HANOVER – March 16, 2026 – In a joint session with the Affordable Housing Trust, the Hanover Select Board reviewed a critical feasibility study for a new affordable senior housing project on an eight-acre town-owned parcel. With projections showing that seniors will make up 25% of Hanover’s population by 2030, officials are moving forward with plans to expand housing options near the existing Legion Housing site to protect the town’s most vulnerable residents from rising costs.
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The Full Story
The public session of the March 16th Select Board meeting centered on a significant presentation regarding the investigation and analysis of an affordable housing project. Stephen Carroll, Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, joined by Josh Green of Crocker Design Group, presented the findings of a feasibility study conducted on an eight-acre parcel of town-owned land abutting Legion Housing.
The urgency of the project is driven by recent data from the town’s state-approved housing plan. Carroll highlighted a stark demographic shift: by 2030—just four years away—one-quarter of Hanover’s population will be seniors. “We know that seniors in town are sort of the most vulnerable when it comes to sort of housing prices,” Carroll noted, emphasizing that building affordable units is a primary goal of the Housing Trust.
The proposed site’s proximity to existing Legion Housing provides a strategic advantage for infrastructure and community integration. While the presentation served as an update on the feasibility of the land, it represents a major step in the town’s long-term strategy to meet its housing mandates and support its aging population.
The Board took a moment to celebrate local achievements. This included a formal recognition of the town’s music program and students who qualified for the SEMSBA music festival. The meeting also marked a personal milestone for the Chair, Rhonda Nyman, who was congratulated on her retirement from the Sheriff’s Office after her final day of service.
Why It Matters
For Hanover residents, this project addresses the growing difficulty for long-time community members to “age in place.” As property values and living costs rise, many seniors risk being priced out of the town they have lived in for decades. Expanding affordable senior housing not only fulfills state requirements but ensures that the town remains accessible to its older residents.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of March 2, 2026.
Vote: Unanimous (0:01:24)
Motion: To enter into Executive Session in accordance with MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21A.3 to discuss collective bargaining and PFAS litigation, and to adjourn directly therefrom.
Vote: Unanimous Roll Call (1:53:21)
Public Comment
No members of the public offered comments during the session, either in person or via the remote Zoom platform.
What’s Next
The Affordable Housing Trust and Crocker Design Group will continue to refine the project specifications based on the feasibility study. The Select Board is expected to review more formal proposals and potential funding mechanisms in upcoming sessions as the project moves toward the development phase.
Source Video: Hanover Community Access Media (HCAM)