HANSON - September 23 - The Hanson Select Board honored police officers and announced key department promotions during a special ceremony before addressing significant municipal business Tuesday evening, including concerns about a $1.14 million school district deficit that left officials scrambling for answers.
The Full Story
The evening began with Chief Mike Casey, recently appointed to lead the Hanson Police Department, presiding over a ceremony recognizing three officers for life-saving efforts on September 2nd. Officers Benjamin Ford, Kyle Crombie, and Derek Harrington received above-and-beyond awards for performing CPR on an unresponsive cardiac arrest victim on Whitman Street.
“Their exemplary performance highlights the importance of well-trained first responders in an emergency medical situation,” Chief Casey said. “The officers’ ability to quickly assess the scene, initiate life-saving measures, and work cohesively under pressure demonstrate the critical role law enforcement plays in public health and safety.”
The ceremony also featured significant promotional announcements. Luke Whelan, a three-year veteran transferring from Oak Bluffs Police Department, was sworn in as a new officer. Robert Mansfield was promoted to sergeant, taking over midnight shift supervision. Most notably, Peter Daley was promoted to Lieutenant of Operations and Elisha Durgin to Lieutenant of Administration, both effective September 15th.
“Due to some previous retirements, we were able to fill one of the retirement diaries,” Chief Casey explained. “We have so many amazing men and women that are talented in this department, and I’ve always felt we need to maximize the growth.”
Following the ceremony, the Select Board reconvened for regular business, beginning with approval of the 2026 private way plowing list, which allows the Highway Department to plow private roadways during winter months. The list was approved unanimously after brief discussion about road classifications.
The board appointed David Beauvais, a veteran and current cable committee member, to the Memorial Day and Patriotic Observance Committee, filling one of three vacant positions on that committee.
A significant agenda item involved dissolving the Stormwater Management Committee after members recommended disbanding due to unclear mission and overlapping responsibilities with other departments. Select Board member Joe Hayes, who serves on the committee, explained that “other departments and committees within the town of Hanson are fulfilling a lot of the roles that we thought the stormwater and drainage committee was supposed to be fulfilling.” The board voted to dissolve the committee effective January 1st, giving members three months to finalize any pending business.
The Energy Committee lost another member with John Murray’s resignation, leaving only two members on the five-person committee. Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett expressed concern about committee recruitment, suggesting better communication about committee responsibilities and time commitments to attract volunteers.
Cultural Council appointments proved complicated due to state law requiring three-year staggered terms rather than the one-year appointments the town had been making. Town Administrator Lisa Green explained the confusion over proper term lengths, and the board decided to have council members determine among themselves who would serve one, two, or three-year terms to establish proper staggering.
The board approved two one-day liquor licenses and received updates on upcoming events, including Hanson Day scheduled for September 27th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Indian Head School, featuring over 50 participating groups, food trucks, and performances.
In her administrator’s report, Green announced completion of union negotiations with all town employee groups, full staffing in town hall for the first time in months, and progress on the new senior center supportive day program building. She also reported completion of all Chapter 90 road construction projects for the year.
However, the meeting’s most concerning revelation came when board members learned through a South Shore News article that the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District had spent $1.14 million from reserves, leaving only $248,000 remaining from approximately $2 million in savings. Board member Joe Weeks expressed frustration: “We found out about it in a newspaper article? This board in particular has been talking about making sure that budget is being looked at and scrutinized.”
Chair FitzGerald-Kemmett announced plans to reach out to Superintendent Szymaniak and the school committee for clarification. “It was quite shocking to read about it in the South Shore News online posting on Facebook,” she said.
The board also discussed newspaper posting requirements following the halting of the Whitman-Hanson Express, which had significantly increased advertising costs for required legal notices. Green reported that posting costs now exceed $300 per notice, prompting discussion about pursuing state legislation to allow electronic alternatives.
Why It Matters
The police promotions represent significant structural changes in the department under new leadership, potentially improving service delivery and officer career development. However, the unexpected school district expenditure raises serious questions about budget oversight and communication between the regional school district and member towns, particularly as communities prepare for upcoming budget discussions.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve 2026 private way plowing list. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 28:42)
Motion: Appoint David Beauvais to Memorial Day and Patriotic Observance Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 29:58)
Motion: Recertify October 4th, 2021 Special Town Meeting vote for local licenses legislation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 35:29)
Motion: Dissolve Stormwater Management Committee effective January 1st. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 38:58)
Motion: Accept resignation of John Murray from Energy Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 39:14)
Motion: Approve one-day liquor licenses for Chapman Wedding and Retro 94 Craft Fair. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 49:58)
Motion: Approve September 9, 2025 minutes. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 52:34)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held during this meeting, though family members and community members attended the police recognition ceremony.
What’s Next
The board will reach out to school district officials regarding the $1.14 million expenditure. MBTA Communities information forums are scheduled for September 29th and October 2nd at 6 p.m. at Hanson Middle School. A special town meeting is scheduled for October 6th at 6:30 p.m. The Cultural Council appointment staggering will be addressed after consultation with current members.
Full meeting available via Whitman Hanson Community Access Television.