Hanson Faces $3 Million Budget Deficit, Considers Override
Finance Committee Recommends Override
HANSON - March 11 - The Town of Hanson is confronting a $3 million deficit in its upcoming fiscal year budget, prompting officials to consider asking voters to approve an override that would increase property taxes by approximately $752 annually for homes valued at $515,000.
Finance Committee Chair Kevin Sullivan presents the stark financial picture to the Select Board, noting that the town's budget has increased by 37% over the past five years.
"We're increasing an average of 6% each year for the last five years," Sullivan says. "However, it's a 37% increase from FY21 to FY26."
The proposed $3 million override would fund all operational needs, including an additional shift for the fire department and maintaining town hall hours that were previously restored.
"This gives equal apportionment to everyone going forward," Sullivan explains. "It keeps our public safety high. It brings in new positions which protect the town long-term. It sets us up for success."
Town Accountant Eric Kinsherf explains the override amount, suggesting it should sustain the town for several years.
"I think with that three million override, it's not using any one-time sources of revenues or free cash," Kinsherf says. "I'm thinking, you know, last three to four years."
Select Board members express concern about the town's reliance on free cash, which has been increasingly used to fund operational expenses.
"Free cash is not free," Sullivan emphasizes. "Free cash should be used for capital or, you know, a large project."
Hanson has established a budget website at https://hansonbudget.com/ which includes a tax impact calculator for the potential override.
The budget challenges come as a limited scope audit of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District reveals the district has the highest average teacher salaries among five comparable two-town districts at $96,735.
David King, a consultant who presented the audit findings, notes that while the district spends less on administration than most comparable districts, its teacher costs are significantly higher.
"Whitman-Hanson's per-pupil cost for teachers was the second highest in the group," King reports.
The audit also shows the district has experienced declining enrollment while maintaining smaller class sizes compared to other districts, resulting in higher teachers-per-student ratios.
Select Board member Joe Weeks expresses concern about the audit findings.
"Where I'm seeing that we have the highest salaries out of pretty much everybody that we were compared to, enrollments are going down, classroom sizes are smaller comparatively, that's not a good thing," Weeks says.
The audit compares Whitman-Hanson to five other regional school districts: Bridgewater-Raynham, Dudley-Charlton, Freetown-Lakeville, Hampden-Wilbraham, and Dighton-Rehoboth.
King notes that Whitman-Hanson falls in the middle of these districts in terms of size and economic disadvantage, with 30% of students classified as economically disadvantaged.
The district's assessment to Hanson is projected to increase by 10% in the upcoming fiscal year, contributing significantly to the town's budget deficit.
Select Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett emphasizes that the town has not frequently requested overrides, contrary to public perception.
"It seems to be a rumor that we ask for overrides every year," FitzGerald-Kemmett says. "We ask for overrides every year, every year they're asking for an override. No, we do not."
To gauge public sentiment on the override, the town is partnering with Bridgewater State University to conduct a survey of residents. The survey will be available online at www.hansonbudget.com and will be mailed to all households.
Town Administrator Lisa Green confirms the survey will be compiled by a third party.
"This will be 100% out of our hands as far as tallying and calculating the response," Green says.
Other significant items from the meeting include:
- The Select Board votes unanimously to file legal action against the Commonwealth seeking relief from enforcement of the MBTA zoning law, which would require the town to zone for a minimum of 750 multifamily units at a density of 15 units per acre across 50 acres.
- Town Administrator Green reports that repairs have been completed on leaking roofs at the town hall and library, and improvements to the food pantry are underway.
- The IT director position has been posted with interviews expected to be scheduled for the week of March 24.