Hanover Select Board Delays Decision on Water and Ambulance Rates
Board to review proposals further before voting at next meeting; discusses code of conduct policy
HANOVER - June 2 - The Hanover Select Board is taking additional time to consider proposed water and ambulance rates for fiscal year 2026, opting to delay decisions until their next meeting on June 16.
During Monday's meeting, board members received detailed presentations on both rate structures but chose to review the information further before making final determinations.
"Since it's really minor changes, maybe we could just take it under advisement and take it up next meeting," said Chair Rhonda Nyman regarding the water rate proposals.
Town officials presented two options for water rates. Option one maintains current rates across all tiers, while option two proposes targeted adjustments that would keep rates flat for most residents while decreasing costs for restaurants and increasing them slightly for high-volume industrial users.
"I think the consistency and the messaging that we're giving to residents in this year outweighs a small shift that's not a significant impact," said Select Board member Vanessa O'Connor, expressing preference for option one.
Select Board member Rachel Hughes favored option two, noting it could send a positive message to local businesses.
"I like the idea of thinking about the water rate increase in relation to the split rate that may also impact them," Hughes said. "I think it sends a strong policy message that I would stand behind."
The board also reviewed ambulance rates for the upcoming fiscal year. Fire Chief Jason Cavallaro delivered a comprehensive presentation showing that 74% of the department's calls are EMS-related, with 68% of those resulting in transports.
Cavallaro explained that Medicare and Medicaid rates, which account for nearly 72% of transports, are set by the federal government and cannot be adjusted by the town regardless of local rate changes.
"Whatever rate changes you make, it's not pressing, it's not critical that you make them tonight, but what we typically try to do is make them effective July 1," Cavallaro said.
The board also discussed the high number of emergency calls to Benchmark Assisted Living, which generated 158 EMS calls in the current fiscal year.
"I would really like to see whether there's a way we can facilitate some sort of special assessment that kind of addresses these high HFD uses in town," O'Connor said.
In other business, the board approved a modification to the fiscal year 2026 tax billing structure. The change will distribute tax increases more evenly across all four quarterly bills rather than concentrating them in the third and fourth quarters.
"It's not that they're getting hit with additional money. It's just spreading the bill out over the four quarters a little bit more evenly," explained Interim Finance Director Elaine Boidi.
The board also discussed implementing a code of conduct policy for town officials.
"I think it would be helpful to us as we think about our role and our responsibility to this town and to each other," said Vice Chair Greg Satterwhite, who suggested creating "an affirmation of the attributes of respect and doing what's in the best interest of the town."
Board members also began reviewing their goals for the upcoming year, with several priorities emerging:
* Addressing budget concerns through fiscal year 2032
* Investigating the timeline for Plymouth County retirement payments
* Continuing work on water quality and quantity issues
* Exploring solar panel installations at the transfer station
* Preparing for the town's 300th anniversary in 2027
* Improving Route 139 and Route 53 corridors
* Reviewing and updating financial policies
The board agreed to consolidate their individual goals into a more concise list of five to seven priorities at a future meeting.
"I think if we can kind of confine it maybe to like five to seven goals, that way maybe we can accomplish it," Nyman said. "Maybe get to six or so of those if we can't get all seven done, and maybe assign somebody that would be a liaison for whatever that goal is."
Town Manager Joe Colangelo provided updates on several ongoing projects, including the Circuit Street water line work, which is expected to be completed and repaved by the end of June.
The board also approved liaison assignments for the upcoming year, with members volunteering to serve as representatives to various town committees and boards.
The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for June 16, when members are expected to vote on the water and ambulance rates before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.