Hanson Defies State Mandate, Votes Down MBTA Zoning Changes

Town meeting votes down zoning changes required by state law; officials warn of possible legal action and loss of grant funding. Also rejects school budget override.

HANSON, MA - May 6 - Hanson voters decisively rejected proposed zoning changes required by the MBTA Communities Act at the annual town meeting on May 6, following extensive debate about potential impacts on the town's character and concerns about state mandates overriding local control.

The measure, which would have created a multifamily housing overlay district near the commuter rail station, failed by a vote of 190-101. Town officials warned that rejecting the zoning changes could lead to legal action from the state attorney general and loss of eligibility for certain grant programs.

Town Administrator Lisa Green cautioned that noncompliance could result in a lawsuit and render the town ineligible for millions in state grants. She noted a recent $300,000 grant for the Council on Aging's supportive day program could be jeopardized.

"We are only creating the zoning," Green said. "What we're trying to do is preserve the amount of grants that the town has received the last two years. Again, exceeding $2 million."

However, many residents expressed strong opposition to what they viewed as state overreach into local affairs.

"We can't just roll over and let them bully us because it's never going to stop," said Stacy Sebeck of High Street. "We have to stick together. Maybe we have, like, a class action with the other towns that are fighting this. But we have to say no, period."

The town meeting also voted for a $62 million budget for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District but rejected an additional $372,141 override. Rejecting the override results in a failed budget and returns it to the School Committee for further action. School officials warned of potential impacts on programs and services.

In other business, voters approved a ban on the sale of miniature alcohol bottles, commonly known as "nips," effective Jan. 1, 2025. Proponents cited concerns about litter and public safety.

"Nip bottles are a blight on the beauty of our town," said Steve Smith of Monroe Street, who introduced the measure. He noted that during a recent two-hour town cleanup, volunteers collected over 2,000 discarded nip bottles.

Smith cited data from Chelsea, which banned nips in 2018, showing significant reductions in alcohol-related ambulance calls and public intoxication arrests following the ban.

Joe O'Sullivan of West Washington Street spoke in support of the ban, describing how he regularly finds discarded nip bottles on his property.

"Each time I mow my lawn, I pick up three to five nip bottles that are deposited on my lawn by people I know," O'Sullivan said. "The other issue I have with them is when you don't see them and you hit them with your lawnmower, kick them up like shrapnel out of the bottom sides."

However, some residents and business owners expressed concerns about the ban's potential impact on local businesses.

Vishnu Patel, owner of a liquor store in a neighboring town, urged officials to work with store owners to address the issue rather than imposing a ban.

"We should listen to the people who own the liquor store in this town, welcome their ideas, what they can do to solve the problem instead of banning the nips or instead of hurting the business," Patel said.

The town meeting also approved several other measures, including:

- Renaming the Recreation Committee to the Recreation Commission

- Amending bylaws to require advance notice for citizen petition articles

- Reducing the size of the Finance Committee

- Lowering the interest rate on property tax deferrals for residents experiencing financial hardship

- Authorizing the library to apply for a state construction grant

- Transferring funds for invasive plant treatment at Smitty's Bog

Moderator Sean Keely reminded attendees of the upcoming town election on May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.