Hanson Select Board Celebrates Long-Serving Staff
25-year service awards presented to two employees
HANSON - December 3 - The Hanson Select Board recognized two long-serving town employees and discussed options for a proposed boardwalk project during its Dec. 3 meeting.
Anne Merlin from the Assessor's Office and Virginia Costley from the Zoning Board of Appeals were honored for their 25 years of service to the town.
Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett presented citations to both women, praising their dedication and contributions.
"You have been such a significant part of our team and we couldn't imagine our workforce without you," FitzGerald-Kemmett read from the citation.
Merlin was recognized for her work in the Assessor's Office and her contributions to the town's 200th anniversary celebration. FitzGerald-Kemmett highlighted Merlin's decorating skills and her performance at the anniversary party.
"Anne is so humble and just like a laboring or consistently there and really somebody that you can count on," FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
Costley was praised for her long-standing role with the Zoning Board of Appeals. FitzGerald-Kemmett emphasized the importance of the board and Costley's role in guiding new members.
"Virginia has overseen like all types of personalities and abilities and kept us on track," FitzGerald-Kemmett said. "She's always a steady hand on the helm guiding new people, helping them through that process."
Both Merlin and Costley expressed gratitude for the recognition and support from their colleagues.
The board also discussed options for a proposed boardwalk project connecting Main Street to Burrage Pond. Town Planner Tony De Frias presented three options based on a consultant's report.
Option one, which would create a new boardwalk through the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, was deemed unlikely to be approved due to environmental concerns and state regulations.
Option two emerged as the most feasible. It would involve purchasing acreage to create a 1,000-foot trail connecting two segments of the Bay Circuit Trail.
"Option two would be the most likely permittable option to provide access to and through the Burrage," De Frias said. "It has the benefit of providing the missing connecting piece of the Bay Circuit Trail."
Option three would provide a vista near the former firehouse on Main Street but wouldn't directly connect to Burrage Pond.
Board members expressed support for pursuing option two, citing its potential to improve trail connectivity and recreational access.
"What I like about two though is you're bringing together the Bay Circuit Trail, which I think is kind of important," said board member Ann Rein.
The board discussed potential challenges, including parking and sidewalk access. They also emphasized the need to balance this project with other town priorities.
FitzGerald-Kemmett suggested exploring ways to improve walkability and connectivity to the proposed boardwalk area.
"If we could somehow work on trying to get connectivity via a sidewalk there because I don't think we want everybody parking there," she said.
The board directed De Frias to further investigate option two and develop more detailed cost estimates.
The project is part of a $170,000 earmark to be split among three town initiatives. The board voted to divide the funds equally among the boardwalk project, improvements to High Street Park, and restoration of the Bonney House.
De Frias emphasized the importance of using the earmarked funds efficiently.
"I'd like to see we get earmarks, you get grants and you get this money and it winds up going to consultants and I'm not saying I'm not knocking consultants here because we need them, but you see the money came into the consultants only if we do something with what they give us for a plan," he said.
The board agreed to continue discussions on the boardwalk project and other town initiatives at future meetings.