Hanover Council on Aging Faces Staffing Crisis as Senior Population Grows to 31% by 2030
HANOVER - September 8 - The Hanover Council on Aging Advisory Board presented a stark picture Monday night of understaffing and deteriorating conditions at the Senior Center as the town's population over 60 is projected to reach nearly one-third of all residents within five years. Advisory Board Chair Les Molyneaux told the Select Board that 13% of seniors report being food insecure while the center can only serve meals twice per month due to staffing constraints.
The Full Story
The evening began with a special recognition ceremony for Eagle Scout Cavan Brangan, who completed a project revitalizing the Alden Road entrance of the Morrill A. Phillips Sanctuary. The Select Board presented Brangan with a certificate acknowledging his leadership and community service.
Budget Director Jim Hoyes then delivered a comprehensive presentation on the draft 10-year capital investment plan and FY 2027 budget outlook. The capital plan reveals approximately $20 million in municipal needs over the next four years for DPW buildings, grounds and vehicles alone. Water enterprise faces an estimated $25 million for PFAS treatment projects, up from $20 million last year due to rising material costs.
Hoyes outlined the town's debt situation, showing $38 million in outstanding debt through fiscal 2047, plus $10.3 million in bond anticipation notes. The South Shore Vocational Technical School assessment will add $1.3 million annually by fiscal 2029, which the Select Board must decide whether to pursue as a debt exclusion requiring voter approval.
For the operating budget, Hoyes projected the FY 2027 property tax increase at 4.63% using $500,000 in excess levy capacity to reduce the burden. However, he emphasized departments must be held to 2-3% annual growth rates to avoid another override before fiscal 2032, when Plymouth County retirement expenses begin declining significantly.
The most compelling presentation came from COA Advisory Board Chair Les Molyneaux, who presented findings from the University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute's "Aging in Hanover" study. The research, based on 1,442 survey responses from residents 55 and older, revealed that adults 60-plus currently comprise 28% of Hanover's population and will reach 31% by 2030.
Molyneaux highlighted critical gaps in services. With only two full-time staff members, the Senior Center served just 42 meals in fiscal 2026 compared to 1,055 meals in fiscal 2023 when a part-time cook was employed. "Thirteen percent of the residents, 60-plus, said they were food insecure. Fifty-nine percent of senior respondents would like on-site meals or cafe service at the COA," Molyneaux reported.
The board requested $21,000 for a part-time cook position working up to 19 hours weekly, plus $9,600 in food costs for four meals monthly. Molyneaux compared Hanover's staffing to surrounding communities, noting Marshfield has five full-time and seven part-time employees with daily lunch service, while Duxbury employs nine full-time and five part-time staff.
Maintenance issues at the 12-year-old Senior Center compound the challenges. Molyneaux showed photographs of deteriorating conditions including non-functioning exterior lighting, rotting building trim, mold growth, and collapsed fencing around air conditioning units. "These are all issues that people who go to the senior center see," he emphasized.
Select Board members expressed support for addressing senior needs but emphasized budget constraints. Member Vanessa O'Connor noted departments must be held to 2.5% growth rates post-override, stating "we cannot have run rates above two and a half percent for town departments in the next seven years." However, she expressed interest in exploring regional collaborations and cost-recovery meal programs.
Town Manager Joe Colangelo responded to maintenance concerns by noting he immediately sent DPW Deputy Superintendent Kurt Kelley to meet with the COA Advisory Board after hearing complaints. Colangelo emphasized the Senior Center's interior is well-maintained and promised improved communication through a new ticketing system.
The Select Board also reviewed four updated financial policies developed by members Rachel Hughes and Greg Satterwhite with Budget Director Hoyes. These include cash handling, water and transfer station enterprise fund rate setting, and capital project closeout procedures. The policies will be voted on at the next meeting.
In his town manager report, Colangelo announced Officer Roderick Gillis completed police academy training and began his first shift as a full-time Hanover police officer. He also reported the town is receiving settlement payments from a class action lawsuit regarding PFAS contamination.
Looking ahead, Colangelo indicated the Select Board must decide at their next meeting whether to hold a December 8th special town meeting focused on MBTA zoning compliance. He suggested the town faces likely legal action from the Attorney General's office if not in compliance by year-end.
Why It Matters
With Hanover's senior population growing rapidly and 13% reporting food insecurity, the Council on Aging's staffing and service limitations directly impact residents' quality of life and safety. The request for a part-time cook represents just $30,600 annually but could restore meal services to over 1,000 per year while addressing a critical health need. As Select Board liaison Greg Satterwhite noted, investing in senior services reduces emergency calls and provides early intervention, potentially saving costs in other departments.
Public Comment
Three residents spoke during the COA presentation. Denise Fitzgerald noted the Senior Center often lacks reception coverage with volunteers sometimes absent. Joseph Paleo highlighted that Veterans Services Officer operates from the COA providing vital services. Susan Setterland, participating remotely, clarified that prescription drug costs are no longer a major senior concern due to Medicare's $2,000 annual cap, and provided additional context on COA staffing challenges during vacation periods.
What's Next
The Select Board will vote on four financial policies at their next meeting. They must also decide whether to hold a December 8th special town meeting for MBTA zoning compliance. Budget discussions will continue September 22nd with more detailed capital and operating budget proposals. The COA's funding request will be considered during the FY 2027 budget development process.