Hanson Proposes $3 Million Tax Override to Avert Service Cuts

Officials say increase would fund increased firefighters, maintain school budget, and prevent reductions in police and public works

HANSON - April 22 - Town of Hanson officials are asking residents to approve a $3 million tax override to maintain essential services and prevent significant cuts across multiple departments.

The proposed override would allow the hiring of four additional firefighters, eliminate the need to appropriate $1.061 million in free cash, and avert reductions in services for schools, public safety, and public works.

"The dire circumstances that would happen if we do not ask for this are something that we felt would be irresponsible if we didn't ask for this override," says Select Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. "It's a big ask. It's a heavy lift and we know that. We don't take this lightly at all."

Officials presented details about the override during an information forum at Hanson Middle School, with additional forums scheduled for April 24 at the Senior Center and April 30 at the middle school.

If the override fails, the town faces approximately $940,000 in cuts to the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, elimination of positions in police and fire departments, deferral of police cruiser purchases, and reductions in highway services.

Fire Chief Rob O'Brien explains that the department needs four additional firefighter-paramedics to address the increasing volume of simultaneous emergency calls.

"Last year in 2024, we had over 900 runs that were simultaneous calls in the Town of Hanson. Currently right now, almost 50% of the calls that we do are simultaneous calls," O'Brien says.

He describes a recent incident where the department handled a sizable brush fire, multiple medical calls, a fire alarm, and a second reported brush fire all within a 90-minute period.

"We are asking for more just so that we can try to ensure we have a firefighter paramedic in the town of Hanson at all times," O'Brien says.

Police Chief Michael Miksch emphasizes that his department is simply seeking to maintain current staffing levels.

"For the first time this year, and probably two or three years, or at least since COVID, we're fully staffed," Miksch says. "All I want is to keep the staffing where it is, and continue to have decent working conditions for the officers that are here."

Miksch notes that policing has changed significantly during his nearly 30-year career, with officers spending more time on calls and taking on additional responsibilities.

"We're borderline social workers at this point, too. And not that it's bad, I think it's developed into a good career in a nice way, and I think we're doing the right thing. But you have to understand, I need the people to do it," he says.

Highway Department Director Richard Jasmin says the override would allow his department to be fully staffed for the first time in quite some time.

"With being fully staffed, we're going to be able to put a full road crew out. You may think that we're nonexistent right now because we're very short-staffed," Jasmin says.

He adds that a fully staffed department can maintain all 17 town ball fields while still completing road projects in-house, ultimately saving money by limiting the need for contractors.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District is requesting level services funding, according to School Committee member Hillary Kniffen.

"We are not asking to add any programs, any more services for the students, but just to maintain what we have," Kniffen says.

She explains that the regional school district faces unique financial challenges, including paying for employee benefits and dealing with unfunded mandates like special education tuition, which has increased by approximately 27% since fiscal year 2023.

Library Director Karen Stolfer warns that if the override fails, the library could lose state aid certification, which would force the elimination of most programming and terminate an ongoing planning and design project.

Mary Collins, Director of Elder Affairs, notes that her department takes "four-tenths of one percent of the budget" and is simply asking for level funding to continue providing services like the supportive day program for seniors with memory impairment.

Town Administrator Lisa Green explains that property taxes account for 85% of Hanson's operating revenue, with local receipts at 9% and local aid at 6%.

The town meeting is scheduled for May 5, when residents will vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget. Article 5 represents a non-override budget, while Article 6 includes the override. The town election, which will include the ballot question on the override, is set for May 17.

Officials have created a website, HansonBudget.com, which includes a tax impact calculator that allows residents to determine how the override would affect their property taxes.

Full forum available via WHCA. A subsequent forum at the Council on Aging can be found here.