Hanson Approves $1.45 Million Special Town Meeting Warrant Despite MBTA Compliance Stalemate
HANSON - August 26 - The Hanson Select Board unanimously closed a 28-article special town meeting warrant Monday night totaling approximately $1.45 million in proposed spending, including a contentious $275,000 article for specialized legal counsel should voters reject the town's MBTA communities compliance zoning once again.
The Full Story
The October 6, 2025 Special Town Meeting will present voters with their second opportunity to approve zoning changes required under the state's MBTA communities law. Select Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett warned that failure to pass the compliance measure by year-end could result in the state appointing a third party to designate the town's multifamily housing zone, as occurred in Milton.
"You think you're going to retain control by not passing this," FitzGerald-Kemmett said. "You're actually going to relinquish control by not passing it." The town has already lost over $250,000 in grant funding since becoming non-compliant in July, including $87,413 for police station weatherization and $170,000 in supplemental Chapter 90 road funding.
The board placed $275,000 in the warrant for specialized legal counsel should the MBTA article fail, matching what the town of Milton spent defending against state enforcement. Board member Ann Rein strongly defended the legal funding provision: "You are defending your town and your stance... They have to support us in that representation."
Beyond the MBTA controversy, the warrant addresses significant municipal needs. The veteran services office will see its hours increased from 20 to 30 per week, with plans for a full 32-hour schedule pending May town meeting approval. Veteran Service Officer Thaddeus Nowacki explained the current workload is impossible at 20 hours weekly, noting some VA claims require 2-3 hours of preparation time.
"There is no way in heck that that job could be done in 20 hours a week," Nowacki told the board. The position will also receive additional support from the Memorial Day and Patriotic Observance Committee for maintaining veteran memorials and monuments throughout town.
Major infrastructure investments dominate the warrant's financial requests. The highway department seeks $162,400 for a rubber-wheeled excavator and $95,000 for a skid steer loader, both items deferred from the May town meeting due to budget constraints. The water department requests $160,000 from enterprise funds for security cameras and a generator at the Crystal Springs well field.
Police operations receive attention through a $146,097 appropriation for two new cruisers and a $50,000 increase for regional dispatch services through the Old Colony Communications Center. The fire department requests $13,100 for two steer chairs and video laryngoscopes, funded from ambulance receipts.
Technology infrastructure receives significant investment through the IT Director’s proposals totaling $193,000 for cybersecurity enhancements and Microsoft 365 licensing. The board requested additional details on the cybersecurity spending while maintaining transparency about system vulnerabilities.
Municipal staffing adjustments appear throughout the warrant. Three union contracts require funding for police ($131,000), fire, and highway departments, with negotiations ongoing for administrative staff. The library will see $21,000 restored for staff positions cut during the May budget process.
Parks and recreation infrastructure receives $40,000 for athletic field fence repairs across all town facilities. A separate article provides $15,000 matching funds for federal radio equipment grants totaling over $200,000, representing a 5% local share for significant communications upgrades.
The Camp Kiwanee enterprise fund will become self-sustaining through internal budget transfers, eliminating the need for $79,000 in general fund support originally approved in May. Town Accountant Erin Kinsherf confirmed the recreation program's revenue numbers support the transition.
Historical preservation efforts receive $30,000 from Community Preservation Committee funds for a feasibility study of the former Plymouth County Hospital's nurses' quarters. An additional article provides funding for an awning connecting the senior center to the supportive day program building.
The board appointed Brenda Ennis as the new Select Board administrative assistant, effective September 2, 2025. Ennis brings experience from Oxford's Recreation Commission as recording secretary and serves as a volunteer child advocate in the court system. Town Administrator Lisa Green recommended Ennis following interviews with multiple candidates.
Holiday schedule discussions resulted in closing town hall the day after Christmas (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 2), both falling on Fridays. Administrative union employees will receive floating holidays for these closures, while other departments like the transfer station remain under their respective oversight boards.
The board ratified employment contracts for Police Chief Michael Casey (effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028) and approved a salary adjustment for Town Administrator Lisa Green following competitive analysis with comparable municipalities. Both contracts had undergone multiple reviews before final approval.
Finance Committee review of the warrant articles remains pending, with Chairman Kevin Sullivan receiving the final version Tuesday morning. The committee has not yet provided recommendations on the spending proposals totaling over $1.4 million from various funding sources.
Why It Matters
The special town meeting represents a critical juncture for Hanson's compliance with state housing mandates and municipal infrastructure needs. Voters will decide whether to risk costly litigation and continued grant funding losses by rejecting MBTA zoning, or accept state-mandated multifamily housing zones in their preferred location. The meeting's outcome will determine the town's legal expenses, infrastructure investments, and relationship with state funding programs for years to come.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Appoint Brenda Ennis as Select Board administrative assistant effective September 2, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 06:38)
Motion: Increase veteran service officer hours from 20 to 30 per week within current bylaw parameters. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: ~11:06)
Motion: Close town hall day after Christmas and New Year's Day. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 31:23)
Motion: Place 27 warrant articles for October 6, 2025 special town meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: Various)
Motion: Close warrant for October 6, 2025 special town meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:16:39)
Motion: Ratify Police Chief Michael Casey contract (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:29:32)
Motion: Approve Town Administrator Lisa Green contract amendment. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:30:27)
What's Next
Special town meeting scheduled for October 6, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Hanson Middle School, 111 Liberty Street. The Finance Committee will review all warrant articles and provide recommendations. The board plans to conduct public forums in September to discuss MBTA compliance options and consequences. Next regular Select Board meeting scheduled for September 9, 2025.
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