HANSON - January 13, 2026 - The Hanson Select Board moved to “future-proof” the town against unregulated large-scale developments Tuesday night, advancing zoning amendments for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and flagging “data farms” as a potential looming issue. The Board also approved the replacement of broken electric vehicle charging stations at Town Hall using state grant funding.
The Full Story
Town Planner Tony De Frias presented urgent amendments to the town’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) bylaw to align with new regulations from the state Department of Energy and Resources (DOER). While Hanson established a bylaw in 2024 to regulate these facilities, De Frias explained that updated state rules require further tweaks to ensure the town retains control over safety and decommissioning.
De Frias warned that without strict regulations, the town could be vulnerable to “as-of-right” developments under Section 3 of the Zoning Act. He pointed to a large facility in Pembroke as an example of what residents might see.
“We’re just trying to get regulations in place because we know that at some point it may or will come knocking on our door and we need to have regulations to deal with it,” De Frias said. [34:09]
De Frias also raised a new concern: “Data Farms.” He noted that companies are actively scouting Massachusetts communities for locations to build massive server warehouses. These facilities often resemble large distribution centers but consume enormous amounts of electricity and water for cooling. De Frias indicated his department is researching regulations to require water recycling and renewable energy offsets for any future data centers in Hanson. The Board voted to send the BESS amendments to the Planning Board for a public hearing. [29:28]
In infrastructure news, the Board approved a plan to replace the defunct electric vehicle (EV) charging stations behind Town Hall. The project is fully funded by a state grant, covering up to $50,000 per site. Contractor Chris Collins of Energy Conservation, Inc. explained that the old stations failed due to the 3G network sunsetting. The new ChargePoint stations will operate on 5G and include a five-year warranty on parts and labor.
“What we’re trying to do is set it up so that there’s no cost to the town and we can generate some revenue... so that they’re paying for themselves,” De Frias told the Board. [13:00]
One station will be upgraded to be ADA-compliant, requiring a slight relocation of the concrete base.
Why It Matters
Zoning amendments are often dry, but they are the town’s primary defense against unwanted or unsightly large-scale commercial developments. By updating the BESS bylaw and preparing for data centers, Hanson is proactively protecting its visual character and resources (water and electricity) rather than reacting to a developer’s application when it’s too late. Additionally, fixing the EV stations restores a public amenity at zero tax impact, potentially generating small revenue streams for the town.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
EV Charging Stations: Motion to empower Town Administrator Lisa Green to execute the contract for replacing EV stations.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: [19:27]
Wage & Personnel (Election Workers): Motion to increase hourly rates for Election Clerks, Officers, Wardens, and Registrars to a range of $15-$20/hour.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: [22:43]
BESS Zoning Amendment: Motion to refer the Battery Energy Storage System bylaw amendments to the Planning Board for a public hearing.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: [29:28]
Interim Veterans Agent: Motion to appoint Terrence O’Keeffe (Hanover VSO) as Interim Veterans Service Officer.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: [36:04]
Sign Policy: Motion to draft a policy prohibiting all non-municipal signs on town property to avoid legal viewpoint discrimination issues.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: [49:55]
Public Comment & Administrative Reports
No Notary Services: Town Administrator Lisa Green announced that Town Hall will no longer offer notary services to the general public due to rising liability insurance costs. Residents are advised to use banks or other private services. [01:01:52]
Sign Policy: The Board discussed the “can of worms” opened by allowing non-profits to place signs on town greens. To avoid being “judge and jury” on which groups are acceptable, the Board directed the Town Administrator to draft a policy banning all non-town signs on municipal property. [44:05]
Interim VSO: Following a vacancy in December, the town has partnered with Hanover to share their Veterans Service Officer, Terrence O’Keeffe, on an interim basis to ensure veterans receive immediate assistance. [34:30]
What’s Next
Planning Board Hearing: The Planning Board will schedule a public hearing for the BESS zoning amendments.
Performance Reviews: The Select Board set a deadline of February 5th to submit performance reviews for the Town Administrator. [40:03]
Business Summit: The Economic Development Committee will host a Business Summit on February 26th at 5:30 PM. [51:52]
Superb coverage of what most would dismiss as boring policy. The insight about regulatory timing is spot-on becuase once a developer files an application, the leverage shifts completely. I've seen towns scramble after a BESS proposal landed, and it always turns into expensive legal battles. Hanson's planner gets it thatpreventive zoning costs pennies compared to reactive litigation and potential decades of unwanted infrastructure.