Hanson Select Board Finalizes Town Meeting Warrant, Prepares for Budget Override Vote
Board earmarks $275,000 for potential MBTA Communities Act litigation, schedules public forums on budget challenges
HANSON - April 15 - The Hanson Select Board has finalized the warrant for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, which includes critical financial decisions for the town's future, including a potential override vote and funds to defend against litigation related to the MBTA Communities Act.
During their April 15 meeting, the board reviewed both the special and annual town meeting warrants, with Town Administrator Lisa Green guiding members through each article.
The Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for May 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium, will address the fiscal year 2026 budget with and without an override.
"Article five is basically the FY26 budget, and that would be without the override. Then we have article six, which is the language for the override," Green explained.
To help residents understand the budget challenges, the board confirmed three public forums: Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Hanson Middle School; Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m. at the Senior Center; and Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Hanson Middle School.
"This is just informational. We're not trying to sell anybody on anything, just the facts," said Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. "I don't think we've really done these in the past... We've got nothing to lose except a couple of nights and times of our life."
Green confirmed she has reached out to all departments requesting representatives at the forums, with the school district already confirming attendance and planning to bring materials.
One of the most significant articles allocates $275,000 from free cash for legal fees to defend the town against potential litigation related to non-compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.
"When the town becomes non-compliant with the MBTA communities, we have funds set aside for defending... with fully expectation that the attorney general will file suit against us," Green said.
FitzGerald-Kemmett emphasized the importance of being prepared to explain the consequences if the article isn't approved.
"I want to make sure that you and Eric are prepared to talk about what happens if we don't have that money, that we will have to do a line item transfer if we can, if we even have that money. And if we don't, we will actually have to go out and borrow the money," she said.
Green confirmed, "By law, we have to defend ourselves. When someone files a lawsuit against you, you have to defend yourself. And if you don't defend yourself, you're deemed in basically default and a judgment's made against you."
The board also discussed alternative approaches to the MBTA Communities Act requirements. FitzGerald-Kemmett noted that Middleborough and another town had developed their own 40R plans as alternatives to the MBTA Community Act plan.
"They were able to use that to negotiate with the state to have them accept their 40R plan rather than the MBTA Community Act," she said, adding that Hanson's planning board had previously started working on a 40R plan and recently received a grant for a consultant to revisit it.
"We're gonna do the unfunded mandate, see about that, see about 40R, prepare ourselves to defend. Just gonna kind of try to be agile on this and make sure that we're putting the town in the best place we can be in," FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
Other significant warrant articles include:
- $200,000 from free cash for the stabilization account
- Establishing a water enterprise fund
- $12,692 to upgrade the town hall fire alarm system
- $9,950 to repair, seal coat and reline the town hall parking lots
- $15,000 for private roadways improvements
- $6,700 to connect traffic lights in front of town hall to the generator
The board also reviewed articles related to Camp Kiwanee's budget, with FitzGerald-Kemmett requesting more information about the facility's financial situation.
"It caught him a little bit off guard that they were coming to us for money," she said, referring to a conversation with a staff member. "I don't know if it's that the wedding bookings are so down for this year... because there was a pent up demand after COVID."
The board requested that representatives from the Camp Kiwanee Commission and the town accountant attend their April 29 meeting to provide more clarity.
Green also reported on the town's ARPA projects, noting that the library and council on aging generator has arrived and installation has begun. Other projects include the Pratt Place culvert replacement, food pantry updates, and completed catch basin repairs.
The board concluded by acknowledging the hard work of staff during recent transitions, particularly thanking Executive Assistant Doreen Theodorson and Town Administrator Lisa Green.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday, April 22: Budget Override Forum, 6:30 p.m., Hanson Middle School
- Thursday, April 24: Budget Override Forum, 9 a.m., Senior Center
- Saturday, April 26: Annual Hanson Cleanup Greenup, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 29: Next Select Board Meeting
- Wednesday, April 30: Budget Override Forum, 6:30 p.m., Hanson Middle School
- Thursday, May 1: Fourth quarter FY25 real estate and property taxes due
- Monday, May 5: Annual and Special Town Meeting, 6:30 p.m., High School Auditorium