Hanover Transfer Station Sticker Prices Proposed, Senior Discounts Considered
Select Board reviews enterprise fund plan with $345 full access fee; discusses potential discounts for seniors and low-income residents
HANOVER - February 24 - The Hanover Select Board is reviewing a proposed fee structure for the town's new Transfer Station Enterprise Fund, which launches July 1. Budget Director Jim Hoyes presented a plan that includes a $345 annual sticker for full access to the transfer station and a $160 limited access option.
The board expressed support for offering discounts to seniors and potentially expanding reduced rates to low-income residents during their February 24 meeting.
"I would like to see the reduced price sticker also apply to low-income residents," said Select Board Chair Vanessa O'Connor. "I think that while I think there won't be a huge additional group of Hanover residents added to the bundle that can take advantage of that discount by expanding it beyond seniors, I do think that there are a lot of other residents, either people that live kind of alone or don't have a lot of access to funds, or even families that are already absorbing some of the increased school fees."
The enterprise fund, approved at December's Special Town Meeting, will operate with a budget of approximately $1.1 million. The transfer station will initially open three days per week, with potential expansion to four days depending on usage.
Hoyes proposed an early access discount period from May 1 through July 31, offering the full access sticker for $310 and limited access for $145. A senior discount of 10% would bring the early access price down to $279 for eligible residents.
The board requested more information about expanding discounts to low-income residents, potentially using the threshold of 60% of area median income (AMI) as qualification criteria.
"If the goal is to help seniors who are having affordability issues, if it's just a blanket affordability rate for anybody who is at or below 60% of the AMI, area median income, I think that covers everybody," said board member Steve Luoko.
The board unanimously rejected a proposal to offer transfer station access to residents of neighboring towns, even at a higher rate of $500.
"I don't think that we should have other towns accessing our transfer station," O'Connor said. "I think the main goal should be to reduce the tonnage, and I don't think that we're effectuating that goal by inviting residents from outside of Hanover to also come and contribute there."
Hoyes noted that the full access sticker would provide entry to the trash pit, recycling areas, and the Ames Way brush pile. The limited access option would include everything except the trash pit.
The enterprise fund is projected to generate nearly $1.17 million in revenue, primarily from sticker sales, with expenses of about $1.1 million. This would create approximately $80,000 in retained earnings to help fund future capital needs, including an estimated $1.2 million in improvements over the next five years.
The board is expected to vote on the fee structure at their March 3 meeting to allow time for sticker production and sales beginning in May.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the town's Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented by Fire Chief Jason Cavallaro. The plan identifies potential hazards, assesses vulnerabilities, and outlines strategies to reduce impacts from natural disasters.
- Opened and reviewed the warrant for the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting, which includes articles on the operating budget, potential override, and various financial transfers.
- Discussed a potential Proposition 2½ override ballot question for the FY2026 budget. Town Manager Joe Colangelo indicated the Select Board should make a decision by March 31 to allow time for public forums in April before Town Meeting.
- Held a joint public hearing with the Board of Assessors regarding the potential sale of town-owned property at 188 King Street, a former fire station. If approved at Town Meeting, proceeds would fund improvements at fire headquarters to better accommodate female firefighters.
- Approved the Hanover Chamber of Commerce's application for their annual road race on June 28, 2025.
The board also discussed the need for a policy on selling town-owned land.
"I do think it may be something that this board should consider as to whether we want to come up with a policy towards how we want to approach that," O'Connor said. "Maybe it could be something for the upcoming board year that we could work on and maybe have a forum for residents to come and let us know what their thoughts are."
The Select Board will meet again on March 3 to continue discussions on the transfer station fees and other pending matters.