HANSON - October 28 - The Hanson Select Board voted Tuesday to secure a 36-month electricity supply contract with Sprague Energy for town buildings, locking in a discounted rate as members anticipate volatility in energy markets. The decision came on the same evening the board learned the highway department’s main building requires a roof replacement estimated to cost between $60,000 and $85,000.
The Full Story
After reviewing rate comparisons from Sprague Energy representative Robert Savary, the Select Board debated between 12-, 24-, and 36-month contract terms before ultimately choosing the longest option. The current discounted rate stands at 0.68 cents below National Grid averages.
Board member Joe Weeks advocated for the three-year commitment, stating, “The current rate is 168. It’s gone down. The national grid 36 month average is 10 cents higher. So assume we can assume that it’s going to get higher. I’d rather go with 36 months.” He added, “I think everything’s kind of volatile right now. I’d rather lock in whatever consistency we can with whatever.”
Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett initially expressed hesitation about the longer term, noting the board has “traditionally locked in for two years because three years seems like quite a bit could change.” However, after discussion, the board unanimously approved the 36-month contract for electricity supply to town buildings. The contract does not affect individual residents’ electricity rates.
In other financial news, Highway Superintendent Richard Jasmin delivered an unexpected update about a significant infrastructure problem. Jasmin reported that the highway department’s main building has developed a serious roof leak, with water pooling on the deteriorating surface.
“We have a significant leak in our main building’s roof,” Jasmin told the board. “It doesn’t look great. I’m not looking for a vote yet. We still need to do a little bit more due diligence, but just because it happened, I figured I’d let you guys know that it’s a strong possibility we’re going to have to replace that entire roof for that existing building.”
When pressed for cost estimates, Jasmin provided a preliminary range of $60,000 to $85,000, cautioning that actual costs could increase if additional damage is discovered during demolition. “That’s a ballpark. If they pull that up, there could be more damage than we think,” he explained.
FitzGerald-Kemmett expressed immediate concern about safety, asking whether the water-logged roof posed a collapse risk. Jasmin assured the board that the building inspector had examined the structure and determined it “still got good bones,” though he acknowledged that under OSHA regulations, a leaky roof constitutes an immediate danger. The highway department is temporarily covering the leak while finalizing repair estimates.
In a more celebratory development, the board unanimously approved a common victualler license for Fetch BBQ, a new restaurant coming to town. All required inspections and approvals from other departments, including the Board of Health and Fire Department, had been completed prior to the Select Board’s final authorization.
The board also recognized Whitman-Hanson Community Access Television for its 20th anniversary of service to the community and retroactively proclaimed October 20, 2025 as Community Media Day in Hanson. WHCA Executive Director Eric Dresser appeared before the board to discuss the changing media landscape and funding challenges facing community access television.
“We’re funded through Comcast. So when anybody subscribes to Comcast in town, a little portion of their Comcast cable bill, not their internet or phone, comes back to fund what we do,” Dresser explained. He noted that declining cable subscriptions pose an existential threat to the station’s funding model, with the Westwood community access station recently closing.
FitzGerald-Kemmett emphasized the station’s importance in an era of diminishing local journalism: “At a time when we don’t even have a local newspaper, you folks playing our meetings is one of the few ways that people can keep up to date on what the heck is going on.”
Town Clerk Jessica Franceschini appeared before the board to announce an increase in vital records copy fees from $5 to $10, effective January 1. The fee, which covers birth, marriage, and death certificates, had remained unchanged since 1988. Franceschini noted that surrounding communities have charged $10 for some time and that the town has authority under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 22F to adjust clerk fees without a town meeting vote.
The board also accepted a $2,000 donation to the fire department, though details about the donor and purpose were contained in correspondence rather than discussed during the meeting.
FitzGerald-Kemmett provided several updates in lieu of absent Interim Town Administrator Kevin Donovan. She noted that Donovan has initiated the fiscal year 2026 budget process early, with a December 5th deadline for department submissions, citing fiscal uncertainty at federal and state levels that will impact municipal budgets.
The chair also reported that following town meeting’s recent adoption of the MBTA Community Act zoning requirements, Town Planner Tony De Frias immediately contacted state officials to restore eligibility for funding that had been withheld due to the town’s initial non-compliance. “I don’t know whether we will get that money back, but he’s actively working on it,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
In other updates, the Thomas Mill Committee successfully completed restoration of the historic mill wheel, which is now operational. The chair acknowledged the work of Marcus Lynn, local Boy Scout troops, Kevin Perkins, and Mike Means in the project, noting it should enhance the facility’s appeal for rentals.
The board approved one-day liquor licenses for a November 9 baby shower and a November 15 Hanson Food Pantry fundraiser, with FitzGerald-Kemmett recusing herself from the latter vote due to her involvement with the organization.
Why It Matters
The three-year energy contract provides cost stability for town buildings during a period of anticipated market volatility, potentially protecting taxpayers from significant rate increases. The unexpected highway building roof replacement will require unbudgeted expenditure of at least $60,000, adding pressure to an already challenging fiscal environment. Town officials are preparing for difficult budget decisions as federal and state funding uncertainties trickle down to the municipal level. The arrival of Fetch BBQ represents positive economic development, while the vital records fee increase—the first in 37 years—brings Hanson in line with surrounding communities while generating modest additional revenue for the town clerk’s office.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To recognize October 20, 2025 as Community Media Day and congratulate WHCA on its 20th anniversary. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:03:29)
Motion: To accept a $2,000 donation to the fire department. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:16:53)
Motion: To approve a 36-month electricity supply contract with Sprague Energy. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:21:05)
Motion: To approve common victualler license for Fetch BBQ. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:22:01)
Motion: To approve meeting minutes from September 23, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:24:56)
Motion: To approve one-day liquor licenses for November 9 baby shower and November 15 food pantry fundraiser. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Chair recused from food pantry vote). (Timestamp: 0:25:52)
Motion: To adjourn to executive session without returning to open session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous by roll call. (Timestamp: 0:30:53)
Public Comment
No public comment period was held during this meeting.
What’s Next
Highway Superintendent Richard Jasmin will return within two weeks with formal cost estimates for the highway building roof replacement. The Select Board will hold its next meetings on November 18, December 2, and December 16, 2025. Department heads must submit budget requests to Interim Town Administrator Kevin Donovan by December 5 for the fiscal year 2026 budget process. The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee will meet on October 30 at 6:30 p.m. to address potential layoffs. The Sprague Energy electricity contract will take effect upon expiration of the current agreement in November.
Full meeting available via Whitman-Hanson Community Access Television.