Hanson Seeks Volunteers, Announces Early Voting for 2024 Election

Presidential Election preparations begin

HANSON, MA - October 15 - The Town of Hanson is actively recruiting citizens to join various town committees while also gearing up for the 2024 presidential election with an extensive early voting schedule. The brief meeting made no mention of the ongoing issue with a resident projecting a political sign on the Town’s water tower.

During the October 15th Hanson Select Board meeting, officials announced openings for citizen volunteers on multiple committees, including the bylaw committee, cable and internet committee, cultural council, and economic development committee.

Other committees seeking members include the Energy Committee, Historical Commission, Recreation Commission, Memorial Day and Patriotic Observance Committee, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Interested residents can find volunteer applications on the town website at www.hanson-ma.gov or by calling the Select Board's office at 781-293-2131.

The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2024, at the Hanson Middle School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To accommodate residents, Hanson Town Hall will offer early voting opportunities from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1, 2024, with varying hours.

"Early voting hours will be held at Hanson Town Hall as follows," announced board Clerk Ed Heal during the meeting, proceeding to list the schedule.

The early voting schedule begins on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekday hours vary, with some days offering extended evening hours to ensure accessibility for working residents. Tuesday, Oct. 22, early voting will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while most other weekdays will see hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The final week of early voting, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, will have extended hours, with voting available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on most days. Tuesday, Oct. 29, will offer the latest hours, with polls open until 8 p.m.

For those not yet registered to vote, a special voter registration session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Town Hall. This marks the last day to register for the Nov. 5 state presidential election.

"Any citizen may register to vote at the Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours," Heal added, noting that mail-in and online registration options are also available at www.rec.state.ma.us.

Residents who will be 18 years old by Nov. 5, 2024, are eligible to register to vote by Oct. 26, 2024.

The meeting also addressed other town matters, including approving a fund transfer for repairs to the Hanson Food Pantry following water damage.

Town Administrator Lisa Green explained, "The food pantry had unfortunately experienced a water leak that did some damage to some areas of the food pantry. Basically we needed to have a company come in to mitigate any further damage."

The cost of the mitigation efforts was approximately $19,000. To cover this expense without depleting the municipal buildings maintenance and repair line, the board approved a reserve fund transfer of $20,000.

Green noted that an application for additional funding through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) is currently under review. "The application is at the level 3 review process right now. So it's successfully passed level 1, level 2, it's now at level 3. So I am hoping to hear some very good news on that funding there shortly," she said.

In other announcements, the Hanson PTO is sponsoring a Monster Mash dance party for children of Indian Head Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Select Board also mentioned an upcoming truck or treat event on Saturday to benefit the Hanson Holiday Festival, with proceeds going towards fireworks for the festival.

The Board then entered three consecutive executive sessions to discuss enforcement, litigation, and executive session meeting minutes.

Upcoming Select Board meetings are scheduled for Oct. 29, Nov. 12, and Nov. 19, 2024.