HANSON – September 8, 2026 – Meeting in regular session Tuesday evening, the Hanson Select Board finalized and closed a 32-article warrant for the upcoming Special Town Meeting on October 5. Highlighting the evening’s deliberations was an urgent appeal to fund $12,000 for high-definition security cameras at Camp Kiwanee in response to an alarming wave of trespassing, break-ins, and property damage. The Board also voted to continue closing Town Hall on Fridays through early January 2027 and confirmed Dan Walsh as the town’s permanent Building Commissioner following an extensive interview.
The Full Story
The Select Board moved through a dense agenda focused heavily on town governance, municipal personnel stability, and finalizing warrant articles ahead of the October 5 Special Town Meeting.
The most urgent discussions centered on Article 13 of the draft warrant, an appropriation of $12,000 in free cash to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) security systems at Camp Kiwanee. Justine Ladroga, Chair of the Camp Kiwanee Commission, appeared before the board to detail an escalating pattern of trespassing, vandalism, and unauthorized access across the campgrounds. Officials reported that individuals have been breaking padlocks, entering rental cabins, damaging trails with electric bikes, and ignoring safety closures at the Cranberry Cove waterfront.
“It is important for the town to fund because while it is a gem, it is a huge liability for the town. And there are children unattended in these cabins. And the last thing we need to happen is a tragedy.” — Justine Ladroga, Chair of the Camp Kiwanee Commission
Town Administrator Lisa Green and Select Board members noted that the proposed camera network will tie directly into the Hanson Police Department’s monitoring systems—an upgrade Camp Kiwanee’s enterprise fund cannot independently support. The Board unanimously voted to place and recommend Article 13 for Town Meeting consideration.
Earlier in the evening, the Board sat as the Wage and Personnel Board to review updates to Article 2-12 of the Town Bylaws. To retain personnel and maintain regional competitiveness, the board raised the wage caps for alternate plumbing, gas, and wiring inspectors up to $75 per inspection call and increased the alternate building commissioner ceiling to $100. The adjustments also set full-time hourly pay ranges for the Executive Assistant and Police Chief Assistant at $30 to $44 per hour and established an Assistant Director of Elder Affairs position to facilitate succession planning at the Senior Center.
Following the wage adjustments, the Board conducted a comprehensive interview with candidate Dan Walsh for the role of Building Commissioner and Zoning Enforcement Officer. Walsh, bringing nearly 35 years of municipal and state regulatory experience—including tenures in Needham, Lincoln, and the state Office of Public Safety and Inspections—addressed board questions regarding long-term commitment and zoning challenges under expanding state mandates. Despite initial scrutiny over his commute from Needham and concerns regarding recent turnover in the department, member Frank Milisi cited Walsh’s stable 30-year employment history across only three agencies. The Board unanimously confirmed Walsh’s appointment effective September 21, 2026.
