South Shore News: Hanover

Hanover Approves $32 Million PFAS Fix and $81 Million Budget Amid Growing Economic Pressures

Justin Evans — Sat, 09 May 2026 11:01:20 GMT

HANOVER — May 4 and 5, 2026 — In a marathon two-night Town Meeting, Hanover residents charted a high-stakes course for the town’s future, authorizing a massive $32 million borrowing plan to scrub “forever chemicals” from the public water supply and approving an $81.1 million operating budget. While voters embraced aggressive environmental protections—including a new ban on single-use plastic bags—they soundly rejected radical shifts in town governance, defeating proposals to implement a recall process for elected officials and to strip the Moderator of committee appointment powers.

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The defining moment of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting arrived late Monday night during a tense debate over Article 24, a $32 million request to upgrade the town’s three water treatment plants to combat PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Town officials and consultants from Apex Companies warned that while Hanover currently meets the state standard of 20 parts per trillion, it fails the pending federal limit of just four parts per trillion.

Hanover Strategic Plan Approved Amidst Rising Concerns Over Athletics Safety and Equity

Justin Evans — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:03:10 GMT

HANOVER — April 29, 2026 — The Hanover School Committee unanimously approved a comprehensive three-year strategic plan and delivered a positive performance evaluation for Superintendent Matthew Ferron Wednesday night. However, the session was dominated by impassioned public testimony from parents who alleged significant safety risks on student athlete buses and stark inequities in how the district funds and maintains different sports programs.

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The meeting opened with a lengthy public comment period where parents from the lacrosse, baseball, and hockey communities voiced frustrations over what they characterized as a “business-like” approach to athletics that prioritizes certain sports over others.

Joanna Doherty, a Hanover resident, raised alarms regarding transportation safety. She noted that while high-profile sports like football and basketball utilize two buses for away games, hockey and lacrosse teams are often forced onto a single bus despite the heavy equipment involved. Doherty described scenes of “large children” sitting in middle aisles because three students cannot fit in a seat with their gear bags, calling the situation “treacherous” during inclement weather.

Hanover Select Board Braces for Town Meeting: $32 Million PFAS Project and Departmental Deficits Take Center Stage

Justin Evans — Sat, 02 May 2026 11:01:22 GMT

HANOVER - April 27, 2026 - The Hanover Select Board convened for its final regular session before the Annual Town Meeting, grappling with a fiscal year 2026 budget update that reveals significant deficits in snow and ice removal and the town’s transfer station. Amid these local shortfalls, officials finalized commentary for a massive $32 million PFAS mitigation project that will be presented to voters next week. The meeting also marked an emotional milestone as the board bid farewell to Chairwoman Rhonda Nyman, who is stepping down after six years of service..

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As Hanover enters the final quarter of fiscal year 2026, Town Manager Joe Colangelo and the finance team presented a mixed financial picture. While many departments remain within their benchmarks, several key areas are facing year-end pressure. Town Accountant Debbie Dunn reported that the town is “three-quarters of the way through the year” and generally has a “good handle on where things stand,” but highlighted specific “departmental budget issues” that require remediation through municipal relief transfers or reserve funds.

Hanover Schools Pivot to Rotating Schedules and AI Integration Amid Looming 2029 Deficit

Justin Evans — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:02:29 GMT

HANOVER – April 15, 2026 – The Hanover School Committee moved to reshape the student experience April 15th, approving a shift to rotating bell schedules for the 2026-2027 school year and unveiling a strategic plan designed to navigate a “structural deficit” forecast for 2029. High School and Middle School students will no longer attend the same classes at the same time every day, a move aimed at improving equity for students whose attention or attendance varies by time of day. Meanwhile, district leaders reported high engagement with new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, even as they cautioned that the technology represents both the “greatest opportunity” and “biggest challenge” of the modern era.

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The meeting opened with a celebration of local achievement, recognizing third-grader Luke for raising funds for clean water in South Sudan and honoring the Boys Ice Hockey team as the 2026 MIAA D3 State Champions. However, the agenda quickly shifted to substantive structural changes.

Hanover Sets $32 Million PFAS Project for Town Meeting Vote

Justin Evans — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:02:56 GMT

HANOVER — March 30, 2026 — The Hanover Select Board moved to finalize the Special and Annual Town Meeting warrants on Monday, headlined by a significant $32 million request for PFAS water treatment upgrades and a strategic shift in how “town-side” capital projects are funded. The board also grappled with a procedural hurdle regarding the potential sale of town-owned land on Davis Street, ultimately choosing expediency over strict policy adherence to ensure the matter reaches voters this May. Other major actions included approving a new fee schedule for the transfer station and moving forward with an agreement to add Pembroke to the South Shore Regional Vocational School District.

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The meeting’s most substantial financial item involves the town’s ongoing battle with “forever chemicals.” Budget Director Jim Hoyes and Town Manager Joe Colangelo presented an updated request for PFAS upgrades at Hanover’s three water treatment plants, now estimated at $32 million. This project includes a comprehensive filtration system and a “SCADA” operating system to modernize the town’s water infrastructure. The board voted unanimously to amend Article 24 of the warrant to reflect this increased debt request.

Hanover High Preps for Academic Overhaul

Justin Evans — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:02:31 GMT

HANOVER — March 25, 2026 — The Hanover School Committee on Wednesday night greenlit a transformative 2026-2027 Program of Studies that reintroduces health education, expands financial literacy, and adds specialized electives like Criminal Justice. The meeting also saw the committee scale back its capital refurbishment plan to $460,000, focusing strictly on critical HVAC and roof repairs at the Cedar and Middle Schools following a grueling winter that highlighted structural vulnerabilities across the district.

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A Modernized Curriculum: Health, Law, and Finance

High School Principal Matthew Plummer presented a sweeping update to the district’s Program of Studies, emphasizing “real-world” skill acquisition. A cornerstone of the new plan is the formal return of health education to the high school, with specific Health 9 and Health 10 requirements integrated into the PE rotation. Upperclassmen will also see the return of high-interest electives like Healthcare Occupations and Biomedical Studies, as well as a new Criminal Justice course.

Hanover Tackles Senior Housing Crisis with Proposed Legion Housing Expansion

Justin Evans — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:03:25 GMT

HANOVER – March 16, 2026 – In a joint session with the Affordable Housing Trust, the Hanover Select Board reviewed a critical feasibility study for a new affordable senior housing project on an eight-acre town-owned parcel. With projections showing that seniors will make up 25% of Hanover’s population by 2030, officials are moving forward with plans to expand housing options near the existing Legion Housing site to protect the town’s most vulnerable residents from rising costs.

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The public session of the March 16th Select Board meeting centered on a significant presentation regarding the investigation and analysis of an affordable housing project. Stephen Carroll, Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, joined by Josh Green of Crocker Design Group, presented the findings of a feasibility study conducted on an eight-acre parcel of town-owned land abutting Legion Housing.

The urgency of the project is driven by recent data from the town’s state-approved housing plan. Carroll highlighted a stark demographic shift: by 2030—just four years away—one-quarter of Hanover’s population will be seniors. “We know that seniors in town are sort of the most vulnerable when it comes to sort of housing prices,” Carroll noted, emphasizing that building affordable units is a primary goal of the Housing Trust.

The proposed site’s proximity to existing Legion Housing provides a strategic advantage for infrastructure and community integration. While the presentation served as an update on the feasibility of the land, it represents a major step in the town’s long-term strategy to meet its housing mandates and support its aging population.

The Board took a moment to celebrate local achievements. This included a formal recognition of the town’s music program and students who qualified for the SEMSBA music festival. The meeting also marked a personal milestone for the Chair, Rhonda Nyman, who was congratulated on her retirement from the Sheriff’s Office after her final day of service.

Why It Matters

For Hanover residents, this project addresses the growing difficulty for long-time community members to “age in place.” As property values and living costs rise, many seniors risk being priced out of the town they have lived in for decades. Expanding affordable senior housing not only fulfills state requirements but ensures that the town remains accessible to its older residents.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of March 2, 2026.
- Vote: Unanimous (0:01:24)

Motion: To enter into Executive Session in accordance with MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21A.3 to discuss collective bargaining and PFAS litigation, and to adjourn directly therefrom.

Vote: Unanimous Roll Call (1:53:21)

Public Comment

No members of the public offered comments during the session, either in person or via the remote Zoom platform.

What’s Next

The Affordable Housing Trust and Crocker Design Group will continue to refine the project specifications based on the feasibility study. The Select Board is expected to review more formal proposals and potential funding mechanisms in upcoming sessions as the project moves toward the development phase.

Source Video: Hanover Community Access Media (HCAM)

Hanover High Earns “Super Bowl” Victory in Accreditation Review

Justin Evans — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 11:00:35 GMT

HANOVER - March 11, 2026 - The Hanover School Committee celebrated a landmark “meeting all standards” rating for Hanover High School following its decennial NEASC accreditation visit, even as officials moved to keep the district closed to school choice students for the upcoming year due to persistent enrollment and budget pressures. In a session marked by high-level student recognition and sobering warnings about aging infrastructure, administrators also revealed that the town is facing a “dramatic increase” in cyberattacks, necessitating urgent new investments in digital security.

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NEASC Success and the “Vision of the Graduate”

Hanover High School (HHS) has officially cleared its “Super Bowl” of academic oversight. High School Principal Matthew Mattos and Principal Matthew Plummer presented the final report from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), confirming that the high school met all five standards of accreditation: learning culture, student learning, professional practices, learning support, and learning resources.

The visiting team lauded the “exceptional progress” made since 2024, particularly in embedding a “Vision of the Graduate” into the curriculum. This framework ensures students are not just mastering subjects but developing broader competencies like critical thinking and collaboration. Among the accolades, the report highlighted high student engagement, effective intervention strategies for at-risk learners (Tier 3 programs like TLC, RISE, and POST), and a culture where “learning from mistakes” is encouraged.

However, the accreditation success came with future mandates. NEASC recommended that the district restore “lead teachers” or department heads to provide better subject-matter expertise—positions that were previously cut due to budget constraints.

No to School Choice, Yes to Security

Superintendent Matthew Ferron recommended that the committee vote against participating in the state’s School Choice program for the 2026-2027 school year. Ferron cited “ongoing class size issues” and “challenging budgets” as the primary drivers for the decision. The committee voted unanimously to decline school choice, effectively limiting enrollment to Hanover residents to avoid overcrowding.

On the financial front, Director of Finance Michael Oates reported a stable mid-year position, with the district having utilized roughly 50% of its operating budget. However, a new threat emerged: cybersecurity. Superintendent Ferron noted that the town has seen its email addresses appearing on the “dark web” and faces constant attacks. “We probably will likely have to make some more investments in our cybersecurity side of the house because the pressure and the threat of that is increasing regularly,” Ferron warned.

Academic Innovations: The Rotating Schedule

Principal Plummer detailed a major shift for the next school year: the implementation of a rotating bell schedule. This change, which received “almost unanimous” support from teachers, will allow students to attend different classes at different times of the day, ensuring that a “hard class” doesn’t always fall during a student’s least productive hour. The high school is also exploring an “advisory block” or “flex block” to provide more targeted support and relationship building, though this remains in the study phase.

Celebrations of Excellence

The meeting began with the recognition of several standout students. Junior Siena Oliver was honored for winning the local and district Lions Club speech contests with a poignant address on the lost art of letter writing. She shared a personal story of writing to former President Barack Obama as a child and eventually receiving a response that gave him “tremendous hope” for the future.

Athletic Director Scott Hutchison also introduced three state champion wrestlers:

photo credit: Hanover Schools Facebook

Conlan Geary: Graduating as the all-time career win leader with 147 victories.
Peter Clarke: Surpassed the 100-win milestone this season.
Emma Leonido: A junior who became Hanover’s first-ever female All-State wrestling champion.
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Why It Matters

For residents, the meeting highlights a school district performing at an elite academic and athletic level while navigating severe “end-of-life” facility challenges. The rejection of School Choice ensures local students aren’t crowded out, but the public comments regarding leaking roofs at Cedar Elementary and the Middle School suggest a major capital request or tax override conversation is looming in 2029. Additionally, the push to restore department heads indicates that the “maintenance-level” budgets of recent years may be reaching their limit in supporting the quality of education NEASC expects.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To choose not to participate in the school choice program for the 2026-2027 school year due to high enrollment and class size limitations.
- Vote: 5-0 (17:10)
Motion: To approve the open session meeting minutes for January 28.
- Vote: 5-0 (15:46)

Public Comment

Joe Amara (Resident): Expressed deep concern over the Cedar Elementary and Hanover Middle School buildings, noting they have been “actively leaking for over ten years”. He warned that the structural integrity is at risk and urged the town to move forward with either an MSBA Accelerated Repair Program (estimated at $5 million) or total reconstruction (exceeding $100 million). He noted that under current timelines, repairs might not happen until 2029.
Chair Pete Miraglia: Acknowledged the comment, stating the committee has a “large budget request” for repairs next year and will face “major decisions” regarding long-term reconstruction soon.

What’s Next

State Speech Contest: Siena Oliver will represent Hanover at the state level on March 28.
Department Head Analysis: Superintendent Ferron will provide an analysis of the costs and models for restoring department heads/lead teachers at an April meeting.
Budget Refinement: The budget working group continues to refine a “refurbishment package” for Town Meeting.

Source Video: Hanover Cable Access TV

Hanover Advances $28 Million PFAS Water Treatment Project as State Funding List is Released

Justin Evans — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:31:26 GMT

HANOVER - March 2, 2026 - The Hanover Select Board moved a massive $28 million PFAS mitigation project closer to construction March 2, receiving word that the town has been placed on the state’s draft “Intended Use Plan” for up to $15 million in low-interest financing. With a critical Town Meeting vote looming in May, officials also unveiled a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan designed to modernize the town’s aging water mains and municipal infrastructure through 2036.

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The primary focus of the session was a comprehensive update on the town’s aggressive response to PFAS “forever chemicals” found in all three of its water sources. Eric Kelley, a consultant engineer with APEX, informed the Board that the project design has reached the 90% completion stage. Pilot studies conducted through January revealed that ion exchange resin outperformed traditional carbon filters at the Pond Street plant, while granular activated carbon remains the preferred method for the Beal and Broadway sites.

The project’s estimated cost has solidified in the $24 million to $28 million range, with each of the three treatment plants requiring between $7 million and $9.2 million in upgrades. To fund this, Hanover has been earmarked for up to $15 million from the State Revolving Fund (SRF). While the state has moved away from 0% interest loans due to high demand, officials expressed hope for 2% financing or potential loan forgiveness.

Beyond chemical treatment, Water Superintendent Adam Flood highlighted a dire need for IT infrastructure upgrades. He revealed the town’s current SCADA system—the “brain” of the water plants—runs on a computer from the year 2000 using Windows Vista.

“Currently, if our SCADA system goes down, we cannot make water... if that computer freezes tonight, we can’t make water.” — Adam Flood, Deputy Superintendent

The Board subsequently adopted a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that integrates these water projects with long-term goals like fire station consolidation and school construction. Budget Director Jim Hoyes noted that while the town’s debt will grow significantly to fund these projects, current debt is simultaneously decreasing, which may help stabilize the impact on the operating budget.

Later in the meeting, the Board engaged in a heated procedural debate regarding “late” citizen petitions for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. Two petitions were submitted roughly two weeks after the Board’s self-imposed January 26th deadline. While some members argued for strict adherence to the rules to ensure transparency, others feared that excluding the petitions could lead to costly litigation that the town would likely lose, as town bylaws do not explicitly define a submission deadline. The Board ultimately voted to table the matter to seek formal legal counsel before finalizing the warrant.

Why It Matters

For Hanover residents, these decisions carry a direct price tag. The PFAS project and the ongoing replacement of 100-year-old cast iron water mains are expected to drive water rate increases in the coming years. Additionally, the Board is considering a 4.5% increase in transfer station permit fees and a pilot program to sell up to 300 permits to non-residents to help build a “retained earnings” fund for future equipment failures.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To appoint Scott Warner to the Open Space Committee (term to June 30, 2027).
- Vote: Unanimous (Aye) ([2:17])
Motion: To approve a Class II Auto Dealer license for Dealer Direct Motors LLC at 198 Columbia Road.
- Vote: Unanimous (Aye) ([4:16])
Motion: To approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with South Shore Recycling Cooperative for a regional hazardous waste depot.
- Vote: Unanimous (Aye) ([10:43])
Motion: To adopt the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan and Budget.
- Vote: Unanimous (Aye) ([53:08])
Motion: To open the Annual Town Meeting warrant (later rescinded).
- Outcome: Rescinded after a 3-2 initial vote to open ([1:46:37])

Public Comment

Resident Rob Powers expressed frustration regarding the “labyrinth” process of submitting warrant articles, noting that while he met the deadline, the conflicting information between the town website and bylaws made the process difficult for first-time petitioners.

What’s Next

Legal Review: Town Counsel will provide an opinion on the legality of enforcing a submission deadline for citizen petitions.
Town Meeting: The $28 million PFAS funding authorization will be a primary article at the May Town Meeting.
Fee Setting: A final decision on Transfer Station permit rates and the non-resident pilot program is expected at the next meeting.

Source Video: Hanover Select Board Meeting - March 2, 2026

Hanover Unveils FY2027 Budget

Justin Evans — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:02:35 GMT

HANOVER — February 2 and 12, 2026 — Town Manager Joe Colangelo and Budget Director Jim Hoyes submitted a fiscal year 2027 operating budget that aims to “stop kicking the can down the road” by converting short-term debt into long-term bonds and strategically drawing down excess levy capacity to moderate tax increases. The proposal, paired with a massive …

Hanover Sets August Start Date for 2026-2027 School Year

Justin Evans — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:02:47 GMT

HANOVER — Jan 28, 2026 — The Hanover School Committee has officially set the start dates for the 2026-2027 school year, opting for a pre-Labor Day start to maintain a consistent instructional pace. Students in grades 1-12 will report on Monday, August 31, 2026, a move aimed at aligning the district with surrounding towns and ensuring a timely end to the…

Hanover Eyes $27M Water Overhaul

Justin Evans — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:48 GMT

HANOVER - January 12, 2026 - Hanover residents may soon face a 35% increase in water rates as the town prepares to ask voters for a $25-27 million bond to construct new treatment facilities aimed at removing PFAS “forever chemicals” from the municipal water supply.

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The sticker shock of environmental compliance took center stage Monday night…

‘Homegrown’ Leader Matthew Plummer Named Next Principal of Hanover High

Justin Evans — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:03:27 GMT

HANOVER - January 7, 2026 - In a meeting marked by celebration and community pride, the Hanover School Committee officially introduced Matthew Plummer as the next Principal of Hanover High School. A 1985 graduate of the school and a teacher in the district since 1990, Plummer’s appointment represents a commitment to stability and institutional knowledge…

Hanover Unveils FY27 Budget Strategy

Justin Evans — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:03:00 GMT

HANOVER, MA - January 5, 2026 - The Hanover Select Board received its first formal look at the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget on Monday, outlining a financial strategy designed to smooth property tax increases from the override over the next three years. Town Manager Joe Colangelo and Budget Director Jim Hoyes presented a plan that utilizes excess le…

Hanover School Committee Approves FY27 Budget Amid Warnings of “Unsustainable” Future Funding

Justin Evans — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:00:39 GMT

HANOVER - December 10, 2025 - The Hanover School Committee voted unanimously to approve a fiscal year 2027 operating budget that maintains current service levels but sparked serious concerns among members regarding the district’s long-term financial stability. While the $45.1 million spending plan avoids immediate cuts, committee members warned that the…

Hanover Presses County Treasurer on Pension Costs as “Fiscal Crisis” Looms

Justin Evans — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:02:52 GMT

HANOVER - December 15, 2025 - Facing tightening budgets and rising fixed costs, the Hanover Select Board confronted Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas O’Brien Monday night, urging the County Retirement Association to extend its pension funding schedule to provide relief to struggling municipalities. While O’Brien touted the fund’s strong investment perfor…

Hanover Voters Approve MBTA Communities Zoning to Beat State Deadline

Justin Evans — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:03:45 GMT

HANOVER - December 8 - Hanover residents voted to adopt a Multi-Family Overlay District at Hanover Crossing on Monday night, bringing the town into compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act just weeks before a December 31 deadline that threatened state funding and local control over zoning decisions.

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The special town meeting, held at…

Hanover Adopts Sweeping Financial Policy to Sustain Override Through 2032

Justin Evans — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:01:04 GMT

HANOVER - December 1 - In a significant move to ensure fiscal sustainability, the Hanover Select Board is poised to adopt a comprehensive new financial policy designed to make the town’s 2025 override last through fiscal year 2032 without requiring additional tax increases. The policy establishes strict guidelines on everything from departmental budget …

Hanover Middle School Cross Country Teams Dominate at State Level with Historic Championships

Justin Evans — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:01:18 GMT

HANOVER - November 19 - In a historic achievement, the Hanover Middle School boys cross country team captured its first-ever state championship, while the girls team placed second, capping an undefeated season and cementing the program’s reputation as one of the strongest in Massachusetts. The boys went 50-0 over six seasons while the girls posted a 49-…

Hanover Select Board Maintains Commercial Tax Rate at 1.15 Split After Business Owners Voice Concerns

Justin Evans — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 12:02:56 GMT

HANOVER - November 17 - In a 4-1 vote, the Hanover Select Board decided to maintain the commercial-to-residential property tax split at its current rate of 1.15, rejecting a recommendation from the Board of Assessors to lower it to 1.10. The decision came after numerous local business owners testified about the strain from last year’s tax increase and r…