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.
The Full Story
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.
Eliminated an erroneous value to the 10 year capital improvement plan