Hanover Select Board Approves $5,000 RFP Proposal for Davis Street Parcel After Debate Over Transparency and Process
HANOVER — August 10, 2026 — The Hanover Select Board voted 5-0 to accept a $5,000 Request for Proposal (RFP) bid for a town-owned parcel of land on Davis Street (Map 16, Lot 27). The approval followed extensive board discussion regarding lot line modifications, septic placement, and concerns about transparency following the inclusion of a proposed two-car garage on site plans.
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The Select Board revisited the RFP for the Davis Street property after tabling the matter at a previous meeting to gather additional detail. The applicant, Tyler Pascal, submitted an updated sketch outlining the proposed layout for the parcel.
Board member Steve Louko raised concerns regarding the addition of a proposed two-car garage in the latest drawings, noting that the garage was not highlighted during the original public hearing. Louko questioned whether the additional town land was required primarily for the septic system because the garage occupied space on the applicant’s existing property. Pascal and his representatives clarified that the proposed two-car garage will sit entirely on their existing deeded parcel rather than the newly acquired town property, and that poor soil conditions required a larger footprint for the septic field.
Town Manager Joseph Colangelo reported that the Building Commissioner and Conservation Agent inspected the site earlier in the day. Their inspection confirmed that the applicants have operated within permitted bounds to date and have not cleared any trees on town-owned land.
During board deliberation, member James Hoyes suggested that the town establish a policy setting minimum bid floors or reserve prices for future RFP land dispositions to ensure taxpayers receive maximum value. Louko further recommended requiring formal property appraisals prior to future municipal land sales, arguing that assessed values for town-owned land do not reflect current market conditions. Select Board members Rachel Hughes and Chair Greg Satterwhite voiced support for accepting the bid, noting that the $5,000 offer exceeded the property’s $4,600 assessed value and that returning the unused parcel to the tax rolls benefits the town. Board member Vanessa O’Connor emphasized that the applicants acted in good faith and that any future building projects, including the garage, must complete standard zoning and permitting procedures.
