Hanson Select Board Approves Eagle Scout Project, Grapples with Budget Decisions
Local Scout to build soccer benches at middle school as board weighs potential cuts if override fails
HANSON - April 29 - The Hanson Select Board unanimously approves a local Boy Scout's Eagle Scout project to build portable soccer benches at Hanson Middle School during their April 29 meeting.
Jayden Turocy, a member of Boy Scout Troop 22 in Whitman, presents his plan to construct four portable, backless benches approximately eight feet long for the school's soccer fields.
"I have been, and still am, a part of the Whitman-Hanson youth soccer community for over 10 years now," Turocy tells the board. "Whether that be actually playing in town or travel soccer, I ref games, and I've even helped run camps for the towns."
Turocy explains his motivation stems from wanting to give back to the soccer community that has significantly influenced his life. He notes that less than 1% of Scouts obtain the Eagle rank, highlighting the achievement's significance.
"I've made the most of my experience and will cherish the memories I've made because of it, and in my eyes, it's the best way I can think of to give back to the community that's influenced my life as a player, a student, and a Scout," he says.
The board connects Turocy with Adam Valachovic, Chair of the Parks and Fields Commission, to ensure proper placement of the benches. Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett notes the serendipitous timing of Valachovic's presence at the meeting for another matter.
The board also faces difficult decisions regarding potential budget cuts across town departments if an upcoming override vote fails. The discussions highlight the tension between maintaining essential services and fiscal responsibility.
Valachovic expresses concern about proposed cuts to their budget. He explains that if the override doesn't pass, their budget would be slashed by 45%.
"We have a very limited budget of $40,000. Upwards of 90% of that budget is literally responsible for irrigation and fertilization day one," Valkovic says. "We're not asking for enhancements... We're not asking for anything other than can we maintain the services we have now for the kids playing on these fields?"
FitzGerald-Kemmett acknowledges the importance of maintaining the fields, especially after significant recent investments.
"We've spent all this money and right out of the gate, right after it's done, we're going to just start not funding the money that we need," she says, noting that volunteers do much of the work.
Board member Joe Weeks emphasizes the safety aspect of field maintenance.
"I don't even think it's necessarily just an investment on the aesthetic of it. I think that it's an investment in terms of the safety of children," Weeks says.
The board also discusses Highway Department funding requests, including equipment purchases that would save money long-term. Highway Director Richard Jasmin explains that a rubber-wheeled excavator would allow the department to be more self-sufficient.
"That rubber-tired excavator saved us, will save us upwards of $10,000 every hundred feet of drain line we put in," Jasmin says, comparing it to the cost of subcontracting the work.
The board decides to recommend funding for salt and sand spreaders regardless of the override outcome, while recommending other equipment purchases only if the override passes.
For private roadway maintenance, the board votes to recommend $15,000 for basic grading twice per year as required by town bylaw, with additional funding of $40,000 if the override passes.
Town Administrator Lisa Green reports that override information forums held the previous week received positive feedback, with the final forum scheduled for April 30 at Hanson Middle School.
"The forums that we had, the override information forums that took place last week, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who attended," Green says. "They thought the information was very helpful."
FitzGerald-Kemmett praises the department heads for their participation in the forums.
"I just thought, you know, wow, we've got a really great team of people working for this town," she says. "Everybody was saying, look, we're going to do the best we can, even if the override doesn't pass."
Other items addressed by the board include:
* Appointment of Matthew Tocchio as IT Director following a comprehensive interview process
* Acceptance of anonymous gifts to the Hanson Fire Department ($150) and Hanson Library ($50)
* Discussion of a flag retirement box to be placed outside town hall
* Updates on the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee agreement negotiations
* Progress on the Route 14 transportation improvement program
The annual town meeting is scheduled for May 5 at the high school auditorium at 6:30 p.m., where many of these budget decisions will come before voters.