Hanover Town Meeting Approves Budget Items, Debates Zoning Changes in Second Night

MBTA Communities Act Zoning Changes Referred Back to the Planning Board

HANOVER, MA - May 7 - The second night of Hanover's 2024 Annual Town Meeting, held on Tuesday May 7, saw residents swiftly approving several budget items while engaging in heated debates over proposed bylaw changes and community projects. Town Moderator Doug Thomson guided the assembly through a packed agenda, with discussions ranging from financial appropriations to controversial zoning proposals.

The evening began with the unanimous approval of Article 16, which increases the income-based senior citizen real estate tax exemption. This move, supported by both the Advisory Committee and the Select Board, aims to help more senior citizens benefit from property tax relief by raising the annual income limit to the maximum allowed by state law.

"When discussing our budget challenges this year, the Select Board was particularly mindful of the impacts to our senior residents," said Select Board member Vanessa O'Connor. "Increasing this particular exemption to the maximum allowed by the Commonwealth in support of keeping Hanover as affordable as possible for seniors is a proposal that the entire Select Board fully supports."

One of the most contentious discussions centered around Article 29, which initially proposed $100,000 for basketball court renovations. After debate, the town meeting rejected the Advisory Committee's recommendation to dismiss the article entirely. Instead, they approved a reduced allocation of $50,000 for replacing hoops and backboards at B. Everett Hall Field and Myrtle Street courts, contingent upon the passage of the Proposition 2 1/2 override.

The meeting also saw significant debate over Articles 31 and 32, which proposed changes to zoning bylaws to allow for a digital billboard along Route 3. Both articles were ultimately referred back to the Planning Board and Select Board for further study, with officials citing the need for more comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts.

The meeting saw significant debate over Article 41, which deals with the state's MBTA Communities Act and multifamily housing zoning requirements. Following concerns raised by residents about potential impacts on town services, particularly schools, the article was referred back to the planning board for further study.

Select Board member John Tuzik explained the board's support for the article, stating, "In addition to the loss of grant funds, one of the things we considered was the risk of incurring significant litigation fees if we were to become one of the communities that strongly opposed this. We have not committed to any development, and our understanding is that this area being identified is where the mall has currently been redeveloped."

The proposed article identifies potential areas for multifamily housing in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act but does not commit the town to any specific development projects.

The meeting also saw the unanimous approval of several routine budget items, including the transfer of meals tax funds to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund under Article 10, and the approval of the Water Enterprise Budget under Article 11.