HANSON — Oct. 27, 2026 — The Hanson Select Board took voice votes last Tuesday on motions to keep a single tax rate for all classes of property and to again decline residential and small commercial exemptions, following the Board of Assessors’ recommendations. The board also heard that electricity prices in Hanson Community Power will rise with December meter reads, when Constellation replaces Direct Energy as the program’s supplier.
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At the fiscal 2027 classification hearing, the assessors’ presentation showed Hanson’s tax base is 92% residential and 8% commercial, industrial and personal property. A split rate shifting 25% more of the levy onto business property would raise the average commercial-industrial bill from about $10,427 under a uniform rate to $13,034, Assessor Denice Alexander explained. The Board of Assessors recommended a uniform rate, noting the Select Board has always voted to keep one. Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said the town already struggles to attract businesses and does not want to shift more of the burden onto those it has.
The assessors also recommended against a residential exemption, which the presentation said is typically adopted in communities with many rentals, and against a small commercial exemption, which would benefit only about 16 of roughly 30 qualifying businesses because the others lease their space. Motions to follow all three were quickly voted. The assessors reported excess levy capacity of $4,955 for fiscal 2027. FitzGerald-Kemmett asked the assessors to work with the Economic Development Committee before next year on ways to help small businesses.
Community Power. Rachel Ferdinand, program manager for Hanson Community Power, said prices will go up when new pricing takes effect with December 2026 meter reads, but all three products remain below National Grid’s basic service. Ferdinand said Constellation will replace Direct Energy as supplier, participants do not need to take any action to stay in their chosen product, and a letter is going to current participants with time to opt out.
The presentation put the original and current Hanson Basic price at 13.280 cents per kilowatt-hour and National Grid’s current price at 17.185 cents, in effect through the end of January. New prices were in a memo to the board. Asked whether a new governor could change rates, the presenter said the new rate is locked from December 2026 to December 2027, and participants can opt out at any point.
