Hanson Select Board Swears in New Police Chief Michael Casey, Honors Retirees
Casey takes helm of police department as Chief Michael Miksch and Officer Michelle Hughes conclude decades of service to the community.
HANSON - July 8 - The Hanson Select Board welcomed Michael Casey as the town's new Police Chief during its July 8 meeting, while honoring the retirements of Chief Michael Miksch and Officer Michelle Hughes, who together contributed about 60 years to law enforcement.
Casey, who was sworn in by Town Clerk Jessica Franceschini, officially began his duties July 1. The ceremony marked the culmination of a 30-year career with the Hanson Police Department, during which he rose from auxiliary officer to chief.
"I started from auxiliary all the way to the top, and it really means a lot," Casey said during his remarks. "I'm excited for a new chapter, bringing these guys to another level."
Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett praised Casey's inheritance of a department in strong condition. "You're inheriting a force that's in really great shape, and Chief Miksch has laid an amazing foundation," she said. "We can't wait to see what you do with it and make it your own."
The board presented official citations to both retiring officers, recognizing their extensive service records. Chief Miksch served 12 years as Hanson's police chief and nearly 30 years total in law enforcement.
"I really value the leadership that you have brought to this town, the support that you've given to all of us in some very weird moments that none of us could have ever predicted," FitzGerald-Kemmett said to Miksch. "You've always been on the other end of the phone, talking us off the ledge and giving us very sound advice."
Officer Michelle Hughes concluded 32 years with the department, having started part-time in 1993 before becoming full-time in 1996. Hughes holds the distinction of being the first female officer on the Hanson Police Force.
Beyond her law enforcement duties, Hughes contributed significantly to the community through youth activities, particularly softball coaching. FitzGerald-Kemmett noted Hughes' dual role as both officer and community volunteer.
"32 years, raising kids, giving back to your community, amazing," the chair said during the recognition ceremony.
The board also addressed ongoing compliance issues with the MBTA Community Act. Town Administrator Lisa Green reported that Hanson remains in compliance until July 13, with potential state action possible after July 14.
"We are in compliance until July 13th. So on the 14th, we may know, we may not know what action the Attorney General is going to take," Green said.
The board discussed exploring a 40R zoning option as an alternative compliance path. FitzGerald-Kemmett noted that the planning board had previously worked on 40R zoning before the MBTA Community Act requirements emerged.
"When we talked to our town council, they had indicated Middleborough's success was primarily because they had had that 40R in place beforehand," she said.
Green confirmed she would continue discussions with the town planner about reviving the 40R work that had been shelved when MBTA Community Act requirements took precedence.
The board approved several community events, including permission for trunk-or-treat activities at Maquan School on Oct. 17 with a rain date of Oct. 25, and the Hanson Holiday Festival and fireworks at Town Hall Green on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Green provided updates on several ongoing projects. The Maquan subsurface utility engineering study is complete, with a report expected within two weeks. The senior center building expansion faces a one-week delay, with building pickup now scheduled for July 16 and installation beginning July 19.
The town administrator also reported positive news regarding insurance costs, noting that policies have increased only $15,000 over four years while maintaining $65,000 in savings compared to previous coverage.
The board approved a line item transfer of $18,500 from part-time attendant wages to building maintenance for the Board of Health to cover higher-than-anticipated disposal costs at the transfer station.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session before reconvening for a separate wage and personnel meeting scheduled for 7:45 p.m.