no. No means we’ve got to find the money.” — [01:00:55] Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett on the South Shore Tech debt exclusion.

Beyond the budget, the Board discussed a controversial “nip” bottle policy, which would allow the town to revoke the liquor licenses of businesses that continue to sell single-serving containers [01:11:14]. The Board also authorized a $100,000 feasibility study for the historic Bonney House and the “Nurses Quarters,” using a soon-to-expire Plymouth County earmark to save the deteriorating structures [01:21:17].

Why It Matters

For Hanson residents, this meeting signals a major crossroad for the town’s infrastructure and services. If the overrides and debt exclusions fail, the town faces the prospect of significant cuts to its operating budget to cover mandated costs like regional school debt. Conversely, approval of these measures will determine the trajectory of public safety staffing and the future of the town’s library and highway facilities for decades.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To place and recommend Article 5 (Fire/Police Override for $630,000).
- Vote: Unanimous ([54:54])
Motion: To place the ballot question for the $33M Library renovation and expansion.
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:09:51])
Motion: To place the Highway Building ballot question.
- Vote: Unanimous ([57:44])
Motion: To place the South Shore Technical High School debt exclusion ballot question.
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:02:36])
Motion: To authorize a $100,000 feasibility study for the Bonney House and Nurses Quarters using the Plymouth County earmark.
- Outcome: Consensus reached among stakeholders; no formal vote taken but direction set. ([01:21:17])

Public Comment

The meeting opened with a solemn tribute to Fred Cafardo, a beloved 35-year teacher at Hanson Middle School and “town staple” who recently passed away [00:45].

What’s Next

Forums & Education: The Board is planning a series of informational forums and an open house on April 25 to explain the Highway Building project to voters [01:35:56].
Next Meeting: The Select Board will meet again on April 7, April 14, and April 28 to finalize preparations for the May Town Meeting [07:37].
Town Meeting: Residents will cast their final votes on the 37-article warrant May 4.

Source Video: Hanson Government TV

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.

The Full Story

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…

Hanson Select Board Appoints Kevin Donovan Interim Town Administrator

Justin Evans — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:10:11 GMT

HANSON - October 14 - The Hanson Select Board voted Tuesday night to formally ratify employment contracts for two newly promoted police lieutenants and appointed Kevin Donovan as interim town administrator during a brief but action-packed meeting that addressed several significant personnel decisions.

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In the most significant business of the…

Hanson Settles for “Polished Turd” in Approving MBTA Zoning

Justin Evans — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:01:13 GMT

HANSON - October 6 - In a sometimes contentious Special Town Meeting Monday night, Hanson residents voted to adopt state-mandated MBTA Communities multifamily overlay zoning, creating a 78-acre district between Phillips and High Streets that could theoretically accommodate 750 housing units — though town officials emphasized the deliberately chosen site…

Hanson Prepares for Contentious October Town Meeting with 29 Articles

Justin Evans — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:01:42 GMT

HANSON - September 30 - The Hanson Select Board methodically worked through recommendations for 29 warrant articles on Tuesday night in preparation for a special town meeting scheduled for Monday, October 6th, with the controversial MBTA Communities zoning overlay district expected to dominate discussion and draw significant public interest.

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Hanson Police Celebrate Promotions and Awards

Justin Evans — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:16 GMT

HANSON - September 23 - The Hanson Select Board honored police officers and announced key department promotions during a special ceremony before addressing significant municipal business Tuesday evening, including concerns about a $1.14 million school district deficit that left officials scrambling for answers.

The Hanson Police Department celebrated a l…