HANOVER — Nov. 2, 2026 — Hanover’s Select Board on Monday approved a temporary license for up to 13,000 gallons of propane to heat construction of the new South Shore Vocational Technical High School, on condition that the district provide an emergency and evacuation plan reviewed by the fire department and a way to notify neighbors.
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Propane for construction heat. The South Shore Regional School District sought a license for temporary propane storage at 476 Webster Street. Jim Blake of Eastern Propane & Oil appeared with the project team. The team said the new building will be heated mainly by electricity but needs heat during construction, and that storing more than 2,000 gallons in Massachusetts requires a license. Speakers for the project said the 13,000 gallons would be split among 13 tanks of 1,000 gallons each, hard-piped underground to the building, with every installation inspected by the fire department and the gas inspector before use. Tanks would be needed this winter and next and then removed.
Board members asked about delivery noise, fire risks and how students and neighbors would be protected in an emergency. Jim Hoyes asked for a mitigation plan for the school and neighborhood in case of a catastrophic event. Resident Gloria McMenimen asked how long the project would last and what would keep high school students away from the tanks; a project representative said the construction site is fenced off from the school.
Chair Greg Satterwhite first wanted to hear Superintendent Tom Hickey’s plan before acting, but a contractor’s representative said tank installation takes four to five weeks. Members agreed instead to approve the license with conditions so preparation could begin. As moved, the district must provide a plan from its superintendent for evacuating the school or responding to an emergency at the construction site, covering notification of neighbors, and review it with the Hanover Fire Department. Members also added an end date: the license would terminate with the final certificate of occupancy.
Monopole agreement. The board approved a memorandum of agreement with the School Committee on the proposed monopole. It is an agreement on cooperation between the two boards, not approval of a lease, a contractor or construction; the proposal goes to Special Town Meeting on Nov. 9.
