Hanover Considers $3.8 Million School Budget Increase
Library Certification at Risk in Base Budget Proposal
HANOVER - January 21 - Hanover's Select Board is weighing a potential increase in the school budget in the override scenario from $3.5 million to $3.8 million, while also grappling with the risk of losing library certification under the current base budget scenario.
The board discussed the possibility of raising the school funding in the override budget during their recent meeting. The additional $300,000 could support key educational programs such as middle school art and high school drama, with an estimated impact of around $50 per taxpayer.
Select Board member Greg Satterwhite advocated for the increase, stating, "I think strategically there are some positions that a good case could be made for in the full restoration budget with an increase of the 3.5 million to a number that's like 3.8 or something similar."
The board expressed interest in exploring this option, with Chair Vanessa O’Connor noting, "If that actual impact to residents is not going to put us right back where we were, I think I would be supportive of that."
Town Manager Joe Colangelo agreed to present budget scenarios for both the $3.5 million and $3.8 million override options at the next meeting. The board emphasized the importance of understanding how the additional funds would be allocated and their potential impact on students.
Simultaneously, the board addressed concerns about the town library's certification being at risk under the current base budget proposal. O’Connor stressed the significance of maintaining certification, stating, "I do not want to see our library decertified. It sends a really sad message to our community."
To address this issue, the board discussed reallocating funds, potentially by making Hanover Day funding contingent on a budget override passing. Colangelo explained, "You're saying if the override doesn't pass, the library is funded. If the override passes, everything is funded, right?"
The proposed solution would use the funds allocated for Hanover Day to support the library's certification if the override fails. If the override passes, both the library and Hanover Day would be funded.
Board member John Tuzik supported this approach, saying, "I think the take-home message really that's coming from all of us is that some hard choices need to be made."
The board also discussed the importance of the library's certification for accessing inter-library services and state funding. O’Connor emphasized, "We do actually lose funding if we're not certified. There's funding that we get from the state that we will no longer get."
In other business, the board unanimously accepted a land donation for conservation purposes from Larry Casais. The property, which abuts the town's Palm Street wells, will be preserved for conservation. Casais requested the land be named after his grandfather, Enrico Albert Casais, who purchased the property in 1952.
The board also reviewed plans for the transfer station enterprise fund, with Budget Director Jim Hoyes presenting a two-tier annual sticker approach with a day pass option. The proposed model aims to keep costs under $325 for full access, with a lower-priced option for limited access.
As the Feb. 3 budget submission deadline approaches, the board plans to meet again on Jan. 27 to finalize decisions on the school budget override and library funding. The board also scheduled a brief meeting for Feb. 18 at noon to address a debt issuance and approve a liquor license for First Watch restaurant.
The Select Board reminded residents of the upcoming vote for the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the media room at Hanover High School.
*editor’s note: The South Shore Tech building project passed.